France remains one of the world’s most sought after destinations, and it is rarely described as cheap. Yet with some planning, you can tailor a French vacation to a wide range of budgets. Understanding typical costs for flights, hotels, food, transport and sightseeing in 2026 will help you build a realistic budget and avoid surprises when you land in Paris, Provence or along the Riviera.
What Shapes the Cost of a Trip to France
Trip costs in France vary widely depending on when you travel, how you like to stay, and how many destinations you include. High season in much of France runs roughly from May to September, with peak demand around major events and school holidays. During these months, flight prices from North America often climb and hotels in cities like Paris and Nice can be significantly higher than in winter or early spring.
Your travel style is the next major factor. A backpacker staying in hostels and eating set menus at simple bistros will spend far less than a couple booking four star hotels and frequenting wine bars. Recent travel budget surveys for Paris suggest that budget travelers might spend roughly 90 to 120 euros per day, while mid range visitors land around 250 to 280 euros per day once accommodation, meals, local transport and basic sightseeing are included. These figures are averages, but they provide a useful reference band.
Finally, how far you move around the country affects what you spend. A week entirely in Paris or Lyon concentrates your costs on city hotels and transit passes. A two week itinerary that adds Provence, the Loire Valley or the Riviera introduces intercity trains, additional transfers and potentially higher summer pricing in coastal resorts. None of these are inherently bad choices, but each has budget implications that are worth mapping out in advance.
Because prices in 2026 are still adjusting after several years of inflation, it is sensible to think in ranges instead of exact numbers. Using conservative estimates for hotels and meals, then adding a small buffer of 10 to 15 percent for unexpected costs such as higher museum fees or local taxes, will keep your France travel budget realistic.
Average Trip Budgets: Per Day and Per Week
One of the simplest ways to answer how much a trip to France costs is to think in daily and weekly totals per person. For a budget traveler sharing simple accommodation, a realistic range in large cities is often around 90 to 130 euros per day. That typically covers a hostel bed or budget hotel room, two inexpensive restaurant meals or takeaway options, public transport, and one paid attraction such as a museum or monument.
For a classic mid range city trip, where you stay in a three or four star hotel and enjoy sit down meals most days, daily costs per person often sit between 200 and 300 euros. Recent reports place average hotel rates in Paris around 170 to 210 euros per night, with France overall leading Europe in hotel prices. When you add typical daily spending on food, drinks, museum entries and local transport, this mid range band becomes a practical planning figure for 2026.
Luxury travelers, especially those choosing five star hotels in Paris or the Riviera, can easily exceed 350 to 400 euros per person per day before shopping. Recent price comparisons show that upscale hotels in Paris frequently start in the mid 300 euro range per night and climb well above that level in prime locations. Once you layer on fine dining, private tours and upgraded rail tickets, there is essentially no upper limit to what you might spend.
To translate these bands into trip totals, multiply by your trip length. A one week budget trip might come in around 700 to 900 euros per person once in France, while a mid range traveler might spend 1,400 to 2,000 euros for the same period, excluding international flights. Two week itineraries scale from roughly 1,400 to 2,600 euros on a budget to 3,000 euros or more for comfortable mid range travel, again depending on hotel choices and how often you splurge.
Flights to France: What to Expect From Major Gateways
For many travelers, the single biggest line item is the flight. France is well connected, with Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly serving as primary international gateways, and Nice, Lyon, Marseille and Toulouse offering additional options. From the United States and Canada, nonstop economy fares to Paris fluctuate heavily with season, booking window and departure city.
In recent seasons, round trip economy fares from major East Coast hubs to Paris have often ranged from roughly 500 to 900 US dollars outside peak summer, with higher prices common in July and August. From the West Coast, typical prices trend higher, often landing between about 800 and 1,200 dollars, again depending on how early you book and whether you travel midweek or on popular weekend departures. Shoulder season months such as March, April, October and early November frequently deliver better value than midsummer.
