Paris is one of the most popular cities in the world due to its cafe culture, famous monuments, and reputation as hub of fashion, literature and romance.Traveling to Paris does not have to be a group affair.Paris is very welcoming to solo travelers due to its clean, safe, and navigable city.Traveling alone gives you the chance to do things on your terms, such as seeing the sites you want to see and trying things that you wouldn't normally get to try in a group.Choosing the right destination, such as safe and navigable Paris, can make all the difference when it comes to solo travel.You can travel to Paris, get around safely, see the sights, meet other travelers, and enjoy everything the city has to offer with a little planning.
Step 1: Your passport should be ready.
You will need a passport if you want to travel to Paris.Before you leave, make sure you have a valid passport.If you don't have a passport, you should renew it well in advance of your trip.You should check with your national passport granting body to find out how long it will take for you to get a passport.A new passport can take one to two months to be issued by the US Department of State.
Step 2: You should check your visa status.
In order to travel within France, citizens of certain nations need a visa and a passport.If you need a short-term visa to travel to France, check with your local French consulate.British, US, Canadian, New Zealand, South African, and Australian citizens, as well as citizens of EU member nations, don't need a short-term visa in France if they have a valid passport.To inquire about what is required to begin the visa application process, contact your nation's French Embassy or nearest French Consulate.
Step 3: It's possible to book the most direct flight.
If you're not part of a large group and have a layover in a country where you don't speak the language, solo flight transfers can be difficult.You can save a lot of money by booking the most direct flight.Deals sites as well as airline sites can be found on multiple travel websites.Certain flights will be more affordable with different deals and specials.Before you fly if you have a layover, take a look at airport maps to make sure you understand the gate areas.If you want someone to make sure you get to the city safely, share your flight itinerary with a friend or family member.
Step 4: Pick your location.
Paris is divided into arrondissements with lower numbered neighborhoods closer to the city center.To pick the best arrondissement for your stay, take a look at the attractions you want to see and consider the atmosphere of the neighborhood.The 3rd and 4th arrondissements are centrally located and have a good mix of cafes, sights, and shopping.It is close to many attractions and is safe for solo travelers.The Latin Quarter has Gothic architecture, old markets, and boutique hotels.Younger solo travelers prefer it as a place to meet students and other young adults on an adventure.The 18th and 19th arrondissements have more of a neighborhood feel than the tourist-crowded city center.It is a great option for backpackers.
Step 5: There are people at a hostel.
If you are traveling alone, hostels make excellent accommodations because they are budget-friendly and tend to have social atmospheres.It's possible to find travel companions when you want them, but also to enjoy solo travel in a hostel.Some hostels have both dorm and private rooms, while others only have dorms.It is possible to sleep on a bunk in a room with between three and eleven other people of the same gender.Communal Bathrooms are generally located in the same area.Some hostels have age restrictions on their guests.Before booking a hostel, make sure there are no age restrictions that will prevent you from staying there.Some hostels will ask you to bring some of your own linen and towels, while others will only require towels and toiletries.You can check with your hostel to see what is provided.Group meals are offered by hostels as well as tours.If you want to see what sort of social events your hostel has, look at the website or ask for a calendar.
Step 6: There is a place to find a vacation rental.
It is easy for solo travelers to find safe accommodations by renting a room, apartment, or house on sites likeAirbnb.It is possible to share accommodations, such as renting an individual room or the entire home.In Paris, travelers can find studio rentals that are close to the city center for less than a mid-level hotel.Since they are not as accessible as hotels, they offer more security for solo travelers.There are other amenities that hotels don't have, like access to a kitchen and neighbors that can recommend different places to eat and things to do around the city.
Step 7: You can book a hotel.
The right hotel can be used to make sure that you stay safe and get the most out of your travels.You should check online reviews before booking a hotel room.Budget hotels are riskier in terms of risks, such as having items taken from your personal belongings, and not all are bad.Before booking, you should look into a budget hotel.Compared to vacation rentals or hostels, hotels are more expensive but come with more amenities such as daily cleaning.
Step 8: The Métro has a ride.
One of the easiest ways to get around the city is on the Métro.Single-ride tickets can be purchased from vending machines in the Metro stations.In order to get a discount, tickets can be purchased in bulk.The Métro is open from Sunday to Thursday to Friday and Saturday.The Métro is usually safe for solo travelers, but it is often crowded and takes a long time to get on and off.Use a Métro map from a station or tourist office to plan your trip so that you know where to go and how to get there.
