Does Paris have to be expensive?
Jan 8th, 2006, 12:40 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why buy bottled water in Paris? The water is not poisoned!!
It is no more dangerous than water in New York or London for that matter.
Yes, you can eat at reasonable prices.
For lunch, visit a bakery and buy sandwiches, or visit La Brioche Doree (a chain) for pastries and sandwiches.
For breakfast, a bakery to the rescue.
Yogurt, pastries, etc. are available.
A superior double room at the Aiglon, just off Boulevard Montparnasse at Raspail, is 153€ nightly. It is a good room with a/c and a large bathroom.
Depending on when you go, you might get a better price from a promotion.
I think somebody is trying to impress you with his or her bank account. Snobbery to say the least.
It is no more dangerous than water in New York or London for that matter.
Yes, you can eat at reasonable prices.
For lunch, visit a bakery and buy sandwiches, or visit La Brioche Doree (a chain) for pastries and sandwiches.
For breakfast, a bakery to the rescue.
Yogurt, pastries, etc. are available.
A superior double room at the Aiglon, just off Boulevard Montparnasse at Raspail, is 153€ nightly. It is a good room with a/c and a large bathroom.
Depending on when you go, you might get a better price from a promotion.
I think somebody is trying to impress you with his or her bank account. Snobbery to say the least.
Jan 8th, 2006, 01:01 PM
#22
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think your friend has been buying Coca Colas in the touristy areas...now <i>that's</i> expensive!
In other words, do NOT order coke with a meal unless you've got some euros you want to burn. Other than that, as others have said above, you can eat, drink, and sleep very reasonably in Paris. Just peruse these boards and you'll find all kinds of hotel/restaurant suggestions.
In other words, do NOT order coke with a meal unless you've got some euros you want to burn. Other than that, as others have said above, you can eat, drink, and sleep very reasonably in Paris. Just peruse these boards and you'll find all kinds of hotel/restaurant suggestions.
Jan 8th, 2006, 01:10 PM
#23
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Why buy bottled water in Paris? The water is not poisoned!!"
dear bob_brown.. so, i can order a glasss of water (verre d'eau)in a nice bistro and they wil not sell me a 3-6 euro bottle of mineral water like they do in most european restaurants?
obviously you can eat cheaply anywhere.. from stands, shops and bakeries.. but at least this man is not far off on his water prices at most restaurants.
i don't drink alcohol, and it is amzaing what a rip off water is everywhere. but MANY places ignore my requests for tap water. believe me..
in fact, i asked for a pitcher of water with a little ice in hungary. and got it. I thought.. "finally.. just what i ordered!!".
i believe it was 6 euros on the bill! They claimed they had filled it with mineral water.
(this happened at famous GUNDEL restaurant).
so, i never cease to be amazed at the water rip off across the globe.
dear bob_brown.. so, i can order a glasss of water (verre d'eau)in a nice bistro and they wil not sell me a 3-6 euro bottle of mineral water like they do in most european restaurants?
obviously you can eat cheaply anywhere.. from stands, shops and bakeries.. but at least this man is not far off on his water prices at most restaurants.
i don't drink alcohol, and it is amzaing what a rip off water is everywhere. but MANY places ignore my requests for tap water. believe me..
in fact, i asked for a pitcher of water with a little ice in hungary. and got it. I thought.. "finally.. just what i ordered!!".
i believe it was 6 euros on the bill! They claimed they had filled it with mineral water.
(this happened at famous GUNDEL restaurant).
so, i never cease to be amazed at the water rip off across the globe.
Jan 8th, 2006, 01:21 PM
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am sorry if I confused some of you. HE prefers the more reasonable ethnic restaurants in Paris. The expensive meals are going to the three, four, five star places that others recommend. Those are the ones he doesn't want to see the total of the bill. My friend is a bit of a wiseguy, so some of this is to be funny, I am sure. But I would bet it is the wife who wants the more extravegant side of Paris while visiting. He is a fairly simple guy.
Please, please, forgive my ignorance. Have not been overseas in thirteen years. How much in dollars would 100 euros be? Don't laugh, OK?
