Whether your kids are still learning to walk or are old enough to read along in your guidebook, pack their bags (or tell them to pack themselves!) and bring the whole family for a fun and affordable trip to Paris.

We’ve combed through our entire list of Paris hotels to compile these picks for the best budget family-friendly hotels in Paris. So what are you waiting for? It’s time for you and your kids to say “oui” to an unforgettable family vacation!

Related:
• Our favorite budget hotels in Paris
• Romantic hotels for budget travelers
• How to save on hotels in France

Our top budget Paris hotels for families

Note that all of these reviews come from our complete guide to budget hotels in Paris.

One of the comfortable family rooms at Hotel Marignan.

Hotel Marignan

13 Rue du Sommerard
Neighborhood: Latin Quarter
Metro: Cluny – La Sorbonne
Triple rooms starting at $151 a night

Our editors love Hotel Marignan for its friendly owners, free breakfast and an incredible location in the Latin Quarter. There are family rooms that can accommodate up to five people, with free laundry to boot. Five-person rooms also have a private bath, making it easier for your family members to bicker privately over who gets to shower next!

For families who want to save money and cook some lunches and dinners, this hotel also offers a guest kitchen complete with dishes and a refrigerator. Read the full review.

The relaxing garden courtyard is a favorite hangout spot for families at Castex.

Castex Hotel

5, Rue Castex
Neighborhood: The Marais
Metro: Bastille
Two connecting doubles starting at $295

The Castex Hotel makes a perfect home base for families, with its location on the peaceful rue Castex. This three-star hotel offers antique French charm along with your favorite amenities: televisions, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Rooms offer views of either the hotel’s lovely garden or the quiet rue Castex. You can book two connecting rooms, one for the parents and one for the kids, for a bit of privacy. It’s also in a great location, close to many restaurants and shops in the Marais. Read the full review.

Hotel Paris France makes an excellent stay for families.

Hotel Paris France

72 Rue De Turbigo
Neighborhood: The Marais
Metro: Temple
Triple rooms starting at $247

With incredible views of Paris (including some with views of the Eiffel Tower!) and a prime location, Hotel Paris France lives up to its valiant name. While it doesn’t offer quadruple rooms, it does offer spacious triple rooms that can accommodate an extra person for a small charge.

Add in sophisticated amenities — like a glass elevator and air conditioning — and a friendly, efficient staff, and you have yourself quite a deal for a family vacation to Paris! Read more about Hotel Paris France.

Even the family rooms are stylish at the budget boutique Hotel Michelet Odeon.

Hotel Michelet Odeon

6 Place de l’Odeon
Neighborhood: St. Germain des Prés
Metro: Odéon
Family rooms (quadruples) starting at $238

Recent renovations and boutique-style rooms make this pick a bit more of a splurge but still a great deal for families who have a few extra euros to spend. Family rooms are plush with a large double bed plus two single beds and a private bathroom. The location is prime for family activities, as the hotel faces the Odéon Theater and is a short stroll from the Luxembourg Gardens. Read the full review.

You can book cozy, adjoining doubles for your family at Hotel des Bains. Photo: Booking.com

Hotel des Bains

33 Rue Delambre
Neighborhood: St. Germain des Prés
Metro: Edgar Quinet, Vavin
Adjoining doubles starting at $228 a night

If you are looking for a cozy yet convenient place to call your home away from home, try Hotel des Bains. This hotel is near multiple Metro stops and a weekly art market, and the central location is great for exploring. It’s also just a 10-minute walk to the Luxembourg Gardens. Rooms are smaller, but pleasantly decorated and clean. The area is pretty quiet, too, so you don’t have to worry about street noise waking up younger children at night. Read more about the Hotel des Bains.

More budget hotel options in Paris

Looking for more affordable hotel options? Check out our full list of budget hotels in Paris.

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Finding a hotel to accommodate your group’s needs doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. With this list, you can quickly and easily book your next adventure, whether you are reserving a room for your family and friends or booking rooms for your next business trip.

You and your family or tour group can see the famous sites of Rome without breaking the bank.

Not planning a trip with a group or your family? Stay in budget hotels near Rome’s top attractions or view our full list of budget hotels in The Eternal City.

Top Rome budget hotels for families and groups

A spacious room comes with a dining nook at Hotel Paba.

Hotel Paba

Via Cavour 266
Neighborhood: Monti
Family rooms starting at $158 a night
User Rating: 9.0

With seven charming rooms, the family-run Hotel Paba is a quiet, welcoming space for families. Bathrooms are private and amenities include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and TV. Add in a free breakfast and a location close to the Colosseum, and you have a winning pick for your family getaway. The hotel also offers adjoining rooms for guests traveling with a group. Read the full review of Hotel Paba here.

