who said going to the “City of Love” has to be expensive and cost an arm and a leg? here is our selection of the best suggestions for going to Paris on a budget.
There’s no doubt that Paris has long been regarded as one of the top European travel destinations that you simply have to check out at least once in a lifetime.
Nicknamed the “City of Love” and the “City of Lights”, not only is it an extremely romantic destination but Paris is bursting with renowned Parisien landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, and the Sacre Coeur to name a few, and is sure to captivate the imagination and hearts of all that visit.
The Sacre Coure dominates Montmarte
It is no wonder the French playwright and novelist, Honoré de Balzac, once wrote in a quote about Paris, “Whoever does not check out Paris frequently will never really be elegant.”
Apart from being an all-around outstanding city to explore, Paris is sadly known to be notoriously expensive to check out compared to other neighbouring European destinations.
Thankfully, there are plenty of useful suggestions and ideas described in this guide to help you get the most bang for your buck.
Whether you plan to check out Paris for a weekend, or longer, here is a list of our top suggestions on how you can plan your trip and travel to Paris on a budget!
Table of Contents
Getting To and around Paris on a Budget
Dining Out on a Dime in Paris
Sightseeing & Activities
Paris budget Accommodation
Paris Doesn’t have to break the Bank
Getting To and around Paris on a Budget
Getting around Paris doesn’t have to be an expensive headache. despite its credibility as one of the busiest cities in the world, there are plenty of cost effective ways to explore its streets.
Paris Airports
Whilst many international flights will likely arrive at Paris’ international Charles de Gaulle airport, the city is also home to several smaller airports including Paris Orly and Paris Beauvais.
Not only is Orly and Beauvais both simpler to navigate thanks to its size compared to Charles de Gaulle, but if you’re flying from another European destination it may be worth the effort to compare flights to these airports as they do tend to work out cheaper.
Various inexpensive carriers such as RyanAir, Vueling, and EasyJet all operate routes in and out of both Orly and Beauvais.
Metro
By far the cheapest, easiest way of moving through Paris is through the metro. The service runs each day (including public holidays) and tickets currently cost €1.92 each per trip, including all connections.
You can also purchase a booklet (“carnet”) of 10 tickets at a decreased price of €16. especially useful if you plan to travel around by metro quite a bit.
Though figuring out the different lines and services takes some time to get used to, mastering it will make your life so much easier. services run, on average, every two minutes – ensuring you’ll never be late for your day out.
Perhaps our top suggestion for getting around Paris on a budget is to avoid taxis and cab-hailing services as much as possible. Not only is the traffic bad in Paris (which will add to your fee), but some chauffeurs are reported to take advantage of tourists by charging them extortionate fares or travelling through various detours in purchase to extend the trip.
Bus
The sprawling City of love has plenty of bus routes running through it.
In total, there are 64 bus lines running from the northernmost areas of the city best down to the banks of the River Seine. As is the case with all buses, the destination and number of the route will be displayed above the drivers’ area.
Buses are far much more cost effective than taxis and offer a better look at the city. You can use the same metro tickets on the bus services too, but take note that here one ticket is per journey and does not include any connections.
If you’re in a rush and you want to cover as much sightseeing ground as possible in a short space of time, you can choose an open-top hop-on hop-off bus trip and get to know the history behind the grand city and see all the major sites along the way.
Walk
Though it may sound obvious, walking around Paris won’t cost you a penny. The city is known for its well-known promenades, and if you’re confident in your surroundings, you’ll be able to spend the day traversing through the renowned streets of Paris.
Dining Out on a Dime in Paris
Paris, and France in general, is well-known for its rich, hearty, and tasty food. despite French gastronomy’s credibility as being outrageously expensive, it’s certainly possible to eat well in Paris on a shoestring budget.
By using common sense and goodobservation, you’ll certainly be able to delight in tasty meals in Paris.
Cafès
Cafès in the centre of Paris is popular for their steep prices. To help save money, objective to check out cafès outside the city centre and away from the traveler areas.
Find local cafes and hidden gems by wandering through the side streets and alleyways and you’ll likely find a far less expensive alternative.
Another terrific suggestion is to check if the hotel, hostel or house you’re staying in provides totally free breakfast or coffee in the morning. It will save you a few Euros compared to purchasing your preferred hot beverage from a nearby cafe!
As is customary across much of Europe, tipping is not necessary, and you don’t have to leave one if you’re on a budget.
Though it is, in general, good practice to suggestion servers, especially if you’ve encountered terrific service, the tipping culture is not the same as it is in the U.S.A., for example. You may opt to leave one or two Euros as a show of thanks.
Restaurants
Dining out can cost a chunk of change when travelling, so you’ll want to keep these suggestions in mind when deciding on your next meal in Paris.
One of the best apps you can download and use throughout various cities across Europe is “The Fork”. You can browse hundreds of restaurants, some of which offer discounts of up to as much as 50% off when you reserve a set timeslot.
It’s a incredible way to save loads off your restaurant bill whilst not skimping on good quality meals. note though that these discounts typically apply to the main dish and typically excludes drinks and set menus.
Wine is also notoriously expensive in Paris. Don’t be persuaded into purchasing a bottle with your meal, and purchase it by the glass instead. You’ll save a pretty penny and be able to delight in all the tasty wine, too!
Cook for Yourself
My final suggestion for eating in Paris on a budget if staying in an house or self-catering lodging is to head to your nearest grocery store to stock up on goodies to cook at home. This will typically cost a fraction of the price.
