How to Visit Paris on a Budget (A Local’s Guide)

👉 Jump to: Budget Tips | Cheap & Free Things to Do | Where to Stay | Cheap Eats | FAQs

Paris may seem like the luxury capital of the world, so you may be wondering if it’s possible to visit on a budget. Some Paris experiences are expensive, but a trip to the City of Light doesn’t have to break the bank!

I’ve lived in Paris for over ten years, including as a broke student. In this post, I’ll give you my top tips to save serious cash. Then, I’ll tell you where to find the best cheap activities, lodging, and restaurants for a glamorous trip at budget prices!

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7 Tips to Do Paris on the Cheap

Focus on National Museums

Museum ticket prices add up fast, but you can avoid them by focusing on the free national museums. These include art museums, like the Musée de l’Art Moderne de Paris. These also include history museums, like the Museum of the History of Paris: the Musée Carnavalet. 

If you’re interested in visiting multiple Paris museums that do charge fees, buy a museum pass. This is particularly worth it for longer stays.

Consider “Navigos” for Public Transportation

A daily or weekly pass for the bus and metro can help you save money. As of the writing of this article, prices are 2.50€ for a single metro or train ticket. A bus ticket costs 2€. Approximate how often you’ll take public transport during your stay, then see if it makes sense to get a Navigo pass. Check out my article on getting around Paris to learn how!

Choose Bakeries for Cheap Local Meals

Remember that you don’t have to eat at a fancy restaurant for every meal. Local bakeries provide to-go sandwiches, quiches, and other filling items. These work perfectly for a cheap lunch. Make your experience more luxurious by eating in a local park or garden. 

Time Your Trip Carefully

The price of your trip can be hugely affected by when you visit Paris. Come in the shoulder seasons, particularly April to May, for the best mix of budget travel and weather. You can also get great deals in winter and August. 

Check Prix Fixe Menu Options

In Paris, a prix fixe menu offers a choice of several plates for each of the three courses. You can get great deals by ordering this way rather than choosing separate items from the menu. Many restaurants will only offer prix fixe menus at lunch or on weekdays, so make plans. 

Make Breakfast Your Fancy Meal 

Breakfast may not be included in your accommodations if you’re staying at a less-expensive hotel or apartment. Use this as an opportunity to explore fancier Paris restaurants with high-priced lunch and dinner menus. 

At Chez Julien, one of my favorite “treat” restaurants, a huge breakfast comes in luxurious surroundings for only 18 €.

Stay in a “Two-Digit” District

Accommodation will likely be the biggest expense on your trip to Paris. Save yourself money and get to know local life better by staying in one of the “outer” districts or arrondissements (10+). The city is small and has great transport links, so you’ll still have access to Paris’s top attractions. 

9 Cheap & Free Things to Do in Paris

Arc de Triomphe

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 55 37 73 77 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 10:30 pm daily | Entrance (stairs to top): €16, adults, free for under 26 EU residents

You don’t need to pay money to see the Arc de Triomphe. You can see Napoleon’s famous arch from many places in the city, including up close, for free. A visit around the base will let you see the carvings in the arch as well as the eternal flame. 

Notre Dame Cathedral

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 42 34 56 10 | Website | Hours: 7:50 am – 7 pm Mon-Wed & Fri, 7:50 am – 10 pm Thu, 8:15 am – 7:30 pm Sat & Sun | Entrance: Free 

Paris’s most famous cathedral features stunning stained glass that you can see for free. Meanwhile, you can walk in the footsteps of French royalty and learn about French history along the way. If you love stained glass, check out the nearby Sainte-Chappelle for €13.

And don’t forget to bookmark my Notre Dame guide for more helpful tips.

Musée Carnavalet

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 44 59 58 58 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Tue-Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free

I recommend that visitors start every trip to Paris with a visit to the Musée Carnavalet. This free museum takes you through Paris’s history. It also has a great garden café in the summer. As you walk through Parisian history, you’ll get inspiration for your trip!

