trip to paris on a 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 Jan 2, 2015 and updated Mar 31, 2024.

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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. 

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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.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

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:

• Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

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

Where To Stay In Paris – Best Neighborhoods To Suit Your Travel Style

Is Paris Expensive to Visit? Trip Costs And Budgets

20 Best Museums in Paris To Visit in 2024

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!

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

Apr 3, 2024

26 comments

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 .

Search hotels in Paris

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 ]

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26 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.

Will prices go down after the Olympics?

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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Visiting Paris on a budget: 17 ways to save money in Paris

Posted on Last updated: March 19, 2024

Explore Paris on a budget with this guide to 17 of the best ways to cut your costs in the French capital, from discounted museum entry and free tours to cheap Paris transport and low-cost viewpoints.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

Its boulevards, bistros, world-class museums, galleries and architecture have made Paris one of Europe’s most visited cities. It’s one of my favourites too, and I’ve visited more than anywhere else. But with fantastic restaurants, shops and wine bars on every corner, as well as entrance fees to all those museums and attractions, prices soon start to add up.

So can you still enjoy Paris if you’re trying not to spend too much money? I think so – and this guide features 17 cheap and free things to do in Paris on a budget to make the most of the city without a big price tag. They feature everything from discounted entry to its best museums and free city tours to low-cost lunch deals and discounted transport.

Things to do in Paris on a budget

1. Join a free walking tour

If you’re visiting Paris on a budget, a free walking tour is a great way to get your bearings and learn about the city’s history. I’ve put together free self-guided walks (with maps and directions) for some of my favourite Paris neighbourhoods – Montmartre , Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Marais – as well as a walk around Paris’ film and TV locations .

If you’d rather have a guide, Paris Greeters are local volunteers who offer free walking tours. You just need to put in a request via their website, ideally a few weeks in advance.

Or several different companies offer free walking tours, where you just tip your guide (€10–€15 is suggested). Discover Walks , Sandeman’s New Europe Tours and City Free Tour all run a mix of general sightseeing and Montmartre, Marais and Left Bank neighbourhood tours. They range from 90 minutes to 2.5 hours and most run every day.

2. Explore Paris’ parks and gardens

Paris has beautiful parks and gardens which are free to visit. The most well-known are the Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin de Luxembourg and the Jardin des Plantes botanical gardens. But there’s also the Promenade Plantée on an old elevated railway line, waterside walks along the Canal Saint Martin and Parc Monceau with its Egyptian pyramid.

Or why not explore Paris’ historic cemeteries , which are more like art galleries with their ornate tombs and sculptures? Père-Lachaise – the resting place of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Edith Piaf – is the biggest and most famous. But there’s also Montparnasse, Montmartre and the quieter Passy cemetery, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower.

3. Visit on the first Sunday of the month

Many Paris museums and monuments are free for everyone to visit on the first Sunday of the month. For some you need to book a timed slot in advance, but at many you can just turn up – though it gets very busy so arrive early and be prepared to queue.

Among the museums taking part are the Musée d’Orsay, Musée des Arts et Métiers , Musée du Quai Branly, Pompidou Centre, Eugene Delacroix Museum, Picasso Museum and the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine (you can see a full list here ).

Others venues are only free on the first Sunday for part of the year, like the Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Pantheon and Palace of Versailles (all from November–March) and the Rodin Museum (October–March). And the Louvre does things differently, and has free entry on the first Friday of the month instead (excluding July and August).

4. Or look out for other discounts

If you’re not going to be in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, other museums offer reduced or free entry on certain evenings. The Arts et Métiers science and technology museum is free between 6pm–9pm on Fridays. And the Musée d’Orsay does a reduced price ‘Late opening ticket’ for €12 (instead of €16) on Thursdays from 6pm.

If you buy a ticket for the Louvre you also get free entry to the Musée Eugène-Delacroix on either the same or the next day. And under 18s, EU citizens under 26, students and teachers get free admission to Paris’ national museums and monuments at any time.

