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.
Hi Roger
Wonderful article..I am visiting Paris in Jan between 25 Jan to 2 Feb 2018 along with my wife. The information on the passes is good but does any of these passes include Big Bus or the L’Tour for all the days of the passes say I take a three or a four day pass. How do you recommend I plan my Paris visit to enjoy as well as cover the most of the attractions. I was planning 4 days in Paris and Three days in sant tropez/ cannes/ monaco….please suggest
Ashkay,
Thank you. The Paris Pass includes a one-day pass on the Big Bus Tour, which is essentially the same as the L’Tour version. Honestly, the Paris hop-on, hop-off tour is the best one I’ve ever taken out of about 30 I’ve done around the world, but you really wouldn’t want to ride it around as transportation. My recommendation is to do one loop all the way around, perhaps getting off once or twice at a popular attraction, but you don’t want to rely on it to go from stop to stop. They come around every 15 minutes or so, however the top deck is often full so people who get on at less popular stops were few people get off will often have to ride on the bottom deck for a stop or two. Also, the Metro is MUCH faster getting from attraction to attraction, and a Metro pass is included with the Paris Pass as well.
My recommendation is to do the bus tour on the first morning of your first full day in Paris, so you can get oriented and know where all the main sights are. Then plan on doing the Seine boat cruise just a bit after sunset at any other time in your trip. The bridges are all beautifully lit and seeing Paris at night is magical.
As for St Tropez, Cannes, and Monaco, I would recommend taking a train to Nice and using that as your base. It’s a really nice city with many more affordable hotels and good train connections to the smaller towns. Cannes and Monaco are each around 20 minutes by train from Nice. Saint Tropez doesn’t have a train station and I wouldn’t recommend going, but if you do you can take a train to St. Raphael in 55 minutes from Nice and then a bus from there. I hope this helps. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks for writing such a clear, detailed article, and for updating it! One question, I was just on the parisinfo.dom looking at the Paris PassLib, and it doesn’t list the Big Bus Tour, but the L’Tour Open Tour bus… Do you know anything about that? Also, it says their ticket for the Eiffel Tour is a fast track ticket – I wondered if you truly do skip the line? And is it a legitimate ticket that you can use anytime? One of the comments someone said you couldn’t use it if their tickets were sold out for the day? Thank you!!!
Lisa,
The Big Bus Tour and the L’Tour Open Tour Bus both go on the same route and provide essentially the same tour. That tour is amazing, by the way, and it’s my favorite hop-on, hop-off bus tour in the world out of the 30 or so I’ve been on. Don’t miss it.
It looks like they allow you to reserve a ticket for the Eiffel Tower between 10:30am and 4:30pm, and you only get to go to the Second Floor, which is about halfway up. Many people prefer to go closer to sunset, so you obviously can’t do that with this ticket. When going to the Eiffel Tower you first have to stand in security lines, which are often quite long and can’t be avoided no matter what ticket you have. Once past security you either stand in the general queue for ticket holders, or if you have a reserved timed entry you stand in what is usually a shorter queue to board a different elevator. You can reserve a timed ticket online two months in advance for a small fee, and you can go as late as 8pm that way. And to be honest, you get better photos from the Second Floor anyway. The top floor is so high that the city looks flat below you.
As far as I know the Paris PassLib is legit, but it does have those restrictions that I mentioned. That comment might have been from someone who showed up too late for their reserved time. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Mr. Wade, my wife and I are spending 7 days in Paris and it is our first visit. I am trying to have an itinerary but it is overwhelming. We are staying in the 6th arrondissement and it seems like a lot of things we want to see are within walking distance. Also, we are non-drinkers so the wine tasting is a wasted cost to us in the pass. I need your help 🙂 we also plan on a day in Versailles. Thank you!!
Frank,
I’m not sure what help you are looking for, or if you are thinking about getting a Paris Pass. My tips for a first visit are to do the hop-on, hop-off bus on your first morning, whether you get the Pass or not. It’s an excellent bus tour that will show you all of the most famous buildings in a few hours, so you can go back to the ones you want to later. And plan on doing the Seine Cruise after dark one evening. The way the city is lit up at night, and particularly the many bridges you pass under, is magical.
You might be walking distance from many things, which is great, but the Paris Metro is very easy to use and there are stops everywhere, so plan on using it often. It’s cheap as well, whether you get the unlimited pass or you buy a carnet, which is a bundle of 10 individual tickets. Leave early to see Versailles and you’ll be back by mid afternoon.
