Are Paris Tourist Cards Worth It?

Tourist cards are a practical way to save time and money when visiting a city, and in Paris they can make all the difference. With so many attractions, museums and experiences to discover, having a pass will help you better organise your visit and avoid long queues at the most popular places.

If you're looking for things to see and do in Paris, you'll find that there are plenty of options. Whether you have several days or are just taking a short break, a tourist card can be your best ally for enjoying the French capital more without spending too much. In this article, I'll tell you when it's a good idea, what advantages it offers and how to get the most out of it.

Buying a tourist card is worthwhile if you plan to visit several attractions in a few days. It allows you to save money, skip queues and make better use of your time in the city.

When is it worthwhile?

• If you plan to visit iconic monuments and museums such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre or Versailles.
• If you are interested in guided experiences and tours (cruise on the Seine, gastronomic routes, tourist bus tours, etc.).
• If you want to optimise your budget, as the pass costs less than buying tickets separately.
• If you only have a few days and want to concentrate your visits in that time.

The different Paris tourist passes (such as the Paris Pass, the Paris Explorer Pass or the Paris Pass Plus) offer different durations or options depending on the pace of your trip.

When it is not advisable

• If you prefer to travel without planning, stroll around and visit specific places on your own.
• If you are going to be in Paris for many days and don't mind spacing out your visits.
• If you are only interested in one or two specific attractions, as you will pay less by purchasing individual tickets.

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In general, tourist cards are designed to make the most of a few days, visiting several attractions in the shortest possible time. Therefore, if your trip to Paris is long and you plan to take it easy, it may not be worth buying a multi-day pass.

When it may not be worth it on a long trip

• If you prefer to wander around without a schedule and enjoy the city at your own pace.
• If you are only going to spend a few days sightseeing and the rest of your time relaxing.
• If you are not interested in visiting many attractions in a short period of time.

Alternatives if you are staying longer

You can take advantage of your long stay to:

• Take your time visiting the most important museums, such as the Louvre or Orsay.
• Take specific guided tours, such as the best tours of the Louvre Museum.
• Or, if you prefer, opt for a more flexible pass such as the Paris Explorer Pass, which allows you to choose only a few attractions and use them within 30 days.

Yes, if you are travelling to Paris for just a few days, a tourist card is definitely worth it. These passes are designed to pack in lots of experiences in a short space of time, helping you to save money and organise your visits better.

Why it's worth it

• It allows you to access the main attractions without queuing.
• It includes iconic places such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Montmartre and the Louvre.
• You save money compared to buying individual tickets and optimise your time.
• You can choose between 2, 3, 4 or 6-day passes, depending on the length of your trip.

If you want to see the essentials of Paris in 3 days, the tourist card will be your best ally. You can also synchronise it with the official app to see nearby attractions, book tickets and plan your routes easily.

• Tip: for short breaks, day passes such as the Paris Pass or Paris Pass Plus will save you the most money.

Yes, it's worth it. If you want to see the main attractions in Paris, you can also get a tourist pass, as it includes all the essential places to visit in Paris. Here are some of the monuments and museums included in this card's catalogue:

• Eiffel Tower
• Pompidou Centre
• Palace of Versailles
• Louvre Museum
• Musée d'Orsay

Please note that for some of these sites you still need to book your visit in advance, even if you have the pass. And don't forget that with this card you can also access the Big Bus tourist buses and the Bateaux Parisiens cruises.

The answer is a resounding yes! When travelling with children, you need to make the most of your time. With children, you can't stand in long queues or endure endless delays, because what was supposed to be a pleasure trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. So, if you're thinking of visiting the Palace of Versailles with children or perhaps the Louvre Museum with children, Paris tourist cards will save you from waiting and queuing, so you can start enjoying yourself as soon as you enter.

Travelling with children can be an extremely enriching experience, both for them and for you, but it's very important to be prepared and to know that it's not the same trip you might take with your partner or friends. Travelling with children requires your full attention and dedication to ensure that the little ones have an unforgettable time.

Of course it is! Paris is a city with lots to do, both indoors and outdoors, and having a Paris tourist card will help you get the most out of everything. The city of Paris in summer is ideal for enjoying a boat trip on the beautiful River Seine, the gardens of Versailles, a guided walk through the Latin Quarter or the Rodin Museum.

There are so many options in Paris to enjoy during the warmer months of the year. With any of the tourist cards, you can organise your tour however you like. The city of love is a unique experience that you cannot miss. Let the pleasant temperatures guide you to the best of Paris. A tip: don't forget to have a picnic on the banks of the Seine.

With its leaden skies, Paris in winter is an excellent place to holiday, and thanks to tourist cards, you can visit the best indoor attractions for a much lower price. You can visit the Musée d'Orsay, the Orangerie, the Louvre, the famous covered galleries, the Galeries Lafayette and endless guided tours of the best of French cuisine, one of the most renowned in the world.

