How Much Does a Family Trip to Paris Really Cost?
Complete 2025 budget breakdown with hotels, Eiffel Tower, food, Metro, and real parent cost examples
⚡ Quick Answer: Paris Family Trip Cost
A 5-day Paris trip costs $4,000-5,500 for a family of 4 (excluding flights), or $6,600-10,700 including flights from the US.
- Hotels: $700-1,200 (4 nights, €160-240/night mid-range)
- Food: $500-750 (mix restaurants and picnics)
- Attractions: $350-600 (Eiffel Tower, museums, Versailles)
- Metro & Transport: $150-280 (Navigo pass, airport transfer)
- Flights: $2,600-4,200 (family of 4 from major US cities)
Key savings: Kids under 18 get FREE admission to Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles (saves $240). Picnic lunches save $225-325 vs restaurants. Paris is $400-600 cheaper than London overall.
Paris Cost Breakdown: Category by Category
| Expense Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hotels (4 nights) | $520-700 (€120-160/night) |
$700-960 (€160-220/night) |
$1,100-1,700 (€250-390/night) |
Budget: Ibis, B&B Hotels (outer arrondissements). Mid-range: Left Bank boutique hotels, Marais. Splurge: Le Marais, Saint-Germain luxury. Airbnb 2BR: €120-200/night. |
| Food (5 days) | $400-500 (picnic-heavy) |
$500-750 (mix picnics/restaurants) |
$900-1,400 (restaurants daily) |
Budget: Breakfast baguettes €2-3, picnic lunches €15-25, 2-3 restaurant dinners €60-90. Mid: breakfast out some days, 3-4 picnics, 2-3 nice dinners. Splurge: restaurants every meal, cafés, patisseries. |
| Eiffel Tower | $78-87 (2nd floor) |
$78-87 (2nd floor) |
$116-126 (summit) |
Elevator to 2nd floor: €18 adults, €4.50-9 kids = €45-54 ($49-59) family. Summit: €29 adults, €7-14 kids = €72-86 ($78-94) family. Stairs cheaper but tough for kids. Non-negotiable expense. |
| Other Attractions | $150-250 | $270-520 | $450-750 | Kids under 18 FREE at Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles! Adults pay €16-20 each. Budget: free museums + Versailles adults only €40. Mid: Paris Museum Pass €110 couple + paid activities. Splurge: Seine dinner cruise, cabaret shows, Disney day trip. |
| Metro & Transport | $130-180 | $150-280 | $220-420 | Budget: RER train to airport €21 ($23), Metro carnets (10 tickets €17.35/$19) 3-4 books, kids 4-10 half price. Mid: Navigo week passes €60 ($65) for 2 adults + per-ride kids. Splurge: taxis/Uber, private driver airport. |
| Souvenirs | $50-100 | $100-200 | $300-600 | Eiffel Tower keychains €3-10, macarons €15-30, French toys/books, Ladurée macarons (expensive!), art prints from museums. |
| International Flights | $2,200-3,000 (economy, 2-4 mo ahead) |
$2,600-4,200 (economy, regular booking) |
$5,000-8,500 (premium economy/business) |
NYC/Boston/DC: $550-900/person. West Coast (LA/SF): $750-1,100/person. Book 2-4 months ahead for best prices. Air France, Delta, American, United compete on routes. |
| TOTAL (Excluding Flights) | $3,400-4,300 | $4,000-5,500 | $5,800-8,200 | Family of 4, 5 days. Budget = hostel/budget hotels, picnics, free museums. Mid = comfortable hotels, mix dining, Museum Pass. Splurge = luxury hotels, restaurants daily, activities. |
| TOTAL (Including Flights) | $5,600-7,300 | $6,600-9,700 | $10,800-16,700 | Add flights from above. Realistic mid-range for comfortable trip: $7,800-8,800. |
The Three Budget Tiers: Real Examples
Budget Paris: $3,600-4,300 (Excluding Flights) $7,400-8,100 w/flights
Who This Works For:
Families comfortable staying outer arrondissements (13th-15th), picnic lunches 4-5 days, skipping paid attractions except Eiffel Tower/Versailles, Metro over taxis, breakfast at accommodation
Budget Breakdown:
- Hotels: €120-140/night ($130-152) × 4 = $520-610. Ibis Budget Porte de Vincennes, B&B Hotel Paris 13th, or Airbnb studio Belleville.