Or, purchase some fresh baguettes, some wine, and a few snacks at the local store and indulge in a picnic in a Parisien park, no doubt saving even much more on a lunchtime meal.
Sightseeing & Activities
Visiting Paris doesn’t have to be expensive. With its plethora of cultural activities and distinct attractions, there’s plenty of cost effective (and even free) top things to do in Paris.
Museums
The Musèe d’Orsay is regarded as one of the best and many well-known art museums in the world. featuring well-known works by artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, the museum is a must-visit whether you’re an art lover or not.
The Musèe d’Orsay alongside other popular museums such as the Musée d’Art Moderne, and the Pompidou Centre offer totally free admission on the first Sunday of every month.
Of course, there is a whole host of other extraordinary totally free museums to check out in Paris, some of which are totally free each day of the year. Be sure to plan your schedule in advancement and take full advantage of these.
The Basilique du Sacrè-Coeur is a spectacular marble church located in central Paris providing extraordinary views out over the city from its much-photographed cascading steps.
Completely totally free to visit, this church looks splendid at night due to the network of floodlights surrounding its perimeter. You’ll typically find couples outside having their picture taken against the church’s spectacular backdrop.
The Louvre is the most well-known museum in the world. featuring breathtaking works of art by generations of artists, this wonderful museum is cost effective to check out despite its huge crowds. If you’re under 18 years of age or between 18 and 25 years and a legal local of the European economic Area, then you too can acquire totally free access to check out the Louvre.
Parks
Paris boasts numerous stunning lush parks for you to unwind in. One noteworthy park is the Parc des Buttes Chaumont – the steepest park in the city.
It may be hard work to get to, but the spectacular landscape makes it worthwhile. featuring birds, trees, plants, and a man-made waterfall – it is regarded as the most stunning park in Paris.
Another well-known park is the Parc Monceau. In years past, various writers, singers, poets, and politicians have graced this illustrious park. The landscape also inspired numerous paintings by Monet and there are dozens of life-like statues dotted around its grounds.
Parks are a terrific way to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city.As already mentioned, if you fancy eating outside, then take a packed lunch or picnic and save money.
Canal St Martin
This romantic canal has been featured in hundreds of books, films, and paintings and is (of course) completely totally free to visit. The canal’s romantic and picturesque appearance makes it ideal for sunset check outs where you can relax, read a book, and view the world go by.
La Promenade Planteè
This meandering walkway used to be an elevated railroad track. Now, it’s a 4 km platform that provides spectacular views of the city and beyond. objective to check out here on a clear day and you’ll be able to see for miles on end.
Festivals
Paris’s rich history and worldwide fame bring a lot of activity to its streets. From June’s Fete de la Musique to July’s Bastille Day celebrations, to October’s La Nuit Blanche, there’s plenty of totally free festivals and events taking place all year round.
Top Tip: join one of the totally free walking trips in Paris to get your bearings in the city, learn about the history and find out about the best places to eat and drink. find out much more here.
Paris budget Accommodation
Regardless of whether you’re searching for the ideal Paris Airbnb, hostel, or hotel to stay in, there are hundreds of low-cost places to stay in Paris and you don’t have to spend a fortune to book a romantic hotel during your stay.
The less expensive lodging does tend to be outside the city centre, but it is certainly possible to find a room in the heart of the action.
☞ SEE ALSO: how to spend a ideal weekend in Paris
Cheap Hotels
Our top suggestion for saving money on lodging is to do your research. It’s easy to purchase into pre-packaged deals or an overpriced room in the centre of Paris, but with some moderate research, you’ll be able to land an affordable, good quality room in Paris that won’t cost a fortune.
Here are some good options for low-cost hotels and hostels in Paris. Each one is safe, secure, and an absolute bargain.
Generator Paris
This snazzy hotel was an office block in its past life. located in the district of the 10th Arrondissement, you’ll be close to various Parisian attractions and be within walking distance of hundreds of cafes, bars, and restaurants. despite its expensive Art Deco appearance, a night here is extremely cost effective and ideal for those on a tight budget.
Hotel du Champ Mars
The conventional hotel du Champ Mars is an attractive, minimalist hotel located under 1 km from the renowned Effiel Tower.
Despite its extremely good location, you can still bag a good deal at this hotel if booking well in advance, at a fraction of the cost compared to other central Paris hotels. Clean, professional, and inviting – this is one of the best budget hotels in Paris.
Mama’s shelter Paris Hotel
There aren’t numerous budget hotels in Paris with a rooftop bar, but Mama’s shelter is pleased to buck that trend. With its distinct architecture and trendy rooms, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve just crash-landed in an upmarket hotel. Its location in the gentrified Belleville Quarter is a terrific bonus, too.
Try An Airbnb or house style Accommodation
Of course, you can always opt to get an Airbnb or apartment-style lodging during your stay in Paris.
Though the market is really competitive, they’re much less expensive than conventional hotels and you’ll have the extra autonomy on deciding where you stay.
Have a look at Airbnb here.
Paris Doesn’t have to break the Bank
With so numerous totally free and budget options available for travellers in Paris, the city really doesn’t have to be excessively expensive. having said that, if you do have the opportunity (and your bank account allows), make sure to indulge in the incredible food and wine, and check out the world-class museums — you won’t regret it! delight in your trip to Paris.
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