My 30 Most Useful Tips for First-Time Visitors to Paris

Paris is the most visited city in the world, and you can have any kind of experience you want there. After visiting a few times as a kid, I went back for the first time as an adult in late 2025 (and I’m pretty sure I will return many more times). Despite being very skeptical ahead of my trip, I really enjoyed my stay in the French capital and would not have complained if I had spent a few more days there. 

What I quickly learned, though, is that planning a trip to Paris can quickly become overwhelming. Although I had visited before, I had to relearn everything. On top of that, I picked up a lot of other tips that I had not known about before my visit.

Now that I’ve had some time to think about the trip and reflect on it, I’m synthesizing my knowledge within this article. My aim is to help you get the most important information you need before you visit France’s storied capital yourself. We’ll cover multiple aspects, such as language, money, and how to actually make sure that you don’t hate your trip.

1. Some of Paris’s Metro Stations Can be a Little Confusing

I grew up in London and have spent a lot of time in NYC since I’m half-American, so you could say that I know a thing or two about navigating a big city’s Metro system. But the truth is that it’s different wherever you go, and you need to figure out how things work each time you visit a new place. 

I’ll be so honest with you right now: I found many of Paris’s Metro stations confusing for the first day or two. The biggest thing that tripped me up was that some parts are only entrances or exits. This is not the case in London, for example, and I’m also not used to it in Copenhagen (where I live, though Copenhagen admittedly is much smaller than Paris). 

Crazy thought, I know, but it turns out that following the “Exit” signs is a pretty good idea. Maybe I should do that more often, who knows? 🙂… but you should definitely keep this in mind if and when you use the Metro in Paris.

2. At the Same Time, Paris’s Metro System Is Excellent

Despite the initial confusion and looking like the stereotypical “out of his depth tourist” multiple times, I enjoyed using the Paris Metro. While some parts of the city could be covered more effectively, the Metro will take you pretty much anywhere you need to go. 

All signs on the Metro are in French and English, and trains run regularly throughout the day. Most Metro stations I went to were significantly cleaner than I expected, too, which was a nice bonus. The Metro is not 24/7, but it operates for most of the hours that you’ll need it; outside of these, Uber or Bolt is your best option. 

Besides being well-run, the Paris Metro is pretty affordable. You can buy longer-period tickets if you think you’ll use it enough times to justify the price. I didn’t do this, though, as I walked a lot (more on that later). 

One quirk that you should definitely keep in mind: Some of the Metro trains in Paris have a door that you need to manually open by pushing up. Despite being incredibly nervous when I first saw these, they’re very easy to use. 

3. Paris Is Actually Pretty Safe

I must admit that I was quite nervous before visiting Paris, as I had heard how “dangerous” the city has allegedly gotten. My experiences in London and NYC mean that I’m pretty good at navigating these environments, but I must say that living in Copenhagen definitely makes everywhere else seem more dangerous when glancing from afar. 

To be honest, though, I felt safe at all hours in Paris. My girlfriend said the same, and she was there on her own for a few days before I landed. Granted, we stayed mainly in the central areas; I know that there are some districts where it’s perhaps not so wise to walk around alone. However, you have no reason to go to these districts anyway—and you can’t exactly stumble into them by accident. 

If you go just by posts on social media, you’d think that Paris is a lawless cesspool where people are trying to rob you on every street corner. This is simply not true. It has the same big city problems that most places of the same size have, but I would hardly say it’s dangerous. 

4. That Said, You Should Still Use Common Sense

I know, I know—I just said that Paris is safe (at least in my opinion). But this does not give you permission to let your guard fully down and start carrying wads of cash around (partly because you don’t need to, and partly because doing so is obviously foolish). 

While I felt safe, I did take extra precautions in crowded places—especially around the Eiffel Tower. Pickpockets and scammers absolutely do exist in Paris, and you should try to make yourself less of a target. These people do not want drama, and most of the time, they’ll look for the path of least resistance. 

Universal rules, such as not leaving your phone or wallet on the table or in your back pocket, apply here. Another very, very important rule in every big city is to walk with purpose. While you can’t really avoid looking like a tourist, walking like you have a place to be (and not stopping for anyone) will often deter would-be nefarious actors. 

Another good thing to know is that strangers tend not to talk to each other in Paris. So, if someone approaches you being overly friendly, I personally would be suspicious. And whatever you do, ignore people with a clipboard. 

5. It’s Not *That* Hard to Get Around With English

A trip to Paris is really good for showing you that most stereotypes are exaggerated, and that people who’ve never been to Paris sure do have a lot to say about the place. Another big myth I realized when in the city is that the locals don’t speak English. 

