Greta Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Can anyone offer me some tips for planning a trip to France (mostly but not entirely Paris) that won't break the bank? I hear about people finding these amazing deals like round trip tickets for $300 -- but I never find anything like that!!! How do you get substantial airline discounts? Does anyone know of good guidebooks or websites about seeing Paris and/or Chamonix (dh wants to climb Mont Blanc) affordably? I've been dreaming of going to Paris since I was 12 years old. We keep saying "someday, someday". The timing is never "right". But I am tired of waiting and I just want to make it happen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 We travel in the winter to get better airline rates. The February rate is much, much different than the June and July rate. I love, love, love Rick Steves guides for anywhere in Europe. We used his France and Paris guides on our trips. For a family of four, we found it economical to rent an apartment in Paris rather than stay in hotels. We loved it as we walked past a French bakery on our way to the bus stop...and there was a great pizza place (teenage boys!) and a great deli place we could shop at in the evenings. Some of our most memorable meals came from places like that. Inside Paris you do not want a car. Use the Metro system. RS has suggestions for B&Bs and affordable inns in his guides. You can also check out his website for recommendations from others about places or activities he doesn't cover. Your husband could post about advice for climbing, for example. I adore Paris and France. We found people friendly, helpful, and welcoming...not like a Texan might be, but in their own way. I felt very at home there. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Thanks, Happy! The apartment rental idea sounds great. I'd LOVE to do that because I hope we can stay for awhile! But how long do you typically have to stay to be able to do something like that? I'll look into the Rick Steve guides -- thanks! We travel in the winter to get better airline rates. The February rate is much, much different than the June and July rate. I thought of that too, but dh isn't up for climbing Mont Blanc in winter. That's a whole different level of difficulty and risk (harsher conditions, fewer daylight hours, etc.). Thanks for the suggestion, but do you know of any other way to find cheap flights? I'm so excited! Thanks for the reply! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in CA Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 I went to Paris in March with my ds graduating from high school. It was as close to as perfect a trip as I can imagine. Definitely plan on using public transportation. It was incredibly easy and economical, and we could get *anywhere* with the metro and sometimes a bit of walking. I used a website to help plan and book my trip. It was extremely helpful, because it helps you plan your trip from the ground up, so to speak. You pick the city and how many days you'd like to stay there. It offers you your choice of flights, hotels, transportation options, day tours, and airport connections. It was all easy, and just as promised. It was the most practical (and reasonably economical, I think) way for a newbie traveller, imo. The website is europeandestinations.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Thanks, Happy! The apartment rental idea sounds great. I'd LOVE to do that because I hope we can stay for awhile! But how long do you typically have to stay to be able to do something like that? I'll look into the Rick Steve guides -- thanks! I thought of that too, but dh isn't up for climbing Mont Blanc in winter. That's a whole different level of difficulty and risk (harsher conditions, fewer daylight hours, etc.). Thanks for the suggestion, but do you know of any other way to find cheap flights? I'm so excited! Thanks for the reply! I've never actually used them, but I used to get updates from bestfares.com You might try that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwka Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Oh! Go there, it was awesome!!!! The best theme park I've ever been to!!!! http://www.puydufou.com/uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 One accommodation option for outside of Paris is camping. Camp sites in France often have tents that are already set up for you, so you don't have to do any work. They are usually spacious and clean, on established camp sites with showers, etc. This is a British firm that offers camping holidays in France. In Paris, the metro is easy to use and walking is a pleasure. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwka Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 In Europe hostels are very popular and much cheaper than hotels (google hostels in France). Excellent trains and buses as transportation instead of renting a car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 March and October, my mom visited me in Germany for around $300 roundtrip. Summer rates are generally much higher. Hotels are also 1/2 to 1/4 the normal price at these times. We prefer seeing things at those times--things are less crowded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Yay, this is great! Thank you ALL for the information! I am looking into every suggestion. I just knew that the hive mind would have the answers!!! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 We just got back from our European vacation including Paris. First of all kids are free into museums. Check into a museum pass if you are going to several - it can save, if you go to three museums/historical sights or more. The metro, as others have said, is fantastic and fun to figure out. Honestly, food and lodging will be your major expense. We rented an apartment for four days, but I know for a smaller group, you could do better with hotels or hostels. We were able to cook in our apartment; I actually brought Trader Joe ravoli for the first night so we would not even have to look for something. I found several little grocery stores and this saved some money. We brought empty water bottles hoping to find drinking fountains when we were out and about to fill them by, no luck (plenty in Italy) so fill your bottles before you leave your dwelling in the am. The kids climbed up the Eiffel Tower (avoid the line and save some $$) and I watched them from below with my bad foot. Rick Steve's audio tours are awesome and can be downloaded for free to your I-pod. You can also get guide books at your library. Have fun and pack light! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtroad Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 (edited) Don't go in travel/summer season & keep tickets prices down. Also looking into train passes that allow TIME and not per trip.... so you can go often on one ticket... not pay each trip. Check out VRBO.com. They handle personal rental property (vacation rental by owner).... they actually have homes/ castles/ rooms available across the world. Some had advice about food.... when I went to Scotland, I stocked up on breads & cheeses & back pack foods. I ate in restaurants very little & did find a B&B that was reasonable price in off season... so I got a great breakfast! I just kept the eating very basic & stretched every dollar. Of course in France, you have to have 1-2 meals in famous places or nice cafes to experience it! But you can shop at the grocer & stretch the rest. Edited June 24, 2009 by Dirtroad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Jessica* Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I don't have any tips on how to save money because I went as a teenager and was spending my parents' money. :lol: I can't remember how far it is from Paris, but if you can.....go to Carcassonne! I wish I had the money to go again. *sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingersmom Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 I would check out http://www.tripadvisor.com. They have recommendations on hotels and their are forums where you can post questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greta Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Thank you all for these further suggestions! I'm grateful for all the help. I was clueless where to begin, so I appreciate all the links and other ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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