Paris on a budget? Absolutely possible. Many Indian tourists assume Paris is only for the wealthy — but with the right planning, you can experience the magic of the French capital without breaking the bank. This complete 7-day Paris itinerary for Indian tourists is designed to maximize every rupee while giving you an unforgettable experience.
Before You Go: Essential Planning Tips
Best time to visit April-June and September-October offer the best weather and fewer crowds than July-August. Prices are also lower during these shoulder seasons.
Budget breakdown for 7 days (per person)
| Expense | Budget Option | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | ₹14,000-₹21,000 | ₹35,000-₹56,000 |
| Food (7 days) | ₹10,500-₹17,500 | ₹21,000-₹35,000 |
| Transport | ₹4,000-₹5,500 | ₹5,500-₹8,000 |
| Attractions | ₹7,000-₹10,500 | ₹14,000-₹21,000 |
| Shopping/Miscellaneous | ₹5,000-₹10,000 | ₹14,000-₹28,000 |
| Total | ₹40,500-₹64,500 | ₹89,500-₹1,48,000 |
Day 1: Arrival and Eiffel Tower
Morning — Arrival
Most flights from India arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). Take the RER B train directly to central Paris — it costs €11.80 and takes 35 minutes. Avoid taxis from the airport — they cost €50-€70 and are unnecessary.
Check into your hotel or hostel and freshen up. The 9th and 10th arrondissements offer the best value for money for budget travelers.
Afternoon — Eiffel Tower
No Paris visit is complete without the Eiffel Tower. Book your tickets online in advance — queues without a reservation can be 2-3 hours long.
Ticket prices:
- Stairs to 2nd floor: €11.80
- Lift to 2nd floor: €18.80
- Lift to top: €29.40
Budget tip: The stairs option is significantly cheaper and gives you a great workout! The view from the 2nd floor is stunning and many visitors feel the top is not worth the extra cost.
Evening — Trocadéro and Seine Walk
After visiting the tower, walk to the Trocadéro esplanade for the best photo of the Eiffel Tower. Then stroll along the Seine riverbanks — completely free and absolutely beautiful, especially at sunset.
Stay until dark to see the Eiffel Tower light show — every hour on the hour after sunset, the tower sparkles for 5 minutes. Completely free to watch from the Champ de Mars park.
Day 2: The Louvre and Marais
Morning — The Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and home to the Mona Lisa. Arrive early — the museum opens at 9am and queues build up quickly.
Ticket price: €22 per person (book online) Free for: Under 18s and EU residents under 26
Budget tip: Focus on the highlights — the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace. Trying to see everything in one visit is impossible — the Louvre has over 35,000 works on display.
Afternoon — Le Marais Neighborhood
Walk from the Louvre to Le Marais — one of Paris’s most charming and historic neighborhoods. Explore the beautiful Place des Vosges (free), browse the trendy boutiques, and visit the free Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris).
Evening — Dinner in the Marais
Le Marais has excellent options for Indian tourists:
- L’As du Fallafel — legendary falafel sandwich for €7, always worth the queue
- Many vegetarian and kosher restaurants throughout the neighborhood
Day 3: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
Morning — Montmartre
Take the Metro to Abbesses station and explore the charming hilltop neighborhood of Montmartre — where Picasso, Van Gogh, and Renoir once lived and worked.
Climb the steps to the Sacré-Cœur Basilica — completely free to enter and offering the best panoramic view of Paris from the top of the hill. The white dome is stunning both inside and outside.
Afternoon — Place du Tertre and Artists
Just behind Sacré-Cœur is Place du Tertre — a charming square filled with artists painting and selling their work. You can have your portrait drawn for €15-€30. Browse but don’t feel pressured to buy.
Walk down through the vineyard (one of the few remaining in Paris) and explore the colorful streets of lower Montmartre.
Evening — Moulin Rouge Area
Walk past the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret on Boulevard de Clichy. The show itself is expensive (€115+) but the exterior and the lively neighborhood are free to enjoy.
Day 4: Versailles Day Trip
Morning — Getting to Versailles
Take the RER C train from central Paris to Versailles-Château-Rive Gauche station — approximately 40 minutes and costs €4.05 each way.
Ticket prices:
- Palace only: €21
- Palace + Gardens: €21 (gardens free except on Musical Fountain Show days)
- With Musical Fountain Show: €32 (weekends April-October)
Budget tip: Visit on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds and to access the gardens for free.
Afternoon — The Palace and Gardens
The Palace of Versailles is one of the most spectacular royal residences in the world. The Hall of Mirrors alone is worth the trip — 357 mirrors reflecting the gardens outside.
Allow at least 4-5 hours to see the palace and explore the vast gardens. Rent a bicycle (€8/hour) or a golf cart to explore the more distant parts of the gardens including the Grand Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet.
Evening — Return to Paris
Return to Paris in time for dinner. After a full day at Versailles, you deserve a proper meal — try a traditional French brasserie for a fixed-price menu (menu du jour) at €15-€25 for 2-3 courses.
