Is Paris Expensive to Visit?
How much does it cost to visit Paris? If you’re planning a trip to Paris and trying to figure out your budget, this article is for you. The French capital is often associated with luxury and extravagance, and it can indeed be expensive. But the good news is that you can enjoy everything the city has to offer, no matter your budget – there’s something and somewhere for everyone.
Of course, the cost of traveling to Paris depends on the season, your travel style, and the limits you set for yourself. Without further ado, here’s how much a trip to Paris costs (prices updated for 2026), along with realistic budget simulations for both 5- and 7-day stays.
Are You Planning a Trip to Paris Last Minute?
If you are booking a last-minute trip to Paris, I’ve got you covered! Below are our guides, top tours, hotels, and more:
» Plan: Paris Travel Planner; Paris Arrondissements Guide; Check out the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists
» Book your flight tickets with Omio; book your train tickets with Omio
Book your transfer from the airport to the city with Welcome Pickups.
» Where to Stay: Best Districts to Stay in Paris
- Le Pavillon de la Reine (historical 5-star hotel in Le Marais)
- Hotel La Comtesse (mid-range hotel with Eiffel Tower view from all the rooms!)
- Hotel Ducs de Bourgogne (super central 4-star hotel near the Louvre)
» Top-Rated Paris Tours & Tickets:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Ticket
- Eiffel Tower Summit Access Ticket
- Seine River Night Cruise
- Château de Versailles and Gardens
- Catacombs Skip-the-line tour with VIP access to restricted areas
Want skip-the-line access at museums & attractions in Paris? Get your hands on a Paris Museum Pass!
» Don’t leave without travel insurance! SafetyWing Essential plan works well for long and short trips (from 5 days up). Can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
Trip to Paris Cost (2026 Update)
On average, the cost of living in Paris is about 25–28% higher than in the rest of France.
It is possible to reduce your Paris budget if you stay in less central districts and avoid tourist areas when dining out. There are also many free things to do in Paris, so you can enjoy wonderful days in the French capital without spending much. Here’s how to save money in Paris.
On the other hand, many visitors come to Paris to enjoy its main attractions, indulge a little, and simply have fun – after all, they are on holiday. Paris caters well to this type of traveler: if you choose to stay in one of the historic hotels in Paris, enjoy dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, and shop in the Golden Triangle, you can easily triple or even quadruple your daily budget.
Below, I have collected some average Paris travel costs for 2026 (in EUR and USD) to suit any budget.
1. Cost of Transportation to Paris
This largely depends on your country of origin. For example, in 2026, an average return flight to Paris from the USA costs around €700–850 (approximately USD 760–920), although good deals can still be found, especially in fall and winter. Flight and train prices fluctuate throughout the year.
The most expensive times to visit Paris remain the summer holidays, Christmas and Easter periods, as well as during major international events.
If your travel dates are flexible, click the links below and experiment with different options.
2. Cost of Accommodation in Paris
On average, hotel prices in Paris are around 30–35% higher than in the rest of France.
From a bunk bed in a Paris hostel to a luxury hotel with an Eiffel Tower view, the range of accommodation prices in Paris is so wide that it is difficult to define a single average cost.
Prices also depend heavily on the district where you choose to stay – location plays a major role in overall accommodation costs. Check out the best districts to stay in Paris for different types of vacations.
To give you a general idea, I have grouped accommodation into three categories. Please take these prices with a grain of salt, as room rates vary depending on the season, holidays, room type, and availability.
- Bunk bed in a hostel for one person: around €40-50 (USD 43-55) (less if you stay far from the city center)
- Double room in regular hotels (3- and 4-star): €120-350 (USD 130-380)
- Double room in a top-end hotel (5-star and palace): well past €10,000 (USD 10,800) for their most prestigious suites
3. Cost of Travel Insurance for Paris
A travel insurance policy for Paris is not expensive, and you’ll be glad to have it if something goes wrong.
For example, SafetyWing’s Essential Plan – a flexible travel and health insurance option – offers coverage that can be purchased for trips as short as a few days up to nearly a year. The price varies mainly by age and is charged in 4-week (28-day) blocks rather than per calendar month. SafetyWing can also cover electronics theft through their add-on.
Below are typical 2026 prices for one 4-week period of the Essential Plan outside the United States. You can adjust these prices by selecting your exact travel dates (minimum 5 days).