Travelers from the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe can usually reach France for far less, sometimes under 150 to 250 euros return on competitive routes when booking low cost carriers in advance. Taxes and extras, such as checked baggage and seat selection, can add substantially to the advertised fare, so it is wise to include them in your flight budget estimate.
When planning your trip budget, it is useful to treat the flight as a separate fixed cost and then build a per day estimate for your time in France. This helps you compare scenarios such as a shorter, more expensive summer trip versus a longer stay at a less expensive time of year. Using fare alerts and being flexible about dates can often trim several hundred dollars from your overall cost to visit France.
Accommodation Costs: From Hostels to Riviera Hotels
Accommodation is where trip budgets to France diverge most dramatically. Nationwide data for 2025 indicates that hotel prices in France are among the highest in Europe, with Paris hotels averaging around 170 to 210 euros per night for a standard room. That citywide average includes everything from modest two star properties on the outskirts to polished boutique addresses near the Seine.
At the budget level in Paris and other major cities, basic hotels and private hostel rooms frequently cost around 70 to 120 euros per night. Dorm beds can be significantly cheaper, though prices vary with location and season. These options generally provide clean but compact rooms, limited amenities and often smaller bathrooms, which is typical of older European buildings.
Mid range travelers choosing well reviewed three or four star hotels in central neighborhoods should plan for nightly rates around 130 to 220 euros in 2026, depending on the city and time of year. Outside Paris, in cities such as Lyon, Bordeaux or Toulouse, average rates can be somewhat lower, especially outside major festivals and trade fairs. In resort destinations along the Riviera or in the Alps, prices tend to rise sharply in high season, with coastal towns charging a premium in July and August and ski areas peaking in mid winter.
At the top end, five star hotels in Paris have recently been priced from roughly the mid 300 euro range up to several times that amount for suites or prestigious addresses. On the Riviera, luxury beachfront properties follow a similar pattern, often doubling in price during the most popular months. Apartments and vacation rentals can offer value for families or longer stays, but cleaning fees, security deposits and city tourist taxes should be factored into your calculations.
Food, Drink and Daily Living Expenses
Food is one of the highlights of any trip to France, and it does not have to break your budget. A simple breakfast of a croissant and coffee in a neighborhood café might cost a few euros, while a bakery sandwich or crepe at midday is a straightforward way to keep costs under control. Travelers who rely heavily on takeaway options and supermarket picnics can dine well while spending considerably less than those who sit down for three restaurant meals a day.
In 2025 and into 2026, typical prices for casual meals in French cities include around 6 to 10 euros for a simple lunch such as a sandwich or a salad, 10 to 18 euros for a fixed price lunch menu at a basic bistro, and 15 to 25 euros per person for a casual dinner in a modest restaurant, excluding drinks. A more complete evening meal with a starter, main, dessert and a glass of wine at a mid range restaurant can easily reach 40 to 60 euros per person.
Grocery prices in France are somewhat higher than the European Union average, but still attractive for visitors who self cater. A baguette typically costs just over 1 euro, basic dairy products are reasonably priced, and decent local wines start around 6 to 10 euros per bottle in supermarkets. For travelers renting apartments or staying in places with kitchen access, cooking some of your own meals can significantly reduce your daily outlay.
Do not forget everyday extras. A coffee at the bar may be a few euros, while sitting at a table on a prime terrace often costs more. Soft drinks and bottled water add up quickly if you buy them in tourist-heavy zones instead of supermarkets. Planning for small daily expenses such as pastries, snacks, public restroom fees in some locations, and the occasional taxi ride will produce a more honest picture of your France travel budget.
Transport, Trains and Getting Around France
France’s public transport network is extensive and comparatively good value, especially in and around major cities. In Paris and the wider Ile de France region, a simplified ticket system means that a single ticket for metro, RER and train journeys within the region costs around 2.50 euros, while bus and tram rides cost around 2 euros. Regular visitors often find that contactless payments and rechargeable cards make it easier to manage rides without constantly buying paper tickets.
