Cheap Ways to See Paris - Budget Paris Trip

Paris is one of the most magical cities in the world, but it is also one of the more expensive cities you can visit in Europe, but it does not have to be. You can see Paris on the cheap! Here are some of the best budget tips for helping your travel money go farther when you visit Paris, France.
Budget travel Paris
How to Visit Paris on a Budget
Filmed in Paris, France
Copyright Mark Wolters 2022
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[@capstone9173]

The 6 day Paris Musee Pass is a better option at only €80 vs the 6 day Paris Pass at €200. The Musee Pass includes all the major museums plus Versailles and many of the chateaux. It does not include the Eiffel Tower or boat rides, but those aren’t that expensive and don’t make up the difference in price.

[@BubblyViolin11]

Thanks for the tip!

[@fridaytax]

100 agree, museum pass is a good idea, but look at coverage and opening hours. Also plan where to buy it (you can buy at most ticket offices for member museums but some have longer lines than others)

[@tasfiharahman6343]

Where do I get it? Can u give me the link

[@tasfiharahman6343]

Where do I get it? Can u give me the link

[@capstone9173]

@@fridaytax you can buy the pass online and download it to your phone. No need to stand in line.

[@Viandux13]

Hi Mark! French guy that lived in Paris here. Talking about restaurants and food, there are some nice places called "Bouillon" all over the city, where they serve good and cheap food. The most famous on is the "Bouillon Chartier". They are quite a good experience for tourists as well!

[@stevelinahan8022]

We go to Bouillon Chartier several times on each trip. It is a "go to" restaurant for sure. Not always the best, but consistant with a good variety and a good meal in a friendly atmosphere.

[@paulcasey5204]

By far the best way to get around Paris is the bus. Not the hop on-hop off ones, just the plain old public transport bus that the Parisians use. They go everywhere you could possibly want, are dirt cheap (but very clean) and you get to see Paris as you get from A to B. The metro is mostly underground and often involves lengthy underground walks between stations. The bus is brilliant. There are electronic signs that tell you what the next stop as you leave the one before. It couldnt be easier and traffic issues are pretty much non-existent due to dedicated lanes.

[@nataliejiaravanont6514]

That’s great to know! Where would you purchase bus tickets…?

[@Eogard]

@@nataliejiaravanont6514 It's the same ticket you use for the metro, so you can buy them here or directly to the driver of the bus.

[@josephj6521]

@@nataliejiaravanont6514 good question.

[@ShimonMeetsWorld]

We got an AirBnB when we stayed in Paris and it was honestly so worth it

[@capstone9173]

We just spent ten nights in Paris in an apartment on the banks of the Seine. I looked out my window every night and stared at Notre Dame, which was two blocks away. My recommendations are arrive on a Sunday, buy a week long Navigo Metro/RER train pass and a Paris Musee pass for the museums. Kids under 18 are free inside museums. Outside of that, forget your budget.

[@miab3694]

Thanks for the tips!

[@azca.]

For the navigo pass you're gonna need a passport photo to use, so bring that

[@capstone9173]

@@azca. yes. Make a copy of the smallest picture on your passport. It fits perfectly on back of Navigo pass.

[@stevelinahan8022]

I agree with the Navigo pass as the best option but arriving on Sunday is not the best advice or holidays. Trying to navigate many information workers are off on Sunday especially early and also holidays are difficult especially trying to buy tickets for RER or Metro and not being very familair with "How".

[@jeodude]

I spent a day walking around Paris. So many parks, statues, street art etc…no regrets And the metro is easy to use to get around.

[@ColonelHarry]

5:05 At restaurants, you can ask a free carafe (bottle) of tap water. It's mandatory to provide it, and usually the water will be cold and perfectly fine.

[@peterpain6625]

Also you'd get a glass of "free" water with an espresso in most places. At least i did.

[@bethmurphy2970]

Not only is water available everywhere, some locations offer sparkling water as well. Having your own bottle is a great idea.

