Paris: 3 Day Itinerary Budget Travel Guide | Cost Breakdown. Experience Paris Without Breaking the Bank. Exploring Paris on a Budget: Your Ultimate 3-Day Guide. Frugal Fun in Paris. Unlocking the Magic of Paris: Budget-Friendly Itinerary.
Bonjour smart budget traveler! In this post, we’re diving into the heart of Paris, getting on a three-day journey filled with romance, culture, and unforgettable experiences—all while staying within budget!
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**Please note that the prices are in US dollars which is why it is approximate as it will depend on the Euro exchange rate at the time of your travel.**
This itinerary isn’t for the foodie and the shopper. This is more for the explorer and the wanderer. More on the attractions and not so much on the food and shopping.
Most of my food sources are from grocery shops where I got mostly prosciutto, honey, olives, jam, fruits, gluten-free/dairy-free bread, crackers, and protein bars. I literally made my own charcuterie platter and I loved it so much!
Since I am gluten-free and dairy-free, I didn’t expect that there would be a lot of selections for me. However, to my delight, there are lots of options in most groceries. But just to be sure I have something to eat, I packed 4 bags of m vegan and gluten-free cheese crackers. This Freeyumm brand has been my all-time fave!
Some Monoprix stores have salad bars where they label all the food so you know exactly what allergens are there. They also use separate serving spoons for each to avoid cross-contamination and I loved that.
My favorite salad that I put together had salmon, quinoa, cucumber, and tomatoes. It was good and it only cost me approximately $5 for a small bowl. With a bottle of sparkling water, I barely paid $10 for my whole meal!
They also have patio seating. So if you made your salad and want to enjoy the outdoors, this is a great option! I enjoyed Paris streets without spending more than $10 at a time.
I had my charcuterie platter for dinner almost every day at the hotel while sipping sparkling water and watching TV at the hotel. I also packed Made Good cookies from home so I can have them as my dessert.
Note that I also decided to go to Paris in March as it was shown to be the lowest airfare and hotel cost. I have tracked flight costs and March seems to be the most budget-friendly. When the prices dropped to $750, I booked right away.
Get ready to make the most of your Parisian getaway while keeping costs in check.
Before we go on, don’t forget to purchase travel insurance! Here’s a 5% off link from one of our travel partners Heymondo. Without travel insurance, you risk incurring significant expenses and disruptions to your trip that could have been avoided.
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Now let’s dive in and discover how to experience Paris on a budget!
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Paris: 3 Day Itinerary | Budget Travel | Cost Breakdown | Tips
Here’s a Canva itinerary template that you can edit and use. I made the size the same as an InstaStory so that it will fit your mobile phone as a file.
It has to be downloaded as a PDF for the address/Google Maps links to work on your device.
You can also resize it if you’d like for it to be in an 8.5 x 11″ standard PDF format. However, you will need to zoom in each time you’ll use it. With this size. It will be easily accessible on your device.
I also included the list of public washrooms around each arrondissement where I am heading.
Adding the cost of Uber will help you budget better. You can estimate how much a ride will be here.
Day 1 (around the 9th arrondissement)
-app. $50 Uber from CDG airport-
Hotel 1: R. Kipling by HappyCulture (search similar on Booking.com)
-20 minute walk-
Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre (free)
-15 minute walk-
Galeries Lafayette (free)
-10 minute walk-
Monop* (grocery store, got prosciutto, ham, honey, olives, jam, and crackers = app. $45)
-18 minute walk back to the hotel-
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Day 2 (around the 8th arrondissement)
Hotel 1: R. Kipling by HappyCulture (search similar on Booking.com)
-13 minute walk-
Hotel 2: Hotel Cervantes by HappyCulture (search similar on Booking.com)
-20 minute walk-
Monoprix (ate breakfast for app. $10)
Opera Garnier (ticket cost: app. $17)
-app. $33 Uber-
Versailles Palace (ticket cost: app $24, you can also get it here)
-app. $37 Uber-
Paris Night Bus Tour, Meeting point at the Louvre (ticket cost: app $35, search similar on GetYourGuide.com)
-30 minute walk back to the hotel-
Day 3 (still staying around the 8th arrondissement)
-app. $15 Uber from hotel-
Sainte-Chapelle/Conciergerie (combined ticket cost: app. $22)
-18 minute walk-
The Louvre (ticket cost: app. $24, you can also get it here)
-walked around the city towards the Eiffel Tower, wherever it took me, checked out stores-
Seine River Cruise, dock at the bottom of the Eiffel Tower (Ticket cost: app $30, search similar on GetYourGuide.com) – Sidenote: I chose this specific one because they have a deck outside without the glass window.
