How Much Does Paris Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Paris is a world-class capital with a reputation for high costs, yet it offers a surprisingly broad spectrum of spending options. Daily expenses range from a disciplined $112 / €95 for budget solo travelers to over $1,083 / €920 for those seeking the pinnacle of French luxury. While iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower carry a premium entry fee of $42 / €35, the city’s dense layout makes it highly walkable, allowing for significant savings on transport. Costs are largely driven by accommodation and fine dining, though strategic choices in the Latin Quarter or Le Marais can keep spending manageable. Compared to other major European hubs, Paris sits in the upper tier of affordability, mirroring the price points of London or Zurich rather than more budget-friendly cities like Lisbon or Berlin.
Is Paris expensive to visit?
Paris is a high-cost destination where daily budgets typically range from $112 / €95 to $1,083 / €920 depending on whether one prioritizes street food and hostels or 5-star hotels and fine dining.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Paris
$112
per person /day
$312
per person /day
$1,083
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $335 | $936 | $3,249 |
| 5-Day Trip | $559 | $1,560 | $5,414 |
| 7-Day Trip | $783 | $2,183 | $7,580 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the 'Taxe de Séjour' (tourist tax) which can reach $18 / €15 per night at top-tier hotels, and frequent $1.77 / €1.5 charges for using public toilets at train stations.
How Does It Compare?
See how Paris stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Paris
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 3-Course Mid-Range Restaurant Meal Prices for a single person at a quality bistro typically range $47–$65 / €40–€55. | $53 €45 |
| Pint of Local Beer (0.5L) Happy hour (usually 17:00–20:00) can bring this down to ~$5.89 / €5. | $9.42 €8 |
| Espresso at Table (Brasserie) Drinking standing at the bar (au comptoir) saves about ~$2.94 / €2.5 per cup. | $5.3 €4.5 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Metro/RER Single Ticket (Full Fare) Valid for a single journey within Paris (Zones 1-2). | $3 €2.55 |
| Taxi CDG Airport to Left Bank (Flat Rate) Fixed rate set by the Paris Police Prefecture. Right Bank is slightly cheaper at $66 / €56. | $77 €65 |
| Airport Rail Ticket (RER B/M14) Valid from January 2026 for any rail travel between Paris and CDG or Orly. | $16 €14 |
| Weekly Navigo Travel Pass (All Zones) Requires a physical Navigo card or the mobile app. Valid Mon–Sun only. | $38 €32 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Luxury 5-star Hotel (La Demeure Montaigne) Located in the prestigious 8th arrondissement. | $749 €637 |
| Average 4-star Hotel Nightly Rate Rates spike significantly during Fashion Week and major trade shows. | $332 €282 |
| Fraternity-Hostel Private Room Premium private hostel rooms; dorm beds start around $41 / €35. | $67 €57 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Musée du Louvre General Admission (Peak) Non-resident peak adult price. Under 18s and EU residents under 26 enter for free. | $38 €32 |
| Eiffel Tower Summit Entry (by Lift) Highest standard access. Includes elevator access to both the 2nd floor and the summit. | $42 €35 |
| Musée d'Orsay Standard Ticket Online price; buying at the counter is ~$21 / €18 and often involves long waits. | $19 €16 |
| Versailles Passport (Full Access) Includes the Palace, Trianon Estate, Gardens, and Park. | $29 €25 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Orange Holiday Europe eSIM (12GB) Valid for 14 days; includes 12GB of data and unlimited European calls/SMS. | $24 €20 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Paris can be expensive, with a standard three-course meal at a mid-range bistro averaging $53 / €45 per person. Significant savings are found by eating standing at the bar, where an espresso costs roughly $2.35 / €2 compared to the $5.3 / €4.5 charged for table service. For value, the city's "bouillon" restaurants and legendary falafel shops in Le Marais provide high-quality meals at a fraction of brasserie prices.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
L'As du Fallafel
$12–$18 / €10–€15Le Marais · Street food
Grab a sandwich to go and eat in the nearby Place des Vosges to save ~$5.89 / €5.
Bouillon Chartier
$14–$29 / €12–€25Grands Boulevards · Local chain
Arrive before 19:00 to avoid the 45-minute queue for this historic, budget-friendly hall.
Chez Alain Miam Miam
$13–$19 / €11–€16Marché des Enfants Rouges · Street market
Order the galette (savory crepe) for a massive, filling lunch under ~$15 / €13.
Miznon
$14–$21 / €12–€18Le Marais · Street food area
The whole roasted cauliflower is a must-share side for ~$11 / €9.
