visit paris budget

• Travel Planning Guide

Travel Budget for Paris Visit Paris on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Paris Costs

• Paris Hotel Prices
• Best Party Hotels in Paris
• Best Hotels for One Night in Paris
• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Paris
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Paris
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Paris
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Paris
• Best Adults Only Hotels in Paris
• Best Hotels for One Week in Paris
• Best Cheap Hotels in Paris
• Best Business Hotels in Paris
• Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Paris
• Best Luxury Hotels in Paris
• Is Paris Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Paris cost?
• Free Activities and Things to do in Paris
• Is Paris Worth Visiting?
• The Best Walking Tours in Paris
• The Best Cheap Airport Transfers in Paris
• The Best Versailles Day Trips and Tours in Paris
• The Best Cheap Louvre Tours in Paris
• The Best Seine River Boat Tours in Paris
• The Best Montmartre Tours in Paris
• The Best Affordable Wine Tours in Paris
• The Best Walking Tours of the Marais in Paris
• The Best Monet's Garden Tours in Giverny
• How to Skip the Line at the Eiffel Tower in Paris (Advance Tickets)
• How to Visit the Loire Valley from Paris
• France Costs
• Northeastern France
• Central France
• Southeastern France
• Southwestern France
• Western France
• Northern France
• Aix-en-Provence
• How much does it cost to travel to Paris? (Average Daily Cost)
• Paris trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Paris expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Paris?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Paris?

You should plan to spend around $252 (€232) per day on your vacation in Paris. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $45 (€41) on meals
• $23 (€21) on local transportation
• $327 (€302) on hotels

A one week trip to Paris for two people costs, on average, $3,522 (€3,251) . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 252 € 232
• One Week Per person $ 1,761 € 1,626
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 3,522 € 3,251
• One Month Per person $ 7,548 € 6,967
• One Week For a couple $ 3,522 € 3,251
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 7,045 € 6,503
• One Month For a couple $ 15,095 € 13,934

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Paris cost?

A one week trip to Paris usually costs around $1,761 (€1,626) for one person and $3,522 (€3,251) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Paris on average costs around $3,522 (€3,251) for one person and $7,045 (€6,503) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Paris will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Paris on average costs around $7,548 (€6,967) for one person and $15,095 (€13,934) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Paris has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Prices in Paris are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Paris is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Reykjavik or Bern.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Paris Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Paris?

The average Paris trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Paris travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Paris

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Paris is $164 (€151). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Paris is $327 (€302). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 164 € 151
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 327 € 302

Hotel Prices in Paris

Looking for a hotel in Paris? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Actual Hotel Prices The average hotel room price in Paris based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $126. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Recommended Properties

• Hotel des Arts - Montmartre Budget Hotel - Kayak $ 132
• Splendide Royal Paris Luxury Hotel - Kayak $ 544

Transportation Budget in Paris

The cost of a taxi ride in Paris is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $23 (€21) per person, per day, on local transportation in Paris.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 23 € 21

Recommended Services

• Private Transfer to Disney Land Paris Viator $ 149
• Private Transfers from Paris City to Paris Airport CDG Viator $ 99

Flights to Paris

Rental cars in paris, what did other people spend on transportation in paris.

Typical prices for Transportation in Paris are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Paris, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Metro € 6.40
• Train from Airport € 9.00
• Metro tickets € 6.80
• Train € 20

Food Budget in Paris

While meal prices in Paris can vary, the average cost of food in Paris is $45 (€41) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Paris should cost around $18 (€17) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Paris is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 45 € 41

Recommended

• Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Paris Saint Germain Viator $ 182
• A Gastronomic Dinner with a MasterChef winner in Paris Viator $ 225

What did other people spend on Food in Paris?

Typical prices for Food in Paris are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Paris, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Ice Cream € 8.00
• Breakfast € 7.00
• Breakfast for 2 € 30
• Dinner on River Cruise € 86
• Dinner € 57
• Cheese € 13

Entertainment Budget in Paris

Entertainment and activities in Paris typically cost an average of $84 (€77) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 84 € 77

The Go City Paris Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Paris. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.

Recommended Activities

• Paris in a Day - Private Experience Viator $ 287
• Paris - Historic City Center Walking Tour Viator $ 142

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Paris?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Paris are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Paris, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Louvre Entry for Two € 18
• Admission to Pantheon € 5.00
• Catacombs (2) € 23

Tips and Handouts Budget in Paris

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Paris is $25 (€23) per day. The usual amount for a tip in Paris is 5% - 15% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 25 € 23

Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps Budget in Paris

Unfortunately, bad things can happen on a trip. Well, you've just got to deal with it! The average price for a scam, robbery, or mishap in Paris is $201 (€185), as reported by travelers.

• Scams, Robberies, and Mishaps 1 $ 201 € 185

Alcohol Budget in Paris

The average person spends about $26 (€24) on alcoholic beverages in Paris per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 26 € 24
• Paris Wine Tasting Experience in Montmartre Viator $ 142
• Paris St Germain Wine Tasting Viator $ 43

What did other people spend on Alcohol in Paris?

Typical prices for Alcohol in Paris are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Paris, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.

• Wine € 14

Water Budget in Paris

On average, people spend $2.70 (€2.49) on bottled water in Paris per day. The public water in Paris is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 2.70 € 2.49

Related Articles

Paris on a budget.

Neighborhoods

Food and dining, transportation, getting around paris, more related articles.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

Subscribe to our Newsletter

By signing up for our email newsletter, you will receive occasional updates from us with sales and discounts from major travel companies , plus tips and advice from experienced budget travelers!

Search for Travel Costs

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.

Travel Cost Data

You are welcome to reference or display our travel costs on your website as long as you provide a link back to this page .

A Simple Link

For a basic link, you can copy and paste the HTML link code or this page's address.

Travel Cost Widget

To display all of the data, copy and paste the code below to display our travel cost widget . Make sure that you keep the link back to our website intact.

• Privacy / Terms of Use
• Activities, Day Trips, Things To Do, and Excursions

How to Visit Paris on a Budget – 20 Tips to Save Money

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: February 9, 2024

So how does a person travel to  Paris  on a Budget? We flew directly from  India  where we were traveling on a very tight budget.  

We really had our work cut out for us going from one of the cheapest destinations in the world to one of the most expensive cities in the world. Surprisingly, Paris can be enjoyed while still keeping to the budget. We found many ways to save money when traveling to Paris .

Table of Contents

Budget Travel Tips for Paris

It has many places that you can go to for cheap and reasonable prices.  And many of Paris’ top sites are even free. You don’t have to break the budget when traveling to this grand world city. Here are our tips for visiting Paris on a budget and ideas to help you plan your trip to Paris without breaking the bank.

This post was originally published in 2015 and is in the process of being updated. Some information may have changed.

Budget Transportation in Paris

We took public transport all over Paris to save money. The Paris Metro is fast, efficient and very easy to navigate. It is excellent and will get you everywhere you need to go. You can buy a metro pass for 1-5 days of unlimited travel starting at €14.

When buying a pass, you can choose what zones you will be traveling to. We have a breakdown below. We used the three-day pass when visiting Paris and it worked great. If the three-day pass is too expensive at $30 Euros, you can mix walking around the city and taking the metro or bus.

A 10-pack of metro tickets for 14.50 Euro. This way you’ll only use 3 tickets in one day if you plan your route wisely. The Paris Pass also includes unlimited public transportation: Check out details here.

Transportation zones in Paris

• Zones 1 to 3 – Travels within in Paris and the close suburbs
• If you want to travel further, you can get a pass for Zones 1 to 5 – travels within Paris, The close suburbs, to Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports, Disneyland and Versailles
• Depending on which zones you select, Paris Transport allows you to travel on : metro lines, RER lines (RATP and SNCF),  Ile-de-France bus lines (RATP and OPTILE), except those circulating on Jetbus, Allobus Roissy CDG, tourist excursion and Air France networks, Tramway lines and the Montmartre funicular
• Hop on Hop off Tour bus  – Starting at only $35 USD you can book the Hop on Hop Off Tour to all the major Paris attractions. It gets you around Paris quickly and easily.

The Seine – River Cruise

When visiting Paris, you must get on the River Seine and see the city from a boat. But you don’t have to book an expensive dinner cruise. There are affordable options.

The Hop on Hop off Batocruise is one way to explore the Seine. YOu can choose a 1 or 2 day ticket starting at about $20 USD. The Paris Pass also includes Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise. If you plan on seeing a lot of Paris attractions, a Paris City Pass is the best way to bundle entries and save Big money. – If you want to combine a metro pass with attractions, museums and front of the line, get a Paris City Pass . It saves time and offers valuable discounts.

We use city passes whenever we are visiting a city for the first time. Don’t want to splurge on an expensive dinner cruise? You can do a 1-Hour Paris Illuminations tour for just $21 with Get Your Guide and you skip the line!

Our #1 Money Saving Tip for Paris, France

Purchase a Paris Pass  You can get it for 2-6 days and it includes all the below and more:

• Free entry to more than 60 top attractions
• Free travel on the metro
• A 1-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour ticket
• A guidebook in 6 languages
• Skip-the-line entrance to many of the sights, like Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, and more.
• Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise
• Wine Tasting – O Chateau
• Purchase Your Paris Pass Here 

Food Tips – Eating in Paris on a Budget

Our number one tip for saving money in Paris when dining out is to not sit down for coffee at a restaurant. Drink it at the bar while standing. You’ll save the “sitting fee” that many Paris restaurants have.

Sitting down to eat will often cost you a surcharge. If you are watching your budget, stand at the bar to enjoy your beer or coffee. Besides, you will meet more people that way and experience Paris the way true Parisians experience Paris.

Don’t eat at bistros or restaurants

We also eat outside on terraces or coffee shops. This is cheaper than going inside to eat. It is free to sit outside, but if you go indoors you can be charged extra for the privilege of sitting inside. We ate excellent lunches outside for 6.50 Euros.

Paris has amazing restaurants, but many are expensive and will charge you more to sit down. Instead, eat outside at a boulangerie or patisserie. They included a large baguette sandwich, a delicious dessert of our choice, and a drink. Either alcoholic or no alcoholic.

Paris restaurants always supply free filtered water in a bottle, so don’t be sucked into ordering an expensive Perrier.

Choose an attraction and dinner together by booking the early evening dinner cruise along the Seine. 

Shop at the many supermarkets around town and pack your lunch

Paris has many places to picnic and you can buy wonderful gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and fresh breads and fruit for a very reasonable price. We never spend more than 10 Euros on lunch for the two of us and that included wine!

For a low budget, we ate like the rich enjoying good French wine with incredible scenery. The parks of Paris are beautiful.

Have a Picnic for Lunch

We often packed a picnic and eat in a park or along the canal. You’ll find many couples having a romantic lunch in Jardin du Luxembourg. It’s a beautiful way to spend some time enjoying the Paris atmosphere. With fine meats, cheese, and bread, we’d stock up on quick eats at the Carrefour and purchase a good bottle of wine for just a couple of Euros.

Professional Traveller’s tip : Always pack a corkscrew and keep it handy to enjoy your own bottle of wine rather than an expensive glass at a restaurant.

Note : Keep your wine hidden and discreet. Like anywhere drinking in public areas is frowned upon even though everyone does it.

Menu Formule for Dinners

What is a Menu Formule?

It is a fixed-price menu for tourists in the Latin Quarter. This is a great way to save money and keep the budget down when eating dinner. It includes an appetizer, main dish, dessert, and one drink. These meals range from 9 Euro to 15 Euro.

Where to eat Cheap Menu Formule meals

• The Latin Quarter near Notre Dame and Isle de la Cité
• Montmartre near Sacre Couer
• La Rue Cler near The Eiffel Tower all have very reasonable fixed price meals.

Paris Gardens are Beautiful to Explore and They are free

Paris Gardens are beautiful to wander through.

Jardin du Luxembourg – As mentioned above, the Jardin du Luxembourg is filled with sculptures and statues. There are usually free art exhibits hanging on the fences surrounding the garden as well.

The gardens of the Louvre – are completely free to visit and filled with fountains. A Walk through the grounds of the Louvre is almost as impressive as going inside.

Budget Accommodation Tips in Paris

Stay at a hostel in an affordable district.

Choosing the right arrondissement (District) in Paris will make a big difference in the cost of accommodation. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Champs-Élysées are obviously more expensive areas, but places like Montmartre, Montparnasse, The Latin Quarter, and Le Marais are more affordable.

We tend to stay in Montmartre. We like the atmosphere and it has a lot of dining options and shopping. On our first budget trip to Paris, we stayed in the Perfect Hotel and hostel in this charming neighborhood.

Check out these Paris accommodation guides

• Where to Stay in Paris
• 21 Best Paris Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
• For a list of hotels in the Montmartre area check out Booking.com

Make Sure Breakfast is Included at Your Accommodation

It was accessible by metro and bus. It only cost us 35 Euros per person with breakfast included.

We had a private bath, but you can get a cheaper room for 28 Euros if you share a bath.  The shared bath is quite also clean. The price of a hostel in Paris doesn’t break the bank at all and leaves plenty of money to spare to enjoy the city of lights sites.

Our Hostel, The Perfect Hotel/Hostel included a breakfast of coffee, juice, bread, and chocolate croissant.

When booking your hotel in Paris, make sure breakfast is included in the price. If you can save on any meal, it will help with the budget. We didn’t have to spend any money until lunch. Food can be expensive in Paris, so the more you have included with your accommodations the better.

Recommended Budget Hotels in Paris

Perfect Hotel – Our first budget stay in Paris was at the Perfect Hotel in Montemarte- the location was great, breakfast was included, and great rooms. Check out Availability & Prices on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Hotel de l’Avre – Our first budget stay in Paris was at the Perfect Hotel in Montemart e- the location was great, breakfast was included, great rooms. Check out Availability & Prices on Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Apartment Stay and Air B&B

We love staying in Apartments in Paris because we can cook our own breakfasts, pack a bagged lunch, and enjoy a few gourmet meals at home. We would cook great dinners in our apartment and then go out for drinks or snacks afterward.

We felt like we were having the five-star experience on a shoestring budget. Apartments are also a really great deal for families and sharing. Plus, you usually stay in residential neighborhoods so you get a taste for Paris living.

Recommended Air B&B in Paris

Apartment near Sacre Coeur –  This Sacré-Coeur apartment features a living room, a kitchenette, a bedroom equipped with a queen-size bed, and a bathroom with basin, shower, and toilet. It is in a perfect location too!

Museums – How to see them on a budget in Paris

Visit Museums After Hours

Many museums in Paris have free and discount days and hours, you just have to know where to look.

Musee D’Orsay

After 4:15 pm on Thursdays, the Musee D’Orsay slashes its prices to €5.50. We went after this time because all we were interested in was the Impressionists exhibit. We did the calculations and decided that 2 hours was more than enough time to take it in. It was a good amount of time to see the main attractions and get a feel for the museum. We even saw most of the other exhibits in that time as well.

Louvre After Hours

The Louvre slashes its prices after 6:00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays to 11 Euro. If all you want to see is the Mona Lisa and a few of its other famous pieces, this might be the time for you to go and save some cash.

• If you’re going to the Louvre on regular hours, book in advance at skip the line for a reasonable self guided tour.
• If you want to visit unlimited museums at anytime, the Paris Museum Pass is an excellent deal for 2,4, or 6 days starting at $77 USD.
• It gets you into 60 museums and monuments including Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe

Free Museum Entries

If you are under 25 years of age and an EU Citizen, you get into all museums for free! The first Sunday of each month offers up many free entries to museums and attractions.

Selected Museums that take part in the free first Sundays of each month are:

• Musée Picasso
• Musée Rodin
• Musée D’Orsay

City Museums are Free

You don’t have to only go to the famous museums of Paris, the city museums are filled with important and interesting works of art and they are free! Our guide told us that to find a city museum, look for the coat of arms above the door. There are more than 20 museums in Paris, and one way to tell is by looking for the coast of arms above the door.

Selected free city museums include:

• Petit Palais
• Maison de Balzac
• Musée Carnavalet
• Museum of Modern Art
• Victor Hugo Mansion
•  Check out all the free things you can do in Paris at our post  Free sites and tours of Paris

Free Walking Tours in Paris

Different Companies offer Free City tours that meet in Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. Local Greeters is a well-known free walking tour. Plus, every day at St. Michel in the Latin Quarter and in Montmartre you can join a free walking tour of Paris.

We’ve taken a couple of free walking tours and always learn a lot from the guides. It’s up to you if you want to tip at the end. We usually give the equivalent of €5-€10 USD. There’s even a free pub crawl offered in the Latin Quarter and Montmartre area. If you tip your guide and buy a drink, you’ve got a free tour of the hottest spots in town.

Book Cheap Flights to Paris

By booking in advance and having a flexible schedule, you can get affordable flights to Paris. We use Skyscanner  when booking flights and make sure to look three to five days on either side of our preferred travel dates. You can save a lot if you have flexibility. Just click the arrows to see what prices are on other dates.

Check out flights to Skyscanner  for details. We also have an entire post dedicated to budget travel which will give you other booking ideas.

Take the Air France shuttle from the airport instead of a taxi.

The Air France shuttle takes you to Montparnasse from Charles de Gaulle Airport for 21 – 36 Euros. The train is even cheaper, but you will have to lug your luggage through the metro. Information on Transfers from Orly and Chalres de Gaulle here.

Insider tip: One thing we noticed in Paris is that there are a lot of stairs and tunnels in the metro, so be prepared if you are carrying luggage. If you don’t mind doing that, take the train, it will save a lot of money.

• Other options for airport transportation is to share a minivan transfer. Private shuttles can cost a lot, but  pre-booking a shared transfer  to/from either airport starts at only $27 Canadian. Shared Minivan Transfers from Roissy CDG and Orly  – It’s the affordable airport transfer to and from the city
• We have a comprehensive guide to the Cheapest ways to get from Orly and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airports to Paris .

See the Paris Landmarks for Free

Paris is a city of living art and simply walking through its street is an excursion unto itself. You don’t necessarily have to pay to go inside every famous Paris attraction to enjoy them

• The Eiffel Tower i s impressive enough to just view it from the many different vantage points in the city.
• The Arc Du Triomphe is free to visit unless you go upstairs to view the city.
• The Champs Elysees is an interesting site in its own right. Walking down the street people watching and window-shopping is an event that takes you directly to the Arc du Triomphe.
• The Louvre has beautiful gardens with works of art scattered throughout and so does the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Eiffel Tower and Seine Cruises combo  – allowing you to skip the line and go right up to the second platform of the tower before heading on a 1-hour river cruise

For Free Views of Paris

If you don’t want to pay to go up the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, or the Montparnasse Tower, go to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre for a great overhead view of Paris. It’s an excellent area to watch street performers and to get lost in the winding streets.

There are several different views of Paris from this mountain but hanging out on the steps of Montmartre is a must-do when visiting the city. Plus, you can tour the Basilica Sacre Coeur for free. While Notre Dame is under renovation, this is a good church to go inside.

Pompidou Modern Art Gallery

Go to the Pompidou Modern Art Gallery and take the escalators to the rooftop bar with your admission ticket to see views of Paris. It’s an affordable meal with outstanding views.

Paris Cemeteries

The Cemeteries of Paris are a great way to spend an afternoon and they are completely free.

Why visit a cemetery in Paris?

Because there are very elaborate tombs. Pere Lachaise is the most famous cemetery with the tombs of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde, but there are two other famous and free cemeteries to visit in Paris, Montmartre and Montparnasse Cemeteries.

Famous residents of Paris Cemeteries include:

• Jim Morrison – Cimetiere du Père Lachaise
• Oscar Wilde – Cimetiere Pere Lachaise
• Alexander Dumas – Montmartre Cemetery
• Edgar Degas – Montmartre Cemetery
• Jean-Paul Sartre – Montparnasse Cemetery
• Samuel Beckett – Montparnasse Cemetery

Paris 1,2, or 3-Day Hop on Hop us Bus Pass  – If you are in Paris for more than one day, this is a great option for getting around to all the sites. Plus you get a book of discounts.

Catacombs of Paris

Looking for something unique to do in Paris, visit the Catacombs . They’re only 8€ to enter, but it’s 45 minutes of one fascinating and eerie tour. This is one tour I don’t recommend booking in advance or with an online booking agent.

It’s cheaper to enter on your own and you don’t need a tour to appreciate it. Headsets are offered to guide you through the tunnels. The only reason I would book in advance is if you have limited time in Paris and want to skip the line . The Catacombs can be quite crowded. But skip the line tickets cost $39 CAD ($29 USD) so it depends on how much time you have if you want to pay the extra fee.

Free wifi and cheap coffee

At first, we were embarrassed to go into a McDonald’s in Paris, but then we noticed that even the locals go there.

They have great McCafés, and it is cheaper to get a good cappuccino here than in a bistro. Plus you can get it for takeaway to enjoy while strolling the streets of Paris. You don’t have to pay to sit down in a McDonald’s to enjoy a coffee and you can use the toilets for free here. We also pop in to use the WiFi at McDonald’s as it is always free.

Good Paris Travel Resources

Lonely Planet Paris   – Lonely Planet is our go-to guidebook for all destinations and locations. You can download ebooks, apps, or city guides, whatever you need.

Rick Steve’s Paris  – Nobody knows Europe like Rick Steve’s and he gives great tips for Paris travel

Packing Tips for Europe  – We give tips to help you pack smart for European travel for Paris and beyond.

Paris Museum Pass   – Paris is known for its museums. Get the museum pass for front of the line entrance to 60 museums.

Paris Tourism Office   – We always like to visit the official tourism website for any destination. Paris tourism is full of useful city information.

Paris Museum and Attraction Closures  – Museums, attractions and shows are closed on certain days of the week or month. Be sure to check them out before you travel.

Selective Paris City Tours

• Where to Stay in Paris, the Complete Guide to Neighbourhoods
• Free Things to do in Paris
• Three Days in Paris Itinerary
• Cheapest Ways to get from Orly & Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to Paris
• Paris Closures, When to Avoid Museum and Attractions
• What to do in Paris at Night
• Visiting the Catacombs of Paris – An Underground Labyrinth of Death
• Famous People Buried in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery of Paris

If you are planning a trip to France, make sure to check out our  France Travel Guide!

You May Also Like these Budget Travel Tips

• How to Travel on a Budget – Our Top Cheap Travel Tips
• How to Save Money for Travel – 15 Tips to Get You Started Now
• Best Travel Organizers for Smarter Packing
• Travel Safety Tips – How to Have a Safe and Healthy Vacation

If you enjoyed these Paris budget tips, save it to Pinterest for future travel planning.

And there you have it. Our favorite things to do in Paris on a budget. As you can see it can be done. Do you have some ideas on how to save money in Paris?

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

20 Best Museums in Paris To Visit in 2024

26 Amazing Things To Do In France in 2024

Ultimate One Day in Paris Itinerary – How to See Paris in a Day

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

Join thousands of others who get our monthly updates!

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

42 thoughts on “How to Visit Paris on a Budget – 20 Tips to Save Money”

Thank you so much for the info. We are hoping to travel for the World Cup Rugby this Sept and appreciate your blog and the insights for Paris especially travelling on a budget.

Thank you very much for the tips I really liked your article I always wanted to take this trip

I really enjoyed the setup of this beautiful city, I would one day, love to visit this beautiful and great city.

Visiting Paris is a dream…! Detailed information….Amazing post. Thank you

Thanks a lot for all these information – Im going to Paris after 18yrs from Ontario. Im traveling with an 11 yrs old boy and it will help me to saves a lot.

Great tips!! I could never imagine that it is possible to visit Paris on a budget 🙂 Also, it is good to compare tickets for the tourist attractions to get the best price!

Our trip to Paris was amazing, being my first international trip, I enjoyed it a lot. you haven’t seen Paris until you’ve seen the city at night. Paris is one of the world’s leading cities and so hand in hand with that comes a truly epic nightlife. Large crowds meet in popular Parisian streets .There is more than enough to keep even the most energetic of tourists busy during the day, and Paris by night is no exception. Visitors have the choice between using the metro, the vast bus system, the RER and now even the Vélib Vélib (a communal scheme allowing you to rent bikes to ride around Paris).

Great article ! If you have a budget and you want to visit Paris in an original way, you can still go fot a tour of Paris on a segway ! I assure you it is fun !! We had such a blast !

Thanks for great information from Vogue Travel Hosue.

This Quite helpful blog i got many things to know after reading this. Thank you for sharing this information.

There’s a lot of work in here! Much appreciated. I like the sound of the movie walk, but I doubt I’ll go back. We spent our Silver Wedding there and loved it (the big day was actually out at Giverny at Monet’s garden). Just checking to see what I’d missed 🙂

Enjoyed your Paris budget itinerary. Definitely agree that a great way to save money is to purchase food from a local market (or a Carrefour) and picnic in the park if it’s not raining.

Montemartre is a good budget choice for accommodation (and it’s beautiful), but we also like Plaisance neighborhood near the Pernéty metro station for budget hotels. On your next visit to Paris, consider giving that neighborhood a try.

Thanks for the tip! We’ll definitely give that neighbourhood a try. We liked to check out new hot spots for sure!

Yes, you need to update the entrance fees. BTW Catacombes are 12 euros plus 5 euros headsets. Taking the escalator up to Centre Pompidou is now 5 euros (not free anymore). I would suggest the public Rent a bike service called Vélib’: a week subscription costs 8 euros, bikes are available 24/24 h, there are lanes for bikes all around town.

Hello Planet D. You may want to check your prices for this post. I was just in Paris 2 months ago and the 10-pack metro ticket is now 14euros and the Louvre on Wednesday night is 14euros a think. Otherwise great advise. Thanks.

Thanks I’ll be sure to change those. I appreciate the update!

This post very helps for travel for Paris. Thank you so much, shares the effective blog and more Information. I am satisfied for the blog. It is really helpful. Thanks.

nice blog in Budget Accommodation in Paris

Now I’ve moved back to Europe (Austria) I’m looking into going to Paris later in the year and these tips are great. I especially love the idea of the Menu Formule, which is something similar to what the Spanish have. And yes, museums can be incredibly expensive. Thanks for the information on the reduced rates — like you, I’m fine with just a couple of hours 🙂

I’ve been considering a trip to Europe and Paris is one of the (possible) places in my list. This post has got me ticking Paris as a must visit city! It’s affordable. Thank you for this. You’ve helped me a great deal.

Thanks for the tips! Great to know that Paris can be enjoyed without breaking the bank, its a beautiful city! I visited a few years ago while I was a student and many attractions were free (with a student pass), but am wondering how much I’d have to fork out when I get back one day. Really relieved to know that it’s not too much.

This is the most detailed guide I was discovered for Paris. Even Paris can be visited without spending a fortune. Great job!

Let’s be real! Paris is a very expensive city to visit especially for those first-time travelers, it can be a pocket-exhausting experience. I have been to different places and I realized if someone has no idea about the cheap places to eat, or if one did not do his/her research about cheap transportation or city passes, then be ready to spend more than what you allocated for the trip.

It all boils down to one’s preparation and I agree with the abovementioned tips.

This is a revelation,true enough what’s on my mind is totally different and surprising to what’s your post is all about.

I admit that,All this time,I thought Paris is expensive. I mean no doubt every product that comes from Paris is not cheap,such as their perfume,clothes,anything else.

Reading this post,I must say that I somehow view Paris from a different point.I am hoping that I xould someday visit this place.Guaranteed to follow your tips! 🙂

These are some good tips. Some of them I would never do, but they are still good.

Traveling is some of the most difficult times to be responsible with your spending. That is why I like saving up for all inclusive cruises or resorts. Then everything is paid for and you can go crazy.:-) .-= Ben´s last blog .. The Two Acocunt Simple Budget System =-.

Am going to Paris next Saturday and truly appreciate all the great tips you gave. Also had no idea that there could be a surcharge for sitting in a restaurant. After Paris, heading to Estonia…my fathers first time back since the war. Thanks again for the Paris advice! Cheers!

Have a great time in Paris Charmaine. The surcharge isn’t in all restaurants, but it is in many. Wow, that is going to be a wonderful and emotional trip with your father. I hope that you have an amazing time. I have heard that Estonia is awesome.

Hi again! Well the trip to Paris was more amazing than I could have imagined and am going back in two years with my husband. Estonia was so emtional…..I was so saddened by the damage this tiny country has endured by the Russian occupation. I had been reading a magazine on the plane that stated “World War II ended for Estonia in 1994″….how many us never knew that. However, she is well on her way to recovery. What a home coming it was for my dad and one I will never forget. What an honour it was for my brother and I to be there when he stepped on Estonian soil for the first time in 67 years. As for France, Vimy Ridge did it for me…..so proud to be Canadian! Well more adventures await I am sure. Cheers to all and happy travelling!

Excellent information about budget traveling, especially in such a large city. Great Paris tips. Thanks a lot.

Thanks Axelrod. We always love finding deals and freebies wherever we go!

Although ‘budget travel’ in Paris is still more expensive than my travel budget can manage at the moment, these are some really great tips! And after reading about your Gaudi experience, I also agree that you don’t have to pay to go into every site to experience them.

Great Tips! We are planning to head to Paris and it’s nice to know that you can keep to a budget if you try! .-= Bethany´s last blog ..Somewhere In Time – Dublin, Ireland =-.

Congratulations on winning the tickets…couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple. Thanks for shaeing this valuable advice, the wife and I are planning for a week in Paris soon

Awesome! I hope that you have a great time in Paris and can’t wait to read how your trip goes.

Great tips! Thank you! .-= Gray´s last blog ..Shiny Travel Objects: May 9, 2010 =-.

Wow – great advice and so important! It’s very easy to spend a lot of money in a city with such wonderful, but often expensive, attractions and restaurants. But like any big city, there’s an abundance of free and inexpensive entertainment to be had as well. The two of you are astute travelers to have discovered so much in such a short time there – I can’t wait to read more about your Paris adventure! .-= Trisha Miller´s last blog .. The Write Time =-.

Awesome tips! especially about the museums. We aren’t big museum people but want to see the major ones and the major exhibits. What a great way to do it and save money too! .-= Melanie´s last blog .. May 13, Travel Legends – Fact vs Fiction =-.

Wonderful tips! I didn’t realized that you will get charged extra depending on where you sit in the restaurant. That’s good to know. 🙂 .-= Amy @ The Q Family´s last blog .. San Antonio With Kids: Five Favorite Kid-Friendly Fun =-.

I’m so glad you mentioned the supermarket tip. In countries that have amazing food they also have amazing supermarkets and often with prepared food for great prices. .-= ayngelina´s last blog ..Mexico isn’t all mangos and limes =-.

Great tips! I’ve been there and as much as I could, tried to be cheap. Very similar with many that you mentioned here. We also went to museums in the free day (even though it’s usually jam packed), in the cheap hours, and we bought Paris museum pass that valid for a few days and pretty much used it as much as we could. (we love museums) We stayed at B&B hotel that was only 50 Euro for a room for 2 person with indoor shower.

I like you mentioned McDonald’s for its free WiFi and good coffee. As Ryan had to work on the road through internet, free internet access was crucial to us, and we spent a lot of time in McDonald’s that consistently provide free WiFI through out Western Europe. .-= Dina´s last blog ..Top Things Chosen by Travelers Around the World Series =-.

My best free Paris tip is this – for a great view of the city, skip the overpriced Eiffel Tower and go instead to the Pompidou Modern Art Gallery. You can take the escalators to the rooftop bar without paying for admission. There is a walkway in front of the bar that offers excellent views of Montmartre and that overpriced tower 😉 .-= Alison´s last blog .. Our Ten Year Anniversary =-.

Alison, that is fantastic advice! Thanks for sharing, when we go back we will check it out for sure!

Paris on a budget: affordable ways to experience the city

Mar 31, 2024 • 10 min read

It's easy to buy tasty takeaways or bread, cheese, and charcuterie to bring with you on a day exploring © Kenji Lau / Getty Images

Paris is a notoriously expensive city. Alexis Averbuck, one of the authors of the new Lonely Planet Paris guidebook , shares her insider tips on how to experience the city, without maxing your credit card. 

Paris might be home to haute couture, fine dining and some legendary luxury hotels, but if you’re still waiting for your lottery numbers to come up, don’t despair. With savvy planning and a bit of local know-how, you'll find a wealth of ways to soak up the French capital without blowing your budget.

Simple walking and people-watching can fill countless days in this dynamic city, with beautiful parks and gardens to explore, awe-inspiring architecture to admire, and markets and boutiques for window-shopping. Fill up on delectable, pocket-priced cuisine, freewheel along the Seine, and prepare to be surprised by just how affordable Paris can be for budget travelers.

Daily costs

• Fresh baguette: €1.30
• Glass of wine: from €4-€4.50
• Decent bottle of wine in a store: €14
• Cup of coffee in a café: €3-4
• Main course in a bistro: €16–22
• Two-course bistro menu: from €18
• Ticket for the Louvre: €17 Metro or bus ride: €2.10
• Hostel dorm bed: from €25
• Boutique midrange hotel: from €150
• Studio apartment (including Airbnb): from €125
• Average daily cost: €100–€225

Choose your season wisely (and book well ahead)

Paris has no real low season, although room rates may be somewhat lower in winter (outside of the Christmas holiday peak) and in early spring. Whether you want a hostel bed, a cozy hotel room or a short-term apartment rental, the earlier you book, the better the deal – places to stay in favored neighborhoods are always in demand.

If you can, avoid local and international school holidays and weekends in spring and summer, when crowds descend and prices soar. Escape to Paris mid-week in May, on the other hand, and you’ll have the cream of the city's budget hotels to choose from.

Pick the right kind of lodging 

Given that Paris hotels (except the top five-star places) are often more serviceable than superlative, you might want to think outside the box. Short-term apartment rentals are very popular and can offer excellent value for money – especially for families. They'll also give you more space and you can save money by self-catering.

Hostels are always a reasonable option. As single hotel rooms are a rare breed in Paris and cost almost as much as doubles, hostels are often better value for solo travelers too. Paris has a hostel to match every taste, from solar-powered hangouts to dorms in centuries-old mansions. Larger establishments often rent out bicycles, serve cheap evening meals and organize excursions.

Choose the right neighborhood for you

Accommodation will be your biggest daily expense, so it pays to be picky when choosing a neighborhood – room rates can vary widely depending on where you stay. The Louvre, Eiffel Tower , and Champs-Élysées areas are generally too pricey for travelers with smaller budgets, but other neighborhoods close to central Paris – particularly Bastille , Montparnasse and the 13e arrondissement – have a wider range of accommodation at lower price points.

Picking accommodation outside the center of Paris may be marginally cheaper, but this is invariably a false economy once travel time and transport costs are considered. There is little joy in ending up in a generic chain hotel that comes with a long slog on public transport to reach the sights, and little in the way of interesting local street life.

Learn the art of the flâneur by walking the streets

Paris is a perfect city for walking, and there’s no better way to experience city life than getting lost in  Montmartre 's winding streets or strolling beside the Seine and its bridges, quays and gardens, listening to buskers and taking in all the grand architecture. Exploring Paris on foot, like a modern-day flâneur ( saunterer ), is also the obvious budget choice.

If you prefer to wander in the company of a local guide, contact Paris Greeters to arrange a free walking tour (donations are appreciated).

Roll along the Seine

Paris’ self-service rental bike scheme Vélib’ has thousands of conventional and electric bikes waiting at docking stations across the city. The scheme is inexpensive and easy to use, providing you have decent road sense and are comfortable navigating the Paris traffic. If you have a European-compatible chip-and-pin credit card, you can subscribe at any docking station; if not, pre-subscribe online.

