No matter what list you check, Paris is one of the top three city destinations in the world. Unfortunately, it's an expensive destination as well. But there are ways to solo travel Paris on a budget. Vraiment!
In fact, absorbing the vibe of Paris is quite cheap. A coffee and croissant on a sidewalk patio costs almost nothing yet it gives you a very typical Parisian perspective on the city. There are ways to see the highlights and experience le vrai Paris on a budget. Below are our best tips.
When planning your trip to Paris you may also want to head over to London. If this is the case, check out our Solo Travel London on a Budget post.
Bear in mind that the city is scheduled to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games from late July to early September, 2024. For travelers, this will impact pricing, availability, transportation, and more.
Free Things To Do In Paris
- My ultimate budget Paris tip. Paris Greeters are locals who love their city and want to share it with tourists. You're best to book your Paris Greeter online and in advance. This link will give you a sense of the experience: Friendly Paris: Exploring the Real Paris with a Greeter. When you travel solo to Paris on a budget, this is a great option not just financially, but for the personal connection with a local.
- Free walking tours. There are numerous free, guided walking tours, including Discover Walks and Sandeman's. Don't forget to tip your tour guide as they are not paid for the tour.
- The Celebrity Cemeteries. The Cimitière du Père Lachaise and Cimitière du Montparnasse are both the final resting places of intellectuals, artists, and philosophers. You'll find the graves of Jim Morrison of The Doors and Chopin at Pere Lachaise, and Charles Baudelaire and Samuel Beckett in Montparnasse. Both cemeteries deserve a stroll in good weather or bad.
- Nuit Blanche was originally conceived in Paris, France in 2002, in an attempt to bring contemporary art to the masses in public spaces. It's free. Nuit Blanche is now held in early June.
- La Fête de la Musique. In the spring, attend La Fête de la Musique in Paris and throughout France. Held on June 21st, it is a day everyone takes to the streets for music.
- Tunnel des Tuileries is a tunnel parallel to the Seine at the Quai des Tuileries close to the Louvre that is for pedestrians and bicycles only. Ten European street artists were invited to create vast frescoes along its 800 meters that will be visible at least until this summer, when it will close to prepare for the Olympics.
- Explore the inspiration for New York City's High Line. “Whether you call it the Promenade Plantée, the old Vincennes railway line, the aqueduct walk, the Coulée verte René-Dumont, or la Coulée verte, this 4.7 km/2.9 mile path is the world’s first elevated park, a lush, green artery from the heart of Paris to its edges,” says solo traveler, Prue. Read more about her experience visiting this park built on an old railway line in Solo Travel Destination: La Coulée Verte, Paris.
- Visit Shakespeare & Company. This is a store with an interesting history. It is actually the second store with the same name. The first was famously frequented by James Joyce, Ezra Pound, and Ernest Hemingway. It closed in 1941 during the Nazi occupation of Paris. The second Shakespeare & Company opened in 1951. Located on the left bank quite near Notre Dame, it is worth visiting for its selection of new and used English language books, its place in literary history, and the events it holds regularly. It was featured in the films Before Sunset and Midnight in Paris.
- Wander the arrondissements. Each arrondissement has a unique flavor and lots to offer. It's up to you which you'd like to visit. Check out this Complete Guide to Paris' 20 Arrondissements from Fodors.
- Gaze at art. The Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris offers free admission to its permanent collections. Note that the museum is closed on Mondays.
- An alternative to the Eiffel Tower. Go to the Printemps department store, take the elevator as high as it goes then the escalators further up to the rooftop Terrasse, where you can sit free of charge during the store's opening hours, with Paris at your feet. If you like, you can enjoy a coffee or food while you're there. Located at 64 Bd Haussmann.
- Sit at a café and people-watch. Forget about grabbing a coffee to go. In Paris one sits and enjoys. Take a seat at a table outside a café and order a coffee then watch the world go by. The perfect activity for a solo traveler in Paris on a budget.
- See the cathedrals. The Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris and the Basilique du Sacré Coeur are the two most interesting and iconic churches in Paris. I especially like just wandering around Notre Dame de Paris in the evening. After dark there are still many people out so the area's safe and great for people watching. Plus, the cathedral is beautifully lit. Unfortunately, it sustained serious damage in a fire in 2019, but CASA volunteers, who have offered free tours for 50 years, continue to show people around.
- Go to a 150-year-old flea market. Marché aux Puces translates as flea market. The largest Paris flea market is in St. Ouen and was established around 1870. It's open Friday to Monday and entry is free.
