Paris trip essentials: visa rules, airport transfers and safety advice

Australian citizens heading to Paris for a holiday of less than 90 days do not need to apply for a visa, but travellers whose trip is longer or for another purpose may need one for the Schengen area. Anyone flying in should also confirm which airport they are landing at, since Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) and Paris-Orly (ORY) are connected to the city by different routes and fares.

Key facts

• Visa: Australian citizens on holiday staying under 90 days do not need a visa; other trips may require one for the Schengen area
• Airport trains: around 14€ (A$22.44) from both CDG and ORY to central Paris
• Fixed taxi fares from CDG: 56€ to the Right Bank, 65€ to the Left Bank
• Emergency number in France: 112
• Face-covering law: concealing your face in public places is illegal across France

Do I need a visa for France?

Australian citizens travelling to France for a holiday and staying fewer than 90 days do not need to apply for a visa. Depending on the reason for travel and the length of stay, a visa for the Schengen area may be required. Travellers are advised to check the European Entry and Exit (EES) system and current visa rules before departure.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

From CDG, the RER B train serves every terminal and stops at Gare du Nord and Châtelet–Les Halles on the Right Bank and Saint-Michel Notre-Dame on the Left Bank. The journey takes just over half an hour and costs around 14€ (A$22.44). Public buses 350 and 351 take between 55 and 90 minutes and cost 2.05€ (A$3.30). Taxis from CDG carry fixed fares of 56€ (A$89.77) to the Right Bank and 65€ (A$104) to the Left Bank.

From ORY, Metro Line 14 is the fastest route into the city, reaching Châtelet–Les Halles in about 25 minutes. The Orlyval train to Antony station, connecting to the RER B, takes about 35 minutes; both options cost around 14€ (A$22.44). Fixed taxi fares are 45€ (A$72.13) to the Right Bank and 36€ (A$57.71) to the Left Bank.

At both airports, unlicensed drivers may approach travellers before they leave baggage claim and quote excessive prices. Taking a taxi only from the airport's official rank, where staff direct passengers to a vehicle, avoids this.

What local laws and safety rules should I know?

Concealing your face in public places anywhere in France — including with masks, motorcycle helmets or full veils — is illegal. Australia's Smartraveller service advises visitors to familiarise themselves with local laws before travelling to avoid penalties, and to exercise a high degree of caution throughout France. Pickpockets and distraction scammers operate around tourist attractions. The general emergency number is 112.

What should I know about health, money and getting around?

There is no reciprocal medical agreement between Australia and France, and many hospitals require an upfront deposit and payment guarantee before admitting a patient. Smartraveller recommends comprehensive travel insurance covering overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. Travellers should check vaccinations with their doctor before flying. For urgent house calls, SOS Médecins France can be reached on +33 (0) 1 47 07 77 77; dial 15 for emergencies.

The Paris metro stops running between about 1.15am and 5.30am on weekdays, while Noctilien night buses operate from 12:30am to 5:30am. A Paris Visite pass offers unlimited travel for one, two, three or five days across the city and the Île-de-France region; a one-day pass costs A$49.07. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and contactless payment works almost everywhere, though some smaller shops and bars are cash-only. At the time of writing, the Australian dollar bought 0.62 euro.

Australians driving need a valid Australian driver's licence, and some car rental operators may require an international driver's permit. Power sockets use the same voltage and frequency as in Australia, but a plug adaptor is needed.

What this means for travellers

Australian holidaymakers staying under 90 days can plan a trip to Paris without a visa application, but should confirm their own circumstances against Schengen rules and the EES before booking. Arriving passengers should decide in advance how they will reach the city, use only official airport taxi ranks, and arrange travel insurance that covers medical costs and evacuation.

Direct flights between Perth and Paris take approximately 17 hours and 20 minutes. Travellers should recheck visa rules, fares and safety guidance before departure, as the source notes currency figures are accurate only at the time of writing.