Budget Paris Travel Guide: 26-Year-Old’s Affordable Trip Tips & Must-See Attractions

With a surge of courage and a 32L backpack on her shoulders,
26-year-old Xiao Ge finally set foot in the enchanting city of Paris.
Elegant, carefree, effortlessly chic—
the words that define Paris are as captivating as the city itself.

She greeted the lively youth along the Seine with a wave,
watched the Eiffel Tower sparkle to life as night fell,
admired the steady flow of morning joggers painting the streets with energy,
pushed through bustling crowds just to witness the Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile,
gazed dreamily at the sky from a green chair in the Tuileries Garden,
and hurried through narrow, gritty lanes dotted with the homeless, her heart unsettled.

A whirlwind two-day tour—fragmented yet vivid—
but Paris now carries the imprint of Xiao Ge’s footsteps.

👣 Two-day “special forces” itinerary (no backtracking!):
🔸 DAY 1
Montmartre → Sacré-Cœur → Moulin Rouge (all within walking distance)
Tuileries Garden → Champs-Élysées → Arc de Triomphe → Seine River Cruise

🔸 DAY 2
Notre-Dame Cathedral → Louvre Museum → Palace of Versailles
(Note: The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
Both the Louvre and Versailles are massive—focus on must-see sections to make the most of your time!)

👉🏻 Budget-friendly travel hacks:
⚠️ Don’t forget your VISA card! It’s essential. ⚠️
1/ SIM Card: Activate international roaming on your home SIM to receive verification codes abroad—better safe than sorry!
For a European SIM, choose one that includes call services for greater convenience.
2/ Accommodation: Stayed at a hostel near Porte d’Italie—spacious, clean, and wallet-friendly.

3/ Transportation: Use single-ride metro/bus tickets.
iPhone users, download the IDF Mobilités app—no sign-up needed, pay directly with VISA.
Just tap your phone using the wallet feature to ride.
Heads-up: Day or week passes require registration (a European SIM is needed for login).
4/ Tickets: Book via official websites at least two weeks ahead to avoid last-minute hassles.

5/ Seine night cruise: Grab same-day tickets on Taobao for a great deal.
The Eiffel Tower lights up around 10 p.m.—aim for a 9 p.m. boarding to catch the magic.
6/ Palace of Versailles: Free bag storage available.
Look for the yellow-signed room in the building to the right of the main entrance.

⚠️ Retrieve bags by 5:45 p.m.
Download the free Versailles app for a Chinese audio guide and explore like a pro!