Destinations > Europe > France > Paris > 1, 3, or 5 Day Itinerary in Paris

1, 3, or 5 Day Itinerary in Paris, France

When we initially planned to start our adventures from Orlando, Florida, our first destination was Paris, France. We had estimated flight costs, accommodations, Disneyland tickets, transportation, food, etc. to run us around $1,500 when everything was said and done...

That was for 5 days and 2 adults, but we found out that you can see most of the Famous Paris sites in a Single Day, or explore a bit more like we did in only 3 days (if you drop the 2 days at Disneyland that we included in our 5-day trip). The amazing surprise was that this trip actually ended up costing us NOTHING - in fact, we were paid $642.67 to go on this trip (details about that later in the article).

Paris is loved by many people around the world. It’s no surprise then that the city and its many icons have been the setting of numerous films and stories. Midnight in Paris, Moulin Rouge, and Amélie are just a few of many well-loved movies that have inspired travelers near and far – including us – to flock to the City of Light and Love.

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of our itinerary, I want to share a little about how our own journey into remote work transformed the way we travel. Not long ago, we were stuck in traditional 9-to-5 routines, dreaming of escaping the office grind. Then we landed remote jobs that not only allowed us to work from anywhere but also gave us the freedom to travel on a budget. We quickly learned that by embracing geoarbitrage—earning in a strong currency while living in lower-cost destinations—we were not just exploring the world; We were building our path toward financial independence and an early, fulfilling retirement. This trip to Paris wasn’t just a vacation; it was a step toward a lifestyle where travel and work blend seamlessly.

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Here is our Wonderful 5 day Itinerary.

Click the link above for the 1 day Itinerary (or drop Disneyland for the 3 day Itinerary)

Careful advanced planning helped us land airline tickets on Norwegian Air for only $419.75 for two people (under $210 each) INCLUDING their Hot & Tasty Meal, Seat Selection, and Extra Bag selection.

When we arrived, we requested an Uber to bring us to our Airbnb - but, we could have probably just taken the train and saved quite a bit of money (Uber: $58.46, Airbnb: $289.98 - haven't used Airbnb before? It's better than you think for much less money. See our "Saving Money on Accommodations" page for more details and save $40 on your first trip with this link!). Due to a delay in our original flight, we actually paid for 7 days at the Airbnb, but we were not allowed to receive a refund from the Airbnb for those unused days that late in the cycle.

By taking advantage of the Navigo Decouverte Pass, we were allowed to use just about all methods of transportation for an entire week (Train/RER/Metro/Bus) for a total cost of only $101.88.

Note: All prices below were converted to U.S. Dollars from Euros.

Day 0: Airport Delay, Flight to Paris 19:05

Day 1: Paris Parcs

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont (Free), Parc Monceau (Free). Visiting some free parks on our arrival day helped us with preventing jet-lag and also familiarized us with using the train.

Day 2: Highlights of Paris

Cathédrale Notre-Dame (Outside - Free), Montmartre (Outside areas - Free), Arch de Triumph (Outside - Free), Champ de Mars (Free), Eiffel Tower (Outside - Free). We also grabbed two Paris Travel Patches from a stand near the Eiffel for a total of $8.71.

As we wandered through the charming streets of Paris and marveled at iconic landmarks without breaking the bank, we can’t help but think back to the countless mornings we spend working from cozy cafés abroad. Every cobblestone and corner café reminds us that remote work isn’t just about escaping the daily grind—it’s a powerful tool for creating a life where you can travel forever. We’ve seen firsthand how strategic budgeting and smart travel planning, backed by a steady remote income, can actually pay for your adventures. In our own journeys, even small savings have steadily built toward our FIRE goals, proving that a life of travel and financial freedom isn’t just possible—it’s within reach.

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Days 3 & 4: Disney

Walt Disney Studios Park & Disneyland Parc (Special 2-Day Deal - $176.50 total - for 2 people, we definitely recommend looking for deal days!). If you can only afford one day split between both Disney parks, check out our "What to do at Walt Disney Studios Parc" post to save time.

After our action-packed days at Disneyland, I took a moment to reflect on how every decision—from choosing affordable accommodations to leveraging local transport passes—helps us live our dream lifestyle. I remember sitting by the Seine, laptop open, scheduling my next work project while absorbing the beauty of Paris. It was in that quiet moment I realized: my remote career wasn’t just funding trips; it was paving the way to retire early and enjoy the world on my terms. When you’re earning a good income from anywhere, even a city like Paris turns into a steppingstone toward a future of financial independence.

Day 5: Paris Museums

FREE MUSEUM SUNDAYS! Musée d'Orsay (Inside - Free), Tuileries Garden (Free), Louvre (Outside only due to time, but it was also Free to go inside), Gave the equivalent of $0.81 to some very rude people demanding donations near the Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle (Inside Free on the First Sunday of each month between 1st October to 31 March, but as we arrived on April 1st we paid $24.89.), Seine River Cruise ($42.52 for two people via Viator). Check out "Famous Paris Sites in a Day" to see how we managed to pull it off.

Day 6: We took a 5:00 AM Uber to Airport ($57.27 total). 7:15 AM Flight.

Additionally, we ended up spending $227.35 on food between the both of us over those 5 days (see the breakdown on how we saved on food in our Paris Budget).

Our total ended up being: $1,408.12.

However, due to the delay on our initial flight with Norwegian Airlines (a European Carrier flight to a European destination), a particular law allowed us to claim up to €600 each as compensation as well as additional costs associated with our delay - see info on that law here!). We ended up receiving $1,850.88 in total for this from the airline!!!

But, as we also had Berkshire Hathaway's AirCare insurance package, we ended up receiving an additional $200 due to our flight delay claim as well.

Total Compensation: $2,050.88
Total Cost: $1,408.12
Net Cost: WE GOT PAID $642.76

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Thank you for following along on our budget-friendly Paris adventure.

For us, each trip is more than just a getaway—it’s a practical demonstration of how remote work and smart financial planning can turn travel into a lifelong pursuit. Whether you’re a career changer, a digital nomad, or someone seeking the freedom to work from anywhere, know that every dollar saved, and every experience gained is a brick laid on the path toward FIRE.

Embrace the possibilities: work remotely, live in affordable locations, and eventually, retire early while continuing to explore the world. Join us at EatWanderExplore as we prove that a life of adventure and financial freedom is not only possible—it’s a journey worth taking.

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