We will be in Paris (a group of 9) June 30-July 3. Planning on going to the catacombs. How bad will the lines be in the afternoon, 3-4pm on Saturday or Sunday? I don't mind waiting 20 minutes but 2 hours is not happening. We have 12, 14 and 15 year old boys in our group who will be burning through their data plans like crazy while waiting. I was trying to keep it flexible and not get advance tickets in case we change plans or some of us don't want to go but if the lines are too bad then I will just have to get the group to agree. They're a little like herding cats. Thanks for any help!
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Go first thing in morning about 45 minutes before it opens . Don't count on going late in day , at some point they close the line so those remaining get in .
You should just rearrange that day so it's the first thing you do .
My boys were young teens when they visited the Catacombs and they considered it a highlight of their visits to Europe .
Take kids cell phones away from them unless they are paying the bills .
Posted by
Paris
2466 posts
The best advice is to buy tickets online first. There is a roped off section in front of the entrance for ticket holders.
It would be wise to get there about 20 minutes ahead of time.
The line for non-ticket holders after 10 AM on weekends stretches all around the block and will take at least 2 hours to get in.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Do not arrive at 10 am !!!
Arrive at least 30-45 minutes before .
Not kidding .
Posted by
Chicago
8166 posts
to echo the above maybe buy online (especially now higher security needs in high tourist site areas slows things down) ; we showed up unplanned (that is fun when you are already having fun) and waited in a line took hour and half to get to door to pay to go in; your back muscles not use to supporting your standing so long in line will just be sore the next day
Posted by
1 posts
definitely buy online. I was researching the same thing few weeks ago on TripAdvisor for my trip to Paris last week. Came across this option from Headout - they were offering a flexible entry Skip the line tickets - applicable for 1 year from the date of purchase and you can enter any time during the day. While they were 10 bucks costlier they were worth every cent - helped me keep things flexible skip a long queue that was around 700 people long when I visited. https://www.headout.com/tour/2920/france/paris/catacombs-priority-access-with-audioguide
Posted by
OP
Chicago
8 posts
Thanks everyone for the help. Those Headout tickets seem great. Thanks for the link.