How Much Does a Weekend in Paris Cost: 5 Unique Top Tips

No matter how expensive, Paris is still one of the most amazing places you’ll ever see. If you are planning a Eurotrip and trying to find cheap flights to Europe, I understand why you might splurge a little more while visiting the city. While I was living in Girona (just an hour and a half away by air from Paris), this was a great option for a short weekend trip. I was lucky to meet a friend in the city with whom I stayed.

That helped me to save a bit. If that is not the case, there are many ways you can make the most of your weekend in Paris on a budget. How much does a weekend in Paris cost, or how much does a trip to Paris cost for real? We will be looking at this closely. If you ask yourself, “Should I visit Paris or Rome?” Maybe these tips are for you:

How Much Does It Cost to Go to France by Plane: Transportation

I am always tracking every flight I can from my home airport. Thanks to the Skyscanner price alert, I booked a ticket from Girona to Paris-Beauvais, and this round trip to Paris cost 34€. Beauvais is 70 minutes from Paris, so you must book your transportation to the city.

I saved a little by booking my shuttle from the Beauvais website by buying it in advance. A shuttle roundtrip cost 29€ (I know, almost the same as the air ticket, and that made me a little sad!) This was the cheapest way to get there and spend an amazing weekend in Paris on a budget. Otherwise, I would have needed to catch a plane from Barcelona airport.

I did the same thing with metro/train transportation. At my closest RER station, Neuilly Porte Maillot, I bought the 10-ticket booklet to move around the city for 14.50€. This allows you to use trains, metros, and buses in Paris.

Another option you might have to save a lot on your weekend in Paris is getting a Paris Visite travel pass.

How Much Does a Weekend in Paris Cost: Accommodations

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I’ve been to Paris three times and have been lucky enough that I’ve never paid for accommodation.*

Ok, I’ll explain that a little better…

The first time I visited Paris, I couch-surfed at a friend’s house. At that moment, I used my couchsurfing ethics, which included inviting the person hosting me for dinner and showing my gratitude for their hospitality.

The second time I visited Paris was because I missed a connecting flight at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). The airline gave me a complimentary hotel night and food vouchers because my plane left from Paris the next day. Let’s say the “forced layover” gave me a little day to explore the city. Also, it allowed me to meet the same friend I stayed with the first time. It was such an experience and once again, I didn’t have to pay for accommodation.

This time, my friend had already reserved a room in a hotel, so I came to crash in her hotel room. Since I wasn’t paying, I bought breakfast and pizza one day. Let’s say that in total, I spent 50€ on food that day. That covered my food and some of my accommodation expenses simultaneously.

I was also offered to housesit my other friend’s house while she was traveling by discovering how does TrustedHousesitters work. This was not an option because I already had the hotel plan. Housesitting might be a great saving plan when traveling around Paris on a budget and trying to figure out how much a weekend in Paris costs.

How Much Does a Weekend in Paris Cost: Itinerary

Day 1:

Morning: Start your weekend with a free walking tour. These offer great insights into the city’s rich history and are tip-based, allowing you to decide what fits your budget.

Midday: Pack a picnic lunch and head to the Champ de Mars park for a scenic meal with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Food from local markets like Monoprix and Carrefour can keep your costs low.

Afternoon: Visit the Louvre Museum if it’s your first time in Paris (don’t forget about free entry on the first Saturday of every month or on certain holidays). If you’re looking for something more niche, the Musée Picasso or the Musée Carnavalet are excellent free alternatives.

Evening: Wrap up your day with dinner at a cozy crepe stand or street food stall, where you can enjoy classic French street food without overspending.

Day 2:

Morning: Start your day with breakfast at a local bakery, indulging in croissants or pain au chocolat. Then, head over to Montmartre to explore its artistic charm. Visit the Sacré-Coeur Basilica (free entry) and soak in the panoramic view of Paris.

Afternoon: Wander through Jardin du Luxembourg, a lush garden perfect for relaxing or having a picnic. You can also stroll along the Seine River or visit Notre Dame Cathedral (note: entry is free to the main cathedral).

Evening: For a relaxed and budget-friendly evening, explore the window displays along the Champs-Élysées or join locals at a summer concert in one of the city’s parks. End your night with dinner at a local café or another delicious crepe for an affordable yet delightful experience.

Street Food for a Weekend in Paris on a Budget

I know many people who would die to go to Paris to eat in the most amazing restaurants. Even when eating and having good food experiences is something I look forward to, I know I’m not a fine eater. On this weekend in Paris, my friends and I decided to hit the grocery stores. (Thanks, Monoprix, Carrefour, and Franprix, for existing!). To survive our day, we bought essentials such as bread, croissants, ham, cheese, chips, beers, water, and Nutella.

The other thing we agreed on doing during the weekend in Paris was buying some crepes. We spent the whole trip doing that. How much does a weekend in Paris cost when it comes to food? We didn’t spend 20€ on food each day, and we never stopped eating! This is the main tip to keep your weekend in Paris on a budget.

How Much Does a Weekend in Paris Cost: Skip the museums if it’s not your first time

As you might know, there are plenty of romantic things to do in Paris. If you’ve been to Paris before, you can live without visiting some monuments and museums. Skip going up the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, Orsay, Pantheon, and some other places where you have to pay. If a visit to Versailles is one of your possibilities, do it!

This is my experience: I am a huge fan of visiting Paris cemeteries. They are filled with art, and many famous people are buried there. The best part of this? Cemeteries are free! So, why not visit Oscar Wilde’s grave in Pere Lachaise while in the city?

Another thing you can do for free is getting a peek at most of the monuments from the outside. I walked around the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Pantheon without getting in.

The other plan I love not to spend much money on is doing picnics. There are places like the Jardins de Luxembourg or Invalides Esplanade. This is a great way to experience Paris on a budget!

If there’s something I enjoy, it would be downloading thematic itineraries and doing them on my own. There are many itineraries in Paris that you can do about many topics. In my case, I tend to do literary routes. I did the Rayuela (Hopscotch, a novel by Julio Cortázar) itinerary that Instituto Cervantes designed to make this weekend in Paris even more amazing.

How Much Does A Weekend in Paris Cost: Splurge-Worthy Experiences

For those who can splurge a little, there are some Parisian experiences worth considering. Why not indulge in a fine dining experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant or book tickets for the famous Moulin Rouge? Although pricier, these unique experiences can elevate your Paris trip and give you lasting memories.

How Much Does a Weekend in Paris Cost: FAQ

How Much Does a Weekend in Paris Cost: My Weekend in Paris on a Budget…

How much does a weekend in Paris cost in total? As I mentioned, it was about 70€ for transportation (air + land) and 14.50€ for the train ticket booklet. Regarding food, I spent 15€ on the first day, 50€ on the second day (also part of my lodging agreement), and 15€ on the last day. I didn’t pay for any tour.

This was all the money I spent while in the city. In total, let’s say I spent around 200€ total for an amazing weekend in Paris. Saving that much even helps if one of your plans is shopping in Paris!

I understand that in many cases if you’re traveling from far, you’ll need to splurge a little more. This is a 2-day itinerary to Paris. If you have the time and want to add other cities in France to your trip, I recommend Perpignan, Carcassone, and Menton France, in the Côte d’Azur if you want to see something completely different from Paris.

If you can make a short trip and spend a weekend in Paris on a budget, do it! Try to use these tips to enjoy the city without going broke, and always keep in mind the question: How much does a weekend in Paris cost?

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