The City of Light might be Europe’s most visited destination, but it doesn’t need to be the most expensive. Below you’ll find tips for saving on every aspect of your trip, updated in April 2025.

From getting in from the airport to saving on hotels, shopping, and eating out, we’re ready to help you save. On y va!

EuroCheapo’s Paris budget travel guide

Saving on hotels

At EuroCheapo, we’re passionate about affordable accommodations in Europe. Our founding mission has been to help readers find great, inexpensive places to sleep that will also get them closer to the local culture.

Our Paris hotel guide includes more than 100 hotel recommendations (including our favorite cheap hotels in Paris). In the meantime, here’s some quick advice to get you started:

Super cheap hotels in Paris don’t have to equal a boring stay. Just take a look at these guestroom views from Hotel Rivoli as proof! Photo: EuroCheapo

1. Save on transit by sleeping in a central neighborhood

Considering that it’s a world capital, Paris is a fairly compact city. If you have a central starting point, you can get to most of the city’s main sights by foot or a quick Metro ride. The city is divided into 20 districts, called “Arrondissements.”

Numbering starts with the first arrondissement in the center of town, which includes the Louvre, and spirals clockwise out. Here’s a map, in case you need help visualizing it. We recommend choosing a hotel in a central arrondissement, perhaps sticking to 1-9 (possibly skipping the 8th, which is a bit more far-flung and can get pricey).

Choosing a hotel in these neighborhoods (especially near the Louvre, in the Marais, in the Latin Quarter, near the Eiffel Tower, and near the Opéra) will put you in the center of the city. You’ll save on transportation, especially at night, when you would be otherwise tempted to hop in a taxi or Uber to get home.

2. Don’t mind a commute? Save by staying outside the center

That said, if you don’t mind taking the Metro to and from your hotel, you certainly can find cheaper hotels if you’re willing to stay a bit outside of the center of town. The Metro snakes through the entire city, so you’re never really a long ride from one side of Paris to the other.

One of the most convenient lines, Line 1, slices through the center of Paris and comes every two minutes. It’s also fully automated, so it isn’t affected by strikes, which happen frequently in Paris and can shut down the other lines. So, you could stay in an arrondissement like the 11th between Bastille and Nation, which will be cheaper than a more central neighborhood, but you’ll still be able to commute quickly to the center.

3. Don’t be afraid of these super cheap hotels

Some great Paris hotels are really, really cheap (like the Rivoli, pictured above). Many of these are inexpensive because they’ve kept things simple — some haven’t even added TVs to the rooms.

But don’t let that scare you: the simplicity of these hotels doesn’t mean that they are unsafe or uncomfortable. Rather, they give you a great place to stay while saving for the rest of your trip.

• Read more ways to save on hotels in Paris and how to save on hotels in France.

Search hotels in Paris

Search all hotels in Paris for your travel dates, through our reservation partner, Booking.com.

Getting around

Paris is a big city, with hot spots that aren’t always situated around the corner from your hotel. Here’s how to get to where you need to go, cheaply.

Boarding the RoissyBus at Place de l’Opera, heading for CDG. Photo: Alexandre

4. Take public transit in from Charles de Gaulle airport

If you’re taking a long-haul flight to Paris (especially from the U.S.), you’re probably landing in the Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG). To make the 23 km trek into Paris, you have several options.

If I’m alone or just with one traveling partner, I usually take the RER train or a bus to save on cash (although not everyone at EuroCheapo agrees with me on this point). Here’s some more info on both of these options:

• Take the RER B (regional train)

It can be a bit of a grim entry to the city, but the RER takes 25-50 minutes (depending on your destination and whether or not you get an express train) and costs €13. There’s no need to reserve in advance — you can buy your ticket from one of the many machines that line the walls at the RER station attached to the airport.

These trains stop in Paris at the Gare du Nord, Châtelet Les Halles and St-Michel Notre Dame, among other stops. From here you can transfer to the Metro or possibly just walk to your hotel. (Note: Hold onto your RER tickets! You’ll need them to exit the RER and not being able to fish it out of your pocket is a lousy way to start your vacation! Not that I’ve been there…)

• Take a bus to central Paris

The “RoissyBus” is operated by the city, costs €13 per person, and takes about an hour. It departs from most terminals at CDG and drops you off at its main stop at the Place de l’Opéra.

Buses leave from CDG to Place de l’Opéra every 15 minutes from 6 am to 8:45 pm and every 20 minutes from 8:45 pm to 12:30 am. To get back to the airport, buses leave Place de l’Opéra every 15 minutes from 5:15 am to 8 pm, every 20 minutes from 8 pm to 10 pm, and every 30 minutes from 10 pm to 12:30 am.

5. Be careful with taxis from the airport

Yes, many people do take taxis in from the airport. It will cost you dearly (around €50-70 for a basic car, plus tip and luggage surcharge) and take about an hour, depending on your destination. But wait, there’s more! Extra charges will be added for driving during morning rush hour and on Sundays and holidays.

If you have a small group of people, however, the fare can be worth it. They’re also regulated and trustworthy, so you can feel safe and won’t get scammed (beyond the already high price). Here’s how to save on cabs from the airport and our guide for using Uber in Paris.

6. In general, avoid taxis for short distances around Paris

The starting fare for a taxi in Paris is €7. Thus, if you’re just going a short distance, hoof it or hop on a bus or Vélib’.

7. Buy a multipack or travel pass for Metro and bus tickets

Metro and bus tickets cost €2-2.50 each. We recommend buying a 10-pack, or a “carnet” (pronounced “car-nay”), to save money. Paper tickets are being phased out, so purchase the 10-pack in paperless form and load them onto your Navigo Easy pass. The 10-pack costs €17.35 for adults and €8.65 for children. Alternatively, you can buy a 5-day visitor pass that offers unlimited access to metro, buses, trains, and more for €76.25 per adult and €38.10 per child.

