Paris Travel Guide for Australians: Everything We Wish We Knew Before Landing

Our first morning in Paris began with two very Australian thoughts: Why did we pack so many things? and Is that a pigeon judging us? (The answer was definitely yes.) We had arrived after an overnight flight from Australia and one overconfident attempt to understand the Metro map.

Paris rewarded us immediately. A warm croissant, a café table in the sunshine and the first glimpse of the Seine made the jet lag feel like a minor administrative error. Since then, we have worked out which neighbourhoods are convenient, which transport ticket makes sense and why "just a quick walk" can become 18,000 steps.

This is our Paris travel guide for Australians: an honest, practical starting point for a first visit. We cover flights from Sydney and Melbourne, where to stay, getting around, money, food, must-see sights, scams and the mistakes we would happily avoid next time.

Getting to Paris from Australia

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the main international gateway, while Orly (ORY) is also useful and is now well connected to the city. Your final airport will depend on the airline and route you choose, so check it before booking a hotel transfer. "Paris" on a flight search can mean very different arrival logistics.

Flights from Sydney

Sydney travellers may find a nonstop or limited-stop option depending on the current season and airline schedule, but one-stop itineraries are often better value or offer more departure times. Always compare the total journey, not just the advertised fare: a cheap ticket with a 12-hour layover can turn a long day into a small expedition.

Common one-stop options include Singapore, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. A stopover can make the long journey feel like part of the holiday, rather than something to endure.

Flights from Melbourne

From Melbourne, one-stop routes through the Middle East or Asia are usually the most practical choices, although schedules change frequently. Allow for checked baggage, seat selection and other extras when comparing fares. For a comfortable return economy fare, we would start with a broad budget of roughly AUD$1,500–$2,500 per person, but sales, school holidays and booking timing can move that dramatically.

Our long-haul arrival advice

We plan the first day as recovery, not a sightseeing championship. Save your hotel address offline, carry a little cash or an international card, and keep your passport and phone secure. The Louvre will still be there after a shower.

Before flying, check the latest French entry requirements for Australian passport holders, including passport validity, Schengen stay rules and any travel authorisation. Requirements can change.

Which Paris airport is easiest?

Charles de Gaulle: CDG is farther from central Paris but has frequent rail and coach connections. The RER B reaches central stations, and the official airport fare is separate from ordinary Metro tickets. Taxis to central Paris use a fixed official rate.

Orly: Orly is closer to central Paris, and Metro line 14 now gives many travellers a fast connection into the city. It also has an airport-specific fare, so do not assume a regular Metro ticket will cover the whole journey.

With carry-on luggage, public transport is usually good value. With giant suitcases or a late-night arrival, pre-booked transport or an official taxi can be worth the extra cost. Never accept a ride from somebody approaching you inside the arrivals hall.

Where to stay in Paris: arrondissements explained simply

Paris is divided into 20 numbered arrondissements, which spiral out from the centre. The number is useful, but the neighbourhood name matters just as much. Two hotels in the same arrondissement can feel completely different, so check the nearest Metro station, the walk home at night and the exact street before booking.

Best for a first visit: the 1st, 4th and 5th

The 1st arrondissement puts you close to the Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Palais Royal and the Seine. It is wonderfully central and expensive. The 4th includes the islands and much of the Marais, with beautiful streets, cafés and excellent access to Notre-Dame. The 5th, the Latin Quarter, is lively, historic and often a little better value.

Central Paris is convenient but not always quiet, so read recent reviews for noise, lifts and air-conditioning.

For classic Paris: the 6th and 7th

Saint-Germain-des-Prés in the 6th delivers the postcard version of Paris: elegant streets, bookshops, galleries and famous cafés. It is easy to walk to the Luxembourg Gardens and the Seine, though accommodation can be expensive.

The 7th is home to the Eiffel Tower, Invalides and grand residential streets. It is calmer than some central areas, especially in the evening, but the parts nearest the tower can be busy and touristy. Pick it for the landmark views and a quieter atmosphere, not because every restaurant nearby will be a culinary revelation.

For shopping and nightlife: the 8th, 9th and 11th

The 8th suits visitors who want the Champs-Élysées, designer shopping and grand boulevards. The 9th, around Opéra and South Pigalle, is energetic and convenient for department stores, theatres and transport. The 11th is popular for bars, restaurants and a younger local feel, with excellent Metro connections.

For views and character: the 18th and 10th

The 18th includes Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur and some of Paris's most charming views, along with steep hills and busy tourist lanes. Stay near a reliable Metro station rather than choosing an apartment solely for a "Montmartre" label. The 10th, around Canal Saint-Martin and Gare du Nord, has great cafés and transport links, though the area immediately around the station can feel hectic.

