gr8_fun

For two people in peak season -does this sound about right? Too much?

hotel 3 stars - basic according to US standards but in a good area.

includes air fare from U.S. west coast, hotel 6 nights, breakfast each day and transfers to and from hotel /airport and river cruise on the seine - $4800.

djkbooks

What are you calling peak season? Are the six nights in Paris? Are the flights non-stop? Are times convenient? If connection(s) - too long, too short, convenient? What comprises breakfast? Continental (croissant, juice, coffee) or Full Breakfast (eggs, breakfast meat, toast, etc.)? How are you transferred from/to airport/hotel? Does tour company provide or contract this? Which hotel? Where is it located? Do you know how to tell if it is as "conveniently located" as described? Have you checked reviews for the hotel? What is the "good area"? What makes it a good one? What is meant by "basic"?

There are no constants, only variables.

Sometimes, a package can be a very good deal. IF the hotel is nice, well located and in a pleasant neighborhood and among cafés, shops, convenient public transportation (as opposed to "old and worn", "out there" with awkward public transportation to the places you want to visit, in a dreary neighborhood or otherwise unfavorable neighborhood, OR, another hotel substituted), IF the breakfast is substantial, IF the transfers are reliable (and not vouchers for an unreliable shuttle service), and IF the flights are convenient and do not involve too short/too long connections.

But, you really cannot determine the value of the "deal" without checking the costs of all those components separately.

A great package deal is one that costs considerably less than you could book all that directly on your own.

Price airline tickets and similar hotels. Consider whether you'll be up every day in time for breakfast and/or want to have breakfast in the hotel breakfast room (versus starting the day on the terrace of an outdoor café in the nice weather). Taxi from/to CDG would be about $75 each way (versus being herded on a bus at a common time for the group). Value of a "river cruise on the Seine" is about $18 per person and can be easily managed on your own.

adrienne

It sounds like too much money to me but you haven't given us any information.

Lots of times packages give you hotels that are not convenient to tourist sights. The hotel could be in a "good" area but not convenient. Who is determining that the hotel is in a good area - you or the people selling the package. What does "basic according to US standards" mean?

Have you done any pricing on your own? I'm thinking you have not since you're posting the question. No one but you can determine if this is a good deal.

If you want some help here then you'll have to come up with some details.

ira

Hi g,

I'll arrange it for you for $4700.

sassy_cat

I can undercut ira by $200.

It seems like a lot of money for the 3 star hotel. Which area?

qwovadis

$2400 pp including air decent hotel is about the going rate

Just did something a lot cheaper with AA.com to Paris

My wife and I got their Citi Cards 80000 FF miles

booked free FF miles then went to hotwire.com booked

their "secret" 4 star Louvre/Vendome hotel Novotel Les Halles

for 112 euro($158)nt so just did it for 700 euro/wk

for both of us for flights and lodging.

Might consider something like that for better deals...

insuremytrip.com always wise check bbb.org for your agent

some are pretty scammy...

Happy Travels!

Gretchen

The "problem" with packages is that you pay double for the hotel room since both parties pay the same. So as others have done, look at the best airfare you can get and then the hotel rate you can get at the hotel you want and do the math. If airfare is a $1000, hotel as above, for example X 6=$900, then you are at about $2900 for two people. Add in breakfast and taxi you have another $300. SO it isn't a real good deal even with a fairly high (as is common) air fare.

djkbooks

<<The "problem" with packages is that you pay double for the hotel room since both parties pay the same.>>

This is not necessarily true.

Many times, we've been able to book a hotel, included with a package, that would have cost far more booked independently.

gr8_fun

Just wanted to know how badly I got ripped off. Thanks for all the info!

Gretchen, I agree w/ you on the hotel info!

Some details - non stop air - all days in Paris - summer months

Hotel close to metro in safe area with shops - Latin Quarter

Thank you. I was pricing packages mainly.

Breakfast: eggs hard boiled, juice, coffee, ham, bagettes, cereal, no hot foods. Canned fruit.

Gretchen

Yes, Donna. The "point" is to look at it carefully and individual prices. If you can do that, have at it. AND PLEASE tell us when you do.

To the OP, well you didn't get ripped off--at least yet. AND there really are times when you can do almost as well just doing the package. But do all of it as an individual pricing, and then decide.
Donna (DJK,etc.) not withstanding, what I outlined will at least give you an idea, as you obviously realized. You can shop for a hotel many places doing it yourself--and maybe find that great bargain.
As for the breakfast, they will charge it all up front in a package (probably--Donna will have one that doesn't), but for a hotel you book there might be a cute cafe in the neighborhood, and could be more fun. OR if you want it at the hotel, you can do that also.

gr8_fun

Sorry, I wasn't very clear. I've gone ON the trip. I do believe NOW that I paid too much. Lesson learned. Next time I will do more research.I thought that I had, but not enough.

tuscanlifeedit

I've just booked six nights in Paris, airfare from small eastern US city with one stop, and added in transfers and public transportation, as well as an apartment rental. 2440 US in November for two people.

StCirq

Sounds like some sort of a tour and way overpriced from what you could book yourselves.

gr8_fun

tuscanlifeedit - flying from the West Coast is always considerally more. It's a 10 -11 hour jaunt for us. November is also OFF season too as you know. So I guess we have to compare apples w/ apples. Just saying... Apartments are probably HARD to rent in November so they also take a much lower rate.

janisj

gr8: "<i> Apartments are probably HARD to rent in November so they also take a much lower rate.</i>"

Not "much" lower really -- apartment rates are pretty static most of the year. They'll likely be cheaper in Winter (except over the holidays) but Autumn/Spring are usually only a bit lower than summer.

Gretchen

Oh, sorry 'bout that. Well, lesson learned. AND maybe when you did it, it wasn't so bad--you never know. trying to make you feel better. BUT if you had a good time, then you have your "psychic income", and don't look back.
Someone can ALWAYS one up you on these boards.

Michel_Paris

You can do a quick package price for hotel/air on sites such as Travelocity and Expedia.

If I were going in..July..I could see, per person, flight at $1200, hotel 6 nts at $250, transfer $50, breakfast $15pp/pd, cruise $15/pp

So $2400 + $1500 + $50 + $180 + $30 ...about $4200

tuscanlifeedit

Oh, I didn't mean to try to one up gr8_fun, and I certainly understand the difference.

My upcoming trip was my only point of reference, and thought it might add something to the discussion.

We travel often and in order to do so, go at the off season, and stay in apartments. I was hoping my comments might help someone in the future who was daunted by package prices.

Sorry, I was just throwing in another comment.

May I ask gr8_fun what the hotel was?

And comment that nonstop for West Coast would be worth extra money. I did note that my flights were one stop.

Gretchen

I didn't really mean you--you showed the calculations. And one up may not be right--someone can often find a better bargain. It is just the nature of teh internet possibilities now, and hopefully we can all benefit from advice.

tuscanlifeedit

Gretchen, I go mad bargain hunting.