Favorite Paris Budget Hotels
And Tips
We were definitely looking for Paris budget hotels on our last trip to France because exchange-wise the Euro was not in our favor.
You can choose from one of the chain hotel/motels in France or go with a smaller hotel that has more character and charm (hopefully).
The Chains:
- Formula 1 Paris
- Ibis hotel Paris
Our choice was the Ibis Hotel Paris because we could park our rental car in the garage. And I LOVE Ibis Hotels.
Formula 1 Hotel in Paris - Cheaper than Ibis, my French cousin always stays at Formula 1 when he travels and finds them very comfortable and clean. The rooms are smaller than Ibis.
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What Neighborhood is Best?
A central location is my first choice no matter what, near my favorite places to visit in Paris. I like to be able to go back to my hotel room and lie down before dinner and freshen up if I want (we usually run out of time), but I like the ability to choose.
The neighborhoods of the Latin Quarter (5e), Louvre (1er), Opera (2e), Tour Eiffel (7e), and the hip Le Marais (4e) have a selection of budget hotels. The Latin Quarter has a lot. These areas are near Paris tourist attractions, such as the monuments of Paris. You may even find one morning, one of the street markets in Paris right outside.
See my Paris city map to locate these arrondissements.
My brother-in-law is an expert on finding the best budget hotels. In Paris he favors the Latin Quarter neighborhood. It borders the very upscale St. Germaine area. It’s on the left bank of Paris and is full of university students and a mixture of ethnicities.
Make A Reservation
It is very important to make a reservation if you are planning to stay at a Paris budget hotel. Paris is always busy with tourist, business travelers, and you name it. The best places will fill up and you will be left with nothing.
I always use Tripadvisor to check out and compare hotels. They give you all the prices listed by various booking companies plus reviews by guests. You can compare and then book your room on-line. Here's the link: Visiting Paris? Find the Best Deals & Reviews at TripAdvisor.
Bring a Print Out of Your Confirmation
No matter how you book your room, it's a really good idea to print out your confirmation and take it with you to show when you arrive.
Arrive On Time
Make sure you arrive on time and if you will be late to call the hotel to make sure they hold your room for you. Like airlines, hotels can sometimes overbook so make sure to not get bounced.
No Reservation? Don't Worry There's Help!
I cannot believe that 30+ years ago when I first arrived in Paris with my parents at the Gare du Nord train station we got off the train and walked up to the tourist kiosk to book a hotel. (my parents were adventurous). The woman told us there was nothing but managed somehow to get us into a hotel. It was the Royal Navarin and turned out once we changed rooms to be a wonderful experience. But we were lucky. And it is still there, it has been totally renovated with all room en suite. Its prices reflects its location – across from a motorcycle shop. Get a room in the back if you’re a light sleeper. This is not a recommendation. I haven’t stayed there in over 30 years so I don’t know how it is.
Believe it or not there is still a welcome kiosk at the Gare du Nord and you can get help with booking a room. Also at the following places: Gare de Lyon, Opera-Grands-Magasins welcome center, and the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Rooms Are Small
Rooms are small in Paris so pack accordingly. Two small bags are better than one big bag.
Favorite Hotels With Character:
Of all the Paris Budget Hotels listed the one that is at the top for years is the Familia Hotel in the Latin Quarter. It’s suggested in Karen Brown’s B&B guide to France. I love Karen Brown, her philosophy reflects mine in that travel to France is about truly experiencing French culture. She isn’t big on budget hotels in general but likes the Familia. The Familia is also recommended in France for Dummies, and Eyewitness Travel Guide Paris.
We tried once to book a room but it was full. You definitely must call this place many months ahead.
The Hotel Esmeralda Paris is also a popular Paris budget hotel.
Whether you travel from London to Paris, New York to Paris or Melbourne to Paris staying at a Paris Budget Hotel is a comfortable choice.
Helpful Paris Facts articles:
The monuments of Paris
The Louvre Paris France
A tourist map Paris with the tops sites indicated
Visiting Paris? You’ll want to know about:
The best shopping in Paris
An overview of Paris boutique hotels
Paris Budget Hotels That You Love?
Write About It Here!
Found an affordable hotel in Paris? Share your story, tip or review about the Paris budget hotel that you love!
Your Favorite Paris Budget Hotels
Click on the links below to see some great reviews about Paris budget hotels. They were all written by other visitors to this page.
Return From Paris Budget Hotels to French Culture Adventures
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