While English proficiency levels differed widely, pretty much everyone spoke at least the basics. The reality is that most people working in the service industry will expect to serve the majority of tourists in English—again, this is the most-visited city in the world. I don’t think that anyone will expect you to be fluent in French (at least, I certainly wasn’t). 

At the same time, though, I do recommend greeting people in French. Locals would definitely prefer to be met with “bonjour”, and saying “merci” when you want to say thank you doesn’t hurt, either. If you want to be extra polite, you can also ask “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?).

6. You Will Walk. A Lot.

Over my many years of exploring big cities, I’ve found that the best way to go—at least for me—is to do some research but leave room for spontaneity. This has worked wonders for me in London and New York City (and later, Tokyo)… and it’s also how I explored Paris. 

I walked over 20,000 steps each day I was in the city, including one day when I racked up over 34,000 and nearly beat my all-time record. The nice thing about Paris is that basically everywhere in the main parts is pretty, and there are plenty of interesting streets to explore. Walking along the Seine is a joy, too. It’s also less spread out than some non-European cities I’ve been to (I’m looking at you, Kyoto), meaning that distances never felt too long for me. 

Luckily, I had a comfortable pair of sneakers. And for you, I recommend also bringing some comfortable shoes. Not only will you walk a lot, but many of the streets in Paris are still cobbled. You can bring some nice shoes for going out in the evenings, but during the day, I definitely suggest something more comfortable. 

7. Buying Metro Tickets Is Possible With Your Smartphone

I must admit that I eventually got annoyed and bought a physical Navigo card for public transport instead. However, you can buy tickets for your smartphone via the Bonjour RATP app. After buying a ticket, you can then scan it when going on the Metro.

The app is available on iOS and Android, and when it wasn’t glitching, it was pretty easy to use. However, it kept glitching while I was there—and in the end, I used the ticket machines at the station to buy the Navigo card and top it up. If you do this, you will need to pay for the card itself; I kept mine as a nice souvenir. 

8. Card Payments Are Accepted in Most Places

Paris is a timeless city, as you’ll quickly see when you wander its streets and marvel at its beautiful architecture. But the good news is that you don’t need to worry about carrying a lot of physical cash. 

For the entirety of my trip to the French capital, I used card payments everywhere without issues. You can still pay with cash in many instances, but Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. 

Since I don’t live in a Eurozone country, I used a mobile-only bank to waive foreign exchange fees that I would otherwise have needed to pay. I recommend doing the same if this applies to you. You can open a free EUR account with Wise, for example.

9. You Should Definitely Book Your Eiffel Tower Tickets in Advance

Visiting the Eiffel Tower and seeing Paris from above was one of my trip highlights. Despite going to 30 countries, it’s objectively one of the coolest things I’ve seen. As you can expect, though, it is very busy; I do not recommend buying tickets on the day. 

You have several options for buying tickets to the Eiffel Tower. It’s possible to visit with access via the stairs or elevator, and you can pick the second floor or the summit (or both). It’s also possible to combine your Eiffel Tower visit with a River Seine cruise.

I visited the Eiffel Tower second floor as part of a guided tour, which was included in MegaPass’s Premium pass (which I wrote more about here). However, it’s also possible to do so without a guided tour; it’s a nice-to-have but not absolutely necessary, in my opinion. 

Even though it was cloudy, we still could see most of Paris from the second floor. However, I would only visit the summit on a sunny day; otherwise, the top of the Eiffel Tower is often covered, and you won’t see anything. 

10. Many of Paris’s Museums Are HUGE

Since I live in Copenhagen now, I’m used to museums being relatively small and easy to walk around in a few hours. After visiting Paris, I quickly realized that there are levels to this game. 

For example, I visited the Musée D’Orsay on one of my days in the French capital. Beforehand, I had learned just how big it is—but I was not prepared for its size when I actually showed up. I found it pretty overwhelming, to be honest, and spent a bit of time just getting my bearings. 

The same goes for some of the city’s other museums, such as the Louvre. As you’d expect from what is pretty much the cultural capital of the world, some of these places feel like multiple museums in one. 

You definitely should visit at least a few, but plan to spend longer than you’d otherwise expect to. 

11. Getting to Paris From Both of Its Airports Is Easy and Affordable

I flew into Paris via Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) and back home from Orly (ORY). Both serve a number of international destinations, and you could land into either of them. Regardless of which one you choose, getting into Paris is very easy. 

