Europe

Minimum cost for a stay in Paris, France

18 Jan '24

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If you are planning to visit Paris, France, you might be wondering what is the minimum cost for a touristic stay in this beautiful city. Paris is one of the most popular destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year who want to experience its culture, history, art, cuisine, and romance. But how much does it really cost to travel to Paris?

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The answer depends on many factors, such as your travel style, preferences, season, and length of stay. However, in this blog post, we will try to give you some realistic estimates based on the average prices of accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment, and sightseeing in Paris. We will also share some tips on how to save money and enjoy Paris on a budget.

Accommodation

One of the biggest expenses when traveling to Paris is accommodation. The city offers a wide range of options, from luxury hotels and apartments to budget hostels and couchsurfing. However, the prices vary greatly depending on the location, quality, and availability of the accommodation.

According to BudgetYourTrip.com, the average price for a hotel room in Paris is €302 ($333) per night for a double occupancy. This is based on the expenses of other travelers who have visited Paris. However, this price can be much higher or lower depending on the season, the area, and the type of hotel you choose.

For example, if you want to stay near the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre Museum, you can expect to pay more than €400 ($440) per night for a decent hotel. On the other hand, if you are willing to stay in a less central or less touristy area, such as Montmartre or Bastille, you can find hotels for less than €200 ($220) per night.

If you are looking for cheaper alternatives, you can consider staying in a hostel or an Airbnb. Hostels are a great option for solo travelers or backpackers who don’t mind sharing a room and a bathroom with other guests. You can find hostels in Paris for as low as €20 ($22) per night for a bed in a dormitory. However, keep in mind that some hostels may charge extra fees for linen, towels, breakfast, or lockers.

Airbnb is another option for travelers who want more privacy and comfort than a hostel but less than a hotel. Airbnb allows you to rent an entire apartment or a private room from a local host. You can find Airbnb listings in Paris for as low as €40 ($44) per night for a private room or €80 ($88) per night for an entire apartment. However, be aware that some Airbnb hosts may charge extra fees for cleaning, service, or taxes.

Another way to save money on accommodation in Paris is to use Couchsurfing or housesitting. Couchsurfing is a platform that connects travelers with locals who are willing to offer them a free place to stay on their couch or spare room. This is a great way to meet new people and experience the local culture. However, Couchsurfing requires some time and patience to find a suitable host and to follow their rules and expectations.

Housesitting is another option where you take care of someone’s house and pets while they are away. This way, you can enjoy free accommodation in exchange for your services. However, housesitting requires some trust and responsibility from both parties and may not be available all the time.

Transportation

Another major expense when traveling to Paris is transportation. The city has an excellent public transportation system that includes metro, bus, tram, RER (regional express train), and Velib (bike-sharing service). You can use any of these modes of transport to get around the city and its suburbs.

The easiest and cheapest way to use public transportation in Paris is to buy a Navigo pass or a Mobilis pass. A Navigo pass is a rechargeable card that allows you to use unlimited public transportation within certain zones for a week or a month. A Mobilis pass is a paper ticket that allows you to use unlimited public transportation within certain zones for one day.

According to BudgetYourTrip.com, the average price for local transportation in Paris is €21 ($24) per day based on the expenses of other travelers. However,
this price can vary depending on how often and how far you travel. If you only use public transportation occasionally or within short distances, you can buy single tickets for €1.90 ($2) each or a pack of 10 tickets for €16 ($18).

If you prefer more flexibility and convenience, you can also use taxi or Uber services in Paris. However, these are more expensive than public transportation and may not be available during peak hours or bad weather. The average price for a taxi ride in Paris is €15 ($17) according to TaxiFareFinder.com, while the average price for an Uber ride is €12 ($13) according to UberEstimator.com.

Another way to save money on transportation in Paris is to use your own feet or a bike. Paris is a very walkable city, with many attractions within walking distance or a short metro ride from each other. Walking is not only free but also a great way to discover the hidden gems and the local atmosphere of the city.

If you want to cycle around Paris, you can use the Velib service, which allows you to rent a bike from one of the many stations around the city. The first 30 minutes of each ride are free, and then you pay €1 ($1.10) for every additional 30 minutes. You can also buy a one-day pass for €5 ($5.50) or a seven-day pass for €15 ($16.50) that give you unlimited rides of up to 30 minutes each.

Food

One of the best things about traveling to Paris is enjoying its delicious food. The city is famous for its cuisine, from croissants and crepes to cheese and wine. However, eating out in Paris can also be quite expensive, especially if you go to touristy areas or fancy restaurants.

According to BudgetYourTrip.com, the average price for food in Paris is €41 ($46) per day based on the expenses of other travelers. However, this price can vary depending on your appetite, preferences, and habits. If you eat breakfast at your hotel, lunch at a fast-food place, and dinner at a mid-range restaurant, you can expect to spend around €30 ($33) per day on food.

If you want to save money on food in Paris, you can follow some of these tips:

– Avoid eating near popular attractions or in touristy areas, where prices are usually higher and quality is lower. Instead, look for restaurants in less crowded or more residential areas, where you can find more authentic and affordable food.
– Eat like a local and try some of the typical French dishes, such as baguette sandwiches, quiche, salad, soup, or cheese platter. These are usually cheaper and more filling than other options.
– Look for restaurants that offer a fixed-price menu (menu du jour or formule), which usually includes an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert for a reasonable price. You can also look for restaurants that offer a lunch special (plat du jour), which is usually cheaper than the regular menu.
– Buy food from supermarkets, bakeries, markets, or street vendors, where you can find fresh and cheap ingredients or ready-made meals. You can also buy snacks, drinks, and picnic supplies from these places and enjoy them in one of the many parks or gardens in Paris.
– Drink tap water instead of bottled water, which is safe and free in Paris. You can also ask for a carafe d’eau (a pitcher of water) at restaurants instead of buying mineral water.
– Limit your alcohol consumption, as drinks are usually expensive in Paris. If you want to drink wine, beer, or cocktails, look for happy hour deals (usually between 5 pm and 8 pm) or buy them from supermarkets or liquor stores.

Entertainment

Paris is not only a city of food but also a city of culture. The city has hundreds of museums, galleries, theaters, cinemas, concerts, and festivals that cater to every taste and interest. However, enjoying these cultural activities can also be costly, especially if you want to see the most famous ones.

According to BudgetYourTrip.com, the average price for entertainment in Paris is €77 ($85) per day based on the expenses of other travelers. However,
this price can vary depending on what you want to see and do. If you want to visit the most popular attractions, such as the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, or the Versailles Palace, you can expect to pay between €10 ($11) and €20 ($22) per ticket.

If you want to save money on entertainment in Paris, you can follow some of these tips:

– Look for free attractions or activities in Paris. There are many things that you can do or see in Paris without spending a cent. For example:
– You can admire the architecture and the atmosphere of some of the most iconic landmarks in Paris, such as Notre-Dame Cathedral, Champs-Elysées, Latin Quarter, Seine River, Jardin du Luxembourg, Tuileries Garden, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Rue de Rivoli, Bois de Vincennes, Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Le Marais, Galeries Lafayette, or Père-Lachaise Cemetery.