Journal of a Trip to Paris -
Advice for traveling in Paris

Paris is a city of huge dimension. Many attractions can be visited in one day on foot. The friendliest months for travel are Mai, June, September and October when the weather is neither too humid or wet.

Coming from the countries of the European Union (EU) a valid passport is requiered. Citizens of Switzerland also need a passport to get into France.

If your hotel is not in the inner-city, which is advisable because of the better prices, it is best to use the Metro to get to your destinations. At the ticket booths you can buy a "Carnet" of ten tickets which are 40% cheaper than a single ticket.

Taxi cabs are principally cheaper than in Germany. It is not advisable to rent a car. Just look at the chaotic traffic situation around the Arc de Triomphe!

With the magnitude of the Metro lines you can reach just about any destination in the inner-city. Maps of the Metro can be found at the stations, they will help you to find your way. Instead of numbers the trains show the stations at the end of the line. This way you can see in which direction you have to use the train.

Most phone booths require Tèlecartes; you can purchase these at the mail offices or in tobacco stores. To call Germany you dial 0049 (country code) and emit the 0 that is in front of the area code.

The mailboxes have two slits; the left one is for rural mail, the right one for the rest of the world.

When eating in France tips are included in the prices. Never-the-less it is polite to leave some change on the table when leaving. Room-service personelle and cab drivers also await a tip.

Officially, since 1992, it is prohibited to smoke in public buildings, in restaurants, hotels and places that are roofed-in.

If you are looking for a hotel with fair prices, please use our Hotelservice Paris.

The stores in Paris do not all have the same closing times.

Most of the department stores are open on week-days from 9:30 to 18:30 hrs. Banks are closed at mid-day usually from 12:00 to 14:30 hrs. And open until 16:00 hrs.Mondays they are closed for the day.

Banks accept Euro-cheques and Traveller-cheques. Banks and larger hotels, better restaurants and most stores accept the usual credit cards. Money can be changed in changing booths and banks.

Since 2001 the Euro is the official currency.

Taking the bus or train to Paris will take you – depending from where you depart in Germany – from two to ten hours.

You`ll have to decide if you`d rather ride or fly. Flights can be found in the Internet, one option would be germanwings...

Reasonable offers for travel can be found here.

 In cooperation with the Reiseportal Fakten und Sehenswürdigkeiten in Europa (german). 

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