5. Discover the city’s free museums

Paris also has lots of lesser-known museums across the city that either have free permanent collections or are totally free all the time. There’s a huge range of different museums, covering some fascinating (and sometimes obscure) subjects, including:

• Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris)
• Musée Cognacq-Jay (18th-century art)
• Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (contemporary art)
• Maison de Victor Hugo (the novelist’s former home)
• Fragonard Perfume Museum (history of perfume)
• Musée Curie (radiological research)
• Musée de la Prefecture de Police (police museum).

6. Check out Paris’ free viewpoints

There’s no shortage of places to get a view of Paris from up on high, including the Eiffel Tower, Montparnasse Tower and Arc de Triomphe. But you don’t have to pay an entry fee to get a panoramic city view, as there are plenty of free viewpoints too.

One of our favourite Paris budget views is from the rooftop terrace on top of the Galeries Lafayette department store on Boulevard Haussmann. It’s free to visit and looks down on the neighbouring Palais Garnier and across to the Eiffel Tower and Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

You also get great views across Paris from the Parc de Belleville, Parc des Buttes Charmont and the terrace in front of Sacré-Cœur Basilica – or if you want to get up higher and climb Sacré-Cœur’s dome it only costs €8. ‘The View of Paris’ at the Pompidou Centre is also free, as is the rooftop terrace at the Institut du Monde Arabe next to the Seine.

7. Climb the stairs at the Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is Paris’ tallest building and one of its most famous landmarks. But if you want to check out the views from 276 metres high it will cost you €29.40 for the lifts to the viewing platform at top. You can save money though by only going as far as the Tower’s second floor – particularly if you don’t mind climbing 674 stairs to get there.

You’ll only be 116 metres high but the views are still spectacular, and a ticket for the stairs is only €11.80. You can book online 14 days in advance or buy a ticket on the day.

8. Save on sightseeing with a city pass

If you’re planning to visit a lot of Paris’ top attractions, you can save money by buying a city pass. The Paris Museum Pass * is valid for 2, 4 or 6 days and and costs €62–€92. It covers 50 museums and monuments in and around Paris, including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Pompidou Centre, Sainte-Chapelle and Palace of Versailles.

There’s also the Go City Paris Pass ,* which gives you free entry to the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montparnasse Tower and Palace of Versailles, as well as a river cruise on the Seine, food and drink tastings, walking tours and a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing bus.

There are a couple of different versions of the pass – an All-Inclusive Pass for 2–6 days (which ranges from €179–€300, with discounts for children aged 12 or under). Or an Explorer Pass where you pick and mix 3–7 attractions of your choice (€104–€204).

9. Listen to a free church concert

Several churches in Paris have regular classical music performances, with brilliant acoustics and a beautiful backdrop. Concerts are free, but donations are welcome. You don’t need to book and can just drop in – though get there early if you want to be near the front.

The Église Saint-Merry near the Pompidou Centre has free concerts at 4pm on Sundays. There’s a mix of choirs, pianists, orchestras and soloists – the upcoming programme is available on their website . At Église Saint-Eustache you can hear the organist play at 5pm on Sundays. And there are also occasional free concerts at the Église de la Madeleine.

10. Enjoy free festivals and events

Paris has a busy calendar of free events through the year, so it’s worth checking what’s on when you plan your trip. In spring museums are open late for the Night of Museums (May). Summer sees the Fête de la Musique (June), art by night at Nuit Blanche (June), fireworks and parades for Bastille Day (July), and the Paris Plages beaches by the Seine.

In autumn there’s behind-the-scenes access at European Heritage Days (September), garden tours at the Fête des Jardins (September) and Montmartre’s Fête des Vendanges harvest festival (October). And in December there are Christmas lights and markets.

11. Take advantage of set menus

The French are passionate about food, but eating out in Paris can take a big bite out of your budget, especially in touristy areas. But you don’t need to go far off the main streets to find a bargain. To save money, eat out at lunchtime rather than in the evenings, and look out for formule or prix-fixe menus, with two or three courses from a limited menu.

