Paris Pass Review 2022: Is It Worth It?
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Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world. Even if you’ve never been, things like French culture, art, history, and romance likely come to mind. So, it’s no surprise that Paris one of the most popular destinations in Europe.
With world-renowned museums, cathedrals, and historical sights, Parisian sightseeing is big on most travelers’ to-do lists. But like other tourist capitals (for example, NYC and London), the price tag on a Paris vacation can be staggering.
Between flights and accommodations, you might be feeling like you need to compromise on your sightseeing budget. Luckily, there are a couple of options that can help minimize your expenses while you explore Paris. I’m talking about the Paris Pass and the Paris Museum Pass.
In my opinion, each sightseeing pass has its virtues and works for a certain kind of traveler. In this Paris Pass review, we’ll look at how the pass works, what’s included, how much it costs, and how you can use it to save money while visiting Paris. We’ll also compare it to the Paris Museum Pass and help you decide if it’s a good option for you.
The Paris Pass: How It Works
The Paris Pass is more than just a regular sightseeing pass. It is actually two passes in one. The pass includes both:
- The Paris Museum Pass
- The Paris Attractions Pass
This winning combination includes access to over 80 of the hottest sights and attractions in Paris. To be clear, it includes everything on the city’s museum pass plus over 30 other attractions not included with the Paris Museum Pass alone.
You can choose a 2, 3, 4, or 6-day pass. Activate your pass by visiting your first attraction. Then, it’s valid for the number of days you purchased.
Once you buy the pass, you skip paying admission at all the included sights – and in some cases, skip the ticket lines, too. It streamlines the tourist experience and can save you money when you use it strategically .
Attractions on the Paris Pass
The Paris Pass includes admission to over 80 attractions. Here are some of our favorites and their regular admission prices:
- Eiffel Tower Guided Climb – €34
- Louvre Museum – €17
- Palace of Versailles – €18
- The Orsay Museum – €16
- Parc Astérix – €55
- Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off 1-Day Tour: €42
- Notre Dame and Archeological Crypt Experience – €34
- Arc de Triomphe – €13
- Montmartre & Sacré Walking Tour – €34
- Wine Tasting at Les Caves du Louvre – €35
- The Army Museum – €14
- *See the full list here
*Current as of April 27, 2022
Editor’s Note: Some attractions may require reservations. Additionally, some attractions may be unavailable or have limited operating hours.
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How Much Does the Paris Pass Cost?
OK, I know I’ve got you excited about seeing all the attractions and kinda depressed about how expensive it’s going to be. So, let’s talk about the price of the Paris Pass and see if you can save some money.
| Paris Pass Duration | Adult Price (18+) | Child Price (2-17) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Day Paris Pass | €124 | €42 |
| 3-Day Paris Pass | €149 | €52 |
| 4-Day Paris Pass | €169 | €62 |
| 6-Day Paris Pass | €199 | €72 |
| *Prices current as of April 27, 2022 | ||
Is the Paris Pass a Good Deal?
If you want to see as much of Paris as possible, the Paris Pass can save you a significant amount of money. To determine if it is worth it, let’s start by breaking down the per day cost of the adult pass:
- 2-Day Pass: €62.00/day
- 3-Day Pass: €49.67/day
- 4-Day Pass: €42.25/day
- 6-Day Pass: €33.17/day
As you can see, the longer the length of the pass, the more value you get per day.
When comparing the full list of attractions to the cost of the pass, you’ll also see that you likely need to visit 2 or 3 attractions per day to get your money’s worth. Additionally, you’ll want to visit some of the more expensive attractions. If you do, this pass could be a very good fit for you.
Now, let’s assume you purchase the 4-day pass and decide to visit 2 of the following attractions each day:
- HOHO Bus Tour – €42
- Montmartre & Sacré Walking Tour – €34
- Wine Tasting at Les Caves du Louvre – €35
- Notre Dame and Archeological Crypt Experience – €34
- Eiffel Tower Guided Climb – €34
- Louvre Museum – €17
- Palace of Versailles – €18
- The Orsay Museum – €16
The regular admission price for these attractions totals €230. Since the 4-day pass costs just €169, you’d be saving €61 per adult. That’s pretty good, and that’s by visiting just 2 attractions each day. Any other attractions you visit means saving even more!
Don’t forget, you’ll also save time by avoiding ticket lines. As any seasoned traveler knows, saving time can be just as important as saving money.
>> Save Time and Money in Paris – Get Your Paris Pass Here <<
Paris Pass: Top Features
Savings
The best reason to get the Paris Pass is to save money. Like I mentioned before, if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing in Paris, this pass can save you a significnt amount of time and money.
Convenient Access to Over 80 Attractions
The great thing about an all-inclusive option like the Paris Pass is that it’s super-convenient. You make one easy purchase, and that’s it – you have access to over 80 attractions. This saves you from having to buy tickets for every attraction and means you don’t need to plan everything out in advance.
Skip the Line Entry
Waiting in line is a drag, and when you’re visiting some of the most sought-after attractions in the world, the lines can be very long. One of the best features of the pass is that you can skip the ticket line at some of the busiest attractions.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
The Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour is another nice addition. Although it’s not the most efficient way of getting around, it is a fun way to tour the city and catch a ride between a few attractions.
Bus tours are a great way for first-time visitors to become familiar with a new city and take in the highlights. Not to mention, a ticket normally costs €42, so using the pass to hop on offers a good value.
Other Advantages of the Pass
Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise – This 60-minute Seine River cruise is a no-brainer on a beautiful day. Take in the view of the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and Orsay Museum from the water while listening to the multi-lingual audio guide.
