If you are concerned about being overwhelmed/lost, you may want to stay in a hotel, at least the first few days, where you can ask questions and get advice from staff.

The good thing about the museum pass is that it allows you to skip the lines (or wait in a shorter line) at many places. It will not allow you to skip security lines though. Another advantage is that it encourages you to just pop into a place to check it out if you are in the area, and if you don't want to spend much time there, you don't feel like you have wasted the price of admission. You can go in and out of museums, spend an hour at a time and then come back the next day.

The museum pass is available at every museum that accepts it, so it is a good idea to buy it at one of the less busy ones and go there first. If you buy it before you get to Paris, you pay more.

While a flight between Paris and London might be more inexpensive than the train, you have to figure in the cost of getting to and from the airports (as well as the time). The train takes you from the center of one city to the center of the other one.

<< I think I meant under rail??? >>

I think you mean the Viaduc des Arts.

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/a...c-des-arts.htm

I agree with staying in a hotel for your first time so you can get help with buses, metro, taxis, etc.

I disagree with buying the museum pass. You should figure out how many museums you will see (and if they are free or have admission fees) and then figure out if the museum pass is worth the money you pay for it. I don't normally see more than one museum in a day (two if they're small) as I like to vary my daily sightseeing so the museum pass would cost me a lot of additional money.

If you want to see some specific museums, you can buy advanced tickets on the museum web sites. And many of the smaller museums are free.

<< Flirt with the waiters >>

Marco Polo restaurant (in the 6th) has the flirtyest waiters! They're very good for women traveling solo.

I wish I were going with you!

Keep in mind that most museums have a free day or evening. You have plenty of time and can set your schedule around the free days.

However, we ALWAYS buy a city pass when we go somewhere and it typically includes museums. It's just our thing. Check for discounts for seniors through the company or through AAA. Even in New Orleans, which I visit a couple of times a year for work, we bought the city passes and saw much more than we would have without them. We just did whatever the pass would let us do and planned our days around them.

We also buy train passes. That way, if you wake up one day and think you'd like to go to Giverny, you have your pass, as opposed to thinking, hmmmm.... Giverney is 60Euro round trip. Do I want to spend that today? With the pass you just go and feel like you're getting your money's worth out of your pass.

These are things that you can buy in advance and not worry about the expense while you are there. It's already paid for and it won't make you think twice about whether you should/can splurge on something at that moment.

Adrienne, you and I could go with her!! LOL

Good Morning and again thanks to all!

You've been so helpful and generous with your experiences and advice. You don't know howuch it means to me.

adrienne, thanks for the link and to mom23rugrats, to you and Adrienne coming along, now that sounds like a plan. LOL


I was thinking I would wait to close to my departure date to purchase airfare but I think I should book now why as low as 726.00 non stop? I randomly ran a departure for Sept 26 and return on Oct 4 and the fare was over 1300. I would hate for my ticket to go up as high because of my procrastination. I am thinking of leaving Nov 30-Dec 8 and booking a hotel for 3 nights to get the feel. Any thoughts on this? I hope I am not asking too many questions.

YES! Road Trip!!!!

The problem with taking a plane between London and Paris, is that by the time you get out to the airport, security, fly, out of airport, get bag, get into city..you would have been there already if taking the train, and at a cheaper rate.

If London appeals, look at Open Jaw...fly into London, out of Paris.

Hotel for first stay might be easier, but that will be a personal preference. You will see lots of reviews here on hotels and appartments.

Yeah, sounds like much, I think I'll pass on London. What kind of taxes and how much can I expect to pay in addition to hotel stay?

I am also a single traveler - am actually planning my 8th trip to Paris around the same time as your dates.

I don't know what type of pass you would need other than possibly a Museum pass if that works out for you. Usually a carnet of 10 tickets for the Metro/bus is sufficient. You can buy the weekly pass but that entails a one time fee of €5 for the card plus you need a small photo - you can see all the info on the Paris Transit site ratp.fr.

