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.
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Table of contents
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
Best for: Boutique stays in Le Marais
$$$
Le Meurice
*****Paris, France
Best for: Statement luxury near the Tuileries
$$$$
Hôtel Joke Astotel
****Paris, France
Best for: Design-forward value in the 9th
$$
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 ParisFrequently asked questions
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