Advice on travelling to Paris on a budget
 

I'm planning a trip to Paris in September for about 10 days. I have already spent at least 5 hours looking for hotels and activities but everything is so expensive. Are there restaurants, hotels or things to do on a budget that you recommend because I am tired of researching my itinerary?

Well you've picked a fairly busy time in Paris with fashion week and all. Before you're inundated, give us the number in your party, and your hoped for budget. We can work with that.

Hey, I'm game. Went a few times like 25 years ago and stayed at the Hotel Gay Lussac, one of probably a hundred similar two-star cheapo hotels that were spread throughout the city and especially on this stretch of Rue Gay Lussac You want economy...don't expect much, but I found it to be an honest and earthy place to stay. 5th arrt. close to a lot of stuff, walkable, close to RER station, cheaper food, Latin Quarter. Cheap Chinese restaurant next door. Markets to grab sandwiches and picnic stuff. I took five teens plus mom and I, and we found it funky for sure, bohemian, but endearing and run by good people. On an earlier trip we made the mistake of staying at a neighboring low-rent hotel with a bathroom and shower down the hall and a guy on the floor had not showered for several months and literally stunk up the entire hotel. Fun times! But you live and learn. I have no idea if these places still even exist so you will have to check it out. Also stayed at a Hotel Danemark once which was in another part of the city and more upscale, but also more expensive. Don't expect an American lodging experience if you are on a budget in Paris. The fact that you are there is worth a funkier room, but do your due diligence. Don't prepay until you have a chance to actually arrive and check things out in person, things can look good on the internet but are total garbage.

I know AirBNB is controversial these days, but for 10 nights, I'd look into that. I can share info on two that we stayed in in April, but without knowing how many people are traveling, it won't help.
Other thing: get a Navigo Easy card for the metro and fill it up with 10 or 15 rides to start. You can use it on the bus or the metro. Tell us more about your trip and what you plan to do/see and how many people, etc... then we can be of more help.

Echo the call for how many of you are in your party, your budget per night.

Neighborhood can be a factor in price, so I'd ask where you've been looking. Sometimes it is worth it to stay outside of city center a bit and use metro/bus. But then you have to factor using transport into your plans both with time and money. With being in the city for more than a week, it may be worth it to look into 7-day passes, which may be more beneficial in the long run.

For attractions, yes, many major sites are expensive. Not sure how old you are to qualify for any discounts (such as student, those of retirement age, etc.). I'm not sure having the Paris Museum Pass is worth it as it once was, but might be something to consider to save money so you can see some smaller sites without fees.

Paris also has so much that you can see/do without having to spend a lot of money. If you have an idea for what you want to see, let us know so we can maybe provide suggestions to maximize your budget.

Have a look on Accor website. They have many hotels, even appartments, at affordable rates like 70 to 100€ per night. At that price, you won't be in Paris but in the outskirts which is not a problem in terms of transportation. Just make sure to be close to a metro/RER/train station.

Forgive me if I seem harsh, but spending 5 hours researching your itinerary is not much. IME, the more research you do, the more satisfying will be your experience. If you haven't already done so, consult booking.com for hotels and a good guidebook or two for your activities.

First time we spent a week in Paris on a limited budget, I booked a sale deal on a chain hotel site with advance nonrefundable (a risk) rate during a sale. Near Les Halles.
More recently we found the Astotel chain. They run sales. Tiny rooms. They offer free soda/water minibar and daily snacks. You are welcome to stop in most of their hotels around the city to get a drink or snack, use the restroom, or take a break in the lobby.

We found a restaurant chain called Flunch on that earlier trip.

ok, maybe you have unrealistic expectations, I've seen people think they can get a hotel in Paris for 100 euro or less. In fact, you can get something for that but not for a family or in the popular areas, etc. People fixate on "fashion week" but it's not really that, many capital cities are more expensive beginning September due to business starting up, start of performing arts season, etc. All of Paris doesn't have high rates due to "fashion week". Besides, those folks don't stay in cheap hotels in the outer areas.

Just use booking.com or something and look by budget, that's all. Cheaper hotels should show up. Also, we have no idea how many people you have. But the fact is, Paris has gotten a lot more expensive in the last few years. Even 2* hotels now may be 200 euro or more a night in peak months, like September. The cheapest hotel I know in the center is totally booked up for September, and the 1* I know (Hotel Port Royal) is also about 200 euro now in September. Here is a hostel-ish hotel in an outer areas that is only about 150 euro a night in September, a real bargain. It has private rooms. https://www.solarhotel.fr/en/

There are probably cheaper things in the 10th or far outer areas. But we could all be wasting our time if you don't give more specifics as to what you want and what you expect.for a realistic budget.

AS for attractions, the top museums are expensive, but the city-run ones are free, so you can just skip the Louvre, Orsay, the top ones. Go to the Petit Palais, Carnavalet, Modern Art Museum. I don't know what you want to do, if it's typical top draw things like the Louvre, Versailles, etc, yes, Paris is expensive.

Food is easy, just go to cheap places, not name restaurants. If you stay in outer areas, you'll find some cheaper cafes, etc. but again, maybe you are being unrealistic. Even the cheaper cafes around where I stay (Montparnasse) will be at least 20 euro for dinner. Like Chez Papa, and that's only the main course. I like Indian food and they tend to be a bit cheaper.

On a budget, do not stay in the central arrondissements. In my own neighborhood, the vast majority of hotels are well under 100 euros a night. They meet basic needs, and the metro or bus to the center of Paris is still no more than 15 minutes. It should be noted that most of these hotels do not have a website but can be found on the hotel booking sites.

By staying in an outer arronidissement, you would also find another less touristy side of Paris that the tourists in the center never see and also discover that prices at restaurants and markets are significantly lower.

Welcome to Fodors. No one can actually give you useful advice -- well except that the outer arrondissements will be cheaper -- without knowing your budget. Not 'reasonable' or 'budget' but an actual € number (or even $) per night. Plus realize that what may be expensive in your home town might be really cheap in Paris in September.

Hi !
What is your budget ? Which places do you plan to visit in Paris ? And, how much travel time would you be willing to accept to get to those places ?

In addition to budget numbers, it would be nice to know how you define "travelling on a budget." Would you consider staying in a hostel? Some have private rooms with or without shared bathrooms.

I think Kja is correct. The more work you do to plan a trip the more likely you will have a better trip. I can spend more than 5 hours just to find best flights. I generally buy a few guide books to help plan. You may be able to borrow some from your library. You might also look at some books at your local book store. I suspect Rick Steves and Rough guide might be best for you. The Michelin green book is also excellent.

The OP has not returned to respond to our questions and general suggestions in a week. Until they do, it seems as if we're responding into the void.

Just talkin' amongst ourselves! Even if someone ghosts it is still interesting to see what others have experienced and may recommend.