Paris on a Budget: A Detailed Guide for 2024

Shruti Lal
Sep 13, 2024
8 min read

Updated: Jan 26

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Check out the latest video on my YouTube channel, where I share photos and videos from this trip at the end of the blog.

Eiffel Tower with Olympic rings, standing tall over Paris rooftops under a cloudy blue sky. Urban landscape with distant city view. — View from the roof of Arc de Triomphe

When I planned my solo trip to Paris, I dove into countless blogs and YouTube videos. Most offered general tips on where to stay, what to eat, and where to go, but they often lacked the nitty-gritty details. So, I’ve crafted this guide for fellow travelers who, like me, want to explore Paris (and other cities) on a budget, capture photos with their phone, and get every detail they need for planning. I spent five days each in Paris, Rome, and Barcelona during July-August 2024. Here’s what I learned about visiting Paris affordably and efficiently.

Credit Card Tips

I used the Visa Sapphire card (creditcards.chase.com) for my trip, which offered 70,000 bonus points if I spent $4,000 in 3 months. With a $95 annual fee, it includes a $50 hotel credit and other perks. Booking through Chase Travel earned me 5X points, compared to 2X on other websites. Points can also be transferred to airlines for potentially better flight options. You should check the current offer or find similar offers. You can also book your travel via Expedia or WayAway.

What to Wear

I visited Paris during the Summer Olympics when it was hot and humid (70-80°F with 50-70% humidity). I packed sleeveless blouses, pants, and capris. Bring a small umbrella and a light waterproof jacket, as summer rains are common. For sunny days, a souvenir cap is useful. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking and climbing stairs; my favorites are Hoka Gaviota 5 and Hoka Gymnastics Shoes Hiking, paired with Super Feet Green insoles for added support. Be prepared to walk 15,000+ steps daily.

Flight: San Francisco (SFO) to Paris (CDG)

I booked my flight 2 months in advance. Air France typically charges around $800 for the economy and $1,500 for the premium economy in July. Price will vary. I opted for premium economy for added comfort on a 10-hour flight. I pre-ordered a vegetarian Hindu meal, which was surprisingly good. Premium economy tickets include priority check-ins and 23 kg baggage. For European flights, the baggage limit is only 15 kg, with a €15 fee per additional kg. You can also book your travel via Expedia or WayAway.

Airport to Hotel

I took a taxi from Charles de Gaulle Airport to my hotel, as the train wasn’t direct and metro stations lacked escalators and elevators. Taxis are available at the terminal; follow signs or ask airport staff. I paid a flat €55 (cash) from the airport to République and €65 (cash) for an early morning return. Taxis accept credit cards but prefer cash.

Hotel

I stayed at Ibis Paris Avenue De La République. It was a 50-minute ride from the airport. The hotel is cozy, clean, and basic with no pool, courtyard, fridge, or coffee machine. Room cleaning is done daily, and it is quiet. I paid around $550 for 5 nights plus $35 in city taxes. The continental breakfast at €13 was not to my taste, so I skipped it after the first day. You can also book your hotel via Expedia or WayAway.

Metro

Paris' metro system (https://www.ratp.fr/en) is vast and can be confusing. I bought a 5-day pass for around €50 (prices doubled during the Olympics; regular price is around €25). You can use an e-card or a physical card. Be prepared for heat, as there’s no AC on trains, and expect a lot of walking between terminals.

Where to Stay

I recommend staying within Zones 1-3, where most major attractions are located. Disneyland and Versailles are in Zones 4-5. Book your hotel and flights through your travel credit card website for maximum points and convenience. Choose a hotel based on ratings, proximity to the metro, and amenities.

Plan your Activities:

I recommend making plans for each day. I have provided the itinerary I made. You can take this itinerary as a starting point and make yours. Use the following websites to book tours and buy tickets to the museums, monuments, parks, etc.

WeGoTrip (Link)
Tiqets (Link)

Day 1:

Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe:

After landing around 10:30 am, I started exploring around 4 pm. Despite the humidity, I walked along Champs-Élysées, enjoying shopping and street food, and visited Arc de Triomphe (https://www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr/en). Climbing the 300+ spiral stairs to the top was worth it for the stunning views. Tickets are around €17-18; I bought them on-site to avoid time-stamped online tickets. Plan 3-4 hours for this area and bring a good selfie stick, like the Bluehorn with 360° rotation.

Day 2:

I went to Paris during the Summer Olympics, therefore, there was a lot of police and army presence. Most places were closed to the public such as the Sienna River cruise, National Assembly tours, and a few other places. So, check the city hallmark availability before booking your tickets.

Assemblee Nationale: Visit the French National Assembly; tours are limited.
Palais Garnier: An opulent opera house; book tickets in advance.
Galeries Lafayette: Upscale shopping with a beautiful glass dome.

Louvre Museum: Book tickets (€25) in advance from the official website (https://www.louvre.fr/en) or via Tiqets. Expect long security lines for 1-2 hours under scorching sun. Make sure to have a cap or hat to avoid the heat. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. I always carried a hydro flask that kept my water cold. Apply tons of sunscreen to avoid sunburns. My favorite sunscreen is Scoop Girl Oil. The museum is vast; check out Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and other favorites, but don’t miss the sculptures and statues.