Day 5: Musée d’Orsay and Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Morning — Musée d’Orsay
The Musée d’Orsay houses the world’s greatest collection of Impressionist art — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas, and Cézanne are all here.
Ticket price: €16 per person Free for: Under 18s and EU residents under 26 Budget tip: Free on the first Sunday of every month!
The museum is housed in a stunning converted railway station — the building itself is as impressive as the art inside.
Afternoon — Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Walk across the Seine to the Left Bank and explore Saint-Germain-des-Prés — Paris’s most intellectual and literary neighborhood. Visit the famous Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots where Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir once wrote (have a coffee for €5-€8 and soak in the history).
Browse the Boulevard Saint-Michel bookshops and visit the Shakespeare and Company bookshop — a legendary English-language bookshop that has been a meeting point for writers since 1951. Free to browse.
Evening — Luxembourg Gardens
Stroll through the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg — completely free and one of Paris’s most beloved parks. Watch locals play pétanque, rent a toy sailboat for the fountain (€4), or simply relax on one of the park’s iconic green chairs.
Day 6: Shopping and Hidden Paris
Morning — Marché d’Aligre
Start your day at the Marché d’Aligre — one of Paris’s best and most authentic markets, open Tuesday to Sunday. Browse fresh produce, cheeses, and French delicacies. This is where real Parisians shop — not a tourist trap.
Pick up provisions for a picnic lunch — fresh bread, cheese, charcuterie, and fruit for under €15.
Afternoon — Canal Saint-Martin
Walk along the Canal Saint-Martin — a charming waterway lined with iron footbridges, trendy cafés, and independent boutiques. This is where hip young Parisians hang out and it’s completely free to explore.
Browse the independent shops on Rue de Bretagne and Rue Oberkampf for unique French souvenirs at reasonable prices — far better value than the tourist shops near the Eiffel Tower.
Budget Shopping Tips
- Avoid: Souvenir shops near major attractions — prices are inflated by 200-300%
- Instead: Buy from supermarkets (Monoprix, Franprix) for food and everyday items
- For fashion: Try the Marais vintage shops or the BHV department store
- For luxury: Remember your 12% VAT refund (détaxe) on purchases over €100
Day 7: Notre-Dame, Île de la Cité and Departure
Morning — Île de la Cité
Spend your final morning on the Île de la Cité — the historic heart of Paris where the city was founded over 2,000 years ago.
Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral — currently under restoration after the 2019 fire but reopened in December 2024. The interior is stunning and entry is free (timed entry tickets required — book in advance on the official website).
Walk around the exterior and cross to the Île Saint-Louis — the smaller island connected to Île de la Cité. Browse the charming streets and try a legendary Berthillon ice cream (€3-€5 per scoop) — considered the best ice cream in Paris.
Afternoon — Last Stroll and Departure
Depending on your flight time, spend your last hours strolling along the Seine, doing any last-minute shopping, or revisiting your favorite spot.
If your flight is in the evening, you can store your luggage at a luggage storage service (Stasher or Radical Storage, approximately €6-€10 per bag per day) and enjoy your last afternoon in Paris unencumbered.
Take the RER B back to CDG airport — allow at least 2.5 hours before your flight for the journey and security checks.
Budget-Friendly Food Guide for Indian Tourists
Vegetarian Options
Paris has significantly improved its vegetarian offering. Look for:
- Boulangeries — fresh bread, croissants, pain au chocolat (€1-€2)
- Crêperies — buckwheat galettes with cheese and vegetables (€8-€12)
- Falafel — Rue des Rosiers in Le Marais (€7-€9)
- Indian restaurants — Passage Brady, 10th arrondissement
Budget Eating Tips
- Lunch menus (menu du jour): Most restaurants offer a 2-3 course lunch for €12-€20 — much cheaper than dinner
- Boulangeries: A fresh sandwich from a boulangerie costs €4-€7 and is delicious
- Supermarkets: Monoprix, Franprix, and Carrefour City are everywhere — buy breakfast and snacks here
- Water: Tap water in Paris is excellent and free — always ask for “une carafe d’eau” in restaurants
Halal Food
Paris has a large Muslim community and halal restaurants are widely available — particularly in the 10th, 18th, and 19th arrondissements.
Getting Around Paris on a Budget
Best option: Navigo Easy card Load it with a “carnet” of 10 Metro tickets for €17.35 — much cheaper than buying individual tickets at €2.15 each.
Or: Day passes A 1-day unlimited Metro/bus pass costs €8.65. If you plan to take more than 4 journeys in a day, the day pass is better value.
Walking Paris is an incredibly walkable city. Many major attractions are within 20-30 minutes walk of each other. Walking saves money and lets you discover hidden gems along the way.
Avoid taxis Taxis in Paris are expensive. Use the Metro, buses, or walk instead. Uber is slightly cheaper than taxis but still more expensive than public transport.
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