CDG: RER B
Runs straight from the airport to Gare du Nord, Châtelet and Saint-Michel. The standard budget option, with a dedicated airport fare.
Paris Travel Guide
The city of art, famous for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Seine-side strolls and cafe culture. It is ideal for lovers of museums, architecture and food, and a dense metro makes it easy to see a lot in a short trip.
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At a glance
- Currency
- EUR (€)
- Power & plugs
- 230V · Type C/E
- Driving side
- Right
- Tipping
- Optional (small, for good service)
- Local language
- Français
- How long to stay
- 4 to 5 nights
Emergency numbers
When to go
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant for walking. July and August bring crowds and possible heat waves, and some local shops close for August holidays. Winter is cold and grey but quieter.
Airport to the city
CDG: Flat-rate Taxi
Official taxis from the rank charge a flat fare to Paris, differing for the Right Bank and Left Bank. Avoid unlicensed drivers soliciting in the terminal.
Orly: Metro Line 14
Line 14 now reaches Orly, running without changes to Gare de Lyon and Châtelet in the center.
Airport Buses (Roissybus etc.)
Roissybus runs from CDG to the Opéra area, handy if you are staying nearby. Journey time depends on traffic.
Getting around
Metro
Sixteen lines cover the city densely, reaching nearly every sight. A single ticket is about €2.50.
Navigo Easy / Transit App
Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or buy them on your phone via the official transit app; paper tickets are being phased out.
Navigo Weekly Pass
Valid Monday to Sunday and includes airport trains, so it pays off if you arrive early in the week and stay several days. A photo is required.
Walking along the Seine
The Marais, Saint-Germain and Île de la Cité are best enjoyed on foot.
Vélib' Bike Share
Docking stations are everywhere and bike lanes have expanded a lot. Buy passes in the app.
Where to stay
Le Marais (3rd/4th)
Good for: First-timers, cafes, shopping
Charming streets full of restaurants and boutiques, right in the center. Busy on weekends.
Saint-Germain / Latin Quarter (5th/6th)
Good for: Classic Paris, strolling
The Left Bank's quintessential neighborhoods with cafes and bookshops. Higher hotel prices.
7th (Eiffel Tower area)
Good for: Tower views, quiet stays
Near the Eiffel Tower and Invalides; calm and upscale, but fewer dining options at night.
Opéra / 9th
Good for: Transport, shopping, airport bus
Department stores and many metro lines make it very practical, if less atmospheric.
Montmartre (18th)
Good for: Romantic vibe, better value
Hilltop lanes and views with relatively affordable hotels. Take care around Pigalle late at night.
Top sights
Eiffel Tower
Paid access with timed tickets strongly recommended. After dark, watch it sparkle for a few minutes on the hour from Trocadéro.
Louvre Museum
Timed booking required and it is vast, so pick your must-sees like the Mona Lisa in advance. Usually closed Tuesdays.
Musée d'Orsay
A former train station filled with Impressionist works by Monet, Van Gogh and more. Usually closed Mondays.
Notre-Dame Cathedral
Reopened after its restoration, with free entry. Lines can be long, so go early.
Sainte-Chapelle
A paid chapel with walls of stunning stained glass, best on a sunny morning.
Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
The basilica is free, with sweeping city views from the steps. Ignore people trying to tie bracelets on you.
Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
The paid rooftop looks down the Champs-Élysées and radiating avenues. Use the underground passage to reach it.
Seine River Cruise
About an hour, departing near the Eiffel Tower or Pont Neuf. Sunset is the most atmospheric time.
What to eat
Croissants & Baguettes
Breakfast from a neighborhood boulangerie; a croissant costs about €1.50-2.50 (~$2-3).
Bistro Classics
Steak frites, duck confit and onion soup; lunch set menus (formules) run about €18-30 (~$20-33).
Crêpes & Galettes
Sweet crêpes or buckwheat galettes for a quick meal, about €5-15 (~$5-16).
Cheese & Wine
Share a cheese and charcuterie board at a wine bar; a glass of wine is about €6-10 (~$7-11).
Macarons & Pastries
Éclairs, mille-feuille and macarons from a pâtisserie, about €3-8 (~$3-9) each.
Daily budget (per person)
Budgetabout €80-100 (~$87-110) per day - hostels, bakery and supermarket meals, free sights
Mid-rangeabout €200-280 (~$220-305) per day - mid-range hotel, bistro meals, one or two paid sights
Comfortabout €500+ (~$545+) per day - luxury hotel, fine dining, guided tours
Sample itinerary
- Day 1
Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle on Île de la Cité → lunch in the Latin Quarter → Louvre → stroll the Tuileries.
- Day 2
Musée d'Orsay → cafe in Saint-Germain → Invalides → Eiffel Tower, then an evening Seine cruise.
- Day 3
Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur in the morning → Opéra Garnier and the department stores → sunset atop the Arc de Triomphe and a Champs-Élysées walk.
- Day 4
Half-day train trip to Versailles → relaxed afternoon in the Marais and Place des Vosges.
Local tips
- The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is in use, so non-EU travelers may have fingerprints and a facial photo registered at the border. Allow extra time for passport control.
- ETIAS travel authorisation has not started yet and its launch has been postponed several times. Check the official EU website before you travel to see whether it is required.
- Pickpocketing is common on the metro and around the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre. Keep bags in front and ignore petition signers and bracelet sellers.
- Cards are widely accepted, and service is included in restaurant prices, so tipping is optional; rounding up or about 5-10% for great service is plenty.
- Always greet staff with "Bonjour" when entering a shop or restaurant; it is basic etiquette.
- Non-EU residents can claim a VAT refund when spending above a threshold (about €100) in one store; bring your passport.
- Timed tickets are essentially required for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower and Versailles. Book on the official websites in advance.
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Prices and times are approximate as of 2026-09 and may change. Always re-check visa and entry rules with official sources before you travel.