Paris Travel Guide: What to See, Where to Stay, and Tips for First-Timers
I love Paris. Like, properly love it. It’s the city that makes a simple walk feel like an activity, where you’ll catch yourself staring at balconies, bookstalls, and the way the light hits the Seine like it’s putting on a show just for you. Then five minutes later you’ll be standing in a Metro corridor thinking, “How have I ended up in Narnia?” (I have done this. More than once. 😅)
This guide is for first-timers from the UK and Europe who want the good stuff: iconic sights, neighbourhood vibes, realistic transport tips, and current-ish cost ranges without turning your trip into an exhausting checklist. I’ll help you pick where to stay, what to book early, what’s genuinely worth it, and how to plan days that include museums and time to just be in Paris.
Paris Travel Guide: Quick Facts at a Glance
| Planning bit | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Ideal trip length | 3 days for a brilliant first taste, 5 days for a calmer first visit |
| Best time to visit | Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct for mild weather and fewer queues; Dec for festive lights |
| Typical daily spend | Budget: €90–€150 (approx £75–£125 / $95–$160) • Mid-range: €160–€280 (approx £135–£235 / $170–$300) |
| Accommodation per night | Budget: €90–€150 • Mid-range double: €160–€320+ (weekends and peak months jump) |
| Airports | CDG (north) and Orly (south) |
| Main stations | Gare du Nord (Eurostar), Gare de Lyon, Saint-Lazare, Montparnasse, Est |
| Getting around | Very walkable in central areas, then Metro/RER for longer hops |
| Transport ballparks | Metro single often around €2–€3 • Airport rail often around €12–€15 • Day pass often around €10–€15 |
| Best base areas | Le Marais, Saint-Germain/Latin Quarter, Opéra/9th, Canal Saint-Martin |
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If your hotel listing says “2 minutes to the Metro”, assume that’s two Paris minutes (five normal minutes and at least one wrong turn). 😉
🔥 My Recommended Tour to get you started in Paris: Louvre timed entry ticket
Quick Paris Q&As
Is Paris worth visiting for first-timers?
Yes. It’s iconic for a reason, and even a short trip can feel properly special.
How many days do you need in Paris?
Three days is a strong starter, five days is ideal if you want museums and time to breathe.
Is Paris expensive?
It can be, but you can keep costs sensible with bakeries, picnics, free viewpoints, and smart ticket planning.
Best time to visit Paris?
Spring and early autumn usually win for weather and crowds, but December is lovely for festive atmosphere.
Is Paris safe for tourists?
Generally yes, but you need pickpocket awareness in busy areas and on the Metro.
Is Paris walkable?
Central Paris is a dream on foot, just bring comfy shoes because the steps add up fast.
👉 Good to know: If you get flustered in big stations, step to the side (by a wall, not in the middle), check your route, then rejoin the flow. Paris commuters move like a river.
Paris travel guide: what to expect
Paris has a rhythm: slow mornings, busy afternoons, and evenings that make you think, “One more stroll,” right up until your feet file a formal complaint. It’s romantic, yes, but it’s also a working city that can be brisk, loud, and oddly unimpressed by your excitement. The good news is that once you stop trying to “do Paris perfectly”, it gets much more fun. I always enjoy it most when I’ve got one main plan and the rest is just wandering, snacking, and following whatever looks pretty.
Crowds are real around the big icons. The trick is timing and choosing your moments. Paris loves an early start and it rewards gentle detours.
Expect lots of walking and stairs (Metro stations are basically stair fan clubs).
Dinner runs later than the UK in many places.
Many museums close one day a week, so don’t stack them all together.
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Plan one “booked” anchor in the morning and one flexible plan in the afternoon, then keep evenings for neighbourhood wandering and food.
🗺️ France Guide: 15+ Essential France Travel Tips for a Flawless First Visit
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Best time to visit Paris
Paris changes personality by season. Spring is bright, fresh, and full of park picnics and “I can’t believe it’s this pretty” moments. Summer has long evenings and a big buzz, but it’s also peak crowds, peak prices, and peak Metro heat. Early autumn is my sweet spot: warm-ish days, golden light, and queues that feel slightly less feral.
Winter is underrated. It gets dark early, but the city looks gorgeous lit up, and it’s the best excuse to hop between museums, cafés, and cosy dinners. December also brings the festive glow, and Paris does festive without going full novelty jumper.
