Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Paris on a Budget.

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Paris on a Budget.

Hi. I am planning to spend three days in Paris in March of 03. (This is after three days in London and taking the Eurostar to Paris.) And since I am traveling alone I figure why blow my dough on a hotel when I am only going to be there to sleep. I have heard about things called Hostels, and I was wanting to know if anyone has had any experiences with them, and do they have safes to keep my stuff in since I am sharing a room with strangers. TIA.

I haven't stayed in one but know a little about them. Most don't have in-room lockers, but may have a locked luggage room near the desk like hotels do where you can leave your stuff during the day. Other than that, you should not leave any valuables there and if you leave anything in the room (backpack, etc), you should at least have some small locks on your baggage to deter theft. You have to have a sleep sheet with you in some of them, I think you can rent that in others. So, you will need to check out hostels as to which have the things you want, like a locked luggage room or if they do have in-room lockers. There are several web sites that have a lot of details on hostelling and specifics for various cities -- try www.eurotrip.com, www.hostels.com and www.backpackeurope.com, www.hostelseurope.com for a few. There are some people on Fodors who have been in hostels sometimes, also, who would know a lot more than me.

Hi Rob: What's your budget? I am backpacking for a couple of months, and am staying in hostels. However, for Paris, I will probably stay in a hotel. I am going to check out the Hotel Nesle, which has a rate of about 50 euro a night. Shared bath, but at least a private room. (Problem is, they don't take advance reservations unless you pay upfront I believe) Christina's suggestion of eurotrip.com is a great one. I browsed the site for hours and learned a lot. Being 30, I never did the hostelling thing and had no idea what to expect, but now feel better prepared. There are some people on this site who have stayed in hostels, so hopefully they will help you out.

try eurocheapo.com...they have, as the name implies, cheap hotel rooms that they have reviewed. Last July I stayed at Hotel les Argonautes and it was simple but cheap, and in a great area.

You might also want to check out the lonelyplanet.com "Thorn Tree" message board for info on hostels in Paris as there are always lots of posts on there discussing the relative merits...

Many years ago, I stayed at this hostel: http://www.aijparis.com/framea.htm Now that I'm considerably older, but still a devoted budget traveler, I'd probably choose a one or two star hotel, but the hostel is okay if you really don't plan to spend any time there except to sleep.

Rob: Here are some inexpensive Paris hotels. Hôtel Jean Bart 9, rue Jean Bart Paris 75006 01 45 48 29 13 Metro: St-Placide I stayed there in October and paid 55 euro a night for a double. Singles are available for less and the breakfast is included. Hope you speak French. Located a couple blocks west of the Luxembourg Gardens. Lux Hôtel 8, ave de Corbera Paris 75012 01 43 43 42 84 Tel. 01 43 43 14 46 fax Metro: Reuilly Diderot I stayed here about 5 years ago and it was not to far from Gare de Lyon. It was a two star hotel and if I remember the rates were very reasonable. Sunny Hôtel 48, Boulevard de Port Royal Paris 75005 01 43 31 79 86 tel 01 43 31 36 02 fax Metro: Les Gobelins A friend of mine stayed here last October and she liked it and I think the prices were similar to the Jean Bart and they spoke english. Hope I have been of some help.

Randy, Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc is $50/night single if you decide to stay in a hotel that's cheap but has a reputation for being clean in a hip area (the Marais right on Place St. Catherine & very near the Place des Vosges). Young & Happy in the 5th (very near the rue Mouffetard) runs about $20/night. And there's one in Montmartre that intrigues me that goes for about $20/night but can't recall the name of it now as I'm at a different computer. If you'd like that info, just e-mail me. And I believe both of these places have internet access. Granted, I haven't stayed at any of these places but I've been doing a lot of research on them (am staying at the Jeanne d'Arc in April and will have more info later).

hotel de la rouen in the 1st --pretty quiet, clean--but very tiny. who cares though!! do search on eurocheapo have fun.

I regularly visit Paris with just a backpack and myself. My favorite hostel is Young and Happy in the Latin Quarter http://www.youngandhappy.fr/. (Metro: Place Mongue.) The location is amazing, right on Rue Mouffetard with the best crepe stand right out front (I call the main guy there the crepe nazi- he is truly an artist!) Staff is friendly and very helpful. For something a little rowdier, I like 3 Ducks http://www.3ducks.fr/. Near the eiffel tower, nice pub, great courtyard to sit in comparing notes with other travelers. As Christina said, I keep locks on my backpack at all times (I do the same in a hotel.) Rooms are closed during the day, so I feel fine leaving my locked bag in the locked room. You can ask for a private room also. I always rent sleep sheets and towels. Bring shower shoes (I have an old pair of Tevas.) I keep my money belt with me at all times, with my passport, cards and keys to my locks. I place them in a ziplock bag and bring it to the shower with me when I shower (there is a dry place to set your stuff.) When traveling alone, hostels are ideal because you will meet other travelers and can always find someone headed to the same monument or museum as you. Its also much more fun to have dinner with some new faces. Plus, you get some of the best up-to-date travel tips ever! E-mail if you have any more questions- I'll be at Young and Happy mid-march before heading to Italy.