Travelling to France, advice please?

Question

iam in south africa now and going back to the Uk soon. iam planning to travel to france with my girlfriend who stays in london. please would you advice us on cheap accomodations in france. we are a young couple and do not mind any thing particular. we want to travel on bus and train to add time. how long does it take? thankx in advance

Answer 1

Travel inside Paris is very easy. The transit system is cleaner and safer than Boston or New York City as examples.

They have bus and train passes that you can buy over the Internet. Basically, there are 3 versions available, The first is for buses in the inner city of Paris, next step is buses and trains that cover virtually all of Paris, and the third step is a bus and train pass that covers all of Paris and can take you out to Versailless.

       If you have never been to Paris get the 2 day pass that covers Versaille, then a 3 day pass that covers the buses and trains. This will allow you 5 days of unlimited travel in Paris. You may want to buy a one day pass on the double Decker buses. These allow you to jump on and off any where any time throughout Paris. If you use this the first day, you get a tour, but also you get to know Paris well enough to head out on your own the rest of the week.

        We found the people in Paris very friendly. We spoke virtually no french, but had no problem as almost everyone was help full, not a single person was rude to us in the week we were there.

     We stayed in an apartment near the Mitterrand National Library in the eastern edge of the city. Do not feel you have to stay right under the Eiffel Tower as the transit system is great and you will get better deals on meals outside the center of the city. Hotel rates drop on the edge of the city also. Paris is an incredible place to walk. Be sure to see Sacre Croux,  and you may enjoy the D'Orcy museum better than the Louvre. Be certain to spend some time on the two islands around Notre Dame.  Excuse my spelling.

Answer 2

Train is probably the best means of getting to virtually anywhere in France - you can get combined Eurostar/French Railways tickets to most places and if you book them in advance can get really cheap 'Prems' fares on the TGV - see http://www.seat61.com for the best routes to the different areas of France. Also check http://www.raileurope.co.uk for ticket details and the SNCF website http://www.sncf.com for trains once you've arrived in France (select the British flag to get the site in English).

Hotel Ibis are good for cheap and basic hotel accommodation although somewhat bland. There are usually lots of other options if you go to the Tourist Information Office when you arrive in a town ranging from small hotels that arent on the web to the chain hotels and more informal bed and breakfast type places, they will also generally be able to book it for you.

Alternatively stay in a Youth hostel (Auberge de Jeunese) or if you want to go very cheaply take a tent - you can get a reasonable tent for under £50 and it shouldnt take up too much room in your rucksack, but make sure its as light as possible.

Answer 3

I would recommend you go to Annecy. It is the most beautiful town I have ever seen and definitely has a lasting impression. Paris is an okay place but its not worth staying more than a few days there. Lyon is a really cool city too. Just make sure you check out Annecy, there is a huge lake and canal that goes through the town and a mountain in the background, its absolutely beautiful.

Answer 4

Hi, Forget Ibis ( way to expensive for me ) i always stop in a motel chain called Formule1. They are clean and cheap. Check out their website and you will see you can get a room that sleeps 3 people for under £20 a night. They are spread out all over France in litteraly hundreds of locations. If i were you i would fly with Ryanair one way to the south of france and bus your way back stopping in formule1 motels. The flight should cost no more than £40 inc tax if you are flexible but as for the buses you will have to find that out for yourself cos i always rent a car....happy travels.

Answer 5

Don't do it. They smell of garlic.

You can't trust them.

Answer 6

Try the Ibis Hotel they are usually the cheapest.