Why a Paris Tourist Pass?
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and you want to visit most of the main tourist attractions, a Paris city pass (or Paris tourist pass) is well worth considering. With a Paris pass, you will save yourself both time and money. A Paris city card generally works out cheaper than purchasing individual attraction tickets, and you won’t need to bother with lining up for tickets at the various attractions.
A Paris tourist card usually includes top museums in Paris and famous Paris landmarks like the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Orsay Museum, Château de Versailles, and more.
I’ve put together this Paris Pass Comparison to help you decide which is the best Paris pass for your upcoming trip. Take your pick from money-saving Paris passes and decide which is the best city pass for Paris for you.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our must-guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! Safety Wing works well for long and short trips (starting with a minimum of 5 days). SafetyWing covers COVID-19 for new policies purchased, and unplanned quarantine is covered, too.
Looking for the Best Paris City Pass: Paris Passes Compared
Paris City Pass vs. Paris Pass; Paris Pass vs. Paris City Pass; Which Paris Pass is best?
There’s no right or wrong answer; it really depends on what attractions you’d like to see and how many days you have in Paris. Here’s a table comparing the most popular Paris passes so you can decide which is the best Paris City Pass for you.
PARIS TOURIST PASS | CONTENT | SEINE CRUISE | EIFFEL TOWER | HOP-ON HOP-OFF BUS | DURATION | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
60+ Museums and Monuments | NO | NO | NO | 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days | ||
35+ Attractions | YES | Up to the second floor | YES | 2 or 3 consecutive days | ||
Eiffel Tower second floor + Louvre Museum + Seine Cruise + City audioguide | YES | Up to the second floor | NO | – | ||
Orsay Museum + Sainte Chapelle + apéritif on Seine Cruise | YES | NO | NO | – |
NB: This is not an exhaustive list of all the tourist passes in Paris, I have chosen only the ones that I consider the best.
GOOD TO KNOW: To avoid overcrowding, it is compulsory to book a time slot in some sites (e.g., Louvre Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Château de Versailles). This applies to all visitors, pass holders or not. Of course, the reservation of a time slot is free since, by purchasing the pass, you have already paid for the entrance tickets. When you buy the Paris pass of your choice, you will receive all the details and instructions with the purchase confirmation.
1. Paris Museum Pass
The Paris Museum Pass is definitely the best pass for museum lovers. With a duration of 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, it offers skip-the-line entry, over 60 museums, and other top attractions in Paris and the surrounding regions. You can read more about this fantastic Paris card in our Paris Museum Pass review.
What’s Included
» The Paris Museum Pass includes skip-the-line tickets to more than 60 museums (the permanent exhibitions) and other monuments in Paris and the surrounding regions.
» The list includes popular tourist places like the Louvre Museum, Versailles, Orly Museum, Centre Pompidou, and Arc de Triomphe. Click here for the full list.
» This Paris card comes with a booklet to help you work out which attractions to see while you’re in Paris.
How Does it Work?
Purchase your Paris Museum Pass online and choose either the 2-day, 4-day, or 6-day pass options. After the payment, you will receive a voucher by email.
Remember that some museums require booking a date and time slot to visit. The booking confirmation explains everything.
Upon arrival in Paris, go with your printed email confirmation to the agency (located near the Louvre Museum) to exchange the voucher for your Paris Museum Pass. Now, whenever you go to one of the included museums or attractions, you can skip the ticket line and show your pass upon entry.
The days of use for the Paris Museum Pass are consecutive and are based on calendar days. If you begin using your Pass at 14:00, for example, that day will be considered day 1– Click here to buy the Paris Museum Pass
2. The Paris Pass (now Go City Paris)
For those who want to see it all while in the city, The Paris Pass is the best city pass for Paris. Enjoy the top museums and landmarks of Paris, plus interesting guided tours to Montmartre, Stade de France, and more, and fun experiences like French apéritifs, wine tasting, or perfume workshops.
The Paris Pass includes a ride on the hop-on hop-off bus, a Seine River Cruise, a guided tour of the Eiffel Tower (up to the second floor), and a visit to Tour Montparnasse’s observation deck. You can buy The Paris Pass for 2 or 3 consecutive days.
What’s Included?
» Access to more than 35 museums, activities, and guided tours (including guided tour up to the Eiffel Tower-second floor).
» Entrance to the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Centre Pompidou, Palace of Versailles, Arc de Triomphe, and many other interesting museums. See the full list here.
» Paris Bus Tour – one-day access to hop on hop off bus – and Seine River cruise.
» 120+ page guidebook to help you work out which attractions to see while in Paris.
» Discounts at a wide range of shops and restaurants in Paris.
How Does it Work?
Purchase The Paris Pass online and choose either the 2-day or the 3-day option. You will receive a voucher by email.
Upon arrival in Paris, go with your printed email confirmation to the agency to exchange the voucher for your Paris Pass. Now, whenever you go to one of the included museums or attractions, simply skip the ticket line and show your pass on entry.
