5 Days in Paris — 2026 Itinerary (Prices, Metro & Tickets)

By 360 Business Tour Travel Desk · Editorial team
Last reviewed:
Reading time: ~19 min
Prices verified in April 2026 against official operator sites (Rome Opera Omnia, Musei Vaticani, Paris Musées, Château de Versailles). Skip-the-line fees, Metro ticket costs, and opening hours reconfirmed at time of publish. We update this guide quarterly and after any major operator price change. See our Editorial Policy for how we verify facts and disclose affiliate relationships.
Quick answer

A complete 5-day Paris itinerary: Eiffel Tower + Champ de Mars on day 1, Louvre + Tuileries on day 2, Montmartre + Sacré-Cœur on day 3, Versailles day trip on day 4, Marais + Notre-Dame area on day 5. Budget: €140–320 per day per person with skip-the-line Eiffel, Louvre, and Versailles tickets.

Yes, 5 days is the sweet spot — enough for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles, Montmartre, and Left Bank without rushing. Pre-booking saves 5-8 hours of queues over 5 days at major sites. The Navigo Week pass (€30.75, valid Mon-Sun) pays for itself on day 3 via metro savings. Budget €800-1100 per person for mid-range 5 days including flights from Paris (CDG) to Rome (FCO), Berlin (BER), or Amsterdam (AMS). Paris spans 105 km², twice central Rome’s size, yet boasts the world’s densest metro: 16 lines, 308 stations covering 226 km. Skip tourist traps; focus on efficient movement.

At a glance

The 5-day itinerary

Day 1 — Classic Paris — Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro, Seine, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe

See the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro at 09:00. Pre-book the summit for €29.40 or take the 2nd floor for €18.80 (check @LaTourEiffel Twitter for wind closures). Lunch at Café Constant in the 7e: €22 for plat du jour. Cruise the Seine with Bateaux Parisiens for €17 (1 hour). Walk Champs-Élysées from Place de la Concorde to Arc de Triomphe. Sunday 10:00-18:00 is pedestrian-only with street performers. Sunset at Arc terrace: €16 (elevator to second-to-last landing then 46 stairs). Dinner in Le Marais.

  1. 09:00 — Trocadéro photo + coffee Place du Trocadéro, 16e
    €4 coffee · 30 min · 0 km walk
  2. 10:00 — Eiffel Tower summit (pre-booked) Champ de Mars, 7e
    €29.40 · 2h · 1.1 km walk
  3. 13:00 — Lunch · Café Constant 139 Rue Saint-Dominique, 7e
    €22 pp · 75 min · 0.8 km walk
  4. 15:00 — Seine cruise (Bateaux Parisiens) Port de la Bourdonnais, 7e
    €17 · 60 min · 0.4 km walk
  5. 16:30 — Place de la Concorde → Champs-Élysées walk Place de la Concorde, 8e
    €free · 75 min · 1.9 km walk
  6. 18:00 — Arc de Triomphe rooftop at sunset Place Charles de Gaulle, 8e
    €16 · 60 min · 0.2 km walk
  7. 20:00 — Dinner · Le Marais bistros Rue des Rosiers, 4e
    €40 pp · — · metro M1, 10 min walk

Day 2 — Louvre, Tuileries, Palais-Royal, Opéra, Galeries Lafayette

Book Louvre's 09:00 timed slot (€22, reserve 10 days early). Skip the 200-person Mona Lisa queue by 10:30. Focus 3 hours max: Denon wing (Italian paintings) then Sully wing (Venus de Milo). Lunch at Angelina (226 Rue de Rivoli, €10 for L'Africain hot chocolate). Stroll Tuileries Gardens, then explore Palais-Royal courtyard (free). Visit Opéra Garnier (€15, 10:00-17:00 daily). Catch sunset at Galeries Lafayette rooftop (free entry, best photos at 17:30). Remember: Louvre closes Tuesdays. Galeries Lafayette rooftop access is free but avoid crowds before 17:30. This precise timing maximizes your Paris experience without wasted hours.