For shorter city breaks of three to five days, many travelers opt for day passes or weekly passes when the math works out in their favor. In Paris, a weekly regional pass remains good value for visitors planning multiple metro, bus and commuter train trips, and it typically covers popular side trips such as Versailles or Disneyland when loaded correctly. Other large French cities such as Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse offer their own versions of day tickets and rechargeable cards, generally costing only a few euros per day for unlimited urban travel.
Intercity travel is where your France budget can shift considerably. High speed TGV trains link Paris with cities across the country, and advance purchase fares for standard class can be reasonable compared with flexible tickets bought at the last minute. Depending on the route and how far ahead you book, long distance fares might range from a few dozen to over one hundred euros each way. Slower regional trains are usually cheaper but take longer, which matters on short itineraries.
Car rental adds flexibility in rural regions such as Provence, the Dordogne or parts of Normandy, but it brings extra expenses: daily rental charges, insurance, fuel prices that are higher than in North America, highway tolls and parking fees in towns and cities. Many travelers find that combining trains for long distances with short local car rentals or guided day tours provides a good balance between cost and convenience.
Sightseeing, Culture and Hidden Costs
France’s cultural attractions are central to most itineraries, and they carry their own set of costs. Major museums and monuments have raised prices in recent years to fund renovations and security upgrades. The Louvre in Paris, for example, is increasing ticket prices for many visitors from outside the European Union from the low 20 euro range to the low 30 euro range in early 2026. Other flagship sites, such as the Palace of Versailles and leading chateaux, maintain ticket prices roughly in the 20 to 30 euro band for standard adult admission.
City museum passes can offer savings if you pack several paid sights into a limited number of days. Paris and other major cities continue to refine pass offerings and digital ticketing, sometimes bundling public transport with attractions. Carefully review what is included and compare the combined cost of individual tickets. Some passes are primarily valuable for convenience and skip the line access rather than pure savings.
Beyond headline attractions, many churches and small museums in France remain free or request modest voluntary donations. Afternoons or evenings at neighborhood cafés, local markets and riverside promenades cost little beyond what you choose to spend. Balancing big ticket attractions with lower cost experiences is one of the most effective ways to stretch a France vacation budget without feeling deprived.
Hidden or easily overlooked costs can still catch visitors by surprise. Tourist taxes collected on hotel bills in cities like Paris have risen and now add a modest nightly charge per person, which escalates at higher hotel categories. Dynamic pricing for popular attractions, surcharges for timed entry, luggage storage fees at train stations, and service charges at some restaurants are all worth watching for when you plan your total cost to travel in France.
Sample Budgets: One Week and Two Weeks in France
To tie all of these elements together, it can be helpful to sketch sample budgets for common itineraries. Consider a one week stay centered in Paris for a budget traveler who shares a simple hotel room. Using conservative figures, seven nights of shared budget accommodation might come to around 500 to 700 euros per person. Adding 30 to 40 euros per day for food, 5 to 10 euros per day for local transport, and about 20 euros per day on average for attractions and small extras brings the weekly total into the 900 to 1,200 euro range, before flights.
A mid range traveler spending the same week in Paris might budget around 1,400 to 2,000 euros per person once in France. That could include 900 to 1,400 euros for a comfortable three or four star hotel, 50 to 80 euros per day for dining and drinks, and 25 to 40 euros per day for a mix of museum tickets, occasional taxis and incidental purchases. Moving this trip into prime summer dates or upgrading to boutique hotels in popular neighborhoods can add several hundred euros to the total.
For a two week itinerary combining Paris and one or two regional destinations, transport costs increase. Budget travelers might still manage with a total on the order of 1,400 to 2,000 euros per person in country by choosing modest hotels, booking discounted train tickets in advance, and limiting fine dining. Mid range travelers including high speed train journeys, guided day trips and a few splurge meals should plan for 2,800 euros or more per person, depending on hotel choices.
