Is Paris safe for solo travel?

As a frequent solo traveler myself, I know safety plays a big role in how we choose our solo travel destinations. I’ve visited Paris many times over the last several years, often solo, and am writing this post to share my top safety tips for solo travelers in Paris. 

Is Paris Safe to Travel Alone?

The truth is, yes. Paris is safe to travel alone, in my experience. Not only that, it’s a lovely experience. Often, people make this Paris travel mistake of thinking Paris is too romantic for solo travelers. Not the case! Not only is Paris safe to travel alone, it’s an enjoyable solo travel destination. 

Is Paris Safe For Solo Female Travellers?

As a solo female traveler myself, I have always felt safe in Paris. Of course, you’ll want to take the same precautions you would in any big city. Follow my solo Paris trip itinerary to help you plan your safe and amazing Parisian adventure. 

Is Paris Safe At Night?

Is it safe to walk around Paris at night? Well, that depends. When possible, it’s best to walk around with a buddy or two. But I’ve also walked in Paris alone at night and been safe.

If you’re walking around alone in Paris you’ll want to stick to well-lit, lively areas and be alert with regard to your surroundings.

I often walked from a metro or bus stop back to my Airbnb which was several blocks away, at night. I walked quickly and with my wits about me, and I personally felt safe doing it this way.

13 Best Safety Tips For Solo Travel in Paris

Once you’ve decided that 1. Be Aware of Common Scams

There are a few common scams that are similar across large European cities. One is the bracelet scam — a vendor will quickly tie a bracelet to your wrist and then demand payment for it.

Another version of this is if you’re given a rose in passing. You might think it’s a gift or kind gesture at first, but payment will be demanded. In general, do not accept random gifts from strangers. 

Note that they might be a bit forceful or aggressive, but a firm ‘no’ paired with a quick-paced walk and minimal eye contact has always kept me free of such scams.

Be wary, too, of people asking you to sign a petition of any sort if not with a reputable organization you’re familiar with (such as the Red Cross). 

Again, the best way to avoid common scams like these is to not engage at all unless it’s to state a firm ‘no’ as you continue walking.

2. Be Hyper Vigilant About Pickpocketing 

In crowded, tourist-heavy cities like Paris pickpocketing is always a possibility. My best advice for this is to always keep your belongings on your person.

I travel with this anti-theft cross-body purse with slash resistant straps and I never take it off — not even when I sit down at a restaurant to eat.

When walking through crowds, or stuck in a crowded train car, keep your purse on your front and place a hand over it to prevent pickpocketing. 

Click here for more of my favorite travel safety items.

3. Stay Informed About Protests 

France’s protest culture is alive and well, thanks to their labor unions. What does this mean for you as a traveler? You might be in Paris at the same time as a protest is ongoing.

Most likely, this won’t affect you with any major inconvenience and the protests tend to be peaceful. A protest may only affect your transportation options for the day. But it’s a good idea to steer clear of the crowds anyway. 

4. Be Extra Careful in Crowded Areas 

Unfortunately, there is a level of threat of terrorism in France. According to the U.S. Department of State’s France Travel Advisory, France presents a level 2 advisory.

This is on the lower side, but encourages increased caution. While such threats are unpredictable, be cautious in crowded and touristic areas. As a general best practice, stay aware of your surroundings.

5. Enroll in STEP

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that keeps U.S. citizens in the know about potential security issues or threats they might encounter while abroad. Registering also makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you if needed in case of emergency. 

It’s simple, free and offers some peace of mind to travelers and their loved ones.

6. Don’t Carry All Your Valuables Around 

This goes for important travel documents, like passports, as well as extra cash and credit cards. Instead of carrying this all with you as you explore the city, bring copies of your passport rather than the official document.

Leave at least one credit or debit card behind so you have it in case of emergency, and only carry the amount of cash you expect to spend in a day. 

While a hotel safe does offer some security, unfortunately it is not a 100% guarantee. Still, your belongings are safer in your hotel room (either in a safe or locked in your luggage) than they would be were you to carry them all around the city with you.

