Your three options
US phones work in France: every recent iPhone and Android phone supports the frequencies French networks use. The question is how you pay for data. You have three choices:
- Your US carrier's international plan. Easiest, nothing to set up, keeps your US number. Can be expensive for longer trips.
- A travel eSIM bought online before you go. Cheapest for most short trips, keeps your US number active for texts and calls if you want, needs an unlocked phone that supports eSIM.
- A French prepaid SIM or eSIM. Best for long stays and heavy users, gives you a French number, which helps with restaurant bookings and deliveries.
Whatever you choose, make sure your phone is unlocked if you plan to use a non-US-carrier SIM or eSIM. Phones bought outright from Apple or paid off with your carrier usually are; ask your carrier to unlock it before you leave if not.
US carrier plans
All three big US carriers let you use your phone in France. The prices below were listed in October 2026; carriers change plan names and terms often, so check your own plan in your carrier's app before you go.
Verizon TravelPass
Your normal talk, text and data allowance works in France for a daily fee, charged only on days you actually use the phone there (any call, text or data use starts the 24-hour clock). A few older Verizon plans and the Verizon Visa card include a small number of free TravelPass days. Add TravelPass in the My Verizon app before you leave.
AT&T International Day Pass
Works like TravelPass: your domestic plan's data, calls and texts for a daily fee, billed only on days you use it. AT&T charges at most 10 days per line in each monthly bill period ($120). Each additional line on your account that uses it the same day costs $6.
T-Mobile
Experience More includes 5 GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15 GB; after that, data continues at a slow 256 kbps, which is fine for messages and maps but not video. Texting is unlimited. Calls cost $0.50 a minute, though Wi-Fi calls to the US are free. Essentials plans don't get the same benefits; buy an International Pass in the T-Life app if you need faster data.
The math: two weeks on TravelPass costs $168 per phone, or $336 for a couple. AT&T's 10-day cap and $6 second-line rate can bring that down to about $120 for one phone, if the trip falls within one bill period. Either way, that's often two to six times the price of an eSIM for the same trip. Day passes make sense for a short trip, if you need your US number to work exactly as it does at home, or if you don't want to fiddle with settings.
Watch out
If you don't have a day pass or included roaming, pay-as-you-go roaming rates can run to dollars per megabyte. A single unplanned video call can cost more than a week's eSIM. Before landing, either add your carrier's plan or turn off data roaming for your US line in Settings.
Travel eSIMs
An eSIM is a digital SIM card you download from an app. Most iPhones from the XS onward and most recent Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones support it. You keep your US line installed for calls and texts (or turn it off), and use the eSIM for data. Install it at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you land.
| Provider (France plan) | 7 days | 15 days | 30 days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo, unlimited data | $23.50 | $42 | $59 | Data only; cheaper fixed-data plans also sold |
| Holafly, unlimited data | $27.50 | $50.50 | $73.90 | Data only |
| Orange Travel, data only | 10 GB €13.99 (about $16) | 20 GB €18.99 (about $21), 14 days | 20 GB €19.99 (about $22) | From France's largest network |
| Orange Travel, unlimited with calls and texts | 5 days €15.99 (about $18) | €36.99 (about $41) | €58.99 (about $66) | Includes calls and SMS; promotional prices in October 2026 |
Regional Europe eSIMs from the same companies cost a few dollars more and cover other countries too, which is useful if you're adding Italy, Spain or Switzerland. If you're also going to the UK, check that the plan includes it.
Insider tip
"Unlimited" eSIMs often slow you down after a daily fair-use amount, and some limit hotspot sharing. For most travelers, 1 to 2 GB a day is plenty for maps, messaging, photos and some social media. Download your playlists and shows on hotel Wi-Fi.
French prepaid SIMs and plans
A French SIM gives you a French number (06 or 07), which is handy for restaurant reservations, delivery drivers, and anyone in France who would rather text a local number. French law requires identity verification for prepaid lines, so bring your passport when you buy, or complete the online ID step afterward.
