Paris Trip Costs: Is it Expensive to Visit? Best Budget Tips

Everybody loves Paris, including us. The French capital has a cultural symbol and status that not many other cities can even hold a candle to. It oozes class, cuisine, and art. And with a slightly gritty chip on its shoulder, it has a real personality that challenges and stimulates millions of visitors a year.

Whether you take a day trip to Paris or stay for a week, you’ll take astounding views of landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. You’ll sample delicious cuisine and peer through the bars at the only vineyard in Paris, or check out the eerie Catacombs before sightseeing the Louvre Museum after hours. There’s so much to do and see. With that in mind, it’s no wonder you are wondering about the cost of your trip to Paris. Is Paris expensive to visit?

In this guide, we’ll answer exactly that. How much you spend on your Paris vacation depends on whether your travel budget is low, mid-range, or luxury. To help you arrive prepared, we’ll give you a budget for each category. After 5 trips to Paris, I think we know what we are talking about.

Accommodation Costs in Paris

There’s no denying it; accommodation in Paris can get a little steep. And if you aren’t just taking a day trip to Paris, there’s no avoiding this major cost.

The thing is that there’s just so much novelty to be had in Paris. With landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, there’s no wonder that you have hotel rooms at $1,000s of dollars a night. But with that said, if you book far enough in advance, the French city does come into its own in the mid-range department.

The average hotel room price in Paris is around $130 a night, which is reasonable compared to the rest of Western Europe. The issue is more in Paris’ popularity; it’s a victim of its own success in the sense that modestly priced rooms sell out quickly. It is such an iconic city that it tempts people towards more expensive accommodation in the name of “landmark views.” You can see how it built up a reputation as being costly.

It’s also worth noting that hotel prices vary depending on your desired location. If you want to stay in the city center, your total accommodation cost will inevitably be higher. However, you’ll save hundreds if you’re happy to stay on the outskirts and take a “day trip” 20 minutes or so by Metro into the city center. The 14th Arrondissement, 10th Arrondissement, and 13th Arrondissement are all outskirt neighborhoods that offer more moderately priced accommodation.

Budget Accommodation

The one frustrating aspect of budget travel is trying to cut costs on accommodation. There are many mid-range affordable places to stay, but—and we hate to be the bearers of bad news—there is nowhere near the amount of true budget accommodation in the city center. Accommodation is almost guaranteed to be the biggest factor in your trip to Paris.

With that said, if you’re willing to try hostels in Arrondissements further out, you could have a winner. You swap a traditional hotel room for a dormitory setup and get access to communal areas like a kitchen, reducing your spending on food since you can store and use groceries. Check out some of the following options:

What About Getting There? Flying To Paris Cost

Of course, your largest budget factor will be actually getting to Paris. Depending on where you’re flying from, it could cost anywhere from $40 to $1,000, so we’ll give you a few different examples in a second. Knowing the general airfares is handy when calculating your trip to Paris cost.

You need to know that the main airport in Paris is CDG Airport (Charles de Gaulle Airport), which is a short ride on public transport from the city center. It is a large airport with direct flights all over the world. While flight prices rise in peak travel season, you can expect reliable services with some of the most competitive rates in Europe.

As a quick note, though, for those traveling within Europe, hit pause for a second. Did you know that Paris has some pretty strict rules on taking short-haul flights when you have overland alternatives? Research train routes before booking short flights within mainland Europe.

Transportation Costs in Paris Once You Arrive

Transportation costs in Paris aren’t going to break the bank unless you take a private taxi everywhere (which, by the way, isn’t even efficient because Parisian traffic sucks). The most effective way to get around is on foot or by Metro. The Metro offers tickets at just a few euros for a single trip, so you can get around using public transportation for barely any money. Metro stations, including Charles De Gaulle Airport connections, are all over the city.

Paris has straggling suburbs, but its main tourist area is super compact. You are never more than a 20-minute Metro ride from other attractions, and really, you can walk everywhere if you stay centrally.

If you’re planning a day trip, like heading to the Palace of Versailles, you may use other forms of public transportation. Paris has a great bus and train network connecting it to other cities and attractions. Car rentals are also possible, but not for the faint of heart, as Paris is notoriously chaotic for driving. If you don’t believe us, just Google a picture of the Arc de Triomphe roundabout.

In this section, we’ll break down the costs per transport type, giving you a final summary of a suggested transportation budget for each travel style.