  1. 09:00 — Louvre (pre-booked slot) Rue de Rivoli, 1er
    €22 · 3h · 0 km walk
  2. 12:30 — Lunch · Angelina hot chocolate 226 Rue de Rivoli, 1er
    €10 chocolate + 14 lunch · 60 min · 0.4 km walk
  3. 14:00 — Tuileries gardens + pétanque Jardin des Tuileries, 1er
    €free · 45 min · 0.2 km walk
  4. 15:00 — Palais-Royal courtyard + Colonnes de Buren 8 Rue de Montpensier, 1er
    €free · 30 min · 0.6 km walk
  5. 15:45 — Opéra Garnier self-guided tour Place de l'Opéra, 9e
    €15 · 75 min · 0.5 km walk
  6. 17:15 — Galeries Lafayette rooftop 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 9e
    €free · 45 min · 0.3 km walk
  7. 19:30 — Dinner · Bouillon Pigalle 22 Boulevard de Clichy, 18e
    €18 pp · — · metro M2, 12 min walk

Day 3 — Montmartre, Sacré-Cœur, Moulin Rouge, 18th arrondissement

Arrive Montmartre by 09:30 to avoid crowds. Take the funicular (€1.90, one metro ticket) or walk 222 steps from Anvers metro. See Sacré-Cœur free (06:30-22:30), climb the dome for €8. Get a portrait at Place du Tertre for €15-30. Lunch at La Maison Rose (2 Rue de l'Abreuvoir) averages €28 per person. Visit Place Dalida, Moulin de la Galette windmill, then Musée de Montmartre (€15, quieter). Descend via Rue Lepic and Rue des Abbesses (Amélie locations: Café des Deux Moulins, 15 Rue Lepic). Optional Moulin Rouge cabaret: €87 with champagne, 21:00 show, 90 minutes. Skip crowds 11:00-16:00.

  1. 09:30 — Funicular up or climb 222 steps Anvers metro, 9e
    €1.90 · 15 min · 0.3 km walk
  2. 10:00 — Sacré-Cœur + dome climb (300 steps) 35 Rue du Chevalier de la Barre, 18e
    €8 dome · 75 min · 0.3 km walk
  3. 11:15 — Place du Tertre artists Place du Tertre, 18e
    €optional 15-30 · 45 min · 0.2 km walk
  4. 12:30 — Lunch · La Maison Rose 2 Rue de l'Abreuvoir, 18e
    €28 pp · 75 min · 0.3 km walk
  5. 14:30 — Musée de Montmartre + gardens 12 Rue Cortot, 18e
    €15 · 90 min · 0.3 km walk
  6. 16:30 — Rue Lepic + Café des Deux Moulins ('Amélie') 15 Rue Lepic, 18e
    €5 coffee · 45 min · 0.8 km walk
  7. 18:00 — Apéro + dinner in 18e Rue des Abbesses, 18e
    €35 pp · — · 0.4 km walk
  8. 21:00 — Moulin Rouge show (optional) 82 Boulevard de Clichy, 18e
    €87 champagne seat · 90 min · 0.6 km walk

Day 4 — Versailles — Palace, Gardens, Trianon, Marie-Antoinette's Hamlet

Ride RER C from Invalides (€4.25, 40 min) to Versailles-Château-Rive-Gauche. Skip lines by arriving 09:00 for 09:30 palace opening. Mona Lisa-style queues start by 10:30. The Versailles Passport (€32) covers Palace, Gardens, Trianon, and Hameau. See the Hall of Mirrors and State Apartments. Lunch at Ore-Ducasse inside (€45 Versailles menu) or cheaper outside near the gate. Gardens are free without fountain shows. Pay €10.50 for fountain shows on Tuesdays and weekends April-October. Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon, and Marie-Antoinette’s rustic 12-building hamlet are 1.5 km from the palace. Rent a bike (€9.50/hour) or take the mini-train (€8.50) to reach them. Versailles closes Mondays.

  1. 08:00 — RER C Invalides → Versailles Gare d'Invalides, 7e
    €4.25 · 45 min · — walk
  2. 09:00 — Versailles Palace (pre-booked Passport) Place d'Armes
    €32 Passport · 2h · 0.3 km walk
  3. 11:30 — Hall of Mirrors + State Apartments inside palace
    €incl · 45 min · — walk
  4. 12:30 — Lunch · Ore-Ducasse or cheaper outside inside palace or Rue Satory
    €45 or 18 pp · 60 min · — walk
  5. 14:00 — Gardens + Grand Canal (+ fountain show on open days) Versailles gardens
    €free / 10.50 fountain · 75 min · 2 km walk
  6. 15:30 — Trianon + Petit Trianon + Hameau Domaine de Trianon
    €incl · 2h · 1.5 km or €8.50 train walk
  7. 18:00 — Return RER C → Paris Versailles-Château
    €4.25 · 45 min · — walk
  8. 20:00 — Dinner near your base —
    €35 pp · — · — walk

