How expensive is a vacation in Paris? For instance, how do prices in bistro compare with a comparable?
Hotel Prices
Annie M asked:
restaurant in the United States? Is shopping expensive? Are the attractions costly? How do hotel prices compare with similar hotels elsewhere?
Sue
restaurant in the United States? Is shopping expensive? Are the attractions costly? How do hotel prices compare with similar hotels elsewhere?
Sue
August 16th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
If you’re an American, it’s a lot less expensive than it was six months ago because the dollar has strengthened considerably against the euro. That being said, it’s still not cheap. Prices are high and exchange rates are also a factor.
You can easily spend $200 a night for a decent (not luxury) hotel in a good location. Even small restaurants that don’t cater to tourists are more expensive than comparable restaurants in the US (unless you live someplace that’s really expensive, like New York City). If you go to places around major tourist sites, the price goes up.
It’s still well worth the trip. Paris is in a class by itself when it comes to culture, food, and history. Just budget accordingly. You can get a good idea of prices for hotels on any good travel website, such as Expedia or Orbitz. Pick up a good guidebook at any bookstore. I like Rick Steves’ books, bit there are other good ones. In addition to giving you ideas on what to see, there will also be information on prices for restaurants and attractions.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:34 am
A vacation in Paris can be as expensive or, within reason, as inexpensive and you wish to make it.
There are many great places to eat in Paris where a three course meal and a glass of wine can be had for the equivalent of under $20. My favorite little Left Bank hotel costs the equivalent of $120 for a double (the price includes breakfast and all taxes). You can stay at a hostel in a dorm room for as little as about $20 (which also includes breakfast).
Americans, wherever they go, often fall afoul of a desire to vacation in a foreign country and yet never leave America in terms of what they do.
For example, as to hotels I often hear Americans complain that they coulnd’t find a hotel at a reasonable price or that they hotel they did stay at was “a dump” because it didn’t have a minibar, a swimming pool, 24 hour room service, pay per view movies, and an ice machine. The complain that they can’t get find a “bottomless cup of coffee” or 32 ounce “big gulp” sodas or that the 200 year old cafe in central Paris doesn’t have a “dollar menu” or “happy meals.”
But if you approach your choices with some sensitivity and common sense you’ll find it no more expensive, apart from airfare, to vist Paris than to vacation in most big city travel destinations in the United States.