Heading to Paris? Earlier than you dive into the magic of the Metropolis of Gentle, ensure you’re absolutely ready for a hassle-free journey. From verifying your passport to downloading important journey apps, these eight essential steps will guarantee easy travels and allow you to take pleasure in Paris to the fullest.
Touring will be aggravating, particularly if you’re unprepared. As an skilled traveler, I’ve discovered the arduous method that lacking even a small element can flip a dream journey right into a nightmare.
Dashing to the hospital after my youngest broke his collar bone on the Niagara Falls? Been there and don’t suggest it.
That’s why I’ve put collectively this complete checklist of must-dos that can assist you keep away from frequent pitfalls. With these knowledgeable suggestions, you’ll be on the protected facet and might take pleasure in Paris worry-free.
Salut, I’m Lena – journey planning knowledgeable and parisienne since 2006 🩷
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Earlier than You Go to Paris: Your 8-Step Guidelines
With out additional ado, right here’s for the guidelines that covers the important steps you must full earlier than heading to Paris. Let’s dive in and get you prepared for an unforgettable journey!
#1 Confirm Your Passport
To journey to France, you’ll want, after all, a passport. However that’s only the start. Your passport have to be legitimate for no less than three months past your deliberate departure from the Schengen space.
If it’s not, you might be refused boarding by the airline. To play it protected, guarantee your passport is legitimate for no less than six months on the time of your departure, although technically three months is the minimal.
It’s a easy examine that may prevent plenty of hassle and guarantee your Parisian journey begins easily. I additionally suggest checking the French Authorities web page for extra detailed and up-to-date data.
#2 Purchase an eSim to Keep Linked
my suggestion: eSim from Airalo. Examine knowledge packages right here.
Staying linked whereas touring is essential, and shopping for an eSim is a game-changer. With an eSIM, you may seamlessly keep linked with out worrying about hefty roaming costs.
I take advantage of Airalo for my travels, and it has revolutionized how I keep in contact and navigate new locations. And the way a lot money and time I save, now, that I don’t have to prepare an area SIM card upon arrival anymore.
I additionally that I keep in full management of my spendings: 3 GB price solely €10 for instance.
Airalo gives digital SIM playing cards, generally known as eSIMs, that may be downloaded and put in for over 200 international locations and areas. It sounds difficult, however their app guides you thru it step-by-step.
This implies you may entry the Web as quickly as you land in Paris, or just about some other nation, with out the trouble of discovering an area SIM card. Examine knowledge packages right here.
#3 Get Journey Insurance coverage
My suggestion: VisitorCoverage (Trustpilot score 4.8/5.0) Charges begin as little as €7 for every week in Paris
Journey insurance coverage is a must have for any journey, and Paris is not any exception. I can’t stress this sufficient, don’t journey with out. It’s a small funding for peace of thoughts. Check out all obtainable plans with VisitorCoverage.
As a result of accidents, diseases, or surprising occasions can occur anytime, and being unprepared can flip your dream trip right into a aggravating ordeal.
When my youngest broke his collar bone on the Niagara Falls, figuring out that we had been insured was such a aid. The state of affairs was already dangerous sufficient.
Effectively, the lesson we discovered when again at residence was, although, to name the insurance coverage BEFORE going to the hospital, however that’s one other story.
Journey insurance coverage offers protection for medical emergencies, journey cancellations, misplaced baggage, and extra, relying on the plan you select. Making certain you will have dependable journey insurance coverage means you may discover Paris with confidence, figuring out you’re coated if something goes improper.
➡️ Click on right here to check the completely different plans at VisitorCoverage.
#4 Apply for Visa or ETIAS
Earlier than heading to Paris, ensure you have the mandatory journey authorization. Relying in your nationality, you might want to use for a Schengen visa. The “Visa Wizard” from the French Authorities is a good assist right here.
Vital: when you traveled thus far with no visa to Europe, the necessities are altering in mid-2025!
Beginning in 2025, vacationers from visa-exempt international locations might want to apply for ETIAS (European Journey Data and Authorization System) earlier than coming into the Schengen Space.
The method is easy and fast, however requires some advance planning. So don’t go away it till the final minute and make 100% positive to land on the official ETIAS web page. It’s this one: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias_en
With no legitimate ETIAS or Visa, the airline is not going to allow you to board the aircraft.
#5 Name your Financial institution to Keep away from Monetary Surprises
Earlier than you journey to Paris, you positively want to provide your financial institution a heads-up about your journey. This manner they’re conscious of incoming funds from overseas and received’t freeze your checking account as a consequence of suspicious exercise.
Having to cope with banks and blocked bank cards might be the final you need when in Paris.
Moreover, ask about overseas transaction charges and ATM withdrawal limits to keep away from surprising costs. This manner, you’ll know what to anticipate and might make an knowledgeable resolution about whether or not to change some a reimbursement residence, use your card in France, or go for a mixture of each.
#6 Purchase Paris Attraction Tickets
Right here’s my checklist of 5 Paris Sights to E book in Advance – and 5 NOT to
Paris is residence to a few of the world’s hottest sights, and plenty of sights are offered out prematurely or require lengthy queuing occasions. Simply popping by is usually not an possibility.
To keep away from disappointment and take advantage of your journey, purchase your attraction tickets prematurely. Particularly these, that you just completely don’t wish to miss and that aren’t negotiable for you.
Plus, you’ll save time by skipping the lengthy ticket strains, providing you with extra time to discover and benefit from the metropolis.
Right here’s for you, an inventory of sights that it is best to e book prematurely, as they usually promote out:
#7 Obtain Paris Journey Apps
my suggestions ➡️ 9 Paris Apps You Have to Obtain Earlier than Touring
Earlier than you permit residence, ensure you have the indispensable apps journey apps in your telephone. Whether or not it’s for instructions, restaurant suggestion, tickets, utilizing the metro or just to translate French to your mom tongue: there’s an app for the whole lot, and it makes touring SO MUCH simpler.
And when you bought your eSim earlier than your journey, you don’t even want to fret to about your knowledge plan.
Check out my article 9 Paris Apps You Have to Obtain Earlier than Touring to know which apps to obtain.
#8 Get a Journey Adapter, Converter & a Energy Financial institution
Be certain that to pack a journey adapter. France makes use of Sort C and Sort E plugs, so your gadgets won’t be appropriate with the native sockets. With out an adapter, you received’t be capable to cost your telephone, laptop computer, or different necessities.
I’ve been utilizing this journey adapter for years now and might suggest it.
Moreover, examine in case your gadgets want a voltage converter, as France operates on a 230V. To make use of, for instance, a US hair straightener in France, you’ll seemingly want a voltage converter. This one doubles as a converter and an adapter.
To seek out out when you require it, examine the label in your system to see if it helps twin voltage (reminiscent of 100-240V). If it does, you’ll solely want a plug adapter. If it doesn’t, you will want a voltage converter to keep away from damaging your system or inflicting a black-out in the complete constructing.
And lastly, an influence financial institution is a lifesaver in a metropolis the place charging choices will be restricted, particularly if you’re out exploring all day. I discover the facility banks for Anker are probably the most dependable – that is the exterior battery that I take advantage of.
With these necessities checked off, you’re all set for a seamless and unforgettable Parisian journey. Bon voyage!
Parisienne since 2006 🩷
Knowledgeable in: Parisian Life &
French Tradition, Journey
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CHECKLIST in your Paris Journey
