Is Paris Expensive to Visit? An Insider’s Guide!

Paris has a reputation for being pricey. It certainly can be, but after living nearby for the last few years, I’ve found that it’s generally less expensive than trips to big cities around the United States. 

The wine is cheaper, museums are cheaper, and if you time your travel for the off-season, hotels are cheaper, too. This guide breaks down whether Paris is really all that expensive to visit, what you can expect to spend, with tips on where to save to budget realistically.

I’m from Chicago, so any estimates I’ll share will be in U.S. dollars. If you’re visiting France from elsewhere, I trust you can make the conversions!

How expensive is Paris for tourists?

Paris has a reputation for being one of the world’s most expensive cities, but how much you actually spend depends on how you plan your trip. It’s like visiting everywhere in that sense.

If you choose luxury accommodations, eat only at fine dining restaurants, and hire a private driver to deliver you from museum to museum, you’ll pay luxury prices. 

Budget and mid-range travelers can still have a fantastic time in Paris, and it doesn’t even require that much effort.

Breakfast at a corner bakery might cost just a few dollars, and a picnic with fresh baguettes, cheese, and wine can feel indulgent without breaking the bank. 

From there, many of the city’s most iconic sights are free to enjoy, and I’d argue that even the paid attractions are reasonably priced compared to other big cities. Transportation to get from place to place is surprisingly cheap.

Paris can certainly match the cost of the world’s most expensive cities, but it’s also possible to see the city on a more modest budget with a little planning and local tips.

Is Paris expensive for Americans?

The biggest factor driving whether Paris feels more expensive than American cities is the euro-to-dollar exchange rate. On a bad day, it can make everything feel 10-15% pricier. 

That said, I still don’t think it’s as expensive as major U.S. cities like Los Angeles, New York, and even my hometown of Chicago. Everyday staples like coffee, baguettes, and metro tickets are super cheap. Taxes and service charges are included. 

Dining out may feel pricier, but I like to consider the quality of the food that I’m eating, especially if you’re away from the super touristy parts of the city. I’ll get into dining a bit more later.

Average Daily Budget for Paris

Your daily budget in Paris depends on your travel style. As I don’t really write for the luxury traveler here, I’ll skip you all for now. 

Honestly, you probably wouldn’t be on a guide like this anyway, as money’s less of an object, right? Call me!

Let’s look at budget and mid-range travelers and potential costs per day:

• Budget Traveler ($65–$110): This is a traveler who is cool with hostels and budget hotels outside of the city center. They’ll eat boulangerie sandwiches, shop at local supermarkets, and use Navigo transit passes rather than cabs and rideshare.
• Mid-Range Traveler ($160–$270): This traveler may choose a nicer hotel or boutique Airbnb and enjoy café meals and the occasional sit-down bistro. They’ll visit all of the major paid attractions without considering any free ticket days.

There’s certainly some nuance in these scenarios, too. Brian and I like to consider ourselves mid-range travelers, but we also like to splurge on Michelin-starred meals once in a while. 

That may mean the next day we’re living like budget travelers, cooking in or busting out that jar of peanut butter. The best way to figure out what you may spend is to consider what you want to do while you’re in Paris. That includes where you’ll be dining. 

Hotel Prices: What You Can Expect to Pay

Paris hotel prices vary a lot by season, neighborhood, and quality. Obviously, it’s cheaper to visit Paris outside of peak summer months.

If you’re good with riding a metro for a bit to get into the more tourist-heavy arrondissements, you’ll save some money in your travel budget.

I confess that I don’t know much about hotels in Paris outside of the airport options, as we generally just head back to Saint-Germain-en-Laye at the end of the day. Our ‘burb was basically a mini-Paris, to be honest.

I did some research for you, though, and here’s what I found:

• Hostels: I’m too old for this, but this is your cheapest option. Shared dorms get as low as $30-$50 per night in the low season. Private low-rooms seasons cost anywhere from $70-$105 per night. 
• Budget Stays: Basic hotels can run as low as $85-$160 if you’re OK with staying outside of the city center, but still near a metro line. These won’t be fancy, with minimal amenities, but I only looked at options that were clean and in safe areas.
• Mid-Range Hotels: These are nicer hotels in popular areas of the city, like the Marais, Latin Quarter, or Saint-Germain. Expect nicer bathroom amenities, breakfast options, and more character at a price tag of $160-$320.
• Luxury Hotels: I know I said you’re likely not luxury travelers here, but maybe, just maybe, you’re celebrating something. Expect a luxury hotel in Paris to start around $425 per night. These will have views, concierge services, and luxe touches, I hear.

