Paris is among the world’s foremost picturesque destinations. The Louver Gallery, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower are all well-known worldwide. It is known for being a charming and culturally rich city. However, Paris is a place that meets both dollars and hearts.
Paris doesn’t have to break the bank, with city beaches along the Seine and the world’s oldest food market, as well as a nightlife culture brimming with free events and live music. If you aren’t careful, Paris’ numerous restaurants, pubs, and sights can quickly drain your bank account. Yet, it does not seem to be expensive. Yes, it’s pricey, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Consider purchasing a “Paris Visite” tourist card
If you plan on spending a lot of time on the Paris Metro, consider purchasing a “Paris Visite” travel card, which allows you unlimited access to the Metro and bus system. Adult tickets are priced as follows:
- €12.30 for a single day
- €19.50 for a two-day stay
- €26.65 for a three-day stay
- €38.35 for a five-day stay
If you don’t want or need the museum savings that come with this card, the Mobilis ticket, which also allows unlimited transit but costs €7.50 per day for an adult, is a better option. Our needs are usually met by the 10-pack carnet.
The Louver is open to the public for free
From October through March, the first Sunday of each month provides free admission to the famed Louver Museum. It’s also free for anyone under the age of 26 on Friday evenings. Furthermore, to avoid long ticket queues, enter by the Carrousel du Louver door and proceed directly to the ticket desk. If you have a Paris Museum Pass, you can also skip the lines.
How to Get Around through Paris
You’ll have to go quite a distance to see the many picturesque vistas and boutique monuments. Needless to say, all of this travel will increase the expense of your trip. The following are the best tips to ensure that the same does not put a strain on your wallet while you’re on a budget holiday in Paris.
- Exploring the city on foot, particularly at night, is undoubtedly a cost-effective option.
- DiscoverWalks offers five different walking tours every day in Paris: Paris Landmarks, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Latin Quarter, and Marais.
- The Paris Rando Velo’s freecycling excursions, which take place every Friday evening and every third Sunday morning, are the most well-known among tourists.
- A €10 boat ride on Bateaux Mouche provides a unique perspective of the city’s monuments as well as excellent photographic opportunities.
Butte aux Cailles is a great place to eat and drink
This southern neighbourhood in the 13th arrondissement has a village vibe thanks to its close-knit inhabitants and colourful houses. Butte des Cailles, home to numerous artists and a family-friendly refuge for street art, features a plethora of high-quality, but low-cost bars and restaurants.
At l’Auberge de la Butte, €25 gets you three meals of traditional French cuisine. Chez Gladines, the famed Basque restaurant, serves a wide range of Basque cuisine for €7-€10, but arrive before 7 p.m. to avoid a long wait.
The majority of the pubs along rue de la Butte aux Cailles are moderately priced, such as Le Diapason, where glasses of wine cost €4, pints cost €5-€6, and cocktails cost €6.50.
Take a free walking tour of the city
Several tour firms offer free walking tours of Paris’s main attractions. New Europe Walking Tours are all of our favourites. There are also Paris Greeters, where you can take a free tour of the city with residents. It is based on the one in New York. Remember to give your excursion instructors a gratuity.
Save money by riding Velib around town
When it originally began in 2007, Paris’ Velib bike-share program was one of the world’s first, and it remains extremely popular today. It’s a truly large scheme, with 23,000 bikes available from 1,800 stations throughout the city.
Velib bikes can be rented for €1.7 per day or €8 per week: To avoid extra charges, ride the bike for 25 minutes at a time, then return it to a Velib station for 5 minutes before continuing your journey.
You simply go to any Velib’ station, enter your access code, and take out a bike once you’ve joined by purchasing a one-day pass for €5 or a one-week pass for €15. The next 30 minutes are completely free to ride. You will be charged a modest fee if you stay longer than 30 minutes.
Diverse entertainment
If you want to take in some music, dance, nightlife, or other forms of entertainment. And, of course, we’re aware of the situation. Isn’t it supposed to be on a budget? So, here are some short suggestions for low-cost entertainment in Paris.
- On Sundays, the Left Bank offers free dancing to traditional French music.
- From small children to elderly couples, Parisians of all ages can be found dancing their hearts out to classical music.
- At the Paris Metro Stations, artists of all colours and genres can be found performing, from solo violinists to swing bands.
- The stylish 10 Bar is worth a visit for its jukebox and €3 cocktails.
Music and the nightlife
Although Paris is not known for its sangria, students and regulars in the 6th arrondissement love 10 Bar for its €3 cocktails and functional jukebox.
After a few glasses, join the crowds at the dance festival in France Seine on Quai Saint-Bernard in the 5th arrondissement to experience salsa, swing, tango, traditional French folk dances, and more.
It is completely free to enter; simply go down to the Quai on any night throughout July and August. If it’s raining, head to Le Truskel, a somewhat innocuous-looking bar, for live music.
Rue Feydeau is famed for its free performances featuring up-and-coming musicians. Pete Doherty, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, and Metronomy were among the artists who performed here. A pint of beer costs €6.
From Charles de Gaulle Airport, take public transportation
By using public transit into the city as soon as you arrive, you can save money right away. You can choose between two options:
- Taking the RER B (regional train) costs 10.30 EUR and takes 25–50 minutes, depending on your location and whether you take an express train.
- Once you’ve arrived in the city, you can take the metro to your desired location.
- Take the bus: The “RoissyBus,” which costs 13.70 EUR per person and takes 45–60 minutes, costs 13.70 EUR per person.
First Sundays and Museum Discounts are available
If you chance to be in Paris on the first Sunday of the month, you’re in luck: most of the city’s main museums are free to enter.
Numerous places in the city are free to visit. Permanent collections at city-run museums such as the Musee d’Art Moderne, Maison de Balzac, and Maison de Victor Hugo are free to visit. Admission is always free to most churches and gardens, including the Jardin du Luxembourg and even a historic Roman amphitheatre.
The Paris metro system is enormous and can take you almost anywhere you need to go. Don’t squander your cash on costly taxis. If you do need to move around, Uber is a better option.
Conclusion
Paris is always the most pricey city on the globe to travel to, but if you take a trip during the off-season, you could manage to save a large amount of money. Plan your trip 3-4 months before the event for a Tuesday or Thursday excursion and save money.
