Travel guide
Paris travel guide
Planning a trip to Paris
Paris rewards slow days: walks along the Seine, cafes, markets and bakeries cost little, while hotels, major attractions and dinners are where the budget goes. Planning around timed tickets and lunch menus makes a large difference.
Best time to go
April to June and September to October are the most pleasant, with mild weather and long evenings. July and August are warm and crowded, and some smaller restaurants close in August. Winter is cold but quieter, and the Christmas period brings higher prices.
Where to stay
The Marais and Latin Quarter are central and walkable. Montmartre is picturesque but hilly. Arrondissements farther from the center, such as the 11th or 12th, tend to be cheaper with good Metro links. Rooms are small, and older buildings may lack elevators.
Getting around
The Metro is dense and fast; buy tickets or a rechargeable pass at stations. Central Paris is compact enough to walk much of it. Avoid driving, because parking is difficult and costly.
How to spend less
- Choose a lunch set menu (formule) at a bistro, which is often much cheaper than dinner.
- Ask for a carafe of tap water at restaurants. It is free.
- Book major museums with timed tickets online to skip the line, and check when free-entry periods apply.
- Buy bakery sandwiches and market fruit for picnics along the river.
Common mistakes
Watching for pickpockets on busy Metro lines and near major sights, especially around tourist hotspots. Do not accept friendship bracelets or petition signatures from strangers, as these are common tactics.