Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you need a
couchette
(overnight bunk)—and you
must
leave on a certain day—consider
booking it in advance through a US agent (such as
www.raileurope.com
)
. For more on
train travel, see the appendix.
If you're planning on
renting a car
in France, bring your driver's license.
To avoid long ticket-buying lines at the
Eiffel Tower,
book an entry time months in
If you plan to hire a
local guide,
reserve ahead by email. Popular guides can get
booked up.
If you're bringing a
mobile device,
download any apps you might want to use on
the road, such as translators, maps, and transit schedules. Check out
Rick Steves Audio
Europe,
featuring audio tours of major sights in Paris, hours of travel interviews on
France, and more (via
www.ricksteves.com/audioeurope
,
iTunes, Google Play, or the Rick
Check the
Rick Steves guidebook updates
page for any recent changes to this topic
Because
airline carry-on restrictions
are always changing, visit the Transportation
Security Administration's website (
www.tsa.gov
)
for an up-to-date list of what you can
bring on the plane with you...and what you must check.
Emergency and Medical Help:
In France, dial 17 for English-speaking police. To sum-
mon an ambulance, call 15. If you get sick, do as the French do and go to a pharmacist
foradvice.Oraskatyourhotelforhelp—they'll knowthenearestmedical andemergency
services.
Theft or Loss:
To replace a passport, you'll need to go in person to an embassy or
consulate. You'll find the US embassy in Paris and consulates in Lyon, Marseille, Nice,
and Strasbourg (see
here
;
full list at
www.usembassy.gov
). If your credit and debit cards
a police report either on the spot or within a day or two; it's required if you submit an in-
surance claim for lost or stolen railpasses or travel gear, and can help with replacing your
passport or credit and debit cards. For more information, see
www.ricksteves.com/help
.
Precautionary measures can minimize the effects of loss—back up your digital photos and
other files frequently.
