Save Money on a Family Trip to Paris with these Money Saving Tips!

Paris is a fantastic holiday destination for the entire family. Parents can marvel at the beautiful landmarks the city has to offer, while children will thoroughly enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the city of lights. A family holiday to Paris is also a great option if you’re on a bit of a budget. Spending a long weekend or a week in Paris with the family doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. In fact, it can be very affordable if you know how to discover Paris without spending too much money.

In this article, we’ll show you how you can save money on a family trip to Paris, covering things from accommodation to travel and sightseeing to shopping!

Family Accommodation in Paris with a Vacation Rental Apartment

The first thing to plan for when you’re going on holiday to Paris is accommodation. If you’re going on a holiday to Paris with the whole family, renting a vacation rental apartment is a great alternative to staying in a hotel.

The prices are usually very competitive, because you’re paying for the apartment and not the number of rooms. This also means you can rent an entire apartment with enough bedrooms for the entire family, instead of having to stay in separate rooms in a hotel. Most vacation rental apartments come with fully equipped kitchens, which means you won’t have to spend any money on expensive hotel breakfasts. The apartments also offer much more room, so the kids will have enough space to play around. A majority of the apartments have TV and free Wi-Fi as added bonuses. Furthermore, there are often laundry facilities on the premises, so you can save on packing too many clothes! Lastly, by staying in a vacation rental in one of Paris’ central arrondissements, you’ll have the chance to feel what it’s like to live like a local among the Parisians!

Have a look at our Paris vacation rental apartments and select your preferred neighborhood and type of apartment to get an idea of a family holiday in Paris!

Transportation to and in Paris

Once you’ve booked accommodation, it’s time to look at the different types of transportation you can take to get to Paris. If you’re traveling from Europe, flying may not be the cheapest. You can of course take a car, but parking in the city center of Paris can become quite expensive. A greener alternative is to take the train. High-speed trains such as the Thalys, TGV or Eurostar depart from many central points in Europe, and will take you to Paris on a short and comfortable journey.

If you do fly into the city, don’t just take a cab to get to your accommodation. See this article to find more affordable ways to get from Paris’ airports to your apartment.

Once you’ve made it to the city, be sure to explore the Paris Metro. Many of the stations are beautifully designed, and you can also find art in many of the Metro stops. Most importantly, the Metro is the cheapest manner of transportation in the city, after walking of course!

If you’re coming to Paris with older children, another great way to discover the city is by bike. Paris has an amazing bicycle sharing system called the Vélib’, which allows you to rent a bike for 1 day or more at different locations. Check out the Vélib’ official website for more information.

If you want to spend a day outside of the city, take the affordable RER C train to Versailles (it’s only a 20-minute ride from Paris). The gardens of the famous palace are completely free to visit!

Sightseeing in Paris

The best way to explore Paris for free is to go out on foot and let yourself get lost in the city. Walk through the cobblestoned streets of the Latin Quarter and be surprised at what you’ll find behind every corner. Visit some of the great bridges and squares in the city such as the Place Georges Pompidou, where the kids can enjoy free shows of street performers. Pay a visit to Montmartre, where on the steps of the Sacré Coeur you’ll get the best free view of Paris. Montmartre is also a great neighborhood to explore, as you can see in this tour of Montmartre.

Depending on the season, Paris’ parks are great spots to rest your feet for a bit and see the hustle and bustle of the city rush by. For example, the Champ de Mars is a nice place for a picnic, which you can prepare at home in your vacation rental. Here you’ll also be able to take in the majestic Eiffel Tower from up close! To get an idea of what it’s like to walk the streets of Paris, check out our video tours of different Paris neighborhoods.

Of course you’ll also want to take in some culture when you’re in Paris. Several museums in Paris, such as the Louvre Museum and Musée d’Orsay, are free to visit on the first Sunday of every month. The Louvre is also free to visit for under 18s, as well as for European Union residents under 26. The Museum of Modern Art of the city of Paris has a permanent collection that’s free to visit for everyone. There are also many museums in Paris that are great for kids and have low admission prices, such as the Catacombs or the Museum of the Sewers of Paris.

If you do decide to partake in some of the more famous attractions in Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower or a river cruise along the Seine, try to search online for coupons and discounts before you take the trip!

Affordable Shopping in Paris

In almost every arrondissement in Paris you’ll be able to find the famous Puces (flea markets) and Fripes (vintage stores). These are great places to pick up original souvenirs, as well as decorations for your own home. If you also want to hit tourist stores, pay a visit to Barbes near Montmartre and the Moulin Rouge. Here you can find souvenirs that are cheaper than those found at areas such as Rue de Rivoli or the Champs Elysées.

If you want to splurge and look at designer clothes or accessories, pay a visit to big department stores such as Galeries Lafayette or Printemps. Here you can often get a tourist discount, which makes these stores much cheaper than the boutiques. These department stores are also great to just browse and not buy anything. At Printemps, be sure to check out the panoramic terrace, which gives you another great and absolutely free view of Paris!

Besides flea markets, Paris also boasts some fantastic food markets. Whether they are indoor or outdoor, these markets offer fresh produce such as bread, meats, fish, cheeses, vegetables and more for attractive prices. At these local markets you can also often pick up great local wines for decent prices. Have a look at our Foursquare list of the best food markets in Paris for their locations.

Eating with the Family in Paris

After a visit to one of Paris’ food markets, you’ll have enough fresh produce to prepare delicious French meals in your own vacation rental apartment! The fully equipped kitchen will ensure you’ll have enough room to prepare your own breakfast, lunch and dinner. This also means you can easily prepare your own meals for the kids, who might not like the local cuisine offered in restaurants. After the kids are put to bed, you’ll have the time to open a nice bottle of French wine, pair it with some great cheeses and enjoy a nice relaxing evening at home.

If at some point you don’t feel like cooking, there are still many affordable alternatives for dining in Paris. Paris has many cheap crepes, kebab and falafel places that make for a great late-afternoon snack. You can also try one of the many attractively priced fixed price lunch menus at a local restaurant. By eating a big lunch, you can just enjoy something light and easy to make for dinner, such as a nice soup with baguette. One last tip is to always order tap water in a restaurant instead of bottled water, as it’s safe to drink and completely free!

We hope you’ve enjoyed these money-saving tips for a family trip to Paris. If you have any to add, feel free to comment in the section below!