How can I travel to France for cheap?

Question

I live in California and want to travel to France. How can I do this in the most inexpensive way? Can I stay with a host family? I've never really traveled anywhere, so I dont know much... but I do speak french.

Answer 1

This site lists cheap travel sites:   http://www.travelbargainsites.com   One site checks all the airlines for the best airfares.

You might want to stay in a youth hostel.

Answer 2

Well the very cheapest way to get to France is to sign up for courier flights. Here is some information about this method of getting to Europe: http://www.fabuloustravel.com/budget/cou...

There are programs for young people to stay with host families in France. If you qualify this is an excellant method  for a young person.

Of course, you'll have less flexibility as to the means (and therefore costs) of getting to France with such a program.

If you are of student age then you can get by in France for remarkably little money. Stay in youth hostels and eat at the cafeterias run by CROUS (the French student organization) and your costs will be remarkably low. You can eat a full meal at a CROUS cafeteria for as little as 3 or 4 dollars.

Answer 3

Try go go off season,Nov-Apr. Also if you can stay in a hostel of go to couchsurfing.com and stay on someone's sofa for a few nights. This can be risky unless you get good reviews on line or know someone who has done it. If you're a student you may find a web site that has hosts.