The Perfect 3 Days in Paris Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Follow this 3 days in Paris itinerary for first timers, covering the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles, Montmartre, transport tips and where to stay.
Table of Contents
Paris was one of the first capital cities I visited in Europe, and somehow it keeps pulling me back. I have now visited Paris four times: first as a solo traveller in 2018, then as a couple in 2022, with a group of friends in 2024, and most recently with friends and family in summer 2026.
Each trip felt completely different. Exploring Paris alone gave me complete freedom, while visiting as a couple felt more romantic. Travelling with friends and family brought more energy, laughter and, of course, a little more chaos. Yet every time I left, I still felt that there was so much more to discover.
After four trips, this is the 3 days in Paris itinerary I would recommend to first-time visitors. It covers what I consider the best of Paris while grouping nearby attractions together, so you do not spend half your holiday travelling from one side of the city to the other.
Three days is not enough to see everything in Paris. However, it is enough to visit its most famous landmarks, explore its historic centre, spend time inside the Louvre and take an unforgettable day trip outside the city.
3 Days in Paris Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Main area | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Western and central Paris | Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Place de la Concorde and Palais Garnier |
| Day 2 | Historic centre | Hôtel de Ville, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Louvre |
| Day 3 | Versailles and northern Paris | Palace of Versailles, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur |
| Alternative Day 3 | Disneyland Paris | A full day at Disneyland Paris |
For three days, the schedule is quite tight, but it is doable when you reserve the major attractions in advance, start each morning early and avoid travelling back and forth between distant neighbourhoods.
Transportation in Paris
How to Get to Paris
Paris has several airports, multiple main railway stations and more than one long-distance bus terminal. Always check the exact arrival point before booking your accommodation or planning your first day.
Charles de Gaulle Airport
Charles de Gaulle Airport, commonly written as CDG, is the largest airport serving Paris. It is northeast of the city and is the most common arrival point for long-distance international flights.
The most practical public-transport connection is usually the RER B train. It travels from the airport into Paris and stops at useful stations such as Gare du Nord, Châtelet–Les Halles and Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame. In 2026, the Paris Region Airports ticket costs €14 for a journey between CDG and Paris by RER, metro or train. It can be loaded onto a compatible smartphone or a Navigo Easy pass.
Allow extra time when travelling to or from CDG. The airport is large, its terminals can be confusing and disruptions on the RER B may occasionally affect journey times.
Orly Airport
Orly Airport is south of Paris and is generally closer to the centre than CDG.
Metro line 14 connects Orly Airport directly with central Paris. It is especially convenient when you are staying near Châtelet, Gare de Lyon, Madeleine or Saint-Lazare. The €14 Paris Region Airports ticket also covers eligible metro, train, RER and Orlyval journeys to and from Orly Airport.
Beauvais Airport
Beauvais is often advertised as a Paris airport, but it is much farther from the city than CDG or Orly. Many budget airlines use Beauvais, so always add the airport transfer cost and travelling time before deciding that a flight is genuinely cheap.
Official airport buses connect Beauvais Airport with points in and around Paris, including Saint-Denis Université. Check the current route and departure point carefully because the available shuttle lines can change. For an early morning departure from Beauvais, I would consider staying close to the correct shuttle departure point the previous night rather than trying to cross Paris before sunrise.
Arriving in Paris by Train
Paris does not have one central railway station. Different trains arrive at different stations depending on their route.
Gare du Nord is the main arrival point for Eurostar trains from Belgium, the Netherlands and London. Gare de l’Est serves many destinations east of Paris, while Gare de Lyon is used for trains from southeastern France, Switzerland and Italy. Montparnasse serves western and southwestern France, while Saint-Lazare is useful for journeys to and from Normandy.
Most of these stations are inside Paris and connected to the metro, so arriving by train is often more convenient than arriving at an airport.
Arriving in Paris by Long-Distance Bus
Bercy Seine has traditionally been one of the main long-distance coach stations in Paris. It is in the 12th arrondissement, near metro lines 6 and 14.
