I have done the Amsterdam to Paris trip more times than I can count — nine times by Thalys, five times by Ryanair, twice by Ouibus when I was really broke. The cheapest I ever found was €117 round trip with Ryanair from Amsterdam to Beauvais, and here is the thing: even with the inconvenient airport and the extra bus ride, Paris is always worth it. But you have to know what to skip.
The Thalys from Amsterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord costs €80-180 return depending on how far ahead you book. It takes 3 hours 20 minutes, drops you in the center, and is genuinely comfortable. I love it. But the Ryanair flight to Beauvais for €117 return — including a small cabin bag — means you can go twice for the same price. The trade-off is that Beauvais is 85km north of Paris, and the bus into Porte Maillot costs €17 each way and takes 75 minutes. For the math: Thalys total rail + metro cost about €180-280 round trip. Ryanair total flight + bus + metro cost about €150. I choose based on how much time I have.
Getting from Charles de Gaulle to the City (and Back)
If you fly into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) instead of Beauvais, the RER B train into Gare du Nord costs €11.45. It is the cheapest option by far, runs every 10 minutes, and takes 35 minutes. The taxi costs €55-65 fixed rate. The RER is perfectly safe during the day but I avoid it past 10 PM — the carriages can get rowdy. After dark I take the Roissybus (€16.20, runs until 12:30 AM) which drops you at Opéra.
For getting around Paris itself, buy a carnet of 10 metro tickets for €19.10 (€1.91 per ride instead of €2.15 single). Or if you are there for 3+ days, the Navigo Découverte pass (€30 for unlimited zones 1-5 for a week) pays for itself on day two, especially if you are going out to Versailles or Disneyland.
Where I Eat: Bouillon Pigalle
My number one restaurant recommendation in Paris is Bouillon Pigalle at 22 Boulevard de Clichy. It is a Belle Époque dining hall with checked tablecloths, brass fixtures, and crowds of Parisians eating classic French food at prices that feel like a typo. I had escargots (€6.90), confit de canard (€10.90), crème brûlée (€4.50), and a carafe of house red (€6). That is €28.30 for a three-course meal with wine in central Paris. The queue looks intimidating but moves fast — I waited 25 minutes on a Saturday night at 7:30 PM. Go at 6 PM for no queue.
Other honest food finds: the falafel at L’As du Fallafel in the Marais (€8, been doing it since 1970, the queue is legit), a jambon-beurre sandwich from any boulangerie for €5, and Ladurée macarons (€2.50 each — overpriced but worth the Instagram, be honest).
Skip the Louvre, Do the Orsay
Here is my real opinion: if you have only one full day in Paris, skip the Louvre. I know it sounds sacrilegious. But the Louvre is enormous, overwhelming, and takes a minimum of 4 hours to even get a decent feel for it. The Mona Lisa is smaller than you think, behind bulletproof glass, and surrounded by a scrum of people holding smartphones above their heads. I spent 40 minutes getting to the front of that crowd and about 90 seconds feeling underwhelmed.
Instead, go to the Musée d’Orsay. It is housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station — the building itself is worth the entry. The Impressionist collection is world-class: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne. It is manageable in 2-3 hours. Entry costs €16 (free on the first Sunday of each month). The café on the top floor has a clock window that looks directly across the Seine to Sacré-Cœur. I sat there with an espresso for 20 minutes and it was the best €3.50 I spent in Paris.
Practical Tips from Actual Trips
- Montmartre at sunrise: I dragged myself out of bed at 5:30 AM, walked up the hill, and had the Sacré-Cœur steps completely to myself. The sunrise over Paris was pink and gold. By 9 AM it was a tourist circus. Do the early thing.
- Seine river walk: The 7km path from Notre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower is mostly pedestrian now. I walked it at sunset with a €5 bottle of wine from Monoprix and it was the cheapest, best date I have ever had.
- Le Marais for shopping: The side streets around Rue des Rosiers have the best vintage shops and independent boutiques. The falafel is a bonus.
- Learn three phrases: “Bonjour” before anything else, “S’il vous plaît,” and “Merci.” The French are famously polite if you make the effort. I have had doors opened, tables found, and directions given with a smile just by leading with a proper “Bonjour.”
Book Your Trip
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About the author: Amsterdam-based travel writer who has visited Paris 14 times and still finds new things every trip. All prices and experiences listed here are from my most recent visit in March 2026.