Paris is notoriously expensive, crowded, and apparently infiltrated with scammers and pickpockets. It has also been grappling with over tourism, leading to overcrowding and price increases that impact residents far more than short-term visitors. But being renowned for its exquisite fashion, romance, and enticing charm, it is no wonder that so many want to visit.

If you are on a budget and you like to travel slowly, you may face a dilemma. On the one hand, why would you wish to spend all of your savings on a two-day city break when you could spend a fortnight elsewhere? Plus, navigating overcrowded metros, street salespeople, and sleazy scammers could not look much different from a peaceful break. Travelling shouldn’t induce FOMO, but it’s difficult not to be tempted by Paris’s allure.

So, how easy is it to have a good time in Paris? And even if it’s easy, should you be visiting in 2026?

Is Paris Overrated? The Realities of Overtourism and Scams

Is Paris too busy?

Given that Paris is one of the most visited cities, it is unsurprising that overcrowding can be a problem. It was particularly prominent in some parts of Montmartre and around the Eiffel Tower.

However, I found most of Paris’s hustle bearable. Walking a few minutes from the most crowded areas offered more comfort and better views. Paris also has plenty of smaller neighbourhoods, parks, and cafes that offer a slower pace. Alternatively, to visit the most popular landmarks in Paris, visit in the morning on a weekday when it is generally quieter.

How expensive is Paris?

Paris is one of the more expensive cities in Europe. I certainly found it less affordable than most places I’ve visited, though it is still 25-30% cheaper than London. I could have easily spent hundreds of pounds each day, thanks to endless shopping options and aesthetically appealing cafes decorating each street corner. If you are strong enough to avoid these, you still have to eat, sleep, and do stuff.

I often brought food from local bakeries, which worked out less expensive than heading to a cafe/restaurant a few times each day. I am quite strict when shopping for clothing. I try not to buy anything unless I need it or can imagine myself wearing it on multiple occasions. Although if you want to shop on a budget, I couldn’t recommend Paris’s vintage shops enough.

Getting affordable accommodation is a little harder, although you can stay in a nice hostel at around £30 a night. I’d advise booking months in advance, particularly if you are visiting nearer the summer. There are plenty of free things to do in Paris, which I will highlight in my next post about Paris.

Do people expect too much when visiting Paris?

Paris is portrayed very positively in the media, culture, and popular TV. It is very easy for public narratives to shape our own presumptions about places, for better or worse. Although everyone’s experiences of places are unique, because we have different backgrounds and different things can happen at different times. Concerning Paris, it owns its grandeur, but like anywhere else, it will always have some problems.

Does this mean Paris is still worth visiting? Absolutely. Being there in person cannot compare to watching the best parts of it on a TV screen. Experiencing all its beauty whilst living the less glamorous things often makes the experience more immersive.

Will you get scammed in Paris?

I didn’t get scammed. But somebody tried.

I was in Montmartre when an older lady approached me. She appeared to be raising signatures for a cause supporting deaf people. The infographics and the fact that she was communicating by sign language gave that one away. She was acting oddly warm. The French kisses she sent my way made me too guilty to walk away, but made staying put feel even more ominous. Silly me, I signed the petition, hoping that she wouldn’t start asking me for money. It became all too predictable until she indicated that she would buy me food if I gave her money.

Someone around my age, also alone, I think, then shouted across the road and explained that she was a scammer. Thankfully, that zapped me out of my ‘freeze’ state. But if anyone asks, I didn’t actually get scammed.

I’d certainly visit Paris again. But it taught me that, unfortunately, a scammer can be anyone. My gut feeling was right, although my handling of the situation was much ‘softer’, perhaps because of who it was.

Will you get pickpocketed in Paris?

I visited Paris as a child, and throughout the trip, I remember my late father was very scared of pickpockets. Perhaps I’m slowly turning into him. There I was, hands in pockets, making sure I could feel my phone at all times. Whilst I always just take one bank card with me and tuck it under my phone case- that way, it can’t get lost. I also had a backpack. People could have easily gone for that if they’d wanted to, although they wouldn’t have found much besides a waterbottle, a jumper, and a soggy umbrella.

Taking precautions definitely reduces your chances of this occurring, although nothing is ever impossible. Also, it is good to have backup, such as spare cards, in your hotel room. I know some travellers have a spare mobile, although I don’t personally have one.

