Paris Pass Review 2025: Is It Worth It? Honest Pros & Cons
Paris is shaping up for another record year in 2025 – and if you’re planning to visit, you’ve probably run into the Paris Pass in your research. It’s one of the most popular sightseeing passes in Europe, offering entry to dozens of top attractions for one upfront price, plus extras like a Seine River cruise and hop-on hop-off bus tour.
But is it a good deal? And more importantly, is it the right pass for your style of travel?
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Paris Pass in 2025 – what’s included, what’s not, current prices, who it’s best for, and how to get the most value from it. Whether you’re heading to Paris for the first time or just looking to skip the ticket lines and see more in less time, this review will help you decide if the Paris Pass is worth it for you.
Note: This article was last updated in July, 2025. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This helps to keep this site going.
Wondering: Is the Paris Pass still worth it in 2025?
Paris continues to draw record crowds in 2025, and summer is especially busy. The Paris Pass and Paris Pass Plus bundle more attractions than in previous versions — and while prices have risen since 2024, gate fees have often increased even more — so the pass is actually a better value this year.
- Paris Pass includes a Paris Attractions Pass and access to major experiences like the hop‑on/hop‑off bus tour, Seine cruise, and guided Eiffel Tower climb.
- Paris Pass Plus adds the Paris Museum Pass, which covers popular museums like the Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles, Sainte‑Chapelle, and more.
Who the Paris Pass makes sense for:
- First‑time visitors who want to see and do a lot in just a few days
- Travelers keen on experiences like the bus tour, river cruise, wine tasting, or guided climb
- Visitors who want to skip ticket lines at major attractions
Who might choose something else:
- Museum lovers who don’t care about tours or daytime excursions — just get the Paris Museum Pass
- Visitors staying in Paris longer than 4 days who prefer to go at a slower pace
- Travelers on a tight budget who plan to skip most major attractions
Value check:
- Most 3‑day passes top out around €80–90/day, while a full Museum Pass alone costs about €90–€110 depending on duration
- Many users report saving 15–20% off full gate prices if you use it efficiently
Money‑saving tips:
- Start early — Louvre and the bus tour fill up quickly, and early hours let you hit two big attractions before lunch
- Group attractions by neighborhood (e.g., Louvre / Orsay / Seine cruise) to minimize transit time
- Make the Hop‑On Hop‑Off bus tour and sunset Seine cruise your first priority — they’re included and excellent value
Editor’s Note: How to Get the Best Value
After using many of these city passes over the years, I’ve learned that the biggest difference between those who love the Paris Pass and those who regret buying it comes down to planning and timing. The good news is, getting great value doesn’t mean rushing around — it just takes a bit of strategy.
- Start your day early. Paris’s top attractions (especially the Louvre, bus tour, and Seine cruise) get busier as the day goes on. If you start sightseeing by 9:00 AM, you can fit in two major activities before lunch.
- Plan your route the night before. The Paris Pass comes with a handy map showing attraction locations and opening hours. Use it to group nearby stops and avoid zigzagging across the city.
- Mix in shorter experiences. Places like Sainte‑Chapelle or the wine tasting take under an hour, making them perfect to slot in between bigger sights.
- Watch the weather. Save outdoor activities (like the Eiffel Tower climb or the hop‑on/hop‑off bus) for dry, clear days if you can.
If you’re willing to do a bit of pre-planning and pace yourself wisely, the Paris Pass can help you skip lines, save money, and see the best of the city in less time.
