Pls help with last minute Paris trip for students in June
 

DD & Nephew were successful in getting really cheap flight round trip to CDG. They are leaving June 10 for 7 nights and need help finding a place to stay, how to deal with finances in Paris, food options (Nephew is vegan), etc. Please share suggestions for the following:

1) DD's passport expires Oct. 4 of this year. Will she run into any problems? Do we need to hastily try to renew her passport (and how to do that?)?

2) Gateway departure is from JFK - we are in Central Ohio. I checked Kayak and the best r/t fare is $210. LGA is slightly less. Don't think it's worth fooling around with transfers. Assume they will have to check their luggage twice, once from CMH-JFK and again JFK - CDG (American Ailrlines)? The AA flight to JFK is very expensive, USAir is best fare price. Any other suggestions?

3) They want to stay based in Paris for the entire trip with day ventures to Versailles and maybe another place or two. Can we find them an apartment? Will anyone rent to students who are both 18? I would prefer to deal with an agency in case something happens - names please? Student hostels are $42/pp per night, think we can find them apartment or inexpensive hotel for a little more?

4) Need some cheap, inexpensive restaurant/cafe/brasserie suggestions - will be more specific when lodging is arranged. Again, nephew is vegan, will they understand that or cater to that in Paris? Another reason why apartment might be better for them - they can visit supermarche (Monoprix? others?) for supplies.

5) Assuming RER is way to go for transfer from CDG to lodging? Can someone give specific directions on how to do this? They are on American Airlines. Other suggestions?

6) They are planning their own sightseeing list. They have both been to Paris before and done "usual" stuff - Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Rodin Musuem. Anything unusual 2 soon-to-be college freshmen shouldn't miss?

Thanks in advance for your help!

The passport is valid.

1) it is fine.

2) I'm not clear on what you are asking. Are they flying out of Columbus? Is the JFK to CDG ticket purchased, but not the CMH-NYC ticket?

3) for two students 18 year-olds it might be better to put them in a hotel where there is a front desk staff to help if they need anything.

4) You answered this yourself, people can give good recommendations once a location is nailed down.

5) specifics and even which transportation method would be preferable would depend on where they stay.

I've planning a last minute trip to Paris and for an inexpensive hotel w/ AC try Grand Hotel Amelot. I found it through a recommendation on this board. http://www.hotelamelot.com/english/visit.php

An update, as a reference to others, the passport requirements to enter France (from Consulate General Office) are that a passport has to be valid for 3 months from date of return, so we should be OK.

Contacted a few apartment service agencies, none will rent to such young students.

Any help with budget hotels w/ AC in the 5th, 6th or 7th would be most appreciated - thanks!

I think they can easily find a cheap hotel that wouldn't be more than $100 for a double room. I guess that's about 75 euro or so. There are lots of good suggestions in places like the Let's GO guides or www.eurocheapo.com

I don't know why you are thinking of the 7th arrondisement as a place that would be good for them, that isn't what I'd think best for them, and the 6th is very expensive. There are lots of places I'd suggest that would be better than the 7th arr. for these guys -- like the 9th through 12th arrondisements.

Here are some in the 5th that are 2* hotels and around that rate or a bit more, but should be less than 100 euro:

http://www.hoteldesuezparis.com/

http://www.cujas-pantheon-paris-hotel.com/

http://www.hotel-cluny.fr/

The 2* Hotel Studia on bd St Germain is probably in that range, also, but I don't have a website for them.

As types of things I was thinking of in the Bastille or Oberkampf area, here is one:
http://www.hoteldaval.com

I think vegan issues are going to be an issue for him if he travels anywhere, he'll have to learn what to choose. I really don't think you need to plan this whole trip for them, they aren't babies. They don't need to have names of restaurants they are supposed to go to, they should just wander around and eat wehre they please, kids that age shouldn't be making reservations and seeking out special places.

www.accorhotels.com
www.louvrehotels.com

Both of these are major chains with hotels in all categories available in Paris. They also have special group rates if you contact a specific hotel that interests you.