Note: the Navigo Easy pass currently only works on the Metro lines, so if you need to take an RER to go farther outside of Paris (e.g. Versailles, Giverny, or Disney Paris), you’ll need to ask an agent at the ticket counter for the right ticket.

8. Use CityMapper or Bonjour RATP instead of Google Maps

Google Maps is useful for getting around, as it will calculate routes that include Metro and RER options. However, it does not update quickly when one of the Metro lines is stopped or slowed for strikes, mechanical problems, or other issues — which happens frequently.

Bonjour RATP is the official navigation app for the Paris public transit network, and CityMapper is an alternative that includes bike and scooter options. Both can be used in English and will provide more up-to-date information and alternatives when lines or stations are closed.

9. Relax — the Metro machines are in English

The ticket machines in the Paris Metro are available for use in English, and they take credit cards as a form of payment.

10. Buying tickets on the bus are more expensive

Yes, you can buy your bus ticket from the driver (and make everyone behind you wait), but you’ll pay €2.50 and it won’t cover a transfer. Here are more bus tips for saving on your transportation.

11. Take a Cheapo city bus tour

There’s no need to pay for a sightseeing bus. Here are seven public bus lines that offer great sightseeing for the cost of a bus ticket!

12. Consider a “Paris Visite” travel card

If you plan to spend a lot of time getting around in the Paris Metro, consider buying a “Paris Visite” travel card, which offers unlimited travel on the Metro and bus system and various discounts from partnering businesses. Adult tickets cost €29.90 (one day), €44.45 (two days), €62.30 (three days) and €76.25 (five days).

13. Make sure your credit card has a chip!

Thankfully, the majority of American credit cards now employ the “chip and PIN” technology that has been in use throughout Europe for years. If, however, your card is still chipless and uses only a magnetic swipe, you’ll likely have problems in automatic ticket machines in France.  This includes machines in the RER stations at Charles de Gaulle and in Metro stations.

(If your card isn’t working at the machine, head to the ticket window. Old-school American cards will work fine when handed to a cashier for swiping.)

Choosing a bike from a Velib’ kiosk. Photo: Rachel Ludwick

14. Save by biking around town on Vélib’

Paris’ Vélib’ bike share program was one of the first in the world when it launched in 2007 and remains enormously popular today. With 20,000 bikes in the program available from a whopping 1,400 stations around the city, it’s truly massive. Once you join, you simply head to any Vélib’ station, enter your access code, take out a bike and ride off! Park it at another Vélib’ station, and you’re done.

A one-day Vélib’ pass costs €5 and covers a 30-minute ride (you’ll pay a small charge for going over the 30-minute limit). We recommend buying a 3-day pass for €20, as it covers 60-minute rides AND includes electric bikes (45-minute rides).

Sights & Attractions

Paris is home to some of the world’s most famous cultural attractions, many of which have their own “cheapo tricks” for saving a few euros.

Visit the Musee d’Orsay on Thursday night to save time — and avoid crowds. Photo: Pierre Blache

15. Get into museums for free

If you are under the age of 26 and a resident of the European Union (this includes non-citizens with student visas, au pair visas, or any visa longer than 3 months), you get free admission to most museums and cultural sites, including the ones we’ve listed below.

If this doesn’t apply to you, most of these museums are also free on the first Sunday of every month. However, you’ll have to beat some serious crowds to get in.

16. Saving at the Louvre

• Normal admission: €22 when booked online with a timed entry. Closed Tuesday. Be sure to book through the official Louvre ticket site.
• Tickets are €2 cheaper when purchased at the museum, but entry is not guaranteed — and may be refused due to overcrowding. Take this seriously. When visiting in January 2024, I wasn’t able to get into the Louvre for an entire week due to crowds. I won’t make this mistake again!
• Admission is free on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m., except in July and August.

17. Saving at the Eiffel Tower

• Adult admission to the tip-top: €36.10, cheaper for lower level.
• Save time by buying your tickets online in advance, and avoiding the ticket line.
• During peak travel times, online tickets (especially to the top) will likely be sold out. However, they may still be available at the tower for immediate use. You’ll just have to wait in that ticket line…
• You can pay a cheaper price (€27.50) if you take the stairs up to the second level, then the lift to the top (if it’s available).
• If you’re not interested in reaching the top and just want a nice picture, get off at the Metro stop Trocadero on lines 9 or 6, which is directly across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. There you’ll find a large public plaza that faces the tower, and gobs of tourists posing for their fridge pick. Warning: There are also likely to be a gaggle of shady characters and shell-game con artists hanging about. (Walk on by…)

18. Saving at the Arc de Triomphe

• Regular admission to enter the Arc and see the view from the top is €16.
• It is completely free to walk under and around the Arc at the ground level, where you’ll also find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Go at night. It’s open until 11 pm (10:30 pm in fall and winter).
• Access the Arc by taking the underground walkway. You may see other tourists trying to dodge traffic and running across the busy roundabout to get to the center. This is incredibly dangerous — don’t do it.
• More tips on visiting the Arc de Triomphe

19. Saving at the Musée d’Orsay

• Regular admission: €16 when pre-booked online, which allows priority entry during your designated time slot, and allows you to avoid the ticket line. Tickets purchased at the museum are €2 cheaper — but you’ll have to wait for tickets and for entry.
• Closed Monday. The museum closes most days at 6 pm and is “cleared” at 5:30!
• On Thursdays, however, the Musée d’Orsay remains open until 9:45 pm. Buy a “Late Opening Ticket” to enter after 6 pm for €12.
• First Sundays of the month are free (but packed and require online reservation).

