Worried about what your upcoming trip to Paris might do to your wallet? Fear not, for EuroCheapo has you covered with this definitive list of our top 50 Paris budget travel tips! The City of Light might be Europe’s most visited, but it doesn’t need to be the most expensive.

Below you’ll find tips for saving on every aspect of your trip, updated for 2019. From getting in from the airport on your first day in Paris to saving on hotels, shopping and eating out, we’re ready to help you save. C’est facile!

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Tips for Cheapos: Paris budget travel guide

Saving on hotels

At EuroCheapo, we’re passionate about affordable accommodations in Europe. Our core mission is to help readers find great, inexpensive places to sleep that will also get them closer to the local culture. Our Paris hotel guide includes more than 100 hotel recommendations (including our top 15 cheap hotels in Paris), but here’s some quick advice to get you started:

1. Save on transit by sleeping in a central neighborhood

Considering that it’s a world capital, Paris is a fairly compact city. If you have a central starting point, you can get to most of the city’s main sights by foot. The city is divided into 20 districts, called “Arrondissements.” Numbering starts in the center of town, at the Louvre, and spirals clockwise out. We recommend choosing a hotel in a central arrondissement, perhaps sticking to 1-9 (possibly skipping the 8th, which is a bit more far-flung and can get pricey).

Choosing a hotel in these neighborhoods (especially near the Louvre, in the Marais, in the Latin Quarter, near the Eiffel Tower, and near the Opéra) will put you in the center of the city. You’ll save on transportation, especially at night, when you would be otherwise tempted to hop in a taxi or Uber to get home.

2. Don’t mind a commute? Save by staying outside the center

Okay, some Cheapos will certainly take issue with my last point. If you don’t mind taking the Metro to get to and from your hotel, you certainly can find cheaper hotels if you’re willing to stay a bit outside of the center of town. Here are 14 inexpensive hotels in the nearby suburbs worth trying. Just know that you’ll spend more time in transit.

Another tip on saving time on transportation is staying close to a central metro line. Line 1 runs through the center of Paris and comes every two minutes. So, you could stay in an arrondissement like the 11^th (Bastille) which will be cheaper and close to a central line, so that you can get to the center fast.

3. Don’t be afraid of these super cheap hotels

Some great Paris hotels are really, really cheap. Many of these are inexpensive because they’ve kept things really simple — some haven’t even added TVs to the rooms and some don’t have Wi-Fi. Here’s the list of our favorite hotels with rooms less than €80 a night.

Read more ways to save on hotels in Paris

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Getting around

4. Take public transit in from Charles de Gaulle

If you’re taking a long-haul flight to Paris (especially from the US), you’re probably landing in Charles de Gaulle airport. To make the 23 km trek into Paris, you have several options. To save cash, I usually take the RER train or a bus, although not everyone at EuroCheapo agrees with me on this point.

• Take the RER B (regional train) in from the airport

Sure, it can be a bit of a grim entry to the city, but the RER takes 25-50 minutes (depending on your destination and whether or not you get an express train) and costs only €10.30. These trains stop in Paris at the Gare du Nord, Chatelet Les Halles and St-Michel Notre Dame, among other stops. From here you can transfer to the Metro. Hold onto your RER tickets! You’ll need them to exit the RER. (Read more.)

• Take a bus in from the airport

The “RoissyBus” is operated by the city and costs €12.50 per person and takes 60 minutes. It departs most terminals at CDG and drops you off at its main stop at the Place de l’Opéra. Buses leave every 15 minutes from 5:15 am to 8 pm, every 20 minutes from 8 pm to 10 pm, and every 30 minutes from 10 pm to 12:30 am. Buses leave from CDG to Place de l’Opéra every 15 minutes from 6 am to 8:45 pm and every 20 minutes from 8:45 pm to 12:30 am.

The Le Bus Direct buses are a bit posher, cost €17 (€30 round-trip) and take about an hour. These buses will drop you off near the Champs-Élysées and Eiffel Tower or Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnasse, among other stops. Check the website for the exact routes. 

5. Be careful with taxis from the airport

Yes, many people do take taxis in from the airport. It will cost you dearly (around €50-70, plus tip and luggage surcharge) and take about an hour, depending on your destination. But wait, there’s more! Extra charges will be added for driving during morning rush hour and on Sundays and holidays. If you have a small group of people, however, the fare can be worth it. Here’s how to save on cabs from the airport.

Tip: Fares from the airport are fixed, so don’t be alarmed when you’ve only been in the taxi for two minutes and your meter reads a whopping €50!

6. Don’t take taxis short distances

The starting fare for a taxi in Paris is a whopping €7. Thus, if you’re just going a short distance, hoof it. More tips for saving on taxis and our guide for using in Uber in Paris.