Become fluent in Paris public transport

The Paris metro system and the city's RER train and bus networks are all extensive and easy to use. The cheapest and simplest way to use public transport is with a Navigo Easy card. Simply pre-load the card with credit, and fares will be deducted for each ride. For even bigger savings, cut out the initial €2 cost for a Navigo Easy card and use the RATP app on your phone for free.

When traveling by public transport, buy carnets – credits for 10 rides sold at a discount – as this is the cheapest way to ride. You can also buy various passes for unlimited rides across a range of fare zones, valid for various time periods.

However, one disadvantage of using passes is that they are tied to the calendar and the clock. A day pass begins at 12:01am, a seven-day pass always begins on Monday and a monthly pass always begins on the first day of the month, even if your stay doesn't. However, children under four always travel free on public transit, and kids under 10 get tickets at half-price.

The  Vélib’ bike-share scheme  has over 20,000 bikes, both classic (green) and electric (blue) at 1400 stations citywide. Buy a subscription online using your Navigo transit pass or credit card, or at docking stations (it only accepts European-compatible chip-and-pin credit cards).  App-based electric  trottinettes  (scooters), wildly popular with tourists, were discontinued in September 2023 by popular vote.

Find excellent cheap eats all over town

Eating in Paris can easily be enjoyed at the lower end of the spending scale, with a wealth of fine food opportunities at traveler-friendly prices. In restaurants and bistros, ordering the prix fixe menu (two or three courses for a fixed price), the lunchtime formule (a two-course fixed-price meal) or the plat du jour (dish of the day) will be the least expensive option.

To maximize value, ask for the complimentary basket of bread to be refilled when empty and order une carafe d’eau (a jug of water) instead of bottled water. Also, house wines are usually excellent and cost less than well-known brands.

Avoid restaurants near the major sights. Instead, plan your meals in nearby neighborhoods where regular Parisians eat. It pays to reserve ahead even at the most reasonable bistros to get the best service and ensure you get a table.

Browse and snack in Paris’ incredible markets

With Paris’ open-air street markets and covered markets, you'll be able to find fresh produce, delicious cheeses, olives and charcuterie at a fraction of the cost of eating in restaurants. For a market feast, head to Marché des Enfants Rouges in the Marais arrondissement – it's a glorious maze of food stalls selling ready-to-eat dishes from around the globe, to take away or tuck into around shared tables.   Paris also has some excellent biologique (organic) markets, such as Marché Raspail (Sunday), Marché Biologique des Batignolles (Saturday), Marché Biologique Brancusi (Saturday) and Marché Biologique Place du Père Chaillet (Wednesday and Saturday).

Snap up bargain-priced unsold items at bakeries and other food vendors via the app Too Good to Go , part of an innovative scheme to help prevent food waste.

Bypass the restaurants and picnic in style

Buy a baguette from the boulangerie (bakery), stuff it with a chunk of Camembert, pâté and cornichons (miniature gherkins), and voilà , you've found picnic perfection!   In addition to the markets, it's easy to buy tasty takeaways or bread, cheese and charcuterie from shops on foodie streets such as Rue Cler (a short walk from the Eiffel Tower), Rue Montorgueil (near the Louvre) and Rue Mouffetard (in the Latin Quarter).

French wine purchased from grocery stores and neighborhood shops is also excellent value – bottles are sold for a fraction of what they cost outside of France (and in Paris' restaurants). Picnic over million-dollar views in a park, on a quayside along the Seine, beneath the Eiffel Tower, or along Canal St-Martin .

Shop for souvenirs and fashion on a budget

Paris' eclectic second-hand and antique markets offer all kinds of finds, and they usually offer great opportunities for people-watching. The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen sprawls over 7 hectares (17 acres) with 11 market zones brimming with an extensive array of bric-a-brac, from vintage jewelry to antique furniture.

Over in Bastille, Marché d’Aligre combines a fresh produce market and an extensive flea market. In the 14e arrondissement, Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves has over 380 curio stalls. If you’re a bibliophile, you'll adore the enormous Marché Georges Brassens , a weekend secondhand and antiquarian book market in the 15e arrondissement.

For clothes, seek out Paris’ many independent vintage boutiques, where you can find anything from consignment haute couture to secondhand blue jeans.

Save money on attractions with just a little forethought

Museum lovers should try to visit on the first Sunday of any month, when admission to many museums is free – including top sights such as the Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou . Alternatively, check for special free opening times; entry to the Louvre is free after 6pm on the first Friday of the month from September to June. And kids always get into many museums for free.

Timing your stay to coincide with one of Paris' cultural festivals will yield a bonanza of free or reduced-price exhibitions and events. Mark down the dates for La Nuit Européenne des Musées (mid-May), Nuit Blanche (early October), and Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (mid-September).

At any time of year, build days out around any discounts that you’re eligible for. EU citizens aged under 26 years get free admission to national museums and monuments, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle , the Musée National Picasso  and the Musée Rodin .

Don’t forget all of the city’s free attractions – like majestic churches, myriad elegant gardens such as Tuileries , Luxembourg , Bois de Boulogne  and Bois de Vincennes , and the city's historic cemeteries. Be sure to pay your respects to Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison and Marcel Proust at the Cimetière du Père Lachaise . 

You'll also have beaucoup chances to heat up your social media feed with selfies at the Trocadéro or along the Pont de Bir Hakeim or Pont St-Louis.

Celebrate Parisian art and history in the city's free museums

Paris' many municipal museums are free! For example, the Musée Carnavalet (Museum of the City of Paris) – set in a historical townhouse at the heart of Le Marais – will help you see how Paris has changed over time, with no entry fee.

The permanent collection at the beautiful Petit Palais is fantastic and free, as is the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris – a chance to see world-class art without as many crowds as the better-known Louvre and d'Orsay.

And save on the rest…

For serial sightseers, a Paris Museum Pass is a money-saver. It covers admission to over 50 sights, including the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Notre Dame towers, the Arc de Triomphe  and the Château de Versailles . Alternatively, the Paris Passlib' offers various sightseeing and transit combinations at a discount price, including a Seine boat tour.

Embrace Paris’ joie de vivre, for free

For pocket-friendly entertainment, concerts and DJ sets take place for free (or for the cost of a drink) at venues throughout the city. And busking musicians and performers entertain crowds on Paris’ streets and even aboard the metro, so even the simple act of being in Paris will fill you with pleasure.

Keep planning your trip to Paris:

Discover Paris’ neighborhoods with Your essential guide to the 20 arrondissements of Paris Determine when you want to plan your trip with When is the best time to go to Paris? Navigate the city with ease with The best ways to get around Paris Find the perfect gifts with Paris in 5 shops

This article was first published January 2015 and updated March 2024

Explore related stories

Festivals & Events

Mar 29, 2024 • 6 min read

Paris never disappoints, but if you want to find the perfect time to see the City of Light, follow our guide to when to visit this magical city.

Feb 29, 2024 • 12 min read

Feb 15, 2024 • 4 min read

Jan 10, 2024 • 5 min read

Dec 28, 2023 • 9 min read

Nov 22, 2023 • 7 min read

Nov 17, 2023 • 10 min read

Nov 13, 2023 • 5 min read

Nov 7, 2023 • 5 min read

Nov 1, 2023 • 4 min read

Visiting Paris on a Budget

Paris  can be an incredibly expensive city. It is, after all, renowned for its luxury goods, gourmet restaurants, opulent palace hotels, and the like. Because of this, you may (logically) assume that seeing Paris on a budget isn't realistic, or would amount to a miserable experience that'd leave you feeling like a pauper.

Luckily, however, that's all a myth:  a visit to Paris  really  doesn't have to break the bank. It's entirely possible to eat well, find clean and decent accommodations, and enjoy discounted and free attractions while still having the sense that you're living it up in one of the world's most gorgeous cities. A (fun) budget Paris vacation doesn't have to belong to the realm of fairy tales, after all: read on to find out why.

No, Finding Cheap Flights or Trains to Paris Isn't Impossible

Transatlantic airfare has skyrocketed in recent years, and haven't really gone back down despite dropping fuel prices. Train tickets to Paris can also be very expensive.

But don't despair. You can still snag excellent deals as long as you book several months ahead of your trip. Especially if you're traveling from overseas, planning at least six to eight months ahead can be crucial if you want to secure a good fare. It's generally easier to find inexpensive flights and trains from other European destinations in shorter time-frames, however.

When booking a flight,  you should also explore airfare/hotel package deals, as these can sometimes offer significant savings.

• Consult TripAdvisor for a quick and reliable overview of vacation packages  (book direct) .
• Epinions  is also a great resource for making a decision on a travel package to Paris.

Taking the Train?   Find current deals at Rail Europe (Book Direct)

Finally, need to book an affordable place to stay in Paris ?  Read reviews, find deals, and compare prices on hundreds of hotels  at Trip Advisor .

Click through to see Tip #2 and beyond. 

Travel During Low Season to Beat Sky-High Rates

Courtney Traub

Nearly everyone fantasizes about visiting  Paris in the spring  or summer months. But low season has its charms and advantages-- namely much lower air and train fares and cheaper accommodations. 

Consult our detailed, season-by-season tips on  when to go to Paris  for more information on the pros and cons of traveling to the city of light in a given time of year.

Use Public Transportation to Sightsee — and Consider Buying a Pass

Paris has an excellent public transportation system , and tickets and passes are relatively inexpensive. Hop-on, hop-off bus tours are also fairly accessible options for getting around and touring the city.

But when on a tight budget, public transport can be a fantastic alternative for sightseeing. I recommend using the  Paris public bus system  — many of the lines have very picturesque routes, and more autonomous travelers may do well this way.

In addition, the city has been bolstering its tramway routes, offering more above-ground options for travel and sightseeing. Consult these resources for budget transport and tour options:

• All About the Paris Visite Transport Pass
• Ground Transportation From Paris Airports
• Paris Bus Tours

Budget Sightseeing: Free and Affordable Things to See and Do in Paris

Despite its reputation as a center for luxury, Paris actually prides itself on being accessible. Dozens of free museums, annual events, and other attractions are in store for the budget-conscious Paris visitor. Not to mention that many of the city's most impressive monuments and sites, including  Notre Dame Cathedral , Sacre Coeur, or even  the banks of the Seine , can be visited free of charge.

You can take in opulent settings without spending a fortune. Try reserving tea at the Ritz Hotel or at the nearby Angelina-- it'll set you back a few dollars to order tea or hot chocolate at these hallowed places, but in exchange, you can soak up a little luxury and still stick to your budget.

Discount cards like the Paris Museum Pass, bus or boat tours and using public transport intelligently can also help immensely. 

Browse These Complete Guides to Affordable or Free Attractions:

• Top Free Paris Sights and Attractions
• Free Paris Museums
• Top Free Annual Events in Paris
• Top Paris Cathedrals and Churches
• Top Paris Parks and Gardens
• Exploring Paris Neighborhoods by Foot
• Paris Boat Tours
• The Paris Museum Pass: Info and Where to Buy

Find Affordable Places to Eat, Without Sacrificing Quality

Paris may be known for its unusual number of Michelin-star gourmet restaurants, but it also offers plenty in the way of delicious, inexpensive fare. The trick is knowing where to go, since quality and price don't necessarily line up in Paris as you'd expect. You can afford to splurge on one or two nice meals if you manage to nosh on cheap and delicious  Paris street food  for a few meals, or even stock up on goodies at a local Paris food market and stage a picnic or two. Also check out our  guide to student-friendly cafes in Paris  for a list of cafes and brasseries offering inexpensive coffee, food and drinks, and, often, free wi-fi to boot.

Resources for Budget Gullets

• Top Budget Restaurants in Paris
• Eating Out With Kids in Paris
• Guide to Traditional Paris Food Markets
• Best Places to Picnic in Paris (and Where to Stock Up on Goodies)
• Top Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Paris

Budget Shopping: Learn How to Get Paris-Style Chic, For Less

TripSavvy / Leopoldine Bauer

It may be one of the world's reigning fashion and style capitals, but this doesn't mean shopping in Paris has to cost an arm and a leg!

Consult our at-a-glance-guide to  budget shopping in Paris  to find out how to make a steal, Parisian-style, on clothes or home items. You might also make time for a pleasant whirl at a  Paris flea market -- and come up away with a couple of unexpected treasures in the process.

More Essential Features for Budget Shoppers:

• Best Places to Shop in Paris: A Complete Guide
• How to Survive Summer and Winter Sales in Paris
• Find Original, Affordable Gifts From Paris

Open Your Mind When it Comes to Accommodations

Paris has hundreds of hotels , and in the budget to mid-range, many are just as comfortable and pleasant as more luxurious counterparts (minus the glitz). Apartment rentals in Paris have become another popular option-- and will save you a lot of money on eating out assuming the apartment comes furnished with a kitchen. If you're really cash-strapped, you might even consider a stay in a  Paris hostel  or find accommodations by  Couchsurfing .

Need to shop around?  Read reviews and compare prices on hundreds of Paris hotels  at Trip Advisor .

Be a Night Owl, Without Going Broke

15-Euro cocktails are not uncommon in the French capital-- but if you know where to look, you can enjoy drinking, dancing, and lounging on terraces for much less. Check out our guide to the  top Paris nightlife districts  to find info on where to head for inexpensive drinks and reveling in the city of light. I especially recommend going out in areas such as Belleville, Menilmontant, Oberkampf and Gambetta for budget-friendly nights. 

If you're feeling adventurous and willing, you can also forgo bars and clubs altogether and have a nighttime picnic along the Seine (pictured above) -- this is a wildly popular activity in the summer. 

Paris Guide: Planning Your Trip

San Francisco on a Budget: Money-Saving Tips

France Guide: Planning Your Trip

Travel Tips for Visiting London on a Budget

Getting Around Paris: Guide to Public Transportation

France Travel Planner for Every Vacation

One Week in France: The Ultimate Itinerary

Budget Travel in France

New York City Guide: Planning Your Trip

What to Do on Sunday in Paris?

How to Visit Los Angeles Without a Car

10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Plan Your UK Trip

Where to Go in 2021: 10 Future Trips You Can Start Planning Now

Spring in Paris: Weather, What to Do, How to Pack

Your Trip to Morocco: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Atlanta: The Complete Guide

• EN - English
• PT - Portuguese
• ES - Spanish
• How it works
• Become a Host
• Download the app

Top Destinations

• United States
• United Kingdom

What type of experience are you looking for?

• Non-Profit School
• Permaculture project
• Eco Village
• Holistic Center
• Guest House
• How Worldpackers works

Learn from the most experienced travelers of the community

Traveling with worldpackers, planning and budgeting for travel, make a living while traveling as a lifestyle, travel with worldpackers.

• Using Worldpackers
• Work exchange
• Social impact

Plan your trip

• Women traveling
• Budget travel
• Solo travel
• Language learning
• Travel tips
• Get inspired
• Digital nomads
• Travel jobs
• Personal development
• Responsible travel
• Connect with nature

Top destinations

• South America
• Central America
• North America
• More destinations
• WP Life WP Life
• Exclusive discounts Discounts
• Europe travel guides

Your complete travel guide to visit Paris on a budget

After having lived in Paris and traveled there many times, here's a little guide on what to do in Paris on a budget.

Christelle ambr

Dec 22, 2023

Paris the city of love, as some call it. Have you actually asked yourself why people call it the city of love ? I thought it had to do with the love lock bridge, but there are actually several reasons for its name:

• The Eiffel tower is a famous proposal spot
• French people are known to be "romantics"
• The atmosphere, architecture, and overall vibe exudes love
• Le Mur des Je T'aime is a wall with "I love you" written in 250 different languages
• The Temple de Sybille (Temple of Love) is located in the Buttes-Chaumont (park)
• Parisian bistros are known for its intimacy (tables are very close to one another)
• Parisians are open to PDA (you will very likely see people kissing in the streets)

Now back to some more factual information about the city... The capital of France is the most populous city of the country with over 2 million habitants; not to be confused with the region of Ile de France (which is Paris and it's suburbs) which counts over 12 million people.

It has sometimes been referred to the " capital of the world " because it's one of the world's major centres for finance, fashion, arts, gastronomy, science and diplomacy.

Paris is so culturally rich and holds hundreds of monuments that tourists flock to every year. Amongst some of these are the: Eiffel Tower, l'Arc de Triomphe, Le Louvre (museum), Notre Dame (cathedral), Sacré Coeur, Les Catacombes, Statue of Liberty.

Today, Paris has over 30 million tourists per yea r, with flights coming in from all destinations all over the world to its 3 airports.

If you're going to be one of those 30 million, but you have a slightly smaller budget, keep on reading to find out about budget travel in Paris!

Read more:  Where to go in France: the ultimate guide on the 29 best places to see other than Paris

How to plan a trip to Paris on a budget

Firstly, whether Paris, or any major capital, I think that there are a few basics that stand for budget traveling :

• Traveling with Worldpackers to get free accommodation (and often food) in exchange of a few hours of volunteer work.
• Couchsurfing (to stay for free with locals).
• Housesitting (to take care of peoples' houses and stay in them for free).
• Hitchhiking (though a bit tough within Paris "intramuros"), taking public transportation, walking.
• Taking buses, trains , carpooling, (or budget flights) to get to the said destination.
• Not eating in restaurants (not to worry, French bakeries and patisseries are not  considered restaurants).
• Avoiding paying entry fees to museums, galleries etc. (Paris has a lot of free cultural activities, and a lot of hidden gems).

In regards to Paris particularly, I have found that planning a little ahead of time helps a lot budget-wise, as many people flock to Paris at all times of the year to visit this beautiful city.

You can find cheap flights on Ryanair (but note that there are 3 airports for Paris) but usually a few months in advance; same as for trains ( Ouigo especially) and buses ( Flixbus ). Last minute (even a week in advance) could be a little pricey.

Accomodation

Since Paris is the type of destination on everyone's bucket list , I would also recommend applying for volunteering positions in advance (more about them below), as well as sending out Couchsurfing requests a week or two in advance.

Hostels are relatively affordable... if booked in advance. I consider anything above 10 euros/night "expensive" for a hostel dorm (but this is perhaps just personal opinion).

The Generator is a go-to hostel to many tourists visiting: it's good quality, clean, decent people, but still at least 30 € for a bed in a dorm. The cheapest dorms I've found were around 23€/night ( Peace & Love Hoste l, Le Coffice Auberge De Jeunesse)

Transportation

Since the crisis/pandemic, most prices have risen in Paris- which includes public transportation.

A one way single use metro (bus, and tram) ticket is now 1,90€, but you can buy a pack of 10, day passes and weekly passes.

There's a "Navigo" card that you can top up and use quite freely; I believe that there might not even be any paper tickets available anymore.

The main public transport system is the RATP and always anticipate your travels : metros and buses often do not come on time, and it is quite likely you will be rerouted during a trip (the reasons can be varied from a suspicious bag in a station, someone falling on the tracks, a technical issue... welcome to Paris).

I would recommend walking most places: this is the best way to visit the city, but do beware of your belongings (no phones in back pockets or in jacket pockets that don't close properly). Always have your bag well strapped to you (not just on the shoulder) and properly closed. Paris is overall a safe city, but it is a capital, and certain neighbourhoods are a little more rough than others (more in the tips section).

Where to stay in Paris on a budget

As aforementioned, my first choices would be volunteering in Paris with Worldpackers . This will enable you to save a lot of money , and spend actual quality time in Paris, visiting things you want to see, instead of mindlessly wandering the streets (which isn't bad idea).

Here are the top 3 positions in and around Paris:

1. Farmwork in the South of Paris

Okay so you won't be living like "Emily in Paris" if that's what you had in mind... but for the more nature-lovers, this is perfect. Keep in mind that Paris is a hustle-and-bustle city, so this would be the ideal location to find that little safe haven outside of the big city vibes. 

Your host is Frenchman who works in Paris but lives on a farm, and needs an extra pair of hands to help with the animals, gardening, and handyman tasks. 

2. Mare aux Coqs in a Parisian Suburb Similarly, this farm needs some help with gardening, but also cleaning and housekeeping. Mare aux coqs means a sort of pond for roosters, and is actually a 5000m2 farm in the town of Neauphlette consisting of three historic farm buildings and a private pond. You will get a shared dorm here but breakfast and lunch, free drinks/beverages, bikes at your disposal, and pick up.  Neauphlette is in the Yvelines - a renowned Parisian suburb, and is quite easily accessible from the centre of Paris (just one local train). 

3.  maison du rocher de fontainebleau.

Even if you weren't volunteering with Worldpackers, you would probably visit Fontainebleu , so might as well kill two bird with one stone!

This guesthouse maintains excellent 5 star reviews as the world is still gardening, cleaning, and some handyman tasks.

If you haven't checked out Worldpackers on social media yet, I suggest doing so. There are often posts of ongoing volunteers in positions so you might just see what these experiences offer in real time! Where to go?  Youtube ,  Tiktok  and  Instagram .

In all honesty, I wouldn't particularly recommend Airbnb unless you are in a group, since prices have sky-rocketed recently.

You can occasionally find good deals on Booking for affordable hotels and hostels, but to really be budget-savvy, go for Worldpackers or Couchsurfing.

Where to eat in Paris on a budget

Eating in Paris can actually be affordable, but this also depends on what you consider as "affordable". 

If you're on the extreme budget, I would recommend sticking to your hosts from Worldpackers for food - they will probably be able to offer you the best home-cooked French meals, or give you the best insiders tips.

If you can spare a bit for eating out, then your main place is going to be bakeries and patisseries . Here, you can find all sorts of sweet and salty delicacies (evidently from all price ranges). Here is a small guide to how much you should pay for what:

• Plain butter croissant 1-1,50€
• Pain au chocolat 1-1,50 €
• Baguette (we have different types- I would recommend the "Tradition") 1-1,20 €
• Macaron(s) 1-5€  - this really depends on where you go. The most famous (and expensive, and Instagrammable) place is La Durée.  
• Eclair (au chocolat) 1,50 - 3 €
• Le Jambon Beurre (a sandwich with basically cheese and ham, but it's a staple) 2,50 - 5€
• Quiche saumon/epinard (or Lorraine, depends on your taste) 2,50 - 5€
• Tartelette aux framboises 3 - 5€
• Paris-Brest (get ready for your mouth to salivate.. it's an Almond-studded choux pastry with rich, nutty praline crème mousseline) 3 - 5€

Aside from patisseries and bakeries, you'll find quite a lot of kebab shops around the city, but the ultimate best isn't a kebab, but a crepe , and not the sweet one.

In the neighbourhood of Grands Boulevards especially, are some of my favourite crepe shops. Fine, they are extra tasty after a night out, but can be enjoyed at any time of the day for roughly 5-7€. A classic one to order would be ham and cheese (you know we like our cheese) but they are quite filling!

You will also obviously find cheap eats when it comes to other types of cuisines like Lebanese or Chinese, but we'll stick to French only.

A little tip I'd recommend for going to "brasseries" (think of like a more casual bistrot) is to go for lunch and not dinner, and get a set menu. They often have "formules" (set menus) where you shouldn't pay more than 15€ for a 2 course (sometimes 3) meal with a drink included. 

Once you visit these brasseries (and my top 3 most affordable picks would be: Bouillon Chartier , Breizh Cafe , La Cantine de la Cigale ), be sure to try out the following:

• French onion soup (cliché but a must!)
• Paté (with bread)
• Steak frites (classic meal, literally a steak and fries)
• Croque Monsieur (very cliché but it often comes with a nice salad, and a Croque Madame has an egg on it)
• Steak Tartare (yes it's raw meat but it's quite common and tasty, usually comes with fries and salad)
• Magret de Canard (duck) Desserts:
• Creme brulée (need I say more?)

• Café gourmand (a coffee with an assortment of sweets, usually a mini creme brulée, a mini tiramisu and a mini financier but it can be anything)
• Crème caramel/Flan
• Fromage blanc (it's sort of like yoghurt)
• Tarte tatin (apple pie)
• Fromage (we usually have cheese before dessert but sometimes it's offered as an alternative to dessert.. and I could write a whole article on French cheese)

I'll stop now because you probably don't want to gain 5kg during this trip! We do have a big food culture and love our gastronomy... eating and drinking and probably one of the best things to do in France, at any time of the year, which takes us nicely to when is the best time to visit Paris.

Best time to visit Paris on a budget

The obvious answer is to not visit Paris during peak season , which is mainly the summer.

Realistically speaking, Paris is the type of city that will always be full of tourists, whatever the season, so my best advice to you is to just plan a little bit in advance.

Paris is not the most pleasant in the winter , but if you just want to tick the city of your list and be as economical as possible, then give it a shot.

I'd say the best time to visit Paris is in the Spring or Autumn , but probably every other person visiting this capital will think the same.

Whatever the season or weather, there are some hidden gems that will forever remain timeless.

All these places are walkable , and completely free . So not only will you get a good workout, a tour of the city, but you'll also save up!:

• Parc de Belleville
• Le Moulin Rouge (& Pigalle area)
• St Michel & Le quartier Latin
• Pont Alexandre IV
• Les Invalides
• Champ de Mars (it's the park under the Eiffel Tower and my favourite is to walk around the rich apartments surrounding the are. Hit up Rue Saint Dominique for picturesque streets with the Eiffel Tower)
• Les Champs Elysees
• St Germain des Pres
• Canal St Martin
• Parc de la Villette
• Place des Vosges
• Jardin du Luxembourg
• Cafe de Flore
• Angelina (you'll probably have to enter to try their hot chocolate though.. it's just a must)
• Being in the metro line 6 when it passes the Bir Hakeim bridge
• Jardin des Tuileries

This should be a good start! Always remember: you will never be able to see, do, and taste everything when traveling to a new destination, so pick wisely and also go with the flow!

A few handy tips for your trip to Paris 

1. How to deal with Parisians... yes, there is a certain reputation, so my best advice would be to learn a few French words , and put on your best accent. Avoid asking older people for advice as they might not speak English.

2. Keep your belongings safe and out of reach (especially in the metro and whilst walking) and for the love of ... please do not leave your phone or wallet ON the table, even/especially in a restaurant. This is just a no no.

3. You will probably see pick-pockets , or people trying to get you to sign papers saying they're deaf or blind or whatever - DO NOT even make eye contact - they will steal your sh*t while you're signing whatever, especially the kids.

4. Watch out for the bike lanes and always look before crossing . Traffic can be crazy, between the cars, buses, bicycles, scooters, dogs, runners, prams... just have your eyes peeled at all times and stay in your lane.

5. You don't need to pay for water in restaurants - just ask for "une carafe d'eau" (pronounced, "u -nn karaff d'o"), it's tap water and free. Water is fine to drink all over France; it might have a little calcaire but you'll be fine. Bread is usually free too (in restaurants) and don't hesitate to ask for more!

6. There are a lot of homeless people and you do not need to give to every single person you see. Trust me you'll be broke if you do.

7. Don't have too high hopes and expectations - always expect the worst but hope for the best. Some people have been very underwhelmed by Paris. The Eiffel Tower isn't as pretty in real life. Paris has a lot of homelessness and some districts are very dirty and poor. The metro isn't the nicest, especially during peak hours..

8. Museums are free every first Sunday of the month - if you're a museum fanatic, be sure to plan your trip around then!

9. Take public transportation from the airport(s): yes it will take longer but you will save a lot (an RER train ticket from Charles de Gaulle Airport to the centre should be about 10€).

10. Have some money saved up - Paris is one of those cities where you don't exactly want to be counting every penny, so perhaps have a little back up to be as stress free as possible.

I could honestly write a full book about visiting, studying, and living in Paris. I have lived multiple lives in this city, at different periods of time in my life. It will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope that you will create unforgettable memories on your trip there too.

Merci, et à la prochaine!

Did you like these ideas? Subscribe to the Worldpackers Community for free and start saving your favorite volunteer positions until you are ready to get verified. 

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Christelle Horn

28 y/o Singaporean/French female traveler. I started backpacking with Worldpackers in August 2020: I said goodbye to my Parisian life and bought a one-way ticket to Mexico. Since then, i've spent 7 months there, backpacked all through Central America, lived in Manchester (UK) for a few months, traveled all around Europe (I have 12 countries left to visit before I would've seen all European countries).. I had a little pit stop in Athens from August22-January 2023 and I resumed my trip on this side of the world with Panama in February, and now I am in South America. My long term goal is to open up a wellness hostel in South America, which is why i'll be traveling all through the continent until I find the right location, or opportunity :)

Be part of the Worldpackers Community

Already have an account, are you a host, leave your comment here.

Write here your questions and greetings to the author

Oct 29, 2022

I need to just

Nov 07, 2022

Apr 18, 2023

Why Statue of Liberty which is located in new york

Hello I want to visit Paris. There is somebody who can help me ?

More about this topic

Your ultimate Slovenia Travel Guide and why now is the best time to visit the country

The ultimate greek islands list for budget travel.

How to travel Greece on a budget: tips from a backpacker

How do Worldpackers trips work?

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Paris Travel Guide

Last Updated: March 1, 2024

Paris. Poets, artists, playwrights, writers, journalists, and more have all written about their love of this city. It’s a place that exudes culture, sophistication, class, and style. Like the millions before me, I fell in love with this city the first time I visited.

Settled by Gallic tribes around the 3rd century BCE, the region was conquered by the Romans a couple of centuries later, turning it into a prosperous settlement. By 508, Paris was made the capital of the Merovingian dynasty. The city was sacked by Vikings in 845 but recovered to repel further Viking incursions. By the 12th century, Paris was the economic and cultural hub of all of France.

Today, Paris is one of the few iconic cities in the world that truly lives up to its hype. I’ve spent years visiting the city, have organized tours here, and even lived here for a bit. It is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. As Hemingway said, “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” He wasn’t wrong.

As iconic as it is, Paris is also gigantic, with thousands of years of history and a plethora of things to see and do, from world-class museums to Disneyland Paris . It would take a lifetime to explore it all. Fortunately, with a little planning, you can see the highlights over just a few days.

This travel guide to Paris can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to the City of Light!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Paris

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Paris

1. Scale the Eiffel Tower

Built for the 1889 World Fair, the 300-meter tower is an engineering feat that was originally hated by locals. They called it “the metal asparagus” and hoped it would be torn down. Now, it’s the most famous symbol of the city and every local will tell you they love it. It’s a beautiful building. If you’re going to go up to the top, get there early to avoid the lines. Tickets range from 16-26 EUR but I strongly suggest paying for direct access via an elevator that takes you to the top. It’s worth spending the money on as the line can take upwards of an hour on busy days. You can also get joint Eiffel Tower and river cruise tickets which help you save if you plan on doing both activities. Post-COVID, I would get your tickets in advance because the crowds and lines for tickets are really long.

2. Tour the Palace of Versailles

Visiting the famed 17th-century palace requires a whole day (don’t skip Marie Antoinette’s home or the spacious gardens that are located here). Originally, a hunting lodge, Louis XIV built this opulent palace to get the nobles out of Paris so they wouldn’t plan any coups. It was expanded over the years and filled with tons of allegorical statues and symbols reminding people that the power of the state rested with the king! The palace gets super crowded so try to go during the weekday, though summer weekends are the best time to visit the gardens, as the fountains are set to music then. Admission to the palace is 18 EUR and admission to the entire complex (including the gardens) is 27 EUR. For a more in-depth experience, this Versailles tour is led by a local expert guide and includes round-trip transportation from Paris at a time that avoids most of the crowds.

If you want to beat the crowds (which I highly recommend), skip-the-line tickets are available for 55 EUR. Since upwards of 10,000 people visit per day, skipping the line will save you a ton of time. The wait to get tickets can last hours.

3. Explore the Louvre

The Louvre is the biggest museum in the world, with thousands of square feet of space and millions of artifacts and works of art (including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo). To see it all, you need at least two full days, but you can do the highlights in a full afternoon (especially if you take the Louvre Highlights Tour , which includes skip-the-line entry). Admission costs 17 EUR, while timed skip-the-line tickets are an additional 17 EUR. Due to capacity restrictions, you MUST get your ticket in advance. They sell out these days so if you don’t get your ticket in advance, you run the risk of showing up and being denied entrance.

Moreover go on Wednesday night when the museum is open until 11pm. There’s hardly anyone there after 7pm.

4. Wander the Latin Quarter

A historic area near Notre Dame, the Latin Quarter is filled with tiny, winding streets that turn at weird angles to open into little cafe-lined squares. I love wandering around here; it always feels like you’re stepping back a few hundred years in history. There are a lot of restaurants, bars, and jazz clubs here too. If you’d like to learn more about the area, this in-depth walking tour meanders through the Latin Quarter and includes skip-the-line tickets to the incredible Sainte-Chapelle, my favorite church in the city (read more below!). The tour is a perfect way to connect with a local guide who can share their insider tips and help you make the most of your visit.

5. Visit Sainte-Chapelle

This is my favorite church in Paris. Built in 1238 by Saint Louis, it was meant to house holy relics he found during the Crusades as well as serve as the Royal Chapel. I find this tiny Gothic chapel to be far more beautiful than the nearby Notre Dame. The (mostly) original interior décor is exquisite, including some of the few remaining examples of original stained glass in France. It’s absolutely beautiful. Entry costs 11.50 EUR and is likely to sell out so book your ticket in advance . Ticket holders skip the line too!

Other Things to See and Do in Paris

1. go museum hopping.

Paris has hundreds of museums worth seeing. Make sure to check out the Musee D’Orsay for great impressionist work, the amazing Rodin Museum, Holocaust Museum (one of the best in the world), Musee D’Orangerie (more impressionist work), and the interesting sewer museum. A Paris Museum Pass is the most affordable way to see them all as it provides access to over 50 museums in Paris and the surrounding region. A two-day pass costs 52 EUR, a four-day pass costs 66 EUR, and a six-day pass costs 78 EUR. It’s a must if you’re going to see at least 3 museums while in the city. Get it, save money, and (importantly) get to skip all the long lines that plague the city these days.

2. Stroll down the Champs Elysees

This is one of the most famous streets in the world and stretches from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre. It’s lined with expensive shops and restaurants and is always busy, but it’s a great place to club hop at night or shop during the day. Come in the very early morning to see the place utterly deserted. It makes for great photos. You can also take a guided tour if you want to learn more about the street and its history.

3. Visit the Panthéon

Located in the Latin Quarter, this Neoclassical building was originally built as a church but was turned into a state burial site for France’s heroes, including Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Louis Braille, and Voltaire. Admission is 11.50 EUR . Like everything else, you’ll want to buy a ticket in advance to avoid the lines.

4. Relax in Jardin Du Luxembourg

The Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) is the largest public park in Paris, covering 56 acres. The garden, which was first created in 1612, contains over a hundred statues, monuments, and fountains, all scattered throughout the grounds. The park was neglected for years until the French Revolution, after which Jean Chalgrin (the architect of the Arc de Triomphe) set about restoring and expanding the park. In the morning, you’ll see lots of runners exercising here. At lunch on a nice day, join park-goers in having a picnic.

5. Admire the view from Montmartre

Home to starving artists for over a century (since the Belle Époque in the 19th century), the neighborhood of Montmartre offers a stunning view of Paris, arty cafés and bars, cobblestone streets, and the only winery within the city limits (Vignes du Clos Montmartre). It’s one of the hipper parts of Paris, even if it has lost some of its old grandeur. It’s great for those wanting to visit the hangout spots of folks like Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. The iconic Sacré-Cœur basilica sits at the top of the hill. Climb the steps or sit on the sloping lawn and admire the views at dusk. Entrance to the basilica is free.

If you want to learn more about this iconic neighborhood, guided walking tours are the best way to do so (there’s a lot of history in this area and all the signs are in French) and include a visit to the basilica.