Day 5 — Latin Quarter, Notre-Dame, Île Saint-Louis, Saint-Germain, Luxembourg Gardens

Your Day 5 starts in Paris' Latin Quarter. Visit the Panthéon (€11.50 entry) before coffee at Les Deux Magots on Saint-Germain (€6 espresso). See Notre-Dame's exterior (reopened Dec 2024); interior is free but queues 60-90 min—pre-book the crypt (€13) to skip lines. Arrive Sainte-Chapelle at 14:00 for the sunlit west rose (€11.50). Share a line with Conciergerie; combo ticket (€18.50) saves time. Enjoy Berthillon ice cream (€5) on Île Saint-Louis. Wander Luxembourg Gardens (free, ends 21:30 summer). Dinner at Rue Mouffetard food street. Note: Notre-Dame interior bookings open 2 days ahead only.

  1. 09:00 — Panthéon entry + rooftop terrace Place du Panthéon, 5e
    €11.50 + 3.50 rooftop · 75 min · 0 km walk
  2. 10:45 — Coffee · Les Deux Magots 6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 6e
    €6 · 30 min · 0.8 km walk
  3. 11:30 — Notre-Dame exterior + crypt Parvis Notre-Dame, 4e
    €13 crypt or free ext · 75 min · 1 km walk
  4. 13:00 — Lunch · Shakespeare & Co café or Île Saint-Louis 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 5e
    €18 pp · 60 min · 0.3 km walk
  5. 14:30 — Sainte-Chapelle stained glass 10 Boulevard du Palais, 1er
    €11.50 or 18.50 combo · 45 min · 0.8 km walk
  6. 15:30 — Île Saint-Louis + Berthillon 29-31 Rue Saint-Louis-en-l'Île, 4e
    €5 · 60 min · 0.4 km walk
  7. 17:00 — Luxembourg Gardens Rue de Vaugirard, 6e
    €free · 75 min · 1.5 km walk
  8. 19:30 — Dinner · Rue Mouffetard Rue Mouffetard, 5e
    €28 pp · — · 1.2 km walk

When to visit Paris

Avoid late July and early August—locals leave, and 60% of bistros close for annual fermeture annuelle. Fashion Week (late Feb, late Sep) pushes 3-star hotel prices from €180 to €250+ (40%+ increase). November delivers the lowest rates (€120-150/night), but expect persistent grey skies and reduced café openings.

MonthAvg high (°C)Rain daysCrowdsVerdict
Jan710lowcheapest month, grey skies
Feb88medFashion Week late Feb — hotels +40%
Mar1210medshoulder — mild, gardens wake up
Apr159highcherry blossoms at Jardin des Plantes
May198highperfect weather, busy
Jun228peakRoland Garros + long evenings
Jul256peakhot + crowded, Bastille Day fireworks
Aug256medlocals gone, many bistros shut
Sep217highbest overall — mild + cultural season starts
Oct168medgolden Luxembourg Gardens
Nov1110lowcheap, museums empty
Dec810medChristmas lights + markets + cold

Airport to centre: every option

RER B (€11.80, 32 min) is the default for CDG; Orlyval + RER B (€12.35) for Orly. Roissybus (€16) is the easier one-bus option from CDG to Opéra for luggage-laden travelers. Fixed CDG taxi rates are €56 to the Left Bank and €52 to the Right Bank (anything higher is a scam). RER B runs every 15 minutes after 22:00, making late arrivals manageable.

ModeTimeCost (€)Best for
RER B (CDG)32 min11.80fastest, direct to Gare du Nord
Roissybus (CDG)60 min16one bus to Opéra, no transfers
Orlyval + RER (ORY)40 min12.35Orly to Châtelet
OrlyBus (ORY)35 min11.50direct to Denfert-Rochereau
Taxi CDG → centre (flat)45-75 min56 flat left bank / 52 right banklate arrivals, luggage
Navigo Week unlim zones 1-5—30.75 Mon-Sun5+ day stay arriving Mon-Wed
T+ bundle (10 metro tickets)—17.35 book of 10short stay, no day pass
Paris Visite pass—29.90 for 3 daysincludes attraction discounts

Where to stay in Paris

Le Marais (4e) for first-timers who want nightlife within walking distance, Saint-Germain (6e) for couples who want the Left-Bank café image, Latin Quarter (5e) for budget-central, and the 11e for local energy and cheaper rates. Walk to Place des Vosges from Le Marais. Saint-Germain's streets host Le Procope, Paris' oldest café. Latin Quarter is steps from Panthéon. 11e offers authentic boulangeries near Gare de Lyon. €140-200/night mid-range is realistic in Le Marais in April 2026. The 1er (Louvre) is pricey but quiet at night. Airbnb has tightened in Paris since 2024—hotels often beat apartment prices now. Avoid 8th arrondissement for value. Stick to 4e, 5e, 6e, or 11e for best balance.

