Check Travel Requirements Before Traveling to Paris
Before booking your flight to Paris, make sure you understand the current passport, visa, and entry requirements. For U.S. travelers, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area. France is part of the Schengen Zone, which allows U.S. citizens to visit for tourism for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.
I also recommend checking for any updated entry requirements, travel advisories, health recommendations, or transportation alerts before your trip. The resource I always use is travel.state.gov. It provides country-specific travel information, U.S. Embassy resources, passport services, safety updates, and emergency assistance information. Even if you’re not traveling to Paris, it is one of the best travel planning tools available for international trips.
Book Your Flight To Paris
I have a full guide on how to find cheap flights to Europe, but if you’re looking for a quick summary, here are the strategies I use every time I book an international trip.
- Start by using Google Flights and exploring different departure airports and travel dates. The Explore feature is one of the easiest ways to identify the cheapest routes to Paris from your area.
- For most trips, booking approximately 2–5 months in advance tends to offer the best combination of availability and pricing. Booking extremely early or waiting until the last minute often results in higher fares.
- Don’t book the first flight you find. Monitor prices for a few weeks if possible and compare multiple routes, airlines, and nearby airports. Sometimes a slightly longer layover or a different departure airport can save hundreds of dollars.
- Flexibility is one of the biggest factors in finding cheaper airfare. Flying midweek, avoiding major holidays, and traveling during shoulder seasons can significantly reduce flight costs while also helping you avoid some of the largest tourist crowds.
Do Some Social Media Research First
Before booking accommodations, restaurants, or attractions, spend some time researching what actually interests you. Everyone travels differently. Some people want packed sightseeing days while others want slow mornings at cafés and afternoons wandering neighborhoods.
I always encourage people to build their own itinerary based on their interests instead of copying someone else’s trip exactly. One of my favorite ways to research destinations is through TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and travel blogs. Searching phrases like “best things to do in Paris,” “hidden gems in Paris,” “Paris cafés,” or “Paris photo spots” can quickly give you ideas and help you visualize locations before you arrive.
As I discover places that interest me, I save them to a dedicated folder and create a running Paris bucket list. Once I know what I want to see, I can start booking accommodations and attractions around those locations.
Paris Cafes I Want to Try
Paris is famous for its café culture, and these are the spots currently on my list:
- Cafe Nuances(iced latte)
- KB Roasters
- White Coffee
- Buddy Buddy(nut based coffee)
- Cafe Petibon
- Sevenly Hear
- Maurice Cafe(canned coffee&matcha)
- Mini Cafe
- Cafe Fino
- Boot Cafe
- Tanat Coffee
Whether you’re searching for specialty coffee, matcha, pastries, or simply a beautiful place to sit and people-watch, Paris has no shortage of incredible cafés worth adding to your itinerary.
My Paris Bucket List
Rue Crémieux
Often called the most colorful street in Paris, Rue Crémieux is lined with pastel-colored homes and is one of the city’s most photographed locations.
Montmartre
A charming hilltop neighborhood filled with cobblestone streets, local artists, cafés, and some of the best views in Paris. This is also where you’ll find Sacré-Cœur Basilica overlooking the city.
Parc des Buttes-Chaumont
One of Paris’s most underrated parks. With dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, bridges, and panoramic viewpoints, it’s a great escape from the busier tourist areas.
Palace of Versailles
A real-life fairytale located just outside Paris. The palace is famous for its Hall of Mirrors, lavish interiors, gold detailing, and expansive gardens that stretch for hundreds of acres.
Seine River Cruise
One of the best ways to see Paris from a different perspective. A cruise along the Seine passes many of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and sunset is easily one of the most beautiful times to go.
Eiffel Tower
The symbol of Paris and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Whether you climb to the top or simply admire it from the city’s many viewpoints, it’s an experience that belongs on every first-time visitor’s itinerary.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
After years of restoration following the 2019 fire, Notre-Dame has reopened to visitors. Entry to the cathedral is free, but crowds can be substantial, especially during peak travel seasons.
Arc de Triomphe
One of the best observation points in Paris. Climb to the rooftop terrace for incredible 360-degree views of the city, including a direct view of the Eiffel Tower and the famous Champs-Élysées.