Orange
Orange's Mobicarte prepaid range, sold in Orange shops and at many tabacs and newsstands, offered 150 GB in France plus 20 GB for elsewhere in Europe for €9.99 (about $11) for one month in fall 2026, and larger packs with calls to the US for €16.99–19.99. Orange's old Orange Holiday tourist SIM page now points to the Mobicarte range, and its traveler plans are sold mainly as the Orange Travel eSIMs above. If an airport shop offers you a tourist SIM, compare its price with these.
Free Mobile
Free sells no-commitment monthly plans from self-service kiosks in its stores and in some Fnac shops; you walk out with a working SIM in a few minutes. In October 2026 the main plan (Forfait Free 5G+) was €19.99 a month with 350 GB in France and 35 GB in over 115 other destinations; Free Max (€29.99) includes unlimited data in many countries including the US. Plans bill monthly until you cancel, so they suit long stays.
SFR and Bouygues Telecom
Both sell prepaid cards in their own shops, at tabacs and in supermarkets, at prices similar to Orange's. Coverage in cities is excellent on all four networks; in remote countryside and mountains, Orange usually does best.
For trips under three weeks, a travel eSIM is usually simpler. A French SIM makes sense for stays of a month or more, for people who call French numbers a lot, and for students. See long stays.
Wi-Fi
Almost every hotel, apartment rental and café chain in France has free Wi-Fi, and most restaurants do too if you ask for the code wifi. Speeds in cities are generally good; fiber is common. In old stone country houses, thick walls can leave some rooms with weak signal.
- Trains: TGV INOUI trains have free onboard Wi-Fi, though it drops out in tunnels and rural stretches. Ouigo low-cost trains don't offer Wi-Fi as standard.
- Paris: the city runs free "PARIS WI-FI" hotspots in parks, libraries, town halls and other public places. Many Métro and RER stations also have free Wi-Fi.
- Airports: Paris-CDG and Orly have free, unlimited Wi-Fi.
- Museums and monuments: some offer free Wi-Fi in lobbies, but don't count on it underground or in the galleries.
Public Wi-Fi is unencrypted in many places. Avoid banking on open networks, or use your mobile data or a VPN for anything sensitive.
Calling and texting
Most French people use WhatsApp for messaging and calls, with friends, landlords, guides, drivers and even some restaurants. Install it before you go and set it up with your US number. Calls and messages over WhatsApp, FaceTime or iMessage use data only, so they're free on Wi-Fi.
Regular SMS and calls still matter for a few things: bank verification codes, delivery drivers, and some booking confirmations. If you swap out your US SIM, keep it safe or keep it active as a second line on an eSIM phone so you can still receive one-time passcodes from US banks.
French phone numbers
French numbers have 10 digits, written in pairs: 01 23 45 67 89. Inside France you dial all 10 digits. From abroad, or from a US phone in France, drop the first 0 and add +33: +33 1 23 45 67 89.
| Starts with | What it is |
|---|---|
| 01 | Landline, Paris and Île-de-France |
| 02 | Landline, northwest (Normandy, Brittany, Loire) |
| 03 | Landline, northeast (Alsace, Burgundy, Champagne, the north) |
| 04 | Landline, southeast (Lyon, Alps, Provence, Riviera, Corsica) |
| 05 | Landline, southwest (Bordeaux, Toulouse, Pyrenees) |
| 06, 07 | Mobile phones |
| 08 00 to 08 05 | Free numbers (toll-free), though not always from a foreign phone |
| 08 (other) | Shared-cost or premium numbers; calls can be charged extra |
| 09 | Internet-based landlines (from home internet boxes) |
| Short numbers | 112 (all emergencies), 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire), 114 (text-only emergency) |
Calling the US from France
On a mobile phone, type +1 followed by the area code and number. Hold down the 0 key to get the +. From a French landline, dial 00 1 and then the area code and number. US toll-free 800 numbers usually don't work from France, so find your bank's or airline's regular overseas number before you go.
Different from home
The French write phone numbers in pairs of digits and read them aloud the same way: 06 12 34 56 78 is "zéro six, douze, trente-quatre, cinquante-six, soixante-dix-huit." If someone reads you a number, ask them to repeat it slowly, or ask them to text it.
