France Trip Budget Calculator
How much does a trip to France actually cost? The answer depends on where you go, how you travel, and what you prioritize. This calculator provides realistic daily and per-trip estimates for three travel styles — budget, mid-range, and luxury — so you can plan with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- A budget traveler can enjoy France on approximately €80–120/day outside Paris (€120–160 in Paris).
- Mid-range travelers should budget €150–250/day (€200–350 in Paris).
- Luxury travelers can spend €350–800+/day depending on choices.
- Accommodation is the biggest variable. Food can be excellent at every price point.
- Booking TGV tickets early and eating lunch formules are the two biggest money-savers.
Daily Budget Estimates
Budget Traveler (€80–120/day outside Paris | €120–160 in Paris)
| Category | Daily Estimate |
|---|
| Accommodation (hostel / budget hotel) | €30–60 |
| Breakfast (boulangerie) | €3–5 |
| Lunch (boulangerie sandwich or market picnic) | €6–10 |
| Dinner (bistro formule or self-catering) | €12–20 |
| Transport (metro pass / regional train) | €5–15 |
| Activities (free museums, walking tours) | €0–10 |
| Miscellaneous (coffee, snacks, small purchases) | €5–10 |
| Daily Total | €61–130 |
Tips for budget travelers:
- Stay in hostels (private rooms available) or budget hotels outside city centers.
- Eat the lunch formule at bistros (€12–18 for 2–3 courses) — it is the best value meal in France.
- Picnic with market bread, cheese, charcuterie, and wine.
- Use free museum days (first Sunday of the month in many museums).
- Walk as much as possible — French cities are compact.
- Book TGV tickets months ahead for €10–29 fares on OUIGO.
Mid-Range Traveler (€150–250/day outside Paris | €200–350 in Paris)
| Category | Daily Estimate |
|---|
| Accommodation (3-star hotel / boutique B&B) | €80–150 |
| Breakfast (hotel or café) | €8–15 |
| Lunch (bistro formule) | €15–22 |
| Dinner (restaurant, 2–3 courses) | €30–50 |
| Transport (TGV, metro, occasional taxi) | €15–30 |
| Activities (museum entry, wine tasting, guided tour) | €15–30 |
| Miscellaneous | €10–15 |
| Daily Total | €173–312 |
Tips for mid-range travelers:
- Book boutique hotels or chambres d’hôtes for character at reasonable prices.
- Splurge on one memorable dinner per city and eat more casually for other meals.
- Buy a Paris Museum Pass (2-day: ~€55, 4-day: ~€70) if visiting multiple museums.
- Use TGV INOUI for comfortable city-to-city travel, booked 1–2 months ahead.
Luxury Traveler (€350–800+/day)
| Category | Daily Estimate |
|---|
| Accommodation (4–5 star hotel / château) | €200–600+ |
| Breakfast (hotel) | €20–35 |
| Lunch (fine bistro or Michelin-starred) | €40–80 |
| Dinner (Michelin-starred / gastronomic) | €80–250+ |
| Transport (first class TGV, private transfers) | €30–100 |
| Activities (private tours, wine experiences) | €50–200 |
| Miscellaneous (shopping, spa) | €30–100 |
| Daily Total | €450–1,365 |
Trip Cost Estimates
One Week (7 nights)
| Style | Total Estimate |
|---|
| Budget | €600–1,000 |
| Mid-range | €1,200–2,200 |
| Luxury | €3,500–8,000+ |
Plus international flights (€200–800 from the US/UK, depending on season and booking time).
