Paris is known for being an expensive city with its fine dining, luxury hotels and haute couture. But, there are plenty of ways to explore the French capital on a budget, with careful planning and a local guide (i.e. my friend on her work abroad).
Some Ideas of Costs
Main course at a restaurant: €20 +
Coffee : €3-4
Metro (and other public transport included) for the weekend: €30.90
Accommodation ranges from €25 (hostel dorm) to €150 (hotel room) per night
Entry to night-clubs: €20 +
Where to stay
I stayed with my friend in the 16th arrondissement, which was right in the centre - a 10 minute walk from the Eiffel Tower viewpoint, Trocadero, and a 10 minute walk to the Arc De Triomphe. With numerous metro stations in the area, it was quite easy to get around.
If you're on a tight budget, you might want to consider staying in the 13th arrondissement, for example in Bastille. But, don't stray too far from the centre, as this will add up when transportation costs and journey time are taken into account.
5 Top Tips for Sticking To A budget
1. Walk around
Walking in Paris is the ideal way to experience the city's sights - from exploring Montmartre's cobblestone streets and impeccable views, to the various grand gardens with fountains and unique flora (e.g. Parc Monceau, Place Des Vosges).
Note: Check out Paris Greeters, for free walking tours with a local guide.
2. Take advantage of the public transport
Whether you use the metro system, RER trains, or bus services, Paris' public transport network is well-developed and relatively easy to use.
At the metro station, you can purchase various passes for different fare zones and time periods. I bought the 3-day, Zone 1-3 'Paris Visite' pass, and it cost me €30.90. My friend who lives there, uses a local transport card, which she tops up each month, and this is another option.
Note: Metro Line 6 has great views of the Eiffel Tower and River Seine.
3. Find cheap eats & drinks
It's challenging to find restaurants on the cheaper side in Paris, but definitely possible. To do this, you should try and avoid the busy tourist areas, and instead dine in nearby neighbourhoods, where the Parisians eat.
My friend introduced me to 2 Bis, which is a local bar with intimate seating, serving various drinks and small bites (from €10-20 pp.). But, we also dined in more central bistros like Le Corner, and La Mare Catherine. They were near to tourist attractions, and so were a little bit more on the expensive side, especially La Mare Catherine, but Le Corner was pretty reasonable for its location (around €20+ pp.), given that it was a 10 minute walk from Trocadero.
Boulangeries are an alternative option, specifically if you're looking to grab-and-go, as they offer a range of sandwiches, pastries and baked goods (for under €10). They are usually more budget-friendly than service restaurants, and as they're frequented my locals, they provide more of an authentic culinary experience.
Note: When ordering water in a restaurant, make sure to say une carafe d'eau (a jug of tap water), as otherwise you will be charged crazy prices for bottled water.
4. Browse the various markets
In the open-air street markets, you can find fresh produce (from cheeses to charcuterie, and so on), at substantially lower costs than those you would get dining in a restaurant.
Saxe-Breteuil market is open 7am-1:30pm on Thursdays and 7:30am-2:30pm on Saturdays. Here, you'll find food stalls, selling a range of dishes, from international cuisine to more regional specialities. Boutique clothing stands also offer the opportunity to browse affordable but stylish Parisian fashion items.
We didn't end up visiting Bastille market, but it's worth checking out, as it's known for being one of the biggest markets in the city. It's open 7am-1:30pm on Thursdays and 7:30am-2:30pm on Sundays.
5. Visit free attractions
Many of the museums in Paris are free on the first Sunday of every month. And, entry to the Louvre is free after 6pm on the first Friday of every month (September-June). As well as this, the city offers various other free attractions, that you can visit anytime, from the Petit Palais, to the Trocadero viewpoint.
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