Paris is always a good idea.
Audrey Hepburn
This writer would bet good money that everyone in New Zealand is growing sick of the chilly weather. We're ready for sunshine and warmer temperatures, and we'd travel abroad to collect our share of both. This time, however, maybe we could skip the strands of Portugal and the streets of Spain. Setting our sights on Paris, we can discover:
- the best ways to make the trip to Paris
- the right Paris accommodation for your needs
- how to get around in Paris and beyond
- the top eateries to sample
- what to bring for the best travel experience
Travelling to Paris
As close to France as we are, getting to Paris is a snap. You only need to choose your preferred travel method and book your tickets, if needed. These are your three options.
Flights to Paris
With the summer travel season kicking into high gear, airlines are offering tantalising incentives to fly to Paris. A quick check on Skyscanner's website reveals that round-trip tickets start around $1900 per person.
Beware not to book more than four months in advance, though. Pricing is too unpredictable, that far out.
Your 2024 trip to Paris may face blocked streets and crowded public transportation as the Olympic Games are underway. Some Paris attractions may be closed, too.
Coach Trips to Paris
Now, if you're already in Europe and thinking of making a stop in Paris then you don't have to factor in a long-haul flight. Instead, other options open up from trains to buses.
Getting to the airport, parking your car, making your way to the terminal... And then, the check-in, complete with bag size and weight restrictions, before sandwiching yourself in a tiny seat. Coach holidays to Paris do away with almost all those inconveniences.
Eurolines, Flixbus and National Express each make daily coach trips to Paris. With Flixbus and other similar providers like BlaBlaBus, you'll find trips leading from most European countries to Paris.
On average, the price of coach trips to Paris is between $42-80, one way. You must expect a higher fare the further you are. And you must make time for coach holidays in Paris, because you'll spend much longer on a bus than travelling by plane or car. Before you decide on coach trips to Paris, study this pros-and-cons breakdown to see if coach holidays to Paris are right for you.
Pros
- costs less
- bring more luggage
- Wi-Fi and electrical outlets
- scenery
- rest stops
- go right into Paris
Cons
- 8-10 hours travel
- may be crowded,
- traffic delays
- maybe less comfortable
Drive to Paris
Another option, particularly if you're based in one of the bordering countries OR the UK, is to drive!
If you'd rather not worry about buying any tickets to Paris, driving is your best option. You may ride the ferry across the channel or drive through the Chunnel. Either way, you will have a car at your disposal during your trip to Paris. Note that both of these options incur fees.
Driving - a hired car or your own, means you can bring whatever you want or need on your trip. Some of the best Paris day trips include hiking, biking and rock climbing. Throwing your ropes in the boot and/or your bike on its rack lets you sample these experiences in France.
Hotels in Paris City Centre
Some travellers want to be in the thick of things; they prefer their Paris accommodation to be where all the action is. This gives them the chance to use all the essential French phrases they mastered ahead of their trip.
The trouble is, in a city like Paris, you'll find action everywhere. Of course, it also depends on what you mean by 'action'. Paris' City Centre spans four districts - arrondissements. Within them, you'll find all the high-profile tourist sites.
Just north of that enclave, in the 8th Arrondissement, you'll find the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elyséee, and the Big and Small Palaces. The Eiffel Tower lies across the Seine, in the 7th District. There, you'll also find many popular museums, such as the Musée d'Orsay and Musée du quai Branly.
The Hôtel de Ville houses City Hall, you can't rent any rooms there.
As vast and enticing as Paris is, choosing your Paris accommodation depends on what you plan to do while you're there. If you're of a shopping mindset, the 2nd Arrondissement is for you. There, you'll find many covered shopping arcades, as well as department stores and high-end shops.
Conversely, Arrondissements 3 and 4 are the best for capturing the Paris vibe. Narrow, winding cobbled streets lead you to a succession of quaint markets and cafés. Here, you're close to the former Temple fortress and the Picasso Museum. All of this shows that you must choose where to stay in Paris according to what you want to see and do:
| Landmark/Attraction | District |
|---|---|
| Eiffel Tower | 7th |
| Arc de Triomphe | 8th |
| Champs-Élysées | 8th |
| Sacré Coeur | 18th |
| Opera Garnier | 9th |
| Catacombs | 14th |
| Panthéon | 5th |
| Sainte-Chapelle | 1st |
| Louvre | 1st |
| Tuileries Gardens | 1st |
| Disneyland Paris | 12th |
Paris Accommodation Beyond City Centre
Paris boasts an efficient public transit system, so you don't have to look for hotels in Paris' City Centre. You can stay on the outskirts and plan your itinerary to the top sites by metro. Unless only the City Centre will do, you will likely find yourself better served by choosing a Paris accommodation by other criteria.
