Known for its impressive landmarks, delicious food, and designer shops, visiting Paris on a budget might seem like an unachievable goal. However, the French capital has plenty to offer tourists no matter how much spending money they have.
Here, we discover how to visit Paris on a budget, and look at some of the great things you can do during a holiday there.
Getting around Paris on a budget
The best way to get around Paris on a budget is to walk or cycle. These options are not only free (unless you need to hire a bike), but they allow you to see things that you might have missed from a bus or on the Metro. Paris is a fairly compact city, which means that getting to different places of interest by foot or bike is perfectly achievable. Plus, this option gives you the chance to be active, which you might be grateful for after munching on pastries and cheese during your stay.
If you’re trying to fit lots into a short break in Paris, it could be that leisurely walks and bike rides aren’t really an option. Luckily, the public transport in Paris won’t break the bank, and it’s very easy to travel around. Single Metro tickets can be purchased for €1.90, and you only need to use one per journey, even if you have to change between lines. These tickets can also be used on buses and trams, although you will need to use a new ticket each time you change. To save money, you can purchase a ‘carnet’, which is a pack of 10 tickets, for €16.90. This is the best option if you think you’ll be travelling around a lot during your break.
Alternatively, you might like to buy a Paris Visite Pass which you can use to travel across public transport types for your choice of 1, 2, 3, or 5 consecutive days. There are two types of pass available, one which enables you to travel in zones 1-3, and a second that covers zones 1-5. The cheapest option, which can be used for 2 days in zones 1-3, is €13.20. The most expensive, which can be used to travel in zones 1-5 for 5 days, can be bought for €72.40.
Should you be travelling to Paris with children, you’ll be pleased to know that those under 4 travel for free, and older children, between the ages of 4 and 11, travel for half the price of adults.
Eating and drinking in Paris on a budget
Trying local food and drink is one of the best parts of travelling, but when you’re trying to holiday on a budget it can feel like you’re a bit restricted when it comes to eating and drinking. One of our top tips for eating and drinking in Paris on a budget is to make the most of the excellent supermarkets. Stock up on delicious local bread, cakes, meats, and cheese, and create tasty picnics which you can enjoy in one of the city’s parks. You could also opt for self-catering accommodation which allows you to prepare your breakfasts and dinners too.
If you decide to stop off for a drink in a bar or restaurant, try to have your beverage at the bar rather than at a table. You will be asked to pay a surcharge for taking a seat, so drinking at the bar will save you a bit of money. You’ll also find that this is what the locals do, so it can be a nice way to get chatting to people which you wouldn’t be able to do if you were sat down at a separate table.
As you wander throughout the city, keep an eye out for restaurants offering fixed price menus. A number of places offer 2 or 3 courses and a drink from as little as €10, which provides a great opportunity to eat out in Paris on a budget. This also means that you’ll know exactly how much you’re going to spend, so there won’t be any surprises when the bill arrives! Tipping isn’t compulsory in Paris, so although you might like to leave a euro or two if you receive good service, this isn’t a major cost you’ll need to consider when eating out.
Seeing Paris sights on a budget
When you visit Paris, you’ll be pleased to find that many of its top tourist attractions can be admired without dipping into your budget. For example, the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are both impressive landmarks that you can see free of charge. Although you can pay to enter both of these structures, just seeing the views from outside is often enough for tourists. Another great site to visit is Sacré-Coeur. Once again, you can pay to go into the building if you’d like, but the views across Paris from outside are what more people go for.
If there are particular attractions that you’d like to pay for, booking tickets in advance can be a great way to save money. Pre-booking quite often comes with a discount, and you might be able to pick up ‘skip the line’ tickets which will help you to fit more into your trip. For busier attractions, booking in advance can also secure your entry, which is certainly something to consider in order to avoid disappointment when you arrive.
To see the best of Paris, we recommend taking one of many free walking tours. Held throughout the year, there are a number of companies offering tours suitable for a whole range of interests for the price of a tip. You can tip your guide as much or as little as you like depending on how enjoyable they made your tour, and if you’re travelling outside of the busiest tourist periods, you might find that your tour feels like a private one!
Now that you know how to visit Paris on a budget, book your Dover to Calais crossing and start planning your purse-friendly trip today.
