I spent more on my ten days in Paris than I did the other twenty days in Europe combined, and that’s not counting the Louis Vuitton purse, Frédéric Malle perfume, or the two Frey Willie rings I bought. Paris is fabulous, but oh-so-expensive, y’all.

Even though I love to travel, I understand how expensive it can be when you’re planning a holiday to a popular {and expensive} destination like Paris. Costs add up…coffee, subway rides, pain au chocolat, wine, cheese, entrance fees….you wouldn’t believe how much a trip can be if you are not careful with your planning. This is why it is absolutely essential to make all of your arrangements ahead of time in order to find the best deals possible. Here are five tips to book your trip to Paris {or any city} without breaking the bank:

Plan Ahead

Duh, right? Even though it’s an obvious tip, it’s one of the best pieces of advice I can give to anyone wanting to visit the City of Light. By planning months in advance, you will be able to get the cheapest deals for Paris. It’s actually amazing at the amount of money saved when you avoid booking things at the last minute. Set a date as soon as possible and then immediately start shopping around and making arrangements.

Go in the Off-Season

I’m not a fan of crowds or high prices, so traveling in the off season is something that I regularly do. Paris is pretty crowded in the spring and summer, therefore with a higher demand comes higher prices. The only problem with traveling in the off season is that you may miss out on certain Parisian festivals or activities during the high season. That’s not something that I really care about, but it is something to consider nonetheless.

Research Hotels & Don’t Be Afraid to Travel

Location…Location…Location. The closer you are to the heart of Paris the more you’re going to pay. One thing I suggest to people is that you need to research your hotels carefully. Always look at reviews before booking and don’t be afraid to get a hotel on the outskirts of the city. Traveling a bit will help you save money in the long run. This is one way to save additional money. I stayed in the 10th arrondissement, which certainly wasn’t in the city center. However, it was a short walk to the subway and a few stops away from everything I wanted to see.  Research is everything when traveling, especially for those who may have never been to Paris.

Saving Money When Flying

Flights are another thing to keep in mind when traveling to Paris as it’s often the greatest single expense. Booking a flight can be incredibly expensive, but one way that I save money is by continually gathering and using frequent flyer miles. These are reward points that add up the more that you travel. If you travel often like I do then there is a good chance that you’ve already racked up some miles. If you’re not a frequent flyer or don’t use a credit card that helps you accumulate miles {you should do this!}, then set price alerts on various Websites that will send you emails when the price drops for your desired route.

Always Use the Internet

I’m on the computer often and always have my eyes pealed for deals. I’ve always found it more convenient, less time consuming, and cost efficient to do my booking online. The Internet allows you to research, compare, and read reviews. You can usually save money just by researching and comparing different flights, hotels, tours, and events online. Also, Twitter and Facebook pealed for deals great sources to find travel deals. And BONUS, the money saved on hotel and flights can be put towards important Parisian experiences like shopping, drinking Champagne, and eating macaroons.

I’m already plotting my return to Paris in the spring. Flight alerts are set, points are being accrued, and my craving for pain au chocolat and Bordeaux wine is growing by the day. Jusqu’à ce que nous nous reverrons, Paris.