The Beginner’s Guide to Visiting Paris

Paris is a beautiful city with an endless list of things to do! When you first arrive though, it can take you awhile to become accustomed to the city, and there are a few things you need to know before visiting Paris!

Quick facts about Paris

Currency: Euro    

Population: 2,211,297

Major airports: Charles De Gaulle (CDG), and Paris Orly (ORY), There is also Beauvais but it is about a 2 hour bus ride from Paris

Tipping: Service included in meal and drink price. Ask for une carafe d’eau if you want tap water

Guide to Visiting Paris for first-timers

Layout of Paris

Paris is organized into little neighborhoods, called ‘arrondissements.’ Each arrondissement is numbered, and people refer to where they live as “the 7th,” or “20th arrondissement.” Some are more touristy or more expensive than others. Most of the tourist attractions are located in the centre, around the Seine.

When looking at a Parisian address, you can tell which arrondissment it is in based on the the last two digits of the zip code. For example, the 11th arrondissement’s zip code would be 75011. The 6th arrondissement would be 75006, and so on.

Getting around

There are a few ways to get around Paris: The metro, the RER, and bus, which are all run by the RATP.

The metro is hands down the easiest way to travel. A single ticket costs 1.90 euros, and you can use it for a time period of 90 minutes. You can also use it on the RER train, provided that you aren’t coming from the airport. The metro lines may be confusing at first, but it’s actually pretty easy once you’re used to it! The one station I would say to avoid when taking the metro is Chatelet. It’s the huge hub in the middle of the city but that means it’s crazy to switch lines.

The RER is a train that connects Paris hotspots to the suburbs. There is the RER A, B, C, and D. You will probably have to take them if you want to go to the airport, Disneyland, or to Versailles. However, they can be a bit unreliable because 1, the schedule can be really delayed and 2, you always have to double check the screen to make sure it will actually stop at the station you want to go. One time I got lost in the suburbs at 11pm because I had failed to double check if it stopped at my destination. The route changes for each train.

Finally, there’s the bus. Honestly, it isn’t all that common to take the bus instead of metro. I really don’t mind it, and you can use your metro tickets on the bus. The only inconvenience is that you may need to buy tickets beforehand, and there aren’t any ticket machines at bus stops. The perk of buses is that there are several night buses to take you home if you’re out late and all the metro lines have stopped running.

Things to do

There are many famous sights to see in Paris, so you probably have a pretty good idea of what to see already! If you’re looking for things to see and do, check out this itinerary for Paris.

Hint: If you plan to hit a lot of museums, a city pass is hands down your cheapest option!:

Where to stay

If you want to be near the tourist spots, you should stay close to the Seine. However, places can be a bit pricey there! If you want to save a bit of money but still be well connected to the tourist spots, I would recommend the 14th, 12th, or 10th arrondissments.

If you’re looking for a hostel to stay at, I recommend the following!

Caulaincourt – Located in Montmartre, this hostel is close to some great sights and in the heart of the artsy district. During the day, Montmartre is filled with locals enjoying a coffee in the sunshine. At night, the neighborhood comes alive with bars and clubs suited for everyone.

Les Piaules – This hostel is in a more local area, but walking distance to one of the best neighborhoods in Paris: Republique! Here you will find bars, restaurants, and speakeasies, and you can even walk down to Le Marais if you wish! If you want some greenery, you’re also close to Parc des Buttes Chaumont, one of the best parks in Paris.

MIJE Hostel – A bit pricey but the location cannot be beat! This hostel is located right in the center of Le Marais, the vibrant shopping neighborhood. You could wander the Marais for hours and you’re well connected both by metro and by foot to all the sights of Paris.

Packing tips

Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking a lot! In the summer, girls wear a lot of casual dresses and skirts. In winter, it’s long, oversized coats and trousers.

The French are not too flashy, so if you want to fit in don’t go over the top. Hair is always worn pretty natural, and little if any makeup is worn.

Most importantly, don’t forget an umbrella!! It rains quite a bit in Paris so you should be prepared.

French language

Safety

Although Paris is pretty safe, it’s still a big city! There are areas of Paris that tend to be a bit more dangerous at night, such as the 18th or 19th arrondissement.

Stealing is also very common so keep an eye on your things, especially on crowded metros. Never put your wallet or phone in your back pocket and always keep a copy of your travel documents in case you lose them.

Scams are also pretty common, especially with tourists, so ignore anyone who wants you to sign something or offers to give you a bracelet.

Additional Tips

Do NOT, whatever you do, fly into Paris Beauvais

I get it, you see a crazy cheap flight and you think it’s too good to be true. That’s because it is! Beauvais airport is located 2+ hours outside of Paris. While that really isn’t that bad, there are many people who fly into it not knowing that it isn’t actually in Paris. If you aren’t on a time crunch, Beauvais is great! It’s just better to be prepared!

Save your metro tickets

Do not throw away your tickets until after you have exited the metro station at your destination. Every now and then there are workers who wait in the station and check everyone’s tickets. If you don’t have yours with you, it’s a 60 euro fine.

Buy tickets in bulk

If you go to the metro station and buy 10 tickets from the cashier, you get a bundle of 10 tickets with a discount. You can then use the tickets on the metro OR on the bus and don’t have to wait in line every time you need to catch the metro.

Don’t miss my list of completely FREE things to do in Paris!

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