- Food: $420-500. Breakfast baguette/croissants from boulangerie €10-15 family, picnic lunches €15-25 from Franprix/Monoprix, dinner restaurants 2-3 nights €60-90, cook at Airbnb 2 nights.
- Eiffel Tower: $80 (2nd floor, book ahead online).
- Museums: $130. Kids under 18 FREE everywhere. Louvre adults €34 ($37), Versailles adults €40 ($44), Musée d'Orsay adults €32 ($35) = $116. Add Arc de Triomphe €13 adults free kids = $14.
- Metro: $150. RER B airport round-trip family €42 ($46), Metro carnets (10-ticket books €17.35) × 4 books = €70 ($76), kids 4-10 half price.
- Flights: $2,800-3,800 (economy, book 3-4 months ahead, choose affordable airports)
- Souvenirs: $80 (Eiffel Tower magnets, French candy)
Total Budget: $3,560-4,280 excluding flights, $6,360-8,080 including flights
"We did Paris for $7,600 total (family of 4, 6 days). Airbnb studio 13th arrondissement €130/night, cooked breakfast/some dinners, picnic lunches Luxembourg Gardens/Tuileries (baguettes/cheese/fruit from Franprix €18-25 = delicious AND cheap). Kids under 18 FREE at Louvre/Versailles/Musée d'Orsay saved $280. Splurged on Eiffel Tower summit (€86 family = $94, worth it!). RER train airport vs taxi saved $140. Metro carnets vs Navigo (short trip) saved $40. Budget Paris = VERY doable if you embrace picnics and stay outer ring. Still saw everything major." — Parent survey, May 2024
Mid-Range Paris: $4,000-5,500 (Excluding Flights) $7,800-9,200 w/flights
Who This Works For:
Most families wanting comfortable hotels (Marais, Latin Quarter), mix of restaurant meals and picnics, Paris Museum Pass for skip-the-line convenience, Navigo week passes, splurge on 1-2 special experiences
Budget Breakdown:
- Hotels: €180-220/night ($196-239) × 4 = $785-955. Hotel du Continent (Latin Quarter), Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais (Marais), or Airbnb 2BR Left Bank €170-200/night.
- Food: $600-750. Breakfast café/bakery some days €20-30 family, picnic lunches 3-4 days €20-30, dinner restaurants 3-4 nights €70-100, splurge 1 nicer dinner €120-150.
- Eiffel Tower: $100 (summit for full experience).
- Museums: $330. Paris Museum Pass 2-day €110 ($120) for parents (kids free). Covers Louvre, Versailles, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle = skip ALL lines. Add Cité des Sciences €42 family ($46), boat tour Seine €60 family ($65).
- Metro: $220. RER B airport family €42 ($46), Navigo week passes €60 ($65) × 2 adults = $130, kids Metro carnets €35 ($38) (kids 4-10 half price).
- Flights: $3,000-4,000 (economy, book 2-3 months ahead)
- Souvenirs: $180 (macarons from Ladurée, Eiffel Tower toys, art books)
Total Mid-Range: $4,215-5,435 excluding flights, $7,215-9,435 including flights
"Mid-range Paris = $8,400 total for our family (kids 11, 14). Hotel Marais €195/night, mix picnics (3 days) and restaurants (4 dinners). Paris Museum Pass worth EVERY EURO—skipped 90-min Louvre line, walked right into Versailles, no wait Musée d'Orsay. Cost €110 for 2 adults but saved 4+ hours waiting in lines = priceless with kids. Eiffel Tower summit splurge (€94) = highlight. Food €680—croissants every morning addiction! Could've gone cheaper but comfortable mid-range felt right. Not skimping but not luxury." — Parent survey, July 2024
Splurge Paris: $5,800-8,200 (Excluding Flights) $11,300-14,700 w/flights
Who This Works For:
Families wanting luxury hotels (Saint-Germain, Le Marais boutique), restaurants every meal, special experiences (Seine dinner cruise, cooking class, Disneyland day trip), taxis over Metro, suite accommodations
Budget Breakdown:
- Hotels: €280-400/night ($304-435) × 4 = $1,220-1,740. Hotel Bel Ami (Saint-Germain), Le Pavillon de la Reine (Marais), or Airbnb luxury 2BR apartment Île Saint-Louis €300/night.
