France
Paris is a splurge. Provincial France is one of Europe's quieter bargains.
Cheaper. The exchange rate moved +4.5%; local prices rose +2.2%.
- Lean
- $80
- Comfort
- $381
Ranked 69 of 99.
The short answerIn US dollars, as of November 12, 2026
France is 5.8% cheaper for US-dollar travelers than a year ago, after adjusting for inflation. A mid-range day costs about $170 per person, excluding international flights. The US State Department advisory is Level 2 (increased caution), and it ranks 69 of 99 on the Trip Arbitrage Index with a score of 55 out of 100.
What your money buys there
30 monthsThe dashed line is what a currency converter shows. The solid line is the same thing after prices in both countries are taken into account. When they part, the solid one is telling the truth.
How the score is built
- Dislocation ×0.36
- 59
- Price floor ×0.30
- 16
- Safety ×0.20
- 75
- Ease ×0.14
- 98
Real price drop vs last year and vs the five-year norm
How low the daily cost is in absolute terms
From the current travel advisory
How well set up the country is for visitors
The full reading
| Real change, 3 months | +4.3% | Is the move still going, or already reversing? |
|---|---|---|
| Real change, 12 months | +5.8% | The headline: what your money buys versus a year ago. |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +4.5% | What a currency converter would tell you. |
| Local inflation, 12 months | +2.2% | How much of that the destination's own prices took back. |
| Versus five-year average | +2.6% | Cheap or dear against its own recent history. |
| Advisory | Level 2 | Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 4.9 / 5 | Effortless |
- Set lunch menus at €16–20
- TGVs booked ahead for the price of a bus
- The southwest and the Massif Central
Paris and the Riviera hotel rates are among Europe's highest, and strikes can stop trains with little notice.
Eurozone: no exchange-rate movement for euro earners.
When to go
November is off season- Janoff
- Feboff
- Maroff
- Aprshoulder
- Maypeak
- Junpeak
- Juloff
- Augoff
- Seppeak
- Octshoulder
- Novoff
- Decoff
Safety and ease
- US State Department
- Level 2: Increased caution · updated October 20, 2026
- Read the full advisory ↗
- Advisories are often regional. A country-wide level can hide both safe areas and no-go zones, and other governments may judge differently.
- Tourism infrastructure
- Effortless · 4.9 / 5
Cities in France
- Paris$238a day
Head to head
- France vs Italy$157a day there
- France vs United Kingdom$186a day there
- France vs Sweden$162a day there
- France vs Norway$218a day there
France, in five questions
Answers are generated from the index reading of November 12, 2026, in US dollars. To cite: “Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026.”
- How much does it cost per day to travel in France?
- As of November 12, 2026, a day in France costs about $80 on a lean budget, $170 mid-range and $381 in comfort, per person, excluding international flights. These are modeled estimates, updated daily for local inflation and the exchange rate.
- Is France cheaper to visit than a year ago?
- Yes. Over the past 12 months the exchange rate moved +4.5% for US-dollar holders while prices in France rose +2.2%, a net real change of +5.8% in purchasing power. Against its own five-year average, France is 2.6% cheaper.
- Is France safe to travel to right now?
- The US State Department rates France at Level 2: Increased caution. Paris and the Riviera hotel rates are among Europe's highest, and strikes can stop trains with little notice. Advisories are often regional and other governments may differ, so read the full advisory before booking.
- When is the cheapest time to visit France?
- The shoulder months, when the weather is workable and prices ease, are April, October. The best conditions, and the highest prices, come in May, June, September. November is off season.
- How easy is France to travel around?
- France scores 4.9 out of 5 for ease of travel (effortless), a measure of transport, lodging, payments, wayfinding and access to healthcare. Paris is a splurge. Provincial France is one of Europe's quieter bargains.
Elsewhere in Europe
Reading of November 12, 2026. In US dollars, France reads +5.8% over twelve months in real terms with a mid-range day near $170. Costs are modeled, not quoted: see the method.