How Much Does a Trip to Paris Cost? Budget Breakdown by Category

Paris, the global beacon of art, culture, and romance, can be enjoyed on a variety of budgets. While it has a reputation for being expensive, careful planning and smart choices can make a Parisian dream trip a reality for almost anyone.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of travel costs for Paris, categorized by typical spending habits:

How Much Does a Trip to Paris Cost? Budget Breakdown by Category

These estimates are per person, per day, excluding international flights, which vary widely based on your departure city and time of booking. Prices are given in Euros (€) and are approximate, subject to change based on season, demand (especially around major events like the Olympics or Fashion Week), and how far in advance you book.

1. Accommodation

Accommodation is usually the largest single expense. Prices are higher in central arrondissements (1st, 4th, 6th, 7th) and lower further out. Booking well in advance is key to securing better rates.

• Budget Traveler (€30 – €80/night):
  • Hostel dorm bed in a well-located hostel (e.g., The People – Paris Marais, St Christopher’s Inn Paris): €30-60.
  • Basic private room in a budget hotel (often 1-2 star, small rooms, shared bathroom possible): €60-80.
• Mid-Range Traveler (€80 – €220/night):
  • Comfortable 3-star hotel with private bathroom in a good neighborhood (e.g., Latin Quarter, parts of Le Marais, 9th/10th arr.): €80-180.
  • Airbnb private room or small apartment outside the hyper-center: €90-200.
• Luxury Traveler (€220+ / night):
  • Boutique 4-star hotel in central, chic neighborhoods (e.g., Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Marais, 8th arr.): €220-400.
  • High-end 5-star hotel: €400-800+.

Affiliate Booking Tools for Accommodation:

• Booking.com: Extensive range of hotels, apartments, and hostels with user reviews and flexible booking options.
• Hostelworld: Best for finding hostels, dorms, and private hostel rooms with strong backpacker community reviews.
• Airbnb: Good for private rooms or entire apartments, especially for longer stays or families seeking kitchen facilities.

2. Food & Dining

Paris offers incredible culinary experiences at all price points.

• Budget Traveler (€25 – €45/day):
  • Breakfast: Croissant + coffee from a local bakery (€3-€5).
  • Lunch: Jambon-beurre (ham & butter baguette) from a boulangerie (€5-€8), falafel (€7-€10), crêpe from a street vendor (€5-€8). Or a “formule midi” (set lunch menu) at a casual bistro (€15-€20).
  • Dinner: Cook your own meals (if accommodation has a kitchen), or a simple takeaway/pizza (€15-€25).
• Mid-Range Traveler (€50 – €100/day):
  • Breakfast: Cafe breakfast (coffee, croissant, juice) at a typical Parisian café (€8-€15).
  • Lunch: “Formule midi” (2-3 courses) at a traditional bistro (€20-€30).
  • Dinner: 3-course dinner at a nice bistro or mid-range restaurant (€35-€60).
• Luxury Traveler (€100+ / day):
  • Breakfast: Hotel breakfast buffet or upscale café (€15-€30).
  • Lunch: Sit-down meal at a reputable restaurant (€30-€60).
  • Dinner: Fine dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant or high-end brasserie (€80-€200+ per person, excluding drinks).

Food Cost-Saving Tips:

• Picnics: Buy bread, cheese, charcuterie, and wine from local markets/supermarkets for a cheap and charming meal.
• “Formule Midi” / “Plat du Jour”: Always look for fixed-price lunch menus, which offer excellent value.
• Eat Standing/Takeaway: Coffee consumed at the bar of a café is cheaper than sitting down. Takeaway sandwiches are cheaper than sit-down lunches.
• Supermarkets: Shop at local supermarkets (Monoprix, Carrefour City, Franprix) for snacks and drinks.

3. Attractions & Entertainment

Paris is packed with iconic sights, some free, some with hefty entrance fees.