7. Buy a 10 pack of Metro and bus tickets

Metro and bus tickets cost €1.90 each. When you’re buying your tickets, order a “carnet” (pronounced “car-nay”), which is a 10 pack of tickets sold for €14.90. (A carnet for children under 10 years old is €7.45)

The ticket machines in the Paris metro are available for use in English, and they take credit cards as a form of payment. Keep in mind that there are two types of metro ticket kiosks in Paris: a yellow one and a white one. You can only buy the carnet in the white metro ticket kiosks.

8. Hold onto your Metro ticket!

And once you go through the turnstile, hold onto your ticket! Officers frequently stop riders and demand to see a valid ticket. (Trust us. Don’t expect to smile your way out of this either.) Here are more tips for riding the Paris Metro like a local.

9. Don’t buy your tickets on the bus

Yes, you can buy your bus ticket from the driver (and make everyone behind you wait), but you’ll pay €2 and it won’t cover a transfer. More bus tips.

10. Take a Cheapo city bus tour

There’s no need to pay for a sightseeing bus. Here are seven public bus lines that offer great sightseeing for the cost of a bus ticket!

11. Consider a “Paris Visite” travel card

If you plan to spend a lot of time getting around in the Paris Metro, consider buying a “Paris Visite” travel card, which offers unlimited travel on the Metro and bus system. Adult tickets cost €12.30 (one day), €19.50 (two days), €26.65 (three days) and €38.35 (five days).

However, if you don’t want or need the museum discounts that are included with this card, opt for the Mobilis ticket instead, which also permits unlimited travel, but is little cheaper at €7.50 per day for an adult. The 10-pack carnet (see #7 above) usually serves our needs.

12. Buying tickets with American credit cards? Good luck!

More and more American credit card companies are finally including the “chip and PIN” technology employed in Europe, but older cards with only a magnetic swipe may prove problematic in some automatic ticket machines in France. From the RER station at Charles de Gaulle to the machines in the Metro stations, you’re probably going to be out of luck using an American card without a chip (although these machines also accept cash).

If your card isn’t working at the machine, head to the ticket window. American cards will work fine in Paris when handed to a cashier for swiping.

13. Save by biking around town on Vélib’

Paris’ Vélib’ bike share program was one of the first in the world when it launched in 2007 and remains enormously popular today. With 23,000 bikes in the program available from a whopping 1,800 stations around the city, it’s truly massive. Once you join (by purchasing a one-day pass for €5 or a one-week pass for €15), you simply head to any Vélib’ station, enter your access code and take out a bike. The next 30 minutes of riding are absolutely free. If you go over 30 minutes, you’ll pay a small fee. Here’s our guide.

14. Sign up for Vélib’ once you’re in Paris

If you have a European credit card, you can sign up directly at any of the Vélib’ kiosks. Americans without the chip on their card can sign up online once in Paris. You’ll be given an access code to type into the kiosk each time you’d like to take out a bike. It sounds complicated, but it’s not.

Read more ways to save on transportation in Paris

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Sights & Attractions

Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous cultural attractions, many of which have their own “cheapo tricks” for saving a few euros.

15. Saving at the Louvre

• Normal admission: €15 (€17 online). Closed Tuesday.
• Free first Saturday of the month.
• Go at night on Wednesdays and Fridays when it is open until 9:45 pm
• Enter the Carrousel du Louvre to avoid lines
• More tips for visiting the Louvre.

16. Saving at the Eiffel Tower

• Normal admission to the top: €25.50
• Save time by buying your tickets online, in advance
• If you walk up to the second level, you save more than €5
• Read our Eiffel Tower guide for more tips

17. Saving at the Arc de Triomphe

• Regular admission: €12
• Go at night. It’s open until 11 pm (10:30 pm in fall and winter)
• If just stopping by, visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier below for free
• Access the Arc by taking the underground walkway. Don’t try to dodge traffic!
• More tips on visiting the Arc de Triomphe

18. Saving at the Musée d’Orsay

• Regular admission: €14. Closed Monday.
• Tickets after 4:30 pm (except Thursday) are reduced to €9, but museum closes at 6 pm and is “cleared” at 5:15!
• Thursday open late until 9:45 pm
• First Sundays of the month are free (but packed)
• Read more tips for visiting the Musee d’Orsay

19. Saving at Notre Dame (Note: The Cathedral is closed after the fire in April 2019)

• Admission to the cathedral: Free. Admission to the bell towers: €10
• Go early, especially during high season. By 10 am the crowds have arrived
• If visiting the bell towers, get there by 9 am (unless you like lines!). And be ready to walk up 387 steps (and no, there’s not an elevator!)
• More tips for visiting Notre Dame

20. Saving at the Palace of Versailles

• Buy the Versailles Passport (€20; €27 on fountain days: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday) for access to all major parts of Versailles.
• Save by picnicking along the Grand Canal just outside the gates
• More tips for visiting Versailles

21. Avoid crowds whenever possible

During the high season (May – September) the lines at top attractions can be overwhelming. But it is possible to plan your day so that you show up outside the peak visiting hours. In general, go first thing or late to the biggest sight of the day, and stick to smaller sights from late morning to early afternoon. Check out our tips for beating the crowds at top attractions.

