Is France Expensive?

Is France expensive to visit?

France is a moderately priced travel destination. Compared to the rest of Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a somewhat more expensive country to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of countries in Europe for its overall travel costs, and is comparable to places like Liechtenstein and Greenland.

With plenty of famous destinations, this country is very popular with tourists. A wide range of destinations are found here at a variety of prices. Some of the most expensive places to visit are Paris, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, and Avignon. On the other hand, if you're looking for cheaper cities, you can visit Le Mans, Carcassonne, and Saint-Etienne.


Average daily price of selected cities in France, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Avignon $763
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc $256
Paris $253
Annecy $193
Beaune $181
Mont-Saint-Michel $170
Dijon $165
La Rochelle $123
Auxerre $122
Rouen $118
Nantes $117
Saint-Etienne $117
Carcassonne $115
Le Mans $90


The Port of Cannes, France

How expensive is France?

On average, visitors spend about $253 per day during their visit to France (U.S. Dollars). Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for France here.

How expensive is a one week trip to France?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to France costs around $1,772 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,545.

How expensive is a two week trip to France?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a two week trip to France will cost around $3,545 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a two week trip would cost $7,090.

How expensive is a month long trip to France?

On average, a one month trip to France costs about $7,596 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one month trip costs $15,192.



Lyon, France

Is it expensive to backpack in France?

France is a popular backpacker destination with more than 130 hostels around the country. Hostels cost, on average, $30 per night for a dorm. (See hostel prices in France here.) In particular, many backpackers head to Paris, Nice, and Lyon. You'll find the most expensive hostels in Biarritz and Paris, which average $46 and $31 a night. The cheapest hostels are in Toulouse and Lille which average $26 and $25 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in France.

  • $20 for a dorm bed at St Christopher's Inn Canal in Paris
  • $28 for a dorm bed at Hostel Baccarat in Nice
  • $30 for a dorm bed at Slo Lyon les Pentes in Lyon

Where to find affordable hostels in France
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Paris 35 $31
Nice 11 $29
Lyon 9 $28
Bordeaux 7 $28
Biarritz 7 $46
Lille 5 $25
Toulouse 5 $26

Are hotels expensive in France?

When analyzing the price of hotels in France, they're generally moderately priced compared to the rest of the world. The average price is $105 per night for a decent hotel room. Keep in mind that places like Saint-Tropez are more expensive, averaging around $469 per night. But fear not, there are budget-friendly destinations like Calais where you can book a room for an average of $69 per night.


Where to find affordable hotels in France
City Average Hotel Price
Saint-Tropez $469
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc $165
Cannes $152
Giverny $150
Annecy $149
Paris $126
Le Mans $77
Nantes $76
Rouen $74
Toulouse $70
Calais $69

5 Rue Cambon, Paris
Overall Rating 9.3
Avenue Durante 18, Nice
Overall Rating 9.1


Lyon, France, as viewed from the Saone River

How expensive are sightseeing activities in France?

Activities and things to do in France can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $34 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.

    • Paris in a Day - Private Experience: $284
    • Small Group Guided E-bike Tour in Nice's Organic Vineyard: $98
    • Guided Walking Tour of La Rochelle: $43
    • Great Women of History walking tour: $49
    • Parcours Bois de Vincennes - Segway Tour of Paris: $64
    • Romantic Private Tour for 2 plus guide on your own Solar Powered Boat: $155
    • Guided Electric Scooter Tour of Paris: $71
    • Historical Paris Walking Tour to Vibrant Food Market: $208

    Is food expensive in France?

    Food in France can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $46 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    • Half Day Afternoon Walking Food Tour with Dinner: $147
    • Paris Off the Beaten Path Belleville Tasting Food Tour: $98
    • Cooking lessons: $213
    • Paris Latin Quarter Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $104
    • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Paris Saint Germain: $180
    • Annecy Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience : $104


    Giverny, France

    Is transportation expensive in France?

    Local transportation in France can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $33 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    Intercity transportation in France can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $64 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.

    More for France

    If you're planning a trip to France, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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