After being to Paris countless times (more than 5 for sure), I know how overwhelming Paris can be. Especially for first timers.
And that is why I wrote this guide for 100+ Paris travel tips for first timers to the city. Hopefully, this will help in easing your travel worries when travelling to Paris for the first time.
If you have any more travel tips for Paris for newbies, do comment below so that we can help everyone.
Table Of Contents
Paris travel tips for first timers
I will be dividing this into sections and list the travel tips in Paris for each section separately. This post is designed to give you a general idea on what to expect when you are travelling to Paris for the first time.
Pro tip: Book everything early if you want a good deal and don’t forget to get a Paris city pass before you travel to get the stress out of doing everything at the last minute.
One of the main stress points for all Paris first timers is to figure out where to stay. As someone who has stayed all across Paris, I can advise you on where are my favorite places to stay and what to look out for while booking your stays in Paris.
- Areas or districts in Paris are called Arrondissements and there are totally 20 different major arrondissements in Paris.
2. It is counted from inwards and moves in a clockwise spiral. So the center of Paris is usually around the 1st 2nd, 3rd and 4th arrondissements.
3. The 1st arrondissement is one of the most fanciest neighbourhoods of Paris and you can find many luxury hotels in Paris in this area. It is also among the most expensive areas to stay in.
4. Louvre and the Jardin gardens are located in the 1st arrondissements while the popular Eiffel tower is in the 7th. Arc De Triomphe is in the 8th. And hence areas around these popular spots will be more expensive compared to others.
5. One of my favorite areas to stay is in the 5th or 6th arrondissement, next to the Pantheon.
6. While booking a hotel room, the thing to watch out for is the room size. Paris rooms are notoriously small and if you are travelling with family, you do not want to get stuck with them in a 10 sq meter room.
7. The rooms are much bigger if you are staying in the outer arrondissements. When I was travelling with my husband (he hates small spaces), we stayed in the 13th. This was a business district and had a lot of business hotels. It was very convenient because of the metro. But my husband who can be a princess especially when it comes to walking, wanted to take cabs everywhere and it would take a while for the Uber to come.
8. If you are choosing an Airbnb, look for ones that are close to metro stations and with a lift. You do not want to drag your suitcase up 5 flights of stairs in the middle of your Eurotrip. I would definitely recommend Airbnbs for families. Especially if you want to cook for your young kids.
9. Read multiple reviews to check if the area you are staying in is a safe area.
10. If you are looking to stay near popular sights but don’t want to pay a bomb, then look for adjacent arrondissements. Like last time I was in Paris, I was there for New Year’s Eve. And this year, the celebrations were at Arc De Triomphe. Instead of staying in the 8th which was expensive, I ended up staying in the 17th and was just a 15-20 min walk from the Arc. This was extremely helpful since I could just walk back after the fireworks.
11. Is it worth spending money for a room with a view with the Eiffel tower? In my opinion, it is just an Instagram flex and absolutely does not do any justice for the price.
12. I don’t stay in hostels anymore. But there are some great hostels in Paris. But hardly any of them are in the center of Paris and you may spend time commuting while you are in Paris.
13. If you are someone who loves eating breakfast early, then take an option with breakfast included. Why, you may ask? Most cafes and restaurants open only post 11 AM.
14. I always stay in areas where there is a laundromat nearby. I am usually on the road for weeks at a time. Hotels may not have laundromats but you can usually find one within 300 m. Like for e.g, there were 2 near my hotel in the 5th.
15. The North/Northeast parts of Paris are usually considered to be generally less safe than other parts of Paris.
16. Safe ones are 1st, 5th (Latin quarter), 6th (St Germain), Le Marais (central), 7th and 8th arrondissements.
17. Food costs will also be higher near the tourist centers.
Transportation travelling tips for Paris
In this section, I talk about how to get around Paris.
18. I have found Paris metro very easy to navigate compared to other cities. It is also the most efficient way of getting around Paris.
19. But that said, I love walking around the streets of Paris too and some districts like Marais and Montmartre needs to be seen on foot. I usually use the metro to move from district to district and then walk once I get to that arrondissement.
20. Buy a Navigo easy pass for faster access.
21. They no longer sell carnets or paper tickets of 10 at a time anymore. Since everything has moved to digital and you are better off buying a Navigo card.
22. A metro single ticket costs around 2.50 euros while a bus ticket costs around 2 euros.
23. Rather than buying individual tickets, it is better to buy a Navigo card or rather buy day passes of 24, 48 or 72 hours.
24. The Navigo card which you can buy without a photo is a Navigo easy card and this can be bought either online or at the ticket machines across stations in Paris.
25. Use the app Ille De France Mobilites to use it on your smartphone.
26. There are three modes of public transportation: Metro, buses or RER.
27. The metro lines are the fastest way to get around the city. RER are the trains that connect you from Paris to airport or nearby regions like Versailes. Buses are ideal for short distances or for places metro lines are not available.