A triple room is a comfy home base for families at Casa Di Santa Francesca Romana a Ponte Rotto.

Casa Di Santa Francesca Romana a Ponte Rotto

Via dei Vascellari, 61
Neighborhood: Trastevere
Quadruple rooms starting at $173
User Rating: 8.3

This B&B offers quadruple rooms featuring a double bed and two twin beds or four single twin beds, making it an excellent option for families or groups of friends. Free breakfast sweetens the deal, and the internal courtyard and designated meeting rooms offer plenty of space for business gatherings or quality family time. Read more about the Casa here.

A family room with original wood ceilings at Hotel Panda.

Hotel Panda

Via Della Croce 35
Neighborhood: Piazza di Spagna
Quadruples starting at $150
User Rating: 8.0

Located near the Spanish Steps, cafes, and shops, Hotel Panda offers a great location for exploring the city. The hotel boasts a welcoming family atmosphere, and rooms from singles to quadruples make it a great choice for traveling groups. While breakfast isn’t served at the hotel, it does offer vouchers for a discounted breakfast at D’Angelo, the famous pastry shop located below the hotel. Read the full review of Hotel Panda.

Related: Where to eat for cheap near the Spanish Steps

Families and groups will have plenty of space in a Deluxe Suite at Pantheon View.

Pantheon View

Via del Seminario 87
Neighborhood: Pantheon-Piazza Navona
Quadruple suite starting at $120
User Rating: 8.2

The Pantheon View is a beloved gem in an artsy neighborhood that offers deluxe suites to accommodate four to five people. Amenities like free Wi-Fi and breakfast, air conditioning and TV are all included, and the windows with views of the Pantheon are an added bonus. Exposed rock accent walls and red and gold bedding make the deluxe suite incredibly warm and welcoming. Read more about the Pantheon View here.

Looking for more deals on hotels in The Eternal City? Check out our full list of budget hotels in Rome.

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Fashion House lobby.

Fashion House
From $68 a night

This one is for the mother-daughter team who are outgoing and want to meet fellow travelers in the B&B’s ample living room or over breakfast on the garden patio. It’s central and the owners are friendly. The only drawback is that not all rooms have en suite bathrooms, so make sure to run that by mom first.

Hosteria Grau
From $80 a night

A few years ago, when I was living in a shared apartment, and didn’t have room for guests (mom didn’t want to take the couch), my mother came to visit and she stayed at Grau. Ever since her stay there, it’s been one of my go-to hotels that I frequently recommend to out-of-town friends and acquaintances. Grau is central, cozy and a good value. And most importantly, mom approved.

A comfy room at Astoria Hotel.

Astoria Hotel
From $95 a night

This hotel is for the mother-daughter duo who like the finer things in life, but also enjoy a bargain. Astoria is a great value located in uptown Barcelona near the city’s ritzy shopping district. Also, unlike Fashion House, Astoria is a proper hotel meaning all rooms have en suite bathrooms. In the spring and summer months, mom will love sipping a cava mimosa beside their rooftop pool (or, at least I know my mom would!).

Once you’ve booked your home base, consider a few other diverting activities to do with mom. Try a day trip to La Garriga for hot springs and hiking, sip your way though the wine bars of Barcelona trying famous Spanish vintages, or a dual manicure and pedicure after a long day of sightseeing. If you’re mom is anything like mine, then the best bit of the day is dinner, when the conversation and wine flow. We laugh off the mishaps of travel and plot our next adventure.

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There are many worthwhile child-friendly attractions in London, but when you’re on a budget some of the entry prices can be intimidating. To balance out costs during your visit, consider these four free activities, guaranteed to entertain the whole family.

Exploring Hamleys
188-196 Regent Street
London W1B 5BT
Tel: 0871 704 1977
Web site

Opening hours: Mon-Wed, Sat 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Thur and Fri 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun noon-6 p.m.
Free entry

Treat the little ones to the UK’s ultimate toy shop experience at the flagship Hamley’s store on Regent Street. Wander seven magical floors containing all sorts of toys, and let them play to their hearts’ delight. It’s free to go in, but you may struggle to leave without making a purchase.