Parc Astérix – Inspired by the comic book “The Adventures of Astérix,” this family-friendly theme park is home to thrilling rollercoasters, spectacular shows, delicious food, and more. It’s also the most expensive item on the pass, so a visit here provides some super solid value.
Wine Tasting Tour – If you love wine, or even if you’d like to familiarize yourself with it, you’ll enjoy Les Caves du Louvre Wine Tasting. This one-hour guided tour includes tasting three French wines with a trained sommelier.
Guidebook – The Paris Pass comes with a free guidebook that includes the essential details for every attraction. You also get a map of the city and suggested itineraries.
>> Save Time and Money in Paris – Get Your Paris Pass Here <<
Drawbacks of the Pass
The 3-Day Pass Includes a 2-Day Museum Pass
You’ll want to be careful with the 3-day Paris Pass. It only includes a 2-day Museum Pass (they come in 2, 4, and 6-day options). That means the 3-day pass isn’t as flexible as the other choices, and you’ll have to cram all your museums into 2 days.
Savings Are on the Modest Side
If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, including the extra sights that aren’t included on the Museum Pass, then the Paris Pass might be a good buy for you. But if you’re mostly interested in the museums, you might save money by buying the Paris Museum Pass separately.
Additionally, some of the attractions have a relatively low gate price. You’ll need to be careful which attractions you choose and put in some full days to get your money’s worth. (Be prepared to visit 2 or 3 attractions each day.)
Purse Value
Actually, there’s a limit to how much value you can reap from this pass. The regular gate prices of the attractions you visit can’t exceed the purse value. Once they do, the pass expires. Here are the purse values for the adult passes:
| Pass | Adult Purse Value |
|---|---|
| 2-Day | €255 |
| 3-Day | €355 |
| 4-Day | €505 |
| 6-Day | €625 |
To be clear, if you buy the 2-day pass, once you visit €255 worth of attractions, the pass expires and stops working. Of course, it is very unlikely that you’ll hit the purse value, but it is worth noting that it is there.
No Opera House
One of my favorite attractions in Paris is the Palais Garnier. This world-famous opera house is home to Paris Opera Ballet and served as the setting for “Phantom of the Opera.” It is an incredible building that you don’t want to miss. However, you’ll need to purchase your tickets separately.
Who Should Get the Paris Pass?
- First-timers – Is it your first time visiting Paris? If so, you’ll want to hit a lot of the major tourist destinations included on the Paris Pass.
- Power sightseers – If you love packing a ton of sightseeing into several consecutive days, this pass will fit your needs.
- Those who like variety – If you’re interested in more than just museums and cathedrals, you’ll appreciate the variety that this pass offers. You’ve got the river cruise, the Hop-on Hop-off bus tour, wine tasting, the aquarium, and more.
- Travelers who hate lines – To be fair, no one likes standing in lines. But people who get particularly impatient will love that you get fast track entry to several of the busiest attractions with the Paris Pass.
Who Should Skip the Pass?
- Travelers primarily interested in museums – If you skim through the attractions and find yourself only interested in the museums, don’t buy the pass. Save your money and grab the Paris Museum Pass instead.
- Visitors who don’t care for museums – People who only want to visit museums shouldn’t buy the Paris Pass, but neither should people who aren’t interested in them at all. You’d be better off just hitting your attractions of choice and paying at the gate.
- Extreme budget travelers – If you’re trying to minimize expenses, this pass can help. But if you’re on a super-tight budget, you’ll want to stick to the free attractions.
Tips for Using the Pass
Visit at Least Three Attractions Per Day – If you want to save money with the Paris Pass, you need to visit multiple attractions every day – aim for at least three, and make sure you hit some of the more expensive ones! It’s also a good idea to visit a few attractions that are pretty close to each other. That way, you won’t lose too much time in transit.
Get an Early Start – The pass works on a calendar day basis, not 24-hour periods. So, if you activate your pass at 2 pm, that’s your first day, and you’ve missed half of it. It’s best to get an early start so you can fit in a full day of sightseeing.
Know the Hours – When planning your sightseeing itinerary, make sure you review the sights’ hours of operation. A lot of museums in Paris are closed on Monday or Tuesday, and you don’t want to end up disappointed.
Nab the Pass on Sale – From time to time, you’ll see the pass on sale for up to 10% off. If you can buy it on sale, you’ll save even more.
Where to Buy the Paris Pass
Think this pass is right for you? Buy the Paris Pass online here.
After making your purchase, you’ll get an email with instructions on how to download your pass. Go digital by using the mobile app or print off a paper copy. The choice is yours!
Remember though, the Paris Pass is actually two passes in one – the Paris Attractions Pass and the Paris Museum Pass. Unfortunately, the Paris Museum Pass is not available in a digital format. To retrieve this part of your pass, you’ll need to pick up the physical card after arriving in Paris. Simply head to the address below to collect your copy:
Big Bus Information Center
11 Avenue de l’Opéra
75009 Paris
Paris Pass Review: Final Thoughts
So, bottom line: Is the Paris Pass a good deal? For the right kind of traveler, yes, it is.
If you plan to you enjoy a packed sightseeing schedule filled with museums, tours, and other attractions, the Paris Pass is probably a good fit. You’ll save money on admission prices, plus you’ll save valuable time in ticket lines.
If you’re mostly interested in museums but not the other stuff, then you should probably buy the Paris Museum Pass instead.
We hope this Paris Pass review has helped you decide if the pass is for you. As always, thanks for reading and happy travels!
>> Save Time and Money in Paris – Get Your Paris Pass Here <<
