Blog, France, Paris, Travel | 17 April 2025 | 16 MIN READ
16-Hour Layover in Paris? What to Do?
2 days ago
Simple. Book a hotel and explore the Parisian night.
Ok, maybe it’s not that simple.
If you’re on your way back to the States from a far away destination–in my case Mauritius–then why not explore the city for the night?
Brainstorming
The first thing you want to consider is where you want to spend the night. Or, where can you get the most bang for your buck?
I always pick the Arch of Triumph. Probably because almost every weekend, I’d walk from La Defense to the Arch of Triumph and back during my middle school days. So for me it’s nostalgic. You could also consider staying near the Eiffel Tower or the Quartier Latin (The Latin Quarter).
I still think staying near the Arc of Triumph is pretty central and then you can Uber anywhere else from there. Before on a longer stay, I picked a Sonder property that was steps away.
This time, I was working with a tighter budget so I just wanted a decent place to stay. I ended up picking EKTA Hotel–which was an affordable price at the time of booking and offered close proximity to the Arch.
Gear Used
Getting to EKTA / the Arch of Triumph (Time: 1 hour+)
From Terminal 2E simply catch an Uber. Depending on your arrival time you will be stuck in a long customs line and hit evening rush hour traffic.
If you are arriving in the afternoon, there’s a slim chance that you will be able to catch the sunset. In fact, getting to the center is worse with a driving time of 1 hour and 5 minutes. (Cost: €36.88 / $40.57)
Settling In the Hotel
Hotel EKTA was more than I could have imagined–for a Parisian hotel. I expected it to be compact and annoying. Instead I got an upscale compact mixed with elegance.
That meant that every room in the space was maximized for storing clothes, small fridge, table to work from, and a decent bathroom. However, the elevator up is very small. You probably couldn’t fit two large checked luggage without people in that tiny elevator.
But we’re not here for the hotel, right? Nope. We are here to explore the city.
Exploring the City (T-12 Hours)
Given that there were only a few hours to explore and time was consumed by a long customs line and evening traffic, I had to maximize my time.
That meant another beautiful view of the Arc of Triumph and then a quick stop by a shop.
Then grabbing dinner near the Eiffel Tower. The place in mind? Les Cocottes.
This quaint little restaurant is located just blocks from the Eiffel tower and offers must-try French food items. That means escargot (snail), bread and more bread, as well as some hearty meals that will make you wonder why you’re leaving Paris.
On top of that, you can pair it with La Parisienne beer.
From here, I made my way to the Eiffel Tower on foot and grabbed some night shots. If you want some good selfie shots then check out Avenue de La Bourdonnais on the corner of the Rue de L’Universite.
Depending on your energy levels, then you can head to the Quartier Latin and grab a gyros on Rue de la Huchette or take a photo by the Shakespeare and Company book store (a place I’ve frequented since 1995).
Morning Breakfast and Last Minute Items (T-3 Hours)
I always like leaving with a few French items that are hard to find in the States or expensive like Le Petit Marseillais soap, real Nivea deodorant, French biscuits, and other dessert items.
Luckily a French supermarket–a mini-one–Monoprix is just a block away from Hotel EKTA and opens at 7:30AM.
Then quickly walk across the street and grab pastries at La Boulangerie. As you wrap up ordering, make sure to call the Uber to Charles de Gaulle airport.
Leaving the Boulangerie / EKTA to Charles de Gaulle Airport (Time: 1 hour)
The other issue with having an early flight is that you’re bound to end up in morning rush hour traffic! This led to the Uber time being 59 minutes.
And of course I was greedy by stopping by the grocery store to pick up French items and getting French pastries–which ate up valuable time.
Guess what made it worse? Running into street cleaning truck on the way to the airport!
Check-In
However, as I mentioned in a previous post (8-hour layover in Paris)–having SkyPriority status lets you breeze through the line.
This meant that SkyPriority immigration and security took 27 minutes in the middle of rush hour (this time would have been longer without SkyPriority).
And even despite all my efforts and status, I was still the last to board the aircraft! But, I ended up getting a surprise. See below.
Lessons Learned
There are a few areas where I went wrong. I brought my Herschel Packable Duffle bag and actually packed it with goodies.
Not to mention that I actually brought Mauritian Rum from the Duty Free in Mauritius and so I had to check in the luggage–especially since I left the airport. So I packed French goodies around the rum.
- The downside? I had to make sure that I had enough time to drop off the bag before cutoff.
- The other problem? I didn’t use the SkyPriority section at CDG airport and went into the regular check-in area–which meant extra delays which ate up minutes. In addition, I found that my seat changed from Economy to Premium Economy. At least that’s a bonus right?
16-Hour Layer in Paris, France
Tips, Tricks, and Logistics
- Pick a Central Location: If you’re on a tight schedule, staying near the Arc de Triomphe is a great option. It’s central and allows you to easily access other parts of Paris by Uber. Other areas like the Eiffel Tower or the Latin Quarter are also good but might be more expensive. If on a budget, try hotels like EKTA that are affordable yet still close to major landmarks.
- Maximize Your Time: After arriving at Charles de Gaulle, plan for long customs lines and evening traffic. A ride to the city center can take about 1 hour and cost around €36.88. This is particularly important if you arrive during rush hour, so factor in time for delays. Also, remember, if you’re running late, Paris has incredible food options around key tourist sites, like grabbing escargot at Les Cocottes near the Eiffel Tower.
- Use SkyPriority for Faster Check-in: SkyPriority status can save you a lot of time at Charles de Gaulle. You can skip long lines at immigration and security, making your journey smoother. This is especially useful if you have a tight layover or need to rush back to the airport.
- Time-Saving Tips for Souvenirs: If you have a few hours to spare, visit Monoprix for French items that are hard to find in the States—like Nivea deodorant or Le Petit Marseillais soap. Nearby, there’s also a bakery where you can grab fresh pastries before heading to the airport. But plan wisely; too many stops can eat into your time!
- Plan for Airport Delays: The ride to the airport can take longer than expected, especially with morning traffic. Plus, if you have any extra bags or goods like souvenirs or alcohol, factor in additional time to check your luggage. Also, if you’re not SkyPriority, you might have to deal with longer check-in times.
Trip Soundtrack
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Getting to the Gate
Eventually when I made it to the gate, the Air France gate agent said “I’m sorry sir, but unfortunately your seat has changed.” My heart sank. Was I even on this plane? I needed to know (I told myself).
However, she replied after pausing for effect, “You’ve been upgraded. Business Class.” However, I was so stressed that I couldn’t even process what she said since by the time I was on the jetbridge I realized I was the last person in the boarding line.
As I boarded the aircraft, one of the flight attendants assisting the check-in process said, “Sir you’re in 7D over there”–pointing to the front of the plane.
I walked to the front of the plane looking for my seat realizing there’s no more forward I can go besides the cockpit.
I must have been so frazzled, that I didn’t even realize I was in Business class with a personal cubby space and a sliding door.
I thought I would be in a Delta Comfort+ equivalent. I was more than shocked! See my story on Air France Business class here.
