shakilhyd

Hi, I am first time going to Paris and Switzerland in June and need some help. I have 2 adult and 2 childs (7 and 9 yrs). I tried to book from travel agencies but it was very expensive through Travel Agencies. now I have booked my Airline tickets. I will fly from Toronto to Paris on June 3rd and will return to Toronto from Paris on June 14th, 2017. My questions:

1. Where should I stay in Paris for 4 days? How much will be approx. cost. My just preference breakfast included and near to city.
2. How I can arrange trip or myself to see beautiful famous places? How much will be approx. cost.
3. Should I travel to Switzerland (Zurich) by train? If so how much will be cost?
4. Where should I stay in Switzerland for 4 days? How much will be approx. cost. My just preference breakfast included and near to city. I am planning to go Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland. How I can manage hotels in these two cities.

5. Any other advise to make this visit more memorable.

I will be much thankful for your advise and help on this visit.

Thanks,

Kathie

So you will have 10 full days on the ground in Europe, divided between Paris and Switzerland. How did you decide on Zurich? It is primarily a business city.

I would suggest you should start with several guide books. You need some background information so you can begin to make good decisions about where to go. With two children, I would suggest you stick to just two places.

michelhuebeli

The airfares from Paris to Switzerland could be more or less than the trains, depending on which airline you look at etc.

Use www.skyscanner.net, www.whichbudget.com, and the sites of www.easyjet.com and www.ryanair.com and others to get a sense of what is possible.

Don't forget that Switzerland has three airports - GVA (Geneva), BSL (Basel-Mulhouse-Freibourg), and ZRH (Zürich). All three have budget airlines flying in and out, especially Basel!

French trains are at www.sncf.com. A good source of info for trains is www.seat61.com

There is no need to book trains in advance, but if you can book in advance and get a much cheaper fare than if you do it on arrival, it's worth learning about how to do that.

What is it about Switzerland that makes you wish to go there? And what is it about Paris that drew you there in the first place? How do you like to live when you're away from home? In a hotel where you pay separately for everything and have no "home life"? Or in a rented apartment where you have a kitchen and some home comforts?

Have you travelled with the children before? How do they like it? Can they go to museums with you and not make a scene because they are bored?

We cannot really advise you in any practical sense until you tell us a lot more about yourselves. Meanwhile go to your local library and get a few guide books on Paris and on Switzerland, and use the internet for the same purpose.

After you do a bit of homework you will be able to ask specific questions to which many here will be glad to come up with answers.

Edward2005

You should have booked your return flight from Zurich. If you really want to see Switzerland, you should change your flight plan. Circling back to Paris is a big time waster.

shakilhyd

Hi, I visited US and some Asian countries but this is my first trip in Europe. I have read some travel literature about Europe but still I need some help and advise about good destination in Switzerland and France. Currently I booked Airline ticket from Toronto to Paris and vice versa but I can change the return ticket from Geneva to Toronto but cost is $1100 more. Is this OK? I need help to find :

1. The hotels in Paris and Switzerland (Which cities should visit especially in Switzerland. Zurich is not my preference. I just want to see good sighting and also like kids the place). Also how much will be the cost so that I can manage amount.
2. How I can visit cities. Should I use TAXI/CAB? OR any other best option i.e. Join any economical tour bus etc. (Cost?)

3. How much will be approx. cost of normal food during these visit.

I know peoples will send me some literature or link for Europe to select the destination but I am poor to select the cities and manage this trip. If someone can help in detail then I will be much thankful.
Note: I want to visit good sighting and kids liking places.

marvelousmouse

No need to use taxis or buses to sightsee. Transit and walking will get you everywhere.

Cost completely depends on your hotel and how you like to dine, so it really just depends on you. What is "normal" food to you? How much do you want to spend on a hotel per night?

I do know that Switzerland is one of the more expensive countries, and honestly with kids I'd stay in Paris, maybe with a few easy day trips. 10 days isn't much for Paris let alone the whole country of France.

thursdaysd

We are travelers, not travel agents. We can answer questions and give advice, but you are the one who has to plan the trip and decide what you can afford. For instance, there is no way I would spend $1100 to change my plane tickets, but maybe you would.