DistrictVibeHotel €/nightBest for
Le Marais (4e)medieval streets, nightlife, falafel row€140-230first-timers, foodies
Saint-Germain (6e)Left-Bank classic, cafés, bookstores€170-280romantics, literary buffs
Latin Quarter (5e)student energy, Panthéon, Mouffetard€100-170budget central, solo
Montmartre (18e)artistic, hilly, postcard views€110-190couples, short stays
Saint-Michel (6e)touristy but walkable, metro hub€110-170first-timer budget
11e (Bastille / Oberkampf)local, cheap, bars and natural wine€90-150returning traveler
1er (Louvre / Tuileries)peak central, pricey, quiet at night€200-350luxury, Louvre-centric

Daily budget by tier

Budget €65-90 daily backpacker (hostel, markets, metro). €160-230 mid-range (boutique hotel, cafe meals, attractions). €380+ luxury (5-star, dinner, Seine cruise). Family of 4 in apartment: €320-440 daily. Avoid €25+ meals at Rue de la Huchette tourist traps. Skip €12 taxis; use metro (€2.10). Never pay full €18 for attractions; use Paris Visite pass (€11 for 5 days). See table for exact savings.

TierAccommodationFoodTransport + entryTotal/day
BackpackerHostel dorm €30-45€18-28€9 day pass€65-90
Mid-range3-star €140-200€50-70€10 Navigo day€160-230
Luxury4-5-star €320+€100+€40 taxis€380+
Family of 4Apartment €180-260€110-150€30 passes€320-440

Skip-the-line tickets that actually save time

Book the moment flights are confirmed. Eiffel Tower summit tickets (€29.40) sell out 2-3 weeks ahead May-Sep. Louvre timed entry costs €22. Versailles Passport is €32. Catacombs tickets (€29) avoid 2-4 hour queues. Notre-Dame interior reopens Dec 2024; entry is free but requires 2-day advance booking. Sainte-Chapelle + Conciergerie combo (€18.50) saves 90 minutes on busy days versus buying separately.

AttractionTicket typeCost (€)Time saved
Eiffel Tower summitPre-booked official €29.40€29.4090-180 min
LouvreTimed entry (09:00 slot)€2260-120 min
VersaillesPassport (palace+gardens+Trianon)€3260-90 min
Catacombs of ParisOfficial skip-the-line€29120-240 min
Sainte-Chapelle + ConciergerieCombo pre-booked€18.5045-90 min
Arc de Triomphe rooftopPre-booked €16€1620-40 min
Musée d'OrsayTimed entry€1630-60 min
Opéra GarnierSelf-guided€1515 min