You can also save by ordering a carafe d’eau (jug of tap water) instead of paying for bottled water. And a pichet (a quarter, half or full litre jug) of house wine is better value than buying wines by the glass or bottle. Bread is usually free with meals too.

12. Pick up a picnic

When the sun is shining, a Parisian picnic is a budget-friendly but scenic way to eat out. You can shop for local produce like cheese, charcuterie, olives and bread at markets like the Marché des Enfants Rouges, Marché Bastille and Marché Saint-Germain, or the foodie streets Rue Montorgueil (near the Louvre) and Rue Mouffetard (near the Panthéon).

You can also pick up a bargain bottle of wine from local supermarkets – though it’s a good idea to pack a bottle opener as screw tops are unusual in France.

Popular picnic spots include the Champ de Mars next to the Eiffel Tower, the banks of the Seine or along the Canal St Martin, the Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin du Luxembourg (though watch out as you’re only allowed on the grass in some areas of the parks).

13. Shop for bargains at a flea market

From vintage clothing and jewellery to furniture, paintings and all sorts of bric-à-brac, Paris’ flea markets are the place to pick up an offbeat bargain. And even if you don’t have space in your suitcase, these Marchés aux Puces are brilliant for browsing.

The Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is the largest antique market in the world with 3000 traders across five streets and 12 markets (the nearest Métro is Porte de Clignancourt, Line 4). There are also smaller markets at Porte de Vanves (Porte de Vanves, Line 13), Montreuil (Porte de Montreuil, Line 9) and Rue d’Aligre (Ledru-Rollin, Line 8).

Bargaining is more common in the smaller markets. Take cash with you as not all traders accept card payments. And keep an eye on your valuables as pickpockets are common.

14. Save on the Métro using a carnet

Paris has an easy-to-use Métro system with frequent stops – sometimes they’re so close you can see down the tunnel from one station to the next! A single one-way ticket costs €2.15 and is valid on the Métro, RER regional trains within Paris, buses and trams.

To purchase a ticket, you can either buy a Navigo Easy pass (they cost €2 and are available from station ticket offices) and top it up with credit at a ticket machine or online. Or download the Bonjour RATP app and use it to buy tickets using your phone.

If you’re planning on making several journeys, you can save money by buying a carnet of 10 single tickets. The old cardboard Métro tickets are being phased out, but you can buy a contactless carnet for €17.35, saving €4 on the cost of individual tickets.

There are also travel passes available, but unless you’re planning a lot of travel in a short period of time a carnet is usually better value as they don’t have an expiry date. The Paris Visite Pass is targeted at tourists and covers 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days from €14.90. Or there are daily, weekly and monthly Navigo passes if you’re staying in Paris longer.

15. Catch the RER from the airport

Paris has two main airports – Charles de Gaulle (30km to the northeast) and Orly (20km to the south). The cheapest and easiest way to reach them both is using the RER regional trains – steer clear of taxis as fares can rack up if you get stuck in the Paris traffic.

From Charles de Gaulle airport, the RER B takes 25–50 minutes into central Paris, depending on whether it’s a regular or express train. A single journey costs €11.80 and it stops at Gare du Nord and Châtelet Les Halles, where you can change onto the Métro.

From Orly airport, you take the RER B in the other direction. But first you need to catch the OrlyVal (an airport Métro) to Antony station, where you connect onto the RER. The journey into the city centre takes 25–35 minutes in total and costs €14.50 one way.

16. Rent a bike to get around

Over the last few years, hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths have been built around Paris. It’s become a much more bike-friendly city, and visitors can join in with the Vélib self-service bike rental scheme. Over 20,000 Vélib bikes are available – with both standard (green) and electric (blue) versions – from 1400 docking stations around the city.

To hire a bike you first need to register on the Vélib website , via their app or at a bike station terminal. Then buy your pass using a debit or credit card (you’ll also be asked to pay a refundable €300 deposit). Then you’re given an ID number and PIN to unlock the bikes. And when you’ve finished you just drop the bike off at another docking station.

