Your One Stop Budget Guide to Paris
The French capital is one of the world’s most enchanting cities and it’s not difficult to see why. Mention Paris to anyone and the answer is immediate; Eiffel Tower, honeymoon and of course, the iconic painting, Mona Lisa. To check off Paris off your bucket list, we’ve put together a 4D3N budget guide along with several budget hacks such as the Hop-on Hop-off Paris Big Bus!
Budget Saving Hacks
1. Paris Big Bus (Hop-On Hop-Off)
To fully maximise your budget guide in Paris, we cannot do without the Hop-on Hop-off Paris Big Bus. The bus takes you right to the doorstep of many iconic Parisian attractions and you’ll get to enjoy cruising past landmarks along the way. Not only will you save money on single trips via the metro, this option definitely beats the dark and dirty train rides.
The Hop-on Hop-off Paris Big Bus mainly operate on 2 routes; the Red (Classic) route and the Blue (Montmartre) route.
We recommend taking both routes to maximise your savings while exploring more attractions in a day. Not only is it hassle-free, but you can cover Paris without wasting time on navigating!
Did we also mention you can score a further 20% of savings when you Klook a Hop-on Hop-off Paris Big Bus?
Cost: $33.39 per pax
2. Museum Paris Pass
Paired with the Museum Paris Pass, this is another budget saver you must purchase before coming to Paris. With access to more than 50 attractions inclusive of SKIP-THE-LINE privilege, you’ll get to cover more attractions within the day!
Make sure to check out our guide on the Museum Paris Pass so you can plan which attractions to drop by!
Cost: $73.19
Essentials
1. Flights from Singapore to Paris
Flight fare starts from $476 on Skyscanner with 1 stopover included (updated on September 2019). Booking early definitely helps reduce the price tag so avoid last-minute booking to save an extra few bucks!
2. Where to stay
A quick search on Agoda will bring you a series of french hotel perfect for your budget trip. We based our hotel search for 2 travellers so you can bet that there will be greater savings if you travel in a group to split up the cost!
3. Staying Connected
Getting a 4G Portable Wifi for your Paris trip has never been this easy. You can choose to pick up at Ucloudlink Office (People’s Park Centre) or if it’s too far for you, simply leave your address at the checkout page and it will be delivered to your doorstep! Talk about fuss-free!
Cost: $8 per pax
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Paris is when the weather is mild and cool. Away from the humidity at home, the best time to uncover Paris without breaking into a sweat is from April to June and October to early November. However, to take advantage of the low-peak season, you will save big bucks when you visit Paris from December to February!
Getting Around: Private Airport Transfer
Whether you’re flying to Paris straight or making a pit stop as part of your Europe itinerary, you’ll be glad to know beforehand that Paris’s traffic situation literally translates to chaos. Think gridlocked roads and screeching honks. Most Parisians are not very fluent in English as well so unless you know how to speak French, travelling in Paris can be anxiety-inducing.
Spare yourself the stress and hop on a Private Airport Transfer the moment you land in France. This pick-up service caters to a maximum of 7 pax at a fixed cost regardless of where your hotel is!
Cost: $16.12 per pax
Now that you have your essentials sorted out, here’s a budget itinerary to maximise your stay in Paris!
DAY 1
11AM – 1PM: Chill out at Jardin du Luxembourg
Photo credits: dancingnomad3 on Flickr
Hailed as one of the most magnificent and beautiful gardens in Paris, the Luxembourg Garden was requested by Queen Marie de Medic, the widow of King Henry IV of France. Thanks to her, travellers from all over the globe can enjoy the stunning flower foliage anytime at a 17th century palace!
Right out of a vintage movie, this french courtyard is also a great place to truly live the life of a Parisian. We recommend an afternoon picnic during the warmer weather, indulge in a good book or simply take a refreshing power nap.
Address: 75006 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 7am to 7pm (depending on the season)
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Notre Dame (red route)
1.30PM – 2.30PM: Fill your tummy at Maison Mulot Saint Germain des Prés
Photo credits: marionadecouvert
Holler if you love pastry as much as we do! Just a stone thrown away from the Luxembourg Garden, we may have found the best pastry shop in Paris. This bakery has been serving pastries since 1975, with ready-made pies and meals freshly prepared daily.
Photo credits: marionadecouvert
There really is no one signature pastry because all of them taste so good! But if I have to zero it down to a few options, you should definitely opt for their warm apple tarts, chocolate eclairs and macarons! If you’re tongue-tied with French, simply point and ask in English and their friendly staff will assist you in a jiffy.
Address: 76 rue de Seine, 75006 Paris France
Opening Hours: 7am to 8pm
Cost: varies, 5 euro to 20 euro ($8 to $30)
3PM – 5PM: Get Bang For Your Buck at Saint Ouen Flea Market
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
Not many places are as proud of their flea markets as Paris! The trick to getting the best vintage loot at rock bottom prices is to wander deep into the Saint Ouen Flea Market. From cheap souvenirs to an assortment of faded jeans, posh home decor and the quaintest trinkets, shopping at Paris’ flea markets will be an exciting expedition on its own!
