Paris: 10 costly mistakes that tourists make
Are you worried that a vacation to the City of Light might cost too much? We think Paris is pretty affordable, especially if you follow our tips for budget success.
However, costly mistakes lurk around every (picture-perfect) corner. If you hit a snag that sets you back €20, €40, or even €60, well, it still stings.
Related:
10 Paris mistakes to avoid on your trip
Here are a few tips for avoiding everyday costly mistakes when visiting Paris, many of which could be applied to visiting other cities in Europe, as well.
1. Buying a bottle of anything at dinner
When dining out in Paris, go for a carafe of wine (cheaper) and water (always free). There’s no need to plunk down €60 for a bottle of wine for a normal dinner, trust me — a €12 carafe will be perfectly fine for the casual wine drinker. Remember, this is France — the wine is good.
And tap water, I insist, is perfectly fine to drink, so don’t splash out on costly Evian (especially when it only costs a euro at the supermarket).
2. Paying for the hotel’s lackluster breakfast
Why spend €10-€15 for some coffee and croissants? Even with those cute little jars of marmalade, it’s a still a rip. Head to a café or just pick up some pastries at the local bakery and save a significant amount of money each day. The same bakeries are delivering the baguettes and croissants to your hotel — so save by going straight to the source. You might as well get them fresh from the oven!
Most bakeries have a spot where you can stand, mingle with the locals, and enjoy your breakfast. If they don’t, either keep looking around for one that does, eat it outside on a park bench, or head into a cafe where you can order the same thing at the counter.
Plus, you get to practice your French: “Bonjour, un cafe et un croissant, s’il vous plait.”
3. Waiting until the last minute to book
Whether it’s airfare, your hotel, or a TGV train ticket, it’s best to book early. TGV trains, in particular, are much cheaper when they first go on sale three months before the date of departure. Eurostar tickets to London are also cheapest when they go on sale six months in advance.
When should you book that hotel? It’s an oft-discussed topic (and we address it in detail here), and a lot depends on where you’re going and when you’re visiting. If you’re heading to a less visited destination or traveling during a slower period, you could wait and probably score last-minute deals. However, if you’re traveling to Paris during the peak summer or early fall travel season, your best bet is to book in advance (especially if you hope to book a specific hotel). Many of Paris’ best budget-friendly hotels are small properties that are quite popular — and they fill up fast.
4. Spending silly amounts for a cup of coffee
If you go to the terrace of a really, really nice café like the Café de la Paix (pictured above, facing the Opera Garnier), prepare for a hefty bill. The view might be great, but it’ll cost you — €6 for a cup of coffee, for example, at the Café de la Paix. Those €6 coffees can add up fast!
Instead, consider going around the corner to a smaller, more out of the way café where they’ll charge you €2-3 to sit outside and people watch (or €1 to sip at the counter).
5. Handing over money to anyone on the street
Don’t hand over cash to anyone unless they’re your waiter, taxi driver, tour guide, or selling you something. Anyone who stops you in the street and asks for money is a panhandler or scam artist. Sure, they might sport an official-looking badge or ask you to sign a petition — but they are not working for a charity. They come in all forms — some seem legit, others clearly do not — but handing over cash is a sure-fire way to throw money down the drain.
Oh, and the guys you’ll see playing three-card monte? Or trying the ring trick? No, no — you know it’s a scam, right? Keep on walking.
6. Tipping too much
And in that same vein, don’t tip 15-20%. Please don’t. Servers are paid a respectable salary in France and do not live off of their tips. You’re cheating yourself out of money by giving someone a bonus. That’s not your responsibility. Though a few euros for good service is certainly always appreciated, you don’t need to break out the calculator.
Related: When (and when not) to tip in Paris
7. Changing money at an exchange counter
Don’t ever expect to get a good deal at currency change counters. Almost all will be profiting handsomely off of the transaction by either offering a lousy exchange rate, a hefty service charge, or both. “No service charge!” the sign screams — okay, check out the exchange rate. “Best exchange rate, guaranteed!” its competitor beckons — check out the service charge.
You are better off just hitting the ATM and paying a few dollars in fees to the banks instead of losing out big to the money changers.
8. Ordering fancy drinks without looking at the price
Going out at night can add up quickly if you don’t follow the happy hours (here are my favorite cheapo happy hours). A pint of beer or, especially, a fancy cocktail can set you back €9, €12, even €15 in some places.
If you want a good drink and are willing to spend for it, do some research first on websites like 52 Martinis to make sure you’re going to a place where they know how to make good cocktails!
9. Packing poorly
If I had a dollar for each tourist I’ve known who’s arrived with the wrong clothes or shoes, I’d be on vacation right now. Pack wisely and be prepared for the weather (and yes, it’s okay to pack an umbrella) so that you needn’t spend extra money — and time — buying clothes at Monoprix when you already have the same things back home.
10. Using your smartphone data
When you turn on your cell phone from back home in Europe, prepare for charges. We have plenty of tips on how to avoid a huge phone bill. In short, get a data plan if you plan to use it abroad and stick to Wi-Fi when possible, or buy a SIM card in Europe to use in your phone including one of these SIM Card deals in France.
Fortunately, Paris has abundant free Wi-Fi networks available to anyone to use. So, turn off your data and settle down in a park or other public space, and look for the “Paris_WI-FI_” network. Now hop on Skype, Facebook or Instagram for free! (Or you could work. But who wants to work? You’re in Paris!)
Share your tips!
What mistakes have you made in Paris that you wish you could go back in time to do over? Let us know so we can help Cheapos have a better (and more affordable) Paris vacation.
About the author
Thanks for the great article. Here is a costly mistake:
Paying for metro/bus rides with individual tickets. A “Navigo Decouverte” or a weekly transportation pass, including transportation to CDG airport, can be purchased for under $30.
I would add that you should consider paying a bit more for a croissant au beurre instead of a plain croissant, the difference being that the first uses butter, has a nicer texture and is a bit shinier. I remember seeing 0.90 for a plain croissant and maybe 1,30 for the croissant au beurre.