Paris Packing Tips and Travel Checklist

The purpose of this page is to give you some packing tips and a checklist for the many things you need to do or consider before leaving for Paris.

These packing tips for Paris are designed to get you off to a good start. Selecting luggage and packing for any overseas trip requires some finesse, and getting ready for a trip to Paris is no exception. Keeping in mind airline restrictions for checked and carry-on luggage, as well as remembering to pack some, often overlooked, essentials can go a long way to making your trip to Paris a successful one.

Airline Luggage Restrictions

Any discussion of packing tips for Paris must begin with airline luggage restrictions. All overseas carriers restrict the number, weight, and size of checked and carry-on luggage so that each passenger is able to take a reasonable amount of luggage with him on his trip. Air France's luggage restrictions are typical of most carriers that fly to Paris. Their restrictions are as follows:

• The total dimensions (width + height + length) of each checked piece of luggage cannot exceed 158cm (401 inches).

• Each passenger is limited to two checked pieces of luggage. Additional checked items are sometimes permitted, but require an extra baggage fee.
  
  
• Each checked piece of luggage must not exceed 23 kg (50 lbs.) each for coach and business class passengers and 32 kg (70 lbs.) for first class passengers

• Each coach and business class passenger is allowed one carry-on piece of luggage and one accessory piece (handbag, laptop, camera case, or briefcase). First class passengers are permitted two carry-on pieces and one accessory piece.

• Carry-on luggage size restrictions state that all carry-on pieces must be able to fit under the seat in front of the passenger. Carry-on pieces must not exceed 12kg (26 lbs.) each.

Often Overlooked Essentials

Sometimes it is remembering to pack the little things that makes or breaks an overseas trip. Consider the following when preparing your luggage and packing for Paris:
An electrical power converter. If you are from the United States, power converters are needed for converting European 220 volts to 110 volts so that your electrical devices, including electric shavers, cell phone rechargers, laptop computers, radios, hairdryers and other electrical items will operate on European current. Some hotels offer power converters, but it's not universal.

Regardless of the country where you live, if you will take any electrical equipment to Paris and if you have questions about the electrical converters or adapters you need, I strongly recommend that you go to a reputable electric equipment and supplies dealer where you live and buy the converters or adapters you need based on their recommendations. Be sure the salesperson you talk with is experienced and knowledgable. You don't want to get to Paris and find that you can't recharge your cell phone or operate your laptop.

Extra camera memory cards. Almost everyone ends up taking more pictures than they had anticipated. Be prepared by having extra memory cards on hand. Depending on your camera, these may not be available at some camera supply stores in Paris or they may be more expensive.

Extra batteries and/or a battery recharger. Digital cameras require fresh batteries at regular intervals. Don't be caught with a great picture and no power in your camera.

Small magnifying glass. Some maps have very small print and can be difficult to read even if you have 20-20 vision.

Small flashlight. If you are trying to read a map, even with a magnifying glass, you need adequate light. If you are walking on a street at night and trying to read a map, you may be very glad you have both a magnifying glass and a small flashlight.

The number of things you must think of and do in preparing for an international trip is staggering. The following is a rather exhaustive list of things to do or consider before leaving for Paris.

