Vacation In Paris
Paris was the right choice for us. Do not get me wrong, it was the perfect choice because we had the best time. We stayed in a 5 star hotel and made many new friends. The food was amazing, we walked so much that our shoes broke, and it was just down right exciting when we got to see the Eiffel Tower lit up at night as we sailed through the streets. What more could you ask for?
I will be traveling to Paris next week and I’m very excited. One of the world’s most romantic cities, a vacation in Paris is relaxing, fun, and filled with memorable experiences. Today I want to share some tips for surviving your visit to Paris. The first one is to not get mugged by scammers or pickpockets or anything like that.
Perhaps the most classic of all French capital cities, Paris is known for its wide variety of tourist attractions, from cultural sites like the Louvre to amusement parks such as Disneyland Paris. Stroll along the Champs-Elysees or hike through its forests and into the heart of nature after visiting one of its great museums, an idea that should culminate in a stroll along the Seine at night as you enjoy a warm baguette fresh from the oven.
So what should you do if you’re looking for a quick getaway from it all? Paris is a great option. With plenty to explore, this city has something for every person — be it history lovers, shopaholics, foodies, or culture vultures.
Every year, over 30 million tourists visit Paris, and that number has more than doubled in a little over a decade. Those figures are not surprising, even if you have never been to Paris in person. The capital of France is a fantasy vacation destination for millions of people. The stunning beauty of this legendary city is undeniable.
Vacation In Paris
Unfortunately, despite its popularity as a worldwide tourist destination, you and your bank account might be in denial about just how much a trip to Paris costs.
The Short Answer
So how much is a trip to Paris anyway?
That question does not have a definitive answer. For experienced budget travelers, it might be enough to get by with a Paris trip budget of $1,000-$1,500 USD for a five-day trip and just shy of $2,000 for one week.
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However, if you are trying to get the most out of your experience, including things like day trips, private tours, swanky hotel rooms, and a Paris food tour, you might consider as high as $4,000+ for a five-day luxury trip.
This doesn’t even begin to take into account fluctuating round trip flight costs and hotel pricing, which may dramatically increase the total cost of your Paris travel budget.
Paris holds a secure spot as one of the must-see tourist attractions in Europe.
Given the city’s notoriety, the price of a trip to the French capital can quickly multiply.
Still, the stereotypically expensive City of Lights can still be a practical vacation destination with thorough planning and plenty of personal flexibility.
While we will try our best to give you a full picture of a Parisian vacation budget, it is nearly impossible to pin down real-world numbers for reference without specifics.
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The Truth About Planning a Trip to Paris
It can be hard to outline the average price of a Paris trip because of the many variables like time of year, where you stay, current exchange rate, and what you plan on doing while you are there.
If you want to make a realistic Paris budget plan, it’s best to know exactly what you want out of your Parisian vacation well in advance.
With a plan in hand, you can budget appropriately, and throughout this guide, you will find information on how to anticipate just how much you will end up spending on your vacation.
Things to Consider
No two Paris vacations will look the same, and that is especially true when it comes to budgets and price ranges.
If you do choose to visit Paris, you will find that the city is surprisingly affordable to get into compared to other cities in the region.
The capital’s position in central Europe means it’s well connected to many other European cities by train, so if you are planning on seeing more of the continent, Paris is a great place to start.
Always plan accordingly and come to terms with the fact that you might spend more money than originally estimated. You will surely find activities and purchases that take you by surprise in a city as diverse as Paris.
Alternatively, you might even find yourself in an emergency involving an injury or damage to property. It never hurts to set aside a little extra cash.
About 10 percent of your Paris vacation budget can be safeguarded for impulse spending, and to safeguard against accidents and mishaps.
PRO TIP: When traveling to Paris, or anywhere in Europe, keep in mind that you are not usually expected to tip at bars and some other establishments. If you do choose to tip, you certainly don’t have to pay the standard US rate of 15 percent. In France, where workers are paid a living wage and tips are a literal gratuity, a 5 percent tip is generally considered to be a great tip. There! Saving money already!
Flights
The millions of people who visit Paris every year mostly arrive by plane through either Paris Orly Airport or Charles de Gaulle Airport.
No matter where you are coming from, you shouldn’t have much trouble booking a flight to the French capital.
As a major European travel hub, if you begin looking ahead of time and scour the internet for ticket sales, you can potentially score a sweet deal on your Parisian airfare. If you can afford to be a bit more flexible with your arrival and departure dates, you could potentially save some money as well.
Even flying a day or two earlier (or later) can make all the difference.
Some travel credit cards offer flier miles you can cash in to fly to Paris. You might also save some money by using free miles from an airline loyalty membership.