Book Your Accommodations
Once you’ve researched what you want to see and do, it’s time to choose where to stay. I always recommend selecting accommodations based on your itinerary rather than simply choosing the cheapest option available. Staying near the attractions and neighborhoods you plan to visit can save both time and transportation costs.
For first-time visitors, some of the most popular areas to stay include:
Le Marais
One of the best all-around neighborhoods in Paris. Central location, beautiful architecture, excellent restaurants, shopping, and walkability.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Classic Paris charm with elegant cafés, boutique shopping, and easy access to major attractions.
Latin Quarter
A lively neighborhood known for historic streets, affordable restaurants, and proximity to many major landmarks.
Montmartre
Perfect if you want a more local, artistic atmosphere with stunning views and charming streets.
Opéra District
Convenient for shopping, transportation, and easy access to much of the city.
When booking accommodations, I personally look at Airbnb first because I often find great value compared to traditional hotels, especially when traveling as a couple. For this trip, my boyfriend and I found an Airbnb for roughly $100 per night during peak season, which is incredible value for Paris.
Hostels can also be an excellent option for solo travelers looking to save money and meet other travelers from around the world.
Book Attractions That Sell Out In Advance
Some of Paris’s most popular attractions require advance reservations, especially during spring and summer travel seasons.
Louvre Museum
- Adult admission: approximately €22
- Reserve a timed-entry ticket several weeks in advance during peak season
- Visit early in the morning or later in the evening for smaller crowds
Eiffel Tower
- Second-floor elevator tickets start around €23–€30 depending on age and access level
- Summit tickets are the first to sell out
- Book as soon as tickets become available, typically around 60 days before your visit
- Sunset and evening visits are especially popular
Palace of Versailles
- Passport ticket (palace and gardens): approximately €32 during fountain show days
- Book several weeks in advance during summer
- Arrive early to avoid the largest crowds
Seine River Cruise
- Standard sightseeing cruises typically range from €16–€25 per person
- Dinner cruises can range from €70–€200+ depending on the experience
- Sunset cruises offer some of the best views of Paris
Popular Restaurants
If there is a restaurant you absolutely want to try, reserve it as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. Many of Paris’s most popular restaurants and rooftop dining spots book out weeks in advance.
Don’t Forget About Your Phone and Transportation
Set Up Your Phone Before You Leave
Using your regular carrier abroad can become expensive very quickly if you don’t have an international plan. Instead, I recommend purchasing an eSIM before arriving in France.
Popular options include:
These providers typically offer affordable data plans that can be activated before you land, allowing you to use maps, messaging apps, rideshare services, and travel apps immediately upon arrival.
Transportation in Paris
Paris is one of the most walkable cities in the world, and its public transportation network is excellent. Unless you have a specific reason, I would avoid renting a car.
The Paris Metro is fast, affordable, and connects nearly every major attraction throughout the city. Depending on the length of your stay, a Navigo Pass may save you money compared to purchasing individual tickets.
The Navigo Découverte weekly pass is particularly popular for visitors planning to use public transportation frequently during their trip. You can find current pricing and details through Île-de-France Mobilités.
Essentials You Definitely Want to Bring With You
Paris involves a surprising amount of walking, so packing the right items can make a huge difference in your comfort throughout the trip.
My must-have travel essentials include:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Shoe inserts for extra support
- Blister tape or bandages
- Quality sleep mask
- Portable charger
- Packing cubes
- Universal travel adapter
- Portable fan for summer travel
- Luggage scale
- Mini steamer or wrinkle-release spray
- Power bank for long sightseeing days
- Voltage converter if you plan to use hair tools that are not dual-voltage
Trust me…your feet will thank you after spending full days exploring Paris on foot.
Final Thoughts On Planning a Trip to Paris
Paris has been at the top of my travel bucket list for years, and after spending countless hours researching neighborhoods, cafés, attractions, transportation, and travel tips, I wanted to put everything I learned into one guide to make planning your own trip easier. Whether you’re visiting Paris for the first time or returning to explore more of the city, a little preparation can save you money, reduce stress, and help you make the most of your time there. From iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre to charming cafés and hidden corners of the city, Paris offers something for every type of traveler. Use this guide as a starting point, customize it to fit your travel style, and most importantly, leave room for unexpected discoveries along the way…those often become the most memorable parts of any trip.