Ah Paris... the City of Love, the City of Light, the City of I Can't Afford Anything Nice. When money is tight, you might need to rethink your idea of a romantic getaway. Forget about champagne or sharing a candlelit dinner with a view of the Eiffel Tower. But don't be discouraged! Here are some tips on how to enjoy this city without breaking the bank.
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| The Eiffel Tower, photo taken from the Palais du Chaillot |
CHEAPEST ACCOMODATIONS: After thoroughly searching the internet, Airbnb seems to offer the best and cheapest places to stay. If you're a single traveler, a bed in a hostel can still be cost efficient and more fun. But for couples who want a little bit more privacy, try renting a private room in the apartment or house of a local! We met some great hosts who provided us with a cozy bedroom and advice not found in tour books or online. The best part is you generally have access to a full kitchen and washer/dryer.
- Price Range:
- Hostels - €15-30/night per person. Prices fluctuate based on demand; Friday/Saturday nights cost more
- "Motels" - €45-60; I give them low ratings in cleanliness and comfort. Paris is the bed bug capital.
- Airbnb - €30-70; The website offers many filter options, lots of pictures, and reviews for each host so you can find exactly what you want, whether it be a pull-out sofa bed or an entire loft apartment to yourself.
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| Sacré
Cœur, Montmartre, 18th Arrondissement |
CREDIT CARD: I prefer using my credit card because I don't get charged a foreign transaction or conversion fee, but some places have a minimum purchase limit and many local shops don't accept American credit cards (explanation below).
- MUST READ! Most automated machines in Paris do not accept swipe credit cards! We encountered problems while trying to purchase tickets for the Metro (the subway). We were also really disappointed when we tried to rent the city bicycles and the machine couldn't process any of our cards. In France and much of the world, they have chip-and-PIN cards that read differently than the magnetic strip cards we are issued in the States. However, many restaurants and stores have dual card readers.
CASH MONEY: Always carry cash
in the currency of the country you are visiting. Smaller denominations are
easier to handle and the vendors will hate you (tourists) less.
- Most ATMs don't charge any
service fees but your bank most likely will.
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| The Seine River |
FOOD: Not much fine dining
for this couple! The cost of a regular dinner at most restaurants/bistros
is between €12-16 per person. The cost of more refined dining is
double or triple that. Our little taste buds will never experience the
exquisite cuisine that Paris is known for. Instead, this is what our diet
consisted of:
- Crepes - the little huts
along the streets of Paris offer sweet and savory crepes for 3-6 Euros
- Ethnic Food - Paris is quite
a diverse city. We found many kebab shops, fast food Chinese, Indian, and
African. Warning! If you walk into a fast food place and you see a
microwave behind the counter, run away! Unless you're hungry and
desperate.
- The Locals - No, we did not
convert to cannibalism. Ask the people who know the ins and outs of the city best. Our hosts took us to a no-frills African
restaurant where we sat in a dark basement and ate an incredibly tasty authentic Ivory Coast meal... with our hands.
- Boulangerie Patisserie - On every block in Paris you can find these mom and pop bakeries that offer low-cost sandwiches, bread products, and pastries all baked fresh daily. €3.50 for a thin "foot-long" simple sub.
GETTING TIPSY: A glass of wine can be cheaper than a bottle of Coke. For some reason soda/pop is really expensive in Paris. So grab a seat in the patio of the nearest bistro and order a glass (€3-€4). The best advice from everyone and their mother is to grab a six-pack at a supermarket and stroll on down to the Seine River at night.
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| Locals and tourists hanging out along the river |
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| Gettin' all spry on some Grolsch; Notre Dame Cathedral in the background |
SEEING THE SIGHTS: So many incredible monuments, so little time. Paris is fun to explore on foot and the Metro weaves through every part of the city and beyond.
A single ride fare on the Metro costs €1.70. An unlimited day pass is roughly €8.
704: number of steps to the second level of the Eiffel Tower. Climbing the stairs is a cheaper and "healthier" option than taking elevator. €5 stairs to second floor/€9 elevator to second floor/€15 elevator to the top. The wait is shorter too.
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| The right way to climb up the Eiffel Tower |
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| The wrong way to climb up the Eiffel Tower |
Palace of Versailles - This amazing, decadent palace costs a decent €15, which includes an audio guide. However, the majestic gardens and parks are FREE! Take a whole day to wander the grounds and nap in the grass. It does take about an hour and a half by train to get there from the city centre.
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| The Gardens behind the Palace |
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| A moment of reflection by the Grand Canal |
Seven days in Paris doesn't make us experts, but hopefully these tips will make your first or next visit more enjoyable and help to keep your hard earned money in your pocket.
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| East view from the Eiffel Tower |
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