20. Saving at the Palace of Versailles

• Buy the Versailles Passport (€32) for access to all major parts of the palace grounds, or pay €21 for Palace only. Add another €11 for the musical fountains show.
• Pre-booking online is required for entry.
• Save by picnicking along the Grand Canal just outside the gates.
• More tips for visiting Versailles

21. Avoid crowds whenever possible

During the high season (May – September) the lines at the city’s top attractions can be overwhelming. But it is possible to plan your day so that you show up outside the peak visiting hours.

In general, go first thing or late to the biggest sight of the day, and stick to smaller sights from late morning to early afternoon. You can also use Google Maps, which updates in real time forecasting how busy a location will be. Check out our tips for beating the crowds at top attractions.

22. Culture fanatic? Buy a Paris Museum Card

Tourist cards aren’t always worth the money, but if you plan on spending lots of quality cultural time in Paris’ museums, consider picking up a Paris Museum Pass. The card offers free and discounted admission to over 50 museums and monuments around the city, and it lets you skip the ticket lines! Prices: €70 (2 days); €90 (4 days); €110 (6 days)

Spend a free day relaxing, sleeping or picnicking on the grounds of Jardin du Luxembourg. Photo: Phillip Capper

23. Don’t forget free sights!

The city boasts a long list of places that are free to visit. From museums operated by the city like the Musée d’Art Moderne, Maison de Balzac, and Maison de Victor Hugo (free to visit permanent collections) to most churches and parks like the Jardin du Luxembourg and even an ancient Roman amphitheater (Aréne de Lutéce), admission is always free.

24. Take a free walking tour

Free walking tours of Paris’ central sights are available from several tour companies (who do, however, expect a tip at the end). A less publicized option is the Paris Greeters program, in which local Parisians lead you on a free guided tour of their Paris.

25. Save on boat rides

Taking a boat ride along the Seine is an experience that manages to strike us as both romantic and overly touristy. However, these bateaux mouches offer a unique vantage point from which to see the city and can give your legs a break. We recommend the Vedettes de Pont Neuf, as they offer a live (not prerecorded) commentary and great discounts when booked in advance on their website.

Eating and drinking

Paris has some of the best food in the world, but it can get pricey quickly. Here are a few ways to enjoy authentic French cuisine without breaking the bank.

26. Think twice before tipping

Whether you’re dining in a restaurant or enjoying a coffee on a sidewalk cafe, a service charge has already been included in your bill. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t leave a little extra as a nice gesture, but you certainly shouldn’t leave 15-20% of your bill. A simple €1 or €2 is perfectly acceptable as an extra tip in Paris. Here are some more thoughts on tipping.

27. Save on breakfast

The breakfast that will be offered by your hotel will likely be an underwhelming and overpriced affair (think baguette, jam, and hot drink for €8-€10+). You can get the same thing (but fresher) at almost any bakery or patisserie in your neighborhood. Shop around for breakfast.

Oh, and when you’re in a café, the cost of your coffee depends on where you’re sitting. If you stand at the counter or bar, that coffee will frequently be one euro less than if you take a seat at a table. Strange, but true.

28. Water and bread are free in restaurants

No need to order bottled water. The local stuff is great and gets plunked down on your table in a cute carafe, free of charge. If not, just ask for it. “Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plaît.” (“Oon car-aff doe, see voo play”) Ditto for the bread.

29. Splurge on a prix-fixe lunch

Go heavier at lunch and enjoy a two- or three-course meal with the locals. It’ll be cheaper than a big dinner.

Why? Restaurants throughout town offer “fixed price” deals — just look for the chalkboard out front or a sign in the window with the day’s menu (“menu du jour”). With prices that hover between €15-25 for two or three courses, you’ll even have some money left for a little vin (if it’s not already included in the deal!). Here are a few of our favorite Paris lunch menus.

Pick up everything you need for a great picnic lunch (or gourmet dinner) at any of Paris’ outdoor food markets. Photo: The LEAF Project

30. Pick up lunch at outdoor markets

Foodies will be in pure heaven in Paris, and not just for the mouth-watering restaurants and to-die-for patisseries.

Don’t neglect the outdoor food markets that overflow with fresh produce and local delicacies. Whether picking up for a Seine-side picnic or stocking up for a long train ride, Paris’ outdoor markets have you covered. Read more about our market shopping tips.

31. Go light at lunch with a baguette sandwich

The city’s bakeries (“boulangeries” and “patisseries)” do more than bake bread and pastries. They also do a brisk lunch business, selling hot-and-crusty baguette sandwiches and delicious homemade quiches, which can also be bundled up with a drink and dessert for an extra Cheapo-lunch deal. Here’s a list of our favorite sandwich shops.

32. Opt for a light dinner with a crepe or falafel

If you opt for a big lunch, you might want to go a little lighter (and cheaper) at night. Opt for a classic crepe, Paris’ ultimate street food, or grab a tasty sandwich at L’As du Fallafel in the Marais. Check out other ways to eat your way through Paris for less than €20 a day.

33. Head to the grocery store for basics

When you do need to buy a bottle of water, don’t touch that hotel minibar! Head to any of the local grocery stores. A 1.5-liter bottle of water at Monoprix or Franprix costs less than €1. The same rule applies to wine, candy, soda, etc.

And if you can’t find a single bottle, just break up the shrink wrapped plastic on a multi-pack to grab a bottle for yourself. This is common practice in France, so don’t worry about a store clerk chasing you down!

Better yet, bring a refillable water bottle and top it up from the tap. Tap water is perfectly drinkable in Paris, and there are public water fountains all over the city (more on that in tip #35 below).

34. Wine from the supermarket? Oui.

Don’t assume that the wine being sold at the grocery store isn’t up to snuff. Some of it is quite good, and yes, quite affordable. Here are some tips for buying wine in Paris.

