How Much Does a Trip to Paris Cost? Complete 2026 Budget Guide
Top destinations, hidden gems, costs, and tips for planning your trip
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A 7-day trip to Paris costs about $1,800-$2,300 per person for a budget traveler, $2,800-$4,500 for mid-range, and $7,000+ for luxury. Flights and accommodation are the biggest expenses. Booking flights and hotels early or using pay-later options can help you manage upfront costs.
How Much Does a Trip to Paris Cost? 2026 Budget Guide
How much does a trip to Paris cost? For 2026, expect to pay $1,800 to $2,300 per person for a budget week, $2,800 to $4,500 for mid-range comfort, and $7,000 or more for luxury. That estimate covers flights, hotels, food, attractions, and transportation. Most of your budget will go to airfare and accommodation, especially if you travel in peak months like June or July. If you want to start planning, you can search flights on Travorio and get a real-time sense of prices from your city.
Paris can be affordable with the right choices, but costs add up fast if you love splurging on food, shopping, or museums. I spent about $2,900 on my last 7-day Paris trip in spring, staying at a 3-star hotel in the Latin Quarter and eating out twice a day. The trick is to budget for the big stuff first, then see how much you have left for croissants, tickets, and souvenirs. Below, I break down all the major expenses and real numbers so you can plan your Paris travel budget for 2026.
Flight Costs to Paris
For most travelers, flights are a huge chunk of the Paris trip cost in 2026. Round-trip economy fares from New York (JFK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) usually run $650 to $1,100 if you book two to three months ahead. I paid $780 round-trip on Air France, direct from JFK, in April. From Los Angeles (LAX), expect $850 to $1,350, with direct flights on Air France, Delta, or French Bee. Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Paris ranges $700 to $1,200, with daily nonstops on United and American. Miami (MIA) to Paris is $780 to $1,250, with Air France and American both offering direct routes.
Traveling in June, July, or over Christmas? Fares can spike 30%. Summer 2026 especially will be busy due to international events, so booking early is smart. If you can fly midweek (Tuesday or Wednesday), prices drop by $70 to $120 compared to weekends. Booking three months ahead can save 20-40% over last-minute fares.
Budget airlines like French Bee and Norse Atlantic offer deals from Newark, Miami, and LAX to Paris Orly (ORY), sometimes as low as $440 round-trip if you pack light and skip extras. These fares don't include checked bags or meals, so read the fine print. If comfort matters, full-service airlines give you a smoother experience, but you'll pay more.
If you're using points, Air France/KLM Flying Blue and Delta SkyMiles often have award seats from 21,000 miles plus $80 in taxes each way. Always check award availability early. For real-time fares from your city, try Travorio's flight search, you can even pay later or with crypto.
Hotel and Accommodation Costs in Paris
Paris hotels run the gamut from $47/night hostels to $1,100+ luxury suites. In 2026, hostel beds at places like St. Christopher’s Inn Gare du Nord are $47 to $60 per night for a dorm. If you want a budget private room, Hôtel de l’Europe in the 14th is usually $95 to $115 per night. Mid-range hotels like Hôtel du Levant in the Latin Quarter or Hôtel de la Porte Dorée in the 12th go for $175 to $250 nightly.
Luxury gets expensive fast. The Ritz Paris starts around $1,200 per night, while Le Meurice and Hôtel Lutetia run $950 to $1,500. If you want something comfortable but not over the top, Moxy Paris Bastille is about $220 for a queen room. The best value neighborhoods are the Latin Quarter (5th), Bastille (11th), and Montparnasse (14th), where you get more space and local flavor for less. The Marais (3rd/4th) is pricier but central.
Booking early saves you money, especially in spring and summer. Weekends are pricier than weekdays, sometimes by $30 to $60 a night. For families, apart-hotels like Citadines Saint-Germain-des-Prés let you cook your own meals, starting around $210 nightly for a studio. Airbnb is still an option, but legal rentals are limited to 120 nights per year, so check the listing details.