Please, please, forgive my ignorance. Have not been overseas in thirteen years. How much in dollars would 100 euros be? Don't laugh, OK?
Jan 8th, 2006, 02:19 PM
#28
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"Does it have to be expensive?"
Yes. No. Maybe. Where do you live and what do you do? "Tower" is right, it is all relative. You can likely get a entire entree in Paris for the price of a bag of potato chips at McMurdo research station at the south pole. But if you're a researcher at aforesaid station, and you really, really have a case of the munchies, you might just be willing to pay that much for a bag of chips - would that be extravagant in your view? By good food, do you mean nutritious food or food you have a yen for?
You say you don't care about the number of [hotel] stars. You should, because otherwise the amounts you'll get quoted will be meaningless. As indeed your friend's entire diatribe was meaningless. Six bucks for bottled water might be cheap if it was icy cold, the day blistering hot, and you had a train to catch.
Yes. No. Maybe. Where do you live and what do you do? "Tower" is right, it is all relative. You can likely get a entire entree in Paris for the price of a bag of potato chips at McMurdo research station at the south pole. But if you're a researcher at aforesaid station, and you really, really have a case of the munchies, you might just be willing to pay that much for a bag of chips - would that be extravagant in your view? By good food, do you mean nutritious food or food you have a yen for?
You say you don't care about the number of [hotel] stars. You should, because otherwise the amounts you'll get quoted will be meaningless. As indeed your friend's entire diatribe was meaningless. Six bucks for bottled water might be cheap if it was icy cold, the day blistering hot, and you had a train to catch.
Jan 8th, 2006, 02:43 PM
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, in French restaurants I think it is customary to pay for what you drink.
I thought the reference was to general consumption daily.
If the consumption is only in a restaurant, then there is something to be said for renting the table space for a long break during the day.
I usually order a bottle of something in a Paris restaurant. I take a couple of medicines that contra indicate alcohol, so it is a way of having something potable without offending the local constabulary.
I may have paid that much for cold mineral water in a restaurant. I don't recall. As for the hotel room, I don't hesitate to drink the normal water from the faucet.
The euro price cited above is close to the closing bank wholesale rate on Friday of $121.48 per euro. You will usually pay at least 1% to take out money at an ATM. Exchange rates fluctuate continually during the trading day.
I thought the reference was to general consumption daily.
If the consumption is only in a restaurant, then there is something to be said for renting the table space for a long break during the day.
I usually order a bottle of something in a Paris restaurant. I take a couple of medicines that contra indicate alcohol, so it is a way of having something potable without offending the local constabulary.
I may have paid that much for cold mineral water in a restaurant. I don't recall. As for the hotel room, I don't hesitate to drink the normal water from the faucet.
The euro price cited above is close to the closing bank wholesale rate on Friday of $121.48 per euro. You will usually pay at least 1% to take out money at an ATM. Exchange rates fluctuate continually during the trading day.
Jan 8th, 2006, 02:45 PM
#30
I started taking European vacations in the winter a few years ago when I realized it was less expensive than going to Florida. It has gotten a little more expensive since then because of the declining dollar, but I think Paris is still a bargain. I have sat in many restaurants in Paris and thought that if there even were restaurants as good near my home, they would cost twice as much.
I found Rome, Venice and especially London to be more expensive than Paris.
I found Rome, Venice and especially London to be more expensive than Paris.
Jan 8th, 2006, 03:23 PM
#31
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,165
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you should not rely on your friend for any travel advice. Paris is a city and cities tend to be more expensive than the country or small towns.
If you want to spend alot of money visiting a city you can do that in any city. Now if your idea of traveling is staying at the Four Seasons (George V)
and eating dinner at Michelin 3 star restaurants (the Michelin restaurant ratings only go up to 3 stars) every night you easily spend a fortune on your visit to Paris. You can instead stay a nice 3 star or less hotel (different star ratings for hotel than restaurants) in the center of Paris for less than $150 and easily have nice meals for $50/couple.
