If you're already in Europe, getting to Paris is very easy—especially by bus or train. I took the Eurostar from London, and just over two hours later, I arrived at Gare du Nord in central Paris.
Compared to the trains I've taken in China and Peru, the Eurostar felt a bit outdated. The seats were small and not particularly comfortable. The ride included only about 30 minutes under the English Channel; most of the time, we were traveling through the UK and French countryside. In February, it wasn’t scenic at all—I don’t have any photos worth sharing from that ride.
A fellow passenger, traveling with her family from London, told me that train ticket prices vary a lot depending on the time of travel. Avoiding peak holiday periods can save you a significant amount of money.
For convenience, I booked a hotel near Gare du Nord without realizing that, as the hotel staff put it, there was "a lot of movement around the station." They advised me to be extra cautious. Fortunately, my friend Katie joined me later, and we explored Paris together. In the evenings, we walked near the hotel without any issues.
One of the first things I recommend doing upon arriving in Paris is getting a Navigo Card, which works just like the SmarTrip card we use in Washington, DC. It’s reloadable and can be used for both metro and bus rides.
You can buy the Navigo Card at machines in most metro stations—but keep in mind that the machines for purchasing the card and the ones for reloading it are different. I tried to get mine at a station across from the hotel but failed. There were no staff at the ticket window, and the place didn’t feel very safe for a solo woman traveler, so I left quickly.
Later, while ordering food at a nearby restaurant, I asked the staff about where to get a Navigo Card. They kindly gave me directions to another metro station a bit farther from the train station, which they said was safer. It wasn’t a long walk, and when I arrived, the station felt much better—cleaner, safer, and with staff at the ticket office. There was no line, and I got my card with money loaded and was ready to explore!
When Katie arrived later in the afternoon, she didn’t bother with a physical card—she used a phone app to add the Navigo Card to her phone, which worked perfectly.
During our three days in Paris, we used the Navigo Card for both metro and bus travel. Paris has an impressive public transportation system, though there’s always a lot of walking—so wear comfortable shoes!
In Paris, there really isn’t a "low" season at major attractions—it’s always crowded. Buy tickets in advance if you can. That said, I was frustrated when we had to wait in line for 45 minutes in the cold and rain to enter the Louvre, even though we had pre-purchased our tickets. Strangely, the line for people who hadn't bought tickets in advance was shorter and moved faster!
We paid extra for the Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion—Statement Piece exhibit, and it was totally worth it. Both Katie and I loved it. Katie took the lead as our guide and made sure we didn’t miss a single room.
The museum cafeteria didn’t disappoint either. It offered plenty of options, the food was decent, and the prices were reasonable.
As usual, the line to see the Mona Lisa was ridiculously long. Since both of us had seen it up close on previous visits, we skipped it this time.
We couldn’t book Notre Dame Cathedral tickets online—it was sold out. So, we just showed up and decided to wait. Surprisingly, the line moved very quickly and we were inside in just 15 minutes! The interior has been beautifully restored, and it’s absolutely stunning. Don’t miss it.
We also visited some classic spots like the Eiffel Tower and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre—must-sees for first-time visitors.
The cafes and restaurants we visited for coffee, lunch, and dinner were a highlight. Paris is truly a paradise for food lovers. Prices weren’t too bad either, especially compared to other European countries.
Instead of rushing to see as many sites as possible, we took our time and just enjoyed the city. After three days, I realized that to truly enjoy Paris, five to seven days would be more appropriate.
And one last note for fellow travelers: pickpocketing is a real issue. Be very mindful of your belongings. Yours truly lost another pair of sunglasses—someone snatched them right off the top of my backpack while I was sitting on a bench checking my messages!