Clearly, you need to do more reading. I suggest starting with "Europe Through the Back Door" by Rick Steves, followed by guidebooks for France and Paris - DK Eyewitness, Fodors, Lonely Planet - your local library should have copies.

For a first trip to Europe, with kids, I would stay in France. I have no idea why you picked Zurich, but while it is a fine city and I enjoyed seeing it, it is ruinously expensive and not very interesting for a first time visitor to Europe. You could do day trips from Paris, or visit some other French cities, such as Strasbourg. Or maybe head to Nice and the Mediterranean coast, I am sure your kids would prefer that to Zurich.

For information on trains see seat61.com

For prices of hotels look at booking.com

FuryFluffy

Hi shakilhyd, I will suggest a detail itinerary below for you, but beware that it's tailored specific for my taste. I don't blame you of not wanting to read guide books, some people just don't. Now, if you trust me, you can go to Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland instead of Zurich. It is a superb mountain region, and VERY kid friendly. Let me list the reasons why:

- The valley has plenty of cows and sheeps roaming freely, with cow bell on their neck, which makes for a joyful sound during the day (but not noisy at all). My inner child waked up when I saw that.

- It has convenient transportation to go up the mountain. I'm sure your kids would love the scenery trip up, up, up in a cute gondola train or a cable car.

- In the evening, after you go back to your hotel, you can take your kids to a restaurant nearby and have a cheese fondu together, next to a mountain looming over. Best family dish.

- Most importantly, the valley and waterfalls and the panorama over there is soooo beautiful!

If you book train ticket from Paris early enough (3 months in advance), it might be approximately 180 Euros/adult (might be cheaper for kids). Guesthouse rate at the moment for June: 130 Euros/night for a 4-people room. Food: 40E for a big cheese fondu enough for your family. Restaurants are very expensive there but you can buy food in the supermarket nearby.

If you go to Zurich or Geneva it's the same amount. But I'm not too crazy about these 2 cities.

In Paris you have more of food choices. Ranges from 4Euros for a good sandwich to, 400 Euros or however you like
A decent restaurant menu might be 20 Euros/adult.

Paris guesthouse: if you're not too picky, there's decent guesthouse in the center which costs 100Euros/ night for your whole family. But that's the rate if you look for it now. Of course you can always spend more in proper hotel.

Transportation inside Paris is no more than 10Euros/adult/day.

There, you can sum up^^

WoinParis

Hello
I don't recommend taking a breakfast in hotels in Paris - breakfast is better in a nearby café and much cheaper. Or you can take it in an apart hotel.
For a family with young kids, I would recommend sleeping at an apart hotel (meaning they belong to a hotel) : these are the ones I slept in, but not always with family.

1. Citadines les Halles innocents, 4 1er
2. Elysees union Amiral Hamelin, 44 16e
3. Haut Marais Vertus 3e
4. Relais Médicis Odéon, place 6e
5. Suède Vaneau 7e
6. Villa Montmartre Clignancourt, 44 18e

I would recommend nr 2 or Nr 6 as best, 3 is an apart itself. 5 I slept in a normal room but hotel is great and they have family rooms.
1. lets sleep 2 people on a convertible if you take the apartment for 4. My kids are older but told me in no uncertain terms what they thought of my reserving such a bad bed.

June is very high season in Paris for hotels. Book early (April is late already for june).

I eat for 22 € in a good japanese (chines held) restaurant without wine and for about 55-65 € when with friends in a nice restaurant with too much wine per person.
Kebap or sandwiches allow for lunches under 10€ per person, lunches are cheaper than dinners - since days are long, it can be a good option.
Tapwater is free. ask for a 'carafe'.

CH is expensive. Last I was in Zurich was about 25 years ago and Idon't miss it - I cannot comment on CH - except for ski resorts, but in june...

Sassafrass

In June, with kids that age, consider skipping Switzerland and visiting London instead. There are so many things for kids that age to do and see in London.
See if you could change tickets to fly into London and home from Paris.

PalenQ

For lots on Swiss trains and passes which may be useful check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Kids under 16 get a free Family Pass and never pay a cent for anything the parent(s) have a valid pass or ticket on. Get this at any Swiss station or with the pass if you to that route.

PalenQ

3. Should I travel to Switzerland (Zurich) by train? If so how much will be cost?>

See www.voyages-sncf.com -book far enough in advance and it could be really cheap - buy once there rather pricey.

