10 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Trip to Paris
10 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Trip to Paris
On my first trip to Paris, I was studying abroad in college and was on a limited budget. The second time around, I was laid off and was just starting my Etsy photography shop. To get to Paris back in 2010, I had to be very budget-savvy. I learned a lot along the way to make your trip more affordable. There are small ways to save and you can enjoy the city of light without having to break the bank. Below are ten ways to save money on your next trip to Paris.
I would love any other tips you have for the EDP community or if you have found one of these tips helpful on your own trip.
Tips for Scoring a Cheap Flights for Paris
My favorite app for scoring flight deals is Hopper, and you can also set a Google flight alert. You can set alerts on your phone for dates you are looking to travel. It will send you a notification when there is a good fare. I always book directly with the airline rather than going through third-party selling websites. Keeping an eye on flight deals will help save costs. This is a great way to score a deal on airline ticket prices. You can also sign up for different newsletters or if you are loyal to a particular airline, they will have deals to Europe.
On my first solo trip to Paris in 2010, I used airline miles that I had saved from my previous job. I will say flights have gotten more expensive post-pandemic, and the amount I have paid has increased each year. Airline miles or a flight tracking site for good deals can really save you.
Travel to Paris in the Off Season to Save Money
The summer months are a popular time to travel to Paris, and hotels and airfare are much more expensive. The high season runs from early spring through the end of summer, transitioning into September. If you have the opportunity to travel at a different time of the year, such as in January/February or late October/November, you will have much better deals on flights and hotels.
January is cold, but I love visiting when the city is quiet. I have gotten tickets from Chicago for $500 for January, and the hotels have been extremely reasonable. Due to low occupancy, you are much more likely to get upgraded at hotels during this time, too.
Ride the RER into Central Paris from the CDG Airport
The RER B goes directly from the Charles de Gaulle airport to Gare du Nord, located in the city center. This is the cheapest way to the center of the city. Make sure you have a few euros before you land in Paris, just in case the machine doesn’t accept your credit card. I have had trouble with the ticket machine in the past, and it is much easier to pay cash. There are ticket booths to buy your RER tickets with someone in English. Depending on how many people you are traveling with and the amount of luggage, this is a great option. If you are traveling solo, this is the best way. For group travel, it may be a better deal to split a taxi or Uber.
Beware of pickpockets on this train. But as long as you watch your belongings, you should be okay. For more safety tips, see this post. Once at Gare du Nord, you can take a quick taxi or Uber to your destination or hop on the metro. Keep your ticket with you to exit and enter the RER and metro.
The Metro in Paris is easy to navigate. There is a metro station close to every major monument and spaced well around the city for easy public transit.
Visit the Paris Museums Using the Paris Museum Pass
On the first Sunday of the month, many museums in Paris offer free admission. The free museums include the Musée d’Orsay, Picasso, Louvre, and the Centre Pompidou. (For the full list of free museums for the first Sunday of each month, see this post.) You will want to plan accordingly for long lines. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to see them all in one day. Pick one or two and stop for lunch in between.
The Musée Carnavalet, Musée de la Vie Romantique, and the Museum of the Liberation of Paris are free museums in Paris not just on the first Sunday.
Also, I highly recommend purchasing a Paris Pass. Skip the lines, save time and money. If you plan to visit a few museums or Versailles, this passes for itself. You will fast-track to the front of the line at major monuments and museums across Paris. There are options for the amount of days you can purchase the museum pass; buy a Paris pass for two or three days. You will have access to major attractions and museums in the city. This includes the Arc de Triomphe which has a great view of the Eiffel Tower. The Louvre Museum, Musée Rodin, Versailles, and L’Orangerie are also included on the Paris museum pass.
Versailles is a great day trip from Paris and worth the price of the Paris museum pass to skip the long lines.
Picnic in Paris: Ways to Save Money on Your Next Trip to Paris
Having a picnic in Paris is one of my favorite things to do in the afternoon or evening. I love Place des Vosges or Jardin du Luxembourg for this. You can stop by a local market or grocery store and grab picnic supplies or try grabbing fresh bread or a baguette sandwich at a local boulangerie. It’s a great place to people-watch and enjoy the beautiful parks of Paris. If traveling solo, bring a book and spend an afternoon in the Jardin des Tuileries or Jardin du Luxembourg.
You can also enjoy the sunset from the Seine while having your picnic. In the colder months, I have been happy to make a picnic in a hotel room or apartment with fresh cheeses from the market or fromagerie and a baguette.
This blog post includes a map of where to picnic in Paris.
