Best Tactical Traveling Tips for Paris to Avoid Mistakes

Best Tactical Traveling Tips for Paris to Avoid Mistakes

Mistakes? In Paris? Happens all the time, darling. But not to worry, those seasoned travelers who have come before you and I paved way for top tips to become a topic of important discussion, and having benefitted greatly from them myself, I’m here to pass on the knowledge. 

Sit tight, and pay attention! 

Mind Your Manners 

A visit to France will quickly teach you that there is a big different between being friendly and being polite. Many find the French generally unfriendly, and while this has not been my personal experience, I can see how people might absorb this false impression. 

In France, it’s incredibly important to greet appropriately when you’re entering into an interaction with another human being; be it in a corner store, a restaurant or any other service-oriented space. Saying a quick “bonjour”, “merci” or “bonsoir” can make a world of a difference to how you’re going to welcome the other individual into your engagement. 

Paris – by Pierre Blaché – Wikimedia Commons

French is not an easy language for non-native speakers, but these simple greetings can be learned by children — there’s really no excuse!

10 French Sayings That Don’t Work in English

Don’t Toss Your Metro Tickets

Paris’ metro is unlike others in Europe in that you’ll need your ticket to both enter and exit the train platforms. This is a mistake that just about everyone makes in their first few days in the city, purely because it is such second nature to discard of the useless piece of card board once you’ve been admitted into the metro station. 

Try get into the habit of putting the ticket into your pocket after you’ve swiped yourself in, so that you can grab it quickly when it’s time to exit. Also, don’t make the mistake of putting your used ticket with your unused ones. They are all identical and figuring out which one you swiped yourself in with is nearly impossible!

How to Use the Metro in Paris

Keep it Central

One of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Paris is staying far outside of the city center to save money. While I can totally understand this, as I was once a budget backpacker as well, I can vouch that even in the heart of the city one can find affordable accommodation that doesn’t require an hour of transit each way. 

Paris – by Benh LIEU SONG – Wikimedia Commons

Staying in the center really will save you money in the long run, as you’ll be able to do a lot more on foot and avoid the hefty public transport costs. Think I’m kidding? You’ll see what I mean when you have a late night out and have to catch a taxi home because the metro has stopped for the night. A sixty euro cab ride equates to extra money for three nights accommodation somewhere closer to the chaos. It’s all relative in Paree!

Be Aware of Parisian August and December

For some reason, many Parisian businesses like to take these months off annually, be it for personal reasons or just vacation. A lot of people plan their bucket list trips to Paris during these months, and are then severely disappointed to find that the Michelin restaurants or pop-up eateries are closed for the season. 

Paris – by Chabe01 – Wikimedia Commons

The Best Time to Visit Paris

It doesn’t make much sense to foreigners, but in Paris it’s totally normal. It’s a time to unwind and take a break from keeping up with gastronomic trends. And while restaurants may take this time off, rest assured that museums, bars and other entertainment establishments still remain open for business!  

Opt for Skip-The-Queue Tickets Where Possible

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to see attractions like Versailles or the Eiffel Tower up close and in person, then you’ll need to take the https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/paris/top-safety-tips-when-visiting-paris/option of a skip-the-queue ticket very seriously. 

Paris – by Peter Haas – Wikimedia Commons

I say this from experience, and if there is one thing you don’t want to do when in Paris it’s to show up to any famous monument with the intention of getting into the hours long ticket queues and simply serving your time. Why? When your cellphone can get you a ticket within seconds, and one that skips the queue, on top of it!

Top Safety Tips When Visiting Paris

Always buy your attraction tickets online and in advance. You’ll not only get the best deals, but you won’t have to deal with three hours in the blazing sun before you even get to the entrance gates. This is an important tip; don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Plan to Eat Your Meals Later Than Expected 

If you really want to embrace Parisian culture, you need to know that locals eat late! It is not uncommon for Parisians to enjoy dinner between 9pm and 11pm, with many restaurants only opening up for the evening from 7:30pm onward. 

To some, this can be totally unfamiliar territory, especially for those who come from countries where dinner is typically concluded by 7:30pm in the evening. In Paris, it’s normal, especially in the summer months when it only gets dark toward 10pm — it feels strange to eat dinner while the sun is still up. 

Paris – by Thomas Dahlstrøm Nielsen – Wikimedia Commons

You Need to Request the Bill at Restaurants 

 This will seem obvious to some, but to travelers who come from places where diners are rushed out to make room for the next round, Paris might seem a little laid back in this regard, as mealtimes are almost sacred in the French capital, so being rushed away from your table is a huge no-no, even if there is a long waiting list and you are only enjoying your last sips of post-meal water. 

When you’re ready to go, just ask for the bill! You’ll have it in seconds and then you can make your way out. Don’t assume that your waiter will bring it upon witnessing your meal completion.