How to Plan a Trip to Paris in 10 Easy Steps
If you’re traveling to Paris in 2026, you will want to read this Paris Trip Planner. Paris for first-timers can be overwhelming; there are so many things to see and do! That’s why I want to help with this Paris Travel Planner.
This guide covers everything you need to know when planning a trip to Paris 2026, including the best time to visit, where to stay, what to do, and how to get around the city.
Do you need help with your Paris planning? So let’s get started! Here’s how to plan a trip to Paris, France, you’ll never forget in easy steps that works for any kind of trip – no matter how long you’re going for! Just follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be off to Paris in no time!
Paris Travel Planner 2026 Content:
- Best Time to Visit Paris
- Booking your Flight or Train Ticket to Paris
- Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance
- Where to Stay in Paris
- Accommodation in Paris
- How to Get from the Airport to the City
- The Cheat Sheet for Your Paris Trip Planning
- Paris Itinerary Planner
- What to Eat & Drink in Paris
- Day Trips from Paris
- Planning a Trip to Paris 2026: Know Before You Go
1. Best Time to Visit Paris
When is the best time to travel to Paris? “Paris is always a good idea,” and there is never a bad time to travel to Paris. The city has beautiful parks and picturesque streets that are great to explore under the sun. It also has some of the world’s best museums and other interesting indoor options when it rains or it’s too cold to be outside.
TIP: In general, the best time to go to Paris is from May to October, and then December for the Christmas Holidays.
If you are flexible with dates, important things to consider when you are planning a Paris trip are the low /high tourist seasons and the weather in Paris. This is what you need to know:
Seasons in Paris
What is the best season to visit Paris? This graphic below represents the weather in Paris year-round, with average temperatures (in Celsius) and average rainfall (%).
>> Spring brings blue skies, blooming gardens in Paris, and lively café terraces. The city is also known for its cherry blossoms (usually peaking in March and April) so be sure to check out my favorite cherry blossom spots in Paris.
However, temperatures are still fresh (minimums of 4C° to 10C°), with frequent showers. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella and a jacket in your day bag!
Spring Months in Paris
>> Summer in Paris comes with longer days and nice temperatures (maximums of 23C° to 25C°). With a long list of local festivals and events and fun outdoor activities everywhere, no wonder Paris is one of the best summer destinations in Europe!
However, summer is also the high season in Paris, which means more tourists, long lines to visit the main attractions, and higher prices.
Summer Months in Paris
>> Fall is, in my opinion, the best season for a first trip to Paris. The colors of the trees are gorgeous, temperatures are still pleasant (maximums of 11C° to 21C°), and there are fewer tourists. In the last couple of years, I could organize outdoor activities until mid-November, with bright and sunny days.
Fall Months in Paris
>> Winter in Paris is not the best time to visit the cit in terms of weather (minimums of 2C° to 7°C), and sunset in Paris is very early, with only 4 to 5 hours of light. However, some people love to travel to Paris at Christmas time to see the decorations and illuminations and the best Christmas markets in Paris.
Paris is also a popular destination for Saint Valentine’s in February. There are many romantic things to do in Paris!
Winter Months in Paris
Tourist Seasons in Paris
>> Paris’s high season runs from April 1 to October 31, bringing pleasant weather, longer daylight hours, and what many consider the best time to visit the city.
However, high season in Paris is not ideal for travelers on a budget. The best accommodations often sell out quickly, prices are higher, and the city can feel overcrowded with tourists – especially in summer – while many locals are away on holiday.
>> The low season in Paris goes from 1st November to 31st March, except for Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Paris. This is the cheapest time to travel to Paris and the best time to visit to avoid crowds. If you decide to travel off-season, you will get a more local experience, and it will be easier to find good deals on accommodation, for example.
In the end, Paris is a movable feast and (sun or rain) you will have a great time!
Best Time to Visit Paris: Tips for your Paris Trip Planning
Be flexible with your dates. Flexibility is key, especially if you are planning a trip to Paris on a budget. Flight tickets or train tickets to Paris will be more expensive:
- During the school holidays in France (Paris is located in zone “C”)
- During major festivals and events in Paris
- Weekend trips (Friday to Sunday)
- During special events like New Year’s Eve or Saint Valentine’s Day.