[@OermeadPress]

Hi Mark - we loved your Paris on a Budget video! I just wanted you to know Jeannine and I were just watching the video from our current stop in Dubrovnik and we both started laughing when you dropped our names! That was so funny! We feel semi-famous! Haha! Thanks so much!

[@ThreeStarVagabond]

Good budget tips overall, but I think the best one was right at the start of the video: just walk around and enjoy the architecture! I've started doing that more and more lately when I travel, since I enjoy it more than spending hours queuing and paying to get in to popular exhibits and whatnot. Or maybe I'm just a cheap bastard. It could be that too.

[@stevelinahan8022]

Loved the apartment vs hotel comment. Our first trip was a hotel then each trip after that was a ARBNB. Huge price and quality difference. We stayed a month in an apartment for less than a hotel for 4 nights. Huge difference. Also great tip Do not eat at the hotel for breakfast or any meal. Much better price and quality going to a small shop. Everything is amazingly fresh here. Fruits are ridiculous in quality. Embrace the differences vs the USA and buy small. It is like a farmers market on each block.

[@robertnegron9706]

Thanks for the tip.

[@capstone9173]

One more, the closer to the center of Paris you are, the safer you will be. That is also where most of the attractions are, so you can walk to them. We stayed in Saint Germain (6th Arrondissement), which bordered the Latin Quarter (5th Arrondissement). Plenty of restaurants and markets nearby.

[@BillGreenAZ]

I agree. My travel partner and I stayed in the 3rd and 4th Arrondissement and there were families in the Place de Vosges in the early evening. Plenty of great restaurants and pastry shops in the area.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

I don't really agree with this. Montmartre is far from the center for example, while the Gare du Nord area is much sketchier and it's close to the center. Most of the outer arrondissements are perfectly safe. I lived in the 12th just past Nation and it was great - right on line 1 so really easy to get to the center. And the 15th and 16th are the wealthiest ones and full of families (albeit kind of boring because they are more residential).

[@heleneinge3840]

Another cheap food tip is to grab a ready-made salad, bun and fruit to go from a Monop' and take it to park for a lovely and cheap picnic.

[@AnneMB955]

Thx for all those tips. I save money in Paris by staying at Airbnbs. I’ll visit a supermarket to stock up on food that can be cooked or heated or put together. Will not need to go to a restaurant every day. I love French food. Cheers from 🇦🇺

[@bbetts74]

My go-to souvenirs are coffee mugs for use and shot glasses to collect

[@EscapingtheEmptyNest]

We stayed in a ibis hotel on the border of the 10th and the 19th. It wasn't near any tourist attractions, but that's OK because it was well connected to public transportation. No regrets.

[@bryantsteury8910]

Being near good public transportation would be way more important id think. Less noisy too probably!

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Gare du Nord is not too bad , the hotels can be reasonable .

[@EscapingtheEmptyNest]

@@Jay-vr9ir the place we stayed was walking distance to that and l'Est, and also had some really nice restaurants in a non tourist area.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Was it the one on Rue La Fayette with the beautiful walled garden in the back? That's where I always stay!

[@EscapingtheEmptyNest]

@@Rachel-rs7jn it was actually on Rue Louis Blanc, right next to the Canal

[@paulfreet]

I always take the RER-B into Paris and back to CDG. Big tip - take the express train! Even if you have to wait 10 minutes to catch it. The train does go through some sketchy parts of Paris and I have been a victim of a crime on the local RER-B. The express skips all of that.

[@chucku00]

Another tip about eating : there are several Picard Surgelés (high quality frozen food shops) in Paris that have an area where you can microwave the food you just bought. It's way cheaper than in a restaurant that also probably serves frozen food. and you'll have a choice no restaurant can propose, especially the desserts. Strictly Dumpling has a good video on this subject.

[@LinkRocks]

Great tip on not going directly to or in a place, but rather take advantage of a free park or wherever you can go to get a free look. Paris seems like a great walking city, which is ideal for wanting to see the sights on a budget.

[@katherinegarlock2249]

If you are travelling solo, consider staying in hostels. You can get accomodations for as little as 50 bucks, where you pay for a bed in a dorm sleeping 6-12 people. It's also a great way to meet people if you are travelling solo.