Shoulder seasons (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct): best balance of weather and crowds
High summer (Jul–Aug): busiest and priciest, but long daylight
Winter (Nov–Mar): cooler, shorter days, often better accommodation deals
👉 Good to know: For Christmas vibes, aim for late November to early January. Weekends get busy, so book key tickets and accommodation earlier than you think.
🗺️ Tips for the best time to visit: The Best Time to Visit France: A Month-by-Month Guide
How to get to Paris from the UK and Europe
From the UK, Eurostar is the easiest “no airport admin” option. You arrive right in the city, you don’t lose half a day to transfers, and you can start your trip almost immediately. I love that feeling of stepping out at Gare du Nord and realising, yep, you’re in Paris now. Just allow a bit more time for security and border checks at busy times.
Flights can be cheaper, especially from across Europe, but add in airport transfers and the overall time can creep up. Driving is doable, but Paris traffic is not a hobby I recommend and parking can be expensive.
Best for a weekend: Eurostar
Best for deals: flights (but compare door-to-door time)
Best for road trips: drive to outskirts, then use public transport
💡 Fact: Gare du Nord is also a major Metro/RER hub, so it’s practical for connections. Pick your nearby streets carefully if you’re sensitive to noise.
🗺️ Recommended Read: Why Paris in Spring Is Always a Good Idea—and What to Do While You’re There
Recommended Tours from GetYourGuide
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Getting from the airports into Paris
Airport arrivals are where Paris tries to test your patience. Ignore anyone unofficial offering lifts and stick to official signs, ticket machines, and taxi ranks. For most first-timers, rail is fastest and least stressful, especially at rush hour. Orly now has a direct Metro line that’s genuinely handy, and CDG connects via RER and onward Metro connections.
Taxis are comfortable, especially if you’re arriving late or dragging luggage like a Victorian explorer. Expect traffic to add time, particularly on weekday afternoons and weekends.
| Option | Typical time | Typical cost (ballpark) |
|---|---|---|
| CDG by rail (RER/Metro connections) | ~30–60 mins | ~€12–€15 (approx £10–£13 / $13–$16) |
| Orly by Metro | ~25–45 mins | ~€12–€15 (approx £10–£13 / $13–$16) |
| CDG taxi to Paris | ~45–90+ mins | ~€55–€70 (approx £46–£58 / $59–$75) |
| Orly taxi to Paris | ~30–75+ mins | ~€35–€50 (approx £29–£42 / $38–$54) |
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you’re landing late, travelling with family, or carrying luggage that’s basically a second person, pre-book an airport transfer and skip the arrival stress.
🚕 Airport Transfer: Welcome Pickups Paris
Getting around Paris
Paris is wonderfully walkable, but the Metro becomes your best mate once your legs start bargaining for mercy. The system is frequent and logical once you accept that some interchanges are long and some corridors feel like they were designed by someone who hates straight lines. I’ve taken a “quick connection” that turned into a small cardio session, so now I build in a few buffer minutes and pretend it was intentional.
Ticketing is simpler than it used to be. Singles, day passes, and reloadable options exist, and what you need depends on how much you’ll walk. If you’re mostly central, you might only do a handful of rides a day.
Metro single is often around €2–€3 (approx £2–£3 / $2–$3)
Bus/tram single often around €2 (approx £1.70 / $2.20)
Day pass often around €10–€15 (approx £8–£13 / $11–$16)
Accessibility varies, and many stations still involve stairs
👉 Good to know: If you accidentally exit through the barriers mid-journey, your transfer window is usually over. Paris does not do “just popping out for a look” in the Metro.
Where to stay in Paris
Where you stay changes everything. Paris isn’t huge, but it can feel like a bunch of different cities stitched together. If it’s your first visit, pick a base that matches your evenings, because you’ll be tired and you’ll want at least one night where dinner is five minutes away and not an epic quest.
Le Marais is central, fun, and packed with cafés and shops, but it can be noisy at weekends. Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter feel classic and walkable, with a more traditional Paris mood. Opéra and the 9th are practical for transport and big-city energy. Canal Saint-Martin is a cooler vibe with slower mornings and waterside hangs. Montmartre is beautiful, but the hills are real and late-night stairs can feel personal.
Best first-timer bases: Le Marais, Saint-Germain/Latin Quarter, Opéra/9th
Quieter options: parts of the 7th and 15th
Local-feeling vibe: Canal Saint-Martin, Batignolles
🏨 Recommended hotels: Booking.com Paris
🛌 Recommended Hostels: Hostelworld Paris
🏩 Accommodation from Hotels.com Paris
🗺️ Did You Know?: Did You Know? Quirky Facts About France
The Travel Tinker Shop
Ready to spark your next adventure with unique travel gadgets and essentials? Head over to The Travel Tinker Shop now and discover your perfect companion!
