annhig

And, yes, I am thinking that when you decide you want to go to one of the most wonderful and expensive cities in Europe, you might adjust your thinking about the cost of things, but he still talks about the $8 beer he had in Monmarte several years ago! >>

I think he may find that that beer's now a €8 beer, not $8. though it's coffees and soft drinks that seem to be the biggest rip-offs. stick to wine - it's cheapest!

ssander

As embarassing as it is for me to say this, Starbucks is a reasonably-priced place for coffee in Paris!

(Oh...I feel so dirty having said this.)

SS

Gretchen

Well, then be SURE to warn him that a Coke will also be the 8E price tag.

Gretchen

And I will second that taxis in Paris are really not that expensive, if it is a need at the time.

Christina

Any 3* hotel and higher will have English-speaking staff, no need to worry about that, and an elevator. I have stayed in a hotel with a ground floor room but they are not very desirable as they are noisy being near the lobby so I wouldn't ask for one, it is difficult to even find a hotel without an elevator in Paris, so I wouldn't worry about that.

I have never seen a Coke cost 8 euro in Paris, but as with anything, I would just hope he can read the carte and see the prices of things, I don't understand how he could be surprised. And paying $8 (not sure what that means, if it is dollars or euro) for a beer would be really difficult as I've never seen them that expensive in any normal cafe where I've been. I'm sure they might be in some expensive tourist spots on the Champs-elysees or even Montmartre (especially if buying the very large size), but that's pretty high.

nukesafe

Actually, the buses are not all that confusing, IME. Get your Dad familiar with the RATP site. Here is a link to the English language version: http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_5000/accueil/
Once he knows his hotel, he can simply enter its address, time of day, and where he wants to go in the appropriate blanks. On the left side he clicks the "Bus" circle, and a route and time appears for the correct bus. He can do this for any number of routes in advance, and print them out before he leaves.

We now take the bus almost exclusively because of all the stairs and long correspondences when changing trains. BTW, I'm just a kid of 81 (But my friends all say I don't look a day over 80)

I'm sure he and your brother will have a wonderful time!

ssander

...another vote for bus travel!

It's really quite good, plus you get to see Paris while you're riding.

However, it's only for relatively short trips -- perhaps those that would be two or three Metro stops if taken underground.

...and at least one of the buses has a GPS screen (was it the 38?), so you can see exactly where you are in the city while you ride, and never miss your stop.

SS

Gretchen

Christina, I paid the bill for DDIL's penchant to drink Cokes in a cafe. Not a particularly expensive cafe either--just where we went for the afternoon glass of wine and people watching. And it was when the Euro was $1.29. They were 2E in the coke machine in the local boulangerie--Christina may not have seen that either. Stick to what you know, and it is a lot.
Bus doesn't have to be for short trips. You get to sit down, look out the window, etc. It will be a lot slower during commute times however, so maybe short trips then

Fodorite018

Another vote for the Britannique. We stayed there for a week a couple years ago and my mother still raves about it. The hotel is very nice and the staff are very helpful. The location is ideal, IMO as it is so central and so super easy to get around to everything. There is a metro and taxi stand half a block down. I would stay there again in a heartbeat!

denisea

The bus is very easy to use in Paris, so don't worry and it is a good way to see the city as you go. You can print out individual maps of each line (especially the more popular ones or the ones closest to the hotel)- which is very helpful to do.

I, being the diet coke addict that I am, have definitely paid 8 euro for it in Paris. Not often, but it can be obscenely expensive.

Gretchen

the RATP site is really really good also. But the Middleditch maps will let you see which side of the street to get the bus going "which" way.
AnD pay attention to the day of the week. Weekends are different and the " bus don't come". LOL

maxima

there are reliable airport shuttle services, which you can book a few days in advance. it costs around 18 euros per person from the airport to the center of Paris where you dad and brother will stay. You can book a round trip for them, and its much more frugal than a taxi.

You may want to consider booking a hotel room with a stall shower rather than a tub with shower. Many hotels in Paris and in Europe in general have tubs that are much higher than you father may be used to at home, and may be difficult for him to get in and out of. While the showers are small, it may be safer and easier to use.

Fodorite018

maxima--That is a good point. We had two rooms at the Britannique. One room had a tub and the other a stall shower.

JaniceGo

Thank you all so much for this great information! I found the RATP website and think I've figured out how to print the bus line with stops. That is just the kind of help I was hoping for. Thanks also for the shuttle and bathtub/shower comments. I'd never have thought of that ahead of time. Thanks to everyone, all your comments have been very helpful.

Gretchen

Frugal for a taxi vs. shuttle is not always the highest and best use of funds. We have been to Paris many many times, and I have never wanted to find a phone and call the shuttle to say we were there. And then wonder if we were in the right place--or he was going to actually come. Many here have had that scenario also.
Go to the taxi queue and get in a cab. It will be about 50E.
Print out the directions and maybe even the map of the hotel location. Just another opinion of how to start a nice trip to Paris stress-free.

JaniceGo

After reading more about problems that some people have had with the shuttles, I think we'll go with the cab. I'll print out the hotel address and a small map and have him give it to the driver.
And, there's a new wrinkle: my husband and I are now thinking about trying to join up with them while they're there! It's just so difficult to view all these comments and suggestions about Paris and not get caught up in the desire to go too! We're not sure we can swing it, but we're going to look into it. Thanks everyone!

justineparis

This is the third old thread Jakis has pulled up and only posted a link to a hotel.. beware.

janisj

Justineparis: Just a hint - when you see advertisers, instead of commenting and topping it sometimes it is better to 'triangle' the post.

If you click the triangle you can warn the monitors about advertising and spam and they can delete it.

Avalon2

We like the Minerve on Rue des Ecoles. There is a bank just up the street several cafes bistros quite nearby and 6 bus lines right across the street. You could print the routes out for him before they leave on the RATP website You can also put in the address of hotel and where they want to go and you can get precise directions there

janisj

Avalon2: Look at the dates . . . The trip was last Fall.