Paris 5 Nights 6 Days Free Travel Guide — From the Eiffel Tower to Montmartre
Paris is a top destination for Korean travelers from Incheon, with a direct flight of about 13 hours. With just one metro ticket, you can easily visit Île de la Cité, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre. Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame; Day 2: Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe; Day 3: Eiffel Tower, Orsay, Seine River night view; Day 4: Montmartre, Latin Quarter; Day 5-6: Day trip to Versailles, last shopping, airport. This guide summarizes routes, budgets, transportation passes, and hotel strategies by district for 2026.
🤖 Translated automatically by AI (GPT-4o-mini). Reviewed periodically.
Paris is often ranked as the number one city to visit, but the 13-hour flight and European exchange rates can make planning a bit daunting. However, once you arrive, you'll find that the layout is surprisingly convenient. With just one metro ticket, you can easily connect Île de la Cité, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, and Montmartre. A 5-night, 6-day itinerary allows for a day trip to Versailles without any hassle. In summary: Day 1: Arrival, Île de la Cité, Notre-Dame; Day 2: Louvre, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe; Day 3: Eiffel Tower, Orsay, Seine River night view; Day 4: Montmartre, Latin Quarter; Day 5-6: Day trip to Versailles, last shopping, airport. This guide organizes routes, budgets, transportation passes, and hotel strategies by district for 2026.
Overview
- Accommodation Location: 1-4 Arrondissements (Cité, Marais, tourist convenience) · 5-6 Arrondissements (Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, artistic atmosphere) · 7 Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower, Invalides, views) · 9 Arrondissement (Opera, shopping) · 18 Arrondissement (Montmartre, value for money) — Recommended for first-timers: 1-6 Arrondissements. See hotel cards below.
- Airport → City Transport: Charles de Gaulle (CDG) → City RER B line about 35-40 minutes 11.80€, Roissybus about 60 minutes 16.60€, taxi flat rate 53-58€ (based on the right/left bank of the Seine). Orly (ORY) is Orlyval + RER B 14.50€ or Orlybus 11.50€.
- City Transport Passes: Metro/RER single ticket 2.15€, carnet of 10 tickets 17.35€, Navigo Week (Monday-Sunday integrated pass) 30.75€ — Best value if arriving Monday-Wednesday. Paris Visite 1, 2, 3, 5-day passes include museum discounts, useful for short stays.
- 5 Nights 6 Days Budget per Person: Excluding flights, approximately 1.8 to 2.8 million KRW (including accommodation, meals, transport, and major entrance fees; Michelin dining or luxury shopping is extra).
- Season: April to June and September to October are best (average 15-22°C, long daylight, pleasant). July and August are peak season with tourist crowds and some shops closed for vacation; December to February is chilly around 5°C but Christmas markets are charming.
- Currency & Exchange Rate: EUR, as of 2026, 1 EUR ≈ 1,450-1,500 KRW.
- Key Rhythm: Walking + Metro + grouping by district. Be prepared to walk an average of 10,000 to 15,000 steps a day.
Day 1 — Arrival · Île de la Cité · Notre-Dame · Sainte-Chapelle
If you arrive in the morning, it’s best to just drop off your luggage at the hotel and start lightly. If you rush to the Louvre first, the jet lag and fatigue will make it hard to appreciate the art. The first day is just right for a stroll around Île de la Cité. Get off at Cité station on Metro Line 4, and everything is within walking distance.
First stop, Notre-Dame Cathedral. After restoration work following the 2019 fire, it will reopen in December 2024. Entry is free but requires a timed reservation (recommended to book in advance on the official website), so make sure to secure your time slot before departure. Just viewing the exterior and the square will take about an hour.
A 3-minute walk away is Sainte-Chapelle (entry 13€), a gem of a chapel filled with 1,113 stained glass windows from the 13th century. The reality is far more overwhelming than the photos, making it well worth a visit. If you have time, consider the combined ticket for Conciergerie (Marie Antoinette's prison) for 22€.
For dinner, cross over to Île Saint-Louis and enjoy a cup of Berthillon ice cream while strolling along the riverbank. That’s just about enough for the first day. Wrap up with a light dinner at a bistro near your hotel, perhaps a croque-monsieur or onion soup (15-22€).
Day 2 — Louvre · Tuileries · Concorde · Champs-Élysées · Arc de Triomphe
The longest straight route in Paris, from Louvre to Arc de Triomphe. It’s about 4km on foot, and skipping 2-3 metro stops makes it easier.