Two Weeks (14 nights)
| Style | Total Estimate |
|---|
| Budget | €1,100–1,800 |
| Mid-range | €2,200–4,000 |
| Luxury | €6,000–15,000+ |
Cost by City
| City | Budget/Day | Mid-Range/Day | Notes |
|---|
| Paris | €120–160 | €200–350 | Most expensive — especially hotels |
| Nice | €90–130 | €160–280 | Riviera premium, but less than Cannes |
| Lyon | €80–120 | €150–250 | Excellent food value |
| Bordeaux | €80–120 | €140–240 | Great wine, moderate prices |
| Marseille | €75–110 | €130–220 | Most affordable big city |
| Strasbourg | €80–115 | €140–230 | Higher in Christmas season |
| Toulouse | €70–110 | €130–220 | Student city = good value |
| Provence (rural) | €70–100 | €120–250 | Wide range depending on village |
Major Expenses Breakdown
Flights
| Route | Budget | Peak |
|---|
| US East Coast → Paris | €300–500 | €600–1,000 |
| US West Coast → Paris | €400–700 | €800–1,200 |
| London → Paris (Eurostar) | €50–100 | €150–300 |
| UK → Nice / Lyon (budget airline) | €30–80 | €100–200 |
Transport Within France
| Journey | TGV (early booking) | TGV (last minute) | OUIGO |
|---|
| Paris → Lyon | €29–55 | €80–130 | €10–19 |
| Paris → Bordeaux | €35–60 | €90–140 | €10–25 |
| Paris → Nice | €45–80 | €110–160 | €19–39 |
| Paris → Strasbourg | €29–50 | €75–120 | €10–19 |
See Train Travel in France: TGV, Regional, and Rail Passes for complete transport guidance.
Accommodation Price Ranges
| Type | Price Range (per night) |
|---|
| Hostel (dorm) | €20–40 |
| Hostel (private room) | €40–80 |
| Budget hotel | €50–90 |
| 3-star hotel (city) | €80–150 |
| Boutique / B&B | €90–200 |
| 4-star hotel | €150–350 |
| 5-star / château | €300–1,000+ |
| Gîte (rural self-catering) | €50–120 |
Activities and Entrance Fees
| Activity | Typical Cost |
|---|
| Eiffel Tower (to summit) | €26.80 |
| Louvre Museum | €22 |
| Musée d’Orsay | €16 |
| Château de Versailles | €21 |
| Wine tasting (cellar visit) | €0–20 |
| Guided food tour | €60–100 |
| Paris Museum Pass (2 days) | €55 |
| Calanques hike | Free |
Money-Saving Strategies
- Book TGV tickets 3–4 months ahead: Save 50–70% compared to last-minute.
- Eat lunch, not dinner: The lunch formule is the same quality at half the price.
- Picnic daily: Baguette + cheese + charcuterie + wine from a market = €8–12 per person.
- Free museum days: First Sunday of the month at most national museums.
- Use OUIGO: Low-cost TGV fares from €10.
- Stay outside the center: Hotels a 10-minute Métro ride from the center are 30–50% cheaper.
- Drink tap water: Ask for une carafe d’eau at restaurants — it is free.
- Walk: French cities are compact and beautiful on foot.
- Travel in shoulder season: April–June and September–October offer lower prices.
- Use city passes: Many cities offer passes combining transport, museums, and activities at a discount.
Currency Tips
- France uses the euro (€). Check current exchange rates at our Currency Converter: EUR to USD/GBP/CAD.
- Chip-and-PIN cards are standard. Contactless payments are widely accepted.
- ATMs are everywhere. Avoid airport exchange bureaus — the rates are poor.
- Budget in euros, not your home currency, to avoid exchange rate surprises.
Next Steps
- Set your travel style: Budget, mid-range, or luxury — be honest about what matters to you.
- Choose your dates: Shoulder season saves 20–30% on accommodation and flights Best Time to Visit France (Month-by-Month Climate Guide).
- Pick your cities: Use the city cost table above to estimate regional spending.
- Book transport early: TGV tickets and flights are cheapest months in advance.
- Build your itinerary: Complete Travel Guide to France: First-Timer’s Planning Kit.
France can be as affordable or as lavish as you make it. The key is knowing where to spend and where to save — and the good news is that the best experiences in France (markets, walks, picnics, village squares) are often free.
Travel information may change. Verify visa requirements, costs, and availability directly with official sources.