Solo Trip to Paris Cost Breakdown & Money Saving Tips

Ever wonder how much a trip to Paris might cost for one person? You would be right in thinking it’s not cheap, but it might cost less than you think!

While traveling solo to Paris might not seem affordable at first glance, don’t write off the idea until you read this post!

Generally speaking, yes, traveling to Paris alone can be expensive!

However, a solo trip to Paris can cost less if you are willing to do the research and plan.

I will share my recent expenses from my trip to Paris in 2024 so you know what to expect and show how and where I saved money!

How To Instantly Reduce The Cost Of Your Trip to Paris

The best way to almost immediately save money on traveling to an expensive country like France is to go in the off-season!

In the off-season, you can find better hotel deals, flights, and sometimes even attractions from October through April!

The only thing you may trade is that weather conditions could be slightly less than ideal, but with fewer people crowding the city, it’s fair trade, in my opinion!

The Cost of Flying to Get to Paris

The cost will vary greatly depending on where you are in the world. It might also be the biggest expense for your trip overall, so finding a deal is important.

I see flights between $500 and $900 from the US, depending on the city and the time of year.

Living in the US near a major city hub offers major advantages. For example, if you are traveling from NYC, you will see more flight specials to Paris than if you were traveling from Savannah, Georgia.

If you see a flight to Paris for under $750, book it immediately!!

If you are already in Europe, a good price to look for is anything under $125.

After my solo trip to Lisbon, I jumped on a flight to Paris for $99!

Generally, setting your expectations to spend up to $900 flying from the US is safe.

Tips on Saving to Get to Paris

Solo travelers need to be savvy! I learned pretty early on how to use credit card points to win at saving on travel.

The trick is to align yourself with an airline loyalty program that also has a credit card!

Find yourself one of these airline credit cards, and check out the various benefits when booking flights or hotels.

United has some direct flight deals to Paris all the time from these cities:

• San Francisco (SFO) to Paris (CDG) Economy
• Chicago (ORD) to Paris (CDG) Economy
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Paris (CDG) Economy.
• New York/Newark (EWR) to Paris (CDG)
• Houston (IAH) to Paris (CDG)
• Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (CDG)
• Denver (DEN) to Paris (CDG)
• Orlando (MCO) to Paris (CDG)

A great mileage deal to look out for is a flight for 75,000 miles roundtrip.

✈️ For knowing when it is the best deal to travel to Paris, I use Skyscanner.com to set up flight alerts.

Below, I am sharing an example of how to do this:

Put the departing and destination cities in and leave the dates blank.

Then check the Flexible dates button. As you can see from the picture below, the prices are based on the month.

Cost of Accommodations in Paris

Typically, the next most expensive item on any vacation is the price of your hotel.

In Paris, the closer you stay to the center, in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements, the higher your hotel bill can be.

Since Paris has excellent public transport, you can stay far from the city center to save money.

There are budget-friendly deals for hotels in the 10th and 11th arrondissements.

You can use a site like Booking.com and set up your search with the following search parameters by clicking the boxes for:

• Review Score: Superb: 9+
• Deals: All Deals
• Neighborhood: 10th arr. & 11 arr.

Below is the deal I found for October 2024

Hostels in Paris for Solo Travelers

Hostels are not only a great way to meet other travelers, but you can save big time.

Le Village Montmartre remains one of the highest-rated hostels for solo travelers! If you are a woman, they do have all-female dorm rooms.

Dorm rates hover around $60, and private rooms are closer to $160 per night.

VBRO /Airbnb Options

While hostels are typically the best way to save if you are traveling alone, deals can be found on sites like Airbnb and VBRO.

On my last solo trip to Paris, I stayed in a very small Airbnb to save some money.

I spent $130 a night in a very small but convenient place in the 10th Arrondissement.

Mid-Range Hotels

Paris is full of adorable boutique hotels, with prices ranging from $160 to $250 per night. These are considered mid-range options.

Participating in loyalty programs such as hotels.com and booking.com can help you rack up points, which can reduce the cost of your room.

I saved $75 on my last stay with my OneKeyRewards from Hotels.com.

My stay at Hotel Sacha was really good, and I can highly recommend it. The location was, in my opinion, the best in Paris.

Here, you find authentic cafes that aren’t overpriced like many in the more tourist areas close to the center.

Pictured below is my room at Hotel Sacha, which I paid with taxes, 160€ per night.

Tips on Saving for Accommodations in Paris

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Although I love traveling alone, I don’t enjoy paying the hotel bill myself.

Luckily, there is a creative way to save money on accommodations in Paris, and I will tell you how I did it!

Pro Tip: Visiting Paris in August is a great way to save money! Just be warned a lot of local shops and eateries are closed.

Use Trusted House Sitters

If you want to stay for FREE in a city like Paris, you should look for Trusted Housesitters!

For a one-time membership fee, you can access a database of people looking for housesitters to care for their pets while they are away.

I am an animal lover, so it is a great option for me! You should check out the site for yourself.

The Costs of Excursions and Activities in Paris

There is no shortage of things to do alone in Paris! Some excursions are more costly than others.

If you want a day trip outside Paris, you can visit Mont Saint Michel for €130. It is a full-day trip that I highly recommend if you have the time and budget.

If that is out of your budget, luckily, Paris is a city where merely being in the city is an attraction.

