Affordable hotels near popular sights in Paris

Head to our Paris hotel guide for reviews of dozens of our favorite hotels in Paris. However, if you already know what you’d like to be near, consider the following six hotels in our favorite areas.

Eiffel Tower: Hôtel Eiffel Rive Gauche

Doubles from €129

If you’re looking to see that tower thing, know that it’s not in the center of the city. Another thing to note? Staying by a landmark as iconic as the Eiffel Tower can cost a pretty penny. You can get the most bang for your buck at Hôtel Eiffel Rive Gauche, which sometimes offers rates under €130 in winter. Rooms are small, but some offer a great view of the tower.

Mama Shelter puts you near the famous cemetery and hip spots in the 20th. Photo: Booking.com

Père Lachaise: Mama Shelter Paris East

Doubles from €95

If you’re looking to get away from all of the tour buses and cameras, you can try your best out in the 20th arrondissement by shaking it up at Mama Shelter, a super-chic and budget-friendly hotel. Wander the Père Lachaise cemetery in isolation, hanging out in one of the world’s most famous cemeteries with stars like Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison and Oscar Wilde.

The Absolute Paris Hostel is an artsy hostel in a trendy neighborhood. Photo: Booking.com

Canal St-Martin: Absolute Paris Hostel

Doubles from €115

If you want to play a proper hipster in Paris, or if you just need a place to stay that’s not far from the Gare du Nord on your way to London or Amsterdam, check out the Absolute Paris Hostel. Close to the now-famous Canal St-Martin district, it’s one of Paris’ trendier neighborhoods where you can forego Chanel and Vuitton for a pair of beat up Chucks and any brand of skinny jeans. The hotel has shared rooms if you’re looking to meet fellow travelers, or doubles if you want privacy. No matter the room, there’s a funky, artsy vibe that matches the neighborhood’s trendiness.

The Hotel Du Cygne makes it easy to stroll to the Louvre. Photo: EuroCheapo

Louvre: Hotel du Cygne

Doubles from €148

You’re in Paris for the art? Don’t look farther than the Hotel du Cygne, a cute little two-star hotel with wood-beamed ceilings and a friendly staff. A quick walk to the Louvre and the Pompidou, it’s a great starting point for those looking to get a quick and easy dose of paintings and sculptures while not paying too much for accommodations. The galleries and museums of the Marais aren’t too far away, either. That makes this a good base for multiple days of inspiring visits.

The funky Hotel Esmeralda offers an incredible location along the Seine. Photo: EuroCheapo

Notre Dame: Hotel Esmeralda

Doubles from €121

Whether you’ve dreamed of studying at the Sorbonne or just want to be as close to Notre Dame as possible, look no farther than the Hotel Esmeralda, located along the left bank of the Seine. Rooms look out onto views of the city’s two islands and the world’s most famous Gothic cathedral. The entire Latin Quarter, featuring medieval and Roman architecture as well as the Pantheon and the main building of the Sorbonne, are a quick walk away.

Charming views from a super cheapo room at Hôtel Rivoli. Photo: Booking.com

Marais: Hôtel Rivoli

Doubles from €106

You want to be trendy, but central. You want to be touristy, yet also stay near some locals. Basically, you want it all. Well drop your luggage in the Marais at the Hôtel Rivoli, a very sweet and simple hotel right across the street from the city hall. The Marais is a great place to call home. It has free museums, an array of shopping for all budgets, and some of the best cheap eats in Paris.

More Paris affordable hotels

To see many more budget hotel picks for Paris, including more recommendations for each of these neighborhoods, see the hotel reviews in our Paris guide. If you want to save more on your accommodations, you can also check out our tips for saving on hotels in France.

The post Paris Affordable Hotels: 6 sleeps near popular sights appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Good thing that they never got around to it, because these days everyone wants a piece of the Dame de Fer (Iron Lady).

Planning your visit to Paris’ most famous attraction? Here are a few tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible:

Ticket prices

Elevator to the 1st and 2nd Level: €17.10
Elevator to the top: €26.80
Stairs to the 1st and 2nd Level: €10.70
Stairs to the 1st and 2nd Level, then Elevator to the top: €20.40

Should you buy tickets in advance?

You can save time by buying your tickets online, in advance, and avoiding the ticket line when you get there. During peak travel times, though, online tickets (especially to the top) may be sold out. However, they would still be available at the tower for immediate use. You’ll just have to wait in that ticket line…

So really, the short answer is: Yes, buy tickets in advance through the official Eiffel Tower website and book your slot. But don’t be discouraged if you don’t see anything available for your time and date — you can still just show up and wait in the ticket line.

Discounts on Eiffel Tower tickets

Ages 12 to 24 enjoy a discounted price of €8.60 on elevator admissions to the second floor, €13.40 to the top, and €5.40 on a stairs ticket. Ages 4 to 11 receive a discounted rate of €4.30 on elevator admissions to the second floor, €6.70 to the top, and €2.70 on a stairs ticket.

Hours

The Eiffel Tower is open every day of the year, including many major holidays. Hours are as follows:

May 7 – June 17: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
From June 18 – May 6: Open from 9:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Closed July 14 for Bastille Day.

Time of day to go

Everyone has a favorite time to head up the tower, but the evening time, right around sunset, is one of the most stunning. If you time it right, you’ll be watching the sun set over Paris while the twinkling lights below start to pop alive. By the time you reach the summit, you’ll have the best possible view of the city at its finest.

Climbing it

As long as you’re not wearing heels, you may opt to climb the stairs to the tower’s second level to catch the elevator to the very top. This ticket saves you €6.40, or put that money toward a well-deserved glass of wine (or two!) at a café afterward.