35. Fill up your water bottle around town

Paris has more than 1,200 drinking water fountains located throughout the city where you can easily fill up your water bottle for free. And if you’re a fan of sparkling water, there’s no need to run into the store for a few bottles. The city has fountains that even dispense the bubbly stuff!

Every summer the banks of the Seine transform into a lively beach scene complete with real sand! Photo: sergio_leenen

Entertainment

There’s always something to do in Paris, and quite a bit of it won’t cost you a dime! (Or, rather, a centime!)

36. Get happy for cheap drinks

Wine might be cheap, but a cocktail in Paris can easily cost you €15. Don’t worry, be happy! Keep your eyes peeled for “Happy Hour” deals (pronounced “‘appy ‘ow!-ers”).

You’ll typically see it posted on a sign outside most bars, and they run much later than the Happy Hours you may be used to — sometimes as late as 10 or 11 p.m.!

37. Enjoy free summer festivals

When the temperatures start to climb, so do the number of free events around Paris. Free entertainment is easy to find on almost every night of the week, including music series like the Paris Jazz Festival (late June through September) to outdoor film screenings like Cinéma en Plein Air (July and August). Head to Parc de la Villette which is packed with culture come summertime.

38. Hit the “beaches” along the Seine

Every summer the Seine and the Canal St-Martin transform into “Paris Plages,” one of Europe’s coolest urban beaches. Yes, in a city hundreds of miles from the nearest stretch of coastline, you’ll find Parisians lounging about in their hottest swimwear soaking in the rays.

39. Get cheap (or free) seats to opera, dance, and classical concerts

Love world-class opera and classical music? Grab a cheap seat at the Opera Garnier and Opera Bastille, and find cheap and free concerts around town by checking out L’Officiel des Spectacles or a Wednesday edition of Le Figaro’s insert “Figaroscope” listings magazine at any newsstand: also available online!

Shopping

If you’re looking to return home with suitcases full of souvenirs, here are some methods to do that in a wallet-friendly way.

40. Serious shoppers, don’t forget your tax refund!

Do you plan on doing some serious shopping? Non-EU citizens who spend at least €100 at any one store, may qualify for up to a 12% cash refund! This is available, with different requirements, throughout Europe.

41. Hit the flea markets for cheapo souvenirs

Paris is home to several fabulous flea markets. Selling everything from new clothing to vintage cookware, these outdoor markets offer unique shopping and souvenir opportunities, often at low prices. Here are some tips for flea market success and a guide to the best flea markets in Paris.

42. “Friperies” offer cheap vintage shopping

“Friperies” are inexpensive secondhand clothing shops where you have to dig through piles of cast-offs to find a vintage pearl. Here are a handful of addresses where Parisians go for a wallet-friendly vintage fashion shopping spree.

Miscellaneous

Finally, a few extra points about Paris to keep in mind.

43. Avoid sketchy situations

With millions of tourists visiting every year, Paris also attracts more than its share of con artists and shady types. Fortunately, they’re usually pretty easy to spot. A stranger approaches you to sign something, hold something, pick something up that they’ve dropped… Just say no and walk away from these common Paris scams. No drama. Just move on. No story is better than endlessly kvetching about it later.

If a stranger approaches you speaking French, do not reply with “I don’t speak French” because they will start speaking English to you. It’s better to ignore them and keep it moving.

To avoid pickpockets, it’s good practice to keep all your valuables in pockets, pouches, or bags that zip, snap, or close! In crowded places, many pickpockets get away with your things before you even realize they were there.

44. Be smart with your phone

Plan on using your smartphone? Either get a sensible data and international calling package from your carrier back home or buy a SIM card in Paris for use in an unlocked phone. It’s simple and can potentially save you nightmarish data roaming charges.

45. Bring a guidebook!

Here’s some retro advice (ironically conveyed via the Web): bring along a Paris guidebook! Go deeper by studying up on Paris before you get there. Underline away!

46. Find free Wi-Fi

Even with a good international data plan or a SIM card, we still appreciate free Wi-Fi. Fortunately, it’s easy to find in cafes, fast food joints (all McDonald’s), parks and museums. When you’re in a Parisian café or restaurant, don’t be shy. Ask the waiter for the Wi-Fi password. If you’re a paying customer, they will happily give it to you!

47. Talk to your bank before you go

Call your bank before you leave to let them know that you’re heading on a trip to Paris. You don’t want them to block your card when they see international charges pop up.

While you have them on the phone, ask about foreign transaction and ATM cash withdrawal fees. They might have a partnership with a bank in Paris that avoids ATM fees. (Here are some questions for your bank.)

• Read more about practical ways to save in Paris

Your tips?

Have tips to add to our list? Please contribute your thoughts on ways to save when visiting Paris in the comments section below.

Note: This article was updated with additional information, research, and fact-checking by Julia Hamilton in Paris in March 2023 and by Paige Bennett in April 2025.

The post Paris Budget Travel Guide: 47 ways to save on your trip (2025 Update) appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s what’s new with the Vélib’ program since our last update.

Join Vélib’ online

You don’t have a microchip credit card? No worries. Before heading to take the bike, subscribe online and get a reference number and password that will let you take out a bike from any station. You can do this up to 15 days before activating your short-term subscription of 1 or 3 days (€5 or €20, respectively), so if you’ll be out of range of the internet, you can plan ahead.

The free Vélib’ app shows how many bikes and parking spots are available at bike stations throughout the city.

As before, the first half hour of riding is free with a subscription. Afterwards, the first half hour costs €1, the next half an hour €2, then €4 per 30 minutes beyond that. It’s probably the cheapest bike in town!