Three Months or More Before Leaving

• Gather information about Paris and the how you plan to get there. Begin planning your trip. For access to 12 pages of this website devoted to planing your trip to Paris, click on Planning Your Trip to Paris. I also recommend Rick Steves' Paris 2007 as an excellent Paris tour book. I carried the 2006 version of his book with me all 11 days I was in Paris last year .
• Check your passport expiration date and renew if necessary. It can take weeks to obtain a passport. For detailed information on France passports and visas click on France Passports and Visas.
• Check on whether you need a visa and start the application process if you do. It can take weeks to obtain a visa. US and Canadian citizens need a visa for France only if they will stay more than three months. For visitors from other countries, click on France Passports and Visas.
• Schedule appointments for medical and dental checkups if needed. If you are not in good physical condition, consult your doctor and if he advises it, start an exercise program to get in condition for the rigors of travel.
• Make airline and hotel reservations after searching for special offers and discounts. If you plan to use frequent flyer miles, make airline reservations as soon you know when you want to travel, because these seats are limited and go long before other seats. For air fares, click on Everything Europe: Deals, Maps and More. For hotels, click on Paris Accommodations.
• If you plan to eat in a top Paris restaurant, make reservations as early as possible. Top Paris restaurants often require reservations weeks or months in advance. If you are interested in top restaurants, I recommend that you buy the book, Zagat Survey 2006/07 Paris Restaurants to get consumer ratings on nearly a thousand Paris restaurants with descriptions, addresses, phone numbers and often fax numbers. If you would like to enjoy a memorable meal at perhaps the best restaurant in Paris, I suggest you click on The Best Restaurant in Paris and read the article.
• Consider installing a home security system if you do not have one. It will protect your home and valuables and give you peace of mind. Click on ADT for information on ADT security systems.
• If you need a new credit or debit card, compare benefits of several cards and submit your application(s). If you want a credit card with special features, such as low interest, cash back, gas rewards, airline miles, or one that accepts bad credit if needed, click on Credit Card Applications.

One Month Before Leaving

• Become aware of the citizen services available from your country's embassy in Paris and record its address and phone number to take with you. For United States citizens, click on U. S. Embassy. For citizens of other countries, do a Google search for "(your country) embassy Paris France". Your embassy can assist you in many ways including information regarding doctors and hospitals, attorneys, lost and found, notary services, and emergency services.
• Consider whether you want travel insurance. If you do, contact travel insurance companies for information, choose the coverage and company you want, and submit your application(s). For information at this website to help you with these decisions, click on Travel Insurance Advice. To read about or order specific travel insurance policies click on Travel Insurance Policies.
• If you plan to take a camera, check your camera for proper operation or shop for a new camera if you need one. For detailed information about available digital cameras and to order a camera, click on Digital Cameras.
• If you own your own home, arrange for external maintenance such as lawn care or snow removal.
• Ask someone to check your home while you are away.
• Arrange to have your car started about once per week while you are away to avoid having a dead battery when you return.
• Shop for luggage if you do not have adequate luggage. To read about a wide variety of luggage and order online, click on Luggage Online.
• Contact your credit card company to determine limits on spending and ask for an increase if necessary. Make sure you have a pesonal identification number (PIN) for use of a credit card at ATM machines. Call your credit card company to advise them that you plan to use your card at ATM machines in France so there will be no question about authentication.
• Determine your credit card expiration dates and request extensions if required.
• Inform your credit card company where you will be traveling so charges from areas you visit will not be questioned.
• Determine daily and total limits for all credit and debit cards that you will be taking, and request increases if needed.
• Prepare a record of your PIN numbers for all your credit cards and other types of cards you will have with you.
• Make sure your driver’s license will be valid if you plan to drive during your trip, and renew it if necessary. For information on Paris rental cars at this website, click on Paris Rental Cars.
• If you will need a rental car in Paris, make reservations. For rental car information and reservations, click on Auto Europe, Hertz, Avis or Budget.
• Be sure that the shoes you will be taking with you are comfortable. Walk with them enough to avoid surprises. You will do much walking in Paris and uncomfortable shoes could greatly diminish enjoyment of your trip. I wore Rockport walking shoes in Paris, and many years before, and I highly recommend them. For detailed information, click on Rockport Shoes.

• Ensure that your car, home and valuables insurance policies are up-to-date. Make any needed changes.
• Ensure that you have an adequate supply of any prescriptions. Order if necessary.
• Put your small valuables and jewelry that you are not taking in a safety deposit box. If you don’t have a safety deposit box, hide valuable items in your house or leave with family or a friend.
• As necessary, take clothes you want for the trip to the laundry/dry cleaners.
• Arrange for care of any pets.
• Arrange for care of any houseplants if warranted by the duration of your trip.
• Verify that you have your airline and hotel reservations plus any others such as restaurant reservations.