[@lindanewman1476]

My top budget tip is exactly what you mentioned about staying outside of the tourist "hot spots". As long as it's close to a Metro station, it's just as convenient. There are also added benefits to staying in a more normal Parisian neighborhood. The area tends to be quieter and the nearby restaurants are the local places where you get better value on meals.

[@danielai252]

Hi! Planning a trip to Paris here. Is there a neighborhood you recommend?

[@margaretmold63]

I totally agree with you regarding souvenirs, when I was in Europe in 1971 (a study program for 6 weeks for high school students), I purchased some cool 70s clothing, wore to school upon return. Now one of my daughter's loved it and is wearing. However I do have a few mini Eiffel Towers, along with some french porcelin.

[@DanielA-nl9nv]

IDK but, one thing I def want to do is thrift shop Paris.

[@pennywhitaker7092]

Daniel, I did a ton on my visit in 2018, planning to again next year. Save room in your luggage! The Le Marias area has quite a few.

[@halfdohm]

One this we did was do a bike tour. The cost was about $40 each. Not cheap but the tour was excellent. We covered several neighborhoods (Latin Quarter, Marais, Jardin du Luxembourg, riding along the Seine, etc). The guide was outstanding and took us to several small plazas and pointed many historical facts. The tour was about 4 hours and the pace was easy. Highly recommended.

[@markawilson3177]

Great advice….my wife and I arrive in Paris in just under 7 weeks time for a 5 week driving holiday around France, starting in Paris for 5 nights. Can’t wait to take it all in …..😊

[@mrn13]

For drinks: go for the happy hours that are everywhere. Manny times 16-24 (4 to midnight) and a pint of beer can go for as low as 3,50! I live here and if you know how to navigate a little bit, the city is surprisingly "cheap", I mean comparing to London or Manhattan...

[@peterpain6625]

Nothing beats the $25 can-of-coke i had in Dubai once though ;)

[@MacTravellers]

I find these passes difficult because they usually include things we're not so keen on. Then we end up wasting money instead of saving.

[@andresalles5687]

BEST TRAVEL CHANNEL

[@ThePixel1983]

The public transport day pass is 7,50€ for Paris and 10€ if you want to go out to La Défense. It includes Metro, some RER trains, the Montmartre thing, and buses, some of which go right in front of the Louvre and other sights.

[@LeoFtravels]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'll be there in a few weeks.

[@pennywhitaker7092]

Another great one Mark! Watched your Paris videos so many times before I went in 2018 and watching again for a trip next year. Taking my daughter to Madrid, Valencia and Paris for her medical school graduation. She’s an University Of Illinois grad.

[@woltersworld]

ILL!!!! So glad I could help a wee bit with your trip. I have a Valencia video and some Madrid stuff too. Hope they can help. Congrats to the doctor!

[@pennywhitaker7092]

@@woltersworld watching them all ! Watched everything for everyplace I go ! People know when I say Mark said… I knew you were a professor at U Of I . I live in central Illinois too .

[@marymulhare7680]

You didn’t mention the Metro pass bought on Sunday then good for the week. Requires a mini picture which sticks to the pass(and yes they are randomly checked)! I save mine with my passport and reuse whenever my next visit is. The Airbnb had a great Metro tip ***if not everyone gets on, wait at the next stop for the remainder of your party*** Brilliant.

[@briankish3757]

As touristy as it is, we found the hop-on/hop-off buses to be a decent ground transportation value, saving a few thousand extra steps per day. 🙂

[@ThePixel1983]

I find them expensive and slow compared to an RATP day pass. Few lines and it takes forever to catch one compared to the RATP.

[@franciscofuentes8916]

Terrible advice anywhere in the world

[@briankish3757]

@@franciscofuentes8916 certainly entitled to your opinion, but they have worked well for me and my family in several large cities.

[@briankish3757]

@@ThePixel1983 our experiences with them in Paris, Dublin, Lisbon and NYC have been good.

