You Can’t See Paris for Cheap, But You Can Certainly Try

Recently fellow blogger Nerdy Nomad, wrote about living on $5 a day in China.  I hate to break the news, but this is completely impossible in Paris.  While I spent four days in Paris, living as cheaply as possible I nearly broke 50 Euros a day.  If you consider that most travel websites feature articles on surviving for under $100, this is no easy feat.  Here’s what I did.

The Cost of Getting There

I booked a flight with RyanAir from Madrid.  I used the spanish cheap flight site Vuelos Baratos to book a 60 Euro flight.  I was able to fly so cheap because my travel dates were wide open.  After taxes and fees (RyanAir likes to charge for everything from checking in to breathing air) I walked away with a 90 Euro ticket.  If I was flying from the US I’d use Orbtiz or from the UK I would look at Paris City Breaks.  When you arrive at the airport the shuttle will cost you 13 euros… unless you opt for the shuttle to the Opera Metro (7.50 euro) which is still centrally located and easily connected to the rest of Paris via the Metro.

Where to Sleep

The cheapest place to sleep is free, but if you’re like me and slightly afraid of spending a night in the park by the Eiffel Tower or even timid about couch surfing, then hostels are the cheapest way to go.  Before you imagine a dorm filled with drunken 20 year olds, let me assure you… a private room in a hostel is quite similar to any other hotel, only smaller and less amenities.  For 36 Euro a night I stayed in the Hotel Balladins Epinay which was a quick ride north on the C line Metro.  Staying outside of the immediate downtown also allowed me to view a part of Paris I wouldn’t have normally seen, and meet some interesting people.  If you’re opposed to the idea of a hostel you can always book a regular Paris Hotel.

Eating out

If you intend to eat out often in Paris, expect to pay upwards of 20 euros for a simple meal.  Instead I saved my euros for a single meal out per day, and tried to focus on ordering just an appetizer or a sandwich when I did.  Otherwise, I bought baguettes from local bakeries for 1 euro and went to the grocery store for toppings (a jar of nutella will last your entire trip and is great with a good loaf of bread).  There are likely some people who will say you’re missing out on French cuisine, and they’re right!  But if you’re trying to keep to a strict budget, eating in restaurants will kill your reserves.

Seeing the sights

You can look at everything in Paris for free.  The metro will get you around the city for 1.60 euro per trip.  But if you want to climb 400 steps to the top of Notre Dame or take the lift to the top of the Eiffel Tower, those trips will cost.  While the view is amazing, those side trips can quickly add up.  Instead, splurge on 1 or 2 attractions (like the Louvre) and skip the rest.  Seriously your trip won’t suffer for it, there is so much more to see, for free, and you’ll avoid budget creep.

Buying stuff

It’s tempting to buy little gifts for everyone you know, but the prices on sidewalk souvenirs are extremely high.  If you want to get something for friends and family, try to avoid buying outside of major tourist attractions and instead focus on smaller gift shops in out of the way spots.  I saw identical prints of the Arc de Triomphe for 5 euro and 1 euro, just depending on the location.  Shop around and you’ll save.

All of this being said, I think budgets should be a guiding principle but be flexible if you spot a good opportunity.  Should you miss out on eating escargot on the river Seine?  Not if its important to you!  Just know that in Paris these things add up, and plan accordingly.

What do you think?  Is 50 euro a day enough for Paris?

All Photos:  Christine Gilbert