If you want to split the cost or pay over time, you can find pay later hotels on Travorio. Options like Sezzle or PayPal Pay Later let you budget more easily, especially if you’re booking several rooms.
Food and Dining Costs
Eating in Paris can be cheap or wild, depending on your style. Street food like jambon-beurre sandwiches or crêpes runs €4 to €7 ($4.30 to $7.50). A typical bakery breakfast, croissant and coffee, will set you back €4 to €6 ($4.30 to $6.50). Lunch at a casual bistro (think Café du Metro, 19th arrondissement) usually costs €12 to €18 ($13 to $20) for a main dish and water.
Sit-down dinners at mid-range restaurants like Bouillon Pigalle cost €20 to €30 ($22 to $33) per person for three courses. Expect to pay €45+ ($50+) at bistros in the Marais or Saint-Germain. If you want a splurge, tasting menus at Le Grand Véfour or Restaurant Guy Savoy start at €110 ($120) and can go over €350 ($380) with wine.
Groceries for self-catering are a smart way to save. A week’s worth of basics (baguettes, cheese, eggs, fruit, pasta, coffee) from Monoprix or Franprix costs about €55 to €70 ($60 to $76) per person. Stocking up at local markets like Marché Bastille can save you a few euros if you cook at your Airbnb or hotel kitchenette.
Tipping isn’t required in Paris. Service is included in the bill, but locals round up or leave €1-2 for good service. You’ll spend less on food if you picnic in parks or grab pastries from local boulangeries. I averaged $27 per day on food when I mostly ate sandwiches, crepes, and the occasional bistro meal.
Transportation Costs
Getting from Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to the city center costs €11.80 ($13) on the RER B train (35 minutes to Châtelet-Les Halles). The RoissyBus is €16.50 ($18) and takes 60 minutes to Opéra. Taxis from CDG are fixed at €55 ($60) to Right Bank and €62 ($68) to Left Bank hotels. If you're landing at Orly (ORY), the OrlyBus is €11.20 ($12.50), or a taxi costs €35-€40 ($38-$44).
Once you’re in town, the Paris Metro is the cheapest way to get around. A single ride is €2.15 ($2.35), but a carnet of 10 tickets is €19.10 ($20.50). You can also get the Navigo Easy pass for €2 plus your chosen fare; the unlimited weekly Navigo Découverte pass is €30.75 ($33) and covers Metro, RER, buses, and trams for all zones. That’s the best deal if you’re in Paris for 5-7 days.
Uber works in Paris, but the minimum fare is €7 ($7.60), and airport rides often surge to €45-€60 ($49-$65). Classic taxis are a bit more reliable but not cheaper. Bike rentals with Vélib’ are €5 ($5.50) for a day pass. If you’re planning a Versailles or Disneyland day trip, the RER train tickets are €4-$9 ($4.50-$10) each way.
Budget $7 to $16 per day for public transport if you stick to Metro and buses. Add a bit more if you want ride-shares or late-night taxis. Paris is walkable in many central areas, so you might only need Metro for longer hauls.
Activities and Attractions
Paris has a long list of paid and free things to do. The Louvre is €22 ($24) for a timed ticket, and the Musée d’Orsay is €16 ($17.50). The Eiffel Tower is €21.50 ($23.50) to the top by elevator, or €11.80 ($13) if you climb stairs to the second floor. Sainte-Chapelle is €13 ($14), and Notre-Dame will reopen in late 2024 with likely entry fees of €10-€12 ($11-$13) for the towers.
Versailles Palace costs €21 ($23) for the basic ticket, or €32 ($35) with gardens and the musical fountain show. The Catacombs are €29 ($32), and a Seine river cruise is €16 ($17.50) for a basic 1-hour tour. Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur is free to enter, but the dome climb is €7 ($7.60).
Paris Museum Pass covers 50+ museums and monuments, including the Louvre, Orsay, and Versailles. It’s €62 ($68) for 4 days or €82 ($90) for 6 days. If you plan to hit 2-3 paid sites per day, it saves money and time in ticket lines.
