Where should you start looking for cheap rooms in Paris hotels?
There is no single perfect strategy, but you will have to consider factors that do not exist in nearby European cities like London. Budget travelers traveling from London to Paris will find accommodation strategies in the two cities quite different.
In London, many stay in bed and breakfast places, where a modest room comes with a big breakfast. In Paris, that big breakfast will cost a small fortune.
The strategy in Paris is to find your own breakfast in a bakery and look for a wide range of two and three star hotel rooms that provide comfort and convenience without frills or high costs. Some will offer you breakfast, but the price is unlikely to make you happy. Choose to get out of that deal and rent the room.
Fortunately for budget-minded travelers, there are inexpensive and well-located options in Paris hotels. Find a place that is well connected to the Metro and other public transportation options. Some places will even be within walking distance of the main attractions. You may pay a little more for those rooms, but the value they add and the time saved will justify the difference.
You should also consider other options for booking hotels in Paris if you can’t seem to find a good, moderately priced room that fits your itinerary.
Are you willing to sacrifice charming and romantic places for a cheap, clean and safe place to sleep? If so, Priceline may be a good option in Paris. When you try to ‘name your own price’, you will find business class hotels, and some may be quite far from the main attractions. The best land deals that are close to a metro station. Unfortunately, there is no way to be sure of such a location while making a blind offer for a non-refundable room.
One place to look for cheap rooms from small hotels to hostels is Travelerspoint.com, which offers a variety of options that can be searched by district of Paris.
If you have a larger party and will be staying longer than a night or two, consider renting an apartment. Renting apartments can be a very good idea because European hotel rooms tend to be small. If you are traveling with more than two people, it is very likely that you will have to accumulate several rooms. In some locations, fire codes require it.
A recent search on Paristay.com turned up a furnished apartment for just € 700 / week ($ 788 USD). Renting two hotel rooms in Paris for a week at that price would be a budget challenge.
A key advantage of renting an apartment: you become a temporary resident of a neighborhood. You will see everyday life there first hand. If you speak French, you might even make some short-term friendships with people who will give you advice on hotels, attractions, and other considerations.
One final strategy for your consideration: If you are leaving Paris to tour other areas by train, consider spending the night on the train. There are several routes that originate here that offer night service. This will give you a whole day and part of a night in the city and you will sleep at a lower price than many hotels in Paris would charge. It won’t be the quietest night, but it will ease your painful budget.
