2026:Travel
Travel Sheet
Please ensure you check your country's guidance about travel to France, including vaccine and other recommendations.
 France | |
|---|---|
| Timezone | UTC+1 ( winter) UTC+2 ( summer) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) For up to date rates, check the currency converter) |
| Driving side | right |
| Phone country code | +33 |
| Dominant religion | Christianity |
| Electricity | 230/380V / 50Hz Types C and E sockets |
| Emergency contact | 112 |
| Main mobile carriers | Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues Télécom, Virgin Mobile |
Do I need a Visa?
To find out if you need a visa to enter France, please check the France Visas website. The visa wizard will walk you through questions about your profile, your stay, and travel documents. If asked about your plans, you should select “Tourism”. If you do need a visa, it will provide you with a detailed list of supporting documents required and what steps you need to take.
Citizens of the EEA countries and Switzerland do not need visas to travel in the Schengen area, and may stay up to 90 days with no requirements other than having a valid ID card or passport.
How to get to Paris by different means of transport?
Airports
There are three different airports to choose from, all located at varying distances from Paris. The largest is Paris Charles-de-Gaulle Airport (Roissy CDG). Located northeast of the city, you can reach Paris via:
- RER B: 50-minute journey, price: €14
- Taxi service: between 35 and 65 minutes depending on traffic, price: €56 to €65
You can also fly into Paris-Orly Airport (ORY), located south of Paris, which is the closest to the city. It is easy to reach Paris via:
- Metro line 14: 30-minute journey, price: €14 (recommended route)
- The Orlyval then the RER: 40 minutes, price: €14
- Taxi service: between 25 and 35 minutes, price between €36 and €45
There is also Paris-Beauvais Airport, the furthest from Paris as it is located 85 km north of the city. Tickets to this airport are generally cheaper, but the journey to Paris is longer and more expensive than for the other airports:
- Shuttle bus then metro line 1 at Porte Maillot: 1 hour 15 minutes by shuttle bus, price: €18.
Trains and buses
The city of Paris is also easily accessible by train. Several train stations connect the capital to the rest of France and Europe. Here is a map.
The different types of trains from other European cities that connect to Paris:
- Eurostar: London, Brussels, Amsterdam, and Cologne > Gare du Nord.
- TGV & ICE: Germany (Frankfurt, Munich) > Gare de l'Est
- TGV Lyria: Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne) > Gare de Lyon
- TGV SNCF: France and Spain (Barcelona) > Gare de Lyon or Gare de Montparnasse
Finally, if you want to travel to Paris by bus, the most popular bus station is Bercy-Seine. It is located in the east of Paris, close to Gare de Lyon, and is served by metro lines 6 and 14.
How to get around Paris
Here are two recommended apps for finding your way around Paris:
- Citymapper: Languages: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese.
- Ile-de-France Mobilités (IDFM): Languages: French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese.
Metro, RER (suburban train), bus, and tram system
Purchasing a ticket:
You must use a phone or Navigo Easy card to purchase a ticket. To buy a ticket, you can go to the “Bonjour RATP” app and purchase digital tickets. Tickets can be purchased and validated directly with your phone, provided you have NFC technology enabled. The app is available in French and English. It is also possible to purchase a “Pass Navigo Easy” card directly at a ticket office or terminal in the station. This card is then rechargeable. Paper tickets are no longer accepted on the metro and RER.
Ticket prices:
- Metro and RER: €2.55 per trip
- Bus and tram: €2.05 per trip
- Card price: €2.00, with the option to top up tickets on it
- Interesting: The Navigo Weekly Pass is valid from Monday to Sunday for €32.40. It becomes cost-effective if you make more than 12 trips during the week.
When it comes to accessibility for people with reduced mobility in Paris, it is not always guaranteed. Several metro lines, particularly the older ones, are not easily accessible as they can only be accessed via stairs. Only line 14 is currently 100% accessible. In theory, buses should be accessible via a ramp, but sometimes the equipment is faulty.
Bikes
You can also get around the city by bike thanks to its network of bike paths and self-service bikes. To use the “Velib' Métropole” bikes, simply download the Vélib' app. The rates are as follows:
- 45 min: €3
- 24-hour pass: standard = €5, electric = €10
- 3-day pass: €20
Other apps also exist that offer free-floating bikes, such as Dott and Lime. However, it should be noted that there are no longer any self-service electric scooters in Paris, but you can still use your own personal scooter.
Taxis
The difference between taxis and private hire vehicles in Paris:
- To take a taxi, download the G7 app. Please note that you will not know the price of the journey in advance, but the fares are regulated.
- To order a private hire vehicle, there are several apps available, such as Uber, Bolt, and Heetch. You can find out the price of your journey before you order, but prices vary depending on demand and the time of the order.
