paris trip budget

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

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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

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.

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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
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• Related Blogs

How Much Does a Trip to Paris Cost (On Any Budget)?

There’s no getting around it: a trip to Paris costs a pretty penny.

The City of Lights is not a cheap place to visit, and planning a Paris travel budget will likely require some sacrifice.

That being said, there’s a reason that a trip to Paris, cost aside, is a bucket list trip for so many around the world.

Paris is a captivating, enthralling, endlessly interesting city, with a never-ending list of things to see and do (and some of them won’t even add a penny to your Paris travel budget).

Ready to put pen to paper and plan the less-romantic aspects of your trip to Paris?

Here’s how much a trip to Paris costs.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Table of Contents

How to Use This Trip to Paris Cost Guide

Budget trip to paris cost: $50-$80/day, mid-range trip to paris cost: $120-$150/day, luxury trip to paris cost: $350/day & up, quick reference sheet: cost of popular paris attractions, free things to do in paris, getting to paris on a budget, how to save money on your trip to paris.

Obviously, every traveler and every Paris travel budget is unique–but after traveling to Paris many times on many different budgets, from budget backpackers in our early twenties all the way through more comfortable price points, we’ve put together these estimates to help paint a clear picture of what a trip to Paris costs at several different budget levels.

All of these estimates for the price of a trip to Paris are given in USD unless otherwise stated and are for one person–if you’re traveling in a group, you’ll likely be able to squeeze by on numbers a bit lower than these.

The estimates also assume you’re traveling during high season (summer) or shoulder season (late spring, early fall).

If you are trying to calculate your trip to Paris cost for a winter trip, you’ll likely be able to travel a bit more comfortably–we’ll get into that more below.

Planning a trip to Paris on a budget is completely doable… but it will absolutely come with some sacrifices. 

This is a rough sketch of what a budget trip to Paris will cost and feel like.

Keep in mind that this is a budget trip in the sense of a traveler who is visiting Paris as a standalone destination or as part of a defined trip.

Shoestring backpackers who would like to cut costs by Couchsurfing, avoiding all paid attractions, etc, will, of course, be able to get by on less, but that is not how we would recommend seeing Paris!

Accommodation

When traveling on a strict budget, a hostel in Paris is a must. In high season, you may be able to find a hostel dorm bed for around $20/night.

H owever, if you’d like to be in a decent area and stay somewhere that doesn’t get atrocious reviews, you’ll really need to aim for around $30/night.

Accommodation is one of the biggest budget considerations in any trip, but especially for budget solo travelers in France , who will especially benefit from considering a hostel instead of a hotel.

Transportation

A carnet (or set of 10) metro tickets in Paris costs 14.9 Euro (or about $17). Other than walking, this is the best way to manage your trip to Paris’ cost as far as transportation goes.

Keep in mind that RER tickets that take you beyond central Paris–like to the airport or Versailles–cost a bit more and must be bought separately.

When visiting Paris on a strict budget, taxis and Ubers should be avoided.

Eating in Paris on a budget will mean lots of takeaway crepes and sandwiches, quite a few groceries (especially if you have access to a hostel kitchen), and a need to be very careful about your restaurant choices.

If you’d like to splurge on a couple of restaurant meals, we recommend eating out for lunch instead of dinner and choosing a well-reviewed and affordable spot. Bouillon Pigalle and Bouillon Chartier are two we can recommend.

Breakfast will be best picked up from a bakery–fresh French pastries are undoubtedly an excellent way to begin a day, no matter what your budget is.

Tours & Attractions

Depending on how strict of a travel budget for Paris you’ve put yourself on and what time of year you visit (ie, how much of your budget you’re blowing on lodging), visiting paid attractions may be quite limited.

At this price point, basically all guided tours of museums and attractions will be out of the question with the exception of perhaps one bucket list spot.

You’ll likely be able to work a few museums into your budget, which generally cost 10-15 Euro for major museums, while small, lesser known museums may be much less expensive or even free.

Most of our trips to Paris cost roughly this much these days, and we consider ourselves mid-range travelers there more often than not.

At this price point, you’ll be able to visit most attractions you would like to see, splurge on a guided tour or two, possibly add in a food tour or day trip of some kind, and eat at restaurants more comfortably,

However, traveling on a mid-range budget in Paris still does require carefully tracking your finances and making some sacrifices when deciding where to splurge or save–without paying attention, it would be very easy to blow a mid-range Paris travel budget.

Depending on whether you’re traveling alone or as part of a larger group, and what time of year you visit, you may struggle to find comfortable lodging on a mid-range budget in Paris.

We recommend booking at least a few weeks in advance if you can, especially during high season, as hotels in the 2-3 star, $100-200 USD range do fill up rather quickly.

While you may need to sacrifice a bit on location (we stayed out in Montmartre for one of our visits partially to save some money), staying near a metro stop will allow you to access the rest of Paris with ease.

Also: be prepared to stay in a very small room! Hotel rooms in Paris are notoriously small, and at this price point, even more so.

A carnet (or set of 10) metro tickets in Paris costs 14.9 Euro (or about $17). 

Other than walking, this is the best way to manage your trip to Paris’ cost as far as transportation goes, but unlike those traveling on a stricter budget, you may want to consider taking a taxi or Uber in from the airport instead of the train if you arrive at an off time or don’t want to deal with the hassle of potentially changing trains with luggage.

On a mid-range budget, you’ll be able to comfortably eat at least one sit-down restaurant meal a day, and also perhaps splurge on a foodie experience if that appeals to you, whether that’s a cooking class, a food tour, or a nice dinner out on the town.

Prioritization will be a big requirement when balancing the cost of a trip to Paris with traveling on a mid-range budget.

You’ll be able to visit most paid attractions that you’d like, though perhaps not every single one, and adding 2-3 guided tours will be possible if that’s something you’d like to prioritize.

If you have your heart set on a particular bucket list experience in Paris, like a dinner cruise down the Seine or a meal at an upscale restaurant, you’ll likely need to cut expenses elsewhere to make it work.

While I’m defining a trip to Paris costing $350 and up per person as a luxury trip, the sky is the limit when it comes to luxury travel in Paris. 

With the right funds, you could easily spend $1000 a day, $2000 a day, or more exploring the City of Lights–especially when staying in its luxury hotels.

At $350 per person, though, you’ll be comfortable enough to do just about anything you want to do in Paris (within reason, of course).

Here’s what that would look like.

On the lower end of a luxury travel budget in Paris, a four-star hotel in a decent location is an option throughout the year and the luxuries scale from there.

Paris is littered with opulent five-star hotels and glamorous apartment buildings, and with enough of a budget, this is a way to truly splurge in Paris.

Honestly, while you certainly can afford to take Ubers and taxis to get around Paris on a luxury budget, the ever-affordable and reliable metro is still going to be the most efficient way to get around in most cases.

For day trips, however, you’ll have more options on a higher budget, such as booking faster trains at better time slots, arranging for a driver, or taking guided trips with small groups out of town.

Paris is the perfect city to linger over long dinners at Michelin Star restaurants, complete intricate wine tastings, and enjoy all manner of luxury dining experiences.

A higher budget will allow for these meals at least some nights, and will undoubtedly be part of a luxury trip to Paris.

If upscale dining is important to you, bear in mind that you’ll want to make reservations as early as possible at the most popular spots.

Touring the City of Lights without worrying about how much your trip to Paris costs allows for some truly epic experiences: think private tours through some of the best museums on the planet, dining at top restaurants run by gifted chefs, and shopping at the flagship stores of world-famous designers.

Whatever your taste, Paris has something to offer.

As you start thinking about which Paris highlights are worth the money to you (and which aren’t), here’s a quick snapshot of the prices of visiting some of Paris’ most popular attractions to give you an idea of what kind of investment you’re looking at.

Luckily, you can buy skip-the-line attractions for many places in Paris, including the Arc de Triomphe and Sainte-Chapelle, without paying a penny extra–so we absolutely recommend taking advantage of those deals.

Visiting the Top of the Eiffel Tower: 16 Euros & up

The cost of visiting the Eiffel Tower varies wildly, with different price points depending on whether you want to use the lift or the stairs, whether you want to visit only the second floor or go all the way to the top, and whether you want to skip the line.

Honestly, we don’t recommend going up–it’s a crowded madhouse and doesn’t have the best view of Paris (I mean, how could it possibly when the Eiffel Tower itself isn’t in the shot?).

Timed Ticket to the Louvre: 17 Euros

Be sure to book these tickets in advance–if you try to book for the same day, especially during high season, there’s a good chance that there won’t be any more time slots available.

This price, of course, doesn’t include a tour– here’s the Louvre tour we loved if you’d like to take a look at that. Louvre tours are generally 50 Euros & up, though they do include entrance fees.

Book your visit to the Louvre today! You can get  timed skip-the-line tickets here , book the same  amazing tour we took here , or book another  well-reviewed tour of the Louvre here .

Arc de Triomphe Ticket: 12 Euros

Now that the rooftop of Notre Dame is no longer available for visits, we can confidently say the top of the Arc de Triomphe holds our favorite view of Paris–we definitely recommend going up if you can work it into your Paris travel budget!

Book your skip-the-line tickets for the Arc de Triomphe  today!

Sainte-Chapelle Ticket: 10 Euros

Stunningly beautiful and one of the prettiest houses of worship in the world (in my opinion, anyway), this Gothic chapel is definitely worth seeing.

Buy your skip-the-line tickets for Sainte-Chapelle  today!

Though Paris is generally an expensive city to visit, savvy (or broke) travelers can generally find plenty of ways to save money in Paris–starting with taking advantage of the many, many free things to do in Paris.

Admire the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero.

The most famous viewpoint to admire the Eiffel Tower from, the sprawling balcony of Trocadero, is completely free to visit–and snapping photos here is an incredibly easy and fun way to enjoy Paris (though don’t forget to climb down eventually and search for your own angles on the tower, too!).

Stroll through Paris’ many gardens.

Paris is full of gardens and parks just waiting to be explored, starting with the magnificent Luxembourg Gardens and Tuileries Gardens.

Wander the streets of Montmartre.

Exploring the cobblestone streets and pretty, quiet lanes of Montmartre (once you get past the crowded madness of Sacre Coeur and the Place du Tertre, that is) will allow you see some of the loveliest spots in Paris with completely no cost… minus the sacrifice your legs will make to climb up and down those steep hills, that is.

Take in an epic view of Paris from the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop.

Want to see Paris from above but can’t work a tour to the top of a monument into your trip to Paris travel budget? No worries.

The 7th-floor rooftop terrace of the Galeries Lafayette department store has a fabulous view of the city, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palais Garnier–and it doesn’t cost a penny to visit.

Step inside the Church of Saint Sulpice.

Notre Dame may be closed indefinitely, but the second-biggest church in Paris is still open, and it is both open and free to visit–it won’t add a penny to the price of a trip to Paris.

The sweeping interior is impressive and beautiful, and it is definitely worth seeing during your trip to Paris.

Stroll along the Seine.

We especially recommend strolling across the Pont des Arts for lovely views of Il de la Cite, across Pont Alexander III to admire the prettiest bridge in Paris, and across the river from Il de la Cite to enjoy the beautiful bouquinistes as they hawk books and other wares.

Explore Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

Paris’ famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery feels like an odd combination of final resting place and lovely city park, home to ambling trails, gorgeous trees that offer shade, and some very famous graves (Oscar Wilde, Frederic Chopin, and Jim Morrison were all laid to rest there).

The cemetery is free to visit and a lovely way to spend an afternoon in Paris.

Go on a personalized scavenger hunt for hidden Parisian gems.

Did you know that Nicholas Flamel lived in Paris, and you can still see carvings on the front of his former house… which also happens to be the oldest domestic building still standing in Paris?

Or that there is a vineyard and a couple of windmills (not including the Moulin Rouge) left in Montmartre? 

Or that Paris is home to a pet cemetery, or that there’s an incredibly unique building on Avenue Rapp that looks like it belongs in Barcelona?

It may not be exactly the same as being in a museum, but Paris’ streets are free to explore and are absolutely stuffed with incredible things to see–as long as you know what you’re looking at.

Shave some money off your trip to Paris’ cost by spending a day looking for little-known landmarks around Paris.

We’ve intentionally left out the costs of getting to Paris from this Paris travel budget guide because the costs vary so wildly depending on where you’re coming from.

However, here’s the good news: whether you’re coming from North America, Europe, or somewhere else, Paris is generally very affordable to get to as compared to other cities in the region–in fact, those (comparatively) low prices are a big part of the reason we ended up visiting Paris on our first trip to Europe years ago!

Charles de Gaulle Airport is a huge international hub, and Paris Orly Airport is a solid second option that receives many flights–especially budget flights from within Europe–daily.

Paris is also well-connected to many other European cities by train, so those who are already on the continent will be able to compare prices there as well.

If you are flying in and are able to be flexible with your dates, absolutely take advantage of that and arrange for the most advantageous flight you can–sometimes flying a day or two earlier or later can save hundreds per ticket.

We run all of our flights through Google Flights and take a look at the monthly calendar before booking–it’s an incredibly easy way to know if you can save money on the transportation part of your Paris travel budget.

Consider traveling in the offseason.

Above all else, this is the number one thing you can do to save money on the cost of a trip to Paris: travel in the offseason.

Paris in November, December, or January is a dramatically cheaper tourist destination than in June, July, or August–and as a bonus, you’ll have far fewer crowds to contend with as well.

The biggest reason for this is the cost of a hotel. Lodging, as we discussed above, is very expensive in Paris, and you can knock a huge percentage off your overall trip to Paris cost simply by traveling when the hotels are a bit emptier (and therefore more in the mood to entice customers).

We’ve visited Paris during the winter twice and adored both our visits–sure, we miss the gardens and liveliness of summer in the city a bit, but it’s a completely reasonable trade-off, and we’d be thrilled to return during the winter yet again.

Pay attention to free days at museums.

If you’re traveling on a very strict budget in Paris, note that even the biggest of Paris’ museums have limited times in which they are free to enter: for the Musee d’Orsay, it’s the first Sunday of every month, and for the Louvre, it’s evenings on the first Saturday of each month.

Of course, what you’ll save in cash you’ll pay for in increased crowds, but if you are trying to stretch your Paris travel budget as far as possible, it’s worth doing some research on the exact options for any museums you’re hoping to see.

Don’t go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

You know what iconic piece of Paris’ skyline is missing from the top of the Eiffel Tower?

… The Eiffel Tower.

Seriously, visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most expensive ways to see the Paris skyline, and it comes with the very real deficiency of not being able to see the star of the show while you’re up there.

If it has long been your dream to go, by all means, go and enjoy–but don’t feel like it’s a must-have experience in Paris, either.

For other (less expensive) views of Paris, head to the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre Coeur, Galeries Lafayette, or the Montparnasse Tower, among others.

Embrace crepes & picnics.

Trying to eat on a budget in Paris?

Be sure to stop at least once (and if you’re on a strict budget, definitely more than once) for a takeaway crepe–fresh, warm, cheap, and delicious, they are an absolute treat and regardless of budget, they’re worth tasting in Paris.

Also, one of the most famous Parisian experiences of all–a picnic–is one of the cheapest ways to eat in the city. Grab a baguette, some cheese, some meat, possibly some wine, and whatever else your heart desires and sit down to eat with a beautiful view.

Keep in mind that there are regulations around picnicking in some parts of Paris–drinking alcohol is prohibited in the Luxembourg Gardens, for example, though word on the street is that locals do so discreetly.

Decide what bucket list experiences you must have, and budget for them ahead of time.

When carefully calculating how much your trip to Paris will cost, be sure to plan for at least one truly bucket list experience–since Paris the trip of a lifetime for many, the sort of destination that tens of thousands of children dream about visiting, odds are you have at least one thing in mind that you absolutely must do while in the City of Lights.

Whether that’s touring the Louvre or admiring the skyline from the Eiffel Tower or cruising down the Seine, your Paris travel budget will be best served by committing to the experience ahead of time and budgeting for it in a separate category from your daily expenses.

Bring your student ID.

If you’re a student (or an EU resident under 26), you’re entitled to free or reduced admission at many popular sights around Paris, so be sure to keep it handy!

Don’t sit down at a restaurant without doing your research.

In a city as touristy as Paris, there’s no shortage of restaurants that are tourist traps, whether that means mediocre food, obnoxiously high prices, or both.

Before sitting down to eat, give the restaurant a quick Google search to check reviews, and also glance at their menu.

You’ll save yourself plenty of money on your Paris travel budget this way, not to mention avoid disappointing your stomach.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

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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

Guide to the 16th Arrondissement in Paris

Getting Around Paris: Guide to Public Transportation

18 Best Free Things to Do in Paris

One Week in France: The Ultimate Itinerary

Travel Tips for Visiting London on a Budget

How Paris Has Changed Since the Turn of the 21st Century

New York City Guide: Planning Your Trip

France Travel Planner for Every Vacation

How to Visit Los Angeles Without a Car

Budget Travel in France

Venice, Italy Guide: Planning Your Trip

Traveling in China During Chinese New Year

Your Trip to Morocco: The Complete Guide

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

Apr 3, 2024

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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 .