Buy from a cell phone (and use Wi-Fi hot spots)

If you forgot to sign up and you’re stuck at a station trying to take out a bike, all hope is not lost. If you have your smartphone or tablet, just head to the nearest McDonald’s, Starbucks, public park, or café with Wi-Fi and sign up via your mobile device. (See our previous post on where to find free Wi-Fi in Paris.)

The Vélib app (for iPhone and Android) will have you signed up in a few easy steps.  Like signing up online, you’ll get a reference number and a code that can be used at any station to retrieve a bike.

Use the app to find bikes and parking

The official Vélib’ app also has a feature that’s useful if you’re not street-savvy in Paris beyond the Champs-Elysées and rue de Rivoli. It will tell you where the nearest bike station is by your destination and how many spots are left (or how many bikes, if you’re looking for one). This can help avoid that awkward delay when you have to tell your friends/tour guide/dining partner that you were late because you couldn’t find a Vélib’ parking spot.

Etiquette and rules

Once you secure your Vélib’, make sure you know the rules of the road. Some have changed over the years, including the legal turning on red and legal riding against one-way traffic on most small streets. (Though caution is highly suggested while trying either.)

Otherwise, the normal rules still apply:

• Stay off the sidewalks.

• Stop at a red light.

• Stick to a bike lane even if it’s shared with a bus, and get out of it if it’s clearly marked “NO BICYCLES.”

• Ringing the bell is usually effective for moving pedestrians out of your way, but be prepared for sudden breaks.

• And if you have a helmet, feel free to wear it, but it’s not legally required.

With all of these changes, there’s no excuse not to enjoy Paris by bike.  The only other thing you need is some sun to complete the perfect Parisian experience.

Your Vélib’ tips

Have some helpful suggestions to add to our list of Vélib’ tips? Share with us in the comments section.

Also in our guide: Planning a trip to Paris? Be sure to check out our Paris travel guide, which includes more ways to save on your trip, including reviews of the city’s best budget hotels (all centrally located, inspected and approved).

The post Paris Velib’ Update: New ways to get a bike, find parking and stay safe appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

1. Notre Dame’s birthday

Notre Dame is turning 850 and the party is going strong. With renovations, new bells, and a platform allowing a unique elevated view of the church, there will be plenty of activity around the world’s most iconic cathedral.

Paris is very popular on Facebook.

2. Because you “like” Paris

Paris is a social media phenomenon with more likes on its Facebook page than any other city. If that’s not reason enough to come visit, then clearly you’re behind the times. Be sure to tag us in some of your photos if you do decide to come.

3. Nothing to sneeze at

Have a food allergy? No need to hide! Along with Helmut Newcake, Paris’s first gluten-free bakery, other food establishments are offering more and more allergy-conscious dishes, making this culinary capital even more all-encompassing. Check out Noglu, a gluten-free and often dairy-free restaurant in the 9th arrondissement. Grocery stores are also increasingly displaying their gluten-free varieties, so we’re excited to see what 2013 has in store!

The Carreau du Temple will reopen in the spring or summer. Photo: Loresui

4. New life in the Marais

The Carreau du Temple, a 19th-century covered market, is opening sometime in the spring or summer, bringing even more life into the Upper Marais district. Haven’t checked out this area yet? It’s full of great shops, cafés, and the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest covered market. When the Carreau du Temple opens, the renovated pavilion will host a cultural center with different halls for events ranging from sports and theater to markets and art shows.

5. A new Place de la République

A new Place de la République will be unveiled, creating a more attractive journey between the Marais and the Canal St-Martin districts. Once construction is finished, the renovated plaza will boast new fountains, energy efficient lights, and an overall brighter atmosphere than of olden days.

Get closer to the Seine on your Velib’ in 2013. Photo: fgornet

6. New dedicated Right Bank bike lanes

Biking across Paris will be even easier as a path between Place de la Concorde and the Bastille will be opened, connecting the east and west of the city along the Right Bank. Currently, biking by the Louvre and the Tuileries towards either end of the city is a nightmare, but in 2013, Paris will become more of a biker’s paradise, allowing you to cruise along the river without worrying about buses and cars.

7. Last call for the food trucks?

Food will return to the table in 2013, at least it’s looking that way. The famous Camion Qui Fume and other food trucks don’t have quite the mobility that their American counterparts do, since the city doesn’t make things easy for these movable feasts. I predict that the novelty will wear off soon as Parisians and tourists alike realize that sitting down while eating wasn’t really a problem in the first place.

The Picasso Museum reopens in the summer of 2013. Photo: Heyrocker

8. Picasso comes home!

At last, at last, the Picasso Museum will reopen! Few remember when we last stepped foot inside the Marais haunt, but starting in the summer of 2013, as long as all goes well with the renovations, we’ll be able to relive the Blue Period and wrap our minds around Cubism all over again.

9. A little night music

Theatre doesn’t stop surprising us. After a hugely successful run of “West Side Story,” Sondheim’s “A Sunday in the Park with George” will be presented at the Théâtre du Chatelet April 15-25, 2013. And if Broadway isn’t your thing, the Opera Bastille and Garnier will hold stellar seasons as usual. “Hansel and Gretel” anyone?

The newest Louvre, in Lens. Photo: James Kirk

10. The Louvre through another Lens

There’s a second… Louvre? Yes, Mona Lisa’s home just wasn’t big enough to house all of the Louvre’s treasures, so the museum just opened a second address in Lens, a nearby coal-mining town. Take the train ride, just over an hour, to experience a very different and modern experience, the Louvre-Lens.

11. Bon app!

Parisians love apps. Forget reading books and newspapers in the Metro (well, not really…). Now they’re scanning the news on their tablets and smartphones. Need a pastry? There’s an app for that. Need to get to the airport? Check. Want to know where to find the nearest Vélib stand? Got it covered. There’s no telling what our smartphones will be doing in 2013.