6. Visit Notre Dame

Paris’s Gothic masterpiece was constructed between 1163-1334. Climb from the north tower to the south to appreciate the masonry and get a close-up view of the Gallery of Chimeras, the fantastic birds and beasts gazing over the balustrade. The outside facade has been cleaned up in recent years, but the inside has a bit of that old Gothic grimy charm. To climb the tower, it costs 10 EUR. NOTE: Notre Dame is currently closed due to the 2019 fire.

7. Stand under the Arc De Triomphe

This monument stands in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle and is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. Inaugurated in 1836, the arch is dedicated to those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. For 13 EUR, visitors can climb 284 steps to the top of the Arc for stunning panoramic views and information about the city’s history. I think it’s one of the best views – and photo spots – in the city.

8. Celebrate Bastille Day

Every July 14th, a series of spectacular events in Paris celebrates the infamous storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. The Bastille was a medieval armory and fortress and represented royal authority in Paris. Its capture was one of the biggest milestones of the Revolution. These days, there’s a huge televised parade and a never-ending fireworks display (head to Champ de Mars or the Jardins du Trocadéro for the best views of it all).

9. Experience the Cinema en Plein Air

Every July and August, Paris rolls out an inflatable screen in the Parc de la Villete for this major outdoor cinema event in the 9th arrondissement. It’s hugely popular with locals who tend to bring food and wine! It’s free to attend too.

10. Visit Maison du Victor Hugo

This beautiful apartment dates to 1605. Its most famous resident was the writer Victor Hugo (author of Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame ), who moved here when he was 30. His old apartment is now a museum dedicated to his life and writing. The museum is quite small, but Hugo lovers (like me) will find it very interesting. Each room is designed to showcase a specific period in his life, from his childhood to his death. Admission is free.

11. Climb through the Paris Catacombs

Underneath the city of Paris, you’ll find a honeycomb of tunnels, originally constructed as mining tunnels. The French resistance used these tunnels during World War II and rave parties flourished there during the 90s. Within this maze of tunnels lie the famous Catacombs of Paris, an ossuary containing the remains of over 6 million Parisians. This burial site was created in the 18th century due to public health concerns about overflowing cemeteries. It’s one of the freakiest and coolest sites in Paris. This walking tour with a local historian includes skip-the-line access (lines can regularly stretch around the block), while last-minute tickets cost 14 EUR, when available (they are often sold out, however).

12. Listen to Paris’ famous jazz music

Whether you prefer modern clubs or classic jazz joints, you shouldn’t leave Paris without tasting the music that attracted some of the best musicians and artists to the city. There is an especially abundant amount of good jazz clubs in the city. Le Duc des Lombards, which opened in 1984, is one of the most famous jazz clubs in the city. Harry’s Bar also has a lot of great music there too.

13. Take a walking tour

There are dozens upon dozens of companies covering all aspects of life in Paris, and it can be hard to make sense of all those endless Viator and TripAdvisor listings. Some are free, like New Europe’s tour, and go around the center of Paris, giving a historical overview of the city. Walks offer amazing in-depth tours starting from about 55 EUR. You’ll get specialized guides and skip the lines to big attractions, like the Louvre. I wrote a whole guide to the best walking tours in Paris!

14. Walk amongst the tombstones

The Pere-Lachaise Cemetery is Paris’ largest and most famous cemetery. In fact, it’s the most visited cemetery in the world and a peaceful, hauntingly beautiful area worth exploring. Look closely to spot the famous graves (Jim Morrison, Chopin, and Oscar Wilde are all buried here.) The cemetery was built in 1804 but locals considered the cemetery too far from the city. For that reason, Père Lachaise only had 13 graves its first year, however, administrators devised a plan to transfer the remains of Jean de La Fontaine and Molière, two of Paris’s most famous artists, to Père Lachaise. After that, everyone wanted to be buried here! You can read more about the cemetery here .

If you want, take a guided tour of the cemetery . You’ll learn a ton and won’t miss out on the most popular (and interesting) tombs. There’s no signs here so, without a tour, you won’t really learn much.

15. Visit the Mémorial de la Shoah

Despite having an excellent exhibit on France, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust, the Mémorial de la Shoah never draws a lot of people. It’s a real shame, as there is a lot of in-depth information and a great collection here. I’ve been to many Holocaust museums, and this is one of the best and most detailed in the world. I highly recommend it. Admission is free.

16. Take a food tour

To learn more about the history and culture behind Parisian cuisine, take a food tour. It’s the best way to eat your way around the city, sampling the best eats Paris has to offer, all while learning what makes the cuisine unique. Devour Tours runs in-depth food tours led by expert local guides that will introduce you to the food culture and its history. If you’re a foodie like me who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, this tour is for you! Food tours range from 89-109 EUR.

  For more information on other cities in France, check out these guides:

Paris Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A bed in a dorm ranges from 40-75 EUR per night, depending on location and how popular the hostel is. Double private rooms start at 97 EUR per night, but are more often in the range of 155-200 EUR. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Expect prices to be on the higher end during the summer travel season.

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels start around 120 EUR per night for a room with a double bed. You’ll get normal basic hotel amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, coffee/tea maker, and occasionally free breakfast. For a more mid-range three-star hotel, expect to pay at least 150-180 EUR per night. Expect prices to rise in the summer.

On Airbnb, the private rooms start at 65 EUR, while full apartments start at 150 EUR per night (but usually cost at least double that if you don’t book early). Prices will be double this in the summer.

Food – Food in France has a long history and is intricately intertwined with the culture. Fresh bread (especially baguettes), tasty local cheeses, and plentiful wine may be stereotypical staples of the cuisine, but they really are some of the must-eat foods in the country. Be sure to try croque monsieur (a hot ham and cheese sandwich), pot-au-feu (beef stew), steak frites (steak and fries), and if you’re real adventurous you can sample traditional delicacies like frog legs, escargot (snails) or foie gras (a fattened duck or goose liver).

If you’re on a budget, pick up some ingredients at the local market and have a picnic in one of the city’s many parks. Creating your own meal costs around 7-10 EUR and is a fun way to take in the city as you relax.

Pre-made sandwiches from the city’s takeaway shops, crepes, or fast food generally cost between 6-12 EUR (a combo meal at McDonald’s is around 10 EUR). If you want to eat at a restaurant (the French are known for their culinary skills, after all!), try doing a “prix-fixe” meal. It’s a set menu that offers you a deal on a 2-3 course meal for about 22-35 EUR for lunch.

A cheap meal at a casual restaurant costs around 15-18 EUR, while you should expect to pay between 30-50 EUR for dinner at a nice restaurant including wine. Try to avoid the tourist areas, where prices are around about 10-30% higher.

Beer costs 6-7 EUR, a glass of wine is 4-6 EUR, and cocktails are around 10-13 EUR. A cappuccino/latte is around 4 EUR while bottled water is 2 EUR.

Some of my favorite places to eat in the city are Bouillon Pigalle, Café Marlette Martyrs, Père & Fils, Bong, Crêperie des Arts, Le Dit Vin, Five Tea Or’normes, Florence Kahn, Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, Juveniles, Clamato, Wine Therapy, and La Recyclerie, Septime La Cave, Le Barav, and L’Assiette.

For an in-depth list of tons of restaurants and bars, check out my guidebook to Paris , which goes in-depth into the city!

If you’re cooking for yourself, expect to pay about 50-60 EUR for a week’s worth of groceries. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, bread, seasonal produce, and some meat.

Backpacking Paris Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Paris, my suggested budget is about 70 EUR per day. This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking your own meals and having picnics, taking public transit to get around, limiting your drinking, and doing most cheap or free activities like free walking tours and free museums.

A mid-range budget of about 150 EUR per day covers staying in a private Airbnb room, eating out for most of your meals at cheap fast food places, enjoying a few drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities like going up the Eiffel Tower and visiting the Louvre.

For a “luxury” budget of 280 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a budget hotel, eat out for all your meals, take more taxis, drink more, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Paris Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Since Paris is expensive to visit, it’s important to find ways to save money. Luckily, there are A LOT of ways to save money while still experiencing the city’s beauty, charm, and cuisine. If you want to lower your costs, here are some high-impact ways to save money in Paris:

• Buy a metro card – Paris has over 300 subway stations, so it’s easy to get around the city using public transportation. A day pass is 13.20 EUR while a 10-ticket pass or “carnet” costs 16.90 EUR (both of these are much cheaper than paying the 1.90 EUR for an individual ticket). The day pass, called ParisVisite, also provides discounts to some major Parisian landmarks.
• Have a picnic – With so many beautiful parks and outdoor gardens, it would be hard not to take advantage of picnicking. Eating in Paris is cheap when you do your own shopping. Buy some bread, cheese, and meat at the local shops and have an outdoor picnic. It’s fun and costs a fraction of what a meal in a restaurant would.
• Get the Paris Museum Pass – This prepaid card provides access to over 70 museums and monuments around Paris. A two-day pass costs 52 EUR, a four-day pass costs 66 EUR, and a six-day pass costs 78 EUR. This is perfect for the museum hopper. Since most people visit lots of museums in the city, you’re pretty much guaranteed to save money.
• Get the Paris Pass – This is a super-sized version of the Paris Museum Pass and is for people who want to do heavy sightseeing in a short period of time. You can purchase a two-day pass for 109 EUR, a three-day pass for 129 EUR, a four-day pass for 149 EUR, or a six-day pass for 169 EUR. It includes a TON of sights (75+ attractions), the ability to skip lines, and a hop-on, hop-off bus tour (in addition to everything in the Paris Museum Pass). You can order your pass here .
• See museums for free – All national museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of every month. If you happen to hit this day, be aware of potentially large crowds and long lines.
• Dine out during lunch – Food in Paris is not cheap. It costs you an arm and a leg to eat here, but during lunch, many restaurants offer a pre-fixe menu for 10-20 EUR. It’s the same food you would buy for dinner but at half the cost. When I eat out in Paris, I do so during lunch so I can still eat amazing French food without it eating my entire wallet!
• Cook your meals – The best way to save money on the road is to cook your own meals. Many hostels, campsites, and guest houses have kitchens. No kitchen? Pack your own container and silverware and make some sandwiches and salads on the go.
• Stay with a local – I highly recommend trying to find a host on Couchsurfing (or similar apps) so that you can get a kitchen, a place to stay, and a local friend to show you around. The community here is very active and friendly!
• Take a free walking tour – If you want to get a great overview of Paris, take a free walking tour with New Europe Tours. These 2-3 hour tours will give you a good overview of the city, help you get your bearings, and give you someone to ask for cheap eats and things to do! Just don’t forget to tip your guide at the end!
• Remember that water is free – When you order water at a restaurant, make sure you ask for tap water. They’ll try to provide bottled water and charge you for it, but tap water is free and safe to drink.
• Bring a water bottle – Since the tap water here is safe to drink you should bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe. There are water filling stations throughout the city.

Where to Stay in Paris

Paris has lots of awesome hostels and budget hotels. Here are some of my recommended places to stay in Paris:

• St. Christopher’s Canal
• Les Piaules
• Generator Hostel
• St. Christopher’s Gare du Nord
• Hôtel Thérèse

For more hostel suggestions be sure to check out my list of the best hostels in Paris.

How to Get Around Paris

Public transportation – The Paris public transport system is one of the world’s most comprehensive and efficient. Every other block has a metro (subway) stop. A single-use metro/bus ticket costs 1.90 EUR (2 EUR if you buy it on the bus).

A “carnet” of 10 single-use tickets costs 16.90 EUR. You can get a one-day to five-day pass (a ParisVisite) for all modes of public transportation (bus, metro, trams, and suburban trains called the RER) for between 13.20-42.20 EUR. It also gives you discounts to some major Parisian landmarks. You can buy tickets at any metro station.

( Note: There are cheaper day passes available if you are under 26, as well as discounted prices on weekends and holidays, but they are only explained on the French website. If you can speak passable French and are under 26, you can ask for those reduced fares instead.)

The RER is an above-ground train that has five lines serving Paris and Ile-de-France. It works exactly like the metro and uses the same tickets, although you’ll have to use your ticket in the automatic barriers on your way out of the station as well (unlike the metro). If you have a connecting journey with the metro, you can use the same ticket.

There are 64 bus lines in Paris’s metro network. If you already have your single-use metro/bus ticket, it costs 1.90 EUR. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy a ticket on the bus for 2 EUR. Your ParisVisite pass also works on the bus.

There are four tram lines in Paris that navigate the city’s perimeter. They work on the same ticketing system as the metro, RER, and bus.

The airport RoissyBus to Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) costs 12 EUR each way. The bus to Paris-Orly (ORY) costs between 9.50-12.10 EUR depending on which bus you take/where you are going in Paris.

Bike-sharing – Velib’ is Paris’s public bike-sharing program. A single trip is 3 EUR, while a one-day pass is 5 EUR and a 3-day pass is 20 EUR. If you’d like to take out an electric bike, a one-day pass is 10 EUR.

E-scooters – Electric scooters have quickly become a popular way to get around in Paris. There are a few different companies, including Lime and Tier, but most cost around the same price: around 1 EUR to unlock the scooter, .15-.20 EUR per minute thereafter.

Taxi – Taxis in the city are expensive (rides cost a minimum of 7.10 EUR regardless of where you are going). With the metro running late into the night, there’s little reason to take them. Avoid them if you can.

Uber – Uber is available in Paris but, again, it’s largely unnecessary as the public transportation is so great.

When to Go to Paris

Summer is the most popular (and most expensive) time to visit Paris. Average daily summer temperatures are in the low 20°Cs (high 70°Fs). While the weather is great, that also means the crowds are huge and wait times for major attractions are long. This is the most crowded time of year. (And, keep in mind, most French people leave during August for vacation.) If you are visiting in the summer, be sure to book your accommodation and activities in advance.

I think the best time to visit is May-early June and September-October. During these times, there are fewer crowds, prices are lower, and the weather is still sunny and warm. Temperatures are often around 20-23°C (68-73°F) making this a good season to stroll around outside without tons of layers on or the sweltering sun beating down on you.

Winter can be dark and chilly, but while the weather may not be perfect, Paris is particularly beautiful in the winter. It’s also the best time to find cheap airfare and hotel deals. Although Paris is never free from tourists, it does get less crowded at this time of year. This can be a great time to visit if you plan on spending most of your time in museums and historic sites. It’s also the rainiest during this time. Expect daily highs around 7°C (44°F).

How to Stay Safe in Paris

Paris is very safe, and the risk of violent crime is very low. That said, as in all major cities, petty theft and pickpocketing are pretty rife here, especially on crowded public transportation and in busy tourist areas. Avoid flashing your valuables and always keep your possessions secure and out of reach.

There’s a lot of tourist scams here, especially one involving people getting you to sign a petition and then demanding money. Simply avoid anyone urging you to sign a petition by politely declining their offer.

If you’re worried about getting scammed, you can read about common travel scams to avoid right here.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions occur (don’t leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone at night if intoxicated, etc.). For specific tips, I’d google solo female travel blogs as they can best give advice for Paris. To be extra safe, avoid walking around at night by yourself in certain neighborhoods, including Gare du Nord, Stalingrad, Jaures, and Les Halles.

Generally, your biggest issues in Paris will be tourist scams and petty theft.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Paris Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!
• Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of France.

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Paris!

While I have a lot of free tips on Paris, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, maps, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc.), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Paris that I got from living and running tours here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.

Paris Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling France and continue planning your trip:

The 8 Best Hotels in Paris

How to Spend 5 Days in Paris

13 Off-the-Beaten-Path Things to See and Do in Paris

The Best Walking Tours in Paris

Life in Paris, Part 3: Nothing Lasts Forever

The 10 Best Day Trips from Paris

Get my best stuff sent straight to you, pin it on pinterest.

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

The Cost of Travel in Paris: A 2024 Budget Breakdown

As the saying goes, Paris is always a good idea , and this couldn’t be more true, regardless of your budget.

Paris is a city that feels like it couldn’t possibly live up to the hype, until you go there and it absolutely does. Whether you’re visiting for the culture, the shopping, the history, or just the incredible food, Paris delivers in spades. There’s a reason why over 40 million people visit the French capital each year!

As you put together your itinerary, be sure to allocate plenty of time to aimless wandering. The winding streets and narrow alleyways make getting lost almost inevitable, but some of my most memorable experiences in Paris came when I ended up somewhere unexpected.

There’s so much to see in this wonderful city beyond the most famous attractions, and if you’re just following the blue dot on your smartphone, you’ll miss out on much of what makes it great! And don’t worry, bus stops and metro stations are everywhere, so it’s never hard to get back on track when you need to.

With that said, those attractions are famous for a reason, and there’s a very long list of things to see, do, and eat while you’re on your Parisian escape (I managed to put together a 6,000 word guide to the best things to do in Paris !). The Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are two of the most iconic, but there’s so much more to see. The Notre Dame Cathedral (which is due to reopen at the end of this year, in December 2024), Sainte Chapelle, and the Conciergerie are stunning, for instance, and close to each other, making it easy to stroll from one to the next. 

Eating and drinking in Paris is a highlight of any visit, whether it’s at a fancy rooftop bar or a humble streetside cafe. There’s a reason why all the seats at those cafes face out onto the street: people-watching is an activity that never gets old here. If you’d prefer to look at the city skyline rather than your fellow humans, head to rooftop bars like Terass en Haute and 43 Up on the Roof for incredible drinks and even better views.

I’ve been recording every single cent I spend in the countries and cities I travel through because I want to give my readers a realistic and accurate look at how much you can expect to spend in each country you visit.

Today, it’s Paris’ turn. While prices have definitely gone up post-pandemic, as they have around much of the rest of Europe and indeed the world, there are still some bargains to be had if you hunt them out. So, let’s get started! All prices are in Euros and US dollars.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Accommodation in Paris

As always with travel, it’s possible to cut your accommodation costs down to zero if you have the time and patience to seek out an offer.

Couchsurfing  exists in France — and, of course, Paris — and allows you to stay with a local for free, sleeping on their sofa and enjoying a local’s insight into life in their country. It’s not the most comfortable of living situations, but if your budget is tight, it’s worth sending out a few requests to hosts to see if anything comes of it. Take a look on the Couchsurfing site , where there are over a quarter-million hosts signed up in the city.

Housesitting  is another option. This is where you’ll take care of somebody’s house for free while they’re away, and usually look after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees: because you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. If you do have that freedom, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while.  Trusted Housesitters  is one of the best sites for getting started with housesitting.

I’m suspecting, though, that for most of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

The first of these are  hostels . There are dozens all over the city, often close to the major attractions, and they can be one of your best options for saving money.

Hostels in Paris  are on a par with the rest of major cities in Western Europe, and you can expect to spend around  €50/$54 a night for a dorm bed  for a well-reviewed hostel in Paris, with the price increasing to slightly about €65/$71 a night for the absolute best of the best. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for capsule-style single rooms, which are often priced about the same as a dorm bed.

When it comes to private rooms in hostels, prices are frankly all over the place. I’ve seen a few good options for under €100/$109 a night, and others that are very similar yet cost in excess of €200/$217 . At that point, you’re better off opting for a good midrange hotel instead.

If you’re an older traveller and put off by the thought of nights spent in hostels, you shouldn’t be! Private rooms are usually very quiet and clean, and most hostels are modern, safe, and centrally located. They tend to have a little more personality than generic hotels, and the staff are fantastic at offering kickass travel advice. As long as you check the reviews of any hostel before booking it to make sure nobody refers to it as a party hostel, you’re all good to make a booking there.

I use  HostelWorld  to find the cheapest hostels, as they tend to have the greatest number of listings at the lowest prices.

And, of course, there are always hotels, which will usually start at around  €150-200/$163-217 a night  for a good, clean, mid-range property in a central location. I always use  Booking , as they have the most accommodation options for the cheapest prices.

The Cost of Accommodation in Paris

Le 12 Hôtel ( €197/$214 a night): Sitting on a little back street in the 8th arrondissement and sandwiched between some of the city’s biggest attractions, Le 12 is in the perfect spot to be able to walk all over the city and then return to a lovely quiet hotel at night. Only a couple of minutes from a major train and metro station and barely half an hour’s walk to the Louvre, Sacré-Cœur, Arc du Triomphe, and more, it really is a fantastic location. The rooms are clean and modern, and if you get the right one, you’ll even have a view of the Eiffel Tower to gaze out the window at while you’re enjoying your morning coffee from the in-room machine. The staff are super-friendly and helpful, and more than happy to make recommendations for some of the great local restaurants nearby.

Hôtel des Arts Montmartre ( €243/$264 a night): This boutique hotel is bright, clean, and by the standards of post-pandemic accommodation in Paris, reasonably priced. I love the chunky spiral staircase that leads up to the stylish, modern rooms, many of which have a great view over the rooftops of the Montmartre district. The hotel is in the perfect spot, super-close to everything from Sacre Couer and the Moulin Rouge to a near-endless array of eateries, but on a quiet street with no road noise. Loads of little touches make the difference, from macarons on arrival to free prosecco vouchers, not to mention the delicious breakfast that’s served downstairs every day.

La Matissia – ( €293/$318 a night): With a full kitchen, spacious living areas, and bright rooms, these apartment style suites make you feel more like you’re living in the City of Lights than just visiting for a few days. The location is ideal, close to the Gard du Nord and with easy pedestrian or metro access to the city without having to deal with the accompanying noise. It’s also close to some of the cultural hubs of the Paris, including La Cigale concert hall and the Pompidou Centre. There’s a coffee shop on site, along with complimentary water, tea, coffee, and snacks, and several excellent restaurants nearby.

The Cost of Transportation in Paris

Paris is one of the major airport hubs in the world, making travel to and from simple and cheap. If you’re coming from the UK or elsewhere in Western Europe, consider the train as well: it can often be just as quick door to door, and a lot more comfortable! Base prices tend to be higher, but by the time you add checked baggage to your flight, there’s often not a lot in it.

• Round trip from London (flight) – €66/ $72
• Round trip from London (Eurostar) – €151/ $164
• Round trip from Rome- €59/ $64
• Round trip from NYC- €429/ $466
• Round trip from Amsterdam- €133/ $144
• Round trip from Hong Kong- €463/ $503

Paris is very walkable, but if you can’t or don’t care to walk to your destination, the public transportation system is effective, comprehensive, and cheap.

The metro is really does go almost everywhere you might want to visit as a tourist, with 16 different lines and nearly 300 stations. For a single ticket in zone 1-3, expect to pay € 2.15/$2.35 , or you can use a contactless card or phone app and get a 10-pack of tickets for € 17.35/$19. The card is € 2/$2.20 , the app is free to install. Tickets are available from machines and counters at metro stations, as well as many newsagents and convenience stores.

The Paris Visite pass gives unlimited travel across all forms of transport throughout the city. Prices start at € 13.95/$15.20 and can be purchased for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. There are two different options, a cheaper zone 1-3 ticket, and a zone 1-5 option that includes outer suburbs, Versailles, and both Paris airports. If you choose access to all zones for 5 days, you’ll pay € 76.25/$83 : this is the ticket I bought, and I got more than my money’s worth.  

The RER train network, Transiliens (regional trains), and trams are also a part of the city’s transport network, and are covered by the unlimited Paris Visite pass. The RER and Transilient share many stations, making it easy to connect as needed.

Buses are everywhere in Paris, and sometimes they’re faster than making multiple changes on the metro. They have better views as well! There are 64 different bus lines which make it easy to get where you’re going during the daytime, and when the sun sets, the Noctilien night bus service takes over. It has 47 stations and runs from 12:30 to 5:30 am. The ticketing system is the same as for the metro and trains, and is again included in the Paris Visite pass.

Cycling is a fantastic way to get around in many European cities, and Paris is no exception. Velib’ Metropole is the most popular and convenient option for renting a self-service bike, with docks scattered across the city. I’ve used it myself and on a sunny spring afternoon, it was an absolute delight. Both pedal and electric bikes are available, so go for whichever suits the distances you plan to cover (and your energy levels!).

You can rent a standard pedal bike for 45 minutes for € 3/$3.25 , or get a day pass for € 5/$5.50 that gives unlimited rides of up to half an hour each and then € 1/$1.10 per half hour after that. Electric bikes cost € 10/$11 for the day pass, with five free rides of up to 45 minutes each. After that, it’s €2 /$2.20 per 45 minute trip, and the same per extra half hour.

Keep in mind that Paris is a busy metropolis with unnerving one-way streets and hectic traffic to match. I may have accidentally started going the wrong way down a narrow one-way street a couple of times myself! If you’re not experienced in urban cycling, it might be safe to stick to park paths like those in the Bois de Boulogne or Bois De Vincennes instead!

How Much Does it Cost to Eat in Paris?

When it comes to eating in Paris, don’t worry, it’s not all croissants and escargot–although if it were, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world! Parisian cuisine is rightly famous around the world. Meals are thought of as a celebration rather than an obligation, and lunches in particular are rarely viewed as something to do in a hurry. Fresh, natural ingredients dominate, and are used to create dishes that burst with flavour. While rich, heavy meals are often associated with French cuisine, there are also plenty of lighter, simple foods on offer as well.

I’d be amazed if you weren’t already familiar with baguettes, long loaves of bread that are either cut up to accompany a restaurant meal or layered with meats and cheeses and treated like a sandwich elsewhere in the world. Baked fresh each day and found pretty much everywhere, these delicious staples typically cost around €4-6/$4.40-6.60 , depending on what’s inside them.

Macarons are small, colourful pastries shaped like a cookie: you’ll find them in most bakeries, and they’ll set you back €2-4/$2.20-4.40 depending on how fancy they (and the bakery) are. Eclairs are another French dish that’s spread around the world: they usually come filled with cream, but somehow aren’t quite as heavy to eat as you might expect. Expect to pay €2-3/$2.20-3.30 for a standard version from a neighbourhood bakery, and up to €6/$6.60 for a gourmet high-end version. 

A typical breakfast consists of a baguette with jam ( €2.50/$2.75) or a croissant (even the tastiest ones are only €1-2/$1.10-2.20 ), a coffee, and a walk — it’s usually consumed on the move. Parisians are good at walking and eating in the morning, perhaps because when they dine-in, they pay for their seat. A to-go espresso costs around €1.50/$1.65 , but you’ll need to add an extra euro to have it while seated inside a cafe, and another euro to drink it at an outside table.

Lunch is a big deal here, often lasting two or three hours, and will typically be your most expensive meal. A good way to save a bit of money and still get to enjoy authentic and varied French cuisine is to look for restaurants advertising a formule or menu du jour : these set three-course meals will typically set you back €20-30/$22-33 . That might include a drink, but not always. Expect to see things like French onion soup, coq au vin, ratatouille, and crème brûlée on the menu, although there are many other options as well depending on the season and the restaurant.

Dinner is often less fussy and slightly less expensive, at around €20/$22 per meal, not including a drink. Steak frites are a common menu item, while duck confit is more of a treat (and rarity) due to the intensive preparation — I’m talking days of marinating. But if you can find a good one, you won’t regret it!

When it’s time to drink (and trust me, there will be many opportunities to do so in Paris), wine is the most popular and cheapest option. Given how much of it is produced in France, and how good it is, that’s hardly a surprise.

At the grocery store, a bottle of good table wine costs as little as €3-5/$3.30-5.50 , while a bottle or carafe of something similar in a restaurant might set you back €10-15/$11-16.50 or more. Cocktails cost about the same, while pints of beer in a bar usually starting at €6-8/$6.60-9 . Keep in mind that happy hour is a big thing here, though: from about 6-8 pm, most bars and restaurants in the city offer deals on both food and alcohol. 

If you wish to cook your own meal, you won’t want to skip over the local markets. In Paris, you can find a market on nearly any given day selling fresh goods from vegetables and meat to cheese and olive oil. The most famous market in Paris is Marché des Enfants Rouges which has been trading staples since 1628. You can get a pound of various fruits and veggies for €2-€3/$2.20-3.30 and a pound of salmon or cod might set you back approximately €8/$8.70 . 

Craving a quick meal? Street food is a great way to experience the city without the high price. Falafel, kebabs, and crepes are common options: easily-accessible and highly-regarded, you’ll typically pay around €5-8/$5.50-8.80 . 

The Cost of Activities in Paris

Wandering in Paris is an absolute delight, especially in spring and early summer when the city just feels alive. You don’t even need to have a destination in mind to enjoy it, but if you do, you’ll find that many of the city’s attractions are within walking distance of each other, and there’s plenty to see along the way.

Arguably the most famous street in the world, a stroll along the bustling Champs-Elysees should be on every itinerary. High-end shopping, elegant cafes, stunning buildings, and endless people-watching–it’s all there on this famous Parisian thoroughfare. The walking and people-watching is free, but little else is!

If you are a lover of books and the arts, you’ll want to get lost in the Centre Georges Pompidou , a massive library and home to one of the top modern art museums in the world, Musée National d’Art Moderne. Tickets cost €15/$16.50 , with an extra €4.50/$5 to join a guided tour if you want one.

As much as there is to see above ground, there’s plenty to see below the city streets as well. The famous catacombs have nearly a mile of tunnels, filled with the bones of millions of people that were moved from the city’s overcrowded cemeteries in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It’s an eerie yet fascinating experience. Admission costs €29/$31.50 (including an audio guide) for adults. Note that tickets can only be bought up to a week in advance, and they’re very popular: if you can’t get one in advance, you can try your luck at the ticket office, but prepare for a lengthy wait.

Of course, that only scratches the surface of what’s on offer in Paris: from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, the Moulin Rouge to Sacré-Coeur, you could spend months in the city and still not run out of world-class attractions. Note that for many of the biggest sites in the city, there can be long lines if you just show up on the day to buy a ticket: get one in advance if you can, or plan your itinerary accordingly!

• Louvre Skip the Line Access Private Guided Tour – €128.50/$139
• Paris Sightseeing Guided Bike Tour – €42.50/$46
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Dinner & Sightseeing Cruise – €127/$138
• Eiffel Tower Skip the Line Ticket – €70/$76

If you have the time and plan to visit several major attractions in the city, the Paris Pass can save you money. It includes admission to more than 60 attractions including the Palace of Versailles and Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, Pompidou Centre, and more. You can choose anything from 2-6 days validity, and get a hop-on, hop-off bus tour and discounts at various restaurants thrown in as well. Prices start at €159/$172 .

The Cost of Travel Insurance in Paris

If you’ve read any other posts on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know that I’m a great believer in travelling with travel insurance. I’ve seen far too many Go Fund Me campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. These costs can quickly land you with a six-figure bill to pay at the end of it.

In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died and you need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Paris. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re more affordable than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

With SafetyWing, you’ll pay  $1.50 a day  for travel insurance.

How Much Does it Cost to Travel in Paris?

Accommodation:  €245/$265 per day between two ( €122.50/$132.5 0 each) Transportation:  € 15.50/$17 per day Food and drink:  €60/ $65 per day Activities:  €64/ $69 per day

Total amount spent per person per day: €262/ $284

Related Articles on France 🇫🇷 23 Best Things to Do in Paris: The Ultimate Guide 🏖 Top Things to Do in Nice ⚛️ A Private Tour of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 2

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Thanks so much!

You can follow along on my travels through my social media accounts below

Sorry you didn't find this article useful!

Help me improve it by leaving your comments below

All feedback is anonymous and emailed directly to me. If there's anything I can do to improve the quality of this article, please do let me know and I'll make the suggested changes within 24 hours

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

Related Posts

The Cost of Travel in Mauritius: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

The Cost of Travel in Thailand: My Detailed Budget Breakdown

2023: My Travels in Review

The Cost of Travel in South Korea: My 2024 Budget Breakdown

What’s it Like to Travel in Liechtenstein?

What to Take On the Camino Primitivo: My Detailed Packing List

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Meet Lauren Juliff

Paris on a Budget: 22 Easy Strategies for Cost-Saving

Salut from Paris is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

Traveling to Paris on a budget is both a challenge and an opportunity. In a city known for its high costs, expenses for essentials like hotels, transport, and food can quickly pile up.

However, with some strategic planning and a few insider tips, you can still enjoy the beauty and culture of Paris without overspending.

As a local without big travel funds, I know how to get around town without spending more than I need to. So I wrote this guide for you to share some of my practical tips and strategies to help you manage your expenses effectively in Paris. Here’s to how to save Money in Paris!

Salut, I am Lena – travel planning expert and parisienne since 2006 🩷

You also might like these articles :

• The 14 most charming Arcades in Paris (+ Covered Passages Map)
• 18 free Museums in Paris (+tips to save on the others)
• 70+ Free & Fun Things to do in Paris

Paris on a Budget: 22 Local Insider Tips

Without further ado, here are 22 simple  insider tips  on how to visit Paris on a shoestring budget.

#1 Visit one of the many Free Museums

While the famous Parisian museums like the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay are worth every cent, you can enjoy a wide range of art and culture in Paris for free.

For example, the  Musée Carnavalet  in the Marais district, that is about the history of Paris beginning in prehistoric times. Or the  Maison Victor Hugo , dedicated to the life and works of the famous French writer. 

More free museums in Paris:

• Musée de la vie Romantique ( more Montmartre highlights here )
• Modern Art Museum of Paris
• Musée de la Liberation  (more information here)

#2 Know how to visit the other Parisians Museums for free

Read our article about free museums in Paris to know more.

Apart from the Parisian museums that are always admission-free, you have even the possibility to visit the big and renowned museums like the Louvre or the Musée d’Orsay for free. 

Almost every museum in Paris is  free for everyone under 18 and every EU citizen under 26 . But even if you are not falling into this category, you can still profit from free entries. For example, during the  Nuit Blanche  on the 3rd of June 2023  or the  European Heritage Days  on the 16th and 17th of September 2023. 

If this still does not match your travel plans, you’ll be happy to know that most museums are free on a certain day of the month. For most, it’s the  first Sunday of the month , for others the first  Saturday evening . Best check directly with the museum to know what applies.

CHECKLIST for your Paris Trip

✔ Hotel booked?

• Budget: Hotel France Albion (8.6)
• Midrange: Hôtel des Arts (9.6)
• Upscale: Millésime Hôtel (9.2)
• Luxury: La Demeure Montaigne (9.1)
• My Favorite: Hôtel Monte Cristo

✔ Tickets booked?

• Eiffel Tower ( book here )
• Paris City Pass ( book here )
• Louvre ( book here )
• Arc de Triomphe ( book here )
• Hop On Hop Off Bus ( book here )

🎁🎁 Exclusive 5% off on Seine Cruises – BOOK HERE with our code SALUT5 🎁🎁

Paris Survival Tips

• Buy your SIM card in advance
• Get a Travel Adapter
• Book your airport transfer
• Download the free survival guide

Fun Activities

• Explore the Covered Arcades
• Discover the quaint Bookstores
• Find Paris Hidden Cocktail Bars
• Take an easy Day Trip by train

#3 Consider the Paris Museums Pass

See all Museums included in the Pass here

If you are an art lover, the free museums of Paris surely won’t be enough to please your gallery appetite.

Paris is known for outstanding galleries and museums, and paying for each museum easily adds up. Hence, you certainly won’t regret investing in the  Paris Museums Pas s. The smallest pass is valid for 2 days, and you only need to visit 5 museums for the pass to pay off.  Click here to see all the benefits.

#4 Use the Metro, Bus, and Tram

Read our Metro Guide here to know how to get around

No matter where you are traveling to, using public transportation is the cheapest way of getting around in Paris. The Parisian Metro system is fantastic and transports you quickly and save to wherever you are heading to. Read our post about the  Parisian Metro and how it works  to know more.

