{"id":142985,"date":"2025-09-01T06:21:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T06:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smilingway.cz\/17-tips-on-how-to-visit-paris-cheaply\/"},"modified":"2024-06-20T03:35:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T03:35:53","slug":"paris-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smilingway.cz\/en\/paris-on-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"16 Useful Tips on How to Visit Paris on Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A trip to Paris can get pretty expensive. Today I have 17 tips on how to visit Paris cheaply and how to save money in Paris so you don’t have to pay more than necessary for a perfect holiday on a budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

16 tips on how to visit Paris cheaply<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From flights and accommodation to free sightseeing, specific tips and tricks to help you save money in Paris: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cheap airline tickets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Return tickets to Paris<\/a> start at 130 \u20ac with low-cost airlines. For this price you can get tickets from Prague, Berlin or Vienna. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Skyscanner, tickets are usually cheapest 2 months before the planned trip. Try to be flexible and don’t stick to a specific date. The differences in ticket prices between days are high. You can fly for 70 \u20ac one day and 200 \u20ac the next day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, tickets are cheaper midweek (Tuesday to Thursday) and more expensive as the weekend approaches or during the weekend, holidays and vacations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"paris<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Accommodation outside the centre<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

HotelF1 Paris Porte de Ch\u00e2tillon<\/a><\/strong> is a very cheap hotel in 14th district, which is ideal for those arriving at Orly Airport. Metro and tram stops are just a few minutes away. Breakfast is served in the morning, and you can shop across the street at the Monoprix supermarket if needed. The reception is open 24 hours a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n ibis Budget Paris Nord 18\u00e8me<\/a>\n<\/strong> can be found in 18. district on the outskirts of Paris, making it convenient for travellers from Charles de Gaulle Airport. Metro and tram stations are just minutes away, as are shops and restaurants. The rooms are small but sufficient and with private bathrooms. The reception is open 24\/7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n citizenM hotel<\/a>\n<\/strong> is stylish and new accommodation in the modern La D\u00e9fense district. The rooms on the upper floors offer perfect views. The hotel offers great value for money, excellent breakfast and the staff are incredibly helpful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"cheap<\/a>
View of La D\u00e9fense from the CitizenM Hotel<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Paris Navigo Decouverte Pass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Paris is relatively large, so using the metro and public transport is unavoidable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Paris Navigo Decouverte Pass is a travel card that gives you unlimited travel throughout Paris in zones 1-5 (i.e. including Versailles<\/a>, Disneyland<\/a>, CDG Airport, Orly Airport in addition to Orlyval). It applies to metro, trains, buses, trams and cable cars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll pay a higher one-off fee, but this is often soon recouped (especially if you’re flying into Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The price for the Paris Navigo Decouverte Pass is \u20ac30.75 plus a \u20ac5 non-refundable card fee. Child rates are the same as for an adult. You will need a 3 cm high x 2.5 cm wide photo to be attached to a paper card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"montmartre<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Important:<\/strong> The card is valid from Monday to Sunday. It goes on pre-sale from Friday of the previous week and you can buy it until Thursday midnight of the week you plan to use it for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy the card at almost all metro stations, train stations and airports (if the card is sold out, you can try another window or station). For arrivals at CDG airport, the easiest way to buy a card is at the SNCF ticket offices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is Navigo day cards, where you choose the number of zones you plan to travel in. More information here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u261e Read more<\/strong> in our guide Transport in Paris.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"paris<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Free museums<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the first Sunday of the month, you can visit a number of museums in Paris for free, including the Orsay Museum, the Picasso Museum and the War Museum at the Invalides. The downside is long waiting times, so it’s a good idea to arrive a little before opening time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free admission throughout the year for students up to 26 years of age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"louvre<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Paris Museum Pass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to visit a lot of monuments and museums, get a Paris Museum Pass. This is an official tourist card that gives you free entry to more than 60 sites in Paris, including the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Orsay and Pantheon. The card can be purchased for 2, 4 or 6 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can simply buy the Paris Museum Pass online<\/a> and then download it to your mobile phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Paris Pass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Are you planning to visit more? For example, use the sightseeing bus or take a ride on the Seine? Try the Paris Pass, which you can find out more about in my
Paris Pass guide<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Restaurants in side streets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don’t eat at the restaurants downtown. In our experience, the price of the food does not match the quality. Outside the touristy parts of Paris, you can eat cheaper and often better. Restaurants are required to display their menus outside the entrance, so you can get an idea beforehand whether it’s worth going in at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The French cuisine is great, but there are also plenty of excellent international restaurants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"montmartre<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"montmartre<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Paris markets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Paris markets are a great way to soak up the local atmosphere. You will meet French people who have come here to shop or have something good to eat. Popular markets include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n