If you are a museum lover visiting Paris for the first time, the best time to go to Paris will probably be the first weekend of the month. There are many free museums in Paris on the first Sunday, but some of them only offer this during the winter months.
2. Booking your Flight or Train Ticket to Paris
Flight Tickets to Paris
Paris has three airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), north of Paris; Paris Orly (ORY), south of Paris; and Paris-Beauvais (BVA). Despite its name, Paris Beauvais is not in Paris but in the city of Beauvais (80 km north of Paris).
If you are traveling to Paris from overseas, you will probably land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is used mainly for flights to /from Europe and North Africa, while Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA) is mainly for Ryan Air flights.
Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport are more or less at the same distance from Paris, so if you are traveling from Europe, you can choose whatever flight (or flight company) you like.
Lately, I like to book my flights with Omio, a search engine for all major forms of transport that is very easy to use! It has different filters – time, number of scales, departure time – so the research and booking process is straightforward – Click here to buy your flight tickets to Paris with Omio
Train Tickets to Paris
If you live in Europe, high-speed trains are a good and definitely a more eco-friendly option for your trip to Paris. Here are some of the main European destinations served from the stations in Paris.
- Gare du Nord: London (Eurostar), Brussels, Cologne, and Amsterdam
- Gare de l’Est: Germany and Luxembourg
- Gare de Lyon: Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich), Italy, and Catalunya (Girona, Barcelona)
- Gare d’Austerlitz: Western Spain.
I like and recommend Omio to book train tickets from /to Paris. The website is written in English, straightforward to use (something that SNCF is NOT), and it offers interesting promotions from time to time – Click here to buy your train tickets to Paris with Omio
3. Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance
Don’t skimp on Travel Insurance when you are planning a trip to Paris. Since anything can happen while traveling, the best thing you can do for yourself is to be insured.
Before going through other aspects of your Paris planning, ensure you are completely covered before traveling to minimize the financial risks of theft, loss of luggage, or flight cancellation.
SafetyWing Essential Plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up), and it can also cover electronics theft through their add-on. Plus, you can sign up for insurance even if your journey has already started!
Click here to get a quote for your trip. Under “Pricing Calculator,” select the plan and the age, and tick the box “Pay in full for specific dates” to enter your dates.
Schengen Area Travel Insurance
For those who require a visa to enter France or any other Schengen country, travel insurance covering repatriation and medical expenses is compulsory. The necessary visa to enter Europe will not be issued unless you provide proof of suitable coverage – Buy your travel insurance with SafetyWing
4. Where to Stay in Paris
Planning a trip to Paris for the first time can be challenging, especially when it comes to deciding which area you want to stay in Paris.
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (=districts of Paris), which are also administrative divisions. In each Paris Arrondissement, there is a town hall (Mairie), a mayor and elected officials, a council, a politician, and so on. Of course, each division is still subject to the city’s overall policy and the mayor of Paris, the socialist Anne Hidalgo.
To find your bearings in Paris, there is a little trick: the 1st Arrondissement is in the center of Paris, then the other Arrondissements are located forming a spiral that turns clockwise to finish in the 20th Arrondissement in the east. Check out my Districts of Paris Guide to learn more about the Arrondissements of Paris.
So, where to stay in Paris? The best area to stay in Paris very much depends on the sort of trip you’re planning. Check my suggestions on where to stay in Paris for sightseeing, luxury, family, and first-time trips to Paris.
5. Accommodation in Paris
So you got your train or flight tickets for your Paris trip, and the countdown starts! In the previous chapter, you have more or less decided where to stay in Paris (the Arrondissement of Paris). The next step of your Paris travel plan is to book accommodation in Paris.
Hotels and Hostels in Paris
Hotels can be so much more than a simple place to rest your head, and a city like Paris cannot disappoint in terms of accommodation: your Paris hotel can be just as memorable as your sightseeing!
When it comes to booking your bed in Paris, the best site to search and compare different accommodation options in Europe is Booking.com because you have everything from hostels to luxury hotels. What I have found quite regularly on Booking.com is that you can get a room in a small hotel for the same price as a hostel. Research makes all the difference!