Good to know:  You can transfer from Metro to Metro on one ticket if you don’t leave the station. But you need a new ticket if you want to transfer to a bus or a tram.

#5 Buy a  Carnet  of 10 Metro Tickets+

If you’re not taking a travel pass (which can be a smart choice), it is cheaper to purchase a carnet of 10 ticket+ (€16.90)  rather than purchasing tickets one by one. (€2.10)

Just go to the ticket counter that you find at every station, buy a Navigo Pass for €2 and charge it with 10 Tickets.

No matter where you are traveling to, using public transportation is the cheapest way of getting around. The Parisian Metro system is fantastic and transports you quickly and save to wherever you are heading to. Read our post about the Parisian Metro and how it works to know more.

#6 Don’t hesitate to discover Paris on foot

Even though Paris is the capital of France, it is a surprisingly small city. Did you know that  walking from the North to the South edge takes only a bit more than 2 hours ? 

When being in Paris, walking is not only cheap, it is also often the quickest way. We easily underestimate the time we spend inside Metro stations, and regularly it’s indeed almost quicker to just walk than taking the Metro for 3 or 4 stations. Especially if you are in Paris on a budget.

#7 use the Vélib Service

Read our article on  how to use a Vélib  to make the most out of it. 

But talking about the Metro, the price can quickly add up if you use it regularly.  It can be more frugal to rent a bike with Vélib, the Parisian bike-sharing provider with more than 1000 stations all over Paris. If done correctly, you can rent an  unlimited number of rides per day for as little as €5 .

#8 Eat in Restaurants for Lunch

Paris is, after Tokyo, the city with the most 5-Star Michelin Restaurants. And while these restaurants are not easily affordable for most of us, there are tons of good eateries in Paris to enjoy fantastic food .

To save a considerable amount of money, you should  prioritize lunch over dinner , though. A normal brasserie has usually a set lunch menu (starter and main, or main and dessert) for €10 – €13.

But even most gastronomic restaurants are offering a cheaper menu for lunch. You can expect to be able to treat yourself to an exquisite 3-course lunch for between €20 and €30, a meal that costs you easily double if taken in the evening. 

#9 Take Public Transportation from the Airport

Read our complete guide on how to get from the Airport to Paris

The Parisian airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly are both quite a bit outside of Paris and even though it might be tempting just to hop in a taxi, taking public transportation is almost as easy.

The airports are connected by direct line to the center of Paris and since early March 2022,  train rides are capped at €5 . There is simply no cheaper way than sitting 30–40 minutes on a train. 

#10 Affordable Tourist Attraction: a Seine Cruise

Book the best value Seine Cruise here

If you are keen on doing some sightseeing while in Paris or simply want to embrace your touristic adventure, a cruise on the Seine is a great thing to do. It costs around €18 per person and grants you an hour-long relaxation while enjoying the fantastic Parisian Panorama.

A Cruise on the river Seine is  one of the cheapest activities in Paris , and I recommend doing it by night for the added value.  Paris by night , hat’s really something else. 

#11 Don’t pay for Wi-Fi

To be fair, Paris is maybe a bit behind when it comes to free Wi-Fi, but nevertheless, there are still many spots all over town where you can connect your device. You find a list of all public hotspots  here.

But even if you prefer not to rely on the public network, most stores, and shopping malls provide free internet service and so do Mcdonald’s, Starbucks, Prêt à Manger, and many more.

Alternatively, get an affordable eSim here .

#12 Take advantage of Happy Hours

If you like to enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine on a sunny Parisian terrace, you are very easily in for spending big.

Paying €10 or even €12 for a pint is no exception, especially in the center of Paris. For not miss out but neither break the bank, watch out for Happy Hours.

Often  between 17h and 20h , bars serve drinks like beer, simple cocktails , and wine at reduced rates.

#13 Book an Ibis Hotel

Know which are the best 5 Ibis Hotels in Paris

When traveling to Paris, your accommodation is in most cases the biggest cost factor of your entire trip. Frankly, the prices of hotels and Airbnb are horrendous in Paris, and you pay mostly for the location and not much more. Especially if you are looking for budget and even mid-range hotels.

The Best Ibis in Paris is this one: I bis Paris Grands Boulevards Opéra

A viable alternative if you are in Paris on a budget is always an Ibis hotel. The chain offers  no-frills stays that are affordable but provide a good standard .

More than 50 hotels in Paris belong to the Ibis group, and not every location is great, though. However, I put together a list of 5  Ibis Hotels in Paris , that are all perfectly located to explore Paris!

#14 Buy affordable (but good!) lunches from Boulangeries

Whether you are dreaming of a flaky croissant for breakfast or about biting off the tip of an oven-warm Parisian Baguette , Paris is THE place where you can have it all.

Bakeries in Paris are authentic and very affordable places to treat yourself to delicious French specialties. Be it the pain au chocolate , a quiche for lunch, or a jambon beurre (ham and butter sandwich) for dinner, you can hardly be more authentic.

Expect to pay about €1.30 for a Pain au Chocolat and €1.10 for a Baguette. Sounds great, if you are in Paris on a budget, doesn’t it?

#15 Don’t have Drinks in the Center of Paris

As already mentioned before, going out in Paris can be costly: A pint of beer can go up to €12, and Cocktails even €20. Your best bet to avoid being charged horrendous prices is to avoid the center of Paris and any hip, exclusive or fancy area.

Overall, the  Buttes-aux-Cailles  in the 13th arrondissement is a great area to go for drinks, and a beer will hardly cost you more than €6.

The same applies to the  student bars in the Latin Quarter  and the pubs around  Canal St. Martin and Oberkampf .

#16 Get free Water at Wallace Fountains

When in Paris on a budget, you don’t need to spend any money on beverages when sightseeing. Just bring your bottle and fill it up at one of the  Wallace Fountains  as you go.

The  107 green statue-like fountains  are significant in the Parisian cityscape, and they provide free drinking water for everyone. Initiated by Sir Richard Wallace a good 150 years ago, they are existent (and heavily used) until today. 

#17 Join a Free Walking Tour

Talking about the Wallace Fountains, there are several free self-guided walking tours that lead you around Paris to discover the fountains and also the history behind them.  You find them here.

If you are not overly passionate about tab water, you can also join a  free walking tour  with Guruwalk. Even though the booking is free, you are expected to  pay-what-you-want after the tour. 

#18 Attend a Free Summer Festivals

As soon as it gets to spring, the festival season starts in Paris. The first major music festival happens each year on the 21st of June, the Fête de la Musique . Free concerts and events are happening all over Paris, some in venues, some just on the street in front of restaurants and bars.

The Fête de la Musique is followed by Paris Plage, the Fnac Music Festival, the free cinema festival at La Villette and many more.

#19 Have an Apéro by the Seine

One of the favorite activities of the Parisians is to gather and enjoy an Apéro together. In summer, preferably outdoors. Be it in one of the many Parisian parks, on the stairs of the Sacre Coeur, or along the banks of the Seine.

Organizing an Apéro is fairly easy: Just head to the next supermarket and get snacks and nibbles that you like: bread, cheese, cold cuts, grapes, tomatoes, spreads like hummus or tzatziki, chips, olives, and of course, a bottle of wine or some beers. Voilà, you are all set for an outdoor apéro. 

#20 Free Water and Bread in Restaurants

It is essential to know that you are neither expected nor obliged to order drinks when eating in a restaurant.

You can simply order a carafe d’eau, and you’ll get a free pitcher of tap water . You just need to be precise and ask for a carafe d’eau. If you order a bottle of water or even sparkling water, you’ll be served a branded bottle and obviously be charged for it.

In most cases, the waiter brings a bottle without that you’re even asking for it. However, if you eat in a fancy restaurant, especially in the evening, ordering a real bottle of water is more appropriate. 

Many dishes are served with bread. You’re not charged for it and can even ask for more. 

#21 You don’t necessarily need to leave Tips in Restaurants

I know it feels weird, if not outright rude, not to tip, but tipping in Paris is not necessary. Waiters earn a normal salary and are not paid through tips. Even though they are not making a fortune, they are more or less paid what employees of hotels, supermarkets, or bakeries are.

This being said, tips are, of course, appreciated and if you feel like tipping, please do so. But don’t feel obliged, especially not to give a tip of more than 10%. Even 10% is pretty high. 

As a guideline, most people leave between €1 or €3 on the table when leaving, depending on their bill. Nevertheless, it is not rude if you leave nothing whatsoever.

#22 Fill up your schedule with free Paris attractions

Read our article with more than  70 free things to do in Paris

There are many free things to do in Paris and if you are a fan of author readings, keep an eye on the event calendar of the beautiful anglophone bookstore Shakespeare & Company.

At the time of writing, readings and events are less frequently as they were a few years ago, but they’re nevertheless wondererfull.

The readings are free of charge and occasionally, they serve you even some wine.

This is only one of the  fun things to do in Paris for free , there are more! Read our article to get the full list. 

Voilà, my best tips to have a wonderful time in Paris. If you combine them with the many free museums , sights and hidden gems in Paris, you are not set up for spending overly much during your vacation in Paris. Bon Voyage!

Parisienne since 2006 🩷

Expert in: Parisian Life &

French Culture, Travel

Planning, Crochet & Food and Drinks

Join me on Facebook for updates and news about Paris.

Must Have Paris Travel Essentials

International Travel Adapter

Order here from Amazon

Portable Charger for your Phone

PS: Check out these posts, they will help you plan your trip to Paris

• 20 Arrondissements in Paris (Quick Guide + Map)
• Paris hidden gems: 80+ well kept secrets you shouldn’t miss
• What NOT to do in Paris -23 (costly) Paris Mistakes you need to avoid!
• 14 Hotels with stunning Eiffel Tower views- for (almost) every budget!
• Your Perfect 2 Days in Paris! Itinerary & Insider Tips
• 5 ways to get from Charles de Gaulle airport to Paris – THE complete guide!
• Scams in Paris! How to avoid the most common cons

Pin this article and find it back later:

Similar Posts

These Are the 13 Most Exceptional View Points in Paris

Tipping in Paris – How to Do it Right (+cheat sheet)

Père Lachaise Cemetery – Know Before You Go!

Is the Louvre Worth It? Your No-Nonsense Guide

La Coulée Verte: Explore the Unique Promenade Plantée

11 Sublime Eiffel Tower Photo Spots you Need to Know About

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Check rates for our recommended hotels

• Book Hotels

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Subscribe and get our free guide to "101 Ways to Save in Europe"

* indicates a required field

Your subscription request has been received

Sorry, an error occurred and your subscription request could not be processed. Please try again later.

• See All Cities
• Advertising Info
• Customer Support

Paris Budget Travel Guide: 47 ways to save on your trip (2024 Update)

Apr 3, 2024

25 comments

Worried about what your upcoming trip to Paris might do to your wallet? Fear not, for EuroCheapo has you covered with this definitive list of our top 47 Paris budget travel tips!

The City of Light might be Europe’s most visited destination, but it doesn’t need to be the most expensive. Below you’ll find tips for saving on every aspect of your trip, updated in April 2024.

From getting in from the airport to saving on hotels, shopping, and eating out, we’re ready to help you save. On y va!

EuroCheapo’s Paris budget travel guide

Table of Contents

Saving on hotels

At EuroCheapo, we’re passionate about affordable accommodations in Europe. Our founding mission has been to help readers find great, inexpensive places to sleep that will also get them closer to the local culture.

Our Paris hotel guide includes more than 100 hotel recommendations (including our favorite cheap hotels in Paris ), but in the meantime here’s some quick advice to get you started:

The Hotel Tiquetonne is one of our all-time favorite cheapo sleeps in the center of Paris, with doubles for around $110 if you book in advance.

1. Save on transit by sleeping in a central neighborhood

Considering that it’s a world capital, Paris is a fairly compact city. If you have a central starting point, you can get to most of the city’s main sights by foot or a quick Metro ride. The city is divided into 20 districts, called “Arrondissements.”

Numbering starts with the first arrondissement in the center of town, which includes the Louvre, and spirals clockwise out. Here’s a map , in case you need help visualizing it. We recommend choosing a hotel in a central arrondissement, perhaps sticking to 1-9 (possibly skipping the 8th, which is a bit more far-flung and can get pricey).

Choosing a hotel in these neighborhoods (especially near the Louvre , in the Marais , in the Latin Quarter , near the Eiffel Tower , and near the Opéra ) will put you in the center of the city. You’ll save on transportation, especially at night, when you would be otherwise tempted to hop in a taxi or Uber to get home.

2. Don’t mind a commute? Save by staying outside the center

That having been said, if you don’t mind taking the Metro to get to and from your hotel, you certainly can find cheaper hotels if you’re willing to stay a bit outside of the center of town. The Metro snakes through the entire city, so you’re never really a long ride from one side of Paris to the other.

One of the most convenient lines, Line 1, slices through the center of Paris and comes every two minutes. It’s also fully automated, so it isn’t affected by strikes, which happen frequently in Paris and can shut down the other lines. So, you could stay in an arrondissement like the 11th between Bastille and Nation , which will be cheaper than a more central neighborhood, but you’ll still be able to commute quickly to the center.

3. Don’t be afraid of these super cheap hotels

Some great Paris hotels are really, really cheap (like the Tiquetonne , pictured above). Many of these are inexpensive because they’ve kept things simple — some haven’t even added TVs to the rooms.

But don’t let that scare you: the simplicity of these hotels doesn’t mean that they are unsafe or uncomfortable. Rather, they give you a great place to stay while saving for the rest of your trip.

• Read more ways to save on hotels in Paris and how to save on hotels in France .

Search hotels in Paris

Getting around.

Paris is a big city, with hot spots that aren’t always situated around the corner from your hotel. Here’s how to get to where you need to go, cheaply.

Boarding the RoissyBus at Place de l’Opera, heading for CDG. Photo: Alexandre

4. Take public transit in from Charles de Gaulle airport

If you’re taking a long-haul flight to Paris (especially from the U.S.), you’re probably landing in the Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG). To make the 23 km trek into Paris, you have several options.

If I’m alone or just with one traveling partner, I usually take the RER train or a bus to save on cash (although not everyone at EuroCheapo agrees with me on this point). Here’s some more info on both of these options:

• Take the RER B (regional train)

It can be a bit of a grim entry to the city, but the RER  takes 25-50 minutes (depending on your destination and whether or not you get an express train) and costs only €11.80. There’s no need to reserve in advance — you can buy your ticket from one of the many machines that line the walls at the RER station attached to the airport.

These trains stop in Paris at the Gare du Nord, Châtelet Les Halles and St-Michel Notre Dame, among other stops. From here you can transfer to the Metro or possibly just walk to your hotel. (Note: Hold onto your RER tickets! You’ll need them to exit the RER and not being able to fish it out of your pocket is a lousy way to start your vacation! Not that I’ve been there…)

• Take a bus to central Paris

The “RoissyBus” is operated by the city, costs €16.60 per person, and takes about an hour. It departs from most terminals at CDG and drops you off at its main stop at the Place de l’Opéra. It’s a few euros more than the RER, but often a more comfortable experience.

Buses leave from CDG to Place de l’Opéra every 15 minutes from 6 am to 8:45 pm and every 20 minutes from 8:45 pm to 12:30 am. To get back to the airport, buses leave Place de l’Opéra every 15 minutes from 5:15 am to 8 pm, every 20 minutes from 8 pm to 10 pm, and every 30 minutes from 10 pm to 12:30 am.

5. Be careful with taxis from the airport

Yes, many people do take taxis in from the airport . It will cost you dearly (around €50-70 for a basic car, plus tip and luggage surcharge) and take about an hour, depending on your destination. But wait, there’s more! Extra charges will be added for driving during morning rush hour and on Sundays and holidays.

If you have a small group of people, however, the fare can be worth it. They’re also regulated and trustworthy, so you can feel safe and won’t get scammed (beyond the already high price). Here’s how to save on cabs from the airport and our guide for using Uber in Paris .

6. In general, avoid taxis for short distances around Paris

The starting fare for a taxi in Paris is €7. Thus, if you’re just going a short distance, hoof it or hop on a bus or Vélib’ .

7. Buy a multipack or travel pass for Metro and bus tickets

Metro and bus tickets cost €2.15 each. We recommend buying a 10-pack, or a “carnet” (pronounced “car-nay”), to save money. These physical tickets are being phased out but, as of 2024, they are still available if you ask for them at the ticket counter, which is found in most Metro stations.

To replace the paper “carnet,”  passengers can now purchase the 10-pack in paperless form and load them onto your Navigo Easy pass . The 10-pack costs €17.35 for adults and €8.65 for children.

Note: the Navigo Easy pass currently only works on the Metro lines, so if you need to take an RER to go farther outside of Paris (e.g. Versailles, Giverny, or Disney Paris), you’ll need to ask an agent at the ticket counter for the right ticket.

8. Use CityMapper or Bonjour RATP instead of Google Maps

Google Maps is useful for getting around, as it will calculate routes that include Metro and RER options. However, it does not update quickly when one of the Metro lines is stopped or slowed for strikes, mechanical problems, or other issues — which happens frequently.

Bonjour RATP is the official navigation app for the Paris public transit network, and CityMapper is an alternative that includes bike and scooter options. Both can be used in English and will provide more up-to-date information and alternatives when lines or stations are closed.

9. Relax — the Metro machines are in English.

The ticket machines in the Paris Metro are available for use in English, and they take credit cards as a form of payment.

10. Buying tickets on the bus are more expensive.

Yes, you can buy your bus ticket from the driver (and make everyone behind you wait), but you’ll pay €2.50 and it won’t cover a transfer. Here are more bus tips for saving on your transportation.

11. Take a Cheapo city bus tour

There’s no need to pay for a sightseeing bus. Here are seven public bus lines that offer great sightseeing for the cost of a bus ticket!

12. Consider a “Paris Visite” travel card

If you plan to spend a lot of time getting around in the Paris Metro, consider buying a “Paris Visite” travel card , which offers unlimited travel on the Metro and bus system and various discounts from partnering businesses. Adult tickets cost €13.95 (one day), €22.65 (two days), €30.90 (three days) and €44.45 (five days).

13. Make sure your credit card has a chip!

Thankfully, the majority of American credit cards now employ the “chip and PIN” technology that has been in use throughout Europe for years. If, however, your card is still chipless and uses only a magnetic swipe, you’ll likely have problems in automatic ticket machines in France.  This includes machines in the RER stations at Charles de Gaulle and in Metro stations.

(If your card isn’t working at the machine, head to the ticket window. Old-school American cards will work fine when handed to a cashier for swiping.)

Choosing a bike from a Velib’ kiosk. Photo: Rachel Ludwick

14. Save by biking around town on V é lib’

Paris’ Vélib’ bike share program was one of the first in the world when it launched in 2007 and remains enormously popular today. With 20,000 bikes in the program available from a whopping 1,400 stations around the city, it’s truly massive. Once you join, you simply head to any Vélib’ station, enter your access code, take out a bike and ride off! Park it at another Vélib’ station, and you’re done.

A one-day Vélib’ pass costs €5 and covers a 30-minute ride (you’ll pay a small charge for going over the 30-minute limit). We recommend buying a 3-day pass for €20, as it covers 60-minute rides AND includes electric bikes (45-minute rides).

Sights & Attractions

Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous cultural attractions, many of which have their own “cheapo tricks” for saving a few euros.

Visit the Musee d’Orsay on Thursday night to save time — and avoid crowds. Photo: Pierre Blache

15. Get into museums for free

If you are under the age of 26 and a resident of the European Union (this includes non-citizens with student visas, au pair visas, or any visa longer than 3 months), you get free admission to most museums and cultural sites, including the ones we’ve listed below.

If this doesn’t apply to you, most of these museums are also free on the first Sunday of every month. However, you’ll have to beat some serious crowds to get in.

16. Saving at the Louvre

• Normal admission : €22 when booked online with a timed entry. Closed Tuesday. Be sure to book through the official Louvre ticket site .
• Tickets are €2 cheaper when purchased at the museum, but entry is not guaranteed — and may be refused due to overcrowding. Take this seriously– When visiting in January 2024, I wasn’t able to get into the Louvre for an entire week due to crowds. I won’t make this mistake again!
• Admission is free on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m., except in July and August.

17. Saving at the Eiffel Tower

• Adult admission to the tip-top: €29.40, cheaper for lower level.
• Save time by buying your tickets online  in advance, and avoiding the ticket line.
• During peak travel times, online tickets (especially to the top) will likely be sold out. However, they may still be available at the tower for immediate use. You’ll just have to wait in that ticket line…
• You can pay a cheaper price (€22.40) if you take the stairs up to the second level, then the lift to the top (if it’s available).
• If you’re not interested in reaching the top and just want a nice picture, get off at the Metro stop Trocadero on lines 9 or 6, which is directly across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. There you’ll find a large public plaza that faces the tower, and gobs of tourists posing for their fridge pick. Warning: There are also likely to be a gaggle of shady characters and shell-game con artists hanging about. (Walk on by…)

18. Saving at the Arc de Triomphe

• Regular admission to enter the Arc and see the view from the top is €16.
• It is completely free to walk under and around the Arc at the ground level, where you’ll also find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Go at night. It’s open until 11 pm (10:30 pm in fall and winter).
• Access the Arc by taking the underground walkway. You may see other tourists trying to dodge traffic and running across the busy roundabout to get to the center. This is incredibly dangerous — don’t do it.
• More tips on visiting the Arc de Triomphe

19. Saving at the Musée d’Orsay

• Regular admission : €16 when pre-booked online, which allows priority entry during your designated time slot, and allows you to avoid the ticket line. Tickets purchased at the museum are €2 cheaper — but you’ll have to wait for tickets and for entry.
• Closed Monday. The museum closes most days at 6 pm and is “cleared” at 5:30!
• On Thursdays, however, the Musée d’Orsay remains open until 9:45 pm. Buy a “Late Opening Ticket” to enter after 6 pm for €12.
• First Sundays of the month are free (but packed and require online reservation).

20. Saving at the Palace of Versailles

• Buy the Versailles Passport (€32) for access to all major parts of the palace grounds, or pay €21 for Palace only. Add another €10.50 for the musical fountains show.
• Pre-booking online is required for entry.
• Save by picnicking along the Grand Canal just outside the gates.
• More tips for visiting Versailles

21. Avoid crowds whenever possible

During the high season (May – September) the lines at the city’s top attractions can be overwhelming. But it is possible to plan your day so that you show up outside the peak visiting hours.

In general, go first thing or late to the biggest sight of the day, and stick to smaller sights from late morning to early afternoon. You can also use Google Maps, which updates in real time forecasting how busy a location will be. Check out our tips for beating the crowds at top attractions .

22. Culture fanatic? Buy a Paris Museum Card

Tourist cards aren’t always worth the money, but if you plan on spending lots of quality cultural time in Paris’ museums, consider picking up a Paris Museum Pass. The card offers free and discounted admission to over 50 museums and monuments around the city, and it lets you skip the ticket lines! Prices: €62 (2 days); €77 (4 days); €92 (6 days)

Spend a free day relaxing, sleeping or picnicking on the grounds of Jardin du Luxembourg. Photo: Phillip Capper

23. Don’t forget free sights!

The city boasts a long list of places that are free to visit . From museums operated by the city like the Musée d’Art Moderne , Maison de Balzac , and Maison de Victor Hugo (free to visit permanent collections) to most churches and parks like the Jardin du Luxembourg and even an ancient Roman amphitheater ( Aréne de Lutéce ), admission is always free.

24. Take a free walking tour

Free walking tours of Paris’ central sights are available from several tour companies (who do, however, expect a tip at the end). A less publicized option is the Paris Greeters program, in which local Parisians lead you on a free guided tour of their Paris .

25. Save on boat rides

Taking a boat ride along the Seine is an experience that manages to strike us as both romantic and overly touristy. However, these bateaux mouches offer a unique vantage point from which to see the city and can give your legs a break. We recommend the Vedettes de Pont Neuf, as they offer a live (not prerecorded) commentary and great discounts when booked in advance on their website .

Eating and drinking

Paris has some of the best food in the world, but it can get pricey quickly. Here are a few ways to enjoy authentic French cuisine without breaking the bank.

26. Think twice before tipping

Whether you’re dining in a restaurant or enjoying a coffee on a sidewalk cafe, a service charge has already been included in your bill. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t leave a little extra as a nice gesture, but you certainly shouldn’t leave 15-20% of your bill. A simple €1 or €2 is perfectly acceptable as an extra tip in Paris. Here are some more thoughts on tipping .

27. Save on breakfast

The breakfast that will be offered by your hotel will likely be an underwhelming and overpriced affair (think baguette, jam, and hot drink for €8-$10+). You can get the same thing (but fresher) at almost any bakery or patisserie in your neighborhood. Shop around for breakfast .

Oh, and when you’re in a café, the cost of your coffee depends on where you’re sitting. If you stand at the counter or bar, that coffee will frequently be one euro less than if you take a seat at a table. Strange, but true.

28. Water and bread are free in restaurants

No need to order bottled water. The local stuff is great and gets plunked down on your table in a cute carafe, free of charge. If not, just ask for it. “Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît.” (“Oon car-aff doe, see voo play”) Ditto for the bread.

29. Splurge on a prix-fixe lunch

Go heavier at lunch and enjoy a two- or three-course meal with the locals. It’ll be cheaper than a big dinner.

Why? Restaurants throughout town offer “fixed price” deals — just look for the chalkboard out front or a sign in the window with the day’s menu (“menu du jour”). With prices that hover between €15-25 for two or three courses, you’ll even have some money left for a little vin (if it’s not already included in the deal!). Here are a few of our favorite Paris lunch menus .

Pick up everything you need for a great picnic lunch (or gourmet dinner) at any of Paris’ outdoor food markets. Photo: The LEAF Project

30. Pick up lunch at outdoor markets

Foodies will be in pure heaven in Paris, and not just for the mouth-watering restaurants and to-die-for patisseries.

Don’t neglect the outdoor food markets that overflow with fresh produce and local delicacies. Whether picking up for a Seine-side picnic or stocking up for a long train ride, Paris’ outdoor markets have you covered. Read more about our market shopping tips .

31. Go light at lunch with a baguette sandwich

The city’s bakeries (“boulangeries” and “patisseries)” do more than bake bread and pastries. They also do a brisk lunch business, selling hot-and-crusty baguette sandwiches and delicious homemade quiches, which can also be bundled up with a drink and dessert for an extra Cheapo-lunch deal. Here’s a list of our favorite sandwich shops .

32. Opt for a light dinner with a crepe or falafel

If you opt for a big lunch, you might want to go a little lighter (and cheaper) at night. Opt for a classic crepe , Paris’ ultimate street food, or grab a tasty sandwich at L’As du Fallafel in the Marais . Check out other ways to eat your way through Paris for less than €20 a day .

33. Head to the grocery store for basics

When you do need to buy a bottle of water, don’t touch that hotel minibar! Head to any of the local grocery stores . A 1.5-liter bottle of water at Monoprix or Franprix costs less than €1. The same rule applies to wine, candy, soda, etc.

And if you can’t find a single bottle, just break up the shrink wrapped plastic on a multi-pack to grab a bottle for yourself. This is common practice in France, so don’t worry about a store clerk chasing you down!

Better yet, bring a refillable water bottle and top it up from the tap. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in Paris, and there are public water fountains all over the city (more on that in tip #35 below).

34. Wine from the supermarket? Oui.

Don’t assume that the wine being sold at the grocery store isn’t up to snuff. Some of it is quite good, and yes, quite affordable. Here are some tips for buying wine in Paris .

35. Fill up your water bottle around town

Paris has more than 800 drinking water fountains located throughout the city where you can easily fill up your water bottle for free. And if you’re a fan of sparkling water, there’s no need to run into the store for a few bottles. The city has just introduced some new fountains that even dispense the bubbly stuff!

Every summer the banks of the Seine transform into a lively beach scene complete with real sand! Photo: sergio_leenen

Entertainment

There’s always something to do in Paris, and quite a bit of it won’t cost you a dime! (Or, rather, a centime !)

36. Get happy for cheap drinks

Wine might be cheap, but a cocktail in Paris can easily cost you €15. Don’t worry, be happy! Keep your eyes peeled for “Happy Hour” deals (pronounced “‘appy ‘ow!-ers”).

You’ll typically see it posted on a sign outside most bars, and they run much later than the Happy Hours you may be used to — sometimes as late as 10 or 11 PM!

37. Enjoy free summer festivals

When the temperatures start to climb, so do the number of free events around Paris . Free entertainment is easy to find on almost every night of the week, including music series like the Paris Jazz Festival (late June through September) to outdoor film screenings like Cinéma en Plein Air (July and August). Head to Parc de la Villette which is packed with culture come summertime.

38. Hit the “beaches” along the Seine

Every summer the Seine and the Canal St-Martin transform into “Paris Plages,” one of Europe’s coolest urban beaches . Yes, in a city hundreds of miles from the nearest stretch of coastline, you’ll find Parisians lounging about in their hottest swimwear soaking in the rays.

39. Get cheap (or free) seats to opera, dance, and classical concerts

Love world-class opera and classical music? Grab a cheap seat at the Opera Garnier and Opera Bastille , and find cheap and free concerts around town by checking out L’Officiel des Spectacles or a Wednesday edition of Le Figaro’s insert “Figaroscope” listings magazine at any newsstand: also available  online !

If you’re looking to return home with suitcases full of souvenirs, here are some methods to do that in a wallet-friendly way.

40. Serious shoppers, don’t forget your tax refund!

Do you plan on doing some serious shopping? Non-EU citizens who spend at least €175 at any one store, may qualify for up to a 12% cash refund! This is available, with different requirements, throughout Europe.

41. Hit the flea markets for cheapo souvenirs

Paris is home to several fabulous flea markets. Selling everything from new clothing to vintage cookware , these outdoor markets offer unique shopping and souvenir opportunities, often at low prices. Here are some tips for flea market success and a guide to the best flea markets in Paris .

42. “Friperies” offer cheap vintage shopping

“Friperies” are inexpensive secondhand clothing shops where you have to dig through piles of cast-offs to find a vintage pearl. Here are a handful of addresses where Parisians go for a wallet-friendly vintage fashion shopping spree.

Miscellaneous

Finally, a few extra points about Paris to keep in mind.

43. Avoid sketchy situations

With millions of tourists visiting every year, Paris also attracts more than its share of con artists and shady types. Fortunately, they’re usually pretty easy to spot. A stranger approaches you to sign something, hold something, pick something up that they’ve dropped… Just say no and walk away from these common Paris scams . No drama. Just move on. No story is better than endlessly kvetching about it later.

If a stranger approaches you speaking French, do not reply with “I don’t speak French” because they will start speaking English to you. It’s better to ignore them and keep it moving.

To avoid pickpockets, it’s good practice to keep all your valuables in pockets, pouches, or bags that zip, snap, or close! In crowded places, many pickpockets get away with your things before you even realize they were there.

44. Be smart with your phone

Plan on using your smartphone? Either get a sensible data and international calling package from your carrier back home or buy a SIM card in Paris for use in an unlocked phone. It’s simple and can potentially save you nightmarish data roaming charges.

45. Bring a guidebook!

Here’s some retro advice (ironically conveyed via the Web): bring along a Paris guidebook ! Go deeper by studying up on Paris before you get there. Underline away!

46. Find free Wi-Fi

Even with a good international data plan or a SIM card, whenever possible, we still appreciate free Wi-Fi. Fortunately, it’s easy to find in cafes, fast food joints (all McDonald’s), parks and museums. When you’re in a Parisian café or restaurant, don’t be shy, ask the waiter for their Wi-Fi password. If you’re a paying customer, they will happily give it to you!

47. Talk to your bank before you go.

Call your bank before you leave to let them know that you’re heading on a trip to Paris. You don’t want them to block your card when they see international charges pop up.

And while you have them on the phone, ask them about foreign transaction and ATM cash withdrawal fees. They might have a partnership with a bank in Paris that avoids ATM fees. (Here are some questions for your bank .)

• Read more about practical ways to save in Paris

Have tips to add to our list? Please contribute your thoughts on ways to save when visiting Paris in the comments section below.

Note: This article was updated with additional information, research, and fact-checking by Julia Hamilton in Paris in March 2023 and by Paige Bennett in April 2024.

Search all hotels in Paris

About the author.

About the author: Tom Meyers created and launched EuroCheapo from his Berlin apartment in 2001. He returned to New York in 2002, set up office, and has led the EuroCheapo team from the Big Apple ever since. He travels to Europe several times a year to update EuroCheapo's hotel reviews. Tom is also a co-host of the New York City history podcast, The Bowery Boys. Email Tom . [ Find Tom on Google Plus ]

Related Posts

• Paris Transit Tips: 8 ways to save on the Metro, buses & taxis
• Paris Transit: Buying RER and Metro tickets with an American credit card
• Paris: 8 fantastic day trips less than an hour away by train
• 50 Ways to save on your trip to France

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

25 thoughts on “Paris Budget Travel Guide: 47 ways to save on your trip (2024 Update)”

A few small points: 1. Paris Visite card: If you’re using transit a lot, but not planning to run around like crazy trying to get value from all the attractions listed on the card, you may be better off with a transit-only pass (cheaper by far) sold by the transit system.

2. A best bargain for transit, if you’re there long enough for it to make sense, is the weekly Navigo pass at €30 and change, especially if you are using RER to or from the airports; A round-trip CDG-Paris-CDG will cost €23.60 if you buy it separately. But remember: It is a calendar week pass, starting Monday.

3. From July 20 to September 8, all the pricing for weekly Navigo transit passes is out the window, replaced by Paris 2024 pass, which reflects the roughly doubling of all fares for the Olympics period. BUT, unlike Navigo weekly, it’s available for any given number of days up to 14, at prices that range from €16 for a one-day to €70 for a week. Airports included in all but the one-day. It can still be a bargain, since the airport fare will also have a sharp rise for that period.

Can you purchase monthly metro passes for Paris .

Hi Connie, You can get an unlimited Metro pass with Navigo: https://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs

When we do citybreaks we tend to do a LOT of walking and don’t use public transport all that much. So for us, Paris’ Metro Carnet (book of 10 tickets) is perfect. Two great things about them:

1: They don’t expire so any leftover tickets can be kept & used for the next time you visit Paris. 2: They’re 10 individual tickets so you can hand tickets to friends who’re travelling with you and you both benefit from the cheaper price per ticket.

Hey Thanks.

I am looking for a guide in france nearby paris. I will be travelling from India can you please help me

You left out the HOHO buses.

As ever, a great piece, in need of some updates and quibbles…

#12: The good news is that it’s been several years now since I had a problem with a chip-equipped U.S.-issued credit card in Metro or RER. The machines are apparently able to detect and validate that it is a no-PIN card. Don’t know about debit cards, though; no experience.

#22: Add me to the crowd on the NO side of the Museum Pass. You would exhaust yourself, and get little from the museums if you were to rush about and see enough to pay for the card. And the other reason people give (avoiding lines) can be done by buying tickets online. Even when there’s a €1 fee, which some do, it’s still going to work out better in cost and time.

#48,49: A reminder that T-Mobile USA customers have free unlimited data and texts throughout Europe and 20c/minute phone calls, so for them, a new SIM is not likely to be useful unless they’re planning to talk a lot. And for those who do buy a European SIM…the old days of buying a new one for each country are over; as of last summer, there are no more roaming charges on European SIMs.

Great article, Tom, but I have to disagree regarding the Paris Visite Pass. It’s a poor value compared to the Paris Museum Pass combined with a Navigo or Mobilis ticket.

