Paris is usually stereotyped as a city of extravagance—five-star hotels, Michelin-rated restaurants, and designer stores. But here's the reality: you don't need to take out a second mortgage to travel to Paris. With some planning, insider information, and a bit of flexibility, you can have the romance of Paris on a budget. Let's discover how you can do it!
Planning Your Trip
Best Time to Visit Paris for Budget Travelers
Go to Paris off-season—later fall (October–November) or early spring (March–April)—and you'll save a bundle. Less people, lower-priced hotels, and lower-cost flights make these the best months.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Paris
Use airline comparison websites such as Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Momondo. Be open with travel dates and also look into flying into neighboring airports such as Beauvais or Orly for cheaper flights.
Using Travel Apps and Websites for Discounts
Traveling websites such as Hopper, Kayak, and Hostelworld are a blessing. You can monitor prices, get discounts, and reserve affordable lodges with ease.
Affordable Accommodation Options
Hostels and Low-Cost Hotels
Paris is full of clean, secure, and trendy hostels. Places such as Montmartre and the Latin Quarter have cheap stays with trendy atmospheres.
Couchsurfing and Homestays
Need a free place to stay? Couchsurfing puts you in touch with locals who will more than welcome you. And, you get genuine Paris from the inside out.
Budget-Travel Airbnb Options
Instead of expensive apartments, be a guest in a room or budget studio in a neighborhood outside the city center. Belleville and Bastille are affordable but well linked.
Paris on a Budget Public Transportation Passes (Metro, Bus, Tram)
The Paris Visite Pass or Navigo Easy card also offers unlimited travel at a fraction of the cost of taxis.
Walking and Cycling in Paris
Paris is a walkable city. Most priority sites are within walking distance. You can also cycle on Vélib', the public bicycle-sharing system.
Not Taking Expensive Taxis and Rideshares
Avoid using Uber or taxis if you are able to offer alternatives. The metro is quicker, more economical, and goes late at night.
Dining on a Shoestring
Street Food and Local Boulangeries
For €2–€5, pick up a fresh baguette sandwich or croissant from a bakery. Street crêpes near the Latin Quarter are another bargain.
Budget Restaurants and Cafés
Check out fixed-price meals (formule) at tiny bistros—€12–€15 for a meal is the norm. Ethnic restaurants in Belleville offer full meals at reduced prices too.
Grocery Stores and Picnic Meals
Buy cheese, bread, and fruit at Monoprix or Franprix. Then take a stroll to the Seine or Luxembourg Gardens for a Parisian-style picnic.
Free and Low-Cost Things to Do in Paris
Free Museums and First Sundays
Some museums such as the Louvre and Musée d'Orsay are free on the first Sunday of every month. Others, such as the Musée d'Art Moderne, are free every day.
Landmarks You Can Visit Without Paying
Gawp at the Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars, the Arc de Triomphe from Champs-Élysées, and Sacré-Cœur and its view over the city—totally free.
Parks, Gardens, and Riverside Walks
Tuileries Garden, Luxembourg Gardens, and Canal Saint-Martin are where you can rest up without spending a dime.
Saving on Attractions
Paris Museum Pass and Discount Cards
Should you intend to visit more than one museum, the Paris Museum Pass provides free entry at a set price. Students and EU citizens under 26 years usually enter free of charge.
Free Walking Tours
Enjoy "pay-what-you-want" street tours with locals and see Paris in a local light. It's inexpensive and entertaining.
Free Secret Gems
Explore off-the-tourist-map destinations such as the Petite Ceinture (former railway line repurposed as a walking route) or discover street art in Belleville.
Smart Money-Saving Tricks
Steering Clear of Tourist Traps
Steer clear of expensive cafes around major attractions. Instead, walk a few blocks away for affordable and authentic food.
Using Refillable Water Bottles
Paris also boasts public free fountains where you can refill a bottle, like some fizzing water—free!
Booking Early vs Last-Minute Offers
Major attractions usually have cheaper tickets online. For theater or small tours, last-minute offers will make you save.
Suggested 3-Day Budget Plan
Day 1 – Iconic Paris on Foot
Walk by Seine, visit Notre-Dame, look at the Eiffel Tower from afar, and picnic at Champ de Mars.
Day 2 – Museums and Culture
Begin at the Louvre (free with proper timing), walk through Tuileries, and conclude with a budget meal in the Latin Quarter.
Day 3 – Parks and Local Markets
Shop at Marché d'Aligre, meander through Luxembourg Gardens, and walk through Montmartre during sunset.
Conclusion
Paris needn't cost you an arm and a leg. Take some planning, and you can dine, sleep, and see all the sights the city has to offer without dipping into your life savings. Budget Paris is not only an option—it can be more actual, fun, and rewarding than one that costs a lot.
