Paris For Families On A Budget

This a guest post from the lovely people at Hostelbookers.com, who have drawn up a list of tips to help families enjoy Paris on a budget.

Although the cost of a Paris vacation may seem extremely high at first, it’s possible for a family to experience the City of Light on a tight budget. The following tips will help you discover how to get the most out of your vacation, from finding cheap Paris hotels to sightseeing creating a memorable trip for you and your kids.

Transportation

The most economical way to travel within Paris, aside from on foot, is using the Metro. Children under the age of four will ride for free, and kids ages five from 11 receive half off the regular fare. In order to maximize your budget, you should consider purchasing a bundle pack of tickets, called a carnet, for the adults. Each carnet comes with 10 tickets and represents a savings of almost four euros over the individual ticket pricing.

Lodging

There are several quality budget hotels in Paris, including the Hotel Ambassadeur. Those who are looking to stay near the Champs-Elysées and the Opera will be able to do so at this property without spending an extraordinarily large amount of money.

Free Museum Day

Depending on the age and interest level of your children, you may want to book your Paris vacation to coincide with free museum day. Several of the world’s most renowned museums, including the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, open their doors for free on the first Sunday of every month. Be aware, however, that lines will be extremely long, especially later in the day.

Dining

One of the most economical ways to eat while in Paris is to pack a picnic lunch. Even if you’re not prepared in advance, you can easily purchase the necessary items for a picnic from a street vendor or a neighbourhood market. If you’re determined to eat in a restaurant, however, keep in mind that prices are cheaper during lunch than they are during dinner. In order to avoid purchasing an expensive bottle of mineral water, make sure that you specify that you want tap water with your meal.

The Eiffel Tower

Almost all tourists envision themselves going to the top of the Eiffel Tower, but the ticket prices can be quite prohibitive for a family on a budget. If you are determined to at least enter the Eiffel Tower, then you can purchase access to the first two floors for approximately five euros less than the tickets to the top. If waiting in a long line is not your thing, you can enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower for free from several different beautiful vantage points. There is more than enough room for thousands of people to have some space to themselves, making the park around the Eiffel Tower the perfect place to eat a picnic lunch and soak in the surroundings.

Street Performers

Children will be especially thrilled with the high volume of Parisian street performers, and you can enjoy each of their shows for free. It is of course recommended to give them a tip if you enjoy the show, but the cost of a euro here and there will be more than worthwhile.

Something Unusual

Although there is no budget option for visiting the Paris Catacombs, it provides a historical and educational experience for the older kids who are fascinated by the macabre. The catacombs are also a great place to beat the heat on a hot summer day.

Regardless of your specific agenda, it is more than possible to enjoy a fulfilling Paris family vacation without going over your budget. A little bit of forethought goes a long way, so be sure to determine which attractions and other experiences are the most important to you, book your hotel in advance and enjoy your trip.

Bon voyage!

By: Barbara

A career girl who dropped out, traveled, found love, and never got around to going home again. Now wrangling a cross-cultural relationship and two third culture kids.