When you’re in a foreign country, in addition to the language, it’s a good idea to know a few things that can be very useful. In this list, we’ll take a quick look at 25 things you need to know to make the most of your future trip to France.

1. For all information about trains go to the SNCF website, and to buy your train tickets go to SNCF connect.

2. For low-cost flights within France or Europe, use Easy Jet airline.

3. The police hotline is 17, and the fire station hotline is 18.

4. Grab’s equivalent for transportation is Uber, and Uber Eats for food delivery.

5. To buy a prepaid SIM card for DATA, making calls or sending SMS, you can buy them in small shops called tabac, or in supermarkets, for example, or directly from telephone operators such as SFR, Orange, etc…

6. In many cities, you can easily rent bicycles or scooters by the hour, directly from a kiosk using your debit card.

7. Most stores are closed on Sundays.

8. The French don’t know how or don’t like to speak English.

9. Unlike in the Philippines, people don’t ask for the bill at the end of the meal, but usually pay it directly at the counter.

10. In the Philippines, when you go shopping, there’s only the price of the product on the label. In France, there’s also the price per kilo or liter. And that’s what you have to look for to help you compare prices by the kilo, that is, if you want to save money.

11. Why not go during the winter season? You’ll experience a totally different climate from that of the Philippines. However, don’t forget to buy the clothes that go with the temperatures. Nonetheless, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are still the best seasons to travel to France.

12. 24-hour stores is a concept that doesn’t exist in France. Depending on where you are, you may find late-night grocery stores selling mainly alcohol, chips, cakes, etc. at very high prices.

13. The climate varies greatly depending on where you are, and the weather can change quickly. Be sure to check Météo France from time to time.

14. Beware of numerous scams, especially on tourist sites and in the metro.

15. If you’re making a medium/long trip, why not try carpooling? It’s a great way to travel and meet new people at the same time. To book your trip, visit the Blablacar website.

16. If you’re a person with disability, and want to find out about all the establishments that ensure accessibility, among other information, visit this site.

17. If you’re planning a trip lasting several weeks, why not get out of France and apply for a Schengen visa, which will give you unlimited travel in the 27 countries that make up the Schengen area. For more information, click here.

18. Beware of strikes and delays. France is no champion of punctuality, but is a champion of strikes. There are often strikes on the SNCF, especially during major school vacations. When trains aren’t cancelled, they’re often late. Always have a plan B in mind, just in case…

19. For long bus journeys in France and Europe, be sure to check out the prices of the German company Flexibus, which are often low.

20. In France, whether you’re a customer or not, saying “Bonjour” and “Merci” is almost obligatory!

21. Unlike in the Philippines, there are no security guards in front of banks, so be careful when withdrawing money from ATM. It’s better to use ATM inside banks or supermarkets.

22. Learn French with French Manila Coffee if you want a little grounding before the big departure!

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