Our accommodation checklist

• Check whether the room has air-conditioning. Paris summers can be hot, and "fan provided" is not the same thing.
• Look up the street on a map and read recent reviews about noise, cleanliness, stairs and check-in.
• Budget for the local accommodation tax, usually added separately and subject to room category.

Getting around Paris: Metro, RER and walking

Paris is one of those cities where the best transport strategy is "a little of everything". We walked between nearby sights, used the Metro when our feet objected and relied on the RER for longer journeys such as Versailles. Download an offline map and save your hotel before you are underground with 2% battery.

Metro

The Metro is fast, frequent and reaches most visitor neighbourhoods. Stations can involve stairs, long corridors and confusing exits, so allow more time than Google Maps suggests with luggage. Stand to the right on escalators, let people off before boarding and keep bags closed in crowded carriages.

A standard single journey ticket is typically only a few euros, but fares and products change. The old paper carnet of ten tickets has largely been replaced by digital products and rechargeable Navigo cards. Check current options at an official machine or transport counter rather than buying a bundle from a stranger.

Navigo: which pass should Australians choose?

Navigo Easy is a rechargeable card intended for occasional travellers. It can hold eligible Metro, train and bus tickets, making it useful if you will take several ordinary journeys without committing to a week-long pass.

Navigo Week can be excellent value if you arrive early in the week and will travel frequently across the included zones. The catch is that it generally runs Monday to Sunday, not seven days from purchase, and may require a photo or the correct card type. Calculate your likely journeys first; official machines show current prices and validity rules.

RER and trips beyond the centre

The RER is a faster suburban rail network that crosses Paris. It is useful for CDG, Orly connections and Versailles, but its fare system is not identical to a central Metro ride. Buy a ticket covering your complete route and keep it until you exit the destination gates.

For Versailles, book your palace time slot in advance and leave plenty of time. We once forgot that palaces, gardens, security queues and return trains are separate parts of the day. Magnificent, but our feet filed a formal complaint.

Walking and cycling

Walking is how Paris becomes more than a checklist. We plan one major sight in the morning, one area for lunch and an unstructured wander in the afternoon. Comfortable shoes matter more than a perfectly coordinated outfit. If you cycle, take care around traffic, tram tracks and unfamiliar intersections.

Money in Paris: euros, Australian dollars and tipping

France uses the euro. We prefer a low-fee debit or travel card for most purchases, with a small amount of cash as backup. Before leaving Australia, check your bank's foreign transaction fee, overseas ATM fee and exchange rate. "No international fee" can still hide a less favourable exchange rate.

When a terminal asks whether to pay in euros or Australian dollars, choose euros in most cases. Paying in AUD is dynamic currency conversion, with the rate usually set by the merchant or payment provider rather than your bank.

As a rough planning guide, a casual lunch might be AUD$20–$40 per person, while a sit-down dinner can easily be AUD$50–$120 per person before drinks. A bakery breakfast and good set lunch often leave more room for an excellent dinner.

Do you tip in Paris?

Service is generally included in French restaurant prices. Tipping is not expected in the same way it is in Australia or the United States, but rounding up or leaving a few euros for genuinely good service is welcome. Check the bill, especially if a service charge is already listed, and do not feel pressured by a card machine suggesting a large percentage.

At cafés, you may see different prices for standing at the bar, sitting inside or sitting on the terrace. It is not a scam, but it can be a surprise if you order first and read the menu later. We now read the small print before choosing the most photogenic table.

Food basics: how to eat well without overthinking it

Parisian food culture is less about finding one magical restaurant and more about noticing where locals eat. Look for a short menu, seasonal specials and a steady flow of customers. Make reservations for popular dinners, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.

Start with the basics: a buttery croissant or pain au chocolat, a baguette sandwich for a picnic, crêpes for an afternoon sugar rescue and a proper bistro meal. Markets and food halls are excellent for assembling lunch, while a picnic by the Seine or in a garden keeps costs reasonable.

Do not assume every French dish will suit you, and do not be embarrassed to ask what something contains. "Sur place" means eating in; "à emporter" means takeaway. A friendly "bonjour" before asking a question goes a surprisingly long way. We learned this after launching straight into English and receiving the conversational equivalent of a raised eyebrow.

Must-see Paris sights for a first visit

The Eiffel Tower: Book through the official website if you want to go up, and decide whether you want stairs, lift access or simply a view from the surrounding neighbourhood. We like seeing it in daylight and again after dark when it sparkles.