-5 minute walk-
Eiffel Tower (explored the area around, marveled, hung out, and just enjoyed the vibe)
-2 minute walk around the Av. de la Bourdonnais (great spot for photos!)
Les Amours Paris (dinner: app. $35, ordered mussels meal that came with fries and pop)
-app. $14 Uber back to hotel-
// Check Hotel Prices // Check Flight Prices
Paris: 3 Day Itinerary Budget Travel | Cost Breakdown | Tips
Here are some essential tips that helped me survive my packed 3-day Paris itinerary:
- Use a phone case with a lanyard so your phone is always on you and this way people are not able to snatch it even when you are texting. If you are taking the metro where people get off and get on so quickly, this will help you keep your phone safe.
- Fanny packs, especially the smaller ones are great for keeping your passport and wallet
- Keychain alarms with flashlight are always handy to have
- Have a separate tote to carry around to throw in all your things that are not as valuable (snacks, umbrella, etc.)
- Uber is a great way to get around if you are not into figuring out the metro. I am not very well with the metro (subway) and I found that being underground in a foreign country stresses me out. I am okay with investing in an Uber trip.
- Use the PIN confirmation when using Uber to ensure that you are getting on the right car
- Scams and tourist traps are very common in crowded areas and most popular attractions, my rule of thumb is not to make eye contact and if I am approached, say Non (no in French!) and walk away as fast as I can
- Multiple battery packs will always come in handy, don’t go anywhere without them
- Have a credit card with a lower limit always ready to whip out so you don’t have to keep opening your wallet every time you are about to make a purchase
- I’ve always been a big fan of Lululemon Belt Bags as they keep my passport and wallets safe and close to my body at all times. It’s also easy to take off and put back on at the airport security line
- Cruises are great when it’s almost sunset, this way, you get the first 30 minutes of sunset, and you get the night view for the next 30 minutes (saving you money and time!)
- Look for hotels that allow you to store some of your grocery items in their fridge especially if you don’t want to keep eating out
- To pack your day with activities, always have small sandwiches, snacks, and water bottles handy with you
- Grocery stores surprisingly carry quite a good selection of gluten-free products, even dairy alternatives which is amazing
- Have a list of local (Paris) emergency numbers, as well as the local embassy, just in case
- Knowing super basic French words can help. Bonjour is a definite must to start any conversation. If you are going shopping or checking out ingredients, familiarize yourself with the most generic interaction like paying using a credit card, asking for a bag, saying yes, no, thank you, bye, please, and of course, hello (bonjour!)
- Always pack an umbrella, rain or shine, it will be helpful for you. It’s also a great self-defense item should you need it for emergencies
- Tours are a great idea, however, if you want to be more agile and move fast, you might want to get timed tickets. You will not be able to skip the line like the tours can, but you can move fast and stay longer if you like without worrying about anyone. Something you can’t do when you’re part of a tour.
- Spray your shoes with waterproof spray to avoid getting soaked especially if you are traveling during spring and fall
- Since you have only 3 days to explore Paris, choose which meal you will spend eating out to maximize your time. You can do 1st day for breakfast, 2nd day for lunch, and 3rd day for dinner. This way you get to explore the city without missing out on great restaurants
- Create an itinerary on your phone with the address of each destination linked to Google Maps. This way every time you click on it, maps open up making it easier for you to make your way around
- In between walks, I’ve found some nice and simple souvenirs. As long as you are walking between major attractions, you will always find souvenir shops
- It’s always safe and better to have an itinerary so you can have some type of structure to your Paris 3-day itinerary, however, while you are walking from one place to another, you can always enjoy the view and check out stores along the way. That’s the beauty of Paris, there is always something to check out and admire.
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Paris: 3 Day Itinerary | Budget Travel | Cost Breakdown | Tips
** This post has Amazon links and as an Amazon Associate, Peppermint & Co. Ltd. earns from qualifying purchases.