22. Culture fanatic? Buy a Paris Museum Card

Tourist cards aren’t always worth the money, but if you plan on spending lots of quality cultural time in Paris’ museums, consider picking up a Paris Museum Pass. The card offers free and discounted admission to 60 museums and monuments around the city, and it lets you skip the ticket lines! Prices: €48 (2 days); €62 (4 days); €74 (6 days)

23. Take advantage of First Sundays & Museum Discounts

If you happen to find yourself in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, you’re in Cheapo luck, because most of the city’s major museums offer free admission. The downside: Everyone knows it. Check out our full list of discount times for popular museums.

 

24. Don’t forget free sights!

The city boasts a long list of places that are free to visit. From museums operated by the city like the Musée d’Art Moderne, Maison de Balzac, and Maison de Victor Hugo (free to visit permanent collections) to most churches and parks like the Jardin du Luxembourg and even an ancient Roman amphitheater (Aréne de Lutéce), admission is always free.

25. Take a free walking tour

Free walking tours of Paris’ central sights are available from several tour companies (who do, however, expect a tip at the end). A less publicized option is the Paris Greeters program, in which local Parisians lead you on a free guided tour of their Paris.

26. Save on boat rides

Taking a boat ride along the Seine is an experience that manages to strike us as both romantic and overly touristy. However, these bateaux mouches offer a unique vantage point from which to see the city and can give your legs a break. We recommend the Vedettes de Pont Neuf, as they offer a live (not prerecorded) commentary and great discounts when booked in advance on their website.

Read more ways to save on sightseeing in Paris

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Eating and drinking

27. Think twice before tipping

Whether you’re dining in a restaurant or enjoying a coffee on a sidewalk cafe, a service charge has already been included in your bill. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t leave a little extra as a nice gesture, but you certainly shouldn’t leave 15-20% of your bill. A simple €1 or 2 is perfectly acceptable as an extra tip in Paris. Here are some more thoughts on tipping.

28. Save on breakfast

The breakfast that will be offered by your hotel will likely be an underwhelming and overpriced affair (think baguette, jam and hot drink for €8-10). You can get the same thing (but fresher) at almost any bakery or patisserie in your neighborhood. Shop around for breakfast.

Oh, and when you’re in a café, the cost of your coffee depends on where you’re sitting. If you take a seat or stand at the counter or bar, that coffee will be one euro less than if you take a seat at a table. Strange, but true.

29. Water and bread are free in restaurants

No need to order bottled water. The local stuff is great and gets plunked down on your table in a cute carafe, free of charge. Ditto for the bread.

30. Splurge on a prix-fixe lunch

Go heavier at lunch and enjoy a two- or three-course meal with the locals. Restaurants throughout town offer “fixed price” deals — just look for the chalkboard out front or a sign in the window with the day’s menu (“menu du jour”). With prices that hover between €10-20 for two or three courses, you’ll even have some money left for a little vin (if it’s not already included in the deal!). Here are a few of our favorite Paris lunch menus.

 

31. Pick up lunch at outdoor markets

Foodies will be in pure heaven in Paris, and not just for the mouth-watering restaurants and to-die-for patisseries. Don’t neglect the outdoor food markets that overflow with fresh produce and local delicacies. Whether picking up for a Seine-side picnic or stocking up for a long train ride, Paris’ outdoor markets have you covered. Read more about our market shopping tips.

32. Go light at lunch with a baguette sandwich

The city’s bakeries (boulangeries and patisseries) do more than bake bread and pastries. They also do a brisk lunch business, selling hot-and-crusty baguette sandwiches and delicious homemade quiches. Here’s a list of our favorite sandwich shops.

Related: 5 affordable Paris restaurants that locals and tourists love 

33. Pull over to a food truck

The food truck craze has hit Paris. Here are some food trucks that offer an American-style food truck experience with a French twist.

34. Opt for a light dinner with a crepe or falafel

After your big lunch, you might want to go a little lighter (and cheaper) at night. Opt for a classic crepe, Paris’ ultimate street food, or grab a tasty sandwich at L’As du Fallafel in the Marais. Check out other ways to eat your way through Paris for less than €20 a day.

35. Head to the grocery store for basics

When you do need to buy a bottle of water, don’t touch that minibar! Head to any of the local grocery stores. A 1.5-liter bottle of water at Monoprix or Franprix is about €.50. Same applies to wine, candy, soda, etc.

