One Week in Paris, Without Going Broke

Paris has a reputation for romance, art, and baguettes and also for being expensive. But I proved that you don’t need a fat travel budget to soak up la Ville Lumière. Over 7 days, I kept costs low by embracing simple pleasures, using savvy travel hacks, and approaching Paris the way locals do. Here’s how I did it and how you can too.

🚆 Getting Around Without Breaking the Bank

By far my best money-saving move was mastering the city’s public transport. Paris’ Metro and RER trains are extensive, affordable, and intuitive with single tickets as cheap as about €2.50 if you buy them right at the station or via a reloadable Navigo card. Instead of hailing Ubers or taxis (which can cost €12–€15 for even short trips), I rode the Metro everywhere from Montmartre to the banks of the Seine.

I also used the RER train from Charles de Gaulle Airport into central Paris (around €13), which saved a ton compared to taxi or ride-share fares. And for short sunny rides, I sometimes rented a Vélib’ bike Paris’ city bike-share for just a few euros, which made exploring the riverfront and parks both cheap and fun.

🛏 Cheap Sleep: Hostels, Suburbs & Smart Choices

Accommodation in Paris can be a killer on your budget if you’re not careful. I avoided sleeping in tourist hotspots like the Eiffel Tower or Louvre districts, because prices there are sky-high even for hostels. Instead, I booked hostel beds and even considered suburbs just outside central Paris, where an Airbnb or budget hotel can sometimes be cheaper and the RER brings you into the heart of the city in minutes.

This also opened my eyes to how Paris isn’t just about postcard views, neighborhoods like Vincennes or Bastille offered real Parisian life, cheaper food, and easier living. So if you’re planning a budget trip, don’t be afraid to stay a little outside the core and use the excellent transit system to your advantage.

🍞 How I Ate Well for Less

Food is where Paris’ myth of being expensive bites hardest but only if you stick to tourist traps. I ate like a local: morning boulangeries for a cheap croissant and coffee, crêpes from street vendors for lunch, and sandwiches from markets or bakeries for dinner. These simple meals often cost just a few euros, and sitting along the Seine with a cheap baguette, cheese, and wine was one of my favorite memories.

I also took advantage of lunch prix-fixe menus (menu midi) offered by many bistros usually two or three courses for a fraction of the dinner price. And don’t overlook supermarkets; buying bread, cheese, fruit, or ready-to-eat meals from places like Franprix meant I saved tons of money versus eating every meal out.

🎨 Free & Cheap Things to Do Every Day

Paris has no shortage of expensive attractions, but you don’t need to pay to enjoy the city. I spent countless hours wandering Montmartre’s winding backstreets, strolling the Seine, and lounging in parks like the Tuileries and Luxembourg Gardens, all free and endlessly beautiful.

When I did want museum culture, I planned visits for days when admission was free for instance, the first Sunday of the month at many major museums or chose municipal museums that always cost zero. And even when I skipped pricey sights like the Louvre entirely, there was still plenty of Paris’ artistic heritage waiting on the streets, in markets, and in historic neighborhoods.

🍷 Extra Hacks That Saved Me Money

A few other tricks that made my week in Paris more affordable:

• Free walking tours: Joining a Paris Greeter or tip-based tour helped me understand the city’s history without paying upfront.

• Biking: Vélib’ bikes gave me freedom to explore scenic parts of the city cheaply.

• Avoiding peak travel times: Traveling outside school holidays and busy weekends meant cheaper transport and accommodation.

✈️ Pour Conclure

Paris doesn’t have to be a wallet-destroying experience it only feels that way if you treat it like a shopping mall or fine-dining getaway. By choosing smart transit, simple meals, free sights, and affordable sleeps, I cut costs without cutting out the magic of Paris. And the best part? Some of the most unforgettable moments picnics in parks, sunset walks along the Seine, street crêpes under lights cost nothing at all.

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