Budget & Costs
France is not a cheap travel destination, but it is not as expensive as its reputation — provided you know where to save. Paris is significantly more expensive than the rest of the country. Southern France in high season as well.
Daily Budget per Person
| Style | €/Day | Accommodation | Food | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | €40–65 | Hostel/Camping | Boulangerie + Market | BlaBlaCar/Bus |
| Budget | €65–100 | Gîte/Airbnb | 1× Bistro + Self-catering | TGV-Saver Fare/Shared Rental Car |
| Mid-range | €100–180 | 3★ Hotel/Chambre d'hôtes | 2× Restaurant | Rental Car/TGV |
| Comfort | €180–300 | 4★ Hotel/Boutique | Fine Bistros + Wineries | Rental Car + TGV 1st Class |
| Luxury | €300+ | 5★ Palace Hotel/Château | Michelin Restaurants | Private Transfer |
Typical Prices (2025/2026)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Espresso (Counter) | €1.20–1.80 |
| Espresso (Terrace, Paris) | €2.50–4.50 |
| Croissant (Boulangerie) | €1.10–1.50 |
| Baguette Tradition | €1.20–1.50 |
| Crêpe/Galette Complète | €6–9 |
| Formule Midi (Lunch Menu, 2 Courses) | €14–22 |
| Dinner (Bistro, 3 Courses) | €25–45 |
| Bottle of Wine (Supermarket) | €4–12 |
| Bottle of Wine (Restaurant) | €18–35 |
| Beer (Demi, 25cl) | €3–6 |
| Louvre Entry | €22 |
| Eiffel Tower (Top) | €28.30 |
| Versailles | €21 |
| Mont-Saint-Michel (Abbey) | €11 |
| Metro Single Ride (Paris) | €2.15 |
| Carnet (10 Rides, Paris) | €16.90 |
| Gasoline (Liter) | €1.70–1.90 |
| Highway Toll Paris–Lyon | ~€35 |
| Highway Toll Paris–Nice | ~€80 |
Example Daily Budget "Mid-range" (2 People, Provence)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chambre d'hôtes (Night) | €90 |
| Breakfast (Included) | €0 |
| Coffee + Croissant (Afternoon) | €6 |
| Lunch (Formule Midi) | €30 |
| Dinner (Bistro) | €55 |
| Wine with Meal | €20 |
| Entry/Activity | €22 |
| Rental Car + Gas (Share) | €30 |
| Total (2 People) | €253 = ~€127/Person |
💡 Tipp
The Formule Midi (lunch menu) is the best budget hack in France: For €14–22, you can get 2–3 courses in many restaurants that would cost €40+ in the evening. In France, lunch is often better and cheaper than dinner.