Remember that these examples are illustrations, not fixed rules. Shifting your trip into shoulder season, traveling with a companion to share hotel costs, or focusing on one region instead of criss crossing the country by train can all meaningfully reduce your overall cost of a trip to France without diminishing the experience.
The Takeaway
There is no single price tag for a trip to France. Instead, there is a range shaped by season, comfort level and itinerary. Recent data for 2025 and 2026 shows that France, and especially Paris, remains one of Europe’s more expensive destinations for hotels and headline attractions, yet daily costs can still compare favorably with other major world cities if you use public transport and mix simple meals with the occasional splurge.
For most travelers, a realistic in country budget lands somewhere between 90 and 130 euros per person per day on a tight budget and 200 to 300 euros per day in the mid range, excluding international flights. Luxury stays in five star hotels and renowned resorts can easily exceed these figures. Treat international airfare as a separate cost, then build a daily allowance that reflects your personal travel style.
The most effective way to control what you spend is to make deliberate choices: travel in shoulder season when possible, book accommodation early, compare rail fares before committing to complex itineraries, and balance paid attractions with France’s countless free experiences, from village markets to sunset strolls along the Seine. With clear expectations and a sensible buffer for surprises, you can plan a French journey that aligns with both your dreams and your budget.
FAQ
Q1. How much does a one week trip to France cost on average?
For many travelers, a one week trip to France typically costs around 900 to 1,200 euros per person on a tight budget and 1,400 to 2,000 euros in the mid range, excluding international flights. Luxury trips with upscale hotels and multiple tours can easily exceed these ranges.
Q2. What is a realistic daily budget for Paris in 2026?
A realistic daily budget for Paris in 2026 is around 90 to 130 euros per person for budget travel and roughly 200 to 300 euros for mid range comfort. These figures usually include accommodation, food, local transport and a couple of paid attractions over several days.
Q3. Are hotels in France more expensive than in other European countries?
Recent data suggests that average hotel prices in France, especially in Paris, rank among the highest in Europe. Standard city hotels often cost over 150 euros per night, while five star properties can be significantly more, particularly in peak season and in prime neighborhoods.
Q4. How much should I budget for food per day in France?
Many visitors find that about 30 to 45 euros per person per day covers simple café breakfasts, casual lunches and modest dinners if they avoid very touristy areas. Travelers who regularly dine in mid range restaurants with wine may spend 50 to 70 euros per day or more on food and drinks.
Q5. What do trains between French cities usually cost?
Intercity train prices vary with route and how early you book. Advance purchase second class tickets on high speed TGV services can sometimes be found for a few dozen euros each way, while last minute or flexible fares on popular routes can exceed 100 euros per journey.
Q6. Are museum and attraction tickets in France expensive?
Many major museums and monuments charge in the 15 to 30 euro range for adult tickets, with some flagship attractions edging higher due to renovations and demand. Smaller museums, local sites and churches are often cheaper or free, so mixing them into your itinerary can help balance costs.
Q7. How much does local transport cost in French cities?
Local transport in French cities is relatively affordable. In Paris, for example, single tickets on metro and regional trains cost around 2 to 2.50 euros. Many cities offer day passes or weekly passes that reduce the average cost per ride for visitors who travel frequently.
Q8. Is France affordable for budget backpackers?
France can be manageable for budget backpackers who use hostels, self cater some meals and rely on public transport. Daily costs will still be higher than in many other regions, but careful choices and traveling in shoulder season can keep spending within a modest range.
Q9. How much extra should I set aside for unexpected expenses?
It is sensible to add a buffer of around 10 to 15 percent on top of your planned France travel budget. This covers higher than expected restaurant bills, last minute attraction tickets, small medical expenses, luggage storage, or the occasional taxi when plans change.
Q10. When is the cheapest time of year to visit France?
Generally, the cheapest periods to visit France are outside school holidays and peak summer, especially from November to March, excluding Christmas and New Year. Shoulder months such as April, May, late September and October often offer a good balance of lower prices and pleasant weather compared with mid summer.