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What’s Included with the Paris Pass (2025)
The Paris Pass bundles a variety of attractions, tours, and experiences into one prepaid package. Here’s everything that’s included:
Included with the Paris Pass (Attraction + Museum combo)
- **Paris Museum Pass** access (2‑, 3‑, 4‑, or 6‑day durations) — covers entry to the \
Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles, and more - **Hop‑On Hop‑Off Bus Tour (Big Bus Paris)** — 1‑day, perfect way to get oriented early in the trip
- **Seine River Cruise** — 1‑hour ride, ideally timed around sunset for the best views
- **Eiffel Tower guided climb to the 2nd Floor** — 700‑step climb with live commentary, included for Pass holders
- **Wine‑tasting experience** — small group tasting with an expert guide and a full bottle per person
- **Guided walking tour of Montmartre & Sacré‑Coeur** — 90 minutes exploring the famous hilltop neighborhood
- **Paradox Museum or Grevin Wax Museum** — choose either one quirky attraction during your stay
- **Parc Astérix** — entry to this theme park outside Paris (only on select Pass options)
Additional benefits:
- Skip‑the‑line entry at many attractions — prioritize the busiest sites (like the Louvre or Versailles)
- Travel‑friendly info booklet and app access — maps, opening times, and suggested itineraries
- Flexible Pass lengths — choose from 1‑, 2‑, 3‑, 4‑, or 6‑day options depending on your travel style
Top Paris Pass Attractions (Expert Picks)
If you’re wondering where to start with the dozens of attractions included in the Paris Pass, here are the ones we think are absolutely worth your time — especially for first‑time visitors:
- Louvre Museum — Yes, it’s crowded and massive, but you’ll want to go anyway. A focused 60–90 minute visit works surprisingly well — just hit the highlights like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, then explore a bit more on the way out.
- Musée d’Orsay — Less crowded, easier to navigate, and filled with iconic works by Van Gogh, Monet, and Renoir. Many visitors enjoy this even more than the Louvre.
- Hop‑On Hop‑Off Bus Tour — A fantastic way to get oriented. Unlike most cities, Paris is compact enough that you can actually use this as transportation between major sights.
- Seine River Cruise — Go around sunset for the best photos. Seeing the bridges and monuments light up while cruising the Seine is pure Paris magic.
- Sainte‑Chapelle — Often overlooked, this Gothic chapel’s stained glass windows are absolutely jaw‑dropping. You can see it in under an hour and it’s a short walk from Notre‑Dame.
- Wine Tasting Experience — Not something you’d normally seek out, but it’s fun and includes a full bottle of wine to take home. Easy to fit in after your Louvre visit.
- Arc de Triomphe — Go up for the views — especially in the morning or at golden hour. Less crowded than the Eiffel Tower and arguably better photos.
- Eiffel Tower Guided Climb — If you’re in good shape, this guided walk up the 700 stairs is a memorable experience — and the views from the 2nd floor are arguably better than the very top.
- Montmartre Walking Tour — A great way to explore one of Paris’ most iconic neighborhoods. The 5PM tour is ideal for catching the golden light on Sacré‑Coeur.
- Paradox Museum or Grevin Wax Museum — A lighthearted option that’s easy to squeeze in between bigger sights. Both are surprisingly enjoyable if you want a break from art and architecture.
Paris Pass vs. Paris Pass Plus: Which One Should You Get?
In 2025, the Paris Pass comes in two main versions — the standard Paris Pass and the upgraded Paris Pass Plus. The difference comes down to whether or not you want museum access included.
- Paris Pass: This includes the All‑Inclusive Attractions Pass. You’ll get access to things like the hop‑on, hop‑off bus tour, Seine cruise, Eiffel Tower guided climb, wine tasting, walking tours, and more — but not museums.
- Paris Pass Plus: This version includes everything above plus a Paris Museum Pass, which gets you into the Louvre, Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, and even the Palace of Versailles.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose the standard Paris Pass if you aren’t planning on visiting many museums — or if you just want to focus on tours, views, and experiences like the Eiffel Tower climb, river cruise, or wine tasting.
- Choose the Paris Pass Plus if you plan to visit the big museums or Versailles. Buying the Museum Pass separately can be expensive, and it’s not sold on its own by the official Paris Pass site.
- If you’re unsure, start by making a rough list of attractions you care about — then add up their regular prices. If that list includes at least two major museums, the Plus version is probably your best bet.
How Much Does the Paris Pass Cost in 2025?
Here’s the current pricing structure for the two versions of the Paris Pass, based on public pricing from the official Paris Pass website as of mid‑2025:
- Paris Pass (standard): Access to the hop‑on hop‑off bus tour, Seine cruise, wine tasting, Eiffel Tower climb, Parc Astérix, and many other attractions without museum entry.
- Paris Pass Plus: Includes everything in the standard pass PLUS the Paris Museum Pass (entry to 50+ major museums and monuments such as the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte‑Chapelle, Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles).
| Duration | Paris Pass | Paris Pass Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 1‑Day Pass | €89 | N/A |
| 2‑Day Pass | €139 | ~€179–199* |
| 3‑Day Pass | €164 | ~€224 |
| 4‑Day Pass | €184 | ~€264 |
| 6‑Day Pass | €214 | ~€314 |
*Prices include small seasonal discounts, for example a €179 price on the 2‑day Paris Pass Plus rather than €199. Some third-party guides list a €239 option for a 3‑day Pass, but those appear to be unofficial or bundled offers.
- The Paris Pass does not include transit—unlike older versions or some competing city cards, you’ll need to buy metro/RER/bus tickets separately.
- Many individual attractions cost €11–€23 (e.g. Louvre €23, Musée d’Orsay €16, Sainte‑Chapelle €11.50, Arc de Triomphe €16) so the Museum Pass reaches breakeven in about 3 or 4 visits alone.
- Optional experiences like a Seine cruise (€19), Hop‑On Bus (€49), or Eiffel climb (€39) offer extra value – but only if you use them.
Sample Itineraries for 1, 2, and 3-Day Paris Passes
Planning ahead is essential if you want to get good value from your Paris Pass. The city is compact, and many attractions are close together, so with smart routing you can pack in more than you might expect.
Here are a few suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your pass, depending on how many days you have.
1-Day Paris Pass Itinerary
- Start at 9:00am: Hop-on, hop-off bus tour – do the full loop or hop off at the Louvre
- Mid-morning: Louvre Museum (Paris Pass Plus only)
- Afternoon: Wine tasting near the Louvre (includes a free bottle)
- Sunset: 1-hour Seine River cruise (aim for golden hour for the best photos)
You’ll easily get more than €100 in value from a 1-day pass if you follow this route.
2-Day Paris Pass Itinerary
- Day 1:
- Hop-on, hop-off bus tour in the morning
- Louvre Museum and/or Orsay Museum (Plus only)
- Wine tasting or the Paradox Museum
- Seine cruise at sunset
- Day 2:
- Guided climb of the Eiffel Tower (reserve in advance)
- Arc de Triomphe observation deck
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Optional: Montmartre walking tour or the Wax Museum
With two days, you can easily fit in 6 to 8 attractions if you start early and plan your route by neighborhood.
3-Day Paris Pass Itinerary
- Days 1 & 2: Follow the 2-day plan above
- Day 3:
- Day trip to the Palace of Versailles (included with Paris Pass Plus)
- Return in the afternoon and visit any missed sights like the Orsay Museum or Sainte-Chapelle
The 3-day pass works best when you include a visit to Versailles, which alone is worth €21 and takes half a day or more.
How to Get the Most Value from Your Paris Pass
You can absolutely get great value from the Paris Pass – but only if you use it smartly. Most people who feel disappointed by passes like this either started their sightseeing too late in the day or didn’t plan a good route in advance. Here are the keys to making sure your pass saves you time and money rather than causing stress.
- Start early: Aim to leave your hotel by 9:00am. Top attractions like the Louvre and the bus tour get more crowded after 11:00am, so you’ll get a smoother experience and pack in more if you begin early.
- Plan by location: Use the included map or a Google Maps route to group attractions together. For example, the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Seine cruise, and wine tasting are all within walking distance.
- Use the HOHO bus for sightseeing and transit: Paris is one of the rare cities where the hop-on, hop-off bus is actually useful for getting between major sights—especially if you start with a full loop for orientation.
- Make a short list of “can’t-miss” items: Instead of trying to see everything, pick your top 5 or 6 attractions and build around those. That way, you won’t feel rushed or disappointed if you don’t fit in everything.
- Book timed entries where needed: Some popular sights like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower require advance reservations even with the pass. Don’t assume you can just show up.
And one final tip: don’t skip the included tours and experiences just because they seem like minor add-ons. The Seine River cruise and wine tasting are highlights for many, and even the Paradox Museum or Wax Museum can be a fun bonus when they’re already covered.
Who Should - and Shouldn’t - Buy the Paris Pass?
The Paris Pass can be a great deal—but not for everyone. It really depends on how you like to travel, how long you’re staying, and how much sightseeing you actually want to do each day.
- ✅ Great for: First-time visitors who want to see as much as possible in just a few days. The pass helps you skip lines and avoid juggling tickets and cash at every stop.
- ✅ Great for: Travelers who enjoy organized sightseeing and want to cover the main museums, monuments, and tours with less hassle.
- ✅ Great for: Visitors who would book the HOHO bus tour and Seine River cruise anyway. Both are included, and they’re genuinely helpful ways to see a lot fast.
