There’s no getting around it: a trip to Paris costs a chunk of change, especially compared to more budget-friendly cities in Europe.
The City of Light is not a cheap place to visit, and for most of us, visiting Paris on a budget (even a fairly generous one), will require a bit of sacrifice in one area or another.
… Especially considering that prices have escalated rapidly, especially for hotels and attraction tickets, since 2020 (and to a lesser extent, since the 2024 Olympics).
That being said, there’s a reason that a trip to Paris, cost aside, is a bucket list trip for so many around the world, and a reason that we’ve returned 10+ times and counting!
Paris is a captivating, enthralling, endlessly interesting city, with a never-ending list of things to see and do–including more free things to do in Paris than you could make your way through in a single trip.
Ready to put pen to paper and plan the less-romantic aspects of your Paris vacation?
Here’s how much to expect to spend on a trip to Paris on a budget, at a mid-range spending level, or on a luxurious getaway.
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How to Use This Trip to Paris Cost Guide
Obviously, every traveler and every Paris travel budget is unique–but after traveling to Paris many times on many different budgets, from budget backpackers in our early twenties all the way through more comfortable price points, we’ve put together these estimates to help paint a clear picture of what a trip to Paris costs at several different budget levels.
All of these estimates for the price of a trip to Paris are given in USD unless otherwise stated and are for one person.
If you’re traveling in a group, you’ll likely be able to squeeze by on numbers a bit lower than these.
The estimates also assume you’re traveling during high season (summer) or shoulder season (late spring, early fall).
For mid-range travelers or those not sure where they fit, I recommend reading through the Paris on a budget section first: the tips I include there are helpful at multiple levels of travel!
If you are trying to calculate your Paris vacation cost for a winter trip, you’ll likely be able to travel much more comfortably, and in fact, my number one travel tip for visiting Paris on a budget is to visit in the winter–but we’ll cover that more below.
I’ve also updated this blog post as best I can to be reflective of Paris travel costs going into 2026 and beyond.
Budget Trip to Paris Cost: $70-$100/day
Planning a trip to Paris on a budget is completely doable… but it will absolutely come with some sacrifices.
This is a rough sketch of what a budget trip to Paris can cost and feel like.
Keep in mind that this is a budget trip in the sense of a traveler who is visiting Paris as a standalone destination or as part of a defined trip.
Shoestring backpackers who would like to cut costs by Couchsurfing, avoiding all paid attractions, etc, will, of course, be able to get by on less, but that is not how we would recommend seeing Paris!
Accommodation
When traveling on a strict budget, a hostel is a must. In high season, you may be able to find a hostel dorm bed for around $40/night.
However, if you’d like to be in a decent area and stay somewhere that doesn’t get atrocious reviews, you’ll really need to aim for around $50/night, and truthfully, you can probably do better (and sleep more comfortably) on a per-person basis by splitting a budget hotel or guesthouse room with a travel partner.
As of updating this blog post in late 2025, I’m seeing small budget hotels (often with shared bathrooms) available for $60-80/night, if you’re flexible on location.
Personally, we generally search for lodging on Booking.com. We generally aim for an 8.0 rating or higher, but are comfortable staying at a 7.0 property with the right expectations (a clean-ish and safe place to sleep, not much else) when trying to travel on a budget.
For places rated 6.9 or lower, I would recommend being very cautious.
Just about any booking platform operates on an algorithm these days, so make sure you input your search criteria and then search by “Price (lowest first)” to actually see the least expensive options!
Hotel Luna Park is a solid example of the kind of budget hotel that is common in Paris, with solid reviews and reasonable prices (at least at the moment–prices are extremely dynamic for hotels these days).
Transportation
As of late 2025, Paris’ metro and RER trains cost 2.5 Euro per use, or 12 Euro for a one-day pass (excluding travel to airports). Bus tickets are slightly less, at 2 Euro.
You can also purchase a one-day pass for 12 Euro or a one-week pass for just under 32 Euro, and you can review all ticket prices here.
