Paris on a Budget: How to Visit the City of Light Without Breaking the Bank

Paris has a reputation for being expensive—and while it certainly can be—savvy travelers know that the City of Light offers countless ways to experience its magic without emptying your wallet. From free world-class museums to delicious cheap eats and affordable transport hacks, this guide will show you how to have an incredible Paris experience on any budget.

Budget Overview: What to Expect

Category	Budget Option	Mid-Range	Splurge
Accommodation	€30-60/night (hostel)	€100-180/night (hotel)	€250+/night
Meals	€15-25/day	€40-70/day	€100+/day
Transport	€15-20/day	€25-35/day	€50+/day
Attractions	€0-20/day	€30-50/day	€80+/day
Daily Total	€60-125	€195-335	€480+

Free Attractions in Paris

World-Class Museums (Free Entry)

Yes, you can visit some of the world's finest museums without paying a euro:

Always Free:

• Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris – Excellent modern art collection
• Petit Palais – Stunning building with free permanent collection
• Musée Carnavalet – History of Paris in a beautiful Marais mansion
• Maison de Victor Hugo – The author's former home in Place des Vosges
• Mémorial de la Shoah – Moving Holocaust memorial and museum

Free on First Sunday of Each Month:

• Musée d'Orsay – Impressionist masterpieces
• Musée de l'Orangerie – Monet's Water Lilies
• Centre Pompidou – Modern and contemporary art
• Musée Rodin – Sculptor's works and gardens
• Musée Picasso – Extensive Picasso collection

Free for EU Residents Under 26:

• Louvre – World's largest art museum
• Musée d'Orsay
• Palace of Versailles
• Most national museums

Free Iconic Experiences

Many of Paris's most memorable experiences cost nothing:

• Eiffel Tower views – Don't climb it, admire it from Trocadéro or Champ de Mars
• Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre – Stunning basilica and artistic neighborhood
• Notre-Dame exterior – Watch the reconstruction of this Gothic masterpiece
• Champs-Élysées stroll – Window shop along the famous avenue
• Seine River walk – Romantic riverside promenades
• Père Lachaise Cemetery – Visit graves of Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and more
• Le Marais wandering – Charming streets, Jewish quarter, LGBTQ+ neighborhood
• Canal Saint-Martin – Hip neighborhood with beautiful iron footbridges
• Luxembourg Gardens – Beautiful formal gardens perfect for picnics
• Street Markets – Browse colorful outdoor markets throughout the city

Budget Accommodation

Best Budget Neighborhoods

Where to Stay Cheap:

• 10th & 11th arrondissements – Hip, central, affordable
• 19th arrondissement – Near Parc de la Villette, great hostels
• 20th arrondissement – Belleville area, local vibe, cheap eats
• Montmartre outskirts – Charming but watch exact location

Avoid:

• Hotels directly on major tourist streets
• Anything advertising as "near Eiffel Tower"

Accommodation Options

Hostels (€25-45/night):

• Generator Paris – Social atmosphere, bar, near Gare du Nord
• St Christopher's Canal – Modern, canal views, great common areas
• Les Piaules – Trendy Belleville hostel with rooftop bar
• MIJE Hostels – Historic buildings in Le Marais

Budget Hotels (€60-90/night):

• Ibis Budget and B&B Hotels near metro stations
• Look in the 10th, 11th, and 19th arrondissements

Apartment Rentals:

• Often cheaper than hotels for groups or longer stays
• Include kitchen access for meal savings
• Check neighborhood safety and transport links

Eating on a Budget

Cheap Eats That Don't Sacrifice Quality

Bakeries (Boulangeries):

• Croissant – €1-1.50
• Pain au chocolat – €1.20-1.80
• Baguette sandwich – €4-6
• Quiche slice – €3-4

Street Food:

• Crêpes – €3-6 from street vendors
• Falafel in Le Marais – €7-8 (try L'As du Fallafel)
• Jambon-beurre (ham and butter baguette) – €4-5

Budget Restaurants:

• Bouillon restaurants – Traditional French food, €15-20 for full meal
  • Bouillon Chartier (historic, touristy but fun)
  • Bouillon Pigalle (modern version)
  • Bouillon République
• Asian food in Belleville – Excellent Chinese, Vietnamese for €8-12
• Rue Sainte-Anne – Japanese quarter with affordable ramen and bento

Supermarket Strategy:

• Breakfast – Buy croissants and coffee from bakeries
• Lunch – Picnic from Monoprix, Franprix, or Carrefour
• Dinner – Eat your main meal at a budget restaurant

Money-Saving Food Tips:

• Order the formule (set menu) at lunch for best value
• Drink tap water – une carafe d'eau is free
• Standing at the bar for coffee costs half the seated price
• Avoid restaurants in tourist hotspots
• Look for places where locals are eating

Getting Around Cheaply

Metro Passes and Tickets

Best Options:

• Navigo Easy – Rechargeable card, load single trips (€2.15 each)
• Carnet of 10 tickets – €16.90 (€1.69 per trip) via Navigo Easy
• Navigo Découverte Weekly Pass – €30.75 for unlimited travel (Mon-Sun)
• Paris Visite Pass – Usually not worth it unless you use trains to airports

Pro Tips:

• Weekly Navigo starts Monday, so arrive early in the week
• Walking is free and often faster for short distances
• Many attractions are clustered—combine nearby sites

Free and Cheap Transport

• Walking – Paris is surprisingly walkable
• Vélib' Bikes – First 30 minutes free with subscription (€3.10/day)
• Bus routes 21, 29, 69 – Scenic routes past major sites
• Batobus (river shuttle) – Not cheap but fun if you have Paris Pass

Budget Itinerary Ideas

Day 1: Free Paris Classics

Morning:

• Watch sunrise at Trocadéro for Eiffel Tower views
• Walk through Champ de Mars gardens
• Coffee and croissant at a local bakery

Afternoon:

• Cross Pont Alexandre III (most beautiful bridge)
• Explore Champs-Élysées (window shopping is free!)
• Jardins des Tuileries stroll
• Louvre exterior and Pyramid photos

Evening:

• Picnic along the Seine
• Walk through Île de la Cité
• Notre-Dame exterior at night

Daily Cost: ~€15-20 (food only)

Day 2: Museums and Le Marais

Morning:

• Sacré-Cœur and Montmartre exploration
• Watch artists at Place du Tertre

Afternoon:

• Musée Carnavalet (free)
• Le Marais streets and Jewish quarter
• Falafel at L'As du Fallafel

Evening:

• Place des Vosges (Paris's oldest square)
• Maison de Victor Hugo (free)
• Drinks at a Marais bar

Daily Cost: ~€20-30

Day 3: Left Bank Culture

Morning:

• Luxembourg Gardens
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood
• Browse bookstalls along the Seine

Afternoon:

• Petit Palais (free)
• Walk along Champs-Élysées
• Arc de Triomphe from below

Evening:

• Sunset at Trocadéro
• Budget dinner at Bouillon Pigalle

Daily Cost: ~€25-35

Additional Money-Saving Tips

Attractions

1. Museum Pass – Worth it only if visiting 3+ paid museums in 2 days
2. Skip paid observation decks – Sacré-Cœur dome and Printemps rooftop are free
3. Free guided tours – Sandemans and others offer tip-based walking tours
4. Church concerts – Often free or donation-based classical music
5. Park activities – Pétanque, jogging, picnicking cost nothing

General Tips

1. Avoid tourist restaurants – Walk 2 blocks from any landmark
2. Happy hours – Many bars offer half-price drinks 5-8 PM
3. Water fountains – Paris has free drinking fountains everywhere
4. Pharmacy basics – Cheaper than hotels for toiletries
5. Free WiFi – Available in many parks, cafes, and public spaces
6. Off-season travel – November-March (excluding holidays) is cheapest

Apps for Budget Travelers

• Citymapper – Best public transport navigation
• Too Good To Go – Restaurant leftovers at 70% off
• TheFork – Restaurant discounts up to 50%
• Paris City Hall app – Free events and activities

When to Visit for Best Budget

Cheapest Times:

• January-February (post-holiday lull)
• November (before Christmas markets)
• Mid-week in any season

Most Expensive:

• Fashion weeks (late February, late September)
• Major trade fairs
• School holidays (July-August, Christmas, Easter)

Sample Budget Breakdown: 5 Days in Paris

Expense	Cost
Accommodation (hostel, 5 nights)	€175
Metro (Navigo weekly)	€31
Food (budget strategy)	€100
Attractions (mostly free)	€30
Miscellaneous	€40
Total	€376 (~€75/day)

With careful planning, you can experience Paris for under €100 per day, including accommodation!

Plan Your Budget Paris Trip

Ready to explore Paris without breaking the bank? Use Explorinder to create a personalized itinerary that maximizes free attractions, budget-friendly neighborhoods, and money-saving routes through the city.

Our AI-powered trip planner helps you discover the perfect balance of must-see landmarks and local experiences, all while staying within your budget. Start planning your affordable Paris adventure today!

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Remember: Some of the best Paris experiences—watching the sunset from Sacré-Cœur, strolling along the Seine, savoring a perfect croissant—don't cost a thing.