TGV-Eco fares let you get out of town for less than €25. Photo: Gerard Stolk

12. Exhibits galore!

In 2013, Paris is still the place to be with some fun and fresh shows in the city’s most iconic museums, as well as some lesser-known ones. See Chagall at the Musée du Luxembourg (February 21-July 21), experience a collection on Miss Dior at the Grand Palais (March 22-April 3), or explore Da Vinci at Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (now on through August 18). And don’t forget the continually rotating free shows at the Hotel de Ville, including the upcoming Haute Couture exhibit (March 2-July 6).

13. €25 fares on the TGV

Trains are getting Cheapo, finally! The SCNF is introducing a new idea, the TGV-Eco, that will offer at least 1 million TGV tickets each year for under €25. The first trial will be on the Paris—Montpellier line, and include stops in Lyon and Marseille. If all goes well, this could mean good things for budget travelers looking to take a trip out of Paris for a day or two.

Your reasons to visit Paris in 2013?

What are you looking forward to in Paris this year, Cheapos? Add something to our list in the comments section!

The post Paris: 13 reasons to visit Paris in 2013 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Tourists coming to Paris look with desire at Vélib‘, the city’s public bike-share program. Until recently, when tourists asked me how to rent one, I was forced to dash hopes. For, until recently, you couldn’t hop on a bike unless you possessed a European chip-enhanced credit card.

That changed in the past few months, however. You can now register for a one or seven-day subscription on their Web site with any MasterCard, Visa or American Express card. They will then give you a code to tap into the kiosk screen at any of the city’s 1,200 Vélib’ bike stations.

Note that a one-day subscription costs €1.70 and a seven-day subscription costs €8. Both allow unlimited, free 30-minute rides. Also note that when you subscribe to the service, a €150 “hold” will be placed on your card and will be in place until your subscription expires. Read more on the Vélib’ Web site.

Not in the mood for Vélib’?

If this all sounds like a hassle, fear not: Parisians have been renting bikes since long before the Vélib’ cycled into town. So if you’re not in the mood to join the bike share, but still want to zip around the grands boulevards on two wheels, here are a few places to rent inexpensive bikes so you can play Parisian for a day.

Bike rentals

Toys Paradise
22 Rue Léon Jouhaux 75010
€12 for a full day

After a picnic along the famed Canal Saint Martin, grab a bike from this playfully named corner shop. The service is far from whimsical, but the owners know what they’re doing and the prices are right. You might see me here since it’s where I also head (often) to get my flat tires fixed. I’m not good at avoiding glass on the streets…

Gepetto and Velos
59, rue du Cardinal Lemoine 75005
€15 for a full day
http://www.gepetto-velos.com/

Over in the Latin Quarter, this packed shop offers all sorts of bikes for sale and for rent. Fortunately, it’s located towards the upper half of the St. Genevieve Hill, so you can rent a bike for the day and coast downhill, keeping in mind that you’ll have to bike back uphill to return it. They also have guides available to ride with you if you are interested.

Free Scoot
63 quai de la Tournelle 75005
http://www.freescoot.com/
€35 for a full day for a basic scooter

Located right by Notre Dame, and with a second location on Boulevard Voltaire, Free Scoot offers a solid selection of bikes, but more interestingly, affordable scooter rentals. If you don’t feel like pedaling, hop one of the many scooters that they offer to get the full European treatment.

Bike Tours

If you’d rather take a bike tour and learn about the sights you’re seeing, Paris has several companies that will take you on group tours.

Bike About Paris
http://www.bikeabouttours.com
€30 for a 3.5-hour tour

Bike About Paris is among the most recommended bike tours in the city.  The tour includes some off-the-beaten-track sights and stories along the way.

Fat Tire Bike Tours
http://fattirebiketours.com/paris/tours
€28 euros for a 4-hour city tour

One of the biggest bike touring companies, Fat Tire takes visitors in and around Paris. Check their Web site for day and night tours of Paris, a visit to Monet’s gardens in Giverny and a tour of the Normandy beaches by bike.

Rules and Etiquette

For all rentals, be prepared to leave a deposit or an identity card–this is standard procedure to make sure you don’t ride away forever with the bike.

While you’re on the road, helmets are optional but recommended. Adhere to the numerous and clearly marked bike paths located alongside the traffic lanes. Stopping at red lights and stop signs is normal for bicycles, and none of us are exempt from getting pulled over by the police, even on two wheels. Trust me, I know.

The post Paris: Cheap bike rentals, when Velib’ won’t do appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Many of us underestimated Londoners’ enthusiasm for such an idea and predicted the public bikes would fall victim to abuse after Paris’s Vélib’ scheme experienced some teething problems in the form of theft and vandalism. It’s still the early days for London, but so far there have been positive reports, and a surprising number of these clunky, heavyweight machines are to be seen daily on the roads and in public parks.

How the program works

You currently need to register online for an access key before you can hop on a bike. You’ll receive a slim blue key in the mail, which you then take to one of the 315 docking points across central London, shown on this map. Slide the key into one of the docking points, and the bike, which comes with lights and a small basket at the front for your belongings, is released. When you’ve finished your journey, you need to return the bike to a secure docking station, and once you get the green light you’re off the meter and free to go about your business.

Your account is charged according to usage at the end of your access period (see below), and if your bike has suffered damage you can report a fault at the terminal.

What it costs

TFL plan to implement a casual use system in the near future for which you’ll be able to pay your access fee by credit or debit card at the terminal. For the moment, you need to register as above, and the membership key will set you back £3.

There’s an access fee per cycle, based on specific time periods, and then a usage charge on top. Access fees start from £1 a day, rising to an annual fee of £45. In terms of usage fees, if your journey lasts less than half an hour it’s free, up to an hour is a mere £1, and then prices escalate up to £50 for 24 hours. Clearly, £50 a day on a borrowed bike isn’t a particularly sensible option, so the scheme is better suited to short journeys.