StCirq

Breakfast in hotels is never a good idea in Europe unless you get it free.

Why are you going to Zürich? It's frightfully expensive and not IMO a great place to visit with kids. You can stay in Paris and do daytrips or a short trip to London for a lot less money and get a lot more out of a trip, especially with kids. It would particularly nonsensical to fly in and out of Paris and go to Switzerland in between. Big waste of time and money.

nytraveler

You need to understand that Switz is very expensive - much more so than France or Germany. If your goal is to see mountains I would head to another country that has them and ignore Zurich (a business city) and Geneva (a city based on the UN and other international organizations). The sights are in the small towns and villages in the foothills of the mountains will be much more interesting.

I might visit some other parts of France (with mountains and perhaps also Strasbourg to see the German part) or head to mountains in Austria (Innsbruck and/or Salzburg).

Agree that you need to get some guide books and do a lot more reading. And we really can;t give you prices since it's possible to travel at all sorts of price levels.

shakilhyd

Thank you so much for the useful feedback. Now I will skip the Switzerland from my this Europe trip. Now I will fly to Paris from Toronto. 11/12 days are my vacation days. Now my questions is:

1. How much night should I spend in France. I am thinking to go Paris and Strasbourgo (Another city which need to visit). Can I use day/weekly pass OR day/weekly family pass OR anyother day trip to visit the cities in France. Is it economical?

2. Will it be economical if I plan to go LONDON from France by train and then come back to Paris to fly Toronto? OR any other suggestion.

Thanks again

FuryFluffy

The reply to your question "How much night should I spend in France" is: as many as possible. It has enough materials for entertain you for years.

If you stay in Paris and its suburban for a whole week, a transportation weekly pass might be of interest. But the pass starts from Monday and ends at Sunday, so it depends on your dates. It costs 22 Euros/adult for a week. A daily pass costs 7.3 Euros/adult for central Paris and til 17 Euros for all its suburban. If you move around a lot, a pass might be better than individual tickets.

If you go to Strasbourg, the daypass or weekpass in Paris would be no use. You can buy train tickets for your family on http://www.voyages-sncf.com/
3 months in advance to save costs

For day trips from Paris, here is an excellent list of the most popular day trips from Paris (within an hour and a half by train), written by another person in this forum:
the most popular day trips from Paris (within an hour and a half by train):

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-446088-2.cfm
(look for the post of FrenchMystiqueTours there)

If you go to London, you can answer your economical question by look at the train price here, the Eurostar train connects London and Paris, it is the most convenient way:
http://www.eurostar.com/

Excuse me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that you write all of your "is it economical?" questions without even looking at the actual price. We can give suggestions, but only you can do your maths. When I answered your questions, I had to look at the actual prices too, it didn't come out of nowhere. No offense, and hope your planning goes smoothly

WoinParis

For hotels, look at booking.com you can even select the currency.

PalenQ

Can I use day/weekly pass OR day/weekly family pass OR anyother day trip to visit the cities in France. Is it economical?>

No to any railpass- not enough travel. Book discounted tickets as others have advised at www.voyages-sncf.com- for day trips just buy tickets as you go.

nytraveler

I'm sorry - but organizing this kind of trip is a lot of reading and absorbing - esp when traveling with 2 small kids. People here can answer some specific questions but not sort out every detail.

Only you know what you budget is - do you want a hotel for 100 euros a night, 200 euros? What is your budget.

If you do;t figure all these things out how will you cope when you get there and are facing all of this on the fly and in French.

IMHO doing the research up front is a good part of the enjoyment of the trip. If you don;t want to do the work and learn what you need to, building a budget from zeros and learning about resources - then you might want to consider a package from Gate 1 travel. They do a lot of the work for you, and you can pick from their hotels based on budget - and organize transfers etc. (You can;t go on a traditional tour since they usually don;t allow any kids under the age of 12 and even then the kid is really being tortured - as will the adults stuck with him or her.)

thursdaysd

" they usually don;t allow any kids under the age of 12"

Rick Steves runs family tours in the summer specifically designed to keep kids from being bored while touring Europe, but even those aren't for kids under the age of 8. And of course, the high end highly expensive companies do FIT for individual families, if you have that kind of budget.