Steve http://www.travelingprofessor.com

Great article. Unfortunately, the transportation prices have increased. It now costs (in 2017) 12.50€ to take the RoissyBus, and you will have to pay 1.90€ for a single metro ticket, and 14.50€ for carnet of 10 tickets.

Thanks for the update. We just fixed the prices to reflect the changes.

Visited Musee d’Orsay November last year and we got free admission when we went there at around 5:00pm. We didn’t even know about the “cleared” status 45 mins before the closing time!

if you are going to Paris, taking note of these amazing budget tips has to be a “must do” for travelers wanting to get the best out of their trip without spending hordes of cash unnecessarily. You’ve truly done your homework and locked down the most cost-effective ways to see the amazing monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre plus how to get around Paris, eat well and get a ton of free stuff so you won’t miss out on anything you’ve come to see. Top marks for presenting such a budget-friendly take, on seeing the magical city of light!

Great article, it will be a lot of help 🙂 And what about the under 26 rule? If you are 26 or younger, and a citizen of the EU, you get free entrance to some of the museums and landmarks. Do you know which ones and whether there are any particularities to keep in mind?

Hi Liya, Thanks for reading. Here’s an article about free and discounted museums in Paris, including a link to a great list of under 26 discounts. http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-a-list-of-free-and-discounted-museums.html

And the other thing about the 10-ticket carnet: it covers you on those days when you’ve arrived too late in the week for Navigo (it’s not 7 days, it’s specifically Monday-Sunday) or are leaving town on Monday or Tuesday. But the best part is that carrying a few in your wallet is like throwing coins in the Trevi fountain in Rome: It guarantees you’ll return. And in the meantime, when you have friends or children about to make their first trip, a couple of your tickets make a cute bon voyage gift.

I totally agree with the comments on the Navigo Pass. It is well worth the effort. We often go to Paris for a month. The month pass for zones 1 and 2 as of 1/14 is 67 Euros and a week is 20 Euros. I always advise friends against the Visite Pass – for a few days the carnet of 10 tickets is often better.

Alas, it is no longer true that the first Sunday of the month is always free. You need to recheck each museum’s site you plan to visit. The Louvre, for example, is no longer free from April to September. From their official site:

Accès le dimanche

Des mois d’octobre à mars : Le premier dimanche de chaque mois, l’accès aux collections permanentes est gratuit pour tous. Des mois d’avril à septembre : pas de gratuité les premiers dimanches du mois.

Thanks for the update, Rob. Sorry to see that the Louvre suspends its free Sunday admission during the peak travel season. We’ll update the post.

I’ll 2nd the comments on Navigo, and also add that you should carefully consider what zones you need to travel through. On one trip, it worked out better to get a card for zones 1-5, and use it for the RER from CDG. On another trip, I bought it for zones 1-2 and used a regular RER ticket to/from CDG.

I also place some value on having unlimited trips and not needing to stop to buy tickets. It felt more native. Saw lots of locals using a card.

Thank you and the others for your comments about the Navigo Pass, and whether or not it’s worth it. We thought this was an interesting topic, so we wrote an entire post on it here:

Is the Navigo Pass a good deal for your trip? http://www.eurocheapo.com/blog/paris-navigo-pass.html

Many thanks, Tom

I have to disagree with the Paris visite pass…for what it costs, you can get the Navigo pass for just as much and you will use it for 7 days, instead of three. Must have a 1 inch square face pic to purchase. The carnet idea went out years ago, you will use at least 8-10 tickets per day, there’s your cost gone in one day, once again best bet is the Navigo pass..think about it – unlimited travel for 7 days for $23…..I don’t use a museum pass either – too expensive, you’d have to get to three museums a day to pay for the pass….you’ll be lucky to sqeeze in 2 museums a day,so might as well pay the entrance fee….Wine, bottles of water, soda at convenient/supermarkets – extremely cheap, compared to what you pay at the café and certainly not at the hotel….. Forget about ordering a cocktail in France – you’ll run thru your drink budget in two days…….Buses 69 and 73 are good for all around sightseeing thru a great part of the town……Take a taxi? Are you crazy??…from the airport (unless the company is paying the bills) Get on the Roissybus – express to the Opera House – 10 euros..go to Terminal 2B to get on, buy ticket from the machine inside or on the bus.

Gonna disagree on the Paris-Visite card.

In most cases, unless you’re going to spend a LOT of your day on transit vehicles you are better off with the carnet of t+ tickets.

And if you’re going to be around for longer, the Navigo Decouverte card (replacement for the old Carte Orange) allows you to buy a weekly Monday-through-Sunday pass for less than the cost of a 3-day Paris-Visite. True there’s a one-time 5€ charge for the card…but you can make that back if you are enough of a user to really need a pass instead of the carnet.

One tip for young people from EU: National museums (Louvre for example, and so on) are free for people under 26 from the EU. One only needs to show his passport/id card.

Loved this blog, and agreed with most of it.

Here’s my contribution: Wanna never miss a thing in Paris? check my site (www.theparismap.com): it’s a map of Paris, on it are more than 2,400 markers (updated all the time) of all sorts of stuff: attractions, museums, restaurants, shopping etc. It has several cool filters, and more.

It is not a commercial site: no advertisements, no fees. Free for all.

Moreover: if you surf by smartphone while in Paris, you’ll get the GPS marker on map!

Great tips, thank you! Didn’t know about the first Sunday of the month. Considering visiting Paris in April or so.

Book Your Trip

Search our blog:, destinations.

• Aix-en-Provence
• – Free Paris
• – Paris Eating and Drinking
• – Paris Hotels
• – Paris Nightlife
• – Paris Outdoors
• – Paris Performance and Events
• – Paris Planning
• – Paris Shopping
• – Paris Sights
• – Paris Transportation
• Northern Ireland
• – Florence Eating and Drinking
• – Florence Practical Info
• – Florence Sightseeing
• – Rome Eating and Drinking
• – Rome Hotels
• – Rome Practical Info
• – Rome Sights
• – Venice Eating and Drinking
• – Venice Hotels
• – Venice Practical Info
• – Amsterdam Sights
• – Barcelona eating
• – Barcelona hotel advice
• – Barcelona planning
• – Barcelona sightseeing
• – London eating
• – London hotel advice
• – London neighborhoods
• – London sightseeing
• – London transportation
• – Brooklyn
• – New York hotel advice
• – New York neighborhoods
• – New York planning
• – New York sightseeing

Read more about: Paris

Find us on Facebook

About eurocheapo.

Since 2001, our mission has been to make your time in Europe affordable and memorable. The world is out there, and it’s less expensive than you think.

© 2024 by Over There Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

EuroCheapo Cities

Visit Paris on a Budget: 10 Travel Tips for Exploring Paris on a Shoestring Budget

traveller Budget Wayfarers

Paris budget travel tips should be known by every individual who plans to visit this romantic city. Paris, the French capital, is also known as the city of love, fashion, culture, art and architecture. Along with London and New York, Paris happens to be one of the top three travel destinations in the world.

Paris is listed as the second most expensive city in the world as per an official survey. This often makes travelers assume that seeing Paris on a budget is unrealistic. But that’s not true. Being aware of the top Paris budget travel tips will help you save money while enjoying your trip.

As a backpacker, you can definitely travel to Paris on a budget without cutting down on places. In my current blog, I will elaborate on the top 10 Paris budget travel tips that will make you realize that you really don’t have to break the bank to visit Paris.

How to Minimize Tour Cost in Paris: 10 Paris Budget Travel Tips  

There are numerous reasons to visit Paris. The city is undoubtedly seen as  the ‘symbol of love.’ It plays host to monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum (that houses the world-famous painting of the Mona Lisa along with thousands of marvellous paintings and sculptures by renowned artists), Notre Dame Cathedral, Versailles Palace and Gardens etc. Also, the city has a fun place like Disneyland and shopping destinations like Champs-Élysées and many more.

However, exploring all the wonderful places in Paris comes at a cost. Based on my personal experience, let me now elaborate on the top 10 Paris budget travel tips. They will assist you in traveling to Paris on a budget:

1. Avoid Visiting Paris in the Peak Season

One of the top Paris cheap travel tips is to avoid peak season. The peak season to visit Paris is from June to August (summers) and September to October (autumn).  However, the first and foremost of Paris budget travel tips is to visit the destination in winter. Don’t allow the weather to bother you.

Plan your trip between November to March. This budget tip will help you beat the skyrocketing rates due to much lower flight and train fares and availability of cheaper accommodation. You’ll find winter ice rinks at many places in the city where you can enjoy skating along with an additional bonus.

2. Book Flight and Train Tickets To Paris Well in Advance

The airfares have soared to sky-high rates in recent years. In case you are somewhere in France or a neighbouring country, you’ll realize that the train tickets to Paris aren’t cheap either. One of the most important Paris budget travel tips would be to book your flight and train tickets well in advance.

Planning at least six to eight months ahead can be a crucial factor and help you secure a good fare. When booking a flight, you should also explore airfare/hotel package deals, as these can sometimes offer significant savings.

Paris Budget Tips for Transportation via Air:

If you are travelling to Paris from other European countries , look out for cheap budget airlines. EasyJet, Eurowings and Wizz Air are all good options and I recommend checking out Skyscanner for the best deals.

Budget airlines are a good and time-saving option for a short weekend trip. You can just go with your carry-on luggage and will not have to pay the additional fees for check-in luggage.

Paris Budget Tips for Transportation via Train: 

Out of the 44 European countries, 28 are a part of the European Union. Their liberal travel policy has greatly boosted rail travel in Europe. You will find a large number of high-speed trains operating across different countries and major cities of the EU with a mere pinch to your pocket, Paris being one of the top cities among them.

Here are a few trains that will take you to Paris in a few hours at lightning speed and mesmerizing scenic beauty that will give you a visual spectacle.

Paris Budget Travel Tips for Transportation via Bus: 

This is the most cost-effective mode of travel to Paris and within Europe. This would take a little longer to reach your destination but is worth travel if you are on a tight budget and have enough time to admire the life within the cities and the countryside.

One of the best ways of saving money on a Paris trip is to book a place in the centre of the city in places such as the Latin Quarters.

3. In Paris, Book Accommodation in the Center of the City

Now accommodation occupies a fairly high chunk of total costs. So, the question arises, where to stay in Paris on a budget? Some great hotels in Paris are super cheap. Many of them can be on your budget saving list as they keep it simple and avoid additional amenities like TVs, Wi-Fi, etc. Paris has a hostel to match every taste, from solar-powered to centuries-old.

Paris is a fairly compact city divided into 20 districts. Numbering starts at the Louvre as the centre and spirals out clockwise. 

Paris Budget Tips on Accommodation: 

Keeping in mind that most of the prime attractions are in close vicinity, it is better to choose accommodation in districts 1-7 or 9 so that you can cover a lot of places on foot and save transportation costs

You can book a hotel or hostel in these neighbourhoods – especially near the Louvre , in the Marais, in the Latin Quarter, near the Eiffel Tower , and near the Opéra. This will bring down your transportation costs considerably.

Another budget travel tip would be to stay close to Metro Line 1 which runs through the centre of Paris and has a frequency of 3 minutes. 11th (Bastille) is a vicinity that will be cheaper and close to a central line.

 Booking budget-friendly homestays and experiencing Parisian hospitality

Larger establishments such as the thoroughly modern St. Christopher’s (at Gare du Nord and Canal St-Martin) rent bicycles, serve cheap evening meals and organize excursions.

4. Travel Around in Paris Inexpensively

If you are looking out for budget travel tips for Paris, this one would surely save a lot if you choose your transport options wisely.

First of all, avoid or rather do not commute in a taxi unless you have no other option as they will cause a big dent in your purse. Here are a few cost-effective alternatives to travel to and fro the Charles de Gaulle International Airport

Paris Budget Travel Trip- Airport Transport:

The public transport system in Paris is quite extensive. Using this will bring down your budget tremendously.

Paris Budget Travel Trip-  Internal Transport:

 One of the recommended Paris budget travel tips is to use public transport. You can easily find a city sightseeing and public transport map at the airport, bus station or any of the metro stations and follow the routes

Paris is divided into 5 zones that are divided into circles with the Louvre Museum at the centre. Zones 1-3 cover central Paris and the close suburbs while zones 4 and 5 cover the distant destinations.

Below are the major modes of internal transport in Paris.

The buses and metros use the same ticket, so you can buy them in a bunch of 10 at any of the bus or metro stations.

This is cheaper and time-saving than buying a single ticket each time. In addition, you can also buy a Navigo Pass that allows you to travel across different zones in Paris using any mode of public transport.

The famous Love Lock Bridge. Photography by Prajakta Satpute

5. Check out for the Freebies in Paris 

Paris has quite a few attractions that you can visit for free. Many of the city’s most impressive monuments and sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacre Coeur, the beautiful park – Jardin du Luxembourg and even the banks of the River Seine can be visited free of charge.

In addition, find below the complete list of all the museums and monuments that have free entry at different times of the year. Make sure that you plan your trip to match one of the options below and enjoy grand savings on your travel budget expenses.

Paris Budget Travel Tips to Avail Free Attractions:

Do you know who the show stopper of Paris City is? It is indeed – the Eiffel Tower. So, hit the roads and head towards this marvellous structure. A unique fact about Paris is that the Government hasn’t permitted the construction of a structure taller than the Eiffel Tower in central Paris.

This gives you a distinct view of the wonder from most places around the city. You can also watch the twinkling lights every hour during the evenings that illuminate the Eiffel Tower setting up an exhilarating show .

6. Save on Sites and Attractions While Exploring Paris

You can save on the sites and museums if you choose to be smart. Visit specific attractions at certain times to avoid big crowds and enjoy the discounts. This is one of the important Paris budget travel tips that will aid you to seed some Euros.

Paris Budget Travel Tip: Discounts on Attractions

The Louvre and Tuileries National Estate include several gardens, which cover an area of 30 hectares. It stretches between the Musée du Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. There are thousands of trees, sculptures and beautiful fountains that can be visited for absolutely no cost.

Paris is known for its magnificent museums. If you are a museum junkie, make sure you get the Museum Pass. It helps you cover all important museums including the Centre Pompidou.

7. Buy a Museum Pass in Paris if you are a Museum Junkie

Museums in Paris usually cost between €2 and €12 depending on the age of the visitor and the day you are visiting. There are so many museums and attractions worth seeing that ticket prices can really add up quickly and play a spoilsport to your budget travel plans.

With the Paris Museum Pass , you gain free entry, without queuing and as many times as you wish, to over 50 museums and monuments in and around Paris. This allows you to come closer to the rich history and culture of the city without worrying about spending too much.

Paris Budget Travel Tip: Museum Pass

If you plan to visit at least 10 of the top museums and palaces, you would for sure be spending more than €120. Looking at this, you definitely do not want to miss clicking a picture with the world-famous Mona Lisa, so get going with the Museum Pass.

8. While in Paris, Select the Right Breakfast and Dining Options

Dining in Paris at a restaurant can be quite expensive especially if you are on budget travel. You can opt for accommodation in hotels that provide free breakfast. On the contrary, you can utilize this opportunity to taste the native Parisian food. Head to one of the bakeries and pick up a croissant or bread and a cup of coffee.

Most of the restaurants in Paris offer a prix fixe menu (two or three-course fix menu) for lunch. They are priced between €10 and €20 and are way better for your budget than the regular A la carte menu.

Paris is a city of markets with food markets all around the town. If you are in a hurry, head to one of the open street markets and pick up some bread, cheese, sandwich, meat, wine or anything else. This is one of the best ways to savour true French food and save on your expenses.

Paris Budget Travel Tips for Food: Eat on a Budget from the Following Places

Being in Paris, you can’t miss out on tasting French wine. However, if you are travelling on a small budget, the best option would be to head to the Supermarkets and pick up a variety of different wines at super-low budget prices.

One of the best places to head to for a quick bite is the fast-food joint McDonald’s. There would rarely be a person unfamiliar to this. Along with filling options, it offers free Wi-Fi, which you can use to check your important emails or a social media check-in.

9. Watch Out for the Free Walking Tours in Paris 

A walking tour is basically a tour of a historical or cultural site undertaken on foot, frequently in an urban setting. Depending on the city, the walking tours can be short ones lasting for an hour whereas the longer ones can last a full day or more. You can opt for free walking tours of Paris’ central sights.

There are a number of tour companies that offer you this service where local Parisians take you on a free guided tour of their city. These knowledgeable guides speak multiple languages, namely – English, Spanish, etc. and of course their native French.

The walking tours help you travel on a budget and introduce you to the famous sites in the city like the Marais, Montmartre and Notre Dame. A few tours starting at the fountain of Saint Michel and ending by the Champs-Elysées, give you a great overview of the entire city.

Wherever reservation is not needed, you simply have to reach the meeting point at the appointed time. Lastly, do not forget to tip your guide for the informative and entertaining walking experience.

Paris Budget Travel Trip: Free Walking Tour

10. go for free drinking water available anywhere in paris.

This is one of those small Paris budget travel tips that will definitely help you cut down on your expenses. Drinking water is a necessity and what better than getting clean drinking water free of cost.

Whenever you order water in a restaurant in Paris, ask for tap water. They will try to provide bottled water and charge you for the same. But tap water is free and completely safe to drink.

Paris has more than 1200 drinking water fountains situated around the city where you can fill up your water bottles for free. According to a survey, the Parisians are a fan of sparkling water. Taking this liking into consideration, the government has set up fountains that dispense this bubby stuff as well.

If you simply follow the above Paris budget travel tips, you can rest assured that you can tackle this expensive city without claiming bankruptcy. It’s entirely possible to eat well, find clean and decent accommodations, and enjoy discounted and free attractions while still having the sense that you’re living it up in one of the world’s most gorgeous cities. By making a few small adjustments, you can find big savings that will make any budget trip to Paris fun, affordable, and memorable.

Happy Wayfaring 🙂 

THIS POST IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF BUDGET WAYFARERS. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ASSOCIATION INDULGING IN PLAGIARISM WILL BE DEALT WITH STRICTLY . IF YOU WANT TO USE INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE, KINDLY QUOTE THE SOURCE.

9 Top tips on how to visit Paris on a budget

• July 26, 2023
• curious goose

Paris has a reputation for being expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. You can still have a great time in Paris, even on a budget!

My husband and I had 4 nights in Paris in September 2021 and spent just €375 / £320 – that included accommodation, a 3 day Paris transport pass and all our food and drink for two people. Of course, you could spend even less than that if you wanted to, it just depends on what kind of experience you want to have.

There’s so many great things to see and do in Paris. Luckily there’s also a lot that you can see in Paris for free! Below I’ve shared my 9 top tips to make your money go further so that you can visit Paris on a budget and have the best time!

1. Look for ‘Plat du Jour’ options when eating out 2. Save your budget and have a packed breakfast and lunch 3. Enjoy a Sunset Picnic on the River Seine 4. Take advantage of Paris’ water fountains 5. My top tip for getting around Paris? Buy a Paris Visitor Pass! 6. Relax in one of the parks 7. Look out for free exhibitions or events in Paris 8. The ultimate budget-friendly activity in Paris – Do your own walking tour 9. Stay a little further out to save money

1. look for ‘plat du jour’ options when eating out.

We agreed that we would only ‘eat out’ during the evening, to cut down on spending during the day, which massively helped us to budget. When eating out, look out for the ‘plat du jour’ options at restaurants and cafes – we managed to get two 3 course meals and 2 drinks for €38! All the restaurants have large menus outside which you can view and check out the prices or any offers they have on, before you go inside.

2. Save your budget and have a packed breakfast and lunch

As I mentioned above, we chose to only eat out at restaurants or cafes in the evening. For breakfast, we bought fruit and cereal bars or pastries to have each morning then for lunch, we had a picnic in the park. We were quite lucky when we visited that it was gorgeous and sunny, so we bought ourselves lunch either from a supermarket or a kiosk and enjoyed it in one of the parks.

Having a ‘packed lunch’ when travelling is one of the best ways to save some money, as such a large portion of the budget usually is spent on food and drink. There are some great takeaway choices in Paris too for fresh baguettes!

3. Enjoy a Sunset Picnic on the River Seine

As we were wandering along the river on the first night, we noticed that the local Parisians were all bringing food and drink to enjoy at the riverside as the sun set. So, we decided to copy them! Not only is this a great way to save money, but it was also one of my favourite things to do in Paris. The River Seine is one of the best spots in Paris to watch the sunset, so take a bottle of wine and some snacks and join the locals lining the river edge. It’s such a great atmosphere in the evening and the sunset is beautiful, especially if you find a spot with the Eiffel Tower in view!

4. Take advantage of Paris’ water fountains

Paris has free drinking water all over the city, so pack your reusable water bottle and top up as you go. Not only does it save you money, but it also reduces your plastic waste.

5. My top tip for getting around Paris? Buy a Paris Visitor Pass!

Paris has a great public transport network and it is so easy to use. The visitor pass is the most cost-effective way to get around, particularly if you are spending 2 or 3 days in the city. The pass will allow you to use all the public transport networks, including the buses, metro, RER (overground city trains) and main train networks. You can buy the pass to cover either zones 1-3 or zones 1-5 for 1,2,3, or 5 consecutive days. We bought a 3-day pass to cover zones 1-3 and the cost for two adults was €53 /£45, which is just £7.5 per person, per day for unlimited travel! If you have longer to spend in Paris, check out this 5 day Paris itinerary .

6. Relax in one of the parks

City breaks can involve a lot of walking (we ended up walking 30km on the first day we were in Paris! – I know, we are mad!), and sometimes you just need to sit down for a break. But if you’re on a budget, you don’t want to sit in a cafe and spend money on a coffee.

Paris is spoilt for choice when it comes to green spaces, with several beautiful parks and gardens, where you can rest your feet and soak up the atmosphere. Some of the prettiest gardens in Paris include the Jardin de Tulleries, by the Louvre and the Jardin du Trocadero with a view of the Eiffel Tower. My favourite garden and one of Paris’ must-see places is the Jardin du Luxembourg.

7. Look out for free exhibitions or events in Paris

As with all major cities, there’s often so many different events taking place at venues across Paris, so it’s worth taking a look beforehand to see if anything is on. We managed to watch the 3×3 basketball Euro Cup for free and it was a great night!

8. The ultimate budget-friendly activity in Paris – Do your own walking tour

Paris is blessed with so many beautiful sights, attractions and neighbourhoods which you can wander around, completely free of charge! For me, walking around a new place is the best way to soak up the culture and atmosphere and you see so much more this way. Plus, this is the most budget-friendly way of experiencing a new place. Apart from food + drink, accommodation and the transport pass, we didn’t spend anything else and we were busy the whole time we were in Paris!

There’s so much to see for free in Paris…

9. Stay a little further out to save money

It goes without saying that the further away from a city centre or attraction you stay, the cheaper the accommodation is. We stayed in Saint-Denis which is on the edge of zone 2 and 3. It was only one stop (9 minutes) on the RER to Gare du Nord and only two more stops to Notre Dame Cathedral. Also, if you are planning on buying a Paris Visitor Pass for the public transport networks, then it makes sense to stay further out, as you can’t buy a pass for zone 1 only or zone 1 and 2 only. You have to buy a pass for either zones 1 -3 or zones 1-5. So I would recommend staying in zones 2 or 3 and save money on cheaper accommodation.

Our hotel was basic but clean, it was less than 5 minutes walk to the train station and we had a private room with shared bathroom facilities and it was only £39.50 per night for two adults. You really don’t need to stay in the city centre to get the ‘feel’ of being in Paris.

I hope that you found these tips helpful. How much you choose to spend really does depend on your own budget and also what you want to see whilst in Paris. For example, we did not pay to see inside The Louvre or to go up the Eiffel Tower. However, I don’t feel that we missed out by doing this, we still got to see everything we wanted to see and had a great time!

Found this useful? Save this post for later!

All links on this website are my own recommendations or sites I found useful when planning and are not affiliated. I do not receive any commission from including these links within this blog.

Related Posts

One day in Avignon, Provence (France) – the best things to see and do

How to spend 4 days in the Luberon region of Provence, France

9 Top tips for visiting the French Riviera on a budget (from someone who’s done it!)

Best Time to Visit Paris on a Budget: Your Budget-Friendly Itinerary Awaits!

Are you dreaming of sipping espresso in a Parisian café or wandering through the historic streets of the City of Light? Imagine doing all that without draining your savings.

Intrigued? We thought so!

In this guide, we’ll answer the burning questions on your mind: When is the best time to visit Paris on a budget? How can you make the most of your adventure without breaking the bank?

After all, each season and month has its own pros and cons, so know which will really make a good deal. From off-peak seasons to savvy travel hacks, we’ve got you covered.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started:

Best Time to Visit Paris on a Budget: When Should You Plan?

Before you plan your visit to Paris, it’s crucial to be aware of the optimal times to make the most of your trip.

The ideal periods to explore the city of lights are from April to June and from October to early November , which are characterized by pleasant weather and fewer tourist crowds.

However, if budget considerations are a priority, the most economical time to visit Paris is during early December, January, and February, which are marked as the off-season due to the challenging winter conditions.

So, if you can withstand the cold and are aiming for a cost-effective journey, these winter months are your best bet.

Key Takeaways: ➔ Winter Wonders: Explore a serene Paris from late November to early March with festive lights and budget-friendly accommodations. ➔ Shoulder Season Splendor: Enjoy the best of both worlds in spring (late March to May) or fall (September to early November)—pleasant weather and reasonable prices with fewer crowds.

The Off-Season Advantage: Why Winter Might Be Your Best Bet?

Winter in Paris? Mais oui – Yes!

Don’t let the chill in the air deter you. Visiting during the off-season, typically from late November to early March , can be your golden ticket to budget-friendly bliss.

Picture this: fewer crowds, charming Christmas markets, and the Eiffel Tower adorned with twinkling lights. Plus, cozying up in a café with a warm croissant and a view of the Seine sounds like the perfect winter escape, doesn’t it? And let’s not forget the sweet deals on accommodations during this quieter period.

The Shoulder Season Surprise: Can Spring and Fall Save Your Wallet?

If winter isn’t your cup of tea, fear not!

Spring and fall, the shoulder seasons, offer a delightful compromise between great weather and manageable prices. From late March to May or September to early November , Paris flaunts blooming gardens or a tapestry of autumn hues.

Besides, you get to enjoy leisurely strolls along the Seine or through the Luxembourg Gardens without the summer tourist frenzy.

And for the main attractions? Prices for flights and accommodations are more forgiving during these in-between months, leaving you with extra euros for those must-try pastries and museum adventures.

Month-by-Month Guide to Paris: Weather, Events, and Costs

Paris is a city that dances to the rhythm of each season, offering a unique experience month by month. Whether you’re a winter wanderer, a springtime dreamer, a summer explorer, or an autumn aficionado, there’s a perfect Parisian moment waiting for you.

—— Seasonal Highlights ——

Best time for summer sunshine lovers: For those who relish warmth and sunshine, June to August is the perfect period. Experience long, sunny days in Paris filled with festivals and a vibrant atmosphere, although be prepared for larger crowds. Best time for sightseeing enthusiasts: Spring, spanning from March to May, provides mild weather and extended days, making it an ideal time for leisurely exploration. While crowds are still present, the allure of Parisian streets enhances the overall sightseeing experience. Best time for budget travelers: If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, consider the winter months from December to February. Why? Well, during this time, prices are lower, and there are fewer tourists, offering budget travelers better deals on accommodations. Best time for shopping: Winter, particularly leading up to Christmas, transforms Paris into a shopper’s paradise. Adorned with festive lights, Christmas markets, and captivating department store displays, the city beckons with great deals and unique finds for avid shoppers.

Paris in Winter: December to February

A tale of twinkling lights, warm pastries, and a certain romantic chill in the air.

Seems like a fairytale?

Well, that’s the kind of ambiance you will get in Paris in the winter!

From December to February, the city wraps itself in a festive glow . Picture strolling down Champs-Élysées adorned with Christmas lights, sipping hot cocoa by the Seine, and cozying up in charming bistros.

While the temperatures may be cool, typically ranging from 3°C to 7°C (37°F to 45°F) , the city’s warmth and festive spirit make it an unforgettable winter wonderland.

Pro Tip: Winter often brings more budget-friendly options for accommodation and flights.

Paris in Spring: March to May

As spring blossoms in Paris, the city awakens in a burst of colors and fragrances .

From March to May, witness the rebirth of gardens, outdoor cafés buzzing with life, and the Seine banks coming alive with picnickers. The weather is mild, perfect for leisurely strolls and exploring the iconic landmarks without the summer crowds.

In other words, spring strikes the perfect balance. Not too hot, not too cold .

Events like outdoor markets and cultural festivals begin to pop up, offering a taste of Parisian life without breaking the bank. Lastly, be prepared for sporadic rain showers, but they only add to the city’s romantic charm.

Paris in Summer: June to August

Summer in Paris is a celebration of long days, outdoor festivities, and a vibrant energy that fills the air. From June to August, the city comes alive with outdoor concerts, open-air cinema, and picnics along the Seine.

While this is peak tourist season , it’s also when Paris showcases its most lively and festive side. Hence, make sure to be prepared for a bustling atmosphere. And, in terms of costs, don’t fret, as there are still budget-friendly options if you plan wisely.

Paris in Autumn: September to November

Fall in Paris is a sensory masterpiece—a canvas of reds, golds, and a crisp, cool breeze.

From September to November, the city bids adieu to summer and welcomes a more tranquil pace. It’s the perfect time for cultural exploration as museums and galleries come to life.

The temperatures are comfortable, and outdoor activities continue with a touch of autumnal charm. Plus, with fewer tourists, you can savor Paris at a leisurely pace.

Best part? Autumn often offers wallet-friendly options , making it an ideal time to savor the city’s charm for budget travelers. Autumn is also considered the best time to visit Paris and London.

“This is a sweet spot for budget-conscious travelers, with the weather still pleasant, and the city exuding a cozy charm.”

Exploring Paris Attractions during Off-Peak Seasons

Paris—the city of love, art, and croissants!

While the City of Light is magical all year, there’s something special about experiencing its charms during the off-peak seasons.

Cannot wait to know? They are as follows:

Exploring the Iconic Landmarks

Sure, the Eiffel Tower is a must-see, but have you ever witnessed its shimmering lights without jostling for a prime spot?

Off-peak seasons grant you the luxury of a more intimate encounter with Paris’s iconic landmarks. Take a leisurely climb up Montmartre to Sacré-Cœur , where the panoramic views of the city are yours to enjoy without the lines.

The Louvre , home to the Mona Lisa, becomes a gallery for you to wander freely, truly absorbing the art at your own pace.

Experience the magic of Disneyland Paris combined with the rich history of Parisian landmarks. The best time to visit Paris Disneyland is on mid-week days in September, October, or March to avoid peak crowds and long wait times.

And who can forget the Notre Dame Cathedral ? During the quieter months, you can appreciate its Gothic grandeur without the usual crowds, allowing for a more contemplative moment in this architectural masterpiece.

Discovering the Lesser Known Gems

Now, let’s talk about hidden treasures. Paris isn’t just about the big-name attractions; it’s a city that whispers secrets in the narrow alleys and quaint neighborhoods. And, best of all, you can uncover these lesser-known gems without feeling rushed.

Begin at Canal Saint-Martin , a tranquil haven adored by locals. Meander through Le Marais , a historic district oozing with boutiques and quaint cafes.

Then, escape to Parc des Buttes-Chaumont , a green oasis offering serene views. Continue to La Petite Ceinture , an abandoned railway turned into a scenic walking path.

Conclude at the Musée de la Vie Romantique , a tucked-away museum capturing the essence of Romanticism.

In this regard, you can use the Paris Metro app which is the best navigation tool, to travel around the French capital. These lesser-known treasures not only captivate but also allow you to explore Paris without straining your budget. So get ready for an offbeat adventure now!

Related Post: Best Way to Travel from Paris to the South of France

Budget Accommodation in Paris: When to Book?

The City of Love has a multitude of affordable accommodation options that won’t break the bank. Let’s dive into the art of securing budget-friendly stays and discover the optimal times to book your lodging.

Off-Season Hotel Deals

To snag a fantastic deal on a cozy hotel in the heart of Paris, timing is everything. Consider visiting during the quieter months when the city is draped in tranquility.

Why? Hotel rates tend to dip during the off-peak seasons, making it the perfect opportunity to relish Paris without draining your wallet.

For example, you can score up to 40% off at renowned hotels like the chic Hôtel Plaza Athénée or the historic Le Meurice from November to March . You can also experience affordable opulence at The Westin Paris Vendôme, with rates dropping by 30% in January and February.

You can even seize the chance to stay at Hotel Lutetia with off-season bargains of up to 35% off in December and February . And don’t forget to picture indulging in elegance for less at Hotel de Crillon , where rates plummet by 25% from January to March .

So don’t miss out on these exclusive offers and experience unbeatable off-season deals, turning your Paris stay into a luxurious yet budget-friendly experience. Now, it’s time to explore the best weekend trips from Paris to other cities by train.

“Keep an eye out for promotions and special packages during these periods, as hotels strive to lure in savvy travelers looking for a steal.”

Budget Hostels and Their Seasonal Rates

Paris is home to a fantastic array of hostels that not only save you money but also provide a unique and vibrant atmosphere. The trick here is to be mindful of the seasons.

Such as, you can experience the vibrant atmosphere of St. Christopher’s Inn Gare du Nord , with rates dropping to just €22.85 per nigh t in January and February .

Snatch a cozy bunk at the trendy Les Piaules Hostel for as low as €27.42 in March and April.

Don’t miss the chance to explore on a budget. Generator Paris offers rates starting at €25.59 during the off-peak months of November and December .

But here’s the secret sauce: booking in advance. Snatch up those deals like a Parisian grabbing the last croissant! Plan your stay during the quieter months and secure your spot early to lock in those budget-friendly rates.

Eating Out in Paris: Budget-Friendly Times

Now, you might be thinking, “Paris and budget-friendly? Is that even possible?”

Believe it or not, there are culinary gems scattered across the city that won’t leave your wallet weeping. The key is to know where to look and when to go.

Ready to indulge in the finest flavors at cheap places to eat in Paris? Let’s make your Parisian dining dreams come true!

Affordable Eateries in Paris

One of the best things to do in Paris is undoubtedly to try out their affordable eateries that cater to both your taste buds and budget.

Grab a savory crepe at Breizh Café , where prices start at a wallet-friendly €9.14. Delight in authentic French flavors at Le Comptoir du Relais with dishes priced around €18.28 .

For a cozy coffee spot, Claus Café offers breakfast delights for just €7.31.

Looking for affordable elegance on your Paris trip budget? Le Bouillon Chartier serves classic French cuisine, with main courses priced at approximately €13.71 .

Dive into a culinary adventure as these eateries promise a delightful Paris itinerary for both your palate and your desire to visit Paris again!

Seasonal Food Festivals to Look Out For

Paris hosts an array of food festivals throughout the year, each celebrating the city’s diverse culinary offerings. So, what happens during these events?

Local vendors line the streets, offering everything from gourmet crepes to mouthwatering pastries. So, make sure to keep an eye out for the city’s seasonal food festivals, where you can savor exquisite flavors without burning through your Euros.

For example, the first one on the list is the French Gastronomy Festival , where delectable treats like escargot and croissants steal the show, priced affordably from €4.57 .

Indulge in sweet delights at the Chocolate Fair , where you can savor artisanal chocolates starting at €2.74.

For cheese enthusiasts, the Cheese and Dairy Products Fair is a haven, offering a variety of dairy delights from €7.31.

