COST OF TRAVEL IN PARIS

Lena from Salut from Paris shares her cost of travel in Paris tips for those wanting to plan a trip to the beautiful city of lights. 

We love Paris and the amazing things to do in Paris so we are so happy to have Lena, an expat living in Paris, sharing her up-to-date cost of travel guide to help you budget your trip accurately.

The exchange rate at the time of publishing (January 2020): $1 USD = 0.90€ EUR = 76p GBP

Like many other things in Paris that you can buy with money, there is no limit when it comes to accommodation cost. Generally, the more central, as higher the prices.

A bed in a mixed 12 bed dorm starts at 30€ while a double room at the Hotel Ritz next to the Louvre goes with 1200€/night in the books.

But apart from these extremes, a double room in a mid-range hotel in a safe and central area will cost around 150€/night.

When picking one of the thousands of hotels in Paris, it’s best to keep in mind that there are no objectively unsafe areas within Paris and as every corner of Paris is very well connected by the local Metro, there is nothing really outside the centre.

I suggest to stay within the highway ring around Paris and if possible, avoid the north and north east of Paris – not by all means, but it’s just less nice.

Paris is food heaven and while it is possible to have a lunch menu in a Brasserie for 12€ or street food for less than 6€, there is actually no limit if you really want to spend money.

However, starting your day in a typical French way is ideal for budget travellers. An espresso (you need to order a café though) in a typical Parisian Café costs less than 1,50€ when taking it at the bar and a bit more if you want to enjoy it sitting down. As the Parisian breakfast is very basic, you are all set by ordering also a Croissant, that won’t be much more than the café. A fresh croissant from a bakery costs around 1,10€.

The cheapest way to eat in a sit-down restaurant is having a classic Parisian lunch in a brasserie. Brasseries are all those little bars and restaurants that are opening early in the morning for breakfast, they serve lunch and close somewhen in the late afternoon. Often they are equipped with a terrace and a counter where you can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. They also have a lunch menu between 10€ and 15€ per person that comprises at least the main dish, plus a starter or dessert.

Having Dinner in Paris is tricky in terms of budget, as there is really no limit in how much you possibly could spend. However, including a starter or dessert accompanying your main dish and a bit of wine, you will pay between 30€ to 50€ in most restaurants per person, Michelin star restaurants excluded.

Eating and drinking out in Paris is clearly not the cheapest, but how much you will spend depends also heavily on where in Paris you decide you order your drink and food. For example, a pint of Lager on a terrace in the centre of Paris can easily cost 12€ while you pay only 5€ in many bars in less touristic areas like the 13th or 18th arrondissement.

If you are traveling on a budget or maybe just for the little appetite in between meals, you always can get a Crêpes with butter and sugar for 2,50€ or a baguette with ham and cheese from the bakery for 4€.

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