How Much Does Paris Vacation Cost (Short Trip & 7 Day Package)

Often touted as the city of love, Paris is the perfect destination for an ultimate romantic vacation. There’s so much to do and see in Paris, from iconic attractions to the countless cafes spread around the city. But all these come at a cost, and if you’re planning to enjoy them, you’re probably wondering how much a Paris trip would cost. 

The average cost of a 7-days Paris vacation is about $1,542 for a solo traveler. Couples can expect to pay around $2,620 for the same trip. That leaves us at $220 per day for a solo traveler. Note that these costs can go slightly higher or lower depending on how you choose to live during your Paris vacation. 

Like every other beautiful city in its class, Paris is quite expensive to visit with the many things to do and see during any visit. The remaining parts of this article will review the details of everything you can expect to spend on your next Paris trip.

Average Cost Of A Paris Vacation

Paris holds a secure spot as one of the world’s must-see tourist locations. It’s not surprising that the city gets millions of visitors every year. You may think the massive influx of people yearly is a testament to how cheap a Paris vacation can be. But that’s not true. Paris is, in fact, one of the most expensive cities to visit. 

One of the first things you’ll need to do while planning your Paris vacation is to draft a detailed and inclusive budget covering everything you’ll need to spend throughout the trip. A budget can help you plan your spending throughout your trip. 

That said, the average cost of a 7-day Paris vacation for a single individual stands at about $1,542. However, if you intend to get the most out of your vacation experience, you must include things like day trips, swanky hotel rooms, private tours, Paris food tours, etc. All these can quickly get your Paris vacation cost to as high as $5,400. 

This quote doesn’t even take the fluctuating round trip costs and hotel pricing, which can significantly increase the total cost of your Paris travel.

Can You Travel To Paris On A Budget?

Nearly everyone fantasizes about visiting Paris. But there’s usually one hurdle between our fantasy and reality – cost. It’s not a secret that a Paris vacation is expensive, and that’s why we keep getting questions on whether it’s possible to travel to Paris on a budget. 

The simple answer to this question is yes; you can travel on a budget. Planning vacations has become easier than it used to be, thanks to the internet and the dozens of information available at our fingertips now. After all, flight bookings, hotel reservations, and dinner orders are now only a quick Google search away. 

If you take more time to search, you’ll find everything from low-cost accommodations to flight ticket discounts. Apart from these, you can also adopt several other practices to help you save money on your Paris vacation. So yes, if you know the right places to look, you may live your Paris dreams before you imagine without breaking your bank.

When Is The Cheapest Time To Visit Paris?

While it’s true that Paris is always a good idea, you’ll enjoy a better traveling experience when you carefully select the right time to visit. If your travel plans are flexible, you’ll enjoy the luxury of choosing the perfect time to visit based on your priorities.

Notwithstanding, Paris offers plenty of fantastic attractions to see and things to do, irrespective of the time of the year. Each season has its pros and cons. 

But the best time to visit Paris is from April to June and October to early November. Paris weather is usually pleasant at this time, and tourist crowds are relatively smaller.

On the other hand, the cheapest time to plan a Paris trip is between December and February. These months are considered off-season because of the terrible weather it comes with. However, if you won’t be put off by the cold, you can leverage these months to get the cheapest Paris trips.

Travel Costs & Trip Breakdown

Now that we’ve discussed the cost of a Paris vacation, you’re probably wondering what it consists of. Here’s a detailed review of all the items included in the cost, what each cost is, and how we arrived at the cost. A detailed understanding of these costs will help you prepare a better budget for your Paris trip. 

Flight Costs

Flight costs are usually the first item on any travel budget. Coincidentally, it also takes the most significant chunk of the money. Flight costs depend on the airline and where you’re flying from. It can also depend on the time of your travel. 

However, on average, flight tickets cost can range from $622 to $1,020. The median flight price is $756. Again, note that this price can go up or down, depending on many factors. Thankfully, you can now compare ticket prices across different airlines to find the best.

Accommodation 

After flight tickets, another big thing that’ll take off a significant part of your budget is accommodation. Paris is a large and well-traveled city, so you’ll find accommodation options for every budget. The abundance of accommodation options ranges from luxury hotels in high-end streets to hostels that are just comfortable enough for you to sleep in.

• Budget Hotels: Expect to pay around $100-$150 per night for a budget hotel in a decent location.
• Mid-Range Hotels: These will set you back around $200-$300 per night.
• Luxury Hotels: Prepare to splurge at least $400 or more per night.

Money-Saving Tip:

Consider staying in hostels or Airbnb to save on accommodation costs. Booking well in advance can also secure better rates. However, if your budget is big and you can spend a little more on accommodation, it’s okay to choose a mid-range or luxury hotel. Luxury hotels are available for around $300/night, with all the facilities you’ll typically find in a top hotel anywhere.

Intra-City Transportation

If you’re trying to move around Paris, you won’t have a problem. The public transportation system is not only cheap; it’s also thorough and effective. 