Most nearby out of town trips are fairly inexpensive - I just checked the fare to Giverny/Vernon and it was about €13 each way. If you are thinking of a longer trip on the TGV, then it can work out to buy the ticket online ahead of time for a discount....

If you state your nightly budget maybe some folks can come up with ideas for a hotel.....

I'm sure you will love Paris!

Taxes? Value added tax is included in the price of everything, there's no additional price added on at the register. So if you go into a supermarket and buy a quart of milk for E1.25 then that's the price you will pay at the checkout. Same for restaurants and hotels.

There will be a daily tax (tax de sejour) at the hotel; it's been a while since I've stayed in a hotel in Paris but the tax was added on to the bill - more than E1 and less than E2 - not very much.

So you're thinking of a hotel for 3 days and then an apartment for the other 5 days? I think you should stay in a hotel the entire time so you won't be tempted to wimp out and hibernate in the apartment rather than getting out for dinner and a walk in the evening.

How much in addition to the hotel? You can see Paris on just about any budget. Expenses are determined by the sights (type and number) you'll see and food. I'd say budget $125 per day for all but hotel expenses. That way you won't have to scrimp and can stop for those extra glasses of wine!

Lunch w/o wine should be about $10; dinners can be anywhere from $15 to $50+.

I'm glad you'll be in Paris the whole time. That's what your companions (moi & mom23rugrats) wanted to do! LOL

Part of planning will be budget, interests, location (land/leave from Paris seems to be your plan), and time of year.

If you are flexible, certain times of year may appeal to your interests. For example, right now there are two major MOnet exhibits going on in Paris. If gardens are your thing, early summer would be a nice time to go, perhaps adding in Giverny for Monet's garden.

I've survived by only buying metro tickets and using that to get around, using the RER train to enter city from airport and as a way to go see Versailles.

Museum pass will help bypass lines, but part of decision will depend on how many museums you want to see and when (consecutive days)

Thanks Mara, I would love to spend less than 125 usd a night but it seems virtually possible for a clean place with good location. I just saw Hotel Abbatial Saint Germaine will run about 605 euros for a six night stay but would love to pay less. Is 605 euros about 780 usd?

I've also done an Expedia package to Paris, for flight and hotel. That is another way to save a few $

http://www.france-hotel-guide.com/en/75budget2.html
http://www.eurocheapo.com/paris/hotels/price/cheap.html

I haven't stayed in a hotel in quite a few years and the ones I stayed in aren't cheap anymore. Above are two websites where you can find some inexpensive hotels - also you can check out tripadvisor.com.....

I've never done a package as Michel_Paris suggested - when I did check them out they seemed very expensive as I needed to pay a single supplement....

Mara,

I've never seen a single supplement for any Expedia or Travelocity package. You pay for the room, no difference if you are solo or not.

I went to London May 2009 also on a package deal

The quickest way to figure currency conversion is via google. Type "605 euros in USD" and google tells you that right now that would equal 815 dollars.

I love dancing. Is there anywhere for the older crowd to dance? I can do younger but would prefer not to. I don't drink but may sip a little wine at least once during my stay.

Michel_Paris - interesting, I guess packages have changed -I haven't looked at one in years...thanks for the info...

Thanks Mara, the listing you posted shows the best budget prices I have seen thus far. Now, I have read to try and stay in the lower number arrondissements, does it really matter? I do notice they are the most expensive areas. Again, it's going to be key for me to learn how to get around on the train. I willl do fine and I love walking.

Everyone has been so kind and I can't thank you enough.

There are also two threads here with lots of hotel recommendations. They are called Paris Left Bank Hotels and Paris Right Bank Hotels (you can search above - use advanced search).

Many people stay in the 4, 5, 6, or 7 arrondisement for easy access to the sights. Probably the 6th will be the most expensive. You will get all sorts of opinions on which area is the best as people have their favorites.

If you want a hotel that is a bit less expensive you can stay in the 14th or the southern end of the 5th.

Since you don't drink it's probably important to tell you that you'll pay at least as much for soda as for wine. Your best bet on a budget is tap water.