However, not every service uses Bercy. Some buses may leave from Porte Maillot, Saint-Denis or another stop outside the historic centre. Always follow the exact address printed on your current ticket instead of automatically travelling to the station you used on a previous trip.
Using Public Transportation in Paris
For most visitors, the metro is the best way to travel around Paris. It is generally faster and more predictable than taking buses through the city’s busy streets.
I have personally had more than three frustrating experiences with the Paris bus and tram system. During my 2022 trip, a metro station near my accommodation closed after 10 p.m. for repair work. I tried to use a tram instead, waited for almost an hour and eventually had to walk about one kilometre to a different stop to catch a late service.
A similar problem happened near CDG in June 2026. I stayed at a hotel around 20 minutes from the airport by bus because I had an early flight the following morning. Although I carefully followed the journey and pressed the stop button, the bus skipped my planned stop and dropped us at the next one. That stop was in an industrial area without a proper pedestrian path. The distance back to the hotel was only around one kilometre, but it was not safe to walk there with our luggage, so we had to call a taxi.
So, my advice is simple: trust the metro first, but be much more careful when relying on buses late at night or around airport hotels. Always follow the journey on your phone and allow extra time!
Download the Bonjour RATP app before your trip – it’s a must to use Paris public transportation system nowadays. The Île-de-France Mobilités app is another useful option for buying tickets, storing transport passes and checking current travel information.
Which Paris Transport Ticket Should You Buy?
The Paris transport system has changed significantly in recent years, so advice mentioning old paper-ticket booklets or expensive separate train tickets to Versailles may be outdated.
The main public-transport fares for 2026 include:
- A single Metro–Train–RER ticket costs €2.55.
- A single Bus–Tram ticket costs €2.05.
- A Navigo one-day pass costs €12.30 and covers all zones, excluding airport journeys.
- A Paris Region Airports ticket costs €14 for eligible journeys to or from CDG and Orly.
- A one-day Paris Visite pass costs €30.60 and includes airport transportation.
- A three-day Paris Visite pass costs €63.80.
These are the official fares applicable from January 1, 2026.
The attractions on Days 1 and 2 are within the city centre, so you may only need to use the metro within the inner zones several times each day.
All transport tickets are valid until midnight on the day of use, not for a rolling 24-hour period. For that reason, your arrival time in Paris can influence which option is best. If you arrive by train or long-distance bus, a Navigo one-day pass is often the most practical choice, as it allows unlimited travel across the city for the remainder of the day and can be repeated on each of your three days if needed.
For airport arrivals, it is worth comparing costs before deciding. A Paris Visite pass may be more economical than purchasing a Navigo one-day pass for each day of your stay plus the separate airport transfer, which is around €28 return for CDG or Orly. In some cases, combining a multi-day Paris Visite pass with airport transport included can work out cheaper and more convenient.
The Metro–Train–RER ticket is also valid for journeys throughout the Île-de-France transport network, excluding entry to or exit from the CDG and Orly airport railway stations. This means the standard ticket can be used for train journeys to Versailles or Disneyland Paris.
The Paris Visite pass is convenient when your airport transportation falls within its period of validity or when you prefer unlimited journeys without calculating the cost of every ride.
However, you do not automatically need Paris Visite simply because you are visiting Versailles or Disneyland Paris.
Transport tickets can be stored on compatible smartphones and smartwatches or loaded onto a Navigo Easy card. The exact tickets that can be stored together may be limited, so check the app instructions before buying multiple ticket types.
Should You Use Taxis in Paris?
Taxis and ride-hailing services are convenient when you have heavy luggage, arrive late at night or are travelling as a small group. However, they are considerably more expensive than public transportation. It can also be difficult to find an available vehicle immediately after a major event or near extremely busy attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame.
When booking a taxi, allow extra time for traffic. A journey that appears short on a map can take much longer during rush hour.
Should You Rent a Car in Paris?
I do not recommend renting a car when your trip focuses on central Paris. Traffic is heavy, street parking is difficult to find, garages are expensive and most central attractions are easier to reach by metro. You are also unlikely to use the car during the first two days of this itinerary.
