Spending money for paris 400 euros??

Question

I am going to paris in june from the 25th to the 30th, 5 nights, i arrive late 25th and leave early 30th so they dont really count too much, i am wondering if 400-450 euros would be enough to take?? that is for spending money transport etc. hotels and flights are already paid. thanks also what travel card should i get?? would i be cheaper getting the 6 zone to include rer to airports? or get a seperate shuttle?/ how much would each method cost??

Answer 1

That will be enough for the first night.

Answer 2

not enough if you are planningon shopping. it would be if you stuck to a small budget thought. i believe when i went last summer, i got a five day pass for 13 euro for zones 1-5. i could be wrong though. definatley take the metro from the airport... it may be a little slower than a cab, but it will be WAAAAY cheaper. ps. if you want some awesome brioche, go to stop felix-faure on the light purple line, then walk straight out, past  a hostel called the 3 ducks, and cross the roads by the church (going straight) stay on the right side (there should be a produce store on the corner), and it is right after the fish store. mmmm....

Answer 3

Its certainly possible to get by on that amount for food, transport and sightseeing although its is somewhat on the low end for a trip as you describe.

Your biggest variable is food.

Assuming that breakfast is not included in the cost of your room but must be purchased seperately, it is usually wisest to eat at a local cafe. If you do however, be sure to eat as the French do. having just coffee and a roll. Eating an American or British style breakfast is very expensive.

Try to eat your biggest meal of the day at midday. Most eating places have good value meals at this time. On the rue Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement, for example,  you'll find dozens of restaurants serving three course lunchs with drink included for 8-12 euros. Eat your evening meal from a street stand or sandwich shop.

The weather in June is very nice and you probably would be best off walking for most of your sightseeing. If you arrange your itinerary wisely you will probably use public transport only 2 or 3 times a day. That being so, a transport pass is not a good value for you.

Instead, simpy buy a "carnet" of ten tickets and use them as required. This will bring the cost of each use of the bus or metro down to 1.11 euros. Since a one day pass, called a "mobilis" costs 5.60 euros, there is little point in buying it. unless you plan on traveling more than 5 times on public transport.

To get to and from the airport just buy a regular ticket. this will cost you 8.20 euros each way. A one day pass good for zones 1-5 will cost 12.50 euros (CDG airport is in zone 5).

Answer 4

That will be enough if you plan to economize.  If breakfast is not included with your hotel package, then simply stop at any bakery and pick up one or two croissants.  Grab a coffee or hot chocolate from a bar and find a park in which to enjoy your breakfast.  For lunch, stop at a creperie or pick up a sandwich or a wedge of quiche at another bakery.  You could also stop in a supermarket for a small selection of ready to eat food, or pick up some food from a street market.  These ideas will help you conserve a little money for a small splurge at dinner or for shopping.

Answer 5

We did much of Paris on a 'budget', but then again I am phobic about eating out so that helped!  We took food snacks with us - stuff that would keep - and found a little supermarket to buy the daily stuff for picnics.  

Pack a really comfy pair of trainers for walking.  Decide what you want to visit beforehand: if it's a lot of museums then it might pay you to buy a single ticket museum card.  We did the Louvre on a Wednesday evening as it's cheaper then.  It's free to go into Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur.  We went up the Arc de Triomphe, but I wouldn't bother again.  Quite expensive (despite the views) and a lot of walking up the old staircases.  Save the money for the Eiffel Tower, and do go up to the 3rd floor.  Don't waste your money on a load of souvenirs, but take a decent camera.  Just walking around Paris was lovely, and free of course!

Answer 6

For what it's worth, (you already have some great answers with good information) on our trip we budgeted 300€ a day for food, transport, entertainment and shopping and it was just enough because we did all the tourist stuff, like Moulin Rouge, dinner boat down the Seine, ate in the Eiffel Tower and the like.  It can certainly be done for less, it is up to you and your desire to really enjoy Paris or just see it, depending on your budget.  I suggest you also take your credit card and charge what you can and keep hold of the cash for convenience.  If you are going to really enjoy Paris, do whatever you like and pay the bills over time if need be.  How often do you get to enjoy Paris??  Go for it and make good memories that last forever!