Start your day at the Louvre Museum (entry 22€, advance reservation required on the official page) right after it opens at 9 AM. Focus on the three masterpieces: the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace, which will take about 3-4 hours. Don’t rush; spending more time on one piece will help you remember it better. For lunch, you can eat at the museum café or the food court at the nearby Carrousel du Louvre (15-20€).
In the afternoon, pass through the Tuileries Garden → Place de la Concorde → walk along Champs-Élysées. The Champs-Élysées is about 2km long, and you can take your time to browse luxury shops, Ladurée (for macarons), and Sephora for about an hour. At the end of the street, you’ll find the Arc de Triomphe (entry 16€), and climbing the 284 steps to the rooftop offers a stunning view of the 12 radiating avenues.
For dinner, either stay near the Arc de Triomphe or take Metro Line 1 to the Marais district for a budget-friendly meal at L'As du Fallafel (falafel 8-10€). Marais is safe and lively at night, making it a great spot for your first evening stroll in Paris.
Day 3 — Eiffel Tower · Invalides · Orsay · Seine River Night View
No visit to Paris is complete without a day at the Eiffel Tower. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance (official website). The elevator to the summit is 29.40€, to the second floor is 11.80€, and stairs to the second floor is 14.40€. The summit can be quite windy and chilly, so definitely bring a jacket. A great photo spot is from Trocadéro Square (Metro Line 9 Trocadéro station) where you can see the Eiffel Tower head-on. The golden tones in the morning sunlight are particularly beautiful.
A 15-minute walk away is Invalides (Napoleon's tomb and military museum, combined ticket 15€). If you love history and architecture, you can spend 2 hours here; otherwise, just viewing the exterior and the square is sufficient.
In the afternoon, cross the Seine to visit the Orsay Museum (entry 16€, advance reservation recommended) to see works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Cézanne. The building itself, converted from a former train station, is a work of art. A hidden gem is the view of Paris from the clock window on the 5th floor, just 30 minutes before closing.
For dinner, end the day with a Seine River dinner cruise or a simple night view cruise (Bateaux Parisiens or Vedettes de Pont-Neuf, night view 16-20€). Don’t miss the Champagne Light Show at the Eiffel Tower, which sparkles for 5 minutes at the top of every hour until midnight, visible from anywhere along the riverbank.
Day 4 — Montmartre · Sacré-Cœur · Latin Quarter
In the morning, head to Montmartre (Metro Line 2 Anvers station or Line 12 Abbesses station). The uphill paths can be steep, so comfortable shoes are a must. The steps in front of Sacré-Cœur Basilica (free entry, dome viewpoint 8€) offer a breathtaking view of the city. The adjacent Place du Tertre is filled with portrait and caricature artists, making it a great spot for a photo. If you want to commission a painting, be sure to agree on the price beforehand (usually 40-80€).
For lunch, enjoy onion soup and coq au vin (15-25€) at a bistro in Montmartre, or soak in the atmosphere at Café des Deux Moulins, famous from the film 'Amélie'.
In the afternoon, take Metro Line 4 to the Latin Quarter (5-6 Arrondissements). Visit the Panthéon (entry 13€), where Voltaire, Victor Hugo, and the Curie couple are buried, and nearby Luxembourg Gardens, a peaceful retreat for Parisians. The lawns, ponds, and walking paths are picturesque. Next to the garden is Shakespeare and Company, a bookstore that retains the ambiance of Hemingway's era.
For dinner, enjoy a coffee (6-8€) at the traditional cafés Café de Flore or Les Deux Magots in Saint-Germain, frequented by Sartre and Hemingway. For a meal, try the steak frites (25-32€) at a bistro in the adjacent alley.
Day 5-6 — Day Trip to Versailles · Last Shopping · Airport
Day 5 — Palace of Versailles (Half Day to Full Day)
Take the RER C line from Paris city center for about 40-50 minutes, getting off at Versailles Château Rive Gauche station. The combined ticket for the palace and gardens is about 24€ (Passport ticket, 32€ during fountain show season). Reservations are essential, and the palace is closed on Tuesdays.
The highlight is the Hall of Mirrors, where the opulence of Louis XIV is preserved in 357 mirrors. The gardens are vast (800 hectares), and just visiting the main fountains and the Trianon palaces will take 2-3 hours. If you can align your visit with the weekend fountain shows or musical shows from April to October, it’s truly magical.