• Budget Traveler (€0 – €20/day):
  • Focus on free attractions: Notre-Dame (exterior), Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Luxembourg Gardens, stroll along the Seine, wander through neighborhoods (Le Marais, Montmartre, Latin Quarter).
  • One paid attraction (e.g., Eiffel Tower 2nd floor stairs, or a specific museum).
• Mid-Range Traveler (€20 – €60/day):
  • Mix of paid and free attractions.
  • Consider a Paris Museum Pass (€62 for 2 days, €77 for 4 days, €92 for 6 days – as of early 2025, always check current prices). This can offer excellent value if you visit 3+ museums a day and provides skip-the-line access to many.
  • Eiffel Tower (elevator to 2nd floor or summit: €22.60 – €35.50).
  • Louvre Museum (€22).
  • Musée d’Orsay (€16).
  • Sainte-Chapelle (€13-€19).
  • Seine River Cruise (€15-€25).
• Luxury Traveler (€60+ / day):
  • Premium guided tours (e.g., private Louvre tour, Eiffel Tower VIP access).
  • Exclusive experiences (e.g., cooking classes, hot air balloon rides, cabaret shows like Moulin Rouge or Lido: €100-€200+).
  • Multiple major attractions daily.

Affiliate Booking Tools for Attractions:

• Paris Museum Pass: Official source for museum access.
• GetYourGuide and Viator: Great for booking skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, combo packages, and unique experiences.
• Direct Attraction Websites: Always check the official website for timed entry tickets, as they are often required and usually offer the lowest price.

4. Local Transportation

Paris has an excellent and efficient public transport system.

• Budget Traveler (€5 – €10/day):
  • Mainly walking.
  • Use Navigo Easy pass (€2 for the card) loaded with individual t+ tickets (approx. €2.10 each, or slightly less for a pack of 10 digital tickets). Take 2-3 rides per day.
• Mid-Range Traveler (€10 – €20/day):
  • Frequent use of Metro/bus.
  • Navigo Découverte Pass (Weekly): If your trip starts on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, and lasts 3+ days within that week, this is often the best value (€31.60 for all zones, plus €5 for the card – as of early 2025). It includes airport travel. Requires a passport photo.
  • Paris Visite Pass (Tourist Pass): More expensive than Navigo Découverte but offers flexible start dates (valid for consecutive days). E.g., 3-day (all zones) is €62.30.
• Luxury Traveler (€20 – €50+ / day):
  • Mix of public transport and frequent use of taxis/Uber.
  • Taxi fares within Paris typically €10-€30. Airport transfers have fixed fares (€56-€65).

Affiliate Booking Tools for Transit Passes:

• Bonjour RATP App: The official app for planning routes and loading tickets onto your phone (if compatible).
• ParisInfo.com: Official tourist site for information on passes.

5. Shopping & Souvenirs

This category is entirely dependent on personal spending habits.

• Budget Traveler (€0 – €50):
  • Focus on small souvenirs from street vendors or local markets (e.g., postcards, mini Eiffel Towers).
  • Window shopping.
• Mid-Range Traveler (€50 – €200):
  • A few fashion items from mid-range boutiques, unique items from Le Marais.
  • Gourmet food souvenirs (cheese, macarons, wine).
• Luxury Traveler (€200+):
  • High-end fashion boutiques, department stores (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps), luxury goods.

6. Extras & Miscellaneous

Always budget 10-15% of your total budget for unexpected costs.

• Travel Insurance: Highly recommended.
• Tipping: Service is included in France, but a small tip (€1-€5) for excellent service is appreciated.
• WiFi Hotspots / SIM Cards: Most hotels/cafes offer free WiFi. If you need consistent data, consider an eSIM or local SIM card (€20-€30).
• Public Toilets: Can cost a small fee (€0.50-€1).
• Luggage Storage: If needed at stations.

Total Estimated Daily Budget (Per Person)

• Budget Traveler:€60 – €120 per day
  • (Hostel/Basic hotel, self-catering/cheap eats, free activities, walking/Navigo Easy)
• Mid-Range Traveler:€120 – €250 per day
  • (3-star hotel, bistro meals, Paris Museum Pass/individual tickets, frequent Metro/bus)
• Luxury Traveler:€250 – €500+ per day
  • (4/5-star hotel, fine dining, private tours, taxis/Uber)

Tips for Cost Comparisons and Savings:

• Travel in Shoulder/Low Season: Spring (March-May, excluding Easter/May holidays) and Autumn (September-November) offer good weather and fewer crowds. Winter (January-February) is the cheapest.
• Book Flights & Accommodation Early: This is the #1 way to save.
• Compare Prices: Use multiple booking platforms.
• Consider Bundles: If you’re doing many attractions, passes like the Paris Museum Pass or Go City Explorer Pass can save money.
• Walk, Walk, Walk: It’s the best way to see Paris and it’s free!

Paris is an incredible city, and with a well-planned budget, you can savor every moment of your adventure.