[@ThePixel1983]

@@briankish3757 I organized a day for a group and we waited forever at gare du Nord... AFTER waiting at the normal stop which was not in operation because of road works but IIRC it wasn't marked as "replaced". I don't handle sun well, went to the lower floor but there the heating was on and the driver couldn't switch it off. So that's that...

[@TMD3453]

Love it, yes. Monoprix and grocery stores are your friend on a budget. Merci, Mark!

[@jamesbinns8528]

I love the Metro!

[@ElIsrolak]

Indeed, Uber at least we got it cancelled 4 times to get us straight for Gare de l'est! And the cab that the hotel requested got us there in under 15 minutes and 15 euro, so I'd trust if in a rush the later

[@bethmurphy2970]

Thé hôtel has an interest in getting you transportation and will not use unreliable transportation companies

[@salvadorlopez527]

I trust Wolter unconditionally

[@BillGreenAZ]

I agree about the apartments vs hotels. Our airbnb was rather reasonable for just less than a week. Also, you are spot on about the local markets and about the Metro. That 500 meters between Metro stations can seem quite a long way sometimes. 😁

[@nikolairomanoff6969]

Thank you for this! I am looking forward to visit Paris soon and these tips really help 🙌🏽

[@capstone9173]

Another reason to buy the week long Navigo Metro/RER Pass is that this pass covers trips to Versailles, Disneyland Paris, and both international airports. The card costs €5 and you will need a copy of the small picture of you on your passport (or any like size picture of yourself) to stick on the back of the card. The Pass expires every Sunday (regardless of what day you buy it), so you want to buy it on a Monday to maximize the value. In addition to the €5 card purchase (which you only purchase once), you will need to pay €25 for the Pass itself. We were there 10 nights, so our Pass expired with 3 more days left on our trip. Since on that Monday and Tuesday we planned to take a roundtrip to Disneyland Paris each day and then take a one-way trip to CDG airport on Wednesday, it was still cheaper to renew the week long Pass than to buy individual tickets for those three days.

[@vivoentierra]

Is the pass sold at CDG,please?

[@capstone9173]

@@vivoentierra yes

[@capstone9173]

You may also buy them at any train station.

[@vivoentierra]

@@capstone9173 Thanks!

[@chollypaderanga307]

Thanks for this great tip!

[@Robbo8ball]

I love budget travel, no need to spend a fortune to see amazing places. Keep up the good work!

[@chvaunbarnes3495]

Keep the videos coming!! You and your family were made to travel and make videos about it forever! Love these!!

[@nicknickbon22]

I think the one week trip a I made to Paris was one of the cheapest I had. In 2018 there was a night train that for 35€ would get you to Paris from northern Italy arriving at Gare de Lyon at 9:30 am(now there’s a high speed train from Milan arriving in about 7h at more or less the same price). I stayed in a place near the jardines de Luxembourg that worked as a student accommodation in the winter but as a hotel in the summer, with your own bathroom, a common kitchen, free breakfast and a rooftop. As a young European most museums were free, but my mother used the pass and most museums she was interested in were covered. Eating was not that expensive in my opinion because, unlike Italy, water is free in France and that lowers the final price a lot, especially if you don’t drink alcohol (I never spent more than 15-20 euros per person in quite good restaurants often eating all courses -Not in French restaurants because the people I was with were more Asian and maghrebi cuisine lovers-). And yeah, as you said I went to Sacre Cœur instead that up to the Eiffel Tower, where I only ate a sandwich at the park nearby.

[@rkxz99]

Two further tips: go to a photomaton and get a picture to buy a weekly metro pass (needs a picture) now valid even to/from the airport (and busses too) so easy to be worth it quickly (and can now reload by cell phone + app). Taxis can also take the preferred lanes versus Ubers (though they can take you for a ride sometimes too). One bit of constructive criticism: noticed in this and other videos you speak French but always add a syllable to d’Orsay (it’s Homer Simpson doh not “de Oh”).

[@superrockgoddess]

Love the down to earth nature of this video! ❤🙏 Thank you!