- ❌ Not ideal for: Travelers who prefer to wander without an agenda or only want to see one or two sights per day.
- ❌ Not ideal for: Visitors staying in Paris for a week or more who want to take their time and stretch out sightseeing over many days.
- ❌ Not ideal for: Hardcore museum fans who plan to focus entirely on the Louvre, Orsay, and Versailles—those travelers will probably save more with the Paris Museum Pass on its own.
If you’re not sure which pass is right for you, ask yourself this: “Would I realistically do three or four paid attractions per day for two or three days straight?” If the answer is yes, the Paris Pass can easily pay for itself. If not, a more flexible (and possibly cheaper) option might suit you better.
Pros and Cons of the Paris Pass
Like most sightseeing passes, the Paris Pass is best for certain types of travelers and trip styles. Here’s a quick overview of the main advantages – and a few drawbacks to consider.
- ✅ Save money – If you visit at least 3 or 4 included attractions each day, the pass almost always pays for itself—and then some.
- ✅ Skip the ticket lines – Many popular attractions offer fast-track entry with the pass, saving you time at places like the Louvre and Orsay.
- ✅ Easy planning – Having one pass that covers nearly everything makes trip planning simpler and reduces stress once you’re in Paris.
- ✅ Includes tours and experiences – The hop-on hop-off bus, Seine River cruise, wine tasting, and walking tours add extra value beyond just museum entry.
- ✅ Encourages you to see more – If you’re on the fence about certain attractions, you’re more likely to check them out when they’re already included.
- ❌ Requires early starts – To get the best value, you need to hit the ground running—no sleeping in if you want to break even.
- ❌ Not ideal for slow travelers – If you prefer to linger in one museum or spend long afternoons at cafés, you may not squeeze out full value.
- ❌ Some attractions need reservations – Especially post-pandemic, you’ll need to book time slots in advance for the Louvre, Eiffel Tower climb, and others.
- ❌ May feel rushed – Trying to fit in too many attractions to “make it worth it” can lead to travel burnout or museum fatigue.
The Paris Pass is a powerful tool for ambitious travelers who want to see the best of Paris quickly. But if your style is more slow and spontaneous, it might not be the best fit.
Final Verdict: Is the Paris Pass Worth It in 2025?
For many first-time visitors to Paris, the answer is a solid yes – especially in 2025. While the price of the pass has gone up slightly, the prices of individual attractions have increased even more, so the potential savings are actually better than they were in previous years.
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to see the best of Paris in just a few days – Louvre, Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Seine River cruise, wine tasting, Eiffel Tower climb, Montmartre walking tour, and more—then the Paris Pass is a no-brainer. The convenience of skipping ticket lines, the ability to book everything in advance, and the added tours and experiences make it one of the best-value sightseeing passes in Europe.
But if you’re a slow traveler, visiting friends, or planning to spend your time wandering neighborhoods, relaxing at cafés, and seeing one or two sights per day, then it might not be the right fit. In that case, the standalone Paris Museum Pass or even just paying à la carte may serve you better.
Bottom line: The Paris Pass is worth it in 2025 for anyone who wants to see a lot, move efficiently, and avoid wasting time in queues. With a bit of planning – and a 5% discount – it’s one of the best ways to get the most out of a few amazing days in the City of Light.
Does “unlimited use” of the hop-on hop-off bus mean that I can do the trip twice round in one day?
Mary-Lynne,
Yes, actually you could ride the hop-on hop-off bus many times on the day you choose. The only restriction is that you only get one calendar day of riding the bus around, even if you buy a multi-day Paris Pass. But on the one day you choose, you can ride it all you want. Have a great trip. -Roger
I am arriving in Paris on November 11, 2014. We leave the 18th at 1 in the afternoon. I am travelling with my 18 year old son. We are staying in Arr 11. The first day is a holiday so I thought we should start out at the Eiffel Tower. Any ideas on what else we should do since it is a holiday.
I’m thinking about buying the 6 day Paris pass. We will activate it on the 12 so the 11th we will need to pay for the Metro. The only time we will leave the city is for Versailles. I was thinking about the Louvre on the 12 and Versailles on the 13. I want to hit all the major points and travel with only enough money to eat throughout the day. I have a backpack for my camera, maps and wallet.
