Paris, France

Paris travel guide

Museums, markets and the best walking city on earth

Find flights to Paris See fares from $361

Airports: CDG Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport · ORY Paris Orly Airport
Region: Europe
Best time to visit: April–June and September–October are mild and pleasant.
Shortest flight: 6h 55m from Boston
Round trips from: $361 (live)
Time zone: Europe/Paris

About Paris

Paris is organized in 20 arrondissements spiraling out from the Louvre. The Marais, Saint-Germain and the Latin Quarter are the classic strolling districts; Montmartre has the hilltop views; the Eiffel Tower, Invalides and the Musée d'Orsay line the Seine's Left Bank. Versailles is 40 minutes by RER train.

Getting in: from Charles de Gaulle, the RER B train reaches central Paris in about 35 minutes (€13); the Roissybus runs to Opéra (€16.60). Taxis charge a flat €56 to the Right Bank and €65 to the Left Bank. Orly, closer to the city, has the Métro line 14 extension (about 25 minutes to the center) and the Orlybus.

US citizens need a passport valid at least three months beyond departure from the Schengen area; no visa for stays up to 90 days. The EU's ETIAS travel authorization is expected to launch — check the official EU site before you travel. Contactless cards work everywhere; a Navigo Easy card or tapped card covers the Métro (€2.50). Service is included in restaurant bills; rounding up is customary.

Best time to visit

April–June and September–October are mild and pleasant. July–August is warm and many locals leave (some restaurants close); November–March is cool and gray with the best fares.

Where to stay

Neighborhoods our travelers like: Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Latin Quarter, Montmartre, Canal Saint-Martin.

Flights to Paris: typical round-trip fares

What economy round trips to CDG usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.

From	Flight time	Typical fare	Lowest live fare	Actions
New York (JFK)	7h 15m	$478	$401 · Tue, Oct 13	Search dates →
Boston (BOS)	6h 55m	$498	$361 · Tue, Oct 6	Search dates →
Chicago (ORD)	8h 10m	$568	$390 · Wed, Dec 9	Search dates →
Atlanta (ATL)	8h 40m	$598	$437 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →
Los Angeles (LAX)	10h 50m	$618	$430 · Tue, Nov 3	Search dates →
Miami (MIA)	9h 10m	$578	$469 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →

Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.

Airports in Paris

What to do in Paris

The places our editors send first-time visitors.

1
The Louvre
Book a timed ticket, enter through the Carrousel entrance and pick a wing — the Mona Lisa is only one of 35,000 works.
2
Eiffel Tower
Reserve summit tickets weeks ahead, or climb the stairs to the second floor with a shorter line; the tower sparkles nightly on the hour.
3
Musée d'Orsay
The Impressionists in a Beaux-Arts railway station; Thursday evenings are quieter.
4
Le Marais and the Seine
Place des Vosges, the Jewish quarter's falafel, and the riverside walks between Île Saint-Louis and the Pont Neuf.
5
Versailles
The palace, the Hall of Mirrors and gardens 40 minutes away by RER C; closed Mondays.

Paris weather by season

Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.

Winter

46° / 37°

Cool, gray, occasional frost; lowest fares.

Spring

60° / 45°

Blossoms in April; showers.

Summer

77° / 60°

Warm; August is quiet as Parisians leave.

Fall

61° / 48°

Golden light in September and October.

Travel tips for Paris

Book the Louvre, Orsay and Eiffel Tower online before you fly — timed tickets sell out in summer.
The RER B from CDG is the best value; buy the ticket at a machine and keep it until you exit.
Museum Pass (2, 4 or 6 days) pays off if you'll visit three or more major sites.
Many restaurants close Sunday and Monday; the boulangerie is always open.
Check ETIAS status on the official EU website before travel; it's expected to become a requirement for US visitors.

Paris flights: frequently asked questions

Do Americans need a visa for France?

No visa for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. You'll need a passport valid three months beyond your departure from the Schengen area. The EU's ETIAS pre-travel authorization is expected to start; check the official EU site before your trip.

How do I get from CDG to central Paris?

The RER B train takes about 35 minutes to Gare du Nord or Châtelet (€13). Taxis charge flat rates of €56 (Right Bank) or €65 (Left Bank). The Roissybus runs to Opéra for €16.60.

Is Paris expensive?

Hotels average €180–€300 in central arrondissements; a café lunch is €15–€20, a bistro dinner €35–€50. The Métro is €2.50 and many museums are free on the first Sunday of the month.