Planning a trip to the City of Light? Paris is one of the world’s most enchanting destinations, but understanding the true cost of a week-long visit can be tricky. From croissants and café au lait to museum tickets and metro passes, expenses add up quickly. Let’s break down what you can realistically expect to spend on a 7-day Paris adventure—and how a trip budget calculator can help you plan smarter.
Understanding Your Paris Trip Budget
The cost of visiting Paris varies dramatically based on your travel style, accommodation choices, and dining preferences. A budget traveler might spend $1,200-$1,800 for the week, while a luxury traveler could easily spend $5,000-$8,000 or more. Mid-range travelers typically land somewhere between $2,500-$4,000.
But these are just rough estimates. Your actual costs depend on factors like:
- Time of year (peak summer vs. off-season)
- Accommodation type (hostel, Airbnb, or hotel)
- Dining style (street food and bakeries vs. sit-down restaurants)
- Activities and attractions you plan to visit
- Flight costs from your departure city
💡 Want a personalized estimate for your Paris trip? Use our free trip budget calculator to get customized budget ranges based on your travel style and preferences. It takes just 30 seconds!
Breaking Down Paris Trip Costs
✈️ Flights to Paris
Airfare is often your biggest expense. Round-trip flights to Paris can range from $400-$1,500+ depending on your departure city, booking timing, and flight class.
- From East Coast USA: $500-$900
- From West Coast USA: $700-$1,200
- From UK/Europe: $100-$400
Pro tip: Book 2-3 months in advance and be flexible with your dates to find the best deals.
Search Paris flights here to compare prices from multiple airlines.
🏨 Accommodation in Paris
Where you stay significantly impacts your budget. Here’s what to expect per night:
- Budget hostels: $30-$60 (dorm beds) or $80-$120 (private rooms)
- Mid-range hotels/Airbnb: $120-$200
- Upscale hotels: $200-$400
- Luxury properties: $400+
For a week (7 nights), multiply these by seven. A mid-range traveler might spend $840-$1,400 on accommodation alone.
Popular neighborhoods like Le Marais and Saint-Germain-des-Prés command premium prices, while areas like Montmartre or the Latin Quarter offer more budget-friendly options without sacrificing charm.
Find Paris hotels and compare prices to secure the best accommodation for your budget.
🍽️ Food and Dining Costs
Paris offers incredible culinary experiences at every price point. Daily food costs typically range from:
- Budget: $25-$40 per day (bakeries, street food, grocery stores)
- Mid-range: $50-$80 per day (mix of casual restaurants and cafés)
- Fine dining: $100-$200+ per day (Michelin-starred restaurants, wine pairings)
For a week, expect to spend $175-$280 (budget), $350-$560 (mid-range), or $700-$1,400+ (fine dining).
Money-saving tips:
- Grab breakfast at a local boulangerie ($5-$8)
- Take advantage of prix fixe lunch menus ($15-$25)
- Shop at markets for picnic supplies
- Save splurges for one or two special dinners
🎨 Activities and Attractions
Paris is packed with world-class museums, monuments, and experiences. Budget approximately:
- Louvre Museum: €22
- Eiffel Tower (summit): €29
- Versailles Palace: €20-€27
- Arc de Triomphe: €13
- Seine River cruise: €15-€20
- Walking tours: Free-€30
Plan on $150-$300 for attractions during your week, depending on how many paid sites you visit. Many churches, parks, and neighborhoods are free to explore.
Consider purchasing a Paris Museum Pass (€62 for 4 days) if you plan to visit multiple museums and monuments—it includes skip-the-line access and can save both time and money.
Browse Paris activities and tours to book experiences in advance.
🚇 Transportation in Paris
Paris has an excellent public transportation system. Weekly transportation costs:
- Metro/bus single ticket: €2.10
- 10-ticket carnet: €17.35
- Weekly Navigo pass: €30 (unlimited travel in central zones)
- Airport transfer (RER): €11 each way
- Taxi from airport: €50-€70
Most travelers spend $50-$80 on transportation for the week. The Navigo Découverte pass is the best value if you’re staying a full week and using public transit daily.
💰 Miscellaneous Expenses
Don’t forget to budget for:
- Souvenirs and shopping: $50-$200
- Coffee and snacks: $20-$40
- Tips (not mandatory but appreciated): 5-10% at restaurants
- Travel insurance: $30-$60 for a week
Sample Paris Budget Breakdown (7 Days)
Budget Traveler
- Flights: $600
- Accommodation: $560 (hostel/budget hotel)
- Food: $210 (bakeries, markets, cheap eats)
- Activities: $150 (select museums, free walking tours)
- Transportation: $50 (metro tickets)
- Miscellaneous: $80
- Total: ~$1,650
Mid-Range Traveler
- Flights: $800
- Accommodation: $1,050 (3-star hotel or nice Airbnb)
- Food: $455 (mix of restaurants and cafés)
- Activities: $250 (museum pass, river cruise, tours)
- Transportation: $65 (Navigo pass + airport transfer)
- Miscellaneous: $150
- Total: ~$2,770
Luxury Traveler
- Flights: $1,200 (premium economy or business class)
- Accommodation: $2,800 (4-5 star hotel)
- Food: $1,050 (fine dining experiences)
- Activities: $400 (private tours, exclusive experiences)
- Transportation: $150 (taxis, private transfers)
- Miscellaneous: $300
- Total: ~$5,900
Money-Saving Tips for Paris
- Visit during shoulder season (April-May or September-October) for lower prices and fewer crowds
- Book accommodation outside central arrondissements for better value while still accessing great metro connections
- Take advantage of free museum days—many museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of each month
- Eat like a local—lunch menus are significantly cheaper than dinner at the same restaurants
- Use public transportation instead of taxis
- Picnic in parks with fresh market produce and wine
- Book flights and hotels early for the best deals
Plan Your Paris Trip with a Budget Calculator
Every traveler is different, and cookie-cutter budgets don’t account for your specific preferences, travel style, or departure city. That’s where a trip budget calculator becomes invaluable.
A good travel budget calculator helps you:
- Get realistic cost estimates based on your travel style
- Adjust for group size (solo, couple, family)
- Factor in seasonal price variations
- Compare different accommodation and dining options
- Account for flights from your specific location
- Plan activities based on your interests
✨ Ready to get your personalized Paris budget? Try our free trip budget calculator now. Enter your travel dates, preferences, and departure city to see exactly what your Paris adventure will cost. Takes only 30 seconds!
Final Thoughts: Is Paris Worth the Cost?
Paris can be expensive, but it’s also one of the world’s most rewarding destinations. With proper planning and a realistic budget, you can experience the magic of Paris without breaking the bank—whether you’re a backpacker watching every euro or a luxury traveler indulging in five-star experiences.
The key is knowing your numbers before you book. Use a trip budget calculator to understand your true costs, then adjust your plans accordingly. Maybe you’ll stay an extra day, upgrade your hotel, or splurge on that Michelin-starred dinner—because you’ll know exactly where you stand financially.
Paris awaits. Start planning your week in the City of Light today!
🎯 Start planning now! Get your customized Paris budget estimate with our trip budget calculator, then book your flights, hotels, and activities with confidence.