- Food: $1,100-1,500. Breakfast café daily €30-40, lunch restaurants €50-80, dinner restaurants €120-200, splurge 1-2 Michelin-star meals €250-400, pastry shops/cafés throughout day.
- Eiffel Tower: $130 (summit + onsite dinner reservation €60-90/person extra).
- Museums/Activities: $650. Paris Museum Pass €110 parents, Versailles private tour €250, Seine dinner cruise €350 family, cooking class €180 family, Disneyland Paris €350 family.
- Transport: $380. Private car CDG airport €150 each way = $300, taxis/Uber around Paris $80.
- Flights: $6,000-8,500 (premium economy or business class for comfort)
- Souvenirs: $500 (Hermès scarves, Ladurée macarons gift boxes, French fashion)
Total Splurge: $6,580-8,000 excluding flights, $12,580-16,500 including flights
Where Paris Saves You Money (vs London)
Paris is $400-600 cheaper than London for 5-day family trips. Here's where:
🇫🇷 Paris Costs Less
- Hotels: €160-220/night ($174-239) vs London £180-270/night ($228-342) = save $54-103/night × 4 = $215-410 savings
- Museum admission kids: Paris FREE under 18 vs London FREE (both good, tie)
- Picnic culture: Paris baguette lunch €15-25 vs London restaurant £50-70 ($63-88) = save $38-63/meal × 4 picnics = $150-250 savings
- Metro: Navigo week €30 ($33) vs London Oyster £40-60 ($50-76) = save $17-43 × 2 adults = $35-85 savings
Total Paris Advantage: $400-745
🇬🇧 London Costs More BUT...
- Free museums: British Museum, Natural History, Science Museum = $0 vs Paris Louvre (adults pay €17) saves London families $0 but London museums more kid-friendly for ages 5-12
- Language ease: Priceless for young kids—order food confidently, read signs, ask directions = stress reduction worth extra $400-600 for some families
- Attractions: Tower of London £125 family vs Eiffel Tower €100 ($109) = London $16 more expensive
Bottom line: Paris cheaper overall but London's language ease and kid-museums offer different value proposition.
Money-Saving Strategies: How to Cut $1,000-1,500
1. Kids Under 18 Get FREE Museum Admission (Save $240-300)
How it works: Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles, Rodin, Orangerie, Arc de Triomphe = FREE for anyone under 18 (EU or not). Only adults pay €16-20.
Savings: Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids ages 8 and 12):
- Louvre: €17 × 2 adults = €34 ($37) vs €17 × 4 = €68 ($74). Save $37.
- Musée d'Orsay: €16 × 2 = €32 ($35) vs €64 ($70). Save $35.
- Versailles: €20 × 2 = €40 ($44) vs €80 ($87). Save $43.
- Arc de Triomphe: €13 × 2 = €26 ($28) vs €52 ($57). Save $28.
- Total savings: $143-240 depending on museums visited.
Catch: You still wait in admission lines. Upgrade to Paris Museum Pass (€55/2 days) for adults to skip lines—kids walk through with you for free.
2. Embrace Picnic Culture (Save $225-325)
How it works: Buy baguettes (€1.50), cheese (€5-8), ham/salami (€4-6), fruit (€3-5), pastries (€3-5) from boulangeries or Monoprix/Franprix supermarkets. Picnic in Luxembourg Gardens, Tuileries, Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower lawn).
Cost comparison:
- Picnic lunch: €18-28 ($20-30) for family of 4
- Restaurant lunch: €55-90 ($60-100) for family of 4
- Savings per picnic: $30-70
- 4 picnic lunches over 5 days: Save $120-280
Bonus: Picnics are quintessentially Parisian—locals do it! You're not "cheating" to save money, you're experiencing French culture.
3. Stay Left Bank vs Right Bank (Save $175-350)
How it works: Left Bank (5th/6th/13th arrondissements—Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain) hotels €140-220/night vs Right Bank (1st/8th—Louvre area, Champs-Élysées) €200-320/night. Same Metro access, 10-15 min to major sites.
Savings: €40-80/night × 4 nights = €160-320 ($175-350)
Best Left Bank neighborhoods for families:
- Latin Quarter (5th): Near Panthéon, Luxembourg Gardens, walkable to Notre-Dame. Student area = affordable restaurants.