Day 3:

Sainte-Chapelle: Famous for stunning stained glass. Buy tickets (€18) in advance to avoid the line (https://www.sainte-chapelle.fr/en) or via Tiqets..
Notre-Dame: Currently under renovation, but you can visit the surroundings and enjoy the Sienna River. It will be open to the public from June 2025.
Fontaine Saint-Michel and Latin Quarter: A beautiful fountain located in the Latin Quarter. Enjoy a walk in the neighborhood and check out local souvenir shops.
Eiffel Tower: Arrive early to avoid long lines. Buy tickets for the Summit (€35) to experience a panoramic view of Paris (https://www.toureiffel.paris/en). The view at night is spectacular, with lights turning on at 10 pm (Changes with the season).

Day 4:

Versailles: offers a collection of paintings and sculptures dating from the 16th through to the 19th centuries. The golden artwork on the walls and roof was mind-blowing. Allocate at least half a day. Consider a tour bus to skip lines and get a good narration (€115 via Viator) or via Tiqets..

Montmartre: Explore this artistic area with plenty of shops to buy souvenirs and eat authentic international cuisines.
The Basilica of Sacré-Cœur: Climb the 400 stairs to the Basilica for a beautiful view.
Wall of Love: A charming spot with “I love you” written in multiple languages. It was fun to find it in your language.

Day 5:

Pantheon: Check out this impressive mausoleum and its beautiful interior. It is a symbol of the Republic. The architect will leave you speechless. The roof, the sculptures, and the interiors are worth visiting. I bought the ticket on-site for €13 (https://www.paris-pantheon.fr/en) or via Tiqets..

Luxembourg Garden: Visit the palace and stroll through the surrounding gardens.
Latin Quarter: Explore this vibrant area with its narrow streets and lively atmosphere.
Place Vendôme: Known for its luxury shops and beautiful architecture.
Place de la Concorde: A major square with historical significance.
Tuileries Garden: A lovely place to relax, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.

Others places to consider:

The Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Moulin Rouge, Les Catacombes, Musée Picasso, Tour Montparnasse and Foundation Louis Vuitton

Additional Tips

eSim: I used Maya Mobile’s (https://maya.net/) 10 GB data plan for Europe. Activate your eSim upon arrival and use WhatsApp or FaceTime on Wi-Fi for international calls. 10 GB was enough for Google Maps and basic browsing for 2 weeks.
Weather: Pack light, breathable clothing. Carry a water bottle and stay hydrated.
Luggage: European flights have a 15 kg baggage limit; weigh your luggage beforehand. Use a luggage scale such as the Etekcity Luggage Scale with a hook and a backup backpack or a foldable backpack if needed. Consider buying a front-facing backup to travel for carrying valuables.
Pickpockets: Unfortunately, Paris is also very famous for pickpockets. Be cautious in crowded areas. Take minimal cash (not more than €100) and distribute them in different pockets (such as €20 in an eyeglass case, €20 in a power cord case, etc) so that if you do get pickpocketed you won’t lose all the money. Carry only one credit card. Secure your money and card in a FlipBelt kind of waist belt. Hold your backpack in front. Secure the backpack with a lock. Keep other valuables (cash, passport, laptop, etc) secure in your locked suitcase and leave them in the hotel room. Secure phone with CACOE Phone Lanyard.
Electronic Accessories:

o MEE audio Connect Air in-Flight Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Adapter: Use this adaptor in flights to use your own noise-canceling headphones. Just insert it in the jack of the airplane and connect it to your headphones via Bluetooth.

o Noise Cancelling headphones: My favorite is Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds. I can easily connect this to the MEE audio adaptor via Bluetooth during my 10+ hour flight.

o Apple AirTag: I would recommend leaving one air tag in your suitcase, in case, the airline loses your luggage you can track where your suitcase is and leave one air tag in your backpack hidden in some pocket and if possible, in your wallet as well. You can track it via Find My Phone.

o Multiplug adaptor: Remember to carry a Conair Universal Travel Adapter with USB to use a hair dryer, hair straightener, etc. It is also needed to charge your phone, iPad, and headphones.

o Portable Charger: You will need to carry a portable charger such as a T-CORE Power Bank if you are staying outside for longer hours.

Beauty Accessories: Pack a travel-size hair straightening brush such as Drybar The Brush Crush Heated Straightening Brush and heat protection spray such as CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection.
iCloud: Please remember your username/password for your iCloud account in case your iPhone is stolen then you can quickly log in and erase the data. Also, memorize your immediate relative/emergency contact phone number.
Photocopies: Keep photocopies of important documents (driver's license, passport, flight and hotel details, etc) in your suitcase.
Cards: Write down the hotel name and address on a card and give it to the taxi driver. It is very difficult to speak different languages correctly. Google Translator is helpful for navigating language barriers.

P.S. All products featured in this post are items I have personally bought and used, so you can be sure my opinions are based on my own experience. I only recommend products I genuinely find valuable and beneficial.