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Questions, Answers and Comments on Paris Travel
For a fun day, consider a Fat Tire Bike company’s tour of Versailles.
With four of more people, the company will set up a tour and pick you up at your hotel. If just one of two, you’ll meet your guide at the train station.
It’s great day, including a picnic you’ve created by shopping at the market in Versailles.
I’ve been collecting items that I often recommend for travel abroad. I’m going to add them here so they’re easy to access and order. There are often several choices. These are the ones I’ve ordered. You may find a better price or quantity somewhere else, and that’s great!
Adaptors
You’ll be able to purchase one, two or three. These work really well.
Linked here: Adaptors
Wine Bottle Sleeves
3 pack will protect the liquids you bring back with you. The bottom seals, and the bubble wrap protects the glass bottles. I’ve had good luck with these. Each traveler can return with two 750 ml bottles without paying duty.
Linked here: Bottle Shield
Power Converter
This is a higher level of managing the electric current. This is for hair dryers, irons, curling irons, and sometimes medical equipment.
Linked here: Converter
Travel Purse
This is one version of a security bag. It has lots of great features including locking zippers, and secure strap. If you click on the link, you’ll see many more styles and other companies including Pacsafe.
Linked here: Travelon Travel Purse
I’ve used https://hippocketwifi.com/en/
Hippocket Wifi on multiple trips and have been very happy. I carry a portable charger to charge my phone and wifi unit toward the end of the day.
The plan I use is the 59 euro for the week. The unit will support up to ten devices, so it’s possible to share if you’re going to be near the person you’re traveling with most of the time.
It seems there’s more and more need for internet access while out and about in Paris. Maps, Metro apps, restaurant reservations and more. It’s not required but I’ve found it to be very helpful.
Update 1/19/24 : for Spring 24, use the code FLASH20 for 20% off your rental. I’m not sure of the exp. date if any
Question:
Are we responsible for our taxi fares?
Answer:
When you move around Paris as part of an activity, your transportation will be included. Sometimes we’ll walk, at other times it may be Metro (subway) , motor coach or taxi/van. I’ve tried to choose the best mode based on the activity and time of day. If you decide to head off on your own, those costs will be on your own.
If you think you’ll want to use the Metro, we’ll help you get a Paris Tourist Day pass which will be unlimited travel for either 3 or 5 days. There are also 10 ticket bundles for convenience. One of our first field trips will be to the Metro to discuss the signage, and ins & outs of subway travel. Buses and Subways use the same system, so you can hop of a bus for some spontaneous sight seeing!
If the weather changes and it seems like we need a plan B, we’ll cover those changes as well.
The current cost of a ticket is 1.90 Euro .
This is a BIG conversation!
Most cellular companies offer international calling. It can be very expensive, especially for data. The hotel has wifi, so you ‘ll be able to Facetime, Skype and email with ease a few times each day.
I would welcome comments here as to what others have done in the past. I will have my phone and will be able to send and receive text messages. I generally keep my data disabled, but I’m still able to receive messages. US Cellular’s international data rate is very high. I generally make my updates and all I need do in the hotel. That said, it’s fun to create social media posts when you’re out & about.
There is a wonderful mobile hotspot company that I shared with another traveler on my last trip to Paris. It worked really well. http://hippocketwifi.com
I’ve not used an international calling card, any thoughts?
Also, you can make calls from your room, again at it’s pricey for calling the US, but for for a quick local call, it’s not bad. The front desk is always very helpful in making local calls for reservations and inquiries.
It’s always a good idea to check with your carrier.
Also, if there is info you like to get to another traveler that’s not urgent, it’s easy to leave messages at the front desk.
Making calls to France from the US, or making calls within France during your stay, can seem complicated and confusing, but it's totally easy if you know a few simple rules.
French phone number are ten digits, often written as five pairs of numbers (with a space, period, or dash in between the pairs).