Coulée Verte René-Dumont

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 8 am – 7:30 pm Tue- Fri, 8 am – 9:30 pm Sat & Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: Free

This pedestrian walkway to the east of Paris is a haven. It’s also a way to see Paris from above. You can walk from Bastille in the 11th arrondissement to the Parc de Vincennes on Paris’s eastern edge. In the meantime, you’ll be surrounded by gorgeous greenery. 

Sacré Coeur Basilica

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 53 41 89 00 | Website | Hours: 6:30 am – 10:30 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Hiking through Montmartre to get to Sacré Coeur can be tough – but it’s worth it! This enormous cathedral is overwhelming in person. Meanwhile, the viewing platforms let you see some of the best views in Paris. Fans of the film Amélie should recognize a key location.

Check out other free attractions in Montmartre, like the Love Wall pictured in the title photo of this article. It’s one of my favorite parts of the neighborhood!

Tuileries Gardens

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily | Entrance: Free

The Tuileries Gardens are stunning centuries-old formal gardens that are busy year-round. Home to the Jeu de Paume and Orangerie museums, you’ll also find vendors and food carts (however, there are more during the high season than the low season). The garden hosts a small carnival in summer, too. 

Luxembourg Gardens

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 42 34 20 00 | Website | Hours: Sunrise – Sunset | Entrance: Free

Garden lovers shouldn’t leave Paris without a trip to the Luxembourg Gardens. This extensive green space on the Left Bank has everything from semi-hidden fountains to children’s puppet shows. It’s also the perfect way to mix some greenery into the many boulevards you’ll be wandering.

Palais-Royal

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 47 03 92 16 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8:30 pm daily (winter), 8:30 am – 10:30 pm daily (summer) | Entrance: Free

This former royal palace is now a public park. Visit to take pictures balancing on the multi-level columns at the entrance. Then, grab a cup of coffee from Café Kitsuné in the arcade. Sit and people-watch or read a book. The smaller enclosed gardens and fountain are gorgeous in summer. 

Jardin des Plantes

📍 Google Maps | Phone: +33 (0)1 40 79 56 01 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 5:30 pm daily (winter), 7:30 am – 8 pm daily (summer), 8 am – 6:30 pm daily (October) | Entrance: Free

Botany enthusiasts, gardeners, and natural history lovers need to make the Jardin des Plantes a stop on their Paris itinerary! From the museum and zoo to the rose-covered paths, there’s something for everyone here. This is also a kid-friendly destination, with special itineraries for children.

Where to Stay in Paris on a Budget

Paris’s two-digit arrondissements (10-20) tend to be less expensive than the inner arrondissements (1-9). However, you can find a great deal even in the top Parisian neighborhoods! Here are my picks for where to stay in Paris without spending top dollar.

Best Paris Hotels on a Budget

• 🏆 Best Overall Budget Hotel – Moris Grands Boulevards
• 🗺️ Best Location –  Hôtel Saint-André des Arts
• 👪 Best for Families: Hôtel de Roubaix
• 🏨 Best Hostel – The People – Paris Nation

Best Paris Neighborhoods on a Budget

10th Arrondissement

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: Moris Grands-Boulevards

The up-and-coming 10th arrondissement is a great place to stay to save money. Look for a hotel close to the République métro station for easy transport access to the city. Or stay along the Canal Saint-Martin in the summer to experience Parisian lounging at its finest. You’ll also find lots of great niche bars and boutiques in this area.

The 10th is also my top budget pick because it’s home to Moris Grands-Boulevards Hotel. I’ve seen prices as low as $124 for a double room in the off-season. However, you’d never believe it when you see the upscale design and amenities like room service. 

The Marais

👉 Best Area Overall | ✨ Best Budget Hotel: Hôtel de Roubaix

The Marais is my top recommendation for where to stay in Paris overall. It’s central (in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements), it’s charming, and it contains many top attractions. However, it also has a reputation for being pricey. But it doesn’t have to be!

The charmingly designed Hôtel de Roubaix puts you at the western edge of the neighborhood. From there, you can walk to the Centre Pompidou for modern art in just a few blocks. You can also head into the Marais for shopping, garden squares, and cozy sidewalk cafes.

