How to make your money go further in France
In today’s money markets, the euro goes up and down, like the dollar and the pound. Therefore, you never know exactly where you are when budgeting, and you cannot guarantee that you will get a good exchange rate when you are actually in France. So if you’re planning a trip, it’s a good idea to use these tips to save a few bucks here and there.
- Before you go, check out these budget options and plan accordingly.
The budget tips are classified according to the main expenses incurred during a typical trip to France.
But remember, this is a vacation, so don’t make any cutbacks that will ruin the trip or simply make it difficult to enjoy your time in France. You only live once, and you can only visit Europe once and it’s a really cool place!
accommodation
Location: You may have booked some of your vacations in advance in the most popular cities, which are usually Paris and Nice, Cannes (and try to avoid the annual chaos during the International Film Festival in May), and some of the cities in the west coast of the Atlantic, such as Bordeaux and Biarritz.
TIP: Consider staying in a smaller city , where accommodation is cheaper. If you plan to visit Paris, for example, find a suburb well served by the Metro or RER (the suburban train lines), or even stay in a nearby city like Chartres that is a short train ride away. This change could only save hundreds.
Accommodation class: You may have booked some rooms in 4 or 5 star hotels.
TIP: Go down to cheaper, less sumptuous excavations. The French star rating system is good. Maybe you could support a one star level drop down menu. If you’re excited to stay in a four-star hotel, you probably won’t feel too bad in a three-star hotel. Sometimes the lowest rated hotels are even better than their peers. The French rating system does not take into account things like atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff, except at the highest range of Palace hotels.
- Check out my recommendations on good budget chains
- Take a look at all types of accommodation in France
- Discover the Logis hotels
One night stays.
So you are traveling through France, taking your time and going where the road takes you. However, even the most casual bum needs to check in which town, city or town they plan to spend the night in beforehand or they can pay full price if they just show up.
TIP: Go to a town or city early enough to stop at the Tourist Office and ask them for hotel recommendations. They will know the correct prices, and many will book for you, so you can choose based on your budget.
TIP # 2: Consider a bed and breakfast ( chambre d’hôte ). The French have accepted the bed and breakfast option with great enthusiasm and you can stay in everything from a small gypsy caravan to a castle. Better to book in advance if you can, even if you’re only calling on the phone that day as they can get very busy. They are excellent value, most of the owners speak English and you also get local knowledge. Many also offer dinners which are again the best value.
- Take a look at my recommendations for staying in a bed and breakfast
How long are you staying?
So you are considering staying in town for a week.
TIP: If you are visiting a city or area for at least a week, consider renting accommodation instead of a hotel. You will probably pay less than the price of a hotel. You will surely have a kitchen, so you can save cash on meals. You will live more like a local, and the vacation will feel more authentic. You can shop in the local markets and try the local specialties. The downside is that you won’t get the hand and personal service that a hotel provides.
- Take a look at the different vacation rental possibilities
Tip No. 2: If you have a week or more, or even a long weekend, consider taking a Casa (vacation home). Rural houses are everywhere and can be small, large, sleep two or 12, they are located in remote areas and in cities… in fact, you can get a rural house almost anywhere in France. And you will discover that a week in a country house is cheaper than a hotel room. Book a rural house here.
TIP # 3: Do you prefer not to pay anything for your accommodation? In fact, you can do it with a home exchange. This is especially good if you live in a big city that is a popular destination. You stay in a French couple’s apartment in Paris while they visit your apartment in New York City.
TIP # 4: Even if you’ve always been the hotel type, consider camping in France. With the French government regulated star rating system, a four-star camp can be even more luxurious than a more expensive two-star hotel. There are many organizations that offer the best camping sites, such as Canvas vacations.
TIP no. 5: If you are a student or a backpacker, then you will know everything about hostels and there is this type of accommodation in most French cities. Try some of these organizations:
- Hostel World
- Hostel.com
- French Association of Youth Hostels
Travel by train
This one is obvious. If you are traveling long distances or for a few days of train travel, get a rail pass. These passes can be a great budget deal compared to point-to-point ticket prices found in France, as long as your travels cover long distances. Read more about Train travel in France and in particular the TGV Express Train map and information.
Get cash
Only receive a handful of invoices in your home country. When you arrive in Europe, DO NOT visit money exchange companies. The fees are terrible and the commissions are high. The best ways to budget to obtain euros are by withdrawing at an ATM in France or by charging a credit card. For more tips on how to get cash, check out my article, How to Get Euros in France: Dos and Don’ts.
Meals in France
Check your hotel breakfast; some hotels offer a great variety that is worth the price. This is a relatively new phenomenon and the petit dejauner will often include charcuterie meats, cheeses, yogurts and fruits and possibly cooked items (and most places include boiled eggs), as well as a surprising variety of jams.
Very few hotels include breakfast in the price, so make sure you are not automatically charged for breakfast, which is quite common. When you reserve your room or check in, let them know that you don’t want their breakfast. However, remember that all pensions include breakfast (although this is usually just fruit, yogurt, coffee, bread and pastries, and often homemade jams).
TIP: Consider going into town and doing what the locals do. Sit in a small coffee shop, outside if it’s sunny and hot, and spend half or a quarter of the price for a croissant or pastry and latte .
TIP: Indulge in one great French meal a day , instead of spending cash on all three and shrinking on your daily spending. Choose to have it at lunchtime as often as possible. Generally, you will get the same food for dinner, but for less money. Get the prix fixe menu, which usually consists of a starter, main course, and dessert, sometimes wine, for a low price. This is a great way to enjoy the best Michelin-starred meals at a fraction of the price.
Tip No. 2: Consider a picnic or snack. Go to the local bakery for great breads and pastries, and check out chains that produce the best sandwiches like Paul, le Pain Quotidien, and Le Brioche Dorée.
See more about restaurants in France (how and when to tip!)
Move
If you are in the country for an extended period (17 days), consider hiring a lease buy-back program like the one operated by Renault. It will save you a lot of money.
Otherwise, unless you plan to wander the countryside visiting small towns or driving around the country with a ton of luggage, you probably don’t need the added expense of a rental car.
TIP: Take public transportation instead. It is usually very good even in smaller cities in France. Many have invested in trams with cities like Nice taking the tram through the main tourist areas. And public transport is very cheap. In PACA (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur), bus fares cost € 1 euro to go anywhere, although it is a bit more expensive (€ 1.50) from Antibes to Nice airport, for example.
TIP # 2: If you are staying in the city, consider purchasing a City Pass, available in all major cities such as. The 24-, 36-, or 48-hour pass gives you free entry to most museums except private ones, discounts on bus tours, and free public transportation and small train tours.
You should also try to avoid taking taxis if possible.
Visit museums and attractions
TIP: The City Pass mentioned above is a godsend if you are visiting a lot of attractions and museums.
Tip No. 2: Check the opening hours of any museum that interests you. Note that many of them have free opening on the first Sunday of the month and some nights.
With all this money saved, dust off something you’ve always wanted. Maybe a great meal, or that fancy piece of clothing (and remember the annual government-controlled sales, and check the purchasing budget).
Have a great vacation at a good price!
Edited by Mary Anne Evans
