Paris is one of the most romantic and aesthetic places in the world which also makes it a popular holiday destination. This also makes it one of the most expensive cities to visit as tourists.
Does that mean you have to have a huge pile of cash to explore the most beautiful city in the world? Well, yes and no. It all depends on how you travel and how you spend your money. You don’t need to be very rich but mindful travel comes with a budget in Paris.
So if your dream destination is Paris and you are wondering how you can visit the city with a limited budget, then this article is for you.
Here are some of my favorite tips that would help you spend smartly and make the best out of your Paris trip without spending a lot.
1. Set a Budget
The first thing you should do while traveling on a budget is setting a budget for the trip!
This helps you make clever decisions about the expenditures while traveling. You can easily set a budget for everything like transportation, accommodation, food, exploration, etc.
2. Start Planning your Paris Trip Early
When you plan a trip early you will have endless choices that will help you plan a cost effective trip.
For example if you want to go to Paris at the end of the year you should start planning in the first quarter of the year.
This will help you book the flights early which saves tons of money. You can also research for cheap accommodation and what places you can visit for free or minimal charges.
3. Find an Ideal Accommodation
Hotels might take a big chunk of your budget during your stay in Paris. Not only are Persian hotels expensive, they are hard to find during the busy months.
You should know that hotels are not the only accommodation option you have. You can choose plenty of other options such as staying in a hostel, airbnb, and even house sitting.
- Hostels are probably your best shot if you are traveling solo or with one of your friends. They cost around 40 to 75 EUR per night.
- Budget friendly hotels are your option but only in the shoulder season. The prices start from 120 EUR per night and it can go up depending on the location and hotel services.
- Airbnb is another cost effective option where you can share a place and split the cost or you can book a place on your own (it will be smart when you are traveling with a group). Price starts from 65 EUR and it can go up depending on the season.
- Staying with a local also helps you save money from your accommodation budget and you will also get cheaper food and a chance to make new friends.
4. Spend less on high end Cafè and Restaurants
Food cost can also make a huge difference in your overall budget. It’s wise to avoid eating at expensive or overpriced cafes. It’s safer to eat at local carts or cafes than going to popular places.
It will be far better to cook your own food as some hostels let you do that. You will get this freedom with airbnb too. And if you are staying at a hotel try to include the breakfast buffet as it can save a lot of money.
5. Buy a Passes for Transportation and Museums
You should always take public transportation while traveling in any European city. They are much cheaper than cabs which can save lots of money.
Apart from this you can buy a metro pass in Paris that will let you travel in the metro rather than buying a ticket every time you have to use the transportation.
There is a Paris Pass that lets you do sightseeing at the iconic places in the city along with many major tourist attractions. There are many options from a 3 day pass to 6 day pass. This means you don’t have to buy a separate ticket for every museum or gallery you will have to see. It costs from 100 to 170 EUR and you can see 75+ places with the pass.
6. Find Ways to Make Money while Traveling
This is a fun way to not only save some money but also make money while you are exploring your dream city.
You can either do flexible work like waiting tables or you can do vlogging to share the experience which may pay you in the long run.
Some people also do house sitting where you will have to sit in another person’s house for free but take care of the house by doing the chores like watering plants, taking care of the pet, etc.
7. Find activities that you can do for free
Last but not the least, you don’t have to spend a lot to explore Paris. There are lots of things you can do for free and unfold the layers of this beautiful city.
You can go for sightseeing, visit the museums and galleries that don’t charge a fee, and you can also visit the Eiffel Tower from afar. Walking around the town and just soaking in its beauty is definitely better than paying tons of money and going to overcrowded places.
Conclusion
We know you might not get to experience luxurious stays and overpriced restaurants in Paris, but there are so many better options that will not only save you a big chunk of money but also make your trip fulfilling. So, make sure to apply these tips that will save you some money and help you tick mark your dream destination from your travel bucket list!
