Paris on a Budget - Ways To Save Big

Bonjour travelers! Think Paris is only for big spenders? Think again. With a few insider tricks, you can enjoy the City of Light without burning through your savings. Here is your guide to a budget-friendly Parisian adventure!

1. Affordable Sightseeing

• Free First Sundays: Musée d'Orsay, Musée National Picasso, Cité Nationale de l’Histoire de l’Immigration, Musée National d’Art Moderne – Centre Pompidou, Musée National des Arts,, Musée National Gustave Moreau and many others are free on the first Sunday of every month (book in advance and get there early! Number of visitors are limited). The Louvre is free on after 6pm on the first Friday of each month (except July and August). Check this Paris tourism website for a complete list.
• Free Views: Skip the expensive tower tours and head to the top of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica or the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette for stunning, free city views.
• Churches & Gardens: Most churches, including Notre Dame and Sacré-Cœur, are free, as are public parks like the Tuileries Garden.
• During summer, you can find different types of free entertainment such as the Paris Jazz Festival. The Paris Tourism board maintains a calendar of free events so you can check what’s going on during your visit.
• Buy a Paris Museum PassThe Paris Museum Pass offers free and discounted admission to 60 museums and monuments around the city and it lets you skip the ticket lines!It comes in 2-, 4-, and 6-day versions costing 70, 90, and 110 EUR respectively. However, check the latest prices when you book.Pro - tip: Entry is free or at concessional rates for school students/ children below 18 years of age in many places. So don’t forget to carry identity card/ age proof if applicable.

Another amazing way to see the city, and which very few people know about, is the Free Walking Tours. Explore neighbourhoods like Le Marais or Montmartre with local guides for tips (voluntary) rather than expensive tour companies. Free tours are also provided by Paris Greeters and New Europe. If you want to know more about free walking tours, how exactly they work, the pros and cons, do check out this excellent article by my friend Jyoti https://storyateverycorner.com/free-walking-tour/

2. Transport & Accommodation Tips

• Metro & Bus: Avoid taxis. Purchase a 10-pack of tickets ("carnet") or a Navigo pass for unlimited, affordable travel. But remember, a Navigo weekly pass is NOT valid for 7 days, it is valid from Monday 12:00 AM to Sunday 11:59 PM, offering unlimited travel across all zones (1-5), so if you buy it on a Saturday, it is valid for just one day!
• Walk: Paris is highly walkable, allowing you to see many sights for free.
• Cycle the City: Use the Vélib' rental system—it’s cheap and perfect for getting around. As of now, it is 3 EUR for a 45-minute one-way trip, 5 EUR for a one-day pass (10 EUR for an e-bike) or 20 EUR for a three-day pass. A pin-and-chip credit card is needed to use the machines. If you don’t have that type of credit card, you can buy a ticket online and use your access code at the stations.
• Stay Local: Book accommodation in outer districts (Arrondissements 11-20) for better prices and a more authentic feel, while still being close to transportation
• Visit Off-Season: Travel during mid-November to mid-December or mid-January to March to get lower prices on hotels and flights.
• Check Airbnbs : Especially if you are a family of 3 or more. Not only you save on stay, you can make your own breakfast/ meals, save on laundry and stay comfortably.
• Check hostels: Hostels offer great accommodations for those on a budget. Dorms are good to, if you are ok with shared toilets.

3. Dining on a Budget

• Picnic Like a Local: Purchase wine, cheese, and baguettes from a local grocery store or bakery and eat in a park or by the Seine.
• Lunch Specials: Look for a formule déjeuner (lunch special) at restaurants for a two or three-course meal at a lower price.
• Water & Wine: Order une carafe d'eau (free tap water) instead of bottled water. It is safe to drink. You can also carry your own bottle and fill it up at the water fountains located throughout the city. Enjoy affordable house wine rather than premium options.
• Use Apps : Use websites like La Fourchette. La Fourchette (The Fork) offers discounts of up to 50% off at more than 1,000 restaurants across Paris.Another great app to use is Too Good to Go. Through this app, bakeries, grocery stores, grab-and-go spots, and other eateries offering prepared foods can offer discounted items that otherwise would have been thrown away at the end of the day. If you are going to eat right away, it is a good option.
• Avoid Tourist Spots: Avoid eating directly on the Champs-Élysées or near Notre Dame; walk a few streets away to find cheaper, better food.

4. Shopping & Souvenirs

• Tax Refunds: For non-EU residents, look for shops offering tax refunds on purchases over €100.
• Flea Markets: Visit local markets like Saint-Ouen for cheaper, unique souvenirs.

So if you really want to visit Paris, you know how to fit it in your budget! And if you have any questions, you know what to do- hit reply and ask 😍

Happy travels, Yogi 🥰 

Subscribe to my newsletter if not already done https://yogi-travels.ghost.io

Follow me on X , Follow me on Medium