You don't have to ride the 'subway' in Paris. I get turned around underground but am fine walking, using a taxi, staying somewhere close to what I want to see. But that does take a little higher budget than staying out in the 'suburbs' at a hostel or cheaper residence.

And yes it's fine for a first-timer. It wasn't my first trip to Europe but was my first trip to Paris. But I was able to stay in a central arrondisement (5th Latin Quarter) and walk most places. Big cities don't feel big when you approach them neighborhood by neighboorhood. You aren't going to be tackling all of Paris in a few daysl.

{For accommodations, it would need to be $100 or less per night.}

I would shorten the trip to be able to up the nightly budget. But no, back to the original question, if that is your true budget limit, I'd probaby skip Paris.

Someone suggested going in winter for lower rates. That's a very good idea.

There's a nice little 2star in the 6th that would be close to your budget.

La Familia. I checked 3 nights in January and the fully refundable rate is 355 euros for 3 nights, before taxes, etc.

The non-refundable rate is 319. Personally, I do not book non-refundable rates.

That was just a random look at just one hotel. I'm sure you can find other non-hostel options.


Here's a link to their website -
https://www.familiahotel.com/

Here's a link to their TA reviews -
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...de_France.html

kja, My cousin and her husband are flying to Norway in September. They have a Swedish friend who now lives in Norway.
If I didn't accompany them, I could at least book my trip for the same departure day, same airport. I get a little panicked at the airport, when I see the big jets up close and in the sky. So at least going to the airport together would help to reduce my anxiety.

Given your reservations, and previous posts, might I suggest your first trip to Europe be a crossing on the Queen Mary 2 , boarding in NYC and disembark in Southampton UK. You will be on a large, safe, oceanworthy ship designed to go through the toughest North Atlantic seas without motion or a whimper....stay in a cabin for seven days where you will not move your stuff, will be served and doted on and avoid the anxiety of those big, scary airplanes airports and other weird things. For the price of a single business class seat on a cramped, nasty airplane with garbage food and being dumped in a huge airport with seven hour jet lag, two of you will travel in luxury for seven glorious days, eating at your will, having tea and raising your pinkie at 3:30, losing only one hour per day over the journey, meeting tons of cool people, attending lectures and evening shows, and enjoying the courtesies of stewards, waiters, entertainers and staff from around the world who are happy and eager to serve you. Leave a big tip. Lots of older people but the journey IS the trip. Spend a day or two in the UK eating fish and chips. Fly home if you dare. Guaranteed fun. Pull the trigger and do it.

Most people find the metro incredibly easy, especially if they were terrified of the concept beforehand.

Givman, I really suggest you take steps to work with a professional who specializes in anxiety. You still have your return trip to consider. Not to mention, the fact there are multitude of reasons why their trip may not occur, leaving you out of your own plans since they hinge on others.

There are many low cost options and maybe even some through most insurance carriers in the US.

I have dealt with anxiety all of my life and having this assistance helped me. Something you might want to consider.

I won't make any further comment as this is none of my business, but wishing you luck.

If all of this is new to you - flying, visiting a new city, sightseeing alone, dealing with transportation in an unfamiliar city - maybe you would enjoy a shorter trip to Quebec City in Canada. It's a "taste" of France but on the north American continent. Do a long weekend and see how it feels.

I have more specific responses to questions you've asked before. I'll add those later. Consider a "trial" run if you are nervous about so many factors for this trip.

I second Travel_Nerd's recommendation to work with a therapist and starrs's recommendation to consider a "trial" run to charming Quebec City.

My 2 cents:
1. if you can read a map, you can navigate the Metro
2. if art interests you, be sure to include Musee d'Orsay
3. Croissant = B; croissant 'amande aux chocolat = A+
4, My highlight (in warm weather): boat trip on Seine, landing at base of Eiffel 9:00 PM for light display

I'm also a very slow walker (and considerably older than you) and don't consider slow walking a reason not to go! I can't help with your concerns about flying (agree you might want to get some help with that), but if you're worried about the Metro, Paris has a good bus system. I always use the bus due to all the stairs in the Metro.

Do lots of reading about the city. Get a good map and study it so you feel you're familiar with the layout of the city. If you can find one on Amazon, Streetwise Paris is excellent. I hope you decide to go! I don't think you will regret it!

I almost never recommend tours but I agree with Travel_Nerd's suggestion to look at tours. Your 'travel history' or lack there of, budget limitations, anxiety re the Metro (easily avoided in Paris though by using buses and walking), general nervousness, and other issues . . . I just think a budget tour (like Globus, Gate1, Cosmos, etc) would work better for you. You wouldn't have to do any of the planning, they'd book the flights, you'd be certain to see all the major sites, and because lots of tour goers are seniors, the walking is usually manageable. Most transport will be via coach/bus so you wouldn't need to take the Metro.

ps: The suggestion above about crossing on the QMII isn't at all realistic if you are talking a $100/€87 per night budget - just sayin'. The Queen Mary is more for luxury travelers. Plus it would take 7 days each way and you'd still have to get back and forth from Southampton < > Paris.

For me, the worst part of flying is the take-off. Once we reach cruising altitude, I can settle down and relax. I actually like seeing the clouds and coming down for the landing.
With all of this in consideration, maybe I will go to Norway with my cousin and her husband. Probably after I get my 1st trip to Europe out of the way, it'll be easier for the next time. After all, Paris isn't going anywhere- or Madrid, Rome, the Swiss Alps etc. I really do appreciate your insights.

Based on the concerns you have shared, I think that's a very good plan.

I agree with Janisj. Going with your cousin may be ok too if both of your budgets are the same.

givman, I understand your flying fear. I am very stressed before a flight, especially international. I want to rewrite my will. Kidding. Sort of. There is a lot of anxiety for me. I have found that leaving enough extra time to get to the airport so that I am not even more stressed helps. I have a two + hour bus ride to the airport and the schedule always seems too early or too late. So,of course, too early is the way to go. I have a book or two for the bus ride (in case I don't like the first one) and a couple more for the plane. I like murder mysteries for this. Escapism. I have noise cancelling earphones and always choose a seat in the middle (to lessen the noise a tiny bit) of the plane and as close to the front as possible. I also am the most stressed about the takeoff. Maybe if I understood aerodynamics it would be better. I keep busy scrolling through the movie list before take off or reading so my mind is occupied and not focusing on the takeoff. Once in the air and cruising at altitude I am fine.

As to Paris, for me, it's magic. Metro easier than bus. Obviously, bus is more scenic. I hope you have a wonderful time where ever you go. Just go!

Norway is wonderful -- but do realize that it along with the other Scandinavian countries can be substantially more expensive than france/Paris. Your initial post indicates a very low budget.

as janisj says, Norway is expensive, but accomodation can be relatively reasonable especially if you stay in more traditional hostels and hotels rather than international type hotels. Museums are expensive. English is spoken around Oslo but less so into the countryside. Restaurant prices vary a lot, Thai and Chinese buffets seem to offer the best deals though again they are in cities rather than the countryside. Norway is a petrostate so high prices can be the norm but with care you can find cheaper deals in between the costly.

Just in case you decide to stick with Paris and consider a tour group, I'll just mention that the few times I used a tour instead of going alone, I used Gate 1 (not Paris or Western Europe). They were wonderful trips. You could set up an account with them, which costs nothing, and you will get regular emails that let you know about discounts. It might be the way to go with your concerns so you can go where you really want to go.

Didja ever have a $25 hamburger before?