There are many ways to trim your costs while visiting Paris and although I do not think it is an inexpensive destination it probably is not out of line with some US cities like San Francisco, Chicago, Boston or NYC.
If you want to spend alot of money visiting a city you can do that in any city. Now if your idea of traveling is staying at the Four Seasons (George V)
and eating dinner at Michelin 3 star restaurants (the Michelin restaurant ratings only go up to 3 stars) every night you easily spend a fortune on your visit to Paris. You can instead stay a nice 3 star or less hotel (different star ratings for hotel than restaurants) in the center of Paris for less than $150 and easily have nice meals for $50/couple.
There are many ways to trim your costs while visiting Paris and although I do not think it is an inexpensive destination it probably is not out of line with some US cities like San Francisco, Chicago, Boston or NYC.
Jan 8th, 2006, 03:26 PM
#32
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pardon me, but my wife and I find many of the posts on this web site too ridiculous to take with a straight face. The posing of wannabees who judge all things by how much money they can waste gives us the hee-haws.
Paris, for example. Two costs to be controlled are key. 1. Housing. 2. Food.
We spent 15 days in Paris last fall and can only recommend the following for those who wish to travel economically. Note: I did not say cheaply; just economically.
Check out VRBO - Vacation Rentals By Owners. We found a 700-sq. ft. apartment about a mile from the Eiffel Tower, immaculate, modern, completely furnished for less than $100 a day. That's dollars -- not Euros.
Shop like the locals do, eat out one meal per day. Find the nearest Monoprix or its equivalent. Costs more than in the U. S. but it's a lot less costly than eating out all the time. Eat your breakfast and dinner in your apartment. Eat out at lunch. Eat where working people eat. Ask around; the locals know where quality and thrift can be combined.
After that, there are many, many other ways to see wonderful Paris and not go broke. We know. We did it.
Paris, for example. Two costs to be controlled are key. 1. Housing. 2. Food.
We spent 15 days in Paris last fall and can only recommend the following for those who wish to travel economically. Note: I did not say cheaply; just economically.
Check out VRBO - Vacation Rentals By Owners. We found a 700-sq. ft. apartment about a mile from the Eiffel Tower, immaculate, modern, completely furnished for less than $100 a day. That's dollars -- not Euros.
Shop like the locals do, eat out one meal per day. Find the nearest Monoprix or its equivalent. Costs more than in the U. S. but it's a lot less costly than eating out all the time. Eat your breakfast and dinner in your apartment. Eat out at lunch. Eat where working people eat. Ask around; the locals know where quality and thrift can be combined.
After that, there are many, many other ways to see wonderful Paris and not go broke. We know. We did it.
Jan 8th, 2006, 03:58 PM
#33
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i agree that the costs in paris are not out of line with boston, ny or other large US cities. i just visited boston (from london which is more expensive than paris) and i did not find it cheap as compared to home. sure, some clothes shopping was considerably cheaper but the normal tourist expenses like hotels, eating out, drinking and transport were no cheaper than london -- and in some cases, much more expensive. even food in the grocery store was not much cheaper-if at all.
i definitely noticed that prices are higher in boston as compared to a few years ago when i last visited. example:
-$21 for a cab ride that was just a few miles (airport to sheraton in revere - after our flight was cancelled).
-$13 with minimum tip for 2 beers at pizzaria uno in revere (don't laugh...near hotel when flight was cancelled) - hardly a luxury place and not in a desirable location. would have cost the equivalent of $8 in central london.
-dinner at a nothing special indian restaurant in harvard sq -for 4 --$150 or £90. this would have cost no more than £80 in an even nicer curry house in central london.
-dinner for 4 at a fairly casual suburban boston restaurant (chosen by locals so no tourist rip-off)-$170 or £100...in a modest suburb not very close to the city. this would have been the same or perhaps no more than £10 more in central london.