Visit the Local Markets in Paris
Visiting The Bastille Market is my favorite Sunday activity. Even when I am staying in a hotel, I still love to people-watch and walk up and down the aisles. The French eat seasonally, so expect to see fruits and vegetables coordinated with the time of year. Try the apples and pears in the fall, berries in the spring, and apricots in the summer. Marché Monge in the Latin Quarter is a new favorite market of mine, too. It is smaller but packed with great fresh produce and many vendors to get everything you need.
If I stay in an apartment, I love picking up roast chicken and potatoes. This can cost around 10 -15 euros. I did this with my family when they visited when we had an apartment close to Rue Cler, and it is still one of their favorite memories. A few Rôtisseries are on market streets, such as Rue Cler or Rue de Bretagne. On Sundays, expect a line because you won’t be the only one with the same idea.
Enjoy Coffee at the Bar vs Sitting Down: The Price Varies in Paris
A coffee at the bar is half the price of sitting down, around 2.50 euros to 9 euros. It all depends on whether you are looking for a long sit to read, people-watching, or a quick coffee. The price is listed at the bar, so you won’t be surprised when you get your bill. I love standing at the bar early in the morning. It is a great way to practice your French language skills. I listen to the conversation between the patrons at the bar. Some cafés have stools if you want to sit for a minute. The French will stand, have a quick coffee, pay with euros, and leave.
When you order a coffee at a café, the table is yours for as long as you like. This is a good option if you plan your next activity or wait out the rain. Once you order your drink, the waiter may leave you a ticket when he brings your drink, but you don’t have to pay and leave quickly. It may take some time to flag down your waiter to pay the bill. This is typical French culture. If you are in a hurry, you can pay when the waiter delivers your bill.
Modern coffee spots are a bit different. The price is the same for coffee in the shop or for takeaway.
The Cost of Breakfast in Paris
Depending on how you booked your hotel room, you may get breakfast included in the rate. When booking your hotel or upon arrival, they may ask if you want to add breakfast to your room rate. The hotel’s breakfast prices can be a big additional cost, running around 30 euros depending on the hotel. The breakfast buffet typically includes coffee, croissants, jams, yogurt, meats, and cheeses. Some of them are incredible, but if you are on a tight budget, it might be best to skip them.
One budget-friendly hotel I love is Caron de Beaumarchais, which offers a lovely breakfast for 15 euros.
A croissant at a boulangerie (bakery) will cost you around a euro. This is easy to pick up at any bakery in Paris that you walk by. Of course, there are some that are better than others. You can see some of my favorites here. Also, don’t forget to purchase a croissant au beurre vs a croissant ordinaire. Coffee and croissant will run you about 5 – 7 euros for takeaway depending on where you buy your coffee.
A typical Parisian breakfast at a local café is a croissant and coffee (or tea). Some variations include a tartine, a baguette with butter and jam, and a hot drink; they may offer fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Prefix Lunch in Paris
Prix fixe menus can save you a lot of money on food. They include a starter and a main course or a dessert for a reduced price. Daily specials will be written on a chalkboard menu or a specific menu to order off of for the prix fixe. They may offer a similar meal at dinner, but this will be a better deal in terms of value and cheaper. Lunch in Paris is the day’s main meal, and the French typically go lighter for dinner.
Pro tip: The tap water in Paris is perfectly safe to drink. Instead of ordering a bottle of water for a meal which can cost over 5 euros, ask your waiter for une carafe d’eau. Save that 7 euros for a glass of wine instead 😉
You can purchase bottled water at the grocery store, which is much cheaper than buying it out at a shop. There are several different brands, including Evian and Badoit (one of my favorites if you like bubbles). Just look at the price per bottle when purchasing. The maximum cost should be around one to two euros. They charge extra for chilled water in the front of the grocery as a quick grab, so if you need it, just head to the back of the store to grab water.
Dinner in Paris Visit a Bouillon
There are several Bouillon locations around the city. The tradition of a bouillon started in Paris in 1860 and allowed workers to get a French meal at a good price. They have had a resurgence in popularity, and now there are multiple locations for Bouillons around the city of Paris. Grab an affordable meal for lunch or dinner here. They just allowed reservations in the past year or two, which has helped. In the past, visitors would have to line up and wait until a table was available. This is a great place to have a quality meal without breaking the bank. Expect a lively and loud atmosphere when it is full. The servers have it down to a system, and the restaurants run smoothly.