Join these festivals to not only savor exquisite French flavors but also relish the affordability that comes with these delightful culinary celebrations that make you feel worthy to go to Paris!

Shopping in Paris: Seasonal Sales and Discounts

Paris is renowned for its fabulous sales events, particularly during specific times of the year.

The winter and summer sales periods, usually in January-February and June-July, respectively, are when you can snag those chic Parisian pieces at prices that won’t make your wallet weep.

Are you excited to know about the things to do with a small budget in Paris? Let’s dive in!

Shopping Streets with Seasonal Sales

Head to the trendy Le Marais , where chic boutiques offer fantastic discounts on fashionable finds. Explore the lively Rue de la Roquette, known for its seasonal pop-up markets with local crafts and unique treasures.

For a touch of luxury at a steal, don’t miss Avenue Montaigne during the sale seasons. Discover the hidden gems of Canal Saint-Martin , featuring pop-up shops and local artisans offering handmade treasures.

For a more bohemian vibe, explore the Latin Quarter , where quaint cobblestone streets hide eclectic shops and local treasures. And let’s not forget the bustling Saint-Germain-des-Prés , a haven for fashion enthusiasts seeking both high-end and affordable finds. Each street in Paris tells a story, and during the sales, you get to write your own fashion chapter.

Budget Shopping Tips in Paris

First and foremost, hit the markets – places like Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen offer a unique blend of vintage and contemporary items at prices that won’t make you wince.

Consider exploring the city’s outlet stores, such as La Vallée Village , where designer brands showcase their wares at discounted rates.

Need stylish bargains? Head to Rue de la Verrerie for trendy boutiques at affordable prices, and consider autumn as the best time to go shopping in Paris.

Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the essence of local craftsmanship at the Marché des Enfants Rouges , where artisans showcase handmade wonders. These budget shopping hotspots not only save your euros but also promise an authentic Paris experience.

And Here’s a Pro Tip: Don’t shy away from local thrift stores and consignment shops. You never know when you’ll stumble upon a pre-loved gem that adds that perfect Parisian touch to your wardrobe.

Budget Transportation Options in Different Seasons

Wondering if the best time to visit Paris on a budget with a pass is worth it during off-peak seasons? For example, let’s find the best way to travel from Paris to Nice as well as you can also explore the best way to get from Paris to Bordeaux . So, it’s time to utilize your Paris vacation cost and call it a budget Paris trip!

Public Transport: Passes and Off-Peak Hours

Do you want to travel around France without a car ? When it comes to exploring a city like Paris, mastering the art of efficient and cost-effective transportation is a game-changer.

And guess what? Public transport passes are your golden ticket to hassle-free and pocket-friendly commuting.

Navigate seamlessly with the Navigo Card – valid for buses, metro, and RER trains during off-peak hours from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM . Dive into the Paris Visite Pass for unlimited travel on buses, metro, and RER .

Don’t forget the single-ticket option with a carnet, perfect for occasional rides. You can easily collect your pass at metro stations or purchase it online. Feeling curious? Now, you can affordably enjoy your Paris to Normandy trip by train .

Special Mention:  Avoid the morning rush and explore the city during off-peak hours.

Related Post: How to Travel from Paris to Rome by Train?

Is Paris Pass Worth it during Off-Peak Seasons?

Yes, indeed!

Off-peak seasons mean fewer tourists and shorter queues . And with a Paris Pass in hand, you can skip the lines and dive straight into the cultural wonders without the usual hustle and bustle.

Imagine strolling into the Louvre like you own the place or exploring the Eiffel Tower without feeling like you’re part of a marathon. The Paris Pass not only saves you money but also precious time , allowing you to savor every moment without the usual tourist crowds.

Besides, the Paris city pass is one of the best deals for efficient sightseeing. You can collect your pass at central locations or simply opt for instant mobile delivery .

Is Paris Worth Visiting on a Budget?

Ah, the age-old question: Is Paris worth visiting on a budget? Let’s weigh the scales.

Against? Well, Paris can be pricey. Eiffel Tower views dinners, visit the Christmas time, chic boutiques, and upscale experiences might seem reserved for the well-heeled.

Now, the clincher – For!

Paris offers budget-friendly treasures like free Paris museum passes on the first Sunday of each month , scenic walks along the Seine, and picnics in charming parks like Luxembourg Gardens. Dive into the local markets, sip affordable wine at cozy bistros, and explore hidden gems like Canal Saint-Martin.

Accommodation-wise, Paris has a range of options that won’t empty your wallet. From cozy hostels to budget-friendly hotels, you can find a comfortable place to rest your head without sacrificing the authenticity of your Parisian experience.

In short, with a sprinkle of savvy choices, it’s totally worth it!

At least after following this whole guide, right?

Closing Notes

So, when it comes to the best time to visit Paris on a budget, timing is everything.

Embrace the city’s charm during the shoulder seasons, revel in the outdoor festivities, and take advantage of wallet-friendly accommodations.

Paris, with its iconic landmarks and cultural treasures, is ready to welcome you without breaking the bank.

Now, armed with budget-savvy insights, go ahead and plan your Parisian escapade – a trip where affordability and enchantment seamlessly collide. Your dream of experiencing the magic of Paris awaits, and it’s more accessible than you ever imagined.

Bon Voyage!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the cheapest month to go to Paris?

The cheapest month and great time to visit Paris is typically during the winter months, particularly January and February. During this prime time, you can find lower prices for accommodations, fewer crowds, and potential discounts on various attractions.

What month is Paris most beautiful?

Paris is often considered most beautiful in the spring, the best month to visit Paris is in April. During this time, the city blooms with cherry blossoms, and the weather is generally mild, creating a picturesque and romantic atmosphere.

How much should I budget for a trip to Paris?

The budget to visit Paris depends on the travelers, but a daily average for a mid-range traveler is around €91.41 to €137.11 for accommodations, €18.28 to €36.56 for meals, and additional expenses for attractions and transportation.

How many days do you really need in Paris?

The ideal duration for a visit to Paris varies, but many travelers find that spending around 4 to 5 days allows for a well-rounded experience.

What months are expensive in Paris?

Months that tend to be more expensive in Paris are typically during the peak tourist season from June to August. The city experiences higher demand, leading to increased prices for accommodations, attractions, and other services so better to avoid visiting Paris this time.

How much money should I bring to Paris for a week?

A week-long vacation to Paris costs around €1371.11 to €1828.15 for a mid-range budget traveler. This includes expenses for accommodation, meals, local transportation, and some attractions.

How much does a meal cost in Paris?

The cost of a meal in Paris varies, but on average, a mid-range restaurant meal may range from €13.71 to €36.56 per person. Dining at upscale establishments can be pricier, while more budget-friendly options like street food or cafes may offer meals for around €9.14 to €18.28.

What is the best weather month in Paris?

The best weather month in Paris is often considered to be May. During this time, the temperatures are mild, and the city experiences blooming spring foliage.

Kayla D. Martinez

Senior Travel Writer

10 Best Places to Visit in France Outside of Paris [History & Main Attractions]

Is it easy to rent a car in france [everything to know], you may also like, top 8 restaurants with a view of the eiffel tower at night, 10 best destinations in the south of france that will make your vacation magical, driving in france as a tourist: what you need to know, 13 best towns in french riviera that every tourist will love, 12 best paris hotels for american tourists in 2024, top 13 romantic weekend getaways from paris where love knows no bounds, sail into serenity with luxury barge cruises in france: here’s what you need, 13 magical south of france wedding venues: pick your one, day trips from disneyland paris that make your adventure complete, affordable barge cruises in france: luxury on a budget.

Social Profiles

• Destinations
• Inspirations
• Trips Ideas
• Trip Planning
• Travel News
• Editors' Packs

Useful links

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Cookie Policy

• NEW: Submit your Testimonial

How to Visit Paris on a Budget (Travel Guide – 2024)

Enjoying Paris on a budget may seem like a far-fetched dream, but allow us to unveil the secrets for savoring the city’s charms without causing financial woes.

Our guide is packed with tips for cost-effective accommodation, free attractions, dining economically, and navigating the city affordably.

Consider this budget guide your blueprint for an extraordinary yet wallet-friendly Paris adventure.

I’ve visited Paris repeatedly and now call it home, so you’re getting practical budget-friendly advice that’s been put to the test! 

Guide Index

Travel costs: detailed breakdown, explore paris: things to do.

• Where to Stay on a Budget

Eating and Drinking

How to get around.

• Best Time to Visit

Backpacking Essentials & Safety Tips

Resources and planning.

Here’s a breakdown of daily costs a traveler might encounter in Paris, along with low, middle, and high average prices for each:

• Accommodation: [ Low : €21 ] –  [ Middle: €86-€150 ]  – [ High: €397+ ]  
• Restaurant: [ Low: €10 ] – [ Middle: €40-€60 ] – [ High: €80 ]
• Public Transportation: Metro ticket cost 
• Museum Entrance Fees: [ Low: Free ] – [ Middle: €13 ] – [ High: €18+ ]
• Coffee: [ Low: €1.5 ]   – [ Middle: €5 ] – [ High: €9+ ]
• Baguette: [ Low: €0.85-€1 ] – [ Middle: €1.07 ] – [ High: €2 ]
• Beer: [ Low: €3 ] – [ Middle: €6.76-€7 ] – [ High: €12 ]
• Glass of Wine: [ Low: €4 ] – [ Middle: €5 ] – [ High: €6 ]  
• Crêpe: [ Low: €3 ] – [ Middle: €5 ] – [ High: €8-€10 ]
• Average Daily Cost (with accommodation): [ Low: €65-€95 ] – [ Midlle: €230 ] – [ High: €300-€520+ ]

Please note: prices are subject to variation based on your location, the season, and other specific factors.

If you’re more of a night creature, we have an article on the best things to do in Paris at night .

• Eiffel Tower: quite impressive when viewed from different vantage points in the city. No need to go inside of it. I particularly like the view in line Metro 6 going from Bir-Hakeim to Passy . 
• Arc de Triomphe: free to walk around, unless you want to venture upstairs for a spectacular city view. 
• Champs Elysees: Interesting site to look at luxury and rich people shopping (or people looking at rich people shopping).
• Louvre: has beautiful gardens with works of art scattered throughout.
• Churches like the Sacré Coeur Basilica .
• Gardens such as Tuileries, Luxembourg, Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes
• Historic cemeteries like the Cimetière du Père Lachaise.

Free things to do in Paris

There are plenty of exciting free things to do in Paris . Here’s a sneak peek to get you excited:

Entertainment: Concerts and DJ sets are organized in various venues across the city, offering affordable entertainment either for free or for the price of a drink.

Walking Tours: You can join free options like Local Greeters . Usually, most of these tours suggest a tip of around 10-15 euros.

Free Summer Festivals: During the summer, there are plenty of free entertainment options available almost every night of the week. Some examples include the Paris Jazz Festival and outdoor film screenings like Cinéma en Plein Air .

Resource: Free yearly event calendar in Paris.

Discounted or Free Museums in Paris

Paris is often compared to an open-air museum, and luckily, many of these attractions offer discounted or free admission.

It’s always a good idea to check any museum’s website for free entry or discounts. Several museums in Paris, such as the Musee d’Orsay and Pompidou, offer free visits on the first Sunday of each month. The Louvre also offers free entry after 6 pm on the first Friday of each month from September to June. However, it’s important to book early as spaces tend to fill up quickly.

You can also gain free entry to specific museums if your dates align with any of these cultural festivals:

• European Night of museums (mid-May): Where museums across Paris open their doors after dark, offering free admission and special activities to celebrate culture under the stars.
• Nuit Blanche (early October): Transforms Paris into an all-night art festival, with contemporary installations, performances, and light shows that illuminate the city.
• European Heritage Days (mid-September): Invites the public to explore Paris’s rich history and culture, as numerous monuments and sites, often closed to the public, open their doors for a weekend of discovery and appreciation. 

Note: EU citizens who are under the age of 26 can enjoy free entry to various national museums and monuments, including renowned places like the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, Musée National Picasso, and Musée Rodin. Moreover, students can also avail of special discounted rates or even gain free access to most museums, as long as they carry their student card with them.

Some of our favorite free museums:

• Musée Carnavalet (3rd): offers a deep dive into Paris’s rich past, showcasing the city’s history through an extensive collection of art and artifacts.
• Petit Palais (8th) (my personal favorite) : an architectural gem that houses a fine arts museum, boasting a collection ranging from antiquities to 19th-century masterpieces set within a serene garden courtyard.
• Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris   (16th) (my second favorite) : a haven for modern art enthusiasts, featuring a diverse collection of 20th-century art movements and contemporary works.
• Musée Cognacq-Jay (3rd): a mansion-museum displaying an elegant collection of 18th-century fine art and decorative pieces that reflect the charm of Parisian life.
• Victor Hugo House (4th): a dedicated museum where the famed writer once lived, offering an intimate glimpse into his life and works.
• The Museum of Romantic Life (9th): set in a picturesque 19th-century townhouse and garden, celebrating the Romantic era with art, artifacts, and a tranquil tearoom.
• The Bourdelle Museum (15th): an homage to the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, featuring his powerful works in a studio setting, alongside a peaceful sculpture garden.
• Palais Galliera, musée de la mode de la Ville de Paris (16th): this fashion museum showcases the evolution of style with rotating exhibitions of historic and contemporary haute couture.

If this is all too generic for you, we have a special article on the most unusual things to do in Paris , check it out!

Shopping on a Budget in Paris

Budget-conscious but still a shopaholic? I understand… In Paris, shopping without breaking the bank is doable, especially when you know where to go. So let’s dive in and explore some budget-friendly shopping alternatives:

Consider thrifting shops like:

• Adjace Paris : a trendy jewelry pop-up, offering an array of stylish and affordable accessories starting at just 5€.
• Emmaus : a charitable thrift store network in Paris, where you can find second-hand treasures while supporting social causes and community projects.
• Guerissol : a well-known thrift store in Paris, where locals and visitors alike can discover a wide variety of pre-loved clothing and goods.

Make sure to do your research before you go thrifting, some second-hand shops are very expensive.

Antique markets like:

• Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (Nick-knacks, ornaments, jewelry, clothes antique furniture) 
• Marché d’Aligre (Fresh produce and flea market)
• Marché aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves (Knick-knacks, ornaments, every random thing under the sun)
• Marché Georges Brassens (secondhand and antiquarian book market)

Where to Stay in Paris on a Budget

Paris is divided into 20 districts, also known as “arrondissements”. The majority of its famous sights are nestled in the lower-numbered districts. The arrondissements spiral out like a snail from the central 1st arrondissement.

Generally, the cost of living drops as the arrondissement number rises. 

For the best quality/cost/fun ratio, check out our guide to the best hostels in Paris .

Note: The travel hubs of Paris are the districts surrounding the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, both located in the 1st and 7th arrondissements respectively. These districts are known for their higher prices. However, with the metro system, you can easily explore Paris’s top attractions without breaking the bank.

The best areas to stay in Paris on a budget:

• Montmartre (18th) Artistic allure with a wallet-friendly flair.
• Belleville (20th) Vibrant vistas at a value.
• Montparnasse (between 14th and 15th) Central, accessible, affordable.
• Batignolles (17th) Charming, cheaper, chic.
• Salpêtrière (13th) Off-the-beaten-path price advantage.

Picking accommodation outside central Paris might appear more affordable, but once you consider the time spent on traveling and transportation expenses, it becomes less worthwhile.

My suggestion is to avoid staying in the suburbs. However, if you still choose to do so, make sure to select a safe one, as some have a reputation for lacking security, while others are completely safe.

Eating in Paris at affordable prices is an easy and enjoyable experience if you know about the following tips and hacks:

Water: Tap water and water from designated fountains scattered throughout the city are both safe for drinking. Here is a map showing all the safe water fountains in Paris where you can refill your bottle.

Restaurants, Bistrots, and Bouillon: Ordering from the prix fixe (set price) menu, lunchtime formula, or dish of the day will give you the best value with generous portions. To get even more, ask for a refill of the complimentary bread basket and choose a jug of water from the tap instead of bottled water.

Avoid: Avoid restaurants and cafes near the major sights!  

Eat at open-air markets for cheaper dishes and groceries:

• Marché des Enfants Rouges : Paris’s oldest covered market, offering a mix of fresh produce and international food stalls.
• Marché d Aligre : famous for its eclectic mix of antiques and fresh food.
• Marché Raspail : an organic haven for health-conscious shoppers.

Bakeries: Some offer “Bakery bags” filled with discounted unsold croissants and bread, usually available an hour before closing time.

Discounted Food: Get discounted leftover goods from bakeries, restaurants, and other food vendors on the Too Good to Go app , which is an innovative solution to combat food waste. With prices as low as 2 euros, you can purchase surprise groceries or meal bags. 

Discounted Restaurant Outings: La Fourchette offers amazing discounts of up to 50% off at over 1,000 restaurants in the city. 

Type of food that is generally cheaper:

• Street crepe kiosks are scattered throughout the city. Some also sell sandwiches
• Kebab shops (most Middle Eastern/Turkish kiosks) 
• Sandwiches in boulangeries

Where you can find the most affordable groceries in Paris:

• La petite affaire : a neighborhood grocery store with a selection of affordable products.
• NOUS anti-gasp : Offers discounted items nearing their expiration dates and imperfect produce.
• Aldi : Offers deeply discounted prices on a variety of groceries and household items.
• Lidl : Offers a range of affordable groceries, fresh produce, and weekly specials.
• Geant Casino and Casino : Vast assortment of groceries, electronics, and clothing.
• U Express and Super U : Wide range of grocery products emphasized local produce.
• Intermarché Express : Good selection of food and daily necessities.
• People selling fruits and vegetables at metro exits

The Paris metro system, RER train, and bus networks are extensive and easy to use. To get around, you have the option of choosing single metro tickets, ticket packs (known as “carnets”), or convenient transport passes. Here , you will find the most up-to-date and accurate pricing information directly from the official Paris metro.

Understanding Transportation Zones in Paris:

When purchasing tickets, a carnet, or a pass, you will have the opportunity to choose the zones in which you wish to travel.

• Zones 1 to 3 – Paris and the close suburbs
• Zones 1 to 5 – Paris, surrounding suburbs, Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports, Disneyland and Versaille
• Depending on the zones you choose when purchasing your ticket, you will gain access to various metro, RER, bus, and tramway lines, as well as the Montmartre cable railway.

A simple t+ ticket : once validated, it allows for unlimited transfers on the metro and RER networks for 90 minutes (after the initial validation), and for 90 minutes on the bus and tram networks (between the first and last validation).

Carnet: ideal for those who expect to walk frequently and utilize public transportation more than 10 times. It includes 10 discounted ride credits.

One-day Navigo travel pass: unlimited travel in your chosen zones in Paris.

Navigo weekly travel pass : unlimited travel within your chosen zone from Monday to Sunday.

The easiest way to use public transportation is to use a Navigo Easy card , no matter what you choose. Simply load the card with credit, and fares will be deducted for each trip. For even more savings, you can skip the initial €2 cost for a Navigo Easy card and use the free RATP app on your phone. Your phone will serve as your card.

Cheapest Way to get to and From the Airport in Paris

• Getting to and from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG):

RER Train: The most convenient and affordable way to travel between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris is via the RER train. The RER-B line directly connects the airport terminals to the city.

Bus: The Roissybus Service by RATP is the most affordable option for traveling between Charles de Gaulle Airport and Paris city center, although the RER is even cheaper.

• Getting to and from  Orly Airport (ORY):

RER Train: The RER train connects Orly Airport to Antony station on the RER-B line. Use the Orlyval shuttle train to reach the station.

Bus: The cheapest way to reach the city from Orly Airport is by taking buses 183 and 285.

Best Time to Visit Paris

• High season: From June through August – Bask in the sun, and embrace the bustle.
• Shoulder season: September to October and April to May – mild crowds, milder prices.
• Low season :  November to March – embrace the chill for the best deals.

*The earlier you book, the cheaper the prices.

Things to consider:

• International school holidays and spring and summer weekends always see a spike in prices, especially around Valentine’s Day in February and Easter in April.
• Paris Fashion Week graces the city twice annually, typically towards February’s end and again in September. To dodge soaring prices, consider scheduling your trip outside these high-profile events.
• Although January and March offer more budget-friendly options, the average temperatures hover around 8°C (46.4°F) and 13°C (55.4°F), respectively. For those who are not fond of chillier weather, finding a middle ground between cost savings and comfort is key.

Viewpoint of someone who really hates the cold: Paris retains its charm throughout the year and even dazzles in the winter. Yet, I hate the chilly, damp weather that January brings. If I didn’t live here, I would avoid January like the plague.

Here’s your guide to backpacking essentials and safety tips for Paris.

Safety Tips and Common Scams

• Watch Out for Pickpockets: Popular tourist spots like the Eiffel Tower and  Montmartre are notorious for pickpockets. Always keep your belongings secure and be mindful of your surroundings.
• Beware of Scams: Common scams include the ring trick near major landmarks, petitions signed by supposed deaf-mute individuals, and friendship bracelets tied around your wrist at Sacré-Cœur. Politely decline any unsolicited offers or interactions.
• Stay Vigilant on Public Transport: Crowded metro and RER trains are hotspots for petty theft. Keep your backpack in front of you and be cautious of distractions that might be a setup for pickpocketing.

Cultural Etiquette and Tips

• Greet Properly: When entering a shop or restaurant, always say “Bonjour” (during the day) or “Bonsoir” (in the evening). It’s a sign of respect and is expected of everyone.
• Mind Your Manners: The French value politeness. Always use “s’il vous plaît” (please) and “merci” (thank you). Good manners go a long way in Paris.
• Dress Appropriately: Parisians are known for their good taste in fashion. While you don’t need to dress up, avoiding overly casual attire (like flip flops and shorts) when dining in nicer restaurants is recommended.

Things Not to Do

• Don’t Eat Near Major Tourist Attractions: Restaurants in these areas tend to be overpriced and underwhelming in quality. Walk a few blocks away to find better and more authentic dining experiences.
• Avoid Making Loud Noises in Public: Loud conversations, especially on public transport, can be frowned upon. Keep your voice at a moderate level to respect the locals around you.
• Don’t Forget to Validate Your Metro Ticket: Always validate your metro or RER ticket before boarding. Fines for not doing so can be steep and are strictly enforced.

For more information: We have a guide on 33 Tourist Mistakes to Avoid in Paris .

The local tourism office is a hidden gem for travelers, offering expert advice on saving money and navigating the city. Visit their office to inquire about complimentary activities and discounted tours and attractions throughout the city.

If you’re a student , it’s worth considering an ISIC card to unlock a suite of discounts and benefits as you explore the city. Revel in a 10% reduction at Generator Hostels and with New Europe tours. Furthermore, for those under 26 years old, national treasures such as the Louvre and Musée Picasso open their doors to you at no cost.

Paris Museum Pass : a great deal for any museum lovers visiting over three museums. With one card, you can access an incredible 50 attractions including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Château de Versailles. 

Paris Passlib : offers discounted packages for sightseeing and transportation, which include a scenic boat tour along the Seine River.

Paris Visite Pass : allows for unlimited travel in Paris and the greater Paris region for up to five days. It also includes exclusive offers at select museums, attractions, and restaurants. 

Discount resource for backpacking families.

Conclusion: Your Budget-Friendly Paris Adventure

I hope you’ve found this budget guide to Paris useful. It’s filled to the brim with practical and useful information and resources to help you explore, eat, and sleep on a budget. 

Whether you’re basking in the splendor of its world-renowned landmarks, savoring a delightful pastry in a hidden boulangerie, or finding serenity in one of its many parks, Paris proves that the most memorable experiences don’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

Bon voyage!

We are 100% Independent: Some links on Hostelgeeks are so-called affiliate links. If you decide to book through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you . Your support allows us to keep producing high-quality, independent content free of influence from hostels or external advertisers. Learn more here . 🙏

✏️ Read our Editorial Guidelines

• Work With Me

• Sierra Leone
• South Africa
• United States
• New Zealand
• Falkland Islands
• Netherlands
• Accommodation
• Electrical Gear
• Essential Gear
• Working Abroad
• Blogging Resources

Budget Travel Ideas , Europe , FRANCE , Western Europe

How to visit paris on a budget: 7 top tips.

You know what, visiting Paris never gets old.

I firmly believe that no matter how many times you stay in this great city, there’s always something new and exciting to discover.

Sadly however, this incredible city isn’t known for its affordability … which isn’t ideal for us budget travellers!

Not one for being deterred by this however, I set out on my recent to Paris determined to see the best of the city for cheap!

And delighted to say I did!

So here’s my findings people – how to visit Paris on a budget, with 7 top tips for a cheap trip!

Related Posts

• 50 Best Places to Visit in Western Europe
• 11 Epic Paris Day Trips You Can’t Miss
• Top 21 Free Things To Do in London

My journey back from Paris was sponsored by Ouibus, but, as always, all views are my own.

This page contains affiliate links meaning Big World Small Pockets may receive a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.

Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple!

Information will be sent to the email provided above

#1 Getting to Paris Cheaply

The high prices of visiting Paris can start as soon as you look how to get there.

However, with these handy travel tips, hopefully you’ll realise there are some cheaper ways of doing it too.

Budget airlines are generally considered the way to go if you want to get to Paris cheaply from other European countries.

Easyjet, Eurowings and Wizz Air are all good options and I recommend checking out Skyscanner for the best deals.

In my opinion, budget airlines are best for short weekend trips when you can get away with only carry-on luggage and don’t therefore have to pay additional fees.

Otherwise, many regular airlines can be very close in price to budget airlines once you start adding in baggage etc.

Sometimes they can even work out cheaper, especially if you belong to a points scheme like Avios or have airline membership like BA Executive Club.

Otherwise, if you are travelling to Paris from London and have a bit of luggage, then travelling with Eurostar may well be a better option for you.

It’s also much better for your carbon footprint!

The Eurostar runs from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord and you can easily compare prices between flights and the train using Skyscanner.

When travelling from other European countries besides the UK to Paris, trains can also be a good option.

There are overnight sleeper routes available from Portugal, Spain and Luxembourg to Paris, but you must book at least a few months in advance to score reasonable fares.

Check out my article on the top tips for cheap train travel in Europe for more information or take a look at Seat61 .

As with all trains in Europe, including the Eurostar to Paris, I recommend booking through Trainline , because they just make everything so easy.

Check out their current deals here .

But probably the most cost-effective method of getting to Paris from around Europe is by bus.

Granted this may take you a little longer, but it can work out very, very cheap.

Learn just how cheap in this article I wrote specifically about catching the bus from London to Paris .

Taking you right to the heart of a city – unlike when you fly – and with good fares right up until the day of departure, getting a coach to the city is a great idea if you’re looking to visit Paris on a budget.

Again, I recommend booking through Trainline , because they compare rail and coach travel in English and allow you to book tickets in foreign currencies.

Getting into the City

If you catch a coach or a train into Paris, it’s worth remembering that you’ll also save the time and expense of travelling from an airport into the city.

If you’re flying however, remember Paris has 3 airports and it’s important to know where you’ll be landing.

The good news is that each of the 3 airports has good public transport…

• Paris Orly Airport has train links and bus links into the centre of the city.
• Paris Beauvais Airport has a direct bus link into the north of Paris for €17 or €15 when ordered online in advance! The bus operates for every flight and is quicker and more convenient than the train, although it still takes 75 minutes!
• Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is the city’s largest airport. From here it’s an easy ride via the RER train line into the Gare du Nord and costs €10. Tickets can be bought at the airport station on the day of departure.

#2 Cheapest Time of Year to Visit Paris

I wouldn’t say Paris was particularly cheap at any time of year, but between May-September is definitely high season, when many overseas visitors descend on the city and accommodation prices rise.

July and August can be very hot and many locals flee the city during this month, while visitors plough in.

As such, I’d recommend the shoulder seasons of April-May and September-October as the best times to visit, when the weather is more pleasant and the crowds slightly less.

If you’re on a really tight budget and not bothered by the weather, then from November to February is definitely going to be the cheapest for flights and accommodation.

#3 Getting Around Paris on a Budget

Paris has a great public transport system, which is well worth getting to grips with if you want to see the best of this city on a budget.

Public Transport Tickets

Metro lines, RER trains, buses all connect different parts of the city. They can be accessed with…

• Single tickets costing €1.90
• Books of 10 tickets – “carnet” – costing €16
• Paris Visite passes which give unlimited travel over a period of time.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that transport is free for children under 4 and half price for children aged between 4 – 11 years old.

Paris Visite Pass

These passes are a great option if you are going to be doing a lot of moving across the city and want a cost-effective solution that is hassle-free.

I was definitely pleased to have one on my last trip and found them straightforward and easy to use.

Paris Visite passes are available for either 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days and you can choose between tickets that include zones 1 to 3 (adequate for most visitors) or those that are valid in zones 1 to 5 (good if you want to see Disneyland Paris and/or the Palace de Versailles.)

Passes should be bought in advance and are activated on first use, so try to make use of them for full days, from early in the morning to get the best value.

Passes can be bought online or directly at any Metro, RER station counters (airports included) or Paris tourist office and you’ll receive a free map too!

Costs for adult tickets in zones 1-3 (correct at time of publication) are…

• 1 Day = €12.85
• 2 Days = €12.00
• 3 Days = €28.50
• 5 Days = €41.00

The best thing is to work out roughly how much you are going to be travelling across Paris and then decide if a book of 10 tickets costing €16 and valid across multiple days, or a Paris Visite Pass might work better for you.

Vélib’ Bike Hire

If you want to be independent of public transport, then another great option for visiting Paris on a budget is to hire a bike.

Vélib’ is a self-service bike system available 24 hours a day, all year round, that is excellent value for money.

To access the service, you just buy a 1-day or a 7-day ticket online or at any Vélib’ station.

Then no need to book, just go to any terminal at a Vélib’ station and follow the on-screen instructions.

The first 30 minutes of each trip is always free meaning locals love it as much as tourists!

à pied

Of course, walking in Paris is always free and there’s nothing quite like a stroll along the Seine or through the historic Latin Quarter to really make you feel that quintessential Parisian vibe.

There’s also some super gardens and squares that are worth wandering, with my favourites being Le Jardin Du Luxembourg and Places des Vosges, which are both free to enter.

There are also many free walking tours in Paris, check out Discover Walks for more info.

#4 Sightseeing in Paris on a Budget

It’s amazing but there are really tons of budget-friendly things to do in this iconic city.

Check out my list of the top 10 free things to do in Paris for more ideas about how to see some of the city’s most famous attractions for nothing!

Or consider the below…

Free Museums

It’s worth pointing out that on the first Sunday of each month, many museums in Paris are free.

Obviously, you need to be prepared for the crowds on these days, but you can’t argue with free!

Other museums offer free entry all year round for EU citizens under 26.

Another great money-saving option if you want to visit lots of attractions in Paris is to buy a Paris Pass .

These give free entrance to over 60 attractions across the city, including all the favourites such as The Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Towers of Notre-Dame, a cruise on the Seine and more.

Paris Passes can be purchased for multiple days and include a free Paris Visite Pass for use on public transport as well.

They can be a great money-saver and I loved having one during my last trip to Paris.

Read my full review Is the Paris Pass Worth It? for more info.

Eiffel Tower

One of the only attractions not included in the Paris Pass is the Eiffel Tower, which you must buy a ticket for separately if you want to ascend it.

This can be done online here and if you do it in advance you get to skip all the queues!

I suggest booking 6-8 weeks before your trip, as places fill up really quickly.

It actually only costs €11.00 to get up the Eiffel Tower, which is pretty good value I think for visiting one of the most recognisable icons in the world!

#5 Eating Cheaply in Paris

Eating cheaply in Paris is one thing it can be harder to do, but luckily there are a few tips and tricks to know…

Heading to one of Paris’ many markets is a great way to keep food costs down when you’re in the city and there are some super ones to choose from.

My favourite was Market St-Quentin near Gard du Nord and Gare de L’Est. We had a fabulous time here buying picnic goods surrounded by local shoppers and delicious local produce.

Supermarkets across the city – such as Carrefour Metro – are also worth stopping in to pick up some cheap picnic bits.

You can then take all your goodies down to the bank of the Seine and join the locals who love to dine alfresco here most nights of the week in warmer weather.

When it comes to finding cheap food in Paris café and restaurants, the key is to steer away from the major tourist areas.

Don’t eat near the main tourist attractions or along the bank of the Seine. Try to find some smaller, hidden eateries that are favourites by locals.

We found the Marais district good for this and the student area around the Left Bank is another good option.

#6 Budget Accommodation in Paris

When it comes to budget accommodation in Paris, the area around Gare du Nord is an excellent place to start looking.

Not only is this district far enough away from central Paris for it to be affordable, but it also boasts wonderful transport links that give quick and easy access to both Paris’ major airport – Charles de Gaulle – and the city centre.

On my last trip to Paris, I stayed at the wonderful St Christopher’s Inn: Gare du Nord , a fabulous hostel that also boasted ensuite private rooms at very affordable rates.

With free wifi and breakfast thrown in, it was hard to argue with the price of this top spot.

You can read the full review of my stay at St Christopher’s Inn: Gare du Nord here .

And it’s worth bearing in mind these guys, also have a sister property nearby – St Christopher’s Inn: Canal – which has gorgeous waterside views.

#7 Travel Insurance for Paris

Alternatively, if you’re a long-term traveller, digital nomad or frequent remote worker seeking travel health cover, check out Safetywing’s Nomad Insurance policies.

Save this Article For Later!

So there you have it, my complete guide on how to visit Paris on a budget.

Please let me know if you have any other tips to share – I’d love to collect even more information about seeing Paris on the cheap!

Creator of Big World Small Pockets, Stephanie Parker is a travel addict! Originally from Jersey in the Channel Islands, Stephanie adventures the world collecting tips, advice and stories, to share with a smile

2 thoughts on “ How to Visit Paris on a Budget: 7 Top Tips ”

Stephanie, I really enjoy/appreciate your insights. I think I speak for many Americans when I say I’d like to visit Paris but have real concerns about safety/security. I have been to Europe (never France though) and while I don’t walk around draped in the American flag and do my best not to be “the ugly American”, I have reservations about being in a city where I’d feel like I need to look over my shoulder all the time. Did you have any safety issues in Paris?

Hi Brad, thanks for expressing your concerns so honestly and respectfully. No I never had any safety concerns in Paris and would go again in a heart beat. While there are dangers associated with travelling in any major city nowadays, I think it’s important to remember just that – there are dangers in EVERY city, indeed everywhere, and that safety is largely donw to common sense and luck

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Inspire Your Trip

How to Visit Paris on a Budget

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world with millions of tourists travelling here every year.

This city is somewhere you really need to visit, come on who can say they love to travel and haven’t been to the Eiffel Tower!

But Paris is also expensive to visit, even compared to other cities in Europe. Whether you are planning your first trip to Paris, or have been before and are keen to keep costs down, our guide will help plan a trip without spending a fortune.

View our top money-saving tips and tricks helping you to travel to Paris on the cheap.

Getting to Paris

Paris is one of the most well connected cities in the world with lots of affordable ways to get there including flying, train and bus.

There are direct flights to Paris from airports around the globe. To get the best deals we recommend using a comparison website like Skyscanner . Be sure to book as far in advance as possible for the cheapest prices. Several low cost airlines fly to Paris daily including Easyjet and Ryanair.

From other destinations in Europe, it is usually cheaper to travel to Paris by bus or train. Bus is the cheapest form of transport although journeys can be long.

Where to Stay

Finding somewhere cheap to stay in Paris can be a challenge, this is likely to be your biggest outgoing money wise.

