Looking to visit Paris on a budget? You’re not alone. Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, beloved by travelers across the globe for its historic landmarks, fabulous food, chic fashion houses, and more. It’s also one of the most expensive cities in the world. In 2020, Paris became the most expensive city to live in, tied for first place with Zurich and Hong Kong.
Of course, savvy travelers know that travel doesn’t have to be expensive. Paris is no exception. Here are the best ways to visit Paris on a budget and create enchanting memories in the City of Light.
Accommodation
Embrace the Parisian Lifestyle in a Vacation Rental
Vacation rentals are a popular alternative to traditional hotel rooms, and for good reason! Not only do they generally offer more space for less money, but they are also a great way to enjoy a more authentic Parisian experience. Explore local bistros and cafes, cook meals at home, and even do your laundry if you like! Vacation rentals offer many of the comforts of home at a great value. Rentals aren’t for everybody, of course, but there are plenty of ways to save on a traditional hotel stay as well.
Related Post: Perplexed in Paris: Impressions of a First-Time Airbnb User
Save Up to $65 Off Your First Airbnb Booking!
Try Your Luck With a Mystery Hotel
Mainstream hotel booking sites like Expedia and Hotwire offer hotel booking with a twist. Instead of choosing a hotel and booking a room, you have the option of booking a mystery hotel for a reduced rate. The name of the hotel is revealed only after you complete the booking. Simply enter search parameters like price range, general area, amenities and guest rating, then choose a mystery hotel that matches your requirements. You help the hotel fill its rooms, and in return, you get a discount on your stay! For an over-planner like myself, this is a fun way to inject a little spontaneity and risk into vacation planning, and in my experience, it generally pays off.
Head Away From the City Center
Confession: I generally choose my hotels based off their proximity to the places I’d like to visit. Translation: I have stayed near the center of Paris on all of my recent trips to the city. My personal preference is to spend a little more in exchange for improved walkability.
I can tell you from experience that hotels do tend to cost more in the city center. By searching on the outskirts of the city, budget travelers can save some serious cash for sightseeing, dining, and endless cups of espresso. A quick and efficient metro system makes it super easy to travel all over the city. Trendy neighborhoods like Canal St-Martin, Belleville, Montmartre and Oberkampf are a bit removed from the city center, but have no shortage of fun bars, restaurants, and galleries.
Roll the Dice on a Last-Minute Booking
For those who aren’t afraid to gamble, you can save some serious cash by booking at the last minute with companies like Hotel Tonight. Rooms can be booked up to 100 days in advance, with prices at their lowest in the week or so before your stay. I don’t recommend risking a true last-minute booking during busy tourist seasons, but it cannot be denied that this is an incredible way to save on accommodation. If you find a great last-minute airfare deal and just need to find an affordable hotel to seal the deal, check out Hotel Tonight for some serious savings.
Save on a Vacation Package
Vacation packages are a terrific way to save money by combining airfare, accommodations, transportation and even sightseeing activities all in one convenient bundle. You can literally save hundreds of dollars by booking everything at once. Some providers, like Expedia, even give buyers the option to pay for their vacation in monthly installments, easing the burden of purchasing everything at once.
Transportation
Take a Hike
Paris is a city that needs to be experienced on foot. From the stunning architecture to the shimmering Seine to the heavenly smell of espresso and bread, this is a city that demands the use of all five senses. Go on foot as often as possible, and save the metro rides for longer journeys across the city. You’ll save some cash as well! My recommendation? Use the money saved and spend it on pastries instead!
Skip the Airport Taxi
A one-way taxi from Charles de Gaulle into the Paris city center will set you back €60. To save big-time on airport transportation costs, try these alternatives.
- Take the RER-B: this train line runs directly from the airport to several major stops in the center of Paris, including Gare du Nord, Châtelet les Halles, and St Michel/Nôtre Dame. Once in Paris, you can walk or catch a connecting metro train to your final destination. A one-way ticket costs €10.30 and can be purchased online in advance or at the airport station. Keep in mind that if you have a lot of luggage, you will have to haul it up and down stairs at the metro stations.
- Take the RoissyBus: Depending on your destination, the RoissyBus shuttle service is another excellent transportation option. The bus travels from CDG directly to the Paris-Opéra station in the center of Paris, just steps away from the Palais Garnier. One-way fare costs €13.70.
Save on a Carnet of Metro Tickets
The Paris underground metro system is recognized as one of the best train networks in the world. It is convenient, efficient, and decently-priced at €1.90 for a one-way journey within the city center, including transfers to other lines as needed. All those one-way tickets add up quickly, however, if you use the metro exclusively. To save on ticket costs, buy a carnet of ten individual tickets for €16.90. These tickets can also be used on the city busses.