I took the RER train from CDG to Gare Du Nord, and the journey took just over 30 minutes. Tickets will cost you €14, and it’s by far the cheapest and most effective option. I could have taken a taxi, which perhaps I would have if I had lots of luggage, but I only had carry-on baggage and the flight was two hours in the same time zone. 

Getting to Orly was also very straightforward, and the Metro ride (which was via Line 14) was very pleasant. Like CDG, tickets were pretty affordable; I paid €13.

12. Orly Airport Can be Pretty Confusing

To put things bluntly, Orly is not my favorite airport. Let me explain why (or rant; delete as appropriate). 

While getting to Orly was very easy, the signage at the airport was very confusing. I ended up going to the wrong terminal, as I found out when I tried scanning my boarding pass. Maybe I’m missing something, but getting around to where I needed to felt needlessly confusing. 

Luckily, I arrived at the airport with around two hours to spare before my flight. Plus, I was flying within the Schengen Area and didn’t need to do extra passport checks and the like. If you’re flying out of ORY, arrive with plenty of time. 

13. … and I Honestly Prefer CDG. There, I Said It.

Charles De Gaulle Airport is… not everybody’s favorite. That’s pretty fair to say. And to be honest, I definitely feel like there are better airports out there (but then again, I’m definitely spoiled by living in Scandinavia). 

But if we’re talking about comparing Charles De Gaulle and Orly? CDG is my clear preference. 

Besides feeling more disorganized, I don’t think that Orly can handle the number of passengers it gets. There aren’t enough places to sit after you get through security, nor are there enough amenities in general. On top of that, getting through security can take a while at peak times. 

While CDG is massive, I at least feel like its capacity matches the number of people flying in and out of it. Orly isn’t an issue if you’re flying from another Schengen country, but for flying out, I’d much rather use CGD. Or, if you’re visiting from a nearby country, take the train (especially from London). 

14. Hotels in Paris Are Pretty Expensive

I knew to expect this beforehand, but yes—getting a hotel in Paris comes with a big price tag. We decided to just pay a premium for something nice in a good area because we knew that it would cost a lot anyway, and we were happy to budget a little more. 

We stayed at the Grand Lafayette Hotel, which cost us around €800 for three nights (bear in mind we visited in late November). As a side note, I can definitely recommend it; the breakfast was nice, and I loved our neighborhood. 

While we paid more than average, I struggled to find anything nice and centrally-located for less than €200 per night when researching hotels before the trip. Your mileage may vary, of course, and you may find a nice deal—so definitely look around. But for something good? Expect to spend a lot. 

15. Paris Itself Is Pricey, but Not Outrageous

I had heard before visiting that Paris is an expensive city, and this is somewhat true (I just mentioned accommodation, for example!). However, “expensive” is relative to where you live. Since I live in Copenhagen, which itself is notoriously pricey, I didn’t find the French capital overly outrageous. 

Yes, accommodation cost more; my flights were also pricey, but I booked those last-minute and flew with Air France on the way out. Tourist attractions are also quite pricey, especially the most popular museums. 

At the same time, though, I didn’t find Paris outrageously expensive. We ate at some nice restaurants, and the prices at many were slightly less than what we’d pay in Copenhagen. Bakeries were also reasonably priced, as were grocery stores. 

But again, your mileage will vary. If you’re from London or NYC, you won’t find Paris overly expensive. If you’re visiting from somewhere with a lower cost of living, however, you probably will find Paris pricey. 

16. Autumn Is a Nice Time to Visit Paris, but You Should Go Whenever You Have Time

I’m pretty vocal on this blog about how much I dislike hot weather, and for me, autumn was the perfect time to visit Paris. The temperatures were cool, and personally, I liked that we also got some rain. But beyond those personal preferences, I found that Paris was significantly less crowded around this time of year (and the autumn colors were a nice bonus). 

If you can, the shoulder season is a nice time to visit Paris, for sure. But at the same time, the French capital is very much a year-round city. 

Each season has its pros and cons. While you’ll have longer hours in the summer and the city is in full life, Paris can also get uncomfortably hot. Moreover, it’ll be more expensive and crowded. At the same time, the off-season is less crowded and cheaper—but attractions may not be open as long as you want. Moreover, the weather won’t be to everyone’s tastes. 

Regardless of when you visit Paris, you can still have a nice time. 

17. Le Marais Is a Great Neighborhood to Base Yourself in

My criteria for a hotel in Paris were to choose a neighborhood that was centrally located and preferably quite nice to walk around. We were recommended to stay at the Grand Hotel Lafayette in Le Marais, and I’ve already mentioned that the hotel itself was nice. But the district was a big pull, too. 