The V&A Museum of Childhood. Photo: Avail

Playing and learning at the V&A Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9PA
Tel: 020 8983 5200
Web site

Opening hours: daily 10 a.m.- 5:45 p.m.
Free entry

Excellent free museum with row upon row of display cases packed with toys throughout the ages, all the way up to the present day. Alongside the static displays there are interactive corners where children can play with exhibits and try on shoes from different eras, plus rotating exhibitions catering to young ones, with low-mounted displays and multimedia features.

An afternoon on Hampstead Heath
Web site
Free entry

Escape to over 800 acres of parkland to the north of the city, where the heath offers bags of space to run around in, hills to roll down, pools, ponds and signposted walks. There’s a wealth of family-friendly pubs around the edges; better still, pack a picnic and have lunch perched on a hill overlooking the city.

Going back in time at the Ragged School Museum
46-50 Copperfield Road
London E3 4RR
Tel: 020 8980 6405
Web site

Free entry; donations welcome.
Opening hours: Wed and Thur 10 a.m.-5 p.m., first Sun of the month 2 p.m.-5 p.m.

This compact museum was once a school for impoverished Victorian children, and now plays host to a fascinating museum on the history of the school, its founder and the surrounding East End. Call to find out about special interactive sessions held in a recreated Victorian classroom led by a stern schoolmistress.

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When this recently happened to me, I had to hop into action fast (especially since I had already booked a plane ticket for me and my mini shadow). So, in the spirit of “don’t do as I do…,” here are my top tips for the fateful day when your babe-in-arms finally requests passage across the Atlantic.

1. Photoshop.

Call ahead to make sure your local convenience store or photo place can take and print passport photos specifically. On the day I decided to stuff my offspring into an Ergo baby carrier and “photo shop” we were flubbed up by a CVS that didn’t have a working printer, a Rite Aid whose passport photographer had stepped out to lunch, and finally a specialty studio where you had to book an appointment ahead of time. Doh!

When you finally do get your little one in front of the camera, remember that passport photos become invalid if any part of the guardian’s body can be seen in the frame. That includes toys too. I had to hold my daughter by the thighs and hoist her overhead while she feigned her best Leonardo DiCaprio “king of the world”.

2. Know when to go and where to go.

This seems like a no-brainer, but for me it wasn’t. I assumed every passport office was open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Just like all the other government offices, right? Ha. But these days many passport offices—though typically housed in government buildings and post offices—run a more minimal schedule than their umbrella locations.

In some cases, you need to make an actual appointment. So, do your research beforehand and if possible, arrive just before the office opens for the day. If you can too, call ahead or go online and book an appointment to see someone via your local post office.

The easiest way to find out where you should go for baby’s first passport is by visiting the U.S. government’s web site on passports.

Cheapo note: I dread the lines that inevitably form at any type of government or bureaucratic establishment – especially during “rush” hours or at lunchtime. So, ideally try to arrive on “off” hours. That means early morning (if available) or late in the day.

3. Bring the other half, namely your child’s other parent.

If you cannot both be present when applying in person for your baby or minor’s passport, you will need to provide notarized proof as to why. A simple letter stating that one of you has a work commitment or is out of town will suffice. Just remember to get it notarized. Many convenience stores now offer, for a nominal fee, notarizing services.

4. Bring your forms all filled out, but don’t sign them.

Yes, you should certainly fill out the passport forms before you arrive (you can find and print them all online). If you have questions about what forms to fill out or how to do them, this page is very helpful. This is a good video tutorial, too. Just don’t sign the forms. You will have to be witnessed signing them when you are at the passport office or agency.

5. Bring exact cash, and/or a checkbook.

While many passport offices now take all manner of credit and debit cards, a few—namely those in US embassies and consulates, still prefer cash. Make sure you get a receipt that confirms when you applied and how much you paid. This will come in handy if your document doesn’t arrive within the 4-6 week window.

For expedited passports, there’s an additional fee that applies. Expedited minor passports typically arrive within 2 weeks time as opposed to the 4-6 week timeframe.

On that note, passports aren’t cheap to begin with ($80-$95 to begin, plus a $25 administrative fee) and this cost only escalates if you can’t wait out the typical timeframe. Expediting your minor’s passport could cost anywhere from $60 up to hundreds of dollars extra. For more on fees, go here.

Happy trails—and remember—though your pint-sized world traveler may disagree, there’s no crying in baseball or in the passport application process!

The post The Littlest Cheapo: Baby’s first passport appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Still, there are many things to do with children in Venice that will make their holiday one to remember. The following suggestions have been tried and tested with children of all ages and backgrounds: from tiny toddlers to bored teenagers, from wild primary school boys to young girls.

Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal

As you arrive in Venice the first thing you should do is to take a vaporetto (water bus) ride on the Grand Canal. Get yourself and your child (children under one meter do not pay transport fees in the city) a daily pass. (A 12-hour pass costs €16 per person—it allows you unlimited rides within the allotted period.) For more information, visit ACTV, Venice’s transportation Web site.

The Palazzo Ducale

Take vaporetto line 1 and admire the beautiful palaces, gondolas, roaring boats and the innumerable seagulls and pigeons flying above you. I have not met a child who does not enjoy the ride.

To get the best views, sit outside either at the front or at the back of the vaporetto. The journey from Piazzale Roma to San Marco Square takes about one hour.

The Palazzo Ducale
San Marco 1, 30124 Venice
Tel.: +39 (0)4 12 71 59 11
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. (April 1st to May 31st), 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (June 1st to October 31st), 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (November 1st to March 31st)
Getting there: With vaporetto, line 51 or 41 to San Zaccaria
Admission: €13 (adult), 7.50 (reduced)

Once you arrive in San Marco, visit the Palazzo Ducale (the Doge’s Palace). To avoid the crowds, go during lunchtime or toward the end of the afternoon.

For children, the main attractions are likely the weapon and armor collection and the dungeons. If you take part in the guided tour of the dungeons, you will be sure to have a very happy kid when you come out.

Gondola and traghetto rides

Another kid-pleaser is a nice gondola ride (if you do not mind the cost—a whopping €80 for a 30-minute ride). If you want a cheaper alternative, try hopping on a traghetto.

Inside the Museum of Natural History

Traghetti are big gondolas, also called barchette (small boats). You can use a traghetto to cross the Grand Canal at various points. A ride costs just €0.50 and the crossing lasts about 10 minutes. The catch is that passengers have to stand up during the journey, and this can be a bit tricky with the waves rolling around the boats. In any case, it’s definitely an exciting, if short, experience!

Natural History Museum
Fontego dei Turchi-Santa Croce, 1730
Tel.: +39 (0)4 12 75 02 06
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Wednesdays), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturdays and Sundays)
Getting there: With vaporetto, line 1 or 52 to Riva de Biasio
Admission: €4.50 (adults), €3 (reduced)

Children will also enjoy the Museo di Storia Naturale—the Natural History Museum. Just recently refurbished and reopened, the museum hosts a very interesting collection of fossils and finds from all over the world.

The most interesting (and scary) exhibition is the stuffed animal collection, which the museum has been displaying for over 100 years.

Don’t forget gelato!

No list of kid-friendly activities would be complete without mentioning gelato. For a nice break between traghetto rides and museum visits, seek out one of the gelaterias mentioned in this post.

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Glass Tunnels and Sharks: The Aquarium

Right on Barcelona’s central Port Vell, a visit to the aquarium makes for an interesting afternoon activity. As you walk towards the aquarium, take in the enormous cruisers, wooden sailboats and million-euro yachts bobbing in the port.

The aquarium is located in the Maremagnum complex, an area with a shopping mall (the only one in the city opened on Sundays), many restaurants, a movie theater, and an iMax theater which shows 3D movies. (Movies here could also be a good family option for rainy days, though films are sure to be in Spanish.)

To tell the truth, I have been to some killer aquariums, and this one did not knock my socks off when I visited. However, the glass tunnel leading through a watery world filled with sharks was impressive (and a bit scary!).

Website
Admission: €16.50, free under 4 years
Metro: Barceloneta: L4; Drassanes: L3

Hands-On Science: CosmoCaixa

CosmoCaixa. Photo: Mataparda

The CosmoCaixa science museum, the city’s best science museum, is not in the center, so getting there takes some planning. Take the old trolly (that, incidentally, is said to have run over the architect Guadi) up Avinguda del Tibidabo and then walk ten minutes to the museum. Or take the bus 196 right to the front door. (Or, of course, you could take a cab.)

However, the journey up Avinguda del Tibidabo is half the fun (the street is full of once-exquisite mansions) and the museum, with its many family-centered exhibitions, is worth the effort it takes to get there. Kids will enjoy “Toca Toca!”, a tactile exhibit where visitors are encouraged to touch the displays.

Website
Admission: €3, free for 3 years and under
Bus: 17, 22, 58, 196

Surfs Up: the Beach

Some people try to surf along Barcelona’s Mediterranean shores, but unless there is a storm brewing, there are few waves. This makes for the perfect sea for small swimmers. Most of the city’s beaches are sandy and shallow, and there are lifeguards stationed throughout the summer. A day at the beach is a great way to spend an afternoon from June to September. Beach umbrellas and beach chairs can be rented for the day once at there.

