What to expect in Paris
France ‘s capital attracts tourists from France and abroad all year round. It’s one of the most expensive cities in the world, and you’ll need to plan for a fairly substantial budget to stay in Paris.
Is the cost of living in Paris high?
Source – DANIEL Antoine
Yes, living in Paris is expensive. We won’t hide it from you. But like anywhere else, it’s possible to get by on a budget. One undeniable advantage of Paris is that the city offers an infinite number of free tours, and the city itself is a delight to discover. What’s more, not only the French, but the rest of Europeans too, can get to Paris on the cheap, thanks to low-cost airlines and cheap train tickets. Here are the figures to give you an idea of your budget for travel to Paris.
What’s the best budget for accommodation in Paris?
Let’s face it, your accommodation budget in Paris will be expensive. Youth hostels are few and far between(although this is changing), and most Parisian hotels charge between €60 and €70 a night on average. A good reason to adopt Couchsurfing or renting an apartment from a private individual. Having said that, hotels practice yield management, which enables them to adapt prices according to occupancy rates, for example. So be sure to check regularly for hotel night offers, as prices can fall at different times of the year.
Youth hostels: from €15-20 per night
Hotel **: from €35 per night
Hotel ***: from €50 per night
Hotel ****: from €70-80 per night
Hotel *****: from €120 per night
Don’t forget to follow the offers in advance to get the best price for the period.
Source (creative commons) Terrazzo
How much can you afford to eat in Paris?
Unless you’re cooking your own meals in a hotel or apartment, you’ll need to set aside a substantial food budget in Paris. The smallest menu in a small restaurant (starter + main course) won’t cost less than 10€, so if you plan to eat out every day, that’s at least 25 to 30€ per day and per person, not counting drinks. We advise you to prepare or buy a sandwich for lunch, and go to a restaurant in the evening (if you want to treat yourself and limit your expenses).
Paris dining prices:
Street food (kebab, etc…): from 5 to 10€.
Fast Food: €7.40
Daily bistro menu: €12-14
Economy restaurant: approx. €12-15
Standard restaurant: approx. €25
Chic restaurant: €50 and up
Some price ideas in Paris
Single public transport ticket: €1.70 (or €2 for a single bus ticket)
Can of Coke: €2.5 (in-store)
Beer: €6 (per pint, excluding happy hours)
Pack of cigarettes: €7
Cab (1 km): €1.30
Admission to the Louvre Museum: €12 (in 2014) for single admission, but many exemptions are possible.
Entrance to the Eiffel Tower: For an adult: 2nd floor with elevator (€9), top floor with elevator (€15), 2nd floor stairs (€5) (in 2014)
As you can see, Paris is a city with a high cost of living. As a result, your travel budget will also be high. To calculate it more precisely, depending on the type of traveller you are, you can use our budget calculator.