Planning for Paris: Budget Travel Guide

More than half a million iPhones are stolen every year in Paris, and a majority of thefts on public transport, whether by pickpockets or more hands-on violent thieves, are targeted at iPhone owners. Here are some common sense tips about how to protect yourself before you leave for Paris, how to hamper a thief’s chances » Read more

We’ve given suggestions on how to avoid racking up ATM fees and offered an argument against indiscriminately using credit cards while traveling with your American wallet in Paris. To help you combat the stress of handling loose euro change and avoid ending up with an unused pile of centimes at the end of your trip, » Read more

Many people prefer to pay for everything with plastic, to keep tabs on spending, accumulate rewards points or not have to hassle with ATMS or making change. But a brilliant system for managing your budget on home turf doesn’t always work when traveling in Europe, and hidden costs from using your American credit card abroad » Read more

UPDATE: As of 2014, Bank of America now charges 3% on withdrawn cash using the Global ATM Alliance. So while you can still save the $5 fee for withdrawing cash abroad using a Global ATM Alliance machine, B of A now charges you 3% on withdrawn money, making what was once a welcome customer service » Read more

Planning a trip to Paris this summer? Your won’t be alone–or wanting for things to do. From “beaching it” along the Seine to exhibits of Titanic proportions, the city offers summer visitors plenty of opportunities to relax, indulge, learn and be entertained. Here’s my list of 10 reasons to visit Paris this summer: 1. Paris » Read more

Is it even possible to write a fresh word on Paris? “La ville lumière” is Europe’s most celebrated destination for tourists and it has attracted a galaxy of fine travel writers. The dust had hardly settled after the Napoleonic Wars before a flood of English-language guidebook writers descended on the city. Edward Planta’s 1814 guide » Read more

Paris is a city for couples, and the countless number of lovers embracing in the streets is a constant reminder. But solo travelers needn’t shy away from the City of Light. Take it from an expert – there are plenty of ways to indulge in Paris on your own! Here are some tips I’ve developed » Read more

Now is the time to plan your next trip to Paris while the Parisians are suffering through cold wet days under dreary gray skies.  It’s a mess here.  Come now if you must, but otherwise take a bit of time to prepare your next trip by reading up on those who have already explored the » Read more

The New Year is upon us and it’s once again time to start planning that next trip to Paris, n’est-ce pas? Start searching for cheap airfare and the perfect hotel (in our Paris guide, naturally!) and, in case you need a little push, consider some of these 13 reasons to visit Paris in 2013: 1. » Read more

It’s August and that means vacation time in Paris! While the Louvre and Notre Dame are flooded with tourists from around the world, one piece of Paris is curiously lacking – the Parisians. Neighborhoods around town have seemingly emptied out and the usually crowded parks and picnic spots have a surplus of vacant space for » Read more

Bastille Day – or Le Quatorze Juillet – is right around the corner on July 14, so it’s time to prepare.  The national holiday in France is a serious affair.  Fortunately, no matter what your tastes are, there’s plenty to do in Paris all day long without emptying your wallet.  Here’s this year’s round-up of » Read more

By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— In the same way that every region in France has its specialty food, every neighborhood in Paris has its strong point.  (Some areas just do a thing better!) To save you from seeking free museums or cheap eats in the wrong section of town, we’ve compiled a list of 10 popular Paris activities and neighborhoods that do them » Read more

By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— While walking down Avenue Montaigne in Paris and checking out the Chanel and Givenchy shops, I get self-conscious. This is why I rarely walk down that particular street. Fashion is a quintessential part of Parisian culture, whether we like it or not. Alas, if I’m not going to wear designer clothes in » Read more

It’s almost summertime, and soon the touring and discount shopping in Paris will be easy. Feeling the love, rhythm, and a bright new mood, here are few tips to help you ease into your first day in the city. I will take you there! Related: How to spend your first day in Paris 1. To » Read more

As we prepare for the summer travel season, we turn our attention to Paris, the world’s most visited city—and a city that remains quite Cheapo-friendly, if you follow some basic rules. Fortunately, EuroCheapo’s two fantastic Paris correspondents, Theadora Brack and Bryan Pirolli, remind us of those rules in their weekly dispatches from the city. We’ve » Read more

By Theadora Brack in Paris— According to my movie producer pal, George, the world boils down to two basic categories: the best and the worst. Anything in between isn’t worth talking about. Mediocrity is a crime, he often quips. As you can well imagine, his dinner parties in Paris are always quite lively, dramatic and » Read more

Sometimes when I hear what people spend on certain items in Paris, I can’t help but feel a little depressed, especially if they tell me they’re on a budget. Splurge items aside, there are limits to what I’ll pay on everyday items (mostly in order to afford the aforementioned splurges — I’m only human!). To » Read more

While many essentials in Paris, like hotels and macarons, or even plastic bags and shopping carts, come with a price, other items are surprisingly free. Knowing when to ask for basic Parisian rights can be tricky, so here’s a list of a few things for which you should never have to drop a centime. Just » Read more

By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— It’s a longstanding and debatable stereotype that Parisians are rude. Many visitors to Paris who try to speak French, order a salad without pork, or try to ask for directions often have the impression that the local they address are anything but kind and welcoming. It may be cultural misunderstanding, » Read more

As Paris begins to blossom, spring fever starts to hit and even the most ardent lovers of Paris may feel the itch to get away for a day and stretch their legs in the countryside. Many visitors will head to the grandiose Chateau de Versailles or even the nearby Chateau de Vincennes just to the » Read more

By Bryan Pirolli in Paris— When you’re visiting Paris and “hitting the sights,” you shouldn’t spend half of your precious time waiting in lines. If you follow a few simple tips, you could curtail those lines and large groups and spend more time strolling the streets and relaxing in cafés after a day of successful » Read more

There are certain hazy shades of winter in Paris that can wreck a Cheapo’s complexion! So where do I go for a lil’ beauty SOS during the colder months? Like the locals, I usually head to my trusted neighborhood pharmacist, and she’s never let my well-hydrated visage (face) or mains (hands) down! Shine on, Cheapos! » Read more

Sometimes in my tiny apartment in Paris, I find a few euros that I hid away for a rainy day, which are numerous in this city. Discovering a ten euro bill, however, can offer me the chance to do something fun, different, or exciting. To finish up the year, here’s a list of my top » Read more

By Professor Stephen Solosky— My fondest memories of traveling to Paris are when I traveled solo. Paris is a city of discovery and when traveling alone, I felt free to look into every nook and cranny of the city to find new museums, galleries, boutiques and markets. Traveling solo gives me the freedom to walk » Read more

Growing up, my dad’s battle cry was, “Tour it, explore it and adore it!” Entire weekends were spent discovering Washington D.C. (with kazoos in hand). Because I helped plan the days we spent there, the museum-lined National Mall became both our second backyard and my very first frontier. So in celebration of freedom of choice » Read more