(Note: I recommend Marbella Beach – though it is a nude beach – and do not especially recommend Barceloneta Beach for swimming. Keep an eye on your possessions while at the beach, there are many pickpockets who will run off with your bag while you take a dip!)

Metro: Barceloneta: L4; Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica L4

Lions, Tigers and Bears: the Zoo

Situated right in the center of the city off Parc de la Ciutadella, visiting Barcelona’s zoo is a cinch. See dolphins, penguins and Iberian wolves. The zoo often has activities for families during the week.

Website
Admission: €15.40, €9.30 3-12 years, free under 3 years
Metro: Barceloneta: L4; Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica L4

Cycle Tours: Bike Barcelona (with older kids)

See the city by bike! Rent your own bikes and ride by the seaside (there are bike lanes), or sign up for a bike tour of the city.

Barcelona By Bike offers Modernista architecture and Tapa bike tours in many languages. Born Bike also rents out quality cycles. Note that there are no helmet laws in Barcelona and hardly anyone uses them. All bike shops should provide helmets and other gear if asked for.

Futbol! the Barca Stadium

Camp Nou, FC Barcelona’s stadium, is a must-dvisit for young (and old) soccer fans (or “futbol” fans, as it is called here). Take the guided tour to check out the President’s Box, the players’ tunnel, dugouts, locker rooms and more. There is also a museum at Camp Nou where 100 years of FC Barcelona history is on display.

Website
Admission: €8.50; guided tour is €13
Metro: Collblanc: L5; Maria Cristina L3 Avinguda Aristides

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NEW YORK—For the first 17 years of my life, my panorama of Cyprus was the inside of my relatives’ homes. We would arrive “apo Ameriki” and immediately begin a whirl of lunches and dinners with different relatives, and there’s a “welcome” round of invitations as well as a “farewell” one.

To an extent this is still the case — this visit, my mom drew up a calendar and listed each day’s invitations (and, afterward, what we ate, and then she and I transcribed the recipes we’d requested for the various dishes because we both love cooking) even though much of the socializing was in restaurants, as our relatives lose interest in spending days in the kitchen and hours washing up.

Now that I’m back in the U.S. I find myself wishing I’d brought home more than photos and recipes. My relatives are such charming, smart, interesting people, and trying to recreate dishes we ate at shared meals just makes me wish they were with me more often.

Besides the food, one other thing in Cyprus is inevitable: political discussions. In Cyprus politics isn’t just background, it’s life.

The Cyprus problem, as it’s called, is that since 1974 the island has been divided between the predominantly Greek-Cypriot Republic and the Turkish and Turkish-Cypriot north after Turkish troops invaded in response to a Greek-Cypriot coup (the Museum of the National Struggle in Nicosia explains some of this in greater detail, but makes no claim to objectivity). The Green Line that marks the partition is still patrolled by United Nations troops.

Since then, diplomacy has failed to truly resolve the situation, and just about every time I visit Cyprus there’s another round of talks between the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot leaders. I don’t notice tension between the two sides in everyday life, but talks always get people emotional and this time was no exception.

Just before the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2003 the Green Line was made a porous border, where at certain checkpoints you can enter the north. A passport is required, and for this reason many of my relatives refuse to visit — they say they shouldn’t have to show a passport to cross a false border (Turkey’s is the only government to recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) — but I’ve gone to my dad’s village on a previous trip to Cyprus and found the north sort of like a trip back in time. It was a fascinating look at how the two sides live, and interesting to see where I could have grown up.

But politics is only part of life in Cyprus, where there are beaches to lay on, food to enjoy, art to examine, shopping and nightlife to sample, and strong coffee to power us through all of it. It’s a small country with a big appetite to enjoy life.

Speaking of coffee, when my relative read our fortunes (see photo), she predicted for my mom “a social gathering at a table, which will be a very pleasant and joyous event.” Which is just like every visit to Cyprus, for us — followed that’s how long it takes to fit into my clothes again because, unlike New Yorkers, Cypriots don’t walk. We drive even the shortest distances, and would maneuver our cars through the supermarket aisles like a giant drive-thru if we could.

And then, peering into my mom’s coffee cup, she directed my dad to bring us back every year.

About the author: Alex Christodoulides is one of those push-me-pull-you creatures known as a dual citizen. When not at home in New York City (where she is a freelance writer) or in Cyprus (where she is a freeloader taking advantage of her relatives’ hospitality), she is probably dreaming of a trip to someplace where vaccinations are required and Fodor’s fears to tread.

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