Exploring Paris in 5 Days for Indian Travellers: A Ready Plan with Real Prices

Your smart 5‑day Paris itinerary with icons, Indian food stops, visa basics, metro tips and real prices in ₹, built for Indian travellers.

By Keego Travel Experts (Keego Travel Expert) · 2026-06-21 · 12 min read

Exploring Paris in 5 days for Indian travellers

Paris is easy to love and, with a tidy plan, smooth to execute. This guide, exploring Paris in 5 days for Indian travellers, ties together the big sights, simple transport choices, and dependable Indian food spots, with real prices in ₹ and links you can book today.

Where to stay in Exploring Paris in 5 Days

Real, hand-picked options across price points - tap any card for live ratings, photos and a map.

• Le Meurice (4.5/5 from 2033 reviews - 228 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France)- Hôtel La Comtesse Tour Eiffel (4.6/5 from 1217 reviews - 29 Av. de Tourville, 75007 Paris, France)- Grands Boulevards Experimental (4.5/5 from 743 reviews - 17 Bd Poissonnière, 75002 Paris, France)

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Introduction to Paris for Indian Travellers

• Where to stay for first timers: Saint Germain or the Latin Quarter if you enjoy café life and walking, Opera or Grands Boulevards for shopping access, and the 7th for Eiffel proximity. We like basing within 5 minutes of Metro line 1 or 4, it cuts cross town time.
• Cash vs card: Cards rule. Keep €20 to €50 for boulangeries and markets. UPI does not work.
• Food comfort: You will find dosa, thali, kebabs and plenty of veg across the city. The La Chapelle area around Gare du Nord is a reliable Chennai and Sri Lanka corridor.
• Exchange rate used here: ₹92 = €1. Prices and checks dated June 2026.
• First hand tip: We email hotels 48 hours before arrival to confirm early bag drop. Most say yes, which saves a dead hour after landing.

Visa basics for Indian passport holders

• Type: Short stay Schengen visa, up to 90 days, Category C.
• Fee: €90, plus VFS service fee in India. Appointments and biometrics required. Typical processing is 15 calendar days, can be more in peak months. Apply 4 to 6 weeks before travel.
• Sources: France Visas and VFS Global India for France. Last checked: June 2026.
• France Visas: france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/short-stay-visa
• VFS Global India for France: visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/fra

How to pace exploring Paris in 5 days for Indian travellers

• Front load one headline sight per morning when energy is highest.
• Keep a 90 minute buffer before any timed entry. Metro delays and bag checks can add 20 to 30 minutes.
• First hand tip: We cluster days by river sides, Right Bank days together and Left Bank days together, which keeps total walking manageable for elders.

Day 1: Arrival and Montmartre on foot

Morning and airport transfer

• CDG to city by RER B: about €11.45 one way to Gare du Nord, 35 to 45 minutes. Validate the ticket before boarding. Source: RATP fares. Checked: June 2026. About ₹1,055.
• www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/airport
• Taxi flat fare: CDG to Right Bank €53, Left Bank €58, 35 to 60 minutes depending on traffic. Source: Paris Aéroport. Checked: June 2026.
• www.parisaeroport.fr/en/passengers/access/paris-charles-de-gaulle
• First hand tip: We time arrivals for 08:00 to 10:00 to clear hotel bag drops before noon, then start light.

Afternoon in Montmartre

• Walk Rue Lepic and Rue des Abbesses, then climb to Sacré Cœur for city views. Basilique is free, dome climb ticket €8. Source: Sacré Cœur official. Checked: June 2026. About ₹735.
• www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.com/english/
• Book a 60 minute portrait at Place du Tertre only if the artist shows a portfolio and quotes a fixed price before starting. Expect €30 to €60 depending on detail.
• First hand tip: We carry a small coin pouch, the public loo by the funicular has a paid turnstile that needs coins.

Dinner

• South Indian comfort: Krishna Bhavan near Gare du Nord. Masala dosa about €7 to €9, thali €11 to €13. Two can dine for ₹2,000 to ₹2,800. Source: Krishna Bhavan. Checked: June 2026.
• krishnabhavan.fr/
• We pre book for 19:30 on weekends, walk ins can queue 20 to 30 minutes.

Day 2: Icons day, Eiffel to Arc

This is the big ticket day for exploring Paris in 5 days for Indian travellers.

Morning, Eiffel Tower

• Book the official summit ticket with lift: adult €29.40, 2nd floor €18.80. Timed entry, non refundable unless closure. Source: Eiffel Tower tickets. Checked: June 2026. About ₹1,705 to ₹2,705.
• www.toureiffel.paris/en/rates-opening-times
• First hand tip: 09:00 to 10:00 slots have shorter lift queues than late afternoon. We carry a light jacket, winds are stronger at the summit.

Midday, Seine walk and Trocadéro photos

• Arrive 30 minutes before your slot, shoot Trocadéro first, then walk down to the Tower. Saves backtracking.
• For halal or veg lunch, scan Google Maps for “traiteur” delis on Avenue Kleber and pick up sandwiches to eat riverside.

