A trip to France does not have to be expensive. It is possible to find affordable accommodation in Paris and enjoy all the charms of the city without spending too much.
With our article, you can save on accommodation and spend your money on delicious croissants and exciting excursions. And our inexpensive audio guides to Paris will help you discover all the secrets of the city without breaking the bank. Ready to embark on an exciting adventure and stay within your budget?
» READ MORE – 10 good inexpensive hotels in Paris
To choose suitable and affordable accommodation, you need to consider the following:
- Your interests: what are you going to do in Paris? Visit museums, go shopping, walk in parks, enjoy French cuisine?
- Who are you travelling with? Alone, with family, with friends?
- What is your comfort level? Some people are perfectly happy with a bed in a hostel, others need a private room in a hotel, and families may also need a separate kitchen
Cheap districts of Paris
There are many affordable accommodation options in the 9th, 10th and 11th arrondissements, but note that they border the less affluent 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements, which have a bad reputation due to the tense social situation. If you are travelling with a large group, this option is still worth considering, but for individual travellers and families, these areas (19, 20 and part of 10) may be unsafe.
In any case, the 9th arrondissement remains an excellent choice for accommodation. It is cheaper than the centre and very close to the sights.
Hotels in District 9Be careful and avoid the area around the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est train stations.
The 19th and 20th arrondissements remain the cheapest districts in Paris. So, if you want to save money, choose a hotel in one of these districts.
Hotels in District 20Controversial Montmartre
The 18th arrondissement deserves special attention. Perhaps no other district in Paris evokes such conflicting opinions. On the one hand, it is home to Montmartre, which many people associate with Paris in the first place, but on the other hand, the presence of a large number of swindlers and other criminal elements has given this district a bad reputation. Moreover, the district is very diverse, with affluent bourgeois neighbourhoods on one side of the road and poor neighbourhoods on the other.
» READ MORE – A stroll through Montmartre with a TouringBee audio guide: you won’t forget it!
If the romance and attractive housing prices prove to be stronger and you decide to settle here, try not to let your guard down so you don’t fall victim to pickpockets. In all other respects, it is a pleasant place to live with convenient transport links. See hotels in this area at the link.
Select a hotel in Montmartre
The safe south of Paris
The 13th and 14th arrondissements are quite affordable and safe. One of the disadvantages of the 13th arrondissement is perhaps its «plainness» – there are almost no interesting places here, and the presence of the Chinese quarter is unlikely to enhance the charm of Paris. You can see hotel prices in the 13th arrondissement here.
Its neighbour, the 14th arrondissement, is much more interesting in this regard, as it is home to Montparnasse, famous for its rich history. Memories of the great artists and writers who chose to live in this area in the 19th century still create a special atmosphere here.
Where you won’t be able to save money: the most expensive districts of Paris
If you want to save money on accommodation in Paris, you will have to immediately give up the most attractive and central districts – from 1 to 6 – unless you are prepared to settle for the minimum amenities in a hostel. This is probably the only budget accommodation option you can find in these areas.
Many are tempted by accommodation in the7th arrondissement, which is also considered central, and the Eiffel Tower makes it particularly attractive. Overall, it is a good, respectable area where you can find acceptable accommodation options at a reasonable price. However, to see other sights besides the Eiffel Tower, you will most likely have to use public transport at least a few times.
The same can be said about the 8th arrondissement, except that prices there can be much higher – on par with the 1st to 6th arrondissements. So it’s not the most suitable option for budget travellers.
How can you save money but still live in the centre of Paris?
Don’t despair, because in the case of the 8th arrondissement, you can be a little clever. If you look at a map of Paris, you will see that the 8th arrondissement borders the 17th arrondissement. It is a very safe and quiet area with many good cafés and restaurants, but it is significantly cheaper than the 8th arrondissement.
Of course, this area is a little far from the centre, but this inconvenience is offset by good transport links.
By staying in the 17th arrondissement closer to the border with the 8th, you can enjoy all its advantages but at a more reasonable price.
Select a hotel near Parc Monceau in ParisThere is another little secret. On Rue Saint-Denis (3rd arrondissement of Paris, a 15-minute walk from Notre Dame), there are many cheap 1- and 2-star hotels. You live in the city centre and can walk around it. But! There are, of course, disadvantages. It is a noisy immigrant street. It is not very attractive, and it is better not to settle here with children.
Take two steps to the side and there it is – wonderful Paris.
» READ MORE – Notre Dame Cathedral: how to visit
The suburbs of Paris: where to stay?
In an effort to book the cheapest hotel and save money on accommodation in Paris, some tourists are willing to stay even outside the city.
Hotels in the suburbs of La DéfenseOf course, you can find inexpensive hotels in the suburbs of Paris, which are significantly cheaper than those in the capital, and the rooms are much larger. But before making such a decision, we advise you to calculate the costs:
- How much will daily trips to Paris and back cost, especially if you are travelling with your family?
- And the most valuable thing on any trip is time
So think about whether it is worth sacrificing precious hours of exploring Paris for the sake of dubious savings and the need to spend a long time every day on public transport.
Things to keep in mind when renting budget accommodation in Paris
- The size of hotel rooms can be very surprising, and not in a good way. If you are not prepared to spend your evenings in a 9 m² room, especially if you are travelling with your family or a group of friends, it is better to rent an apartment
- Hair dryers, kettles and refrigerators: many budget hotels may not have them. While you can bring a hair dryer or even a kettle with you, the lack of a refrigerator can be a serious problem if you plan to cook for yourself rather than eat in cafés and restaurants
- French breakfasts: in many French hotels, breakfast is not included in the price, and for the extra money you pay, you get a croissant and a cup of coffee. It would be wiser to have breakfast outside the hotel at a nearby bakery or bistro, where you will be offered a more substantial meal for the same price
- In addition, you may encounter a lack of toiletries and worn towels, irregular cleaning and other inconveniences. In general, do not expect too much from budget hotels in Paris, and then you will not be disappointed. Even in Paris, you can find a basic set of amenities necessary for a traveller at a modest price
Paris welcomes millions of tourists every month, which has a corresponding effect on the prices of tourist services, primarily accommodation. How can you see Paris without breaking the bank? Read our articles to find out!
Have a pleasant trip!
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