Paris travel guide for budget travellers.
Paris, the city of love and art.
Paris is one of the most famous cities in the world and attracts millions of travelers every year. I’ll guide you to make a budget travel plan to the capital city of France. There are a lot of historical buildings and museums in Paris. Paris is also known as the city of romance and stores its traditional culture simultaneously.
Let me be honest with you, the Paris budget trip would not be like any other South Asian country trip. The city is expensive and you must make a proper travel plan before visiting Paris. There are many ways to save some money while you are in Paris and we’ll discuss them in this Paris travel guide.
Things to know
Time zone: Paris, France (GMT+1)
Currency: Euro, (Current exchange rate)
Languages: French
Country calling code: +33
Tourist police helpline: 112
What is the best time to visit Paris?
The best time to visit Paris is all around the year, you will find crowds throughout the year. It all depends on your personal choice and your budget. If you don’t like crowds you can visit Paris during the winter and you will find prices are low from November till March.
Summers are the peak tourist time in Paris and hotel prices go drastically high. May to September are the warmest months in Paris and also the best time to visit. If budget is not a concern for you, please plan your Paris travel during summer to experience the best of the city. You can take references from this Paris travel guide to understanding local destinations in the city.
How to reach Paris?
Paris Charles de Gaulle international airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It has connectivity from all around the world and operates flights for all major cities. So, if you are flying from your home country, you can directly reach Paris.
Paris has good road and train connectivity to other European countries. If you are already in Europe and traveling to Paris, please book the bus or train ticket in advance. The ticket price of the bus and train goes high if you book the ticket close to your travel date. Euro rail pass is another best option for you to reach from one city to another in European countries.
Online ticket booking
Flights: Air France
Trains: Eurail
How many days are sufficient in Paris?
The French capital offers a lot to its visitors and never disappoints. If you are a first-time visitor then please plan for at least 4-5 days. There is a lot to see in the city and its neighborhood. There are museums and some iconic buildings which will take some time to visit.
You should also enjoy the nightlife of Paris and experience the world’s most popular tower, the Eiffel Tower. Because you will be there for the first time you would need some time to get used to city life. Traveling from one part to another can be tricky for you, so keep sufficient time with you to explore Paris. In this Paris travel guide, I’ll discuss the kind of tourist places this city has so that you can plan the number of days required.
How to get around in Paris?
The capital city has a well-organized transportation system. There are many options available to get around in Paris. You can plan your mode of transportation based on your location and budget. If budget is not a concern for you then I would recommend a taxi, you can book an app-based taxi which will take you to the destination.
The cheapest and fastest mode of transportation is Paris Metro. Metro connectivity is very good and available all around the city. There are regional trains, Montmartre Funicular, and Trams available in Paris. Buses are one of the most popular modes of transportation in Paris. You can also use cycles If you want to roam in one locality. There are different types of passes available in Paris, which you can use based on your travel plans.
Paris local transportation passes
Local transportation: RATP
Bicycle rent: Online booking
Which currency can we use in Paris?
Euro is widely used in most European countries and you can use it in France also. If you have just landed in Paris then you can convert your local currency at the airport if you have not carried it with you. There are many currency exchange stores available at the airport. You can also use a debit card to withdraw Euro from any ATM available at Airport or in the city.
Currency exchange store in Paris
Cen-Change
Address: 70 Bd de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 9 am to 7:30 pm
contact: +33140 050711
Change De La Bourse
Address: 28 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
contact: +33140 281111
APS change et OR Agence Friedland
Address: 30 Av. de Friedland, 75008 Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
contact: +33145 724262
Where to stay in Paris first time?
When you think of Paris, the first image that appears is The Iconic Eiffel Tower. If you want to stay close to the Eiffel Tower 7th arrondissement would be the best option for your stay. The popular neighborhood is within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. There are many other popular streets and historical architecture around this place.
If you are a first-time visitor to Paris, the other best place to stay is in Louvre and Bourse neighborhoods. There are many restaurants available in this locality and it’s close to many historical sights in the city. Boat and cruise rides are available within a walking distance and you will find many hostels in this area.
