First time · Paris

First time in ParisParis

Paris rewards a slow rhythm: one big timed museum per morning, a long lunch, and the river or a park in the afternoon — book the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Eiffel Tower slots before you leave.

Everything here is a short version of the Paris guide. Prices and hours are estimates: check before you rely on them.

The honest verdict

Paris is dense and walkable, but the trips that go wrong are the ones that fight the ticket system and the calendar: arriving at the Louvre without a timed slot on a Tuesday when it is closed, queueing two hours at the Eiffel Tower in July, or hauling suitcases up metro stairs. Four clusters cover a first visit; Versailles and Giverny are day trips from one kept bed, and the airport rides are the first decision of the trip.

From the airport

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

Fastest and cheapest: RER B to Châtelet–Les Halles · about 40 min · about €13 (≈ US$16)

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

Airport-to-bed timings →

How long to stay

2 days: Île de la Cité + Louvre, Marais evening
3 days: Four clusters, one big museum per morning
5 days: Four clusters + Versailles day trip + one slow day

Itineraries by length →

Three mistakes to avoid

Petition, 'found gold ring' and friendship-bracelet tricks near the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur and the Eiffel Tower: keep walking and say non.(Scams)
Notre-Dame and other churches are places of worship: cover shoulders, keep voices low and skip photos during services.(Survive · red lines)
Pickpockets work the metro, the Louvre area and the Eiffel Tower crowds: keep your bag zipped in front of you.(Survive · safety)

Scams and safety →

Money and SIM

Budget day: €50–80 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Paying: Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; some ticket machines and small shops still need chip and PIN or have a minimum spend. Carry a few euros for public toilets and markets.
Cash: Cards work almost everywhere; keep €20–40 (≈ US$25–50) in coins and small notes for bakeries with minimums, toilets and market stalls; use ATMs inside bank branches, not on the street.
SIM: Install an eSIM before you fly, or buy a prepaid SIM at a shop or the airport (passport may be needed). EU roaming applies to EU SIMs.

Money, SIMs and apps →