Let’s say you’re traveling in Paris with a friend. And let’s say that you want to go to the Louvre; she wants to go to the Musee d’Orsay. Or you want to tuck into a plate of hearty coq au vin at a classic low-lit Parisian bistro; he wants to eat Vietnamese food. You want to just wander, get lost, and see what you stumble upon; she wants an itinerary with a checklist of things to to see.
Traveling solo certainly has its benefits: you have complete independence and never have to compromise your desires for the needs of your travel companions. It’s also very empowering. You make friends easier while alone, which also means you might not be traveling solo for long. You’ll most likely meet a kindred soul on a solo trip to Paris at your hotel or hostel, in a bar, or on a guided tour of Paris.
The Best Ways to Hit the Ground Running Solo in Paris
You’ve just landed in this city of two million people, and you’re alone. You may or may not speak French. You don’t exactly know you’re way around. What’s a solo traveler to do? Take a guided tour. Spend your first full day in Paris by getting your bearings, which is exactly what our Paris in a Day Tour will do—seeing the highlights of Paris in one day with a local expert who will give you a deep sense of confidence for the rest of your solo trip to Paris.
Hotels vs. AirBnB
When you’re trying to figure out your accommodation situation and you’re not sure if you should stay in a hotel or a private apartment (i.e. AirBnB), go for the hotel. It’s safer, since most hotels have 24-hour reception. And if you’re jonesing for some social interaction, your hotel might have an in-house cafe or bar you can retreat to for some tête-à-tête conversation.
Further, if there’s a language barrier—that is, your French language skills are not up to snuff—hotels will be indispensable for you booking a restaurant reservation or offering advice.
Dining Alone
Some people think dining solo in a restaurant is sad. Not Parisians. Dining solo is not only your god given right; it’s a matter of self care. That’s right: dining out, whether you’re with a friend or by yourself, is a gift you can give yourself, implying: congratulations, you’re in Paris and you’re eating. Just look around at the bistros in the City of Light: men casually relax at a table reading the newspaper; women sit solo enjoying a glass of vin rouge.
If there’s a bar area in the restaurant you’re eyeing, ask to sit at it. The bar, whether you’re in Paris or Portland, is always more conducive to chatting with fellow diners or the bartender/server.
Put your phone away and take out your Parisian attitude. In Paris, it’s all about demeanor and attitude. Embrace the Parisian spirit of solo dining. It’s very empowering.
Know Your Scams
Like a lot of big cities in the world, like a lot of cities in Europe, Paris has its scammers. The more you know about the scams in advance, the better you’ll be at avoiding them. As a solo traveler, you’re even more prone to attract scammers. If someone with a clipboard or at a table beckons you over to sign a petition or something similar, even if it’s something that seems charitable and good for society, don’t do it. Just keep walking.
If someone on the street gets your attention and they try to hand you something, don’t take it. They’ll put every effort into ensuring you buy that item and it will be hard to get them to take no for an answer once it’s in your hand. Just keep walking.
Never get in a taxi and accept a fixed price. It’s most likely a scam. And there are a lot of taxi scammers in Paris. The legit taxis in Paris have a light on top of their cars that say, “TAXI Parisien” and they go on a meter. Uber also works well in Paris. If you want to avoid taxis all together, download the City Mapper app for your phone. It’s the best one out there for navigating public transportation around the planet.
Leave the Headphones at Home (or at Least Your Hotel)
There are two reasons for this: 1) If you can’t hear what’s going on around you, you’re more likely susceptible to scammers. And 2) you’re in Paris! You should be taking advantage of the unique urban sounds of the French capital—that oh-so-distinct European ambulance siren, the overheard conversation or spat between lovers in French, the busker singing your favorite song in French, and/or the street food hawker hollering out what he is selling that day.
Parlez vous Français?
Oui! Or at least a little. Learn a handful of French phrases before you arrive in the City of Light. They’ll go a long way and maybe even inch open those doors a bit more. The Parisian reputation of Gallic rudeness is no myth, but you can lessen the blow a lot, even extinguish it, by learning some French. Immediately spitting out some words in English, totally oblivious to the fact that you’re talking to a native French speaker, is not going to win over many Parisians on your solo trip to Paris.
Simple French Phrases for Beginners:
- Bonjour – Hello / Good morning
- Bonsoir – Good evening
- Merci – Thank you
- S’il vous plaît – Please
- Excusez-moi – Excuse me
- Parlez-vous anglais ? – Do you speak English?
- Où sont les toilettes ? – Where are the restrooms?
- Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?
- Pouvez-vous m’aider ? – Can you help me?
- Je voudrais… – I would like…
- L’addition, s’il vous plaît. – The check, please.
The Other Benefits of a Guided Walking Tour
One day. Fifteen sites. And a whole lot of new knowledge about Paris. That’s what a one-day guided tour covering the main sites of Paris in a day will do. But there’s so much more. You can avoid the hassle of getting a ticket to the Louvre; instead, your guide will simply hand it right to you. Done. Once inside, you’ll spend 1.5 hours getting an insider’s view of the greatest art museum on the planet–and your guide will show you what works other than the Mona Lisa are worth looking at. Done. You don’t have to bother finding your way around the Metro; your guide will lead the way. Done. Nor will you have to worry about getting a ticket for the funicular to ride up Montmartre hill. Also done.
And an added bonus: the local guide is there to answer your questions, tell you what neighborhoods should be explored more and what parts of town to avoid. After a tour of Paris’ main sites, you’ll wake up the next day with added confidence about your solo trip in the City of Light.
Some Paris In a Day Tour highlights :
- Louvre Tour: Dive straight into masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, guided by an expert who reveals the stories behind the art.
- Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur Basilica: Wander the artistic streets of Montmartre, soaking in bohemian vibes and panoramic views from the stunning Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
- Seine River Cruise: Finish your day cruising down the Seine, savoring Paris’s landmarks from the water—a picturesque end to a perfect Parisian day.
Solo Trip to Paris FAQs
Are tours worth it on a solo trip to Paris?
Oui! In addition to what’s above, solo travelers can benefit from taking a guided tour in quite a few ways: reduced stress since everything is planned for you; tickets and entries are taken care of in advance. Language barrier? There isn’t one when you have your local guide by your side. And if you’re yearning for social connection, you’ll spend the day with a small group and the guide.
When is the best time to visit Paris?
The shoulder seasons—April and May, September and October—are best because airfare is often cheaper and there are fewer crowds. If you can brave the colder weather, wintertime has even cheaper airfare (except around Christmas and New Year’s Day) and far fewer tourists. If you can, avoid June, July, and especially August (the month that Parisians often flee to beaches).
What can I do to best prepare for my solo trip to Paris?
Buy a guidebook and read it cover to cover. That way when you’re walking around Paris, you’ll know what you’re looking at, and perhaps a few facts about it, immediately. It’s a gratifying feeling. Learn a handful of phrases in French. Maybe even start learning French on Duolingo or another language app, a few months in advance. It will enrich your experience.
Dreaming of a solo trip to Paris but want to skip the stress and embrace adventure instead? Book your Paris in a Day Tour and let a local expert handle every detail. Wander iconic neighborhoods, savor breathtaking views, and glide along the Seine without lifting a finger. By day’s end, you’ll feel confident, inspired, and fully ready to explore the City of Light on your own terms.
