You can visit Paris cheaper, better, and more locally. Included in the guide:
• How to get around Paris (on a budget)
• Top cheap eats you have to try
• Getting into museums for free
• Top things to do under $25 per person
• Top free things to do in Paris
• Where to buy local souvenirs (on a budget)

Paris on $100 a Day (Budget Guide)

Get the best and more local Paris experience for less with this guide! Find helpful places to eat, things to do, and where to shop for local goods all on $100 a Day budget (for 2 people). 

What I've learned from traveling is that not everything needs to be free. Paris has a good selection of activities under $25 per person that are well worth the experience.

Getting from the CDG Airport to downtown Paris is relatively easy on the train. You can book a train ticket in-person for less than €12 per person. 

Once in Central Paris the cheapest and easiest way to get around town is via the metro. Google Maps will be the best guide to utilizing the metro and will give you the best options at any given time of the day.

Did you know some of the top museums in the world are in Paris? And many of them have free days and/or hours. You can easily save €10-25 per person visiting during these times. There are so many museums in Paris but I'm including the most famous ones below!

One of the most famous museums in the world and a must-see when visiting Paris, the Louvre is free the first Friday of every month EXCEPT July and August. 

Louvre: Free Admission Guide

This is my favorite museum in Paris. If you like impressionist artists like Picasso, Monet, and Renior then this museum is a must-visit. You can do so for free the first Sunday of the month or pay €16 for a full-fare ticket.

Orsay: Free Admission Guide

Picasso has a few museums around the world so don't think this is your only chance to see his art (you can also do so at the Orsay) but the Paris museum is free every Sunday... so why not visit?

Picasso: Free Admission Guide

Parisian Cheese Tasting Experience

Monet's famous Water Lillies is housed here. You can visit for free the first Sunday of the month. If that doesn't fit your schedule you can visit for just €10 after 6:00PM on Fridays (saving you €2.50 on your admission).

Orangerie: Free Admission Guide

Below you'll find some of my favorite places to eat on a budget. From pastry shops to Parisian eats and beyond you'll find a wide selection of excellent dining options that will fit your budget.

Some of my favorites on the list include a less than Є4 burger at Mangez es Cassez-Vous and Є5 sandwiches that feeds two at Mich'sandwiches.

Where to buy local souvenirs (on a budget)

Keep in mind that a lot of the additional cost in Paris is through guided experiences. If you skip the guide you can find a lot of activities under $25 per person. 

*I didn't include the museums listed in the "Free Museum Days in Paris" but keep in mind that most of these museums are also under $25 per person to visit.*

For personal use only: This document is for personal use only. If you know someone 
who would enjoy this resource, please direct them to Thatch or my website, kendyltravels.com so they can purchase their own copy.  By gaining access to this document, you agree that you will not 
sell or redistribute it and that any products created with it 
will not be sold for profit.

As someone who prides herself on my ability to save thousands of dollars on every trip I take, Paris can be a tough one. But I've found that Paris is cheaper than you might think after your initial research. (And you bought this guide so tada!) 

✈️ One of the cheapest ways to fly to Paris is using Flying Blue miles. You can transfer them from any bank rewards program and get flights for as little as 12,500 miles each way. I flew roundtrip for less than $200 in taxes and fees.

🏨 I used my IHG Premier card to earn 26 points per dollar spent at the Holiday Inn Gare de Lyon Bastille on our $150 per night booking. I could have used my points but because it was affordable (by Paris standards) so I opted to pay cash and earned 20,000 IHG points (valued at about $160).

🧥 I traveled to Paris during off-season in November. This was an amazing time to see the city! Not only was everything cheaper (like our hotel), the weather was fine to walk around in and there was no one there.

Snag my Beginner's Guide (70% off)

After getting your baggage follow signage to the REF B train. Near the train turntable you'll find a large group of self-serve kiosks to get your ticket. You can easily add your hotel to Google Maps while at the airport to snag helpful step-by-step instructions for taking the REF B and any additional trains once in Central Paris.

Helpful Guide to the REF B train

Keep in mind if your flight arrives after 10:35 PM the REF B doesn't run and you'll have to find an alternative method to get to Central Paris.

The metro runs daily from around 5:30AM until roughly 1:15AM (on the weekends until 2:00AM). Given the large network and time it runs you'll likely always be able to find a train when you need one.

The metro allows you to purchase single ride and multi-day passes. Most days you'll probably choose an area of Paris and stick to it so a multi-day pass with unlimited rides probably won't make financial sense.

Instead, I recommend purchasing a Zone 1-2 Carnet. It's basically a book of 10 tickets that will get you anywhere in the main section of Paris you'll be visiting. A book of 10 tickets will cost you €12.70. 

The Paris Metro is very safe but it sees a fair share of pick pockets. Keep your bags in front and your hand in your pocket (if you have any valuables inside). Put your zippers facing you and be mindful of your surroundings. The harder you make yourself as a target the less likely you'll be one.

Latin Quarter Walking Tour

Champagne Tasting Experience

Pâtisseries in Paris (Airbnb Experience)

Odette

Stohrer

Fou de Pâtisserie

Shakespeare and Company

Mich'sandwiches - Crêpes & Paninis

Free Tour Options

Free Walking Tours Paris

Restaurant Bodrum Gare de Lyon

La Crème de Paris Notre-Dame

The Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app organizes Rick's vast library of self-guided walking tours and radio interviews into geographic playlists covering Europe's top sights, travel tips, and cultural insights.



Paris on $100 a Day (Budget Guide)

Buy to unlock full guide