Paris Travel Guide
From chic boutiques to internationally acclaimed museums, exceptional cuisine to iconic architecture, Paris is a city that combines a vibrant history with a love of the contemporary.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
For ideal sightseeing weather, spring (April/May) and summer (June/July) are the best times to visit Paris. Exhibitions will be open and the weather warm and bright enough to take full advantage of the world-famous café culture. Tourism is at its peak in July and August, when Parisians go on holiday, but this can mean some venues are closed for the summer months. Crowds will be thinner during the autumn months (September/October) but this is also when the weather turns cooler and there is a greater chance of rain.
Travelling to Paris?
Charles de Gaulle is the main international airport, from which the RER B train can take you directly to central locations such as the Gare du Nord or Saint-Michel Notre Dame.
The RoissyBus shuttle also provides a direct link from the airport to Opéra in the centre of Paris in around an hour.
Orly Airport is smaller, but also handles international flights. The OrlyVal shuttle connects terminals 1, 2 and 4 and can take you to Antony, from which you can get the RER B for half an hour to the Gare du Nord. If you have a little more time, it is also possible to get the tram from the airport to Villejuif-Louis Aragon in around 45 minutes.
Follow the signs at the airport to reach the taxi ranks, where official taxis are available without booking. These can take around an hour and cost about €50.
Getting around Paris
Public Transport in Paris
Paris is served by an efficient metro system. A t+ ticket is cheap and will allow you to travel one-way on the metro, RER, bus lines and trams. For longer stays, the Paris Visite travel pass could be ideal, allowing unlimited travel in the Paris and Île-de-France region for up to five days on all public transport networks.
Cycle hire in Paris
The city’s Vélib’ Metropole service offers 20,000 bikes across the Greater Paris area, which are available to hire on a one-day or three-day basis. You are never more than 300 metres from a docking station, so picking up and dropping off a bike couldn’t be simpler.
Taxis in Paris
If you are having trouble finding a taxi on a busy street your best bet is to find a taxi stand. Look out for the neon sign on the top of the car, which will be illuminated if it is available to take passengers.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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