How to Visit Paris on a Budget – 20 Tips to Save Money

Written By: The Planet D

So how does a person travel to Paris on a Budget? We flew directly from India where we were traveling on a very tight budget.  

We really had our work cut out for us going from one of the cheapest destinations in the world to one of the most expensive cities in the world. Surprisingly, Paris can be enjoyed while still keeping to the budget. We found many ways to save money when traveling to Paris.

Budget Travel Tips for Paris

paris on a budget

It has many places that you can go to for cheap and reasonable prices.  And many of Paris’ top sites are even free. You don’t have to break the budget when traveling to this grand world city. Here are our tips for visiting Paris on a budget and ideas to help you plan your trip to Paris without breaking the bank.

This post was originally published in 2015 and is in the process of being updated. Some information may have changed.

Budget Transportation in Paris

paris on a budget take the Metro
Take the Metro

We took public transport all over Paris to save money. The Paris Metro is fast, efficient and very easy to navigate. It is excellent and will get you everywhere you need to go. You can buy a metro pass for 1-5 days of unlimited travel starting at €14.

When buying a pass, you can choose what zones you will be traveling to. We have a breakdown below. We used the three-day pass when visiting Paris and it worked great. If the three-day pass is too expensive at $30 Euros, you can mix walking around the city and taking the metro or bus.

A 10-pack of metro tickets for 14.50 Euro. This way you’ll only use 3 tickets in one day if you plan your route wisely. The Paris Pass also includes unlimited public transportation: Check out details here.

Transportation zones in Paris

  • Zones 1 to 3 – Travels within in Paris and the close suburbs
  • If you want to travel further, you can get a pass for Zones 1 to 5 – travels within Paris, The close suburbs, to Orly and Charles de Gaulle airports, Disneyland and Versailles
  • Depending on which zones you select, Paris Transport allows you to travel on: metro lines, RER lines (RATP and SNCF),  Ile-de-France bus lines (RATP and OPTILE), except those circulating on Jetbus, Allobus Roissy CDG, tourist excursion and Air France networks, Tramway lines and the Montmartre funicular
  • Hop on Hop off Tour bus – Starting at only $35 USD you can book the Hop on Hop Off Tour to all the major Paris attractions. It gets you around Paris quickly and easily.

The Seine – River Cruise

Walk the River Seine in Paris for Free

When visiting Paris, you must get on the River Seine and see the city from a boat. But you don’t have to book an expensive dinner cruise. There are affordable options.

The Hop on Hop off Batocruise is one way to explore the Seine. YOu can choose a 1 or 2 day ticket starting at about $20 USD. The Paris Pass also includes Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise. If you plan on seeing a lot of Paris attractions, a Paris City Pass is the best way to bundle entries and save Big money. – If you want to combine a metro pass with attractions, museums and front of the line, get a Paris City Pass. It saves time and offers valuable discounts.

We use city passes whenever we are visiting a city for the first time. Don’t want to splurge on an expensive dinner cruise? You can do a 1-Hour Paris Illuminations tour for just $21 with Get Your Guide and you skip the line!

Our #1 Money Saving Tip for Paris, France

Purchase a Paris Pass  You can get it for 2-6 days and it includes all the below and more:

  • Free entry to more than 60 top attractions
  • Free travel on the metro
  • A 1-day hop-on, hop-off bus tour ticket
  • A guidebook in 6 languages
  • Skip-the-line entrance to many of the sights, like Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre Museum, and more.
  • Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise
  • Wine Tasting – O Chateau
  • Purchase Your Paris Pass Here 

Food Tips – Eating in Paris on a Budget

budget paris shopping for food
Stay standing when eating in Paris

Our number one tip for saving money in Paris when dining out is to not sit down for coffee at a restaurant. Drink it at the bar while standing. You’ll save the “sitting fee” that many Paris restaurants have.

Sitting down to eat will often cost you a surcharge. If you are watching your budget, stand at the bar to enjoy your beer or coffee. Besides, you will meet more people that way and experience Paris the way true Parisians experience Paris.

Don’t eat at bistros or restaurants

We also eat outside on terraces or coffee shops. This is cheaper than going inside to eat. It is free to sit outside, but if you go indoors you can be charged extra for the privilege of sitting inside. We ate excellent lunches outside for 6.50 Euros.