Electricity, plugs and adapters
France runs on 230 volts at 50 hertz, roughly double the US 120 volts. Outlets take plugs with two round pins. France uses Type E sockets, which have a round pin sticking out of the socket for grounding; Type C (thin two-pin "Europlug") plugs and most German-style Type F plugs also fit. A US flat-prong plug won't go in at all.
Adapter or converter?
- A plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug. It's all you need for devices that are "dual voltage."
- A voltage converter or transformer actually changes 230 V to 120 V. You rarely need one, and the small travel converters sold in airports often fail with high-wattage appliances.
To check a device, look for the small print on the charger or the appliance: "Input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz" means it works anywhere with just an adapter.
| Device | Works in France? |
|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | Yes, almost always dual voltage; adapter only |
| Camera and e-reader chargers, electric toothbrushes | Usually; check the label |
| CPAP machines | Most modern ones are dual voltage; check, and bring an adapter |
| Hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons | Often no. US-only (120 V) models can burn out or melt in seconds. Buy a dual-voltage travel model or use the hotel's dryer |
| Electric shavers | Many are dual voltage; check |
| Kettles, rice cookers, small appliances | Usually 120 V only; leave them at home |
Watch out
Plugging a 120-volt hair tool into a French outlet through a simple adapter is the single most common electrical mistake Americans make. At best it trips the circuit, at worst it ruins the tool or starts a fire. Nearly every French hotel has a hair dryer, and cheap dual-voltage flat irons are easy to buy in France.
Which adapter to buy
Buy a few cheap Type C or Type E/F adapters, one for each device you'll charge overnight, or a single compact adapter with two or three USB-C ports. A USB-C charger with a built-in European plug saves space and lets you charge phone, watch and laptop at once. Many French hotels now have USB sockets by the bed, but bring your own charger anyway.
Safety rules keep regular outlets away from showers and tubs, so older hotel bathrooms often have only a low-power shaver socket by the mirror, which won't run a hair dryer.
USB-C and cables
Under EU rules, new phones, tablets, cameras and laptops sold in the EU use USB-C charging ports. If you forget a USB-C cable, you can buy one in any supermarket, FNAC or Darty store. Older Lightning cables for iPhones are harder to find, so bring a spare if you need one.
Power banks on planes and trains
A power bank is worth packing: you'll lean on your phone for maps, tickets and photos all day. Follow these rules for flights to and from France:
- Carry-on only. Spare lithium batteries and power banks are banned from checked luggage. If your carry-on gets gate-checked, take the power bank out first.
- Size: up to 100 watt-hours is allowed without approval. That covers nearly all phone power banks: a 20,000 mAh pack is about 74 Wh. Between 101 and 160 Wh (some laptop power banks) needs airline approval and is limited to two. Above 160 Wh isn't allowed.
- Using it in flight: a growing number of airlines ban using or charging power banks during the flight, or limit how many you can bring, after a series of onboard battery fires. Rules differ by airline, so check yours, and keep the power bank where you can reach it.
- Protect the terminals (a case or the original packaging) and don't bring damaged or swollen batteries.
TGV and most Intercités trains have power outlets at seats, as do Eurostar trains. Regional trains and buses often don't.
Essential apps
Download these at home on Wi-Fi, create accounts, and add your payment card before you fly. Several of them send a text code to verify your number, which is easier while you still have US service.
Getting around
SNCF Connect
The national rail operator's official app and site for TGV INOUI, Ouigo, Intercités and regional TER trains, with e-tickets stored in the app, platform and delay alerts, and Paris transit tickets. It takes US Visa, Mastercard, Amex, PayPal and Apple Pay. See trains.
Île-de-France Mobilités and Bonjour RATP
The regional transit authority's app sells Métro, RER, bus and airport tickets that load onto your phone (on many Android phones and recent iPhones) or a Navigo Easy card. RATP's Bonjour RATP app gives real-time Métro, RER and bus times, and service alerts. See Paris transport.