All purchases are handled via your phone or a Navigo Easy Pass (a metrocard, essentially), purchased at a station. Paper tickets (and carnets) have been phased out.
Other than walking, this is the best way to manage your trip to Paris’ cost as far as transportation goes.
When visiting Paris on a strict budget, taxis and Ubers should be avoided.
Food
Eating in Paris on a budget will mean lots of takeaway crepes and sandwiches, quite a few groceries (especially if you have access to a hostel kitchen), and a need to be very careful about your restaurant choices.
If you’d like to splurge on a couple of restaurant meals, we recommend eating out for lunch instead of dinner and choosing a well-reviewed and affordable spot.
It’s best to avoid anywhere even slightly trendy or referenced on social media: just open your phone and find somewhere with good reviews in your area!
Breakfast will be best picked up from a bakery. Fresh French pastries are undoubtedly an excellent way to begin a day, no matter what your budget is.
Keep in mind that if you’re staying in a budget hotel room, you almost certainly will not have access to a microwave and probably not a fridge, either, which is different than the US!
We like to travel with a knife to cut things like fruit, baguettes, and cheese (just make sure not to put it in any carry-on luggage). We usually bring our Swiss Army knife for this, which has the double benefit of being able to open wine bottles, too!
Tours and Attractions
Depending on how strict of a travel budget for Paris you’ve put yourself on and what time of year you visit (ie, how much of your budget you’re blowing on lodging), visiting paid attractions may be quite limited.
At this price point, basically all guided tours of museums and attractions will be out of the question, with the exception of perhaps one bucket list spot or experience.
You’ll likely be able to work a few museums into your budget, which generally cost 15-22 Euro for major museums, while small, lesser-known museums can be much less expensive or even free.
Mid-range Trip to Paris Cost: $150-$200/day
We consider ourselves mid-range travelers in Paris more often than not, though much like the term “middle class”, it can cover an extremely wide variety of experiences!
In this price range, though, you’ll be able to visit most attractions you would like to see, splurge on a guided tour or two, possibly add in a food tour (we loved this one) or a day trip of some kind (here are 17 of the best day trips from Paris), and eat at restaurants more comfortably.
However, traveling on a mid-range budget in Paris still does require carefully tracking your finances and making some sacrifices when deciding where to splurge or save.
Without paying attention, it would be very easy to blow a mid-range Paris travel budget.
Accommodation
Depending on whether you’re traveling alone or as part of a larger group, and what time of year you visit, you may struggle to find comfortable lodging on a mid-range budget in Paris.
We recommend booking as far in advance as you can, especially during high season, as hotels in the 2-3 star range do fill up rather quickly.
(One of the reasons we like booking through Booking.com so much is that they generally have generous cancellation policies–though you often pay less by opting for a non-refundable rate, so you have to decide what’s more important to you).
While you may still need to sacrifice a bit on location, staying near a metro stop will allow you to access the rest of Paris with ease.
Also, be prepared to stay in a very small room! Hotel rooms in Paris are notoriously small, and at this price point, even more so.
Transportation
Like those traveling to Paris on a strict budget (and really, those on a luxurious one too), the metro system should be your first pick for transportation options other than your own two feet.
It’s efficient, it’s comfortable, it’s affordable: there’s a reason everyone uses it!
Unlike those traveling on a stricter budget, though, you may want to consider booking a private transfer from the airport (or taking a taxi or Uber) if you arrive at an off time or don’t want to deal with the hassle of potentially changing trains with luggage.
Food
On a mid-range budget, you’ll be able to comfortably eat at least one sit-down restaurant meal a day, and also perhaps splurge on a foodie experience if that appeals to you, whether that’s a cooking class, a food tour, or a nice dinner out on the town.
Like those traveling on a stricter budget, avoid anywhere with any kind of social media reputation and stick with well-reviewed spots you find based on your exact location in Paris.
We loved this food tour and this macaron baking class!
Tours and Attractions
Prioritization will be a big requirement when balancing the cost of a trip to Paris with traveling on a mid-range budget.