You do not need to rent a car solely to visit Versailles or Disneyland Paris either. Both are easy to reach by train. A rental car makes more sense when Paris is the beginning or end of a longer road trip through France.
Where to Stay in Paris for Three Days
For a short trip, location matters more than room size. You will save valuable time by staying close to a metro station and within or near central Paris.
The 1st Arrondissement: Best for a Short First Visit
The 1st arrondissement places you close to the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden and the Seine. It is ideal when you want to walk to several major attractions. However, accommodation in this area is usually expensive.
Le Marais: Best Overall Location
Le Marais covers parts of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. It is central, lively and filled with cafés, shops and historic streets. From here, you can easily walk to Hôtel de Ville, Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité and the Seine. This is one of my favourite locations for a first visit because it is attractive during the day but also has restaurants and atmosphere in the evening.
The Latin Quarter: Best for Atmosphere
The Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement has a lively and youthful atmosphere. It is convenient for Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Panthéon and Luxembourg Gardens. It also has many restaurants, making it easier to find dinner after a long day of sightseeing.
Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Best for a Classic Paris Experience
The 6th arrondissement is elegant, central and pleasant for walking. It works particularly well for couples and travellers who want beautiful streets, traditional cafés and easy access to both sides of the Seine.
The 9th Arrondissement: Best for Shopping and Transport
Staying near Opéra or Saint-Lazare gives you convenient metro connections and easy access to department stores such as Galeries Lafayette. The neighbourhood also works well for this itinerary because Palais Garnier is included on Day 1 and Montmartre is not far away.
The 15th Arrondissement: Best for a Quieter Stay
The 15th arrondissement is more residential and may offer better-value hotels than the historic centre. It is a good choice for families or travellers who prefer a quieter location, provided that the accommodation is close to a useful metro line.
You can book your room easily on any platform such as agoda.com, booking.com, trip.com or airbnb.
Related: Top Boulangeries (Bakery) in Paris for Croissants
Areas I Would Avoid for a Short First Visit
There is no entire Paris arrondissement that every traveller must avoid. Instead, I would avoid accommodation that creates unnecessary travel or makes you uncomfortable returning late at night.
Be cautious about hotels advertised as being “near Paris” when they are actually far into the suburbs and require several transfers to reach the city centre.
I would also avoid staying near CDG or Orly unless you have a very early departure. Airport hotels may save time on your final night, but they are inconvenient for daily sightseeing.
The areas immediately around Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est are extremely convenient for train connections, but some surrounding streets can feel very busy and uncomfortable late at night.
Choose a well-reviewed hotel on a well-lit street rather than selecting the cheapest option without checking its exact location. Montmartre is romantic, but some hotels are located on steep streets with many stairs. This is worth considering when travelling with large suitcases, young children or anyone with limited mobility.
Important Closing Days Before Planning Your Itinerary
The order of this itinerary can be changed, and you may need to rearrange it according to the days of the week.
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. It normally stays open later on Wednesdays and Fridays, making those excellent days for a longer museum visit.
The Palace of Versailles and the Trianon Estate are closed on Mondays. The gardens and park may remain open, depending on the date and season.
Palais Garnier remains a working theatre. Rehearsals, performances and special events may make the auditorium or other areas inaccessible, even when daytime visits are available.
Always check the official opening calendars before paying for non-refundable tickets.
Related: 15 Famous Paris Landmarks and Historic Sites You Should Visit
Detailed 3 Days in Paris Itinerary
Day 1: Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Central Paris
Day 1 covers some of the most recognisable Paris landmarks.
The route begins around the Eiffel Tower, continues along the Champs-Élysées and finishes near Palais Garnier.
Start at Trocadéro
Begin your morning at Trocadéro, where you will find one of the most famous views of the Eiffel Tower. Arrive early, ideally before 8:30 a.m. The square becomes crowded with tour groups, photographers and street sellers later in the morning.