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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.

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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
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• 50 Ways to save on your trip to France

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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.

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How much does a trip to Paris Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to Paris?

How much does a weekend trip to paris cost.

• How much does a five-day trip to Paris cost?
• How much does a one-week trip to Paris cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to Paris

When it comes to exploring Paris, travelers typically find themselves budgeting between $94 and $728 per day for solo adventures and $188 to $1,455 if you're traveling as a couple. Now, that's a broad range, but the typical trip, on average, is $253 (€232) per person per day. This average cost covers sightseeing, accommodation, meals, and transportation, all from our large repository of travel expenses from previous visitors. Keep in mind, though, your personal spending might vary a bit based on your own level of luxury, travel style, and chosen activities. However, if you're visiting the highlights with some savvy planning, chances are your spending will vibe right around this average cost. For more details, check out the breakdown of expenses by category, plus the breakdown on accommodation and activity prices below.

For budget travelers in Paris, planning for around $94 (€86) per day should cover essentials such as accommodations in hostels and budget hotels, affordable meal options, local transportation, and engaging in various activities. If you're a mid-range traveler, setting aside around $253 (€232) per day would allow for more comfortable stays in typical hotels, dining at regular restaurants, and exploring a diverse range of popular attractions. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, should consider a daily budget of approximately $728 (€668) to accommodate higher-end hotel stays, dining at nicer restaurants, and indulging in more exclusive private tour options. It's important to note that these price ranges are derived from our extensive travel cost data for Paris, which is based on valuable insights from other travelers as well as hotel and tour data provided by travel companies. For a more detailed breakdown of travel costs, you can refer to our comprehensive travel cost data for Paris .

On average, travelers spend around $758 per person during a three-day trip to Paris. This average includes expenses for sightseeing, hotels, food, and local transportation. To align with this average price range, consider opting for mid-range hotels and dining at mid-level restaurants, while also allocating funds for entry tickets to popular attractions. For those seeking a more budget-friendly approach, it is possible to find lower-cost accommodations, dine at less expensive restaurants, and explore free activities. Also, many visitors choose to spend a higher travel budget, as Paris offers a range of high-end hotels and restaurants for those seeking a more luxurious experience.

How much does a five day trip to Paris cost?

With five days in Paris, you can expect to spend about $1,264 total, not including transportation to and from the city. It's possible to stay close to this daily average by booking mid-range hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some entry tickets to popular attractions. It's possible to find lower-cost accommodations, eat at less expenive restaurants, and find more free activities if you want to spent less money.

How much does a one week trip to Paris cost?

Most visitors spend between $657 and $5,093 for a one week trip to Paris, with the average being $1,770 . This includes sightseeing, local transportation, food, and hotels. One week is enough time to have a more in-depth experience in Paris. Also, one week allows you to be more flexible with your time and money, so you can potentially save money on some aspects of your trip while spending more on others.

Hostel Prices in Paris

With more than 40 hostels in Paris, the average price is $31 per night for a dorm bed. The cheapest hostel costs $16 and the most expensive is $46. Usually popular with younger travelers, hostels are a great way to save money while also being social. But not all hostels are the same, and we've analyzed the prices of both dorms and private rooms to find the average prices and best places to stay. You can see more details about the hostel prices in Paris here .

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Paris.

• $20 for a dorm bed at St Christopher's Inn Canal in Paris more details
• $40 for a dorm bed at FIAP Paris in Paris more details
• $37 for a dorm bed at Le Regent Montmartre by Hiphophostels in Paris more details

Hotel Prices in Paris

Based on our calculations from available hotels in the Paris, the average price for a hotel room is $126 per night. To save money, or if you're planning a more luxurious trip, it's important to look at hotel prices based on the overall star-rating as well as guest reviews. Also, prices can vary by amenities and location. Check out more details from our analysis of hotel prices in Paris here , and below is a breakdown of hotel prices by star-rating.

Maison Armance

La chambre du marais.

Should you do a tour in Paris?

Many visitors enjoy the convenience of booking tours and activities while they visit, and Paris has a wide array of things to do. These activities often include knowledgable guides and unique experiences. Tours range in price from $21 for the Eiffel Tower Reserved Access Tour and optional Summit by Lift to $770 for the Visit to the Castles of the Loire Valley .

• Latin Quarter Paris - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour Viator $ 79
• Latin Quarter Paris - Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $79
• Parcours Bois de Vincennes - Segway Tour of Paris: $64
• Guided Electric Scooter Tour of Paris: $71
• Historical Paris Walking Tour to Vibrant Food Market: $206
• 2 hours discovery tour of Versailles on electric 2 wheels : $82
• Orangerie Museum Paris Exclusive Tour Reserved Entry Included: $144
• Discover Paris in 1 Hour: Fun and Efficient 2CV Tour: $141
• Paris Christmas illuminations + ferris wheel ride & Holiday market private Tour: $255

More for Paris

If you're planning a trip to Paris, France, check out these other informative travel guides.

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 .

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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!

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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 :)

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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.

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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 Travel Guide

How expensive is Paris? Budget Breakdown

Figure out how much you need to budget for your next trip to Paris and gauge your expenses for transport, accommodation, sightseeing, and food

Paris is certainly known for being an expensive city, but what do people mean exactly by that? Here we’re going to give you a breakdown of every budgeting aspect of planning a trip to Paris. Along with the average and expected costs, we’ll also include comparisons between high and low seasons and our personal tips on how to keep those expenses as low as possible.

Average travel expenses

Understanding roughly how much money you’ll need for daily activities is one of the most important things to know in order to have an idea of a budget. Firstly, let us state the obvious. This amount greatly depends on the type of holiday you are aiming for and the activities you have planned.

Conversely, if you’re going on a carefully budgeted holiday with lots of self-guided tours, your expenses will be lower than average. In any case, for a Paris trip with the average amount of sightseeing, guided tours, and moving around, your budget should be between €60.00 - €80.00 (not including accommodation).

Keep in mind that full-price entry tickets to the top museums and sights in Paris go anywhere from €7.00 to €20.00.

Of course, if you have a Paris Museum Pass or a Paris Passlib’ you don’t have to worry about those. These two passes give you free access to the city’s most important sites, so you end up saving lots on these tickets.

- are as follows.

• All inclusive pass for 2 days: €52.00
• All inclusive pass for 4 days: €66.00
• All inclusive pass for 6 days: €78.00

- are below.

• Passlib’ for 3 attractions of your choice €35.00
• Passlib’ for 5 attractions of your choice €69.00
• Passlib’ for 6 attractions of your choice €119.00 or €189.00 (deluxe)

Something else that has an impact on your daily budget is the duration of your stay. The longer you stay, the more you’ll be able to spread out your expenses (especially with the help of longer-duration passes).

If, for instance, you are visiting Paris for a weekend only, you’ll want to see as much as possible in the shortest time. This means you’ll probably end up spending a bit more on transport, trying to move between different places quickly. For this reason, we suggest you prepare to spend around €70.00 - €90.00 daily (accommodation excluded) for a shorter trip (like a weekend).

Costs of accommodation in Paris

Similarly to the average travel expenses, accommodation costs also vary greatly depending on the type of place you look for, how early you’re booking, and how many people you are travelling with. Obviously, if you’re travelling alone you’re going to spend a lot more than if you were with someone else - the cost for a double bedroom or a single is usually the same or only marginally different.

For budget-conscious travellers, the cheapest option is always a hostel. If you are travelling with a big enough group of friends, you can even book an entire dorm for yourselves. Just remember to reserve early enough to be able to do it . Otherwise, there many one or two-star hotels at convenient prices.

Of course, there are also plenty of three-star hotels, b&bs, four-star hotels, and apartments in the mid-price range. If you are staying long enough (at least a week), you can save money by choosing a place in the outer districts (arrondissements 10 to 20). However, if you are only staying for a few days, we recommend you stay as close as possible to the city centre to avoid wasting too much time on transport.

And finally, you’ll also find plenty of luxurious hotels - Paris is, after all, known for its class and sophistication. The sky is the limit for this one.

However, something that is true for all budget ranges, is that the earlier you book, the better prices and choices you’ll get. The most important thing you can do while planning your trip is to reserve your accommodation early . You’ll get more choices and lower prices.

Following are the average prices per night for a double bedroom in a hotel or apartment in Paris.

However, during high season and with little notice, prices go up significantly.

Costs of transport in Paris

Transport in Paris is overall quite convenient. Obviously, public transport is the cheapest option, and the most commonly used. The network covers the city in all its neighbourhoods thoroughly and with an almost continuous service, thanks to the Métro , urban buses , RER trains , funicular , and tramways . If you want to know more about this, we have an article answering all the most common questions about public transport in Paris

Depending on how long you are staying and how you plan on using public transport, you’ll be using different kinds of tickets. Here are the most popular options.

• One-way single transport ticket ( T+Ticket ): €1.90
• 10-journey transport ticket ( T+ 10 carnet ): €14.90
• Weekly pass ( Passe Navigo ): €22.80
• Multi-day pass ( Paris Visite ) for central Paris: €12.00 (1 day), €19.50 (2 days), €26.65 (3 days), €38.35 (5 days).

Of course, you might need to add extra journeys outside the city centre if your transport pass does not cover those zones. This would be the case for T+ tickets or the Paris Visite for zones 1-3. The most popular destinations outside central Paris - airports aside - are the Versailles Palace and Disneyland . Consider that these journeys on public transport will cost around €10.00 each.

This means that, on average , and by choosing the right kind of transport pass, you should be spending between €6.00 and €12.00 per day for public transport. To help you choose which pass is best for you, we have an article comparing the T+ 10 carnet, the Passe Navigo, and the Paris Visite .

If you want to use cabs in the city, you must be warned that they are a bit expensive. Following are some useful references to gauge how much you’ll be spending on taxis.

• A cab within the Parisian centre will cost between €10.00 and €15.00.
• A taxi between Charles De Gaulle Airport and Paris centre will either €53.00 or €58.00 (depending on the river bank you depart from/arrive at).
• A taxi between Orly Airport and Paris centre will be €32.00 or €37.00 (depending on the river bank you depart from/arrive at).

Another popular transport solution is electric vehicles (mopeds and scooters) . The cost varies greatly depending on the type of vehicle you rent and how much you use it. We suggest you have a look at our motosharing article to get an idea.

How much does it cost to eat in Paris

Prices for food and drinks can also vary widely depending on the area and neighbourhood. Generally, the closer you are to the big streets and monuments, the more touristy and expensive the eateries will be. A meal can cost you anywhere between €10.00 and €30.00, for instance. Many establishments offer lunch menus (rarely above €20.00), so that is always a convenient option.

If you’re on the go and don’t feel like spending too much money on a quick lunch, you can always grab a freshly-made sandwich at a local bakery - this will be around €6.00 or €8.00. A Parisian idiosyncrasy is that wine (€2.00 - €10.00) is often cheaper than beer (€4.00 - €8.00) so you might have that as your choice of alcohol for a meal.

As per usual, if what you’re looking for is luxury and gourmet, there will be plenty of options at various price points all around Paris. And if you need a little help or a few suggestions on what traditional French dishes to try out during your stay, read our article dedicated to French cuisine and eating habits .

The best time to travel to Paris

In terms of cost-efficiency, the best periods to travel to Paris are during the low season . This would be in the autumn (mid-September to November) and in the winter-spring . However, do remember that Easter tends to be a busy time, so it’s best to plan for the time after New Year and before Easter, or after Easter and before the beginning of summer (in mid-June).

Not only you’ll find that the city is less crowded than usual (resulting in it being easier to navigate), but also that hotels and apartments don’t get booked up as easily, so you’ll find better prices all around.

If you want to know what the weather is like in every season so that you can be prepared and pack accordingly, have a look at our article about the different seasons in Paris .

Travelling on a budget

If you are trying to avoid unnecessary expenses and you have a tight budget, there are quite a few things you can do to help yourself.

Starting with the basics, we’ll say that accommodation is one of the first things you should secure . Paris is a wildly popular destination, so you need to reserve fast in order to get reasonable prices. You can book your hotel or apartment in Paris here directly .

Then, it’s also good to keep an eye out for special discounts . There are quite a few ways you can save money on entries and tickets, you just need to be informed. Most discounts apply to young visitors, retirees, people with disabilities, students, or large families, so be on the lookout if you belong to one or more of those categories. For example:

Children under the age of 3 travel for free on Paris’ public transport.

Children aged 4-9 are entitled to discounts on Paris’ public transport.

People under 18 (from any country) or people under 26 with EU residency have free access to national museums and permanent collections in Paris.

If you don’t benefit from any of the entry discounts, you can still save huge amounts of money by getting all-included passes like the Paris Museum Pass or the Paris Passlib’ . With these, you can get free access to all the most important monuments in Paris for several days. We strongly recommend you do this instead of getting individual tickets for each venue.

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Cost of a Trip to Paris, FR & the Cheapest Time to Visit Paris

The average price of a 7-day trip to Paris is $1,450 for a solo traveler, $2,604 for a couple, and $4,882 for a family of 4 . Paris hotels range from $68 to $422 per night with an average of $120, while most vacation rentals will cost $210 to $490 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport ( CDG ) are between $622 and $1,010 per person for economy flights and $1,952 to $3,169 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $57 to $82 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Paris, FR

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to CDG and stay in a Paris hotel:

• January 1st to April 1st
• May 7th to May 20th
• October 1st to December 16th

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Paris is usually mid January .

Average Paris Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Paris for a week is $1,246-$2,244 ($178-$321 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $57 to $82 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $355 to $848 for economy

Lodging : $82 to $96 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $112 to $137 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Paris for a week is $2,534-$3,990 ($362-$570 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $114 to $164 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $710 to $1,696 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Paris for a week is $3,958-$7,002 ($565-$1,000 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $228 to $328 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,420 to $3,392 for economy

Lodging : $164 to $192 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $157 to $219 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Paris

How cheap can you make a vacation to Paris? The cheapest trip to Paris is about $94 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $21 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $59.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Paris for a week is $656-$1,606 ($94-$229 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $25 to $50 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $59 to $68 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $21 to $51 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Paris for a week is $1,186-$2,804 ($169-$401 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $50 to $100 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Paris for a week is $2,312-$5,608 ($330-$801 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $100 to $200 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $118 to $136 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $32 to $77 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very difficult to travel to Paris cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Paris Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Paris.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Paris for a week is $2,486-$8,797 ($355-$1,257 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $103 to $172 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $877 to $1,713 for first class

Lodging : $148 to $422 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $490 to $980 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Paris for a week is $4,084-$11,714 ($583-$1,673 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $206 to $344 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,754 to $3,426 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Paris for a week is $8,168-$19,900 ($1,167-$2,843 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $412 to $688 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $3,508 to $6,852 for first class

Lodging : $296 to $844 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $784 to $1,372 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Paris Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Paris is much higher than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Paris due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Paris Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Paris hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Paris.

Flight Costs to Paris

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,010 average in early August to a low of $622 in mid January. Median flight price is $756. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Paris our data includes 582 originating airports, and 210 airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Paris from an airport like Stewart International ( SWF ) in Newburgh/Poughkeepsie, NY (the United States) for an average $8,133 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like London Luton ( LTN ) in London (the United Kingdom) at an average of just $87.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Paris, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $388, so you can easily save about 62% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Paris can easily cost $370 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $25 per person. Private tours can cost $746 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Paris Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Paris City Centre, France
• 9th Arrondissement, France
• Pigalle, France
• 10th Arrondissement, France
• Left Bank, France
• 18th Arrondissement, France
• 11th Arrondissement, France
• 14th Arrondissement, France
• 13th Arrondissement, France
• 17th Arrondissement, France

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• Nairobi, Kenya
• Nagoya, Japan
• Budapest, Hungary

Creating Your Trip to Paris Budget: What It Really Costs & How To Save Money

Last Updated on February 22, 2022 by Michela

Being one of the most famous cities in the world and one easily boasts some of the most luxury experiences in food, accommodation, and activities, Paris can be a tricky destination to visit on a budget. Nonetheless, there are ways to cut costs and be frugal without sacrificing the joys of visiting Paris. When formulating your trip to Paris budget , these are the real costs to keep in mind and best tips for saving money where you can.

Some of these links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through that link, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure !

Basics of Determining a Paris Budget

I always think of a travel budget as an interpretation of your priorities and travel style.

Personally, I prioritize experiences and pretty views over a luxury hotel room and Michelin star meal.

However, you might be the biggest foodie in the world and can’t wait to experience top Parisian cuisine. If you’re looking to save money on a trip to Paris, then you’ll splurge more on dining experiences than you will on a hotel room or trips to the museum.

So, before visiting Paris, figure out what’s on your Paris bucket list.

Secondly, decide how long you want to stay in Paris. Trip length greatly affects the cost – sometimes you can reap more benefits from longer stays than shorter.

My ideal length for a full, enriching Paris visit is one week. You can throw in a day trip or two, but by spending a whole week in Paris, you can explore every arrondissement and take your time to actually enjoy it (rather than running from one tourist attraction to the next.)