Address: Rue des Rosiers, 75018 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm on Saturday, 10am to 6pm on Sunday and 11am to 5pm on Monday
5.30PM – 7PM: Update your Instagram at 59 Rivoli
Photo credits: Jeanne Menjoulet on Flickr
Paris has a knack for reviving even the dirtiest streets into the next flourishing hotspot for tourists. If you’re looking for a switch from Paris’s city landscapes, Rivoli 59 is one insta-backdrop to revamp your IG game. Head in and check out over 50 artists’ brilliant masterpieces splattered across every nook and cranny of the building!
#Klooktip: There are FREE weekly concerts (jazz, classical…) to look out for during the weekends guaranteed to give you an eargasm so make sure to plan your visits accordingly!
Address: 59 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 1pm to 8pm from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Notre Dame (red route) and walk for less than 10 minutes
After 7.30PM: Fine Dining on a budget: Le Bouillon Chartier
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
Le Bouillon Chartier sure looks expensive, but did you know that this Parisian establishment is a true budget paradise? Main courses are priced at a low of 10 euro (Great news for us!) and this includes steaks, lambs and other kinds of premium poultry! For an average of 8.50 euro to 13.50 euro, fine dining has never been this affordable in modern age Paris!
Address: 7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 12am
Cost: 8.50 euro – 13.50 euro ($13 to $20)
DAY 2
11AM – 12PM: Sandwich at Apollon
Photo credits: Apollon
Apollon serves one of the best sandwiches of all times and at a budget tag too. Imagine thick slices of bacon, hot crunchy fries and juicy bits of tomatoes! The Greek restaurant also serves Greek salad as well if you’re watching your diet. For a truly budget experience, make sure to order takeaway as it costs more to eat in!
Cost: 5 euro ($7.50)
12.30PM – 1.30PM: Head up close to the iconic Eiffel Tower
Photo credits: @neontacks on Instagram
Did you really go to Paris if you didn’t make time to see the iconic Eiffel Tower? A fun fact: the ‘Iron Lady’ was once decked in a series of colors to stay ahead of the trends; maroon, followed by a musty yellow and today, the classic ‘eiffel brown’ we’re all used to!
Everyday from sunset to an hour after midnight, the Eiffel Tower is illuminated with what seems like a thousand lights. Pack a picnic mat and camp out under the stars with bae!
Address: Champ de Mars, 5 Avenue Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 9am to 12.45am
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Tour Eiffel (red route)
1.30PM – 3PM: Your Eiffel photoshoot location at Jardins du Trocadéro
Just across the Eiffel Tower is the majestic Trocadéro, the most popular spot to pose with the Eiffel Tower. The Trocadéro not only grants you a panoramic view of the renowned tower, you can also catch a group of regular street buskers grooving away!
Photo credits: Kazuhisa Togo on Flickr
Come during summer and watch as the front of the Trocadéro turns into a splashing playground! Put on some shades, frolic and lay back in this makeshift water park without a care in the world.
Address: Place du Trocadéro 75016 Paris
Opening Hours: 24 hours
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Tour Eiffel (red route) and walk for less than 10 minutes
3.30PM – 6.30PM: Visit Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum
(Visit With The Paris Museum Pass)
Photo credits: @neontacks on Instagram
The portrait of Mona Lisa is specially located in a hall all on its own, which goes to show just how popular the art piece is. To escape the crowd, make sure to visit early in the morning before the lunch.
While we can’t guarantee if you get to have the entire hall to yourself, the Paris Museum Pass offers skip-the-line privilege so you don’t have to waste time in the queue!
Photo credits: Waves on Flickr
The Louvre also showcases thousands of other note-worthy art pieces such as The Raft of The Medusa and The Wedding At Cana so be sure to set aside 2 to 3 hours of your time in this museum.
If you haven’t gotten the Paris Museum Pass, you can still Klook your tickets to The Louvre with perks like priority access!
Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 9am to 6pm on Monday to Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday, 9am to 9.45pm on Wednesday and Friday only.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Louvre-Pont des Arts (red route)
After 7PM: The juiciest Hamburger at Blend
Just a 10 minutes walk from the Louvre Museum, Blend serves a tender and juicy burger, paired with sweet potato fries. You can also opt for their thick and velvety cheesecakes for just 4 euros for a sweet ending to your day!
Cost: 10 euros ($15)
DAY 3
11AM – 1PM: Travel back in time to the Roman reign at the Pantheon
(Visit With The Paris Museum Pass)
Photo credits: missbossy on Flickr
Photo credits: Gary Campbell-Hall on Flickr
Photo credits: @neontacks on Instagram
The Pantheon is the only structure that has survived through the history of raids and devastation across the centuries. The top of the church remains the most fascinating facet of the entire dome so be sure to look up and snap a photo! This is one must-visit place if you’re interested in Paris’ heritage under the Roman reign.
If you did not purchase the Paris Museum Pass, you can still get your tickets to Pantheon with skip-the-line privilege!
