Île-de-France is France's most populous and economically powerful region, home to Paris and an extraordinary concentration of world-class museums, châteaux, gardens, and culinary experiences. Surrounding the French capital, the region stretches across the Seine and Marne river valleys, encompassing the palaces of Versailles and Fontainebleau, the medieval streets of Provins, and vast forests perfect for cycling and hiking.
Local currency: Euro (EUR, €).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Île-de-France.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Île-de-France costs end-to-end.
Suggested trip budget covering accommodation, meals, transport and activities.
Suggested trip budget covering accommodation, meals, transport and activities.
Suggested trip budget covering accommodation, meals, transport and activities.
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Buy a Navigo Semaine card for €16.90 (zones 1–5) — covers all Métro, RER, bus travel for one week including Versailles and CDG
Eat lunch at a bistro (formule déjeuner €15–€25) instead of dinner (same dishes cost 30–50% more after 19:00)
Picnic in the parks using supermarket produce — Monoprix, Franprix, and Carrefour City are in every neighbourhood; baguette €1.20, wine €3–€5
Book the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Versailles, and Sainte-Chapelle tickets online — saves queuing time and sometimes money on walk-in rates
The Paris Museum Pass (2-day €52, 4-day €67, 6-day €82) pays for itself after 3 major museums in 2 days
Many smaller Paris museums are permanently free — Musée Carnavalet, Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris, Petit Palais, Musée Cognacq-Jay
Velib' bike-share — first 45 minutes free per journey on a subscription (€5/month); ideal for hopping between Left and Right Bank sites
Stay in 10th, 11th, 18th, or 19th arrondissements for 20–40% lower hotel rates than 1st–8th arr.
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Jardin du Luxembourg — 23-hectare royal garden, free entry daily
Jardin des Tuileries — between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, free
Coulée Verte René-Dumont — 4.5 km elevated park from Bastille to Vincennes, free
Père Lachaise Cemetery — final resting place of Chopin, Piaf, Morrison; free entry
Sacré-Cœur Basilica — interior free; panoramic views from Butte Montmartre free
Notre-Dame de Paris exterior — the restored façade and île de la Cité; free
National museums 1st Sunday of month — Louvre, Orsay, Cluny, Rodin garden, Quai Branly
Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) — free exhibitions in the François-Mitterrand building
Canal Saint-Martin walk — 4.5 km of locks, iron footbridges, and tree-lined quays
Paris Plages (July–August) — free riverside beach on the Seine with sand, deckchairs, and activities