Essential Paris Travel Tips You Need to Know Before Visiting

Paris is a big city with a range of transport options to suit every budget, travel style and level of accessibility.

First and foremost, the best way to see Paris is on foot. Not only is walking free, but it is an ideal way to make the most of Paris' beautiful streets, alleyways, iconic covered passages and architecture. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes though, and prepare to pound the pavement, fuelled by nothing but pastry and Parisian wanderlust.

If the weather isn't great or you're not up for walking, then your next best bet is public transport, with options including the Paris metro, buses and trams. Despite its size, Paris is very well connected, so it's very likely you will be able to rely on some form of transport to get you from A to B.

When navigating trains, remember that there are two types of rail lines:

- The Metro or underground / subway with over 300 stations across 16 lines. Great for inner city travel, with a metro stop on almost every corner.

- The RER or Réseau Express Régional, offers 33 train stations in Paris and 257 across wider France. This is best for regional travel and day trips or getting from one side of the city to another.

Tickets to both can be purchased from machines at any metro or train station. If you're only in the city for a day or two, a paper ticket should be fine (and can be purchased in packs of 10). If you're staying for a while, consider grabbing a rechargeable card or 'Passe Navigo' from any of the RATP stores or station counters.

Public transport reminders:

- Keep your ticket until you leave the station as officers will validate them after you leave.

- Validate your ticket by placing it through the ticket gates when entering the platform.

- Be mindful of your belongings as pickpockets are not uncommon on public transports in Paris.

If walking or the metro isn't your style, then rest assured you can still easily grab a taxi or some form of rideshare app. We would also recommend holding off on car hire until you leave Paris, as parking in the city can be a bit of a nightmare.

Paris travel tips: Keen to change up your transport? City bikes, known as Vélib', are available from more than 1800 stations across Paris.

Paris is split into the Right Bank (north of the Seine River) and the Left Bank (south of the Seine River).

From there, the city is further divided into 20 arrondissements (districts) laid out in a clockwise spiral starting from the centre of the city. Unlike other European cities that have one distinct old town or city centre, each arrondissement in Paris has its own central hub with plenty of bars, shops, theatres and restaurants.

Before booking your accommodation, look at a map of the city and figure out where you want to be spending most of your time. This will help determine which area will best suit your budget and itinerary needs and decrease travel time.

It's also worth figuring out what vibe, atmosphere and personality you want from your accommodation, as each arrondissement brings its own flair.

If you're keen to stay central to the Eiffel Tower and other bucket list landmarks, then the 7th arrondissement is your best bet. Other must-see neighbourhoods include the Latin Quarter (5th) which is perfect for those with a low to mid-range budget, and Montmartre (18th) which is home to the infamous Moulin Rouge and the Sacré Coeur church.

Best Paris districts for:
Sightseeing - 1st, 7th, 8th
Nightlife - 4th, 5th, 9th
Local life - 11th, 12th
Foodies: 11th
First timers - 7th
Most romantic - 18th
Shopping - 4th, 9th

Wondering what else you should know before visiting Paris for the first time? With flights and accommodation sorted, here are some practical tips to help you nail all the details from food to shopping and sticking to a budget.

- The closer you are to the main attractions, the more expensive your food will be. Head further back for cheaper meals and fewer crowds.

- Paris is home to so many restaurants ranging in cuisine and price. Use each meal as an excuse to treat your taste buds to a unique sensory adventure.

- Enjoy a picnic with a view! Paris boasts plenty of picture-perfect picnic spots where you can roll out a rug and feast on baguettes, cheese, meat and pastry. Our favourites include Champ de Mars, Tuileries Garden and Parc des Buttes Chaumont.

- Wine is often cheaper than soft drinks.

- Stuck on what to get at the boulangerie? You're guaranteed a good time with a baguette, pain au chocolat, éclair, macarons or a madeleine.

- Enjoy life in the slow lane and take advantage of Paris' iconic café culture. More than just a place to eat and drink, cafés are social institutions and ideal places to meet with friends, family and colleagues - great for people watching!

- Most reputable restaurants require bookings.

- Lunch is served between noon and 2:15 pm and dinner between 7:00 and 10:30 pm. For all-day restaurants look for signs that say 'service continu'.

- Prepare to eat later, with most locals choosing to chow down on dinner after 8:00 pm.

- Shops are only permitted to have sales in June and January, so if you're a shopaholic with your sites set on Paris consider visiting in these months to get the most bang for your buck.

- Some of the major museums like The Musée d'Orsay offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month.

- Buy a Paris Pass or Museum Pass in advance, which will help you skip the line, save money at - major attractions and includes a free metro ticket. The pass opens the door to more than 60 museums and attractions throughout the city and includes guidebooks, insider tips, hidden gems and recommendations on what to see and do in each neighbourhood.

- Using a Velib' is a really affordable way of getting around Paris - it's only 1€ for 30 minutes for "normal" bikes or 3€ for up to 45 minutes for e-bikes (then 2€ per 30-minute after that).

- Book your accommodation in advance to ensure you're not stuck sleeping out in the sticks or forced to pay an arm and a leg for a nice room in a central location.

Perhaps the best Paris travel tips are those that help you avoid looking like a tourist and instead encourage you to step off the beaten path and live like a local.

- Etiquette is everything in the city of love, so avoid sticking out as a tourist by using greetings like 'bonjour' when entering a shop or restaurant and 'merci' or 'au revoir' as you leave.

- Like many major tourist cities, Paris is no stranger to scams. Avoid people on the street offering you bracelets or roses.

- The Louvre is massive, so know what you want to see before you arrive to avoid being overwhelmed. If you're keen to spot the Mona Lisa without the long line, arrive first thing or after 4:00 pm to avoid the crowds. But there is so much more to The Louvre than the Mona Lisa, so expand your horizon and visit the amazing Egyptian antiquities permanent collection or check out the Medieval Louvre where you can see the original underground foundations of the building. Plus the building itself is absolutely stunning, so you won't run out of things to see other than the Mona Lisa! 

- Opt for comfortable, smart casual and neutral clothing. Wearing flashy or expensive clothing and jewellery will also make you more of a target for pickpockets.

- The best view of Paris isn't from the Eiffel Tower. Instead, look at other iconic viewing spots like the Arc de Triomphe, Montparnasse Tower, Notre Dame, Butte Montmartre or a carousel in Tuileries. Chances are they will be cheaper and far less time-consuming.

- Shop at Les Puces flea market, which just so happens to be one of the largest in the world. Here you can expect sprawling alleyways and stands packed with souvenirs and treats.

- If you're short on time, invest in a skip-the-line ticket or guided tour as most major museums get extremely buy and sometimes it can mean queuing for hours!

Feeling inspired and ready to live your best Parisian life? Book your Paris flights now or head in-store to chat with one of our Flight Centre travel experts to book your Paris holiday packages today!