The Louvre: It is enormous, so choose a handful of rooms or works, book timed entry where required and accept that you will not see everything. We had a better visit once we stopped trying to "complete" it.

Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité: Combine the cathedral area with Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie and a walk along the Seine. Check current visiting arrangements, as restoration and timed access can affect plans.

Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur: Go early or late, explore beyond the busiest square and keep an eye on belongings. The view is worth the hills and steps, even if we pretended the climb was a fitness plan.

Musée d'Orsay: This former railway station is a manageable, beautiful complement to the Louvre, particularly for Impressionist art. A timed ticket can save valuable holiday time.

Luxembourg Gardens and the Seine: Buy something delicious, find a bench and let Paris happen. We often remember these unplanned hours more vividly than meticulously scheduled attractions.

For theatre lovers, Paris also makes a wonderful contrast with London's West End. If that is your sort of holiday fuel, our guide to why we love the West End is a handy read when planning a wider European itinerary.

Common tourist traps and scams

Paris is not uniquely dangerous, but it is a busy city where opportunists look for distracted visitors. The common problem is theft: a phone on a café table, an open backpack on the Metro or a wallet in a crowded queue.

• The petition approach: Someone asks you to sign a petition or help a supposed charity, then demands money or creates a distraction. Keep walking and say no firmly.
• The string or bracelet trick: Around Montmartre, someone may try to tie something onto your wrist and then demand payment. Do not stop or offer your hand.
• "Free" gifts and roses: If somebody gives you something and then insists on money, hand it back and leave.
• Unofficial taxis: Use the official taxi rank, a reputable ride service or public transport. Agreeing to a price inside the airport can end badly.
• Card and ATM pressure: Use bank ATMs or reputable machines attached to a bank, cover your PIN and never let a stranger "help" with your card.
• Restaurant surprises: Read the menu and prices, including service details and terrace surcharges, before sitting down.

Our guide to avoiding scams when travelling covers the habits we use before and during every trip. We also keep copies of passports and insurance details securely stored.

Common mistakes Australians make in Paris

Trying to do everything in three days

Paris looks compact on a map, but queues, Metro transfers and enormous museums consume time. Choose a neighbourhood each day and group nearby sights together. You will see less on paper and experience more.

Assuming summer will be mild

Heatwaves happen, and not every hotel has air-conditioning. Book accordingly, carry water and plan indoor attractions for the hottest part of the day. In winter, pack layers rather than assuming "Europe" means a snow globe.

Wearing the wrong shoes and packing the wrong bag

Cobblestones, stairs and detours punish impractical shoes. A secure crossbody bag or zipped daypack is more useful than an open tote. Our travel packing tips can help you avoid the classic "packed for the fantasy, forgot the essentials" problem.

Expecting every shop to open when you do

Opening hours, Sunday trading and lunch breaks vary. Check official websites for museums and restaurants, and book the experiences that matter most.

Being too nervous about French etiquette

You do not need perfect French. Learn bonjour, merci, s'il vous plaît and au revoir, greet staff when entering a small shop and make a reasonable effort. Most interactions become easier once we stop apologising for our accent and start smiling.

Our realistic first-trip Paris budget

Paris suits a range of budgets, but accommodation is usually the largest variable. For two people, allow approximately AUD$180–$350 per day for food, local transport and modest sightseeing, excluding accommodation and international flights. Better restaurants, paid attractions and taxis can push that to AUD$350–$600+ per day. These are planning estimates; exchange rates, season and restaurant choices matter.

Build in a buffer for airport transfers, bookings, shopping and the inevitable "we are in Paris, of course we are having another pastry" expenses.

Our final Paris advice for Australians

Paris is beautiful, but it is not a theme park built for visitors. Streets can be noisy, service can be direct, stations can be confusing and a five-star hotel room can be surprisingly small. That is part of the deal. Once we stopped comparing Paris with home and started paying attention to its own rhythm, the city became much easier to love.

Plan the essentials: flights, the first night's accommodation, airport transport, major timed attractions and a sensible money setup. Leave the rest flexible. Walk without a destination, sit at a café, take the wrong Metro exit occasionally and let yourselves be pleasantly interrupted by a bakery, bookshop or view of the Seine.

Our biggest lesson from arriving as first-time Australians was that Paris does not need us to rush. The city will give you the Eiffel Tower, the grand museums and the famous photographs, but the moments we still talk about are smaller: a perfect baguette eaten in a park, a spontaneous conversation, and that first evening when the lights came on along the river.

Bon voyage — and pack the comfortable shoes.