You Can’t See Paris for Cheap, But You Can Certainly Try
18. Jul, 2008 
18 Comments
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
Wow! I am impressed!! I just found your blog today and began reading a bit of your background information. My husband and I are planning a 2-3 year trip through europe in a couple of years so we really like reading this kind of stuff. Your Paris budget was very impressive!! Looking forward to reading more!
Melissas last blog post..Big Decisions …. GV or north to Glacier National Park??
I think the impulse it to want to see every site, explore every museum and experience every possibility. But the reality is, that if you do that, you will miss the smaller opportunities. I agree – if there are big sights that are a must see, then they are a must see – but often, just soaking it all in is even better. I hope to spend more time enjoying the neighborhoods than ‘seeing the sights’. Don’t get me wrong, I plan on ‘playing the tourist’ often too, but I am also looking forward to the ‘baguettes with Nutella’.
Are you in Brussels now?
I don’t know if anyone reading this site is planning on going to Europe from the U.S., but right now Kayak (I believe through British air) is offering fares out of most major U.S. cities to a bunch of European cities starting at $281. Pretty fucking amazing if you ask me!
Kyles last blog post..Chileans Are Like Snails
Great tips, Christine! I always travel on a budget as well, but for anyone out there planning a trip to Paris I’d like to add this suggestion: Save on food all of your days but one. A really good meal in Paris is an incredible experience that you will never forget. Food is art in France. Do yourself a favor, find a good recommended restaurant and splurge. Do a “menu” so you get an appetizer, main dish and dessert. You will be happy you did!
Tanyas last blog post..Forbidden Fruit
Though I’ve no immediate plans to go to Paris, I’d certainly use this budget guide if I was headed there!
Julies last blog post..6 Reasons to Love Mexico City
Great advice. If I ever get there I will heed it. Thanks for the tip on Nerdy Nomads blog, great stuff.
Steves last blog post..messing about with double happiness
I got around London for 20 pounds a day!!! I’m gonna try paris for 20 euros!!! and now I have some good advice!! Thanks!
(you can check out my free things to do in london post if you ever jet set to london…)
Hope brussels was good!
Nomadic Matts last blog post..Beijing Night Life
Sounds like you did an amazing job of enjoying Paris while keeping the budget in check. It’s a great city just to walk around…so many beautiful buildings, gardens, churches…that you can really take in the city without spending a ton doing “things.”
It really isn’t cheap to travel anywhere in Europe, but if you know how to manage your money, you can make it on a reasonably cheap budget. Im only 17, but i know how expensive things can get. Now I just got back from a 16 day tour of Europe(England, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona,etc.) for about $3000. Breakfast and dinner included as well as most of the tours and transportation. What really gets you is little knick knacks you want to buy and bring home. Now you must keep in mind if you live in the US, the conversion rate is pretty bad now so 1 euro is about $1.65. I found myself buying things here and there because i thought everything was so cheap. It turns out the things i bought were almost double what i thought i paid for them. You really have to manage your money well. Now if you are serious about traveling to Europe, try to go with a tour group because you really get a lot out of it for a pretty fair price.
Yeah, I guess this is what makes Europe sooo expensive..
50 euro a day become 105 New Zealand dolars… a day!
I’m impressed. I don’t think I’ll be as disciplined, but I’ll give it a shot.
sdg1844s last blog post..Happy, Happy, Joy Joy!
I think you have captured my favourite city beautifully. Outside a couple of superb art museums (Louvre and Orsay) most of the key experience and spirit of Paris can be walked through and seen for free, along with the odd stop at a street-side market or cafe or stall.
MarkHs last blog post..The Aquamarine Necklace (Plitvice Lakes, Croatia)
My friend Gigi set out to see if she could see Paris on $12 a day. She spent two weeks there – and managed to stay within her budget. I’ve written it up here: http://www.women-on-the-road.com/cheap-paris-travel.html – and I’ll add more. What a challenge!
I could easily do Paris on less than €20 a day.
I actually hate Paris. Lived there for 9 months of my life – such miserable people. Thank god the rest of France is so pleasant!
Anyway, just a few additions I’ll make; out of all places to avoid Couchsurfing, Paris is the last one – it’s the world’s Couchsurfing capital. You should try it somewhere and dip your feet in the amazing possibilities in popular cities like Paris with the meetings etc. Otherwise people on budgets don’t stay in hotels, of course you are going to pay lots of money if you set those kinds of standards… if you’re really on a budget you would have to consider Couchsurfing or at least a hostel. The one I stayed at my first week was only €18 a night and comfortable and safe, but the price may have changed. Obviously I was renting a room in a flat once settled so I paid less per day.
As far as the city goes – don’t pay for Louvre entrance. It’s free for certain ages (like under 26s I believe) Friday evenings and for everyone the first or last (don’t remember) Sunday of the month. If you don’t check your main luggage you’ll slice the price of the Ryanair ticket down quite a bit. The city has a host of free concerts and events and festivals that go on all the time.
You only eat for €20+ in the touristy areas. A cheap metro ride (or if you’ve already got a day-pass etc. might as well use it) to almost any non-touristy part of the city has a lot of amazing restaurants only locals use. The company I worked for gave me €8 “ticket-restaurants” and I ate very well every day with that. Bistrots always have amazing lunch specials for business workers, catored specifically to the ticket-restaurant standard price. Even a fussy vegetarian like me ate very well without spending more than that limit since I couldn’t afford to with what I was earning.
All souvenirs bought on the street can be haggled if a price isn’t displayed. But you are better going into a small store somewhere slightly off the tourist trail for the best deals.
One €8 lunch time meal, €5 snack in the evening, a couple of euros for metro rides, and leaving space for haggling the price of a souvenir down and contacting local Couchsurfers for advice on free events going on now in the city (CS isn’t just about the free accommodation, but if you used it for accomodation…), €20 would easily cover you – with breathing space. So I beg to differ, you can see Paris cheap
Paris is a world-class city in Western Europe, not a small village in Africa, or even Arkansas. I just got back from Paris 2 weeks ago. You have to expect it to be expensive. Yes, you can cut back on frivolous expenses, like knickknacks, which are overpriced, and also take up ALOT of room in your bags. Always travel light, which also means cheaply. When flying inside Europe, you’re only allowed 1 carry-on. I take old socks and underwear which I do not bring back home. So I leave home with 2 bags, but return with 1. I send postcards. Each may cost .50E, and a stamp is .85E, but people love to receive them, and you don’t have to carry ANYthing home! During this REcession, the Euro is down to $1.30. I found excellent dinners, for 30E (40 USD), which would cost 55-60 USD in New York. The waiter helps you on with your coat in Paris! I don’t go to Italy or Paris to eat peanut butter and jelly all day; I don’t see the point, but you’re welcome to it.
couch surfing just signed up its milionth member! that gives you a lot of couches to choose form.
rob´s last blog post..Million Man March
This information is very helpful for travellers and at least they can get an idea of the life style in Paris. Paris is a very expensive city and somebody travelling to Paris should have a good budget before hands.
You know what; I have a travelling site that you could check out too for some cheap hotel deals. It’s http://www.hoteltravelexpress.com,come check it out sometimes
Congratulations on a truly fine blog … despite the fact that I’ve ended up reading a great deal more than I initially intended (how time flies when you’re having fun kinda thing). Have added you to my blogroll at http://navigationz.wordpress.com/ & will be back for more pronto