Paris doesn’t have to break the bank.
Sample Itineraries
Top Things To Do (Bang-for-Buck)
Neighborhoods (Where to Stay)
1 Day in Paris (Under €80):
- Morning: Croissant & coffee (€4) → Eiffel Tower (view from Trocadéro = free).
- Afternoon: Picnic at Luxembourg Gardens (€10) + Arc de Triomphe walk (€0).
- Evening: Louvre or Seine sunset walk.
3 Days with Kids:
- Day 1: Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur funicular (€2.15 each), carousel at base.
- Day 2: Luxembourg Gardens playground, picnic, Musée d’Orsay (kids free) or Louvre.
- Day 3: Boat ride (€12 adult, €6 child) + Eiffel Tower (visit the 2nd floor).
Romantic Budget Weekend
- Wine & cheese picnic on Pont Neuf.
- Free art at Petit Palais.
- Sunset Montmartre stroll.
Neighborhoods (Where to Stay)
Top Things To Do (Bang-for-Buck)
Neighborhoods (Where to Stay)
- Le Marais – Central, charming streets, mid-range prices.
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés – Cafés, bookshops, upscale but some deals.
- Latin Quarter – Student vibe, budget eats.
- Montmartre – Artistic, hilly, slightly cheaper hotels.
- Bastille – Great nightlife, affordable Airbnbs.
Top Things To Do (Bang-for-Buck)
Top Things To Do (Bang-for-Buck)
Top Things To Do (Bang-for-Buck)
- Luxembourg Gardens: Best free park, playground + pony rides.
- Sainte-Chapelle: €11.50, worth it for stained glass.
- Louvre: €17, free 1st Saturday nights.
- Eiffel Tower: Skip summit (€26.80), go to 2nd floor (€17.10) or admire free from Trocadéro.
- Montmartre sunset: Free magic.
- Musée d’Orsay: €16, kids free, Impressionist masterpieces.
- Seine picnic: Baguette + cheese + wine = €15 for two.
Eating Well on a Budget
Eating Well on a Budget
Top Things To Do (Bang-for-Buck)
- Boulangeries: Croissant €1.50, baguette €1.20.
- Crêpes: Street stands €4–6.
- Falafel in Le Marais: L’As du Fallafel ~€9.
- Picnic spots: Champ de Mars, Canal Saint-Martin, Luxembourg Gardens.
💡 Perfect Budget Day of Eats:
- Breakfast croissant & coffee (€4).
- Picnic lunch from a market (€10).
- Falafel dinner (€9).
- Glass of wine at corner bar (€5).
Total: €28 per person.
Getting Around
Eating Well on a Budget
Passes & Freebies
- Metro ticket: €2.15.
- Carnet (10 tickets): €17.30.
- Navigo Découverte weekly pass: €30 (unlimited zones 1–5, incl. airport + Versailles).
- Kids <4: Free; discounted fares up to age 10.
Passes & Freebies
Eating Well on a Budget
Passes & Freebies
- Louvre: Free 1st Saturday evening, under 26 free Friday nights (EU residents).
- Musée d’Orsay: Free 1st Sunday of month.
- Notre-Dame grounds: Free, tower extra.
- Parks & gardens: Always free.
Family & Accessibility
Family & Accessibility
Family & Accessibility
- Best playgrounds: Luxembourg, Tuileries.
- Rainy-day picks: Natural History Museum, Cité des Sciences.
- Strollers: Metro = stairs-heavy, buses easier.
- Baby-changing: Found in major museums, big department stores.
Worth It / Skip It
Family & Accessibility
Family & Accessibility
- Worth It: Montmartre sunset, Sainte-Chapelle, museum free days.
- Skip It: Overpriced Seine dinner cruises (picnic better), Eiffel summit (view not much better than 2nd floor).
Safety & Scams
Family & Accessibility
Budget Breakdown (pp/day, mid-budget)
- Pickpockets common on Metro & Eiffel area.
- Ignore “petition girls” and bracelet scams near Sacré-Cœur.
- Only use taxis from marked stands or compare pricing between BOLT and Uber apps.
Budget Breakdown (pp/day, mid-budget)
Budget Breakdown (pp/day, mid-budget)
Budget Breakdown (pp/day, mid-budget)
- Accommodation: €50–80 (double in central Airbnb/hotel).
- Food: €25–30.
- Transport: €5–7 (Navigo).
- Activities: €10–20 (mix of paid/free).
Total: €90–120.
Our Favorite Memory
Budget Breakdown (pp/day, mid-budget)
Our Favorite Memory
One of our best Paris moments wasn’t in a museum—it was sharing a picnic by the Seine while our kids chased bubbles nearby. Zero cost, unforgettable vibe.
FAQ
Budget Breakdown (pp/day, mid-budget)
Our Favorite Memory
Q: What’s the cheapest way to see the Eiffel Tower?
A: Skip the summit, visit the 2nd floor (€17.10) or view for free from Trocadéro.
Q: Is Paris stroller-friendly?
A: Not really—use buses over Metro. Parks are great for kids though.
Q: What’s the best time for fewer crowds?
A: April–June or September–October.