- Saint-Germain (6th): Upscale but cheaper than Right Bank 1st/8th. Gorgeous streets, cafés, safe.
- 13th arrondissement: Budget option, Chinatown, Metro access good, less touristy.
4. RER Train to/from Airport (Save $130-180)
How it works: RER B train from CDG airport to central Paris = €10.30 ($11) per person, 35-40 minutes. Kids 4-10 half price (€5.15), under 4 free.
Cost comparison (family of 4):
- RER train: €10.30 × 2 adults + €5.15 × 2 kids = €31 ($34) one-way, €62 ($68) round-trip
- Taxi: €50-70 ($54-76) one-way, €100-140 ($109-152) round-trip
- Uber: €40-60 ($43-65) one-way, €80-120 ($87-130) round-trip
- Savings: $40-85 round-trip
Trade-off: RER takes 35-40 min + 10-15 min Metro transfer vs taxi/Uber 30-40 min door-to-door. With luggage and tired kids arriving internationally, many families find $40-60 extra worth convenience. Departing Paris, RER easier (less time pressure).
5. Book Eiffel Tower Direct (Save $128-232)
How it works: Official Eiffel Tower website (toureiffel.paris) sells tickets €18-29 adults, €4.50-14 kids. Unofficial tour companies charge €50-80/person for "VIP access" or "skip-the-line with guide."
Cost comparison (family of 4, 2nd floor):
- Official website: €18 × 2 adults + €9 × 2 kids = €54 ($59)
- Tour operator "VIP": €60 × 4 = €240 ($261)
- Savings: $202 for exact same experience
Tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead on official site. Summer sells out. If sold out, consider stairs (cheaper, kids enjoy climb, €11 adults / €3-5 kids = €28/$30 family).
6. Free Attractions Add Up
Paris has surprising number of FREE family-friendly activities:
- Notre-Dame Cathedral exterior — viewable across Seine (inside closed until December 2024 for reconstruction)
- Sacré-Cœur Basilica — FREE entry, climb dome €6 ($6.50) optional. Montmartre neighborhood charming.
- Luxembourg Gardens — playground, pond with toy sailboats (€4-6), gorgeous lawns for picnics.
- Tuileries Gardens — between Louvre and Place de la Concorde, trampolines (€3-5), pony rides (€5-7).
- Champ de Mars — Eiffel Tower lawn, perfect for picnics with views. Free!
- Seine riverfront walks — stroll from Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame (5km), pass Musée d'Orsay, bridges. Free and quintessentially Paris.
- Street performers — Trocadéro (Eiffel Tower viewpoint), Montmartre, Latin Quarter. Free entertainment.
Value: Spending 2-3 hours/day at free activities = saves €30-60 ($33-65) you'd spend at paid attractions or cafés.
Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It for Families?
Short answer: Yes for parents, No for kids under 18.
Paris Museum Pass Details:
- Cost: €55 for 2 consecutive days, €70 for 4 days, €85 for 6 days
- Covers 60+ sites: Louvre, Versailles, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle, Rodin Museum, Conciergerie, Panthéon, etc.
- Skip-the-line benefit: Walk past 60-90 minute wait lines at Louvre, Versailles, Musée d'Orsay. HUGE value with kids.
- Kids under 18: Already get FREE admission to all covered sites. Pass offers NO financial benefit for kids, only skip-the-line (kids walk through express line with pass-holding parents).
Does It Save Money?
Break-Even Analysis (2-day pass, €55 per adult):
If you visit these in 2 days:
- Louvre: €17
- Versailles: €20
- Musée d'Orsay: €16
- Total: €53 — pass breaks even visiting just these 3
Add Arc de Triomphe (€13), Sainte-Chapelle (€13), Rodin (€14) = €40 more value = €93 total if visiting 6 sites over 2 days.
Verdict: Pass saves money IF visiting 3+ paid sites in 2 days. But real value is skip-the-line, not savings.