>> For a top Paris experience, stay in a hotel with views of the Eiffel Tower or, even better, in one of the fabulous historic hotels in Paris. All these hotels are gorgeous and the beginning of a five-star Parisian experience!
>> Truth be told, these historic hotels are not for all the pockets. But there are many unique themed hotels in Paris that certainly know how to give their guests a memorable and colorful stay for less money. If you plan a trip to Paris in the summer, consider one of the Paris hotels with a pool for the warmest days.
>> If you are traveling on a budget, check out the best hostels in Paris with private rooms. You will be surprised at how cute proposals are, but in a city like Paris, it could not be otherwise!
Discover the best hotels in Paris’s most popular neighborhoods with these curated lists:
- Best hotels near the Louvre Museum
- Best hotels in Le Marais
- Best hotels in the Latin Quarter
- Best hotels in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
- Best hotels near Gare du Nord for late arrivals or early departures from this train station.
Furnished Apartments in Paris
For a much more local experience, consider renting an apartment in Paris, where you can even cook some of your meals to save money. There are some apartments with Eiffel Tower views too!
If you decide to rent an apartment in Paris, check out Booking.com, which also does apartment rentals for travelers with excellent service. With Booking.com, you can have all your hotel and apartment bookings under the same dashboard, plus their customer service is excellent – Find the Best Apartments in Paris with Booking.com
GOOD TO KNOW: Furnished apartments are very popular in Paris, especially in tourist areas. For this reason, apartment owners prioritize bookings for longer stays rather than just a weekend.
6. How to Get from the Airport to the City
If you don’t live in Europe, you will probably fly to Paris. There are currently 153 air companies flying to Paris so that you can fly to the City of Light from anywhere in the world!
There are two airports near Paris: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY). You have different options to get to Paris, depending on which airport you land at.
Best Transportation Options from Paris Airports to City
OPTION | TO | DURATION | PRICE | HOURS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train Paris CDG Airport | Gare du Nord or Châtelet | 30-40 min | 13€ | 4:50 a.m. – 11:50 p.m. |
Your hotel | 30-40 min | 24/7 | ||
Taxi CDG Airport | Your hotel | 30-40 min | Flat rate: 65€ to Left Bank /56€ to Right Bank (without pre-booking) | 24/7 |
Metro Paris Orly Airport | Different train stations | 11 min (first station) to 40 min (last station) | 13€ | 5:30 a.m. – 0:34 a.m. |
Your hotel | 30-40 min | 24/7 | ||
Taxy Orly Airport | Your hotel | 30-40 min | Flat rate: 36€ to Left Bank /45€ to Right Bank (without pre-booking) | 24/7 |
My personal recommendation is to pre-book with Welcome Pickups, a reliable and top-rated private transfer service. Your driver will wait for you outside of the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, plus a bottle of water and a map of the city. Welcome Pickups has introduced strict safety protocols to protect drivers and guests.
>> Full list of transportation options from CDG Airport to Paris
>> Full list of transportation options from ORY Airport to Paris
7. The Cheat Sheet for Your Paris Trip Planning
The next step of this Paris Trip Planner is to decide what to see and do. If this is your first trip to Paris, the lists below cover the main attractions and the most iconic things to do in Paris.
- 50 Iconic Things to Do in Paris
- Best Neighborhoods in Paris
- Paris Checklist
- Best Rooftop Bars in Paris
- Best Cabarets in Paris
- Top Things to Do in Paris at Night
- Most Beautiful Covered Passages of Paris
- Best Seine River Cruises in Paris
- Famous Buildings in Paris
- Famous Paris Landmarks
TIP: Check out the best Paris combo tickets, hand-picked combinations of 2-3 Paris tickets & tours that make you save time and money!
8. Paris Itinerary Planner
If you are planning a trip to Paris for the first time and need inspiration to organize your days, these Paris itineraries, ranging from one day to a week, will be helpful.
- One Day in Paris Itinerary
- Two Days in Paris Itinerary
- Three Days in Paris Itinerary
- Four Days in Paris Itinerary
- Five Days in Paris Itinerary
- Six Days in Paris Itinerary
- One Week in Paris Itinerary
🗺️ Best of Paris at Your Fingertips!
