Planning a trip to Paris and wondering how much cash you’ll need? Let me break down the real costs so you can budget like a pro and actually enjoy your trip without constantly checking your bank account.
The Short Answer: Budget €300-€900 Per Person
Here’s the honest truth: three days in Paris will cost you anywhere from €300 to €900 per person, depending on your travel style. Budget travelers can scrape by on €100 per day, mid-range visitors should plan for €200-€300 daily, and luxury seekers will easily spend €300+ each day.
Accommodation: Your Biggest Expense
Where you sleep will eat up the largest chunk of your budget. Hostels start around €30-€50 per night for a dorm bed, while private rooms in budget hotels run €80-€120 nightly. Mid-range hotels typically charge €150-€250 per night, and if you’re eyeing those charming boutique spots near the Eiffel Tower, expect €300+ per night.
For three nights, budget travelers spend €90-€150, mid-range visitors pay €450-€750, and luxury seekers drop €900 or more just on accommodation.
Food and Drinks: Eating Your Way Through Paris
Paris food costs vary wildly based on where and how you eat. A croissant and coffee at a local bakery costs €5-€8, while a sit-down breakfast at a café runs €12-€20. Lunch at a casual bistro averages €15-€25, and dinner at a decent restaurant starts at €25-€40 per person before wine.
Street food like crepes or falafel wraps costs €8-€12, perfect for budget-conscious travelers. Grocery stores offer another money-saving option with ready-made sandwiches for €5-€8 and fresh baguettes for under €2.
Plan on €50-€70 daily for food if you’re budget-focused, €80-€120 for mid-range dining, and €150+ if you want to experience Paris’s renowned culinary scene properly.
Getting Around: Transportation Costs
The Paris Metro is your best friend. A single ticket costs €2.10, but smart travelers buy a carnet of 10 tickets for €17.35 or grab a Navigo Easy card. For three days, the Navigo Découverte weekly pass at €30.75 offers unlimited travel on metro, buses, and RER trains within central Paris.
Taxis from Charles de Gaulle Airport to central Paris cost €50-€70, while the RER B train only charges €11.45. Uber and Bolt operate in Paris with similar pricing to taxis. Walking is free and honestly the best way to see the city anyway.
Budget €35-€50 for three days of transportation if you stick to public transit.
Attractions and Activities: What You’ll Actually Spend
Entry to major Paris attractions adds up quickly. The Eiffel Tower costs €29.40 to reach the summit, the Louvre charges €22, and Versailles runs €20-€27 depending on your ticket type. Notre-Dame Cathedral is free to enter, though reconstruction limits access.
Many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month. The Paris Museum Pass costs €62 for two days or €77 for four days and covers over 60 museums and monuments, potentially saving you money if you’re aggressive about sightseeing.
Free activities include wandering the Marais district, exploring Montmartre, strolling along the Seine, and people-watching in Luxembourg Gardens. You can experience Paris culture without spending a euro if you know where to look.
Booking skip-the-line tickets ahead means you spend less time waiting and more time actually enjoying Paris, especially during peak tourist season when lines at popular spots stretch for hours.
Budget €60-€100 for attractions if you’re selective, €150-€200 for a standard tourist experience, and €300+ if you want the full VIP treatment with tours and special experiences.
Breaking Down Your Total 3-Day Paris Budget
| Travel Style | Daily Budget | 3-Day Total (Approx.) |
| Budget Traveler | ~€100/day | €300 – €450 |
| Mid-Range Traveler | ~€200-€300/day | €750 – €900 |
| Luxury Traveler | €300+/day | €1200+ |
Budget Traveler (€300-€450 total)
- Accommodation: €90-€150
- Food: €150-€210
- Transportation: €35-€50
- Attractions: €25-€40
Mid-Range Traveler (€750-€900 total)
- Accommodation: €450-€600
- Food: €240-€360
- Transportation: €40-€60
- Attractions: €150-€200
Luxury Traveler (€1200+ total)
- Accommodation: €900+
- Food: €450+
- Transportation: €100+
- Attractions: €300+
Money-Saving Tips That Actually Work
Skip the tourist trap restaurants directly facing major landmarks. Walk one or two streets away and prices drop by 30-40%. The €18 croque monsieur at a café overlooking Notre-Dame costs €10 three blocks away with the same quality.
Buy water bottles at supermarkets for €0.50 instead of €3 at tourist kiosks. Carrefour City, Franprix, and Monoprix stores are everywhere.
Lunch menus (menu du jour) offer better value than dinner at the same restaurants. A €15-€20 lunch menu often includes an appetizer, main course, and dessert.
Visit free attractions first, then decide which paid ones are worth your money. Many travelers realize they enjoyed the free experiences more than the expensive ones.
Best Time to Visit for Budget Travelers
January through March and November offer the lowest hotel rates and fewer crowds. Avoid June through August when prices spike 40-50% and tourist crowds overwhelm popular sites. September and October provide good weather with moderate prices.
Book accommodation at least two months ahead for better rates, especially if traveling during spring or fall.
Hidden Costs People Forget
Restaurant service charges (service compris) are included in French prices, but leaving small change is customary for good service. Budget an extra €10-€20 for tips across three days.
Public restrooms sometimes charge €0.50-€2 for entry. Café bathrooms are free if you buy something, making that €2 espresso a strategic purchase.
Airport transfers, luggage storage, phone data, and those impulse souvenir purchases add up. Keep an extra €50-€100 buffer for unexpected expenses.
You might find this article interesting: Can you spend a week in Paris for $1000? A budget breakdown.
Final Thoughts on Budgeting for Paris
Paris rewards travelers who plan ahead but remains flexible enough for spontaneous magic. Your €300-€900 budget range gives you plenty of room to customize based on your priorities. Love food? Splurge on meals and save on accommodation. Art enthusiast? Invest in museum passes and eat picnic lunches.
The city offers experiences for every budget level. A €300 trip focusing on free attractions, picnics, and hostel stays can be just as memorable as a €900 trip with hotel stays and restaurant meals. It depends on what matters most to you.
Track your spending daily to avoid surprises. Paris makes it easy to overspend when every corner reveals another charming café or boutique. Setting a daily limit helps you enjoy the trip without financial stress afterward.
Three days gives you enough time to hit major landmarks, explore different neighborhoods, and develop a feel for Parisian life. You’ll leave wanting to return, which means you budgeted correctly because you didn’t blow your entire travel fund on one trip. Discover Paris’ must-see attractions, activities, and expert-led tours with Viator.
| Accommodation Type | Cost Per Night | 3-Day Total (Estimated) |
| Hostel (Dorm Bed) | €30 – €50 | €90 – €150 |
| Budget Hotel (Private Room) | €80 – €120 | (Not used in total breakdown) |
| Mid-Range Hotel | €150 – €250 | €450 – €750 |
| Luxury/Boutique Hotel | €300+ | €900+ |
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