You’ll be able to visit most paid attractions that you’d like, though perhaps not every single one, and adding 1-2 guided tours will be possible if that’s something you’d like to prioritize.
If you have your heart set on a particular bucket list experience in Paris, like a dinner cruise on the Seine or a meal at an upscale restaurant, you’ll likely need to cut expenses elsewhere to make it work.
Luxury Trip to Paris Cost: $500/day & up
While I’m defining a trip to Paris costing $500 and up per person as a luxury trip, the sky is the limit when it comes to luxury travel in Paris.
With the right funds, you could easily spend $1000 a day, $2000 a day, or more exploring the City of Lights–especially when staying in its luxury hotels.
At $350 per person, though, you’ll be comfortable enough to do just about anything you want to do in Paris (within reason, of course).
Here’s what that would look like.
Accommodation
When it comes to luxurious accommodation in Paris, the real question is: how luxurious are we talking?
On the lower end of a luxury travel budget in Paris, a four-star hotel in a good location like the Relais Hôtel du Vieux Paris (which we have stayed in and loved) is currently asking around $400/night for a spring 2026 stay.
The true five-star, opulent, social media darlings, like Four Seasons Hotel George V and Hôtel Plaza Athénée? Over $2,000/night.
Paris is littered with opulent five-star hotels and glamorous apartment buildings, and with enough of a budget, this is a way to truly splurge in Paris.
Transportation
Honestly, while you certainly can afford to take Ubers and taxis to get around Paris on a luxury budget, the ever-affordable and reliable metro is still going to be the most efficient way to get around in most cases.
For day trips, however, you’ll have more options on a higher budget, such as booking faster trains at better time slots, arranging for a driver, or taking guided trips with small groups out of town.
Food
Paris is the perfect city to linger over long dinners at Michelin Star restaurants, complete intricate wine tastings, and enjoy all manner of luxury dining experiences.
A higher budget will allow for these meals at least some nights, and will undoubtedly be part of a luxury trip to Paris.
If upscale dining is important to you, bear in mind that you’ll want to make reservations as early as possible at the most popular spots.
Tours and Attractions
Touring the City of Lights without worrying about how much your trip to Paris costs allows for some truly epic experiences!
Think a private tour of the Louvre, dining at top restaurants run by gifted chefs, and shopping at the flagship stores of world-famous designers.
Whatever your taste, Paris has something to offer.
The Cost of 5 Popular Paris Attractions
As you start thinking about which Paris highlights are (and aren’t) worth the money to you, here’s a quick snapshot of the prices of visiting some of Paris’ most popular attractions to give you an idea of what kind of investment you’re looking at.
These days, timed-entry tickets purchased in advance are a standard recommendation for top attractions in Paris (and in most busy European cities). The Louvre even requires pre-booked tickets during the summer!
We personally book most tickets that need to be bought in advance through Get Your Guide, as they have a generous cancellation policy, an easy-to-use website, and sometimes offer discounts, coupons, or sales.
For smaller attractions where planning ahead isn’t necessary, we just walk up to the ticket counter and pay in person (which is a refreshing change of pace during a Paris trip these days!).
Note that several attractions in Paris, the Arc de Triomphe and Sainte-Chapelle among them, have introduced seasonal ticket prices, which means winter visitors get a discount even on some attractions! Some places, including those, also offer discounts on Wednesday.
Bottom line, when planning a trip to Paris on a budget, be sure to consider ticket prices carefully (and plan ahead where you can).
Visiting the Top of the Eiffel Tower: 16 Euros and up
The cost of visiting the Eiffel Tower varies wildly, with different price points depending on whether you want to use the lift or the stairs, whether you want to visit only the second floor or go all the way to the top, and whether you want to eat at the top.
Honestly, we don’t necessarily recommend going up.
It’s a crowded madhouse and doesn’t have the best view of Paris (I mean, how could it possibly when the Eiffel Tower itself isn’t in the shot?).
