🧭 First-Timer Guide · 2026
Paris For
First-Time Travelers
Everything you need before your first trip to Paris — SIM cards, currency, airport arrival, safety, and a real packing list. Written for Indian travellers, updated June 2026.
Schengen
visa required in advance
₹8,500
Schengen visa fee (≈ €90)
~9–10 hrs
flight time, Delhi/Mumbai (direct)
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SIM Card & Internet
DO THIS FIRST
You'll want data the moment you land — for Citymapper, Google Maps, translation apps and hotel check-in confirmations. Don't rely on hotel Wi-Fi alone.
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eSIM (easiest)
Buy a Europe-wide eSIM online before you fly (Airalo, Holafly). Activates the moment you land — no counter, no queue — and covers day trips to nearby Schengen countries too. Roughly ₹1,100–₹3,200 for 5-20GB.
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Physical SIM at airport
Orange and SFR counters are in the arrivals area at CDG. Staff set it up for you. Roughly ₹900–₹1,400 for similar data, but expect a short queue.
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Tabac shops & supermarkets
Tabac (newsagent) counters and supermarkets across Paris sell SIM top-ups if you need more data later — often cheaper than buying a fresh tourist SIM.
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Coverage
Excellent 4G/5G throughout Paris and the Île-de-France region. Patchier around some countryside day trips like Giverny — download offline Google Maps for those days.
💡 Tip: Check if your Indian SIM has a Europe roaming pack — sometimes a 1-2 week roaming add-on works out close in price to a local SIM, with less hassle.
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Currency & Money
EUR · EURO
Paris runs on the Euro (EUR). Unlike Bali, cards are accepted almost everywhere — even small cafés, bakeries, and the metro take contactless — so you'll carry far less cash day-to-day.
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ATMs
Widely available across Paris. Use bank-branded ATMs (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Crédit Agricole) over standalone ones. Always choose to be charged in EUR, not INR — declining "dynamic currency conversion" gets you a better rate.
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Money changers
Rarely needed since cards work almost everywhere. If you do need cash, use a licensed bureau de change — avoid airport kiosks, which typically offer the worst rates.
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Cards
Accepted at nearly every restaurant, shop, and even bakeries. Carry a no-forex-markup card if you have one — it's genuinely the primary way to pay in Paris.
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How much cash to carry
Keep roughly €100–150 (₹9,200–₹13,800) in cash at any time — useful for markets, small tips, and the rare card-only-refused spot.
💡 Tip: Pre-load a small amount of EUR before you fly so you're not stuck at the first airport ATM queue. The Factvisit
Budget Planner can help you estimate exactly how much cash to carry for your trip length.
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Airport Arrival
CHARLES DE GAULLE · CDG
Most flights land at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), 25km northeast of central Paris. Here's the arrival sequence step by step.
01
Immigration & Schengen entry
Unlike Bali, your visa is already approved and stamped in your passport before you fly — there's no on-arrival payment. Present your passport and visa at the immigration booth; have your hotel address and return ticket ready in case of questions.
02
Baggage & customs
Standard baggage claim. EU customs is generally quick — declare nothing unusual and you'll walk straight through.
03
SIM card counter
Orange/SFR counters are in the arrivals area — grab a SIM here if you didn't buy an eSIM in advance.
04
Getting to central Paris
The RER B train (~35-50 min, ~₹950/€10.30) is the fastest budget option. Taxis run a fixed fare of €53-58 (~₹4,900-5,300) to the Right or Left Bank. Roissybus and pre-booked private transfers are also common.
05
Travel times from CDG
Le Marais/Louvre: 45-60 min · Champs-Élysées: 50-60 min · Montmartre: 45-55 min · Versailles: not direct, ~90 min via the city.
🚆 Heads up: France has frequent transport strikes (grèves) affecting trains, metro and even airports. Check RATP/SNCF status close to your travel dates and build in buffer time for connections.
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Safety Tips
GOOD TO KNOW
Paris is generally safe for tourists. The real risks are mostly avoidable with basic precautions — not violent crime.
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Pickpocketing is the #1 risk
Common on Metro Line 1, RER B, and around major sites (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Champs-Élysées). Keep bags zipped and worn in front, and avoid back pockets for phones and wallets.
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Street scams
Petition scams, "found ring" scams and friendship-bracelet scams near Sacré-Cœur and Trocadéro are common. Politely decline and keep walking — engaging at all is how they work.
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Metro at night
Generally safe, but stay aware in quieter stations late at night. Some outer stations on the northern lines warrant extra caution after midnight.
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Tap water
Unlike Bali, Paris tap water is safe to drink — no need to buy bottled water everywhere. Free public "Eau de Paris" fountains are dotted around the city.
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Strikes & transport disruptions
France has more frequent transport strikes than most destinations. Check RATP/SNCF status before travel days and airport transfers, and have a backup plan.
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Travel insurance
Not optional here — a minimum €30,000 Schengen-compliant policy is a legal requirement for your visa, and it's genuinely useful cover for lost bags and medical issues too.
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DON'T SKIP
Travel Insurance
Schengen-mandatory cover — medical, trip cancellation and baggage loss, minimum €30,000.
GET A QUOTE →
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BEFORE YOU FLY
Europe eSIM
Activate before landing — skip the airport SIM counter entirely and stay connected from the jet bridge.
BUY ESIM →
🎟️
SKIP THE QUEUES
Paris Museum Pass
Skip-the-line entry to 50+ museums and monuments — pays for itself after just 3 visits.
GET THE PASS →
Some links above are affiliate links — Factvisit may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
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Packing List
FIRST TRIP
CLOTHING
✓ Layered clothing — Paris weather changes through the day
✓ A smart-casual outfit for nicer restaurants (some enforce dress codes)
✓ Comfortable walking shoes — cobblestones are hard on flimsy soles
✓ A scarf — practical warmth and very Parisian
✓ Compact umbrella or light rain jacket (rain is possible any month)
✓ A warm jacket if travelling Oct–Mar
ESSENTIALS
✓ Universal plug adapter (Type C/E, 230V)
✓ Power bank
✓ Printed/digital copies: visa, passport, insurance certificate, hotel & flight bookings
✓ Basic French phrases app or phrasebook
✓ No-forex-markup card + backup card
✓ Small daypack/cross-body bag for museums and valuables
✓ Cash in small EUR denominations
🎒 Tip: Pack light — laundry services (laveries) are common and affordable (₹700-₹1,200 for a full self-service load) throughout Paris.
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FAQ
Is Paris safe for first-time travelers from India?
Yes, Paris is generally safe for first-time travelers. The main risks are pickpocketing near major tourist sites and common street scams — not violent crime. Standard precautions cover most concerns.
Do I need a local SIM card in Paris?
A Europe-wide eSIM or local SIM is strongly recommended. It's the cheapest way to get reliable data for maps, translation apps and transit apps, and it's especially useful if you're visiting more than one Schengen country.
Can I use Indian currency or cards directly in Paris?
No, you'll need Euros (EUR) for most local spending, though cards are far more widely accepted in Paris than in most Southeast Asian destinations — even small cafés and the metro take contactless cards.
What should I pack for a first trip to Paris?
Layered clothing for changeable weather, comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, a compact umbrella or light rain jacket, a universal plug adapter, and printed copies of your visa, insurance and hotel bookings.
Do Indians need a visa for Paris?
Yes — unlike Bali's visa-on-arrival, Indians need a Schengen short-stay visa arranged in advance through VFS Global, typically costing around ₹8,500-₹10,300 per person and taking 15-30 days to process.