TRAVEL // How to Survive a One Day Layover in Paris
So we got on a plane for the longest layover of my life.
Charlie and I are budget travelers, and since we knew we didn't want to spend money for a few hours sleep at an AirBnb or hostel (they're pricier in Paris), we decided we would just stay up a full 24 hours before boarding our flight back to the States.
So that's what we did, and running on a few cat naps, this is what we did in Paris for a day - and if you have a long layover, here are some tips for what you should do.
Tip 1: Ditch the luggage
No one wants to wheel their suitcase all over Paris while quickly sightseeing. Store your luggage in the airport at Terminal 2, on the floor right above the trains/metro/shuttle. It'll cost 18€ for a 20 hour hold. |
| Side note: I legit cried when I rounded the corner and saw Notre Dame. Just...wow |
Tip 2: Buy the full day ticket for the metro.
Trust me. You'll want it. You can only walk so far, despite Charlie and I's stubbornness in trekking everywhere, even we have a line.Tip 3: Skip the overpriced crepe trucks.
Oh, and stay away from the "savory" crepes!
Tip 4: Instead, go to a local market...
...and buy yourself a delicious meal (that includes wine and dessert!) for just 20€ (it'll feed two people!) and have a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. Oh, and take a nap in the park. It's quite lovely. |
| Oh man, this nap was the best nap of my life. |
Tip 5: Be wary of scams.
Our friends were ripped off right away by a faux metro worker who sold them fake tickets that didn't even work. Look up popular scams that are often used so you're more aware of them.
Tip 6: Go out
If you decide to skip splurging on a hostel/hotel, it's possible because cafes and clubs stay open CRAZY LATE in Paris. So all you have to do is find a good spot to party or chill at until 5 in the morning when the metro opens again. Then you can hop on to get back to CDG and stay in the airport. Charlie and I ended up finding Badaboum by sheer chance, and the manager let us in for free that night (it normally has a cover charge)! It was definitely an experience, that's all I can say, but it felt like a safe environment for a nightlife spot and we had a fantastic time there!
Tip 7: Pick a prime location
This ties into the last tip. Make sure you look at the metro routes and pick a spot near one that has a line directly to the airport. We made the mistake of going to a club that was out of the way and regretted our decision when we had to trek all the way to the correct metro at 4 in the morning...
Overall my experience with people in Paris compared to Amsterdam was much more positive. There's still a snobby air to some, but I came across far friendlier people in my 24 hours in Paris than I did in the four days spent in Amsterdam. We had locals that helped us figure out the metro and explain which stop to get off at when the routes were changed or closed unexpectedly, and in those tense moments it was much appreciated.
Of course, this is just my brief experience in Paris, and I intend to return one day for a much longer trip! Have you ever been? What was your experience like?
No comments
Post a Comment