Montmartre is a perennial favourite. It features the Moulin Rouge nightclub, which overlooks the alleys famous painters frequented before their renown. You will be within walking distance of the Basilica Sacré Cœur, Paris' highest point.
The Latin Quarter (Arrondissements 5 and 6) are on the Left Bank. Here, you'll find the Pantheon where famous writers roamed. Walk in Sartre's footsteps as you check out eclectic shops and designer boutiques.
Where to Stay in Paris With Kids
Hands down, if you're travelling with little ones, the 19th Arrondissement is your best choice. It boasts two large parks with lots for kids to do and discover. However, if you still prefer hotels in central Paris, aim for the 5th Arrondissement.
That district's Jardin de Plantes is only slightly less accommodating than 19th's parks. Besides, you can pick up some snacks from the nearby rue Mouffetard - Paris' oldest street. Bring those goodies to the park with you; your kids will love you for it.
Disneyland Paris is a popular attraction in France for travellers with children. If that's your destination, too, Arrondissement 12 is where to stay in Paris. It boasts a train link directly to the park, sparing you from battling traffic and paying parking fees. Even if the Magic Kingdom isn't on your itinerary, the nearby Vincennes Forest gives the kids ample room to run and play.
Packing Essentials
What you pack for Paris depends on many factors. We'll cover those in a moment; for now, let's talk about what every guide to travelling in France suggests visitors bring. Besides the bare necessities - personal products, electronics, and standard clothing, we strongly recommend sensible shoes. Paris cobblestones are hard to walk on without supportive, comfortable footwear.
You should also bring some sort of outerwear, even for summer travel. A rain poncho or umbrella will protect you from sudden gushes. A cardigan or hoodie will ensure you stay warm as you tour Paris' chillier spaces, such as the Catacombs. Beyond these recommendations, choose your suitcase fillers based on:
What you plan to do
- tour popular sites
- go shopping
- explore nature
The weather
- damp, chilly, cold
- hot, humid, sunny
Length of stay
- 1-3 days: a couple of outfits
- 5 to 8 days: min. 6 outfits
- up to two weeks: 12 outfits
Ask if your hotel has laundry facilities so you won't have to pack as much.
Where to Eat in Paris
This chapter is the most difficult to write, because it's hard to know where to begin. Paris is so jam-packed with tantalising foods that recommending a mere handful of eateries simply won't do.
Take bistros, for instance. Such small, cosy restaurants present a limited, moderately-priced menu.
Top bistro picks include Recoin and the Bistrot Paul Bert (11th Arrondissement), and Bistrot des Tournelles (4th Arrondissement). Les Arlots serves a satisfying bangers'n'mash; Faubourg Diamant dishes up vegan delicacies (both in the 10th Arrondissement). This list expands your restaurant choices.
| Restaurant name | District | What you'll find | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|
| BigLove | 3rd | Vegetarian pizza, pasta and other Italian fare; desserts | mid-high |
| Chez Denise | 1st | Meat-based menu, served bistro style. | midrange |
| Rani Mahal | 2nd | Indian food; vegetarian and meat-based dishes | inexpensive |
| Creperie Beaubourg | 4th | Sweet, savoury crepes and galettes | inexpensive |
| Le Petit Prince de Paris | 5th | French dishes, heavy on sauces | midrange |
| Le Timbre | 6th | A bit of everything, seasonal dishes | expensive |
| Au Pied de Fouet | 6th and 7th | Burgers, salads, sides, desserts | inexpensive |
| Ladurée | Multiple locations throughout the city | Cakes, macarons, brunch | expensive |
Stop by a bakery for breakfast croissants, and enjoy them while walking around the quiet morning streets!
Getting Around in Paris
As noted above, Paris boasts an excellent public transportation system. With a bit of study, you can master the metro map; learning the bus system isn't difficult, either. All the city's highlights are well-connected and marked on the transport systems' maps.
You might hail a taxi to reach a specific destination, or hire a car to drive on your own. However, driving in Paris can sometimes be challenging. Perhaps it's best to leave it to native Parisians.
Despite all the traffic and bustle, Paris ranks among the best places to visit in France. This timeless city has everything a traveller - or reveller could want. You'll find art and culture, fine foods and great wines. Paris is history at every turn, with liberal doses of modern mixed in.
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