28. Ubers are much more expensive and the cheaper option is to use a Bolt. I usually book cabs when I have luggage with me and have found Bolt to be the cheaper option.
29. Prebook your airport transfer if you are looking for an individual vehicle. It comes out cheaper this way. Especially for bigger groups.
30. Else, you can take an RER train to the city center from the airport.
31. Paris has 6 termini stations and each of them connects to a different part of Europe. Depending on where you want to go from Paris, you need to be careful while reaching the correct station. All of them start with Gare.
32. The 6 station are Gare de East, Gar du Nord, Gare de Lyon, Gare de Montparnassae, Gare Saint Lazare and Gare d’Austerlitz.
33. The train workers in Paris and France have a notorious reputation of going on a strike. It is very common to catch at least once strike during your trip to Paris. Don’t be alarmed and just make sure that your train connections are not affected.
34. In most cases, it will be local lines and you will have an option to choose an alternate metro.
35. Another convenient way that has become popular nowadays is to ride through the city by bike. You can book bikes online and you can choose Velib passes for 1,3 or 5 days according to your convenience.
How can you come to Paris and not experience the food and cafe culture of Paris. Which in my opinion is one of the best things to experience in Paris. Even as a vegetarian in Paris.
36. Before you go, earmark all the cafes and restaurants you want to visit.
37. Many popular restaurants will require an advance reservation.
38. Popular places get quite busy by opening time and some may only entertain walk-ins on the day off.
39. Like if you want to have breakfast in Angelina’s or try their legendary hot chocolate at their most famous outlet in 1st, you will have to wait in line way before they open.
40. Macarons are a French classic and needs to be had as well as bought as souvenirs for people back home. They do have a shelf life of a week in most cases. The most popular ones and the ones I like are Laduree and Pierre Herme. But local shops like Gem La Patisserie and Amorino.
41. French pastries are to die for and you need to try ones like Madelines, Eclairs, Mille Feuille, Pain Du chocolate and croissants obviously.
42. You need to budget for at least 50 – 100 Euros a day per person for food.
43. If you are on a budget, then one of the cheapest things to eat in Paris are Crepes. You get a mix of both savoury and sweet crepes and they usually cost around 8-10 euros each.
44. Another budget option is to find falafel stands around Paris.
45. If you are a non-vegetarian, you need to try the Escargot (snails), steak frites, oysters, mussels, French onion soup and a Croque Monsieur or Madame.
46. Berthillini’s icecreams are a must try when you are in Paris.
47. My favorite hobby in Paris is to find a corner table that overlooks the street and just sit there and people watch all day.
48. There are around 120 Michellin starred restaurants in Paris.
49. French are always so elegantly dressed. So make sure that you are appropriately dressed when you are visiting an elegant establishment in Paris. Some may even ask for closed shoes. But the ones near touristy spots tend to be more lenient when it comes to dressing style.
50. Tips are not mandatory in Paris but they are definitely expected. I usually tip 10% of the food bill wherever I go.
Paris has so many things to do and it may be difficult for you to choose what to do in a short span of time as a first timer. That is why I would suggest getting a Paris Pass to make going around Paris a little easier.
51. Louvre is one of the most famous attractions in Paris and you may find it difficult to visit the museum in just a few hours. You can easily spend days in this place.
52. There are skip the line passes available to see the Mona Lisa, the most popular art exhibit inside the Louvre. I would highly suggest to get one to see it.
53. Try visiting the Louvre towards the end of closing hours. You will have way less crowds compared to the morning hours.
54. Some Museums in Paris have free days and you can Google in advance to find out which of them are free to visit on which day. Unfortunately, Louvre does not have this option.
55. It is highly suggested that you buy Eiffel Tower top tickets weeks in advance. They sell like hot cakes during summer months.
56. However, if you are going to see a viewpoint of Paris, the Arc De Triomphe has a better viewpoint in my opinion.
57. Also, the Eiffel tower closes on bad weather days due to low visibility.
58. One of the best free things to do in Paris during Spring and summer is to have a picnic below the Eiffel tower.
59. Do a tour of the Seine during evening hours and it is just magical.
60. The Eiffel tower sparkles at the start of every hour from sunset to midnight daily.
61. If you are planning to visit Versailes, you can choose a half day tour from Paris.
62. Many consider Moulin Rouge show to be overhyped but as someone who has been there multiple times, I love visiting Moulin Rouge.
63. Another cabaret I visited this year was Crazy Horse and I loved it too.
64, Cabarets are a part and parcel of Paris cultural scene and if you love a more muted and sensual one, I would suggest Crazy Horse.
65. Lido Paris is no longer functional (2025 update).
66. Another free activity I love doing in Paris is to visit the many gardens around Paris.
67. My favorites are Tuileries Garden, Jardin De Luxembourg and Jardin De Palais Royale.
68. People watching and having a picnic here is what I love to do. If you are a fan of Emily in Paris, then you can notice many scenes have been filmed in Jardin De Luxembourg.
