5 Essential Tips for Traveling to Paris, France

We believed we were well-prepared for our Paris, France adventure. France wasn't our first international destination, nor our  first European travel experience. Plus, we had the advantage of traveling with someone fluent in French. How challenging could it be? Despite our perceived readiness, we still discovered a few valuable lessons we wish we had known.

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Mastering Public Transportation

If you want to explore Paris, France like a local, then here's a handy tip: learn how to use public transportation. We think it's so important that we've dedicated a whole blog to it. For more tips and info about Paris public transportation, check it out here. We'll walk you through how to get help, buy tickets, and what to keep in mind before, during, and after hopping on buses and trains.

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Unstoppable Strikes: Navigating the Challenges

Beyond the Eiffel Tower and its romantic allure, Paris is also known for its strikes. For those hailing from the Western world, particularly the United States, strikes often seem isolated—usually affecting only those directly involved. However, we soon discovered that in Paris, strikes spare no one and have the potential to disrupt everything, including tourist hubs, public transportation, and retail establishments.

Thankfully, strikes are typically announced in advance, allowing you the opportunity to adapt your plans and explore alternative options. When a museum or other public venue anticipates closure due to a strike, they usually post notifications on their official websites.

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Prepare to Explore Paris on Foot!

Paris, France is a city best experienced on foot, so make sure you're ready. If you haven't already, check out our list of "10 Must-Haves for International Travel" here, after you finish reading this. Don't forget to pack a comfortable pair of shoes to keep your feet happy. You wouldn't want foot or back pain to spoil your enjoyment of the city's beautiful sights.

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Discovering Your Destination: A Deeper Dive

One thing we certainly wished we had known before our trip to Paris, France, is the opening hours of various places. Don't repeat our mistake by assuming that everything operates on 'normal' business hours. We strongly recommend researching the specific opening and closing days, hours, and any special events or holidays that might affect access to your chosen destinations.
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And for an unforgettable experience, especially at the Eiffel Tower, discover when it will be illuminated. It's a sight you absolutely won't want to miss!

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Summer Nights: Embracing the Late Hours

Hailing from the East Coast of the United States, we're used to late summer sunsets around 8 pm EST. Imagine our surprise when we found the sun still shining well past 10 pm in Paris! Restaurants and late-night enthusiasts were bustling with activity. This unexpected daylight extension caught us off guard, as we hadn't planned for many late-night activities to capitalize on these extended summer sunsets.