We only plan on being out one night for an Opera or show. Can you recommend a show? Other than hitting the major spots we don’t shop or spend a lot of money. We like to jamb it all in and do everything trendy. I would love to see a show at the Palais Garnier. Anything for a budget concious mother you reccomend will be helpful. Also I am nervous about being out at night so as early in the evening as possible.
Do you think the 6 day pass is too ambitious? I like that I am also getting the Metro card. We will probably need it at least twice each day.
Also we are flying into the Charles De Gaulle airport. Staying on Rue Petion in ARR 11. Is it beneficial to arrange for a transfer or a shuttle. Or is this something we could use the Metro to navigate on our own.
Thanks for your help.
Christine,
It’s difficult for me to make specific recommendations for entertainment options in Paris, partly because I don’t live there. But I have spent quite a bit of time in Paris and I think you’ll feel safer than you realize once you get there. Particularly in the city center, Paris is probably safer than most US cities. There’s a bit of a pickpocketing problem, but that actually happens more during the day, and in specific areas where tourists are easily distracted by street performers and such. If you’ve seen “civil unrest” in Paris on the news, that actually happens way out in the suburbs, far from where you’ll be.
One reason Paris is quite safe is that there tends to be many people walking around well into the evening. The usual warnings apply in that you shouldn’t go down dark alleys by yourself late at night, but even then, it’s extremely unlikely that anything would happen.
During the day, just be careful with your camera and how you are carrying your backpack. If you find yourself in a big crowd on the street, there could be someone trying to grab something and run, but again, that advice is the same in any large city, and Paris is far safer than most.
The nice thing about the 6-day pass is that it doesn’t cost much more than the 4-day pass, so it allows you to see the sights at a more relaxed pace and still get good value. As I mention in the article above, Paris is a gorgeous city and you’ll want to spend some hours just strolling around the central neighborhoods rather than rushing from sight to sight. So since you’ll be there for a week, I think the 6-day pass is a good call, especially if you use a discount code.
Since you are trying to keep costs down, I’d suggest taking the RER (suburban train) from CDG Airport and then taking the Metro to your hotel. It’s quite straightforward and you’ll be one of hundreds of tourists doing the same thing at the same time. The important signs are also in English.
Lastly, my best budget tip for Paris is to shift your main meal of the day to lunch, as you can get something fantastic for around €12 that would cost at least €20 in the evening. Look for small neighborhood restaurants that offer a “plat du jour” (meal of the day), which will always be good and usually be great value. There aren’t many chain restaurants in Paris, so these little places are easy to find.
I hope this helps, and I’m sure you’ll have a great trip. -Roger
Hi Roger, what a great piece. Just a little of questions. Me and my girlfriend, who is under 26, maybe coming over for our 1st trip to Paris in late November for 3 nights, so 2 whole days and a half day. We both love our museums and art and also want to visit the Notre Dam and of course the Eiffel tower. I was thinking of getting a 2 day card for us but is it really worth it?
Chris,
Mainly to sum up what’s in the article above, a Paris Pass is great for those who want to see a lot on a short visit, especially if it’s their first visit to Paris. The hop-on, hop-off bus tour and the Seine River Cruise are both really nice ways to get oriented in a hurry. And as long as you intend on going into at least a few of the more expensive museums and other included attractions, it’s probably a wise purchase. The included transit card is also really nice because it allows for unlimited Metro rides, and more visitors take the Metro many times per day on a visit like this.
But as I also say in the article, Paris is a really lovely place and if you are more in the mood to just wander around and see only a few of the main attractions, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it even without a Paris Pass. Best of luck either way. -Roger
Cheers for that Roger, Having done some workings out and, with the discount code, It does seem to be worth it. More so for me but even if my partner only used her card for the Bus tour, wine tasting, opera house tour and the river cruise it still comes to 90 euro.
A couple more questions the metro travel card does that work for both days or only one if we got a 2 day Paris pass Also as we may arrive on the Tues afternoon so we will pick it up then, does the pass , not the metro card, start from then or is it from the 1st time you use it, I.E Wednesday morning?
Hi Roger,
Good day!
I’m so glad I found this article. There are a lot of very good tips in here.
Anyway, my husband and I will just be in Paris from Oct 23 (8am) to 26, so technically, we’ll just have 2.5 days in Paris.