- Ages 10-39: approximately 56.28 USD per 28 days
- Ages 40-49: approximately 92.40 USD per 28 days
- Ages 50-59: approximately 145.04 USD per 28 days
- Ages 60-69: approximately 196.84 USD per 28 days
SafetyWing’s Essential Plan covers unexpected medical issues and travel emergencies, with the price increasing for older age groups but still remaining relatively affordable.
4. Paris Food Cost per Day
Expect to spend around €72 (~USD 75) per day on quality food and drinks in Paris, though this can be higher or lower depending on where and what you eat.
Breakfast
Some hotel rooms include breakfast, while others charge extra. Here’s a realistic guide for 2026:
- 3-star hotels: €14-18 (around 15-19 USD per person)
- 4-star hotels: approximately €35 (around 37 USD per person)
- Luxury hotels: up to €70 (around 73 USD per person)
For a budget-friendly start to your day, a takeaway coffee and croissant from a local bakery costs less than €5 (around 5.25 USD).
Sitting at a café or on a terrace usually costs a little more, depending on the location: an espresso starts at about €2 (2.10 USD), while a café au lait or cappuccino typically ranges from €2.50 to €3 (2.65-3.15 USD).
Lunch /Dinner
Many sightseers opt for light, on-the-go meals at lunchtime to maximize their time exploring. A sandwich from a bakery usually costs around €7-9 (USD 7.50-9.70), depending on what you choose and where you buy it, and you can still find quick meals for under €15-18 (USD 16-19.50).
The cost of a proper meal in a restaurant varies based on the venue’s category and location. Main dishes in an average restaurant generally cost around €18-25 (USD 19.50-26), while mains in a more expensive, trendy restaurant often exceed €35-40 (USD 38-43).
For a filling yet affordable option, many locals and visitors opt for the “menu du jour,” a two- or three-course lunch set menu, which usually ranges from €15 to 20 (~$17-$23). The menu du jour is typically offered only at lunch and on weekdays.
Drinks
In general, a glass of (decent) wine in a bar or restaurant starts at around €6-7 (USD 6.50-7.60), while a bottle usually costs €25–30 (USD 27-32).
Beer is relatively expensive (compared to French wine), averaging around €8-9 per pint (USD 8.60-9.70), although happy hours are common throughout the city, usually between 6 and 8 p.m.
Cocktails typically start at around €13–15 (USD 14–16), with prices varying depending on the bar and its location.
Remember that you can always ask for free tap water in restaurants by ordering une carafe d’eau.
5. Cost of Activities in Paris
If this is your first time in the French capital, you’ll likely want to include a few attractions or sights in your Paris budget. On average, a visit to a major attraction now costs around €24 (about 27 USD) per person, though actual prices vary depending on the site and ticket type.
For example, as of February 2026:
- Louvre Museum: tickets for EU/EEA residents cost €22 (around 24 USD), while non‑EU visitors pay €32 (around 37 USD).
- Château de Versailles: the standard “Passeport” ticket costs €22 (around 24 USD) for EU/EEA residents and €25 (around 28 USD) for non‑EU visitors.
- Eiffel Tower: the cheapest adult ticket to the second floor via stairs is €14.80 (around 16 USD). Elevator tickets to the second floor cost €23.50 (about 25 USD), and tickets to the summit are €36.70 (about 40 USD).
- Catacombs: approximately €29 (around 31 USD).
- Musée d’Orsay: around €16 (about 17 USD).
These prices can increase if you choose skip-the-line tickets, guided tours, or audio guides, but even standard entry fees give access to world-class attractions.
If you plan to visit multiple sites, the Paris Museum Pass can be a smart option. Available for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, it grants entry to more than 60 museums and attractions in Paris and its surrounding region, including Versailles, and can help you save significantly. Check out my Paris Museum Pass review to understand if this is convenient for you.
For travelers planning only a couple of top sites, ticket platforms like Tiqets offer interesting combo tickets that cover two or three attractions at a discounted price.
6. Cost of Transportation in Paris
The cost of transportation in Paris depends on how often you plan to use public transport. Paris is a very walkable city, and many visitors use the metro mainly for longer distances.
In 2026, a single metro or RER ticket within Paris and the Île-de-France region (excluding airports) costs €2.55 (≈ USD 2.75) per ride. This ticket now covers most major destinations, including Versailles, Fontainebleau, and Disneyland Paris, simplifying travel across the region.
There are also daily, weekly, and tourist passes available, which can further reduce costs if you plan multiple trips. Read about the best Paris Metro tickets for tourists.