Paris has amazing restaurants, but many are expensive and will charge you more to sit down. Instead, eat outside at a boulangerie or patisserie. They included a large baguette sandwich, a delicious dessert of our choice, and a drink. Either alcoholic or no alcoholic.

Paris restaurants always supply free filtered water in a bottle, so don’t be sucked into ordering an expensive Perrier.

Choose an attraction and dinner together by booking the early evening dinner cruise along the Seine. 

Shop at the many supermarkets around town and pack your lunch

Budget Paris - have a picnic
Shop for food and make a picnic

Paris has many places to picnic and you can buy wonderful gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and fresh breads and fruit for a very reasonable price. We never spend more than 10 Euros on lunch for the two of us and that included wine!

For a low budget, we ate like the rich enjoying good French wine with incredible scenery. The parks of Paris are beautiful.

Have a Picnic for Lunch

We often packed a picnic and eat in a park or along the canal. You’ll find many couples having a romantic lunch in Jardin du Luxembourg. It’s a beautiful way to spend some time enjoying the Paris atmosphere. With fine meats, cheese, and bread, we’d stock up on quick eats at the Carrefour and purchase a good bottle of wine for just a couple of Euros.

Professional Traveller’s tip: Always pack a corkscrew and keep it handy to enjoy your own bottle of wine rather than an expensive glass at a restaurant.

Note: Keep your wine hidden and discreet. Like anywhere drinking in public areas is frowned upon even though everyone does it.

Menu Formule for Dinners

eating on a budget in Paris | menu formule

What is a Menu Formule?

It is a fixed-price menu for tourists in the Latin Quarter. This is a great way to save money and keep the budget down when eating dinner. It includes an appetizer, main dish, dessert, and one drink. These meals range from 9 Euro to 15 Euro.

Where to eat Cheap Menu Formule meals

  • The Latin Quarter near Notre Dame and Isle de la Cité
  • Montmartre near Sacre Couer
  • La Rue Cler near The Eiffel Tower all have very reasonable fixed price meals.

Paris Gardens are Beautiful to Explore and They are free

Paris Gardens are beautiful to wander through.

Jardin du Luxembourg – As mentioned above, the Jardin du Luxembourg is filled with sculptures and statues. There are usually free art exhibits hanging on the fences surrounding the garden as well.

The gardens of the Louvre – are completely free to visit and filled with fountains. A Walk through the grounds of the Louvre is almost as impressive as going inside.

Budget Accommodation Tips in Paris

Stay at a hostel in an affordable district

Choosing the right arrondissement (District) in Paris will make a big difference in the cost of accommodation. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Champs-Élysées are obviously more expensive areas, but places like Montmartre, Montparnasse, The Latin Quarter, and Le Marais are more affordable.

We tend to stay in Montmartre. We like the atmosphere and it has a lot of dining options and shopping. On our first budget trip to Paris, we stayed in the Perfect Hotel and hostel in this charming neighborhood.

Check out these Paris accommodation guides

Make Sure Breakfast is Included at Your Accommodation

It was accessible by metro and bus. It only cost us 35 Euros per person with breakfast included.

We had a private bath, but you can get a cheaper room for 28 Euros if you share a bath.  The shared bath is quite also clean. The price of a hostel in Paris doesn’t break the bank at all and leaves plenty of money to spare to enjoy the city of lights sites.

Our Hostel, The Perfect Hotel/Hostel included a breakfast of coffee, juice, bread, and chocolate croissant.

When booking your hotel in Paris, make sure breakfast is included in the price. If you can save on any meal, it will help with the budget. We didn’t have to spend any money until lunch. Food can be expensive in Paris, so the more you have included with your accommodations the better.

Perfect Hotel – Our first budget stay in Paris was at the Perfect Hotel in Montemarte- the location was great, breakfast was included, and great rooms. Check out Availability & Prices on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Hotel de l’Avre – Our first budget stay in Paris was at the Perfect Hotel in Montemart e- the location was great, breakfast was included, great rooms. Check out Availability & Prices on Trip Advisor / Booking.com

Apartment Stay and Air B&B

apartment rentals are a great way to save money in Paris

We love staying in Apartments in Paris because we can cook our own breakfasts, pack a bagged lunch, and enjoy a few gourmet meals at home. We would cook great dinners in our apartment and then go out for drinks or snacks afterward.

