Paris
Practical know-how for Paris: when to go, getting around, money, tipping and the small things that make a trip easier.
- Best time to go
- April–June and September–October; August is quieter as Parisians holiday.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Tipping
- Service is included in the bill. Leaving a few euros for good service is optional.
- Language
- French. A friendly “Bonjour” goes a long way; English is common in tourist areas.
- Plugs
- Type C/E (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.
- Emergency
- 112
Getting there and around
Airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Orly (ORY) and Beauvais (BVA) are also used for Paris.
Public transport: a single ticket is typically £1.8–£2.5. A day pass or a travel card is usually better value if you ride several times a day.
Money and tipping
Currency: Euro (€).
Tipping: Service is included in the bill. Leaving a few euros for good service is optional.
Take a debit or credit card with no foreign transaction fees if you can, carry a little cash for markets and small cafés, and when a machine offers to charge you in pounds, choose the local currency.
Typical daily spend: see the Paris cost guide.
Language, culture and daily rhythm
Language: French. A friendly “Bonjour” goes a long way; English is common in tourist areas.
Rhythm of the day: Lunch is 12 to 2pm and many kitchens close until 7pm. Many shops close on Sunday outside big tourist areas.
- Always greet staff with “Bonjour” when you walk into a shop or café.
- The “plat du jour” and lunchtime “formule” menus are good value.
- Book Louvre and Eiffel Tower slots online ahead of time.
Booking ahead and saving money
Book ahead: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle. These are best reserved in advance.
Free things to do: 14 of the 25 places in our Paris guide are free. See them.
Book timed-entry sights, popular restaurants and weekend trains ahead. Flights and hotels are usually cheapest booked 6 to 12 weeks out for city breaks, and earlier for summer beach holidays.
Safety, health and watch-outs
Emergency number: 112.
- Pickpockets target the Paris Metro and major sights.
- Strike days can disrupt trains and flights: check before you travel.
A UK GHIC gives you access to state healthcare in the EU on the same terms as locals, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. Take out insurance that covers medical care, cancellation and your activities.
Practical details
Plugs and voltage: Type C/E (two round pins), 230V. UK visitors need an adapter.
Tap water: Tap water is safe, and a free carafe (“une carafe d’eau”) is a standard request.
Entry and documents: Entry rules, passport validity and any pre-travel registrations change. Always check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice page for your destination before you book and again before you travel.
General guidance for France, written for UK travellers. Rules, prices and opening hours change: check official sources (GOV.UK foreign travel advice, venue websites) before you travel.