Hotels in Paris are notoriously expensive, even for basic rooms far from the main tourist attractions. Staying centrally is recommended as you will be close to all the main touristy locations, but if you stay further out of the city centre prices are a lot more affordable.

Booking.com is one of the best accommodation comparison websites helping you to find cheap rooms.

If you are on a really tight backpacker budget, you should consider staying in hostels if you are open to sharing a dorm room with others to keep costs down. Although in recent years even the price of a dorm bed has gone really expensive, its still cheaper than your basic hotel.

Hotel Georgette is a recommended place to stay for any travellers on a tight budget but who don’t want to stay in a hostel. The ambiance, décor, and hospitality are the epitome of French decadence and a stay here can only be classed as an artistic experience.

The majority of the rooms have been given a ‘Pop Art’ facelift that incorporates bright art and stylish bed throws. Book accommodation in advance if you want an en suite then you do have to request one, but other than this the hotel has all the amenities that you could possibly need.

The hotel is located just ten minutes from the centre of Paris and there are many beautiful restaurants nestled around the hotels that are well worth a visit. Prices do change, but they are competitive per night for two adults.

Another option is reserving an Airbnb, sometimes prices can be high but you will get access to a kitchen which will allow you to cook food at home rather than eating out and this can save you a lot of money.

Airbnb’s in Paris can be more expensive compared to hotels if travelling solo, but cheaper if you have a partner, family or friends to share with.

Getting from Charles de Gaulle Airport The cheapest way to get from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is via bus or train/metro. There is an Air France shuttle to Montparnasse and costs 16.50. If you are happy to spend a bit more you can pay for a taxi or Uber.

Getting Around Paris Paris is a huge spread out city and there are several options for getting around:

Walking is a totally free way to navigate the French capital, and it is also a great way to see more of the city and see the beautiful Parisian architecture. A lot of tourist attractions are located centrally and not too far from each other too.

Take a good pair of trainers and you can aim to walk to lots of the main locations. But if you want the full tourist experience you will need to use transport as the distances for the different neighbourhoods are too big.

The Paris Metro is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to get around connecting the whole city and highly recommended for an affordable transport option. A single metro ticket costs €1.90, and can be used for one journey, including all connections. There is also a Navigo Weekly Pass (Navigo Semaine) costing €22.80 which permits transport for 7 days oon all Paris Metro, RER, trams, and buses.

There is a Velib’, a bicycle-sharing network that you can rent at the 750 stations available throughout Paris. Choose between electric or mechanic bikes and pay for the amount of time you use. Sometimes though if you use it for half or a whole day can be quite expensive, well more than the metro.

You can also navigate the city by taxi, although more expensive than the other options on our list it offers a quick and reliable way to get around.

Food & Drink

French food is amongst some of the best in the world but eating out everyday can be expensive.

There are many Michelin starred restaurants in Paris, where a typical meal could cost you triple figures, so what is there for those of us on a limited budget who don’t want to compromise quality. Well quite simply, there are hundreds of smaller bistro’s and restaurants in Paris that are affordable in price but high in quality.

One recommendation is the Bistro de Piente, set in the heart of the city, this is an excellent place for eating at any point of the day. Serving a traditional mix of French Cuisine and classic bar food, there is certainly something for everyone on the menu.

Prices start (on average) from £11 per head. Almost as interesting as the food however, is the fact that this bistro is a listed Art Nouveau building and the interior and exterior is thoroughly awe inspiring.

Most restaurants in Paris charge a “sitting fee” if you want to literally sit down to eat. A quick tip to escape paying this fee is to stand at the bar to enjoy your drinks or snacks. You’ll get to hear the Parisian conversations, people watch and live the local experience. If you do sit down to eat, most Paris restaurants offer free filtered water for your meal, so there is no need to purchase bottled water.

If you really are looking to spend as little as possible, you could shop at supermarkets and plan for days out rather than eating at cafes and restaurants which can eat away at your budget. There are also local shops throughout Paris, Google Maps can help find these close to where you are located.

If you do buy food at supermarkets you could make snacks for the day and even have a picnic in one of the many great parks located throughout the city. There are also lots of tasty boulangeries and patisseries where you can buy cheap food to take away.

Filling your water bottle up before departing, and buying sandwiches and snacks can easily save you around 10-25 euros per person per day. Something else you might not have thought about, or might not want to do but will save you money, is to visit McCafés or McDonalds.

You won’t get to sample some of the amazing Paris food on offer, but the prices especially for drinks are really cheap. You will also be able to use the WIFI and toilet for free.

Sightseeing & Free Things to Do

Be sure to visit some of the famous sights including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Nôtre Dame and the Sacré Coeur to name just a few. Stroll along the Champs Elysées and wander through the Jardin des Tuileries, a peaceful haven right in the centre of the city.

Idle away a few hours in the labyrinth of alleyways and back streets which make up the charming area of Montmartre.

If you want to take in all the main highlights for example going up the Eiffel Tower, seeing the Louvre or going to watch a live PSG football game at the Parc de Paris, you can easily spend a few hundred euros.

Some things like seeing art the Louvre and going up the Eiffel Tower are iconic and some of the most essential things to do, and if you have never done them before, you should spend the entry fees, they really are things you have to do once in your life.

To get the best value on sightseeing, we recommend searching activities and tours on Get Your Guide and booking in-advance before arriving.

There are also lots of completely free and affordable things to do in Paris so it is possible to visit without spending a small fortune. There are also some attractions which you might want to give a miss.

Here are some money-saving Paris sightseeing tips:

Tourist Attractions Some of the most famous Paris tourist attractions can be done completely free. Like you can visit The Eiffel Tower, The Arc Du Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathédrale, The Champs Elysees, The Louvre and Montmartre and just take photos from outside. If you want to grab an iconic Paris skyline photo, then Montmartre has some of the best free views in the city.

Museums Lots of museums also have no entry fee, including the highly rated Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville. Many museums in Paris which do usually charge entry fees do have free and discount hours and days, look online in-advance to check dates and times.

Gardens & Parks Paris is blessed with beautiful gardens and parks which are free. Our top picks include the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Gardens of the Louvre, Parc Monceau and Parc des Buttes Chaumont.

Free Sightseeing Tours There are lots of walking sightseeing tours with local guides which cost nothing. It is polite to tip at the end, but this is totally optional.

Cemeteries This might sound like a rather odd idea, but the Paris cemeteries are popular locations with foreign tourists and are free to enter. Famous dead people residing in Paris Cemeteries include Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde at Cimetiere du Père Lachaise, Samuel Beckett and Jean-Paul Sartre at Montparnasse Cemetery and Alexander Dumas and Edgar Degas who are laid to rest at Montmartre Cemetery.

How to Visit Paris on the Cheap

Paris really is a special city to experience and our recommendations will help you to keep costs down. Before departing you might want to learn some basic French words for travel to impress the locals. Now go explore this city for yourself!

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Recommended Articles

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Colombia

10 Best Travel Apps

10 Best Places to Visit in Brazil

Privacy Policy

Paris on a budget: 7 travel hacks to save on your trip

The French capital is one of the first places that comes to mind when thinking about traveling to Europe. Images of Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Arc de Triomphe are bound to come up. These are some of the most iconic landmarks in the world and are well worth the trip to Paris. The culinary, nightlife, and art scenes are also world-class cultural offerings that make this a must-visit city. All of this may sound expensive, but there are ways to visit Paris without spending an unreasonable amount of money. 

Planning ahead is the best way to save money while visiting Paris. Not only can you find flight deals and less expensive lodging, but you can also plan out your activities and places to eat so that they match your budget. Finding free walking tours, delicious but inexpensive food, and low-cost activities can certainly be done.

Planning ahead will also help you with logistics like luggage storage in Paris , travel insurance, discounted metro cards, and walking or cycling. 

Here are some travel tips for visiting Paris on a budget: 

Cheap places to stay in Paris 

Like other major European cities, Paris has a wide variety of accommodations, and each Paris neighborhood has its own vibe. There are some of the nicest hotels in the world, there are bespoke Airbnb and rentals, and there are also hostels for younger travelers and backpackers to “rough it” for a few nights. For visiting Paris on a budget, you’ll certainly want to explore the city’s hostels to save money. Typically, a night in a shared room starts around €25. A private room will start around $50. 

Here are a few examples:

The Loft Boutique Hostel & Hotel

Even in an opulent city like Paris, there’s nothing cooler than a loft. But a trendy hostel in repurposed loft spaces in Paris’s coolest up-and-coming Belleville neighborhood? Even better. And they charge less than €40 for a night at said hostel? That’s what you get at Loft Boutique, which combines coolness and comfort at a low cost. 

Woodstock Montmartre

If you couldn’t tell by the name, this charming hostel takes its decor cues from the 1970s. The rooms are comfortable, especially at the starting price of €30, but the social vibe and incredible location near Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur make this even more of a steal. The hotel's bar has cheap beer and an awesome atmosphere, especially on weekends.

St. Christopher’s Canal

At under €30 for a night, this chain has all the best amenities that keep loyal backpackers backpacking through their various locations time after time. This specific location even has an incredible rooftop terrace with a full bar.

3 Ducks Hostel

It’s incredible to think you can sleep in a bed less than a 10-minute walk from the Eiffel Tower for less than €30 a night. At 3 Ducks Hostel , their simple but pleasant amenities and dirt-cheap bar make it one of the coolest places to stay in Paris, especially if you’re trying to save money.

Cheap things to do in Paris 

You can save money AND have an amazing time on your Paris trip. Here are a few tips and tricks for having the best time possible in a major city like Paris.

Grab a Paris Museum Pass

One of the best ways to explore Paris is by visiting its world-class museums. There are dozens of them in Paris, whether it’s the Louvre (ever heard of it?) or the Palace of Versailles. It can be overwhelming just to plan trips to these museums, let alone pay for all of it. That’s why Paris Museum Pass es provide excellent value to first-time visitors looking to fit a number of museum visits in during their trip to Paris. For less than €50, you can get free or discounted tickets to the best Parisian landmarks and museums for two days. If you go to three different museums, this Museum Pass pays for itself. Even more importantly, Pass holders can often skip the long lines at these places.

Arènes de Lutèce

If you’re a history buff and have already spent hours upon hours inside museums across Paris, you’ll definitely want to get outside and explore Paris’s fascinating past as an outpost of the Roman empire. There are Roman ruins in the Latin Quarter, including an impressive amphitheater where gladiators fought. All the ruins are impeccably preserved, and it’s entirely free to visit. 

Promenade in Parc Monceau

The French must have a morbid streak because some of Paris’s most popular attractions are historic cemeteries. Parc Monceau gets the same tourism traffic as some museums, but you’ll only ever understand why if you tour this beautiful park. The lush landscapes, impressive promenade, and historical importance all make this place a worthwhile stop during your trip to Paris, and it’s completely free. This was a go-to place for Monet to paint, so art enthusiasts will want to check out a walking tour of Parc Monceau as well. 

Explore the Cimitière du Montparnasse

This is one of the most famous cemeteries in the world, in part because of its illustrious (permanent) residents. Cimitière du Montparnasse is the final resting place of some of France’s most famous literary and intellectual luminaries. Jean-Paul Sartre, Samuel Beckett, and Simone de Beauvoir are just a few names of those interned at Montparnasse. It’s a quick ride via Metro Line #6 and entirely free to tour. 

Wander through the gardens

Much like its cemeteries, Parisian gardens are world-famous tourist destinations, and for a good reason. These are essentially public parks and thus free to tour, just with impeccably manicured landscapes and some of the most beautiful grounds you’ll ever stroll through. 

The most famous of these is the Jardin du Luxembourg, which is adorned with wonderful statues throughout the grounds. There are also classical and modern art exhibits programmed throughout the year. The Gardens of the Louvre are another must-visit garden to explore.

Cheap places to eat in Paris 

Whether it’s exploring a solid street food scene or having a picnic, you can definitely eat some delicious food while visiting Paris on a budget. French food from a classic bistro or café is part of the draw to traveling to Paris, so we would certainly recommend setting some funds aside for a traditional (if indulgent) Parisian dinner. 

Make a picnic

Head to the local grocery store, or even better, check out one of the many amazing Parisian markets to grab ingredients for a homemade picnic. Rue Mouffetard is another hotspot for bakeries, wine stores, cafés, and cheese shops, called fromageries. Head to this delightful cobbled street to stock up on provisions for a picnic. The best settings for a Parisian picnic are the Canal St. Martin or any public park. People watching over some cheese, charcuterie, a baguette, and a bottle of wine is a quintessential Paris experience. 

Bouillon Julien

If you’re going to go for the full French dining experience but can’t see yourself dropping more than €40 for dinner, Bouillon Julien is the place. Not only is this stylish Art Nouveau bistro a fun atmosphere, but it also serves delicious upscale French classics, including wine, at less than €20 for an entree. Try their confit de canard or their coquelet grillé (roast chicken and fries).  

Café du Coin

During the day, Café du Coin is an espresso bar where busy Parisians grab a coffee and a pastry before (not so hurriedly) heading to work. Late afternoon, it’s all about their apéro hour, where small plates and wine become the name of the game. They are also known for their €5 “pizzette” snack that comes with a variety of creative ingredients. It pairs perfectly with a glass of wine. 

Chez Alain Miam Miam

If you’re going to visit Paris, you should definitely eat at least one proper Parisian café. This third Arrondissement hangout is the perfect lunch spot. Their rotating menu of sandwiches, galettes, salads, and baked goods all feature fresh, seasonal ingredients, all at reasonable (€5-€10) prices. 

Ground Control (La Résidence)

If you want to save money while eating at a restaurant with a charitable cause, there’s only one place to eat in Paris. Ground Control supports refugee funds and organizations by providing food and other contributions. They also have a sneaky-great menu of Ethiopian and middle-eastern favorites for reasonable prices. 

Cheap Bars in Paris 

Drinking and trying to save money can be mutually exclusive endeavors, but Paris is a surprisingly affordable (compared to other major cities) place to grab a beer or glass of wine. Here are a few of the best cheap bars to drink in Paris on a budget: 

Located along Canal Saint-Martin, this is one of the cheapest jazz bars in Paris. With charming but kitschy decor and dirt-cheap drinks, it’s almost a “dive jazz bar,” if you will. It gets crowded and (a little) rowdy on weekends, but you're pretty much guaranteed a good time without leaving your wallet completely empty.

Le Crocodile

This Quartier Latin cocktail bar has more than 300 drinks on the menu, many of which cost between €5 and €8. 

Chez Georges

Located in Odéon, this student hangout is the perfect place for trendy travelers to hang out and drink a few glasses of wine on the cheap. Look into the natural wine selections.

Le Requin Chagrin

One of the cheapest places to drink delicious craft beer, this cozy Quartier Latin pub is delightfully shabby. Their tasting platter of flavorful beers is particularly popular with local students. 

Le Teddy's Bar

This no-frills Quartier Latin pub has an incredibly generous happy hour that lasts from 3:30-8 pm. Even better, the drinks remain affordable once the clock strikes 8.

Bonus Travel Tips For Paris on a Budget

Avoid the hotspots when you can .

In terms of eating, drinking, and shopping, the best way to make your newly-purchased euros go far is by avoiding the tourist hotspots near major landmarks and attractions. It’s hard to find a cheap meal near the Eiffel Tower. In any case, checking out spots where actual locals hang out is a more authentic experience. 

Getting around Paris on a budget

The most expensive way to get around Paris is by taxi or rideshare. That’s a given. It may seem tempting to traverse a massive, sprawling city like Paris the easy way, but you’ll blow through your budget pretty quickly. If you’re going to be jetting across the city, use Paris’s wonderful public transportation network. The Metro has impressive coverage of this fairly large city and is certainly worth using if you’re trying to pack in a lot of activity during your trip to Paris. Buy a “carnet” of 10 tickets at a Metro station to save time and money for using the subway. If you’re using the metro more than a few times a day, a Mobilis travel card can be purchased for unlimited use. 

The best and most inexpensive way to get around Paris is by foot or by bicycle. Depending on what your day’s goals are, walking between landmarks, restaurants, and stores is the easiest and cheapest way to get around. In order to do this efficiently, plan activities in geographic clusters. Keep an itinerary based on a neighborhood or landmark, and walk between each stop. 

Biking is an even more efficient way to do this as well. Check for rental companies near your hostel. Better yet, check with your hostel to see if they have bikes for rent. There’s also a self-service bike service called Vélib, which is affordable. Americans from cities like New York and Chicago will recognize these docking stations throughout the city. 

Visit during the off-season

Paris can be one of the more expensive cities in Western Europe. But when it’s not summer, or “the high season,” things can get considerably more manageable. Whether it’s a cheap flight (and not just through budget airlines) or discounted room at a hostel, you can find better deals during fall, winter, and early spring. The rule of thumb here is to plan your trip around whether or not school is in session. Once the schools are out, everything gets more expensive and crowded. You can also set alerts on Google Flights to find the cheapest flights on major airlines. Luckily, Paris is beautiful every day of the year.

Whether it’s visiting during the off-season or sticking to free activities like appreciating the Eiffel Tower, Sainte Chapelle, or Arc de Triomphe from the street, you can definitely visit Paris on a budget and still have a wonderful time. While Paris is renowned for its amazing cultural offerings and cuisine, you can still experience the best of the French without having to spend every penny to your name. All it takes is a little planning. 

Explore the world

Love discounts and traveling?

Sign up for our newsletter to get insider travel tips and a 10% discount delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam here, just the good stuff.

Get the Bounce app

Instantly find locations nearby to drop off your luggage wherever you go.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Mint Notion

Feel rich living within your means

Paris Budget Travel Guide: 17 Tips to Save Money

By Eden Ashley MintNotion.com is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we will earn a commission at no added cost to you. This helps keep the content on this website free for everyone to enjoy. Disclosure Page

Visiting Paris on a budget? This post is for you! Yes, it’s possible to see all the top attractions in the city of lights without breaking the bank.

For many, Paris is the trip of a lifetime and it can be a very expensive city without proper planning. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to have fun in Paris, even on a tight budget.

Today I’m sharing tips on how to visit Paris for families on a budget, including tips for where to stay in Paris and things to do.

After visiting the city a couple of times now, both during the low season (winter) and high season (summer), I’ve learned several savvy tips to help you enjoy an incredible trip to Paris without blowing your budget.

To make our summer trip to Paris more affordable, I booked a hotel near the Arc de Triomphe through Booking.com . This helped us save money and was the perfect location for exploring Paris.

There’s really no shortage of fun things to do in Paris, including exploring its museums, attractions, and going on self-guided walks.

To make your Paris trip more enjoyable, here are some costly tourist mistakes to avoid.

Table of Contents

Where to stay in Paris for first-timers?

When visiting Paris for the first time, the best neighborhoods to book your hotel accommodations are:

• The 7th Arrondissement – Near the Eiffel Tower and the BEST neighorhood for first-timers.
• Montmartre (The 18th Arrondissement) – A quiet and romantic area of Paris.
• South Pigalle (The 9th Arrondissement) – Great for travellers on a budget.
• Le Marais (The 3rd & 4th Arrondissement) – Central location and one of the hippest districts in Paris.
• Saint Germain (The 6th Arrondissement) – A classic Parisian neighorhood.
• The Latin Quarter (The 5th Arrondissement) – Popular with tourists and students.
• Champs-Élysées (The 8th Arrondissement) – Lots of excellent restuarants and shops near here.

PRO TIP: If you’re visiting Paris on a budget, you can find accommodations in South Pigalle , located around Saint-Georges. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris.

I stayed here with my sister when visiting Paris in the winter months. They have affordable restaurants too, which makes this a win-win for budget-conscious travellers.

Below are the best affordable hotels in Paris:

• Hotel Marignan – Located in the Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement)
• The Helussi Hotel – Located in the 9th Arrondissement
• Hotel Eiffel Turenne – Close to the Eiffel Tower
• Libertel Gare du Nord Suede – Located in the 10th Arrondissement
• Hotel de Roubaix – Just a 5-minute walk from Centre Pompidou in Paris

Related Posts:

• 12 silly mistakes to avoid making in Paris
• 6-day Paris itinerary for first-timers
• Paris Pass review: Is it worth it?

Sightseeing in Paris on a Budget

Paris is home to some of the most famous monuments, churches, and museums in the world.

From seeing the Mona Lisa and French sculptures at the Louvre to marveling at the beautiful gothic architecture at Notre Dame Cathedral, there is something for everyone to experience in Paris!

The best way to save money on sightseeing is to:

• Visit free attractions and museums in Paris
• Take advatange of free museum days (the first Sunday of every month)
• Use a Paris sightseeing pass, such as the Paris Pass , Paris Museum Pass , or the Paris Explorer Pass . (If you buy the 4 or 6-day Paris Pass, you’ll also receive the Paris Museum Pass for FREE!)

Use the Paris Pass

Paris is a big city and there’s lots of fun things to do and see. It can be challenging to plan an itinerary and determine which attractions are worth spending your money on.

Getting the most bang for your buck is my #1 priority when planning a vacation and the Paris Pass was rated the #1 Paris tourism pass by TripAdvisor .

They’re also recommended by Expedia and the Paris Pass currently has a rating of 4/5 on TripAdvisor .

With the Paris Pass, you can save time, money, and enjoy stress-free sightseeing. But don’t just take my word for it. Check out these reviews.

What is the Paris Pass ?

The Paris Pass can be a great option for anyone who wants to visit the most popular attractions and save money.

The Paris Pass is a pre-paid tourism card that includes free entry to over 35 popular attractions and tours in Paris, including a 1 day Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour and River Cruise on the Siene.

You can choose a 2, 3, 4 or 6-day pass duration for your trip.

If you choose the 4 or 6-day pass , you’ll also receive the Paris Museum Pass , which includes free entry to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris, including the Louvre , Musee d’Orsay , and Centre Pompidou .

HURRY! Save up to €30 off the Paris Pass until April 14th. You have 2 years to activate the pass.

PRO TIP:  Buy the pass online to   save extra money off the retail price. To buy the Paris Pass, click here to go to the official website.

How to buy your Paris Pass:

STEP 1: Choose which pass duration you want to buy (2, 3, 4 or 6 day). You can click here to purchase your Paris Pass from the official website.

If you want to visit the museums, such as the Louvre, choose a 4-day or 6-day Paris Pass.

• 4-day Paris Pass and receive a 4-day Paris Museum Pass.  
• 6-day Paris Pass and receive a 6-day Paris Museum Pass. 

Why you should consider buying the pass online:

• When you buy the pass online, you can take advantage of online discounts .
• They offer a 365-day money-back guarantee , so you can get a full refund just in case your plans change.
• You can activate your pass anytime within two years from the date of purchase.

STEP 2: Download your mobile pass instantly using the Paris Pass App.

If you prefer a physical pass, simply print your pass and guidebook at home. Links and easy-to-follow instructions for both options will be in your confirmation email.

STEP 3: You now have FREE access to any of the 75+ top Paris attractions included for the duration of your pass.

How to activate the pass : It will activate once you visit your first attraction and can then be used on consecutive calendar days for the number of days purchased. 

You’ll also receive a free guidebook , which is included with your purchase. Use this book to help you easily plan your itinerary.

Other ways to save money on Paris attractions:

Paris Pass – If you’re just interested in visiting museums and monuments , you may want to consider getting the Paris Pass instead.

Paris Explorer Pass – If you’re just interested in visiting the Eiffel Tower and doing tours in Paris , then you may want to consider getting the Paris Explorer Pass instead.

Paris Museum Pass – This pass included free entry to over 60 museums and monuments in and around Paris.

NOTE : If you buy the 4 or 6-day Paris Pass, you’ll receive the Paris Museum Pass for FREE!

Either way, there’s NO reason to pay full price for attractions when you can save money with one of these three tourism passes. This is the best way to sightsee in Paris on a budget.

Some attractions require reservations

Some of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the Louvre Museum require reservations.

One of the most common mistakes tourists make when visiting Paris is waiting in long lines to buy attraction tickets.

If this is your first time visiting Paris, skip waiting for hours in lines by buying your tickets in advance.

PRO TIP : Many of Paris’s top attractions offer a separate line for people who have purchased tickets in advance.

The line for people who already have tickets is SHORTER, which means you can quickly get inside the museum and enjoy more sightseeing.  

Popular museums and attractions that require reservations:

• Sainte-Chapelle
• La Conciergerie
• Palace of Versailles
• Orangerie Museum
• Louvre Museum
• Eiffel Tower Guided Climb
• Château de Malmaison

If you’re using a sightseeing card, such as the Paris Pass or Paris Museum Pass , you must purchase your pass first.

Then you can choose the date, time, and number of people to reserve your time slot.

Not using the Paris Pass? – Where to book your attractions?

If you’re not using the Paris Pass, then I recommending using GetYourGuide to buy tickets for museums, tours, and attractions.

You can purchase individual attraction tickets and they offer a good refund policy so I feel safe booking with them.

If you purchase tickets directly through the attraction, they usually offer NO refunds. But with GetYourGuide, you can get a refund if you cancel within the cancellation policy.

This can give you peace of mind in case your plans change or you’re unhappy with your experience.

For Paris Pass holders , you can skip the long ticket lines and get fast-entry at popular attractions in Paris. This includes museums such as the Louvre and Centre Pompidou. Why wait hours in line when you can save time by using the Paris Pass?

Don’t pay full price for tourist attractions

If you’re visiting Paris on a budget, you don’t have to worry about skipping all the popular attractions due to the high ticket costs. Below are some tips on how to save money while sightseeing in Paris.

Take advantage of free museum days

Free the FIRST Sunday of the month – You can save money by visiting museums for free on the first Sunday of each month.

Keep in mind that these free museum days are always EXTREMELY busy , so I suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before the popular museums open.

Free for students and anyone under 26 years old – National museums are free for all persons under 26 from the Europeaon Union. Proof of identity is required (EU passport or EU identification card).

Aside from this, you’ll have to pay to get into the main museums, monuments, and attractions.

Instead of wasting time waiting in long ticket lines, getting a skip-the-line sightseeing pass is essential. Below are some good options.

Save money with one of these Paris sightseeing passes :

Paris Pass : The Paris Pass is sightseeing card offering FREE admission to over 35 attractions in the city.

Choose from 2, 3, 4, or 6 consecutive-day durations. You can visit as many attractions as you want within that time.

If you buy the 4 or 6-day pass, you’ll also receive the Paris Museum Pass for FREE! The Paris Museum Pass includes free entry to over 50 of the city’s museums and monuments.

BEST FOR : Those who want to see and experience as much of Paris during their trip.

Paris Explorer Pass : With the Explorer Pass, you can pick 3, 4, 5, or 7 attractions to visit from their list of the top Paris sights, tours, and must-sees.

Some of these attractions include Disneyland Paris, Eiffel Tower Elevator Guided Tour, Louvre Ultimate Experience, and a gourmet five-course champagne lunch at Mordu.

BEST FOR : Those who want to tick off a few favorite attractions from their Paris bucket list.

Paris Museum Pass : With the Paris Museums Pass, you have FREE admission, (without waiting in line), to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris and the Paris region. You can choose from a 2, 4, or 6 day pass.

BEST FOR : Those who want to visit the popular museums and monuments in Paris, but aren’t interested in tours or other attractions.

Check out the FREE things to do in Paris

While many of the top attractions in Paris cost money to visit, there are lots of free things to do if you’re on a tight budget. Some of my favorite free things to do in Paris include:

Notre Dame Cathedral – While you have to pay to go up and see a view from the towers, it’s free to enter the church.

If you’re using the Paris Pass or the Paris Explorer Pass , you can visit the towers for free. NOTE: Notre Dame Cathedral is currently closed due to the 2019 fire.

Basilica Sacré-Coeur – You have to pay to go up and see a view from the dome, but it’s free to enter the church. If you’re using the Paris Pass or the GO Paris Card, you can visit the towers for free.

Jardin du Luxemburg – This is one of my favorite free gardens to visit in Paris. The perfect spot to have a picnic!

Watch the Eiffel Tower light show in the evening – Parc du Champ de Mars is a good spot to check this out.

Take a stroll through Cimitière du Père Lachaise (Pere Lachaise Cemetery) – Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde are some of the famous graves in this old cemetery.

Musée Carnavalet – Free to visit the permanent collection, but you’ll need to reserve tickets in advance.

Musée de la Vie Romantique – Free to visit the permanent collection.

Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris – Free to visit the permanent collection. A small donatation is recommended.

River Seine – Take a scenic walk along the river seine in Paris.

Free museum days in Paris – Most museums are free on the first Sunday of each month. This includes The Louvre,  Musée Rodin, Musée Picasso, Musée d’Orsay, and others.

Staying in Paris on a Budget

For first timers in Paris, choosing where to stay can be a little overwhelming. There are 20 Arrondissements (neighborhoods) in the city.

The 1 st and 7 th Arrondissements are popular neighborhoods for first time visitors to stay, however they can be quiet expensive. This is because you’ll find attractions such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower here.

Instead, I recommend staying in the 4 th Arrondissement (Le Marais) if you’re looking for a classic feel of Paris .

Here are some costly mistakes to avoid when booking your hotel and travel accommodations:  

Plan ahead when booking your accommodations

Just like with any major city, planning ahead can help ensure that you get the best choice and value.

If possible, I recommend checking prices for flights and accommodations at least three months in advanced, especially in you’re traveling during peak season (June, July, and August).

I like using Booking.com to find deals on hotels in Paris. This is because Booking.com will tell you exactly what you’ll pay.

Some hotels and other third-party booking websites advertise low prices, but don’t mention that extra fees or tourist tax that will be added to your bill upon checkout.

Booking.com will tell you the actual price so there will be no surprises!

Planning ahead also means deciding which month is the best time for you to visit Paris. I have been to Paris both in the summer and winter months. Each season has its pros and cons.

I personally recommend visiting during the shoulder season (spring or fall) because the weather will be nice and museums will be less crowded. However, winter and summer are still good times to visit.

Avoiding booking your hotel outside of Paris

I know those affordable hotels near Paris Disney sound tempting, but unless you’re spending every day exploring the Disney Park, it’s not a good idea to stay there.

Commuting into the city every day can get very expensive and it takes up a lot of precious sightseeing time. I don’t recommend it.

Instead, you’ll want to stay in central Paris to make the most of your trip. The metro makes it easy to get around the city, so don’t stress too much about trying to stay next to your favorite museum or monument.

Stay in one of the affordable neighborhoods of Paris

Below are some of the best neighborhoods in Paris to stay on a budget:

• 3rd arrondissement
• 4 th arrondissement
• 10th arrondissement
• 18th arrondissement
• 20th arrondissement
• The Latin Quarter
• Saint Germain des Pres

Food in Paris on a Budget

Paris is home to some of the best food and restaurants in the world. Keep in mind that each restaurant sets their own hours, so I recommend checking ahead to see when places are open or closed.

Also, many of the popular restaurants fill up quickly, so you may want to make reservations in advance.

Tipping in restaurants – Is it rude to tip in France?

Most bars and restaurants include a service charge already, so you don’t need to tip. However, if you are happy with your service, it’s always nice to leave a 5% or 10% tip.

Order tap water at restaurants

There is no need to pay for bottled water in a restaurant, unless you actually want to order bottled water. Instead, just ask for tap water (it’s free). Paris tap water is safe to drink.

You can say this to your server, “ Une carafe d’eau s’il vous plait ”, which means ‘a jug of water please’.

I would also avoid ordering soda pop or sparkling water at restaurants.

It’s not uncommon for drinks like Coke or Perrier to cost more than a glass of wine in Paris restaurants.

Take advantage of happy hour drink specials

Ordering alcoholic drinks in Paris can get expensive, however many restaurants offer discounts on beverages during their happy hours.

A more budget-friendly option is to take a break from sightseeing in the afternoon and enjoy a drink on the patio before dinner. This is a fun way to relax and people watch in Paris without spending too much money.

Take advantage of pre-fix specials

Many restaurants and cafes in Paris offer fixed-price combos . For example, for lunch you might be able to get 1 starter + 1 main dish + 1 drink for a set price.

This is usually cheaper than ordering from the regular menu, which is a great way to save money when dining out. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of these great lunch specials!

The Latin Quarter area in Paris offers fixed 3-course meals that are much cheaper than the standard 3-course menu offers.

You’ll see this listed on the menu as “ Une Formule “, which is a set menu.

• “Entrée + Plat = 15€”
• or “Entrée + Plat + Dessert = 20€”.

Find the cheap eats in Paris

Eating at restaurants in Paris can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are lots of great cheap eats that you should consider trying in Paris.

As a vegetarian, many traditional French restaurants tend to be heavy on the meat dishes.

I found the best way to eat vegeterian and stay on budget was to dine at Italian restaurants ( hello endless pizza and pasta! ), eat plenty of crepes, visit bakeries or boulangeries for a baguette, eat ethnic cuisine (falafels, Asian food, and so on).

Where to eat in Paris on a budget? Below are some of my favorite spots to eat well on a budget in Paris:

Ristorante Al Caratello – While this is not the cheapest option, it’s my absolute favorite restaurant in Paris. If you’re looking for delicious Italian food, friendly service, and affordable prices, then head straight to Ristorante Al Caratello. Portions are big and it’s located right in the beautiful Montmartre neighborhood.

La Droguerie – Whether you prefer sweet or savory crepes, this is the best place to enjoy affordable crepes in Paris. I ordered the Nutella Banana crepe and it was delicious!

L’As du Fallafel – This is a popular lunch spot for cheap eats in Paris. The falafels are huge, so don’t forget to bring your appetite.

Eric Kayser – This lunch spot is super popular with the locals. Everything is fresh, delicious, and affordable. For around 10 Euros, I was able to enjoy a veggie sandwich, a drink, and a dessert. There are many locations around Paris.

PITAYA saveurs thai – If you like Thai food, this is a good lunch or dinner option. Portions are generous and affordable.

Noodle Panda – Near the Arc de Triomphe, you can enjoy yummy Chinese food at Noodle Panda. It’s a cheap and popular spot with the locals.

Paradis Marguerite – This was one of our favorite meals in Paris. Almost everything on the menu is vegan, but my carnivore boyfriend loved his meal.

Josse Philippe – Montmartre is a great neighborhood to find cheap eats in Paris. If you’re craving a sandwich, look no further than Josse Philippe. This place offers some of the best cheap sandwiches in the city.

Kozy – This cute café is the perfect spot to grab breakfast in Paris. Whether you want a croissant or a breakfast quiche, this place is affordable and delicious.

Framboise – For a sit down crepe option, I highly recommend Framboise. They have some of the best savory and sweet crepes in the city.

Pizzeria Popolare – Head to Pizzeria Popolare and see why the locals love this place! For only 5 Euros, you can enjoy a delicious margherita pizza. Italian food is the way to go if you’re looking for cheap eats in Paris.

McDonald’s – Yes, that’s right. At first I thought it was silly to visit McDonald’s in Paris. But even the locals go there. This is a great option to enjoy FREE Wi-Fi, cheap coffee, and to use the public bathrooms.

Avoid eating at restaurants close to tourist attractions

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in any city is eating at restaurants located near tourist attractions. Not only are these restaurants expensive, but they tend to offer mediocre food at best.

To eat in Paris on a budget, walk a few blocks away from tourist attractions. Don’t be afraid to head down a side street and follow where the locals eat. This is where you’ll find the best food and value.

Make lunch your biggest meal of the day

Brunch and dinners are usually much more expensive than lunch menus. It’s not uncommon for the same lunch meal to cost twice the price for dinner.

Most restaurants offer a pre-fix lunch menu, which can be very affordable. If you’re hungry in the afternnon, you can grab street food (such as a crepe) and enjoy a light dinner.