We felt like we were having the five-star experience on a shoestring budget. Apartments are also a really great deal for families and sharing. Plus, you usually stay in residential neighborhoods so you get a taste for Paris living.

Apartment near Sacre Coeur This Sacré-Coeur apartment features a living room, a kitchenette, a bedroom equipped with a queen-size bed, and a bathroom with basin, shower, and toilet. It is in a perfect location too!

Museums – How to see them on a budget in Paris

budget paris museum tips
Visit Museums after hours

Visit Museums After Hours

Many museums in Paris have free and discount days and hours, you just have to know where to look.

Musee D’Orsay

After 4:15 pm on Thursdays, the Musee D’Orsay slashes its prices to €5.50. We went after this time because all we were interested in was the Impressionists exhibit. We did the calculations and decided that 2 hours was more than enough time to take it in. It was a good amount of time to see the main attractions and get a feel for the museum. We even saw most of the other exhibits in that time as well.

Louvre After Hours

budget paris louvre on sundays
Certain days are discounted in museums

The Louvre slashes its prices after 6:00 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays to 11 Euro. If all you want to see is the Mona Lisa and a few of its other famous pieces, this might be the time for you to go and save some cash.

  • If you’re going to the Louvre on regular hours, book in advance at skip the line for a reasonable self guided tour.
  • If you want to visit unlimited museums at anytime, the Paris Museum Pass is an excellent deal for 2,4, or 6 days starting at $77 USD.
  • It gets you into 60 museums and monuments including Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and Centre Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe

Free Museum Entries

If you are under 25 years of age and an EU Citizen, you get into all museums for free! The first Sunday of each month offers up many free entries to museums and attractions.

Selected Museums that take part in the free first Sundays of each month are:

  • Louvre
  • Musée Picasso
  • Musée Rodin
  • Musée D’Orsay

City Museums are Free

You don’t have to only go to the famous museums of Paris, the city museums are filled with important and interesting works of art and they are free! Our guide told us that to find a city museum, look for the coat of arms above the door. There are more than 20 museums in Paris, and one way to tell is by looking for the coast of arms above the door.

Selected free city museums include:

  • Petit Palais
  • Maison de Balzac
  • Musée Carnavalet
  • Museum of Modern Art
  • Victor Hugo Mansion
  •  Check out all the free things you can do in Paris at our post Free sites and tours of Paris

Free Walking Tours in Paris

free paris walking tours
Take advantage of free walking tours

Different Companies offer Free City tours that meet in Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. Local Greeters is a well-known free walking tour. Plus, every day at St. Michel in the Latin Quarter and in Montmartre you can join a free walking tour of Paris.

We’ve taken a couple of free walking tours and always learn a lot from the guides. It’s up to you if you want to tip at the end. We usually give the equivalent of €5-€10 USD. There’s even a free pub crawl offered in the Latin Quarter and Montmartre area. If you tip your guide and buy a drink, you’ve got a free tour of the hottest spots in town.

Book Cheap Flights to Paris

By booking in advance and having a flexible schedule, you can get affordable flights to Paris. We use Skyscanner when booking flights and make sure to look three to five days on either side of our preferred travel dates. You can save a lot if you have flexibility. Just click the arrows to see what prices are on other dates.

Check out flights to Skyscanner for details. We also have an entire post dedicated to budget travel which will give you other booking ideas.

Take the Air France shuttle from the airport instead of a taxi.

paris budget tips
Get to Paris from the Airport with a shuttle

The Air France shuttle takes you to Montparnasse from Charles de Gaulle Airport for 21 – 36 Euros. The train is even cheaper, but you will have to lug your luggage through the metro. Information on Transfers from Orly and Chalres de Gaulle here.

Insider tip: One thing we noticed in Paris is that there are a lot of stairs and tunnels in the metro, so be prepared if you are carrying luggage. If you don’t mind doing that, take the train, it will save a lot of money.