Du Pain et des Idées
$4.71–$12 / €4–€10Canal Saint-Martin · Bakery
Try the 'Escargot Chocolat Pistache' for a decadent breakfast under ~$5.89 / €5.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the city is efficient via the Metro and RER network, where a single ticket costs $3 / €2.55 for travel within Zones 1–2. For those staying a full week, the Navigo Weekly Travel Pass at $38 / €32 offers the best value for unlimited travel across all zones, including airport connections. Taxis from CDG Airport are a significant expense but offer predictability with flat rates of $66 / €56 to the Right Bank and $77 / €65 to the Left Bank.
Accommodation Overview
The lodging market is diverse but expensive, with 4-star hotels averaging $332 / €282 per night and luxury options like La Demeure Montaigne reaching $749 / €637. Travelers on a tighter budget can find private rooms in high-end hostels for approximately $67 / €57, while dorm beds typically start around $41 / €35. Location is key; staying in the 8th arrondissement commands the highest prices, while the 11th or 20th arrondissements offer better value.
Accommodation Budget in Paris
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the Navigo Weekly Travel Pass for $38 / €32 if arriving early in the week to cover all rail travel, including trips to Versailles.
- 2 Order coffee 'au comptoir' (at the bar) to pay around $2.35 / €2 instead of the $5.3 / €4.5 table rate.
- 3 Eat at historic 'bouillons' like Bouillon Chartier on Grands Boulevards for traditional French fare at budget prices.
- 4 Visit the permanent collections of the Musée Carnavalet or Petit Palais, which are genuinely free of charge.
- 5 Avoid the $16 / €14 airport rail ticket by taking local buses if time permits, though the RER B remains the fastest budget link.
- 6 Fill water bottles at the iconic green Wallace Fountains scattered across the city for free, high-quality drinking water.
- 7 Pick up a world-class baguette or pastry at Du Pain et des Idées for a few euros and picnic at the Canal Saint-Martin.
- 8 Use the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM for $24 / €20 to avoid high roaming charges while navigating the city.
- 9 Take advantage of free museum entry on the first Sunday of every month, though many now require advance online booking.
- 10 Grab a $12 / €10 falafel at L'As du Fallafel in Le Marais for one of the city's most famous and filling cheap eats.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Shoulder seasons (May and September) offer pleasant weather around 18–22°C (64–72°F) without the extreme August crowds or winter dampness.
Events to Watch
- ● Paris Fashion Week (Late Feb/Late Sept): Hotels +100%
- ● French Open (Late May): West Paris hotel spikes
- ● Bastille Day (July 14): Extreme crowds
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Wander through the historic Cimetière du Père Lachaise to see the graves of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison.
- 2 Explore the permanent history of Paris collections at Musée Carnavalet in Le Marais.
- 3 Walk the Promenade Plantée (Coulée verte René-Dumont), an elevated park built on an old railway viaduct.
- 4 Visit the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre (entry to the basilica is free, though the dome has a fee).
- 5 Relax in the Jardin des Tuileries, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
- 6 Browse the open-air stalls of the Saint-Ouen Flea Market (Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen).
- 7 Explore the Roman ruins of the Arènes de Lutèce in the Latin Quarter.
- 8 Walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg to see the Medici Fountain.
- 9 Visit the Maison de Victor Hugo on Place des Vosges to see the author's former apartment (permanent collections are free).
- 10 Watch the sunset from the Champ de Mars with a view of the Eiffel Tower's light show.
- 11 Visit the Petit Palais to admire its fine arts collection and stunning interior courtyard.
- 12 Walk through the 59 Rivoli, a legalized art squat featuring several floors of artist studios open to the public.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Bateaux Parisiens Dinner Cruise
Unbeatable views of the illuminated Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame while dining on 3-course French cuisine.
Moulin Rouge Show with Champagne
The world's most famous cabaret; the 'Féerie' show is a once-in-a-lifetime Paris experience.
Private Guided Louvre Tour (Skip-the-line)
Avoid the overwhelming crowds and see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo with expert historical context.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Paris
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Paris and what they cost
Château de Versailles
$9.65 / €8.2 by train (RER C)
$29 / €25
$53 / €45
Disneyland Paris
$12 / €10 by train (RER A)
$124 / €105
$165 / €140
Giverny (Monet's House)
$49 / €42 by train + shuttle bus
$13 / €11
$88 / €75
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
No
Everywhere including boulangeries and kiosks.
Service is included. Leaving ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 per person in casual settings or 5% in fine dining for great service is appreciated but not mandatory.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (BNP Paribas, Société Générale) for the best rates. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high withdrawal fees (~$4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6).
Connectivity
eSIM: $22–$58 for 12GB-50GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12–$35 / €10–€30 at Free Mobile or Orange boutiques
WiFi: Excellent in most parks, libraries, and virtually all cafés/hotels.
Orange Holiday eSIM is best for seamless data and a local phone number for restaurant reservations.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Paris.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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Where to Stay
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Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown