Paris in two days from Germany

Paris has always been on my bucket list, but like many of you, I wanted to experience it without regrating later. So, I set out on a two-day adventure to see how much I could enjoy the City of Light, Love and Romance while keeping my costs low. Spoiler alert: It was amazing! If you're an expat, student, or budget-conscious traveller, this guide is for you.

Getting to Paris: My Affordable Journey

There is a perfect combo here, Deutschland ticket and Flixbus. You are wondering why Deutschland ticket in the journey to Paris, yes! to make transport cost even cheaper I travelled to the most border city with my ticket, for this case Saarbrücken. Then from here I found the best deal with FlixBus. It was a long sweet ride worthy the price!, I love hitting the road so for me was a very short one. If you're comparing options, the Omio App is a lifesaver. I used it to check all the available routes, and it helped me make the best choice.

Where I Stayed: Budget-Friendly & Social

Paris accommodation can be pricey, but I found a gem—St. Christopher’s Canal Hostel. The neighbourhood was amazing, the beds were comfy, and it was in a great location to easily reach metro stations and access the city. Plus, You get discount in food and drinks in the restaurant on the ground floor.

How I Got Around Paris Cheaply

Public transport in Paris is surprisingly affordable if you plan wisely. Avoid buying single ticket, I got the Navigo Easy card which made daily unlimited metro and bus travel super convenient, hop in and out as you wish. For a secret tip, prices of tickets and best flexibility options are at the metro Kiosk where you will have a card and fill it with your desired bundle. Google map is your companion when it comes to search for the destination you are going. I got real time metro and bus information for my connections. The transport is regular after every few minutes so don´t panic if you miss one (you are allowed to panic if it is the connection to catch your bus back home)

Pro Tip: I always use my N26 card for travel (Sign up for N26 here). It has zero foreign transaction fees, and I didn’t have to worry about carrying too much cash. I use contactless payment almost everywhere

Day 1: Classic Paris on a Budget

I started my first day bright and early, eager to see the sights!

Eiffel Tower: Instead of paying to go up (if you wish is around 22 euros) , I got an incredible view from Trocadéro Gardens for free. Perfect for photos!

Seine River Cruise: One of the few paid experiences I highly recommend is a Seine River Cruise. It’s an unforgettable way to see the city from a different perspective. As the boat glides past Paris' most famous landmarks—Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, Musée d’Orsay, and more—the view is absolutely magical, especially in the evening when the city lights up.

Tip: opt for a budget-friendly daytime cruise, or, if you want a bit of romance, choose an evening cruise when the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour.

Louvre Museum: I skipped the entry fee (it is worth paying to see the famous Mona Lisa Painting by Leonardo da Vinci) and admired the iconic glass pyramid from outside. If you visit on the first Sunday of the month, you can get in for free!. You are also eligible for a free entry if you are a EU residence with below 26 years of age.

Notre-Dame Cathedral: Even though it’s under renovation, the area around it is still worth exploring. Chilling with everyone and have a walk along Seine river is breath-taking. I spotted well the Notre-Dame during the Cruise through Seine.

Budget Tip: If you want to visit any paid attractions, book your tickets in advance for discounts, you will save some percent and waiting time.

Day 2: The Luxury World to Inspire You

On my second day, it was time to explore what Paris is known for—luxurious brands. You don’t necessarily need to buy, I just admired and got inspired (and angry too—why not me buying them? I’m not complaining!).

Champs-Élysées & Avenue Montaigne: Window shopping at designer stores like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Dior was an experience in itself. Seeing these luxury brands up close was both motivating and a little frustrating (one day, right?).

Galeries Lafayette: This famous department store was more than just shopping—it was an art piece! The stunning dome inside was worth visiting alone, make sure you walk on a glass, it is very satisfying.

Place Vendôme: A hub of high-end jewellery and watches. I felt like I had stepped into another world!

Le Meurice & Ritz Paris: I didn’t stay there (obviously), but I walked through and soaked in the luxury vibes.

Luxury on a Budget Tip: Many luxury stores offer free perfume samples—just ask nicely! Also, Galerie Lafayette has a free rooftop terrace (must go here) with an incredible view of Paris.

How I Ate Well Without Overspending

Döner is everywhere, Smiley!. So you have the first option that you know.

Eating in Paris doesn’t have to be expensive! Here’s how I managed: Supermarkets: Carrefour, Lidl and Aldi had affordable meal options. At the hostel: Here you get full menu for reduced price as the hostel guest Water: If you don't mind carried a bottle and refilled it at the free Wallace Fountains around Paris (they are treated drinking water).

Tip: Most restaurant display the menu and price outside, you can check and compare.

How I Stayed Connected Without Roaming Charges

Without Internet you can not catch up quickly. You need it.

I didn’t want to pay crazy roaming fees, so I used my Congstar SIM . It worked perfectly in France with EU roaming included. Otherwise most network providers operate all over EU, just turn roaming on.

Final Budget Tips for Paris

Walk as much as possible – The best way to see Paris is on foot! Book tickets online to save money on attractions. Use free public Wi-Fi in cafes and parks to save data. Leverage travel apps like Google Maps and Omio for navigation.

Final Thoughts: Was It Worth It?

Absolutely! Paris was everything I imagined and more. I proved to myself (and hopefully to you!) that you don’t need a huge budget to have an unforgettable time in this magical city.

If you found my tips helpful, support my work by booking through my recommended links where you will also benefit from discount and special deals. Merci!