As a starting point, check out BudgetYourTrip to get an idea of all price categories, per traveler, per day. I’ve also included examples in my post, but BudgetYourTrip is capable of collecting lots of data, so it’s a great resource!

Cost of Flights to Paris

If you are visiting Paris from outside of Europe, no doubt your flight will cost you a big chunk of your Paris budget. It’s the trickiest area to save money in, since flight prices across airlines usually follow trends and don’t fluctuate greatly.

Large airlines that have bases in the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport will have more flight options. These include Delta, Air France, Vueling, and Lufthansa.

Paris has two other international airports – Orly and Beauvais . Paris Charles de Gaulles and Paris Orly are very close and more easily reached from the city center than Paris Beauvais.

The good thing is, if you travel in the off-season or at least buy tickets before summer, you can do a route like New York to Paris round trip for as little as $400 per person.

From personal experience, flying from Orlando to Paris in the month of March, one round trip ticket was around $650.

How to Save Money on Flights to Paris

For maximum money-saving, check out my favorite cheap flight hacks .

The easiest way to save money on flights to Paris is to take a low-cost airline. If you are traveling from elsewhere in Europe, this is the most money-savvy way to see Paris.

However, there are some cons to flying low-cost airlines that budget travelers could overlook.

Firstly, you have to pay extra for just about everything other than your ticket and some flights have limited options for departure days and times. Also, be sure to check which Paris airport you are flying into. Low-cost flights tend to fly into smaller airports that are further outside the city like Paris Beauvais, so your cost of transportation from the airport to the city could exceed the total amount of what a ticket on a regular airline would have been.

If you are flying from outside of Europe , then try to book your flight as far as possible in advance. Use the app Hopper to track flight price fluctuation. Also, if you can be flexible with your dates of travel and travel in an off-season month , you’ll have a better chance of getting a great flight deal.

Also, consider signing up for airline rewards programs. As you accumulate miles, you will be able to put them towards flight tickets, as well as enjoy other perks like no baggage fees.

My list tip is to book directly through airlines. While Skyscanner and other cheap flight sites can be a good baseline for seeing what costs are like, you’ll almost always get a better deal booking through the airline. It’s also a smoother, more trustworthy process.

When trip planning, also consider the travel season. Flights in summer will be more expensive then flights in spring or fall, so be sure to travel during the slow season for maximum savings.

Cost of Accommodation in Paris

Your next big cost in your Paris budget is the bed you sleep in. Luckily, Paris is such a large and well-traveled city that accommodation options exist at every budget. Here’s an overview of what one-night costs in Paris for two people at different accommodation levels:

• Hos t el : From 25 euros/night
• Budget Hotel: From 90 euros/night
• Mid-Range Hotel: From 150 euros/night
• Luxury Hotel: From 300 euros/night

You can check out more specific places to stay in my Paris itinerary post if you need ideas for where to stay in Paris.

How to Save Money on Accommodation in Paris

Surprisingly, by staying a week or longer in Paris, you can sometimes take advantage of long-stay discounts . These discounts will lower your price per night and could be something to consider when determining how long to stay in Paris.

This next hack isn’t exactly a direct way to save money on accommodation, but it can help out your overall Paris budget. If you know you’ll be renting a car or you want the option to cook meals, then apply those filters of “parking included” or “kitchen amenity” at the beginning of your accommodation search.

This will save you so much time determining what accommodation actually works for you. You won’t have to worry about adding parking as an additional cost. You won’t have to to eat out every meal and spend way more than you would even if you chose at minimum just to cook breakfast each day.

Websites like Agoda , HotelsCombined , or HotelTonight offer discounts, cheap price comparisons, and last-minute booking deals (even for luxury resorts,) respectively.

Also look at staying in affordable neighborhoods in Paris. The 7th arrondissement next to the Eiffel Tower will be quite expensive, whereas the area of Bastille or even Montmarte, which is growing in popularity, will still be cheaper per night.

Lastly, you could always do it the old-fashioned budget travel way: hostels. You can search for hostels with Hostelworld .

Cost of Transportation in Paris

Paris is a huge city, and while it can be explored totally on foot, you may want an easier way to get from point A to point B to make more time for exploring new areas.

Paris is well-connected by the underground metro system, as well as public bus. The metro and trains also connect to Paris airports.

There are also taxis and Uber available in Paris (the other popular ride-sharing app Lyft is not available.)

A single, one-way metro ticket costs 1.90 euros. For unlimited trips per day while on vacation in Paris, you can buy a pass that starts at 5.80 euro.

A one way trip on a public bus ticket is also 1.90 euros.

How to Save Money on Transportation in Paris

Don’t make the same tourist mistake I did by relying on the (sometimes dodgy) convenience of just hopping in a taxi. Private taxi costs add up and are totally not worth it if trying to be frugal.

Research beforehand how to get around the city with public transportation and you’ll save so much more money.

If you’re not afraid of getting in on the, at times, hectic street traffic, then you could also use one of the many electric scooters or city bike rentals to get around.

And the easiest way to save money on transportation is simply by walking !

Personally, Paris was too big of a city for me to explore solely on foot. I stayed near the Arc de Triomphe, for example, and took transportation to the area of the Bastille or Montmarte and then could walk the rest of the way back to my apartment, so you’re only paying for one leg of the journey.

Cost of Food in Paris

The baguettes, the croissants, the macarons, the chocolate – food is one of the integral parts of visiting Paris! (Can you tell I like desserts by what came to mind while I was writing this?!)

Eating out in France can get expensive depending on where you choose to dine. You’ll find more tips below on saving money on food, but here’s an idea of generally what meal prices average in Paris:

Croissant & coffee breakfast: 5 euros

Lunch meal: 15 euros

Dinner meal: 20 euros

Beverage: 2-3 euros

Moreover, the French do things a little differently. A service charge is automatically added to your bill, but if the service was great, it’s still customary to add a 10-15% tip on top of that. This is where dining out can become costly.

How to Save Money on Food in Paris

There are several ways to make a low-cost food budget for Paris. Firstly, opt for an apartment stay type of accommodation so you have access to a kitchen . Grocery shopping is so much cheaper than eating out, so if you can supplement a few meals by cooking, you’ll save so much money.

Another hack is to search for accommodation that has at least one meal included . Of course, there are other factors that could make an accommodation more expensive with this filter, but it at least adds convenience if not also savings to your Paris trip.

Also, opt to eat some street food over sit-down restaurants. Some awesome street food places to check out in Paris are Le Camion Qui Fume food truck, Oroyona for crepes, and La Porteña for tasty cheap takeaway. Ethnic restaurants also tend to be cheaper in big cities, so if you’re not into escargot anyway, then opt for Greek, Chinese, or Indian food.

Keep in mind that not even water is free in French restaurants. If you don’t want to pay for a bottle, be sure to ask for tap water.

Cost of Activities in Paris

While I enjoy simply strolling the streets of Paris’ beautifully romantic neighborhoods, most others are going to want something to do.

Some famous attractions & their entrance fees are:

• The Louvre Museum : 17 euros
• Top of the Eiffel Tower : Starting at 10.50 euros up to 26 euros
• Les Invalides Museum : 14 euros
• Musée de Orsay : 16 euros
• Arc de Triomphe : 13 euros
• Paris Catacombs : 29 euros, 14 euros for same-day admission

How to Save Money on Activities in Paris

The first Sunday of every month is free Museum Day . If you plan your travel around these days, you can save quite a lot museum-hopping in Paris!

If you’re a young traveler, make sure to check with any entrance fees if you can enter for free or at a discount. For example, at the Louvre Museum and Arc de Triomphe, you can enter free under 18 or free if you are between 18-25 and an EU resident.

For those who hate a leisurely vacation and want to see as much of Paris as possible, then consider purchasing a Paris Museum Pass or The Paris Pass .

You can also look out for free walking tours , either online or by asking your accommodation. A free walking tour is perfect for those who don’t have much time to see Paris!

Extra Costs to Factor into Your Paris Budget & Helpful Resources

No matter how much we plan, there are always extra costs, big and small, that come up throughout a trip. Here are some extra things to consider that will cost you a bit of coin when traveling in Paris:

• Bathrooms – I know, I think it’s strange too. In Paris, public bathrooms will typically cost money to use, anything from .50 cents to 2 euros. Bathrooms in restaurants or stores are typically only for guest use, so I recommend whenever you are eating out or doing some shopping to seek out the bathroom there and use it (even if you don’t feel like you have to!)
• Transportation from Airport to City Center – To actually reach your accommodation and the center of Paris, you’ll have to take either the train or a taxi.
• Souvenirs & Shopping – It’s pretty much impossible to go to Paris and not go a little crazy shopping, whether it’s in luxury department stores or vintage boutiques. If you want to shop and still do Paris on a budget, decide on a cap of what you’re willing to spend. Keep in mind you’ll also have to take everything you buy back with you and you don’t want to risk any overweight baggage fees .

For some extra trip budgeting resources, check out Budget Your Trip to see what other travelers spend per day in Paris.

Also, you can check out Numbeo . This site compares costs of living, so while not every category will apply to a short trip, you can see the difference in costs between where you live and Paris to get a better idea of how much you would spend on things like meals and transportation.

And that’s how you do Paris on a budget!

Which of these Paris budget tips are you taking along on your trip? Let me know in a comment!

Make sure to save these tips on Pinterest for easy reference!

No matter what your budget, there’s a way to make traveling to Paris work for you. Hopefully, these tips will make your Paris trip incredible AND affordable!

Michela is a travel writer and photographer living in northern Italy. She is passionate about helping people make the most of their travels by sharing advice gained from her personal experiences, off-the-beaten-path destinations and time-saving quick itineraries. Browse her top articles or have her help you plan your itinerary to your dream destination!

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Best Paris Travel Budget Calculator (2024)

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Planning a trip to Paris can be an exciting yet intimidating task, especially when calculating the overall travel budget.

As someone who has personally explored this enchanting city, I understand the importance of estimating costs accurately to maximize your experience.

From accommodations and transportation to meals and attractions, keeping track of expenses can help you avoid unforeseen surprises and focus on enjoying the city of love.

One tool that can significantly assist in this process is a Paris Travel Budget Calculator.

This calculator provides a simple and efficient way to estimate your daily expenses in Paris, considering elements like accommodation, food, transportation, and various attractions.

Utilizing a Paris Travel Budget Calculator can help you plan your trip more effectively.

By understanding the potential costs, you can prioritize the city’s must-see attractions and hidden gems, allowing you to craft the perfect Parisian experience tailored to your unique interests and preferences.

Ultimately, this practical tool may open doors to unexpected discoveries and create even more unforgettable memories in the city of lights.

Table of Contents

How to Use the Calculator

Determine the type of accommodations you desire, whether budget-friendly hostels, mid-range hotels, or luxurious resorts.

Consider how much you’re willing to spend on meals – are you a foodie searching for gourmet experiences, or do you prefer casual dining or grabbing meals on the go?

Your entertainment options, transportation , and sightseeing choices will also significantly affect your budget.

Now that you know your travel preferences clearly, you can start utilizing the Paris Travel Budget Calculator.

Begin by entering the number of days you plan to spend in Paris. This will set the baseline for your calculations.

Next, input estimated travel insurance costs and preferred accommodations , aiming for an average nightly rate.

This information can easily be found by browsing  hotel booking websites .

For meals, determine the average daily cost based on your dining preferences. Similarly, include expenses for transportation within the city.

Lastly, don’t forget to factor in the anticipated costs for various attractions and experiences.

Paris is rich in culture and history, so be sure to allocate funds for museum visits , guided tours , or must-see landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower or Louvre.

Once you’ve entered all relevant information, the Paris Travel Budget Calculator will estimate your total expenses for the trip compared to your travel budget.

With this information in hand, you can tailor your plans to align with your financial goals and ensure an enjoyable and budget-conscious journey to the City of Light.

Paris Travel Budget Calculator

How to plan your paris travel budget.

Planning your travel budget for a Paris getaway doesn’t need to be daunting!

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you estimate your travel costs and ensure you make the most of your vacation.

1. Big Ticket Items

Start with the big ticket items. This includes your round-trip airfare and accommodation costs.

Be sure to consider the season as prices fluctuate throughout the year, with peak prices often seen during the summer, Christmas , and New Year .

LOOKING TO SAVE $$ ON FLIGHTS?

Check out FareDrop!

Created by full-time travellers Kara and Nate, FareDrop finds deals that save you up to 80% off your flight. Simply enter your home airport and where your dream destinations and you will receive alerts to the app when a cheap flight is available – this includes business class flights too!

2. Daily Expenses

Next, plan out your daily expenses. This should include food, drinks, transport, and entertainment.

Paris has an incredible culinary scene , from Michelin-starred restaurants to charming sidewalk cafes, so plan your food budget according to your dining preferences.

Don’t forget to include costs for sightseeing, like entry fees for museums and attractions.

Also, consider adding a daily budget for unexpected expenses, as having a buffer is always wise.

Add in costs for any day trips or tours you want. Paris is well situated for a number of great day trips, including Versailles , Mont Saint-Michel, and the Champagne region .

3. Travel Insurance

Account for your travel insurance – an essential for any trip – and any shopping or souvenirs you plan to return. Once you’ve accounted for all these categories, you’ll have a rough estimate of your travel budget.

Compare Travel Insurance Policies Here

4. Unexpected Costs

Remember to keep a little flexibility in your budget for unexpected opportunities. After all, you might stumble upon a fantastic local restaurant or find the perfect souvenir at a Parisian market !

How To Save for Your Paris Vacation

• Start by creating a dedicated “Paris Vacation” savings account. Regularly contribute a fixed amount to this account – consistency is key when saving for a specific goal. You might be surprised how quickly these regular contributions can add up over several months.
• Cutting back on non-essential expenses is another effective way to save money. Perhaps you can skip the daily coffee shop visit and brew your coffee at home, or opt for a night in with a movie instead of a costly night out. Small changes to your daily routine can result in significant savings over time.
• Consider picking up a side gig or freelancing to supplement your income. Online platforms offer many opportunities, from graphic design and content writing to pet sitting or selling handmade crafts.
• Planning ahead can also help you save on the trip itself. Booking your flights and accommodation well in advance often results in lower prices. Also, watch for discounted entry fees for attractions or tour packages . Remember, every penny saved is a penny more you can enjoy spending in Paris.

How to Travel Paris on a Budget

Accommodations.

Start by seeking out affordable accommodations. Consider options beyond hotels, such as budget hostels, guesthouses, or vacation rental properties. Sites like VRBO can often provide budget-friendly choices in great locations.

Transportations

Transportation in Paris is also key to saving money.

The city’s public transport system is comprehensive and efficient. Take advantage of the Paris Metro, buses, and the Vélib’ bike-sharing program to get around affordably.

If you plan to visit many sites, consider investing in a Paris Visite travel card for unlimited travel within certain zones.

Eating in Paris can be done on a budget while still enjoying the culinary delights the city is famous for.

Skip the expensive tourist-trap restaurants and opt for local bakeries, street food like crêpes, or supermarket delicacies that you can enjoy in one of Paris’s beautiful parks.

Attractions

When it comes to attractions, many of Paris’s iconic sites such as the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, or the picturesque neighborhood of Montmartre are free to visit.

Many museums, including the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, offer free entry on the first Sunday of every month, while the Paris Museum Pass can offer substantial savings if you’re planning to visit many paid sites.

Remember, part of the magic of Paris lies in its enchanting streets, bustling markets, and riverside ambience.

Take time to wander and explore without a set destination in mind. After all, the best things in Paris – like the sight of the Eiffel Tower lighting up the night or the charm of a quiet cobblestone street – are absolutely free!

FAQs: Paris Vacation Budget Calculator

How much would an average trip to paris cost.

The cost of a trip to Paris can vary significantly based on factors like travel season, accommodation choices, and personal spending habits. However, as a rough estimate, expect to budget around $200-$300 per day, which includes accommodation, meals, sightseeing, and local transportation. Thus, a week-long trip might cost between $1,400 and $2,100 per person.

How Much Money Would You Need for 3 Days in Paris?

For a three-day trip to Paris , considering moderate accommodation, meals, sightseeing, and local transportation, you should budget approximately $600-$900. However, costs can vary greatly based on individual preferences and choices. Plan ahead for a more accurate estimate, taking into account current prices and your personal travel style.

How do I Calculate My Travel Budget?

To calculate your travel budget, list all potential costs: round trip airfare, accommodation, daily meals, transportation, attractions, and extra spending money. Research current prices for each. Don’t forget travel insurance and potential emergency expenses. Sum these costs to determine your overall budget. Break this down by day for a daily budget. Adjust as necessary based on your overall financial comfort level.

Wrap Up: Paris Trip Planner

Travelling to the awe-inspiring city of Paris should be an adventure that leaves you with unforgettable memories, not financial worries.

My Paris Travel Budget Calculator is designed to help you prepare and budget effectively, reducing stress and enhancing your overall travel experience.

Remember, budgeting doesn’t mean skimping on experiences, but rather making smart choices that allow you to enjoy all that Paris has to offer.

Use my calculator to take control of your vacation finances and then, all you’ll have left to do is pack your bags, hop on a plane, and say “Bonjour” to Paris!