Le Marais has lots of places to eat and shop, and it’s easy to get to other parts of Paris. I also walked from Gare Du Nord to the hotel, which took around 20 minutes. 

The main reason we walked pretty much everywhere during our stay is that it was easy to do so. At the same time, Le Marais has numerous Metro stations and bus connections when you need to use public transport. You’ll find a number of hotels in this part of the city, so you should definitely stay here if you can. 

18. Only Visit La Tour Montparnasse if It’s Not Cloudy

This goes for pretty much every tall building, to be honest, but I’m particularly mentioning La Tour Montparnasse as I found out the hard way. For some reason, I couldn’t put two and two together that if I couldn’t see the top of the Eiffel Tower, I probably also wouldn’t see anything from La Tour Montparnasse.

Stressed because I was late, I arrived at La Tour Montparnasse dripping in sweat. I was greeted with a polite “bonjour, monsieur” before showing my ticket. I could have gone up if I wanted to, but they said it’s cloudy and I was better off rearranging or getting a refund. 

Thankfully, I got a refund with no problems. I booked via GetYourGuide, and all I had to do was contact the customer support team. I would’ve rearranged, but sadly, the only sunny day was the one that I was leaving. 

19. You Need to Pass Security Checks for the Major Attractions in Paris

I definitely noticed more stringent security around the main attractions in Paris than in many major cities I’ve visited. More specifically, I needed to pass security checks for pretty much every museum and attraction I went to. 

This was the case at the Eiffel Tower; you can’t enter the surrounding area beneath the building without passing through airport-style security. The entrance is also surrounded by glass on all sides. 

I had to go through similar procedures at the Musée D’Orsay and Arc De Triomphe, too. These checks don’t take long, but you should prepare for them. I also, for this reason, only recommend carrying small bags (and definitely not luggage).

20. Paris Is Surprisingly Bike-Friendly

If you had asked me what I expected from Paris before this trip, lots of cycling lanes would not have been top of my list. But for a city of its size, I was pretty impressed by how bike-friendly France’s capital has become. 

I saw several bike lanes and plenty of people cycling as part of their daily transportation. I must admit that I was initially nervous about the idea of doing the same, but in hindsight, I wish I had rented some bikes. I guess there’s always next time, though. 

Of course, some parts were more chaotic than others. For example, I saw some people biking around the Arc De Triomphe; you could not pay me enough to do the same. But it would have been nice to cycle along the River Seine. 

21. You Do Not Need to Tip in Paris

When you visit Paris, you absolutely should visit at least some of the city’s many amazing restaurants. And when doing so, remember that you do *not* need to tip.

15% service charges are added to each meal, and we were not required to tip anywhere we went. I did so once because we had really good service, but that was my own choice rather than being expected. 

If you want to tip, ask the waiter if you can add it to the bill. 

22. There’s No Right or Wrong Way to “Do Paris”

With so many interesting sights and cultural experiences, it’s easy to fall into the trap of turning your trip into a box-ticking exercise. I’ll tell you this with the utmost confidence: Doing so is the perfect way to guarantee that you have a miserable time in Paris.

In my opinion, the best way to visit Paris is to prioritize what you actually want to do. For example, I also did not go to a show at Moulin Rouge (though I did see its exterior; I might go and actually see a show in the future if I wish to). 

If I had focused on seeing places just because they’re popular, and not because I actually wanted to, I am certain I would’ve left Paris with a bad taste in my mouth. Make a list of some absolute must-experiences and treat everything else as a bonus. 

23. Paris Is Popular for a Reason

It’s really trendy right now on the internet to dunk on popular places, and dare I say, there’s also an element of elitism to it. Granted, I definitely think that some things and places are wildly overrated. If I feel that way about something, I’ll always tell you why (but at the same time, you’re more than welcome to make your own decision). 

I’m not perfect, either; I used to walk around telling everyone how I thought Paris was overrated. However, I have now changed my mind. After giving the city another chance, I can now see exactly why so many people want to visit.

Admittedly, toning down my expectations definitely helped in this respect (I’ve done the opposite in other places, such as Kyoto, and been underwhelmed as a result). But when approaching things from a neutral perspective, Paris’s appeal is undeniable. I said earlier that I think it’s the global capital of culture, and I firmly stand by that. 

24. Having an Umbrella or Rain Jacket Is a Really Good Idea

One thing I noticed while in Paris is that many locals do not wear rain jackets. Instead, they carry an umbrella with them. I went against those rules by wearing a rain jacket, but anyway 🙂. 