Top things to do in Paris (first-timers)
For a first trip, you want a mix: one big museum moment, one skyline moment, one proper neighbourhood wander, and at least one view that makes you stop mid-step. Paris is excellent at delivering that, but it also punishes over-scheduling. If you plan two main “big things” a day, you’ll enjoy it more than trying to squeeze in fifteen icons and a meltdown.
Here’s a strong starter list:
- Eiffel Tower: go up, or do views from Trocadéro and Champ de Mars
- Louvre: book a time slot and target a shortlist
- Musée d’Orsay: gorgeous building and an easier museum pace
- Seine walk: bridges, bookstalls, and that proper Paris glow
- Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur: views, streets, and old-Paris vibes
- Sainte-Chapelle: stained glass that feels unreal in sunlight
- Arc de Triomphe terrace: big skyline payoff
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Decide your “big museum” before you arrive, then keep the rest flexible. Paris is much nicer when you’re not rushing.
🗺️ How to: Visit the Eiffel Tower: An In-Depth Guide for First-Time Visitors
Neighbourhoods worth wandering
Paris is a neighbourhood city. You can tick off icons all day, but the moments you remember tend to be the streets you wandered with no agenda and something warm in a paper bag. I always end up falling for the in-between bits: quiet squares, tiny bakeries, and those little streets where you suddenly feel like you’ve stepped into old postcards.
Le Marais is busy, stylish and full of energy. Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter are classic, bookish and lovely for slow walks. Canal Saint-Martin feels more local and relaxed, great for an evening drink by the water. Montmartre is dramatic and scenic, but best early morning before it gets packed. If you want modern Paris, explore parts of the 11th for bars, restaurants, and that lived-in city feel.
Le Marais: central, lively, boutique shopping
Latin Quarter: historic, student energy, good-value eats
Canal Saint-Martin: laid-back, sunset-friendly
Montmartre: scenic, hilly, very popular
👉 Good to know: Paris streets can flip from polished to scruffy in one corner. That’s normal, not a sign you’ve wandered into danger, just keep your usual city awareness.
🗺️ Useful Guide: Beyond the Veil: Uncovering the Dark Side of Paris’ Catacombs
Iconic sights and how to see them without losing your mind
Paris icons are brilliant, and they attract crowds like pastries attract me on a Monday morning. Timing is everything. The Eiffel Tower area is best early morning or later in the evening when the coach groups thin out. The Louvre is best with a time slot and a plan, because walking in “to see everything” is how you end up staring blankly at a marble foot after four hours.
The Notre-Dame area is still one of the prettiest for a riverside walk. Even if you don’t go inside, the bridges, bookstalls and little streets nearby feel properly Paris. For the Seine, do it on foot at least once. You’ll get the atmosphere and the little moments a cruise can miss.
Eiffel Tower strategy: book early, or do views + picnic
Louvre strategy: shortlist 10 things max, go early or on late-opening nights
Seine strategy: golden hour walk, then warm up with a café stop
💡 Fact: Louvre general admission is typically around €20–€25 (approx £17–£21 / $22–$27), with free entry for under 18s and under 26s from the EEA. Prices correct as of December 2025.
🗺️ More guides: How to Plan Your Day at the Louvre Museum: A Step-by-Step Guide
Museums and culture that aren’t just the Louvre
The Louvre is the headline act, but Paris has a ridiculous bench of supporting talent. If you prefer lighter crowds and more specific themes, you’ll probably enjoy the smaller museums more. Orangerie is a calm Monet hit that feels bite-sized in the best way. Rodin is half art, half garden escape. Carnavalet is brilliant for Paris history, and the building itself is a beauty.
Rainy days are easy here because museums are made for lingering. And honestly, a wet Paris afternoon inside a beautiful building is part of the charm. Pick one big museum, then mix in a smaller one to keep your brain from turning into a museum gift shop.
Musée d’Orsay: often around €14–€18 (approx £12–£15 / $15–$20)
Orangerie: often around €10–€15 (approx £8–£13 / $11–$16)
Rodin: often around €12–€16 (approx £10–£13 / $13–$17)
Paris food, bakeries and café culture
Paris food isn’t always fancy. Some of the best eating is a bakery lunch on a park bench, watching the city go by while your croissant flakes all over you. Bakeries are your budget hero: sandwiches, quiche, salads, pastries, and coffee that can rescue you from the “hangry museum spiral.”
