jdmartin928

My husband and I are trying to decide between Paris and Rome to travel to between September and October. Which is cheaper to travel to? This would be our first time to Europe and would like to stay at least 5 nights. Suggestions?

suze

I think they will be comparable. It much more depends where you stay (level of hotel), where and how often you eat (type of restaurants and how many meals per day), what you do (tours, taxis, admissions) that determines your budget much more than which city you pick.

WillTravel

In general, I think that in Paris it is a lot easier to get a decent, well-located, cheap hotel as compared to Rome, although in Rome you can get that same effect by staying in convents. Even going upscale a bit, I think a moderate hotel in Rome can be gotten for the same price as a very nice hotel in Paris.

With 5 nights or so, an apartment is an option, and I don't think apartment prices differ dramatically between the two cities.

Another significant factor is the cost of your airfare, which could be hundreds of dollars different depending on the city (and I can't say which will be cheaper).

I just realized, though, that Paris has some events in September and October that really drive up the prices of hotel rooms, so I'm talking about ordinary times, not when one of those events is occurring. You'll have to check your exact dates to know whether this coincides.

So if price is a deciding factor, look at the airfare and hotel costs first before committing. Once those are out of the way, I agree that the prices per day work out pretty similarly.

jdmartin928

thanks for the info. I didn't realize that there were going to be events in Paris around that time frame. Good to know, I'll have to look into that.

We usually stay at nice hotels (clean, safe w/ bathrooms in the room mostly 3 or 4 stars). Would any of you suggest doing a european cruise instead that might go to a different part of France and Italy (I think some include Spain too). We Usually travel to the Carribean or Mexico so Europe is new for us. We want to spend around $4000 (less would be great too!)

highflyer

Like for like Rome would probably be more expensive as it's further and therefore airfare should cost more but this may not be the case!
Hotels seem to be more expensive in Rome but there are budget options.

In reality you can set a budget for either city and stick within it.
Pick what matters most to you. You could eat cheaply (picnics, sandwiches, etc), sleep cheaply (2 star hotel, apartment or convent), travel cheaply (walk, walk, walk!) or conversely eat every meal at a posh restaurant, stay at a 5 star hotel, take taxis, tours and see shows every day.

highflyer

OK, try $1000 each for airfare, $1500 for 5 nights (hotel $300 per night) and you have $100 per day for food and activities.

I'd suggest an apartment for 5 nights but as it's your first time to Europe maybe a 2 or 3 star hotel with breakfast included would work. Clean, safe and nice can apply to 2 star hotels!

Easily done but you'd be eating cheaply most days.

StCirq

I think they are comparable except for hotels and possibly airfare. I can almost always find a hotel cheaper in Paris than in Rome. And aiarfare for me from the East Coast to Paris is usually slightly cheaper than to Rome (though these days it's all expensive!).

I personally would never suggest a cruise, but that's just my preference.

And I'd suggest if you're going all the way to Europe (presumably from the USA), with airfares what they are today, try to plan a trip longer than 5 days.

suze

I agree with trying to stay longer (I don't know where you live but was assuming Canada or the U.S.?) since the airfare is the major cost, not to mention jet lag.

I found Paris an easy city to plan and understand once you got there. I have yet to go to Rome because people often talk about how hectic and confusing it is, and it seems more intimidating somehow to me. Paris is wonderful and I found 3-star hotels in good areas for a reasonable price.

I would never take a package tour since you are going just one place, or go on a cruise for a first trip to Europe, but that's just personal preference.

wliwl

Both are wonderful cities - and you should go to one of them and spend the whole 5 days there.

Paris might be easier, and I agree with everyone on here who says the hotels are cheaper. You really do not need to spend over $200/night for a very decent place, and in fact you could spend less. http://www.delavigne-paris-hotel.com/index.html

Rome, is, well, simply amazing. I loved it. But my first trip to Europe was Paris, and it was just wonderful. I mean, what's there not to like?!

(Do not rent an apartment for just 2 of you. You'll have more fun with a hotel.)

tuscanlifeedit

We've been to both several times in the past 8 years. I find airfare to Paris consistently less expensive than to Rome, from my home city.

I also find I can get more accomodation for my money in Paris than in Rome.

That doesn't mean that I like Rome less. It is an amazing experience.

We are going to Venice in mid October. Our airfare was 700 USD each, and we are renting an apartment for a week for 1000 USD. So that's 2400, and I will probably buy trip insurance tomorrow, for under 200. Now we are at 2600. Add on another 150 for a room and parking the night before trip, adding up to 2750. Another 250 or so for transportation and admissions, which add quickly. Now, 3000.

I know you are not thinking of Venice, but I thought I would give you our costs for a trip to Europe at the same period.

Think about what you would like most: French or Italian food? French or Italian wine? The art of Paris, or the art of Rome? Ditto history. Which one do you dream of most often?

tuscanlifeedit

Oh, I forgot: stay longer if you can. I too would never suggest a tour or curise, but that's me.

I think Paris is a perfect introduction to traveling to Western Europe. It is easier to understand, the crowds can be less crushing, and I never saw anything in Paris that shocked the life out of me.

You know that old movie, London Kills Me? Well, I have often thought of writing an article called Rome Kills Me. I have seen some things in Rome that I would prefer not to see again, ever, in any circumstances.

And that does NOT include the guy threatening to jump out of his 2nd story window near the Campo di Fiori, and the resultant hilarious, typical, chaotic and crazy Rome rescue scene. Giant yellow blow up rescue pads, a zillion people, police cars, rescue vehicles, the drunk guy leaning out of his window in his Italian style t shirt, and all in a space about 12 feet wide. That can be Rome.

Nikki

I agree that Paris is usually less expensive to fly to, at least it is from Boston, my home airport. And there are non-stop flights available, which there are not to Rome. If that is true wherever you are, it is something to consider.

I also find the cost of hotels and meals to be less in Paris.

However, you can probably get to either Paris or Rome and stay within your budget. I would prefer five days in either city to a cruise. On a cruise you don't get to know the places you visit as well as you do when you stay there, and both Paris and Rome are well worth getting to know.