[@sa21g22g23]

Very wonderfuls places of Paris for travel and enjoy, très belles endroits de Paris pour pouvoir amuser

[@domsalexa]

Thank You! 👍🏼 I need these tips. Will be in Paris 🇫🇷 in october 😀

[@billyjean3118]

Me too! Going there for four days :D

[@albertledo4292]

this will help me so much

[@dantheman8279]

Stayed in Pigalle, great prices and easy to walk everywhere. The hop on hop off bus was a nice value too!

[@lxndyn767]

You are doing a Fantatic job, our beloved brother! Thanks for all the great tips, especially when to travel, hotel costs, budgets etc etc. You and your family are just great to watch. Your beloved Mother is still quite a Beautiful woman ! Wow!

[@laetitia5546]

Thank you so much ive binged watch you videos in preparation to my trip . Thank you so much keep them coming

[@marsgal42]

It's been a while. Sigh... With the excellent rail network being out in the 'burbs isn't an issue. My employers used to have an important distributor near Orly Airport and I stayed at a hotel in Antony when I visited. Twenty minutes to town on the RER.

[@WilliamMentsas]

I like the souvenirs you criticize.

[@youngdark3]

Love Paris can't wait to go back 😊

[@robertnegron9706]

I agree magical city. The history.

[@pgiatrakis]

Great advice Thanks 🙏🏽 so much.

[@annarosenboim968]

Your tips are very useful, thanks. I would add that I do not recommend staying too far. In my opinion, it does not worth the time you spend in the transportation.

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

I agree, if you're talking about staying outside of Paris itself in the suburbs. I think he meant staying in the outer arrondissements though.

[@missj.4760]

There are a few different museum / tourist pass. It worth shopping.

[@Peachyplum8]

I’m glad you guys posted this I’m planning to go to Paris next year!!

[@chollypaderanga307]

Thanks 🙏 a lot Mark! Great video and big help for our Paris trip this February

[@acbc3543]

My tip ? I decipher everything and map everything where I’m going . I use all sites and compare them to the core of my budget . I also ship stuff as I did when I visited London during the coronation of King Charles . I shipped all my stuff from Fortnum & Mason ! I hit that huge hamper they sell and I’m a a grown up .

[@mariolpereira7908]

Thanks Walter , truly helpful video

[@Michaelengelmann]

When I went to Ecuador/the Galapagos for my senior class in 2018 I got a decorative knife (hid it when I went thru TSA, probably looked bad if caught) but I also wish I bought a painting. I don’t like to stand out as a tourist but wanna do touristy things. I’d like to buy a magnet of the landscape/land marks, land mark souvenirs, a small flag, a painting, etc. too many things 😂

[@Rachel-rs7jn]

Excellent video! Agreed with every one of your tips.

Also check out Paris Visite ticket. That's the one I get while there.

[@eldev4432]

Paris has a great food scene. What I am concerned about is do the restaurants, bistros offer vegetarian options? Thanks

[@TravelAdventureswithEricB]

Great advice for sure.

[@patriciasouchik-stock7521]

The Hotel DeVille often has an art exhibition and it’s free. The one I went to was really great.

[@pongop]

Thank you for the great tips!

[@cocobauducci5019]

Thank you I’m planning a trip this year

[@chiragganguly]

All pertinent points. 👍

[@tobiojo9454]

Awesome video and great tips

[@maksymkorinnyi7576]

I love what what you do

[@MeansToTravel]

Thank you for the timeliness of this video! :) :) :)

[@annmajek5203]

Thanks Mark!

[@PWBERRETT]

Mark. You mentioned not getting breakfast at your hotel. I always look for hotels that are offering a special deal which includes breakfast. Most times its a buffet breakfast so one can stock up for the day and eat less later. My other tip for saving money is go to Prague instead. You will still have a good time but the beer is way cheaper.

