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Travel Advice 2025

TRAVEL ADVICE for CABARET CONNEXION 2025

Here’s a printable version to take with you.

GETTING THERE
Arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. Check with your airline about baggage regulations and costs before you leave home. Airlines are much stricter now about what qualifies as a carry-on and most charge $150 round trip for each checked bag. In addition to the carry-on bag, you are allowed a smaller personal item containing valuables, fragile objects, medicines, laptop. On board liquids and  gels must be in containers of 3 oz/100ml or less. (Medications are not subject to these rules.)

Once at the Paris airport, you will go through passport control. Visas for US citizens are not required. However, be clear that the purpose of your visit is for pleasure, not business. Then pick up your luggage – and pass through the green lane (“nothing to declare”).

Claudia recommends taking the RER train from the airport to station Denfert-Rochereau (about 40 minute ride and a 10-minute walk to FIAP). The RER costs €13 from either Charles DeGaulle or Orly and includes free transfer to the Metro system if you’re heading elsewhere.

OUR CONFERENCE CENTER:
FIAP is located at 30 rue Cabanis in the 14th arrondissement. All conference sessions will be held in one of three rooms at FIAP. Breakfast is included for our 45 participants staying there. Lunch in the cafeteria and snacks at the snack bar are tasty and modestly priced. There’s WiFi, laundry, irons, etc.

GETTING AROUND
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements that spiral out like a snail shell clockwise from the 1st arrondissement, by the Louvre. Walking in comfortable shoes is the best way to see the town.

PARIS TRANSIT
Paris’ transit system is RATP. Their website includes a trip-planning feature: https://www.ratp.fr/en. The Paris Metro is like our CTA. RER is like Chicago’s Metra and can be used inside Paris with a Metro ticket. The Métro is fast, efficient, quiet, safe, and simple to use. But there are lots of stairs and you can walk quite a distance to transfer (“correspondance”) from one line to another. The bus system is extensive and provides a pleasant way to get around. The tramway rings the whole city.

NAVIGO is like Chicago’s Ventra cards and works on buses and Métro.  For 2€ you can get a Navigo Easy pass at kiosks in the Metro and RER stations which will ease your way. https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/supports/passe-navigo-easy.

TAXI FARE
The tab will probably be about €83 from airport to FIAP. Add 3-5% tip. If you need a cab from the airport, make sure it is an official taxi. You can reserve in advance with https://airportstaxitransfers.com/
 G-7 is a reputable taxi app. In town, figure at least €1 per minute of travel. Not all taxi drivers accept credit cards. Ask first. Uber and Bolt aren’t much cheaper than a traditional cab but are useful since the drivers find you (if you’re connected to data).
The https://rome2rio.com website is very handy for learning about specific transport options and estimated costs.
Chauffeurs Asmed (+33.6.14.56.46.11) and Rayan (+33.6.13.30.84.64) are taxi drivers whom Claudia recommends for being kind and professional.

WHAT TO WEAR
In late October and early November, expect Chicago-like weather in the 50s and 60s and possible rain. Pack clothes you can layer and an umbrella or rainwear. Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid athletic wear, sweat pants, shorts and t-shirts. Bring something dressy to wear for singing in your concert. We also have two Halloween events so think light-weight “character costume” pieces and masks.

GETTING CASH
The cheapest way to get Euros is to use your debit card in France to withdraw cash from one of the hundreds of ATM machines (they offer instructions in English). It’s worth talking with your bank to know what networks they are part of to avoid exorbitant fees and to let them know you are traveling in France, so they don’t suspect fraud and freeze your account! The local ATMs charge different fees.

Do not use your debit card for purchases. Use a credit card (Visa, AmEx or MasterCard). Check with your bank and your credit card companies on their specific fees and rates of exchange. Capital One has one of the best rates and NO exchange commission.

Keep your pockets secure and purses in front of you. Pickpockets love unwary tourists. Common scams are “did you drop this gold ring?” or being bumped between two people. It’s a good idea to bring a second card as backup.

TIPPING
Tipping is not customary in France, as service industry workers are paid a reasonable salary. When you get extra care, a €1 tip is a nice thank-you.

MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS

  • You can give yourself a French phone by buying a prepaid SIM chip at any “Tabac” or “Relay”.
  • Standard calls to and from the States are EXPENSIVE.
  • iPhone to iPhone calls are free.
  • You can make free calls via Facebook and WhatsApp while connected to WiFi. Wifi is widespread in France.
  • Bring your charger and a European electric plug adapter.
  • The French national code is +33. But when calling from a French phone to another French phone always starts with a 0, for example, Claudia’s French phone:  07-83-57-73-00

We will generally use the WiFi-based WhatsApp for group communication.

SHOPPING
If you plan to shop till you drop in your limited free time, you may get VAT tax refunded for personal retail purchases of €100 or more. Remember that liquids over three ounces have to be in checked bags.

MORE INFORMATION about EVENTS and PLACES in PARIS