-ticket to boston and back from the suburbs -over $10 (not including use of the T). in london suburban travel cards with unlimited use of underground and buses costs on average about £8 or $13 (just to london without tube or bus=£5.50 average or under $10).
i definitely noticed that prices are higher in boston as compared to a few years ago when i last visited. example:
-$21 for a cab ride that was just a few miles (airport to sheraton in revere - after our flight was cancelled).
-$13 with minimum tip for 2 beers at pizzaria uno in revere (don't laugh...near hotel when flight was cancelled) - hardly a luxury place and not in a desirable location. would have cost the equivalent of $8 in central london.
-dinner at a nothing special indian restaurant in harvard sq -for 4 --$150 or £90. this would have cost no more than £80 in an even nicer curry house in central london.
-dinner for 4 at a fairly casual suburban boston restaurant (chosen by locals so no tourist rip-off)-$170 or £100...in a modest suburb not very close to the city. this would have been the same or perhaps no more than £10 more in central london.
-ticket to boston and back from the suburbs -over $10 (not including use of the T). in london suburban travel cards with unlimited use of underground and buses costs on average about £8 or $13 (just to london without tube or bus=£5.50 average or under $10).
Jan 8th, 2006, 04:11 PM
#34
I live there and walkaround is right. We don't eat out much except for special occasions. We find excellant dining a bargain when we are in Provence. Plus it's usually much prettier than where we live. 
Jan 9th, 2006, 05:24 AM
#35
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What is a Monoprix? A grocery store?
Thanks for all you say here. It is very very helpful. Now just have to cross fingers that we can go...
I'll be back with more questions. You guys are great.
Thanks for all you say here. It is very very helpful. Now just have to cross fingers that we can go...
I'll be back with more questions. You guys are great.
Jan 9th, 2006, 05:32 AM
#37
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Monoprix is kind of a French K-Mart but a bit more upscale. The true treasure is that they have wonderful grocery items (wine, cheese, fruit, chocolates) at reasonable prices. I've furnished many a wonderful picnic from there. I find Monoprix very useful when in Paris. I've bought a bed pillow (and even managed to get it home), underwear, a nightgown, purses, cosmetics and tons of wonderful chocolate candies there.
Jan 9th, 2006, 07:00 AM
#38
not sure if this is always true... but the Monoprix we used in the Latin Quarter was a department store upstairs, with the grocery section downstairs (point being from the outside it appeared more a clothes store than a grocery store).
Jan 9th, 2006, 07:02 AM
#39
heavens, you can type 'currency conversion' or similar words into a google search and find websites that calculate the exchanges rates of major world currencies (or use xe.com as robespierre mentioned)
Jan 9th, 2006, 11:34 AM
#40
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 989
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No, it doesn't have to be expensive! Any trip can be done inexpensively, I'm sure of it. My husband and I are in our early 20s and recently married (read: not much money!) but find a way to travel.
It all depends on what you're willing to spend money on and what you want to save. For example, we know that in a city like Paris we'll be in our hotel room only to sleep- therefore, someplace clean and in a safe and convenient location is all that matters to us.
Also, it is our personal style to grab some bread, cheese, and wine from a local market and sit in a park people-watching for lunch. We enjoyed a very nice picnic this way outside the Notre Dame for just a few dollars each.
Don't let money be the reason you turn down going to Paris! Or any destination, for that matter. Unless part of the experience for YOU is going to the best restaurants and staying in luxury hotels (which is absolutely fine if that's your preference), you can find a way to have a memorable trip on a budget.
Enjoy, and happy anniversary!
It all depends on what you're willing to spend money on and what you want to save. For example, we know that in a city like Paris we'll be in our hotel room only to sleep- therefore, someplace clean and in a safe and convenient location is all that matters to us.
Also, it is our personal style to grab some bread, cheese, and wine from a local market and sit in a park people-watching for lunch. We enjoyed a very nice picnic this way outside the Notre Dame for just a few dollars each.
Don't let money be the reason you turn down going to Paris! Or any destination, for that matter. Unless part of the experience for YOU is going to the best restaurants and staying in luxury hotels (which is absolutely fine if that's your preference), you can find a way to have a memorable trip on a budget.
Enjoy, and happy anniversary!
