We all know Paris isn’t exactly known as a budget friendly city, but I am here to tell you that it most definitely can be! By following a few simples steps, I’m going to show you how to visit Paris on a budget.
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This is probably the biggest piece of advice I have for making Paris affordable. Hotels are notoriously expensive and there are so many amazing Airbnb options in Paris. My husband and I stayed in an adorable studio in the 15th arrondissem*nt and we paid less than $500.00 for six nights.
This goes along with the tip above. Odds are the Airbnb you stay in will have a fully-functional kitchen. Having access to a kitchen in a place like Paris will beinvaluable in your efforts to save money. You will be able to stop by a market and pick up groceries and cook instead of dining out for each meal. You should definitely indulge in plenty of fresh baked bread, cheese, and wine, but being able to cook some of your meals will drastically reduce the amount of money you spend.
Visit Museums on Free Days
Museums are one of the best things about Paris, but they can get expensive if you are having to buy tickets for multiple museums. Several museums in Paris are free on a particular day of the week. The Louvre is free on the first Saturday of every month and Musee d’Orsay is free on the first Sunday of every month. National museums are always free for all persons 18-25 from the European Union with proof of identity. In addition to free admission many museums offer reduced rates on certain evenings. Check specific museum websites for exact dates and times.
*If you want to visit any museum on a free day, be prepared for lots of crowds.
The subway system in Paris is very easy to navigate and much cheaper than using arideshare service. Our Airbnb was about a 6 minute walk from one of the stations on the 12 line and we used it almost every day. The ticket machines have options for multiple languages so you don’t have to worry about not understanding French. My only advice about navigating the subway system in Paris is to always know which station is your final destination. There are some stations that have multiple tunnels that will funnel you to the right train, but you need to know which direction you are going in. The easiest way to determine that is to just know which station you want to get off at. It might sound confusing, but I honestly found the Paris metro easier to navigate than the NYC metro. Oh, and not all trains have automatic doors. If you are on a train that has a lever on the door then that means it’s not automatic and you have to manually open the door.
Plan Ahead
Above all else, plan ahead. If you have already booked your trip to Paris, then odds are you are completely aware at how expensive it can be. Start saving money a few months before your trip. My husband and I do this before every trip we take and I can’t recommend it enough. Also, do some basic research of things like food costs, subway ticket prices, etc. so that you can have a general idea of how much money you might need per day. This will help you get a budget in mind.
Did you find this ‘How to Visit Paris on a Budget’ post helpful? Should I right more posts dedicated to budget tips? Let me know in the comments!
What are some things you do before a trip to help you get prepared? Tweet me {@michele_aaron} and let me know. If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me an email!
If you want to read more about Paris, check out my post on the best photo locations in the city.
AVERAGE DAILY SPEND BY REAL TRAVELLERS IN PARIS: €82 (£68). This reflects what everyday travellers tend to spend in Paris. Think mid-range – most of the major attractions, a few cab rides, maybe a big night out, and a bit of shopping on the side.
If you want the best of the best, aim for $300-520 per day (assuming you eat at Michelin restaurants a lot). For 2 people for a 5-day trip to Paris expect to pay about $250 per person or $500 for two. For those doing a low-cost Paris trip, aim for $140 per person or $280 per couple during that time.
For a week trip to Paris, budget around €100-150 per day for accommodation, meals, transportation, and activities, totaling around €700-1050 for the week. Adjust based on your accommodation preferences and planned activities. Don't “bring” anything but your ATM card, and a credit card for big expenses.
As long as you don't get caught up in 'designer' shopping - you should be able to have quite a bit of fun on 500 euros. If your hotel is already paid for and the 500 euros is just as you say for food and fun, absolutely. This has been covered many times on the forum, with even less money noted.
The best time to visit Paris is from April to June and from October to early November when the weather is pleasant and the tourist crowds are thin. However, the cheapest time to visit Paris is early December, January, and February as these are considered off-season due to the harsh winters Paris faces.
To avoid looking like a tourist, you'll want to know what to wear in France. Our advice? Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes.
In supermarkets, bakeries and cafés, the price of croissants varies between 85 cents and 1.10 euros. When we asked passers-by to taste the selected croissants, the croissant sold in cafés at 1.10 euros was the most successful.
Around €5 is the price for a take away one baguette sandwich. Baguettes vary from 75 cents in the supermarket to up to €2 depending on the artisan boulangerie. However, many are around the €1,25 mark through France, with some even cheaper.
But if you only have three days, this itinerary hits all of the highlights of the city and beyond!! If you don't have 3 days in Paris, 2 full days is the absolute minimum I would recommend for Paris. You won't be able to see and do it all, but you can still hit the major sites in 2 days.
So, to sum it all up, for a 2-night and 3-day trip to France as a budget traveler, you can expect to spend around $800 to $1600. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates and actual costs may vary depending on your travel style, activities, and other expenses.
Introduction: My name is Terence Hammes MD, I am a inexpensive, energetic, jolly, faithful, cheerful, proud, rich person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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