Destination Guide

Paris Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Neighbourhoods, transport, booking tips and the practical details that make a first trip to Paris go smoothly.

Maya ChenSeptember 1, 20262 min read

Paris Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

Table of contents

Where to stay in Paris
Getting around
What to book ahead

Paris rewards a little homework. This guide covers the practical decisions that shape a first trip: which neighbourhood to stay in, how to use the metro, what to book ahead and how to avoid the biggest rookie mistakes.

Where to stay in Paris

Base your choice on the kind of trip you want. For a first visit, staying central between the Louvre and the Marais keeps almost everything within a 30-minute walk or a short metro ride.

Le Marais — boutiques, cafés and historic streets, lively day and night
Saint-Germain-des-Prés — classic Parisian elegance near the Seine
The 9th — better value, with the Opéra and great brasseries nearby
Latin Quarter — student energy, bookshops and affordable eats

Hotels we feature in Paris

Hôtel du Petit Moulin

Paris, France

Boutique stays in Le Marais

$$$

Le Meurice

Paris, France

Statement luxury near the Tuileries

$$$$

Hôtel Joke Astotel

Paris, France

Design-forward value in the 9th

Getting around

The metro is fast, frequent and covers everything you'll want to see. Buy a Navigo Easy card at any station and load tickets onto it — cheaper than single paper tickets and much faster at the gates.

Metro & RER: single ticket €2.15; a carnet of 10 is cheaper
Buses: scenic and slower, but excellent for the boulevards
Walking: the real way to see Paris — bring comfortable shoes
Bike share: the Vélib' network is great for flat routes along the Seine

What to book ahead

Must-see timed museums (Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie) — reserved slots sell out
Popular restaurants — Paris still books well in advance for dinner
Day trips (Versailles) — the train and skip-the-line tickets go quickly
Shows and river cruises in the evenings

Ready to book?

Browse hotels in Paris

Frequently asked questions

How many days do I need in Paris?+

Four full days is a comfortable first-trip minimum — enough for the headline museums, a Marais afternoon and a day trip or a slow day along the Seine.

Is Paris expensive?+

Compared with other European capitals it's mid-range. Accommodation is the biggest cost; food, transport and most museums are reasonably priced if you plan ahead.

Do I need to speak French?+

No, but a handful of phrases go a long way. Most people in the city centre will meet you in English.

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