If you’d like to browse your options to see what it costs to stay in Paris overnight in real time, use the map below:

The Cost of Dining Out in Paris

Eating out in Paris can be as affordable or as indulgent as you want it to be. We know. We’ve eaten out A LOT in this city. It all depends on where you go as you map out your Paris travel plans. 

A quick breakfast at a corner boulangerie might set you back just $4-$6 for a croissant and coffee. A casual sit-down brunch or lunch at a café runs closer to $20 per person.

For dinner, a classic three-course prix fixe menu at a neighborhood bistro usually costs $25-$40. I think that’s a great value for a starter, main, and dessert, especially when you taste the food at the city’s best bistros.

If you add a glass of wine, expect to spend a little more, although wine by the glass in Paris is often cheaper than in the U.S., typically $6-$9.

Of course, splurges are a real threat. Michelin-starred restaurants easily charge $150+ per person for a tasting menu, and that’s on the low end. If you want to try some of the city’s best eateries but also want to keep both kidneys, book a fancy lunch over dinner.

Fun fact: Quinsou, for example, has a three-course lunch option for about $70 on Thursdays and Fridays. Auguste has a three-course lunchtime deal for about $55. You have options, especially if you want to set aside one day for a splurge!

Transportation Costs in Paris 

Getting around Paris definitely won’t drain your budget if you use public transit. A single ride on the Paris Métro (plus RER and trams T11, T12, and T13) costs just €2.50, and you have two hours to use that ticket from the first point of entry. 

If you’re riding Paris buses and all tram lines T1-10, you’ll pay just €2. Thankfully, old paper tickets are gone. I won’t belabor how crappy those were to keep track of.

You can now load up tickets digitally onto a Navigo Easy card or purchase through the official Île-de-France Mobilités app. If you get a physical Navigo Easy card, it’ll cost you a one-time fee of €2. You can purchase them from the machines at most metro stations.

I’d highly recommend using the app to buy and validate your tickets. It’s just one less thing to lose or keep track of, as you have to tap in and out of systems like the RER and at transfers.

Taxis and ride-shares are pricier. Expect to pay at least $50 to get to central Paris from Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), for example. 

Fun fact: You don’t need them, though. You have several options to get from CDG to Paris Orly Airport. We’ve never booked an Uber outside of doing so for guests during transportation strikes across France. 

Unfortunately, that happens once in a while. We’ve seen two of them in two years, lasting about eight hours each time.

Cost of Popular Attractions and Museums

Paris attractions can add up, but I maintain that Paris museums are less expensive and often more impressive than museums in the United States. 

The Louvre, arguably one of the best (if not THE best) museums in the world, costs just €22 (about $25) per ticket. You can spend days inside and not see everything there is to see, so that price is more than fair.

The Musée d’Orsay, another heavy-hitter, is just €16 (about $18).

Compare that to The Art Institute of Chicago ($32), the Philadelphia Museum of Art ($30), and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York ($30). Those are all great, but they’re not The Louvre. They’re not even the Musée d’Orsay.

Many museums are also free on the first Sunday of the month, and if you’re an under-26 resident of the EU, you get free entry to most national museums year-round. 

Note: For multiple stops, consider a Paris Museum Pass, which covers over 50 sites around the city. I’ve never recommended it to visitors just because we bounce around with time spent closer to where we live, too, but you should do the math to see if you’ll save money with one.

Best Free Things to Do in Paris

You should definitely set aside some cash to see some of the city’s best museums, but there’s quite a bit, including museums, to do in Paris for free.

Here are some of our favorite Paris activities that don’t cost a dime:

• Arc de Triomphe: You’ll need to pay to go to the top, but all of those social media photos you see of this icon are taken free of charge from below.
• Bibliothèque Nationale de France-Richelieu: This is one of my favorite spots overall in Paris, free or not. Visit this library for its 19th-century reading room.
• The Coulée Verte: Walk above the city along an old abandoned railway line. It’s a great way to see Paris from a unique perspective. See a clip of it below:

