Paris on a Budget: How to Save Some Dinero on a Blissful Vacation!
"You don’t have to be rich to travel—just intentional with your money moves." - Erika Dox-Martinez
The Dream That Became a Reality ✨
Paris has been on my bucket list for years. The culture, the beauty, the romance of it all—who wouldn’t want to experience it? But let’s be real: Paris has a reputation for being expensive.
That didn’t stop me. Instead of letting cost be a barrier, I got strategic. And guess what? I saved hundreds of dollars while still enjoying an incredible trip to the City of Love celebrating 10-years with my hubby, Jose!
If you’ve ever thought, “I’d love to travel, but it’s just too expensive,” this post is for you. I’m sharing exactly how I saved money before and during my trip to Paris—so you can use these tips for your own adventures.
Because financial wellness isn’t just about saving and budgeting—it’s about making money work for the things that truly bring you joy and bliss!
Pre-Trip Money Moves: How We Saved Before We Even Left 💸
✔ Booked Flights Early – One of the easiest ways to save on travel! I locked in our flights 10 months in advance and our days for traveling were flexible, so we got a good rate. Pro tip: Check flight comparison sites and consider flexibility with travel days if possible and traveling on off-peak seasons/days for even better deals.
✔ Opened a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) Just for This Trip – We planned ahead by setting up a dedicated HYSA to save specifically for Paris. This not only kept our travel fund separate from other expenses but also helped us earn extra interest while we saved!
✔ Used Credit Card Points – Travel rewards are a game changer! I used my credit card points to cover our hotel, which saved us around $1,000. If you’re using credit cards but not using reward programs, you’re leaving free money on the table. Pro Tip: These rewards only work in your favor if you pay off your balance in full each month—otherwise, interest charges can wipe out your savings.
✔ Earned Lots of Cashback – I booked our tours through Viator, which not only offers great prices but also has its own rewards program. On top of that, I used Rakuten and got 10% cashback too. Plus, by paying with my travel rewards credit card, I earned even MORE points for future trips! Triple win!
💡 Money Lesson: The best travel deals go to those who plan ahead. From booking flights early to using credit card rewards and cashback, small money moves before your trip can lead to big savings
Smart Spending in Paris: How We Saved While Enjoying the City 💸
Once we landed in Paris, I wanted to indulge in the experience without mindlessly overspending.
Here’s how we kept costs low while still having the time of our lives:
Affordable Eats Without Sacrificing Flavor 🍕🍷
✔ Meals for Less: Some mornings, we grabbed fresh croissants and made coffee in our hotel room instead of hitting a café, and for lunch, we kept it simple sometimes with fast food or a quick grab-and-go meal—so we could splurge on other experiences and fancier dinners later.
✔ BOGO Pizza + $5 Wine: One night, we ordered pizza with a Buy One, Get One Free deal from Uber Eats and paired it with a delicious $5 bottle of wine (love the price of wine in Europe!!), and we had a cozy Parisian night in at our hotel lobby—without the restaurant markup. Pro tip: Check local delivery apps for BOGO deals and discounts, no matter where you travel!
💡 Money Lesson: You don’t need a five-star meal every night to enjoy Paris. Mixing high-end dining with affordable choices lets you experience the best of both worlds.
Sightseeing Without Spending a Euro 🎨🌿
✔ Luxembourg Gardens – A beautiful place to wander, relax, and take in the scenery—no ticket needed.
✔ 59 Rivoli – This art studio and gallery is open to the public and totally free! We stumbled upon it and were blown away by the creativity inside.
✔ Notre-Dame Cathedral – We were so excited that this was back open to the public for our visit, and it was so breathtaking and beautiful inside and also free to go in!
💡 Money Lesson: Some of the most authentic travel experiences don’t cost anything. Take some time to do some research and explore!
Getting Around for Less 🚇🚶♀️
✔ Used Public Transportation – Instead of taking taxis everywhere, we used the Paris Metro, which cost just €2.50 per ride and they have unlimited ride options too. It’s reliable, easy to navigate, and a huge money-saver.
✔ Walked as much as possible – Paris is best explored on foot, and we took advantage of that. Not only did we save money, but we also stumbled upon hidden gems—like the Colonnes de Buren in the Palais-Royal courtyard, famous for its striking black-and-white columns.
💡 Money Lesson: Walk when you can, ride when you need to. Walking and skipping taxis in favor of public transport probably saved us a lot of moolah over the course of our trip!
Final Thoughts: Travel Smart & Make Your Money Work for You 💸
Paris showed me that you don’t have to spend a fortune to have an unforgettable experience.
With some strategic planning, smart spending, and a mix of budget-friendly choices, you can enjoy any trip while staying financially responsible.
So, if you’ve been putting off travel because you think it’s too expensive, I hope this post inspires you to rethink what’s possible. ✈️
Your Next Step: Take Control of Your Financial Future 💸
Smart money moves don’t just apply to travel—they apply to every area of your financial life.
If you’re ready to make more intentional financial decisions and fund your dream experiences, I’d love to be your guide because you deserve it, along with financial peace of mind! ✨
Check out my free & paid resources designed to help you save more, stress less, and create financial bliss! Click here to explore!
With love and gratitude,
Erika Dox-Martinez - Trauma of Money Certified Financial Wellness Coach - CEO & Founder of Blissful Vida
