How To Plan an Epic Trip to Paris on a Budget

Paris was the first international city I ever traveled to solo nearly a decade ago — and it’s held a special place in my heart ever since. I learned to live there on a shoestring budget as an international exchange student that summer, but when I returned to Paris most recently last winter, I had a bit more financial wiggle room and could experience the city with added comfort.

While Paris is known as one of the most expensive cities in Europe, you don’t need to spend a fortune to soak up the magic of the City of Light. Here’s my detailed guide to exploring Paris on a budget — all without sacrificing the best parts.

Look for Flight Deals With Points and Miles

Thanks to a wide range of nonstop flights from major U.S. cities, there is an abundance of routes to Paris that you can book with points and miles. You can fly to either Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) or Paris Orly Airport (ORY) from the following U.S. cities, though some routes are seasonal: Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Cincinnati (CVG), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Salt Lake City (SLC), Seattle (SEA), and San Francisco (SFO).

If you can’t snag a good deal from your desired airport, it might be worth booking a separate flight to another city with better award availability — a strategy known as taking a positioning flight.

All 3 major U.S. legacy carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines — as well as JetBlue, offer flights to Paris. Several international airlines also serve these routes, including Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, French Bee, Norse Atlantic Airways, and La Compagnie.

How To Book a Flight to Paris With Points and Miles

By far, the SkyTeam Alliance airlines (Air France and Delta) offer the most flights to Paris. By leveraging the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program, you can find the best points and miles deals on SkyTeam flights. Round-trip flights to Paris can be booked for as little as 24,000 Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points and approximately $440 in taxes and fees:

Best of all, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is a 1:1 transfer partner of every major transferable points program: American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Wells Fargo Rewards.

The Air France-KLM Flying Blue program does charge a bit more miles for those same economy tickets — typically starting at 15,000 miles — but the upside is slightly lower taxes and fees. Where Flying Blue really shines, though, is with one-way business class redemptions. You can often snag these for as low as 60,000 miles plus roughly $230 in taxes and fees. Plus, since Flying Blue partners with all major transferable points programs, it’s incredibly easy to top off your balance.

The Oneworld alliance features both American Airlines and Air Tahiti Nui, each offering nonstop service to Paris. American’s AAdvantage program frequently has the most competitive economy award rates, with one-way flights starting at just 27,000 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees. If you’re eyeing premium economy seats, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a great option, with one-way awards beginning at 35,000 miles and $18.10 in taxes and fees.

For United flights to Paris, it’s often better to book through Star Alliance partner Air Canada Aeroplan. Economy awards typically go for about 30,000 miles and around $60 in taxes and fees, while business class redemptions average 80,000 miles and $95 one-way.

JetBlue TrueBlue also offers solid value, with round-trip tickets to Paris available from just 34,000 points and $127 in taxes and fees. That said, JetBlue’s service to Paris is limited to its Northeast hubs in New York and Boston.

Hot Tip:

Using an award search tool like Seats.aero can make finding the best deals with points and miles for your desired travel dates a whole lot easier!

Low-cost carriers such as French Bee and Norse Atlantic Airways typically aren’t available through points and miles programs, but they can offer attractive cash fares. For a more upscale experience, La Compagnie — an all-business-class airline — sometimes runs flash sales, with round-trip tickets starting as low as $2,200.

How To Find the Best Hotel Deals in Paris

When visiting Paris, seasons matter. Summer is by far the most expensive season, with both flight and hotel prices soaring whether you’re paying in cash or miles. For more budget-friendly rates, aim for the fall or spring, when the weather is still pleasant and crowds are thinner. Even winter can offer excellent deals if you’re up for layering and a cozier Parisian experience.

For added savings, I’d encourage travelers to look beyond the heart of the city. As a quick geography tip for first-timers, Paris is shaped like a spiral (locals like to say it resembles an escargot) and divided into 20 numbered arrondissements, beginning in the center and moving outward in a clockwise pattern.

In my opinion, the 14th arrondissement is highly underrated — it’s my go-to neighborhood for affordable, charming stays. It offers a truly local vibe that’s well-connected to the rest of the city via the Metro.

With these tips in mind, let’s take a look at a few hotels you can book, whether with cash or points.

