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Accommodation and the 2026 Tourist Tax (Taxe de Séjour)

Accommodation is usually Paris’s largest daily expense, and the advertised room rate is not always the final amount. For a realistic 2026 budget, compare the base price, cleaning or booking fees, and the per-person tourist tax. As a planning baseline, allow roughly €150–€200 per night for a three-star room before tax. The Paris tourism office recorded average three-star prices of €173 during the 2024 Olympic period, compared with €202 in July 2023 and €161 in August 2023, illustrating how sharply rates can change with dates and demand. Busy event periods can push even mid-range rooms substantially higher; check several dates before fixing your budget. See the Paris tourism office’s hotel-price barometer. From January 1, 2026, Paris charges the following tourist tax per adult, per night:
  • Five-star hotel: €11.70
  • Four-star hotel: €8.45
  • Three-star hotel: €5.53
The tax is collected in addition to the accommodation price. A couple staying seven nights therefore pays €163.80 in tax at a five-star hotel, or €118.30 at a four-star hotel. These rates and the calculation basis are listed in the City of Paris 2026 tariff schedule. For unclassified accommodation—including many vacation rentals—the charge is 5% of the nightly cost per person before tax, with a maximum of €15.93 per adult per night. The price is divided among all travelers, including minors, when calculating the rate; however, people under 18 are exempt from paying the tax. The French government’s 2026 guidance confirms these rules. Paris’s ticketing system is now largely digital. Since November 1, 2025, new cardboard tickets have no longer been sold; however, remaining paper tickets can still be used on some services until autumn 2026. For a 2026 visit, plan to buy tickets through the Île-de-France Mobilités app or load them onto a reusable Navigo Easy pass, which costs €2. The old 10-ticket paper carnet is no longer available. For a typical sightseeing day, budgeting €5–€10 per person for city transport is usually sufficient, before adding an airport transfer.

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Budgeting for Major Attractions

For 2026, budget €32 for an adult who is neither a citizen nor resident of the European Economic Area (EEA)—including most visitors from the United States and Canada—at the Louvre. The rate for EEA citizens or residents is €22, while admission is free for visitors under 18, regardless of nationality, with proof of age. These rates apply from January 14, 2026, and cover the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Check the Louvre’s official ticket and pricing page before booking. (louvre.fr) The Louvre also requires reservations for all visitors from July 1 through August 31, 2026, subject to limited exemptions, so include a time slot in your summer planning. (louvre.fr) At the Eiffel Tower, adult prices depend on both the destination and the ascent method. The cheapest listed option is €14.80 for stairs to the second floor; an elevator ticket to the summit costs €36.70. Other combinations include €23.50 for the second floor by elevator and €28 for stairs plus an elevator to the summit. See the official Eiffel Tower rates page for current availability and ticket conditions. (toureiffel.paris) Buy directly from the museums’ official websites: the Louvre warns about fraudulent ticket sellers, and Eiffel Tower tickets should be purchased through its official booking platform.

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Food and Dining Expenses

Paris offers plenty of ways to control food costs without relying on fast food every day:
  • Casual lunch or fast-casual meal: Budget about €12–€22 per person, depending on whether you choose street food, a canteen, or a neighborhood bistro. The Paris Tourist Office’s dining guide lists street food and canteens from approximately €10–€18, while its general price guide puts a full meal at €15–€20.
  • Mid-range dinner: Allow roughly €40–€70 per person for a three-course meal before or excluding premium wine and cocktails. Bistro and brasserie prices commonly start around €20–€45, while many established restaurants list menus from about €40–€60 in the official Paris restaurant directory.
  • Service and tipping: Restaurant menu prices must include tax and service where service is charged, as confirmed by France’s consumer-protection authority. Tipping is optional; if service was good, rounding up or leaving a few euros is sufficient.