ONE DAY IN PARIS PLEASE HELP!!
 

Hi guys. I bought my ticket to USA and I've got a layover in Paris I thought I can spend a day there. I arrive at 1 pm and leave the next day in the morning. I am wondering what's the cheapest way to get to Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum and other places from the Charles de Gaulle Airport. I would really appreciate your help. THANK YOU in advance!

Public transportation into the city, then walk (would be the cheapest).

Yeah thats actually what am I asking. Is it a train or a metro? how much is it if you know?Thanks suze!

RER train from CDG to the St Michel metro station, which is close to the Latin Quarter/Notre Dame/Isle St Louis, St Germain des Pres.

We spend a 1/2 day in Paris almost every year after one of our trips to elsewhere in France. I would not go to the Eiffel Tower or Louvre or anyplace else that might have a line or be inside. Wander the Quays, explore l'Isle St Louis, or a neighborhood like St Germain des Pres or the Marais. This year, we walked around the Canal St Martin and then took about 3 buses that did a circular trip through the Right Bank. We're doing a half-day again next year in the Montparnasse area.

Stu Dudley

If you go to the CDG website it will explain transportation options.
www.aeroportsdeparis.fr/

Thanks a lot Stu. Wouldn't be easier if i buy a museum pass in advance? Also, what's your favorite places to eat there? And how much money should I have with me?

Thank you. I really appreciate that. I'm am 20 and I have no idea about France and if you could give me some more details. I'll drink a glass of wine for you health haha. Thanks a lot one more time

Thank you Goldens!

We're in our mid 60s and spend 2 months in France most years. We're foodies, & we now we spend a lot more $$$ on food in Paris than we did when we were your age. However, for a single and a real "treat for the eyes" and good food - have dinner at the Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon train station.
http://www.le-train-bleu.com/uk/index.php
Since it is in a train station, it's not as formal as it appears. You could go there in your jeans. We dined here in July for our 1-nighter after a 5 week trip to France. We've done the same 2 other times. We stayed at the Terminus Hotel across the street from the train station. I believe that Air France has a shuttle to & from CDG to the Gare du Lyon.

Like I stated earlier - don't go to the Eiffel Tower or any museum in such a short time, Just walk around and experience the sights, sounds, & smells of Paris. Sit at a cafe for 1 hr. Poke your nose in a few shops in isle St Louis or St Germain des Pres. I don't like the Latin Quarter - way too touristy for me - but a first-timer 20 year old might like it

Stu Dudley

The website for Paris transportation information is www.ratp.fr

There is no one-day Museum Pass.

Le Train Bleu will knock your socks off, but if you're looking to eat cheaply you can do that all over Paris - street food like crepes, sandwiches, and similar cheap eats are everywhere.

Hard to say how much money you should bring without knowing your plans and habits, but the way to get euros is with a debit card at any ATM machine.

Stu Dudley and StCirq thank you so much for such details. Thanks a lot.
StCirq I found a 2-day pass for like 39euros but I believe this isn't the right time cuz I wouldn't be able to see much in one day. I'll have to return.
If you have any other tips please please let me now.
The only thing I'm aware off is to not get lost and to get to the airport on time haha cuz I'm opening my visa for just 2 days.

They used to have a 1 day museum pass but don't any more. 39 euro is way too expensive for you to spend on that. If you are there only one day, you wouldn't likely save money on a pass anyway, as you aren't going to have time to go to that many museums (the most expensive ones like the Louvre are about 10 euro, but some are free). The main reason some people want it is to skip lines, but they aren't usually that bad in any place except maybe the Orsay museum--at the Louvre, they have several machines that sell tickets which helps the lines.

It will be 3 p.m. at the earliest before you get settled in an airport hotel and travel downtown. You will have time for one museum, art gallery, or other attraction. Then have a fabulous dinner, and go back to your airport hotel. Relax, enjoy this tiny sliver of Paris.

You might consider a night boat trip on the Seine....you will see many of the most famous landmarks all lit up. Don't waste any time standing in lines for museums (as you will get in late in the afternoon, you won't catch much open anyway).

The window at l'Avant Comptoir sells huge crepes-tasty and not expensive. It is around the corner from the Odeon metro stop in the 6th. Lots of cafes in the area to enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine. Also, my favorite macarons are across the street at Un Dimanche a Paris...beautiful shop with exquisite desserts.