A single ride costs €3 or you can get a 24-hour pass for €5 (€10 for electric bikes) and a 3-day pass for €20. The passes include unlimited short journeys (up to 30–60 minutes depending on which pass you have) so you can easily hop between sights.

17. Take a budget sightseeing tour

For a cheaper alternative to the hop-on-hop-off tourist buses, take one of Paris’ regular public buses on a sightseeing route through the city. You might not get the on-board commentary, but the views are just as good and it only costs €2.10 for a single journey.

There are a few different routes which run past the top city sights. The 69 bus travels east–west across Paris, passing the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Pont Neuf, Marais, Bastille and Père Lachaise Cemetery. Or the 42 bus goes from the Gare du Nord to the Place de la Opéra, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Élysées, Pont de l’Alma and Eiffel Tower.

Another scenic journey is the Métro trip on Line 6 between Passy and Bir-Hakeim, which crosses the river on a viaduct with fantastic views of the Eiffel Tower.

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Paris on a budget: Complete Paris itinerary for budget travelers

Is it possible to visit Paris on a budget? Ah, Paris – the City of Lights, romance, and…expensive croissants? While the City of Love can sometimes feel pricey, fear not, budget-conscious traveler! With a little planning and savvy exploration, you can experience the magic of Paris on a budget. This article breaks down everything you need to visit Paris in a budget-friendly way.

Take your pen and paper and list these tips from food, free activities and budget accommodations!

If you are also interested in visiting Disneyland on a budget, then read our previous article here . For other travel essentials read this.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, and if you use these links to buy the recommended products, we earn a small commission. Rest assured that it does not affect you as a customer.

Paris on a Budget for budget travelers.

Traveling to Paris on a budget is feasible by following our tips and recommendations. These are tried and tested ways to plan for a Parisian vacation without breaking the bank. My family had a vacation in Paris twice and we followed our budget-friendly itinerary to save money while enjoying a true Parisian experience.

Eating in Paris on a budget:

Where to eat in Paris on a budget? You do not need to eat in cafes and restaurants near major tourist attractions. The key to finding affordable bistros is to navigate small streets in Paris. You can find a lot of affordable local restaurants, cafes and bakeries in every corner of Paris if you are willing to explore!

• Steer clear of overpriced cafes near major attractions. Instead, venture into local neighbourhoods and hunt for “boulangeries” (bakeries) for fresh baguettes and pastries.
•  Pick up picnic ingredients at a “marché” (market) like Marché Bastille or Marché Monge, enjoying a delicious and scenic lunch in a park, like Jardin du Luxembourg or Square René Viviani.
• Many restaurants offer a fixed-price lunch menu (“plat du jour”) at a fraction of the à la carte prices. 
• Look for small bistros with handwritten menus, often tucked away on side streets. 
• For quick and budget-friendly bites, street vendors offer savory and sweet crepes for around €5, while falafel wraps can be found for even less or the same affordable price.
• Don’t forget to grab a “pain au chocolat” (chocolate croissant) for breakfast – they’re cheaper from bakeries than cafes.

•  If you’re staying in an apartment with a kitchen, take advantage of grocery stores and local markets. 
• Try Parisian cheese, charcuterie, fresh fruits, and bread for a delicious and authentic Parisian experience.
• Carry a reusable water bottle and refill it. You save a lot by refilling a reusable bottle instead of buying it every time you need to drink. This is a simple way to save but is easily forgotten.
• Many bars and cafes offer discounted drinks and snacks during happy hour, typically between 5-7 pm.

Top Things to Do for Free in Paris

Below are some of our recommendations to visit Paris on a budget or for free. Museums and activities can be costly, but if you happen to visit Paris on some of the days they are offering free admission, then try our tips below.