Cafés have their own rules. Service can feel brisk, but it’s rarely rude, it’s just direct. Sitting at the counter is usually cheaper than a table, and terrace seats are prime people-watching territory. Tipping isn’t mandatory, but rounding up or leaving a couple of euros for good service is common.
What to try: jambon-beurre, croque monsieur, crêpes, steak frites, onion soup, macarons, pain au chocolat
Rough costs: bakery lunch €8–€15 (approx £7–£13 / $9–$16), mid-range dinner €20–€45 (approx £17–£38 / $22–$49)
👉 Good to know: “Service compris” means service is included, so don’t feel like you need to tip UK-style on every bill.
🌭 Recommended Restaurant: Pink Mamma
Day trips from Paris
One of the best things about Paris is that you can escape it quickly. In under an hour you can be somewhere totally different, and it’s a nice reset if you’ve had a few too many busy tourist moments. Day trips also make the city feel less intense when you come back, like you’ve earned your next pastry.
Top picks for first-timers:
- Versailles: palace and gardens (roughly 40–60 mins by train)
- Giverny: Monet’s gardens (best in spring/summer, seasonal)
- Disneyland Paris: easy by RER and very straightforward
- Reims (Champagne): cathedral plus tastings, great by train
- Fontainebleau: château and forest walks
- Provins: medieval town vibe
- Loire Valley: longer day, often easier as an organised trip
If you want a low-effort day where transport is handled, that’s where day tours can be genuinely worth it, especially for places with awkward connections.
Paris on a budget
Paris can rinse your bank account if you let it, but it’s also full of low-cost joy. Walk the Seine, picnic like a local, hunt out free viewpoints, and use bakeries strategically. Many of the best memories cost nothing: that first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower between buildings, a sunset over the river, a quiet garden bench with your snacks.
Free and cheap wins:
- Parks and gardens: Luxembourg, Tuileries, Buttes-Chaumont
- Views: Sacré-Cœur steps, some department store rooftops (check access)
- Neighbourhood wandering: Marais lanes, Canal Saint-Martin, Latin Quarter
- Picnics: supermarket + bakery + bench = peak Paris
| Budget style | Daily range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shoestring | €70–€120 | Walking-heavy, bakeries, free sights, one paid attraction |
| Comfortable mid-range | €140–€240 | Museums, a few Metro rides, decent dinner |
| Treat day | €260+ | Views, cruises, shopping, nicer meals |
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Put your money into one or two paid “wow” moments, then let the rest of Paris be walks, markets, and picnics.
🗺️ Think again!: A Step-by-Step Guide to Climbing the Arc de Triomphe: Conquer Paris’s Iconic Monument
Paris at night
Paris in the evening is the city at its best. Streets glow, the river looks glossy, and even a simple walk feels like an event. You don’t need a packed nightlife plan to enjoy it, just a route that doesn’t involve standing in the cold for ages asking, “Is this the queue?” while your toes go numb.
Easy evening ideas:
Seine stroll: Pont Alexandre III to the Eiffel Tower is a classic
Viewpoints: Arc de Triomphe terrace or Sacré-Cœur area (go earlier for fewer crowds)
Neighbourhood evenings: canal-side drinks, Marais dinner, or a Left Bank wander
Boat cruise: touristy, yes, but also genuinely lovely for first-timers
Safety, scams, and practical Safety, scams and staying street-smart
Paris is generally safe, but busy tourist zones come with pickpockets and scam attempts. The golden rule is boring but effective: keep valuables zipped, don’t dangle your phone near platform edges, and ignore anyone trying to stop you with a clipboard, a bracelet, or an overly dramatic story.
Be extra alert around:
Eiffel Tower area
Louvre / Tuileries
Montmartre hotspots
Big stations and busy interchanges
Scams often rely on distraction and pressure. If you feel rushed or cornered, walk away. You’re allowed to be “rude” to someone trying to steal your wallet.
Practical extras
Paris is easy once you’ve sorted the basics: layers for weather, a plan for connectivity, and a rough idea of how you’ll pay for stuff. Weather can change fast, so pack for variety. Shoes matter more than outfits because Paris is a “walk first, complain later” kind of place.
Quick checklist:
Plugs: France uses Type E (often compatible with Type C), bring an adaptor
Water: tap water is fine
Toilets: cafés (customers), museums, some public spots
Payments: cards are widely accepted, keep a little cash for small buys
Connectivity: public Wi-Fi exists, but it can be slow in crowds
For hassle-free data as soon as you land, an eSIM is genuinely handy when you’re juggling maps, Metro directions, and restaurant hunting.
