Paris Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

For a first trip to Paris, book your timed entries early, buy transport tickets on your phone or a Navigo Easy card, and plan each day around one neighbourhood. The Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and the Eiffel Tower summit sell out at busy times, while Notre-Dame is free but easier with a reserved slot.

Closures to know about (checked 5 November 2026): the Arc de Triomphe is currently closed, and its lift is due for renovation until 2027. The Centre Pompidou closed in September 2025 for renovation and is not expected to reopen before 2030.

This guide was researched on 5 November 2026 using official monument and transport information where available. Prices change, so confirm them when you book.

Tickets at a glance

Swipe or scroll horizontally to see the full table.

Under-18s go free at the Louvre and Sainte-Chapelle, and EU residents aged 18–25 usually do too, so bring ID.

The Louvre

The Louvre now has two prices: €22 for residents and nationals of the European Economic Area, and €32 for other visitors. It is open on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00, and until 21:00 on Wednesday and Friday. It is closed on Tuesdays, and last admission is an hour before closing.

Booking a timed slot on the official ticket site is strongly recommended; tickets on the day are only sold when it is quiet. Entry is free for under-18s and on the first Friday evening of the month (from 18:00, except July and August). A Wednesday or Friday evening visit is usually calmer than a morning. Pick two or three wings to focus on rather than trying to see everything.

Notre-Dame and Sainte-Chapelle

Notre-Dame reopened in December 2024 after the 2019 fire, and entry to the cathedral is free. You can reserve a free time slot online to shorten the queue; avoid websites that charge for "skip-the-line" tickets. The towers are a separate visit, from €16, and must be booked online in advance.

A few minutes' walk away on the Île de la Cité, Sainte-Chapelle is famous for its 13th-century stained glass. Tickets cost €22 for non-EEA visitors (€30 combined with the Conciergerie) and €16 for EEA residents. A timed slot is required. It is open from 9:00 to 17:00 from October to March, and until 19:00 from April to September. Go on a sunny morning for the best light through the windows.

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower has four main adult tickets: stairs to the second floor (€14.80), lift to the second floor (€23.50), stairs to the second floor then lift to the summit (€28.00), and lift all the way to the summit (€36.70). Young people aged 12–24 pay around half, and children under four go free.

Summit tickets sell out first, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. If you cannot get one, the second floor has the better view of the city's layout anyway. For photos of the tower, go to the Trocadéro or the Champ de Mars at sunrise or after dark, when it sparkles for five minutes on the hour.

Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?

The Paris Museum Pass gives entry to around 60 museums and monuments, including the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and Versailles, for two, four or six consecutive days. It does not include the Eiffel Tower, and you still need to book time slots at many sights.

It is usually worth it if you plan three or more paid museums a day, especially now that non-EEA prices are higher. Check the current price on the official site before buying, as prices vary between sellers.

Getting around Paris

The metro is the fastest way around. A single Metro-Train-RER ticket costs €2.55 and is valid for two hours across the network, except the airports. Paper tickets have been phased out: load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card (€2 from station machines) or the official app on your phone.

From Charles de Gaulle or Orly, the airport ticket costs €14 one way. You cannot hold a metro ticket and an airport ticket on the same Navigo Easy at the same time, so use your phone for one of them. If you are staying a full Monday-to-Sunday week, a weekly Navigo Découverte pass can save money.

For neighbourhoods to stay in, see our Paris travel guide, and for wet days, Paris in the rain.

View hotels in Paris

Everyday tips

• Plan by area: group the Louvre and Tuileries, the Île de la Cité and the Latin Quarter, and Montmartre into separate days to avoid crossing the city.
• Greetings matter: say "bonjour" when you enter a shop or café and "merci, au revoir" when you leave.
• Tipping: service is included in restaurant prices. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated but not expected.
• Pickpockets: keep phones and wallets zipped away on the metro and around major sights.
• Sunday and Monday: many small shops close on Sundays, and some museums close on Mondays or Tuesdays, so check before you plan.

Paris for first-timers: FAQ

How many days do I need in Paris?

Three to four days covers the main sights at a comfortable pace. Add a day for Versailles.

Do I need to book the Louvre in advance?

Yes, booking a timed slot is strongly recommended. Same-day tickets are only sold when the museum is quiet.

Is Notre-Dame free to visit?

Yes. Entry to the cathedral is free. The towers have a separate paid ticket booked online.

How do I pay for the metro?

Load tickets onto a Navigo Easy card or the official app on your phone. A single ticket costs €2.55.

Sources and planning checks

Prices and opening hours were checked on 5 November 2026 against the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, the Arc de Triomphe and the Centre Pompidou. Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Paris Museum Pass and transport fares could not be read on the official sites and are based on 2026 published rate tables and guides; check them before you travel. Tips are editorial judgments.

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