Paris Travel Guide 2026
The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and a city built for wandering between world-class museums and neighborhood cafes.
Search flightsWhy Paris
Paris earns its reputation honestly — the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay alone could fill days, the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame anchor unforgettable skyline views, and the city’s neighborhood cafe culture makes simply wandering between sights part of the experience rather than downtime.
What to know before you go
France is in the Schengen Area; most Western passport holders enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Book Louvre and major museum tickets online in advance — lines without pre-booked tickets can eat hours of a day.
Best time to visit
April-June and September-October offer mild, comfortable weather for walking without August’s heat, when many smaller local businesses also close for the traditional French summer holiday.
Getting there
Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports both serve Paris, with CDG being the larger international hub; a fast RER train connects CDG directly into the city center.
Getting around
The metro is extensive, cheap, and covers the entire city thoroughly. Central Paris (Le Marais, Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter) is also very walkable neighborhood to neighborhood.
Where to stay
Le Marais for atmosphere and walkability to major sights; Saint-Germain-des-Pres for a more classic Left Bank cafe experience.
eSIM & connectivity
Coverage is excellent throughout the city and greater Paris region.
Travel insurance for Paris
Standard Schengen-destination coverage works well for a typical city trip.
Everything else for your trip
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Get an eSIMWhat to Pack for Paris
The non-obvious stuff people forget, plus what genuinely helps.
Don’t forget
- Comfortable walking shoes — most major sights are covered on foot
- A light layer, even in summer, for cooler evenings
- Universal power adapter (Type C/E sockets)
- A reusable water bottle — public fountains are common
Nice to have
- A light scarf — useful for both style and church/cathedral visits
- A day bag that zips securely for crowded metro lines
- Comfortable shoes for cobblestone streets in Montmartre
- Cash for smaller cafes and markets
Not Sure When to Go?
What a Day in Paris Actually Costs
Real per-day cost ranges based on our destination research, broken down by travel style. Your total will vary, but this gives you a realistic starting budget.
| Per day | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $80 | $200 |
| Food | $20 | $40 | $80 |
| Local transport | $6 | $12 | $25 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $60 |
| Total / day | $66 | $157 | $365 |
Practical Info: Culture, Currency & Electricity
Top Attractions
- Eiffel Tower
- Louvre Museum (book ahead)
- Notre-Dame and the Ile de la Cite
- Montmartre and Sacre-Coeur
- Seine river walk or boat cruise
Culture & Etiquette
A polite ‘Bonjour’ when entering any shop, even briefly, is genuinely expected and changes how you’re treated — skipping it reads as rude regardless of intent. Meals are slower-paced than in many countries; asking for the check often requires actively flagging your server, since bringing it unprompted can seem like rushing you out.
Currency & Exchanging Money
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Eurozone travelers need no exchange at all. From GBP/USD, avoid exchange booths around major tourist sites (Champs-Elysees, near Notre-Dame); a bank-branded ATM and always declining dynamic currency conversion at card terminals is the simplest reliable approach.
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Electricity & Adapters
Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Plug type: C and E (European round 2-pin)
If your home plug type doesn’t match, bring a universal travel adapter — it’s the one item worth packing regardless of destination.