> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://france-docs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# France trip budget

> Realistic daily budgets for accommodation, food, transport, attractions, and tourist taxes.

## 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](https://files.parisjetaime.com/media/barometre_JOP_07-31_EN.pdf).

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](https://taxedesejour.paris.fr/includes/download/rv3R1V-Les-tarifs-en-vigueur-a-partir-du-1er-janvier-2026.pdf).

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](https://www.economie.gouv.fr/entreprises/gerer-sa-fiscalite-et-ses-impots/autres-impots-et-taxes/taxe-de-sejour-quelles-sont-les-obligations-des-hebergeurs) confirms these rules.

## Navigating Paris Transport Costs

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](https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/actualites/fin-ticket-magnetique) or load them onto a reusable [Navigo Easy pass](https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/actualites/fin-ticket-magnetique), which costs **€2**. The old 10-ticket paper carnet is no longer available.

* **Metro, RER, or train:** **€2.55 per journey**, valid across zones 1–5 but excluding the airport railway stations. See the [official 2026 fare table](https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/tarifs-titre-de-transport-en-commun-2026) and [Metro–Train–RER ticket rules](https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/cgvu-tickets-metro-train-rer).
* **Bus or tram:** **€2.05 per journey**, valid throughout zones 1–5, excluding airports. The [official Bus–Tram ticket page](https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/detail/ticket-bus-tram) confirms the fare and transfer conditions.
* **CDG or Orly airport:** **€14 per trip** with the Paris Region–Airports ticket, including CDG via the RER B or Orly via Metro Line 14 or Orlyval. Buy it on your phone or Navigo Easy pass using the [official airport-ticket page](https://www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/detail/ticket-paris-region-aeroports).

For a typical sightseeing day, budgeting **€5–€10 per person** for city transport is usually sufficient, before adding an airport transfer.

## 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](/guides/attractions/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](https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission/tickets-and-prices) before booking. ([louvre.fr](https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission/tickets-and-prices))

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](https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission/tickets-and-prices))

At the [Eiffel Tower](/guides/attractions/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](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/rates-opening-times) for current availability and ticket conditions. ([toureiffel.paris](https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/rates-opening-times))

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.

## 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](https://parisjetaime.com/eng/article/10-tips-on-eating-out-at-a-restaurant-in-paris-a999) 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](https://parisjetaime.com/eng/restaurant).
* **Service and tipping:** Restaurant menu prices must include tax and service where service is charged, as confirmed by [France’s consumer-protection authority](https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/les-fiches-pratiques/restaurants-droits-et-obligations-des-professionnels). Tipping is optional; if service was good, rounding up or leaving a few euros is sufficient.