7. Learn Basic French 

From both a safety as well as an etiquette perspective, learn some basic French. At the very least, not greeting people is considered rude and you should be prepared to say ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ to shop owners, or fellow residents in an Airbnb building, etc. 

While most Parisians speak English, being able to speak and understand even a super basic level of French might come in handy in a pinch. 

Here are some key phrases to know in French before you go:

Hello – Bonjour
Goodbye – Au revoir
Please – S’il vous plaît (pronounced, seel voo pleh)
Thank you – Merci
Yes – Oui
No – Non
Where is the bathroom? – Où se trouvent les toilettes?
How much? – Combien?
Do you speak English? – Parlez-vous anglais
The bill – L’addition (pronounced, Lah-dee-sy-ohn)

To learn more, explore a resource like Duolingo or Pimsleur.

8. Get a Sim Card for Your Phone 

As a solo traveler, having a working phone is a must. Being able to access a data plan on your mobile device means your phone can be your ultimate navigation support.

I use Google Maps to look up walking and public transport routes while traveling, as well as for calling ride shares or researching itinerary details on the go. 

While you could certainly stop in to different cafes to access wifi on an as-needed basis, that’s not nearly as convenient or reliable as ensuring your phone has a working data plan while traveling.

You can purchase a prepaid sim card for your unlocked phone when you arrive at the airport or at a shop within the city.

Want to make sure you have a working phone as soon as you land? Get an e-sim that you can set up in advance. Airalo comes highly rated.

9. Know Emergency Numbers 

Hopefully you’ll never need them, but it’s a good idea to be aware of what emergency numbers to dial in a foreign country. In France, actually in all of the EU, dial 112 in case of emergency. 

10. Use Google Maps to Navigate Easily 

One of the best safety tips for solo travelers is to know where you’re going and then move with purpose. I’ve traveled around the world and largely relied on the Google Maps app. It’s a game changer from when I used to navigate solely by paper maps back in 2013. 

With Google maps, you can map out a walking route as well as a public transportation route. Look up where you need to go, how to get there and memorize sections of the directions. Then, put your phone away and get going. 

Check back in on the route on your app along the way to keep on track, but avoid walking with your eyes glued to your phone the whole way. This distraction keeps you from being truly aware of your surroundings, and also makes you stand out as a tourist who is unfamiliar with their surroundings.

11. Get Travel Insurance  

After experiencing an unexpected visit to the ER in Costa Rica purchasing travel insurance is now a no-brainer for me.

There are two types of travel insurance I recommend — personal articles insurance and emergency health insurance.

Personal articles insurance covers your valuables in case of theft. You might even already have this without knowing about it. Check with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy to see whether you’re already covered. 

Otherwise, get this insurance through Lemonade. It costs $5 for a monthly subscription through Lemonade, which covers your personal property in and out of your home. 

I also strongly encourage purchasing emergency travel health insurance. I use SafetyWing. 

Even if you think you’ll be fine, it’s really not worth the risk to save a few bucks and could wind up costing you way more in the long run if you skip it. 

12. Join Group Tours in the Evening

If I’m ever nervous about going out at night as a solo traveler, but unwilling to miss out on experiencing a city in the evening I sign up for group tours. This is a great way to meet new people and safely explore a city, usually with a local to lead the way. 

Some evening tours I’d recommend joining to enjoy Paris by night are:

• Bus Toque Tour w/Five Course Dinner & Champagne
• Underground Bars and Speakeasy Tour
• Paris by Night Sightseeing Bike Tour

13. Stay in Safe Areas 

Of course, especially as a solo traveler, you want to be sure you’re staying in a safe area in any new city you’re visiting.

While prices are often more reasonable for areas further out from the city center, you should also consider the surrounding location and safety around potential accommodations.

That’s not to say staying in the center is your safest bet by any means, but do ensure that you’re researching safe areas to stay and areas to avoid in Paris or any other destination you plan to visit. 

Where To Stay In Paris When Traveling Solo

So, where should you stay for your solo travel Paris edition? There are plenty of great hostels to choose from, if you prefer a more social scene. Consider the boutique Plug Inn Montmartre or the quiet Hotel Madrigal. 