For a complete guide on visiting Paris make sure you check out the Ultimate Guide to Visiting Paris for the First Time.

This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about visiting Paris from the best neighbourhoods to stay, to the best hotels, places to eat and how to get around.

As well as things to do in Paris and my best tips for your first time in Paris.

Recent Posts:

♦  15+ Best Eiffel Tower Tours + Insider Tips ♦  The Ultimate Guide for your first solo trip to Paris ♦  How to spend one day in Paris: The best 24 hour Paris Itinerary ♦  How to spend 3 days in Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary ♦  Best Hotels in Paris with Eiffel Tower view ♦  Paris at Night Time: How to Spend a Perfect Evening in Paris ♦  Language in Paris: Everything you need to know ♦  How many steps in the Eiffel tower? A guide to climbing the Eiffel Tower ♦  Where is Paris? A guide to the Latitude of Paris ♦  Paris Pronunciation Guide: How to properly Pronounce Paris ♦  Visiting Disneyland Paris on a Solo Trip: Is it worth it?

I'm Fiona, the Australian blogger behind Travelling Thirties. Travel has always been my passion since 2007. I created this site to help inspire you to travel the world. In 2010 I moved from Australia to Scotland with $500 and a one way ticket, no one thought I'd last 5 minutes but I lasted 5 years. I share everything from one day itineraries to travel tips and tricks from Australia to Europe that will inspire you to get out and travel. Some of my favourite countries I have been to are France, Finland, Denmark, and England.

Travel Expertise: Europe Travel, France Travel, Christmas Markets, travel planning, itineraries and travel tips

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Is Paris Expensive? A Paris Trip Cost Guide

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Images of Paris ooze luxury and charm, and it makes you wonder, is Paris expensive to visit? Working out a Paris trip cost can be difficult when factoring in accommodation, food and drink, activities, transport and other expenses, as life in big cities is notoriously costly.

Paris is one of the most expensive cities to visit in Europe, with an average daily cost of €120-565 (approximately $128-603 USD) per person per day. However, there are areas where you can learn to get the most out of your travel budget.

With a Paris trip cost guide, you’ll learn how expensive Paris really is and work out how you can visit Paris whatever your budget.

Table of Contents

Paris Trip Cost Guide

We’ll break down each of the main expenses for a trip to Paris to give you an overview of how much you might spend in a day in Paris.

Accommodation Prices in Paris

Accommodation prices in Paris can vary a great deal depending on how budget-friendly or no expense spared your Paris city break will be. It surely won’t surprise you to learn that accommodation in Paris is generally quite a bit more expensive compared to the rest of France.

A night in an average hostel in Paris such as The People Paris Marais  would cost around €50-60 per person in a dorm room or from €100 to €350 for a private room, though most options are around the €180-mark.

A mid-range hotel such as Ibis, or Mercure Hotels, start at around €120 for one night in a room with a double bed, or up to €190 as you get closer to the city centre. Keep in mind that prices often increase in the high season months – especially in July and August but can be cheaper if visiting Paris in winter.

There are lots of Ibis hotels around France, and plenty in Paris, with a popular hotel located within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower in the Hôtel ibis Paris Tour Eiffel Cambronne for €150 per night for the room and the Hôtel ibis Paris Rueil Malmaison near the Rueil Malmaison metro station as a cheaper option from around €70 per night from which you can easily get into the centre of Paris.

If you’re taking the trip to Paris of a lifetime, you’re celebrating or you simply enjoy the finer things in life, hotels like Novotel Paris Les Halles and other boutique hotels are very popular and located right in the 1st arrondissement (one of the best areas for first time visitors !), while Le Relais Montmartre is a beautiful hotel in Montmartre. One night in a standard room for two in a luxury hotel like this would cost from €350 – 550 for a double room.

Transportation Prices in Paris

Paris’ public transport system is excellent, helping you around the city with 5 train lines, 14 metro lines, 13 tram lines and an extensive bus system.

Fortunately, one ticket works across each of the public transport systems, except transit to the airports and other distant locations via train which cost €11-17, rather than the standard 1 journey ticket for €2.10.

You can also buy a pass at the ticket booths to use all the public transport in Paris in zones 1-3 for €13.55 for 24 hours or you have the option to include access to the airports and Palace of Versailles for an increased fee. As a tourist, this drastically cuts down on travel costs, so it’s the best investment to keep your Paris travel costs to a minimum.

If you prefer to get around Paris by bike and reduce the cost of a trip to Paris further, you can rent city bikes from the street with your credit card from Paris’ public bike system Vélib’ Métropole! A 24-hour pass costs €5, or €10 for an electric bike, and just €20 for a 3-day rental.

Note that it’s generally better to rely on public transit, cycling and getting around on foot if you want to stick to your Paris travel budget.

Things like taking a taxi can be expensive and less efficient when accounting for the high traffic that tends to plague the French capital. Renting a car is similarly not recommended on a trip to Paris due to the city’s terrible traffic

Food Prices in Paris

To keep your trip to Paris cost low, it might be better to eat a larger lunch and smaller dinner as this often works out cheaper, however, if you simply want to find not-so-expensive options, don’t worry, there are plenty out there.

A Jambon Beurre (and ham and cheese baguette) will cost you around €4-5 from most bakeries, although there are more lavish options like the Caractere de Cochon, which costs roughly €10 for the classic French sandwich, or BBT offer the same delicious ingredients with a drink and dessert for under €10.

For a hot lunch, you can also find croque monsieurs or omelettes for around €15 from many standard cafes.

For dinner, in a mid-range restaurant, you can find a 3-course set menu for around €35, or spend €15 – 35 for a main course.

Most restaurants have a set menu for a more reasonable price than if you just pick from the menu, so if you’re going for 2 or 3 courses, a set menu is the cheapest way and often the best way to sample the restaurants’ specialities.

If you want to have a high-quality dining experience, lunch at a restaurant like the Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower with views over Paris will start a €160 for a set menu, or €255 to 275 for a tasting menu. At dinner, they just offer the 5-course or 7-course tasting menus.

Activities Prices in Paris

You may wonder how expensive is Paris due to the vast amount of activities you can do there, which can all add up to make for a high Paris trip cost, however, most museums and galleries in Paris have certain opening days and times for people the visit for free so it’s possible to time your trip to Paris well to still visit the iconic museums and save a lot of money.

Tickets to most of Paris’ galleries and museums are between €10 and €20 for a standard adult entrance ticket, with the Louvre costing €17, the Arc d e Triomphe €13 to go up, the Musée d’Orsay €16, Palais Garnier €14 to enter, Dalí Museum €12 and the Rodin Museum €13.

If you plan on visiting more than a few of these museums while in Paris, it can be extremely cost-effective to purchase the Paris Museum Pass which has options for 2-day, 4-day and 6-day passes and includes entry to a wide array of the most notable museums and attractions in Paris.

The Catacombs are a more expensive activity, at €29 for a tour of the 2 km underground tunnels, and the Eiffel Tower similarly costs €28.30 to reach the top in a lift, or €21.50 for the stairs to the 2nd floor and then the lift to the top.

Other ticket prices are available for the 2nd floor, the cheapest at €11.30 for stair access to the 2nd floor, although if you’re only going to the Eiffel Tower for views from the second floor, you should visit the incredible restaurant while you’re there.

Fortunately, the best time to visit Paris on a budget is on the first weekend of any month except July and August, as the Louvre is free after 6 pm on the first Friday of the month, and the Musée d’Orsay is free on the first Sunday of every month. However, there are many activities you can also do for free.

You can of course walk around Paris at no cost, taking in the sights of the Champs-Élysée, or perusing the old book market on the south bank of the Seine river, walking around the gardens of La Villette, the Jardins du Luxembourg or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont with its beautiful cherry blossom in Spring, or paying your respects at Père Lachaise Cemetery.

You can also get a free art fix at the Pompidou Centre, although you have to pay a small fee for the temporary exhibitions, enjoy the aesthetic interior of the Bibliothèque Mazarine or Sainte Chapelle opposite the Notre Dame de Paris, and visit incredible buildings the Panthéon and the Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre for free (just avoid mass if you’re going as a tourist).

What’s more, you can get an excellent panoramic view of the city up close and for free from the terrace of the Galeries Lafayette Haussman if you’d rather see the Eiffel Tower from the outside and spend your 20-something euros on a delicious lunch instead.

Entertainment Prices in Paris

While you may successfully save money on an apartment further from the centre and make use of a daily Paris travel pass to get around Paris, there are always other expenses on holiday that you need to account for.

Whether it’s your mid-morning coffee, afternoon sweet treat or evening entertainment, to make the most of a trip to Paris, you’ll have to budget for additional costs or face a surprise at the end of your stay.

Food and Drink in Paris

A simple black Americano, or Café Long to the locals, will cost around €2.50 in most cafes, although it can go over to €6.50 in very fancy spots such as the Cafe du Trocadero or specialist coffee shops.

However, to keep things cheaper, you can always get 50 cents off your coffee if you have a reusable cup in Pret a Manger which you can find all over Paris.

To keep things really cheap, pick up a French press in a Monoprix or other cheap shop and make your own coffee in the mornings at your apartment or hotel.

As your day rolls on, you might want to stop for an apéritif or bière pression in the afternoon, which is also generally more expensive in Paris than in other French cities. A 25 cl draft beer can cost from €3.50-6 in a pleasant but not luxurious brasserie, with 50 cl beers costing €7-10, with Brasserie Bellanger being a beautiful and inexpensive option for eating and drinking in Paris.

A classic Ricard will also cost around the same amount as a small beer, usually around €4, and other popular apéritifs such as kirs (white wine with a sweet fruity liqueur) and martinis costing around €7 each.

Nightlife in Paris

For an evening out, however, you can find many entertainment spots around Paris, each with varying prices.

The renowned Lapin Agile in the Montmartre district, made famous by the many artists who frequented it and immortalised it in their paintings, is a great spot for an evening in Paris, with tickets for the cabaret shows at €35 per person including a drink, and additional drinks between €5 and €9.

For a longer night out, there are many nightclubs in Paris, although they’re not particularly transparent with their entry fees.

Most nightclubs in Paris will charge €10-20 to get in, and you can expect drinks to be slightly more expensive than in other bars in Paris. However, if you’re not concerned about your trip to Paris cost, then nightclubs like Cha Cha Club are very popular and on the more expensive side.

Is Paris Expensive? Average Prices in Paris

For a more detailed view of the cost of a trip to Paris, here is the average cost of a day in Paris for one person, assuming you buy a 24-hour travel pass, have three meals a day, visit three paid-for Parisian landmarks, drink an alcoholic drink and go on an evening out, paying for your entrance and one drink.

So bear in mind, if you only do the free activities in Paris, you can reduce your Paris travel cost greatly, or spend the money you’ve saved on staying closer to the centre.

Accommodation : €50 – 275 / night

Transportation : €10-15 / day

Food : €30 – 150 / day

Activities : €15 – 75 / day

Entertainment : €15 – 50 / day

In general, expect to pay around €120-565 per person per day while visiting Paris. Keep in mind that this is an estimate and there are ways to keep costs down, however, there are certainly ways that you could spend more should you have the room in your budget.

Paris is an expensive city, but that’s not to say you can’t go on a cheap trip to Paris. With plenty of artistic, cultural and natural activities to take part in as well as some fantastic offers to make the most of, you can enjoy a trip to Paris without breaking the bank.

Are wondering about the costs in Paris? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

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About Brittany Scott-Gunfield

Brittany is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Colchester, England, she is slowly but surely travelling the world as a digital nomad. She loves to hike around different landscapes and has a deep love for travelling around France (and elsewhere in Europe).

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

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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!

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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

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How Much Does a Family Trip to Paris Cost? 2024 Paris Vacation Budget

Paris is one of those universally appealing destinations that is popular with couples, singles, and especially families with teens . But how much does a family trip to Paris cost? I’ve been to this bucket list city a handful of times in the spring, summer, and fall, both with kids and without. Plus, during my days as a travel advisor I have helped many families plan trips to Paris . Through this experience I’ve come to know the city fairly well and understand what most families like to see and do.

While Paris rarely disappoints, it isn’t a cheap city and it can be tricky to plan a trip here on a tight budget, especially when traveling at peak times. If you would like to take your family to Paris and want to know how much you need to save up first, the bottom line is that the average 5-day, family trip to Paris will cost approximately $9,200 or $460 per person, per day. But keep reading to see the full breakdown of costs and ways that you can save money.

Paris Trip Cost

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. 

This post outlines pricing for a family Paris trip cost with two adults and two children between the ages of 6-11, traveling in the summer, and spending 5 nights in Paris . This Paris trip budget includes a mix of splurges and budget saving factors, which will provide a trip to remember that doesn’t break the bank.

The budget for this trip to Paris is made up of the following elements:

• Hotel/Accommodations

Tours/Entrance Fees

• Transportation

Souvenirs/Miscellaneous

Remember to keep in mind the exchange rate when looking at rates listed in Euros. I use xe.com  to convert currency to USD.

Paris Airfare Costs

Summer flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) can be quite pricey because it’s such a popular route for leisure and business travelers. But on occasion, deals can be found, and it’s also a great route to cash-in points/mileage programs.

If you want to find the best way to accumulate points and miles through credit card spending and sign up bonuses, I’d suggest downloading the  Travel Freely app  to track your credit cards and learn how to earn points.

Another way to save money is to look into some of the budget airline options like Play Airlines through Iceland or French Bee, which offers cheap flights to Paris Orly airport from many U.S. cities. Flights on budget airlines can be found for under $900 per person, while major carrier can be up to $2,000 per person in the summer.

When looking for airfare deals, I highly recommend signing up for a membership to  Going , which will send you airfare deal alerts for the cities that you are interested in.

Please be advised that CDG is about an hour outside the city of Paris, and it is a notoriously chaotic airport with frequent security interruptions. This is definitely an airport where you need to allow plenty of time before your departing flight. Pro Paris travel tip : I always advise getting there three hours early.

Total airfare cost: $3,600 ($900 x 4)

Paris Accommodation Cost

When planning a family trip to Paris, it is important to try to avoid major events like Fashion Week, the French Open, and any large international gatherings that may be scheduled throughout the year. For 2024, I’d frankly avoid visiting Paris in the summer unless you have tickets to the Olympics. To be honest, it is already too late to find hotel reservations for the summer Olympics.

One of the biggest decision factors families have when planning a trip to Paris is what type of accommodation will work best for them. Unlike solo travelers, it isn’t like most families are going to stay in a Paris hostel .

Paris hotel rooms are notoriously small, and typically only sleep two people. So families looking to stay in a hotel will need two adjoining rooms or one family-sized suite. The cost for a five-star central Paris hotel stay for a family will start at over $2,000 per night. At the four-star level, the starting pricing point is usually around $750.

Apartment stays in Paris are one of Europe’s best values. You’ll have more space, and you’ll truly be able to feel like a local. Shop the markets and prepare easy meals based on the delicious, fresh ingredients you can pick up in your neighborhood, just like Parisians do. It’s part of the experience in a city known for some of the best food in the world.

Cost for apartment rentals at the four-star level start at around $500 per night and goes up from there. Expect to pay a premium for views of the Eiffel Tower or for an outdoor terrace.

Location is key in Paris. Because it is such a walkable city, it’s best to stay in one of the central arrondissements. For apartment rentals, I love the St. Germain area and the Marais because of the charming, walkable streets lined with cafes, markets, and independent shops. If you’re looking for full luxury hotel services, my favorite five-star properties in Paris are clustered around the Louvre giving your family easy access to playtime in the Tuileries.

A few hotels that I’ve stayed in during the last few years and enjoyed include:

• Hotel Le Relais Saint Germain
• Hotel Lenox Montparnasse
• Hotel Riesner (near Gare du Lyon)

Find other places to stay in Paris:

Total accommodation cost: $3,000 (based on $600 per night for 5 nights)

Paris is one of those cities where it’s best not to overcommit yourself. The magic here is in the unplanned and the hidden gems …wandering the Seine and sampling crepes, riding a carousel in one of the amazing parks, and watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle every evening. That said, you won’t want to travel all this way and not see the top sites. I encourage families to pick their five must-see sites, and plan to hit one each day of the trip, leaving the rest of your time open for serendipitous discoveries.

My top splurge is to invest in a guide for the Louvre. My family absolutely loved our Closing Time at the Louvre tour with Take Walks . This museum is so large, that it’s almost not worth seeing unless you have someone with you who can help you focus on some highlights and make it more engaging for your children.

And consider gifting yourself a fun introductory experience. A bike tour is popular, as Paris has some wonderful and easy bike paths that wind around their way to many of the major locations. You may also want to try a pastry cooking class or a food tour. We loved our Ultimate Paris food tour with Devour Tours . Or for a less expensive option, an hour-long Seine cruise is often a highlight and you can see a lot in a short period of time.

The main sites can also be notoriously crowded. It is common for a family of four to spend around $55 on tickets to the Eiffel Tower, not including souvenirs. Definitely book ahead for anything you know you want to see, like tickets to go up the Eiffel Tower or a bike tour at Versailles (see all my Paris travel tips and download my Paris planning checklist ). Then balance that out with free afternoons playing in the parks, visiting some of the major churches, and sitting in cafes.

