Our Travel Tips

Check your passport expiration date, make a copy of it, and pack it!
Register your travel with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/STEP/Index.aspx
Set up your phone for international service
Notify your credit cards of your travel
Exchange some USD for Euros
Pack for layering in the fall weather - if you forget something, no worries, you can find it in Paris!
Book dinner reservations at your favorite spot and be sure to confirm when you arrive in Paris
Book your “must-dos” in advance
Brush up on a few handy French phrases
Familiarize yourself with transportation options
Familiarize yourself with your hotel location and proximity to key destinations

Bring Dual Voltage or Leave at Home — American electricity is 110 volts and Europe is 220 volts so hair dryers, rollers, etc. won’t work in Europe. They will fizzle and break if plugged in the wall. We advise you bring dual voltage hair dryers and other equipment or check where you are staying – most hotels and rentals have hair dryers available in the room.
You can also purchase hair tools at Darty, Monoprix, BHV while in Paris.

A 15% service charge and sales tax are already included on restaurant menu prices. A modest tip is always appreciated but the waiters would not expect a 20% tip as we do in the U.S.

If you plan to visit many of the popular museums and attractions, consider purchasing a Museum Pass. The Paris Museum Pass is a tourist card that allows card holders entry and to skip the line to many destinations in the city for a set number of days (2, 4, 6). For details and a list of museums/attractions honoring the card, visit https://www.introducingparis.com/paris-museum-pass. There is also a Paris Pass that combines transportation and museum access: https://www.introducingparis.com/paris-pass.

Pick pockets are prevalent in Paris. Leave your passport in your hotel safe and carry a copy with you. Don’t take more cash and credit cards than necessary. When out around the city be aware of your surroundings as you would in any major metropolitan city in the U.S.