The metro is the most common form of transportation. Its 16 lines and over 300 stations mean that there’s hardly any part of the city you can’t connect to. Single tickets typically cost around $2, but it’s cheaper to use the Paris Visite Pass, which allows you to use various transportation means throughout Paris.

This pass starts selling at $16 and is designed to last for 1 – 5 consecutive days, depending on your subscription package. Note that you’ll need to choose the zones you want to access during these days. 

Buses are also popular in Paris, and you can find them nearly everywhere in the city. The availability of 64 bus lines means that you connect to any part of the city at any time. Bus tickets are only valid for a single journey, and their prices would vary depending on the distance you want to cover. 

Bicycles are also popular in Paris. They represent something unique and romantic in the city. With different bicycle rental services scattered around Paris, there’s no shortage of available options for you.

Most rental services also have electric bikes, so riders can easily move the lengthy distance between attractions. In this case, you’ll need to apply for a pass. A 24-hour pass typically starts from around $6, while a 7-day pass starts from about $18.

Sightseeing & Other Activities

Once you’re in Paris, you’ll want to add a couple of sights and activities to your vacation experience. Paris is a tourist’s heaven, with so many fascinating things to see and do.

You can expect to spend an average of $15 to $20 per person to visit most of the tourist sites in Paris. The cost can increase if you pay for a special guide or buy skip-the-line tickets. 

If you’re interested in tourism or want to cover most of the main attractions during your stay, we recommend buying the Paris Museum Pass. Depending on your chosen package, the pass will cover two days, four days, or 6. It’ll significantly cut down the costs of visiting tourist sites.

Food

Despite its reputation as a city of Michelin-rated gourmet cuisine, Paris still has an extensive range of diverse restaurants to fit different tastes and budgets. It’s a city of immigrants, families, and students, so it has so much to offer in terms of meal choices and dining options. 

During your stay in Paris, you can expect to spend around $24 to $42 daily on food. However, these figures will vary based on what you choose to eat and the class of restaurant you choose to dine in.

• Budget Meals: You can eat for as low as $10-$15 per meal at casual eateries.
• Mid-Range Restaurants: Expect to pay around $20-$40 per meal.
• Fine Dining: A meal can cost upwards of $100 per person.

Fans of alcohol can also enjoy the limitless options of wine and beer available in most Paris restaurants. A glass of wine costs between $2-4. However, it’s important to be mindful while drinking so you don’t drink your cash away.

Activities: What to Do and See

• Museums: Entry fees range from $10-$20.
• Day Tours: These can cost anywhere from $50-$100.
• Nightlife: Expect to pay around $8 for a pint of beer and $12 for cocktails.

Money-Saving Tip:

Invest in a Paris Pass, which offers free entry to over 60 attractions and tours, starting at $140.

Miscellaneous Expenses

• Shopping: Allocate at least $100 if you plan to buy souvenirs or local products.
• Tips: Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated; keep aside around $20 for your entire trip.

Money-Saving Tip:

Shop at local markets for unique yet affordable souvenirs.

How To Save Money On Your Paris Trip

More than its stunning landscape and beautiful attractions, Paris offers calmness to the soul. Everything about a Paris vacation will create unforgettable memories. But it comes with a price.

A vacation in Paris is expensive, and that’s a major turn-off for many people. Cost should not stop you from enjoying a time of your life. Here are some tips you can employ a few hacks to bring your Paris trip costs down.

Travel in The Off-Season

We all can’t resist the urge to travel in summer. But flight costs and accommodations are usually expensive in summer because of the higher volume of people coming into the city.

We recommend postponing your trip to January/February or October/November if you can. These are off-seasons with less human traffic, but you’ll get better deals on hotels and flights. January is very cold, but if you can deal with the cold, it’s an excellent time to travel to Paris on a budget. 

Use Public Transportation

We understand the urge to be as comfortable as possible while moving around a new city. Comfort often comes with additional costs. The cheapest way to move around Paris is to walk. However, there’ll be distances you can’t walk. Consider taking the metro or a bus for such movements. 

These transport options are usually cheaper than taxis and they’re also comfortable and can be accessed from most parts of the city. They also offer you an opportunity to meet new people and interact with other tourists and locals.

Take Advantage Of Free Activities

What’s a Paris vacation without enjoying the breathtaking activities that the city is known for? But you may not be able to afford all the tourist activities if you’re traveling on a budget, and that’s why we recommend taking advantage of all the free activities. Thankfully, there are so many free activities on offer, so you’ll not run out of them. 

Some of the top free things to do in Paris include

• Watching the Eiffel Tower light show from Parc du Champ de Mars
• A tour around Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
• A visit to cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris.

Take Advantage Of Daily Specials in Restaurants

Paris may be known for its unique food culture, but you’ll still find foods that fit your budget. In fact, many Paris restaurants pride themselves on preparing simple but delicious meals. Some of them still offer daily specials known as le menu du jour.

The specials are a cost-effective way to enjoy delicious french meals.  You’ll often see notifications for these specials on chalkboards or slates, so watch out for them.