A realistic Paris travel budget depends mainly on accommodation, travel dates, dining choices and the number of paid attractions you visit. Paris can be expensive, but using public transport, eating some meals at bakeries and combining ticketed landmarks with free experiences can keep costs manageable.
A budget traveler may spend approximately €100–€170 per person per day, excluding flights. Mid-range travelers should allow around €180–€320, while a comfortable or luxury trip can exceed €400 per person daily.
Price note: All prices in this article are approximate and were checked at the time of publication. Prices may change.
Paris Daily Budget at a Glance
| Travel style | Estimated daily cost per person |
|---|---|
| Backpacker or strict budget | €100–€170 |
| Mid-range | €180–€320 |
| Comfortable | €320–€500 |
| Luxury | €500+ |
These estimates assume that two people share a hotel room. Solo travelers may spend more per person because accommodation is rarely half the price of a double room.
Read our Paris travel guide before budgeting so you can identify which attractions and neighborhoods matter most.
Accommodation Costs
Accommodation is usually the largest expense. Prices vary considerably by neighborhood, season, room size and citywide events.
Typical nightly prices include:
- Hostel dormitory bed: €40–€90
- Basic private room: €90–€160
- Budget double room: €110–€190
- Mid-range double room: €180–€350
- Upscale hotel: €350–€600
- Luxury hotel: €600 or more
Central areas such as the 1st arrondissement, Le Marais, Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the 7th arrondissement generally cost more. The 9th, 11th, 15th and parts of the 18th may offer better value.
A cheaper hotel far from public transport can create extra travel time and expense. Our guide to where to stay in Pariscompares the most practical neighborhoods.
Paris accommodation normally includes a separate tourist tax charged per adult per night. The amount depends on the property’s official category, with higher rates at luxury hotels. Check whether this tax is included in the final price shown by your booking provider.
Food and Drink Costs
Paris offers choices ranging from neighborhood bakeries to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Approximate prices include:
- Croissant or pain au chocolat: €1.50–€3
- Coffee at the counter: €2–€4
- Bakery breakfast: €5–€12
- Baguette sandwich: €6–€10
- Bakery lunch menu: €8–€15
- Crêpe or street snack: €5–€12
- Casual café lunch: €15–€30
- Mid-range dinner: €30–€60 per person
- Fine-dining meal: €100 or more
- Beer or glass of wine: €6–€12
Travelers can reduce costs by eating breakfast at a bakery, choosing fixed-price lunch menus and buying picnic supplies from markets or supermarkets.
Ask for une carafe d’eau at restaurants if you want complimentary tap water. Bottled mineral water is charged separately.
Allow approximately:
- Budget food plan: €30–€50 per day
- Mid-range food plan: €60–€100 per day
- Comfortable dining: €120 or more per day
Public-Transport Costs
Paris has an extensive Métro, RER, train, bus and tram network. Official 2026 fares include:
- Metro–Train–RER ticket: €2.55
- Bus–Tram ticket: €2.05
- Navigo Day pass: €12.30
- All-zone Navigo Week pass: €32.40
- Paris Region–Airports ticket: €14 each way
- Paris Visite one day: €30.60
- Paris Visite three days: €63.80
- Paris Visite five days: €78
The Navigo Day pass covers zones 1–5 but excludes airport journeys. The Navigo Week pass follows a fixed Monday-to-Sunday period rather than any seven consecutive days.
Paris Visite includes airport travel and covers consecutive days, but it is not automatically the least expensive option. Compare its price with your likely journeys.
This website’s 3 days in Paris itinerary groups nearby attractions, reducing unnecessary transport costs.
Airport Transfer Costs
Public transport from either Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport costs €14 using the Paris Region–Airports ticket.
This fare covers:
- RER B between Charles de Gaulle and Paris
- Metro Line 14 between Orly and Paris
- Orlyval and connecting rail travel
Official taxis use regulated airport fares that depend on the airport and whether your destination is on the Right or Left Bank. Confirm the current fixed fare before traveling and use only the designated taxi rank.
Beauvais Airport is much farther from Paris and uses separate shuttle services. Include both the fare and additional travel time when comparing budget-airline flights.
