Paris: Budget Travel Guide

Looking for ways to save on your trip to Paris? Keep reading for our budget hotel picks, and articles on ways to save on Paris’ best affordable restaurants, bars, shopping, and much, much more.

Our Paris articles and guides:

• The best cheap hotels in Paris reviewed by our editors
• Articles about saving on Paris hotels
Free things to do in Paris and free outdoor activities
Practical tips to help you plan your trip
• Save on sightseeing and museums and shopping
• Saving on nightlife and entertainment
• The best affordable restaurants and bars
• Ways to save on transportation
Cheap flights from Charles De Gaulle and Orly airport

Activities and tour tickets

Looking to book tickets for walking tours, museums, and activities like the Eiffel Tower? Search all activities here.

How much are hotels in Paris? And how can you save?

Have hotel prices in Paris given you sticker shock? How much are hotels in Paris? Is that normal? And is there anything you can do to lower those rates? We’ve been reviewing hotels in Paris for more than 20 years, and are here to tackle some of the most common questions. We’ll show you what » Read more

Top 25 free things to do in Paris

You really don’t have to spend much money at all to enjoy Paris. Sure, food and a hotel will require a bit of an investment, but if you play your cards right, you can soak up the best Paris has to offer without dropping an extra euro. That’s because there are hundreds of free things » Read more

The cheapest way from London to Paris: Planes, trains & buses from £25

London and Paris are two of Europe’s biggest tourist destinations, just a few hours away from each other by road or rail; about an hour’s distance in the air. Barring car travel, there are three ways to make the journey from London to Paris: by air, by rail and by road. But what about the » Read more

Paris Budget Travel Guide: 47 ways to save on your trip (2024 Update)

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 47 Paris budget travel tips! The City of Light might be Europe’s most visited destination, but it doesn’t need to be the most expensive. Below you’ll find tips » Read more

The 8 Best Cheap Hotels in Paris for 2024

Whoa. Let me repeat that… whoa. Are you experiencing a little sticker shock while searching for hotels in Paris? The city has gotten really expensive, n’est-ce pas? I know, traveling to Paris has never been exactly cheap, but there have always been ways to make it more affordable. Heck, my post on 50 ways to » Read more

Paris: A list of free and discounted museums

Paris is so saturated with museums, monuments and historical landmarks that it’s difficult to know where to begin planning. But once you’ve booked your airfare and secured a good price on a Paris hotel, it’s time to start thinking about the fun stuff. For those looking to save some euros, one place to begin your » Read more

Paris: Best budget hotels for families

While many know Paris to be great for romantic couples strolling along the Seine, the City of Lights is also a favorite for families on their big European adventure. While Parisian hotels might be notorious for their small rooms, you can still find some real gems that can easily and affordably accommodate parents traveling with » Read more

Paris Affordable Hotels: 6 sleeps near popular sights

While searching for Paris affordable hotels, have you considered the importance of your hotel’s location? If you ask us, it’s très important. Regardless of whether you only have two days in Paris or a whole week, you should always consider the perks of its location. A few extra euros per night could mean the difference » Read more

Simple ways to save on your hotel in Paris

Preparing for an upcoming trip to Paris and looking for the perfect place to stay for your budget? The options can be a bit overwhelming, and the room rates rather shocking. How many stars should you book? Which neighborhood is recommended… and which should be avoided? What’s for breakfast? Why are the rates so high? » Read more

Paris: 8 budget hotels packed with old-world charm

Don’t you wish that you could be transported back to the glory days when most hotels in Paris were dripping with character, charm, and class? But without the rates to make you Misérables? As more and more affordable hotels in the city transform themselves into much more expensive boutique (or worse, charmless chain) hotels, the » Read more

Eiffel Tower: How to get tickets, find discounts and save time

While arguably the most recognized monument in the world, the Eiffel Tower hardly survived the 1889 World’s Fair. Few tourists today realize that, as the tower was constructed for the event, the city planned to tear down the tower in the days following the fair. Good thing that they never got around to it, because » Read more

Uber in Paris: How to find the cheapest rides

Getting around Paris with the Metro is quite easy — and cheap too! However, for those times when you might want to take in the Parisian scenery above ground or just avoid the Metro stairs and crowds, then you might want to use a ridesharing app like Uber. We’ve taken rides with Uber around the » Read more

Traveling in France During Covid: How to Get a Pass Sanitaire, Testing, and More

In the summer of 2021, France, along with most other European countries, reopened its borders to American visitors — with a few caveats about who can enter, who needs to quarantine, and what you’ll need to do in order to move about freely. I spent most of August 2021 traveling in France with my family, » Read more

French bee airline launches budget flights to Paris from Newark

As Europe starts to open up to Americans, there is good news coming out of France for budget travelers. French bee airline has launched a brand-new route from the East Coast. Flights started from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Paris Orly Airport (ORY) on July 15, 2021. And prices for this direct flight start » Read more

Paris: 50 Do’s and Don’ts guaranteed to improve your trip

Looking for advice about how to act or what to do during your upcoming trip to Paris? The amount of “advice” online can be daunting, with endless lists about how to act like a “real” Parisian (whoever they are!). The truth is, there isn’t just one type of Parisian, nor is there one way to » Read more

50 Ways to save on your trip to France

Planning a trip to France? The country is wildly popular with tourists, and for good reason — it abounds with experiences for every kind of tourist: high culture, iconic sightseeing, famous shopping, and some of the world’s most popular culinary and drinking establishments. What’s not to love? Well, the bill, for one thing. All those world-class » Read more

Notre Dame fire: Finding hope amid the damage

The smoke has stopped billowing. The rose windows are intact. The tears have dried. Watching Notre Dame burn was heart-wrenching, but the cathedral still stands, and will, as it has since its construction. President Macron has already committed to rebuilding the cathedral, even if his five-year estimate seems a bit ambitious. Money has been pouring » Read more

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 » Read more

Best Paris guidebooks for your trip to the City of Light

Paris is always at the top of my list when I’m drawing up vacation plans for the year. And although I’ve strolled down the streets many times and know my way around a fair bit, I still like to have a little help by my side. I always travel with a handy friend — a » Read more

Paris: When (and when not) to tip in Paris

In a city where customer service is as low a priority as cleaning up after your dog, the scarcity of tipping in Paris should come as no surprise. Still, many Americans find it difficult to stop calculating 15-20% of the bill before it hits the café table. Some visitors and foreigners in Paris take a » Read more

How to make the most of your first day in Paris

So the time has finally come for you to hop on the plane and take off for your long-awaited adventure in the City of Light. As your plane is descending into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORL), you start dreaming about all the fun things you’ll do. You may not count your arrival » Read more

Paris: How to experience the French Open on a budget

The French Open takes place every spring, from late May to early June, at the Roland Garros tennis venue in Paris. The best players in the world set foot on the famous red clay courts as stylish Parisians and tennis fans cheer them on. It’s a dramatic two-week tournament that features sensational tennis and a » Read more

10 Ways to prepare for your trip to Paris

Sometimes preparing for a trip to Paris can seem daunting. With so many world-class museums, beautiful landmarks, attractive neighborhoods, delicious bakeries, authentic bistros, and charming small streets  — how do you even start to prepare? Before you feel completely overwhelmed, take a deep breath. And maybe pour a glass of wine (French, of course). More » Read more

France Train Strikes: How to know if you’re affected and how to change tickets

Today is being called “Black Tuesday” here in France, the first day of three months of scheduled train strikes. The strikes, or “grèves”, have already caused chaotic scenes in train stations around the country, as commuters, intercity travelers and tourists grapple with how to get to their destinations. The train strikes, however, have at least » Read more

6 tips for scoring a cheap flight to Paris

The idea of traveling to Paris is always exciting — until it comes time to budget for your airfare. Getting to the City of Light is not always as cheap as we would like, with round-trip ticket prices frequently topping $1,000 from the US. EuroCheapo has you covered with the best affordable hotels in Paris, » Read more