Oh La La! Paris on a Budget

The City of Lights is a glamorous destination. The people dress so effortlessly chic, the macarons and pastries look almost too fancy to eat, and the most exclusive shops and luxury hotels seem to dot the streets. To a traveler pinching pennies, it may feel like Paris is a budget-destroying stop.

While the French capital is one of the more expensive destinations I've been to, it doesn’t have to burn a hole in your wallet. With a few moving saving moves, you can still experience all that Paris has to offer. Today I’m sharing my budget tips for Paris! PS - be sure to check out my 3 Day Guide to Paris HERE!

Taxis and rideshare services are not only pricey, it can take forever if you hit traffic. While walking is free and fantastic for working off all the croissants and butter, the city can be very spread out. Thankfully Paris has an efficient and expansive public transport system that tourists should take advantage of!

Between the buses and the subway (Metro or RER) you can get just about everywhere you need to go. For optimal savings, buy a multi-day pass (Paris Visite) that covers unlimited trips between set zones for one to five days. If you don’t think you’ll move around enough to make the pass splurge worth it, opt for a carnet, which is a booklet of 10 passes at a €3 savings.

Public transport is safe – just keep an eye on your purse or backpack. Avoid traveling during rush hour, as it can be crowded with people heading to and from work. Downloading the RATP app on your phone ahead of time will ensure you have an up-to-date route map on the go!

Dining in Paris can add up quick. To cut costs, make your big meal out lunch instead of dinner. Lunch service tends to be less expensive than dining in the evening. Plus, some restaurants offer a prix fixe lunch, which is a flat-fee for a multicourse lunch. Otherwise, going with the daily special usually means getting the best dining deal.

Other great perks of making lunch your splurge meal of the day? It’s easier to score a table at popular restaurants, day drinking makes for some fun sightseeing, and the portions are smaller meaning more room for afternoon pastries! Skip down to #4 with my idea on what to do for dinner instead!

At restaurants, you’ll almost always be given a bottle of fancy, distilled water that costs more than a glass of wine. Don’t fall for it! Simple ask for a carafe d’eau, which is perfectly safe tap water for free. Sure, it’s only a few Euro for the bottled water, but it adds up. I’d rather spend that cash on a glass of delicious rosé!

So what’s a Parisian tourist to do if we’re going out for lunch and NOT dinner? Picnic! Paris is home to so many parks and how romantic/wanderlust-y does an evening meal under the stars in France sound? Stop at a nearby market or your neighborhood stores for some fresh bread, cheese, fruit, and a bottle of wine or bubbly.

In terms of where to picnic, well, the world (or Paris) is your oyster. I prefer to head to the Eiffel Tower, especially since it lights up every hour starting at dusk. The top of Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre gives you an incredible view of the city. Jardin du Luxembourg is a favorite park of mine if you’d like a little more greenspace for your picnic.

It’s no secret that a picnic, food cart, or stopping at a food store is cheaper than a bistro or restaurant dinner. But not all of us want to trek across the globe and miss out on the amazing Parisian dining scene. A happy compromise is to head out just for drinks. It’ll make your evening picnic extra special and you’ll get to enjoy the special ambiance Parisian restaurants seem to have. Splitting a bottle of wine and an appetizer will be way less expensive than a full dinner out!

Macaron lovers probably dream of hitting up Pierre Hermé or Ladurée for the famous pastel desserts. While these shops are gorgeous and make some seriously impressive works of culinary art, it comes at a cost. Instead of splashing cash on an overpriced pastry, duck into the small, local bakeries you see outside the main tourist areas. Not only will the prices be significant smaller, you might find the quality is better. I’d take an éclair from a small neighborhood bakery over a high-end macaron any day!

If your itinerary includes hitting up several museums, splurging on a Museum Pass might be worth it. Prices start at about $55USD for a two-day pass, but you’ll get entry to famous stops like the Louvre, Versailles, and (my favorite) Musée d’Orsay. There are over 60 museums and landmarks you can get access to so it can really keep you busy during your stay. Bonus: the pass will let you skip the ticket line, which can literally take hours to get through sometimes!

While I love to stroll the avenues of Paris and simply get lost, guided tours can be helpful. Not only will you learn some cool history and facts, you’ll get a feel for the layout of the city. Some guided tours can be super expensive, but it’s also easy to find free walking tours. You’ll usually spot flags or signs for the guides in the main sightseeing areas. It’s a great way to get a tour without splurging! Just be sure to tip the guide – hence why it’s “almost” free.

In Paris, only tourists visit the restaurants and hotels by popular landmarks. As such, they charge ridiculous prices because they can get away with it. I like to implement a five-block rule when dining – always walk five blocks from a major tourist area and pick a restaurant or café there. It’ll be less expensive than those right in the middle of the action.

Same goes for hotels! Rates are crazy high when you try to stay near the sights. Take advantage of the public transport and find an area that’s not as touristy. Not only will you get to experience Paris like the locals, the restaurants are usually better and the hotel rates will be much more reasonable. Some areas to explore: Canal Saint Martin, Belleville & Père Lachaise, Batignolles-Monceau, or Parc de la Villette.

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Paris is my favorite destination in the world. The wine is great, the streets are absolutely beautiful, and it has a charming and romantic feel to the whole town. Whether you’re planning to see some of the most famous sights in the world (recommended) or eat your bodyweight in bread (even more recommended), it’s a must-visit for everyone. While the City of Lights can be expensive, it doesn’t have to be with my money-saving moves! You can explore more of my Paris tips, tricks, and guides HERE!

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