Get take-away food and have a picnic

At casual restaurants in Paris, if you get your food to-go (“à emporter”), it’s usually cheaper than eating at a table (“sur place”).

When you order your food, the person at the counter will ask, “Sur place ou à emporter?” This means “Are you going to eat it here (sur place) or take it away (emporter)?”.

The sur place price will be slightly higher. If it’s a nice day, save money by taking it to-go and having a picnic in the park, Jardin des Tuileries , or sit by the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a fun picnic.

Lots of people have picnics in Paris, especially in the summer. You can buy bread, cheese, meat, olives, wine, or whatever you want from a local grocery store. Just don’t forget to bring a wine opener !

If you have access to a hostel kitchen or Airbnb, there’s quite of few grocery stores in Paris.

Have breakfast a cafe instead of your hotel

If your hotel doesn’t offer free breakfast, they might charge up to €15 per person for a continential breakfast of juice, coffee, and croissant. This isn’t good value.

Instead visit a local cafe to have the same option for less than €10. Some boulangeries even offer breakfast specials where you can get a coffee and pastry for a discount.

Have your coffee at the counter in the cafe to save money . This is usually much cheaper than sitting down at a table.

If you don’t want a pastry for breakfast, consider going to McDonald’s. While this isn’t your typical French breakfast, it’s cheap and filling.

Getting Around Paris on a Budget

The best way to save money is to wear comfortable shoes and walk to each attraction. Even though Paris is a big city, it’s very walkable.

Another afforable and quick way to get around is to ride the public metro. I know their metro system might seem a little intimidating for first-timers, but it’s really straightforward once you get the hang of it.

PRO TIP: Watch a video on YouTube of how to use the public metro system in Paris. This helped us a lot.

The RER train is the regional train system. The RER will take you to both airports and to day trip destinations such as Versailles .

If you prefer to be comfortable and relax, you can ride the  Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour , which is a great way to get familiar with Paris for first-timers.

Avoid taking a taxi to get around the city

With the convenient and affordable Paris Metro, there is no reason to take an expensive taxi in the city. If you are insistent on hiring a driver to get to and from the airport, then I recommend using Uber or a private shuttle car.

How to get from Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) to city centre of Paris:

ONLY get inside official taxis and verified airport transfers. An official taxi will have an illuminated rooftop sign and a meter. The sign will read “ TAXI Parisien “.

You’ll find regular taxis located in the official taxi queque. Follow the signs posted in the airport arrivals to the taxi queques.

A taxi from Charles De Gaulle airport to Paris will cost around €50 to €55 . There will be an additional 15% automatically added when traveling between 5:00 PM and 10:00 AM daily, as well as all day Sunday and all holidays.

A taxi from Orly airport to Paris will cost around €30 to €35 . This airport is closer to the city, so the fares will be less and the ride will be shorter.

Another good option is to take a private transfer between Paris and CDG Airport . or Orly Airport . I did this when traveling with my sister so we didn’t have to worry about fumbling with our luggage on the Paris Metro.

Taking public transportation from the airport to Paris:

The Bus or RER is the cheapest way to get to and from Charles De Gaulle Airpot. The airport has two train stations on the B line of the RER.

The journey time is approximately:

• 25 minutes from Gare du Nord
• 28 minutes from Châtelet-Les-Halles
• 35 minutes form Denfert-Rochereau.

Get to know the Paris metro system

Once you learn how the Paris metro system works, it’s easy to navigate and get to any point you desire in the city.

You can save money by purchasing a book of 10 (“carnet”) tickets for 18.60 €. This is cheaper than buying single metro tickets which costs €1.90 .

Make sure to keep hold of your ticket until you have completed your journey, as you may be asked to show it if tickets are being inspected .

If you are planning to use the public transportation system a lot, consider getting Paris Visite travel pass .

This is a card that gives you unlimited travel on all of the public transport networks: the metro, tramway, bus, RER and SNCF Transilien networks. It’s valid for 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days .

Falling for common tourist scams in Paris

Like with any major city, it’s essential that you keep an eye on your belongs at all times.

Pickpockets know where to operate in the city and you don’t want to run the risk of having your wallet or phone stolen. Here are a couple of other scams you should be aware of:

The string or bracelet scam

People may ask if you’d like a “friendship bracelet or ring”. They will tie it so tight that you can’t remove it and then demand money from you.

Keep an eye out for these people (usually males) near popular museums and the Montmartre area.

Petition scams

This is usually around popular monuments, such as the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Mainly run by young girls, they are often holding a clipboard (or a piece of paper) and ask you “D o you speak English? ”

From my experience, these girls can be extremely aggressive and they are not afraid to grab your arm to get your attention. Firmly reject any petition and continue on your way.

If you stop and sign the petition, there are French words on the paper that usually say you have to give 1,000 euros or you will face a penalty.

They work in groups, so more people will come and demand money from you or pickpocket you.

Always remember to be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your belongings.

Do you need to speak French?

You don’t need to be fluent in French to survive your holiday in Paris, but it does help to know a few key words. Here are a few French words you should know:

• Bonjour – Hello / Good day (this is a polite way to greet others before 6:00pm)
• Bonsoir – Good evening (this a polite way to greet others after 6:00pm)
• Merci – Thank you
• S’il vous plait – Please
• Pardon – Pardon / Excuse me (say this if you need to pass someone, especially on the Paris Metro)
• Excusez-moi – Excuse me (say this to get your waiter’s attention or you need to pass someone in a crowded area)
• Sur place – For here (say this if you want to dine-in)
• à emporter – Take away (say this if you want your meal to-go)
• Une carafe d’eau s’il vous plait – A jug of water please (always free in restaurants)
• L’addition s’il vous plait – the bill please

Paris on a budget FAQs

How much should you budget for paris.

Your daily budget should be around €184 per person for your vacation. This is how much spending money you’ll need for a day in Paris. Based on the expenses of other visitors, this is the average daily price. (Price are in EUROS).

What does a week in Paris cost? A vacation to Paris for one week will cost an average of €1,286 per person. ( Source )

When is the best time to visit Paris on a budget?

The cheapest times to visit Paris is in early December (before Christmas), January, and February. The weather is cold and the gardens aren’t in bloom, but it’s the perfect time to enjoy the city with less crowds.

Ready to plan your adventure to Paris? See what hotel deals are available in the area thanks to Booking.com

About Eden Ashley

Eden has an MBA and a degree in Psychology. As a new mom (and homeowner), she knows the importance of having a budget that works. She's helped thousands of women get good with money using the same strategies she used to save $100,000 by age 25. Click here to learn how to create a better budget!

Saving with Sofi

• How to Visit Paris on a Budget | Paris Budget Breakdown

June 23, 2022

This page may contain links from my partners. I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through a link, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.. Please read the  disclaimer  and  privacy policy  for more information.

Today’s blog post is discussing everything I spent on my recent 8 day, 7 night trip to Paris and ALL my travel budget tips to help you spend less! There were two of us traveling and here are all of our expenses.

If you want to see this post in instagram reel version, check this out !

I’m not going to sugar coat it though, Paris is expensive. So even though there are ways to minimize your costs, I wouldn’t call this a super budget friendly vacation by any means.

For some context, I decided to pause my life in corporate America and take a one year mini-retirement to travel the world! Paris was the very first stop on this journey.

Before we hop into it, if you want my Travel Budget Spreadsheet I use to track all my expenses while traveling you can purchase it here OR get it for free in my resource library by signing up to my email list !

Table of Contents

$64.50 for one, $129.00 for two.

First and foremost, I used credit card points to purchase this flight; if that wasn’t obvious by how inexpensive it was!

I have an entire blog post going over credit card point basics and another how I did this for this exact Paris flight . So head over to thoughts for more specific details.

The key here is going to be traveling outside of July and August, aka the peak travel season. Everything will be more expensive.

Disclaimer about this flight: because I am traveling for one year this was a one way ticket! So if you plan on using credit card points, it will probably be twice as much for a roundtrip flight!

Also for my credit card recommendations head over here . (My biggest recommendation for a travel credit card is the Chase Sapphire Preferred ).

Accommodations

$513.19 for one, $1,026.38 for two.

$73.31 per night for one, $146.63 per night for two.

Prices of accommodations in Paris will vary GREATLY. 

We got fairly lucky with our accommodations because we opted to stay kind of on the outskirts. The reason we were in Paris was to attend the French Open (Roland Garros) so we stayed closer to the stadium which was outside of Paris in Boulogne-Billancourt.

Because of this, our accommodations were much cheaper than if we had stayed inside Paris proper. Additionally, the best way to get a nice Airbnb for less, is to travel outside of the peak season in July & August.

If you’re traveling in September the prices will be MUCH LESS than during the summer months. I think it would be feasible to get something fairly nice between $130 and $170 dollars a night.

Hotels are going to be by far the most expensive; I’d stay away from hotels if you’re worried about prices.

Lastly, If you’re on a hardcore backpacker budget, you can find a dorm style hostel in Paris for $40 to $60 dollars a night; which isn’t too bad.

Transportation

$62.73 for one, $125.45 for two.

Transportation around Paris is actually fairly affordable because of their metro system. I think we spent much more than necessary because we took Uber rides instead of the metro.

About 70% of our transportation expenses were because of our Uber rides. However if you stick to the metro, your transportation costs will be quite low!

The most expensive transportation cost you will have is to/from the airport if you take a taxi. Do not take a taxi to/from the airport !! Taxi rides into Paris are at a fixed cost of either 55 or 60 euros; depending on your drop-off location.

However a metro ride into Paris is only 10.30 euros.

Once you make it to Paris, a metro pass is 1.90 euros for one ride. They have multiple offers on different ticket “bundles” you can get.

For example, to buy 10 tickets you can pay 14.90 euros or if you want a 5 day unlimited metro and bus pack you can pay 42.20 euros. It all kind of depends on how much you plan on using the metro, however getting a bundle is going to be more worth your money than individual tickets.

$239.36 for one, $478.71 for two.

Groceries: $33.80 for one, $67.60 for two.

Eating Out: $205.56 for one, $411.11 for two.

Just like hotels, there is a big range of food prices in Paris . There were certain meals that cost 15 dollars for the two of us to have a hefty lunch, but then a smaller dinner would be 50 dollars. You can find everything!

From my personal experience, for two people eating, I found breakfast would cost between $5-$7 dollars. Lunch would be $15-$30 and dinner $40-$70.

We didn’t really hold back or look for deals while eating; however not every meal was a “big” meal. Additionally, we cooked at home a couple times which definitely decreased our spending in this category.

I think the biggest determination of food prices is whether or not you’re eating in a more touristic area. Just comparing the price of coffee: a touristy location espresso cost 2.90 euros however a non-touristic location, that same espresso cost 1.75 euros.

Even just walking two blocks away from the tourist attractions are going to make your food costs go down significantly.

• What is The F.I.R.E Movement | Financial Independence, Retire Early
• How to get Cheaper Flights!
• How to Stop Bad Spending Habits
• Tips on How to Budget & Save Money
• What Credit Score is Considered Good? | Factors for Credit Score
• How to Save Money when Travelling
• What is a 401k Plan and How Does it Work?
• How to Find CHEAP Lodging

$288.78 for one, $577.55 for two.

100% of this spending was for attending the French Open (Roland Garros) Tennis Tournament. So if we hadn’t gone to the tournament we would have spent ZERO on activities.

Now, it wasn’t my first time to Paris or my partners first time so we didn’t feel the need to do the classic tourist attractions that cost money. 

So how much do all the Paris attractions cost? If it is your first time here is a list of the major attractions and their price (at the time of writing this post):

• Eiffel Tower: 16.60 euros (prices vary but this is for second floor access – with elevator) 
• Looking at the Eiffel Tower: FREE
• The Louvre: 17 euros (free if under 26 and EU resident)
• Notre Dame: FREE
• Arc de Triomphe: FREE
• Moulin Rouge: 87 euros (just for a show – dinner not included)
• Paris Disneyland: 85 euros (prices vary)
• Seine Cruise: 16 euros (this was the cheapest I saw – prices vary!! Could be 70-100 euros)
• Musee Rodin: 4 euros (for just the outside statues)
• Les Catacombes: 15 euros
• Palace of Versailles: 20 euros (depending on what you want to see – could be less)
• Jardin du Luxembourg: FREE
• Walking around and looking at all the pretty things: FREE

As you can see prices can vary quite a bit for activities! It is possible to spend a lot but it can also be decently affordable depending on your interests.

Miscellaneous

$12.85 for one, $25.69 for two.

We bought sunblock and an umbrella for these miscellaneous expenses! However if you buy many souvenirs or go shopping this category could get expensive as well!

Final Thoughts

That’s it! Those are all my expenses and travel budget tips for Paris! What do we think? Is Paris on a budget doable?

I think the answer is yes! Traveling in Paris can be done on a budget if you want! It is never going to be as cheap as other places and actually it will most likely be one of the more expensive European vacations; but it doesn’t have to be too crazy!

How much did you spend on your trip to Paris?

For all the budget templates for excel or budget templates for google sheets you could ever want, visit my spreadsheets shop: The Budget Empire !

• Mini-Retirement Logistics Q&A
• Going to Paris for $64.50 | Credit Card Points For Travel
• How to Redeem Credit Card Points for Travel
• The “Budget” Napa Valley | Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
• Best Places to Travel for Cheap
• How to Travel Greece on a Budget | Greece Budget Breakdown
• How to Create a Travel Budget Template | Travel on Budget
• How to Save Money for Trips | Travel on Budget
• How Much Do Trips To Hawaii Cost? | Hawaii Budget Breakdown
• How to Save Money While Planning Your Next Vacation

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

You may also like:… the budget empire!

——————————————————————————————————————————————————

• Budget Templates
• PRIVACY POLICY
• TERMS & CONDITIONS

Buy me a coffee!

Paris on a Budget: Affordable Things to Do in Paris as a Tourist

Posted on Last updated: May 9, 2023

Paris is not only known as the city of love but also as the city of luxury. Besides being the fashion capital, Paris has no shortage of unique hotels, restaurants, art galleries, or boutique stores. 

Does that mean that you need to spend a fortune to make the most out of this beautiful city? Absolutely not! Paris is a capital city and as such there are a ton of people who live there and enjoy the city on a budget. 

Paris is one of the most-visited cities in the world, and it’s popular with all kinds of people. Families visit Disneyland, couples get romantic in the city of love, and friends enjoy interrailing and visiting Montmartre, it’s got something for everyone – regardless of your budget!

So, with that in mind, let’s check my top budget-friendly activities and recommendations for things to do in Paris on a budget. 

How to Get to Paris on a Budget

Depending on where you are traveling from, there are different means of transport that can get you to Paris. 

If you are coming from overseas, I would recommend using Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flight options to Paris (or nearby airports). There are a few airports that you can choose from.

The largest is Charles de Gaulle (CDG) which is the hub for transatlantic and long-haul flights, or you can fly into Orly Airport or Beauvais Airport which are smaller airports, popular with low-cost airlines.

There are direct Metro and train routes from the airport into the city center which cost only a couple of euros each way, making it super easy. No expensive airport transfers here!

If you are already in Europe, you should definitely check some of the budget airlines that regularly fly between European cities. You can use Skyscanner or Omio to compare prices.

Ryanair, WowAir, and EasyJet are some of the most common ones to keep an eye out for.

For example, I was flying from Berlin to Paris on a budget airline and I paid only €100 for a round trip. Keep in mind that these airlines don’t normally include baggage so either travel light or factor that into your ticket cost!

Taking a train is a good option, especially if you are traveling around France, Belgium, or the Netherlands (Thalys trains). Eurostar trains can also take you from London to Paris in about 2 hours and if you book in advance, tickets are not that expensive.

It also means that you don’t need to worry about luggage limits or having to arrive 2-3 hours early and spend all your money in the airport on snacks!

Some travelers opt for even cheaper options and book their tickets with FlixBus. They have excellent bus connections between many European countries and if you don’t mind spending a few extra hours on the bus, you can get tickets for as cheap as €2.99 (depending on where you depart from, of course).

It’s super easy to use their site and they include one piece of hand luggage and one piece of hold luggage in their ticket as standard!

Moving Around Paris on a Budget

Moving around Paris doesn’t have to be expensive. If you want to explore Paris on a budget and not spend a fortune on taxis, your best option is the metro.

It works a lot like many other big city subway systems, so if you’ve been on the London Underground or the New York Subway, you’ll be able to travel around with ease.

If you plan on moving around different arrondissements (areas of Paris), I would recommend getting a day pass. The average cost is around €12.00 and you can see what types of travel passes are available here .

If you will be staying in just one district, I recommend taking a walk around or buying a carnet of 10 train rides so you can see as much of Paris as possible. If there are two of you, I’d definitely opt for a carnet for the weekend and just split the tickets between you.

It saves you from having to keep going back to the ticket kiosk or queuing for half your vacation.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on your belongings at all times, especially when you are in the metro. Unfortunately, pickpockets are quite common and you don’t want to get anything stolen

Budget-Friendly Paris Accommodation 

Like any decent capital city, finding good accommodation on a budget in Paris can be tricky. There are plenty of cheap places, but some of the locations are a bit sketchy or the facilities and amenities are not ideal. It all depends on what your preferences are and how many of you are traveling to Paris.

It’s certainly possible to find decent budget accommodation, but you do need to be prepared to hunt for it!

These hostels are great if you’re traveling with friends and often booking out an entire four-person dorm with you and three friends is an awesome way to get a private room for the price of a dorm bed.

Paris is a huge stop on the student interrail trail so there are tons of amazing hostels to choose from with some cool design choices and amenities. The hostels in Paris are normally in decent locations in the center of Paris, so if you’re short on time this might be a good choice for you.

Airbnbs are also available across the city, but for affordable options, you’re looking at small studios on the outskirts of Paris. There are pros and cons to this.

It’ll take longer on the Metro to get to the main sights, but you are likely staying in more local spots where eating and drinking out might be cheaper and more authentic.

If you want to stay in a budget-friendly hotel, there are definitely options. Hotels.com always seems to have deals for decent hotels in Paris for a reasonable price.

You can also check out sites like Secret Escapes and Voyage Prive to find some of the best deals. You might even get some luxury spots for up to half-price off on certain dates.

You can set deal alerts and get them straight into your inbox when new offers come through.

Budget-Friendly Paris Recommendations

There are plenty of options to save money in Paris, and I will highlight some of my best budget-friendly recommendations. Some of them are completely free, some of them have reduced rates for students, and some are just a good deal all around!

Let’s dive in and check them out.

1. L’Atelier des Lumieres

I recommend this beautiful art center to everyone looking to explore Paris on a budget. The walls and floors come to life as you walk through, the art is very original and entertaining, and the tickets cost around €16. It’s a lot cheaper than many of the galleries and attractions in Paris, and you can see some of the Master’s great works in person.

I was very lucky to explore a beautiful exhibition of art from Gaudi and Dali when I was in Paris. For more information on the current events, you should visit their official website here . 

2. Explore Paris’ Parks and Courtyards

As a budget-conscious traveler, I absolutely adore all the parks scattered across Paris. I highly recommend them if you are looking for a perfect picnic spot and would like to save a bit of money. 

Why not enjoy an afternoon with a French baguette, fresh cheese, and a bottle of French wine all while having a taste of Parisian life? 

 Sound’s like the perfect day, right?

Some of the best and most beautiful parks in Paris include Parc des Buttes – Chaumont, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Tuileries, and Parc Monceau. They can get pretty busy in the summertime so make sure you get there early to stake out a patch of grass to soak up the Parisian sunshine.

If you are thinking of spending the whole day out in nature, you should head to Bois de Boulogne. It’s a huge place with a lot to do and see, and most certainly one of the best ideas when exploring Paris on a budget. 

3. 59 Rivoli

This wonderful art gallery houses 30 artist studios open to the public for free tours. It was originally occupied by artists from 1999 onwards until it was formally recognized by the government in 2006. 

Known in the past for its excellent parties and incredible exhibitions, 59 Rivoli today is a place where you can buy art directly from the artists. 

The walls and floors are covered in paint, sketches, and text, and each room is different, adapting to the personality of the artist himself, and whatever art he is working on. It means that no matter what style of art you’re into, you’re likely to find something to suit your tastes. 

This is a perfect place if you are looking for things to do in Paris on a budget! Not only can you admire the art, but you can also buy a souvenir or two to support the local artists. You never know, you might just find yourself a new favorite artist or an undiscovered gem for years to come! 

No visit to Paris is complete without a trip to Louvre! There are so many works of art that you can discover in this amazing place, and if you want to explore Paris properly, the Louvre is surely one of the things worth investing your time and money in. 

You need to get your ticket in advance and entry slots are timed to stop the exhibits from getting too congested. There are reduced rates for students if they have a valid student ID.

That being said, it’s a Paris legend for a reason, so it’s worth paying the cheap entry ticket for the amazing experience. The tickets are around €17 or €27 if you would like to get a combined ticket.

Take My Free Quiz !

5. musee d’orsay.

Those who love art and paintings and are looking for ways to save money in Paris, will not be disappointed by this museum. Honestly, a lot of people prefer Musee d’Orsay to the Louvre and it’s normally way less busy, due to tourists opting to join the crowd around the Mona Lisa!

Musee d’Orsay is home to an impressive collection of paintings, decorative arts, and sculptures dated between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries. You can find some of the most famous pieces in the world all under one roof. 

If you want to admire some of the greatest artwork by Monet, Manet, Renoir, or Pissarro, get your tickets today! The ticket price is €16 and you can book them here . Again, you may be able to find student rates or reduced nights every once in a while.

If you are a Sunday brunch person, I totally recommend this amazing restaurant to everyone wanting to visit Paris on a budget. Dominated by the multicolored umbrellas that hang outside the bistro’s terrace seating, it’s a delicious place to grab a bite and a massively Instagram-friendly spot in the heart of Paris.

Their special Sunday Brunch ‘all you can eat for €20’ menu includes a great variety of dishes so you will surely find something to try. Their location is also very central so you will not need to travel far.

Understandably, their Sunday deal is popular with tourists and locals alike, so try and book as far in advance as you can to avoid disappointment.

7. Galeries Lafayette

Galeries Lafayette is basically the symbol of French luxury shopping and one of the most famous department stores in the world, but it does not need to drain your wallet.

Unlike the Champs Elysee, it’s a little more accessible and feels like a department store from years gone by like Harrods or Liberty’s in London or Bergdorf Goodman in New York. 

There are many promotions, pop-up shops, and sample sales and if you are lucky to be in Paris during the sales period, you can find discounts as high as 70%! So, you can get that effortlessly chic Parisian style and vibe on a shoestring budget!

If you are a big fan of vintage shopping, keep your eye out for a CrushOn vintage popup either in the store or around Paris. It has great selections from across different eras and brings a touch of glamor to sustainable shopping!

8. Wander Along the Seine

The beautiful Seine snakes through the center of Paris and has been immortalized in film and TV so many times over the year.

Whether you want to check out the many stalls of books and vinyl records along the banks of the Seine, stand on one of the many bridges and take in the view, or just cycle along the riverbank with a friend or loved one, it’s a great, free place to visit in Paris.

If you wander down the riverwalk that spans the city, you’ll pass so many amazing architectural wonders and sights like Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. It also helps you escape the hustle and bustle of the busy Paris roads!

9. Check Out the Neighborhood Patisseries

Okay, so it’s no secret that eating out in Paris can get super expensive, especially if you’re having to eat out for all your meals.

However, if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation to keep costs down, but still want to hit up some classic French cuisine, make a beeline for one of the hundreds of patisseries and bakeries. 

These havens of sweet treats and flaky savory pastries are a place where locals and tourists alike hang out and eat, so it’s normally pretty cost-effective, with prices from a euro up to around 10 euros if you go somewhere super fancy.

That being said, there are a ton of amazing neighborhood joints with affordable and delicious French staples!

Grab a coffee and a croissant or a delicious millefeuille and sit on the terrace outside, watching the world go by. You can actually stay eating and sipping for a couple of hours without having to continually order – it’s expected that meals, even small ones like pastries, are to be savored and enjoyed over time. 

10. Have a Look for Free Museum Nights

One of the best things about Paris is the sheer number of museums and art galleries that you can visit.

Many of them do have reduced rates for students, but there are also designated nights each month where you can have free entry into some of the best sites, including the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay.

Although a lot of these museums can be done pretty cheaply on their own, if you want to visit a few of them, it can quickly add up.

Checking in advance and traveling around the dates each month when these free nights fall can save you a good chunk of money in entry ticket fees that you can spend on other things like cheese and wine!

Best Time to Visit Paris Cheaply

Personally, I think that the best time to visit Paris is during the summer, spring, and fall. Winter can be a bit miserable and with a lot of great Christmas Markets around France and wider Europe, you might be better off going to one of those cities instead.

In these brighter months, there are many events happening outdoors, cafe terraces are open and welcoming to everyone who loves people-watching, and you can make the most out of Parisian picnics.

It’s easy to feel like a local just chilling out in the Parisian sunshine or wandering around Paris in the rain with an umbrella heading to a warm and cozy wine bar. 

There’s always something happening in Paris. It’s a capital and a cultural hotspot, so you’re never short on things to do.

You can check online at https://en.parisinfo.com/ for up-to-date schedules about what’s going on. Keep in mind that many events are free so it’s a great chance to explore Paris on a budget.

The other times that you’re going to want to avoid Paris if you’re traveling on a budget are times like Valentine’s Day, Bastille Day, New Year’s, the French Open (Roland Garros), and Paris Fashion Week.

At these times, the prices for accommodation and flights go through the roof, making it really difficult to travel well on a budget. 

So, You CAN Visit Paris on a Budget!

Paris is an amazing city. It’s a place where you will never get bored because there is so much to do, see and taste. 

It’s quite easy to explore Paris on a budget, but there are also countless options for those looking for a bit of luxury. 

Do you have a favorite budget-friendly spot in Paris you would like to recommend? Feel free to share it in the comments! 

If you are considering moving abroad, feel free to have a look at some of my resources that will help you prepare for your move (visas, preparation, finding a job abroad): 

• How to Move and Live Abroad
• How to Find a Job Abroad
• US Expat Tax Deadlines & Common Mistakes
• Move Abroad Starter Kit

Sunday 5th of June 2022

Hey Vanessa, this is such an informative article and caters exactly to the visitors like me who have saved to visit thev beautiful city of Paris but want to keep rest of the experiences in budget. Such a great article. I have a question if you be kind to suggest - are there many solo female travellers in Paris? I am not worried much about security (I am aware and anyways I am an Indian so I know basic security tips, how to stay out of trouble etc.) but will I feel lonely roaming all alone in the city? I am an introvert who is usually happy in her own company but sometimes I do feel lonely watching others enjoying in a group. I know I can book hostels but I am 40 and not sure if I can mix up with young n energetic crowd esp when nationalites are different as well. None of my friends want to spend money on such travels so I am all alone but I dont want to miss about the amazing places this world has. How much welcoming the city of Paris can be for a solo traveller? Will the busy restaurants allow me to grab a good table in their rush hrs? Will the locals be helpful to help me navigate an unknown city? Thanks for reading this big comment & providing this excellent Paris guide. Cheers.

Hey Vanessa, this is such an informative article and caters exactly to the visitors like me who have saved to visit thev beautiful city of Paris but want to keep rest of the experiences in budget. Such a great article. I have a question if you be kind to suggest - are there many solo female travellers in Paris? I am not worried much about security (I am aware and anyways I am an Indian so I know basic security tips, how to stay out of trouble etc.) but will I feel lonely roaming all alone in the city? I am an introvert who is usually happy in her own company but sometimes I do feel lonely watching others enjoying in a group. I know I can book hostels but I am 40 and not sure if I can mix up with young n energetic crowd esp when nationalites are different as well. None of my friends want to spend money on such travels so I am all alone but I dont want to miss about the amazing places this world has. How much welcoming the city of Paris can be for a solo traveller? Will the busy restaurants allow me to grab a good table in their rush hrs? Will the locals be helpful to help me navigate an unknown city? Thanks for reading this. Again a lovely article n very helpful, cheers.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

10 Graduation Trip Ideas for Every Budget and Travel Style

From Peru to Paris, these are some of the best trips to take after graduation.

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

Everyone travels for a different reason. For some, travel is an adventure, a way to discover all that the world has to offer. Others use it as a means of escaping everyday stresses. It’s also one of the best ways to celebrate life’s biggest moments, whether it’s a new beginning, an exciting achievement, or both. Graduation certainly falls into the latter category, and you’ll often see those earning a high school, college, or post-grad diploma marking the accomplishment with a memorable travel experience. Plus, this is an occasion that’s often accompanied by the rare chance to travel without missing classes or taking off work. So if there’s ever a good time to go on that trip you’ve always dreamed about, it’s right after graduation. 

When it comes to graduation trips, there are no hard-and-fast rules about how or where you should travel; they can run the gamut from quick beach weekends to week-long, multi-country adventures. It all depends on your preference, budget, and availability. To help narrow down your choices, we spoke with two of Travel + Leisure ’s trusted A-List advisors, Maria Diego of Diego Travel and Jean Sanz of JSB Journeys , to curate a list of the best graduation trip ideas.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

When you want a graduation trip with lots of sunshine, salt water, and beautiful scenery, but you don’t want a super long flight, choose Costa Rica, T+L’s 2024 Destination of the Year . “The proximity to the U.S. makes this a quick jump over if time is of the essence,” Sanz tells T+L. Start your journey by indulging in a bit of luxurious relaxation — “You can enjoy hot springs and hang out with friends at The Springs Resort & Spa while sipping on a drink as you overlook the Arenal Volcano,” says Sanz  — then move on to something more active. There are numerous hiking opportunities in this biodiverse country, ranging from beginner to more advanced trails. If you’re really looking to challenge yourself, embark on the 174-mile Camino de Costa Rica .

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

Thinking about a West Coast trip? San Diego could be in the cards. The Southern California city is known for its warm, dry summers, and there are plenty of activities to fill an itinerary, no matter your interests. If you want an active graduation trip, book a surf lesson with Surf Diva , hike Torrey Pines State Park Loop, and practice your swing at the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course . For a trip that’s centered around art, explore the collections at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego , The San Diego Museum of Art , and the Mingei International Museum . If you want to do nothing but lounge by the beach or pool, check into Hotel del Coronado or The Lodge at Torrey Pines for a few extra-luxe nights.

Eleanor Scriven/robertharding/Travel + Leisure

While Diego notes that she wouldn’t recommend St. Barts for a high school graduation trip, it is a special, celebratory destination that could be a good option for those graduating from college. In Diego’s words, it’s an “island that outshines them all,” and if you visit in the late summer (as opposed to the popular winter season), you’ll often see lower prices and fewer crowds. “ Eden Rock is always a popular choice if you want to see and be seen, or if you're looking for more of a hideaway with an ultra-chic clientele and [a] lower-key beach club, I recommend Le Toiny ,” she says.

Buenos Aires and Patagonia

“Aside from the fact that it should be on everyone's bucket list, Buenos Aires is an eclectic cosmopolitan city, with cocktail bars, nightclubs, and an incredible food scene,” says Sanz. After spending a few days in the city, make your way to Patagonia , where you’ll need your hiking boots, waterproof layers, and plenty of bug spray and sunscreen. “You can hike from camp to camp as you overlook the amazing Fitz Roy mountain and end in a fabulous adventure lodge like Explora . The food and the dramatic landscapes are also a great way to treat yourself as you walk into a new world,” she adds.

National Park Road Trip

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

“A road trip is always a great way to celebrate a milestone. We have some of the most beautiful parks and animals on the planet in our own backyard,” says Diego. If you’re planning an extended graduation trip, spread out over several weeks, you could try to plot out some of our nation’s biggest national parks out West— from the Great Sand Dunes to Zion — and check them all off on an epic road trip. But if you’re only planning on traveling for about a week, and you still want to see some impressive wildlife and scenery, head to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, which are about an hour’s drive from one another. Most travelers fly into Jackson Hole Airport, the only commercial airport within a U.S. national park, and use Jackson Hole as their base camp for exploring Grand Teton National Park over a period of two to three days. Yellowstone takes a bit more time; plan on spending three to four days traversing the park and checking off your top highlights and points of interest.

New York City

Valerie de Leon/Travel + Leisure

New York City has something for everyone — and that includes recent grads. If it’s your first time in the Big Apple, you’ll probably want to experience all of the classics: a Yankees game, Central Park, a slice at a quintessential pizzeria, a Broadway show, and some of New York City’s best museums , including The Metropolitan Museum of Art , The Guggenheim , and The Whitney . It’ll be a packed trip, so don’t forget your best walking shoes; depending on your schedule, you’ll probably end up trekking multiple miles as you make your way through the boroughs. While NYC isn’t known as a particularly cheap destination, it does have a whole host of free things to do if you’re looking to keep costs down.

guenterguni/Getty Images

“I think Africa is the perfect option for a graduation trip, particularly gorilla trekking in Rwanda ,” says Diego. “In order to do the chimpanzee and gorilla treks, the minimum age requirement is 18, which would be a fantastic age to have this experience.” She also suggests starting your trip at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in the capital of Rwanda: “While extremely sad, it is very educational and sets a context for the entirety of the trip.  Once you see the history of what this small country has gone through, and overcome, it changes you in a very impactful way.  I can't think of a better gift to share with a young adult than the entire experience that is Rwanda.”

London and Paris

Leopoldine Bauer/Travel + Leisure

Out of all the cities in the world, London and Paris are two of the most iconic — and they’re only two hours apart by train. Start your trip in the Big Smoke, where you can cheers to your diploma over Champagne afternoon tea at The Ritz and get your steps in while walking through Green Park, St. James’s Park, and some of the city’s most picturesque neighborhoods. Rest up at The Laslett , an expertly designed boutique hotel in Notting Hill, before hopping aboard the Eurostar to Paris. You may have a long list of must-sees in the City of Lights, but leave time for the best parts of a Parisian adventure: leisurely coffee breaks at cafés, croissant and baguette runs, and a long stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. For a particularly memorable stay in Paris, Diego recommends Le Grand Contrôle , “the hotel in the Château de Versailles that allows special access without the crowds.”

Rory Fuller/Travel + Leisure

Travelers might want to use this time off to tour Peru, the home of Machu Picchu and part of the Amazon rainforest. “Hiking the last part of the Inca Trail and arriving at the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu gives you a mystical sense of being — and [it’s] a great feeling of freedom to have after several years of university,” says Sanz. She suggests staying at the Palacio del Inka in Cusco, where you can sip piscos on your balcony, and leaving time for Lima. When in the capital, follow Sanz’s advice and “explore the culinary delights of Mayta [and its] fantastic cocktail menu.”

When the only thing you want to do after graduation is soak up some sun on the beach, look no further than Charleston . The Holy City is known for its laidback lifestyle, and there are several beaches within driving distance of the downtown area. Folly Beach is where you’ll find kitschy beach shops, amazing seafood restaurants, and opportunities to surf. Sullivan’s Island is a bit quieter, but its main street, Middle Street, becomes a hub of activity on summer weekends. If the whole family is joining your grad trip, book a stay at Wild Dunes Resort on Isle of Palms. No matter which beach you choose, you’ll be able to find plenty of R&R before starting your next life chapter.

This will hurt: France braces for budget cuts

• Medium Text

UNDER SCRUTINY

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Reporting by Leigh Thomas; editing by Mark John and Alex Richardson

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Markets Chevron

TSX drifts higher on commodities boost

Canada's main stock index edged higher on Friday, snapping a two-day slide as materials and energy stocks surged on stronger commodities prices.