What to wear

It gets windy at the top of the tower, so it’s a good idea to dress accordingly, especially during the cooler months. You’ll be much more comfortable at the top if you have a little something extra to wrap around yourself.

Alternative towers

In the end, there are no real tricks to visiting the tower. If there’s a huge line, there’s a huge line. But no one is forcing you to wait.

If simply seeing the tower is enough, consider going up the Tour Montparnasse, that big ugly skyscraper in the south of the city. From the top of this building you get a bird’s eye view of everything with less fuss. There’s also a bar up top — win-win situation?

Related:
• 50 Ways to save time and money on your trip to Paris
• When is the best time to visit Paris?
• A Guide to beating the crowds at Paris’ top attractions

Transportation to the Eiffel Tower

The Metro line 6 will drop you off at Bir Hakeim, the closest station. For better views while arriving at the tower, lines 6 and 9 at the station Trocadéro is a stunning way to introduce yourself to Eiffel’s masterpiece with just a short walk across the river afterward. Line 8 at Ecole Militaire is also a short walk through the Champs de Mars, offering great views of the tower as well.

Cheap hotels near the Eiffel Tower

If you’re looking for budget hotels nearby, be sure to read our hotel recommendations near the Eiffel Tower. Our editors have visited and reviewed these properties and will help you find the best deal.

The post Eiffel Tower: How to get tickets, find discounts and save time appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But for those looking for a more inspired scenario that won’t evoke images of Tom Cruise proposing to Katie Holmes (at the Tower), here are a few romantic spots to consider, depending of course on you and your partner’s style.

Geting romantic in Paris:
• The best romantic hotels in Paris for budget travelers
• Save big on a fun shopping spree in Paris
• Enjoy a romantic meal without blowing your bank account

Proposing in Paris

Paris Luxe

Brides in white flowing dresses with husbands in tow can be seen along the Pont Alexandre III (pictured, top) taking their photos after their weddings — but why not start the engagement there? When we think of Paris, we think of the Champs Elysée, gold-domed buildings and splendid views of the river. The Pont Alexandre III offers it all.

A bridge over the Canal St. Martin. Photo: Sylvain Bourdos

The most ornate bridge in Paris with glowing globe lights and gilded statues, it’s one of the perfect places to get romantic at night as the Eiffel Tower glitters in the distance and the lights of the boats reflect off the Seine. It’s a jolt of old world glam that never seems to die in Paris.

Bohemian Paris

If you like the idea of something less glitzy but more gritty and real, head to the Canal St. Martin and choose one of the arching bridges for your special moment. The neighborhood is known for many artists and bohemian-bourgeois locals that dress shabby-chic with carefully de-coiffed hair.

The pedestrian bridges have a rustic, quaint feeling that evokes Amélie skipping stones along the still water. Local picnickers along the banks of the canal will surely applaud if your partner says yes and then you can share a romantic meal at the trendy Hotel du Nord, ending the evening with a candlelit dinner among the other bohemian lovers that fill the neighborhood.

Fairytale romance

For something a little more whimsical, head to the top of the Parc Buttes Chaumont. Crowning this little man-made hill is a gazebo fit for Rapunzel that, despite the graffiti, can be a splendid place for the question. The views overlooking the park and the rooftops of Paris are simply breathtaking, like looking upon some far-off kingdom where the animals dress you in the morning. You even catch glimpses of the gleaming white Sacré Coeur basilica to the north.

The tip of the Ile de la Cite. Photo: Tom Flemming

If all goes well, have the picnic and obligatory bottle of Champagne ready to celebrate a fairytale engagement.

Historical Romance

As featured in the 2009 film An Education, the tip of Ile de la Cité overlooking the famous Pont des Arts and the Louvre, can be a very intimate spot to say, “I do” while being surrounded by the best of Paris. It has been a popular place for romance ever since the 1600s when King Henry IV brought his lovers here, which is why the square is called Galant-Vert, an allusion to his many mistresses at an old age.

This historical spot, in the shadow of the Pont Neuf, Paris’ oldest bridge, boasts magnificent views and could be the perfect place to slip the ring on his or her finger.

Fit for a King or Queen

Just outside of Paris in Versailles, the possibilities are endless. It’s not free to enter, but if you’re going to make a special trip to the chateau and its gardens, stop over at the Trianon, Queen Marie Antoinette’s private getaway. The aptly-named Temple d’Amour is a beautiful Romanesque gazebo tailor-made for royal wedding proposals.

Afterward, a romantic stroll through the vast gardens is the perfect way for lovers to steal a kiss, like the countless royals that have courted lovers in days long gone.

Related: 8 fantastic day trips less than an hour from Paris

Your proposals?

So what do you think? Do you have any other ideas for places to pop the question? Propose some more locations in our comments section!

The post Proposing in Paris: 5 romantic spots to pop the question appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Like most major cities, Paris can be quite pricey, especially for first-time visitors who don’t know the little “tricks of the Cheapo trade.”  Fortunately, a little bit of planning before you land can help you save some serious euros while still experiencing the best the city has to offer.

More tips for Paris:

• 50 Ways to save on your vacation in Paris
• The 15 Best cheap hotels in Paris
• 25 Free attractions and things to do in Paris

10 Budget tips for Paris first-time visitors

Here’s a quick “Top 10” list of ways to save for first-timers in Paris:

1. Restaurants: Feast away… at lunch.

Paris and food go hand in hand. While yummy baguette sandwiches and pastries are everywhere – and they’re cheap – you’ll want to sit down at a restaurant eventually. You can do some research on Yelp or ParisbyMouth.com and find a nice restaurant for lunch instead of dinner to save some euros. Fixed lunch menus are usually cheaper, and you won’t usually need a reservation for popular places, plus you’ll get to sit for a while and enjoy your meal. Here are 5 set lunch menus we like under €12.