Metro

The Metro is the best way to get around Paris, costing only 2.10 euros for a single ticket. There are Metro stations all around the city, and it’s a realistic way to complete your ideal Paris itinerary. With more than 380 stations, you’ve got so many options. The Metro stays open until just before 1 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting tickets is super simple; ticket machines at every station take cards or cash. Alternatively, you can book multi-day tickets for unlimited travel. These machines and Metro carts are always crowded in tourist areas. Still, the effect of safety in numbers is great for deterring crime. Just be wary of your pockets, especially during peak hours.

The Metro is an excellent form of public transportation that can be used to save money.

Train

Gare du Nord is Paris’s rail hub. While trains are not used to get around the city itself, they can be used to make the most of public transport to other nearby big cities. From Paris, you can catch the train to Lilles, London, and even cities like Rome. You can also take day trips to places around North France.

All tickets are available to buy at Gare du Nord’s machines, and it’s a great way to avoid car rentals (more information below). It’s a sustainable and cost-effective way to utilize public transportation for a perfect trip to Paris, including day trips.

Car Rental

Okay, a word on car rentals. For most of you, renting a car is an absolutely awful idea. Why? Because traffic is appalling in Paris, the roads are stressful, and public transportation is faster and cheaper.

Now, we realize that sounds strongly worded. So, what’s the exemption to the rule? A rental car could be helpful if you’re a very confident driver, used to tackling European cities, and are planning multiple-day trip adventures. Or if you’re planning on road-tripping through Europe after visiting Paris. If that doesn’t apply to you, hop straight on to find out what to budget for Paris trains and Metro services.

Food Prices in Paris

It makes sense that you’ll have a large food budget when visiting Paris. It is a hub of world-renowned cuisine (we love French food) and is literally known for this. Whether you’re getting brave with snails or biting down on colorful macaroons, you’ll love the food in Paris. So how much food and drink should be allocated from your main budget?

In short, it is person-dependent, so we’re tackling this from a three-travel type angle. Even if you just take a day trip to Paris, sampling the delicious cuisine will be a priority. It’s safe to say that there are a few places to try lovely food. In this section, we’ll give you the rundown on budgeting for food in this beautiful city.

Cost of Activities in Paris

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, chances are you’ve already got a list of the iconic landmarks and exciting museums you want to see. The Mona Lisa, Notre Dame Cathedral, Seine River, Louvre Pyramid, and Eiffel Tower are all located in central Paris. So it’s no surprise that visitors allocate a large budget for sightseeing.

There are Paris-based activities to suit all budgets, and there are just so many museums. For those on a budget, you can enjoy free activities, including hidden gems like beautiful parks, or just sightseeing Gothic architecture from landmark exteriors rather than paying to go inside. Those on a mid-range budget can factor in things like a Seine River cruise when they visit Paris. While those on a luxury budget have things like cabaret performances, elaborate tasting experiences, and skip-the-line museum tickets.

When it comes to cost, even a standard three-day Paris itinerary it varies massively depending on the individual. That’s why we’re going to split things into our favorite three sections: budget, mid-range, and luxury.

Total Cost: What To Budget for a Weekend in Paris

You’ve sat tight and figured out which budget section works for you in each category. You know which budget you need for accommodation, food, activities, and transport. The real question now is, how does each budget type add up? What’s the overall cost of a weekend in Paris for someone on a tight budget, a mid-range budget, or a luxury budget?

We’ve got a final summary of what to budget for a weekend in Paris.

Top 5 Ways To Save Money in Paris

Of course, just because these are the average costs of a trip to Paris doesn’t mean you have to accept them as the given. There’s so much you can do to reduce your trip’s cost. It just depends on how much research you want to do beforehand.

For those of you who are in a rush and need quick, efficient information, we’ve got you covered. We’ve whittled down all of our favorite money-saving tips to just five ways to save money in Paris. You’ll notice some serious reductions in costs just from these handful of important ideas. Here are some rough ideas for you.

1. Eat Outside and Dodge the Sitting Fees

Did you know that Paris restaurants often charge a surplus for sitting down inside? It is like the coperto system in Italy. However, instead of having an entire name and category for it, you’ll just notice a sneaky cover charge or service fee added to your bill.

The best way to avoid this is to sit outside or stand at bars for alcoholic drinks and coffee. Check the menu for any mention of sitting fees or service charges, and even better, find takeaway lunches and drinks.

2. Remember City Museums Are Free

3. Create Your Own Walking Tour

Everyone knows that exploring cities on foot is cheaper. One fantastic way to reduce the cost of your trip to Paris is by creating your own walking tour. With some research beforehand, you can create a loop around the best iconic landmarks in Paris. For instance, you could walk from Notre Dame Cathedral to the Louvre Pyramid, through the Garden of Tuileries, to the terrace overlooking the Tour Eiffel.

