Paris for Pennies

So you want to see Paris, but without breaking the bank? It is definitely possible, with a little bit of planning. One of the most important things is to know what the normal cost is for airfare from your city to the City of Lights. Then, when airfare prices drop, be ready to book your flight immediately!

American Express gives a $100 cash discount for airfares booked through their website. But compare with others providers first. It's a heck of an easy way to make $100, but be sure that their site price is the most competitive one.

A couple I know spent $1250 for six days in Paris, including airfare, hotel and travel insurance. They traveled in April and the weather was wonderful. The traditional low season for affordable travel in Paris is from November to April, but it helps to keep an eye on the travel section and be ready to go at a moment's notice when an excellent deal becomes available, as they did. (Peak season is generally June through August.)

Using frequent flyer miles is also a great way to keep airfare costs down. Other accommodation options include hosteling, staying in a private home, or arranging for a house trade.

Getting there is only half the story. Once in Paris, take a little time to read the menu signs out side the restaurants. Those posting main dishes of 59 euros for a main dish (about $85) can be avoided. Instead, opt for those with entrees costing 7-12 Euros (about $10-$15). Drinking water from the faucet instead of bottled water is another way to keep the restaurant bill down. Bringing along food to the hotel and storing it in the fridge is also a good idea. Paris is famous for its bakeries, offering fresh breads and world-famous croissants. Gardens and parks are wonderful places to enjoy an informal lunch.

Transportation can also add up, so buying an all-purpose travel pass is an economical way to see the sites of Paris. Sold in books of ten each, they cost 12 euros per book. Except for transportation to Versailles and the Airport, my friends ended using up four books. With each book costing around $10 each, they were able to get by spending only $40 for the week.

If you are traveling with children, there are fun things for them to do and see, too! Although Paris looks like a romantic, honeymoon type of destination, Paris is amazingly child friendly. Not all are inexpensive, but can definitely be budgeted in. A day trip to Paris Disneyland – easily accessible outside of Paris – is free to children under 3, $63 for children between 3-12, and $74 for adults. Parc Asterix is another popular theme park, accessible by shuttle bus from the Louvre Museum. Admission is $49 for adults, $37 for children 3-12, and, like Paris Disneyland, free to children under age three.

But perhaps children will most enjoy the site Paris is truly famous for – the Eiffel Tower. It offers a breathtaking panorama of the City and costs only $6 for adults and $4 for children. Other options include walking alongside the scenic and winding Seine River, which winds in and out of the city. A large number of parks and zoos are available and excellent places for active children.

Even family art lovers can buy a museum pass which gives easy access to 60 museums at one low price. The most famous of these is the Lovre, which contains the Mona Lisa (among thousands of other artifacts) which even your kids may be familiar with. There are spacious gardens outside to relax or let off steam. They will also enjoy visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, made famous by the novel and subsequent films (including Disney) of the “Hunchback of Notre Dame“. Admission is free to all under age 18 and valid entry to all museum pass holders. Voila!

Among the most visited sites in Paris, many do not cost an arm and a leg. For example, to strolling through the famous shopping center Champs-Elysees is free to visit, observing the French women's impeccable style and grace. Historical sites, including the Napoleanic Arc de Triomph are also centrally located. Perhaps the most popular of all is to take a scenic boat tour of the Seine River, which offers a unique views of the city, either day or night. This can be costly, but most probably worth it, if you are cutting corners on meals, transportation and sightseeing.

Visiting the Latin Quarter, which is home to Sorbonne University and located on the trendy left bank of the Seine is the cost of a cup of caffe au lait. There you will find Musee du Cluny, home of the Galo-Roman baths.

The Louvre Museum, which is the most visited museum in the world. Free admission is offered to visitors under 18 and to the general public on the first Sunday of the month. Besides the Mona Lisa, thousands of other artifacts are on display, including Venus de Milo.

Notre Dame Cathedral is an architectural wonder, complete stone carved gargoyles (to scare off demons) on the rooftops and towers, statues, and its world famous bells. Because it is located in the oldest, most central part of the city, it is also highly recommended.

Versailles was a former hunting resort and became the prime residence of King Louis XIV and the ill-fated Marie Antoinette. Now it is a museum filled with art dedicated to the history of France and spectacular sweeping gardens, walkways and fountains. It is accessible by train (half hour's distance away) and is a day long excursion, ideal for picnicking and unwinding.