La Monnaie

👉 Best Area for Walkers | ✨ Best Budget Hotel:  Hôtel Saint-André des Arts

I love to explore La Monnaie, in the 6th arrondissement, on foot. From here, you can walk almost anywhere in the city. Even though it’s on the Left Bank, you’re close to the Seine. This makes hopping over to the Right Bank easy! Meanwhile, the quarter’s full of attractions and varied restaurants at all price points.

The Hôtel Saint-André des Arts has an incredible location in this district. Its architectural details, from brick walls to exposed beams, are stunning. And in the low season, prices can drop to around 200€ a night.

7th Arrondissement

👉 Best Area for First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Budget Hotels: Académie Hôtel Saint Germain

The 7th arrondissement has a reputation as one of Paris’s “chic” districts. And it certainly deserves it! It’s particularly great for first-time visitors who want to see Paris on foot, as it’s centrally located. 

You’ll find everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to the Eiffel Tower here. However, that doesn’t mean that budget-minded travelers should forget about staying here. 

Rental apartments in the area can be surprisingly affordable. Hotels can get a little more pricey. However, you can get great deals in the off-season at boutique hotels like the Académie Hôtel Saint Germain. For example, a recent search showed a double room in August for $207.

Cheap Eats in Paris

You can cut your food budget significantly by eating lunch at bakeries and choosing a hotel with breakfast included. However, Paris’s restaurants are an important part of Parisian life! No matter what you’re in the mood to eat, here are some of my favorite spots for an inexpensive meal.

ISO Café

Café

📍 Google Maps | Website | $

A lot of visitors never make it out of the single-digit arrondissements. They’re missing out! ISO Café, in the 18th arrondissement, is halfway up a charming, twisting street. Its weekend brunches are incredible – and an incredible value. They’ve recently started doing tapas on select evenings, which I can’t wait to try!

La Chope des Compagnons

Wine bar with small plates

📍 Google Maps | Website | $

This centrally located wine bar is the perfect stop when you want a light meal. Knowledgeable servers recommend top-notch natural wines, none of which cost more than a few euros a glass. Meanwhile, round out your night with a board of tapas, charcuterie, or cheese, all at reasonable prices.  

La Sarrasine

Crêpes

📍 Google Maps | $

In a city that’s filled with crêperies, I love La Sarrasine. This tiny restaurant on L’Île Saint Louis is easy to overlook. However, stop into its cozy interior in winter or enjoy a sidewalk table in summer. Then, you’ll find yourself with a ton of choices for sweet and savory crêpes.

Bouillon République

French

📍 Google Maps  | Website | $

Sometimes, you just want classic French food at a reasonable price! That’s where Bouillon République comes in. From steak frites to tartare, this chain restaurant doesn’t feel like a chain. It can get packed at lunchtime, but it’s big enough to accommodate larger groups. It’s also surprisingly inexpensive. 

L’As du Fallafel

Middle Eastern

📍 Google Maps  | Price Range: $

Paris has excellent Middle Eastern food of all kinds. However, its most famous Middle Eastern restaurant is L’As du Fallafel. Plan on waiting in line for these delicious falafels, but know that they’ll be worth it! I recommend going down the street to the Rosiers–Joseph Migneret Garden to eat.

FAQs

How much is a reasonable budget for visiting Paris?

A reasonable budget for visiting Paris is around $250 a day in the low season for one person and basic accommodation. Add $50-100 per person per day for each additional visitor. Add another $75-100 per day for high-season travel. 

How expensive is accommodation in Paris?

Accommodation in Paris begins at around $150 a night in the low season. This goes up to around $225-$250 a night in the high season. For these prices, don’t expect to stay in the center of the city. However, you will be able to find nice accommodation in the outer arrondissements.

How expensive are restaurants in Paris? 

For a sit-down dinner at a Parisian restaurant, expect to pay a minimum of $25 per person. Prices can get much more expensive depending on where you go! At a Michelin-starred restaurant, for example, plan on paying several hundred dollars per person at a minimum.

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Ready for more Paris planning? Check out my other guides like Paris tours and excursions and my Paris packing list!