Related: Read more topics about saving on food in Paris.

2. Affordable lodging: Think central.

Pick a central hotel to avoid constantly taking the Metro. While the Metro is inexpensive and efficient, the costs can add up, in both euros and time. Often it’s better to book a central hotel that’s €20-30 more expensive to avoid buying an extra few “carnets” of Metro tickets. You’ll also save your feet the extra miles of walking.

Check out our cheapo guide to saving on hotels in Paris, and this smaller list of budget hotels with great, central locations and 8 favorites under €80.

3. Metro: “Un carnet, s’il vous plait.”

So when you do take the Metro inside Paris (not to the airport or to Versailles), make sure you buy a “carnet” of tickets (unless you decide to get a Mobilis pass). This set of 10 tickets will save you about 20% per ticket instead of buying them individually. But use up those paper tickets soon because they will expire in 2021. The city is moving to a new system, Navigo Easy, to replace the paper tickets. Good news though, you’ll still be able to get the 10-ride discount!

Related: 10 Tips for riding the Paris Metro like a local

4. Nightlife: Plan ahead.

Do some nightlife research and take advantage of happy hour(s). While Paris may not be a party town like Berlin or New York, there are still plenty of things to do at night. The challenge is to find them. Happy hour specials abound, sometimes until 11 pm, when drinks are significantly cheaper.

But if you want to hear jazz, go dancing, or experience other nightlife, it’s best to know where you’re heading ahead of time; otherwise, you might find yourself on the Champs-Elysées paying a €30 cover charge for a tacky club.

Read more about saving on Paris’s nightlife at bars and clubs and entertainment.

5. Museums: Should you “pass”?

Plan your museum trips ahead of time if you are planning to purchase a museum pass. It’s best to know how many museums you’ll actually be able to see during the few days that your pass will be valid. Otherwise, if you are buying tickets for each museum, visit the Louvre and the Orsay during their night openings (Louvre: Wednesday and Friday, Orsay: Thursday) in order to save on cheaper tickets and deal with smaller crowds.

Don’t forget the litany of free museums that may not hold any Mona Lisa’s but are just as memorable. The Carnavalet, the Pavillon de l’Arsenal, and the Victor Hugo museum are all favorites in the Marais that are worth a visit. (Read more tips for sightseeing in Paris.)

Related: 7 Tips for surviving the Louvre

6. Fixed costs: No getting around ’em.

Plan fixed costs ahead of time. The Eiffel Tower and a tour of the Opera, for example, offer no shortcuts or reduced fees (aside from booking your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance to save time), so you’ll have to pay full price.

And fixed costs don’t stop with sightseeing: Train tickets to the airport on the RER B, a ticket to Versailles, and a day trip to Giverny are all non-negotiable. While none of these will break the bank, they do add up, so it’s best to know which experiences you’ll be paying full-price for.

7. Fast food: Enjoy it, French-style.

Don’t shy away from fast food – falafels and baguette sandwiches, for example – just because you might have heard that Parisians don’t eat fast food. That’s a lie. Getting a falafel (€6) on rue des Rosiers and heading to the Place des Vosges or taking a baguette sandwich (less than €5) and fruit from the market to a picnic in a garden are all perfectly acceptable and encouraged.

8. Touring: Take a freebie

Take a free tour — like these — to get introduced to the city. If you’re a first-timer, a tour will be a perfect way to break you in and familiarize yourself with the city’s layout and history. Sure, it’ll be more information than you’ll be able to retain, but you’ll meet new people and your guide, most likely a local, will have insider information to share with you — if they’re good!

If you have a few extra euros to spend, here are 11 specialty tours worth splurging on.

9. Hydrate: Drink the free stuff.

Water is one of the few truly free things in Paris – like, really free. If you go to a café and ask for a glass of water, the waiter must give you one. Never hesitate to ask for a “carafe d’eau” while at a café or restaurant, even if you just have coffee. They’re legally required to give it to you.

Also, the famous Wallace fountains keep fresh drinking water running through Paris all spring and summer long (they’re shut off in the winter to avoid freezing). If you want a bottle of Evian, head to the grocery store to browse the Mecca of water brands available for as little as 15 centimes a bottle – but be warned, cold water can cost up to €2 for a small bottle at any other bodega or snack shop.

10. Timing: What’s your style?

We’ve talked about when is the best time to visit Paris before. But we’ll stress it again: Pick your period wisely – Christmas and summer tend to be expensive, but have their own perks, so weigh your values and pros/cons. Do you want to picnic? Spend time lounging in the gardens? Fight impossible crowds at Notre Dame and the Louvre? Sounds like late spring and summer.

Or do you want to come in April or October with some warmer clothes and an umbrella and relax a bit more with fewer tourists around? If you want to cut down on hotel rates and airfare, look to the low season, just be prepared for all weather conditions.

Your first-time tips?

Have a tip for a first-timer in Paris to add to our list? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Paris: 10 money-saving tips for Paris first-time visitors appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Welcome to European travel at its most popular—and most frustrating.  And these most popular attractions only seem to get busier with each passing year, filling up with tourists even during the slower seasons.

But before you head back to your hotel to sip a bottle of wine in misery, take a deep breath and relax. Despite millions of other tourists descending upon the same museum, church or ruin every year, there are still ways to beat the crowds and save time in Europe.

Here are 10 insider tips to let you spend more time experiencing these sights—and less time experiencing the line.