Best Western Montparnasse

During a recent trip to Paris, I stumbled upon my new favorite budget-friendly hotel in the 14th arrondissement: the Best Western Bretagne Montparnasse. For a standard guest room, the starting rate of $200 is really hard to beat.

From the outside, you might not even realize it’s a hotel — its unassuming facade blends right in with the charming street lined with fromageries, boulangeries, and neighborhood cafés.

With just 44 guest rooms, the hotel offers a warm, personalized experience. There’s a cozy lounge area on the first floor with unlimited coffee and tea from a local company just down the street, plus a convenient water bottle refill station. For a recent family trip (4 adults), we booked the larger top-floor room, which featured a loft layout with a king-size bed, 1 twin bed on the main level, and 2 twin beds upstairs for just $400 per night.

Since we spent most of our time exploring the city, the Best Western Montparnasse made for the perfect home base. Pro tip: The Vietnamese restaurant across the street is both delicious and affordable. Also, keep an eye out for Armel at the front desk — he bakes fresh croissants for breakfast! I can’t wait to come stay here every time I visit Paris.

Some travel credit cards come with hotel statement credits that can help make your next trip more affordable. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card offers a $50 annual hotel statement credit when booking through Chase Travel, among other incredible travel benefits (rates & fees). While that’s not a huge amount of savings, it can help lower the cost at a budget hotel like the Best Western Bretagne Montparnasse, especially if you’re only spending a few days in Paris.

BEST BEGINNER CARD

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
• 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile

The Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile features nearly 1,000 guest rooms. Situated near the edge of the city in the 17th arrondissement, it’s still within walking distance of the iconic Champs-Élysées — often referred to as the most beautiful avenue in the world.

As a World of Hyatt Category 5 property, standard room redemptions start at 17,000 points on off-peak dates, 20,000 points on standard dates, and 23,000 points during peak periods. An important note about this particular hotel: Award availability can be quite limited, as rooms booked with points tend to go quickly.

This hotel is a smart choice if you’re planning your Paris getaway well in advance — especially if you have World of Hyatt Globalist status, which grants complimentary breakfast access in the Regency Club. (Alternatively, you could enjoy the same perks if a Globalist member gifts you a Guest of Honor award.)

You can earn World of Hyatt points in a pinch by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points or Bilt Rewards Points to the hotel program instantly at a 1:1 rate. The Bilt Mastercard has a $0 annual fee (rates & fees) and should be on your radar if you want to earn points on your rent, up to 100,000 points per calendar year, with no transaction fees. Just remember to use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points (rewards & benefits).

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Bilt Mastercard

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Apply Now(at Bilt's secure site)

Bilt Mastercard

Welcome Offer

No offer available

No offer available

Annual Fee

$0

APR

See Rate & Fees

Why We Like This Card

Never before has there been a credit card built specifically with renters in mind. Enter the Bilt Mastercard, designed specifically to help renters earn rewards on their rent payments with no transaction fees.

Of course, aside from rewards on rent, there are many other solid features that the card offers that add extra value to cardholders. In this guide, we provide a complete breakdown of everything the Bilt Card has to offer to help you decide whether the card makes sense for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points per $1 at restaurants
• 2x points per $1 on travel booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies
• 1x point per $1 on rent payments, without a transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year

Cons

• Does not offer a welcome bonus
• Must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• $0 Annual Fee
• Earn 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
• Earns 3x points on dining
• Earn 2x points on travel
• Earn 1x points on other purchases
• Earn double points on the first of each month (excluding rent, up to 1,000 bonus points)
• Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points
• Earn up to 5x Bilt points on Lyft rides when you link your Bilt account and pay with your Bilt card
• Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent payments, statement credits, toward a down payment on a home, etc.
• Select “Learn More” to learn more about the product features, terms, and conditions

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Rate & Fees
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Hilton Garden Inn Paris La Villette

The Hilton Garden Inn Paris La Villette is one of the most wallet-friendly Hilton properties you can book using Hilton Honors points. In the 19th arrondissement, this hotel offers a simple, clean, and comfortable stay and is well-connected by public transportation, making it easy to reach major attractions. An added bonus: the rooms are more spacious than you typically find in Paris at this price point.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express is one of the most iconic travel cards that offers a strong welcome bonus offer. In addition to earning Membership Rewards points, the Amex Platinum card comes with a long list of travel and everyday benefits that can make the $695 annual fee feel a bit more down to earth (rates & fees).