• Museum Marvels: Many museums offer free entry on specific days or evenings. Catch the Louvre for free on the first Sunday of the month or enjoy the Musée Carnavalet’s permanent collection any day. Several smaller museums like the Maison Victor Hugo and Musée Picasso have free admission as well.
• Parks & Gardens Galore: Paris boasts magnificent green spaces like Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes, and the Tuileries Gardens, perfect for picnics, leisurely strolls, or people-watching. Don’t miss the stunning panorama from Sacré-Coeur on Montmartre Hill – the climb itself is free! As of writing this article, these are the free places in Paris to visit. Always check the Paris tourism website for any updates.

• Walking Tours & Historical Gems: Get your bearings and learn about Parisian history with free walking tours offered by companies like SANDEMANs New Europe. Alternatively, explore historic neighbourhoods like the Marais or Latin Quarter on your own, admiring the charming architecture and hidden squares.
• Artful Evenings: Several museums host free concerts or events on certain evenings. Check the websites of the Musée d’Orsay and the Philharmonie de Paris for upcoming schedules. Additionally, many churches offer free classical music concerts.

Hidden Gems: The Parisian Secret Spots You Don’t Want to Miss:

Paris is not all about luxury. Of course we all want to visit famous attractions, but hidden gems in the Parisian city are also worth exploring especially if you are visiting Paris on a budget. Below are our recommendations on the things to do and places to visit in Paris on a budget.

• Canal Saint-Martin
• Escape the crowds and stroll along the picturesque Canal Saint-Martin, lined with cafes, bookstores, and vintage shops. Enjoy a picnic by the water or rent a canal boat for a unique perspective.

• Shakespeare and Company
•  Browse the iconic Shakespeare and Company bookstore, a haven for bibliophiles with a charming history and friendly atmosphere. Attend a free reading or poetry slam for a truly Parisian literary experience.
• Passage Jouffroy
•  Step back in time with a stroll through the elegant Passage Jouffroy, a covered arcade showcasing beautiful 19th-century architecture and unique shops.
• Promenade Plantée
•  Walk along the “Coulée Verte René-Dumont,” a converted railway line transformed into a green promenade offering stunning city views and hidden gardens.

Remember, budget travel is about appreciating the small things and embracing the local atmosphere. With a little planning and resourcefulness, you can explore Paris like a true Parisian, experiencing its charm and beauty without breaking the bank!

Bonus Tip: Learn a few basic French phrases – locals will appreciate the effort and it is fun learning a new language!

Best places to stay in Paris on a budget:

Planning for a vacation in Paris might be a bit scary especially if you are thinking of accommodations. Yes, Paris is expensive but this does not mean that you cannot find a budget-friendly place to stay in this city.

You can find hostels or a dorm bed in the city of Paris. Hostels are budget-friendly alternatives to expensive hotels. If you are a solo traveller or a couple then you might want to consider this type of accommodation to save money.

• Budget Hotels

Budget hotels are another option. If you want more privacy and a room on your own then you can consider budget hotels. Especially if you are a family budget traveller then this type of accommodation might as well do for you.

Airbnb is another option if you want to have a kitchen and cook your own food while on vacation. If you are visiting Paris on a budget then look for Airbnb that is not on famous streets and well-known tourist spots. 

There are also “shared Airbnb” like you have your own room but the kitchen, sala and bathrooms are shared. 

Other tips: If you are travelling in groups or with other families, then you can get Airbnb and divide the cost accordingly. And if you are a solo traveller, then dorm-type accommodations or shared Airbnb might as well be a good option.

To sum it up , Paris on a budget itinerary is possible if you are willing to explore streets with affordable cafes and restaurants and discover hidden gems. The secret sauce of experiencing Paris without spending much is to stay away from famous streets and attractions. And you can visit Paris on a budget by sticking to your budget plans. Taking advantage of happy hour in bars, opting for bakeries and cafes on the streets and refilling your water bottle are just a few of the many ways you can save while on your Parisian tour. 

Explore the beautiful French city by walking, taking advantage of the free tour offered by SANDEMANs New Europe, or by buying a travel card that offers unlimited travel on public transport are the best ways to travel to Paris on a budget.

You can read our Disney Land Travel Tips in this article.

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