Are the cultural differences difficult to handle?

Sometimes, French people are perceived as being curt compared to people from other countries. Yet I liked everyone I interacted with. I think openness towards others varies across cultures. Just because people are less ‘friendly’, it doesn’t mean they are standoffish.

I also found myself ordering (or attempting to order) in French every time. For me, it raises questions about privilege. In many places I have visited, if English is your first language, then the burden of knowing the other language is on the resident, not the visitor. And it seems the customer’s needs are tenfold compared to the workers’. So maybe we should stop expecting workers to love us just because we’re tourists.

Should you visit Paris?

I strongly believe that Paris is worth visiting. Yet overtourism impacts places, and more importantly, people living within those places. This raises the question: Is visiting Paris the ‘responsible choice’?

Is Paris getting ‘Disneyfied’?

Take an example, Montmartre. For Parisians, it used to be a nice place to live. Today, the hill on which the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur sits attracts over 11 million tourists a year, making it more popular than the Eiffel Tower. Additionally, many of the independently run Parisian shops and bakeries have been taken over by generic tourism outlets, including tacky souvenir shops and restaurants.

For tourists, it means more crowds, a less ‘authentic’ experience, and higher prices rarely correlating with better quality. But for locals, it means their community has changed drastically. Not only in the sense that there are more tourists or fewer favourite shops, but also concerning who’s left.

How over-tourism can cause locals to be pushed out:

The larger problem, in my opinion, is that tourism often prices locals out of their own area. The influx of ‘tourist trap’ restaurants and shops can crowd out locally owned businesses, often because owners have greater bargaining power. It is also often more lucrative for landlords to let places to visitors rather than to long-term residents. Because fewer properties are available to long-term residents, prices rise, pushing many out of the local area.

How traffic can be a problem:

If you were at home trying to get from A to B, the last thing you want is to be stuck in traffic. Or caught behind a group of tourists, taking about half an hour to get the perfect selfies.

Although the metro can get very busy, it is effective, affordable, and easy to navigate. Similar to the London Tube, it’s filled with many people getting to and from work. Remain mindful, try to move quickly, and stand ‘out of the way’ if you are a bit lost. Tough love, from a fellow southerner who’s relatively used to busy and congested places.

How I travelled responsibly(ish) in Paris:

Keep the ‘traffic’ mindfulness in place when taking photos:

As tourists in a place like Paris, we will, of course, wish to take photos. But if you had just worked an 8-hour shift and you were on your way home, would you really want random tourists standing in your way? Or turning you into an unintentional photobombing meme?

There are many spots in Paris where everyone is taking photos. Trocadero, right in front of the Eiffel Tower, offers the classical touristy experience. But it also offers a huge viewing area, and everyone’s there for the same reason. Meanwhile, there are many areas around landmarks like the Louvre that are primarily occupied by tourists.

If you’d like to take a better photo, there are plenty of green spaces and other viewing platforms, so there is really no need to stand in the middle of the pavement. Search for parks in Paris, rooftops, and photo spots, or simply get lost and find them as you go!

Avoid the generic souvenir shops:

Just as some restaurants are underwhelming, so are many of the souvenir shops. In the nicest way, I do not want a tacky fluorescent-pink Eiffel Tower, and I am also getting rather bored with fridge magnets.

Instead, opt for locally produced gifts. You can find locally made art in Montmartre and along the River Seine. Alternatively, you can ask locals to recommend independently run gift shops. Sometimes it can be difficult to tell whether the gifts are locally made, though they generally look very different from the generic souvenirs sold.

Only take Uber when necessary:

If you have lots of luggage, or if it’s dark or chucking down with rain, it makes sense to get an Uber. Although public transport is efficient and very affordable.

Avoid AirBnBs:

If you book in advance, Paris offers a good range of affordable hostels. Alternatively, you can choose to stay in an independently run hotel or look for a homestay.

Support locally owned when possible:

Sometimes this is easier said than done, although I would advise supporting locally owned businesses when you can. It is easy to come by locally owned bakeries and eateries. Finding locally run accommodation can take more research, though the experience is often more immersive than staying in a chain resort.

Have you recently visited Paris? Or are you considering visiting soon? If so, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

In my next post about Paris, I will share tips for travelling affordably and slowly in a place that’s usually busy and relatively expensive. You can subscribe to ensure that you don’t miss out.