• Covered Passages: Walk through 19th-century shopping arcades like the Galerie Vivienne and the Passage des Panoramas. 
• Eiffel Tower: See it sparkle after dark or brave the hordes of tourists during the day for pics from below. None of it will be crazier than paying too much to go to the top.
• Luxembourg Gardens: This classic Parisian park is perfect for budget-friendly picnics, people-watching, and admiring its fountains and statues.
• Maison de Victor Hugo: We came upon Victor Hugo’s Paris residence entirely by accident. Special exhibits may cost a few bucks, but visiting his apartment is free.
• Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris: If you love modern art, this is a nice collection. Some of the works were a little unsettling on my last visit, but they made me think!
• Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris: It’s a church, so you can visit for free. (I can’t say the same about most churches in Italy!) Just book a day-of ticket in advance online.
• Père Lachaise Cemetery: Visit the resting places of icons like Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison.
• Petit Palais: This lovely art museum is free every day. The exhibits are great, but I like to bring guests here for the architecture inside.
• Sacré-Cœur Basilica: Entry is free — you may just need to wait in line for a bit — and the view from the steps over Montmartre is one of the best in Paris.
• The Seine: Wander the riverbanks, cross the famous bridges, and browse the bouquinistes (green bookstalls) for vintage finds.

The Cheapest Months to Go to Paris

If you’re looking to save money, timing your trip can make a big difference. Paris is at its most affordable in the winter months when the holiday crowds have gone home. That means January, February, and early March.

Keep in mind that Paris is great year-round. There’s so much to do indoors if the weather sucks, and you’ll have more to spend when you see that hotel rates drop 20-30% and airfare is friendlier. 

You’ll also find shorter lines at the city’s biggest attractions, too, and potentially nicer locals.

Note: I’m mostly kidding about that comment re: locals above. We’ve found French people to be SUPER nice, especially if you exercise basic courtesies like a quick “Bonjour” upon entering an establishment. It’s pretty easy to act right here.

November can also be a good value, especially after the autumn school holidays end. The weather is crisp and cozy, perfect for ducking into cafés and browsing the city’s art museums.

Just avoid the summer and the weeks around the Christmas holidays if you want to visit on a budget. Tourists flood the city during these times, as it’s peak season, and prices rise accordingly.

READ MORE: Christmas in France is pretty magical, though. Read my guide to Colmar in Alsace to see what I mean.

More Money-Saving Tips for Visiting Paris

I’ve already mentioned quite a few tips throughout this guide, like taking advantage of free stuff around Paris and using the public transit, but I’m not done yet!

Here are a few more tips to help you plan out your budget for your next trip to Paris:

• Try a picnic lunch. Grab bread, cheese, and fruit from the market instead of dining out for every meal, and have yourself a picnic. Even regular ol’ groceries at the supermarket will likely taste better than what you’re used to at home.
• Eat like a local. Eating a whole baguette on the way back to your house is pretty local, but you can also take advantage of prix-fixe lunch menus around the city. It’s generally a great value, and much cheaper than dinner prices.
• Walk. Public transit in Paris is cheap, but walking is free. It’s also the best way to get to know the arrondissements, and the city is very walkable.
• Avoid tourist traps. Eat and shop a few streets away from major attractions, like Notre Dame and the Louvre, for better prices. If sellers and restaurant hosts are begging you to come inside, that’s usually a sign of a tourist trap.
• Take advantage of free water. Paris has over 1,200 public fountains with drinkable water, including sparkling water fountains. You can search them up on your map apps. In restaurants, ask for “une carafe d’eau” for free tap water with your meal.
• Plan for happy hours. Paris cocktail bars, pubs, and wine bars often run happy hours from 5-8pm, where you can get deals on drinks and wine tastings. Some bars are even more generous with that timeframe.

As far as tipping in Paris, it’s not mandatory like in the U.S. Leaving a small extra tip is appreciated for good service, especially if you find yourself visiting a bar or café several times during your trip. Always tip your tour guides, though, no matter where you are.

READ MORE: We love guided food tours in particular, including in Paris! Here are some tips for the best experience.

A trip to Paris doesn’t have to break the bank.

Despite the city’s reputation for being pricey, a little strategizing goes a long way. Time travel for times of year that aren’t as thick with tourists. Take advantage of public transit passes or walk, enjoy the many free things to do, and picnic with market finds.

Skip tourist traps, explore neighborhood bistros, and save splurges for experiences that matter most to you as you budget for Paris costs.

With smart planning, a Paris trip can be as budget-friendly or as indulgent as you want, proof that the City of Light remains an accessible destination for most.

Planning more travel in France? Check out these guides:

• Love Oysters? You Have to Visit Cancale!
• Should You Visit Brittany on a France Trip?
• A Guide to Planning a France Road Trip
• Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth the Effort?
• How to Plan a Day of Fun in Lille

More travel guides to help plan travel in France:

• A Guide to the Best of Unique Nantes
• How to Plan Two Full Weeks in Brittany
• Should You Visit Versailles on Paris Day Trips?
• Visiting the Castles of the Loire Valley
• Why Visit Giverny in the Springtime

Want to see more?