We are thinking of getting the 4 day Paris Pass to see the major attractions (including Versailles), but based on the feedback here, it seems there won’t be much queues already around this time. Is my understanding correct that we can only use the HO/HO bus access only once the entire 4-day pass? Also, if we do decide to visit Louvre twice in our stay, would this be allowed in the Paris Pass?
Is the Paris Pass only good for one entrance per attraction for the entire duration? I am getting confused. LOL!
Hope you can help us decide if it’s worth getting the pass in the first place.
Thanks again!
Regards,
May
May,
Always happy to hear that this information is helpful. In October there will still be fairly long queues for the most popular attractions, partly because they usually have fewer ticket windows open after summer is over. Still, if you go to the popular ones early in the day, you should be okay either way.
Unfortunately, you only get one entry to each included attraction with the Paris Pass, including only one day on the hop-on hop-off bus. However, one day on the bus is really perfect because it’s much better as a city tour than it is as transportation between the attractions. The Pass also includes a transit card for unlimited Metro rides, and that is a MUCH more efficient way of getting around.
Also, on such a short visit, you probably wouldn’t want to visit the Louvre twice anyway. It’s huge and amazing inside, but I think you’d get more out of visiting another museum or attraction instead.
It’s hard to decide on a Pass for you, but as I’ve said many times before, you’ll almost certainly have a great time in Paris whether you get a pass or not. Bon voyage. -Roger
Great article, Roger!! I assume you live in Paris too…? I moved over last year and I just read our article out of interest as a friend who will be visiting soon asked me about that. I agree with all you said, I just wanted to pin point one thing with regards to the Visit Travel card… (not sure if someone else already did..). I’d suggest the NAVIGO card for those visiting for more than 3 days… it costs an average 36.00 Eur (rechargeable card included) weekly pass (Monday to Sunday) zone 1-4 and 38.00 Eur weekly pass (Monday-Sunday) zone 1-5 (Val de Europe where the Designers Outllet & Disneyland are located in zone 5 for those interested…). In fact, as a Parisian, I don’t see much advantage in the “Visit Travel card”…
Best wishes, Aldria
A. Combes-DaMatta,
No, I don’t live in Paris, but I’ve been there many times and have studied most of the tourism options for years. Thanks for the kind words. The Visit card that comes with the Paris Pass is extremely easy, especially for those who don’t speak much French, but this sounds like a good tip for those choosing to skip the pass and yet want to move around a lot. Much appreciated. -Roger
Hi Roger,
First of all let me compliment you for the great job you are doing. I think your advices are very specific and helpful.
I am Planning my first visit to Paris from 16th to 20th September 2104 accompanied by my wife & 4 year old daughter. I want to cover the main sights along with Disneyland. Can you please help with ideal places considering that the child may not like to walk much and if there are some facilities(like Pram or play area) for children at some of the attractions. I am planning to buy a travel pass for 4 days, paris pass seems to expensive so would rather buy a museum pass or individual attractions passes. Please suggest. Thank you in advance.
Vishal
Vishal,
I wish I could help you more, but I’m not really an expert on child-friendly alternatives to the popular attractions in Paris. In general, Paris (and all of France) is very child friendly so I think you’d be okay going almost anywhere. The article above is meant to help people decide on a Paris Pass or not, and I try to answer questions if people are still unsure. In your case it sounds like you’ve got it figured out, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time. -Roger
Roger- Great info!! I don’t think I’ve seen this question: Should I do a combo tour of Giverny and Versailles by tour bus or is it better to do Versailles with the Paris Pass and then a Giverny bus tour. I want to maximize my time since I will only be in Paris for 3 1/2 days. Thank you so much!!
Haleh,
Thank you. I’d recommend doing Versailles with the Paris Pass by taking the RER train out there, and doing a Giverny tour separately. For one thing, it looks like adding Versailles to a Giverny adds about €100 to the price, and it will probably actually be faster on your own taking the RER. Also, I’ve been on dozens of those kinds of day tours, and the longer they are, the less fond I am of them. They always require waiting for the slowest person to get back on the coach, and of course you are always traveling in a pack as well. Using the Paris Pass, you can get there in like 35 minutes for about €3.50 each way. And once you are at Versailles you can spend as much or little time there as you please. It’s quite straightforward once you see the instructions once, and your hotel can probably help you as well.