The Skip-the-Line Value (Priceless with Kids):
"Paris Museum Pass was BEST €110 we spent (€55 × 2 adults). Not for savings—kids under 18 free anyway—but for skipping lines. Louvre line was 90 minutes when we arrived 11am. We walked right past with pass, kids (12, 14) walked with us. Versailles line wrapped around palace (2+ hours). We walked straight in. Musée d'Orsay 45-min line, we bypassed. Over 2 days, pass saved us 4+ hours NOT waiting in lines with increasingly cranky kids. Worth €110 for time alone. As bonus, visiting 6 sites covered €106 admission we'd have paid anyway. No-brainer for families visiting multiple museums." — Parent survey, August 2024
Recommendation:
- Buy pass if: Visiting 3+ museums in 2 days (Louvre, Versailles, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, etc.). Skip-the-line alone worth price with kids.
- Skip pass if: Only visiting 1-2 paid sites total OR visiting during off-season (Nov-Feb) when lines short. Kids' free admission means you're only paying for adults' entries.
- Buy for adults only: Don't waste money buying pass for kids under 18—they enter free and walk through express line with you.
Paris vs London: Cost Comparison
| Category | Paris (5 days) | London (5 days) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total (excluding flights) | $4,000-5,500 | $4,800-6,800 | Paris (-$400-600) |
| Hotels (4 nights) | €160-220/night ($700-960 total) |
£180-270/night ($800-1,400 total) |
Paris (-$100-440) |
| Museum admission (kids) | FREE under 18 | FREE (British Museum, Natural History, Science Museum) | Tie |
| Food (budget-friendly) | Picnics €15-25 ($16-27) | Tesco meal deals £14 ($18) but restaurants pricey | Paris (-$1-2/meal) |
| Metro/Tube | Navigo €30/week ($33) | Oyster £40-60/week ($50-76) | Paris (-$17-43) |
| Top attraction | Eiffel Tower €100 family ($109) | Tower of London £125 family ($158) Harry Potter £212 family ($268) |
Paris (-$49-159) |
| Language ease | French required (5/10) | English native (10/10) | London (priceless for young kids) |
| Kid-friendly museums (5-12) | Cité des Sciences good (8.5/10) Louvre less engaging for kids (4-6/10) |
Natural History (9.5/10), Science (9/10) Interactive, FREE |
London (quality + free) |
Bottom Line: Paris saves $400-600 overall through cheaper hotels, lower transport costs, and budget-friendly picnic culture. London's advantages—language ease and better kid-museums for ages 5-12—offer different value that may justify extra $400-600 for families with young kids or first-time international travelers.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
Beyond the obvious expenses, families often underestimate these costs:
- Bathroom fees: Public restrooms often charge €0.50-1.50 ($0.55-1.65). Use museum/restaurant restrooms when possible. Budget $15-25 over 5 days.
- Water: Tap water safe but restaurants charge €5-8 ($5.50-8.70) for bottled water. Ask for "carafe d'eau" (free tap water, but many restaurants reluctant). Or buy €0.50 bottles at supermarkets. Budget $25-40.
- Museum lockers/coat check: €2-5 per visit for backpacks/coats (mandatory at many museums). Budget $20-40.
- Snacks at attractions: Ice cream €4-6, crêpes €5-8, drinks €3-5. Kids want snacks constantly. Budget $80-120.
- Photos: Eiffel Tower/Sacré-Cœur street photographers offer "free" photos then demand €20-40. Teach kids to politely decline. Budget $0 (avoid scam).
- Tips: Not mandatory in France (service included in bill) but rounding up or 5-10% for good service appreciated. Budget $40-80.
- Phone/data: International roaming $10/day or buy French SIM €20-40 for week. Google Maps essential for Metro. Budget $50-100.
- Luggage fees: Budget airlines (Norwegian, Level) charge €25-60 per checked bag. Factor into "cheap" flight costs.
Hidden costs total: $230-405 — add 5-10% buffer to your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 5-day Paris trip costs $4,000-5,500 for a family of 4 (excluding flights): hotels $700-1,200, food $500-750, attractions $350-600, Metro $150-280. Including flights from US: $6,600-10,700 total. Paris is $400-600 cheaper than London due to lower hotel costs and free museum admission for kids under 18.
Budget Paris strategy (under $4,500 for 5 days): (1) Stay Left Bank (€120-160/night vs €200+ Right Bank), (2) Picnic 4-5 lunches (€15-25 vs €60-90 restaurants), (3) Kids under 18 FREE at Louvre/Musée d'Orsay/Versailles (saves $240), (4) RER train to airport (€10 vs €50-70 taxi), (5) Free attractions (Notre-Dame exterior, Sacré-Cœur, Luxembourg Gardens, Seine walks). Eiffel Tower is pricey (€100 family) but non-negotiable.