See the Paris Landmarks for Free

Paris on a Budget - enjoy the free sites like Arc du Triomphe
Many amazing free sites to see

Paris is a city of living art and simply walking through its street is an excursion unto itself. You don’t necessarily have to pay to go inside every famous Paris attraction to enjoy them

  • The Eiffel Tower is impressive enough to just view it from the many different vantage points in the city.
  • The Arc Du Triomphe is free to visit unless you go upstairs to view the city.
  • The Champs Elysees is an interesting site in its own right. Walking down the street people watching and window-shopping is an event that takes you directly to the Arc du Triomphe.
  • The Louvre has beautiful gardens with works of art scattered throughout and so does the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Eiffel Tower and Seine Cruises combo – allowing you to skip the line and go right up to the second platform of the tower before heading on a 1-hour river cruise

For Free Views of Paris

paris views for free

Montmartre

If you don’t want to pay to go up the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, or the Montparnasse Tower, go to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre for a great overhead view of Paris. It’s an excellent area to watch street performers and to get lost in the winding streets.

There are several different views of Paris from this mountain but hanging out on the steps of Montmartre is a must-do when visiting the city. Plus, you can tour the Basilica Sacre Coeur for free. While Notre Dame is under renovation, this is a good church to go inside.

Go to the Pompidou Modern Art Gallery and take the escalators to the rooftop bar with your admission ticket to see views of Paris. It’s an affordable meal with outstanding views.

Paris Cemeteries

Paris on a Budget tips visit cemeteries
Visit the free cemeteries

The Cemeteries of Paris are a great way to spend an afternoon and they are completely free.

Why visit a cemetery in Paris?

Because there are very elaborate tombs. Pere Lachaise is the most famous cemetery with the tombs of Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde, but there are two other famous and free cemeteries to visit in Paris, Montmartre and Montparnasse Cemeteries.

Famous residents of Paris Cemeteries include:

  • Jim Morrison – Cimetiere du Père Lachaise
  • Oscar Wilde – Cimetiere Pere Lachaise
  • Alexander Dumas – Montmartre Cemetery
  • Edgar Degas – Montmartre Cemetery
  • Jean-Paul Sartre – Montparnasse Cemetery
  • Samuel Beckett – Montparnasse Cemetery



Paris 1,2, or 3-Day Hop on Hop us Bus Pass – If you are in Paris for more than one day, this is a great option for getting around to all the sites. Plus you get a book of discounts.

Catacombs of Paris

Paris on a Budget the Catacombs
Catacombs of Paris

Looking for something unique to do in Paris, visit the Catacombs. They’re only 8€ to enter, but it’s 45 minutes of one fascinating and eerie tour. This is one tour I don’t recommend booking in advance or with an online booking agent.

It’s cheaper to enter on your own and you don’t need a tour to appreciate it. Headsets are offered to guide you through the tunnels. The only reason I would book in advance is if you have limited time in Paris and want to skip the line. The Catacombs can be quite crowded. But skip the line tickets cost $39 CAD ($29 USD) so it depends on how much time you have if you want to pay the extra fee.

Free wifi and cheap coffee

paris on a budget put McDonalds to use
McDonald’s has good coffee, free WiFi & Toilets

At first, we were embarrassed to go into a McDonald’s in Paris, but then we noticed that even the locals go there.

They have great McCafés, and it is cheaper to get a good cappuccino here than in a bistro. Plus you can get it for takeaway to enjoy while strolling the streets of Paris. You don’t have to pay to sit down in a McDonald’s to enjoy a coffee and you can use the toilets for free here. We also pop in to use the WiFi at McDonald’s as it is always free.

Good Paris Travel Resources

Lonely Planet Paris – Lonely Planet is our go-to guidebook for all destinations and locations. You can download ebooks, apps, or city guides, whatever you need.

Rick Steve’s Paris – Nobody knows Europe like Rick Steve’s and he gives great tips for Paris travel

Packing Tips for Europe – We give tips to help you pack smart for European travel for Paris and beyond.

Paris Museum Pass – Paris is known for its museums. Get the museum pass for front of the line entrance to 60 museums.

Paris Tourism Office – We always like to visit the official tourism website for any destination. Paris tourism is full of useful city information.

Paris Museum and Attraction Closures – Museums, attractions and shows are closed on certain days of the week or month. Be sure to check them out before you travel.

Selective Paris City Tours

If you are planning a trip to France, make sure to check out our France Travel Guide!

You May Also Like these Budget Travel Tips

If you enjoyed these Paris budget tips, save it to Pinterest for future travel planning.

how visit paris on a budget

And there you have it. Our favorite things to do in Paris on a budget. As you can see it can be done. Do you have some ideas on how to save money in Paris?

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Book Your Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner. We have used them for years and have found that they have the best flight deals.

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor.

