What is the emergency number in Paris?

In Paris, call 112 (or 15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire).

How much does a day in Paris cost?

Roughly $65-100 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $170-280 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Paris?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Paris without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Paris travel guide

France

Boulevards, river quays and museums you could spend weeks in, but also twenty distinct arrondissements with their own markets and cafés. Paris is at its best when you pick a neighbourhood and walk it slowly.

Essentials

Language: French; English common in hotels and at the major sights
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Plugs: Type C and E, 230 V
Emergency number: 112 (or 15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire)
Tipping: Service is included in the bill by law, so tipping is optional; leaving a few euros for good service is common.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $65-100, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $170-280, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Paris

Le Marais: historic mansions, the Place des Vosges, galleries and falafel on Rue des Rosiers.
Canal Saint-Martin: iron footbridges, waterside picnics and a younger crowd of bars and bakeries.
Montmartre: a hilltop village feel around Sacré-Cœur, with steep streets and views over the city.

Getting around Paris

The metro reaches within a few minutes' walk of almost everywhere; paper tickets have been phased out, so load journeys onto a rechargeable Navigo Easy card or a phone. Keep an eye on your phone and bag on busy lines and at the major sights.

Best time to visit Paris

April to June and September to October; in August many locals leave and some small shops close.

Top things to do in Paris

Book a timed slot at the Louvre, or choose the Musée d'Orsay for Impressionist painting
See the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle on a bright morning
Visit Notre-Dame, reopened in December 2024 after the fire, then walk the quays of the Île de la Cité
Eat lunch at a covered market such as the Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais
Climb to Sacré-Cœur, or take the Montmartre funicular, for a view across the city

What to eat in Paris

Croissant au beurre: the all-butter croissant, best bought early from a neighbourhood boulangerie
Jambon-beurre: the classic Paris baguette sandwich of ham and butter
Croque-monsieur: a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, often finished with béchamel
Steak frites: the bistro standard of steak with chips, usually served rare unless you ask

Day trips from Paris

Versailles: the palace, the Hall of Mirrors and vast formal gardens, about 40 minutes by RER C or train
Giverny: Monet's house and water-lily garden, open spring to autumn, about 45 minutes by train to Vernon plus a shuttle bus
Fontainebleau: a royal château and a forest loved by walkers and climbers, about 40 minutes by train

Local etiquette

Always say bonjour when you walk into a shop or café and au revoir as you leave; skipping it reads as rude. Keep your voice down on the metro and in restaurants, where conversations are kept low.

Staying connected

Orange, SFR, Bouygues Telecom and Free sell prepaid SIMs, eSIMs are widely available, and free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, parks and stations.

Staying safe

Pickpocketing is common on crowded metro lines, on trains from the airport and around the major sights. Ignore petition-signers, anyone offering a 'found' gold ring and the string-bracelet sellers near Sacré-Cœur, as all are set-ups for money.

A local tip

Buy bread and cheese at a market, then eat on the quays of the Seine or along the canal as the evening cools.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Paris on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Paris for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Paris, you could be one of the first hosts.

Join free

Questions about Paris

What currency is used in Paris?: Paris uses the Euro (EUR).
What is the emergency number in Paris?: In Paris, call 112 (or 15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire).
When is the best time to visit Paris?: April to June and September to October; in August many locals leave and some small shops close.
How much does a day in Paris cost?: Roughly $65-100 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $170-280 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Paris?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Paris without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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