Public Transport and How to Get Around
Metro
The Metro is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to get around after your flights to Paris land at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). 16 extensive routes run across the city with stops nearby sites such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Single-ride tickets cost 1.90 EUR ($3.02 AUD), but you'll get more value for your money by purchasing a Mobilis day pass. It costs 7.30 EUR ($11.62 AUD) for unlimited travel within Zones 1 and 2 where most of the city's top attractions are located.
Train
The Réseau Express Régional (RER) trains have five express routes that connect the city centre to the suburbs. If you're planning a day trip to Versailles Palace, the RER train is the cheapest way to get there. The service also stops at other attractions such as Disneyland Paris. Once your flights to Paris land at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), you can also take one of the RER trains into the city.
Bus
Paris has an extensive bus service. 59 routes run across the city and nearby suburbs. A single ride costs the same as a trip on the metro, but you'll have a longer journey time. There are also some lines that operate at night from 12.30am to 4.00pm. Buses 350 and 351 operate regular routes to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Taxi
Taxis aren't the cheapest way to get around Paris but are convenient if you're not on a tight budget. The base fare starts at 2.60 EUR ($4.14 AUD), and there is a surcharge on the weekends and for trips in the evenings. If you don't want to flag down a metered taxi, you can use the ride-sharing app Uber to get around the city. Both taxis can fetch you from the Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris Orly Airport (ORY) once your flights to Paris land.
The Best Time to Visit
For cheap flights to Paris, plan your trip during the city's low season. From November to February, the city experiences a lull in tourism and the price for flights to Paris drops. Keep in mind that December is one of the rainiest months of the year and you'll need to pack an umbrella in case you get caught in a storm The last week of February is Paris Fashion Week. Plan around the event if you don't want to pay double for hotel rooms and plane tickets to Paris.
The summer months of June to August is high season in Paris. The warm weather attracts travellers from all over the world and the price of your airfare to Paris can dramatically increase. But if you don't mind the crowds, you'll be in time for one of France's biggest holidays, Bastille Day.
If you want to avoid the crowds without sacrificing the good weather, book your return flights to Paris for travel between September and October. While temperatures start to drop, the weather is still comfortable, and there are shorter lines at the city's top attractions.
March to May is the city's other shoulder season. You'll have an easier time finding cheap flights to Paris, and hotels may also reduce room rates during this time. Be sure to pack a few light layers as the weather is still a bit chilly.
Tips for First-Time Travellers to Paris
Learn a few basic French phrases
If you know a few basic phrases in French, the locals are more likely to help you if you get lost. It shows that you've made an effort to learn their language and it will go a long way while you're exploring the City of Love on flights to Paris.
Be aware of tourism scams
Paris is one of the top destinations in the world, and it's full of scams. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets.
Paying & tipping in Paris
If you're using your card to pay for a meal at a restaurant or drinks at a bar, there is a minimum spend of 10 to 15 EUR ($15.91 to 23.87 AUD). You'll also need to ask for the bill when you're ready to pay and leave. Tips are usually included as there isn't really a tipping culture in Paris.
Top Experiences For Visitors
Eiffel Tower
Visiting the Eiffel Tower is one of the many reasons that travellers buy flights to Paris. Built for the city’s 1889 World Fair and to mark the anniversary of the French Revolution, it's considered an architectural feat and has become the symbol of Paris.
Musée du Louvre
The Musée du Louvre houses some of the world's most significant pieces of art. It's where you'll find masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, the ancient Venus de Milo sculpture and Botticelli's frescoes. Tip: travellers on flights to Paris may be surprised by the length of the queue to enter at the Louvre’s pyramid entry, so skip the line by entering via the Porte des Lions instead.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
The Notre-Dame Cathédrale is considered a triumph of Gothic architecture. It's located on an island in the Seine River, and construction took more than 150 years to complete.