- Cycle or roll. Paris Rando Velo offers free hiking and cycling events in Paris. No hiking tours are scheduled at the moment but there are free rides on Friday evenings and every third Sunday where you can join about 100 others on a 20 km tour guided by the group's “staffers.” The route varies with each outing. If you don't have a bike, borrow an inexpensive one from Vélib' Métropole, a bike sharing service with 1464 docking stations in the Greater Paris area.
- Walk, walk, walk. Paris is a fantastic walking city. You can cover all the major city sites and attractions on foot and, by doing so, you'll find all sorts of small plaques and interesting statues along the way. I also preferred walking in the evening and taking in the city at night. It's quite busy and I always felt safe. Here's a resource for self-guided walking tours on a variety of themes. They go into great detail so you can plan your day based on your interests.
- Admire natural beauty. Wander through the parks of Paris. From Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont to la Coulée verte (mentioned above), Bois de Boulogne, and Jardin des Plantes, you can enjoy a break from the city streets surrounded by greenery.
- Check out street art. Stroll the streets of Belleville, particularly Rue Denoyez, where you can admire the graffiti and quite possibly see a street artist at work.
Exploring Paris Solo on a Budget
- Get a Paris City Pass. The Paris City Pass gets you into many of Paris' top attractions for free. Depending on what you want to do, it can save you lots.
- Discounted theater tickets. Kiosque Théâtre is a half-price ticket office for same-day performances in comedy, stand-up, cabaret, and theatre. The main Kiosque is at Place de la Madeleine. The kiosque is closed on Sundays during the summer.
- For the museum junkie. As a solo traveler on a budget in Paris who loves museums, you will be spoiled for choice. Many of the museums in Paris are free on the first Sunday of the month. Check their ticket page before you go. For those who want to spend lots of time at museums, you can buy a Museum Pass from the city to get you into over 50 museums and monuments. Bonus: here are museums that have free entry all the time
- Musée national de la Légion d'honneur et des ordres de chevalerie
- Musée – Librairie du Compagnonnage
- Musée Curie (Institut du radium)
- Nouveau musée du parfum Fragonard
- Musée de la Préfecture de Police
- Hôtel de Police du Ve arrondissement
- Arènes de Lutèce
- Atelier Brancusi – Musée national d'art moderne – Centre Pompidou
- Le Bicolore – Plateforme d'art contemporain de la Maison du Danemark
- Le Plateau – Centre d’art contemporain
- Musée Zadkine (free admission to the collections, except during temporary exhibition periods)
- Mémorial de la Shoah
- Musée d'Ennery (free entry (advance booking required) on Saturdays)
- Europe Experience
- Hop-on, Hop-off. A Hop-on, Hop-off tour is great if you’re short on time or want to get an overview of the city before you dig into its specifics. There's usually a 10% saving by booking online.
- Feeling fit? Want to climb the Eiffel Tower rather than pay to ride the elevator? You'll save a bit. It used to be free but it's not as much of a savings now. Go at night and watch it light up from a distance.
- Watch a film at the Pompidou. Centre Pompidou shows films all year long–as part of festivals, exhibits, or presentations with filmmakers in attendance–some of which are free. But even if there's a fee, it's a small price for the chance to see a unique film in a wonderful setting.
Eating Out On a Budget in Paris
- Picnic on the Seine. This is a classic and so easy to do. Simply buy a baguette, some cheese, and a bottle of wine and then dine on the banks of the Seine river.
- Eat with locals. When you want to splurge, just a bit, consider EatWith. You'll get more than a meal. You'll get an evening in a local's home. Dinner and entertainment and local connections–well worth the price, which is quite reasonable.
- Search for deals. If you travel solo to Paris on a budget, it does not mean you can't enjoy a nice meal. Take a look at The Fork for special offers at Paris restaurants.
- Go to the market. Markets not only reveal a lot about a culture but they're also a great place to get good quality, inexpensive food.
- French bistros are everywhere. It's pretty hard to make a bad onion soup. Topped with bread and melted cheese, it's a French standard that's inexpensive and so delicious. It's a safe bet at just about any bistro.
- Choose the prix-fixe at lunch. For a full restaurant meal, you'll save money by going at lunch rather than dinner and ordering the prix-fixe.
- Go to one of the budget restaurants. Have a look at these 40 options for budget dining from Hip Paris.
Looking for a place to stay? Read Best Hotels in Paris for Solo Travelers: Reader Recommendations.