You could actually do the same thing to see Giverny as well, but it won’t be as much of a savings since it’s not part of the Paris Pass. Best of luck with it all. -Roger
Roger, First, I have to say that this is a great resource thank you so much for all of your valuable information. I am traveling to Paris and will be there from Aug 25th – Aug 30th. I am trying to decide whether to purchase a Paris Pass for 4 days or separate Museum Pass for 4 days and a Paris Visite card for zones 1-5 for 5 days. I am traveling to Paris for the first time and alone. I plan on taking the transit from CDG to my hotel near the Eiffel tower and to visit Versailles. I also want to hit most of the major museums and attractions during my trip. I am confused because I have done a bit of research and it appears to be cheaper to buy a Museum pass for 4 days at 56 Euros and a Paris Visite travelcard for zones 1-5 for 5 days at 65.50 Euros than to buy a Paris Pass for 4 days (173 Euros) which does not cover travel to Versailles or the Airport anyway. Would you be able to confirm this for me? I want to get the best “bang for my buck”. Thank you Jennifer
Jennifer,
Thank you. Yes, it’s true that a Museum Pass and a Visite Card are cheaper than a Paris Pass, mainly because the Museum Pass doesn’t include such popular attractions as the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, the Seine river cruise, the chateau wine attraction, and a few more. Most of those extra things are kind of expensive on their own, but if they don’t interest you much then the Museum Pass is the way to go. The Paris Pass also comes with a helpful guidebook and a few other small extras, though I’m sure you’ll have a great trip without them if you are mainly focusing on museums. Bon voyage. -Roger
Hi Roger.
May I say what a brilliant feature this is. Thank you so much for starting it. I have read it all the way through and some of my q’s are already answered so thank you.
I will be in Paris from 25 Sept to 28 Sept meeting up witha friend from Texas who flies in to CDG around 8.45 Am. I fly in to Orly from Southampton at 8.30 Thurs evening. I would like to know how I can get to my hotel from Orly. We are staying at the Montpellier Hotel in Montmartre area, 18th Arr. Also, I would like to meet my friend at CDG on Fri am if poss. She asked about going to the Moulin Rouge Sat. night, but after your comment, I’m not sure it’s worth the £90 pounds to get in! We are there for the Mozart De L’Opera concert on the Friday evening. The Stadie des Sportes on the Porte des Versailles I think. What zone is that in please? I plan the HoHo bus and Seine river tour on Friday. I’m really only interested in the Eiffel Tower, Arc, the Louvre, and maybe Notre Dame and Sacre Coer (which is within walking distance of our hotel anyway.) Are any passes or travel tickets necessary for this or shall we be better off walking and pay as you go? We both leave Paris on Sunday evening. I have a return flight from Orly at 8.55 pm.
Many thanks if you can answer these q’s.
Anna
Anna,
I’m especially happy to hear that you found answers to some other questions in the article and other comments above. My goal is to try to answer questions that relate to the article above, or some general advice if I feel confident in the answer. Many of your questions I’d need to Google myself, though you can actually find answers to several of them on the Paris wikitravel page, which is always updated. For example, there are at least 3 or 4 different ways of getting from Orly into the city center, and I don’t know your preferences well enough to recommend just one of them.
It’s also unclear if you are considering a Paris Pass or not. It sounds like it might not be a great fit for you, although many of the things you are planning are obviously included so it could still save you time and money. As for getting around, you’ll want to take the Metro between most things because there are stations every few blocks, and traffic can make walking longer distances a bit of a headache. In the Montmartre area there is little traffic, so you’ll enjoy just strolling around, especially in the evenings when the lighting is amazing. And yes, I’ve actually not been inside the Moilin Rouge myself, mostly because it’s long had a reputation as a tourist trap that no real French person has visited in decades.
Best of luck, and I’m happy to help more if you have a question that is more up my alley. -Roger
I just wanted to know if there was a train or bus from the airports to the centre or where our hotel is. Or what the best way was, bearing in mind it will be late in the evening by the time I get outside the terminal! I am also on a very tight budget. I am happy doing anything. Also on the Expedia UK website, there is shared or private transport to the hotels from the airports, but none of their links work when you click on them, so I was unable to get more information, or book anything. Thanks anyway for your answer. I was considering a pass and or the travel pass, but it seemed cheaper to just pay for what I wanted to see rather than a lot of extras I didn’t actually want. I am trying to get an idea of how much money I need to spend and or budget for. I also have to eat, so some ideas of fairly cheap eateries would be good. Thanks again.
