With your limited time I would stick to London and Paris. This will also save you the cash from the extra transport to Amsterdam and give you bit more to play with in London and Paris. You wont get bored, they are huge amazing cities with tonnes to see!

>>WAIT A MIN, are you guys saying that we can't find a decent enough for 150€ a night? That's $200USD no?<<

$200 sounds like a lot - but it is only $50 per person which yes, is pretty cheap.

And $200 currently is a little less than €150 - when you factor in exchange fees on your ATM or credit card you are really talking about €140-145

If you go and check out the Hotel Cosmos using the new Google Maps you can actually use Streetview to go right inside the hotel. Pretty neat.

MamaShelter is a cool hotel... you can bag a room right now for 79 euros for a double. Pretty close to your budget!

Here's a spacious (700 sq ft) 2 BR 4th floor (European) walk up (should be no problem for a group of moderately fit 20 somethings) in the 2nd that has no minimum stay.

There's even a TERRACE!

VacationInParis is a VERY well regarded company with countless good reviews here on Fodor's and elsewhere. The 2nd arrondissement is very central and convenient for sightseeing and has some good values (unlike the overpriced 6th and other tourist favorites).

http://www.vacationinparis.com/apts/id_113.htm

Also it's $199 USD/night for 4 people.

AWESOME!!!! Now I am starting to feel better! Thank you!!!

A few things to keep in mind:

You will have to book two double rooms, or a single and a triple, or a quad. Just so you know, Paris hotels by law can only put so many people into a certain room, so there is no such thing as cramming an extra person into a room. Not saying you would do that, but just know that it's not possible. If you want to save on hotels, you should be looking at the double-digit arrondissements (which are often the best for young people looking for nightlife anyway).

The Batobus isn't cheap at all, IMO, and it's slow. It's far easier and far cheaper to get around Paris by walking and on the métro and buses. Learn all about it before you go so you know what you're doing when you get there: www.ratp.fr and www.parisbytrain.com

The places you have mentioned for shopping are the ritziest, most expensive stores in Paris. If you are on a budget you are likely to be shocked and disappointed.

If you like that apartment - you need to book it ASAP - like right NOW! It is a one off, not a hotel, so if it is full you'll need to keep looking.

It looks perfect (if you can all handle the stairs)

Since you are on a budget I'd forget about Amsterdam. Extra travel = more $$/€€

BTW... at today's exchange a euro is $1.44 CDN which means 150€ is close to $220 CDN.

@StCirq - that's part of the plan to buy myself an expensive gift for my bday so I am literally skimming on other things.

I think I have Paris down now - OMG Thank you! You guys are a God sent! How do we get to Amsterdam from Paris? Gare du nord? And we get back to London from Amsterdam please?

You can find all the train info here at this excellent site:

http://www.seat61.com/international-...m#.UscE5vRdXDE

Again, I would drop Amsterdam and stay in London and Paris given your budget and time restraints..

You may want to consider taking the overnight ferry from Amsterdam to London, we have done it twice and it was fun and saved a hotel night. You can find all the details in our trip report here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-adventure.cfm

Also on the website I gave you above he gives very detailed instructions.

I stress the extra travel will add a lot of expense. Stick to Paris - and be sure to lock down that apartment.

@Janisj I am speaking to the rest of the gang now...

I think janisj is trying to help you...I also suggested the same thing given your time and budget. No need to isolate people who are trying to help you out!

@Jamikins, I am not isolating anyone, I don't know how to quote replies so specific individuals know that I am answering them. I also wanted to let you know that I was reading your Amsterdam ad when I say 'speaking to the gang'...I mean my group of friends travelling with, I love Janisj apt ad I've sent the link to the girls ad told them exactly that - WE MUST BOOK NOW.

HAHA - sorry, totally misread that as saying you were not listening to her anymore!

Man, internet is hard to interpret :)

Hope everything above helps you out!

Oh and if you have any other questions about the ferry that isnt in the post or on Man in Seat 61's website just ask. We enjoyed it both times and will definitely do it again!

yessssss it has been a great help - we are crunching the numbers right now with and without Amsterdam.

I felt you were saying "talking to my people" also. No isolating!
There are consignment shops in Paris that you might want to shop at for your special gift. Might be a deal--or not.
I think once you are in Paris you'll be happy to stay!!
Also think of hotels as having a desk that can help you make arrangements/reservations, etc. Sometimes it is just easier to deal with it that way.
Start becoming aware of customs that can save money--like standing at the café bar to eat your breakfast croissant and coffee, rather than sitting down. Cokes are REALLY expensive.