Paris is one of the most universally loved cities in Europe (and probably in the world), and has a well earned place on most travel bucket lists. Unfortunately, it is also known as one of the most expensive and least wallet friendly destinations. I recently spent a few days there without breaking the bank so I would like to share my top 5 tips for how to visit Paris on a budget.
Accommodation
Staying in a hostel is so much cheaper than a hotel and many hostels now offer a lot more for your money than just a bed in a shared room. I stayed at Les Piaules for the New Year this year and had a bed in a 6-bed, female only dorm with lockers, privacy curtains and charging points at each bed, for 4 nights for less than €200. I also had access to a rooftop terrace with Eiffel Tower views, and a bar serving bargain drinks (€3.50 for a glass of wine) and meals for under €10.
Most hostels organise or have access to cheap tours, and many also have cooking facilities (although Les Piaules does not), so there is the opportunity to save a little more money along the way.
For those who are not keen on the idea of sharing a room with strangers, Airbnb is another option and still costs a lot less than a hotel. There are hundreds of rentals in Paris to suit any budget. These offer all the comforts of home with a better level of privacy than a hostel, and the option to self cater is a fantastic way to reduce the cost of a visit to the city of lights without missing out on any of the sights.
Eating Out
Paris city centre is infamous for being terribly expensive for eating out. If you want cheaper meals that are just as good quality, avoid the city centre altogether. The excellent metro system means that you can hop on a train, travel a few stops outside the tourist traps, and find a huge selection of restaurants and cafes serving set menus and specials. Metro travel is not expensive (see below) and you’ll also get to see more of the city than if you spent your entire trip on the Champs-Elysees.
Public Transport
Paris is blessed with one of the densest metro systems of any city in the world, boasting 16 lines and 303 stations, which means that no matter where you find yourself, you are never more than a couple of minutes walk from a metro station. A single journey ticket costs just €1.90 and includes transfers. A stack of 10 tickets costs €14.90, and both can be purchased from the vending machines in the metro station.
The Paris Visite travel pass can be bought for one, two, three or five days and offers unlimited travel within zones 1 to 3 on the metro, RER, bus and tram lines. This option also saves time and hassle as there is no need to queue or carry cash. For more details on the Paris Visite pass, click here.
I recommend travelling from your accommodation into the city centre using public transport and moving from place to place on foot once you are there. Many of the city’s attractions are reasonably close to one another, and walking will give you the opportunity to truly soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful destination.
Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world and anyone who has seen it will understand why. It is absolutely the most entrancing man-made sight I have ever had the joy to witness. I could literally never grow tired of looking at it. But the queues are long and ticket prices can be expensive, depending on which option you go for.
A ticket with lift access to the top costs €25 per adult but there are other, more budget-friendly ticket options to choose from. An adult ticket with stairs access to just the second floor costs just €10. These tickets are not available to buy online though, and can only be purchased at some of the ticket booths at the tower, so make sure that you are in the correct queue if you decide to go for this option. For full details on Eiffel Tower opening times and all ticket options and prices, click here.
An alternative option is to simply enjoy the spectacular structure from the outside. Waiting times for entry can often be 3 hours long and upwards. Skip the line tickets are available, but obviously cost more than regular entry. The views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe are just as impressive as those from the Eiffel Tower, with the added bonus that you can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance. Queues for the Arc de Triomphe are much shorter (I waited around 40 minutes) and an adult ticket to the top costs €12. There are stairs involved in the trip to the top though, so it may not be a realistic option for everybody.
The Paris Pass
The Paris Pass is a multi attraction sightseeing package that covers most of the main sights and museums, and also includes a Paris Visite card for the public transport networks. The pass is available in 2, 3, 4 and 6 day durations and can be used at over 60 attractions around the city. Fast track entry to some locations is also included so you could save money and time. You can find out everything you need to know about the Paris Pass here.
That’s it for my top 5 money saving tips for a budget friendly trip to Paris. And don’t forget, most of these tips can be adjusted and used in other destinations. Happy travelling!
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