How to Travel Paris, France If You're Broke
- by Ari Travels
-
Picnics in front of the Eiffel tower, famous artwork, monuments, wine, croissants, and romance are words that describe the vibes of Paris perfectly. Traveling to Paris sounds expensive, though, right? But what if I told you that you could come here on a budget? I traveled to Paris for under $70/day (including accommodation) during peak tourist season, and I cannot wait to share my best tips and secrets so you can travel to Paris on a budget. Don't hesitate to reach out to me for more in-depth secrets of how I traveled to Paris with so little money! The good thing is Paris is full of fantastic tourist attractions and cute neighborhoods that you can enjoy for FREE. These ten tips will help you save money yet enjoy Paris at its best.
Some museums are free on the first Sunday of the month
Popular museums such as the Louvre, Musée Picasso, Musée Rodin, and Musée D’Orsay are free for anyone under 26. Make sure to go early as sometimes line queues will take over 3 hours.
Take the metro/public transportation
If you’re traveling alone, taxis can add up. Paris has a great transportation service that is easy to use. One way on the metro costs around $1.90. Plan on purchasing round-trip tickets because you can cut costs. Google maps is the best way to find out the easiest route.
The metro also sells bulk tickets for a lower cost. This is a great alternative to save even more money if you plan on taking it multiple times per day.
Download an eSim card before you visit Paris
In order to use your phone abroad in Paris, you’ll need a sim card with data. The Airalo app is a great way to save money and still be able to use your phone for maps, messaging, social media, and internet browsing. Use my code ARIAHN516 for $ off! If you aren’t eating at them, most restaurants will charge you to use the wifi, so why not get an affordable sim card instead?
Travel during shoulder season
If you are willing to be flexible with your travel dates, going to Paris during the shoulder season is going to be your best bet. Although I went here during peak season, you can save even more money on accommodation and flights if you choose to go during the months of September-November or March-May. The weather will still be very nice.
Take a free walking tour
Walking tours are offered all throughout Paris for free. They are a great way to see and learn about the city for cheap. Discover Walk or City Free Tour are both great companies to participate in a walking tour with.
Explore free attractions
There are many free tourist attractions when exploring Paris.
-
Musée D’ Art Moderne De la Ville
-
Basilique Du Sacré Coeur
-
Eiffel Tower Park light-show (Parc Du Champ de Mars)
-
Stroll along the Seine River by Notre Dame Cathedral
-
Wander the paths of Cimitiére du Montparnasse
-
Explore all around the Louvre Museum
-
Visit the vibrant Belleville neighborhood
-
See art at Musée de la Vie Romantique
Picnic in the park
Picnics in the park are honestly better than eating out at the overly expensive restaurants in Paris. My friends and I did multiple picnics in the park during our time here in Paris. The parks are free to enter, so just stop at a grocery store and pick up your favorite goodies for an affordable meal. Two of my favorite parks would be the Eiffel Tower Park and the park right by the Louvre.
Walk 5-10 blocks if you are planning on eating out
If you do plan on eating out you’ll want to walk about 5-10 blocks away from any popular tourist destination to find an affordable meal in Paris. The neighborhood of Les Marais has affordable meals as well. I have inserted some restaurant recommendations below.
The Latin Quarter
Montmartre
La Rue Cler
Tap water is free
Tap water is safe to drink in Paris. There are also many water refill stations dispersed around popular tourist areas. Get a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated for free!
Gardens are free to explore
The Paris gardens are not only beautiful but also free to explore. I would recommend you see Jardin Du Luxembourg (filled with sculptures and statues) and the Gardens of the Louvre (filled with fountains).
Book in advance
The good accommodation for affordable prices will fill up, so make sure to book your Paris trip 2-3 months in advance.
Budget Friendly Accommodation in Paris
Accommodation is the most expensive part of traveling to Paris. Surprisingly, there is accommodation that won’t break the bank. I have inserted my top recommendations for both hostel and hotel options. Most areas in Paris are safe, but try to avoid the area of 10th Arr if you can.
Hostel Recommendations in Paris (click for more)
Staying in hostels is definitely the most affordable way to travel throughout Paris…
JO&JOE Paris- Gentilly $38/night
Saint Christophers- Inn Canal $42/night
Saint Christophers- Gare du Nord $55/night
Affordable hotels in Paris (click for more)
If you choose the hotel route, always book with booking.com for the most affordable prices. Their services offer 10-20% off the original price, saving a lot.
Mezzanine studio $108/night ($54 per person)
Hotel d'Orléans Paris Gare de l'Est $167/night ($82 per person)
Hotel le 18 Paris $169/night ($84/person)