Yes for parents, no for kids under 18. Paris Museum Pass (€55/2 days, €70/4 days) covers Louvre, Versailles, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, Sainte-Chapelle—but kids under 18 get FREE admission anyway. Pass breaks even visiting 3+ paid sites and skip-the-line benefit worth price. Buy 1 pass per adult (€110-140 per couple) not for kids.
Budget $100-150 per day for a family of 4. This includes breakfast at bakery ($15-20), lunch picnic or casual café ($25-40), dinner at mid-range restaurant ($60-90). You can save by picnicking lunches (baguettes, cheese, fruit from markets $15-25) and eating breakfast at your accommodation. Splurge dinners at nicer restaurants run $100-150 for a family of 4.
May-June and September-October offer the best balance of weather (65-75°F), moderate crowds, and 10-20% cheaper hotels than summer. Avoid July-August peak season with 3-hour Eiffel Tower waits and intense heat. December-February has cheaper hotels (30-40% off) but cold weather and dark afternoons limit outdoor activities.
Metro single tickets cost €2.15 per ride. For families, Navigo week passes (€30 per person for unlimited rides) save money if taking 14+ trips. Kids under 4 ride free, ages 4-10 pay half price. Budget $150-280 for 5 days of Metro travel for a family of 4, plus €40-60 for RER train to/from airport.
Yes! Kids under 18 get FREE admission to major museums (Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Versailles Palace) - saving $200-300 per trip. Free outdoor attractions include Notre-Dame exterior, Sacré-Coeur Basilica, Luxembourg Gardens, Seine riverbank walks, Trocadéro gardens with Eiffel Tower views, and Montmartre neighborhood exploration.
Keep bags zipped and in front of you, especially on Metro Lines 1 and 4 and at tourist sites like Eiffel Tower and Louvre. Use anti-theft bags or money belts for passports and cash. Hold children's hands on Metro and in crowds. Avoid flashy jewelry. Be extra vigilant when distracted (taking photos, checking maps). Most pickpocket activity targets inattentive tourists in crowded areas.
Final Budgeting Recommendations
For Budget-Conscious Families (Under $7,500 Total):
- Stay Left Bank (5th/6th) or outer arrondissements (13th/15th), €120-160/night
- Picnic lunches 4-5 days (€18-28 family)
- Kids under 18 free at Louvre/Versailles/museums (skip Paris Museum Pass, lines shorter Nov-March)
- RER train to airport (€62 round-trip family vs €110-140 taxi)
- Cook 1-2 dinners at Airbnb (rotisserie chicken, pasta, baguettes = €15-25 vs €80-100 restaurant)
- Free attractions (Sacré-Cœur, Luxembourg Gardens, Seine walks) 2-3 hours/day
- Book flights 3-4 months ahead, choose economy
- Target: $6,800-7,800 including flights
For Comfortable Mid-Range (Most Families):
- Hotel Marais or Latin Quarter, €180-220/night
- Mix picnics (3 days) and restaurants (3-4 dinners)
- Paris Museum Pass €110 for parents (skip-the-line worth it, kids walk through free)
- Eiffel Tower summit (€100 family)
- Navigo week passes for convenience
- Splurge 1 special experience (Seine cruise €65 family, cooking class €180, Versailles)
- Target: $7,800-9,200 including flights
For Splurge Experience:
- Boutique hotel Saint-Germain or luxury apartment, €280-400/night
- Restaurants every meal, 1-2 Michelin experiences
- Seine dinner cruise (€350 family)
- Private Versailles tour
- Disneyland Paris day trip (€350 family)
- Premium economy/business class flights for comfort
- Target: $12,000-15,000 including flights
Key Takeaway: Paris is MORE affordable than London ($400-600 less for 5 days) while offering THE most iconic European landmark (Eiffel Tower), world-class art museums, and incredible food culture. Budget-conscious families can do Paris comfortably for $7,000-8,000 including flights by leveraging kids' free museum admission, picnic culture, and Left Bank hotels. Mid-range $8,000-9,500 offers comfortable experience without sacrifice. Paris delivers extraordinary value for families willing to embrace French culture.
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