Is Paris expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Paris is expensive, in the same league as London and Amsterdam and well above Rome, Barcelona or Lisbon. Accommodation drives the cost (about €110 per person per night in a shared mid-range double), while bakery food, the lunch formule and free tap water keep eating out more affordable than many expect. A mid-range day comes to about €215 per person.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €60 | €110 | €220 |
| Food & drink | €30 | €60 | €130 |
| Sights & tickets | €15 | €35 | €60 |
| Local transport | €5 | €10 | €25 |
| Per person, per day | €110 | €215 | €435 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Paris day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Espresso at the counter | about €1.50–2.50 (terrace near famous cafés up to about €7) |
| Croissant | about €1.30–2.20 |
| Baguette tradition | about €1.30–1.60 |
| Jambon-beurre sandwich | about €4.50–8 |
| Bistro lunch formule (2–3 courses) | roughly €18–30 |
| Steak frites in a bistro | about €20–30 |
| Metro/RER ticket within Paris | €2.50 (plus €2 for a Navigo Easy card) |
| Eiffel Tower lift to the top | about €35 (second floor about €23) |
| Musée d'Orsay | about €16 |
| Taxi from Charles de Gaulle | fixed fare about €56 Right Bank / €65 Left Bank |
| Mid-range dinner for two with wine | roughly €80–120 |
| 3★ double room, high season | roughly €180–280 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Hotels are the biggest item: roughly €60 per person sharing on a budget, €110 mid-range and €220 for comfort, plus a per-night taxe de séjour. Food is about €30 a day on bakery breakfasts, sandwiches and one cheap hot meal, or €60 with a bistro lunch and dinner; drinks on café terraces add up quickly. Sights cost €15–60 a day and museum prices have risen recently (the Louvre now charges non-EU visitors more than EU residents). Transport is modest at about €5–10 a day using €2.50 single tickets or a weekly Navigo pass if your stay runs Monday to Sunday.
When it is cheaper
January, February and November are the cheapest months for hotels; outside trade fairs and fashion weeks, mid-range rooms can be very roughly 20–35% cheaper than in June or September. August is quieter locally but tourist prices stay high and many independent restaurants close.
How to spend less
- Eat your main meal at lunch: the bistro formule of two or three courses for about €18–30 costs much less than the same food at dinner.
- Ask for 'une carafe d'eau': free tap water is normal in every restaurant.
- Drink coffee at the counter ('au comptoir'), where it is cheaper than on the terrace.
- Service is already included in French prices; round up or leave a few euros rather than adding 15–20%.
- If you stay a full Monday-to-Sunday week, compare the weekly Navigo pass with buying single €2.50 tickets.
- Many city-run museums, such as the Petit Palais and Musée Carnavalet, have free permanent collections; check opening days before you go.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Paris?
About €110 per person on a budget, €215 mid-range and €435 or more for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, sights and transport.
Is Paris more expensive than London?
They are similar overall. Mid-range days come out close (about €215 in Paris, about £219 in London), with London's hotels and transport slightly dearer and Paris's sit-down meals often better value at lunch.
Do I need to tip in Paris?
No. Service is included by law; rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is enough.