Shop Eiffel Tower ticket options on the official website or through Get Your Guide!
Timed Ticket to the Louvre: 22 Euros
Be sure to book these tickets in advance!
Though advance tickets are only required for part of the year, if you try to book for the same day, there’s a good chance that there won’t be any more time slots available.
This price, of course, doesn’t include a tour. We took (and loved) an earlier version of this tour, and options like this are also popular.
The Louvre’s website also publishes these helpful visitor trails to help you put together a route on your own!
Shop Louvre tickets on the official website or through Get Your Guide today!
Want to enjoy the Louvre as part of a guided tour? This one is an excellent option.
Arc de Triomphe Ticket: 16-22 Euros
We can confidently say the top of the Arc de Triomphe holds one of our favorite views of Paris, right up there with the towers of Notre Dame (16 Euros) and the top of Sacré-Cœur (8 Euros, the best deal of the 3 by far).
That being said, the ticket price for the Arc de Triomphe has escalated a lot in recent years–when I first published this blog post, it only cost 12 Euro!
Is it still worth it? I think so, in the sense that it’s a very cool experience.
If you’re trying to keep your Paris travel budget down, though, I’d definitely limit your paid viewpoints to only the one you most want to see.
We have a full blog post covering what it’s like to visit the Arc de Triomphe here.
Shop Arc de Triomphe tickets on the official website or through Get Your Guide!
Sainte-Chapelle Ticket: 13-19 Euros
Stunningly beautiful and boasting 70% original stained glass dating to the 13th century, Sainte-Chapelle is truly one of the most unique churches in Paris.
In my opinion, it’s one of the prettiest houses of worship in the world, and absolutely worth seeing!
Like the other Paris attractions highlighted here, it’s best to book a timed entry ticket in advance.
Shop Sainte-Chapelle tickets on their website or through Get Your Guide!
Notre Dame: Free-16 Euros
After years of being closed to visitors, Notre Dame is finally reopened!
This includes both the interior of the cathedral (now refreshed and much brighter than before the fire) and the towers.
Visiting the interior of the cathedral is free to visitors, though you need to book a ticket in advance to claim your time slot. Alternatively, you can sign up for a guided tour of the church if you wish.
Heading to the top of the towers–which is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Paris, costs 16 Euros.
Even though they’re in the building, the interior of the church and the towers are two separate attractions, so you’ll need to make plans for both!
Sign up for tickets to go inside Notre Dame here, or sign up for a guided tour here.
You can book tickets for the towers on the towers’ dedicated website.
Free Things to Do in Paris
Though Paris is generally an expensive city to visit, savvy (or broke) travelers can generally find plenty of ways to save money in Paris–starting with taking advantage of the many, many free things to do in Paris.
Admire the Eiffel Tower from Trocadero.
The most famous viewpoint to admire the Eiffel Tower from, the sprawling balcony of Trocadero, is completely free to visit.
Snapping photos here is an incredibly easy and fun way to enjoy Paris (though don’t forget to climb down eventually and search for your own angles on the tower, too!).
Stroll through Paris’ many gardens.
Paris is full of gardens and parks just waiting to be explored, starting with the magnificent Luxembourg Gardens and Tuileries Gardens.
These are magnificent places to enjoy a picnic lunch, too!
Wander the streets of Montmartre.
Exploring the cobblestone streets and pretty, quiet lanes of Montmartre (once you get past the crowded madness of Sacre Coeur and the Place du Tertre, that is) will allow you to enjoy some of the loveliest spots in Paris with completely no cost.
… Minus the sacrifice your legs will make to climb up and down those steep hills, that is!
Watch the sunset from the steps of Sacre-Coeur.
I know I just referred to this spot as “crowded madness”, and it is, but the steps of Sacré-Cœur are also home to one of the absolute best free sunset views of Paris!
Grab a spot, kick back, and enjoy the view as the sky lights up over the city.
… Just keep a very, very close eye on your pockets: pickpockets are unfortunately rampant here!