I also love Brasserie des Prés and its family of restaurants. You can find more details here on the locations. It is a take on the modern bouillon, offering great food, seasonal, fresh ingredients, and homemade recipes. The food is great, and the prices are reasonable.
Ride the Metro / Purchase a Navigo Card
Public transportation is a great way to get around Paris. Metro stations are located at all major tourist attractions and around the city. You can also ride the bus which gives you a great view of the city as you get from one point to another. Purchase a Navigo pass, which allows you to tap and ride public transportation in Paris. You can buy an actual card or do it through your smartphone. Details are here. Day and Week passes are available, as well as packs of 10 tickets that can used whenever you want throughout your visit.
Hold onto your ticket or proof of entry until you exit. I have been stopped several times to show my ticket, and the fine is 50 euros per person. They don’t make exceptions for tourists who don’t speak French.
Take in the View of Paris from a Rooftop
A few department stores in Paris are known for their spectacular view of the city. Galeries Lafayette has a rooftop in the center of the 9th arrondissement, including the Eiffel Tower and rooftops. Printemps also has a similar view and is located just down the street. If you are on a budget for accommodations, try having a cocktail at a rooftop bar in Paris. These offer incredible views and the prices for drinks will run between 20-35 euros, which is much better than the price of a room. I think Hôtel Dame des Arts has one of the best views of Paris.
Take a Boat Cruise Down the Seine
There are many boat options to take down the Seine. I remember my first trip to Paris. Someone gave me a tip: take the 69 bus to the Seine and take a boat down the Seine. It is still one of my favorite memories. The 69 bus route takes a good lap around the city; at night, you will have all the city’s lights on display. A boat cruise will take you from one end of Paris to the other, passing by the Eiffel Tower. To save money, try the Batobus. It is a version of a hop-on/hop-off bus but for the Seine. You can pick it up at different monuments around the city, and your ticket lasts 24 hours. This gives a great option to get around the city at an affordable price and take in all the architecture.
Try to time it for a sunset view of the city down the Seine for one of your boat rides. The Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour on the hour for 5 minutes after the sun goes down, and you can’t beat the view when riding along the Seine when this happens. The Batobus times are 10 am – 7pm. Prices are 23 euros for one day or 27 euros for a two day pass.
Just remember to save something for your next trip to Paris, so you come back. Don’t feel the pressure to do everything all in one trip. Every trip will be different. I have visited Paris many times, and each trip has been memorable and special.
Bonjour, I’m Rebecca!
I’m a photographer, blogger, croissant-lover, and world traveler. I hope that Everyday Parisian inspires you by bringing a bit of France into your daily life and helps you plan the best trip to Paris with personalized recommendations for places to stay, explore, and eat.
Subscribe
Subscribe to get a taste of Paris delivered
straight to your inbox every week.
Shop
Currently Loving
Favorites
Hi, I will be going Paris 11/9-11/16. In your expert opinion should I bring a rain coat, trench, or parka? I’m from Chicago 🙂
I am really stressing about what to wear daily, what coat and shoes. Its crazy.
Hi Rebecca – love your blog, especially the fashion notes and insider tips.
Question: In your recent photo shoot with the Sezane sweater and Sarah Flint boots — you’re wearing skinny jeans, rather than straight leg. Are both styles still pretty much on trend? I will be in Paris, Normandie and Loire Valley in November and looking at denim options now. Thoughts?
Also look out for offers on travel that may be included with your train tickets. You can save on a Seine cruise with some tickets and also ride the trundle around Montmartre at a reduced cost or for free. Been a couple of years since i last went, so i cant remember details, but it is definitely worth checking. A great way to see the city if the weather is decent is to ride the hop on hop off buses. But definitely pre purchase tickets for these as they are much more expensive to buy on the day.
In this link you can listen to a free audio guide of the city of Paris. Very complete.
https://www.audioguides-bluehertz.com/audioguide-paris_EN.html
Terrific tips, thank you.! You an also buy a carnet of tickets from any Tabac displaying the turquoise RATP sign outside their shop. They will also recharge your Navigo Pass.
A handy way to get into town from CDG is Le Bus Direct. It stops at each terminal, there are 2 different routes with convenient stops in Paris, and you can print your ticket at home or keep it on your device: 18€/one way, 31€/round trip.
I love the list. I’ve lived in Paris and been there several times after that and I’ve never been to the market in Bastille! I will certainly add to my list of places to go! I would also suggest adding to that list: “Walk”. Paris is such a a “walkable city” and you can enjoy it a lot more when walking, instead of underground using the subway. Planning where you want to go that day and wearing comfortable shoes is all you need.