In this article, we’ve put together some incredible information on how to plan a trip to Paris on a budget. So, check out ALL our tips, plan your trip in the best possible way and save a lot of money.
1. Save a lot on tickets to Paris attractions
Our first tip in this article on how to plan a trip to Paris on a budget is for those of you who are under 25 and want to get around the city cheaply. As it happens, there are several attractions and museums throughout France that offer discounts to people under 26. So be sure to ask if the place you’re staying at offers this advantage, known as “moins 25 ans“, when buying a ticket or admission.
Now, for all ages, it’s worth noting that most museums in France have a specific day for free visits. The Louvre Museum in Paris and the Musée d’Orsay, for example, always have free entry on the first Sunday of every month. So make sure you do your research and see if you can catch a museum with free entry on the days you’re in the City of Light.
We also recommend that you prioritize visiting the free attractions and tours that Paris offers. They are diverse and very interesting and admission is free regardless of the day. One example is the splendid Arc de Triomphe. Another fascinating place is Notre Dame Cathedral. You don’t pay to go inside, except if you want to climb to the top.
However, although you can find free tours, many of the city’s sights are paid for and you’ll have to buy a ticket to see them. Therefore, to save money, we recommend that you buy your tickets in advance online. After all, as well as being cheaper, you’ll be able to travel with your tickets in hand and save time queuing.
We always use this Paris Ticket Site and like it very much. That’s because on this site you’ll find ALL the tickets for the main tourist attractions in the city and throughout Europe, as well as the best prices. Another item you can buy on this site is the transfer service, from the airport to the hotel, at the best prices and with a lot of security.
2. Save a lot on travel insurance – which is mandatory
As well as being essential for your vacation, travel insurance is a must if you want to go to Paris. This is because, in order to enter any place in Europe, you need to have Travel Insurance with a minimum cover of 30,000 euros in medical assistance.
We have already tested several companies and this one has been the best. It’s reliable and at a good price.
3. Save a lot of euros on water alone
Although very simple, this tip will save you a lot of money on your trip. For those who don’t know, it’s common in Europe for people to ask for tap water in restaurants, as it’s very well treated and great for drinking.
This is very common and makes a big difference, because if you only ask for water, the waiters will bring you a bottle which ends up being more expensive, on average 5 euros per liter. Also, avoid drinking water from the bottles in the hotel minibar. They usually cost between 4 and 5 euros and you can buy water in Parisian markets for as little as 1 euro each.
4. Save a lot on accommodation in Paris
One of the most expensive items on a trip is undoubtedly accommodation. That’s why, to get a great price on your hotel, our first tip is to book in advance and look for hotels that aren’t so close to the city center, which are much cheaper.
Location: it’s worth remembering that the city of Paris is divided into 20 main districts(arrondissements), distributed in a snail shape. Thus, arrondissements 1 to 7 correspond to the tourist area closest to the center.
The first arrondissement, which is in the same area as the Louvre Museum, is the best place to stay in the city. As well as being close to many of the city’s tourist attractions, it has accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Use the hotel search engine: our tip for efficiently searching for accommodation in Paris is to use this Paris Hotel Search Engine. We love it because it’s the largest hotel booking site in the world and it’s very safe and reliable.
You can book your hotel straight away. If you find a good deal and want to change to a better option later, just cancel the previous one, free of charge.
5. Save a lot on calls and Internet
Another way to travel cheaply to Paris is to save money when using your cell phone. In short, using your international roaming abroad is usually the worst option and ends up being much more expensive. And sometimes, in order to use the Wi-Fi, most hotels charge a very expensive daily fee and you can only use your cell phone inside the hotel.
For this reason, and many others, what most people do to travel cheaply to Europe, and which is very worthwhile, is to buy an American prepaid SIM card. We always use this Mobile Chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s internet anywhere in the world.
6. Save a lot on car rental in Paris
Another good recommendation on how to plan a trip to Paris on a budget is to save money on car rental. Many tourists who go there choose this option to have the freedom to get around, to be able to visit various places in the city, to go to the outlets and shopping malls with a trunk and to get to know the neighboring cities. So take a look at the tips below and make the most of it.