Once you get there I think you’ll find it far easier to figure out than it seems from guidebooks and websites. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger, your post is very helpful! I was thinking of purchasing the Paris Pass but after reading your article, it made me realise some might not work for me and my partner. I hope you don’t mind if I ask your opinion about our travel plans? We wil be in Paris on Sept 27 til Oct 3.. my plan is instead of purchasing the Paris Pass and with budget a consideration, will it be sensible if we purchase a 4-day Museum Pass and a 3-day Travelcard? We are thinking of doing a river cruise as well and Bus HOHO but probably as a pay-as-we-go. We thought of buying just 3 days worth of travel card because on our 4th day, we have set the day for Versailles which is not within Zone1-3 and the 5th days is for Disyneyland (of course! :D) which is on Zone 5. Do you think it’s sounds good or should we just rather purchase the Paris Pass? Thank you 🙂
Sten,
I think your plan sounds good as long as those are the only two Paris Pass things you want to do. The HOHO bus and Seine Cruise are around €50 total, and that plus a Museum Pass and a transit pass might be cheaper. Actually, depending on where you stay, you might not even want a transit pass. You can buy what they call a Carnet, which is a little bundle of 10 Metro tickets, for €14.50. They are individual paper tickets so you and your partner can each use one from the same carnet. Unless you are staying in a remote neighborhood, you can probably get by with two books of 10 tickets, which are cheaper and more flexible than the Visite Pass. Either way it’s only a few euro more or less. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Roger: Thanks very much for your insight and recommendations. This will definitely help us lean toward the 3-day Paris Pass. Quick question. If we purchase the 3-day pass for each of us, do I still need to make a reservation in advance for a specific day/time to visit the Louvre or Versailles, for example? Or can we just show up any day/time at the Louvre and other museums and attractions, show our passes and be able to get right in?
Joan,
With the Paris Museum Pass, which is part of the main Paris Pass, you can just show up at any museum and get in the special queue for passes. It’s usually quite a bit shorter than the main queue. At the Louvre pass holders enter on the left, and that’s actually just the security line on the main level by the pyramid. Once you go through the quick security check you go down the escalators and you can walk straight into any of the entry lines. There are usually no queues for those because there are several of them and they just quickly scan or pass (or collect your ticket) as you walk through. There are many ticket queues in that same area the the lines there can be long at times. There is a separate Museum Pass queue at all of the attractions that are popular enough to have long lines at times of the day. Bon voyage! -Roger
Hi Roger. We’ll be in Paris for 5 1/2 days in mid-September. This will be our first trip to Paris (3 adults) and we’d like to see the major museums and attractions, including a visit to Versailles. We definitely want to see the Louvre, Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, Versaille, Musee d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, Musée Rodin, etc. The Seine boat ride also sounds nice. We usually avoid the HOHO bus crowds, but maybe that would be the best way to get around Paris for many of the places we want to see, depending on how late the buses run each night. We’ll be there from Sept 14 and leaving Sept 20. What would be the best way to see everything, including which pass or passes to buy?
Joan,
September is perhaps the best month to visit Paris, so I’m jealous of you. I used to avoid HOHO buses as well, until I started earning a living as a travel writer and discovered how good they are for seeing a lot in a short time. Since you aren’t travel writers you might still skip it, but honestly the Paris HOHO bus is my favorite in the world, and I’ve done close to 50 of them all over the planet. The thing is that the route takes you right past nearly every top sight in only about 3 hours, and the entire route is stunningly beautiful (because central Paris is stunningly beautiful). If you get a seat when you get on in front of the Eiffel Tower, you’ll enjoy the whole route. You can hop off at the Louvre or the longer stop in front of the bus company’s office and get a good seat as well. The buses don’t run after dark, but honestly that Seine one-hour cruise is better after dark.
As mentioned, you can hop off the bus once or twice and get back on and get a good seat up top, but I wouldn’t plan on using it as transportation. The Paris Pass comes with an unlimited Metro pass, and that is by far the best way of getting around. The Paris Metro has stops that are fairly close together by underground standards, which means there is a stop only a block or two from almost anywhere you are in the central districts. If you are going to do the HOHO bus and the Seine cruise then a Paris Pass is your best bet. If you are going to skip the HOHO bus then you should probably just get a Paris Museum Pass. I’d get a 3-day Paris Pass if I were you, although you could get a 2-day pass and it would work.