9 tips to help you save time in Europe

Beat the crowds and get this incredible view when you visit the Eiffel Tower in the evening. Photo: Miguel Mendez

1. Eiffel Tower: Book in advance, and head up around dinner time

The Eiffel Tower sure is pretty to look at from a distance. During peak summer season, save time waiting in a ticket line by booking your Tower tickets in advance through the official Eiffel Tower website. (Careful — lots of ticket agencies would like to sell you more expensive versions of the same ticket. Buy yours directly from the Eiffel Tower website.)

To avoid the biggest crowds in high season, plan on an early or late dinner and schedule your Tower visit for 8 or 9 pm. Not only will you catch the sunset, but you’ll miss most of the other Paris lovers who will be out to dinner.

Related: Our favorite budget hotels near the Eiffel Tower

2. Louvre: Stay up late on Wednesdays & Fridays

On Wednesday and Friday the Louvre is open until 9:45 pm. We know it’s tempting to visit Mona early in the day when everyone’s fresh, but coming after dark means that you’ll miss the herds of school groups, extended families and tour groups that arrive around 10 a.m.

And no matter what time you come, enter through the Carrousel du Louvre entrance. Waiting to pass through security under the main pyramid is an unnecessary time waster.

Related: Read more Louvre tips | Favorite budget hotels near the Louvre

3. Anne Frank House: Get your tickets way in advance

There’s no way around it. If you just show up on a Saturday afternoon in summer expecting to saunter right into the Anne Frank House, you’re going to be disappointed. So many tourists in Amsterdam are shocked that you have to get tickets in advance. It is the only way to see the museum now. It’s too bad if you don’t get in as this is one of Europe’s most powerful experiences.

Just plan ahead and get your tickets in advance either two months in advance or the day of (if you’re lucky!). Check out our full guide to getting Anne Frank House tickets for all of the details.

Related: 32 recommended budget hotels in Amsterdam

Tourists mingling and waiting outside of St. Mark’s Basilica. Photo: Dennis Jarvis

4. St. Mark’s Basilica: Skip ahead with online booking

There’s almost always a line to get into this stunning church—no matter what time of year you visit. Entry can easily take 45 minutes or longer during high season. And since this ancient basilica is still used for services, avoid Sunday mornings during mass and major Christian holidays, unless you’re planning to attend the service.

You can book entry tickets directly online to save time during the busier months. Total cost: only €2! This service is available from 1st of April to 2nd November and is a small price to pay for saving so much time.

Related: More tips for visiting Venice’s attractions. | Our 23 best budget hotels in Venice

5. Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s basilica: Visit Tuesdays through Fridays

St. Peter’s basilica has been a destination for pilgrims for centuries, and Pope Francis’ new-found popularity is bringing in even bigger crowds. With so many attractions to see in one place, from the stunning basilica to the fascinating museums that draws up to 25,000 people a day, visiting the Vatican area can be a little overwhelming.

You can book museum tickets online, but the key here is coming mid-week. The weekends (especially Sundays of course!) and Mondays are the busiest, so try to plan your schedule around them. Then go first thing in the morning or after lunch around 3 pm. Late morning usually sees the biggest number of visitors.

Check out 9 other tips on beating the crowds at the Vatican (including our tip for the secret entry between the Vatican museum and St. Peter’s).

Related: More ways to save in Rome | 37 recommended budget hotels in Rome

Tour buses, lines and oh so many tourists are a common site at the Colosseum. Photo: Dzhingarova

6. Colosseum: Get up very early

The Colosseum can only hold 3,000 people at a time, so you can imagine the backups that can ensue on the busiest days. If you can actually pull yourself out of bed and be in line by 8:15 a.m., you will be in good shape to be one of the first to get through the doors when they open at 8:30 a.m. You can also book online, if you prefer to sleep in

Bonus Tip: Another way to save a couple of euros (and some time, too) is to avoid all of the costumed Roman soldiers and gladiators looking to separate you from a few of your euros for a cheesy photo op. (Unless, of course, you want an epic holiday card to send to Uncle Jack this year.)

7. British Museum: Research and come prepared

The Elgin Marbles, Rosetta Stone, Lewis Chessmen, Parthenon Sculptures… it’s like Humanity’s Greatest Hits, and it’s free to visit! Just know that it’s on every other tourist’s list, too. While you can choose to zip through the biggies in under 60 minutes (there really is a guide for that!), we prefer to take our time and soak it all in.

However, do a little prep work or you’ll be wandering around all day. To get a head start, spend some time in the museum’s online collection or listen to a great series of BBC podcasts “A History of the World in 100 Objects.” Figure out what sounds good, and make a plan. Research has never been so fun!

Related: Read all of our tips for the British Museum | Best budget hotels in London

8. Buckingham Palace: Book ahead in summer, guard yourself otherwise

There are royal palaces. And then there’s Buckingham Palace, which boasts 775 rooms that stretch over a football (that’s American football) field long. Not to mention the posh royal ceremonies or the official Throne Room. This is the real deal.

Buckingham Palace opens its doors to tourists every summer from late July through the end of September. You should book those tickets online well in advance.

Visiting around the holidays? Travelers can splurge for one of the palace’s exclusive private tours, available to small groups from December 11, 2015 – January 31, 2016. Ticket prices are a hefty £75 per person.

Looking for a touch of the Prince but the price of a pauper? Swing by to experience the changing of the Guard for free. It takes place at 11:30 a.m. — daily during the summer and alternating days off-season. (Check out this schedule for more info.)

Prepare to be awestruck at La Sagrada Familia. If you get up early and beat the crowds. Photo: Antonio Tajuelo

9. La Sagrada Familia: Arrive early or go to mass

Barcelona is a feast for fans of architecture and Gaudí, with Park Güell, several residences like Casa Batlló and La Sagrada Familia, all easily accessible within the city’s boundaries. But if you only have time to see one of his master creations, La Sagrad Familia is probably the best bet—as long as you hit the sack early the night before.

