This Popular Vacation Destination On France's Coast Is Cheaper Than Paris

France's tourism generated $78.1 billion from international visitors in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. But where you go in France can make quite a difference in terms of how far your money goes. Popular destinations can come with wildly different price tags, and your choice of location can become the biggest factor in what you'll spend. For example, Nice outshines Paris for budget-conscious travelers wanting a French experience. According to a Budget Your Trip's analysis of real traveler spending data, daily costs reached $285 per person in Paris, versus just $179 in Nice — with savings on lodging, food, and activities. On a three-day trip for two people, that's over $636 in savings.

Transportation is also more affordable in Nice, with Paris' Île-de-France Mobilités reporting that metro and RER tickets are roughly $2.69 each in 2025, while Nice's Lignes d'Azur charges about $1.83 for tram and bus rides, dropping to $1.40 when you buy in bulk. These daily differences can add up fast during a trip — especially if you skip unnecessary travel purchases while enjoying everything Côte d'Azur has to offer.

Nice offers real French culture, and sight-seeing, without the high price tag, making it easier to maintain your vacation spending. For example, the 4.3-mile Promenade des Anglais is open year-round, according to Explore Nice Côte d'Azur. All you need are comfortable shoes to enjoy this waterfront path which runs from the airport to Castle Hill with clear views of the Mediterranean along the way. In fact, much of Nice's appeal centers on open-air experiences that cost little or nothing. In fact, the entire city is a UNESCO World Heritage site — with about 15 blocks of walkable heritage stretching from Promenade des Anglais to Boulevard de Cimiez. Walking tours through these historically designated areas provide the same cultural education as Paris' paid attractions, without the expensive entrance fees.

You can also enjoy quality experiences like the Musée Matisse de Nice, which charges just $13 for adults. That ticket also gets you into the nearby Archaeological Museum. Or, the city offers a four-day pass for $16 if you want to visit all ten city museums. Meanwhile, in Paris, tickets are $24 each at the Louvre and $17 at the Musée d'Orsay.

The biggest savings ultimately come from well-planned trips, especially traveling during a shoulder-season and booking smart. According to The Points Guy's analysis of international flight patterns, the cheapest months to fly to Europe are October, November, January, February, and March — with May, June, and July costing the most. Per Dollar Flight Club, you can save up to 32% by traveling in fall months like September and October, once peak summer crowds clear out. Or, in January and February drop fares up to 30% after holiday crowds disappear.

Plus, more flight options can help keep expenses low. According to Travel + Leisure, United Airlines is flying from Washington, D.C. to Nice four times a week in 2025, from May through September. Or, Air Corsica started direct flights twice weekly between Nice and Florence in late-June, making regional travel easier, per Invest in Côte d'Azur's official announcement. Nice Côte d'Azur Airport handled nearly 14.8 million passengers in 2024, its highest ever, showcasing how quickly Nice is becoming a major Mediterranean hub.

When, exactly, you book your flight matters almost as much as when you fly. According to 2022 Google airfare data, Monday or Tuesday departures can cut costs by up to 20% when compared to weekend flights. Also, buying international flights three to six months ahead can ensure the best prices, especially for summer trips.