Whatever you do, don’t exceed the 24-hour rental time: the late return fee is punitive at £150. Also be sure to wait for a green light and a clicking noise when you re-dock your bike. If it doesn’t register as returned, your timer will keep ticking and you’ll face a nasty extra charge.

Drawbacks

Bear in mind that there are no locks on the bikes, and there are light-fingered folk around. Therefore, you can’t stop off for lunch and leave it anywhere except a docking point. If the dock at your destination is full, you need to find a space elsewhere, which isn’t ideal if you’re in a hurry; a map at each terminal shows you where the nearest available racks are, and you can add a free 15 minutes if you’re running out of time. Interestingly, registered users of the scheme outweigh the number of bikes by several thousand, so it’s yet to be seen whether there will be enough bikes to go round at peak times.

Also note that until the “casual access” program has launched, non-UK residents will not have an easy time participating in the program. The official Web site doesn’t give specifics on the timing of opening up the program to those without a UK address. It simply says, “coming soon.”

So far, “Boris’s bikes,” named after our much-caricatured mayor, seem to be effectively encouraging a greener lifestyle, are affordable at the very short-term end of the scale, and will hopefully provide a good sightseeing tool for tourists. One controversial talking point is that the mayor should have pushed for cycle helmets to be obligatory; in many people’s opinion, you’ve got to be stark raving mad to ride without one on London’s frantic central streets.

The post London: The city’s new bike-share program pedals forth appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We’ve been fans of Paris’ Vélib’ bike program since it debuted in July 2007. But how’s it faring three years later?

In many respects it’s been a big hit with both locals and tourists (at least those lucky enough to have the right type of credit card). Read on to get our Cheapo assessment of the city’s bike share program.

Getting a bike

A Vélib’ station. Photo: Tom Meyers

The Vélib’ system, which until 2011 required a credit card with a puce (a special microchip), was mostly unattainable to Americans since it launched in 2007.

However, that changed in spring 2011 when the program opened, at least online, to a wide-range of cards (including MasterCard, Visa and American Express). Tourists can now register for a one or seven-day subscription on their Web site with these credit or debit cards. You will then be given a code to tap into the kiosk at any of the city’s 1,200 Vélib’ bike stations.

Note that a €150 “hold” will be placed on your card when you subscribe. This will be in place until your subscription expires. Read more on the Vélib’ Web site.

After purchasing a daily or weekly pass (one-day subscription costs €1.70 and a seven-day subscription costs €8), riders take a bike from any stand and can ride for 30 minutes before parking at another station. Additional time is billable in half-hour increments.

Improvements to the Vélib’ program

Thanks to an initiative by the mayor’s office passed in June 2010, improvements in bicycle parking, traffic signals and paths are on their way. The biggest change, however, has been the legalization of bikes riding on a one-way street.

One-way streets that had permitted only one-way bike traffic are now also painted with bicycle paths going against automobile traffic, opening up the city’s meandering and confusing network of streets and alleys. According to Le Monde, about 90 percent of streets are now accessible in both directions for cyclists. (Granted, my heart flutters a bit when a truck comes barreling down what its driver feels is a one-way street. But at least the police won’t stop and fine me for breaking the law while riding my Vélib’.)

The downsides of using Vélib’

While the streets are opening up to bikers, the Vélib’ system still has its faults, starting with finding a bike. Popular stations often lack sufficient functional cycles.

A seat turned backwards is a sign from a friendly rider that a bike is faulty. Always check the tires, breaks, gears and handle bars before riding. In addition to being an inconvenience, a bike with wobbly handle bars and poor breaks is a hazard. Fortunately on the road, cars are surprisingly respectful of cyclists (even though Parisians are known for their erratic driving).

Finding a parking spot can also be difficult. All too often, major stations in popular neighborhoods are full, forcing riders to wait for a spot to open up. Fortunately, you can obtain a 15-minute extension from the terminal in order to find another station. The map on the terminal’s screen will locate the closest free spot.

The bottom line

For Parisians, having their own bike is preferable to relying on the Vélib’ system. After two years, fed up with daily Vélib’ hassles, I purchased a used bike. Still, I kept my subscription to the Vélib’ because many occasions call for a one-way bike ride. (For example, you get to a bar and then enjoy a few too many glasses of Bordeaux.)

With nearly 20,000 bikes and inspiring programs from London to Mexico City, Vélib’ remains the world’s most successful biking system. While not perfect, it still may be one of the most magical experiences available in Paris for just a few euros.

Bonus: This fun little video gives you a feel for the Vélib’ experience.

The post Paris Vélib’ Update: How’s the bike share program working out? appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Today I’m posting some “postcards” from the first week of the trip.

1. Vélib’ at work (above).

The good news: Vélib’, the city’s bike-share program, seems to be a smashing success. Bike stations are everywhere in the city, with new pick-up (and drop-off) stations being added frequently. The bad news: I didn’t get to try it out. I will next time, I promise.

I took this photo of my room while brushing my teeth.

2. Hotel “Jeanne Dark”

We’ve recommended the Hotel Jeanne d’Arc in the Marais since the site launched in 2001. We’ve never had any complaints–it’s a cute guesthouse with a “country” touch and reasonable rates. When I stayed on July 25 with my parents, however, the hotel experienced a very unusual power outage. The rooms at the Jeanne D’Arc were without electricity all evening and night, meaning that teeth were brushed and faces washed by the lights from cell-phone screens, watches, and laptops. At 2:45 AM, POOF!, the juice came back on, and those of us with the switches flipped the wrong way experienced a bright, unscheduled wake-up call.

