Don't get lost in the crowds. Read lowcostholidays.com's tips on enjoying a city break in Paris without breaking the bank.
Museums and monuments:
Known for its huge array of art and culture, Paris has over 50 museums and galleries for all tastes. Although gallery visits may be at the top of your ‘things to do’ list in the city, it can be very busy, overwhelming and expensive.
Try to make early visits to avoid long queues and crowds; the early bird catches the Mona Lisa. In comparison, visit the galleries at night. You will find the majority of the larger museums and galleries stay open until 9, 10 and 11pm.
Buy advance tickets online before you get to the venue to avoid further queuing or, purchase a museum pass if you plan on visiting two or more museums per day. A two day pass will cost you €30, four days €45 and a six day pass €60.
Be aware, around all the tourist hot spots you’re likely to see beggars, arbitrary people trying to show you magic, that you'll then be expected to pay a €20 tip for and people trying to sell you unwanted gifts. Pickpockets will also loiter around tourist attractions so make sure you are extra careful, leave your valuables at home and don’t be fooled by small children and women holding babies.
Food…
Paris is known as one of Europe’s culinary centre points. A choice of croissants for breakfast, oyster lunches, pain au chocolate or crepes for a late afternoon tea and a range of luxury three course meal dinners are all available in the city. You will find hundreds of beautiful restaurants in the city centre however, be warned, eating out can be one of your biggest daily expenses.
Eating on a budget in the city, doesn’t mean your be eating poorly. For budget travellers, lowcostholidays recommend eating your biggest meals at lunchtime, when prices in restaurants are lower than in the evening.
Remember that in Paris you will pay more for anything that is served at a table, so if you don’t mind standing up you can save a few euros having your coffee at the bar.
How do I get around?
Paris has a great underground public transport system (known as the metro), opening at 5.30am, runs an efficient service until 1.15am.
Evade congestion if you can, rush hour is between 8am and 10am, then 5pm and 8pm, lowocstholidays recommend you avoid taking the metro at these times if you suffer with claustrophobe as the trains can get very busy. If you’re use to travelling on the London Underground you shouldn’t have a problem. Buy a metro map, avoid panic and know where you are going.
If time is of the essence, purchase metro tickets in booklets of 10. Not only will this save you money, but you won't have to stand in line for tickets every time you wish to board. You can also buy a Paris Visite card, giving you unlimited travel on the metro and RER trains and Ile-de-France buses.
If you travel on Line 6 on your city break remember there are impressive views of the Eiffel Tower near the Bir-Hakeim station.
Riding a bike in the city is a great alternative to driving or traveling via public transport. Try to rent a bicycle with a basket and horn, despite what it looks like, it will come in handy. Unless you are an experienced bike rider, lowcostholidays strongly recommend you stay in the designated bike lanes.
An inexpensive bike hire in Paris will cost you approximately €1 per day to hire the bike or around €5 for the whole week, it’s a great cheap way to get around and see the city.
If your hailing a taxi at night, you should also beware of illegal taxis, it’s never worth the risk to travel with a stranger who isn’t licenced.
Spectacular nights out:
The city of light is also known for its music, dancing and vibrant nightlife. With such a huge array of nightclubs, pubs and bars, the city offers something for everyone.
There isn’t a strict dress code in Paris but, if you plan on hitting a trendy bar or club, it’s a good idea to dress to impress. Some clubs may require men to wear shoes but you will find most places are pretty relaxed. Being one of the fashion capitals in the world, expect to see women dressed head to toe in designer outfits, especially in the more exclusive clubs.
A shoppers dream:
Parisian shopping is an integral part of the city's cultural character. Quality hand bags, shoes and leather goods are the province of Paris. Even if you are not a huge shopping fanatic, lowcostholidays recommend you have look at the beautiful stores in the city. From mainstream shops to haute couture, Paris retails have something for every range of buyers.
Be prepared to window shop or max out your credit card in Rue Etienne Marcel and Place des Victoires. Here you will find haute couture from Chanel, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent; where truly trend setting fashion will be found.
You will find all your treasures in Paris’s flea markets, a great place to find bargains and unique goods. A prime location for locals and tourists alike, you should be particularly aware of pickpockets. If you can, visit the flea markets in the morning before the crowds become too abundant in the afternoon.
If you plan on shopping in large groups, arrange a central meeting point in case people wonder off or you lose one another in the crowd. You will find most dealers will accept credit cards, so don’t worry about bringing loads of cash.
Umbrella or sun cream…
Summer temperatures in Paris are typically warm with occasional heat waves, you may need sun protection but, unexpected rain showers do occur year round. lowcostholidays recommend you check the weather before you travel simply so you know what to expect.
Other useful tips:
- Remember it is prohibited to smoke in enclosed areas such as train stations restaurants and bars etc. so if you need a cigarette you will need to go outside.
- Of course every tourist wants to see the Eiffel Tower. The immensely popular tourist destination can have excruciatingly long elevator queues, especially for the third level during summer peak times. Try to arrive early and avoid long queues, gates open at 9.30am and it also helps to avoid weekends.
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