Most fixed/land lines in France start with 01 or 09. Cell phones always start with 06.
So an example of a French cell phone number is 06 55 55 55 55. The 06 means it's a cell phone; get it?
The rules for calling a French phone number can vary a bit depending on where you're calling from. If you're calling a French phone number from a French phone (i.e. from your hotel, or from a cell phone you're using in France), you dial the ten digits exactly as they're written.
If you're calling a French phone number from the US, it's a little bit trickier. You'll need to add some numbers in the beginning, and also drop the first zero from the ten-digit number.
So, let's use the cell phone example I gave above: 06 55 55 55 55. To call this number from the US, you'd dial 011 33 6 55 55 55 55. A breakdown of those numbers:
011 = This means you're making an international call.
33 = This is France's country code.
6 55 55 55 55 = The phone number, with the first zero removed. Why? Who knows?
So remember, when calling a French number from within France, you keep the first zero of the ten-digit number, and when calling a French number from the US, you can drop it. That first zero is often written in parentheses to imply that you might dial it or not, depending on where you're dialing from. So you might see a French phone number written as (0)6 55 55 55 55. It's easy if you know what to look for.
To dial a US number from any French phone (fixed line or cell phone), you'll dial 001 and then the ten-digit American phone number. So to call the US phone number 555-555-5555 from a French phone, you'd dial 001-555-555-5555. Easy! You may hear a brief message in French before it starts ringing; this is usually just to warn you that you're making an international call and the appropriate charges will apply.
Excerpt from: http://www.coolstuffinparis.com/phonecalls-in-france.php
Question: What ID, other than our passport should we bring?
Answer: Your passport is perfect ID. PLEASE lock your passport in your room’s safe. I take a photo of my passport and carry it in my phone. That’s for duty free forms and quick ID if we’re out & about. I also take a photo of my credit cards (front & back), and my Drivers License. In the past, I’ve carried photo copies, which also works. It’s a good idea to give the info or put the info in a place that’s separate from your purse/wallet should that be lost or stolen. Also, before you leave the US, please know where you can access a copy of your birth certificate should you lose your passport and need an emergency passport from the US Embassy.
Question: How much do you tip cab drivers?
Answer: I generally round up the fare, similar to a cab fare in the US. I add one euro per bag, if it’s not already added into the fare.
Question:
It it a good idea to change some money in the US in addition to bringing credit cards?
Answer:
It’s helpful but not absolutely necessary to have cash when you arrive. Upon arrival, you can stop at an ATM and withdraw some cash. That seems easier than the money exchange kiosks, and the rates are current and sometimes better.
Most travelers have found that about 300 euros is a good amount. You’ll want to be sure to carry only enough for the day, keeping the rest in your hotel room’s safe with your passport.
We’ll be stopping on our city tour the first day and you may wish to grab a bite to eat or drink. We can look for ATM’s or you may want to have a few euros on hand.
Some credit cards/Debit cards don’t have international transaction fees. Others do. You’ll want to check that with your card/bank.
I like to have cash for quick street treats and trinkets when I don’t want to charge. I would say if it’s under about $10 I try to use cash. That’s just my rule of thumb. You may feel that threshold is higher/lower.
Some restrooms have attendants or require a Euro or two to use. It’s good to have a few coins handy for these moments.
There are ATM’s around the city. There is one in the Metro near the hotel, and on the street nearby.
Bonjour! If you’ve found your way to this space, you’re probably getting ready to travel with me to Paris!
I’ve created this space to add ideas, questions and comments for Paris travelers.
You’re welcome to comment and add other questions. But as always, a few ground rules.
Party Manners please. Let’s keep politics, religion and controversy at home. That said, you may find you have opinions that are truly needed, and I appreciate you adding your thoughts.
No question is dumb. If you don’t know, there’s someone else with the same question. Toss it out there!
I may be thinking faster than I can type or typing on my phone. Please forgive my typos!
