Paris is the “City of Lights” and “Romance” attracts people from all over the world. Being one of the hottest and most visited tourist destinations, Paris is considered quite expensive. But don’t panic as it doesn’t mean you can’t dream of going to the most romantic city in the world.
It is quite possible to visit expensive Paris on a budget. For that you just need to plan your trip and follow some budget tips. Rest assured, you will have the fabulous ride of a lifetime.
accommodation
o If you want to save on accommodation, consider staying in smaller cities where it is cheaper. When you are planning to visit Paris, you can look for hotels in Paris that are located close to or well connected by the metro or RER (the suburban train lines), or even have the option of staying in a nearby city like Chartres, which is just A trip on a train. You will also save a lot on travel.
o You can also look up the star ratings of Paris hotels according to your budget and need. The Paris star rating system is good and reliable. Even if you stay one star less than your desired hotel, there won’t be much of a difference in terms of amenities and facilities. You’ll find that sometimes even these lower-rated Paris hotels are far better than their peers at a higher level.
o However, if you plan to stay in a city for more than a week, it is advisable to stay in a vacation rental or serviced apartments rather than in a hotel. You can save on eating out as you can cook on your own in the fully equipped kitchen. You have the privacy and comforts of home in these vacation rental or serviced apartments. However, the only downside to not staying at the hotel is that you will miss the hotels personalized service.
o If you do not want to spend on accommodation, you have the option of changing your house. It is possible if you live in a big city that is also a popular tourist destination. While visiting your apartment in New York City, you can stay in a couple’s apartment in Paris.
o For a change from your usual hotel stay, you may consider camping in Paris. It can be a lot of fun. With the French government regulated star rating system, even an expensive two-star hotel can be equivalent to a four-star camp.
Lane
o Get a rail pass if you are traveling long distances or for a few days of train travel as it is the best and only way to travel cheaply.
How to get cash
o It is advisable not to visit exchange companies since the rates are terrible and the commissions are high. The best way to obtain Euros is by withdrawing money at an ATM in Paris or by loading it with a credit card. It is the cheapest way to get euros.
Eat out
o You can save on your hotel breakfast, which is usually expensive and consists of a few pastries and coffee. You can visit the local coffee shop and start the day with a breakfast and spend half or a quarter of the price of a cake or croissant. You can also inform them when booking your room or at check-in whether or not you want to have breakfast, as you can be charged automatically. However, it will be much cheaper if you opt only for the coffee in the room instead of the full breakfast.
o Instead of spending money on all three meals a day, you can enjoy a great French meal and preferably a lunch. You will be served the same food for dinner for less money. For a reduced price, you can have the prix fixe menu consisting of a starter, main and dessert, and sometimes even wine.
o After you have eaten a lot for lunch, you can opt for cheap cakes and sandwiches for dinner. Or if you prefer, you can go to the big three-course dinner and have lunch with a sandwich instead. Almost everywhere in Paris, sandwiches are very good and usually cost around 3.5 euros.
Transport
o Paris is well served by good means of transport, which facilitates access to any part of the city. It is easy to get from one city to another, as the smaller cities of Paris are also connected by a good transport system. If possible, try to avoid hiring or taking taxis because it is expensive. However, if you are unsure or do not trust your specific destination, you can always email the tourist office to inquire about their transportation system.
Follow these tips and you won’t ruin your trip or make it too difficult to enjoy your trip to Paris. So don’t miss the chance to visit Paris as you only live once.