Step 9: You can take a taxi.
Taxis are frequently used to get from one spot in the city to another.Taxi prices range from 7-12 depending on where you catch the taxi and your destination.The rounding up of the nearest Euro is seen as polite.Taxis can be hailed from a station de taxis, a taxi stand with a blue sign.Around the city, there are over 400.The best way to avoid fake taxis is to use this method.Taxis in Paris are subject to strict fare regulations.Don't accept a discounted flat-rate fare from the driver.If the driver refuses to start the meter, leave the taxi and make sure the meters are turned on.Paris cab drivers don't take the fastest route through the city.Ask the driver to take longer routes if you want to avoid them driving up fares.
Step 10: People are walking around Paris.
In the city center, Paris is often seen as a very walkable city.Paris is usually seen as a safe place to walk, but certain precautions should be taken to avoid higher risk areas, as well as pickpocketing in the city center.The outer arrondissements have higher crime rates than the city center, according to some reports.Tourists should avoid the outer districts at night and walk along the main roads.If you want to avoid carrying large amounts of cash in the city center, you should wear bags across the body from shoulder to hip.
Step 11: Take a tour of the monuments.
If you are going to Paris for the first time, you may want to check out some of the more famous sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.You can fully take them in and stay for as long as you want.Booking a tour of famous Parisian sites, either individually or as a group, allows you to experience the sites with others if you prefer that.It allows you to avoid the long lines.You can book your tickets through the ticket counter or online.It's a good idea to ensure entry on your planned days.
Step 12: There is a museum.
Traveling solo in Paris means you are in control of what you see.You can take a full day to visit the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, or the Musée du Quai Branly.Buying a Paris Museum Pass will allow you to enter a number of museums for a single price.The permanent collections of the museums are free to view.The municipal museum system has an admission fee associated with the catacombs.
Step 13: Understand the restaurant culture.
Meal out in France are often long, drawn-out affairs, but solo dining is a part of Parisian culture.If you want to eat with yourself, look for restaurants with counter seating or other solo-diner friendly options.Cafes and bistros are favored by solo travelers because they allow for a nice meal at one's own pace, but tend to command more immediate service than a restaurant.Many bars offer small plates and dinner options in a comfortable space where you can request the check as fast or slow as you want.If you really want to, you can try a restaurant on your own.In Paris, you can treat yourself to a nice meal.Take your time at the table.
Step 14: There is coffee at the cafe.
Cafes can be used as community hubs.Sit down for as long as you please.Cafes are usually good places to read, people-watch, or have a conversation with a friendly stranger.Cafes are popular places for solo travelers to find one another and make plans to see parts of the city together.Cafes are usually open throughout the day for you to enjoy a coffee or a cup of tea in between meals.
Step 15: You can explore local bars.
Paris is home to a rich bar culture that allows solo travelers the chance to order food, snack, or just enjoy a night out in the city.Bars that serve French wine are considered safe options for solo travelers.Bars are great places to hangout, strike up a conversation with other individuals, or just people-watch.
Step 16: Keep your identification with you.
Carry your passport with you at all times.Do not remove them unless absolutely necessary and keep them in a bag that you carry at the front of your body.If you are alone, hide these items in your shoes as they draw more attention to you, making you an easier target for mugging.Make a copy of your passport and keep it in your luggage or a separate place.It can be easier to replace a lost passport.
Step 17: You should blend in on the streets.
Travelers who come to Paris wear baseball caps and Hawaiian shirts.To blend in, wear simple, clean, clothes in neutral tones and avoid shows of being a tourist.Don't wear shorts and a t-shirt, as well as items like baseball caps and fanny packs.Don't worry if you look like a Parisian.Since solo travelers are already an easy target for pickpockets, try not to stand out.
Step 18: There should be no shows of wealth.
It's a good idea to wear a watch or take a picture on your iPad in order to get the attention of thieves.Try not to see a lot of wealth in popular areas.Unless you need them for a specific purpose, don't take your valuables with you unless you lock them up in a hostel locker or hotel safe.Inexpensive replacements of expensive accessories are a good idea.Purchase a cheap watch that you wouldn't mind losing or finding a fake piece of costume jewelry to temporarily take the place of your wedding ring.
Step 19: Someone to hang out with for the evening.
If alcohol is involved, try to find another solo traveler to act as your friend.You can find them easily at a hostel, or you can use forums on sites like Couchsurfing to find a temporary travel partner.It is a good idea to find other solo female travelers.They are in the same situation as you, so they have your best interests at heart.