sarah319

I am a recent college graduate traveling to Paris on route to Prague this May 2013, I am flying in solo and meeting friends once I get to Prague. The plans I make ahead of time have to be flexible because I am flying non-revenue stand-by (from a relative who works for an airline). In hopes that I don't get stranded somewhere stateside, I would love to spend a few days in Paris before I make my way to Prague. Any suggestions of options for traveling solo, I would prefer to stay in a hotel - suggestions for reasonable clean and safe hotels in good districts?

I have been to Paris once but only for a few days with my family, I know that I could spend at least a day at the Louvre and other art museums. I've never traveled alone so any suggestions would be warmly welcomed!

I also would love to hear any insights to traveling from Paris to Prague - if I have enough time, I could stop somewhere in between and spend a day or two.

Essentially, I am welcome to ANY suggestions on Paris (restaurants/cafes, sights, walking tours, places to stay, things that are free, best parks/people watching, anything!) and best mode of transport to Prague. Thank you so much in advance, I am been skimming these forums for a couple of hours and figured I might as well start my own!

kybourbon

What is your hotel budget?

sarah319

Give or take $150/night

Andrew

I'll be in Paris solo in May too for a few days, but I've done it a few times before. $150 is over my budget. I have booked a place via www.cross-pollinate.com for about $100 but it's not in a fun area. I've come to prefer small B&B places vs. hotels when I travel, but I generally don't need most of the "hotel amenities" anymore. Places like the one I booked are reviewed on Trip Advisor so not a complete mystery.

Still, I'm considering Hotwire to take a chance on a 3-star place closer in - some for $100 or so. Could be a small room, thin walls, but perhaps not a 30 minute metro ride into the areas of Paris I wish to visit.

Try www.kayak.com to find airfares Paris to Prague. There are direct flights on easyJet and SmartWings for not much over $100. (go to easyJet's website directly to find all the flights they offer on different days.) That's probably how I'd travel, unless you want to take the train and stop a few places in between.

Scootoir

Try the New Orient Hotel. Stayed there a few years ago and it is highly rated on Trip Advisor. Really helpful owners, small but nicely kept rooms. It's near two Metro lines and not far from the beautiful Parc Monceau.

Southam

For budget airlines Paris-Prague, check www.skyscanner.com
For train suggestions, www.seat61.com Best overview of train fares www.bahn.com
Once you work out an approximate route between the two cities you can start thinking about what midway stops would be appealing.

blondebomb

Ok I was just at a "mom approved. " hotel in Paris. Called Ibis Paris Bercy Village
12 eme.
There are several in area. This one was good and I am picky.

When I booked this on line it was 79. Euro a night. I was there for 3nights. Front desk so very helpful. Newish metro just a 2-3 min walk thru this delightful village. Don't pay for breakfast go to village. We ate at Adams for 5. Euro. THE very best pasteries at Eric's Kaisers. Metro so easy to use.buy Eiffel tower on line to top for 14.50 euro so nowaiting
Also did Easy Jet to Venice for less than $90 euro. It is not Prague just wanted to mention excellent airline but read about your allowed carry on.

Have a wonderful trip but buy a money belt to wear 24/7 under clothes for excess cash and passport. Leave copy with parents and international plan for txting them. We parents worry about you kids.

Susan from Indiana who is now visiting Rome.

sarah319

Thank you all so much, less than a month until I leave!

Scootoir

Sarah--In October 2011 we flew between Prague and Paris and I think the flight was only an hour and a half on Smartwings. We usually take trains in Europe but it would have been a long train trip and as I recall we would have had to change trains in Frankfurt which was not somewhere we wanted to visit.

sarah319

Thanks! I'll be sure to check out Smartwings.

Christina

Check Easyjet, also, they are a great cheap airline. They have flights direct from Paris CDG to Prague for around 80 euro most days, they leave around 3 pm. They aren't so great for Prague to Paris as that schedule is a night, but Paris to Prague is fine. It's about a 1:30 flight time, I've done it before a couple times on Czech Air, nonstop, but they charge more than Easyjet. Smartwing charges around 90 euro, but it probably depends on how far ahead you buy They are both actually about the same price and leave at the same time, kind of weird.

sarah319

Change of plans! I am now flying into London and finding my way to Prague and then leaving via Paris! I'm flying stand-by so I don't think I will be able to really book my flights to and from Prague that much in advance, any advice?

Andrew

You'll definitely pay more flying last minute, of course, but carriers like easyJet do keep even the last-minute fares lower. A couple of years ago, I flew to London Gatwick and flew out 2.5 hours later on an easyJet flight I'd purchased just before leaving the states. It wasn't hundreds of dollars, but it was a lot more than buying months in advance.

If you can be flexible you might score a decent fare, though. Checking for a few days from now, I see a couple of direct easyJet flights from London to Prague for under $200 one way. Booking a week or two out from today doesn't seem to get you that much cheaper of a fare. Check Kayak.com too - easyJet isn't the only carrier that flies direct to Prague. (easyJet's flights don't seem to show up on other days in Kayak if you do "flexible" searches so look on easyJet's website directly for their fares.)

If you're really desperate to save money, you can take a direct bus - about 16.5 hour bus ride from London to Prague (10% discount for being under 26) for about $90 or maybe less with advance purchase:

http://www.eurolines.co.uk/destinations/czech-republic
http://www.studentagencybus.com/en/4...STUDENT-AGENCY

The Student Agency buses are really nice, though I've never taken one for a 16.5 hour ride - probably way too long for me...