Planning a Trip to Paris

Planning a trip to Paris is thrilling, and more than a tiny bit intimidating. It's been over 30 years since I was last in Paris, and I'm so excited to be planning another visit in September 2025! Even though I've been there before, there's just sooo much to see it's hard to take it all in. Here's what I've figured out based on my past visits plus tons of recent research.

Do you need to learn French? (No, but bonjour is essential) Will you look ridiculous if you order a cappuccino after breakfast? (Yes, but only to the waiter.) Between museums, Metro maps, and croissants the size of your head, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even pack your bags. This guide breaks down the basics: when to go, what to see, where to stay, and how not to tip the taxi driver your entire vacation budget.

When to Go

Paris is one of those cities that is fab to visit year-round, but the vibe changes with the season.

• Spring (March–May): Cherry blossoms in front of Notre Dame and picnics in the Luxembourg Gardens. It’s gorgeous, but expect crowds once the weather warms up.
• Summer (June–August): Long, sunny evenings along the Seine and café terraces buzzing late into the night. Downside? Prices and tourists both skyrocket. Also, Parisians escape the city in August, so some shops and restaurants may be closed.
• Fall (September–November): My personal pick. Crisp weather, fewer crowds, autumn colors in the parks, and plenty of festivals.
• Winter (December–February): Cozy cafés, twinkling holiday lights, and museum days without elbowing your way through 1500 people. It’s cold, yes, but you’ll have shorter lines and better hotel rates.

If your dates are flexible, check whether there are special exhibits, fashion weeks, or major events you’d love to see (or avoid like the plague).

What to See

If your travel dates are flexible, start with reseaching what you want to see. Certain exhibits or festivals might draw you in, or big events might make you want to wait until the crowds thin out. And remember: nobody has ever seen all of the Louvre. Not even the staff or Tom Hanks (who seems like a nice guy). Don't even try.

I'd start out by looking up what there is to do and see: the biggest attractions and top experiences. Note the ones of most interest to you, then start reading about each one to see if it's actually something you want to spend your time and money on.

Of course, travel blogs (good ones!) are my favorite resources to find out the inside information on places from a real person's experiences and point of view. You Tube videos are also a great help to get an overview from someone's actual experience.

Don’t try to do it all. Pick a couple of big sights each day and leave room for café breaks and getting delightfully lost. That’s often when the best Paris moments happen.

Where to Stay

Once you’ve got your must-sees sorted, you can start researching where to stay. I like to plot out the places I'm going to on a map so I can see if most of them are located in the same area and then start my lodging search around there. You can use Google's “My Maps” to create your own map for planning.

Here's my map I created to start planning my trip. After pinning my must-sees, it was clear that staying near a central Metro stop, around the Palais Garnier or Place de la Concorde, would make the most sense. (To see the names of the sites pinned click the box in the map's upper left corner. Then you can click the name in the list to get more info and the website for the place. Pretty handy!)

Like figuring out what to see, good travel blogs are my favorite place to find recommendations on where to stay. Another place to start is from a site like Booking.com. Enter where you're going, when and then add filters to narrow down the area of the city, price range, and all sorts of other things you want in your lodging.

Emergency and Medical

Hopefully this section stays firmly in the ‘good to know, never need’ category, like how to change a tire or assemble Ikea furniture.

• Emergency number in France: Dial 112 for medical, fire, or police.
• Hospitals vs clinics: Head to a hospital for serious issues (chest pain, broken bones). For smaller problems like fevers or infections, look for an urgent care clinic (centre médical).
• Language help: Many doctors speak English, but keep Google Translate on your phone (it works offline and can translate photos of signs or prescriptions).
• Insurance: Check your health plan before you go. Some credit cards (like my Chase card) include international medical and travel coverage with a 24-hour emergency line, read that fine print! If yours doesn’t, buy short-term travel medical insurance for peace of mind.
• Embassy resources: The U.S. Embassy in Paris has English-speaking doctors, notaries, and help with things like passports or legal issues. Bookmark their site before you travel.

Keep a small “just in case” card in your wallet with your emergency contacts, insurance info, and hotel address in French. It’s one of those things you’ll probably never use, but if you need it, you’ll be glad it’s there.

Transportation

Getting around Paris is easier than it looks, once you get the hang of the Metro map spaghetti.