36. Wine from the supermarket? Oui.

Don’t assume that the wine being sold at the grocery store isn’t up to snuff. Some of it is quite good, and yes, quite affordable. Here are some tips for buying wine in Paris.

37. Fill up your water bottle around town

Paris has more than 800 drinking water fountains located throughout the city where you can easily fill up your water bottle for free.  And if you’re a fan of sparkling water, there’s no need to run into the store for a few bottles. The city has just introduced some new fountains that even dispense the bubbly stuff!

38. Picnicking in your hotel room

Tired of eating out? Take advantage of the outdoor markets, wine shops and bakeries and whip up the perfect cheapo meal in the comfort of your own hotel room. Treat yourself to a deluxe spread of meats, cheeses, breads and anything else that tickles your fancy.

Read more ways to save on dining in Paris

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Entertainment

39. Get happy for cheap drinks

Wine might be cheap, but a cocktail in Paris can easily cost you €15. Don’t worry, be happy! Here’s a list of bars with happy hours and reasonably priced drinks.

40. Enjoy free summer festivals

When the temperatures start to climb, so do the number of free events around Paris.  Free entertainment is easy to find on almost every night of the week, including music series like the Paris Jazz Festival to outdoor film screenings like Cinéma en Plein Air. Head to Parc de la Villette which is packed with culture come summertime.

41. Hit the “beaches” along the Seine

Every summer the Seine and the Canal St-Martin transform into one of Europe’s coolest urban beaches. Yes, in a city hundreds of miles from the nearest stretch of coastline, you’ll find Parisians lounging about in their hottest swimwear soaking in the rays.

42. Take advantage of discounted movie tickets

Paris is famous for its film scene. Take advantage of some of these great deals on movie tickets when catching a flick.

43. Get cheap (or free) seats to opera, dance and classical concerts

Love world-class opera and classical music? Grab a cheap seat at the Opera Garnier and Opera Bastille, and find cheap and free concerts around town by picking up L’Officiel du Spectacle or a Wednesday edition of Le Figaro’s insert “Figaroscope” listings magazine at any newsstand.

Read more ways to save on entertainment in Paris

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Shopping

44. Serious shoppers, don’t forget your tax refund!

Do you plan on doing some serious shopping? Non-EU citizens who spend at least €175 at any one store, may qualify for a 12% cash refund! This is available, with different requirements, throughout Europe. Read more in our post about tax refunds.

45. Hit the flea markets for cheapo souvenirs

Paris is home to several fabulous flea markets. Selling everything from new clothing to vintage cookware, these outdoor markets offer unique shopping and souvenir opportunities, often at low prices. Here are some tips for flea market success and a guide to the best flea markets in Paris.

46. “Friperies” offer cheap vintage shopping

“Friperies” are inexpensive secondhand clothing shops where you have to dig through piles of cast-offs to find a vintage pearl. Here are a handful of addresses where Parisians go for a wallet-friendly vintage fashion shopping spree.

Read more about saving on shopping in Paris

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Miscellaneous

47. Avoid sketchy situations

With millions of tourists visiting every year, Paris also attracts more than its share of con artists and shady types. Fortunately, they’re usually pretty easy to spot. A stranger approaches you to sign something, hold something, pick something up that they’ve dropped… Just say no and walk away from these common Paris scams. No drama. Just move on. No story is better than endlessly kvetching about it later.

If a stranger approaches you speaking French, do not reply with “I don’t speak French” because they will start speaking English to you. It’s better to ignore them and keep it moving.

48. Be smart with your phone

Plan on using your smartphone? Either get a sensible data and international calling package from your carrier back home or buy a SIM card in Paris for use in an unlocked phone. It’s simple and can save you hundreds of dollars in nightmarish data roaming charges.

Another option if you’re worried about phone charges? Bring along a Paris guidebook!

49. Find free Wi-Fi

Even with a good international data plan or SIM card, we usually turn our data off and rely, whenever possible, on free Wi-Fi. Fortunately, free Wi-Fi is easy to find in cafes, fast food joints (all McDonald’s), parks and museums. Here’s a list of places.

When you’re in a Parisian café or restaurant, don’t be shy, ask the waiter for their Wi-Fi password. If you’re a paying customer, they will happily give it to you!

50. Talk to your bank before you go.

Call your bank before you leave to let them know that you’re heading on a trip to Paris. You don’t want them to block your card when they see international charges pop up. And while you have them on the phone, ask them about foreign transaction and ATM cash withdrawal fees. They might have a partnership with a bank in Paris that avoids ATM fees. (Here are some questions for your bank.)

Read more about practical ways to save in Paris

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Your tips?

Have tips to add to our list? Please contribute your thoughts on ways to save when visiting Paris in the comments section below.

Note: Additional information and research provided by Michelle Walbaum.

The post Paris: 50 ways to save time and money on your trip appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Source: Euro Cheapo