One unusual thing about the Paris Pass is that it’s 3 separate components and they aren’t tied together by computer. You get a Paris Attractions Pass, a Paris Museum Pass, and the transit card. If you get a 2-day Paris Pass you can activate the Attractions Pass for two days and then activate the Museum Pass for two different days. It’s a pretty cool hack for visits as long as yours. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Any chance you’d like to be our tour guide 🙂
My daughter and I arrive in Paris next week and I am soooo confused about everything!!!! But reading your article has definitely helped to clear things up a little….. Think my biggest fear is getting lost
Suppose I could get lost in worse places
Jacqui,
That is flattering, but I’m sure you’ll be okay. The Metro system seems a bit confusing until you ride it for the first time and then it usually makes sense. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Roger,
Thanks for the helpful article. Will be Paris from Tues-Wednesday in early August with 3 children: 18, 16 & 12 years for their first visit. Not certain if we should purchase a 3 or 4 day pass for everyone. We will be staying in a hotel near Gare Montparnasse area . The kids will not do more than 2 museums a day. Will follow your recommendation on some of the main sights with favorites: Musee D’Orsay & Rodin. Question: is the wax museum in Paris have similar figures to the one in Los Angeles, CA. Are there many European actors that the kids may not recognize being from the US. We will try the the HOHO bus for the first time after picking up the tickets and the Seine night boat. Aside note, really wanted to take a day tour to St. Mont Michel or Normandy (husband’s choice) for family of 5, have not found reasonable tours. Thank you for all the good insights and tips.
Christine,
I haven’t been to the Grevin Wax Museum yet myself, but I do know that they have many international celebrities and sports stars in addition to the French ones. For example, Katie Perry was added most recently according to their website. Still, I think at least half of the collection are French people that may not be internationally famous.
I know what you mean about finding affordable tours to those places. Neither are too close to Paris so it doesn’t surprise me that the prices are high. You can take a train to the station nearest St. Mont Michel, which is Pontorson, in about 3 hours. But then you have to take a bus to the cathedral from there. However you do it you would need around 4 hours each way to go by public transport, although it would be cheaper than the organized tours. As for Normandy it obviously depends on where you want to go. Last year I took a train from Paris to Deauville in a bit over 2 hours. But if you want to see the WWII beaches and monuments it would take much longer. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi,
This is a great article. I am confused though whether the the paris pass worth it if we are eu citizens (passports) and have a 14 year old and a 20 year old). We will be in paris for 7 days and rather than the pass is there something else we should consider.
thank you
Pat,
This is an interesting question. On one hand, you obviously don’t need the Museum Pass for your children because they can get in free to most things already. However, the Paris Pass also included the Paris Attraction Pass and the Paris Visite Card (unlimited public transport). The Attractions card covers the hop-on, hop-off bus, the wine tasting experience (including a free bottle of wine for each person), the highly recommended Seine River Cruise and a few more notable things that are NOT covered by the Museum Card.
So really it comes down to how many of the things that are covered by the Attractions Pass that interest you? I’ve taken hop-on, hop-off bus tours in at least 40 or 50 cities around the world and the one in Paris is easily my favorite. It goes by nearly every major sight and provides great photo opportunities of most of them. It also stops in front of most of the famous and included museums and such. I also recommend that Seine Cruise in the evening because the bridges and many famous buildings are all illuminated in a way that makes the city feel even more magical. If you are doing those two things and a few others on the list, then a 2-day or 3-day Paris Pass could be worth it, at least for the adults. I don’t think you need a 6-day pass because you’ll be able to see all of the things you want in 4 days at the most.
If you aren’t interested in the HOHO bus and the river cruise and some of those other things then perhaps just buying a Paris Museum Pass for the adults would work. They are fairly cheap and will save you money if you are going to at least a few of the famous ones. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Good Day Roger!
I plan to travel in September, I am sceptical if I should get a 4 day or a 6 day pass, I wish to cover most off the attractions, I also would like to visit Disney Land & the hot air balloon place,
Please advice on what would I be getting extra on the 6 day pass when compared to the 4 day pass?
Also I would like to know if the Paris pass includes the free travel in metros and buses? or I have to purchase a separate travel pass ?
Arun,
I think it’s probably better for you to get a 4-day pass. Four days is plenty of time to see all of the included Paris Pass attractions that truly interest you, and you’ll even have time on those four days to do other things. Really the only benefit of the 6-day pass would be that you could see those same things spread out over two more days.
And yes, the Paris Pass includes what they call a Visite Card, which is good for unlimited travel on the Metro, buses, and even the funicular in Montmartre, for the duration of your pass. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger