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Planning a trip to Europe and wondering if Paris is expensive? Here’s everything you need to know!
One thing I ask myself before every trip is, “How expensive is this place going to be, anyway?” Before my first visit to Paris, I assumed that the city would be gobsmackingly expensive and braced myself for the worst.
When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find that, although some things are definitely more expensive than I was used to, others were noticeably cheaper. Metro tickets are affordable, especially compared to London, and both groceries and bakeries are reasonably priced. Restaurants, bars, and activities, however, can get very expensive, so it’s best to plan ahead where you can. Hotels are also expensive, especially during the peak season from June to August.
I should note that I’ve never stayed in a hotel in Paris, thanks to my partner’s generous family members who offered to host us on every visit. If you have the option to stay with a friend or somewhere free, it will definitely cut down your overall expenses. Don’t worry if you need to book a hotel, though – I still have some tips to find a great place on a budget.
Table of Contents
So, Is Paris Expensive?
Cost Breakdown: One Week In Paris
Tips for Visiting Paris on a Budget
FAQs
Conclusion
So, Is Paris Expensive?
Paris is an expensive city to visit in the way that London and New York are expensive (though Paris is probably the cheapest of the three). By that I mean that places to stay tend to be pricey, especially if they’re central. And while budget-friendly options for restaurants and activities exist, it’s also possible to spend an almost unlimited amount of money in any of these cities.
Like London and New York, if you’re careful, and willing to do a little work, you can absolutely visit Paris on a budget. Aside from your hotel, it’s possible to keep daily costs quite low, provided that you’re diligent about choosing free activities, happy enough to make your own meals or picnic, and avoid the more luxurious side of Paris (for the most part, anyway).
I would say that Paris is also cheaper to visit than Scandinavia or Iceland, where nearly everything from restaurants to bars to groceries is quite expensive. Unlike those countries, Paris has affordable groceries, wine, and bakeries.
Most fresh baguettes are less than €2 (be sure to order the baguette tradition – it’s slightly more expensive but much tastier) and a bottle of wine from the grocery store can be as cheap as €3. Croissants are also less than €2 each.
Budget Travel in Paris
Flexibility and adaptability are the names of the game when it comes to budget travel in Paris. The biggest factor you’ll have control over when planning a trip to Paris is choosing when you’ll go. Hotel prices tend to be highest during the summer months of June through August, so you can save money by avoiding this period.
May is my favorite time to travel in Europe because you can usually find great weather, deals on flights and accommodations, and beat the crowds that start in June.
The easiest place to save while you’re in Paris is usually on activities and food. There are tons of things to do in Paris that are completely free (think: sightseeing or relaxing in a park) or very affordable. Likewise, you can potentially save a great deal on food by cooking your own meals or buying affordable, premade versions at local bakeries and grocery stores.
How Much Does It Cost To Spend A Week In Paris?
Every person who visits Paris will have their own budget, timeline, and expenses. That means that there’s no one answer to how much it will cost to spend a week in Paris.
That said, I estimate that it will cost you approximately $2,575 to spend a week in Paris when traveling on a budget. That includes a round trip flight from New York City at $450, six nights in the Hotel Joyce – Astotel at $1,150, and about $75 per day for food for seven days for a total of $525. I also budgeted $250 for activities, $100 for transportation, and $100 for incidentals.
When I travel, I love to try the food, will stop at a museum or two, and typically walk or use public transit. Your travel style, seasonality, and how far in advance you book can all impact the total price you’ll pay for a trip to Paris.
✈️ Approximate Round Trip Airfare Costs
Like hotel costs, airfare to Paris is subject to dynamic pricing and can vary based on demand, fuel costs, and availability.
You can fly from New York to Paris for anywhere from $300 to $800+ per person, depending on the time of year, airline, and additional add ons to your ticket. The most expensive time to fly to Paris is typically in the summer, though last minute tickets also tend to be pricey.
Here are the websites that I recommend you check when looking for airfare to Paris: Google Flights, Kayak, Expedia, Skyscanner, Norse Atlantic Airways, French Bee, and Air France. When comparing flight prices, be sure to include estimates for the extras you’ll add to your ticket on top of the base fare – seat selection, baggage, and meals are extra on some airlines but included in others.
Regardless of which aggregator site you use to look for flights, I always recommend booking directly with the airline.
🏩 Average Hotel Costs
Before I share some average hotel costs, I want to take a moment to explain dynamic pricing. Essentially, hotel prices are mostly dictated by the pricing algorithms of the booking platforms – think Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com. These platforms use a number of factors to price hotel rooms, so a hotel might be $150 one night and $236 the next night.
Accordingly, it’s hard to know how much a hotel in Paris will actually cost until you look at your dates.
In addition to checking the large booking platforms, I would also suggest checking Airbnb and VRBO. When possible, I prefer to book private apartments on Booking.com because it doesn’t come with all of the annoying strings (requests to sweep, clean, etc.).
Average Budget Hotel/Hostel Costs (💲)
A few things to note before booking a budget hotel or hostel in Paris: first, it’s going to be small. Most apartments, hotel rooms, and restaurants in Paris are rather compact, especially when compared to the US. Second, it might not have an elevator – so double check how many flights of stairs you might need to walk up. Finally, air conditioning is not a given anywhere in Paris, but budget hotels are even less likely to have it. Read the descriptions carefully.
As an example, the price for a night in a double room at The People – Paris Bercy hostel is €133 for a weekend evening in July. From my research and experience, budget hotels and hostels in Paris will tend to run between about €75 to €185 per night.
You can find lower prices and deals during the off season, and it’s always worth looking at private rooms on Airbnb in case you’re able to find a better price.
Average Mid Range Hotel Costs (💲💲)
Hotel Joyce – Astotel is one of my favorite budget-friendly/mid range hotels in Paris. A night at the Hotel Joyce – Astotel in July is €178. Although the rooms are small, they’re nicely appointed and the hotel offers little perks like free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. This hotel is located in Pigalle, which is one of my favorite areas of the city for Parisian nightlife and budget-friendly restaurants.
On average, a night at a mid range hotel will cost between €185 and €250 per night. Mid range hotels should include some additional comforts or perks when compared to budget hotels. When comparing hotels, consider location and proximity to the Metro, floor space, size of the shower, whether breakfast is included (and if guests say it’s any good), and any view you might have from your window.
Average Higher End Hotel Costs (💲💲💲)
On my regular blog posts, I often list the Hôtel des Arts Montmartre as a “luxury” hotel – by which I simply mean that it’s on the higher end of the hotels that I recommend. As you’ll see below, I’ve also included some truly luxurious hotels, too.
A night at the higher end Hôtel des Arts Montmartre is €267. This hotel includes tasteful decor, soundproofing, air conditioning, and some rooms even have a view over the rooftops of Montmartre. It’s also known for having friendly and helpful staff (not a given in Paris).
A nicer hotel in Paris typically runs anywhere from €250 to €500 per night, with higher prices for central locations, amenities like Eiffel Tower views or balconies, and more spacious rooms.
Average Luxury Hotel Costs (💲💲💲💲)
Paris has an undeniably extravagant side, and there’s a commiserate high price tag that goes along with the opulence. In case you’re curious, here’s a bit of insight into the costs and amenities of some of Paris’ most luxurious hotels at two different price points.
A night at the Maison Proust, Hotel & Spa La Mer is just over €1,000 and comes with access to a hammam spa, a private pool, and stately decor filled with original artwork. The location in Le Marais right near Canal Saint-Martin is perfect for exploring the city and seeing some of the trendiest spots in Paris.
For comparison, a night at the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris starts at €2,000 per night but can climb to nearly €9,000 per night for the deluxe suites with city views. The George V Paris hotel has three Michelin starred restaurants, a spa, and fresh flowers arranged by Jeff Leatham, an acclaimed florist.
🛋️ Alternatives to Hotels
When I’m booking accommodations, I always like to check both Airbnb and Booking for travel in Europe. No matter which platform you use, I recommend that you carefully scrutinize the reviews so that you can avoid any unpleasant surprises when you arrive.
In addition to hotels and Airbnbs, young travelers might consider a stay in a hostel. Typically speaking, hostels are dorm accommodations with 4-30+ people in a room. I love to stay in hostels when I’m traveling alone because they’re usually very affordable, centrally located, and have full kitchens where you can prepare meals.
Those who are a little more adventurous can try Couchsurfing, a website where people offer up their couches or spare rooms for free to travelers. Read a little about the culture of Couchsurfing before you do it, though, so that you know what to expect.
How Much Do Meals Cost in Paris?
A basic meal in Paris starts around €8 for a crepe or sandwich, but you could spend an almost unlimited amount of money on food in this city. On an average day eating out at restaurants, I would anticipate that a budget-conscious traveler will spend between €45 and €100 per person. The higher end of that range assumes that you have some alcoholic drinks and several snacks during the day.
An average dinner entree in Paris at a sit down restaurant is about €20 to €25. A glass of house wine runs from about €6 at a basic restaurant to €15 or more. A co*cktail averages around €15 to €18, but you can find classics (think: Aperol Spritz) for closer to €9 on happy hour or at more casual bars.
You can get an americano or other basic coffee drink from a boulangerie for about €2 – they’re almost always made using capsules of coffee behind the counter. A more proper coffee shop with an espresso machine charges €3 to €5 for an espresso drink, with additional charges for alternative milks. Specialty lattes are typically closer to €5 to €7.
For a very budget-friendly meal, grab a premade sandwich or salad from a local grocery store or boulangerie (bakery) and eat it in your hotel or at a local park/green space.
Tips for Visiting Paris on a Budget
Despite having a high baseline cost to visit, there are definitely some ways to save while you’re in Paris. The biggest places to save are, as you might expect, on your biggest expenses: accommodation, activities, transportation, and food.
Paris is the type of city where you’ll pay steeply for convenience – this is good to know ahead of time. Restaurants, hotels, and amenities that are close to the city’s major hotspots are almost sure to be overpriced, disappointing, or both. So, be prepared to travel around the city, stay flexible, and plan ahead if you’re on a strict budget.
1. Stay Somewhere Central but Small
For anyone hoping to visit Paris on a budget, I would recommend that you choose a small and adequate accommodation that is as central as possible. Paris isn’t the sort of place where you’ll want to spend a lot of time in your room, so I’d recommend opting for a “crash pad” style hotel or Airbnb when in Paris.
Pick somewhere central where you’ll be able to get a nice night’s sleep, but skip on the extra amenities like lots of floor space or a pretty view. If visiting Paris in July, I would not skimp on air conditioning (key to a nice night’s sleep!). Also consider safety when booking a hotel, so that you’re not overly worried about walking back in the evening.
Another advantage of a central hotel: a place where you can swing by just to use the bathroom if you’re in the neighborhood. 😉
2. Book a Cancelable Hotel Far in Advance
This is good advice for anywhere in Europe, but I recommend that you book your hotel as soon as you have the dates for your trip. But, take care to find and book a hotel that has free cancellation; this will allow you to lock in a price early in the process while searching for better deals that might open up as the travel dates get nearer.
As you might guess, this method includes an essential step: keep track of the “cancel by” date and continuously look for deals. I recommend keeping a spreadsheet when planning your trip and adding all of the information there so that all of the information you need is in one place.
3. Choose Free or Cheap Activities
Activities in Paris are one of the ways that the price of your trip can start to add up in a hurry. Tickets to the Moulin Rouge are often well over €100 each, an elevator ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower is almost €30 per person, and entry tickets to the Louvre Museum are around €20 each. It’s easy to see how you can quickly spend a few hundred euros in Paris without even trying.
Luckily, there are tons of free and cheap things to do (though I’d personally splurge for the Louvre tickets). Paris’ parks, best walks, monuments, and views of the Eiffel Tower are all free to visit. You can also find cool, unique things to do like a history tour of the American Library in Paris (no tip expected).
4. Select Restaurants Wisely
I always feel sad when I hear from someone that they visited Paris and hated the food. Almost without a doubt, though, they’ll tell me in the next breath about how they ate at restaurants right near the Louvre or along the Champs-Elysée, where the waiters were rude and the food was unremarkable.
Finding great restaurants in any big city is a skill (I’ve had my share of bad meals in New York City), but this is doubly true in Paris. You really need to choose your restaurants carefully. Here are a few of my personal rules:
🚫 Never eat within several blocks of major tourist attractions, stay far away from any restaurant with a menu in multiple languages, and always listen for people speaking French when you go anywhere. My favorite areas to eat in Paris are Pigalle, Montmartre, Canal Saint Martin, Republique, and Le Marais.
⚠️ It’s OK if the waiters speak English (many people working the service industry are well educated in Paris), but be wary of restaurants where the patrons are only speaking English. You should hear at least some French at the nearby tables.
✅ I love a busy restaurant. Think: line out the door, packed dining area, high table turnover (or reservation required, for the more upscale places). These spots are usually legitimately good, because who waits around for an average experience? Examples: Holybelly, Dumbo Petites-Écuries, Le Florimond, and Boulangerie Utopie
For more ideas, here’s a list of my favorite, vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Paris.
5. Make a Plan for Transport To/From the Airport
One of the biggest scams in Paris is the taxi drivers who solicit you as you exit Orly or Charles de Gaulle, the city’s two major airports. A good thing to know about avoiding scams in Paris is that your average Parisian will not approach you for almost any reason. Thus, any time you get approached in Paris, it should raise alarm bells.
Instead of getting into the taxis soliciting you, take public transit or join in the taxi queue. Taxis have set fares to drive from the airport into central Paris, and the fare depends on which airport you’re coming from and where you’re going. Fares are clearly posted near the taxi queue and on the website for the respective taxis, so check before you get into line.
If you fly into Paris Beauvais, take the privately run Paris Beauvais Airport Shuttle. You can buy tickets online or in person at the airport – they run more or less continuously through the day. If your flight arrives especially early or especially late in the day, double check the airport shuttle times and consider spending a night in Beauvais if you won’t make the last shuttle.
6. Book Major Attractions Ahead of Time
When it comes to Parisian attractions like the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, a Seine River Cruise, or a fancy dinner out at a famous restaurant, it’s always a good idea to plan in advance. Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world and that comes with serious crowds, long lines, and higher prices to skip those long lines.
I would recommend that you especially book the Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower well in advance. It can be very hard to find last minute tickets, and if you do find them you’ll probably end up paying a bigger price tag to have the same experience as everyone else.
For activities like shows or live theater, you’re much more likely to find budget-friendly seats if you book in advance. Often, by the day of the show, there are only luxury packages left and you might be stuck buying them if you wait too long to book.
7. Take Public Transit, Walk, or Cycle
It’s very easy to get around Paris without a car, as the city has great public transit and is very walkable. So, skip the pricey Ubers and instead make your way around Paris like the locals do – on foot, public transit, or by bicycle. I personally prefer to use all three, but if you’d rather not navigate the streets on a bicycle, you’ll be happy enough with the Metro and your feet.
I use Google Maps to plan my walking route, wear comfy shoes (I love my Birkenstock sneakers), and carry some coins in case I need to use the restroom while I’m out. Similarly, the Metro will take you most anywhere you need to go, but keep a close eye on your belongings so you don’t get pickpocketed.
FAQs: Is Paris Expensive?
Planning to visit Paris and still wondering if the city is expensive to visit? Here are the answers to some common queries from other travelers.
Is France Cheap or Expensive to Visit?
Generally speaking, France is a fairly expensive place to visit. This country is very popular with tourists from within and outside of Europe, and the high demand can lead to expensive costs for hotels, rental cars, and other services and amenities. The best way to save money on a trip to France is to visit in the shoulder season (April, May, September or October) or the off season (November to March), when prices are lowest.
What is the Currency in Paris?
France’s national currency is the euro, similar to many other countries in western Europe like Ireland, Germany, Spain, and Italy. You can pay for most things by card, but if you need cash the best thing to do is withdraw directly from an ATM using your debit card. Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted in Paris, especially at grocery stores, brick and mortar shops, and at restaurants.
Are Restaurants Expensive in Paris?
Paris has restaurants at various price points, from street food to Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants. Most mid range restaurants in Paris are comparably priced to Ireland, the US, and the United Kingdom. As a general rule, fine dining in Paris is quite expensive. For a nice dinner out one night in Paris, I recommend Le Florimond near Invalides or Restaurant Ventrus in La Villette Park.
Do Locals Speak English in Paris?
Most Parisians who work in tourism or in public facing roles speak a bit of English, while many speak English very well. Still, it’s very important that you greet everyone in French with a “Bonjour” (morning and daytime) or “Bonsoir” (evening and night). If you skip this greeting, you run the serious risk of offending the person with whom you’re speaking. It’s a serious faux-pas in Paris!
Is it Cheaper to Visit Paris or New York?
Without taking into consideration the plane tickets, it’s probably going to be more expensive to visit New York than Paris. The biggest difference you’ll notice between these cities is the cost of food. Although New York has some budget-friendly food options, the overall cost of food is lower in Paris and the quality also tends to be higher.
Conclusion: Is Paris Expensive?
Paris is a wonderful place to visit, full of intriguing cultural activities, great food, and stunning architecture. It’s the kind of place that has pulled me back time and time again, first as a visitor and now as a resident. Despite its many perks, it can be an expensive place to go on vacation, especially if you’re not careful.
Still, many people visit Paris every year and can do it while staying on a budget. I recommend that you strategically time your trip during the shoulder season to find better hotel prices, choose lots of free and cheap activities to fill your time, and plan far enough in advance that you can search for deals.
