How I Scored a $106 Round-Trip Flight to Paris: A 5-Day Budget Itinerary

Oct 6

The Ultimate Guide: Paris for 5 Days Without Breaking the Bank

How It All Came To Be

I check flights almost every morning when I wake up. One morning, I came across a deal that was way too good to be true, I legitimately thought I was being scammed. I found a $106 round-trip direct flight from LAX to Paris for the next day. I was fortunate to be on a break from work so I did not have much going on that week. Without much thought, I booked it.

It was with a newer airline, Norse Airlines. My prediction is either they needed to fill up some seats on the plane or even potentially it was a glitch in the system. I packed a bookbag, hopped in my car, drove from Phoenix to Los Angeles, left my car at a friend’s place, and set off for Paris.

Why I Couldn’t Say No to Paris

This opportunity came at just the right time. Work was getting stressful and it was the beginning of the summer. The last thing I expected was to have some European summer and I really needed it. I honestly enjoy flights and I enjoy going through airports so it really wasn’t much of a bother for the short time period.

Paris is an incredible city (of course). There is so much to see and it is so easy to get around. Paris has amazing art, history, architecture, pastries… I honestly thought the people were very nice despite what I have heard. It was beautiful and peaceful.

How I Found my $106 Flight to Paris

Airline: Norse Airlines, a newer budget airline.
Timing: Found it the morning of May 28th, departing the evening of May 29th.
Price: $106 round-trip, direct from LAX to CDG.
Booking Strategy: Always check flights daily, especially for last-minute deals. I am always using Google Flights.

My Review For Two Great Hostels

I booked everything last-minute using Hostelworld and managed to snag spots at two hostels:

St. Christopher’s Inn at the Canal (3 nights): Both hostels were such party hostels, this one located right on the Canal Saint Martin. The bar was full of action every night, and it had a super social atmosphere. This was a great spot to meet people. I got in on my first night and immediately headed down to the Eiffel Tower to see it lit up.
St. Christopher’s Inn at Gare du Nord Station (2 nights): I stayed here for the last two nights of my trip. The first night staying here, I walked around Paris so much that I crashed at around 6 PM. I woke up around 1 AM to my walls shaking from music. Turns out, the hostel transforms into a club at night. I went downstairs and ended up partying for a while. I would definitely recommend both.

How to Get Around Paris: Walking, Biking, and Using the Metro

Paris is huge, but it’s also incredibly walkable. I spent most of my days wandering around, eating pastries, and stumbling into beautiful spots. When I wasn’t walking, I was taking the metro (which was easy to use) or I was riding a street bike (Uber).

Day 1:

Arrived at Night: Went straight to the Eiffel Tower.
Walked along the Seine River, got some food.

Day 2:

Grabbed pastries from a recommended local bakery and then just spent the day walking
Visited Notre Dame and the surrounding area.
Hit up the Jewish Quarter and ate falafel at the famous L’As du Falafel.

Day 3:

Met up with a friend who was also in Paris.
Went to the Louvre together— beautiful but super crowded.
Visited the Arc de Triomphe, and stumbled upon a WW2 veterans’ ceremony happening there
Shopped around—Paris has great vintage stores.

Day 4:

Headed over to Montmartre which was definitely my favorite spot in the city.
Hiked up to the Basilique du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, such a beautiful church.
Explored the streets, watched painters working in the square, and relaxed.

Day 5:

Went back to a few spots I loved, ate more croissants, and just wandered until it was time to catch my flight.

How I Explored Paris for Under $500: Full Budget Breakdown

I’m always about keeping things affordable, and Paris doesn’t have to be as expensive as people think. Here’s how my budget broke down:

Flight: $106
Hostels: ~$30/night ($150 total)
Food: $7-10 per meal (mainly pastries, crepes, and street food)
Transport: $45 total for metro/bike rentals
Miscellaneous: ~$50 (museum tickets, souvenirs)

Total Cost: Under $500

Tips for Spontaneous Trips

Check Flights Daily: Be ready!
Stay in Hostels: They’re social, affordable, and fun. Be open minded.
Walk, bike, and metro: The best way to see Paris and most cities is on foot or by bike. It’s part of the experience.
Go With the Flow: Be up for anything.
Pack Light: You can do laundry anywhere, you don’t need much.
Be Prepared for Things To Not Go As Planned: It was raining most of my trip. I almost got kicked out of the hostel due to a scheduling error. Things happen. Role with it.
Get a Good Phone Plan When Abroad: I use an app called Airalo. This app allows you to buy international electronic SIM cards, meaning phone plans cheaper than from your phone provider.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss Out

I am so thankful to have found this trip and it is a constant reminder for me to always stay updated on flights because you never know when you can find a steal. Sometimes it comes to you when you need it most. Traveling like this isn’t luxurious and isn't for everyone, but it is proof that you don’t need to be rich to travel like a king.