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

  • Safety Wing - Occasional Travelers.
  • Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Book Your Activities: Looking for walking tours, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more? Then we recommend Get Your Guide.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine, the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

Leave a Comment

42 thoughts on “How to Visit Paris on a Budget – 20 Tips to Save Money”

  1. Thank you so much for the info. We are hoping to travel for the World Cup Rugby this Sept and appreciate your blog and the insights for Paris especially travelling on a budget.

    Reply
    • I really enjoyed the setup of this beautiful city, I would one day, love to visit this beautiful and great city.

      Reply
  2. Thanks a lot for all these information – Im going to Paris after 18yrs from Ontario. Im traveling with an 11 yrs old boy and it will help me to saves a lot.

    Reply
  3. Great tips!! I could never imagine that it is possible to visit Paris on a budget 🙂
    Also, it is good to compare tickets for the tourist attractions to get the best price!

    Reply
  4. Our trip to Paris was amazing, being my first international trip, I enjoyed it a lot. you haven’t seen Paris until you’ve seen the city at night. Paris is one of the world’s leading cities and so hand in hand with that comes a truly epic nightlife. Large crowds meet in popular Parisian streets .There is more than enough to keep even the most energetic of tourists busy during the day, and Paris by night is no exception. Visitors have the choice between using the metro, the vast bus system, the RER and now even the Vélib Vélib (a communal scheme allowing you to rent bikes to ride around Paris).

    Reply
  5. Great article ! If you have a budget and you want to visit Paris in an original way, you can still go fot a tour of Paris on a segway ! I assure you it is fun !! We had such a blast !

    Reply
  6. There’s a lot of work in here! Much appreciated. I like the sound of the movie walk, but I doubt I’ll go back. We spent our Silver Wedding there and loved it (the big day was actually out at Giverny at Monet’s garden). Just checking to see what I’d missed 🙂

    Reply
  7. Enjoyed your Paris budget itinerary. Definitely agree that a great way to save money is to purchase food from a local market (or a Carrefour) and picnic in the park if it’s not raining.

    Montemartre is a good budget choice for accommodation (and it’s beautiful), but we also like Plaisance neighborhood near the Pernéty metro station for budget hotels. On your next visit to Paris, consider giving that neighborhood a try.

    Reply
    • Thanks for the tip! We’ll definitely give that neighbourhood a try. We liked to check out new hot spots for sure!

      Reply
  8. Yes, you need to update the entrance fees. BTW Catacombes are 12 euros plus 5 euros headsets. Taking the escalator up to Centre Pompidou is now 5 euros (not free anymore).
    I would suggest the public Rent a bike service called Vélib’: a week subscription costs 8 euros, bikes are available 24/24 h, there are lanes for bikes all around town.

    Reply
  9. Hello Planet D. You may want to check your prices for this post. I was just in Paris 2 months ago and the 10-pack metro ticket is now 14euros and the Louvre on Wednesday night is 14euros a think. Otherwise great advise. Thanks.

    Reply
  10. This post very helps for travel for Paris. Thank you so much, shares the effective blog and more Information. I am satisfied for the blog. It is really helpful. Thanks.

    Reply
  11. Now I’ve moved back to Europe (Austria) I’m looking into going to Paris later in the year and these tips are great. I especially love the idea of the Menu Formule, which is something similar to what the Spanish have. And yes, museums can be incredibly expensive. Thanks for the information on the reduced rates — like you, I’m fine with just a couple of hours 🙂

    Reply
  12. I’ve been considering a trip to Europe and Paris is one of the (possible) places in my list. This post has got me ticking Paris as a must visit city! It’s affordable. Thank you for this. You’ve helped me a great deal.

    Reply
  13. Thanks for the tips! Great to know that Paris can be enjoyed without breaking the bank, its a beautiful city! I visited a few years ago while I was a student and many attractions were free (with a student pass), but am wondering how much I’d have to fork out when I get back one day. Really relieved to know that it’s not too much.

    Reply
  14. This is the most detailed guide I was discovered for Paris. Even Paris can be visited without spending a fortune. Great job!

    Reply
  15. Let’s be real! Paris is a very expensive city to visit especially for those first-time travelers, it can be a pocket-exhausting experience. I have been to different places and I realized if someone has no idea about the cheap places to eat, or if one did not do his/her research about cheap transportation or city passes, then be ready to spend more than what you allocated for the trip.

