8 Common Mistakes to Avoid In Paris (+Travel Tips)

Updated March 2025

Unlike many travel influencers who seemingly craft perfectly curated itineraries—where nothing ever goes wrong— my first trip to Paris wasn’t exactly perfect. Alright, I’m being hard on myself, but I still feel like my time in Paris could have been better. A combination of factors contributed to my less than perfect experience, but I can summarize my mistakes into eight key lessons for your upcoming trip. 

Despite my recommendations on what not to do in Paris, it’s okay to acknowledge that trips don’t always go as planned. That being said, I understand the desire to get everything right the first time. So, here are eight mistakes to avoid when visiting Paris.

Be Thoughtful About How Much Time You Need

Don’t make the same mistake as me. If it’s your first-time traveling to Paris I recommend having at least 4 full days (excluding travel days) to explore. Give yourself time to marvel at the architecture, art, and history at a relaxed pace. Your best memories will come from experiences you can savor— not from racing through monuments.

I thought three days would be enough for my first trip to Paris. But as most travelers know, arrival and departure days eat up a chunk of your time. In reality, that left me with one full day to explore Paris. 

For a first timer, three days isn’t ideal— especially if you’re traveling in a group. I crammed my itinerary with everything I wanted to do, which meant sprinting through the subway, running down countless flights of stairs, and speed-walking through the streets just to make my scheduled activities on time.

I rarely had a moment to slow down and take in the fact that I was in Paris! I didn’t get to stroll through the beautiful gardens, browse French perfumes, or leisurely shop for unique finds. Instead, most of my time was spent commuting from one major attraction to another and standing in long queues. By the time I left Paris, I felt more stressed than I arrived. I didn’t even book a massage— one of my go-to travel rituals. 

Research Your Hotel or Airbnb Before Booking

This advice applies to any trip, I overlooked some easily avoidable red flags due to budget constraints. 

I booked my accommodation through Booking.com, as I usually do, and saw that my hotel had decent reviews. A few guests complained about noise issues caused by the elevator, but I assumed that I would be lucky enough to have a room far from it.

I was wrong.

Our room was directly beside the elevator (despite asking for one further away) and every time a person used it, the walls buzzed and vibrated. It was simply impossible to sleep. 

By the next morning, we packed our bags, complained to the front desk (who weren’t surprised at all because they know this is an issue) and booked another accommodation blocks over. This meant we wasted even more time and money— on top of my already packed schedule. Lesson learned: Always read recent hotel reviews carefully. Be aware that the buildings and rooms in Paris tend to be small and can be situated in old buildings with outdated infrastructure. Sometimes, comfort is worth the extra cost. Next time, I’ll likely opt for an Airbnb for more space—and hopefully peace and quiet!

Understand the Paris Metro System

One of the fastest ways to get around Paris is by public transportation, specifically the metro/train. While Uber is available, traffic near tourist attractions and during rush hour can cause delays. 

To save yourself time, take the metro. You can purchase ticket three ways:

• The RER station ticket machine
• At RER stations with station officers
• Online via the Bonjour RATP App
  

After buying your paper ticket, insert it into the terminal slot to enter the metro. Keep your ticket with you, as transit officers may request proof of purchase. If you don’t have it, you could get a fine. 

A word of caution: Paris metro stations have long, spiraling staircases, and elevators may not always be available. Wear comfortable shoes, and give yourself extra time to reach the platform— especially if you have reservations.

(And this is coming from a native New Yorker who takes the subway regularly!)

Book Popular Tours & Attractions in Advance

Paris’ most famous monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Louver, and Palace of Versailles, sell tickets online. Avoid wasting time in the ticket lines and buy your tickets in advance. When you arrive at your ticketed destination, make sure you’re joining the correct line for pre-purchased ticket holders— you’d be surprised how confusing things can get in large crowds.

You Can’t Do Everything—Prioritize What Matters Most to You

I wish I had followed this advice.

As a first-time visitor, I wanted to see everything, and I packed my itinerary to meet that goal. As a result, I left Paris feeling exhausted and drained. My feet were aching (literally) from running up and down stairs and standing in long lines.

Put some thought into which attractions matter most to you. If you love art, prioritize exhibitions, art walks, and the opera house. If you’re passionate about fashion, spend time exploring the chic boutiques or visiting the museum like the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. 

Don’t blindly follow influencer recommendations. Tailor your itinerary to your interests, so you can look back on your trip with gratitude— not exhaustion.

Skip Overhyped Instagram Restaurants

I’ve been to very social media-famous restaurants that actually lived up to the hype. Many of these spots prioritize aesthetics over taste. They’re often overcrowded, sometimes overpriced, and have ridiculous wait times. Ultimately, after a long day of exploring I have no desire to dine for vibes, I want delicious food. Instead of relying on social media, use Google Reviews, Yelp, recommendations from locals, or simply wander around and find a spot along the way.Paris has amazing international cuisine too— next time, I’d love to try Lebanese, Japanese, and West-African restaurants!

Learn Basic French Phrases Before You Go

The dreaded reality is, your experience can be improved by learning a few essential words in French. While staff at top tourist attractions often speak English, you cannot assume this for every place you visit. Knowing a few phrases can go a long way. Simple greetings like “Bonjour” (hello), “Merci” (thank you), “S’il vous plaît” (please) show politeness and effort, which Parisians appreciate. 

Apps like Duolingo and Google Translate can be a great start to learning the spelling and pronunciation for common words and phrases.

Explore more than the Louvre and Eiffel tour

I’m not telling you to skip these famous monuments on your first trip to Paris, but add some lesser known attractions to your itinerary. Read about Some Unusual things to do in Paris and discover some hidden gems.

Paris is a stunning city, but poor planning can make your trip stressful. By avoiding the mistakes I made, you can maximize your time, reduce travel fatigue, and unlock some amazing moments in Paris.