The church opens at 9 a.m. every day of the year (including Christmas and New Year’s), so early arrivals can get a jump on the crowds no matter what season they come. Admission will cost you more than a handful of euros, but even on our cheapo budget, we think it’s well worth it. You should also consider attending mass at the Sagrada Familia — it’s not just free, it’s a moving experience.

Related: Read all of our tips for La Sagrada Familia | Recommended budget hotels in Barcelona

Your tips

Have some additional ways to save time and money at any of these tops attractions? Did we overlook something big? Share with us in the comments section below!

The post Secrets to saving time at Europe’s top attractions appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Let’s break down the pass, and try to make it comprehensible. The website, in typical French style, doesn’t make it extremely easy at first glance, but the multiple options aren’t too complicated to follow.

What is the Passlib’?

The Paris Passlib’ is actually a combination of several existing Paris passes into one mega-pass:

• The Paris Visite pass: which offers unlimited access to the Metro and public transportation +

• The Paris Museum Pass: which offers free entry to many of the city’s big museums and galleries +

• The Paris Passlib’ card (the new addition): which covers an hour-long boat cruise and a day-long sightseeing bus tour.

All of these passes are available in 2-, 3-, and 5-day options (see prices below).

There is also another option, the “Passlib’ Mini” that excludes the Paris Museum and the Paris Visite passes, so essentially it’s just a boat ride and a one-day bus tour, plus the chance to upgrade to a visit to the Eiffel Tower  (see below).

Passlib’ prices

The cost of the new Passlib’ varies depending on your age and the duration of the pass. (See all pass options on the Passlib’ website):

Adults:

• Paris Passlib’ Mini – Adult: €40
• Paris Passlib’ 2 Days – Adult: €109
• Paris Passlib’ 3 Days – Adult: €129
• Paris Passlib’ 5 Days – Adult: €155
  + Eiffel Tower (second level): €15 extra

Youth: (EU members: 12-25; non-EU: 12-17 years)

• Paris Passlib’ Mini – Youth: €35
• Paris Passlib’ 2 days – Youth: €65
• Paris Passlib’ 3 days – Youth: €70
• Paris Passlib’ 5 days – Youth: €90
  + Eiffel Tower (second level): €15 extra

Children (4-11 years)

• Paris Passlib’ Mini – Child: €26
• Paris Passlib’ 2 Days – Child: €35
• Paris Passlib’ 3 Days – Child: €39
• Paris Passlib’ 5 Days – Child: €47
  + Eiffel Tower (second level): €15 extra

Skip line at Eiffel Tower

And on top of all of these choices, you can add a €15 supplement to access the Eiffel Tower’s second level without waiting in line. While it seems attractive, remember that another ticket is required to reach the top of the tower, costing an additional few euros.

Usually, tourists can book a time slot to go up the tower in advance, but often dates and times are sold out months in advance, or it ends up raining on the day of your reservation. This addition with the Paris Passlib’ changes all of that.

The verdict?

Is it really worth it? It depends. For a 2-day pass for an adult, at €109 (without the Eiffel Tower), you’ll get the following items, which would normally total roughly €117.15:

• Paris Visite: €18.15/2 days
• Paris Museum Pass: €48/2 days
• Bus tour: €32/day tour
• Boat tour: €14/1 hour tour
• Paris Passlib’ book: (a map) maybe valued at €5.

So you save a bit, but the real question is, did you want all of that?

Paris is an entirely walkable city, and most tourists can get by just fine splitting a carnet (a booklet of 10 Metro tickets) over a few days.

The museum pass for two days will require some intensive museum-going in order to make it worth it, and what if the weather’s great and you just want to picnic or stroll? Also, children under 18 get in free to museums anyway, and the Paris Visite is cheaper for them.

And what about that bus ride? Do you want to sit on a bus for a whole day? If it’s your first time to Paris, maybe, but then to sit on a boat as well? It could be a bit of overkill. Could you just have spent €1.80 on a public bus and toured the city like the locals?

The argument for…

The pass certainly does group everything together in one package, and the addition of the Eiffel Tower line-hop is attractive, as long as too many people don’t purchase this same option.

If money is no issue, the pass is a solid way to prepare a family trip without too much fuss, while ensuring activities for the whole family.

If money is an issue, but you want to pack in as much sightseeing and visits as possible, the card could work in your favor if you plan accordingly: Spend one day on a bus, then two days crisscrossing the city in the Metro to visit the most expensive museums for free. It could work.

The argument against…

For budget travelers looking to really explore Paris, the pass may create a stress to spend time doing things that you may not have wanted to do in the first place. In the interest of “getting your money’s worth,” you may forgo exploring the streets of Paris in order to heap on museums and vehicle tours around town.

Don’t forget that some of the city’s best museums are free (the Carnavalet, the Victor Hugo house) and the boat and bus rides could be overkill for those who like to walk (or take a Velib’ like the locals). In a city where sitting in a café and watching the world go by constitutes an activity in my book – and at only €2-3 for a coffee on a terrace – it’s difficult to consider the pass a great idea.

Final thought

For those seeking the structure and the serenity of a travel pass, the Pass Parislib’ could work well. Just be sure you know why you’re purchasing it and be certain that it will really offer you experiences that you want during your visit to Paris.