If you plan on visiting many of the main museums and sights, you may want to evaluate whether or not a Paris City Pass or Paris Museum Pass is worth it. If you are planning a day trip to Disney, be sure to check out this guide to Disney Paris !

Total tour/sightseeing cost: $900

Transportation Around Paris

I recommend booking a private airport transfer upon arrival. I always use Welcome Pickups to arrange a transfer in advance and have always had great service. Expect to pay about $125 each way.

Fortunately, if you stay in a central location, Paris is fairly easy to do on foot, with an occasional metro or taxi ride to locations a bit further out (like Montmartre). If you’ve got your mind set on a day trip out to places like Versailles or Disneyland Paris, then you’ll want to factor in train tickets to your budget plans.

Total transportation costs: $350 (based on airport transfers and some taxi/metro rides)

Food Costs in Paris

I’ve always believed everything tastes better in France, so a trip to Paris is no time to penny pinch on food. That said, meals at upscale restaurants in Paris can be slow and time-consuming, and children are expected to behave and demonstrate good manners. Given that, I have always found the best way to enjoy dining in Paris is to mix a few pricier restaurant meals with more casual, grab-and-go options throughout the trip.

And the best part is that you’ll only be enhancing your culinary experience in this city, by grabbing picnic fixings in upscale markets and shops, or even quick croissants at the local patisserie if you don’t have access to breakfast at your hotel.

Total food cost: $950

Paris has some of the world’s finest shopping, anything from independent shops tucked away in beautiful neighborhoods, to some of the most well-known department stores in the world, like Galeries Lafayette or Le Bon Marche. So if you love to shop, this is a great place to splurge on a few special items.

Warn your children that vendors will approach them at many of the major tourist stops (the Eiffel Tower in particular) to buy kitschy souvenirs. Perhaps give your kids a small budget in advance of this, or discourage them from this type of purchase altogether.

Total souvenir cost: $400 (based on each family member spending $100 while on the trip; you may spend quite a bit more or far less depending on how much time you devote to shopping)

Total Cost for a 5-day Family Trip to Paris: $9,200

I’ve never met anyone who regretted a trip to Paris, so while your bank account may temporarily suffer from the cost, the memories of this magical city will be money well spent. Keep in mind that nearly half the cost of this budget goes toward flights… consider spending another week in a different part of France to get the most bang for your travel buck. Accommodation and food costs are typically much lower outside of Paris (just avoid the popular beach areas of France if traveling in the summer). And France has a robust network of high-speed train lines… you can be on your way to enjoying gorgeous countryside landscapes within a few hours of leaving the city.

Not sure where you want to go yet? Find out the cost of other destinations, be sure to check out these posts:

• How much does a trip to Europe cost?
• How much does a trip to Italy cost ?
• How much does a trip to Portugal cost ?
• How much does a trip to London cost ?
• How much does a trip to Iceland cost ?
• How much does a trip to Greece cost ?
• How much does a trip to Japan cost ?

Visiting Paris? You may also be interested in…

• 5 day Paris itinerary
• Paris vacation planning checklist
• How to find and book a holiday apartment in Paris
• Paris travel tips
• Things to do in Bordeaux

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: December 4, 2023

5 thoughts on “How Much Does a Family Trip to Paris Cost? 2024 Paris Vacation Budget”

You have given a very good estimate.

Thank you so much for the useful post and tips. I want to plan a trip to Paris this September and I can really use your help. Good work.

If you need help planning, just send me an email and I’ll tell you about my trip planning services.

Thanks for the info. I am really keen on visiting Paris the next month. Your post is helpful. Keep up the good work!

Thanks. I had no idea it was this expensive. I need to plan my budget before I take that trip.

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Home > Paris Travel Tips > Paris Trip Planner: Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Trip to Paris 2024

Paris Trip Planner: Step-by-Step Guide to Planning a Trip to Paris 2024

How to plan a trip to paris, france.

If you’re planning a trip to Paris in 2024, you will want to read this Paris Travel Planner . Paris for first-timers can be overwhelming; there are so many things to see and do! That’s why we want to help with our Paris Trip Planner .

This Paris Trip Planner covers everything you need to know to plan a trip to Paris, including the best time to visit Paris, where to stay, what to do, how to move around, and more.

Do you need help with your Paris trip planning? So let’s get started! Here’s how to plan a trip to Paris, France, you’ll never forget in easy steps that works for any kind of trip — no matter how long you’re going for! Just follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be off to Paris in no time!

Paris Travel Planner 2024 Content:

• Best Time to Visit Paris
• Booking your Flight or Train Ticket to Paris
• Travel Insurance
• Where to Stay in Paris
• Accommodation in Paris
• How to Get from Paris Airport to City
• The Cheat Sheet for Your Paris Trip Planner
• Paris Itinerary Planner
• What to Eat & Drink in Paris
• Day Trips from Paris
• Planning a Trip to Paris: Know Before You Go

There is no best way to plan a trip to Paris, France, but if you follow this step-by-step Paris Planner, you won’t forget the essentials.

GOOD TO KNOW: If you are planning a honeymoon to Paris or a family trip to Paris, you can complete the reading of this Paris Travel Planner with our specific guides:

• Paris honeymoon guide
• Quick guide to Paris for kids

1. Best Time to Visit Paris

When is the best time to travel to Paris? “ Paris is always a good idea , ” and there is never a bad time to travel to Paris. The city has beautiful parks and picturesque streets that are great to explore under the sun. It also has some of the world’s best museums and other interesting indoor options when it rains, or it’s too cold to be outside.

TIP: In general, the best time to go to Paris is from May to October, and then December for the Christmas Holidays .

If you are flexible with dates, important things to consider when you are planning a Paris trip are the low /high tourist seasons and the weather in Paris. This is what you need to know:

Seasons in Paris

What is the best season to visit Paris? This graphic below represents the weather in Paris year-round, with average temperatures (in Celsius) and average rainfall (%).

>>   Spring is a good time to visit Paris. Spring means blue skies, the gardens in Paris in bloom , and animated café-terraces. The city is also famous for its cherry blossoms (check out our favorite cherry blossom spots in Paris ), usually in March and April.

However, temperatures are still fresh (minimums of 4C° to 10C°), with frequent showers. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella and a jacket in your day bag!

Spring Months in Paris

>> Summer in Paris comes with longer days and nice temperatures (maximums of 23C° to 25C°). With a long list of local festivals and events and cool outdoor activities everywhere, no wonder Paris is one of the best summer destinations in Europe !

However, summer is also the high season in Paris, which means more tourists, long lines to visit the main attractions, and higher prices.

Summer Months in Paris

>> Fall is, in our opinion, the best season for a first time in Paris. The colors of the trees are gorgeous, temperatures are still pleasant (maximums of 11C° to 21C°), and there are fewer tourists. In the last couple of years, we could organize outdoor activities until mid-November, with bright and sunny days.

Fall Months in Paris

>> Winter in Paris is not the best time to visit Paris in terms of weather (minimums of 2C° to 7°C and only 4 to 5 hours of light), and sunset in Paris is very early. However, some people love to travel to Paris at Christmas time to see Paris’s decorations and illuminations and the best Christmas markets in Paris .

Paris is also a popular destination for Saint Valentine’s  in February. There are many romantic things to do in Paris !

Winter Months in Paris

Tourist Seasons in Paris

>>  The high season in Paris is considered from 1st April to 31st October. It means nice weather and more hours of daylight and many people will tell you this is the best time to visit Paris.

But at the same time, the high season in Paris is not the best season to plan a trip to Paris in terms of budget (best accommodation sold out, higher prices). Also, the city is too crowded with tourists – especially in the summer – while locals are somewhere else on holiday.

>> The low season in Paris goes from 1st November to 31st March, except for Paris at Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Paris . This is the cheapest time to travel to Paris and the best time to visit Paris to avoid crowds. If you decide to travel off-season, you will get a more local experience, and it will be easier to find good deals on accommodation, for example.

In the end, Paris is a movable feast and (sun or rain) you will have a great time!

Paris Olympics 2024

The Summer Olympics 2024 will be held in Paris and France from Friday, 26 July to Sunday, 11 August 2024 . This will be the biggest event ever organized in the country, so expect more visitors than usual (=book everything NOW!).

If you are planning a trip to Paris around these dates, check out our Paris Olympics 2024 Guide so you don’t miss anything on such a historical event.

Best Time to Visit Paris: Our Tips for your Paris Trip Planning

Be flexible with your dates. Flexibility is key, especially if you are planning a trip to Paris on a budget. Flight tickets or train tickets to Paris will be more expensive:

• During the school holidays in France ;
• During holidays in France or Europe;
• Weekend trips (Friday to Sunday);
• During special events like New Year’s Eve or Saint Valentine’s Day.

If you are a museum lover visiting Paris for the first time, the best time to go to Paris will probably be the first weekend of the month when you can visit many museums in Paris for free. Some of these museums have this offer all year round, while other museums are only free during the winter months.

2. Booking your Flight or Train Ticket to Paris

Flight Tickets to Paris

Paris has three airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) , north of Paris; Paris Orly (ORY) , south of Paris; and Paris-Beauvais (BVA) . Despite its name, Paris Beauvais is not in Paris but in the city of Beauvais (80 km north of Paris, in the Hauts-de-France region).

If you are traveling to Paris from somewhere overseas, you will probably land at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) . Paris Orly Airport (ORY) is used mainly for flights to /from Europe and North Africa, while Paris-Beauvais Airport (BVA) is mainly for Ryan Air flights.

Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport are more or less at the same distance from Paris, so if you are traveling from Europe, you can choose whatever flight (or flight company) you like. We don’t like Orly Airport (ORY) that much, so we always try to book flights from /to Paris Charles de Gaulle. But this is just our opinion.

Lately, we like to book our flights with Omio , a search engine for all major forms of transport that is very easy to use! It has different filters – time, number of scales, departure time – so the research and booking process is straightforward – Click here to buy your flight tickets to Paris with Omio

Train Tickets to Paris

If you live in Europe, high-speed trains are a good and definitely a more eco-friendly option for your trip to Paris. Here are some of the main European destinations served from the stations in Paris.

• Gare du Nord: London (Eurostar), Brussels, Cologne, and Amsterdam (Thalys)
• Gare de l’Est: Germany, and Luxembourg
• Gare de Lyon: Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich), Italy, and Catalunya (Girona, Barcelona)
• Gare d’Austerlitz: Western Spain.

We like and recommend Omio to book train tickets from /to Paris. The website is straightforward to use, it is written in English, and it proposes interesting promotions from time to time – Click here to buy your train tickets to Paris with Omio

Our readers from the UK and Australia, however, prefer  Trainline , probably because it has its headquarters in the UK. Trainline is also in English and works more or less like Omio.

So there’s the Omio team and the Trainline team, but you should always find the same information and ticket prices in both sites.

3. Don’t Skimp on Travel Insurance

Don’t skimp on Travel Insurance when you plan your trip to Paris 2024. Since anything can happen while traveling, the best thing you can do for yourself is to be insured.

Before going through other aspects of your Paris planning, ensure you are completely covered before traveling to minimize the financial risks of theft, loss of luggage, or flight cancellation.

SafetyWing has super affordable plans for budget travelers for long and short trips. While marketed as “Nomad Insurance,” you can get it for as little as five days. You can sign up for SafetyWing insurance even if your journey has already started! – Click here to get a quote for your next trip to Paris.

HeyMondo is another option for your Paris trip. It offers travelers insurance that combines medical and travel-related coverage for single trips (leisure and business trips), annual multi-trip, and extended stays (with COVID-19 coverage included). Use this link to get a 5% off .

You can also compare plans, prices, and coverage with Travel Insurance Master , a comparison site that will find the perfect fit for you amongst the world’s leading programs. Travel Insurance Master is also the best place to look for senior travelers .

Schengen Area Travel Insurance

For those who require a visa to enter France or any other Schengen country , travel insurance covering repatriation and medical expenses is compulsory. The necessary visa to enter Europe will not be issued unless you provide proof of suitable coverage – Buy your travel insurance with HeyMondo

4. Where to Stay in Paris

Planning a trip to Paris for the first time can be challenging, especially when it comes to deciding which area you want to stay in Paris.

Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements (=districts of Paris), which are also administrative divisions. In each Paris Arrondissement , there is a town hall (Mairie), a mayor and elected officials, a council, a politician, and so on. Of course, each division is still subject to the city’s overall policy and the mayor of Paris, the socialist Anne Hidalgo.

To find your bearings in Paris , there is a little trick: the 1st Paris arrondissement is in the center of Paris, then the other Paris arrondissements are located forming a spiral turning clockwise, to finish in the 20th in the east. Check out our Districts of Paris Guide to learn more about the Arrondissements of Paris.

Where to stay in Paris? The best area to stay in Paris very much depends on the sort of trip you’re planning. Check our suggestions below for sightseeing, luxury, family, and first-time trips to Paris.

5. Accommodation in Paris

So you got your train or flight tickets for your Paris trip, and the countdown starts! In the previous chapter, you have more or less decided where to stay in Paris (the Arrondissement of Paris). The next step of your Paris travel plan is to book accommodation in Paris.

Hotels and Hostels in Paris

Hotels can be so much more than a simple place to rest your head, and a city like Paris cannot disappoint in terms of accommodation: your Paris hotel can be just as memorable as your sightseeing!

When it comes to booking your bed in Paris, the best site to search and compare different accommodation options in Europe is Booking.com because you have everything from hostels to luxury hotels. What we have found quite regularly on Booking.com is that you can get a room in a small hotel for the same price as a hostel. Research makes all the difference!

Click here to book your hotel with Booking.com

>> For a top Paris experience, stay in a hotel with views of the Eiffel Tower or, even better, in one of the fabulous historic hotels of Paris . All these hotels are gorgeous and the beginning of a five-star Parisian experience!

>> Truth be told, these historic hotels are not for all the pockets. But there are many unique themed hotels in Paris that certainly know how to give their guests a memorable and colorful stay for less money. If you plan a trip to Paris in the summer, consider one of the Paris hotels with a pool for the warmest days.

>> For those people traveling on a budget, we hand-picked the  best hostels in Paris (with dorms but also private rooms). You will be surprised at how cute our proposals are, but in a city like Paris, it could not be otherwise!

Check out these lists of best hotels in the most popular neighborhoods in Paris:

• Best hotels near the Louvre Museum
• Best hotels in Le Marais
• Best hotels in the Latin Quarter
• Best hotels in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

Furnished Apartments in Paris

For a much more local experience, consider renting an apartment in Paris . This is definitely a much more local option than a hotel or a hostel, plus you can even cook some of your meals to save money. And there are some apartments with Eiffel Tower views too!

If you decide to rent an apartment in Paris, we recommend Booking.com , which also does  apartment rentals for travelers with excellent service. With Booking.com, you can have all your hotel and apartment bookings under the same dashboard, plus their customer service is excellent – Find the Best Apartments in Paris with Booking.com

GOOD TO KNOW: Furnished apartments are very requested in Paris, especially in tourist areas. For this reason, apartment owners prioritize bookings for longer stays rather than just a weekend.

Accommodation in Paris: Our Tips for your Paris Trip Planning

>> Book in advance for more options and better prices.

>> Avoid Famous Places in Paris  if you are traveling on a budget.

>> Consider one of the best hotels near Gare du Nord for late arrivals or early departures from this train station. They are good, safe, and cheaper than in the most popular neighborhoods.

>> Check out our Hotel Recommendations in our articles by Paris Arrondissement .

6. How to Get from Paris Airport to the City

If you don’t live in Europe, you will probably fly to Paris. There are currently 153 air companies flying to Paris so that you can fly to the City of Light from anywhere in the world!

There are two airports near Paris: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and Orly Airport (ORY). You have different options to get to Paris, depending on which airport you land at.

Best Transportation Options from Paris Airports to City

Our personal recommendation is to pre-book with Welcome Pickups , a reliable and top-rated private transfer service. Your driver will wait for you outside of the arrivals hall with a sign bearing your name, plus a bottle of water and a map of the city. Welcome Pickups have introduced strict safety protocols to protect drivers and guests.

>> Full list of transportation options from CDG Airport to Paris

>> Full list of transportation options from ORY Airport to Paris

7. The Cheat Sheet for Your Paris Trip Planner

The next step of your Paris plan is to decide what to see and do. If this is your first trip to Paris, the lists below cover the main attractions and the most iconic things to do in Paris.

>> 50 Iconic Things to Do in Paris

>> Paris Checklist

>> Best Rooftop Bars in Paris

>> Best Cabarets in Paris

>> Top Things to Do in Paris at Night

>> Most Beautiful Covered Passages of Paris

>> Best Seine River Cruises in Paris

>> Famous Buildings in Paris

>> Famous Paris Landmarks

TIP: Check out the best Paris combo tickets , good combinations of 2-3 Paris tickets & tours that make you save time and money!

8. Paris Itinerary Planner

If you are planning a trip to Paris for the first time and need some inspiration for your Paris travel plan, these Paris itineraries for one day to a week will be helpful.