From Trocadéro, walk downhill through the gardens and cross Pont d’Iéna towards the Eiffel Tower. This route gives you several different photo angles without requiring a long detour. Be aware of people asking you to sign petitions, offering friendship bracelets or approaching you with distracting questions. Politely refuse and continue walking.
Visit the Eiffel Tower
If going up the Eiffel Tower is important to you, book a timed ticket in advance through the official ticketing website. You can choose between the second floor and the summit, with different combinations of stairs and lifts. Summit access may occasionally be restricted during severe weather or especially busy periods. Large luggage is not allowed inside the Eiffel Tower, and there is no luggage-storage facility at the monument.
Allow around two hours for security checks, queues, the ascent and time on the viewing platforms. Personally, I think the Eiffel Tower is worth seeing from several viewpoints even when you decide not to go up. The tower itself is missing from your view when you are standing on it.
Some tours at Eiffel Tower:
Travel to the Arc de Triomphe
From the Eiffel Tower area, take metro line 6 to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile. This saves energy for the rest of the day. Do not attempt to cross the enormous roundabout surrounding the Arc de Triomphe at street level. Use the underground pedestrian passage.
You can admire the monument from below or buy a ticket to climb to its rooftop terrace. The rooftop provides a fantastic view along the avenues surrounding the monument. You can see the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, La Défense and much of central Paris from one place.
Some tours at Arc De Triomphe:
Walk Down the Champs-Élysées
Continue down the Champs-Élysées towards Place de la Concorde. The avenue is famous, but I would not spend too long shopping here unless you are interested in a particular store. Walking along it and enjoying the view is the main experience.
For lunch, consider leaving the main avenue and choosing a restaurant on one of the nearby side streets. Restaurants directly on the Champs-Élysées are often more expensive and can feel very touristy.
Stop at Place de la Concorde
Place de la Concorde is one of the largest and most historic squares in Paris. From here, you can see the Luxor Obelisk, the beginning of the Tuileries Garden and a long view back towards the Arc de Triomphe. Take a short break rather than trying to explore every nearby garden and museum. You still need to reach Palais Garnier while it is open to daytime visitors.
Visit Palais Garnier
Continue towards Palais Garnier on foot or take the metro if you are tired. Palais Garnier has one of the most beautiful interiors in Paris. The grand staircase, decorative ceilings and golden halls make it feel more like a palace than a theatre.
Book your visit online and check the closure calendar shortly before arriving. Because Palais Garnier is still an active opera house, certain areas can close for rehearsals, performances or technical reasons. A standard visit may not always include access to the auditorium. If you arrive too late to enter, the exterior is still worth seeing. You can also visit Galeries Lafayette nearby and go to its rooftop for another city view.
Some tours at Palais Garnier:
Evening Option: Seine Cruise or Eiffel Tower Lights
After dinner, take a Seine cruise or return to the Eiffel Tower after dark. A night cruise is touristy, but it is also a relaxing way to see Paris after a full day of walking. You can enjoy views of illuminated bridges and monuments without adding another long route on foot.
Day 2: Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle and the Louvre
Day 2 focuses on the historic heart of Paris. Most of the attractions are within walking distance of one another.
Begin at Hôtel de Ville
Start at Hôtel de Ville, the impressive city hall of Paris. The exterior is the main attraction for most visitors, so you do not need to spend a long time here. The square is a useful starting point for walking towards Île de la Cité. Cross the Seine and continue to Notre-Dame.
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral
Notre-Dame reopened after years of restoration, and entering the cathedral is free. You can join the public queue without a reservation. Free timed reservations may also be available through the official Notre-Dame website. Reservations are optional and are generally released shortly before the visit. Do not pay a third-party website for standard access to the cathedral because regular entry is free.
Try to visit early in the morning before the longest queues form. Notre-Dame is an active place of worship, so dress respectfully, speak quietly and avoid blocking people who are attending services.
Visit Sainte-Chapelle
Sainte-Chapelle is only a short walk from Notre-Dame, but its entrance is located inside a secure judicial complex. The chapel is famous for its tall stained-glass windows. On a sunny day, the upper chapel fills with coloured light and feels completely different from the darker interior of Notre-Dame.