(If you do have the budget to spare, climbing to the top of the dome costs 8 Euros, and the view is phenomenal).
Take in an epic view of Paris from the Galeries Lafayette Rooftop.
Want to see Paris from above but can’t work a tour to the top of a monument into your trip to Paris travel budget? No worries.
The 7th-floor rooftop terrace of the Galeries Lafayette department store has a fabulous view of the city, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palais Garnier–and it doesn’t cost a penny to visit.
The nearby Printemps department store has a gorgeous free rooftop as well!
Step inside Paris’ less-famous churches.
Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle are far from the only churches worth seeing in Paris–and most of the others are free!
A few that we’ve enjoyed in particular include the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis, the Church of Saint Sulpice (famous, convenient, yet never crowded), the Church of Saint-Pierre de Montmartre, and the Church of Saint-Eustache, plus dozens more that we didn’t necessarily note at the time.
The best way to enjoy Paris’ less-iconic churches?
Just start opening interesting doors as you make your way through the city!
Stroll along the Seine.
We especially recommend strolling across the Pont des Arts for lovely views of Île de la Cité, across Pont Alexander III to admire the prettiest bridge in Paris, and across the river from Île de la Cité to enjoy the beautiful bouquinistes as they hawk books and other wares.
The section of the Seine near Trocadero also has gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower!
The Canal Saint-Martin, though not right on the Seine, is also a lovely place for either a walk or a picnic.
Explore Pere Lachaise Cemetery.
Paris’ famous Pere Lachaise Cemetery feels like an odd combination of final resting place and lovely city park, home to ambling trails, gorgeous trees that offer shade, and some very famous graves.
For example, Oscar Wilde, Frederic Chopin, and Jim Morrison were all laid to rest here.
The cemetery is free to visit and a lovely way to spend an afternoon in Paris.
Go on a personalized scavenger hunt for hidden Parisian gems.
Did you know that Nicholas Flamel lived in Paris, and you can still see carvings on the front of his former house… which also happens to be the oldest domestic building still standing in Paris?
Or that there is a vineyard and a couple of windmills (not including the Moulin Rouge) left in Montmartre?
Or that Paris is home to a pet cemetery, or that there’s an incredibly unique building on Avenue Rapp that looks like it belongs in Barcelona?
It may not be exactly the same as being in a museum, but Paris’ streets are free to explore and are absolutely packed with incredible things to see–as long as you know what you’re looking at.
Here are our best tips for exploring Paris off the beaten path!
Getting to Paris On a Budget
We’ve intentionally left out the costs of getting to Paris from this budget guide because the costs vary so wildly depending on where you’re coming from.
However, here’s the good news: whether you’re coming from North America, Europe, or somewhere else, Paris is generally very affordable to get to as compared to other cities in the region.
Those (comparatively) low prices are a big part of the reason we ended up visiting Paris on our first trip to Europe years ago!
Charles de Gaulle Airport is a huge international hub, and Paris Orly Airport is a solid second option that receives many flights–especially budget flights from within Europe–daily.
Paris is also well-connected to many other European cities by train, so those who are already on the continent will be able to compare prices there as well.
If you are flying in and able to be flexible with your dates, absolutely take advantage of that and arrange for the most advantageous flight you can. Sometimes flying a day or two earlier or later can save hundreds per ticket.
We run all of our flights through Google Flights and take a look at the monthly calendar before booking. It’s an incredibly easy way to know if you can save money on the transportation part of your Paris travel budget.
How to Save Money on Your Trip to Paris
Consider traveling in the offseason.
Above all else, this is the number one thing you can do to save money on the cost of a trip to Paris: travel in the offseason.
Paris in November and December, and especially in January, February, or even March, is a dramatically cheaper tourist destination than in June, July, or August, and as a bonus, you’ll have far fewer crowds to contend with as well.
The biggest reason for this (other than flights) is the cost of a hotel.
Lodging, as we discussed above, is very expensive in Paris, and you can knock a huge percentage off your overall trip to Paris cost simply by traveling when the hotels are a bit emptier (and therefore more in the mood to entice customers).