Book your car in advance
Make your reservation online as soon as possible, because another tip on how to plan a trip to Paris on a budget, and get a cheap car, is to book as far in advance as possible and online. The earlier you book, the cheaper you’ll pay. It’s well worth it and you’ll save a lot with promotions, paying much less than renting a car on the spot.
Don’t rent a GPS in Paris
Another good tip is not to rent a car with a GPS, as it costs a lot per day. Instead, you can buy a good chip, like the one we listed above, unblocked for international calls and with unlimited Internet. That way, you’ll be able to use the map and location apps with your own cell phone.
Use this incredible price comparator
There are some car rental price comparators in Paris (and throughout France) that are sensational and search all the main car rental companies there, finding the best prices and excellent deals.
We recommend one that you can use by going to the website and entering the date of your trip. It then searches for all the best car rental companies in Paris.
If you want to do the search, click here on Car Rental Comparator. In just a few seconds, you’ll have all the options for renting a car in Paris from the best companies on your screen, and you can choose the cheapest one. You really will save a lot.
More tips: prefer larger and reliable rental companies, such as Europcar, Budget and Avis. Take out basic insurance when booking, which is super important and is usually included in the price. But don’t fall for the companies who, when you pick up the car, try to push extra insurance that isn’t worth it.
7. Save on the transfer from the airport to the hotel
One tip we think is important for those who don’t want to rent a car or spend a lot on cabs is that the best way to get from the airport to the hotel, and vice versa, is by transfer. These days, they are cheaper than cabs and much safer, plus you don’t have to wait in queues and risk wasting time looking for one.
Unfortunately, as in every tourist city, we always hear reports of tourists being scammed by taxi drivers. They often charge a lot more than normal, or take much longer routes – which is very unpleasant, of course.
There is a very good website, Transfer Search, which is the largest in the world. It offers 3 transfer options: one way from the airport to the hotel, one way from the hotel to the airport or both (round trip). Just enter the airport you’re arriving at, the destination and choose the best option and type of car.
They give you the price, the journey time and all the information. We found it much cheaper than taking a cab from the airport and everything was always very quick and easy. It’s very worthwhile if you’re not going to rent a car. It’s also an excellent place to buy Paris tickets and tours.
8. Save time and money by finding the fastest and cheapest routes
A great tip for those who want to visit other cities near Paris, and save on transportation from one city to another, is to use this Route Finder.
On this site, you’ll see all the transportation options, whether by plane, train or bus. All at unbeatable prices and by companies that are super safe and well-established in Europe. From there, simply choose the best option and make your purchase.
9. Save a lot on shopping in Paris
To save a lot on your shopping in Paris, not buying souvenirs, clothes or anything else in the tourist areas is a great way to go – as these items tend to be very expensive there. Therefore, shopping in areas further away from the center can be much more economical.
Now, if you really want to buy a lot, we recommend going to Chic Outlet Shopping in nearby Marne La Vallée, just 40 minutes from Paris. It has lots of clothing stores with brands that are very popular with Brazilians, as well as offering very good prices. For this type of purchase, we recommend using a prepaid card or euros in cash.
10. Save a lot of money on perfume in Paris
One of the best places to buy perfume in Paris is Fragrance de l’Opéra. As well as being a complete store, with a variety of perfumes at fair prices, it has staff who speak several different languages, which makes buying much easier.
And best of all, the Fragrance de l’Opéra store offers great discounts! To get yours, including exclusive gifts, just look for Poliana in the store and say that you are a reader here at LorenziGo.
This perfumery is located in the 9th Arrondissement and is super easy to find.
11. Save a lot on train travel in Paris and France
Train travel in Europe is very common, as well as being quick and comfortable. Using the train to visit neighboring cities in France can save you a lot of money, as airline tickets are generally more expensive.
To find the best tickets at the lowest prices, we recommend using this Europe Train Finder, which is the largest train ticket website in the world. It searches all the best train companies and shows you the best options.
12. Save a lot on ferry tickets in Paris and France
The most popular means of transportation for traveling from one island to another, or from a continent to an island, is the ferry boat. As well as being cheap, this option allows you to enjoy the beautiful views on the way.
If you want to see all the ferry offers in France, just click here. This site is the biggest ferry buyer on the market and has a wide range of prices, giving you the freedom to choose the one that best fits your travel budget. We always use it and really like the offers and the security it offers. It’s worth a look.
