Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in the United Kingdom and France, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in the United Kingdom and France, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
21 of the 29 items cost less in France.
Bottled, convenience store
United Kingdom: ≈ $1.10 – $2 £0.80 – £1.50 France: ≈ $0.90 – $1.70 €0.80 – €1.50 Cafe or street vendor
United Kingdom: ≈ $3.30 – $4.60 £2.50 – £3.50 France: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Draft, at bar or restaurant
United Kingdom: ≈ $5.90 – $8.60 £4.50 – £6.50 France: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Tourist area, main course
United Kingdom: ≈ $20 – $37 £15 – £28 France: ≈ $17 – $32 €15 – €28 Local market or stand
United Kingdom: ≈ $9 – $16 £7 – £12 France: ≈ $6 – $10 €5 – €9 Mixed drink, bar
United Kingdom: ≈ $13 – $19 £10 – £14 France: ≈ $10 – $16 €9 – €14 House wine, restaurant
United Kingdom: ≈ $24 – $37 £18 – £28 France: ≈ $17 – $28 €15 – €25 Cafe or street stall
United Kingdom: ≈ $4 – $6.60 £3 – £5 France: ≈ $3.90 – $6.80 €3.50 – €6.00 Standard route
United Kingdom: ≈ $79 – $110 £60 – £85 France: ≈ $63 – $73 €56 – €65 Metered or typical fare
United Kingdom: ≈ $4 – $5.90 £3.00 – £4.50 France: ≈ $1.50 – $2.30 €1.30 – €2.00 Single ride
United Kingdom: ≈ $4 – $4.10 £3.00 – £3.10 France: ≈ $2.30 – $2.90 €2.05 – €2.55 Grab / Bolt / Uber
United Kingdom: ≈ $11 – $26 £8 – £20 France: ≈ $11 – $28 €10 – €25 Tourist shop
United Kingdom: ≈ $2 – $4 £1.50 – £3.00 France: ≈ $1.70 – $3.40 €1.50 – €3.00 Tourist shop
United Kingdom: ≈ $11 – $20 £8 – £15 France: ≈ $9 – $17 €8 – €15 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
United Kingdom: ≈ $20 – $59 £15 – £45 France: ≈ $17 – $56 €15 – €50 Data package
United Kingdom: ≈ $13 – $26 £10 – £20 France: ≈ $11 – $23 €10 – €20 Pharmacy or shop
United Kingdom: ≈ $5 – $11 £4 – £8 France: ≈ $9 – $16 €8 – €14 Supermarket
United Kingdom: ≈ $1.10 – $2 £0.80 – £1.50 France: ≈ $0.56 – $1.40 €0.50 – €1.20 Pack of 20
United Kingdom: ≈ $21 – $24 £16 – £18 France: ≈ $14 – $15 €12.00 – €13.50 Pack of 20 tablets
United Kingdom: ≈ $0.66 – $2.60 £0.50 – £2.00 France: ≈ $2.30 – $5.10 €2.00 – €4.50 Spray or lotion
United Kingdom: ≈ $4.60 – $9.30 £3.50 – £7.00 France: ≈ $6 – $11 €5 – €10 Local barbershop
United Kingdom: ≈ $20 – $40 £15 – £30 France: ≈ $20 – $34 €18 – €30 Laundry service
United Kingdom: ≈ $4 – $7.90 £3 – £6 France: ≈ $4.50 – $9 €4 – €8 Standard full-body massage
United Kingdom: ≈ $73 – $110 £55 – £85 France: ≈ $56 – $90 €50 – €80 Basic cut, salon
United Kingdom: ≈ $40 – $79 £30 – £60 France: ≈ $34 – $62 €30 – €55 Entrance ticket
United Kingdom: ≈ $40 – $53 £30 – £40 France: ≈ $16 – $36 €14 – €32 Organized excursion
United Kingdom: ≈ $33 – $66 £25 – £50 France: ≈ $39 – $68 €35 – €60 Organized excursion 6-8h
United Kingdom: ≈ $79 – $145 £60 – £110 France: ≈ $79 – $135 €70 – €120 Local cuisine cooking class
United Kingdom: ≈ $59 – $110 £45 – £85 France: ≈ $100 – $170 €90 – €150 Tourist prices are about 2.4× the fair price in France, against 2.2× in the United Kingdom.
United Kingdom 4th lowest of 60
France 14th lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
United Kingdom In restaurants 10 to 12.5% is normal, but many places already add a discretionary service charge to the bill: check before adding more so you do not tip twice. You do not tip when ordering at a pub or bar. Rounding up a taxi fare is appreciated but not required.
France In France service is included in restaurant and café prices by law (service compris), so tipping is never obligatory. Locals simply leave small change or round up, for example a euro or two for a good meal. There is no expectation of a percentage tip as in some countries.
Yes. In France you pay about 13% less than in the United Kingdom at fair prices. TruePrice Index: United Kingdom 222, France 193 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 21 of the 29 items cost less in France.
A week is cheaper in France: about $345 at fair prices, against $470 in the United Kingdom. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $1,010 in the United Kingdom and $875 in France.
In France: food and drinks cost about 20% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $20 – $37 in the United Kingdom and $17 – $32 in France, street food $9 – $16 and $6 – $10.
In France: tourist prices there are about 2.4× the fair price on average, against 2.2× in the United Kingdom. The biggest gaps in France: water 1.5 L (4.1×), water 0.5 L (3.5×), and private transfer (3.4×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, United Kingdom vs France, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/united-kingdom-vs-france/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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