A week in France is a dream trip for many Nigerians — the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, cafés and day trips beyond Paris. But between the Schengen visa, flights and euro-priced hotels, the total can add up fast.
This guide breaks down how much it costs to travel to France from Nigeria in 2026, item by item, so you can budget realistically and show the embassy you can afford your trip.
How we calculated: Prices are in naira at roughly ₦1,400 to $1 and ₦1,600 to €1, close to open-market rates in early October 2026. Exchange rates move, so recalculate with the rate on the day you pay. Flight and hotel prices are typical ranges, not quotes.
Quick answer: total cost of a 7-day trip to France
For one person travelling from Lagos for seven days, a realistic budget is:
| Travel style | Estimated total |
|---|---|
| Budget (shared or simple hotel, careful spending) | About ₦2.8 million – ₦3.5 million |
| Mid-range (comfortable hotel, more attractions) | About ₦4.0 million – ₦5.5 million |
Here is where the money goes.
1. France visa fees
Nigerians need a Schengen short-stay visa to visit France. Applications for Nigerian residents are handled by TLScontact in Lagos. As of late 2025, the Abuja centre was only accepting family reunification and diplomatic applications, so most tourists apply in Lagos.
| Fee | Amount | In naira (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa fee (adult) | €90 | ₦144,000 |
| TLScontact service fee | €28 | ₦45,000 |
| Total visa cost | €118 | About ₦189,000 |
Fees are paid by card in local currency and are not refundable if your visa is refused. Allow more than a month between your application and your departure date. For the full document list, see our France visa requirements for Nigerians.
2. Travel insurance
Schengen visas require travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 for your whole stay. For a one-week trip, expect to pay roughly ₦30,000 – ₦80,000, depending on the insurer and your age.
3. Flights from Nigeria to France
Air France flies direct from Lagos to Paris Charles de Gaulle, a trip of about 6 hours 40 minutes. Other airlines connect through cities such as Casablanca, Istanbul, Addis Ababa or Doha.
| Fare type | Typical return price | In naira (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest connecting fares (booked early) | $580 – $900 | ₦810,000 – ₦1.26 million |
| Typical economy fares | $900 – $1,400 | ₦1.26 million – ₦1.96 million |
Travel sites show February as one of the cheapest months, while July and August are among the most expensive. Booking about three months ahead usually gets you better prices than last-minute bookings.
4. Accommodation in France
Paris is one of the most expensive cities in Europe for hotels. Smaller cities like Lyon, Lille or Marseille are often cheaper.
| Type of stay | Price per night | Six nights (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel bed or budget hotel | €60 – €100 | ₦576,000 – ₦960,000 |
| Mid-range hotel or private apartment | €120 – €200 | ₦1.15 million – ₦1.92 million |
Book accommodation that can be cancelled for free when you apply for your visa, then confirm once your visa is approved.
5. Food, transport and attractions
| Daily expense | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Food and drinks | €30 – €45 | €50 – €80 |
| Local transport (metro, bus, RER) | €8 – €12 | €10 – €20 |
| Attractions and activities | €10 – €20 | €25 – €50 |
| Daily total | About €50 – €75 (₦80,000 – ₦120,000) | About €85 – €150 (₦136,000 – ₦240,000) |
Popular paid attractions include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles. Ticket prices change regularly — the Louvre, for example, introduced a higher ticket price for most non-EU visitors in 2026 — so check official websites before you go.
Sample 7-day budget for one person
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Visa and TLScontact fee | ₦189,000 | ₦189,000 |
| Travel insurance | ₦30,000 | ₦80,000 |
| Return flight | ₦1.26 million | ₦1.96 million |
| Accommodation (6 nights) | ₦580,000 | ₦1.5 million |
| Food, transport and attractions (7 days) | ₦600,000 | ₦1.2 million |
| Airport transfers, SIM card and extras | ₦150,000 | ₦300,000 |
| Estimated total | About ₦2.8 million | About ₦5.2 million |
Add an emergency buffer of 10–15% on top of your budget, especially if exchange rates are moving.
How much money should you show for a France visa?
France expects you to prove that you can pay for your stay. Its guidance uses daily reference amounts that depend on where you will stay — roughly €120 a day if you have no accommodation booked, €65 a day with a hotel booking, and about €32.50 a day if you are staying with a host in France.
For a seven-day trip with a hotel, that works out to at least about €455 (around ₦730,000) on top of your flights and hotel. In practice, embassies also look at your income, savings history and ties to Nigeria, so a healthy, consistent bank statement matters more than a one-off deposit.
Ways to reduce the cost of a France trip
- Travel in low season — late January to March, and November, are usually cheaper than summer and Christmas.
- Book flights early and compare direct and connecting options.
- Stay outside central Paris near a metro or RER line.
- Buy a weekly transport pass if you will use the metro every day.
- Eat like a local — bakeries, markets and supermarkets are far cheaper than tourist restaurants.
- Pick free experiences such as walking along the Seine, Montmartre and many parks.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a France visa fee in Nigeria?
The Schengen visa fee is €90 for adults, plus a €28 TLScontact service fee — about ₦189,000 in total at current rates.
How much is a flight from Lagos to Paris?
Typical return economy fares range from about $900 to $1,400 (₦1.26 million to ₦1.96 million). Cheaper fares can appear if you book early and travel off-peak.
Is ₦3 million enough for a trip to France?
It can cover a careful one-week budget trip, including the visa and flight. For a more comfortable trip, plan for ₦4 million to ₦5.5 million.
How early should I apply for a France visa from Nigeria?
You can apply up to six months before your trip. France advises allowing more than a month between submitting your application and your departure.
Final word
A one-week trip to France from Nigeria costs roughly ₦2.8 million to ₦3.5 million on a tight budget and around ₦4 million to ₦5.5 million for a more comfortable stay. Lock in your flight early, keep accommodation flexible until your visa is approved and track the exchange rate as you plan.
Planning other trips? Compare our cost guides for Germany, Turkey and the UK, or read our Schengen visa requirements for Nigerians.
Last checked: October 2026. Sources: France-Visas, KAYAK Lagos–Paris fares, Air France Nigeria and exchange-rate trackers. All costs are estimates.
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