69. Last year, I visited Paris for Christmas and New Year’s and my favorite Christmas market was the one in the Tuileries Garden. They had so many stalls in addition to many adventure rides.
70. Spend a day cafe hopping around the banks of the Seine.
71. Some of the best Paris photo spots are free. The ones I love are Trocadero (we did a paid photoshoot here when my husband was in Paris), Pont De Bir Hakim, Banks of Seine, Louvre musuem, Montmartre, Arc De Triomphe etc.
72. Did you know that the rooftop of Galleries De Lafayete has one of the best free photo spots for the Eiffel Tower?
73. Montmartre is one of my favorite neighbourhoods in Paris to walk in. You can find many filming locations for both Emily in Paris and the Bollywood movie Queen here.
74. Sacre Couer Basillica is definitely another must visit spot for viewing Paris from top.
75. If you want to watch an Opera in Paris, you need to buy tickets through the official Opéra national de Paris website for both Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille. These are usually booked out weeks in advance and hence you definitely need to prebook this before you come to Paris.
76. Notre Dame is the most visited attraction in Paris and is now open since December 2024.
77. If you are coming as a family to Paris, you definitely need to visit Disneyland. I visited back in the 90s when I was still a kid with my parents and I still remember the experience till date.
Shopping tips for Paris travel
One of my favorite destinations to shop in the world is Paris and I love visiting Paris to buy luxury goods as well as vintage decor. Since you usually find some of the best brands in the world in Paris.
78. You can choose to shop at luxury outlets, outlet malls, departmental stores or even Flea markets. Depending on your tastes, there is something for everyone at each of these locations.
79. You are eligible for a tax refund if you shop for more than 100 euros at one place and if you are a non-Eu resident over 16 years of age.
80. Always carry your passport with you if you are planning to shop for more than 100 euros in Paris shops. They will not accept online copies if you want to claim for a VAT refund.
81. I love to shop in Galleries Lafayete Haussman since it is a departmental store in the middle of Paris and have so many brands under the same roof.
81. If you want to claim a tax refund, collect your tax free form from the shop after purchase and then deposit it at the last airport you are exiting Europe from. They usually have tax kiosks in all airports. Once it is validated either automatically or manually, you can expect to receive the money in your credit card within the next month.
82. Not all shops will offer the Vat refund option.
83. I love buying trinkets from flea markets and you can find so many unique ones through them. One of the most popular one is the Les Puces de Saint-Ouen.
84. You may need to queue at luxury shops like Chanel to even get in. LV has an option to book an appointment prior to going.
85. La Vallee village is an outlet shopping mall just around 2 hours outside Paris.
Miscellaneous tips for travel to Paris (Scams, tourist tips to watch for)
We cannot talk about Paris travelling tips without mentioning what to watch out for especially when it comes to scams and tourist traps. Paris can be an unsafe city especially because of the pickpockets and you have to remain alert at all times.
86. You are going to be walking a lot in Paris. So please carry comfortable shoes that won’t strain your feet even after walking for hours.
87. Pickpocketing is a common issue in Paris and I would definitely suggest an anti theft bag or cross body bag while travelling in Paris.
88. Be vigilant in crowded areas. Especially the metros and subways where there have been many cases of grab and go during stops.
89. Be aware of the common scams in Paris.
90. Notable ones are the friendship bracelet where they tie a bracelet around your wrist as a friend and then ask for money later.
91. Fake gold ring scam is when they claim to find a fake gold ring and theb try to sell it to you for a higher price.
92. Someone distracts you while their accomplice robs you of your valuables without you even noticing.
93. Make copies of all your documents and keep them in a separate bag. Only take your passport out of the safe if you are going shopping.
94. Don’t exchange currency with strangers, Only go to licensed vendors.
95. If your gut feels that the stranger is being over friendly for a reason, then avoid that person.
96. Always greet the person. Especially when you are entering a restaurant or a building.
97. Learn a few phrases of French. French are really not rude and warm upto you based on your behaviour with them.
98. Dress stylishly since you will feel like a tourist in Paris otherwise.
99. Packing an umbrella is always a good idea.
100. Learn how to pack for layers in Paris. A good trench coat and heels are a must for women in Paris.
101. Last but not the least, expect not to like Paris during your first visit. I fell in love with Paris only on my 3rd visit. Paris syndrome is a sense of extreme disappointment exhibited by some individuals when visiting Paris, who feel that the city does not live up to their expectations (wiki).
Conclusion
Paris is a city that rewards curiosity, preparation, and a little bit of spontaneity. With these Paris travel tips, you’ll be able to navigate the city confidently, avoid common mistakes, and experience its charm beyond the iconic sights. From mastering the Metro to embracing cafe culture and discovering hidden neighborhoods, every moment in Paris becomes richer when you know what to expect. Let this guide help you explore at your own pace and soak in the beauty, history, and magic that make Paris unforgettable. Bon voyage – and may your Paris journey be everything you’ve imagined and more.