The post Paris Tourist Cards: Should you buy the new Paris Passlib’? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Louvre

Visit late on Wednesdays or Fridays

If you must, go on Wednesday or Friday night, preferably from 6-9:45 PM. We sound like a broken record saying it, but it’s the truth. And on Friday nights, anyone under 26—anyone—can get in for free. It’s the best time to meander the halls, free from school children, families and tour groups that clog the galleries during the day. Afterwards, there’s still time for a drink or dinner just north around rue Montorgueil. Don’t try to beat the crowds and get there early. Resign yourself to the nocturne. (closed Tuesday)

The Eiffel Tower

Go up the elevators around dinner time

Oh, you wanted to go up this thing? OK, let’s do it, but prepare for crowds no matter what. As long as the elevators are working, the wait shouldn’t be horrible, but why waste even one hour waiting in a line with so few precious days in Paris? Aim for dinner time, again, or even later in the summer when the sun stays out until 9, 10, even 11 PM. From June to September, the last lift to the top is at 11 PM (10:30 the rest of the year), so plan accordingly. Again, groups of children and feuding families will probably be at dinner around 8 or 9, so this is your time to strike. The advantage is that in the summer, heading up around 8 or 9 PM means you’ll get to see Paris as the sun sets, and by the time you reach the top, night should fall and the lights will be twinkling. (open daily)

Montmartre & Sacre Coeur

Aim to get there before midday

This lively area can feel a little overwhelming on the weekends when tourists and locals alike walk the streets that zigzag the old artists’ district. To visit the neighborhood and basilica, just try and get there before noon in order to sneak into the church before a huge line forms, especially during the peak tourist seasons. Once the afternoon hits, especially on the weekends, families and groups find their way up the hill, and by evening, the church is closed for visits. Though hardly ever will you find a line to walk up the 300 steps to the basilica’s dome—maybe climbing up the hill is enough for most people. (open until 8 PM May-September, 5:30 PM October-April)

Notre Dame Church & Bell Tower

Be in line by 10 AM during the high season

There are two components to Notre Dame—the church (free) and the bell towers (€8.50). If you want to go up the towers, you’ll have to get up early (be there around 8:30 for a 10 AM opening in the high season). If you’re traveling with someone, one person can hold the line while the other walks to nearby Huré (1 rue d’Arcrole) for some pastry to eat in line.

If you want to visit the church (free) getting there before 10 AM is usually your best bet, as groups don’t typically enter until a bit later. The church sponsors visits at 2 PM in several languages, which means stay away if possible! But the line to get in, even if it wraps around the square in front of the church, usually advances quickly, since there are no tickets to purchase. (open daily)

The Catacombs

Don’t go too late because final entry time is 4 PM

Same advice as for the towers of Notre Dame—early is key. Although the several million Parisians housed in the old mine shafts don’t really care what time you arrive. The later you get there, the more you risk not making the final cut when the last visitors are allowed in at 4 PM. Get there at 8:30 AM if you can, and you’ll hopefully be among the first group of 200 to descend. (€8, closed Mondays)

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1. A brand new zoo experience

The zoo in the Parc de Vincennes will reopen this spring, offering modern facilities and a unique way to experience wildlife. Not far from the Chateau de Vincennes, the zoo will be the perfect addition to a day in the Bois de Vincennes for kids and adults alike.

2. Picasso comes back to life

The Picasso Museum will really re-open this June. It was slated for last year, as we so proudly announced in last year’s New Year recap. But this year we mean it. We hope.

3. Art all over town

Other exhibitions are a sure thing this year, from the Louvre to smaller galleries around town. Frank Gehry and Jeff Koons will have their turn at the Pompidou while Robert Mapplethorpe will show off at the Grand Palais. A part of the collection destined for the Louvre Abu Dhabi will be on show at the flagship location, where the Winged Victory will also be coming back after restorations. Welcome home!

4. Jump on the bus

Don’t forget the bus! Maybe 2014 will be the year of cheap weekend trips with the low-cost bus service called IdBus. For a few euros, you can select big destinations like Lyon, Milan, Amsterdam and London, or places where even the low-cost TGV Ouigo doesn’t go!

5. A new face in Hotel de Ville

Just like New York in 2013, municipal elections will usher in a new Paris mayor this year. Our dear Betrand Delanoe will not run again, having held the spot since 2001. It will be an exciting time for Paris this spring as a new leader takes his or her seat at the Hotel de Ville.

6. Guidebook expert advice

If we’re not convincing enough, maybe Lonely Planet’s endorsement will help. The popular guidebook chose Paris as the number one urban destination for this year. Surprised?

7. Les Halles revamp

All of that horrid construction in the center of the city around the historic Les Halles district will be shaping up—finally. The green canopy that will be the standout of the new construction project is set to be completed this year. Whether it’s as monstrous as it looks in images remains to be seen. The neighborhood, however, is sure to change drastically over the next few years, so visit it now while it’s in transition.

8. Swim in style

The Piscine Molitor and the Piscine at Butte aux Cailles will both reopen after years of renovation, allowing you to swim like a lady or chap from the 1920s under beautiful Art Deco ceilings and décor.

9. New event complex

The Carreau du Temple, on the site of the old Knights Templar complex, will also open this April. Another of our failed prediction from 2013 (Paris can move slow sometimes), this year the former market will host local sporting events, performance artists, and various events in a totally renovated structure.

10. Cool souvenirs

The official Paris boutique, already online, will open up a store at the Hotel de Ville—as if you needed more souvenirs? Check out the offerings on their site and stop by the shop once it opens later this year.

11. Sipping on the Seine

The Berges de Seine (opened last year) will have even more restaurants and bars this summer. It will be the new “it” spot for Parisians on the Rive Gauche, and others who dare cross the river. Head down to the 2.3 kilometers of renovated river bank to mingle with the locals at a variety of bars and cafés, including the Rosa Bonheur outpost.