In the afternoon, return to the city for some last shopping at Galeries Lafayette (9 Arrondissement, next to the Opera). The main dome ceiling and the free rooftop viewpoint (with a view of the Eiffel Tower) are bonuses. Printemps department store is also nearby, making it easy to visit both.
For dinner, head to Bouillon Chartier near the Opera (main dishes 12-16€) — a traditional bistro that has been around since 1896, offering both value and atmosphere. Even if there’s a long line, the turnover is quick.
Day 6 — Last Drink · Airport
After checking out, leave your luggage at the hotel and enjoy a final croissant and espresso (5-7€) at a café in the Marais district (3-4 Arrondissements) or Saint-Germain (6 Arrondissement). A baguette from a local boulangerie makes for a surprisingly popular souvenir to take home.
For airport transport, plan to leave 3 hours before your flight, taking the RER B line (11.80€) or Roissybus (16.60€). CDG airport has terminals 1, 2, and 3, so check your flight’s terminal in advance. Allow at least 2 hours for security checks and duty-free shopping. Popular duty-free items include Ladurée macarons, Pierre Hermé desserts, and perfume counters.
Where to Stay in Paris (Recommendations for 1-9 Arrondissements)
Paris has a significant difference in atmosphere by arrondissement. For first-time visitors, the 1-6 Arrondissements in the city center are the most convenient for your itinerary.
- 1-4 Arrondissements (Cité, Louvre, Marais): All tourist attractions are within a 30-minute walk. Mid-range prices, with Marais offering a charming alley atmosphere and being LGBT-friendly. Safe for evening strolls.
- 5-6 Arrondissements (Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain): Artistic café atmosphere, many budget boutique hotels. Prices for meals are relatively reasonable due to the student population.
- 7 Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower, Invalides): Rooms with views of the Eiffel Tower are available, in a quiet residential area. Great for evening views and morning walks, but dining options and convenience stores are somewhat limited.
- 9 Arrondissement (Opera, Galeries Lafayette): Convenient for shopping and transport (many metro lines), with many business hotels.
- 18 Arrondissement (Montmartre): Many budget hotels, with a charming hillside atmosphere. Be cautious in some alleys late at night, as they can be deserted; check your arrival and departure routes.
Below are real-time hotel cards from MyRealTrip and Trip.com. Prices for the same hotel may vary by ±5-10% between the two sites, so compare before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Paris Metro Pass, which is better: carnet or Navigo Week?
For a 5-night, 6-day stay, Navigo Week (30.75€, Monday-Sunday integrated) offers the best value. However, it’s fixed for use from Monday to Sunday, so you should arrive on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday to make the most of it. If arriving on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, buying two sets of the carnet of 10 tickets (17.35€) is more economical. The Paris Visite 1, 2, 3, 5-day passes include museum discounts, which can be worth considering if you plan to visit multiple museums, but for simple transport costs, Navigo or carnet are cheaper. The Navigo card has a 5€ issuance fee, which you can get immediately at major stations like Châtelet or Gare de Lyon with one photo.
Q2. Is pickpocketing really dangerous in Paris?
Rather than being dangerous, it’s easy to fall victim if you’re not careful. Hotspots include the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro Square, the steps of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, around Notre-Dame, and on Metro Lines 1, 4, and RER B (the airport line). Carry your bag in front of you, and don’t take photos with your phone in one hand while walking (it’s a prime target for snatching). Avoid hanging your coat or bag on the back of a café chair. If someone approaches you near an ATM or currency exchange asking for help with a "survey," they are 100% trying to distract you. Just ignore them and walk away. It’s safest to keep your passport and card copies in the hotel safe, and carry only about 100-150€ in cash.
Q3. Is a day trip to Versailles really necessary? What if I’m short on time?
If you’re staying for 5 nights, it’s worth taking a day to visit. The scale of the Hall of Mirrors and the gardens is hard to appreciate from photos. However, if you’re short on time or tired of queues and travel, feel free to skip it and substitute with a visit to the Louvre, Orsay, and Orangerie Museums (Monet’s Water Lilies series) instead; you’ll be just as satisfied. If you do go to Versailles, be sure to avoid the Tuesday closure and check the schedule for the fountain shows (weekends from April to October and some Tuesdays). Without a reservation, you could spend over an hour in line at the ticket office.
Author: Peonchi Editorial Team · Based on data from MyRealTrip and Trip.com