Book a timed ticket during busy periods. From April through September, Sainte-Chapelle is generally open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. From October through March, it normally closes earlier. Allow around 45 minutes to one hour for your visit, including the security process.
Have Lunch Before the Louvre
Eat before entering the Louvre rather than assuming that you can leave for lunch and return later. Louvre tickets generally do not permit re-entry after you exit the museum. You can find restaurants around Saint-Germain, the Latin Quarter, Rue de Rivoli and Les Halles.
Choose somewhere convenient rather than crossing the city to visit one viral restaurant. I always recommend deciding where to eat before starting a sightseeing day. Searching for a restaurant when everyone is already tired and hungry wastes more time than expected.
Spend the Afternoon at the Louvre
The Louvre deserves at least half a day, even during a short trip to Paris. It is impossible to see the entire collection in one visit. Instead, choose a few priorities before entering. These might include the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, French paintings, Egyptian antiquities or Napoleon III’s apartments.
Reserve a timed ticket and download the museum map before your visit. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. It usually stays open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays, with earlier closing times on the other regular opening days.
Do not spend your entire visit following the crowd towards the Mona Lisa. The painting is important, but many of the quieter galleries are more enjoyable and give you more time to appreciate the artwork. When you finish, walk through the Cour Napoléon to see the glass pyramid in the evening light.
Evening Option: Tuileries Garden and the Seine
If you still have energy, walk through the Tuileries Garden or beside the Seine after leaving the Louvre. This is also a good evening for a relaxed dinner. After two intense sightseeing days, avoid scheduling another museum or a distant nighttime attraction.
Day 3: Versailles, Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
This is the most demanding day of the itinerary. Versailles is enormous, and you could easily spend a full day exploring the Palace, gardens and Trianon Estate. Combining Versailles with Montmartre is possible, but only when you begin early and accept that you will not see every corner of the estate.
Travel from Paris to Versailles
The most convenient station for the Palace is Versailles Château Rive Gauche, around a ten-minute walk from the main entrance. Depending on your accommodation and current railway works, you can also travel from Saint-Lazare to Versailles Rive Droite or from Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers.
There are three railway stations in Versailles, so check the walking distance from your chosen station before travelling. Check Bonjour RATP or Île-de-France Mobilités the evening before your visit. Engineering works and temporary closures may change the fastest route. Aim to reach the Palace shortly before it opens.
Visit the Palace First: Reserve an early entrance slot and begin inside the Palace. The State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors become extremely crowded later in the morning. Visiting them first gives you a better chance of moving through the rooms before the largest tour groups arrive. Allow around 90 minutes to two hours for the main Palace.
Explore the Gardens: After visiting the Palace, continue into the gardens. The scale of Versailles is difficult to understand until you are standing inside the estate. The formal gardens closest to the Palace are only a small part of it.
Try to leave Versailles between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. when you want a relaxed evening in Montmartre.
Travel to Montmartre
Return to Paris and travel to Montmartre by metro.
Explore the Streets of Montmartre: Walk around Place du Tertre, where artists display portraits and paintings, and continue through the surrounding lanes. Montmartre can be very crowded around its most famous square. Moving one or two streets away usually creates a much more pleasant atmosphere.
Be careful around the steps below Sacré-Cœur, where bracelet scams and aggressive street sellers sometimes operate. Do not allow anyone to place or tie anything around your wrist.
Watch Sunset at Sacré-Cœur: Finish the day at Sacré-Cœur Basilica. The terrace in front of the basilica provides a broad view across Paris. It is especially atmospheric around sunset, although it can become extremely crowded during summer.
Entry to the main basilica is separate from climbing the dome. Even when you do not enter, the exterior and viewpoint make Montmartre a memorable final stop on your Paris itinerary. After sunset, stay for dinner in Montmartre or travel back towards your hotel.