12. Sainte Chapelle revealed

Sick of scaffolding? We are, too. Fortunately work will end on the Sainte Chapelle this autumn (probably December) meaning those gorgeous stained-glass windows that people wait in line for will finally be visible as King Louis IX intended back in the 1200s.

13. Food trucks on the rise

If all else fails, come for the food.  Sure, there are plenty of farm-fresh menus at high end bistros, but have you tried a gourmet burger out of a cart? Paris is bursting with food trucks right now, and 2014 is shaping up to be the year to eat on the street. And if you think you’ve eaten everything in Paris already, Burger King has come back to the French capital, so why not try a Whopper à la francaise?

14. Eiffel Tower turns the big 125

Last year Notre Dame celebrated the big 8-5-0. This year, Paris’s Iron Lady, the Eiffel Tower will celebrate its 125^th birthday. Renovations will be finished on the first floor, after two years of construction, featuring a glass floor, new exhibits, refurbished pavilions, and a more eco-friendly approach to running one of the world’s most famous monuments. So far no special party is planned, but the lights will shimmer each night, while fireworks will illuminate the landmark on July 14th, as if she needs any more pomp.

Do you have anything special on your Paris list for 2014? Drop us a tweet, find us on Facebook or just leave a comment below.

The post Paris here we come: 14 reasons to go in 2014 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here a few suggestions of near misses across popular destinations.

1. Leaning Tower of Pisa > Duomo di Pisa
Pisa, Italy

No trip to Italy would be complete without a stop in Pisa to take a picture “holding up” (or, for those more devilishly inclined, “pushing over”) the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And once you’ve turned down every vendor hocking watches, worked up the courage to walk on the forbidden lawn to get your picture, and perhaps even spent precious vacation time in line waiting for a timed ticket to climb to the top, you may finally take in the fact that the Tower is disappointingly small—and is, in fact, dwarfed by the other monuments in the ensemble, monuments you didn’t even know existed until you arrived in Pisa for this short visit.

Save your entrance fee money and buy a ticket for the Duomo, the large cathedral immediately adjacent to the Tower. The Duomo, with its green and white striped design, served as the archetype of the Pisan-Romanesque style and a model for other churches throughout Tuscany. Despite the hordes of tourists outside, the marble cathedral remains comfortably empty and, in the hot of summer, refreshingly shady and cool.

King Ludwig II spent his childhood in Hohenschwangau. Photo: Nataraj Metz

Anyone who may have felt crowded in cathedrals in Florence or Rome will be pleasantly surprised at the freedom to move, sit, and even pray peacefully in Pisa’s Duomo.

Entrance to the Duomo: €2; joint entrance to the Tower and Duomo:  €17.  Order tickets for the Tower online for a 2-euro additional fee.

2. Neuschwanstein > Hohenschwangau
Füssen, Germany

Mad King Ludwig II’s masterpiece, unfinished before his mysterious death in 1886, Neuschwanstein is clearly the model upon which Disney’s classic castle is based.  For travelers to southern Germany, this beauty is a highlight and a destination in itself.

Unfortunately, many overlook the neighboring castle, Hohenschwangau, where Ludwig spent his childhood.  Hohenschwangau is nowhere near as romantic from the outside, but inside, it hides countless treasures.  The castle was not damaged during either World War, and the castle’s contents — the royal family’s possessions — were saved from destruction or plunder during those years by local residents.

So whereas on most castle tours (Neuschwanstein included), one may be impressed by the luxurious decorations of the gigantic rooms, yet be left with little sense of how said rooms were actually used beyond the description of the tour and one’s own imagination, a tour through Hohenschwangau gives an excellent picture of everyday royal life.  Further, the tours at Hohenschwangau are more personal and informative and less rushed, without the assembly-line feeling one gets at Neuschwanstein.

The EIffel Tower rises over the Musée de Quai Branly. Photo: Theory

Entrance to Hohenschwangau:  €12; “King’s Ticket” joint entrance to Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein:  €23.  Book tickets online for a fee of €1.80 per person per castle.

3. Eiffel Tower > Museé de Quai Branly
Paris, France

Near the top of the list of European icons is Paris’ Eiffel Tower.  Originally constructed as a temporary part of the 1889 World Expo, the Tower won over the hearts and minds of Parisians and has since remained one of the city’s most significant landmarks.

Yet, if you failed to book your tickets for Tower entrance online and don’t have the time (or the legs) for standing in the ticket line or for walking up the Tower under your own steam, or if the weather simply isn’t cooperating, you don’t have to leave the area with a handful of pictures from the ground and a broken heart.  Instead, head over to the Musée de Quai Branly, Paris’s museum of ethnography.

Here you’ll find “an unpartitioned geographical itinerary comprising 5,450 artifacts from all four corners of the world.”  And on those hot summer and cold winter days, here you’ll find a temperate refuge from the weather outside (and a cloakroom for your luggage).

Entrance to Musee de Quai Branly:  €10 for all exhibitions; timed elevator tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower:  €14.  Reserve online at no extra fee.

Your near misses?

What are some of your favorite “near misses”?  Share your ideas in the comments.

The post In the Shadow of an Icon: 3 Sights not to miss in Pisa, Fussen and Paris appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Rumor has it you’re planning a trip to Paris! So bless your soul and grab my hand. I have a few recommendations for a dreamy Parisian bucket list, big or tall. Here is where I find my inspiration!

Hang out at Shakespeare and Company.

1. Book it!

While kicking down the cobblestones, why not pick up a Paris-related book or novella? Check out Shakespeare & Co. at 37 rue Bûcherie (Metro: Saint-Michel). Located near Notre Dame, it is the most enchanting bookshop in the city!