>> One Day in Paris Itinerary

>> Two Days in Paris Itinerary

>> Three Days in Paris Itinerary

>> Four Days in Paris Itinerary

>> Five Days in Paris Itinerary

>> Six Days in Paris Itinerary

>> One Week in Paris Itinerary

Layover in Paris

If your vacation includes a layover in Paris, it is possible to get a glimpse of what the city offers before your next flight.

If your top priority is to see the Eiffel Tower , it is possible to have a quick ride from the airport to the city center to check it out from your bucket list. Head here for the best ways to go to the Eiffel Tower from Charles de Gaulle Airport, or check out this article for the best ways to go from Orly Airport to the Eiffel Tower.

With a long layover in Paris , you can consider a short itinerary to see some of Paris’ main sites. Check out how to spend a layover in Paris , with some proposals for short itineraries and our best tips.

TIP: This Paris layover tour from the airport always gets the best ratings!   

9. What to Eat & Drink in Paris

When you travel to Paris, be sure to learn about French food in Paris and the best things to eat in Paris. If you’re not trying the food, you are far away from getting to know the culture. We have hand-picked our best food articles for this Paris Trip Planner 2024.

>> Paris Food Guide

>> Where to Eat in Paris

>> French Wine Regions near Paris

>> Famous Foods to Try  in Paris

>> Best Bistros in Paris

>> Best Cheap Eats in Paris

>> Best Parisian Cakes (born and perfectioned in Paris!)

>> Best Desserts in Paris

If you are looking for restaurant recommendations, this blog also lists the best restaurants in Paris by district .

10. Day Trips from Paris

If you have an extra day or two, don’t hesitate to go beyond Paris. Check out the ultimate list of best day trips from Paris , featuring historic cities, seaside towns, world heritage wonders, and adventures in the great French countryside.

Versailles is the most popular day trip from Paris. Home to the Kings of France between 1662 and 1789, the Palace of Versailles is one of the most important landmarks in French history, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage. The Gardens of Versailles are beautiful to see too! Check out our Versailles Quick Guide to get the most out of this wonderful place.

Disneyland Paris is a must for families visiting the French capital. Check out how to get from Paris to Disneyland Paris and this Disneyland Paris crowd calendar for the quietest days in Mickeyland!

For a more local feeling, there are many picturesque small towns near Paris very easy to reach by train.

11. Planning a Trip to Paris: Know Before You Go

Check out our Paris insider tips for your first time in Paris.

>> Most of the hotels and hostels in Paris offer free Wi-Fi for their guests. You can also get a prepaid SIM card for your trip, which will allow you to communicate with other numbers in France and keep you connected to the internet all the time. Here are the best prepaid SIM cards for France (and how to get them).

>> Paris is one of the most visited cities on this planet. In 2018, 17.95 million international overnight tourists visited the city mainly for sightseeing and shopping. Read how to avoid the longest lines in Paris’ main attractions .

>> The Parisian Metro is nearly 115 years old, the second oldest metro after London’s tube system! The metro now serves 6 million out of 10.5 million people in Paris. Learn how to navigate the Parisian metro with our Paris Metro Guide .

>> Arguably the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre Museum is also the biggest! Indeed, it would take 100 days to see all of the art in the Louvre Museum. Learn how to get the most out of the Louvre in 2 hours or less .

>> The Parisian style is simple, chic, and beautiful. Parisian’s motto is ‘Less is More,’ with a minimum of versatile and easy-to-combine items. If your Paris planning includes making the perfect packing list, check out our suggestions for men and women on what to pack and what to wear in Paris to blend in with the local crowd.

>> One week before leaving for Paris, check out this post about the Paris strikes 2024 . Just in case…

Consider a Paris Tourist Pass

Lines to visit the main Paris tourist attractions are guaranteed. Long lines. If you are planning a Paris trip and you want to visit most of its famous sights, you may want to consider a Paris Tourist Pass for you Paris trip plan.

The  Paris Museum Pass offers visitors direct access to 55 of Paris’s top attractions and museums in Paris. The Paris Museum Pass is available for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days. If your schedule in Paris is tight and you don’t want to spend your time waiting in line, the Paris Museum Pass is for you.

There are other interesting tourist passes for visiting Paris; check out our Paris Pass Comparison for the full list.

So there you have it, how to plan a Paris trip 2024 you’ll never forget. Go on reading this Paris travel blog 2024 for more information and the history and culture in Paris.

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About WORLD IN PARIS

Quirky parisian explorers with a preference for lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas and tips to bring you the best of the city of light read more about us ., we’re elisa, norbert, valérie, and cédric, four travel bloggers and friends living in paris. quirky explorers with a preference for the local side of our city and its lesser-known sights, we are continuously looking for new ideas to enjoy the best of paris & around . do you want to go beyond the louvre museum or the eiffel tower keep clicking for first-hand information & our best tips learn more about us.

I Go To Paris All The Time & These Are The Best Ways To Spend A Weekend

Between the Eras Tour and the Olympics, all eyes are on the City of Lights.

Paris is always a good idea — but particularly if you have plans to visit sometime in 2024. With a Taylor Swift tour stop and a Summer Olympics on deck for the City of Lights in the coming months, travelers from all around the world are flocking to this cultural mecca for a taste of the history, sports, arts, fashion, and more it has to offer ( Emily in Paris hot spots included ).

As a frequent visitor, I can’t blame fellow travelers for their Parisian wanderlust. Each of my visits to the French capital has carried its own distinct flair, a credit to the vast selection of sights and cultural experiences available in its 20 arrondissements (or neighborhoods).

It offers a rare sense of unhurried relaxation in a place where there is so much to do.

But the common thread that binds my time in Paris together is the feeling of true vacation, as it offers a rare sense of unhurried relaxation in a place where there is so much to do.

My most recent trip to Paris was thanks to a two-day layover before heading to the southern coast of France, so I donned my walking shoes for this 48-hour stint to make up for the days I would spend idly on the sand afterwards. Plus, with the Seine river walk at my fingertips, I’ve found the most effective way to see the city is on foot.

For the weekend warriors with a brief jaunt in fair Paris coming soon, here’s what I had on my itinerary, all for under $500. And don’t worry, I pencilled in time for you to end up “ in an alleyway, drinking champagne ” before Miss Swift sweeps you away to La Defense.

12:30 p.m.: Arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

For U.S. travelers, the easiest trek across the pond is a red-eye flight that lands the following afternoon. For me, this meant an 11 p.m. flight out of New York that landed around 12:30 p.m. in Paris.

I flew into Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) , one of two international airports serving Paris. While CDG is bigger and has more amenities, the smaller airport, Orly , is less crowded and closer to the city center by car. For either option, there is train service, known as RER B , that can get you from your terminal to the heart of Paris.

CDG travelers like me will need to purchase a ticket just outside the terminal for around $13. Orly fliers will have a quick transfer in between the terminal and the RER B via the Orlyval shuttle , which has a combined ticket price of around $16.

Train into Paris: ~$15

3 p.m.: Picnic at the Eiffel Tower

At first glance, it might feel slightly aggressive to hop off the plane and go straight to the most touristy attraction possible in Paris. But trust me, a picnic at the foot of the city’s most iconic sight is the least aggressive way to begin a whirlwind weekend chock-full of sightseeing.

While many Paris picnickers will go on a fromagerie (cheese shop), boulangerie (bakery), or farmers market adventure to curate the perfect spread, I opted to keep things simple after dropping off my bags by stopping by a nearby supermarket.

I grabbed the basics — a baguette, a wedge of brie, some strawberries, and a bottle of wine — before taking public transit (called the RER) away from my Airbnb in the 9eme arrondissement. Try to do the same near your hotel, as supermarkets near the Eiffel Tower prey on picnicking tourists with outrageous price markups.

If you decide to go the wine route like I did, find a screw-top bottle or remember a bottle opener, otherwise you’ll have to tip one of the wine sellers wandering around the Champ-de-Mars to open it for you). Besides that, snag a blanket and a glass from your hotel room, park on the grass for a few hours, and let that “Oh mon dieu, I’m in Paris” moment sink in as you take that first bite of your impromptu spread at the base of the Eiffel Tower.

For those itching to get those views from the tower itself , tickets will set you back $13-$20 for second-floor access, and $23-$30 for the summit. The views from up top, however, are worth the price point for a vantage point (aka IG-worthy view) over the city.

Picnic spread budget: $20

Transit to the Eiffel Tower: $3

Eiffel Tower access: $13-$30

6 p.m.: Walk along the Seine

The best way to get a lay of the land in Paris is by strolling along the Seine riverside walk . The waterway that slices the city in two gives idyllic views of the Louvre, Grand Palais, and more — if you’re willing to put in the steps along the way.

Luckily, a walk along the Seine can be as leisurely as you like, with dozens of restaurants and bars on the riverbanks to pop into if you get hungry. I was feeling particularly ambitious on my walk from the Eiffel Tower and took the almost 3-mile trek to the Île de la Cité , home of the famed Notre-Dame de Paris and Sainte-Chapelle churches.

After a brief glance at both facades, I ventured over to the Rive Droite (The Right Bank, or north side of the Seine) for dinner at Maison Maison . A glass of wine, a divine endive, apple, and walnut salad, and some beef empanadas set me back about $38, and the views at sunset over the river made the journey well worth it.

Depending on how far you wander (and where you’re staying), you can use the RER to get home, as there are ample stops peppered along the river. For the truly beat (like me), an Uber is easy to book in Paris, as well as cabs from G7 Taxis , which you can book through their app.

Taxis beyond G7 ones are fairly easy to hail near tourist destinations as well, though you will need euro notes on hand to pay, as they don’t accept credit cards.

Dinner: $38

Transit home: $3-$15

DAY 1 TOTAL: $121

8:30 a.m.: grab a coffee and a pastry from a nearby café.

No matter where you are in Paris, a coffee and classic French pastry are available on nearly every block you walk. I grabbed a café au lait (coffee with steamed milk) and pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant) from the nearest boulangerie to start my long day of sightseeing.

Breakfast: $8

9 a.m.: Get cultured at Paris’ myriad of art museums

One of the pinnacles of Paris’ cultural influence is its art , so you would be remiss to pass up a morning in one of its many famed galleries.

For first-timers with a mission of seeing the Mona Lisa , the Louvre is your obvious destination. This expansive museum has one of the most impressive collections of Renaissance art in the world, and one day here will only scratch the surface of all there is to explore within its walls.

Admission is currently 22 euros (~$24). Pro tip: Buy them in advance online .

For those with more of an Impressionist disposition, I’d recommend fitting two museums into your itinerary for the day in place of the Louvre. Your first stop, the petit but mighty Musée de l’Orangerie , boasts eight of the Crown Jewels of Claude Monet’s work: his large-format Water Lilies compositions . The enormous canvases cover over 2,000 square feet of the sun-soaked circular room where they live and are a must-see for admirers of the famed Impressionist’s collection.

Entry costs 12.50 euros (~$14), and I would recommend booking tickets ahead of time since they have limited daily entry.

Once you’ve had your fill of this collection, step outside for a quick stroll through the nearby Jardin de Tuileries ( a mainstay of Emily in Paris , for eagle-eyed fans). And if you feel like dramatically throwing your cellphone in a fountain à la Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada , the fateful Place de la Concorde is just steps away from the museum’s entrance.

Otherwise, venture over the Seine to your next stop: the Musée d’Orsay . Once Paris’ central train station, the Beaux-Arts-style building with its enormous arched ceilings is as beautiful as the art it contains. Its top floor houses the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the world, ranging from Edgar Degas’s ballerina sculpture , petite danseuse de quatorze ans , to Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone , a more tranquil precursor to his most famous work.

Entry is 16 euros when booked ahead or 14 euros at the door, setting you back around $16-$18 for your visit.

Museum entry: $24-$30

1 p.m.: Grab lunch at La Palette

If you’ve spent your morning in the galleries, you’ll probably be hungry around this time. Try to resist the urge to eat at one of the museum restaurants (they’re bland and very overpriced), and head to a nearby café like La Palette instead.

This brasserie is nestled on a quiet street in the 6eme arrondissement just past the Musée d’Orsay, and it features all the classics of French dining (moody servers included). But hey, it’s part of the ambiance, along with its ornate, mirrored dining room and wicker streetside seating.

The hero of my lunch was feeling plopped right into a storybook Paris, complete with chic locals sat to my right and a classic car parked on the street to my left.

An entree and a drink here will set you back around $30 — I went with the ham omelette and a glass of chablis — but the hero of my lunch was feeling plopped right into a storybook Paris, complete with chic locals sat to my right and a classic car parked on the street to my left.

2:30 p.m.: Go vintage shopping on rue Tiquetonne

Since this quick stint in Paris is about hitting the city’s greatest spots, my Saturday needed to involve a shopping stint. As much as I would love to stop by the Louis Vuitton flagship on the Champs-Elysées , the vintage scene in Paris was decidedly the more interesting (and cost-effective) choice.

Enter: rue Tiquetonne in the 2eme arrondissement , a short walk over the Seine from our lunchtime locale. The streets here are lined with fun vintage shops at an array of price points, from the massive (and wallet-friendly!) Episode to the remarkably curated Kiliwatch .

Those looking for a memorable souvenir, you’ll undoubtedly find your next favorite piece for your closet on this block — even if you’re aiming for a budget under $100 like I was.

Vintage shopping budget: $100

Transit back to the hotel: $3

7 p.m.: Grab dinner at FrenchParadox: Canard & Champagne

After an optional stop at your hotel to freshen up (and drop off your vintage finds), make your way back to the 2eme arrondissement for dinner within the Passage des Panoramas . This *ahem* alleyway is one of the oldest covered passages in Paris, named for the elaborate panoramic paintings lining the walls.

If you arrive before your reservation, feel free to pop into one of the many artisan shops housed within the historic market. Eventually, you’ll arrive at Canard & Champagne , which, as the name in English suggests, hosts a menu anchored in the classic French pairing of duck and wine.

While the à la carte menu offers a slightly wider selection with vegetarian options, the three-course prix fixe boasts a luxurious, duck-forward Parisian dinner with three champagne pairings for only 69 euros. With the prix fixe, I chose the duck fois gras, the duck breast, and the (I was told, unlimited) chocolate mousse, all of which were fantastic with their champagne accompaniments.

While on the pricier side of dining for this trip, it’s hard to argue with three courses — champagne included — for around $75 in the heart of the city. The service was also some of the best I had in Paris, with attentive waitstaff who gracefully tolerated my rusty French.

Dinner: $75

9 p.m.: Catch sunset on Montmartre

As you walk around Paris, you’ll often spot in the distance the white domed spires of Sacré-Cœur atop the summit of Montmartre. So, naturally, this is one of the best places in the city to watch a sunset.

Depending on when you roll out of dinner, your next stop will be either a 30-minute walk, a 25-minute RER ride, or a 10-minute cab north to the base of Montmartre. From there, you can either ride the funicular up to the top for 1.90 euros or save the two-euro coin by climbing its iconic steps.

From the top, you have an unbelievable view of Paris to share with with dozens of tourists and locals alike parked on the Sacré-Cœur steps. Often at sunset, live musicians will play for the crowd, while sellers will walk around selling bottles of beer for those interested. The camaraderie on the steps is quite charming and unique, making for a truly colorful close to the day.

Walking to Montmartre: FREE

10 p.m.: Grab a nightcap at Le Très Particulier

If you want to meander a little longer along the cobblestone streets of Montmartre before heading back to your hotel, this neighborhood is ripe for a nightcap. While my personal favorite spot, Lulu White, is sadly no more (RIP), you’ll find an equally delicious cocktail at Hotel Particulier’s ornate cocktail lounge, Le Très Particulier .

Soaked in gold trimmings with plush red velvet chairs, the space is decadent and fun with a cocktail menu to match. Cocktails range from 15 to 30 euros apiece (with a few mocktail selections as well), but after all, this is a nightcap, so it won’t hurt to treat yourself to just one.

Cocktail: $20

DAY 2 TOTAL: $266

9:30 a.m.: breakfast at a café.

For a final taste of the 9eme arrondissement, I left my Airbnb around 9 a.m. for breakfast around the corner. Most cafés will serve breakfast until about 11 a.m., with a streamlined selection of pastries, eggs, coffee, and other drinks. I treated myself to all the above, then took a stroll through the neighborhood, grabbing a last glance at the famed Palais Garnier opera house en route to my final stop.

Breakfast: $30

10:30 a.m.: Pop into a CityPharma for some French beauty essentials

The French beauty industry stands as a titan of the clean girl aesthetic , where extensive skin care and natural makeup reign supreme. So, I decided to wrap up my stay with a visit at one of Paris’s famed pharmacies to capture this “je ne sais quoi” in a bottle — literally.

Walk into any green-crossed “pharmacie,” and you can buy staples from La Roche Posay, Caudelie, and more French brands at a fraction of American prices. The viral Embroylisse Lait-Crème Concentré Moisturizer , for example, costs a mere 14 euro, about half the price you’ll snag it for at your local Sephora. La Roche-Posay’s cult favorite Cicaplast Baume B5 will similarly run you only $7 for a full size.

But the true holy grail of French pharmacies is the humble A313 Vitamin A cream , a retinoid that packs a powerful punch on wrinkles, fine lines, and general skin texture. With a $7 price tag, it’s no wonder that beauty experts stock up on this catch-all cream whenever they’re in Paris.

Pharmacy essentials: $50

12:30 p.m.: Head off on your next adventure

With a final adieu to your beloved home base to collect your bags, your weekend in Paris has drawn to a close. Whether you’re heading to your next destination by train or plane, the RER will be your best bet to the Gare du Nord or either airport.

Train to the airport: $13

DAY 3 TOTAL: $93

Total cost: $480.

Even in a bite-sized portion, Paris always seems to leave me satisfied with my time there. With so much to explore, the reality of not seeing it all makes me more hopeful for my next visit rather than sad to depart.

With so much to explore outside the city limits with Versailles and Monet’s Giverny home nearby — let alone the rest of France within reach — Paris seems to be the kind of destination you can’t just visit once.

Paris on a Budget: Discover 15 Cheap Eats

Eating well in Paris doesn't have to break the bank. Discover 15 spots that serve tasty cheap eats in Paris. Food choices include classic French dishes, burgers and pizza plus some surprises.

Paris has a reputation for being one of the most expensive food cities in the world. Considering the preponderance of Michelin-starred restaurants (more than 100 at last count) and expensive traditional dining rooms, this reputation has validity.

However, fine dining is just one part of the Paris food story. Another part of the story is an abundance of cheap eateries that transcend typical fast food and market fare.

Thanks to the variety of casual eateries in the city of light, you don't have to limit yourself to croissants for breakfast and grocery store staples for dinner. To be clear, there's nothing wrong with eating croissants and shopping at grocery stores. You just don't have to do that every day of your vacation.

Some of the best affordable restaurants in Paris serve classic French dishes while other serve global dishes associated with countries like China, Japan, Israel and Vietnam. Regardless of their menus, the best cheap Paris restaurants have one thing in common - a commitment to serving great food.

With a bit of research and some advance planning, Paris is a city where it's easy to eat well without breaking the bank. And the best part? Saving money on most meals justifies splurging on a special lunch or dinner. Maybe even two.

Our Favorite Cheap Eats In Paris

Eating cheap in Paris is nothing new.

Parisians have been eating on the cheap since bouillons were all the rage in the 19th century. While current Paris cheap eats options span the globe, bringing the world's best flavors to France, there's nothing like eating an inexpensive meal at a local bouillon.

So, it only makes sense to begin our cheap eats Paris exploration at three of the city's best bouillons.

Bouillons - The Original Paris Cheap Eats

Originally opened in the mid nineteenth century and named after the broth they served, bouillons earned their name by serving restorative dishes to the masses at affordable prices. In 1900, according to Wikipedia, nearly two hundred and fifty bouillons operated in Paris.

While there are fewer than ten bouillons operating in Paris today, the restaurant concept is experiencing a revival with new bouillons opening each year. These modern day bouillons serve all the classics from beef tartare to escargots in gorgeous spaces that convey the history and conviviality of the city.

We recommend starting your Paris cheap eats journey at a Paris bouillon. Whether you slurp a bowl of bouillon at a bouillon is up to you.

Bouillon Julien - Opulent Bouillon In The 10th Arrondissement

Bouillon Julien looks like it's expensive. It's not. It also looks like it's been around for centuries. That's not true either although its ornate century art-nouveau building dates back to the 19th century.

Painted nymphs, stained glass and mirrors adorn sea-green walls covered with sconces galore while floral tiles cover the floor. It all sounds incredibly gaudy and yet the result is beautiful.

Beyond its decor, Bouillon Julien's affordable menu attracts a mostly local crowd for lunch and dinner. Our lunch included a selection of French food favorites that started with 'garlicious' escargot and crab-filled tarama and continued with tête de veau and, of course, a bowl filled with bouillon.

Pro Tip: Bring your camera. Bouillon Julien's dining room is a stunner.

Bouillon Pigalle - Bustling Bouillon near Montmartre and Sacré Coeur

Bouillon Pigalle is the opposite of intimate with two sprawling floors and enough tables to accommodate 300 hungry souls. But, let's be honest, crowds don't queue for a romantic experience here. They come for the food - plates and plates of classic French fare served on the cheap.

After braving the aforementioned queue, we feasted on dishes like oeufs mayonaisse (boiled eggs slathered with creamy mayo) and steak tartare that rivaled versions we've eaten for twice the price. However, the highlight of the meal may have been a hearty serving of blanquette de veau (veal stew) served over rice.

Pro Tip: Save room for dessert. Our Baba au Rhum topped with chantilly cream was nothing short of delightful.

Bouillon Chartier - Historic Bouillon With Multiple Locations

The original Bouillon Chartier, located on Grands Boulevards, is the granddaddy of modern day bouillons. Open since 1896, the historic restaurant features a huge mirrored hall that fills with hundreds of guests every night of the year including Christmas. Per tradition, bills are hand-written on big sheets of paper that double as tablecloths.

Most guests don't care about Bouillon Chartier's history. They're also not looking for haute cuisine. Instead, they happily join the inevitable queue with the goal of eating simple French food for ridiculously low prices. We achieved this goal during our visit since our dinner cost well below 20 euros each.

While we know chefs who consider Bouillon Chartier to be destination dining, we can't say we loved our meal or that it's even our favorite Paris bouillon. We're still glad we ate there and recommend it to budget travelers looking to dine at a famous Paris restaurant with over a century of history inside its walls.

Pro Tip: Consider eating early or late to minimize your wait time for a table.

Cheap Restaurants in Paris That Serve French Food

A traveler could hypothetically spend a week or longer in Paris without eating any French food. This sounds crazy but it's especially true for budget travelers. However, this approach would be a shame since French food in Paris is some of the best food in the world.

Eating at bouillons is one way to get around this potential faux pas. But it's not the only way. Read on to discover some of our favorite French food hacks in Paris.

Small Plates With Big Flavor At Billili In The 10th Arrondissement

Let’s talk about rillons. “What are rillons?” you ask. Ok. We’ll tell you.

Rillons are cubes of cooked pork. The rillons we ate at Billili, hunks of smoked and slow cooked thick artisan bacon, were a revelation. With their peppery crust, they reminded us of Katz’s pastrami but with pork. It’s fairly rare that a restaurant can get that pastrami seasoning right but Billili nailed it. The melt-in-your-mouth texture was great too.

Ok, now that we’ve gotten rillons out of the way, we need to talk about Billili, the wonderful wine-slinging little brother of Les Arlots, one of our favorite bistros in Paris, that's located just a couple blocks from Gare du Nord on the western end of the 10th. This arrondissement's reputation may precede it but, as we discovered in the last few years, the area, which some have described as “seedy,” is one of Paris’ most exciting areas to eat.

Billili isn't just one of our favorite wine bars in Paris, it's also remarkably affordable too. Dishes, like artisan saucisson on a small baguette, are listed on a blackboard menu. We especially enjoyed Billili's wonderful vitello tonnato, garnished with briny capers and spade-like pickled caper leaves. We also loved Billili's creamy brandade and the crisp biological wine that washed it down.

Pro Tip: Not hungry? Go simple and order the terrine. It's dense, tasty and ample enough, with a little bread, for a filling lunch.

Crêpes And Galettes At Breizh Cafe (Multiple Locations)

Originally from Brittany, Chef Bertrand Larcher opened his first Paris crêperie in the Marais where he serves a full menu of sweet crêpes and savory galettes as well as oysters sourced from Brittany's Cancale. That crêperie is Breizh Café.

Breizh Café's menu separates its savory galettes into four categories - classics, 'complètes', house specialties from the sea and house specialties from the farm. The restaurant uses organic eggs and sources ingredients like buckwheat flour and andouille sausage from Brittany.

We ate two. One was topped with mushrooms, scrambled egg, ham, Comté cheese and onion confit and the other with a sunny side up fried egg, Comté cheese and andouille. Maybe next time we'll try a sweet crêpe and call it dessert.

Pro Tip: Pair your Breizh Café galette with artisan cider produced in Brittany.

Socca At Chez Alain Miam Miam In The 3rd Arrondissement

Socca is another French dish with roots outside of Paris. In this case, those roots are in Nice. But, as is the case with crêpes, it's possible to eat socca without taking a multi-hour train ride.

Located inside the Marché des Enfants Rouges, Chez Alain Miam Miam serves a range of French street foods that includes grilled sandwiches stuffed with proteins like pastrami and trout as well as cheese and veggies. But, if you're like us, you'll want to order a socca here. Made with chickpea flour, each socca is a crispy treat that's a great cheap eats option for vegetarians as well as for carnivores like us.

Pro Tip: Bring a canvas bag if you plan to shop at the Marché des Enfants Rouges before or after you eat socca at Chez Alain Miam Miam.

Global Paris Cheap Eats

Eating global cuisine in Paris seemed like a novelty twenty years ago. Today, global food is not only easy to find in every arrondissement, but it's also hard to beat in terms of both affordability and flavor.

After eating falafels during our first trips to Paris more than a decade ago, we're on a mission to expand our global food footprint every time we visit the city. These are some of our favorites global cheap eats in Paris:

Falafels At L'As Du Fallafel In The Marais

L'as du Fallafel is a must-visit Paris destination for budget travelers, kosher travelers and vegetarians. Although we don't fit into any of these categories, it was love at first bite when we ate late night falafels at the classic Marais spot back in 2010.

Since we didn't take photos of our food back then, at least not good ones, we enlisted our niece Olivia Fink to snap a shot of her loaded falafel for this guide. Wow! Her pita stuffed with fried chickpea patties, hummus, cabbage, eggplant and spicy harissa makes us hungry to return.

L'as du Fallafel offers both French and Israeli wines along with a full menu of Middle Eastern street food favorites. However, if your goal is to keep the bill down, you'll want to skip the platters and pass on wine.

Pro Tip: Don't plan a Friday dinner or Saturday lunch at L'as du Fallafel. Although the falafel shop is open seven days a week, it closes for Shabbat.

Chinese Dumplings And Salads At Ravioli Nord Est On The Edge Of Belleville

Raviolis Nord-Est has become legend for cheap eats hunters in Paris.

A plate of dumplings (or raviolis as they're called in most Latin languages) is still in the single digit euros, at least for now. Are the dumplings, which can be ordered fried or steamed, so special that they’re worth a special trip to Paris? We heartily say no. But recently, in a city where inflation is beginning to rear its ugly head, Raviolis Nord-Est remains a cheap eats spot worth seeking out.

Don't get us wrong. These dumplings are very good, made by hand with fresh traditional ingredients like pork, cabbage, beef, chicken and mushrooms. The fried ones we ate, cooked with precision, had brown crispy edges like you would expect from a Paris kitchen. We just don’t believe that these dumplings are so unique to Paris especially considering the quality Asian food that’s available all over the USA, especially in NYC .

Ravioli Nord-Est's cold salads are another story. These colorful flavorful cold appetizers, like the peanut salad and the salad of shredded cold potatoes that we shared, scream Paris with their colorful assortment of beautifully cut vegetables and surprisingly piquant flavors.

Pro Tip: Weather permitting, grab a table in Ravioli Nord-Est's outdoor seating area. It will place you in touch with the restaurant's neighborhood on the edge of the 10th arrondissement, adjacent to Belleville.

American Fast Food Classics At Janet By Homer In The Marais

Paris is fun for its blend of old and new. For every Chez Georges and Robert et Louise, there’s a place like Janet by Homer where Parisians use their super coolness and artistic vision to imagine new spins on classic food. In this case, the gussied up food involves American fast food favorites like hot dogs and pastrami sandwiches.

Marais lobster roll slinger Moïse Sfez started at a street stand before he opened his first shop, Homer, in the Marais in 2018. Now Homer, which we eagerly want to try next time we visit Paris, has grown into a worldwide entity with multiple locations in Paris and additional spots in Saint Tropez and Dubai.

Janet, which was named after Sfez’s grandmother, has only one location, for now, on bustling Rue Rambuteau in the Marais. It's a fun family-friendly spot that's ideal for a late afternoon bite after a day of touring Paris' streets and museums.

We liken Janet to a retro New York lunch counter like S&P (formerly Eisenberg’s) with its indoor counter, and three outdoor tables. We got the bargain-priced formula which came with a sandwich and hotdog plus a side of corn on the cob and a drink.

The hot dog, featuring house made sausage and served in a brioche roll loaded with perfectly diced toppings, was excellent. The pastrami sandwich, more reminiscent of corned beef due to a moderate level of pepper spice and less smoke, was served on toasted rye bread with whole grain mustard and a slice of pickle. As for the corn, it was cooked to look beautiful as things are in Paris with slightly charred kernels and a flurry of sparkling sea salt on top.

Pro Tip: Janet by Homer is listed as kosher friendly. We assume that it's not strictly kosher but, hey, it’s in the Marais so there’s that.

Chinese Noodles And Soup Dumplings At La Taverne De ZHAO (Multiple Locations)

Giant bowls of hand torn noodles populate every table in a room where Xi'an meets Paris. However, La Taverne de ZHAO isn't some Sino-French mashup. The cuisine here is pure Chinese (or, as their website says, 100% Chinese.) This is what happens when Chinese noodles meet French sensibilities and we have just one question...

Could their bowls be any bigger and where can we buy a couple?

As you would expect in Paris, everything at La Taverne De ZHAO is cooked with precision from karage-style fried chicken that’s served with a blistered crust, resultant crunch and juiciness to torn Biang Biang noodles that are surprisingly ‘piquant’ for France. That piquancy makes us wonder if the French tolerance to of chili heat has gone up a bit.

More on the noodles which had a nice chew without being overly starchy. Daryl thought they were better than NYC's Xi’an Famous foods. While both are local chains, Zhao serves its Xi’an-style noodles in a way that's more appealing because... Paris.

Pro Tip: Don't skip Zho's soup dumplings. They’re quite good though you’ll find better versions at Din Tai Fung or Joe’s Shanghai as well as in Las Vegas and of course in Shanghai. But, that being said, we’ve never eaten a more beautifully presented xiaolong bao than the ones we ate at Zhao.

Ramen At Kodawari Ramen (Multiple Locations)

Based on France's kinship with Japan, eating Japanese food in Paris makes perfect sense. At least that's what we told ourselves while queuing for ramen at Kodowari Ramen on a dreary May day. Sure enough, even in the rain, a line snaked out the door at one of the city's hippest ramen shops. After a 30 minute wait, we were in Parisian ramen land.

Our reward? Textbook bowls of ramen prepared with Japanese techniques and French ingredients. Vegans get their own soup with Pumpkin Paitan Ramen vibrantly served with bright, beautiful slices of pumpkin floating in a cep mushroom oil enhanced vegan broth.

Pro Tip: End your meal with a homemade dorayaki for dessert. While we're not huge fans of the sweet golden Japanese pancake sandwich and found Kodowari's version to be a bit dry, there's something classic and beautiful about ending a meal with a well-crafted disc emblazoned with Japanese letters.

Israeli Food At Maafim In The 2nd Arrondissement

Israeli food is making its mark all over the world. The Holy Land's food is all the rage at spots like Ottolenghi in London , Zahav in Philadelphia and Shaya in New Orleans . As expected, Paris has joined the Israeli food party with restaurants like Maafim, a casual eatery/bakery with a simple menu. A hill of challahs greet visitors who walk into the cheerful 25-seat space each weekday.

We began our Maafim meal with a pretty plate of Salmon Tataki and a tasty sweet potato soup topped with croutons. Next up was Maafim's "Salade de Fallafels" - golden brown orbs of chickpea topped with a creamy dressing, fresh herbs and vegetables.

We finished our meal with a wonderful 'Shwarma Sandwich' - airy white bread filled with grilled vegetable 'shwarma' topped with dabs of tahini sauce. This dish is a great option if you're looking for inexpensive but tasty vegetarian food in Paris.

Pro Tip: Make a reservation at Salatim if you want to explore more of Chef Yariv Berreby's food in a bistro setting.

Burgers With Attitude At PNY (Multiple Locations)

Hoards of customers flock to PNY every day to eat solid burgers at the popular Paris chain. What they get is more of a hybrid - somewhere in between a thicker smashed patty and a super thick pub-style burger. As for us, we got two Paris burgers.

Loaded with bacon, English cheddar and "beignet d'oignon" which sounds so much classier than onion ring which is what is was, Our Return of the Cowboy burger was the winner of the two. It was also a solid upscale interpretation of a Wendy's baconator.

Pro Tip: Check the menu before you order since each PNY menu features a signature burger. The Oberkampf burger is called Found Dead in Mexico and comes with melted cheddar cheese, fried peppers, spicy pepper jam, iceberg lettuce and mega death sauce.

Pizza At Popine (Multiple Locations)

Mindi loves pizza. Daryl loves the idea of Parisians making pizza. So, it was inevitable that pizza made the cut on our autumn Paris agenda. Deciding where to go eat it was the only question. Contenders included Grazie, Peppe and Popine.

Naples native Gennaro Nasti opened Popine in 2016. Channeling his Neapolitan roots, the award-winning pizzaiolo boldly serves Italian pizza to a Parisian clientele. He sources many of the pizzeria's ingredients from Italian producers in Compagnia and Emilia-Romagna .

During our dinner, we opted for a pie topped with four types of Italian tomatoes. Although it reminded us more of pizza we've eaten in Verona than our favorite Naples pizzas , we happily ate every bite until the colorful pie was gone.

Pro Tip: Order Italian wine unless you're more in the mood for an Italian cocktail .

Pho At Song Huong In The 13th Arrondissement

The Vietnamese may have forcefully eliminated the French from what was then Indochina in 1954 but, at least culinarily, the two countries will forever share a kinship.

Once we decided to eat Vietnamese food in Paris, we knew that pho would be our meal of choice. In a bowl of pho, broth and herbs speak French while rice noodles scream Southeast Asia. We found Song Huong just a five-minute walk off Place d'Italie and, with it, a cool Parisian take on the Vietnamese food favorite.

Song Huong's Pho Entrecote Dac Biet, a sizzling beefy broth served with a side of pho rice noodles and bright red thin raw slices of entrecôte topped with fresh herbs, is a show stopper. We think all pho should be served like this.

Pro Tip: Start your meal with a plate of banh cuon. A breakfast choice in Vietnam, this dish features wide sheets of rice noodles with Viet cold cuts, crispy fried shallots and nuoc cham sauce for dipping.

Read the original article at 2foodtrippers .

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More From Forbes

Paris olympics 2024: the most expensive ever prepare for medal-worthy prices.

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The Olympic rings on the esplanade of Trocadero facing the Eiffel tower.

Among studies analyzing the costs of the Jeux Olympiques in Paris this summer, there are vast differences, many showing that the event overall will be the most expensive in Olympics history and others claiming precisely the opposite.

That said, there’s widespread agreement that the prices paid by spectators, sports fans and tourists between July 26 to August 11 in the City of Lights—glittering in its splendor for the world’s premier sports event—will “appropriately” experience an Olympic-style increase for tickets, housing, food and transportation, not to mention the costs of getting into the most in-demand sports competitions.

“Beer, chips, condoms, wine are among many products whose sales will explode during the Olympic Games,” writes Le Parisien . “According to a study on the impact of the Olympic Games on the sector, the challenge is significant for restaurateurs, businesses and large brands located in the host cities.”

Le Point adds coffee, sodas, chocolate bars, cookies, pizzas and snacks to the list of items that will shoot up in price due to “extremely strong demand for ‘pleasure products’ that are among the great classics for sports events.”

Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, lights the torch during the ... [+] flame-lighting ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics Games at the ancient temple of Hera on the Olympia archeological site, birthplace of the ancient Olympics in southern Greece, on April 16, 2024. Photo by Aris MESSINIS

The Best Romantic Comedy Of The Last Year Just Hit Netflix

Apple iphone 16 unique all new design promised in new report, rudy giuliani and mark meadows indicted in arizona fake electors case, hotels and other accommodations.

Let’s hear from the French consumer’s association UFC-Que Choisir : “If we suspected that hotel prices would increase in Paris during the Olympic Games, we could not imagine that it would be to such proportions!”

A study by the organization reviewed 80 establishments—mainly 3- and 4-star—located near the opening ceremony that will run for several kilometers along the Seine river in the heart of the capital. The analysis revealed an average increase of 226% requiring at least two nights, with some demanding at least five nights to book any lodging. “In fact, in this configuration, the night costs €391 on average,” the study finds. “The average number of nights imposed was 3.4.”

Hotels in 3- or 4-star chains such as the French Ibis charge €400 to €700 a night for a basic double room with Wi-Fi and breakfast, compared with €90 to €200 in normal times. At more upscale places, prices skyrocket to €1,500 a night compared to the normal average of €300.

A 3-star hotel, Hôtel Des Marronniers in the 6th arrondissement, for example, charges €5,600 for a week for two adults, while a one-bedroom apartment near the Eiffel tower runs a cool €6,o38, also for a week, according to Booking.com.

Even at “less expensive” accommodations on the outskirts of Paris and beyond the city’s limits, the average price can get close to €400 a night.

“Be ready for sticker shock,” warns the New York Times . Citing the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, the paper reports that “the average cost of a one-night stay in the Île-de-France region that rings Paris is about €700 during the Olympics, compared with €169 last summer.

“Many hotels have doubled or tripled their typical summer rates (think an average of €1,000 a night instead of €300), and some have even quintupled them.”

Most hotel reservation sites use the yield management technique, which raises or lowers prices according to customer demand.

With close to 15 million visitors expected for the Olympics, the outsized demand for accommodations has not just enabled hotels to seriously jack up prices. At self-catering options such as Airbnb the increases have also been astronomical.

Since the influx of visitors will exert considerable strain on public transportation, many workplaces and offices are telling staff to work from home, which translates into the possibility of escaping from the congested city during the games and renting or subletting their places at a premium to take advantage of the boom in demand.

The average price for the Olympic dates via Airbnb have blown past €500 a night.

For a small apartment that normally costs €90 a night, the Airbnb’s algorithms suggest a price between €200 et €250.

According to several French publications, the number of ads for rooms and apartments to let is exploding. “In certain neighborhoods, the surge in prices is spectacular: ‘I have a friend in République to whom the Airbnb algorithm suggested a price of €540 per night for his small one-bedroom apartment,’” writes Euronews.

“Between the metro ticket cost being temporarily raised to €4 to face the influx of tourists (it normally costs €2,15), and the Paris region president Valérie Pécresse advising locals to work from home for the Olympics’ duration, many intend to use some of their five weeks of paid time off to leave Paris in July and August.

“For those who can’t escape the French capital, those two weeks when the Olympics are on, followed by another two for the Paralympics, might be a nightmare.”

Israel's Daria Atamanov performs during the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championship, qualifiers for ... [+] the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,. Photo JOSE JORDAN

Will Prices Descend?

For some analysts, the overflow of offers can have a cooling effect on prices.

Hotels keep some rooms until the last moment, and prices could come down when they release them. There’s always the possibility of over-supply, with too many residents wanting to jump on the exorbitant-fee train for accommodations and thousands of new offers coming online every day, which could also dent extravagant pricing.

But...don’t count on it. Given current trends, it’s safer to believe that high prices will persist—and not just applied to accommodation. Already this month, prices at restaurants, cafes, museums and other venues have started to climb. Data point: Last week, a friend and I paid €12 for a cappuccino at a nice café.

Protests and criticism have been directed not only at the expensive hotel prices but also for metro tickets, cultural event ticket prices and increases in various tourist-related taxes.

In a call early in the year for the families of athletes to be given priority by the games organizers, Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics and chief organizer of the 2012 London Olympics (and himself an Olympic track gold-medalist), said that the Paris Games would be "the most expensive edition for both international federations and fans...We have to accept for all sorts of reasons that Paris will be the most expensive Games.”

Old-style sign of the Paris Metro Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA

Trasportation And More

The Paris Metro, bus, tram and RER suburban trains will double in price during the Olympics.

“If you’re planning to be in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, investing in a transport pass could save time and money,” Euronews advises.

A special Transport pass allowing unlimited travel to all Olympic and Paralympic venues across the city, as well as to and from Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, is on sale as a physical card now and will go on sale in app form in mid-June at €16 for a single day and €70 for a week.

Cycling, and walking are being promoted as better alternatives. Over recent years, Paris has been marking new bicycle lanes, adding 55 miles to the 270 miles of existing routes. The city’s bike rental program known as Velib is adding 3,000 bikes to the 22,000 currently available.

As for flights, the New York Times reports that “round-trip airfares to Paris are already starting to creep up. Nonstop flights on Expedia.com from New York to Paris start at around $1,300 the weekend before the Olympics, up from an average of $1,000 last summer. Generally, travellers can get the best airfare by booking 60 days out.”

Those fares are expected to creep up as the dates of the games come closer.

According to Thrillist , flight searches have increased by 60% for the Olympics dates compared to searches for the same period in 2023. Their recommendation is to avoid the “absolute mess that is likely to befall Charles de Gaulle airport” and fly into another major city in Europe that has trains to Paris.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games ticket sales website on a laptop and mobil phone. Photo by Alain JOCARD

Do you have your tickets?

The official goal of the Paris Olympics organizers was to make them the People’s Games, equitable and accessible. Tickets for the different events have been released according to plan .

Prices change from event to event. But for the spectacular and greatly anticipated opening ceremony, for example, they can go from $98 to almost $3,000. Most of the 100,000 seats have already sold out.

In fact, for the opening ceremony and most blockbuster competitions, tickets have become practically inaccessible and are available only through costly special packages, with opening-ceremony access ranging from €5,000 to €9,500 per person.

Such special packages through the Paris Games’ official partner, On Location , include, for example, one at €8,660 per person featuring eight nights accommodation at a 3-star hotel and tickets to rock climbing competitions, while a deluxe deal at €21,105 includes five nights at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Versailles and tickets to the opening ceremony and equestrian events.

Crowds pleasers such as women’s artistic gymnastics finals and men’s 10-meter-diving special packages start at €1,799 and €875 respectively.

Around seven million tickets have been purchased since sales began nearly a year ago on the official Paris 2024 ticketing website .

Most auctions for tickets have already occurred, but you still have a few more opportunities.

Ticket deals for large-crowd competitions including matches in Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Saint Etienne and Lille featuring French football and basketball teams begin at €30.

There are also openings for the Paralympics Games that run from August 28 to September 8.

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Where to fly on a budget this summer

Airfare experts share their forecasts for summer vacation destinations that won’t break your budget.

This summer is shaping up to be another scorcher , and the demand for summer travel is piping hot, too. If early 2024 trends are any indication of what’s to come, “it’s looking to be busier than 2023,” said Katy Nastro, spokesperson for the flight booking site Going . Recent airport passenger volume numbers have regularly exceeded last year and pre-pandemic levels.

Jeff Klee, CEO of CheapAir.com , says airline capacity has rebounded from pandemic complications, but strong travel demand means summer flight prices can be high, depending on when you’re hoping to go. Flying in June, July or early August will be more expensive than later in the season, according to the company’s summer forecast .

“And it’s not just the airfare,” Klee said in an email. “Expensive hotel rates and crowds everywhere make Western Europe tricky for the summer.”

Despite the price tag, “people are going to go,” said Melanie Fish, the head of global public relations for all Expedia Brands, including Vrbo, Expedia and Hotels.com . “When we look at searches for destinations, they are definitely up year over year.”

For popular destinations like Europe , Klee and Fish say to push trips later into August, September or even October. Not only will prices soften, but you’ll alleviate some of the strain of overtourism .

“My number one tip is go ahead and take that summer vacation, but maybe hold on to take that big, big trip in September,” Fish said.

According to Expedia’s summer 2024 travel outlook , we’re currently in the sweet spot for shopping for early summer flights at the best rates, as Fish says lower fares tend to pop up 21 to 60 days out. It doesn’t hurt to start your search even earlier, setting up price alerts to flag when airfare drops. If you can swing it, look to fly on a Monday for international trips or a Tuesday for domestic trips to save up to 15 percent on fares, Fish added.

It’s not impossible to find good deals on airfare, whether you’re looking for a tropical beach trip , a mountain adventure or a vibrant city. Here are places that are trending cheaper — and the destinations you’ll want to avoid.

Go to Mexico

Sun, surf, culture, chilaquiles — Mexico is always a good idea , but particularly so this summer. With the opening of the new airport in Tulum , U.S. airlines have been adding gobs of new flights to Mexico, particularly to beach regions. “We’ve seen a healthy amount of deals down to Mexico resort areas like Cancún,” Nastro said.

Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner , says three Mexican cities — Cancún, San José del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta — are among the top 10 destinations offering travelers the best bang for their buck in 2024.

To escape the summer heat, Phyllis Stoller, president of the Women’s Travel Group , recommends high-altitude destinations like Mexico City or Ixtapan de la Sal, a town near Mexico City with thermal springs.

Avoid European port cities

If you’re considering a visit to a popular European city that’s also a cruise hub, beware. Not only will you be battling the usual summer crowds, you’ll be joined by thousands of day-trippers flooding into the ports — meaning Barcelona, Venice , Athens and Santorini.

Sandra Weinacht, who co-owns the tour company Inside Europe Travel Experiences , says you can avoid some of the madness in these hot spots by staying in neighborhoods away from the typical tourist zones. You can also visit top sites in the late afternoon or evening, after cruise travelers have returned to their ships.

Better yet, wait to visit until the shoulder season

Go to Colorado

Epic hiking, breathtaking nature and more craft beer than you could ever try in a lifetime: The Centennial State is a domestic gem. Ashlee Collins of Inspirato , a luxury travel and lifestyle subscription service, says Vail is popular among members this summer. Not only is the ski resort beautiful sans snow, it’s drivable for many, cutting a significant cost for travelers.

Airfare to Colorado is looking more reasonable than other domestic vacation hubs. Nastro recently spotted a Miami-to-Denver, round-trip fare over the July Fourth holiday for just $199. She says an average round trip from major U.S. cities is running between $173 and $250, but those prices are expected to climb upward of $350 the closer we get to summer.

Avoid places at risk for wildfires

Wildfires have become an unfortunate fixture of summers in the Northern Hemisphere. Last year’s fires in Europe — including those in Cyprus and Greece — were among the worst so far this century, the European Commission reported .

Stoller says fire risk has been a factor in her summer travel planning; she nixed a New England cruise after remembering how bad smoke was last year because of the fires in Canada . “None of us can predict everything, but that would be something I would be aware of,” she said.

Extreme heat is also an issue. Last July, Southern Europe experienced excessively high temperatures from a “heat dome.”

“There’s a concern about heat,” Stoller said. “Last summer was really painful.”

Go to the Caribbean

The Caribbean has its peak tourist season during the winter, when Americans flock to warmer waters. That means summer trips to the region tend to be quieter and cheaper.

“You can go under $300 to pretty much all of the islands: Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican Republic,” said Lindsay Schwimer, a consumer travel expert at Hopper . She’s seen similar price point flights to Colombia.

Lindsay of Skyscanner also said Puerto Rico and the Bahamas offer some of the most affordable flights from the United States this summer.

Avoid Paris

Unless you’re going for the Olympics , skip the French capital this summer.

“Paris is always a top destination in the summer, but this summer … it’s going to be on another level,” said Madison Pietrowski, head of U.S. brand at GetYourGuide .

Not only are hotel prices high, “we’re seeing that some of the top attractions like the Louvre have raised their ticket prices,” Pietrowski said.

Nastro says the crowds are going to be “bananas” during the Games, and not just in Paris. Olympic travelers are likely to add on other French destinations to their trip, like Nice — which will host soccer games — or the Côte d’Azur, which already gets popular in the summertime.

Even if you try to get ahead of the rush by visiting before the July 26 start date, you may still have some Olympics-related headaches in the French capital. As the city races to finish prep, “you might find that there’s going to be eyesores and scaffolding and loud noises early in the morning,” Nastro said.

Go to rural Europe

Interest in Western Europe has not slowed down, and Americans are expected to surge back en masse this summer. If you’d like to avoid them, put rural European destinations on your radar.

Weinacht is bullish on Spain’s Rioja region , the Basque countryside and the central Italian region of Umbria, which borders Tuscany but does not see the same levels of tourism. She’s also a fan of Carinthia, the least-populated state of Austria. “It is castle- and lake-dotted, doesn’t get too hot, and oh, the food and stories the cities and villages can tell,” Weinacht said in an email.

Weinacht says she’s been getting more requests from Americans for trips to her homeland, Germany. The country is easy to navigate with its high-speed trains, and offers a mix of small and big cities spread across powerhouse wine regions, UNESCO World Heritage sites and many food festivals . According to Skyscanner, airlines in the United States have been increasing their flights to Germany — namely, Frankfurt, an international business hub — meaning you may be able to find more deals.

Avoid Sicily and Amalfi

If your dream Italian destination has been featured on TV lately, that’s a red flag. The last season of “The White Lotus” spurred an interest in already popular Sicily ; the same is happening to the Amalfi Coast thanks to the new Netflix miniseries “Ripley.”

“They’re really going to be the most expensive and they’re going to be pretty crowded for the summer,” Schwimer said.

Where to go

Our favorite destinations: These 12 destinations are at the top of our wish list for where to go this year, without crowds. In 2023, we explored an Alaskan bear paradise, Brooklyn’s famous pizzerias and a hidden gem in Italy, among other highlights .

Travel like a local: Residents share their favorite places in our top city guides: New Orleans , Rome , Tokyo and Mexico City .

National parks: This comprehensive guide has details on all 63 U.S. national parks. For a deep dive into five of the most well-known, you can listen to the Field Trip podcast . Then explore tips from locals for visiting Yosemite , Glacier and Everglades .

Tales from the road: Dolly Parton has opened a new resort at her theme park complex in Tennessee, while “Fixer Upper” stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have a new hotel in Waco . Road-trippers may be just as excited to see the cartoon beaver at Buc-ee’s , and bargain-hunters should consider a stop at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Ala.