Accommodation
It is recommended to stay in the northeast of the city. Also, choose accommodations close to stations served by line 7. Stay close to this line.
As for types of accommodation, hotels will be recommended soon. There are also Airbnbs and youth hostels. When paying, hotels will charge you a tourist tax of between €1 and €10 per night per person.
Health and safety
Emergency numbers
Here is a list of emergency numbers in France. They can be contacted with a French phone, a foreign SIM card, or a phone without an active plan.
- 112 (general): European emergency number to use if you do not speak French
- 15 (SAMU): serious medical emergencies
- 17 (police)
- 18 (fire department)
- 114 (for deaf or hard-of-hearing people, or if you are in a situation where you cannot speak)
Pharmacies and medications
In France, medications are only available in pharmacies and not in supermarkets. For certain medications, you need a prescription from a doctor in order to purchase them. Check the opening hours of pharmacies online before you go. To find a pharmacy open at night or on Sundays, visit this website.
If you are traveling with medication, particularly medication for serious conditions or medication that could be considered a narcotic (e.g., Ritalin or Concerta), bring your prescription and, if possible, a doctor's note. You may be asked to show these documents at the airport.
Health insurance
We recommend that you take out health insurance when traveling to France. If you are a visitor from the EU or EEA, remember to order and bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It is free and must be ordered a few weeks before your trip. The card looks like this.
For other visitors, it is recommended to take out private travel insurance. Please note that proof of travel insurance with minimum coverage is a requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa.
Pickpockets and scams; lost property
It is best not to put valuables in small bag pockets or back pockets to avoid theft. Theft is common on public transport and in tourist areas of the capital.
If you lose your belongings or they are stolen, it is advisable to visit the lost property office at the police headquarters, go to a metro ticket office, or file a complaint at a police station.
Telephone network and electronic equipment
Telephone network
Obtaining a SIM card :
- There are local physical cards that can be ordered online, at tobacco shops, or directly from telephone operator stores (e.g., Orange or Free). Ask the sales staff what would be best for you; there are usually attractive vacation passes or no-commitment plans available.
- There are also many apps (e.g., Airalo or Holafly) that allow you to purchase a plan on your phone before you even arrive in France. However, make sure your phone is compatible with e-SIM technology before purchasing.
Roaming: For EU and EEA residents, calls and texts are generally unlimited, just like in your home country, and you don't need to purchase a new plan for this. However, pay attention to the amount of data you can use outside your country, as operators generally limit the amount of data that can be used abroad. Just remember to check how many GB you will be able to use during your trip.
International dialing code (+33): if you want to call a French number from a foreign phone, you must replace the first “0” with “+33”.
Electric equipment
- Type E plug.
- Also compatible with type C (common in Europe).
- Most supermarkets sell adapters but it is better to bring yours!
- Voltage: 230V, 50Hz.
- Check if your devices are compatible for 230V or 110/230V tension.
Food
In France, tap water is drinkable everywhere. If the water is not drinkable, it will be clearly indicated. In trains, for example, the water in the toilets is not drinkable and this will be written down. In Paris, there are several public drinking fountains that allow you to drink in the street. Here is a map that lists them.
Vegetarian and vegan options are easy to find. There are many choices in specialty stores, as well as in supermarkets and restaurants. Download the HappyCow app to be sure to find these options easily.
It is also possible to find halal products in supermarkets and restaurants. This information is usually posted on the restaurant's website or on their storefront. The neighborhoods where it is easiest to find halal options are the 18th and 11th arrondissements. For kosher food, it is quite similar, but the best neighborhoods to look for are the 4th and 19th arrondissements.
Climate
July is generally quite hot, with temperatures around 25°C (77°F) during the day. However, there may be heat waves during the summer, in which case it can be over 40°C (104°F) for several days. It is therefore important to be prepared for high temperatures.
Parisian infrastructure is often old and does not necessarily have an efficient air conditioning system. Some metro lines are air-conditioned, but not all of them, and it's also quite random for buses.
Payments
In stores, supermarkets, and restaurants, contactless payment is almost always accepted.
For ATMs, be aware of fees; check with your bank to see what is best.
Tips are not mandatory but are appreciated.
DOs and DON’Ts in Paris
Always keep to the right, whether on the street, on sidewalks, in subway corridors, or on escalators.
Try not to make too much noise in public spaces, especially confined spaces such as trains or restaurants.
In a crowded metro, let people get off before you get on. Also, once on board, don't block the doors, and even if it's not your station, get off to let people pass and then get back on to avoid being jostled by the flow of passengers.
If you want to be sure of being served in a restaurant, adopt French meal times! Lunch is usually from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.