Paris - September 2011 (?)

Saver-Rob

Hi all,

I'm used to knowing what I'm doing when planning trips within the UK, but this is the first time I'm doing all the planning of a foreign trip.

We want to go to Paris in September 2011, looking at 4-6 days, somewhere between the dates of 18-24th.

We want to fly from Southampton into either of the airports near Paris. Finding flights doesnt seem too difficult but I have no idea where to start looking for budget accomodation. We want to be as central as possible or within a short distance from the metro line. I'd like to know of any recommendations of budget hotels or 'chains' (ie Travelodge in the UK).

If anybody has any tips in terms of websites to search on or actual hotels that they have stayed at then I'd be very interested.

Thanks all.

Errata

This website is pretty good http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/places/france/paris/tips/accommodation

richardw

If you're staying 6 nights consider an apartment.

KonkyWonky

Saver-Rob wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm used to knowing what I'm doing when planning trips within the UK, but this is the first time I'm doing all the planning of a foreign trip.

We want to go to Paris in September 2011, looking at 4-6 days, somewhere between the dates of 18-24th.

We want to fly from Southampton into either of the airports near Paris. Finding flights doesnt seem too difficult but I have no idea where to start looking for budget accomodation. We want to be as central as possible or within a short distance from the metro line. I'd like to know of any recommendations of budget hotels or 'chains' (ie Travelodge in the UK).

If anybody has any tips in terms of websites to search on or actual hotels that they have stayed at then I'd be very interested.

Thanks all.

Not really any such thing as central Paris, it is split into seperate zones each with it's on character.

Best to pick the zone you like the sound of as everything is easily reached via the exellent Metro.

The lower the zone number the more expensive generally. Can highly recomend the Hotel Innova which is a 5min walk from Boulevard Montparnase. It also has a Metro station (Pasteur) 50 yards away.

Saver-Rob

Thanks both. Any good price comparison websites that are particularly good for paris?

Saver-Rob

KonkyWonky wrote: »

Not really any such thing as central Paris, it is split into seperate zones each with it's on character.

Best to pick the zone you like the sound of as everything is easily reached via the exellent Metro.

The lower the zone number the more expensive generally. Can highly recomend the Hotel Innova which is a 5min walk from Boulevard Montparnase. It also has a Metro station (Pasteur) 50 yards away.

Thanks alot for that. I will look in to it.

alisong1

I like to use: http://www.trivago.co.uk

clairey1208

the Campanile website is good for accommodation in europe

http://www.campanile.com/en/default.aspx

BillTrac

I live 'down south' as well and I will never fly into Paris again when going Eurostar is easier, just as cheap, saves time and certainly more convenient.

Flight to Paris..check in at least an hour before, fly to CDG etc wait for your luggage, hour transfer to Paris, possibly Metro to the area you are staying in.

Eurosta, drive to Ashford, 45 minutes beofre departure, generally very punctual departures, luggage stays with you and you get dropped into Gard Nor, then Metro ride if necessary.

On a weekend break I can gain 1/2 a day...:T

Saver-Rob

BillTrac wrote: »

I live 'down south' as well and I will never fly into Paris again when going Eurostar is easier, just as cheap, saves time and certainly more convenient.

Flight to Paris..check in at least an hour before, fly to CDG etc wait for your luggage, hour transfer to Paris, possibly Metro to the area you are staying in.

Eurosta, drive to Ashford, 45 minutes beofre departure, generally very punctual departures, luggage stays with you and you get dropped into Gard Nor, then Metro ride if necessary.

On a weekend break I can gain 1/2 a day...:T

Thanks for that. Unfortunately I live on the Isle of Wight and so driving over adds alot more £ to the journey plus the cost of petrol etc I am not sure if it would be worthwhile.

Is the metro quite similar to the underground or does it span a much larger area?

martindow

Saver-Rob wrote: »

Thanks for that. Unfortunately I live on the Isle of Wight and so driving over adds alot more £ to the journey plus the cost of petrol etc I am not sure if it would be worthwhile.

Is the metro quite similar to the underground or does it span a much larger area?

The metro is similar to the tube although there is also the RER which is an interlinked system with more widely spaced stops and going out further. Details here

http://www.ratp.fr/en/ratp/c_21879/tourists/