How to be a superstar in Paris on a budget

Are you planning to visit Paris on a limited budget? If that is the case in this blog post, I tell you how to be a superstar in Paris on a budget.

How to be a superstar in Paris on a budget

Paris on a budget. Here is what you need to know during your stay if you really want to visit Paris on a budget and save money.

Get a public transportation pass

If you plan on moving a lot during your stay, invest in a Paris Visite pass or a Navigo Découverte card for unlimited travel on public transportation within Paris. This pass will give you access to metro, buses,trains and tramways. Avoid taxis as they can be expensive. Walking is also a great way to explore the city. See my post on public transportation passes here and where you can purchase them.

Book a hotel with a kitchenette

If you want to cut costs, book a hotel room that comes wth a kitchenette or appartment. This way you can save money by making your own meals. Considering that hotel accomodations can take a big chunk out of someone’s budget, consider staying in areas slightly outside the city center for cheaper options. Such areas are located in the 13 th, 18th, 19th and the 20th arrondissements. These arrondissments are among the cheapest and the 19th is considered to be the cheapest arrondissment in Paris in terms of living costs.

Hotel and hostel on a budget in Paris

Here is a list of some of the 15 best Paris hostels and hotels ranked by Customers on Trip advisor in order they are:

• Les Piaules
• Le Regent Montmartre by Hiphophostels
• Smart Place Paris Gare du Nord by Hiphophostels
• St Christopher’s Gare du Nord Paris
• St Christopher’s Inn Canal Paris
• The people Hostel Paris 12
• Auberge de Jeunesse
• Vintage Paris Gare du Nord
• Arty Paris Porte de Versailles by river
• Generator Paris
• Le Montclair Montmartre by River Hotels
• Jo&Joe Paris Nation Hotel
• FIAP jean Monnet
• Auberge de Jeunesse Hi Paris Yves Robert
• Hotel CIS Paris Ravel

If you wouold like to to get more info on hotels and hostels ,see the full review and ranking on Trip advisor.

Museum Pass In Paris

Are you interested in visiting many museums and monuments including The château of Versailles? If that is the case consider purchasing the Paris Museum Pass. It provides access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris and the surrounding area for a fixed price.

Visit local markets

If you want to save money on eating out, book a hotel with a kitchenette or buy your food at the local makets. That is if you are staying in the city for weeks or months. For the cheapest markets, you cannot beat the market in Château Rouge in (Little Africa). People from all over the city travel to the 18th arrondissement just for that reason.

There is also the maket of Belleville. It is all always crowded with people. You can get meat, fish, fuits, veggies and so forth.. for a a good price than in central Paris or the fancy parts of the city.

Restaurants in Paris on a budget

Considering that eating out can take a big chunk out of someone’s budget, if you can prepare your own meals, go for it. However if you are in the city for just a weekend or a couple of days for cheap eats, you cannot go wrong with Bouillon Chartier. Bouillong Chartier is a restaurant chain with a couple of locations in the city. You can eat there for less than 10 euros.

If you would like for more eating options, skip dinner and go instead for lunch. Lunch time at the city restaurants is cheaper than dinner time.

Cafés in Paris on budget

Consider cafés and bistros over fancy restaurants. Many offer affordable fixed-price menus, especially during lunchtime. Look for restaurants frequented by locals, as they often offer better value for money.

Water In Paris

The water quality is good in Paris and most of us drink it including myself. When eating out, make sure to ask for tap water if you don’t want to end up paying for water. Just say, ” une carafe d’eau s’il vous plait!” which means a jug of water please! Tipping is not obligatory in Paris unless you want to.

Avoid scammers

Visiting Paris on a budget also means to stay clear of scammers that will reap you off if you fall for their scam. These scammers are smart and can within minutes steal your papers and your wallet. Be extremely careful if you don’t want your trip to turn into a nightmarre.

These scammers are often by the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre Museum, Saint Michel and Montmartre. Keep your eyes on your belongings at all times especially in the metro. I have fallen victim to one once. I was distracted on my ride home and left my purse open. The thief put his hand inside my bag and grabbed my phone. I didn’t see nor feel anything. These days, I am definiely more cautious when riding public transportation.

Free attractions in Paris on a budget

Fortunately, Paris is home to many free attractions. Take advantage of free admission days at museums like the Louvre (usually the first Sunday of the month). Consider joining free walking tours or downloading audio guides for self-guided tours of popular attractions. These can be much cheaper than guided tours. Keep an eye out for free events, concerts, and exhibitions happening around the city. You can often find listings online or in local publications.

Curency

The official currency of France is the Euro (EUR). Using Euros will eliminate the need for currency exchange and you won’t have to worry about fluctuating exchange rates during your trip

Many establishments in Paris accept major credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Using cards for purchases can be convenient and often offer competitive exchange rates. Just make sure to notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid any issues with card usage abroad.

When asked if you want to pay in euros or dollars for example, always use the currency of the country that you are visiting.

ATM withdrawals

Use your debit card to withdraw Euros from ATMs in Paris. This can be a convenient option, but be aware of any fees your bank may charge for international withdrawals. Some banks also offer partnerships with international banks to reduce or waive these fees.

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid travel cards allow you to load funds onto a card in your home currency and use it like a debit or credit card abroad. Look for cards that offer competitive exchange rates and low fees for international transactions.

Currency exchange

If you prefer to carry cash, you can exchange your home currency for Euros at banks, currency exchange offices, or airports. Keep in mind that exchange rates and fees can be extremely costly at airports and should be considered only if you do not have any other choice. In addition, in some countries, you might need to have cash in hand to do certain activites, tip tour guides and taxi drivers. Furthermore, having cash in hand can mean life or death if you are ever stucked in a area due to a sudden civil unrest and cannot access an ATM or bank.

If you really need to change your currency in Paris, there is one place that I go to change my curreny when I travel overseas. They accept banking cards if you don’t have cash to change. The location is Cen-Change. It is located at 70 Boulevard de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I hope these tips on” how to be a superstar in Paris on a budget” help you plan out your budget travel to Paris. By following these tips and staying mindful of your spending, you can enjoy the beauty and charm of Paris without overspending. Have you visited Paris? Do you have any tips or suggestions to help a fellow traveler? Feel free to leave them in the comment section.

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