[@peterpain6625]

Hotel "budget" breakfast is usually sh!te. Found so many awesome breakfast places when booking without breakfast. It's convenient alright but nothing beats a little hole-in-the-wall cafe eating your (divine) crossaint listening to the locals ;)

[@missj.4760]

There are a few afordable hotels (affordable for Paris) around Gare de l'Est. I paid 50 euro/night for a single room summer 2021. The room was correct and the staff was nice. It was central and easy to go everywhere with the metro at 3 minutes walk.

[@stryderhiryu8]

What is the name of the hotel

[@missj.4760]

@@stryderhiryu8 I stayed at Grand hotel de l'Europe. I paid 50 euros/night for a single room 2 years ago during the pandemic but now it is much more expensive.

[@julianathomaz5598]

LOVE YOU!!

[@cudjoekey2334]

Hey there, great videos!!! We are going to Paris soon. Where is Chut! We can’t locate it anywhere. Thanks so much!

[@teresasanchez756]

im U.S, afraid to go because I don't speak French so how would I understand anybody, get lost. Always imagine Paris famous for pastries, Ethel towers n find true love

[@campbellbailey9614]

This man here said I can get the benefit

[@anff]

What do you recommend for hotels e.g. 3-4 starts in Paris

[@66Amz]

Hey, I love all your videos about paris. I’m planning a trip soon can you pls guide me what is the easiest and cheapest way to get to the city centre from Orly AirPort

[@woltersworld]

There is a bus that would be the cheapest

[@CreachterZ]

Just order the mini Eiffel towers from Amazon when you get back. No one will ever know. They’ll still just throw it away in a few weeks or if they are a hoarder, curse you.

[@pinaylivingabroad3725]

Hello fantastic video! I hope your wife would give some advice about where to buy cheap clothing shops or her favourite shop to ho

[@steaklover948]

I am going to paris but I want to spend the least amount of money as I can, any tips?

[@christianoliver3572]

If you're going to go to fashion centers like Paris, London, Rome or Milan etc then upmarket clothes or at least reasonably priced clothes that look upmarket really are a good deal. If you have the money and the time then buy that bespoke shirt, suit, or have really good shoes made for you If you get them in fairly traditional or timeless styles and take good care of them then you'll have something that can last for decades, not just for six months like so much of our American off the rack fast fashion. Food and wine is another great example where a little knowledge can save you big money. In Paris I try to avoid the really expensive and hot or 'in' restaurants where you'll definitely have a meal that you'll remember for the rest of your life but it'll melt your credit card. But if you to Bordeaux you'll be able to have just as amazing 5 star dining experience for half to maybe even a third of the price.

[@kaxapaluna1920]

Thank you, I will visit Paris soon, I did manage tickets by bus. Where to stay just to sleep? That's the question in Paris if you travel with a minimal budget, I wonder how joung people get to travel?

[@chidinwabineli226]

I have 2 kids and will love to relocate to Paris. What would you advise?

[@kennethwu115]

Hi Prof. Have you made any videos about Lyon?

[@missj.4760]

I found that for 15 euros, the Louvre gave me a lot for my money. I spent the whole day and walk 20km there.

[@maikk28]

Your son, at 7:35 is wearing a jersey for my home state 😂😂😂 Liga.Deportiva.Alajuelense from Costa Rica.

[@nataliejiaravanont6514]

Any thoughts on Go City Passes?? Do those really save you $$?

[@paulovinicius5001]

Nice Flamengo shirt on your son! :)

[@nataliejiaravanont6514]

Do kids (under 10 years old) get in free for most museums, and public transport?

[@josefinahilomen1287]

Mark looks like you’re losing weight you look good 👍

[@mikosprunck789]

Do you have a Hotel list for Paris? Our travel agent is finding 5 star hotels - I am looking for a 3-4 star hotel for June, 2022.

[@r_a_]

5:43✔️

[@MizzKittyBichon]

If you get your portrait done by one of the street artists, haggle for the price instead of paying the full price.

[@bethmurphy2970]

The taxis can use the high speed lanes in Paris. The Ubers can not.

[@rohan.rahalkar]

Hello! Can someone suggest restaurants in Paris that are not too expensive?