Enjoy a Scenic Ride on the Vélib’
While wandering around Paris, you’ll likely see banks of grey bikes docked in every arrondissement. These are the Vélib’, electronic bikes that can be rented from and returned to any docking point in the city. Biking is a great alternative to walking or navigating multiple transfers on the Metro. If you only have a few hours in Paris, a bike rental offers a convenient, affordable, and scenic way to travel directly from one destination to the next.
Sightseeing
Save Time & Money with the Paris Museum Pass
There are two major sightseeing passes in Paris: the Paris City Pass, and the Paris Museum Pass. Both pose an incredible value to anyone who plans on visiting more than a couple of paid monuments and museums. Simply choose a ticket type and length of visit, and enjoy some of the city’s top attractions included in the cost of the pass. Visit as many places as you like, as often as you like, and stop stressing about whether you have money left for yet another museum. You may even enjoy shorter queues at some places! Some very well-known attractions covered by the Paris Museum Pass, for example, are the Arc de Triomphe, Chateau de Versailles, towers of Notre Dame, and the Louvre.
I reference the Paris Museum Pass in probably 90% of my Paris-related posts, because it is just that good. I even wrote a review on it to encourage people to take advantage of this prime money-saving opportunity. Read the Paris Museum Pass review here for a full breakdown of the City Pass vs. Museum Pass, purchase options, and how to determine if the pass will be a good value for your sightseeing preferences.
Visit on the First Sunday of the Month
Almost every museum in Paris offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month. See the full list of included museums here. EU residents aged 26 or under also gain free entry at any time of the year.
Research Free Things to do in Paris
You’ll likely be surprised by the number of things you can do in Paris without spending any money at all. Most churches are free to enter, including the city’s most popular attraction, Notre Dame de Paris! Throw in gardens, flea markets, city-hosted museums and more, and you may not have to spend a dime (er…Euro) on admission fees. To get you started, I wrote a list of 25 Incredible Free Things to Do in Paris.
Dining
Skip the Fancy Restaurants
Look, I am all for dining out in Paris. With over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants and a well-deserved reputation as one of the greatest gastronomic cities in the world, Paris is a city best experienced with your taste buds. The thing is, you can eat well in Paris without spending a ton of money. Instead of dining in restaurants for every meal, try buying picnic ingredients from a grocery store, grabbing sandwiches or crêpes à emporter (to go), or cooking meals at home whenever possible. I promise you that a picturesque picnic along the Seine will likely be more memorable than an overpriced meal at a packed restaurant on the Champs-Élysées.
Here are some ways to save when you do dine out in restaurants.
Order From the Prix-Fixe Menus
Many Parisian restaurants offer a limited flat rate menu known as a formule, especially around lunch time. With this option, you can order from a limited selection of appetizers, main courses, and/or desserts for a filling, delicious, and affordable multi-course meal. On our most recent trip, for example, I enjoyed a starter of terrine and cornichons followed by duck and potatoes for €22. On a previous trip with my family, we had lunch at a crêperie where we each ordered a savory crepe, dessert crepe and beverage for around €10 per person.
Order Tap Water at Restaurants
Water at French restaurants is generally not free like it is in the U.S. It is typically priced by the bottle. Your server may ask if you prefer still water (l’eau plate) or sparkling water (l’eau gazeuse). To avoid paying extra for water, ask instead for a carafe de l’eau, or tap water. While on the go, you can also purchase water bottles in grocery stores and refill them for free at the green Wallace Fountains scattered all over the city.
Take Advantage of Hotel Hospitality Hours or Breakfasts
Everyone knows that choosing a hotel that offers complimentary breakfast is an easy way to save some cash while traveling. Less well known is this: many moderately-priced hotels in Paris also offer some kind of happy hour or hospitality hour in the late afternoon or early evening. You might find anything from pastries to cheese to wine, all included in the cost of your stay!
For example, we recently spent one night at the Hôtel Augustin – Astotel, which offered a mini fridge full of free beverages and snacks in our room, and a free selection of snacks available in the lobby all day long. As guests of the hotel chain, we also had unlimited access to the snacks and lobbies of the other 16 Astotel properties within Paris.
It’s Time to Vacation in Style
Don’t spend your hard-earned vacation time stressing over money. Armed with these money-saving tips, you can make the most of any trip to Paris and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Did you find this guide helpful? Want to ask a question, or offer some more budget travel tips of your own? Comment below, and let’s start a discussion!
Leave a Reply