Frequently asked questions

Is 5 days enough for Paris in 2026?
Five days is enough for Paris in 2026 if you prioritize. See the Eiffel Tower summit (€20, 30 min queue if booked ahead) and the Louvre (€17, 3 hours minimum). Skip Montmartre for a focused itinerary. Book Eiffel Tower tickets 14 days early. Use RER B from CDG (45 min, €11.50) to reach central hotels near Gare de Lyon. Avoid Notre Dame (reopening 2024-2025). Focus on core sights: Louvre, Eiffel, Champs-Élysées, and Seine riverwalk.
How much does 5 days in Paris cost per person in 2026?
Budget travelers pay €285-350 total for 5 days in Paris 2026. Stay near Gare du Nord (€55/night, 15 min to Eiffel Tower). Use Navigo Découverte (€22 for 5 days, covers metro/bus). Eat at Le Marais bistros (€15 lunch, €20 dinner). Entry fees: Eiffel Tower summit €28, Musée d'Orsay €16. Total food/attractions €100-120. Avoid tourist traps on Champs-Élysées; eat at Rue de Rivoli bakeries.
When should I book Eiffel Tower and Louvre tickets for a 5-day Paris trip?
Book Louvre tickets €17 online 3-4 days ahead via louvre.fr. Eiffel Tower summit tickets €28.50 require 2-3 days' advance booking at tour-eiffel.fr. Both sites prevent 2-hour queues. Avoid third-party sites. Enter Louvre via Rue de Rivoli. Access Eiffel Tower from Champ de Mars. Book early to skip lines on your 5-day trip.
What's the best area to stay in Paris for 5 days?
Stay in Le Marais for 5 days. You'll find affordable 2-bed apartments averaging €120-€180/night near Rue des Rosiers. It's a 5-minute walk to Place des Vosges and a 10-minute Métro ride to the Louvre (Line 1, République station). You reach Notre-Dame in 15 minutes via Métro Line 1 from République. Book directly on Airbnb using "Le Marais Rue des Rosiers" for verified listings. Avoid tourist traps near Champs-Élysées; Le Marais offers authentic bistros like Le Petit Cler on Rue des Rosiers.
Is the Navigo Week pass worth it for 5 days in Paris?
No, the Navigo Week pass costs €22.20 for 7 days but you only need 5. A single metro/bus ride is €2.10. For 3 trips daily, 5 days = €63. Use it for 7 days if possible. Otherwise, buy single tickets. Example: Gare de Lyon to Musée d'Orsay (Line 1, 15 min) costs €2.10 each way. You save €40.80 over 5 days.
Should I include a day trip to Versailles in 5 days in Paris?
Versailles takes 40 minutes by RER C from Paris Gare de Lyon. Entry is €16. A full day trip consumes 7-8 hours round-trip. Skip it if prioritizing Montmartre or Le Marais. Dedicate one full day to Versailles instead of rushing. The palace grounds span 800 hectares near Place d'Armenie. Train leaves Paris every 15 minutes. Return to Paris by 5 PM. Avoid weekends for crowds.
Which months should I avoid for a 5-day Paris trip?
Avoid July and August for 5-day Paris trips. Hotels in Le Marais average €320/night—up 60% from shoulder season. Eiffel Tower queues exceed 45 minutes daily. Métro trains on Rue de Rivoli run 20% slower during peak heat. Book flights to CDG 3 weeks ahead to avoid €150+ surcharges. September offers similar temps with 30% lower prices.
How do I get from CDG airport to central Paris cheapest?
RER B train costs 11€ one-way from CDG Terminal 1-2-3 or 4. It takes 32 minutes to Gare du Nord station. Buy tickets at machines in the station. Avoid buses costing 10€ but taking 45-60 minutes. Gare du Nord connects directly to Paris Métro Line 4 and 5. Walk to Gare de Lyon or Place de la Concorde in 15 minutes.
What's the best day order for Louvre, Eiffel, Versailles, Montmartre?
Start Louvre at 9 AM (€17 entry, opens 9 AM). Walk 2.5km to Eiffel Tower via Champs-Élysées (30 minutes). Visit Eiffel Tower at 10:30 AM (€25 summit, book ahead). Montmartre (15-min walk from Eiffel) fits afternoon (Sacré-Cœur, Place du Tertre). Save Versailles for a full day: 40-min RER train from Champs-Élysées (€16.50), €20 entry. Never combine Versailles with other sites.
Is Paris safe at night for tourists on a 5-day trip?
Paris is safe at night for tourists on a 5-day trip when using common sense. Stick to well-lit main areas like Champs-Élysées, Rue Cler (10pm), and Place du Tertre. Avoid empty alleys near Rue de Rivoli after midnight. Use RATP night buses (€2.10) or taxis (€15 max from Eiffel Tower to Montmartre). Stay aware in crowds near Notre-Dame.
What to beware of in Paris as a tourist in 2026?
Don't trust 'free' guided tours near the Louvre Square. Pickpockets target Métro Line 1 at Châtelet station daily; keep bags zipped. Avoid "Paris Taxi" signs near Gare de Lyon – demand a metered ride; fake taxis charge €25 for a 5-min walk to Montmartre. Eat at Le Relais de l'Entrecôte (Rue de la Bourse, €18 for steak) not Rue Cler; overpriced crepes cost €15 near Sacré-Cœur.
Is $5000 enough for a 5-day Paris trip for 2?
Yes, $5000 USD covers a comfortable 5-day Paris trip for two. Stay at Hotel Saint-André des Arts (€115/night, 3km from Eiffel Tower). Budget €80 for metro passes (250€ total). Eat at Le Marais bistros (€18/meal) and buy picnic supplies at Rue Mouffetard market. Attractions: Eiffel Tower summit €28/person, Louvre €17. Total: €1,850 ($2,020) for lodging, transport, food, and entry fees.