Attraction Costs
Many major attractions require paid admission:
- Eiffel Tower: €14.80–€36.70 for adults
- Louvre Museum: €22 for eligible EEA visitors or €32 for non-EEA visitors
- Musée d’Orsay: approximately €14 onsite or €16 online
- Arc de Triomphe: approximately €16–€22
- Seine sightseeing cruise: commonly €15–€25
- Sainte-Chapelle: check the current official rate
- Versailles: price depends on the ticket and season
The Eiffel Tower price depends on whether you use stairs, elevators and visit the second floor or summit.
The Louvre is free for visitors under 18 and qualifying EEA residents under 26. It also offers free entry to everyone on selected dates, although reservations may be required.
Allow approximately €50–€140 for attractions during a three-day visit, depending on your priorities.
Free Activities
Paris has enough free experiences to fill several days:
- Enter Notre-Dame Cathedral
- Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica
- View the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
- Walk beside the Seine
- Explore Montmartre
- Visit the Tuileries Garden
- Relax in the Luxembourg Garden
- Explore Le Marais
- See the Louvre courtyard and pyramid
- Visit Place des Vosges
- Cross Pont Alexandre III
- Walk along Canal Saint-Martin
- Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery
- Explore the permanent collection at Petit Palais
- Walk through historic covered passages
Certain domes, temporary exhibitions and special areas cost extra. See our guide to the best free things to do in Paris for more options.
Sample Three-Day Paris Budgets
Budget Trip: Approximately €300–€510 Per Person
- Shared hostel or basic room
- Bakery breakfasts and lunches
- Casual dinners
- Individual public-transport tickets
- Mostly free attractions
- One or two paid landmarks
Mid-Range Trip: Approximately €540–€960 Per Person
- Comfortable hotel shared by two people
- Bakery breakfast and café lunch
- Restaurant dinner
- Regular public transport
- Several paid attractions
- One cruise or special experience
Comfortable Trip: Approximately €960–€1,500 Per Person
- Centrally located upscale hotel
- Restaurant meals and drinks
- Taxis when convenient
- Multiple ticketed attractions
- Premium tours or experiences
Flights, shopping and travel insurance are not included.
When Paris Costs More
Prices are often highest during:
- Late spring and summer
- Easter holidays
- May holiday weekends
- September business and cultural events
- Christmas and New Year
- Major sporting events, exhibitions and fashion weeks
January, February, March and November may provide better accommodation value outside holidays and special events.
Check our guide to the best time to visit Paris before booking.
How to Save Money
- Book accommodation early and compare several neighborhoods.
- Stay near a useful Métro station rather than beside one landmark.
- Eat breakfast and some lunches at bakeries.
- Carry a reusable water bottle.
- Walk between nearby attractions.
- Prioritize two or three paid sights.
- Use free gardens, churches, museums and viewpoints.
- Compare transport passes with individual tickets.
- Visit the Louvre during eligible free-admission periods.
- Reserve through official attraction websites.
- Avoid currency-exchange offices in major tourist areas.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion and pay in euros when appropriate.
- Review the complete accommodation price, including tourist tax and fees.
Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It?
A museum pass can save money if you visit several included attractions in a short period. Add up the normal admission prices of places you genuinely want to enter before purchasing it.
A pass does not eliminate every reservation requirement or security line. Packing too many museums into one day merely to recover the pass cost can reduce the quality of your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paris expensive?
Yes, particularly for central accommodation and restaurant dining. However, bakeries, public transport and numerous free attractions make a controlled-budget visit possible.
How much spending money is needed for three days?
Excluding flights and accommodation, approximately €180–€350 per person can cover meals, transport and several attractions. Restaurant dining and premium activities increase the total.
Can you visit Paris on €100 per day?
It is possible if you use hostel or shared accommodation, eat inexpensive meals, walk frequently and focus on free attractions. Finding accommodation within that total may be difficult during peak periods.
Are cards widely accepted?
Cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions. Carry a backup card and a modest amount of cash for small purchases or unexpected payment issues.
Is tipping required?
Service is generally included in restaurant prices. An additional tip is optional when service is especially good.
Final Verdict
A practical mid-range Paris travel budget is approximately €180–€320 per person per day, excluding flights. Budget travelers can reduce this to around €100–€170 by selecting inexpensive accommodation, using bakeries and prioritizing free experiences.
Book early, compare the actual value of transport and museum passes, and reserve major attractions through their official websites. Paris remains expensive, but thoughtful choices can deliver an excellent trip without paying premium prices for every meal or activity.
Explore more places through our destinations page or browse our complete collection of itineraries.