Address: Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 7.15pm
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Notre Dame (red route)
2PM – 3PM: A hearty brunch at Indiana Cafe
Photo credits: @laurainem on Instagram
Before heading to the City of Bones (read on to find out!), make a pit stop at the Indiana Cafe which is conveniently located just right across the street! This fast food chain is so generous with its portion that even an average Parisian man feels fully sated! Split up the cost and dig in to a classic brunch menu; runny eggs, salted fries and freshly grilled meat!
3PM – 4PM: Enter Paris’s darkest nights: The Catacombs Of Paris
Although this is not covered by the Paris Museum Pass, this Parisian travel spot is definitely a unique experience you can’t get anywhere else. The Catacombs of Paris contains… wait for it… the remains of more than 6 million people! If just that thought alone might send you into a cardiac arrest, rest assured, it may not be as macabre as you think.
The tunnel only admits a maximum of 200 visitors at a time but the walkways are lighted and widely spaced. That being said, this is definitely one experience not for the faint-hearted. If you’re indeed suffering from any respiratory weaknesses or claustrophobia, it may be best if you leave this out of your bucket list!
You have been warned.
Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 10am to 8.30pm
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Notre Dame (red route) and walk for 15 minutes
5PM – 7PM: Visit Paris’s bold personality; Pigalle (Moulin Rouge)
While you won’t catch any of Pigalle’s former bustling sex scene back in the older days, a walk along the streets of Pigalle is still a must for anyone who is making their virgin trip to Paris. If you’re here to satisfy your curiosity, drop a visit along Pigalle’s sex shops for a peek!
#Klooktip: Pigalle is only accessible via the blue route on the Hop-on Hop-off Paris Bus so make sure to plan your routes beforehand if you’re visiting other prime attractions.
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
A show at Paris’s renowned cabaret performance may set you back a bit but if you have more to spare, you should definitely catch the show at the Moulin Rouge. Otherwise, it’s still a great option to stroll outside and soak up the bustling atmosphere of the red light district. We bet this is one night experience you won’t get anywhere else back at home!
Address: 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 6.45pm to 1am
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Pigalle (Blue route)
After 7.30PM: Eat in style at La Bonne Franquette Restaurant
A 2 course dinner at a fancy restaurant? How does that fit into a budget guide? While Paris is certainly an expensive city to spend in, we’ve found a local Parisian restaurant offering value-for-money deals!
The La Bonne Franquette Paris is a humble outlet famed for its authentic taste of France. Make sure to grab this budget deal and secure a reservation in advance first to avoid waiting in the queue. Some of the French dishes you can anticipate are the Pork Country Terrine, a grounded mix of pork ingredients most Parisians eat when they think of home, or the Chicken with Chervil, sprinkled with a similar garnish much like parsley which brings out the flavour of the chicken. Click here to look at the full menu.
Address: La Bonne Franquette, 18 Rue Saint-Rustique, 75018 Paris
Opening Hours: 12:00pm–2:30pm (last order time: 2:00pm) and 7:00pm–10:00pm (last order time: 9:00pm)
Cost: $29 per pax
DAY 4
11AM – 12PM: The tastiest crepe at Breizh Cafe
A short walking distance away from The Centre Pompidou (read on to find out more!) lies a sensational creperie known to many local Parisians. Even its own local food expert, David Lebovitz, has given the thumbs up exclusively in his cookbook! Opt for the classic ham and cheese or if you’re feeling a little bold, try their smoked herring or fresh oysters wrapped in chewy pockets of buckwheat flour!
Address: 109 rue Vieille du Temple, 75003 Paris, France
Opening Hours: 10am to 11pm
Cost: 10 euro ($15)
1PM – 4PM: The Centre Pompidou
(Visit With The Paris Museum Pass)
Photo credits: YongSIC on Flickr
Brainchild of the Former French President Georges Pompidou, The Centre Pompidou contains the best of both worlds. Fitted with sleek modern design while containing Paris’s artistic heritage, the contemporary museum is definitely a must visit for all museum fans. Here you’ll find a gallery of French art pieces dating from the 1900 and an eclectic mix of cinemas, workshops and other entertainment activities all under one roof.
If you don’t intend to get your Paris Museum Pass, you can still enjoy skip-the-line advantage when you Klook your tickets to The Centre Pompidou.
Address: Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris, France
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9pm, closed on Tuesday
Hop-on Hop-off Bus Stop: Louvre-Pont des Arts (Red route) and walk for 15 minutes
Explore the rest of Paris
Clear your schedule for another magical day at the happiest place on earth, Disneyland® Paris! Whip out your cameras and fulfil your childhood Disney fantasies as you come face to face with your favourite childhood characters. You can also watch fairy tales take flight in street parades and Disneyland’s adrenaline-pumping rides!
For a limited time only, you can snag your Disneyland® Paris tickets at a staggering 50% off! That’s not all! Simply flash your printed voucher at the counter to enjoy immediate ticket redemption and skip the queue privilege.
Address: Disneyland® Paris, 77777 Marne-la-Vallée, France
Opening Hours: 10am to 8.30pm