One Week Before Leaving

• Exchange your local currency for enough euros to get from the airport to your Paris hotel plus a safety margin unless you live in a European Union country. For advice at this website on how to save when converting to Euros, click on Currency Exchange.
• Arrange for someone to hold your mail or have it held at the Post Office. If you live in the United States, you may arrange online to have your mail held at your local post office. Click on Hold Mail and complete the simple form.
• Buy at the grocery only the fresh items you need before departing.
• If you are taking a camera, pack enough film and batteries for your trip.
• Set up automatic light timers in your home to switch on and off at appropriate times in the evening.
• Check Paris climate and weather forecasts to help you select clothes to pack. For rainfall and temperature minimums and maximums for each month of the year, click on Paris Climate. For current weather and 5-day forecasts, click on Paris Weather.
• Start packing.
• Put your personal identification on both the outside and inside of your bags. You may want on your bags a colored ribbon or other marker easily recognized at a distance to easily find them on the airport carousel in Paris and when you return home.
• Start adjusting your sleeping and eating habits to correspond to your destination’s time zone to help avoid jet lag. Paris is in the Central European Time Zone which is six hours ahead of U.S Eastern Standard Time when daylight saving time is not in effect in either France of the United States.
• Make two copies of your passport. Leave one in your safety deposit box and keep the other two with you in different places.
• Provide your departure and return dates to the local police and your security system company. Provide them the names of the person(s) responsible in your absence.
• Leave your itinerary with one or more family members and/or friends, with cell phone number, hotel phone number or other information so you can be reached in an emergency.
• Leave your home keys with a family member or friend in case of an emergency at your home.
• Be sure to pack enough of your medications for the trip. Take several copies of a list of your medications, dosages, and each drug’s generic and brand name.
• Pack your medications and any other essential items in carry-on bags in case your checked luggage does not arrive with you.
• Pick up your clothes from the dry cleaners.
• Pay bills as necessary.
• Walk around carrying your packed luggage to determine whether any bags are too heavy for you. Change luggage if necessary.
• Pack a small flashlight with fresh batteries.
• If you have pets, arrange for their care while you are away.
• If you will be gone more than two weeks, arrange for care of any houseplants.

One Day Before Leaving

• If you have houseplants but no one is caring for them, move the plants away from direct sunlight and water thoroughly.
• Empty the refrigerator of perishable items.
• Hold your newspaper delivery.
• Arrange to hold your mail at your local post office. You may do this online if you live in the United States and if your zip code qualifies, by clicking on Hold Mail and completing the online forms. Mail can be held from 3 to 30 days, and normal delivery will be resumed on the date you specify.
• You might want to adjust your refrigerator to a warmer setting to save energy.

The Day You Leave

• If you have pets, deliver them to the caregiver. You may want to do this the day before you leave if you will be pressed for time the day you leave.
• Leave shades or drapes as you normally have them.
• Turn your water heater down to the lowest safe setting.
• Turn your air conditioner off unless you have equipment that must not get too hot, then in warm or hot seasons set the air conditioner for an appropriate temperature.
• Set your heat to a low but safe level. Leave the house warm enough in cold or cool seasons to protect water pipes from freezing.
• Plug a radio into a timer for some noise in the home at least part of the time during the day and early evening.
• Unplug computers, TVs, stereos or other electronic equipment not required for a special reason to protect them from storms or lightening. Unplugging is better protection than surge protectors.
• Check that you have packed your medications in a carry-on bag.
• Check that you have packed all other essentials on your packing list.
• If you are packing liquids in a carry-on bag and if you do not know current airport policies, check with your airport and pack liquids according to policies.
• Take copies of your reservations with you.
• Check that the stove and lights are turned off.
• Put your car in the garage unless you will park at the airport.
• Lock your garage door.
• Lock all doors and windows.
• Leave so that you arrive at the airport two hours before flight time.

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