First time to Paris
 

Im looking to go to Paris in July 2012 this year. Are there any trusted tour people that can take you around? Also, currency exchange, where do I get the most exchange?

I'll let other people answer about tour guides, but if you have a good guidebook and a bit of gumption, it's not a difficult city to find your way around in. Start with the destination guide here to get an idea of what there is to see and help you decide what you want to see, then play around a bit with http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/tourists/ and the interactive transport map at
http://www.ratp.fr/plan-interactif/
to see how you might get from A to B.

As for currency, talk to your own bank about using your existing current account/debit card(s) to draw cash from ATMs in Paris: that's usually the best deal.

---and if you need a credit card, get a Capital One which is the only one that I know of that doesn't charge foreign exchange fee.

Don't use traveler's checks - a lot of places don't accept them.

Thank you guys.

Any hotels recommendation? I'm looking for less than 100 euros per night around Paris area, is it possible?

Virgin Atlantic and British Airways credit cards also do not charge a transaction fee and yiou get miles! Michael Osman is a wonderful Paris guide and his rates are reasonable. He will wear you out if you let him. A bit more than 100 euro La Familia on rue des Ecoles is very convenient and the rooms are clean though small. Some even have small balconies. I think it is air conditioned but can't say for sure as we travel in spring and fall and have no need of it. If you want a single it may be less than 100 euro. It's walking distance to the Seine and notre Dame and good transport nearby.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ank-thread.cfm

Hey Jimmy Welcome!

www.ricksteves.com euroewbie tips
www.eurocheapo.com/paris best info
hotel-collegedefrance.com one of my favs
parisvoice.com local info I use a no foreign fee double miles Visa CC like capitalone.com works great forme everywhere ATM/Exchange only and big bank ATMs.Avoid all money changers
particularly atairports they will clip you 30%
coinmill.com for current exchange $1.29 to 1 euro
and falling so hang on to dollars as long as possible.

Good luck!

Hi jv,

>Any hotels recommendation? I'm looking for less than 100 euros per night...<

This hotel was recommended by another poster. It is a business hotel near a metro stop.
http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/en....php?langue=en

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

If you want an inexpensive, very old & funky hotel right in the heart of all the action, check out Hotel Saint Andre Des Arts on the Left Bank.

As noted above, do not bring cash, except maybe for a few euros to get you from airport to your hotel. ATM is the way to go, it will withdraw money form your main account, there willbe no checking/savings choice. The machine will disburse go up to its limit, which may be less than your account limit, in which case you just do multipel withdrawals. No travellers cheques!!

Tours:
www.paris-walks.com
www.pariscityrama.com
www.parisvision.com
http://citysegwaytours.com/paris

Hotels are a VERY common question, with many looking for budget rooms. Start with the 2 mega trheads.

http://www.hotelparismuguet.com/

I want to add a question. I'm 71, traveling alone and haven't been to Paris since I was in college. I need a central location as I plan to walk the city in the 10 days I have there. which of the listed places would be appropriate for "a little old" but very atheltic woman?

The Capital One credit card does not have an annual fee, does not charge a foreign transaction fee, and absorbs any currency conversion fee making it one of the best choices for travellers.

To my knowledge, none of the other cards mentioned above has all of these advantages. There is however a better choice in my opinion; the PenFed Visa card:

1. no annual fee
2. no foreign transaction fee
3. no currency conversion fee
4. 1% rebate on all purchases (Capital One offers this as well)
5. 5% rebate on all gasoline purchases.

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Check for ATM cards. ATMs are the only way you will want to attempt to obtain cash. French bank ATMs charge no fees but your local bank certainly will.

Large banks have some attractive offers citing free ATM withdrawals but these are often tied to expensive checking accounts with monthly fees and other costs such as required minimum balances. Using a smaller or local bank will probably save you money overall (and most likely give you more personal service). I use USAA with free checking, free bill pay, free deposit from a smart phone, iPad, or PC, free check stock, free ATM withdrawals from any ATM in the world. However, USAA does pass along the 1% currency conversion fee (charged by Pulse/Maestro) when using foreign ATMs.

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For budget hotels, I like these very central properties:

http://www.hotel-marignan.com/

http://henri4hotel.fr/

Atkinson, what is your budget?

Two very central ones I have stayed at:

http://www.paris-hotel-lutece.com/

This above hotel is on Ile St Louis. Old mansion, on the main street of the island. Quiet at night, street has restos, nice shoos (chocolate, cheese, meat, etc..) 1 block from Seine, close to bridge over to Notre Dame/Ile de la cite. Easy walk from the RER train station to CDG. To access metro system, from the Ile it is an easy walk over to the Right Bank. That metro line would take you to Louvre area. For Left Bank, corssing over is a short distance to Blvd st Germain, where you coudl start exploration of the area.

I tend to end up on the Ile every trip.

http://www.hotelnotredameparis.com/

I stayed in the loft at this hotel. Mornings I could look out my window and watch sun rising over Notre Dame. Located across street from RER station to CDG (same one as above).

Both of the above would be good choices, based on budget.