Paris Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Practical tips for Paris

• Buy a Navigo Easy card at any metro station for tap-and-go transit.

• Museums are free the first Sunday of the month — arrive early.

• Restaurants close between lunch and dinner; plan meals around 12–2pm and 7:30pm.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 112.

• Watch for pickpockets on Metro Line 1, around the Eiffel Tower and at Montmartre.

• Use official taxi ranks or licensed apps rather than street solicitations at stations.

• Keep bags zipped and phones off café terrace tables.

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 90 days. France is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ETIAS pre-authorisation applies once launched. Others require a Schengen short-stay visa.

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in Paris. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.