Budget hotels for first-time visitors
Hôtel La Sanguine
Address: 6 Rue de Surène, 75008 Paris, France (location)
Contact: +33142 657161
Hotel Meslay Republique
Address: 3 Rue Meslay, 75003 Paris, France (location)
Contact: +33142 727979
Hotel Le Bellechasse Saint Germain
Address: 38 Rue de Bellechasse, 75007 Paris, France (location)
Contact: +33145 502231
5 best places to visit in Paris
Paris, the city of Love has several attractions and it’s very difficult to pick the best place. The city is the center of Persian Art and culture and is known as the fashion capital of the world. So, I have picked some of the best attractions in this Paris travel guide which you must explore on your next trip.
Eiffel Tower is a symbol of love
Eiffel Tower is not just an iconic structure in Paris but is also popular as a symbol of love. There are thousands of couples who propose to each other under the beautiful Eiffel. Named after the French engineer Gustave Eiffel this tower are a landmark in Paris and an example of modern engineering and art. If you want to see the Eiffel Tower at its best, please watch this tower in the evening.
Once the lights and beacon are lit up, you can see the mesmerizing beauty of the Eiffel Tower. There is no entry fee to access the garden of the tower, you just have to cross the security check to enter. But if you want to go to the top of the observation deck then you will have to pay the entry fee. Entry ticket prices start from 5.20 euros for kids to 25.90 euros for adults depending on which floor you want to visit.
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 10:45 pm
Entry fee: Start from € 11.30 (Online ticket)
Contact: +33892 701239
Musée du Louvre is the place that stores French history
If Paris is the center of art then the Musée du Louvre is the place that stores the history of the city of art. This museum has over 380,000 pieces of artwork and displays around 35,000 best artworks. There are eight curatorial departments available in the museum and each one of them contains the traditional art and culture of France.
Musée du Louvre used to be the Royal Palace and served the kingdom for over two centuries. The French revolutionary government decided to open this as a public museum to witness human civilization and culture which is 1,000 years old. You’ll have to pay 17 euros as an entry fee to this museum.
Address: Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm (Friday: 9am–9:45pm, Tuesday: Closed)
Entry fee: Start from € 15 (Online ticket)
Contact: +33140 205050
Notre Dame Cathedral is the finest example of French Gothic architecture
The finest example of French Gothic architecture, Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most visited destinations in Paris. This cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and showcases the best middle ages architecture. The 850-year-old landmark is a massive church famous for its woodwork and iconic spire.
The church is closed for now because of the fire incident which destroyed it in 2019. You can now visit the cathedral’s parvis which is now open to the public. The French government is expecting to reopen it by 2024 just at the time of the Olympic Games in Paris. There is no entry fee to the Notre Dame Cathedral.
Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Pl. Jean-Paul II, Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: Temporarily closed (Current information)
Entry fee: NA
Contact: +33142 345610
Musée d’Orsay stores the collection of Impressionist paintings
Musée d’Orsay is famous among art and painting lovers. The museum stores a collection of Impressionist paintings. You should visit this museum if you want to witness the paintings of Edouard Manet and Claude Monet the famous French artist. The Museum has over 2,000 paintings and 600 sculptures at the showcase.
You need to pay the entry fee to visit this museum and tickets are available online as well as at the ticket counter. The online booking charges are 2 euros extra for the ticket price at the museum. The ticket cost starts from 10 euros to 16 euros, depending on the time of visit.
Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 6 pm (Monday: Closed)
Entry fee: Start from € 14 (Online ticket)
Contact: +33140 494814
Sacré-Coeur is a famous Roman Catholic Church
Sacré-Coeur is a famous Roman Catholic Church and it’s dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There are millions of tourist visit this church to admire the detailed architecture of the basilica. You need around one hour to explore the beauty of Sacré-Coeur’s Dome and the Crypt.
Sacré Coeur Basilica is at the top of Montmartre hill and the view from the top is just breathtaking. You can see the panoramic view of Paris and the beautiful Eiffel Tower from the hilltop. Please keep in mind that you’ll have to climb around 300 steps to reach the viewpoint.
Address: 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, Paris, France (location)
Opening hours: 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
Entry fee: Free
Contact: +33153 418900
Important apps to download
RATP, local transportation information app
Europcar for Car rental
Uber app-based taxi
FlixBus for online bus ticket booking
Ubereat, an online food app
Google translate
Please write your thoughts about Paris Travel Guide below in the comment box. If you have a story to share, please mail us at contact@travelwithshatabdi.com.
Amsterdam, Most Tourist-Friendly City In The World.
Amsterdam is the capital city of the Netherlands and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The city is famous for its beautiful canals and dazzling nightlife.
