Planning a Trip to Paris? What You Need To Know!

There are many things to consider when planning a trip to Paris. What will you do, how will you get from place to place, where will you stay, and what should you pack are just a few. Of course, you want to see the top five sites: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Versailles, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe.  Hopefully you will also visit other museums like the Musee d’ Orsay and Musee d’ Cluny.

I also highly recommend that you take time to enjoy baguettes and cheese in one of the beautiful gardens or green spaces, have a drink at a corner cafe to people-watch, eat crepes of all varieties wherever and whenever possible, and also plan a little time for a night cruise down the Seine. But what about the logistics? Check out answers to these questions below!

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The Perfect Paris Hotel

There are a host of accommodation choices when planning a trip to Paris. I absolutely love the Hotel de la Tour Eiffel. This hotel offers singles, doubles, triples, connecting family rooms, and upper floor rooms with views of the Eiffel Tower. It is reasonably priced (for Paris), sparkling clean, and only a 5-minute stroll to the Eiffel Tower. You can elect to include breakfast or choose to nibble on a croissant from the bakery across the street or a crepe from the place a little further down. What more could you ask for on your Paris vacation?

Transportation Around the City

Paris is a very walkable city, but sometimes you need a little help getting from place to place. The Paris Public Transport Network is one of the largest in the world. It combines the Metro (subway system), RER Trains, and city buses into a system that allow you to easily move around the city and between the connecting suburban areas.

You can purchase tickets for public transportation individually, in books, or as a pass. If you plan to rely on public transportation you might consider purchasing a Paris Visit Pass. This grants you unlimited travel in Paris and the surrounding areas, including Charles de Gaulle Airport, Disneyland, and Versailles. It really makes planning a trip to Paris a breeze when you don’t have to worry about separate ticket purchases.

Trains and Subways

The Metro is a cheap, easy, and fast way to get around Paris.  There are 16 metro lines and about 300 stations. The entrance to each station is indicated with a large yellow “M.” Each line has a distinctive color and number shown on maps, and line directions are indicated by the station at the end of each line. 

The Suburban Express Railway (RER) network consists of 5 lines that serve Paris and the surrounding region. The RER operates similarly to the Metro. Paris has 4 Tramway lines that serve the perimeter of the city.  You will take a RER to Versaille, Disneyland, and the airport.

Bus System

There are 64 bus lines throughout the city to complement the Metro network. The line number and direction are indicated on the front of the bus. Put your hand out at the bus stop to indicate to the bus driver to stop. Electronic display signs at stops indicate wait times for the next bus to arrive. Always get on the bus at the front and off at the back, and remember to validate your pass. Press the red button on the bus to request a stop.

The Noctillien is a night bus service that operates very late into the night. You can use your travel pass or a metro/bus ticket as long as it covers the zones you wish to use.

What If I Get Lost?

With GPS on every phone, it is more and more difficult to get lost these days. But if you are like me, you might still manage it a time or two. Embrace it! I can’t tell you how many wonderful things I have seen and done as a result of getting lost. This is also the perfect opportunity to make a new friend. Despite the myth, Parisians are very nice and extremely helpful. While everyone I met spoke English, I do recommend learning a bit of French. Remember, you are visiting their country and therefore it isn’t too much to ask that you learn to say “Bonjour” (good morning), “Bonsoir” (good evening), and “Merci” (thank you) properly.

What to Pack for a Trip to Paris

One of the nice things about Paris is that you can easily acquire almost anything you forget to bring.  That said, who wants to plan a fabulous trip to Paris and spend even a minute buying a toothbrush? You should be able to check a bag for this trip, but I highly recommend carrying-on a change of clothes, toiletries, and medications. Below is a list of items I recommend for your Paris vacation.

The Necessities

• Passport and Covid-19 Vaccination Record – I love this case to easily carry both!
• Comfortable, conservative clothing that is understated and chic. This might include basic t-shirts for layering under cardigans, slacks or dark wash jeans, and at least one pair dress pants or a dress if you plan on dining out or clubbing. You don’t have to be a fashion icon, but remember that Paris is the capital of Haute Couture! Most restaurants and clubs will not allow admission if you are dressed casually or in jeans (even your dressy jeans).
• A light jacket/raincoat year-round or a heavy coat, scarf, and gloves for winter 
• Comfortable and supportive walking shoes and boots – take both so you can trade them out to give your feet a break. I wore this Keen Presidio and Merrell Boot. Men may consider the Merrell Jungle Moc (I love the female equivalent) and this Keen Lace-up (I have never found a Keen I didn’t love but clearly I have never tried these Men’s shoes).
• Toiletry Kit – check out this post on Packing the Perfect Toiletry Kit!
• Medicine Kit – check out this post on What to Pack in Your Travel Medicine Kit!

The Near Necessities

• Go Paris Guide – I recommend the All-Inclusive Pass so that you can visit all your planned sites without paying for each one individually and you can also take advantage of those unexpected opportunities when you find you have a bit of extra time.
• Windproof umbrella
• Sleek travel bag/purse
• Phone with camera and charging cords
• French power adaptor – I love this one because you can charge five things off one plug!
• Portable charger
• Flexible phone tripod
• Water bottle – The water in Paris is safe to drink, but if you are concerned, I have heard good things about this water bottle with a filter
• Travel pillow – so you arrive rested and ready to explore after a long flight.

What NOT To Wear on a Trip to Paris

• Athletic wear – Parisians dress more chic than we do in the US.
• T-shirts or other clothing with flags, logos, or other imprints.
• Shorts, crop-tops, tight clothing – Parisians dress conservatively and some religious sites will not allow entry if you reveal too much.
• Camo clothing – this unfortunate print is reserved for the military in Europe. This honestly makes me want to move there!
• Fanny packs and other items that scream, “I am a tourist so please take advantage of me!”

What questions do you have before planning your trip to Paris?

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