Paris, the city of lights! Not just a city, it is a place for many travelers, a corner of Paris that feels like the dream of a dream. The Eiffel Tower, the beautiful Seine River, and the Louvre Museum are extraordinary places to visit not only for sightseeing but also for the special character of the city.
The high prices in Paris are a pain for travelers. Everything from hotels, transportation, and food is usually out of reach for the average traveler. It is said that Paris is the city of the rich. Only those who have a lot of money can come to this city.
But this is not entirely true. It is not necessary to spend thousands and thousands of dollars to stay or visit Paris. If you look carefully, arrange the price, and use some correct methods, you can save lots of money.
It is possible to enjoy the beauty, tradition, and culture of this city without emptying your pocket.
This article is for you so that you do not fall into the trap of making a mistake while visiting Paris. You can enjoy every aspect of your travel bucket list at an affordable price.
Plan Your Trip During Off-Peak Seasons
The cost of traveling varies greatly depending on the season. Paris is magical all year round, but if you visit during peak tourist seasons (summer and holidays), your trip can be much more expensive. Airfare, hotel prices, and entrance fees to attractions are much higher during these times.
The best way to save money is to travel to Paris during the off-peak season. October to November and early spring March to May are ideal times to travel. During these times, you'll find cheaper airfares and hotels, and the city's popular attractions will be less crowded.
Paris is at its most beautiful in the fall, with colorful leaves in its gardens and parks, and in the spring, flowers begin to bloom in places like the Luxembourg Gardens, making the city even more attractive.
Book Flights in Advance
Always try to book your flights a few months in advance. Try to book about 3-4 months before your travel date. During this time, flight prices are relatively low.
You can check Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak regularly to keep updated on flight prices, You can keep notifications on your mobile, and book when the price is relatively low. If you can save on flight costs, your travel expenses will be greatly reduced.
Find Affordable Accommodation
The cost of living in Paris depends a lot on your budget, but no worries. The city has many affordable accommodation options where you can stay for a relatively low cost. If you search, you can easily find good hotels to stay in Paris on a budget. Always try to stay a little away from the main city or in the inner city.
Airbnb:
Airbnb offers a variety of budget-friendly apartments, studios, and shared rooms in Paris for very good prices. If you want a little more privacy and comfort, you can find a private room in a local apartment. It will cost around $50 per night.
Also, if you stay in an apartment, you can cook for yourself, which will save you a lot of food costs.
Hostels:
Another great way to save money in Paris is to stay in a hostel. If you are traveling alone or with friends, a hostel is a great option for staying on a budget.
There are many hostels in Paris where you can stay in dormitory-style. Some also offer private rooms for rent. The prices for these rooms are much lower than in hotels. A Google search will show you many hostels near you.
Budget Hotels:
There are some areas in Paris, such as Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and Le Marais, where you can find very affordable hotels.
The prices of hotels in these areas are much lower than in other tourist areas. Also, small family-run hotels and guesthouses are offered at much lower prices. You can stay in these hotels quite comfortably.
If you can stay in a budget-friendly hotel in Paris, then your expenses for exploring Paris will be reduced. You can stay for 2/3 more days at a lower cost to visit the city perfectly.
Use Public Transportation
The best way to city tour in Paris on a budget is to use public transportation.
Metro (subway), buses, and trams run throughout the city, and their fares are very cheap.
If you were to travel around Paris by taxi or Uber, you would end up spending a lot of money, but if you plan your route and use public transportation, you could save a lot of money. If you are a budget traveler you should pick those options.
Metro Pass:
Instead of buying individual tickets each time, you can save a lot on transportation costs by purchasing a multi-day metro pass.
There are some passes in Paris like the Paris Visit Pass or Navigo Découverte, that allow you unlimited travel within a certain area. These passes can be much cheaper and easier than single tickets.
Decovert:
The Decovert is similar to a metro pass, but it gives you unlimited travel access in certain areas, for which you purchase the Decovert.
These passes are much cheaper than single tickets. You can buy this pass for the area you plan to visit when you want. This is another good option for traveling on a budget. Most travelers take this pass in Paris.
Walking and Biking:
Paris is a very walkable city, and many of its top destinations are within walking distance of each other. You can easily explore the city on foot.
You can also consider using Paris' bike-sharing program, Vélib, which offers affordable bike rentals. Biking is a great way to explore the city, and it can also be a great way to save money.
Save on Meals with Street Food
By following some simple tricks for cutting down on food costs in Paris, you can enjoy great food, all on a budget!
Try Street Food:
Street food in Paris is very cheap and delicious. Lots of popular budget-friendly foods you can find near you. Like,
Crepes – thin pancakes filled with Nutella, cheese, or ham, easily available at street stalls.
Falafel – L’As du Fallafel restaurant in the Marais area is particularly popular.
Jambon-Beurre – Ham and butter in a baguette, one of the classic sandwiches in France.
Buy food from supermarkets and bakeries:
Another great way to cut food costs is to buy food from your local supermarket or bakery.
You can buy a Croissant or Pain Au Chocolat for breakfast for just 1-2 euros.
Many supermarkets sell sandwiches and salads at low prices in the evening, which can be a budget-friendly option.
Some supermarkets offer pre-made meals, which are much cheaper than in restaurants.
Take advantage of the lunch menu:
Most restaurants have special discounts during lunchtime. The fixed menu is usually much cheaper than dinner, with good quality dishes you can get for 10-15 euros. Enjoy the amazing food in Paris on a budget with these simple tips! 😊
Visit Free and Low-Cost Sights
Many places in the city can be visited for absolutely free or very little money. Most of these places are easily accessible on foot, so you shouldn't miss them when you visit Paris.
Visit the Eiffel Tower for Free:
It's expensive to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but you can enjoy beautiful views of this iconic landmark from several free spots around the city:
Trocadero Gardens – The best view is from right in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Champs de Mars Park – Sit on the grass and enjoy the view.
Montparnasse Tower – A great way to see the Eiffel Tower from a different vantage point.
Visit museums for free:
Several famous museums in Paris offer free entry to visitors on the first Sunday of every month.
Louvre Museum (near Notre Dame)
Musée d’Orsay – The chance to see masterpieces by Vincent van Gogh, Monet, Renoir.
Centre Pompidou – Famous for modern art.
Musée Rodin – You can see works by the famous sculptor Auguste Rodin.
If you are under 26 and a citizen of the European Union, you can enter most museums for free!
Seine River:
The Seine River is the heart of Paris and it doesn't cost anything to walk along the river!
You can see Notre Dame Cathedral, the Louvre Museum, and the Eiffel Tower as you walk along the river.
In the evening, sit by the river and enjoy the sunset – romantic and completely free!
Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur:
The Montmartre area is famous for its artists, bohemian culture, and old Paris.
Entry to the Sacré-Coeur Basilica is completely free.
The Basilica's steps offer some of the best panoramic views of Paris, all for free!
Walking the narrow streets of Montmartre will take you to the streets of artists, street performers, and small cafes.
Explore parks and gardens:
Paris has several beautiful parks and gardens that you can visit absolutely free of charge:
Luxembourg Gardens – Royal gardens, ideal for relaxation.
Tuileries Gardens – Historic gardens next to the Louvre.
Parc des Buttes-Chamois – Views of the city from a high hill.
Inside the Bois de Vincennes – A large green area, with a free horse racing track and a small lake.
Enjoy Street Performances:
You can enjoy free performances by street artists and musicians in some of Paris's most famous locations:
Montmartre – See portraits painted by street artists.
In front of Notre Dame Cathedral – Magicians, statue performers, and musicians perform.
Along the Seine River or on City Island – Various bands perform live music in the evenings.
Visit churches of Paris:
Some of the world-famous churches in Paris are free to enter:
Notre-Dame Cathedral (while under renovation, you can still enjoy the beauty of the exterior)
Sainte-Chapelle – famous for its stained glass windows (sometimes hosts free concerts).
La Madeleine Church – occasionally hosts free organ concerts.
Enjoy the sunset points:
The best places to watch the sunset in the evening for free like:
Watching the sunset from the steps of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Enjoying the sunset over the Seine River from the Pont Neuf Bridge.
Watching the Eiffel Tower light show from the Trocadero.
Explore the famous markets of Paris:
Some of the city's markets are completely free to visit and you can also take food at reasonable prices:
Marché Bastille – a huge market for local produce.
Marché des Enfants Rouges – the oldest covered market in Paris.
Marché d’Aligre – famous for its fruit, cheese, bread, etc.
You don't have to spend a lot to visit Paris! With these free or low-cost ways to enjoy the city's culture, history, and beauty. They're all free or very low-cost, so don't miss out on visiting them. 😊
Stay Safe and Be Aware of Scams
Like other major cities, Paris also has various scams targeting tourists. It is important to adopt some simple tips to stay safe in the city. Here are some common types of scams, always try to avoid them:
Street fraud:
In some busy areas of Paris, people may approach you and try to ask for donations. They will usually try to hand you an application form and pressure you to donate. Sometimes they will pretend to be disabled, trying to gain sympathy. Always avoid them.
Fake Gold Ring Scam:
This is a very common type of scam, where a person will pick up a gold ring in front of you and tell you that it is yours. Later, he will claim that it is real gold and want to sell it to you at a lower price. In such a situation, just walk away without getting involved and there is no need to talk.
Pickpockets in the metro and crowded areas:
Pickpockets in the metro and crowded areas Pickpockets are very common in the metro, buses, and major tourist areas of Paris. Pickpockets are particularly active near the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Elysee, and in the crowded metro. Be careful about this.
Fake taxis and attempts to overcharge:
Some unregistered or illegal taxi drivers try to overcharge tourists. Only use official taxis (those with the words "TAXI PARISIEN" written on the roof). You may be safer using app-based taxi services (such as Uber or Bolt).
Friendly" Strangers:
Some strangers act friendly to tourists, sometimes giving them free bracelets or other gifts and then demanding money for them.
If someone tries to give you something for nothing, politely say no.
Don't let them wear anything on your hand, as they will later claim you bought it and demand money.
Paris is a wonderful city, but it is very important to be aware of safety and always be careful.
Final Thoughts
With proper planning and some smart moves, you can keep your trip to Paris from being expensive.
✅ Travel during off-peak seasons:
When there are fewer tourists, airfare and hotel costs are lower.
✅ Book in advance:
Booking hotels, trains, and popular attractions in advance can save you money.
✅ Use public transportation:
Take the metro and buses instead of taxis to save a lot of money.
✅ Enjoy free attractions:
Enjoy views of the Eiffel Tower, a walk along the Seine River, free museums, and a stroll through Montmartre.
✅ Buy food and souvenirs on the cheap:
Buy food from bakeries and supermarkets instead of restaurants.
✅ Be Aware of Scams
Be aware of safety and always be careful of scammers.
Paris is not just about famous sights, it is also known for its culture, experiences, and memories. With these insider tips, you can enjoy the wonderful Peris without spending too much!
