Paris Solo Travel:
Everything I Wish I Knew Before I Went

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world and somehow people still show up completely unprepared. I was one of them the first time. Now I have a Paris guide, so you do not have to be.

Here is what nobody tells you about Paris as a solo woman.

The Metro Is Your Best Friend

Paris is walkable but it is also big. The Metro runs almost everywhere and once you understand the line system it is genuinely easy to navigate. Buy a carnet of 10 tickets when you arrive. It saves you money and the hassle of buying one at a time.

Stay aware of your bag on the Metro, especially at tourist heavy stops like Chatelet and Gare du Nord. Keep your phone in your bag not your hand when you are not using it.

Where You Stay Matters More Than You Think

Paris is divided into arrondissements which are basically neighborhoods numbered 1 through 20. For a first solo trip, the 7th near the Eiffel Tower, the 4th in Le Marais, and the 6th in Saint-Germain are all excellent choices. Central, walkable, well lit at night, and full of cafes where a solo woman sitting alone is completely normal.

Avoid booking the cheapest possible hotel in an outer arrondissement to save money. Being central saves you time and keeps you in safer, busier areas after dark.

Eating Alone Is a Vibe

Solo dining in Paris is one of my favorite things. Sit at a cafe, order a glass of wine and a croque monsieur, and watch the city move. Nobody is looking at you funny. Solo dining is completely normal in Paris and the service is usually better when you are by yourself because the waiter has only one person to manage.

Lunch is actually the best time to eat at nicer restaurants. Many have a prix fixe lunch menu that is significantly cheaper than dinner. You get the full experience at half the price.

The Eiffel Tower at Night

Yes the tower is stunning in the day. But every hour after dark it sparkles for five minutes. If you have not seen it sparkle you have not fully seen Paris. Find a spot on the Trocadero plaza or the Champ de Mars, wait for the top of the hour, and just watch. It never gets old.

Paris is better alone. Trust me on this one.