8 ways to cut the cost of a holiday to Paris

1. Embrace the free stuff

In early 2024 it was announced that tickets for the Eiffel Tower will increase by 20%. Thankfully Paris, it turns out, is the land of free fun.

Our advice? Swap the (overpriced) observatory for the tower’s free hourly light show, which you can admire from ground level. Bring a picnic blanket and some vino and bag a spot on the flowerbed-filled Parc du Champ de Mars to enjoy the evening show.

Other free activities in Paris include strolling along the 4.5km (2.8 miles) La Promenade Plantée, Paris’ version of New York’s High Line; meandering around the tomb, vault and sculpture-filled Père Lachaise Cemetery (the resting place of Frédéric Chopin, Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison); and getting your art fix at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.

2. Go east

East Paris is a brilliant base for travellers on a budget. To start with, it’s where you’ll find one of its top free attractions, the Père Lachaise Cemetery.

Stay here (in East Paris, not the cemetery, to be clear) and you’ll also be close to the historic Place de la Bastille site and a few metres from the beautiful Ménilmontant neighbourhood, famous for its cobbled streets, leafy boulevards and boho vibe.

It’s also where you’ll find some of Paris’ cheapest hotels, such as Mama Shelter East Paris, which has a stunning rooftop bar. Double rooms start from just £101 on a room-only basis.

3. Book a free walking tour

There are dozens of free walking tours on offer in Paris, but the original (and one of the best) is the pay-what-you-feel tours by Sandemans New Europe. Choose from two-hour explorations of neighbourhoods such as foodie paradise, Montmartre, or get a history fix in the Latin Quarter.

Alternatively, try the more personalised experience offered by Paris Greeters. Perfect for returning visitors to Paris, these tailor made tours match you up with a local guide to show you around their neighbourhood, all for free. It’s less about history and museums and more about getting a feel for an area you may not have considered visiting!

4. Purchase a Paris Passlib'

The Paris Passlib' is the kind of flexible friend we love. In a nutshell, it’s a city pass that’s easy to customise, and there are five versions available: Mini (designed for first-time visitors keen to tick off the big hitters), Culture, City, Explore and Explore+.

Be sure to check the prices of the included attractions to get the most value for your money – to not lose out, your best bet is to use the pass for the biggest (read: most expensive) sights and pay for smaller museums individually.

5. Make a beeline for Kiosque Théâtre

It’s pretty much a crime to visit Paris without seeing a show but it’s easy to be put off by the cost of tickets.

Instead, stop by one of Paris’ two Kiosque Théâtre ticket booths (you’ll find one on the Place de la Madeleine and another in the centre of Montparnasse) to snap up half price tickets to operas, theatre performances and pop concerts.

The only catch? All the tickets, which sell for between £13 and £20, are for shows taking place that day, so keep your diary free.

6. Snack on street food

Yes, Paris has some of the world’s finest restaurants but it’s worth pointing out that it’s also the birthplace of wallet-friendly snacks such as the pain au chocolat and the croque monsieur.

Almost all boulangeries will sell a jambon-beurre (ham and butter sandwich) for a couple of euros, and crêpes are equally affordable. Try Montparnasse’s Mardi Crêpe Club to choose from more than 50 fillings.

Paris is also known for its fantastic Middle Eastern cuisine. Whether you’re a fan of falafel or have a craving for a kebab, consider getting your fix on Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, in the 10th Arrondissement – this is where you’ll find some fantastic Middle Eastern street food.

7. Support Paris’s upcoming chefs

Fine dining in Paris doesn’t have to cost the earth. The city’s culinary schools produce some of the world’s best chefs, and many of these schools have in-house restaurants.

Our favourites include the École de Paris des Métiers de la Table, where a fixed-price lunch at the school’s training restaurant, La Fontaine, costs just £22, while the Lycée Jean Drouant à Paris has two training restaurants, Julien François and Atelier Bartholdi. Set menus start from just £15.

8. Be a savvy shopper

Partial to a spot of retail therapy? You’re in the right place – but the best shopping areas in Paris aren’t necessarily in the designer store-lined Place Vendôme or the equally expensive Avenue des Champs-Élysées (although the food hall in the Galeries Lafayette department store is a great place to snaffle some free samples).

This is a city famous for its flea markets, so you’ve got a good chance of walking away with a bargain. Head to Rue des Rosiers to pick up some trinkets at the markets in Marche Biron and Marche Dauphine. At the Porte de Clignancourt, in the 18th Arrondissement, the highlight is Marché aux puces de Paris Saint-Ouen, where antiques dealers set up over 1,700 stalls.

Remember to check dates and times – many of these markets only run on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but some are open throughout the week.

*All prices correct as of 9 August 2024.