Free favorites include strolling Jardin du Luxembourg, browsing Marché d’Aligre, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle nightly, or people-watching at Place des Vosges. Walking tours (like Discover Walks) are tip-based. Budget $80 to $170 for attractions for a week, depending on your pace and interests.
How to Save Money on Your Paris Trip
Book your flights at least three months ahead for the best deals. I tracked fares with Google Flights and Travorio, and the sweet spot is 60-75 days before departure. Flying in late October, November, or January knocks $150 to $300 off peak fares. Midweek departures are almost always cheaper than weekends.
Hotels are less expensive if you avoid holidays and big events. Look for accommodations in less touristy districts like the 12th, 14th, or 15th arrondissement. Paying with BNPL services like Sezzle or PayPal Pay Later on Travorio lets you split up costs interest-free, which is great if you’re booking multiple rooms or a long stay. Check out pay later hotels for flexible payment options.
For food, buy breakfast at bakeries and pick up groceries for a few picnic lunches. Tap water is safe and free. Skip overpriced cafés near major sights; a coffee at Café de Flore is €7 ($7.60), while local brasseries are half that. Museum passes and combo tickets can save $30+ if you visit enough attractions.
You can also book with crypto on Travorio if you prefer to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT. That’s useful if you want to lock in prices before your currency fluctuates. Always keep an eye on hidden fees, some hotels charge city tax (about €1-€5 per night), and some attractions require advance online booking with small surcharges.
Daily Budget Breakdown
7-Day Trip Cost Summary
Money-Saving Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
A 7-day Paris trip in 2026 costs about $1,800-$2,300 per person on a budget, $2,800-$4,500 mid-range, and $7,000+ for luxury. That covers round-trip flights, hotel, daily food, transport, and attractions. Costs can spike in July or December, so planning ahead helps.
Budget travelers can get by on $105 per day, including hostel, cheap eats, and Metro. Mid-range visitors should plan for $290 a day, with a 3-star hotel, two sit-down meals, and a couple of paid attractions. Luxury travelers spend $900+ daily if staying at hotels like the Ritz and eating at Michelin-starred restaurants.
November to March is the cheapest season for flights and hotels, with round-trip fares $200-$400 less than summer. Hotel prices drop 25-40% outside of Easter, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. January and February are the quietest and most affordable months.
Paris is pricier than cities like Berlin or Madrid, mostly due to higher hotel and restaurant costs. A mid-range meal is about $25 per person, and a 3-star hotel is $180-$220 per night. Public transport and groceries are similar to other Western European capitals.
Plan for $40-$60 per day for food, transport, and small extras if your hotel is already paid. If you want to shop or hit several paid attractions, add $30-$50. Cash isn’t strictly necessary but having €20-€30 helps for markets and bakeries.
Tipping is not required, as service is included (service compris) in restaurant and café bills. Locals sometimes round up or leave €1-2 for good service. For taxis, rounding up to the nearest euro is polite but not mandatory.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including Metro and most shops. Some bakeries and small markets prefer cash for purchases under €5. Always carry a little cash for convenience, but contactless cards work on transit and at most restaurants.
Book 2-3 months ahead and use fare alerts to spot deals. Flying midweek and avoiding peak holidays can save $150-$400. Budget carriers like French Bee or Norse Atlantic offer fares under $500 from the US, especially outside summer.
Stay in neighborhoods outside the tourist core, like the 12th or 14th arrondissement, where rooms are $30-$70 less per night. Book early and compare rates on Travorio, using pay-later options like Sezzle or PayPal to spread out payments. Avoid major holidays for the best rates.
Watch for city tax at hotels, usually €1-€5 per night per person, payable on check-out. Some attractions require online booking fees of €2-€4. Museums are free the first Sunday of each month, but lines are long. Credit card foreign transaction fees (1-3%) can add up if your card isn’t no-fee.
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