- Entry: a US passport valid at least three months after you leave, and no visa for stays of up to 90 days. ETIAS is expected to start in late 2026, so check before you fly.
- Money: cards work almost everywhere, contactless included. Carry a little cash for small cafés and tips.
- Your first day: book your airport pickup, stay outside until the evening and go to bed at a normal local time. It is the best cure for jet lag.
Paris at a glance
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Entry | US passport, up to 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen Area without a visa |
| New in 2026 | Fingerprints and a photo at passport control on your first entry. ETIAS (€20 online) expected in late 2026 |
| Money | Euro. Visa and Mastercard almost everywhere, American Express less often |
| Power | 230 V, two round pins. Bring a plug adapter |
| Time | 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 ahead of Los Angeles for most of the year |
| Tipping | Service is included in prices. A little extra is a thank-you, not an obligation |
| Emergency | Call 112 from any phone |
Entry rules can change. Check the official EU and US State Department websites shortly before you travel.
Passports and entry rules in 2026
- Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen Area, and issued within the last 10 years.
- No visa is needed for tourism or business trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully in place since April 2026. On your first entry, border officers take your fingerprints and a photo instead of stamping your passport. Allow extra time at passport control, especially at CDG in summer.
- ETIAS, the new online travel authorization for Americans, is not running yet. The EU expects to launch it in late 2026. It will cost €20 and be valid for three years.
Money, cards and cash
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including contactless payment and Apple Pay. Visa and Mastercard are the safest choice; American Express is accepted less often.
- Always pay in euros. When a card terminal offers to charge you in dollars, decline: the exchange rate is worse.
- Use bank ATMs rather than standalone cash machines in tourist areas, which charge higher fees.
- Keep some cash for markets, small cafés and tips. €50–100 in small notes and coins is plenty.
Phones and internet
The easiest option is an eSIM bought before you fly, or your carrier’s international plan. Hotels, cafés and museums have Wi-Fi. In France, WhatsApp is how most drivers, guides and many restaurants keep in touch, so install it before you leave. At ALEGA, your chauffeur will message you there on the day of your ride.
Arriving at CDG or Orly
Charles de Gaulle is 30 to 45 minutes from central Paris by car, and up to 90 minutes at rush hour. After a long overnight flight, the simplest start is a driver waiting for you in arrivals: we track your flight, wait with a sign showing your name and help with your bags. A fixed price from €170 per car, paid in advance. Our guide to getting from CDG to Paris covers every option.
Restaurants and cafés
- Say “Bonjour” when you walk into a shop, café or restaurant. It sets the tone for everything that follows.
- Meal times are fixed. Lunch is served from about noon to 2 pm and dinner from 7:30 pm. Many kitchens close in between, though brasseries and cafés serve all day.
- Book dinner, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Many restaurants close on Sundays, some on Mondays, and some for part of August.
- Tap water is free. Ask for “une carafe d’eau”.
- Ask for the check. The waiter won’t bring it until you do: “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” It is not slow service, it is French manners.
- Service is included. See our guide to tipping in Paris.
Museums and monuments
- Book timed tickets online for the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle and Versailles.
- The Louvre now costs €32 for visitors from outside the European Economic Area, since January 2026.
- Check closing days: the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, the Musée d’Orsay and Versailles on Mondays.
- Children and teens under 18 get in free at the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay and Versailles.
Getting around the city
Central Paris is best on foot, and the metro is fast and frequent. A single ticket costs €2.50 for the metro, RER and buses in the Paris region, except to and from the airports. Many metro stations have long corridors and stairs, and few have elevators.
For a day with many stops, older relatives, children or shopping bags, a private driver by the hour takes the effort out of it: your chauffeur drops you at each address and waits nearby.
Staying safe
Paris is a safe city for visitors, but pickpockets work the busiest places: around the Eiffel Tower, at Sacré-Cœur, on metro line 1 and on the RER B to the airport. Keep your phone off café tables near the street, zip your bag and keep it in front of you in crowds. Politely ignore anyone with a petition clipboard, a “found” gold ring or a friendship bracelet. In an emergency, call 112.
A simple plan for your first days
- Day 1: land, drop your bags at the hotel, walk along the Seine, have an early dinner and watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle at the top of the hour.
- Day 2: the Louvre at opening, the Tuileries Garden, then the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe.
- Day 3: Notre-Dame, the Latin Quarter and Montmartre, or a private city tour to see it all in four hours.
- Day 4: a day trip to Versailles, Giverny or Champagne.
Tips from our drivers
- Pack comfortable shoes. You will walk more than you expect, often on cobblestones.
- Learn five words: bonjour, merci, s’il vous plaît, pardon and au revoir. They open doors.
- Save your hotel address in French on your phone, with the arrondissement.
- Plan around Sundays. Many shops are closed, but museums and parks are open and lively.
- Leave room in the schedule. The best moments in Paris are often the unplanned ones.
FAQ
Do Americans need a visa to visit Paris?
No. US citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Your passport must be valid at least three months after you leave and issued within the last 10 years.
Do I need ETIAS to visit France in 2026?
Not yet. As of November 2026, ETIAS is not running. The EU expects to launch it in late 2026, at €20 for three years. Check the official EU website before you travel.
Do I need cash in Paris?
Very little. Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere. Keep some cash for small cafés, markets and tips.
Is tipping expected in Paris?
No. Service is included in restaurant prices by law. Rounding up or leaving 5–10% for good service is a kind extra, not an obligation.
What is the easiest way from CDG to my hotel?
A private driver waiting in arrivals, from €170 per car with ALEGA. Official taxis charge a flat fare, and the RER B train is the cheapest option.
Andrei founded ALEGA in 2014 on the Champs-Élysées. His drivers have welcomed travelers from the United States at CDG, Orly and the Le Havre cruise port for more than ten years.