You can pick your own route, depending on your fitness level and interests. Do some research or screenshot some information about each stop beforehand so that you can read the information as you stand in front of it. It’s a fun way to be independent and stick to a budget in Paris while still learning. It’s also a compact city, so you won’t struggle.

4. Be Tactical With Accommodation

Accommodation is one place where you can save serious money. We recommend that you get tactical with your accommodation, such as choosing a self-catered option or a walkable location.

A good tactic is to go for a hotel that includes breakfast. If you can wangle breakfast included, then you’ll be able to approach your days with more flexibility. It’s always harder to save money when the first thing on your mind is, “Where on Earth shall we get breakfast.” This way, you can grab a quick takeaway lunch while sightseeing – giving you more time to find the best deal, not the closest solution. A hungry stomach can really blind you to budget (don’t worry, it happens to the best of us).

5. Buy a Paris Pass

A Paris Pass is a super savvy way to save money while visiting. This digital pass is downloaded onto your mobile, and you can use it to access over 85 attractions for free across Paris, including the Louvre. There are even cheese and wine tasting experiences included. Two-day passes start at around $150 per person, so see how much you’d be spending and weigh up whether it’s a good option for you.

If you aren’t under 26 years old and an EU citizen, it’s a good choice. However, you don’t get free museum entry, and that can quickly rack up. A Paris Pass is an excellent option for those who don’t fit that category.

Do you feel even more inspired to save money in Paris? Not to worry, we’ve got an entire guide on ways that we save money while visiting Paris. It’s kind of “our thing”, so head over there for some extra tips and tricks.

*Planning for the Paris Olympics*

The Paris Olympics are ever-looming. The Olympics are running from the 26th of July 2024 to the 11th of August 2024, with millions of tickets on sale. The whole city will be on manic action for the duration of the sporting celebrations and festivities, with many of the major landmarks closed or booked out.

If you plan to visit the Olympics, you must be savvy. There could still be time to book hotels, tickets, and attractions, but you’ll need to be quick.

Paris sells out at the best of times, so if you travel during the Paris Olympics, you’ll face fierce competition for literally everything.

Our advice? Don’t travel during the Paris Olympics if you want a normal Paris experience and aren’t interested in sports. The pay-off just isn’t worth it, and you’ll spend so much more money than you usually would. You don’t want to be forced into more expensive hotels just out of necessity, and you certainly don’t want to miss out on sightseeing.

Either book in advance and stay extra savvy. Or pick alternative dates to travel, as a trip to Paris cost will easily triple during this period.

Visiting Paris Cost: FAQs

Are you feeling more informed about your trip to Paris cost? If you’re anything like us, knowing what you can expect for your money is handy guidance.

How much does a meal cost in Paris?

A sit-down meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $20 per person in Paris. However, you can keep this under $10 if you stick to water, takeaway paninis, etc. On the flip side, a fancy three-course meal for two people will cost a minimum of around $80, so prepare a hefty budget if you like fine dining.

Is Paris more expensive than New York?

Paris is slightly cheaper than New York, which has more expensive accommodation and tipping demands.

Is Paris expensive to eat and drink?

Paris can be expensive to eat and drink if you choose tourist trap spots and sit-down meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you’re savvy, bagging includes breakfast at your hotel and grocery lunches, so you won’t find Paris as expensive for food and drink.

Is Paris more expensive than London?

Paris is on a par with London. It has similarly expensive accommodation, with a few options to cut prices by staying outside the main touristy areas. The same goes for food and drink. Both cities offer a balance of free and paid activities as well.

So, Is Paris Expensive?

Based on our experience, Paris can be an expensive city, especially when compared to other European cities. And why shouldn’t it be? You’re visiting one of the most beautiful and intense cultural environments in the world, so you should be able to quickly rack up a huge budget. Whether you book round-trip flights to Paris from the US in peak season or splurge on front-row Crazy Horse tickets or a luxury room overlooking a landmark, Paris can get expensive.

However, where people go wrong is thinking that there’s no flexibility. Just as Paris is an easy place to spend money, it’s also an easy place to save money.

Knowing what to expect from each budget category (budget, mid-range, and luxury) is half the battle. A little research goes a long way to calculating a trip to Paris cost that works for you. And with our tips and tricks to save money, you can make your dollars go a long way. We hope you have an amazing time visiting Paris – whatever your budget.