    It all boils down to one’s preparation and I agree with the abovementioned tips.

    Reply
  16. This is a revelation,true enough what’s on my mind is totally different and surprising to what’s your post is all about.

    I admit that,All this time,I thought Paris is expensive. I mean no doubt every product that comes from Paris is not cheap,such as their perfume,clothes,anything else.

    Reading this post,I must say that I somehow view Paris from a different point.I am hoping that I xould someday visit this place.Guaranteed to follow your tips! 🙂

    Reply
  17. These are some good tips. Some of them I would never do, but they are still good.

    Traveling is some of the most difficult times to be responsible with your spending. That is why I like saving up for all inclusive cruises or resorts. Then everything is paid for and you can go crazy.:-)
    .-= Ben´s last blog ..The Two Acocunt Simple Budget System =-.

    Reply
  18. Am going to Paris next Saturday and truly appreciate all the great tips you gave. Also had no idea that there could be a surcharge for sitting in a restaurant. After Paris, heading to Estonia…my fathers first time back since the war. Thanks again for the Paris advice! Cheers!

    Reply
    • Have a great time in Paris Charmaine. The surcharge isn’t in all restaurants, but it is in many. Wow, that is going to be a wonderful and emotional trip with your father. I hope that you have an amazing time. I have heard that Estonia is awesome.

      Reply
      • Hi again!
        Well the trip to Paris was more amazing than I could have imagined and am going back in two years with my husband. Estonia was so emtional…..I was so saddened by the damage this tiny country has endured by the Russian occupation. I had been reading a magazine on the plane that stated “World War II ended for Estonia in 1994″….how many us never knew that. However, she is well on her way to recovery.
        What a home coming it was for my dad and one I will never forget. What an honour it was for my brother and I to be there when he stepped on Estonian soil for the first time in 67 years.
        As for France, Vimy Ridge did it for me…..so proud to be Canadian!
        Well more adventures await I am sure.
        Cheers to all and happy travelling!

  19. Although ‘budget travel’ in Paris is still more expensive than my travel budget can manage at the moment, these are some really great tips! And after reading about your Gaudi experience, I also agree that you don’t have to pay to go into every site to experience them.

    Reply
  20. Great Tips! We are planning to head to Paris and it’s nice to know that you can keep to a budget if you try!
    .-= Bethany´s last blog ..Somewhere In Time – Dublin, Ireland =-.

    Reply
  21. Congratulations on winning the tickets…couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple.
    Thanks for shaeing this valuable advice, the wife and I are planning for a week in Paris soon

    Reply
  22. Wow – great advice and so important! It’s very easy to spend a lot of money in a city with such wonderful, but often expensive, attractions and restaurants. But like any big city, there’s an abundance of free and inexpensive entertainment to be had as well. The two of you are astute travelers to have discovered so much in such a short time there – I can’t wait to read more about your Paris adventure!
    .-= Trisha Miller´s last blog ..The Write Time =-.

    Reply
  23. I’m so glad you mentioned the supermarket tip. In countries that have amazing food they also have amazing supermarkets and often with prepared food for great prices.
    .-= ayngelina´s last blog ..Mexico isn’t all mangos and limes =-.

    Reply
  24. Great tips! I’ve been there and as much as I could, tried to be cheap. Very similar with many that you mentioned here. We also went to museums in the free day (even though it’s usually jam packed), in the cheap hours, and we bought Paris museum pass that valid for a few days and pretty much used it as much as we could. (we love museums)
    We stayed at B&B hotel that was only 50 Euro for a room for 2 person with indoor shower.

    I like you mentioned McDonald’s for its free WiFi and good coffee. As Ryan had to work on the road through internet, free internet access was crucial to us, and we spent a lot of time in McDonald’s that consistently provide free WiFI through out Western Europe.
    .-= Dina´s last blog ..Top Things Chosen by Travelers Around the World Series =-.

    Reply
  25. My best free Paris tip is this – for a great view of the city, skip the overpriced Eiffel Tower and go instead to the Pompidou Modern Art Gallery. You can take the escalators to the rooftop bar without paying for admission. There is a walkway in front of the bar that offers excellent views of Montmartre and that overpriced tower 😉
    .-= Alison´s last blog ..Our Ten Year Anniversary =-.

    Reply