Your Paris Pass is activated the first time you scan it through at an attraction and is valid for consecutive days of your pass duration – Click here to buy the Paris Pass
3. Paris City Card
Visit the best of Paris with the Paris City Card by Tiqets.com. The Paris City Card lets you visit three of Paris’ best attractions: the Eiffel Tower (or Montparnasse Tower), the Louvre Museum, and an apéritif on a Seine Cruise. The pass also comes with a city audio guide to upload to your smartphone.
This is one of the few Paris passes that include the Eiffel Tower (up to the second level), so it is great for first-timers in Paris. In addition to this offer, you’ll also get a 10% personal discount code to use on your next booking on Tiqets.com. Enjoy other iconic Paris attractions and activities, like Versailles Palace, the Arc de Triomphe, the Catacombs of Paris, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and more!
What’s Included?
» Entrance to the Louvre Museum.
» Access to the Eiffel Tower, second floor, + an audio guide.
» A 1-hour apéritif cruise on the Seine River.
» City audio guide app for your smartphone.
» 10% discount on your next booking with Tiqets.com
How Does it Work?
Purchase your Paris City Card online and choose the start date of your pass.
Choose the dates and time slots for each of the attractions (Eiffel Tower or Montparnasse Tower, Louvre Museum, Seine Cruise). You can visit the three attractions on the same day or on different days.
Complete secure payment and receive the tickets by email. You will also receive a personal discount code that will save you 10% when you visit another nearby attraction.
Get your tickets by email – follow the instructions and enjoy your visits!
There’s no time limit for this Paris tourist pass. When you book, you need to select the start date of your Paris city card and your desired dates for each venue. It can be the same day or any other day as per your choice and the availability of the tickets – Click here to buy the Paris City Card
4. Paris Seine Pass
Enjoy the best of the iconic Seine River, Paris’ most beautiful avenue, with the Paris Seine Pass.
The Paris Seine Pass by Tiqets.com lets you visit four of the best attractions along the Seine River: the Orsay Museum, the Sainte Chapelle, the Conciergerie, and an atmospheric Seine River cruise. Enjoy the best of Medieval Paris, stunning Modern Art, and drinks along one of the most famous rivers.
In addition to this offer, you’ll also get a 10% personal discount code to use on your next booking on Tiqets.com. Enjoy other iconic Paris attractions and activities, like Versailles Palace, the Arc de Triomphe, the Catacombs of Paris, the Musée de l’Orangerie, and more!
What’s Included?
» Entrance to the Orsay Museum, the Sainte-Chapelle, and the Conciergerie.
» A 1-hour apéritif cruise on the Seine River.
» 10% discount on your next booking with Tiqets.com
How Does it Work?
Purchase your Paris Seine Pass online and choose the start date of your pass.
Choose the dates and time slots for each of the attractions (Orsay Museum, Sainte-Chapelle, Conciergerie, Seine Cruise). You can visit the three attractions on the same day or on different days.
Complete secure payment and receive the tickets by email. You will also receive a personal discount code that will save you 10% when you visit another nearby attraction.
There’s no time limit for this Paris tourist pass. When you book, you need to select the start date of your Paris card and your desired dates for each venue. It can be the same day or any other day as per your choice and the availability of the tickets – Click here to buy the Paris Seine Pass
TIP: In addition to the Paris City Card and the Paris Seine Pass, Tiqets.com offers interesting Paris combo tickets with good combinations of 2-3 attractions.
Paris Passes FAQ
What Paris Card has the biggest choice?
The Paris Museum Pass has more Paris attractions listed (60+ museums and landmarks).
What Paris Tourist Pass offers the best value?
The Paris Pass (now also known as Go City Paris Pass) is the most comprehensive of the all-in-one passes: it includes museums (Louvre, Orsay, etc.), tours, a Seine River Cruise, and an Eiffel Tower guided tour (up to the second floor).
Can I visit the Louvre Museum when I want with any of these Paris Passes?
Due to the new entrance policy of the Louvre Museum, all visitors (including the Paris pass holders) need to book a date and time slot in advance to visit the Louvre. This online reservation has no extra cost.
When you book your Paris card, you will receive a PDF with all the information on how to book your Louvre Museum time slot.
What if I only want to visit a couple of sights?
The Paris passes are only convenient if you visit many sites. If you want to see only a few sites, choose the Paris Seine Pass (if you are interested in those four specific attractions), the Paris Top 3 Museums (for visiting the Louvre Museum, the Orsay Museum, and Centre Pompidou). Tiqets has many interesting Paris combo tickets with good combinations of tours & tickets for everyone.
What if I only want a Paris Transport Pass?
Check out our quick guide to the best Paris metro tickets and passes for tourists.
And there you have it; a Paris Pass Comparison with the best Paris passes. Paris City Pass vs. Paris Pass; Paris Pass vs. Museum Pass, what is the best Paris pass for you?
