For many, visiting Paris is a fairy tale, a dream that promises to be a transformative experience. But the cost of visiting the city often keeps the holiday just that – a dream. Even once you’ve found decently priced transport, other costs can creep up on you. The city can be pricey, even for just a weekend city break, and you can easily find yourself spending more than you budgeted.
Here are some tips to help your visit to Paris be as affordable as possible, including low-cost travel around France’s capital as well as budget-friendly areas to stay and eat in the city of light.
What to do in Paris
Don’t think you have to visit all the sites and attractions. Paris holds many things to see, including world famous museums and monuments, but entering these places very often carries a fee. Of course, budget for the ones you must see, but Paris is one of the few cities (in my humble opinion) where you can enjoy your time by embracing your inner flâneur and simply wander through the streets, spending your money on buying treats in boulangeries and taking too many pictures of just about everything.
The Cheapest Way to Travel Around Paris
- If you’re flying into one of the airports, such as Charles De Gaulle, instead of taking a taxi, buy a train ticket into Paris. RER trains run frequently from the airport into central Paris and cost 10 euros.
- To get around Paris during your stay, if you don’t feel like walking, buy a Navigo pass. If you’re from – or have been to – London, you’ll probably be familiar with the Oyster card, and the Navigo pass works much like it. You just keep topping it up as and when needed, easy to do on machines at metro stations, and there is a flat fare for both the buses and metro at 1.90 euros.
Eating in Paris on a Budget
- If you’re renting an apartment during your stay or will have access to a kitchen, it may be worthwhile to cook your own meals. Outside of visiting the attractions the city holds, eating out will undoubtedly eat away at your budget. It’s easy to spend around 40 to 60 euros for a dinner in Paris for two people, and that doesn’t include a starter or dessert. However, food is generally affordable in supermarchés (when compared to prices in the UK), particularly Intermarché and Carrefour, so you could save yourself a good deal by preparing your own food.
- But if you do eat out, sharing a meal with the person you’re with is an option in Paris. Also, instead of ordering bottled water, be sure to ask for tap water instead (“Une carafe d’eau”) which is free.
- A service charge is always added to your bill, so don’t feel forced to leave a tip. If the service was great and you would like to show your appreciation, leaving a few extra euros will suffice.
- Don’t go to tourist hotspots to eat, and don’t bother with the famous places (unless you really want to and don’t mind paying the higher cost, in which case Les Deux Magots is well worth a visit). Instead, walk down side streets and find where the locals eat; you’re guaranteed a cheaper meal and possibly a nicer one too.
- Also, don’t overlook boulangeries for meals. Aside from the daily baguettes and patisseries they offer, you can usually buy filled sandwiches, quiches, etc that can serve as nice meals themselves.
Staying in Paris on a Budget
- Instead of staying in a hotel or renting an apartment, you can sleep in the famous bookstore, Shakespeare and Co., for free. The opportunity is great for book lovers for the price of contributing some of your time to help out in the store.
- Stay outside of the city centre. Keep accommodation costs down by staying in the suburbs of Paris, where you can still easily take the metro back into the city centre. On two of our last trips to the capital, we stayed in an area called Saint Mandé in the eastern suburbs of Paris, which was perfect as it was on Line 1 on the metro. It’s cheaper, close enough to the city centre and gives you an insight into authentic Parisian life away from the tourists.