Afternoon, Arc de Triomphe and Champs Élysées

• Arc rooftop ticket: €16, free under 18s and EU youth. Source: Centre des Monuments Nationaux. Checked: June 2026. About ₹1,470.
• www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr/en/
• Coffee tip: step one block off the avenue, prices drop 20 to 30 percent.
• First hand tip: We exit the Arc via the underground passage only, above ground crossings here are unsafe and illegal.

Dinner near the Tower

• New Jawad Longchamp, solid North Indian with halal options. Butter chicken €18 to €22, naan €3 to €4, veg mains €14 to €18. Two can dine for ₹4,500 to ₹6,500. Source: New Jawad Longchamp. Checked: June 2026.
• www.newjawadlongchamp.fr/
• We ask for mild medium if travelling with kids, default spice is European medium.

Day 3: Louvre and Orsay, smart museum pacing

Morning, the Louvre

• Closed Tuesdays. Timed tickets strongly recommended. Adult €22. Free under 18s. Source: Louvre tickets. Checked: June 2026. About ₹2,025.
• www.louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission
• Time needed: 3 hours for the Denon wing hits, 5 hours for a relaxed circuit. We do an early slot and exit via Carrousel du Louvre for easy Metro access.

Afternoon, Musée d’Orsay

• Closed Mondays. Adult €16 at desk, €14 online timed slots sometimes available. Source: Musée d’Orsay. Checked: June 2026. About ₹1,290 to ₹1,470.
• www.musee-orsay.fr/en
• Worth it vs skip: If you only have energy for one, pick Orsay for Impressionists and manageable size.
• First hand tip: We set a 90 minute timer inside, then break for coffee on the 5th floor café before a final 45 minute sweep. It keeps museum fatigue in check.

Pass math

• Paris Museum Pass: 2 day €55, 4 day €70, covers Louvre, Orsay, Arc, more. Good if you plan 3 plus paid sites across consecutive days. Source: Paris Museum Pass. Checked: June 2026.
• www.parismuseumpass.fr/
• Our take: On this plan, a 2 day pass pays off only if you add Sainte Chapelle, €13, and Conciergerie, €11.50, in the same 48 hours.

Dinner near the Latin Quarter

• Saravanaa Bhavan Paris, reliable veg. Dosa €7 to €10, North Indian thali €13 to €15. Two can dine for ₹2,400 to ₹3,200. Source: Saravanaa Bhavan Paris. Checked: June 2026.
• saravanaabhavan.fr/
• First hand tip: Go by 19:00 to avoid the post theatre rush.

Day 4: Versailles without the scramble

Getting there

• From central Paris to Versailles Château Rive Gauche by RER C: about 35 to 45 minutes. A point to point ticket is roughly €4 to €5 each way from zones 1 to 4. Source: Île de France Mobilités. Checked: June 2026.
• www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en

Tickets and timing

• The Palace is closed on Mondays. Book a Passport ticket to include the Palace, Trianon and gardens, from €21 on non musical fountain days. Musical Fountains add a garden fee. Source: Château de Versailles. Checked: June 2026. About ₹1,930 plus.
• en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/tickets-and-prices
• Arrive for a 09:00 slot, tour the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors first, lunch, then Petit Trianon.
• First hand tip: We photograph hall ceilings while moving, then step into side rooms to let tour groups pass. You get cleaner frames and less jostle.

Lunch ideas

• Pack a picnic from Paris, or eat at Angelina in the estate, mains €20 to €30. Source: Angelina Versailles. Checked: June 2026.
• www.angelina-paris.fr/en/versailles

Evening back in Paris

• Quick, budget Indian near Gare du Nord: Dishny or Ganesha Corner, mains €8 to €12. We keep a late snack stop here after Versailles to avoid cooking oil smells in hotel rooms.

Day 5: Shopping and departure buffers

Morning shopping

• Galeries Lafayette Haussmann for French brands and the free rooftop view. VAT refund is about 12 to 13 percent if you spend €100.01 plus in one shop, same day. Carry passport for detaxe. Sources: Service Public FR and Galeries Lafayette Tax Refund. Checked: June 2026.
• www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F1998
• haussmann.galerieslafayette.com/en/tax-refund/
• Outlet option: La Vallée Village near Disneyland, RER A to Val d’Europe, 45 to 60 minutes. Many stores open 10:00 to 20:00. Source: La Vallée Village. Checked: June 2026.
• www.thebicestercollection.com/la-vallee-village/en
• First hand tip: We keep receipts unsmudged in a zip folder for VAT counters. Ink fades on thermal paper.

Afternoon wrap up

• Notre Dame area is handy for gifts and bookshops. Cathedral remains under restoration, the parvis and surroundings are open. Check current access. Source: Paris Tourist Office. Checked: June 2026.
• en.parisinfo.com/
• River stroll idea: Walk Île Saint Louis to Berthillon for sorbets. Seating is limited, take cones riverside.

