Basic Travel Tips in Paris

This article is all of the basic travel tips I wish I had when I first arrived to Paris.

1. Getting to Paris

           When looking for plane tickets, its good to know that the cheapest days to fly are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Tuesdays are also the cheapest days to buy on. Fridays and Sundays are the most expensive days. It usually cheaper to fly in the early mornings or at night. If backpacking it is best to ditch the highly acclaimed "RyanAir" (that supposedly sells $30.00 one way tickets to various countries in Europe) and switch to "easy jet." Easy Jet was my favorite airline because they work out of the major airports, so getting there is pretty simple and the prices aren't much higher than their competition, Ryanair. Ryanair is able to charge such small fairs because they operate out of their own airports, which are usually very hard to reach and hard to get to. With Ryanair and other airlines that have their own airport far away from major cities, more money is spent on a cab ride to the airport then the actual plane ticket. In comparison to Easy Jet, where transportation to major airports is cheaper, saving money in the long run. 

2. Where to Stay?

          Depending on budget there are 3 options: hostel, hotel, and airbnb. A hostel will be your best option if trying to save money. If you want to read more up on my recommendations check out one of my previous blog posts: The Do's and Don'ts of Hostels. Read about it here.

          Airbnb.com can also have some good deals and because the concept of the website is to rent someone's house or hotel, a lot of homey amenities are included. A full kitchen can save tons of money on eating out. It's a good option if you'd like to save money on food or eat healthier. Finally the last option is staying in a hotel. Make sure to read up on reviews beforehand and if there is a language barrier, find one that is friendly to English speaking people. Tripadvisor.com should be able to help with all of those needs.

3. Where to Eat?

           I love Parisian markets, they are cheap and affordable, especially if you have a kitchen to cook in. When the market was not open, I also turned to the chain grocery store called Monoprix. Monoprix is very similar to Target, they have all the grocery items you need as well as clothing, beauty products, and accessories. If looking for more information on markets check out my previous blog post.      

            In Paris the food is spectacular, so I must mention restaurants and bakeries. Bakeries in France have a much wider range of selection than bakeries in the US and almost everything is fresh. You can not walk a block down any street without the wonderful smell of croissants and baguettes wafting though the air. From sandwiches, to macaroons, to quiche and everything else in-between its a must. 

4. What to do?

         If on a budget, Paris has so many options for free and fun things to do. I could go on for days, but instead I will stick with 4 general options: museums, churches, and parks. All of the options listed will have a post in the upcoming weeks. If you're looking for more in-depth information in the future, keep checking my blog for future articles. 

• Museums: When most people think about museums in Paris the Louvre is the first place their minds go, but there are so many other options. The D'orsay is free to students and gives deep discounts for people ages 18-25 (the entrance to the D'orsay is pictured below.) The Rodin and The Pompidou center for modern art also discount for young people. These museums contain some of the best art pieces in the world, but if you're still itching to go to the Louvre, a student can buy a year pass for 15 Euro. Versus the general admission price of 26 Euro each visit. This pass also gives students the option to bypass the lines which can take hours to get through. Even if only visiting for a day, this pass will have already paid for itself. 

• Churches: Almost all churches in Paris are free and with the exception of Notre Dame, have no lines to get in. My favorite church was St. Chapelle. The stained glass windows went from the floors to the ceilings. I have never seen such a beautiful church before. If willing to travel to the edges of the city trips to St. Denis church and the Sacre Coere in Montmartre are also worthy of seeing. 

• Parks: On a beautiful day who doesn't love a beautiful stroll through the park? There are so many, but my 2 favorites are The Garden of the Tuileries and The Luxembourg gardens. It's free, cheap, and beautiful. What's not to love?