Uncover the best of the City of Light with My Paris Map – a curated Google Map featuring must-see spots, hidden gems, covered passages, top-rated restaurants, bistrots, brasseries, bouillons, and historic cafés.
Bonus: I’ve included Michelin-starred restaurants and the best baguettes and croissants in town! 🍰✨
Want the map? Click here to get instant access!
Layover in Paris
If your vacation includes a layover in Paris, it is possible to get a glimpse of what the city offers before your next flight.
If your top priority is to see the Eiffel Tower, it is possible to have a quick ride from the airport to the city center to check it out from your bucket list. Here’s how to get from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Eiffel Tower. If your layover is from Orly instead, here’s how to go from Orly Airport to the Eiffel Tower.
With a long layover in Paris, you can consider a short itinerary to see some of Paris’s main sites. Check out how to spend a layover in Paris, with some proposals for short itineraries.
TIP: This Paris layover tour from the airport always gets the best ratings. It is recommended by 100% of the travelers!
9. What to Eat & Drink in Paris
When you travel to Paris, be sure to learn about French food and the best things to eat in the city. If you’re not trying the food, you are far away from getting to know the culture. The articles below are a good introduction to the food scene in Paris.
- Paris Food Guide
- Where to Eat in Paris
- Famous Foods to Try in Paris
- Best Bistros in Paris
- Best Cheap Eats in Paris
- Best Parisian Cakes (born and perfectioned in Paris!)
- Best Desserts in Paris
10. Day Trips from Paris
If you have a spare day or two, don’t hesitate to go beyond Paris. Check out this ultimate list of best day trips from Paris, featuring historic cities, small towns near Paris, world heritage wonders, and adventures in the great French countryside.
Versailles is the most popular day trip from Paris. Home to the Kings of France between 1662 and 1789, the Château of Versailles is one of the most important landmarks in French history, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. The Gardens of Versailles are beautiful to see, too! Check out how to plan a day trip to Versailles from Paris to get the most out of this wonderful place.
Disneyland Paris is a must for families visiting the French capital. Check out how to get from Paris to Disneyland Paris and this Disneyland Paris crowd calendar for the quietest days.
If you love French wine, it is possible to visit some of the world’s best wines on a day trip or guided tour from the French capital. Check out the best wine regions near Paris.
Planning a Trip to Paris 2026: Know Before You Go
Check out more Paris insider tips for your first time in Paris.
>> If you are planning a honeymoon or a family trip to Paris, you can complete the reading of this Paris Planner with specific guides:
>> Most of the hotels and hostels in Paris offer free Wi-Fi for their guests. You can also get a prepaid SIM card for your trip, which will allow you to communicate with other numbers in France and keep you connected to the internet all the time. Here are the best prepaid SIM cards for France and how to get them. This Orange SIM card is very popular, and you can purchase it before leaving for Paris!
>> Paris is one of the most visited cities on this planet. In 2018, 17.95 million international overnight tourists visited the city mainly for sightseeing and shopping. Read how to avoid the longest lines in Paris’ main attractions.
>> The Parisian Metro is nearly 115 years old, the second oldest metro after London’s tube system! The metro now serves 6 million out of 10.5 million people in Paris. Check out the best Paris metro tickets and passes for tourists in 2026.
>> Arguably the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre Museum is also the biggest! Indeed, it would take 100 days to see all of the art in the Louvre Museum. Learn how to get the most out of the Louvre in 2 hours or less.
>> The Parisian style is simple, chic, and beautiful. Parisian’s motto is “Less is More,” with a minimum of versatile and easy-to-combine items. Check out my style guides and packing lists by month for men and women.
>> One week before leaving for Paris, check out this post about the transportation strikes in Paris, which is always up to date. Just in case…
>> Consider a Paris Tourist Pass to save money and skip the longest lines. The Paris Museum Pass is the most popular, but there are other interesting tourist passes for visiting Paris; check out our Paris Pass Comparison for the full list.
>> If you are planning a Paris trip on a budget, here’s how to save money in Paris.
So there you have it, how to plan a trip to Paris 2026 you’ll never forget. Use this Paris Planner to set clear goals and craft a detailed itinerary.
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