ADorm bed: €25–50
ACoffee/glass of wine/cocktail/demi (half-pint of beer) from: €3/3.50/9/3.50
AExcellent self-catering options, especially markets
AFrequent free concerts and events
APublic transport, stand-by theatre tickets
ADouble room: €130–250
ATwo-course meals: €20–40
AMuseums: free to around €12
AAdmission to clubs: free to around €20
AHistoric luxury hotel double: from €250
AGastronomic restaurant menus: from €40
ADesigner boutiques
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/paris) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.
Paris Info (www.parisinfo.com) Comprehensive tourist-authority website.
Secrets of Paris (www.secretsofparis.com) Loads of resources and reviews.
Paris by Mouth (www.parisbymouth.com) Foodie heaven.
Sortiraparis (www.sortiraparis.com) Up-to-date calendar listing what's on around town.
HiP Paris (www.hipparis.com) Not only vacation rentals ('Haven in Paris') but switched-on articles and reviews by expat locals, too.
Two months before Book accommodation, organise opera, ballet or cabaret tickets, check events calendars to find out what festivals will be on, and make reservations for high-end/popular restaurants.
Two weeks before Sign up for a local-led tour and start narrowing down your choice of museums, pre-purchasing tickets online where possible.
Two days before Pack your comfiest shoes!
Paris’ two main airports are its largest, Charles de Gaulle, and the smaller Orly; the quickest and easiest transport options are listed below. Some budget carriers such as Ryanair use Beauvais airport, linked by shuttle bus. Gare du Nord train station is also a major entry point for UK travellers.
| Destination | Best Transport |
|---|---|
| Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe | Air France bus 2 |
| St-Germain des Prés (Gare Montparnasse) | Air France bus 4 |
| Bastille (Gare de Lyon) | Air France bus 4 |
| Châtelet–Les Halles, Notre Dame | RER train B |
| St-Germain des Prés, Latin Quarter (Denfert Rochereau) | RER train B |
| Opéra | Roissybus |
| Destination | Best Transport |
|---|---|
| Les Invalides | Air France bus 1 |
| Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe | Air France bus 1 |
| St-Germain des Prés (Gare Montparnasse) | Air France bus 1 |
| St-Germain des Prés, Latin Quarter (Denfert Rochereau) | Orlybus |
| Châtelet–Les Halles, Notre Dame | Orlyval, then RER train B |
| Latin Quarter | Orlyval, then RER train B |
Walking is a pleasure in Paris, and the city also has one of the most efficient and inexpensive public transport systems in the world, making getting around a breeze.
The fastest way to get around. Runs from about 5.30am and finishes around 12.35am or 1.15am (to around 2.15am on Friday and Saturday nights), depending on the line.
Virtually free pick-up, drop-off Vélib’ bikes operate across 1800 stations citywide.
Good for parents with prams/strollers and people with limited mobility.
The Batobus is a handy hop-on, hop-off service stopping at nine key destinations along the Seine.
You’ll find ranks around major intersections.