Citymapper
Excellent in Paris and Lyon: compares Métro, RER, bus, bike, walking and taxi routes, tells you which car to board for the fastest exit, and warns about strikes and closures. Google Maps covers the rest of France.
Google Maps (offline)
Before a road trip, download offline maps for each region: search the area, tap your profile picture, then "Offline maps." Navigation keeps working with no signal in the countryside. Waze is popular with French drivers for traffic and speed camera warnings. See driving.
G7, Uber, Bolt and Heetch
G7 is the biggest Paris taxi company, and its app books licensed taxis that can use bus lanes. Uber works in Paris, Lyon, Nice, Marseille, Bordeaux and other cities, and your US account works as is. Bolt and Heetch are cheaper rivals in big cities. Outside cities, call a local taxi; ride-hailing is thin in rural areas.
Bike and scooter share
Vélib' Métropole is the Paris bike-share system, with regular and electric bikes and passes from a single ride to several days. Lime and Dott operate e-bikes in many cities. Paris banned rental e-scooters in 2023.
Food, health and daily life
TheFork (LaFourchette)
The leading restaurant booking app in France, owned by Tripadvisor, with frequent discounts of up to 50% off the food bill at participating restaurants (usually off-peak). Many top tables use their own sites or Zenchef instead, so check the restaurant's website too. See Paris food.
Google Translate
Point the camera at a menu, sign or pharmacy label for instant translation. Download the French language pack for offline use. Conversation mode works for simple exchanges at a hotel desk or pharmacy. DeepL is an alternative with natural-sounding French. See phrases.
Doctolib
France's dominant booking platform for doctors, dentists and labs, including same-day appointments and video consultations with French doctors. You create a free account with an email address and a phone number that can receive a text code. See health and safety.
Too Good To Go
Bakeries, supermarkets and restaurants sell end-of-day surprise bags of unsold food for about a third of the normal price. Great for budget breakfasts and picnics, and very popular in France.
Weather and alerts
The national weather service's app gives forecasts and color-coded warnings for heat, storms, wind, snow and flooding. For storms and heat waves in summer, it's more reliable than generic weather apps. See when to go.
Strike information
Transport strikes are announced in advance, and workers must give 48 hours' notice. Check SNCF Connect for trains, Bonjour RATP or Citymapper for Paris, and English-language news sites such as The Local and The Connexion for strike calendars. See safety.
Also useful: your airline's app (for check-in, boarding passes and gate changes), WhatsApp, a currency converter (or the site's own converters), and your bank's app with card-freeze controls (see money).
VPNs, streaming and US apps
Most US apps work normally in France. A few things change:
- Netflix, Disney+, Max and Prime Video work, but show the French catalog, which differs from the US one. Shows you started at home may be missing. Download episodes before you leave for flights and train rides.
- US-only streaming such as Hulu, Peacock, live US TV apps and many sports streams usually block access from abroad.
- Banking and government sites sometimes flag logins from abroad. Make sure two-factor codes can reach you, ideally through an authenticator app rather than SMS.
- A VPN encrypts your traffic on public Wi-Fi and can make you appear to be in the US. Using one is legal in France. Many streaming services try to detect and block VPNs, and doing so may break their terms of service, so don't rely on it for live sports.
- Sports betting and some casino apps are restricted in France; licensed French operators only.
Before you leave home
- Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM if you'll use one
- Decide on your carrier plan or buy your eSIM; install the eSIM on Wi-Fi at home and turn it on when you land
- Turn off data roaming on your US line if you're using an eSIM for data, so you don't trigger daily charges
- Set up WhatsApp and share your number with your hotel, guides and travel companions
- Download apps listed above, sign in and add payment cards
- Download offline Google Maps and the French Google Translate pack
- Switch two-factor logins to an authenticator app where possible
- Pack two or three Type C/E plug adapters and a multiport USB-C charger
- Check every heat-styling tool for dual voltage; leave 120-volt-only ones at home
- Charge and pack your power bank in your carry-on, not your checked bag
For the rest of your packing list, see packing.
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