For a shorter trip, consider staying in a hostel or hotel. For a longer stay, you might be more comfortable renting an apartment through VRBO.

Personally, I’ve loved staying in VRBO apartments in Paris because it’s allowed me to get a more residential and local feel for the city. 

Here are a few recommendations for hotels to stay at in Paris when traveling solo:

✅ Budget: Graphik Montparnasse

Paris’ Montparnasse neighborhood is known as the city’s intellectual and artistic center, making it a delightful place to call your home base while in town. Graphik Montparnasse is within 10 minutes walking to multiple metro stations, making it easy to get to anywhere in the city.

The rooms are minimalist, modern, clean and comfortable. Previous guests appreciate the kindness of the staff, delicious breakfast options and overall cleanliness of the space.

✅ Mid-Range: Elysées Ceramic

Only a 5-minute walk from the iconic Champs Elysées, you’ll find Elysées Ceramic. In addition to beautiful rooms, this hotel offers a stunning breakfast room, a bar and a lovely terrace.

Additional services you can add on at the Elysées Ceramic include hiring rental cars with drivers, and babysitting service.

Not only is the location close to major attractions, it’s also only a 5-minute walk to the Charles-de-Gaulle RER station which is where you’ll find direct access trains to Disneyland Paris. 

✅ Luxury: InterContinental Paris Le Grand, an IHG Hotel

For a truly stunning, luxury experience book a stay at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand. The hotel is super well located in the 9th arrondissement, very near to the Opéra Garnier and Opera Metro Station.

On site, you’ll find two restaurants and a health club with spa services. For 5-star service and a grand environment, book your stay here. 

How To Get Around Paris By Yourself

It’s easy to get around Paris by yourself. It’s a fairly walkable city and walking through it is a great way to take it all in. Public transportation is also convenient, easy and reliable.

You can easily get around Paris by metro train or buses, and Google maps will show you the best routes to take. Finally, Paris also has ride shares available so you can call an Uber to get around if needed. 

Is Paris Metro Safe at Night?

For the most part, it is safe to take the metro at night. However, as at all hours of the day, you should stay alert to your surroundings and keep your belongings close in case of pickpockets.

If you do not feel safe navigating the metro at night, another option is to take an Uber.

Areas to Avoid in Paris

During the day, most areas of Paris are safe. In the evening, there are some areas locals say to stay clear of.

These include: the areas around the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est in the 10th arrondissement, the northern part of the 18th arrondissement, the 19th and 20th arrondissements. 

Additional FAQ: Is Paris Safe?

Additional commonly asked questions for trip goers planning to visit Paris solo are:

Is Paris Safer Than London?

Having visited both cities as a solo traveler, I have felt equally safe in Paris and London and taken the same safety precautions in each city.

While you could use a comparison tool like this one, there are multiple variables to consider including population size difference.

Whether you’re visiting Paris, London or both you’ll find the safety tips detailed in this post will serve you well in either location. 

Is Paris Friendly to Tourists?

There’s a bit of a stereotype about the French being rude and stuck-up, but I assure you Paris is perfectly friendly to tourists. Especially to those tourists who are friendly to Paris and Parisians.

What do I mean by this? Follow basic etiquette, try to learn a few words of French and respect the fact that you’re visiting someone else’s home country where things might be done differently than what you’re used to. 

While most Parisians speak English, they take pride in their language. You’ll find that not all Parisian restaurants have their menu available in English. Be prepared with your translator app when you go out to eat!

Final Verdict: How Safe is Paris to Visit?

Paris is a vibrant city with so much to offer visitors in terms of its history, culture and cuisine. It’s also a pretty safe city to visit, even for solo travelers.

With the right safety precautions, you can explore and enjoy your solo Paris trip with peace of mind. If you want to make the most of your next solo trip to Paris, be sure to brush up on these common travel mistakes to avoid in Paris.

Even if you only have a short time in Paris, you’re chances of having a fun and safe experience are high so enjoy!