Discovering Paris on a Shoestring Budget

  • Day 1: The Heart of Paris
    Starting location: 21, rue d'Athènes, 75009, Paris
    Estimated Time: 6 hours    Estimated Distance: 7.5 km

    Begin your trip by exploring the Notre-Dame Cathedral, a historic landmark known for its stunning architecture and stained-glass windows. Bask in the glory of the iconic Eiffel Tower and La Sainte-Chapelle. Take a stroll alongside the Seine River and continue onwards to the Louvre Museum, one of the most visited museums in the world. Finally, end your day with a visit to Place de la Concorde, a public square that boasts a rich historical past.

  • Day 2: Exploring Montmartre District
    Starting location: Notre-Dame Cathedral
    Estimated Time: 5 hours    Estimated Distance: 5.8 km

    Take a guided tour of the iconic Montmartre district, home to dozens of independent artists and Parisian landmarks like the Moulin Rouge. Take the funicular ride to the top of the hill, where stands the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris. Stroll around the trendy Place du Tertre and end your day with a visit to the iconic La Cigale Brasserie.

  • Day 3: Walk Through Canal St. Martin
    Starting location: Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris
    Estimated Time: 4 hours    Estimated Distance: 4.9 km

    Enjoy a morning stroll at the enchanting Canal St. Martin, where you’ll witness the quaint Parisian cafes and boutique stores. Make your way to the Grands Boulevards where you can visit the iconic Rex Cinema, Le Grand Rex de Paris. End your day with a visit to the artistic district around Bastille.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Notre-Dame Cathedral (1-2 hours, free)
  • Eiffel Tower (2-3 hours, €16.60)
  • Louvre Museum (2-3 hours, €17)
  • La Sainte-Chapelle (1 hour, €10)
  • Place de la Concorde (30 minutes, free)
  • Montmartre District Tour (2-3 hours, €21)
  • Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris (2 hours, free)
  • La Cigale Brasserie (1 hour, €20)
  • Canal St. Martin (2-3 hours, free)
  • Rex Cinema (1 hour, €10)
  • Visiting the artistic district around Bastille (1-2 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: €94.60

Transportation

Paris is well known for being a highly walkable city; as such, the best way to see all the attractions on a shoestring budget is to plan walking routes that allow the traveler to see multiple attractions within walking distance. Should travellers need to use public transport, the transportation cost would be about €1.90 per ride or €14.50 for a 10-pack of tickets. Taxis charge around €2 start and €1.42 per km.

Useful Tips

If you're on a tight schedule, you can visit the most popular attractions in Paris in less than two days, by cutting your visit to only the highlights. If you have more time and want to discover the different aspects of Paris, you can visit the other neighbourhoods such as the Marais, Latin Quarter, and Champs-Élysées.

Airports

Paris is served by two major airports, Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and Paris-Orly airport (ORY), located at a distance of 25 km and 15 km from the city centre, respectively. Visitors travelling from abroad may opt for either of these airports depending on what’s more convenient for their itinerary.

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