Museums are all open in late afternoon, generally until 6 pm, unless it's their closure day. And the Louvre is open until around 9:30 pm at least twice a week (W and F), it would be lucky if it were one of those days. Actually, being late afternoon means it is really less likely there will be a line problem. The Orsay is open until 9:45 pm on Thursday. I really like the Petit Palais which is free.

Thank you..Im reading with interest..we have about 9 days in Paris ..will have to research all the freebies before we go!
Enjoy your stay in Paris, Laura!

The Louvre is a must, but Tour Eiffel is a bit overrated. First of all the line is -huge- it will take you 2 hours to reach the top, then when you reach the top it is extremely cold and crowded and will hardly see anything. I've been there twice, believe me... But if you really wanna go there, go at night, its better. :)

>>Tour Eiffel is a bit overrated<<

Really??? Is that the conclusion of 100% of the observers, 70%, 50%, 20%, 10%??

We love it - just like we love our Golden Gate Bridge!!! We have a giant poster of the tower in our kitchen, and 3 models of it in varying sizes from 4 feet high to 2 ft high in our garden, living room, and fireplace room. Plus key-chains, cocktail napkins, cosmetic bag, grocery bags.

Stu Dudley

Almost forgot - our Christmas card this year is a picture of my wife on a bridge across the Seine, just after a snow, with the Eiffel tower in the background.

Stu Dudley

yeah, I think it is overrated. I think it is really bizarre the way so many tourists are obsessed with this metal structure, to the point of planning trips around it and wanting to stay near it. Yes, it is iconic and I think it is nice to see it twinkle at night, and as part of the skyline, but I believe the overrated remark had to do with the idea of spending hours in line to go up in it. Which I do think is overrated as a way to spend hours of your vacation if you are short on time.

You can purchase tickets ahead of time & bypass the lines, I believe.

Stu Dudley

Thanks so much to everyone!!And hopefully this will help to others too! Happy New and full of Adventures Year!!

I wouldnt spend time going up the Eiffel Tower, but to go to Paris and not see it...? That is the moment I felt I had actually BEEN to Paris! I still love it!

Louvre I could give or take. Too busy and I am just not that into art. Would rather walk around, take a boat cruise at sunset and drink some wine watching the world go by myself.

But that's just me, and we all have our own ways of travelling - and they are all right!

I mean you can see it from far away haha it's still BEEN THERE. which i dont care. aaand the boat cruise is just amazing idea.Thanks

Get your coupon for the cruise here and save some cash
http://www.vedettesdupontneuf.com/home/

You save €5 and you dont have to specify the time you want.

jamikins, that's a worthwhile coupon for many of us planning a trip to Paris, thanks for posting it. We want to take our son and his family on a Seine boat trip so for a group of 7 it's a nice discount. Deborah

You are most welcome! We have saved a bundle over the years ourselves :)

To reach central Paris from CDG, you and take a taxi (about 50€), a bus (from 10€ to 20€), or the train/métro (9.50€). Transportation maps and other information is available here:

www.ratp.fr

All first time visitors want to see the Eiffel Tower. You can purchase tickets for the elevators in advance but purchasing tickets before you know what the weather is like might be a waste of money. Just walking by the tower is, in itself, awe inspiring.

The Seine cruise is an excellent way to explore Paris quickly and get a feel for its size, character, and architecture:

http://www.canauxrama.com/
http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/
http://www.vedettesdeparis.com/
http://vedettesdupontneuf.com/

One day is not a lot of time but if I were interested in museums, my suggestion would be the Musée d´Orsay:

http://www.musee-orsay.fr/

If you are leaving for the USA on the following day, be sure to be at the airport 3 hours in advance of your scheduled departure. It may seem like a lot of time but on several occasions for us it was barely sufficient and most airline websites will suggest you follow the 3 hour rule.

You could do a fat bike tour of Paris. You ride bikes around Paris in a group with a guide to all main attractions. It leaves from the Eiffel tower at 7.00pm and includes a cruise down river Seine. It was fantastic!

Thank you so much for all the details and information. I bet it's helpful for others too. Thank you!

Laura, I agree with above posters - forget a museum is such a short time. Night cruise on the Seine is an excellent option and will give you a good feel for different parts of the city.