People tell us all the time that they dream of coming to Paris, but they’re afraid they can’t afford it. The idea that the cost to travel to Paris is super expensive is a myth. In fact, based on a documentary we recently watched, it’s surprisingly more affordable to come to Paris than it is to spend a few days in Walt Disney World Orlando.
Of course, you could opt for a luxurious five-star palace like the Plaza in Paris and spend a small fortune, but there are plenty of options to enjoy your stay at a more accessible cost. In this article, we’ll discuss how to find better prices and make affordable reservations while spending a week in Paris. We’ll explore the cost of accommodations, meals and dining out, tours and attractions, and transportation via metro or taxi, as well as some hidden expenses you might overlook in your budget. Plus, we’ll include the cost of souvenirs, so you can bring back wonderful memories for your friends and family
Accommodations in Paris
In Paris, the hotels are rated from one to five stars, and that has nothing to do with reviews or the quality of the hotel. It has everything to do with what amenities are on the property. A hotel with one or two stars will have fewer amenities. Your room will probably be super small, and don’t expect an elevator or air conditioning.
But if you’re on a tight budget, this can be a good option:
- For a one-star hotel, you’ll find prices in the €75 to €125 range per night.
- For a two-star hotel, you’ll find prices in the €125 to €200 range per night. Most one- and two-star hotels are not usually near major attractions.
Three- and Four-Star Hotels
Next are the three- and four-star hotels, which are more common around Paris. The major distinction between a three- and four-star hotel is the amenities. To get a four-star rating, the hotel must have something extra like a spa or a full bar on-site. However, in many respects, the room size and basic amenities will be very similar.
- Three-star hotels: €150 to €250 per night.
- Four-star hotels: €200 to €400 per night.
You should expect a three-star hotel to have air conditioning and an elevator, though that’s not always guaranteed in Paris. Always check if that’s a dealbreaker for you.
Five-Star Hotels
Finally, we have the five-star hotels, which have the most amenities. You’ll find five-star boutique hotels with just a few rooms, as well as five-star palaces. These hotels will usually have a concierge, spa, full bar, and restaurant on-site.
- Five-star hotels: Prices start at €500 per night.
What will affect the price of your hotel is how close or far it is from major tourist attractions. Hotels with balcony views of the Eiffel Tower will always charge more. To save money, consider staying away from the center of Paris, particularly the 1st to 9th arrondissements. Cheaper accommodations can be found in the 10th to 15th arrondissements, and if you’re near a good metro station, you’ll be within 10 to 15 minutes of most attractions.
I’ve gathered a list of favorite hotels, arranged by arrondissement, featuring beautiful and affordable options
Food and Restaurants in Paris
For us, coming from Miami, restaurants in Paris are surprisingly affordable. We are often amazed when the bill arrives because it would be at least double that in Miami! If you know where to go, you can eat a lot of great food at reasonable prices all over Paris.
Breakfast
For breakfast, you can find plenty of places in Paris to get a nice pastry and coffee for €8 to €10. A croissant or pain au chocolat costs just a couple of euros in most local bakeries (boulangeries), and they’re surprisingly affordable and delicious. Don’t worry about eating too many pastries—you’ll walk it off!
Lunch
If you choose the lunch formule available in many restaurants, you can eat for €15 to €20 per person for a starter and main course, or a main course and dessert. Even if you prefer to eat à la carte, lunch items are rarely over €25. And remember, service is always included in the price, so what you see on the bill is what you pay. Parisian locals usually leave around 5% as a tip, but it’s up to you.
Dinner
For dinner, if you budget €50 to €75 per person, you’ll have many dining options available. But if you’re on a tight budget, you can find small local restaurants that charge much less. €100 per person per day is enough if you’re on a budget, and if you’re not, €150 to €250 per person per day will give you plenty of options.
If you’re staying in an Airbnb or rental and want to do some cooking, Paris’s weekly fresh markets are an amazing source of great food at affordable prices. Supermarkets like Carrefour and Monoprix also offer plenty of food options. You’ll be shocked by how affordable a great bottle of French wine can be. Just avoid buying anything from illegal street vendors—the sanitary conditions of how they store the stuff they’re trying to sell will make your stomach churn.
Cost of Attractions in Paris
One of the best things about museums and cultural experiences in France is how surprisingly affordable they are compared to the U.S.
- Louvre Museum: €20 (the largest and most visited museum in the world).
- Palace of Versailles: €21.
The average entrance fee for most attractions is about €15. You can buy a Museum Pass or Paris Pass, which includes museums, walking tours, classes, workshops, river cruises, hop-on hop-off buses, and more. A two-day pass costs €159.
However, you can have an extraordinary trip to Paris without paying a cent to enter attractions. Paris is like an open-air museum, and some of the best views, like from the Trocadero (opposite the Eiffel Tower), are free.
Average Costs for Popular Attractions
- Seine River cruise: €25.
- Paris Opera: €14.
- Catacombs of Paris: €9.
If you’re visiting many attractions over 3 to 5 days, you’ll need €150 to €350 per person for entry fees. Private tour guides cost around €70 to €100 per hour.
Cost of Transportation in Paris
As soon as you land in Paris, you have a few options to get from the airport to the city:
- RER Train: €10 per person (great for budget travelers).
- Taxi: Flat rate of €56 to the Right Bank, €65 to the Left Bank.
Private drivers cost between €80 to €120, depending on the type of car and services you want. You can also use Uber or Bolt in Paris, but keep in mind that Paris can be congested, especially during peak hours. Uber and Bolt can’t use taxi lanes, so they might not be the fastest option.
If you prefer taxis, the G7 app works similarly to Uber and is reliable. Parisian taxi drivers, however, aren’t always the friendliest or most honest, so be cautious.
Public Transportation
A weekly unlimited metro card costs €36 per person and includes trips to Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and the airport. If you’re traveling to places like the French Riviera or Normandy, high-speed trains are affordable and fast.
For example:
- First-class round trip to the Loire Valley: €62.
- Second-class round trip to Lyon: €45.
For a week in Paris, you’ll need €75 to €350 for two people to get around.
Souvenirs in Paris
Souvenir shopping in Paris can be affordable. For example:
- Shirts: 3 for €25.
- Socks: €6.40 each, or 2 for €10.
You can also buy Eiffel Tower souvenirs from stores (avoid street vendors). Small Eiffel Towers cost around €5, and larger ones vary in price. Mugs with Paris themes are €8 each or 2 for €14.
A great place to find souvenirs is Monoprix stores, which have a wide selection. For example, small Eiffel Towers with chocolates cost around €20.
Conclusion
Paris can be as affordable or as luxurious as you want it to be. By planning ahead and knowing where to spend and save, you can enjoy an incredible week in one of the most beautiful cities in the world without breaking the bank.