Airport Transport:
- CDG Airport → Paris city center via RER B train: €14 (≈ USD 15) one way
- Orly Airport → Paris city center via Orlyval + metro: €14 (≈ USD 15) one way
Official Taxi Flat Rates:
Licensed Paris taxis charge fixed fares for airport transfers, which include tolls and are valid in both directions:
- CDG Airport → Right Bank: €56 (≈ USD 60)
- CDG Airport → Left Bank: €65 (≈ USD 70)
- Orly Airport → Right Bank: €45 (≈ USD 48)
- Orly Airport → Left Bank: €36 (≈ USD 39)
These flat rates do not fluctuate with traffic, unlike ride-sharing services such as Uber, which can be significantly more expensive during peak hours.
5-Day Trip to Paris Cost 2026 for 2 People
How much does a short Paris getaway cost? Based on updated 2026 prices, here’s an estimate for a 5-day trip to Paris cost, depending on your travel style.
These estimates do not include flights to or from Paris.
Budget: ~€879 (~915 USD)
Even in just five days, Paris can be enjoyed on a budget. Accommodation typically means a hostel bunk bed or a very affordable peripheral hotel, while walking and public transportation cover your daily travel.
Meals are simple: breakfasts at €5 per person and light lunches and dinners at €15 per person. Paid attractions are limited to 3 days, but you can balance sightseeing with free museums, city walks, and public parks.
Transportation includes metro rides (4 per day per person) and airport transfers (€28 per person each way). Travel insurance is included for 2 people (ages 40–49).
Mid-Range: ~€1,475 (~1,540 USD)
Mid-range travelers stay in 3–4 star hotels and mix metro rides with occasional taxis. Breakfasts cost around €15 per person, with lunches and dinners averaging €40 per person.
With 5 days of activities, you can comfortably visit most attractions, enjoy guided tours, and still have flexibility for restaurants and shopping. Planning ahead is essential to secure accommodations and tickets, especially in high season.
Luxury: from ~€3,767 (~3,940 USD)
Luxury travelers can indulge in 5-star hotels, private airport transfers, Michelin-starred meals, and private guides. Paid activities cover all 5 days, and dining and experiences are fully included.
This budget allows you to enjoy Paris without compromise, from exclusive tours to high-end restaurants and prime locations for sightseeing.
One Week in Paris Cost 2026 for 2 People
So, how much does it cost to spend a week in Paris? Based on updated 2026 prices, here’s an estimate for a 7-day trip depending on your travel style.
These estimates do not include flights to or from Paris.
Budget: ~€1,257 (~1,310 USD) for 2 People
Traveling to Paris on a budget requires a few compromises. You’ll likely stay in a hostel bunk bed or a very affordable peripheral hotel, and rely on walking or public transportation.
Meals are simple: breakfasts at €5 per person and light lunches and dinners at around €15 per person. Paid attractions are limited – I’ve counted 5 days of activities – but you can balance sightseeing with free museums, city walks, and public parks.
Transportation costs include metro rides (4 per day per person) and airport transfers by RERB train (€28 per person each way).
Travel insurance is included for 2 people (I’ve assumed ages 40-49).
When traveling on a budget, careful prioritization is key to balancing your daily expenses. If a particular bucket-list experience in Paris is a must, you’ll likely need to adjust spending elsewhere to make it happen.
Mid-Range: ~€2,053 (~2,140 USD) for 2 People
Mid-range travelers stay in 3-4 star hotels and enjoy a mix of metro rides and occasional taxis. Breakfasts are around €15 per person, with lunches and dinners averaging €40 per person.
You can comfortably visit most attractions (7 days of activities) and even splurge on a guided tour or a special experience. Booking ahead is essential, especially in high season, to secure accommodations and tickets.
Depending on whether you’re visiting in the low or high season, finding comfortable lodging on a mid-range budget in Paris can be challenging, and you might need to compromise on location. Booking in advance, especially during high season, is essential.
Luxury: from ~€5,284 (~5,510 USD)
When it comes to luxury travel in Paris, the sky is the limit 🙂
Luxury travelers in Paris can indulge in 5-star hotels, Michelin-starred meals, private airport transfers, and private guides for museums and attractions. Paid activities cover all 7 days, and high-end dining and experiences are fully included.
With this budget, you can enjoy Paris without compromises, from fine dining to exclusive tours and the best locations for sightseeing.
And if you book any of these through my links, you’ll be helping keep this blog alive (and maybe even contribute to a bottle of wine!) – all at no extra cost to you. Cheers!