Through the hard times and the good, I also praise the San Francisco Bookshop at 17 Rue Monsieur le Prince (Metro: Odéon). Here is where I recently found a well-loved copy of “A Literate Passion: Letters of Anaïs Nin & Henry Miller”. Talk about the ultimate starry-eyed read!

Henry wrote: “I have not dared until now to say what I think. But I am plunging—you have opened the void for me—there is no holding back. I am in a fever.” Oh, sigh!

(Read more about our favorite bookstores in Paris.)

Get cheesy at the fromagerie.

2. Eat, Drink and be Merry

And speaking of Henry’s valentine, he also penned, “The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware: joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware!”

Here’s the squeal! Paris is made up of beaucoup boulangeries, poissonneries, caves, and cafés, éspiceries, fromageries, charcuteries, pâtisseries, chocolatiers, confiseries, and glaciers. Clipping The Left Banke, don’t walk away, Renée—spurge away! Also, ask for tidbit samples and recommendations. Cheapos, they know.

My gastronomical checklist:

Don’t leave the city without trying a crème brûlé, a meringue, and at least one macaron, along with a baguette, a pain au chocolat, and a selection of young fromage (difficult to find outside of France). Let’s not forget the wine and the crêpes! “Je voudrais une crêpe fromage-jambon, s’il vous plaît,” is what I always say!

(Read more about our favorite cafes and bakeries in Paris.)

3. Big City, Bright Lights

I also advocate sipping a round on a café terrace. Winter, spring, summer and fall, you won’t forget it! For pumped-up kicks, give Suze a shot! A gentian-based apéritif, this old-school bar favorite is typically served on ice with equal parts water or orange juice. Challenge your mates to describe its strange and peculiar flavor!

Back in the day, Picasso quipped, “I put all the things I like into my pictures—too bad for the things, they just have to put up with it.” Yes, the iconic bottle played muse to Picasso back in 1912. Hands-down, his super-cube collage “Verre et bouteille de Suze” always sets my rain on fire!

(Read more about drinks to try at any cafe in Paris.)

Hanging out in the Jardin du Luxembourg

4. Parks and Rec

After you’ve picked up your reads and nibbles, head to one of my favorite parks: Jardin du Luxembourg (Metro: Notre-Dame des Champs, Rennes or Vavin), Jardin des Tuileries (Metro: Tuileries, Concorde, Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre, Pyramides) and the Jardin du Palais Royal (Metro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre).

WWHD? (What would Hem do?)

Hemingway would most likely mosey on over to the Square du Vert-Galant (Metro: Pont Neuf, Cité or Saint-Michel), and chill with wine, books, and sausages while watching the fishermen. “They always caught some fish,” he wrote, “They were plump and sweet-fleshed with a finer flavor than fresh sardines even, and were not at all oily, and we ate them bones and all.”

(Read in detail about our favorite parks in Paris.)

Lovely, moody Pere Lachaise.

Last stop

Cemeteries are also perfect spots for a little peace, love and understanding. I often curl up with Oscar Wilde at the Cimetière du Père-Lachaise. Like a new pair of cat eyeglasses, the calm terrain not only changes perception, but also attitude. The surrounding beauty both soothes and re-energizes my spirits every time.

Here you’ll also find comfort with Chopin, Modigliani, Proust, Edith Piaf and Jim Morrison. It’s free, and the perfect Paris experience, rain or shine. Come with a journal or sketchbook in hand. In the words of the dashing Wilde, “I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train.” Oh, yes.

5. Taxi!

After nightfall, treat yourself to a cab ride in the City of Light. This is when the city truly twinkles. If you’re not already a wee intoxicated, you soon will be. I guarantee it.

To catch a ride, keep your eyes peeled for a cabstand. You could also hoof around the city after sundown. In Paris I always feel safe as houses, even when I roll solo.

6. Eiffel Tower

Like the moon and stars, the Eiffel Tower is a free show from almost anywhere in town, but better yet go there! Add it to your list. Just do it. Looking for a picture-perfect shot? Shoot up from below, center stage. Here the tower’s iron lattice resembles classic French black lace knickers. Oh, la, la!

I also highly recommend scoring an Eiffel Tower key chain at one of the souvenir shops in Montmartre. For the true love of corn, you’ll thank me one day in the near future. I have no doubts and no shortage of miniature replicas in my very own big box of life’s mementos. Just saying.

View from the rooftop.

7. Up on the roof

Right smack dab in the middle of town, I have a pet rooftop haven. Galeries Lafayette has never let me down! Up here, you’ll spy the Opéra Garnier, the Tour Eiffel, and Sacré Coeur. It’s another perfect spot to recharge your spirit, soul, and soles with sunsets and to-the-horizon boulevards and buildings of Haussmannian architecture!

(Read more about visiting the rooftop of Galeries Lafayette and tips for visiting the Sacre Coeur.)

8. Quill Power

Go vintage! Buy your postcards at the flea market! In the world of texts and emoticons, a little handwriting will feel good to the hand, spirit, cat sitter or paramour! Start the search for “cartes postale ancienne” at either the Porte de Vanves Flea Market or Clignancourt Flea Market at Caveyron Devey, located at stall number 7 and 8 in the Passage Lecuyer (off Rue Jules Vallès).

(Read our tips for shopping at flea markets in Paris.)

Signing off with yet another passage by Hemingway, Cheapos, “There is never any ending to Paris and the memory of each person who has lived in it differs from that of any other.”

Bon Voyage! Carpe diem, Cheapos! Now start planning that trip!

The post First time in Paris? 8 activities not to miss appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.