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel^® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel^®.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• With American Express Global Lounge Collection^® eligible Card Members can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion^® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club^® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express^® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Use the dedicated CLEAR Lane to confirm your identity without taking out your passport or ID – this can mean shorter lines, less waiting. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card^®.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• $695 annual fee.¤
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

What’s great about Amex Membership Rewards points is that you can transfer them to Hilton Honors at a unique 1:2 ratio. That means for every 1 Amex point you get 2 Hilton points. With the Hilton Garden Inn Paris La Villette often pricing at 50,000 Hilton points per night, you could potentially book a room for just 25,000 Amex points — an excellent deal for a solid Paris stay.

Here’s where it gets even better, though. By enrolling in complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status through the Amex Platinum card, you get your fifth consecutive award night free. That means you can stay 5 nights at a Hilton property while only paying for 4. For example, a 5-night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn Paris La Villette would cost 200,000 Hilton Honors points — or just 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points when transferred.

Budgeting for a Paris Vacation

You’ve got your flights and hotels booked, but now what? Here’s a guide to filling your days in Paris on a budget, and we’ll add up the total cost.

Use Public Transportation

The Paris metro allows locals and tourists to reach all parts of the city with relative ease. A single ride costs €2.15 (about $2.30) on the Paris Metro, but you can also pay for a book of 10 tickets for €17.35 (about $18.75) for even greater savings.

You can even take public transportation to get from the airport to your accommodation in Paris. In all, taking public transportation and Paris’ walkable nature will allow you to cut costs when exploring.

Take Advantage of Free or Low-Cost Activities

Paris often conjures images of luxury and elegance, but there’s also a more grounded side, too. On a nice day, you could easily spend hours enjoying a picnic along the Seine or relaxing in the Champs de Mars near the Eiffel Tower.

A walk through the Jardin du Luxembourg is equally charming. For a free and invigorating workout, climbing to the Sacré-Cœur is a must-do, with incredible views as your reward.

Hot Tip:

Leave room in your itinerary to wander — Paris is best experienced on foot, so resist the urge to overschedule and let the city guide you.

Buy a Museum Pass

Paris is home to some of the best museums in the world, and understandably, you’d want to visit most of them. Purchasing a Paris Museum Pass can be a smart way to save money on your visits, giving you access to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie (my personal favorite), and so much more. There are 3 types of passes available:

• 2 days: €70 (about $75)
• 4 days: €90 (about $100)
• 6 days: €90 (about $120)

Find Affordable Eats

Paris may be known for its high-end dining, but it’s equally rich in casual spots and charming cafés that won’t strain your wallet. For just a few euros, you can grab a warm baguette, a flaky quiche, or a simple yet satisfying sandwich. Alternatively, you can even build your own picnic — pick up fresh produce at a local grocery store and pair it with slices of flavorful cheese from a nearby fromagerie.

When eating out, look for restaurants with prix-fixe menus — these fixed-price meals usually include 2 to 4 courses and can be a great way to enjoy a full dining experience without overspending, particularly during lunchtime. And while French cuisine takes center stage, Paris is incredibly diverse, offering fantastic food from all over the world. You’ll find delicious and affordable options from West African, Lebanese, and Vietnamese kitchens, just to name a few.

At the end of the day, steer clear of eateries in tourist areas. Instead, explore the quieter arrondissements, where you’ll find authentic French cuisine at more affordable prices.

Total Cost

There are many factors that can affect the cost of a 5-day trip to Paris, but we’ll break it down for a sample trip. For this estimate, we’ll assume you book a round-trip flight to Paris using points—conservatively valuing it at 50,000 points — and that a 5-night hotel stay costs around 100,000 points.

Fortunately, by applying for just 1 card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you can earn most of those points by scoring the welcome bonus offer: Earn 60,000 points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Additionally, you should set aside at least $100 per day for food, activities, and transportation, or $500 total. By redeeming points for the flight and hotel, you would only have to budget for day-to-day costs!

Final Thoughts

Paris will always be one of my favorite cities, and each time I visit, I leverage the tips in this guide to make my trip a little bit more affordable. Points and miles can help you book expensive flights for a fraction of the cost, and the same principle goes for accommodations.