Alternative Day 3: Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris is an alternative to Versailles, not a short additional stop. Take the RER A to Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, which is located beside the resort. The regular Metro–Train–RER ticket can be used for this railway journey because Disneyland is within the Île-de-France transport network and is not an airport station.
Plan to spend the entire day there. Travelling back to Paris and then trying to visit Montmartre before sunset would make the day unnecessarily stressful. When Disneyland is your Day 3 choice, move Montmartre to the evening of Day 1 or Day 2. Another option is to stay in Paris for four days and give Montmartre its own half-day.
Related: Top Things to Do in Paris, France
Practical Tips to Save Time in Paris
Reserve Major Attractions in Advance: Book the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle, Palais Garnier and Versailles before your trip. Keep screenshots of your tickets as well as the email copies, as mobile internet can be slow in crowded areas and some historic buildings have weak reception.
Plan Where to Eat: Save two or three lunch options near each day’s route. You do not need to reserve every casual meal, but having a few choices ready can prevent your group from wasting time deciding where to eat. Check opening days too, as some restaurants close between lunch and dinner or on certain days of the week.
Start Early: The hours before 10 a.m. are extremely valuable in Paris. Early mornings mean quieter streets, easier photographs and shorter security queues, especially at the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre and Versailles.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: Paris requires a lot of walking, even when you use the metro. You will walk through long station passages, climb stairs and cover large distances inside museums and palaces, so avoid wearing new shoes for the first time during your trip.
Protect Your Belongings: The metro can become extremely crowded during rush hour, so keep your phone, wallet and passport where you can see or feel them. I usually move my backpack to the front or place it securely between my legs and never leave my phone in an open pocket. Be especially alert near the train doors, where a thief can grab something and leave just before they close.
Packing Tips for Your 3 Days in Paris Itinerary
A Reliable Suitcase: Bring a reliable suitcase with strong wheels, handles and zips. On one of my Paris trips, a wheel dropped off my suitcase, and I had to drag it through the city centre and over cobblestone streets. A broken wheel can turn even a short walk from the station into a horrible experience, so check your suitcase carefully before leaving home. It is also useful to research luggage-storage facilities near your arrival station, hotel or departure point, especially when you arrive before check-in or leave Paris long after checking out.
Clothes Suitable for the Season: Check the weather forecast shortly before packing because conditions in Paris can vary greatly by season. Paris can be extremely hot in summer, and during my summer 2026 trip, a mini portable fan was one of the most useful things I carried. During spring and autumn, bring layers (a trench coat is perfect for Paris!) because the mornings and evenings can feel much colder than the afternoons. In winter, pack a warm waterproof coat and shoes that can handle cold, wet pavements.
Comfortable Walking Shoes: Bring supportive walking shoes that you have already worn and know are comfortable. Paris involves a lot of walking, even when you use the metro. You can always pack a lighter or smarter pair to wear for dinner.
A Power Bank: Carry a fully charged power bank and a short charging cable each day. You will use your phone constantly for maps, metro routes, restaurant searches, mobile tickets and photographs, so the battery can run out surprisingly quickly. I often choose Anker or Ugreen power bank and cables for its good quality and experience.
A Secure Backpack or Handbag: Choose a backpack or handbag that closes fully and can be kept close to your body. An anti-theft backpack with hidden or lockable zips can be especially useful in crowded tourist areas and on the metro. When carrying a handbag, choose a crossbody design and keep the opening facing inwards.
A Small Refillable Water Bottle: Carry a small refillable water bottle, especially when visiting Paris during summer or spending the day at Versailles.
Is Three Days in Paris Enough?
Three days is enough for a first introduction to Paris, but it is not enough to experience the city slowly. This itinerary covers the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, the Louvre, Versailles and Montmartre. That is already a large amount of sightseeing.
What it does not include is Musée d’Orsay, the Catacombs, Père Lachaise Cemetery, Canal Saint-Martin, Luxembourg Gardens, the Panthéon and many smaller neighbourhoods. Trying to add all of them would turn your trip into a checklist rather than an enjoyable visit!