Read This Before You Go to Paris – 11 Things People Learn the Hard Way

Every traveler leaves Paris with a list of lessons learned. Some are practical, some are unexpected, and a few can save you time, money, or nerves. Here’s a complete collection of what experienced visitors say they wish they’d known before landing in France’s capital.

Getting Around the City

The metro is usually faster than taxis. Paris traffic crawls during the day, so even short cab rides can take forever. Bikes can be faster still – you can grab one almost anywhere, ride through dedicated lanes, and park easily.

Taxis still have their place, especially with luggage or during late arrivals. But most travelers agree that using the metro and walking is cheaper, faster, and more predictable.

Walking everywhere sounds appealing until your legs give up. If you have time and energy, walk; if not, take the metro. It’s well-organized once you get the hang of it.

Using Buses the Smart Way

Buses split opinion. Many love them for the open views and calmer pace. You see more of Paris from street level, and if you get a printed or offline map, the routes finally start to make sense.

Others find them unreliable. Some complain that they run late or arrive packed. One traveler missed a bus so crowded that it passed them by, forcing a €100 taxi ride instead.

Use buses when you’re sightseeing, not rushing to the airport. In fact, never take a bus to CDG – too slow, too risky.

After big events or festivals, don’t assume you can easily get back to your hotel. Metros can close earlier than expected, and crowds may block the exits for a while.

Tickets, Passes, and Apps

Paris transport tickets confuse everyone. A frequent mistake: thinking a ticket for RER A also works for RER C. It doesn’t.

The Navigo Easy and Navigo Découverte cards are the best options, but there are quirks. You can’t load an airport ticket and a regular metro ticket on the same phone or card. Buy your CDG ticket first, use it, then add regular rides later.

Each rider needs their own card or phone. Using one phone for two travelers can trigger a fine – one couple was charged €70 after inspectors scanned their shared device. Always wait for the person ahead of you to clear the gate before tapping.

If a barrier looks broken, skip it; inspectors often stand near those.

At CDG, some agents tell travelers to buy a simple bus ticket to the nearest metro stop, then purchase or reload a Navigo day card there. The plastic card itself costs about €2, and a day pass covering central zones is around €12.

Weekly passes cost roughly €35 at ticket kiosks. Online prices sometimes appear closer to €85, and the app version requires a French phone number. Most travelers find it easier to buy directly from the kiosk.

Apps like Bonjour RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités are useful for route planning, but not all payment features work for foreign SIM cards. iPhone users can add a Navigo card to Apple Wallet; Android users usually need the physical card.

Stairs, Elevators, and Accessibility

Accessibility is limited. Paris metro stations are old, narrow, and full of stairs. Escalators and elevators exist, but not everywhere, and they sometimes break down without notice.

Abbesses station in Montmartre deserves special mention. It’s 36 meters deep, and a big warning sign advises you not to take the stairs. People do anyway and regret it halfway up. There’s an elevator, use it.

RATP publishes a map labeled “PMR accessibilité” that lists which stations have elevators and step-free access. Check it before you plan your route if mobility matters.

If you’re carrying heavy luggage, expect to lift it repeatedly through long corridors and stairwells. Locals may offer help – take it.

Safety and Street Smarts

Paris is generally safe, but pickpocketing happens fast. One traveler had their phone stolen on a metro platform while buying tickets. Keep it zipped away or secured to your wrist.

Avoid engaging with sellers near landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Sacré-Cœur. A firm “non merci” and walking away works best.

Traffic surprises many visitors. One traveler described it as “the traffic of London with the road discipline of India.” Don’t assume cars will stop just because the light says they should.

Crowds and Timing

Advance tickets are everything. Book your museum slots weeks ahead and arrive right when doors open. The Louvre at 9:00 a.m. can feel peaceful for about 90 minutes – by noon, it’s packed.

Google Maps’ “popular times” graphs help you see crowd peaks. Try to visit big attractions outside of them.

Late November has thinner crowds and calmer energy. August, on the other hand, can be frustrating. Many small shops and restaurants close for vacation. Some travelers describe the city as half asleep.

A few who visited in summer say, simply, “never again” – the heat and crowds were too much.

Pack Lighter Than You Think

Every experienced visitor ends up saying it: pack less. Heavy luggage and endless stairs are a brutal combination.

One traveler said switching to carry-on-only transformed their next trip. It also makes day trips easier – regional trains to Normandy or Loire have narrow aisles and limited space for bags.

If you shop or bring back souvenirs, you can always buy a small duffel locally. It’s cheaper than paying overweight luggage fees.

Some mention hearing rumors that large suitcases might one day be restricted on the metro, though nothing official confirms it yet.

Where to Sleep and What to Expect

“Air conditioning” doesn’t always mean what you think. Many hotels list it, but some units barely cool the room. Check recent reviews, especially for summer stays.

Bedbugs aren’t common, but they exist. One traveler found them mid-trip and had to move apartments. Always inspect mattresses before unpacking.

Hotel breakfasts often disappoint. A €20 buffet rarely beats a €3 croissant and coffee from the corner bakery. Even people who usually go to Pret or Starbucks at home end up switching to local boulangeries after one morning.

Balconies look great in booking photos, but you might never use them. Several travelers realized they’d paid a premium for a view they admired once. If you value space or a kitchen, an apartment can be a better deal.

Large hotel chains like Accor are everywhere and reliable. Smaller independents vary a lot, some charming, others date. Again, read recent reviews carefully.

Eating and Drinking

When you’re asked if you want water, don’t just nod. Say “carafe d’eau” to get the free tap version. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up paying for bottled or sparkling water.

Watch for upselling. Servers might offer “large” beers or premium water without clarifying the price. Some visitors got surprised by a €10 Perrier.

After the Olympics, a few restaurants near tourist zones started prompting for tips on card machines. Tipping isn’t expected in France, feel free to skip it.

Avoid eating on the Champs-Élysées unless you’re paying for the view. Locals say quality there rarely matches the price.

Everyday Etiquette

You may know this by now, but start every interaction with “bonjour.” It’s a small word that changes everything. Forgetting it makes service noticeably colder.

Parisian directness can read as rudeness to English speakers, but it usually isn’t. Service is fast-paced, not unfriendly. Those who greet politely and stay calm often describe locals as kind and even warm.

A polite tone and patience open more doors in Paris than any travel hack ever could.

Designing a Trip That Flows

Trying to “see everything” burns you out. Travelers who slow down and spend time exploring fewer neighborhoods end up loving the city more.

Choose travel partners carefully. Different budgets, energy levels, or walking speeds can ruin the mood. Some say solo travel in Paris is easier and more rewarding.

If possible, book direct flights instead of connections. Layovers add stress and risk lost luggage on the way home.

And nearly everyone agrees: they wish they’d stayed longer.