Airport transfer out

• From central Paris to CDG, RER B is the most predictable at rush hour. If flying from Orly, OrlyBus to Denfert Rochereau is €11.20, 30 minutes. Source: RATP airports. Checked: June 2026.
• www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/airport
• First hand tip: We set a hard hotel departure at T minus 4 hours for non Schengen flights, T minus 3 hours for Schengen, to absorb rail or security hiccups.

Short add on idea with Keego

• If you want to pair Paris with an English speaking city break, add London by train before flying home. Visa note, the UK visa is separate from Schengen.

Plan a fully custom trip with a Keego travel expert

• We can stitch your Paris hotels and transfers into this UK route. Ask for morning Eurostar timings to maximise time on both ends.

Tips for Getting Around Paris

Tickets and passes

• Navigo Easy card: €2 one time, load t plus tickets for Metro, bus, tram. A single ride t plus is around €2.10. Source: RATP tickets. Checked: June 2026.
• www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs
• Navigo Week, Monday to Sunday: zones 1 to 5 for €30.75 plus €5 for the reusable Navigo card and a stamp size photo. Good value if your stay includes a Monday and you plan Versailles or airports. Source: Île de France Mobilités. Checked: June 2026.
• www.iledefrance-mobilites.fr/en
• Paris Visite tourist pass: convenient but pricier than Navigo for the same zones. Run the math against your days.
• First hand tip: We buy Navigo Week on Sunday evening to avoid Monday queues, bring a small photo for the plastic card.

Using the Metro

• Validate every time. Keep the ticket till exit. On RER to airports or Versailles, t plus is not valid.
• With strollers or heavy bags, use stations with lifts like Châtelet Les Halles and Saint Lazare. We map an accessible exit before leaving the hotel to avoid surprise staircases.
• Platform edge gaps can be wider on RER. Stand two steps back with kids until the train stops.

Connectivity and money

• eSIM or SIM: Orange Holiday Europe 20 GB plan from €39.99, includes EU roaming. Source: Orange France. Checked: June 2026.
• travel.orange.com/en
• Keep a spare contactless card, some ticket machines reject foreign cards at odd hours.
• ATMs may prompt for DCC, dynamic currency conversion. Choose charge in euros to avoid extra markups.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Paris

• Visa timing: Schengen is not an e visa. Do not rely on 4 day processing. Book biometrics early, especially for April to June travel. Source: France Visas. Last checked: June 2026.
• france-visas.gouv.fr/
• Wrong pass: Many Indians buy Paris Visite on Sunday, then activate Monday and still overpay. If your week includes Monday to Sunday, get a Navigo Week instead.
• Not pre booking icons: Eiffel and Louvre same day tickets can sell out. Book 7 to 14 days ahead, pick morning slots.
• Spice levels and allergies: Tell staff no nuts and mild spice clearly. Pepper sauces in Europe can be hotter than expected for kids.
• Ticket validation: On RER to airports and Versailles, failing to keep the ticket can mean a fine during exit checks.
• Sunday and Monday patterns: Many shops open Sunday in central areas, but some museums close Monday or Tuesday. Check specific days to avoid wasted trips.
• Cash for restrooms: Carry a few €1 coins, some public restrooms are paid.

Plan a fully custom trip with a Keego travel expert Worth it vs skip, quick takes

• Worth it: Arc de Triomphe rooftop at sunset, Orsay if you find Louvre overwhelming, Navigo Week if arriving by Sunday night.
• Skip if tight on time: Moulin Rouge dinner show, it consumes an evening and budgets from €90 to €200 per person. Source: Moulin Rouge. Checked: June 2026.
• www.moulinrouge.fr/

Budget snapshot per person per day, realistic ranges

• Food: ₹2,000 to ₹4,500, mixing boulangerie breakfasts and one sit down meal.
• Sights: ₹2,000 to ₹4,000 depending on 1 to 2 paid entries.
• Local transport: ₹700 to ₹1,500 on t plus or ₹500 to ₹700 averaged if using Navigo Week over 5 to 6 days.
• Extras: ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 for coffee, snacks, souvenirs.

Sources quick list, checked June 2026

• Eiffel Tower official tickets, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Château de Versailles, RATP or Île de France Mobilités, Paris Aéroport CDG, Service Public FR detaxe, Orange France.

Travelling with kids or elders

• Book ground floor or lift access hotels. Paris lifts can be tiny, confirm bed sizes and lift dimensions by email. We often request twin beds pushed together for co sleeping toddlers.
• Stroller tip: A compact umbrella stroller fits Metro gates better than large travel systems.

Indian food cheat sheet by area

• La Chapelle or Gare du Nord: Krishna Bhavan, Dishny, Ganesha Corner. Quick, affordable, veg and non veg.
• Eiffel or 16th: New Jawad Longchamp, a little pricier, close to evening Tower visits.
• Latin Quarter: Saravanaa Bhavan, handy after Louvre or Orsay days.

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