In last week's column, I wrote about the kinds of magical experiences that can be had at the upscale hotels of Paris. But admittedly, this option is not for everyone, either for reasons of cost (such hotels are beyond the reach of most travelers) or choice (many affluent travelers have different priorities). But not to worry... Paris can be a magical experience even for those with the most modest of budgets.Getting around the city. You don't need to rent a car (trust me ... you don't want a car in Paris) or limo. You don't need to take taxis. Paris has arguably the best system of mass transit of any city in the world, and with some planning, you can use the Metro and the bus system for a full week for only €14.50. The trick is to purchase a Carte Orange. This is a one week pass, but know that the week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday; plan your itinerary accordingly. With your Carte Orange, you can take any Metro train or bus in Paris for free for an entire week!
Here's a tip you might not see anywhere else: To save yourself time, money, and confusion, print up some passport style photos of everyone in your party before you leave home; the photos should be 1.125" in height. If you're handy with Photoshop or another photo editing program, put photos of everyone in your party on one 4x6 print. Order one print from your local drugstore for 19¢, cut out the individual small portraits, and stick them in a ziplock bag for safekeeping. When you arrive in Paris, take the photos to the ticket booth at any Metro station and ask for a Carte Orange for each member of your party, being sure to specify which week you want it for. If you forget to take care of your pictures before leaving home, you can use the coin operated photo booths in any Metro station, an experience in itself!
Sightseeing. If you want to visit the many museums of Paris, my best advice is to get a Paris Museum Pass. You will not need a pass for any member of your party under 18 as museum admission is free for children (but bring along official picture ID's that document their age). Do not buy the pass online in advance as you may be charged at least 20% more. You can buy the Museum Pass at the ticket booth in the Metro station where you get your Carte Orange. Two consecutive days cost €30, four consecutive days cost €45, and six consecutive days cost €60. (Do your research in advance and know what museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays).
Not only will the Paris Museum Pass save you money if you want to visit the covered attractions, you will save invaluable time as Pass Holders can bypass the insanely long ticket lines and use special entrances to the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, and other popular sites. Think of your time as being at least as precious as your dollars, pounds, and euros; this will help you make the most of your stay in the City of Light!
And here are three walking tours of Paris that you can download, print, and take with you ... an absolutely free private tour guide that will take you places you might never find on your own. For many more, buy a copy of Frommer's Memorable Walks in Paris.
Where to stay? You're reading this article because you're not planning to stay in 5-star properties. But you have many more alternatives!
There are many very nice four-star properties that will give you beautiful accommodations for significantly less than the five-star palaces of Paris. An experienced travel consultant who knows Paris is your best bet here, but you might also consult TripAdvisor.com. The reviews are generally reliable, although you can probably disregard the occasional poor review of a property. Do know that I consider the ordered rankings to be a bit bizarre, and I wouldn't take them literally.
If you want a three-star property, your best bet may be a tour package bought with your airline tickets or through a company that sells packaged tours. You will receive negotiated rates along with airport transfers and other options. Again, a good travel consultant can steer you in the right direction and save you a lot of time. Because tours are typically pre-paid, you may want to consider trip cancellation insurance.
If you really want to economize, I have two recommendations. If you are traveling with a large party -- four or more -- you can rent an apartment for significantly less than the cost of hotel rooms. If you enjoy staying at B&Bs at home, consider this option in Paris. B&Bs offer you a bedroom, private bath, and breakfast (not to mention the friendship of your host family) for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. And if your bottom line is to spend the absolute minimum (and you're really flexible about where you might end up), there's always Priceline. Be sure to study the guidelines for using Priceline on such websites as Bidding for Travel.
A final word of caution. We've all become accustomed to shopping for accommodations on online travel agencies like expedia, orbitz, and travelocity. That's right ... they're not just websites. They're travel agencies which make a commission on every sale you make, but they do not provide you the service, advice, hand-holding, or trouble-shooting of a flesh-and-blood travel consultant. And have you ever noticed that many of their prices are pre-paid when you book? While this is good for the orbitzes of the world (they get their commission as soon as you pay), this is bad for you if you need to cancel. If you've saved your hard-earned money to take that trip to Paris you've always dreamed of, a travel consultant can help you make the most of the funds you'll be spending on your vacation. Even if she or he charges a nominal trip planning fee, it may be the wisest investment you'll ever make.
Also of interest: what to do in Paris: a top ten list
Just posted, walking tours of Paris, including a link to a free download of The Heart of Paris.
If you have comments on this column, or questions about booking travel, email me or visit my website.
travel horizons Paris budget hotels transportation Metro Museum+pass Carte+Orange walking+tour apartment B&B travel+consultant
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