Things You'll Need:
- An idea of where you want to stay (such as with a Paris map)
- A firm budget
- Ideally, an additional $1,000 (because you always
- spend more than you think you will)
- Imagination
- Good walking shoes
- A backpack or simple tote-on-wheels
- Valid passport, of course
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Step 1
Typical structure of a budget hotel with gardenFor those who are over-the-normal hostel age (such as north of 30), a hotel is recommended. However, in the 10th Arrondissement of Paris, they have a fabulous hostel right at Le Republique Metro station. There are other options dotted around Paris, though, including locations nearer the action (the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Champs Elysée and so forth.)If you are over 30 and want a hotel, you can get away with spending just a tad more if you are savvy with your shopping.
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Step 2
Nothing beats Paris at Christmastime. The rates are typically less even though the city is always full of tourists.You can book a place in the 10th Arrondissement for no more than 45 Euros a night if you travel between October and February or March. You may spend more on cabs (because it's too cold to walk and the Metro closes much earlier than you'd suspect), but you will save on both hotels and airfare.
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Step 3
Stay in the 10th Arrondissement.The area around Le Republique is fabulous, spilling over with lively cafes, queer marts sporting various plastic or boa fare, tobacco shops, open bars, parks and more. It's lively and it's real. It's also relatively tourist-free except at the hostels (and hostel-stayers are more travelers than tourists).Hotel Temple Du Moderne, a clean, well-run establishment that tacks on just a bit for breakfast (usually brie and bread with coffee) is recommended.The hotel offers balcony views of the city, even though your view will probably be the neighbors across the way and whatever laundry they've put out. No worries, though -- this is Paris! It's all good. You can walk about 3/4 mile up the hill and from a park, look out between a couple of trees and see the tip-top of La Tour Eiffel. It's not the kind of place women should go alone to at night, though. It's not dangerous, but it is, shall we say, full of character.Nearby there are cool Internet places and a variety of cafes to while away the night. Unlike most American cities, Paris seems to welcome the solo traveler and it's easy to strike up a conversation with strangers from Russia or the UK or even Omaha while you're sipping a French wine out on the sidewalk.
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Step 4
Go online to find a cheap option nearer the action. Hotel de L'avre on rue de l'Avre in the 15th Arr., right off the La Motte-Picquet Grenelle Metro stop, is a fine hotel near the Eiffel Tower. The place has a charming courtyard out back where the hotel's fabulous staff with serve you the kind of coffee you'll only dream about back in the States. They offer wireless access, too--as do many of the budget hotels in France. Make sure you bring your adaptor for plugging in abroad. A trip to your local Radio Shack or Circuit City ought to help in that department. For other hotel options, check out Expedia or Kayak or a myriad of other budget sites. But bear in mind, haggling is always a possibility especially during the offseason. If you are a French speaker, all the better for haggling will be difficult if they can out-talk you.That brings up another point: Don't dare set foot in Paris without knowing some French. While the French people are often described as rude in their treatment of some Americans, it is far more discourteous not to know at least a little bit of the language being spoken in that country.A little "je m'appelle" or "je suis fatigue" or even "il pleut" will serve you in good stead.
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Step 5
Finally, make friends when you travel. The more you get out of your comfort zone, throw on your tennis shoes or rent a bike, the better. You will get more out of your trip if you converse with the locals and engage them in conversation.Also, one word about traveling alone. It's much less lonely to travel in countries you are passionate to discover. Your enthusiasm will be contagious. For example, I was at the Eiffel Tower once and tried to ask for an ice cream cone from a concessionaire - in French.The young staff started laughing behind my back.I called them on their mock rudeness. The one young man stopped me cold and with a wave said, "Oh, it's so cute! Don't ever lose your American accent."
