crus034

Hi everyone,

I am a single female travelling to Paris in March 12. I will be spending three nights in Paris before catching the train from the MONTPARNASSE Station to travel West to do an English Language course in Brittany. I will be arriving at the Gare du Nord from Amsterdam.

I have visited Paris once before and stayed at the Hotel de Paris. It was a few years ago now but I remember feeling uncomfortable walking at night in the area despite being with a large group. We also visited Montmatre one night and I remember feeling the same however I am sure there are nice places to stay in both these areas and also in close proximity.

I would like to know where the best place to search for accommodation would be. I have the following requirements:

1. Safe/pleasant area
2. Cheap - backpacker/dorm rooms fine
3. Close proximity to the train stations

I love walking in the city so intend to spend the couple of days I have there exploring. I have already visited the major attractions so am more interested in exploring parks, cafes etc.

I have been searching on the eurocheapo.com and booking.com and have also checked out some of the other suugestions from other discussions but most seem to be well out of my budget.

Any assisstance that can be provided would be much appreciated.

Also - as I am flying to Amsterdam and staying there for a few days first I have a similar request for there - where is the best area to stay that is in close proximity for walking around the city but also safe and cheap?

Thanks

qwovadis

hotel-collegedefrance.com

my fav in a good area

eurocheapo.com/paris other options with a map

www.villagehostel.fr

www.mije.com

2 best safest hostels...

qwovadis

www.phildutch.net

cool for amsterdam my fav pretty cheap

eurocheapo.com/amsterdam other cheap places tips with map

BullDog and the Flying Pigs for hostiles... big party places

Have fun,

qwovadis

oops forgot in Paris 2 other cheap nice hotels

www.eldoradohotel.fr

Utrillo Hotel

bilboburgler

I've stayed at College de france and its ok, there are a few other hotels in the streets close it which are ok. You will also find a good range of ethnic and other restaurants locally, close to a main thoroughfare. I'd say sensible for a single woman.

Going to Brittany to do an English course??

hetismij2

The Bulldog and Flying Pig are fine if you want to seriously party and/or have a smoke. Otherwise I'd avoid them.

Keren

Cosmos hotel in Paris has been recommended here and on other forums. It's cheap and in a good area where I stayed before and felt safe.
http://www.cosmos-hotel-paris.com/

Christina

As long as you are leaving from Montparnasse, why not stay there. I do all the time, it's a nice neighborhood, very convenient, and lots to do. And the hotels are a bit cheaper there because it isn't tourist central. If you are close enough to the station, you can just walk.

This is a good 2* hotel just a couple blocks from the gare, singles 75 euro http://www.hotelodessaparis.com/

It would help if you were more explicit as to what your budget is, though, no point in making suggestions if you won't consider them. You say you already considered some places but they were out of your budget. So what was that?

This is a cheaper 1* hotel in a great neighborhood but around metro Gobelins, so not walkable to the train station (and not Montparnasse, but nice) http://www.hotelportroyal.fr/
Singles there are 40-55 euro.

There really aren't hotels in Paris cheaper than 40 euro a night that I've ever seen, at least not in central Paris. Maybe in some areas where I wouldn't stay, but even the cheap ones I know in the Bastille area are 45 euro or more and that wouldn't be as convenient for leaving. LIke Marys http://www.marys-paris-hotel.com/ This is the cheapest one I know in the Latin Quarter and it is also 44 euro http://www.commerceparishotel.com/

Another 1* hotel in Latin Qtr, singles without private bath around 55 euro http://www.hotel-marignan.com/

If you want to spend less than that, I think you need a hostel and I don't know any personally but there are websites dedicated to them with comments where you can find those. I know the Young & Happy on rue Mouffetard is a good location. Again, maybe not so convenient for your leavetaking. Just go look at www.hostels.com etc and they should have reviews. You can get a bed in a hostel group room for probably around 25-30 euro but a lot of them are not very central and won't be as convenient for you as these hotels I named. Hostels are not that cheap in Paris. I'd rather have a single room in a hotel for 45 euro than pay 30-35 euro in a group room in a hostel in a less convenient area.

This is about the cheapest hotel I know in central Paris, the 1* Hotel Tiquetonne, singles without bath are 40 euro. It's a decent location http://hoteltiquetonne.fr

But I'd feel more comfortable staying at the Odessa in terms of walking around at night, for example, and it would be more convenient.

Tammy_Weiler

Montparnasse or Latin Quarter are hot areas now so lots of fun, single people. It will be the best rates and safe for you. But here's a tip: Areas near a train station are never cool for a single female, end of story.

justineparis

Hi , I am not sure what your budget is,, but as a solo woman visitor to Paris I have stayed in two budget hotels that were VERY central and in very safe areas. They are the Hotel ST Pierre in the 5th, or Hotel Eugenie, with is right on border between the 5 th and 6th. Both were clean and nice, but the Eugenie was a bit nicer( but cost a bit more). I think I paid 80 euros for HSP and 90 for the Eugenie. Rooms are small ,, but location is excellant,, I have actually stayed in about 8 or 9 other places in Paris, but these were the cheapest.

Girls at work stayed at the St Christophers Hostel and thought it was nice, clean etc,, but I have heard the MIJE hostel is the nicest or most convenient one.

I wouldn't stay near Gare Du Nord( its not horribly dangerous or anything,, just , um, not nice in my opinion) ,, staying near Montparnese is fine, but why,, you are just taking a train from there, stay anywhere and just take metro to Montparness on morning of trip.

crus034

Thanks heaps for your replies. The tips about the different areas are exactly what I was after.

I will have a look at all the mentioned hotels.

Cheers

nehaprm9

Hi ,

I am travelling to Paris in April 28 and would need 2 night accomodation before I travel to Grenoble.Please suggest a safe decent and central point place from which its easy to visit places.Also Please please suggest me from CDG airport Paris how to reach my place.Pls help this is my fist time to Europe.

Thanks and Regards
NP

nikt34

The area around Gare du Nord is quite unpleasant (although still safe). On the other hand the area around Montparnasse station is actually quite nice, lively and feels perfectly safe. Hotels in this area tend to be significantly cheaper than in the inner suburbs (for example neighboring Saint-Germain) so that's also great for you. Here are a few nice hotels in Montparnasse that you could consider:

Hotel Aberotel - http://www.aberotelparishotel.com/
Hotel Du Parc - http://hotelduparcparis.com/
Hotel Edouard VI - http://hoteledouard6.com/

justineparis

NP I recommend same places, both are within 2 minutes walk to major metro lines so you can take metro anywhere in city, or to train station to catch your train( not sure if you are leaving from Gare L"Est or Nord) For CDG airport, simply jump on the RER ( station is St Michel right by hotels) ,, its fast and cheap, just make sure you don't have any more luggage then you can easily handle yourself,, including going up or down stairs.