Common mistakes and smart planning tips
Most Paris trip problems aren’t big disasters. They’re tiny annoyances that stack up until you’re sulking into an overpriced coffee. The fix is simple: plan a little, stay flexible, and don’t build a schedule that relies on perfect timing.
Do this, not that:
- Do book time slots for major museums early, not the night before
- Do group sights by area, not bounce across the city all day
- Do start earlier than you think, not begin at 2pm and hope for miracles
- Do keep one slow half-day, not schedule 12 icons in a single day
- Do carry a small snack, not let hunger pick your dinner spot
Booking priority list:
- Eiffel Tower summit slots
- Louvre time slot
- Popular day trips
- Dinner reservations on weekends
Sample itineraries (2, 3, and 5 days in Paris)
These are built to feel enjoyable, not like you’re speed-running a city. Each day has an easy morning anchor, a flexible afternoon, and an evening vibe that doesn’t require a spreadsheet.
| Day | Focus | Key stops |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icons + river | Eiffel/Trocadéro, Seine walk, classic dinner |
| 2 | Art + old Paris | Louvre or Orsay, Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle |
| 3 | Neighbourhoods | Marais, Canal Saint-Martin, Montmartre |
| 4 | Big day trip | Versailles or Champagne day |
| 5 | Slow Paris | Markets, parks, smaller museums, shopping |
2 days (weekend energy)
Morning: Eiffel Tower area + wander Champ de Mars
Afternoon: Orsay or Orangerie + Seine stroll toward the Notre-Dame area
Evening: Le Marais dinner + a night walk by the river
Pacing note: Pre-book one major ticket, then keep the rest walkable and simple.
3 days (best first-timer balance)
Morning: Louvre time slot (pick a shortlist)
Afternoon: Tuileries + Place de la Concorde + Champs-Élysées to Arc de Triomphe
Evening: Boat cruise or riverside walk and a cosy dinner
Morning: Montmartre early + Sacré-Cœur
Afternoon: Canal Saint-Martin wander and cafés
Evening: Dinner in the 11th for a more local vibe
Pacing note: This is the sweet spot for icons plus neighbourhood time.
5 days (properly relaxed first visit)
Morning: Orsay + Saint-Germain wander
Afternoon: Luxembourg Gardens + Latin Quarter lanes
Evening: Left Bank stroll and a casual wine bar
Morning: Day trip to Versailles
Afternoon: Gardens, fountains, then back for a slow dinner
Evening: Early night or a final Seine walk
Morning: Smaller museums (Rodin, Carnavalet, Orangerie)
Afternoon: Markets, parks, shopping
Evening: Pick your favourite neighbourhood and go back
Pacing note: Five days lets you slow down and still do the big hitters.
I hope that wasn’t too confusing 🫤
FAQs about Paris
What’s the best arrondissement to stay in for first-timers?
Le Marais (3rd/4th) is brilliant for walking and atmosphere, while the 6th and parts of the 9th are classic and well-connected. If you want quieter nights, look at residential pockets of the 7th or 15th.
Do I need to book Paris attractions in advance?
For the Eiffel Tower summit and the Louvre, yes, book ahead if you can. Smaller museums are often easier to decide closer to the day, but weekends and school holidays get busy fast.
Is Paris safe at night?
Generally yes in central areas, but stick to well-lit streets and keep valuables secure. Around major stations, be more alert, especially later in the evening.
Is Paris worth it in winter?
Yes, especially if you like museums, cosy cafés, and fewer crowds. Plan outdoor icons earlier in the day, then make evenings about lights, food, and slow walks.
How do I save money on food in Paris?
Use bakeries for lunch, picnic in parks, and avoid eating right next to the biggest attractions. A “plat du jour” at lunch is often the best-value sit-down meal.
Ready for Paris?
Paris is one of those places where planning matters, but wandering matters more. Sort your key tickets, pick a base you’ll genuinely enjoy coming back to, and leave room for the small stuff: the river at dusk, a bakery window, a random side street that turns into your favourite memory. 🥐✨
If you’ve got questions (or you want help tweaking your dates into a sensible plan), drop a comment with your travel style and how many days you’ve got. And if you’re booking your stay, I usually start with Booking.com, then add one smooth experience via Viator.com if it genuinely makes life easier. For more France ideas, stay with TheTravelTinker.com for more city guides and planning inspo.👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! I created The Travel Tinker as a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel, allowing you to tinker your own travels! Let's explore!
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