How Much Money to Bring to Paris: Real Daily Expenses Breakdown for Every Budget
The Question Every Traveler Asks: "How Much Money Do I Need?"
The answer depends on three things: how long you stay, what you eat, and where you sleep.
A budget traveler can do Paris on €50-60/day. A mid-range traveler needs €80-100/day. A luxury traveler spends €150-250/day.
This breakdown tells you exactly what everything costs in 2025, so you can decide what's right for you.
The Cost of Everything (Actual 2025 Prices)
Food
Breakfast
- Croissant at bakery: €1.50-2
- Coffee at bar: €1.50-2.50
- Croissant + coffee sitting at table: €4-6
- Café au lait + pastry (sitting): €5-7
Lunch
- Baguette sandwich from bakery: €5-7
- Crêpe (sweet or savory): €3-5
- Neighborhood bistro menu du jour: €15-20
- Casual restaurant: €18-30
- Decent restaurant: €30-50
Dinner
- Bistro dinner (no menu du jour): €25-40
- Mid-range restaurant: €35-60
- Fine dining: €80+
Drinks
- Beer at café: €5-7
- Wine (glass): €5-8
- Coffee: €1.50-3
- Water (free): €0
Snacks
- Gelato: €3-5
- Macarons: €2-4 each
- Chocolate bar from market: €1-2
- Fruit from market: €1-3
Transportation
Metro
- Single ticket: €2.25
- Carnet (10 tickets): €16.90 (€1.69 per ride)
- 1-week pass: €34.15
- Navigo weekly: €34.15 (unlimited all week)
Taxis
- Base fare: €3.50
- Per km: €1.50
- Airport to center: €40-60
- Within city: €8-20 typical ride
Bike Share (Vélib')
- 30 minutes: €5
- 1 week: €80 (unlimited)
Accommodation
Budget Hostel
- Dorm bed: €25-40/night
- Private room: €60-80/night
Budget Hotel
- 2-star hotel: €60-100/night
- 3-star hotel: €100-150/night
Mid-Range
- 3-star hotel: €120-180/night
- Airbnb apartment: €80-120/night
Upscale
- 4-star hotel: €180-300/night
- 5-star hotel: €300+/night
Activities
Museums & Attractions
- Louvre: €16 (online), €18 (on-site)
- Musée d'Orsay: €16
- Picasso Museum: €14
- Rodin Museum: €14-18
- Sainte-Chapelle: €11
- Sacré-Cœur: Free (€6 to climb)
- Eiffel Tower: €17-27
Tours
- Free walking tour (tip-based): €10-20
- Paid tour: €30-60
- Boat tour: €15-20
Activities
- Cooking class: €100-200
- Day trip tour: €60-120
The Daily Budget Scenarios
Budget Traveler: €55-75/Day
Sleep: Hostel (€35/night) or budget hotel (€50/night) Food: €20-25/day
- Breakfast (bakery): €3
- Lunch (baguette sandwich, crepe): €7
- Dinner (bistro or market picnic): €15
- Snacks: €2
Transport: €2/day (carnet amortized) Activities: €10/day (free museums, walking) Total: €65/day
Monthly cost: €1,950 (hostels) or €2,400 (budget hotels)
Mid-Range Traveler: €90-120/Day
Sleep: 3-star hotel (€100/night) or Airbnb (€90/night) Food: €35-40/day
- Breakfast (café sitting): €5
- Lunch (bistro menu du jour): €18
- Dinner (decent restaurant): €40
- Coffee/snacks: €5
Transport: €5/day Activities: €15/day (museums, tours) Miscellaneous: €5/day Total: €110/day
Monthly cost: €3,300 (hotel) or €3,000 (Airbnb)
Luxury Traveler: €200-300/Day
Sleep: 4-5 star hotel (€250/night) Food: €80-100/day
- Meals at quality restaurants: €80-100
- Doesn't shop markets, no budget constraints
Transport: Taxis (€20/day) Activities: €30/day (no budget concern for museums, special experiences) Miscellaneous: €20/day (shopping, extras) Total: €250/day
Monthly cost: €7,500+
Trip Length Calculator
3-day trip:
- Budget: €150-225
- Mid-range: €270-360
- Luxury: €600-900
5-day trip:
- Budget: €275-375
- Mid-range: €450-600
- Luxury: €1,000-1,500
7-day trip:
- Budget: €385-525
- Mid-range: €630-840
- Luxury: €1,400-2,100
10-day trip:
- Budget: €550-750
- Mid-range: €900-1,200
- Luxury: €2,000-3,000
How Much Cash to Bring (vs Cards)
Recommendation: 30% cash, 70% cards
Why? Most places accept cards, but small shops/markets prefer cash.
Realistic cash breakdown:
- €50-100 for emergencies (hidden stash)
- €100-200 for daily spending (markets, small vendors)
- Rest on cards
Example for 5-day trip:
- Budget: Bring €200 cash, rest on card
- Mid-range: Bring €300 cash, rest on card
- Luxury: Bring €200 cash, rest on card (less likely to use cash)
Money-Saving Strategies
Eat Like a Local (Save 50%)
Tourist restaurant lunch: €35 Local bistro lunch: €18 Market picnic lunch: €8
Over 10 days: Save €270+ by eating local
Skip Major Attractions (Save 15%)
Eiffel Tower: €27 Louvre: €18 Musée d'Orsay: €16 Total: €61 per person
Free alternatives: Trocadéro view, street art, parks, neighborhoods.
Over 10 days: Save €61+
Take Metro (Save 40% on Transport)
Daily taxis: €50/day = €500 for 10 days Daily metro (carnet): €2/day = €20 for 10 days
Over 10 days: Save €480
What Unexpected Costs Might Come Up
Restaurant overcharge: €2-5 Lost metro ticket: €2.25 Drink at tourist café: €8 (vs €3 normal price) Souvenir: €5-100 depending on taste Service/handling fee: €0-3 per transaction
Budget extra: €50-100 for 10-day trip
When to Splurge (Worth It)
One nice dinner: €60-80 per person (worth it) Michelin-starred experience: €100+ (worth it if you care) Special museum (not crowded): €16 (worth it) Day trip with transportation: €60-100 (worth it)
When NOT to Splurge (Waste of Money)
Eiffel Tower entry: €27 (see from Trocadéro free) Louvre during peak: €18 + 3-hour wait (visit mid-week instead) Tourist restaurant: €45 (eat where locals eat) Souvenir at Galeries Lafayette: €50+ (same item €10 at market)
The Bottom Line
If you want to visit Paris without stress:
- Budget: €60/day (hostel, markets, free activities)
- Comfortable: €100/day (decent hotel, good meals, museums)
- Luxury: €200/day (nice hotel, fine dining, no budget concerns)
Most people enjoy a 5-7 day trip in the €100-120/day range.
That's €500-600 for flights + €600-840 for lodging/food/activities.
Total: €1,100-1,500 per person.
Do it. It's worth every euro.