Free things to do in paris

• Visit Notre Dame Cathedral: Admire the stunning Gothic architecture from the outside.
• Stroll along the Seine River: Enjoy the scenic views and iconic bridges.
• Explore Montmartre: Wander the charming streets and visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica.
• Relax in Jardin du Luxembourg: Enjoy the beautiful gardens and watch the local life.
• Visit Père Lachaise Cemetery: See the graves of famous personalities like Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.
• Walk down Champs-Élysées: Experience the bustling atmosphere and window-shop.
• Visit the Arc de Triomphe: View the exterior and take in the surrounding area.
• Explore Le Marais district: Discover historic buildings and trendy boutiques.
• Discover street art in Belleville: Enjoy the vibrant murals and creative atmosphere.
• Tour Place des Vosges: Relax in one of the oldest planned squares in Paris.
• Attend a free fashion show at Galeries Lafayette: Check the schedule for free events. There is also a rooftop at Galeries Lafayette with views of the Eiffel Tower.
• Visit museums on the first Sunday of the month: Many museums offer free entry.
• Explore Canal Saint-Martin: Walk along the canal and enjoy the picturesque setting.
• Visit the Panthéon: Entry is free the first Sunday of each month from November to March.
• Discover the Latin Quarter: Wander the historic streets and visit the Sorbonne.
• Explore Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: Enjoy the natural beauty and city views.
• Visit the free sections of the Louvre: Access certain areas without a ticket.
• Wander through Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Explore the historic district and its literary cafes.

And if you have the budget for a Museum Pass, I can highly recommend it! With this pass, you can visit skip-the-line access to over 60 museums.

This includes monuments in and around the city of Paris, including the Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, and Centre Pompidou!

Get The Museum Pass for Pass

Dining Alone in Paris

If you are a first-time solo traveler, I know dining alone can be a little awkward and, let’s not forget, expensive!

But there are ways to save and ways to make it more comfortable.

For example, when traveling alone, I always prefer to eat at a restaurant with a counter or bar.

It offers a way for there to be a bit more sociability, and you don’t feel like some lonely loser sitting in the corner alone 😉

Tips on Saving on Food in Paris

Buy Food at The Markets

One of the best ways to save money when traveling alone in Paris is to keep meals simple. Shopping at the local markets will greatly reduce your costs!

For example, you can simply buy a freshly made sandwich or baked good for under 5€.

I like to take my food to a lovely place in Paris, such as the Jardin des Tuileries, to eat it.

An adorable market near the famous park is Opera Market.

Appetizers and Sides Instead of an Entree

If you are looking for ways to cut costs at a restaurant, consider making a meal of entrees and appetizers.

It can be surprisingly enough food depending on the restaurants.

Stay Away From Restaurants Near the City Center

Don’t even bother attempting to eat near the Eiffel Tower and other famous landmarks such as the Louvre.

Prices are triple what they should be, and it’s been my experience that the food isn’t even very good.

I recommend a list of restaurants with an average price per entree.

• Hebe Average price entree €21
• Storbi Average price entree 12€ (small portion) €21 (large portion)
• Brasserie Flottes Average Price Entree €21
• Chez Janou Average price entree €20

Below are my meals at Hebe and Storbi

Affordable Options for Getting Around Paris Alone

If you are anxious about traveling to/getting around Paris alone, you are not alone.

When I first arrived, I was alone and a bit stressed about navigating the transit system myself.

If you are new to solo travel, I recommend that you book a private transfer from the airport. It is a well-worth expense for a smooth start to your trip.

For your reference, a taxi/Uber typically costs around €55 for a ride to the city center from CDG airport.

If you are comfortable taking public transit, you can research your options depending on the airport you fly into.

Once you arrive in Paris, I insist that you purchase the Navigo Pass. You can buy it directly from the metro machines.

The pass is a plastic card that costs €2; once you have it, you can reload it with the? Navigo App.

• A one-day pass for Zone 1-3 costs 13.20€, and Zone 1-5 27.80€.

Another sneaky way to save on transit and see some of the sights is to purchase a Hop-on Hop Off bus pass for Paris for €43.

This way, you can hitch a ride to all the sites and monuments on your bucket list.

But it costs more than a 2-day train pass, which only costs €26.40!

Total Paris Trip Cost Summary (excluding flights)

To break this down for you completely, here is what you can expect to spend on a trip to Paris by yourself.

Budget: If you’re on a strict budget, expect to spend between $600-$900 for a 3-day trip. This includes staying in a hostel dorm, eating grocery store meals, using the museum pass, and getting around with the metro and Roissybus. No day trips and the Standard Plan for trip insurance keep costs low.

Mid-Range: If you can splurge a bit, budget around $1,400. This includes a mid-range hotel, a food tour, a couple of museum visits, dining out for $50 per day, taking the bus and metro, and purchasing the Standard insurance plan.

Luxury: For a more lavish experience, aim for $4,000+. This covers staying in a five-star hotel, dining at fancier restaurants, taking a day trip, and engaging in additional activities. This comprehensive budget ensures a luxurious and memorable Parisian adventure.

So, for a 3-day trip to Paris, solo travelers can expect to spend around $900 on a budget, $1,400 for a mid-range experience, and upwards of $4,000 for a luxury getaway.

My Total Paris Trip Cost Breakdown

If you are curious about my spending for my time alone in Paris, I have detailed it below.

Hotel for Three Nights	€480
Breakfasts	€36
Lunches with 1 glass of wine	€81
Dinners with 2 glasses of wine	€114
Train Pass	€39.60
Orly Bus Ticket Round Trip	€22
Mid Day Lattes (3)	€24
Museum Pass + River Cruise	€97
Travel Insurance	€65
Flight from Lisbon	€125
Total	€1083.60

Read Next: 3 Day Solo Trip Itinerary for Paris

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