Paris Prices & Travel Costs

Last Updated: Dec 2023

Easily among the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris definitely lives up to the considerable hype it receives. If you don’t want to visit London first then Paris should definitely be the first European city you visit. The city is on the expensive side compared to most of the rest of Europe, but the place is so nice that it still feels like good value.

Many people visit Paris and London on their first trip to Europe so I wrote a very detailed best Paris and London itinerary in 7 days to help out.

Is Paris Expensive or Cheap?

Paris is fairly expensive for Europe, but it’s not as expensive as you might fear. The attractions are reasonably priced and hotels can be good value if you don’t need to be in the center of everything.

It’s almost impossible to get a bad meal in Paris and the food in smaller neighborhood restaurants tends to be quite affordable, especially considering the quality.

Wine in Paris ranges from shockingly inexpensive to shockingly expensive, and the cheaper stuff is often surprisingly good. Beer in Paris is weirdly expensive though, so it’s  better to cultivate your wine appreciation and save beer for elsewhere.

Paris City Featured Image

Travel Costs to Paris

Population 2,200,000
Area 11,800,000
Timezone UTC+1
Currency Euro
Airports Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris-Orly Airport (ORY)
BACKPACKER INDEX: US$122.17
1 USD = 0.9200 EUR
134 World cities ranked cheapest to most expensive: Backpacker Index for 2024

Accommodation Costs in Paris

Paris Hotel Seasons

Paris Hotel Prices

Rating Price(USD)
starstarstarstarstar26.09 - 85.87
starstarstarstarstar57.61 - 173.91
starstarstarstarstar73.91 - 280.43
starstarstarstarstar82.61 - 326.09
starstarstarstarstar210.87 - 504.35

Paris Hostels Prices

Type Price(USD)
Hostel Bed23.91 - 51.09

Paris Attractions Prices

Best tours in Paris

Location Description Type Price(USD)
Eiffel Tower (3rd level)Elevator to top level observation deck
adults
12-24
4-11
30.43
15.22
7.61
Eiffel Tower (2nd level)Elevator to second level (stairs to 2nd level are about half these prices)
adults
12-24
4-11
11.96
5.43
2.17
Louvre MuseumTickets for the Permanent Collections (temporary exhibitions require separate admission)
adults
18.48
Arc de TriompheEasy to appreciate for free from the street, but this is if you want to climb the 280 steps to the top.
adults
14.13
Catacombs of ParisThis collection of bones is one of the city's top attractions.
adults
31.52
Palace of VersaillesThe super impressive palace where left-wing and right-wing was invented is a train-ride away in the suburbs.
adults
19.57
One-hour Seine River cruiseThese popular cruises leave from the Eiffel Tower and point out the most famous landmarks. Prices do range a bit.
adults
ages 3-12
16.30
7.61
The national modern art museum is yet another popular Paris museum. The price is lower during some periods.
adults
19-26
EU 19-26
16.30
13.04
0.00
Orsay MuseumThis former train station houses mostly French art from 1848 to 1915.
adults
EU 18-25
17.39
0.00

Paris Food and Drink Prices

Food Type Description Price(USD)
Budget breakfastMany Paris hotels include a free breakfast, but don't expect much as the classic morning meal here is a fresh roll and coffee. 4.35 - 6.52
Budget lunchIf you look for simple neighborhood places then great food can be cheap in Paris.7.61 - 13.04
Budget dinnerAgain, the plat du jour at modest bistros will usually deliver a great meal at a fair price.11.96 - 20.65
House wine (.375L)House wine in restaurants is usually a great bargain in France.5.43 - 9.78
Cheap wine (bottle)Obviously the price of wine has no upper limit, but in local shops you can get surprisingly good quality in this price range.2.17 - 10.87
Beer (.33L bottle)While wine is cheap in Paris, beer is usually outrageously expensive, and happy hours are rare.5.43 - 9.78
Coffee (cup)Tiny cups of coffee are cheap in bakeries and expensive in sidewalk cafes. 1.09 - 4.35

Paris Transport Prices

Type Price(USD)
Train from CDG airport to city center11.96
Train from Orly airport to city center13.04
Taxi from CDG airport to city center67.39
3km taxi ride in Paris13.04 - 21.74
Metro ride in Paris1.09
All-day metro pass for center6.52

Getting to Paris

Getting around Paris

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When to visit Paris

Temperature and rainfall

Month High F Low F Precip (inches)
January45382.2
February47401.8
March55432.1
April60462.0
May68532.4
June74582.1
July76612.3
August77621.8
September71572.1
October61512.2
November51432.2
December46402.2

Paris Weather advice

Sunrise and sunset

21 Mar6:52am7:05pm
21 Jun5:47am9:58pm
21 Sep7:35am7:51pm
21 Dec8:41am4:56pm

Where to go before and after