Although a little cold, winter in Paris is ideal for visiting the city, as Paris is so vast that you can find activities to suit all tastes. That's why the Paris Pass is absolutely worth it if you visit the city in winter. If you're lucky enough to have snow during your stay, I recommend wrapping up warm and crossing the bridges over the Seine, or having a glass of mulled wine to warm up.

Paris is a huge city and two days is not enough time to get to know it thoroughly. But if you only have a weekend, a tourist card will allow you to make the most of your time, avoiding queues and focusing on the most important sights.

Seeing Paris in two days may seem like a challenge, but with a pass you can go up the Eiffel Tower, take a cruise on the Seine, visit Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle or Montmartre, and enjoy yourself without worrying about buying tickets at each place.

For a weekend getaway, the Paris Pass is the most recommended option: it gives you access to dozens of attractions for 2, 3, 4 or 6 consecutive days and helps you see the essentials of the city in a short time.

If your plan in Paris is to enjoy art and history, then yes, it is worth buying a tourist card. These passes allow you to access the main museums without queuing and save money if you plan to visit several during your stay.

Museums included

Among the most notable places you can visit are:

• Louvre Museum
• Musée d'Orsay
• Orangerie Museum
• Rodin Museum
• Pompidou Centre
• Picasso Museum
• Quai Branly Museum
• Dalí exhibition in Montmartre

What to choose if you are interested in museums

• If your main goal is to visit museums and monuments, the Paris Museum Pass is the most recommended option. It includes unlimited access to more than 50 museums and monuments, including Versailles and Sainte-Chapelle, with priority entry.
• If you also want to combine culture with experiences such as cruises, tours or tastings, the Paris Pass or Paris Pass Plus will be more comprehensive.

Discover the 17 best museums in Paris and plan your cultural tour of the French capital.

Yes, it's definitely worth it if your goal is to visit the main monuments in Paris.
Tourist cards include admission to many of the city's most famous landmarks, and they also allow you to skip the queues and save money compared to buying individual tickets.

Monuments you can visit

With the different passes, you can access, among others:

• The Eiffel Tower
• The Arc de Triomphe
• The Sainte-Chapelle
• The Panthéon
• Notre Dame Cathedral
• Palace of Versailles and other historical monuments included depending on the pass

Which pass to choose if you are interested in monuments

• To see as much as possible in a short time, the Paris Pass is the best option: it includes the most popular monuments along with museums, cruises and tours.
• If you prefer a more comprehensive and varied experience, the Paris Pass Plus adds even more attractions and activities.
• If you are only interested in historical monuments and museums, the Paris Museum Pass will give you access to more than 50 iconic sites, including Versailles, the Louvre and the Sainte-Chapelle.

Visiting the monuments of Paris is an unforgettable experience, and with a tourist card you can do so conveniently, quickly and without spending too much.

Yes, it's definitely worth it if you want to explore Paris at your own pace and enjoy its main sights from a different perspective.

The tourist passes include a 1-day tour on the Big Bus, with a hop-on hop-off option, which means you can get on and off as many times as you like throughout the route.

What's included in the tour

• Panoramic tour of the main monuments of Paris.
• Option to hop on and off at any of the stops on the itinerary.
• Multi-language commentary with information about each point of interest.
• Expert guides who share interesting facts, history and art.
• Flexibility to explore the city at your own pace without worrying about transport.

What to choose

• The Paris Pass and Paris Pass Plus include a 1-day tour on the Big Bus, ideal if you want to combine it with visits to other monuments and attractions.
• If you are only looking for the tourist bus tour, you can also book one of the best tourist buses in Paris directly.

Touring Paris by tourist bus is a comfortable and entertaining way to get your bearings, enjoy the sights and see the essentials of the city without any hassle.

Yes, if you are interested in visiting Versailles or the outskirts of Paris, a tourist card can be a great ally.
In addition to including the most iconic attractions in the city centre, some passes also offer access to monuments and palaces outside the capital.

Versailles, a must-see

One of the best excursions from Paris is the Palace of Versailles, located just 40 minutes from the city centre. Its halls, fountains and gardens are a unique example of the splendour of Louis XIV's reign, and tickets to the Palace of Versailles often sell out quickly.

With the Paris Museum Pass, you can access the Versailles complex directly without queuing, as well as visit other historical monuments included in the pass.

Other places included in the tourist passes

Some of the sites near Paris that you can also visit with these passes are:

• Château de Fontainebleau
• Château de Vincennes
• Château de Malmaison
• Château de Pierrefonds
• Château de Maisons-Laffitte
• Auguste Rodin's house in Meudon

What to choose

• If you are mainly interested in historical heritage and palaces, the Paris Museum Pass is the best choice.
• If you prefer to combine cultural visits with tours, cruises or gastronomic experiences, the Paris Pass or Paris Pass Plus will offer you a more complete experience.