Anna
Hi Roger
My parents, brother, and I will be staying in Paris for 2.5 days, starting from August 11 at 2pm to end of August 13. We are leaving on August 14 in the morning. We will stay at the 13th district near Chinatown. It’s our first time here so we want to see all the top attractions as well as the cruise. Do you recommend to get this Paris Pass? I was 100% positive that I would get it until I have read some posts that mention about how they do not help much with the queue. We are not very into museums, we just want to see the main/popular attractions that the city has.
In case we’re not getting this pass, what attractions do you recommend? Is there any way to pass through the lines quicker (with no Paris Pass), like buying tickets online ahead of time etc? Also, where do we buy the cruise ticket, at the boat or online? Do you recommend buying the HOHO bus? Would it be better if we take the metro to the attractions, instead of the HOBO bus?
Thank you so much for your time. Your reply would help us greatly.
Trisha
Trisha,
August is a peak month for tourists in Paris, even though many locals take the whole month off and go elsewhere. Seeing as how you are going in the busiest month, and you have such a short time, I really do recommend the Paris Pass as the best way to see a lot in a hurry. The 2-day version should be perfect, and you can validate it for August 12 and 13, which will allow you the first afternoon and evening to walk around and soak in some general atmosphere. The pass really should save you time in those ticket queues if you want to see the top attractions, which it sounds like you do.
I highly recommend the hop on hop off bus tour for the first morning of your pass, and probably the Seine cruise later that day. Between those two things, you’ll be able to see most of the main sights from the outside, including all the key neighborhoods and gorgeous park areas. If you opted to go without the Paris Pass, you’d spend quite a bit of time sorting out all the little details that are included in the pass.
You aren’t staying too close to the center, so you’ll be riding the Metro quite a few times, but it’s very easy to use once you’ve been down there once and had a look at the map. There are Metro stops literally every few blocks in the main areas, so every hotel and attraction is close to a Metro station. Oh, and while I highly recommend the HOHO bus as a tour and orientation, I don’t think it’s useful as transportation. As a result, I recommend taking the whole route once and then going between attractions by Metro. Not only does the bus move slowly in street traffic (good for a tour, bad for transport) but they can often be packed, so people trying to get on at a random stop might not even fit or they’d have to share seats with others. It’s best to start at the first stop, or the stop in front of the Paris Pass ticket office, because plenty of people will be getting off at those.
Best of luck, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time. -Roger
Thank you for your recommendation.
I do have 1 more question. Do you think I should save 1 day for the Palace of Versailles, and 1 day for HOHO bus, Eiffel Tower, Arc of Triumph, Seine cruise, Louvre, and Notre Dame? In this case, I wouldn’t need to buy the Paris Pass, right? Do you recommend doing that? Do you think we can go through them in 1 day?
Again, thank you so much for your help.
Trisha
Trisha,
Yes, that plan you have in mind would work, but on such a short trip I’m not sure I would dedicate a whole day to the Palace. It’s true that you have to get there by RER (surburban rail), though it’s under an hour each way, so you could do a 3 or 4-hour Versailles visit and still have half a day to see a couple of the sights within Paris. Trying to do all of those other ones in a single day would be very busy, especially if you had to wait in the ticket queues.
So I really do think a Paris Pass would work well for your goals, but it’s an amazing city and I’m sure you’ll have a great time no matter what you decide. It sounds like you are well organized, and that’s really the key on a short visit. You’ll do fine either way. -Roger
Hi,
The reason why I plan on not to use the pass is because I am not sure if I have enough time to get in those attractions, so I might just look at it from the outside especially the Eiffel Tower, Arch of Triumph etc. So it could be a waste if I don’t utilize the pass.
Sorry, 2 more question.
1. Should I buy the Paris Visite Travelcard, can I get to most attractions from my hotel without paying extra?
2. Where can I buy the cruise ticket? Do you recommend buying in person or online?
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
Trisha,
1. You’ll be riding the Metro many times in those days you are in Paris, so a Visite Travelcard will come in handy and I’d recommend it even without a Paris Pass. And yes, all of the main attractions are within the city center that is covered by the Travelcard, except for the Versailles Palace, which is a bit farther out.
2. You can buy a cruise ticket in person, or online at the official site. Other travel websites sell those same tickets, often for higher prices, so stick with the official one or just buy when you get there. -Roger