Essential travel facts.
Currency, timezone, language, and the practical details you'll want before clearing customs in France.
Plugs, voltage, and what to pack.
What France runs on the wall — and whether your charger speaks the same language.
Mobile data, WiFi, the works.
The practical bits about getting online — eSIM availability, typical speeds, and recommended providers.
eSIM and physical SIM cards are available in France. eSIM is the most convenient option for travelers with compatible phones.
30-100 Mbps average
Airalo, Holafly, Orange Holiday, Ubigi
Skip the airport SIM queue.
Activate a Saily or Airalo eSIM before you fly — data the moment you land in France, no SIM swapping needed.
What it costs, and how to pay.
Hotel prices, daily budget, ATM realities, and whether your card actually works at the noodle counter.
$100-300 per night.
$120-250 (mid-range traveler)
ATMs (distributeurs) are common in cities. Major French banks like BNP Paribas, Crédit Agricole, and Société Générale offer good rates. Notify your bank before travel to avoid fraud blocks. Currency exchange offices often have poor rates.
Cards are widely accepted. Chip-and-PIN is standard - US magnetic stripe cards may not work at automated kiosks. Contactless ('sans contact') is common for purchases under €50. Small cafes and markets may prefer cash.
Airports, rentals, and rails.
How to actually move around — from arrivals to the city, and from the city to the next one.
CDG, ORY, NCE (serving Paris, Nice, Lyon)
Excellent for exploring wine regions, Provence, and the countryside. Toll roads (péages) are expensive but fast. City driving is stressful - avoid in Paris. Manual transmission is standard; request automatic specifically.
TGV high-speed trains connect major cities quickly - Paris to Lyon in 2 hours. Book in advance for best fares. Paris Métro is extensive and cheap. SNCF app is essential for train bookings.
Skip the arrivals scramble.
Pre-book a Welcome Pickups transfer for a stress-free arrival in France, or compare car rental deals if you're road-tripping.
What to watch for, and what's overblown.
An honest read on travel risk — without the embassy-website doom or the Instagram glow.
France is generally safe. Paris metro and tourist areas (Eiffel Tower, Sacré-Cœur, Champs-Élysées) have active pickpocket rings - secure valuables in front pockets or money belts. Avoid scam artists with petitions or 'found' gold rings. Protests and strikes can disrupt transport.
Pickpockets operate in Paris metro and tourist spots. Strikes (grèves) can shut down transport with little warning. Check RATP and SNCF for disruptions. August closures affect many businesses.
What to pack for France.
Country-specific items, not a generic checklist. Curated for France's particular quirks.
- 01Scarf or pashmina
Versatile for variable weather and essential for covering shoulders at churches - also adds Parisian style
- 02Reusable shopping bag
Plastic bags cost money in France - supermarkets and bakeries expect you to bring your own
- 03Comfortable stylish shoes
The French dress well, even casually - sneakers are fine but skip athletic wear for dinners
- 04Type C/E power adapter
France uses standard European round two-pin plugs - US and UK plugs won't fit
- 05French phrasebook or translation app
Attempting French, even poorly, is appreciated and often results in better service
- 06Light layers and rain jacket
Weather varies by region - Mediterranean south is hot, Paris and north can be rainy year-round
- 07Wine carrier for checked luggage
You'll want to bring bottles home - padded carriers protect purchases from vineyard visits
The kit we'd pack for France.
Affiliate links — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you, only on the partners we'd actually use ourselves.
NordVPN — Secure Travel WiFi
Encrypt your connection on hotel & café WiFi. Access banking and streaming securely from abroad.
Open ↗SAILYSaily eSIM — Instant Mobile Data
Skip roaming charges. Activate before you land for instant 4G/5G data in 150+ countries.
Open ↗AIRALOAiralo eSIM — Global Data Plans
Affordable eSIM data plans for 200+ countries. Set up in minutes from your phone.
Open ↗EKTAEkta Travel Insurance
Medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and baggage coverage. Peace of mind from day one.
Open ↗TRAVELEPICKA Universal Travel Adapter
Works in 150+ countries with USB-C and USB-A ports. One adapter for everything.
Open ↗WELCOMEWelcome Pickups — Airport Transfers
Pre-booked airport transfers with English-speaking drivers, fixed prices, and flight tracking.
Open ↗ECONOMYEconomyBookings — Car Rental
Compare car rental deals from 500+ companies worldwide. Best price guaranteed.
Open ↗TIQETSTiqets — Skip-the-Line Tickets
Book skip-the-line tickets for museums, attractions, and experiences worldwide.
Open ↗COMFORTABLEComfortable Walking Shoes
Essential for exploring new cities on foot.
Open ↗FRRick Steeves Paris
A throughout guide to Paris with practical tips and cultural insights
Open ↗FRParis Museum Pass
Skip-the-line access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris
Open ↗JPTripped Travel Gear Compression Packing Cubes
Large Compression Packing Cubes for Travel-Packing Cube Luggage Organizers 7 Piece Set for Checked Luggage-Ultralight
Open ↗The questions readers actually ask.
Eight questions our readers send the most. Answered without hand-waving.
Do I need a plug adapter for France?Open
France uses Type C and E outlets - the standard European two-round-pin design. Type E has an additional grounding pin in the socket. A standard European adapter works for both. US and UK plugs are incompatible.
Is tap water safe to drink in France?Open
Yes, French tap water is safe and high quality. Restaurants legally must provide free tap water ('une carafe d'eau') on request. Mineral water is popular but unnecessary for safety.
Is travel insurance required for France?Open
Travel insurance is recommended. France has excellent healthcare but costs for non-EU visitors can be substantial. The EHIC/GHIC card provides some coverage for EU citizens. Insurance also covers trip cancellation, important given strike frequency.
What currency is used in France?Open
France uses the Euro (€). ATMs offer the best exchange rates. Credit cards work widely but small purchases may require cash. Markets and small vendors often prefer cash.
What voltage is used in France?Open
France uses 230V at 50Hz. Dual-voltage electronics (100-240V) work fine with just a plug adapter. If you're from a 100-127V country (US, Canada, Japan, etc.), single-voltage appliances must NOT be plugged in — they will receive nearly double their rated voltage and can overheat, catch fire, or be destroyed. Hair dryers are almost always single-voltage. Check every device label before plugging in.
Do US devices work in France?Open
US plugs won't fit French outlets — you need a Type C/E adapter. France uses 230V (vs US 120V), so single-voltage US appliances like hair dryers must NOT be plugged in — they can overheat or catch fire. Dual-voltage chargers (100-240V) for phones and laptops work fine with just an adapter.
What is the emergency number in France?Open
European emergency number: 112 (works across EU). France-specific: 15 (medical - SAMU), 17 (police), 18 (fire). English may be limited - speak slowly and clearly.
What language is spoken in France?Open
French is the official language. English is spoken in tourist areas and by younger people, but less common outside Paris. Attempting French, even 'Bonjour' and 'Merci', is appreciated and opens doors.
Do I need a visa for France?Open
France is part of the Schengen Area. US, UK, Canadian, and Australian citizens can stay 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. This applies to all 27 Schengen countries combined.
Heading somewhere else after France?
Last verified: May 2026