• Metro & Buses: Paris has finally caught up with the times: you can now pay for rides with your phone (Android 8+ or iPhone XS/newer). Just download an official app like Île-de-France Mobilités or Bonjour RATP, load your ticket, and tap your phone at the gate like a local. Magic! That said, I still recommend grabbing a cheap Navigo Easy card at a station machine as backup, apps can glitch, and the last place you want tech trouble is when you’re juggling a croissant and trying to catch a train.
• Airport Transfers: 
  • From CDG (Charles de Gaulle), you can take the RER B train straight into the city. If you’d rather not wrestle luggage on a train, official taxis have flat rates (€55–€62) depending on your destination.
  • From Orly Airport, you’ve got a few options: the OrlyBus goes straight to Denfert-Rochereau in about 30 minutes, or you can take the OrlyVal light rail to connect with the RER B line. Official taxis from Orly are slightly cheaper than CDG, with flat rates of about €35–€41 depending on which side of the Seine you’re headed. As with CDG, skip unlicensed cabs.
• Walking: Paris was made for walking, just bring shoes that can handle cobblestones. Your feet will thank you, even if your fashion sense sulks a little. The best discoveries usually happen when you wander off your planned route.
• Taxis & Rideshares: Uber works in Paris, but it’s not always cheaper or faster than the Metro. Use it late at night when trains run less frequently.
• Day Trips: Trains from Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon make places like Versailles, Giverny, and Reims (hello, Champagne!) easy side trips.

Money

Cash (Euros):
Skip the airport exchange counters, they’re a rip-off. Use an ATM once you arrive in Paris to get euros at the best rate. Most places take cards, but it’s smart to carry a little cash for markets, small cafés, or that one boulangerie with the world’s best croissant and a handwritten “cash only” sign.

Credit Cards:
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. Make sure your card has chip-and-PIN or contactless (tap) capability. American Express is hit-or-miss outside big hotels and restaurants. If you have a travel rewards card (like my Chase Sapphire), bring it… the no foreign transaction fees are a lifesaver!

Tipping:
Like Frankie says: Relax! You don’t need to tip like in the U.S. A 15% service charge is already included in restaurant bills (service compris). If you had a great experience, leaving a little extra change or rounding up a euro or two is appreciated, but not expected. For taxis, just round up to the nearest euro. For airport transfers or private guides, €5–€10 is a nice gesture if the service was especially good. Bargain!

Practical Paris Tips for First-Time Visitors

Paris is magical, but it also has its quirks. A few things that will make your first visit smoother (and a lot more fun):

• Learn the basics. A simple bonjour, merci, and s’il vous plaît go a long way. Even if your French ends there, locals appreciate the effort. Unlike in the U.S., you’re expected to say bonjour when you enter a shop or restaurant. Skip it and you’ll get side-eye that could cut through a baguette.
• Café etiquette. In many cafés, you seat yourself, and if you order just a coffee, no one will rush you. Parisians are professionals at lingering. Pay at the counter if the waiter doesn’t bring you the bill.
• Pickpocket prevention. The biggest safety issue here isn’t violent crime, it’s sneaky hands on the Metro or near tourist sights. Keep your bag zipped and close, and don’t carry all your cash in one place.
• Dining solo. You won’t feel out of place eating alone. Paris cafés are made for people-watching. Bring a book or journal, and voilà: you’re not alone, you’re an author ‘working on your manuscript.
• Bathrooms. Not every café lets you use theirs unless you buy something. Keep coins handy for public restrooms. Or just perfect the art of the ‘I swear I’m buying something after I use the bathroom’ face. And be sure to say “Bonjour”!
• Sunday closures. Some shops shut down on Sundays, but museums, big attractions, and many restaurants stay open. Plan ahead if you want to do boutique browsing.
• Monday and Tuesday closures. Be sure to check the days museums are open. Many are closed on Monday and/ or Tuesday.
• Apps to download. Google Translate (download French offline), Citymapper for Metro routes, and the SNCF app for train tickets. I also love Rome2Rio for directions that give you the best method of transportation between two places.

Paris doesn’t have to be complicated. A little planning goes a long way: figure out your must-sees, pick a Metro card (or let your phone do the tapping), and practice your best café linger.

The rest? Let it unfold. Because the best Paris moments usually aren’t on the itinerary anyway. They’re the unexpected ones, like stumbling into a jazz trio on the Seine or finding the perfect chocolate éclair when you were just looking for the bathroom. Pack your curiosity (and maybe some stretchy pants), and let Paris do the rest.

Paris Essentials – Quick Checklist

Apps to Download

• Google Translate (download French offline)
• Citymapper or Bonjour RATP (for Metro & buses)
• SNCF Connect (for trains & day trips)

Getting Around

• Navigo Easy card or load tickets onto your phone (Android 8+ or iPhone XS/newer)
• Always stay near a Metro station when booking hotels
• Comfortable walking shoes > cute but painful ones (Parisian cobblestones don’t care about your Instagram).

Money

• Use ATMs for euros (avoid exchange counters)
• Visa & Mastercard are widely accepted (make sure your card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee)
• Tipping: service is included (service compris), rounding up a euro or two is just a nice extra

Emergency Info

• Dial 112 for medical, fire, or police
• U.S. Embassy in Paris: fr.usembassy.gov
• Keep insurance & hotel info in your wallet (and phone)

Must Know Etiquette

• Say bonjour when entering shops/cafés
• Don’t expect endless coffee refills, order another if you want one
• Linger in cafés, it’s encouraged

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