Paris with a budget: how I did it (and you too)

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Paris is the kind of place that does not need any introduction. It’s beautiful. It’s iconic. Are… a bit expensiveright?

I thought that too – until I really went. I spent a week in Paris with a budget and I am here to tell you: You can do it without giving up croissants, views of the tower or museum marathons. The only thing needed is a little planning and some smart know -how.

Here is everything I wish I had known the first time I had visited, updated with tips from my last budget trip – plus links to help you do it yourself.

There come: flights that do not cost your entire travel budget

Flights were the biggest obstacle for me. But with a little flexibility I found return tickets for just under $ 1000 for 2 people. Even that is slightly higher than some of the best deals there are.

If you fly from a large city like New York, you can easily find return tickets for less than $ 400.

Tips that worked for me:

• I used Google -flights and prices a few months in advance.
• Fly on one Tuesday and back on one Wednesday Almost $ 100 shaved.
• I flew in Orly AirportNot Charles de Gaulle – less hectic and often cheaper.

👉 Best times to book: January, February or early November. Not so warm, but less crowds and better deals.

🛏 Where I slept (and what I would do again)

Hostels with personality

I stayed with Le Village Montmartre And to be honest. I spent a bit so that Liz and I could have some privacy and we got a double room. For about € 35- € 45/night you can get a clean bed, lockers and a great atmosphere (loved the atmosphere!).

• Dormeral: € 20– € 45 in the low season.
• Private room: About € 90- € 200 if you want privacy, but still have access to hostelvibes and kitchens.
• Others I looked at: Jo & Joe Paris Nation And Generator Paris are also solid picks.

🥐 Good food (without publishing a fortune)

This was one of my favorite parts – Paris is the paradise of a snacker.

Bakery Magic

Breakfast? Always from a boulangerie. A croissant and espresso for € 3 beats every café sit-down version.

One morning Liz and I took a still warming pain au chocolat from a local place and ate it on the grass in the square Louise Michel for the basilica of the Sacré-Cœur while they woke up the city.

It cost € 1.60 and felt priceless.

Lunch formulas

Go for the Formula Midi During lunch – set menus that are way Cheaper than dinner.

I had a double lunch in a bistro in the Latin neighborhood for around € 16. Duck confit, glass of wine and chocolate mousse. Heaven.

• Search for lunch specials placed outside Bistros – usually € 13– € 20.
• Tip: Bouillon Pigalle Serve full meals for less than € 20 in a beautiful Art Deco room.

Markets and picnics

A € 10 Monoprix Run = cheese, baguette, fruit and a bottle of wine of € 3.

I picniced Luxembourg Gardens” Place des VosgesAnd along the Seine – some of my best meals in the city.

Check out:

🎨 All free things I loved

Museums that cost € 0

And yes, you can go to the Louvre Free The first Friday evening of the month (after 6 p.m.) if you are younger than 26 – or just want to defy the crowds.

District wanders

Montmartre was my favorite to get lost – proposed lanes, artist foursman and small bakeries. Bonus: View of Sacré-Cœur’s steps are free and epic.

Other places I loved:

• Channel Saint-Martin: Chill, trendy, great bakeries.
• Le Marais: Elegant, historical and always lively.
• Latin quarter: Buzz student and old -fashioned charm.

🚇 Paris make it around cheap

Run first

Serious – so many sights are walkable from each other. I clocked 15k steps a day and hardly noticed because I was too busy starting to the architecture.

Metro tips

• Use the Navigo Easy Card. It is cheap, rechargeable and brings you around effortlessly.
• From 2025 everything is flat rate – no more confusing zones!
• I also have my Credit card with tap On the metro (make sure that yours have no foreign costs).

Vélib ‘Cycling

For € 5 I unleashed unlimited short bicycle rides in the city. Loved cycling along the Seine early in the morning before the crowds.

View it: velib metopole.fr

📅 When to go for the best value

I’ve been to Early March As well as November. Light jacket again, minimal crowds and prices that don’t hurt. 10/10 would do it again.

💸 What I spent (apart from a few splashes)

🧠 Fast tips that made a difference

• Take a reusable bag For groceries (you will be loaded differently).
• Download City guide For transit – it’s a savior in need.
• Do not skip parks– They are more than green space. They are local life, free museums and picnic sky.
• Always say “bonjour” When you enter a store or cafe – it is expected and set the tone.

Paris is for everyone

You do not need a five-star hotel, Eiffel Tower dinner or a Louvre-Snel-Pass to fall in love with Paris. Some of the best things – Sunsets from the Seine, a flaky croissant at sunrise, get lost in Montmartre – are either free or almost.

Travel smart, stay flexible and enjoy the little things. Paris will reward you for it.

Tyler Fox

Tyler is our editor -in -chief and writer. After spending years reading, writing and being obsessed during travel (while of course he has made travel as often as possible!), He wants to give readers the best and most balanced experience when exploring the site.

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