I’m talking a 75% drop from peak rates in some cases–a phenomenon that is only getting more common as dynamic pricing becomes the rule. You can pull up the month-by-month calendar for a given hotel on Booking.com the same way you can for flights on Google Flights, which makes seeking out deals easier (if you have a flexible schedule).
We’ve visited Paris in the winter several times (including our very first trip to Paris) and absolutely love it.
Once upon a time, we did miss the sunshine and the blooming flowers a bit, but after traveling as much as we have, we simply relish in the lack of crowds and decreased prices.
Pay attention to free days at museums.
If you’re traveling on a very strict budget in Paris, note that even the biggest of Paris’ museums have limited times in which they are free to enter.
Of course, what you’ll save in cash you’ll pay for in increased crowds, but if you are trying to stretch your Paris travel budget as far as possible, it’s worth doing some research on the exact options for any museums you’re hoping to see.
Keep in mind that you’ll generally still need to book a time slot, and these are obviously competitive!
As of late 2025, here are the free days at a few top spots:
- Louvre: First Friday of the month, after 6:00 PM.
- Orsay: First Sunday of the month.
- Notre Dame Towers: First Sunday of the month in January, February, March, November, and December.
Don’t go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
You know what iconic piece of Paris’ skyline is missing from the top of the Eiffel Tower?
… The Eiffel Tower.
Seriously, visiting the top of the Eiffel Tower is one of the most expensive ways to see the Paris skyline, and it comes with the very real deficiency of not being able to see the star of the show while you’re up there.
If it has long been your dream to go, by all means, go and enjoy–but don’t feel like it’s a must-have experience in Paris, either.
Embrace crepes and picnics.
Trying to eat on a budget in Paris?
Be sure to stop at least once (and if you’re on a strict budget, definitely more than once) for a takeaway crepe.
Fresh, warm, cheap, and delicious, they are an absolute treat, and regardless of budget, they’re worth tasting in Paris.
Also, one of the most famous Parisian experiences of all–a picnic–is one of the cheapest ways to eat in the city.
Grab a baguette, some cheese, some meat, possibly some wine, and whatever else your heart desires, and sit down to eat with a beautiful view.
Keep in mind that there are regulations around picnicking in some parts of Paris–drinking alcohol is prohibited in the Luxembourg Gardens, for example, though word on the street is that locals do so discreetly.
Decide what bucket list experiences you must have, and budget for them ahead of time.
When carefully calculating how much your trip to Paris will cost, be sure to plan for at least one truly bucket list experience!
Since Paris the trip of a lifetime for many, the sort of destination that tens of thousands of children dream about visiting, odds are you have at least one thing in mind that you absolutely must do while in the City of Lights.
Whether that’s touring the Louvre or admiring the skyline from the Eiffel Tower, or cruising down the Seine, your Paris travel budget will be best served by committing to the experience ahead of time and budgeting for it in a separate category from your daily expenses.
Don’t sit down at a restaurant without doing your research.
In a city as touristy as Paris, there’s no shortage of restaurants that are tourist traps, whether that means mediocre food, obnoxiously high prices, or both.
Before sitting down to eat, give the restaurant a quick Google search to check reviews, and also glance at their menu.
You’ll save yourself plenty of money on your Paris travel budget this way, not to mention that you’ll avoid disappointing your stomach!
Read More About Visiting Paris
If you found this Paris travel guide helpful and are ready to keep planning your trip to France, we’d love to help!
You can browse our 40+ blog posts about France here, or check out these Paris guides:
- The Ultimate 3 Days in Paris Itinerary (+ Travel Tips!)
- How to Budget for a Trip: The Easiest Budgeting Method
- Planning a Trip to Paris in 11 Easy Steps (+ First Time in Paris Tips!)
- How (And Why) to Visit Montparnasse Tower in Paris
- What to Buy in Paris: 25 Best Paris Souvenirs + Gifts
About Kate Storm