As usual, I took FlixBus from Luxembourg to Paris.
The journey took about 5.5 hours, which is pretty standard for long-distance travel in Europe.
You just sit back and wait until you arrive, and the price is affordable, so honestly, FlixBus feels more than enough for moving between cities. As long as it’s not an overnight bus, it doesn’t drain your energy too much either.
Getting Around Paris Is Super Easy｜How to Use the Navigo Easy Card
Public transportation in Paris is extremely convenient.
From the station near the bus terminal, it only took a moment by metro to reach the station closest to my accommodation.
To use the metro, you buy a Navigo Easy card from a ticket machine and top it up.
The machines support English and are very straightforward to use, so I don’t think most people will have any trouble.
One thing to keep in mind, though:
Single tickets cost the same regardless of distance, so sometimes it feels a bit wasteful to take the metro for just one stop. I found that walking for short distances and using the metro for longer trips was the perfect balance.
Where I Stayed｜A Good Budget-Friendly Option
This time, I stayed at
Hôstel Hosho Paris Sud – Porte d’Italie
for 6 nights at 174 euros.
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The common area had desks and power outlets, and the Wi-Fi was fairly fast.
It was good enough for remote work, and overall, it felt like “a really good place for the price.”
Paris also has a tourist tax (city tax), and the amount depends on the accommodation category.
Sometimes it’s charged at checkout, so it’s good to be aware of this in advance.
As for the downsides:
- No kitchen (so no self-catering)
- Alcohol is not allowed
If you plan to eat out anyway, it’s fine—but it might be inconvenient if you want to cook or drink at the hostel.
Best Area for Sightseeing｜Around the Seine River
From my experience, the heart of Paris sightseeing is definitely around the Seine River.
Major attractions, restaurants, and crowds are all concentrated in this area.
I once tried walking from my hostel to the city center, and it took about one hour.
It’s doable, but considering time and energy, I’d honestly recommend just taking the metro.
The Louvre Museum｜Decide What You Want to See in Advance
My main goal in Paris was the Louvre Museum.
I bought my ticket online in advance and entered at my assigned time.
As everyone says, the Louvre is huge—seriously huge.
Some must-see highlights include:
- Mona Lisa
- Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Venus de Milo
- Liberty Leading the People
I entered around noon and stayed for about five hours, and by the end, I was completely exhausted.
Trying to see everything is not realistic—the key to enjoying the Louvre is not trying to see it all.
Notre-Dame Cathedral｜Exterior Only This Time
Next up was Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Since a ticket was required to go inside, I only admired the exterior this time.
There were still areas under renovation due to the 2019 fire, but the building was impressive nonetheless.
The line was very long, so if you want to go inside, booking in advance seems like a good idea.
Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe
The Champs-Élysées is lined with luxury brand stores.
To be honest, since I’m not that interested in high-end brands, it felt a bit boring—but I was grateful for the McDonald’s where I could take a break.
At the end of the avenue stands the Arc de Triomphe, which is truly impressive.
You can climb to the top with a ticket, but I skipped it this time and just admired it from the outside—which was still more than enough.
Eiffel Tower｜Don’t Miss the Night Lights
Last but not least, the Eiffel Tower.
I had imagined people having picnics on the grass in front of it, like I’d seen on TV years ago, but now the area is fenced off and doesn’t really allow that kind of atmosphere.
To enter the area under the tower, you have to go through a security check.
If you have a backpack, it might take some time, but I passed through quickly since I was traveling light.
To save money, I chose a ticket that allowed me to climb the stairs to the second floor.
Honestly, if you’re carrying luggage, this would be pretty tough—going light is definitely the way to go.
From around 8 p.m., the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour, and this is something you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Recommended Food & Drinks in Paris
Mangez et cassez-vous
A local burger chain recommended by a French friend.
Cheap, tasty, and popular with locals—perfect for lunch.
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Café Marcel
A bar on the Champs-Élysées that’s easy to enter even alone.
Enjoy the Parisian vibe with a classic French beer, 1664.
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Cave Vino sapiens
A must-visit spot for wine lovers.
I ordered a Bordeaux wine, and even one glass was very satisfying.
Note that the kitchen closes around 9 p.m.
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Five Pizza Original
A local pizza chain near my hostel.
Affordable and delicious—I ended up having dinner here four times during my six-night stay (lol).
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Places I Missed (For Next Time)
Bakeries
Next time, I want to stay near the Seine and enjoy croissants and coffee in the morning.
Disneyland Paris
I skipped it because tickets were expensive, but I’d love to go someday.
If you’re trying to visit every Disney park in the world, this one’s a must.
Palace of Versailles
I completely forgot about it (oops).
It’s easily accessible by train, so I’ll definitely visit next time.
Final Thoughts｜Paris Is a City of Smart Choices
For a first-time visit, Paris has too many attractions—there’s simply not enough time to see everything.
Trying to do it all will definitely wear you out, so narrowing down your priorities is key to enjoying the trip.
Prices are high and crowds are everywhere, but despite that, Paris has a charm that makes you want to come back.
Next time, I’d like to stay closer to the city center and take my time exploring the places I missed.
Next is the final stop: London, UK!