Either way, you should prepare to experience at least some rain on your trip to Paris. When it rains, it often rains quite heavily, too. 

Many hotels will rent umbrellas, and you can always buy one when you’re in the city. So, if you don’t want to bring one from home, you’ll have no issues finding an umbrella while in Paris.

25. Book Popular Restaurants in Advance

Paris’ gastronomic legacy needs no introduction, and we went to a number of great restaurants while in the city. However, you won’t be surprised to hear that finding a seat at some of these can be quite the challenge. 

If you have a list of places you absolutely want to visit, you should book these well in advance. This is particularly true if you want to eat there on Friday or Saturday evening. 

You can usually book a seat online. While you’ll always find somewhere to eat if you need to, it’s better to have something guaranteed at the place you actually want to visit. 

26. The Bakeries in Paris Really Are Out of This World

I can’t think of a city better-known for its baked treats than Paris, and after visiting a number of bakeries there, I can once again say that there are levels to this game. I was always skeptical of just how good a croissant or baguette could be, and the answer is: Very good. 

Since the standard of bakeries in Paris is so high, you’ll have the best baked goods you’ve ever had in pretty much any place you go to. One thing worth noting is that you’ll see patisseries and boulangeries everywhere, and there’s a key difference:

• Boulangeries are bakeries (and they must cook their bread on-site).
• Patisseries are mainly visited for pastries. 

If we hadn’t had breakfast included in our hotel, we would have eaten at bakeries every morning without an ounce of shame. And to be honest, even the hotel’s pastries and bread were unreal. 

27. You’ll Probably Want to Revisit… Multiple Times

I had clear intentions for what I wanted to see before visiting Paris, and I saw quite a lot. However, I also discovered new things while I was there that I wanted to give a full chance to. Moreover, I didn’t see *everything* or experience all that I wished to. 

I never thought I would want to revisit Paris, but here we are—I can confirm that I’m very much looking forward to my next trip. And for most of you reading this, you will probably also want to go back more than once. 

This is particularly true if you live in Europe, since Paris is so easy to reach from everywhere on the continent. But if you’re further afield, and you know you’ll visit Europe again, you will probably want to make the city part of your itinerary. 

28. Get Used to the Smell of Cigarette Smoke

I already knew from my previous visits to France that a lot of people in Paris would smoke, and I was firmly proven right. When we went out for dinner on Friday and Saturday night, it sometimes felt like we were the only ones without a cigarette in our hands. 

Smokers are everywhere, and while it’s not my cup of tea, I knew that I was going to see and smell it. Plus, I’d rather smell cigarette smoke than vapes… So whatever, I guess. 

I should note, however, that it’s illegal to smoke (or vape) indoors—and the fines for doing so are heavy. But regardless of whether you smoke, you will see it when walking around. 

29. Google Maps Is Pretty Trash in Paris, I Won’t Lie

Google Maps is usually my go-to navigation tool, and it usually serves me well. But I have to be honest: I thought it was complete and utter garbage in Paris.

Well, sort of. Let me explain. 

Google Maps in Paris is fine for public transport directions, and I had no problems navigating in this respect. But for walking directions, I felt like it regularly took me in the wrong direction or didn’t update in real time. Maybe that’s something to do with Paris’s streets not being grid networks, but I think Google Maps is okay in London, which follows a similar layout (for the most part, good luck trying to get around Bank with that thing 💀). 

Rather than solely relying on apps, I think it’s wise to have a physical map handy. Moreover, I’d get familiar with the Metro lines and which ones will be the most useful for you. 

30. I Wish I Had Taken My Running Shoes

I love running and staying fit, but trips abroad are usually times when I focus on exploring. Paris, however, should have been an exception. As I walked along the River Seine and through the Tuileries Garden, I regretted not packing my running shoes. 

You will find a whole host of great running trails throughout the city, and many of the main streets have wide sidewalks. Moreover, the city is largely flat—and as a result, it’s a very good place for running. 

If you’re into running, I definitely recommend packing your gear and going for a jog on at least one of the mornings. I know that I won’t make this mistake again, and my shoes will be packed on the next trip 😄. 

Final Thoughts

Paris is an amazing city to visit, and you will not forget your first trip here. But before you travel, you should make sure you know what to expect. While France’s capital city is full of unreal experiences, toning your expectations—and knowing what kinds of things you want to do—is essential for actually enjoying your trip. 

Understanding practicalities, such as getting around the city and what to expect weather-wise, is also essential. Now that you’ve read this guide, you should be better prepared for your adventure.

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