Paris might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of an affordable European city break.
It is easily the most expensive city in France, yet it is possible to visit almost anywhere on a budget. Marie Antoinette, cover your ears: at these hotels and hostels, you can truly have your cake and eat it too.
The best budget hotels in Paris offer double rooms for as little as £103, depending on when you book, and some on this list are even cheaper. Now that the secret is out, make sure you secure your room quickly.
If you are considering a night of splurging, check out our other guides for the best boutique hotels in Paris, the best family-friendly hotels in Paris, and the very best hotels in Paris.
The People Hostel proves you don’t need to spend a fortune in Paris to enjoy Eiffel Tower views from your room. The roof terrace captures the entire Parisian skyline, including the Eiffel Tower and La Défense.
Urban Bivouac offers rooms for those who want to avoid shared dorms while still paying an affordable price.
Hôtel Urban Bivouac doesn’t claim to be fancy, but it provides spotlessly clean, minimalist accommodation at very low prices. Solo travellers can choose rooms with a single bed—compact at just 9m-squared—or upgrade to a 20m-squared suite. The pine, large windows, and light furnishings feel like an Ikea showroom, but it’s all part of the charm.
There is a hearty, all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, and for food lovers, the hotel is conveniently located on the edge of Paris’s Chinatown.
Address: 1 Rue Sthrau, 75013 Paris
If you are a first-time visitor to Paris and are travelling on a budget, there is no better place to stay than Hôtel Passy Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower, Trocadero, and the Champs Elysées are all within a 20-minute walk, and it costs a fraction of the price of the grander hotels in the area. Breakfast is included in the room rate and is served in an atrium-style dining room filled with floor-to-ceiling windows and more plants than a florist.
Address: 10 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris
The colourful Mama Shelter brand was always going to establish a base in Belleville, Paris’s most vibrant neighbourhood. The plant-filled rooftop feels like a year-round garden party and is worth visiting for a drink even if you aren’t a guest. This is a space designed for working hard and playing harder.
There are plenty of co-working facilities for digital nomads, alongside table football, ping pong, DJ sets, and live music, making it the perfect spot to socialise with other travellers.
Address: 109 Rue de Bagnolet, 75020 Paris
Proving that you don’t have to pay high prices for the best views in Paris is The People Hostel. It features a roof terrace that takes in the entire Parisian skyline, including the Eiffel Tower and La Défense. Choose from dorms (sleeping four to eight) or double rooms in a hostel located between the Belleville and Couronnes metro stations.
It is a sociable venue that regularly hosts everything from live concerts to art classes, and the affordable bar is lively every night of the week.
Address: 59 Bd de Belleville, 75011 Paris
You can’t find a much better location paired with these room rates.
Exceptionally well-positioned, Hotel Orphée is just across the river from Gare de Lyon and the Jardin des Plantes, which houses the Natural History Museum and Paris’s Grand Mosque. The 44 rooms are beautifully designed and minimalist to maximise space, featuring very comfortable beds. Many also include small balconies.
No one goes hungry here; the continental buffet breakfast is extremely generous, and there is complimentary cake in the lobby 24/7. There is even a hammam, though you should reserve a spot when booking.
Address: 4 Bd Saint-Marcel, 75005 Paris
Highlights: Luxury feel, good for foodies
Possibly Paris’s best-kept secret, this fashionable boutique hotel on the Left Bank offers exceptional value and photogenic rooms. The walled courtyard at Hôtel Henriette, filled with plants, provides a peaceful spot to enjoy breakfast before exploring the city.
An underrated perk that makes a real difference is the check-in/check-out process. You can arrive from 2pm and stay until 11.30am, giving you several extra hours for your money compared to most hotels.
Address: 9 Rue des Gobelins, 75013 Paris
In the heart of Montmartre, Le Village offers private rooms and dorms sleeping between four and 12, including women-only dormitories. It is particularly well-suited for digital nomads and freelancers, with super-fast wifi and computers available so you don’t have to carry your own laptop. The pretty patio features hammocks, cocoon chairs, and plenty of sofas for relaxing after a long day of sightseeing.
Address: 20 Rue d’Orsel, 75018 Paris
The rooms at Hôtel Joke, with their crocheted decor, are a bit gaudy and reminiscent of a child’s bedroom, but they are clean, comfortable, and full of personality.
Located in the heart of the 9th arrondissement, there are many excellent restaurants and bars within easy walking distance. Perks include free access to a gym and sauna at a nearby hotel, plus complimentary soft drinks from the minibar, which is restocked daily, along with free snacks.
Address: 69 Rue Blanche, 75009 Paris
Despite recent renovations, the rooms at Hôtel Darcet look a little dated, but they are spotlessly clean and the staff is incredibly helpful. Getting around Paris is simple: the Place de Clichy metro is 100m away, and Montmartre and Pigalle, with their mix of restaurants and bars, are just a short walk away. Choose from single, double, or triple rooms, making it convenient for both solo travellers and groups.
Address: 4 Rue Darcet, 75017 Paris
Highlights: Near a train station, good for solo travellers
Exposed stone walls, stencilled bookshelf drawings, and a spiral staircase with star-print wallpaper—the decor is anything but boring at Hôtel Joyce. Families are well-accommodated with interconnecting rooms, family suites, and an apartment, and many rooms feature bathtubs.
Microwaves in the communal areas make it easy to stretch your budget by avoiding restaurants for every meal, and the midday check-out is a luxurious touch.
Address: 29 Rue la Bruyère, 75009 Paris
The hotels featured in this list were selected based on an evaluation of location, facilities, service, and the details that create an exceptional stay for all types of travellers.
Paris uses the euro (€).
The peak tourist season is summer, so for those who prefer a quieter visit or have a tighter budget, it may be best to avoid June, July, and August.
There is a great selection of free museums to explore in Paris, such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris, which houses over 15,000 works of art, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.
Other free museums include La Maison Élysée, which provides a fascinating look into the presidential household, while the Musée Carnavalet delves into France’s ancient history.
There are plenty of beautiful sights to visit across Paris, including the Sacré-Cœur and the Eiffel Tower. Tourists will also enjoy strolling through Montmartre and other picturesque streets like Rue Crémieux.
If your feet get tired, Paris also has some beautifully curated gardens and parks to relax in, such as the Jardin du Luxembourg and Parc Monceau.
You will often find cheaper rates if you plan your visit outside of the peak summer months. It is also worth considering neighbourhoods away from the main tourist attractions, such as Belleville or Pigalle.
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