The fish are first presented.

3. Bouillabaisse in Marseille’s Old Port

We took the TGV south to Nimes, and then rented a car and made day-trips around Provence. One of those trips was to Marseille, where we feasted on fresh fish at a restaurant along the (very active) port. Above, the waiter presents the fish before “preparing” them for the bouillabaisse.

The Roman Arena in Arles is still in use.

4. The Roman Arena in Arles

Lovely Arles, in the heart of Provence, was colonized by the Romans in about 125 BC. Many important sites from those Roman days can be visited today and are a major tourist draw. The most popular of these is the town’s gorgeous Roman Arena, built in 1 BC, and still used today for bullfights.

A steep climb up to “la Cité” in Carcassonne

5. Carcassonne’s “La Cite” is worth the hike

Heading west from Nimes, we drove through Montpellier and to the walled Medieval city of Carcassonne. We spent the night at the chic (and affordable) Maison Costes B&B in the town center, but dined in “la Cite,” the town’s famous walled fortress. From the city’s center, the hike isn’t very far, but it’s a steep one. And if you take advantage of the region’s delicious wines over dinner, the walk back—downhill—can be tricky!

Coming next week: Photos from week two!

The post Postcards from France: First week on the road appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Well, for us it also means days that begin with a butter croissant (268 calories) and end with a creme caramel (759 calories). In between the two — well, let’s not go there. After about a week, no matter how much you’re walking, one can start feeling the pastries.

What’s a Cheapo to do? We’ve tried a number of strategies, but they usually amount to very little (read: Semi-distracted push-ups on the hotel room floor while watching CNN International). There must be a better way to stay in shape, raise your pulse, and sweat off some of those delicious sauces.

Here are five cheapo ways to stay in shape in Paris:

1) Run

It sounds obvious, but if you’re a runner, pack your running shoes when you’re visiting Paris. If your hotel is located anywhere near the Seine, a morning or evening run along the river is a must.

Every Sunday, the city’s “Paris Respire” (Paris Breathes) program closes traffic along the banks of the Seine to automobiles from 9 AM to 5 PM, offering the perfect spot for running, walking, or cycling.

2) Bike

The city-run Vélib’ public bike program allows short-term subscriptions (one-week passes: €5, one-day passes: €1). More than 10,000 cute bikes are available at 750 kiosks around town for 30-minute free rentals. Sign up, grab a cycle, and head for one of the many bike lanes. If you want a better workout, stay on the bike for an hour and you’ll only be charged €1. (more pricing info)

If you’re up for a Friday night adventure, join the “Paris Rando Vélo” group for a free group ride through the streets of Paris. The cycling group meets at the Hotel de Ville at 9:30 PM every Friday night, and on the third Sunday morning of the month at 10:30 AM.

3) Rollerblade

Every Friday night, 12,000-15,000 rollerbladers hit the streets of Paris for a 3-hour speed skate through the city, escorted by the police department. The weekly event is not intended for beginners, as the massive group rolls over all manner of road surface, including cobblestones (yikes).

A more relaxed skating tour, the “Roller Rally” leaves every Sunday afternoon from the Place de la Bastille at 2 PM. Rollerblade rentals are available at Roulez Champions, 5 rue Humblot (Arr 15), Metro: Dupleix (01 40 58 12 22).

4) Take an aerobics or yoga class

The American Church in Paris offers daily one-hour aerobics classes open to the public featuring a different focus every night. Classes are €10 each or €72 for 8 sessions. More information is available here.

Yoga classes are held all over Paris on every day of the week. Check out the extensive list of yoga classes on the AngloInfo website.

5) Go to the gym

The gym craze is just beginning to hit Paris (we’ve heard that several gyms are even getting rid of their smoking sections…). While most chains require expensive memberships that are not practical for most travelers, certain gyms do allow single admissions. Among them:

The Body Gym, 157, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine near the Bastille. (€16 single entrance).

Club Quartier Latin, 19 rue de Pontoise in the Latin Quarter (€19 single entrance).

Find more gyms, classes, and fitness ideas on the Paris Fitness website.

The post Paris Fitness: Five ways to stay in shape appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

We were pleased to see that Eric Rayman at the New York Times recently arrived in Paris and immediately hopped on a Vélib’ bike rental. In yesterday’s travel section, Rayman describes the joys of pedaling down the Boulevard St-Germain (and the terrors of biking through Place de la Concorde).

We’ve been big Vélib’ fans since it was launched this spring by popular socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoë, and have even eyed it with envy (especially one Cheapo in this office, who bikes his way through lower Manhattan every morning, along streets that are decidedly unfriendly to cyclists). The program has put 15,000 bikes on the streets of Paris, available for short-term rental for almost nothing from more than 1,000 hop-on and drop-off stations.

BudgetTravel.com pointed out in a post this summer that many Americans were unable to rent bikes from the Vélib’ program, as the kiosks were only programmed to accept credit cards with “smart chips,” which are the norm in Europe. Rayman notes that the machines now accept American Express cards issued in the US, a sign, perhaps, of a “warming of Franco-American relations.”

Consider us warmed!

See also: Vélib official site.

(Update — June 2011)

Americans now have another option for participating in the Vélib’ bike share:

You can now register for a one or seven-day subscription on their Web site with any MasterCard, Visa or American Express card. They will then give you a code to tap into the kiosk screen at any of the city’s 1,200 Vélib’ bike stations.

A one-day subscription costs €1.70 and a seven-day subscription costs €8. Both allow unlimited, free 30-minute rides. Also note that when you subscribe to the service, a €150 “hold” will be placed on your card and will be in place until your subscription expires. Read more on the Vélib’ Web site.

The post Paris: The Latest on Velib’, the Rental Bike Phenomenon appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.