Paris on a Budget: How to Experience the City of Light for Under $100/Day
Paris doesn't have to break the bank. While the City of Light has a reputation for luxury—from $800 hotel rooms overlooking the Champs-Élysées to $200 dinners at Michelin-starred restaurants—there's a whole other side to Paris that budget travelers have known about for decades.
In this guide, I'll show you how to experience authentic Paris for under $100/day, plus what to splurge on when you want to treat yourself.
Where to Stay
Budget: $40-70/night
Boutique hostels in Paris have come a long way. The People Paris Marais offers stylish pod beds from $45/night in the heart of the trendy Marais district. For something more traditional, Hotel du Nord et de l'Est near Gare du Nord provides basic but clean rooms from $60.
Mid-Range: $100-180/night
Hotel Malte Opera near the Louvre offers classic Parisian charm with modern amenities from $130. The Hotel Fabric in the 11th arrondissement occupies a former textile factory with industrial-chic design from $120.
Luxury: $400+/night
The Ritz Paris needs no introduction—$1,200+ for Coco Chanel's former haunt. For a splurge with a view, Hotel Plaza Athénée overlooks the Eiffel Tower from $800.
What to Eat
Budget: $15-25/day
Parisian street food and bistros are your budget best friends:
- Croissants at Du Pain et des Idées: $2-3 for the best in Paris
- Falafel at L'As du Fallafel (Marais): $8, legendary since 1979
- Crepes at street stands: $4-6 for a complete meal
- Formule lunch at any brasserie: $12-15 for starter + main
Mid-Range: $50-80/day
Elevate your dining with sit-down bistro experiences:
- Bouillon Chartier: Historic brasserie, $25 for three courses
- Le Comptoir du Relais: Saint-Germain institution, $40 for dinner
- Marché des Enfants Rouges: Paris's oldest covered market, $15-20 for lunch
Luxury: $200+/day
Paris has 141 Michelin-starred restaurants:
- Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée: 3 stars, tasting menu $450
- L'Ami Jean: Rustic Basque, 1 star, $120 for market menu
- Le Jules Verne: Inside Eiffel Tower, 1 star, $250 for lunch
Getting Around
Budget: $5-8/day
Paris is incredibly walkable, and that's half the joy. When you need to go farther, buy a carnet (book) of 10 metro tickets for $18—each ride costs just $1.80. The metro runs everywhere and operates until 2am (3am on weekends).
Mid-Range: $15-25/day
Add Uber/taxis for evening trips or rainy days. A 15-minute ride costs $12-18. The Paris Visite pass ($40 for 5 days) includes unlimited metro/bus plus discounts at attractions.
Luxury: $80+/day
Private car with driver ($60/hour) or cruise the Seine in style. A private boat tour ($200+) offers a perspective of Paris you'll never forget.
Things to Do
Free & Budget ($0-15)
- Walk the Seine at sunset: Priceless and completely free
- Montmartre neighborhood exploration: Free
- Notre-Dame exterior (reopening soon): Free
- Luxembourg Gardens: Free
- Père Lachaise Cemetery: Free (Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf)
- Window shopping on Champs-Élysées: Free
Mid-Range ($15-40)
- Louvre Museum: $20, free first Sunday of each month
- Musée d'Orsay: $16, incredible Impressionist collection
- Eiffel Tower (2nd floor): $35, or picnic below for free
- Seine River Cruise: $18 for 1 hour
- Versailles Palace: $22, combined ticket with gardens $28
Luxury ($100+)
- Private Louvre tour: $150+, skip-the-line with expert guide
- Eiffel Tower summit: $40 with elevator access
- Private wine tasting in Saint-Germain: $120+
- Helicopter tour over Paris: $300 for 15 minutes
Paris Budget Breakdown
Budget: $95/day ($55 accommodation + $20 food + $8 transport + $12 activities)
Mid-Range: $250/day ($130 accommodation + $60 food + $20 transport + $40 activities)
Luxury: $850/day ($500 accommodation + $250 food + $80 transport + $200 activities)
My Paris Strategy
Day 1: Croissant at Du Pain et des Idées → Walk the Marais → Falafel lunch at L'As du Fallafel ($8) → Louvre ($20) → Seine sunset picnic
Day 2: Café breakfast ($6) → Musée d'Orsay ($16) → Formule lunch ($15) → Montmartre exploration → Dinner at Bouillon Chartier ($25)
Day 3: Versailles day trip ($28) → Dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais ($40)
Final Thoughts
Paris proves that the world's most romantic city doesn't require a trust fund. The magic is in the strolls along the Seine, the impromptu picnics, the hours lost in museums, and the simple joy of a perfect croissant.
Sure, you could spend $1,000/day here without trying. But with $100 and the right mindset, you'll experience the Paris that Hemingway wrote about—the one that stays with you forever.
Have you been to Paris? What's your favorite budget find? Let me know in the comments!
Loving budget travel in Europe? See my Tokyo budget guide or explore Singapore on a budget.