A few questions about Paris....

Beffs

Planning a few days there in mid October.

So far, going to Beauvais on Ryanair is coming in a good bit cheaper than CDG with Aer Lingus. How long does it take to get to the centre of Paris from Beauvais? How much does it cost? Is it worth it for the savings?

Any ideas for a good, reasonably priced hotel, close to touristy attractions? What parts of Paris should you avoid staying in, or want to stay in? Is it worth the money staying somewhere central, if you are doing touristy things all day long? I was in Paris once, about 20 yrs ago. My memory of it was doing a lot of traveling on the Metro, just to get from A to B. If you going to be moving around a lot anyway, is it worth your while to spend the money to stay somewhere central? There are so many hotels in Paris, it is all a bit overwhelming.

We want to go to Versailles too. Would going straight to Versailles from Beauvais be a good idea, instead of basing ourselves in Paris and traveling to Versailles from there? Are there many hotel options in and around Versailles?

Thanks.

athtrasna

Fly Air France to CDG instead of either. Beauvais is a kip in the middle of nowhere. The bus transfer isn't cheap and is a PITA. De Gaulle is much more accessible but Aer Lingus fly to the crappy hamster wheel Terminal 1, Air France to T2 is a much better experience and also likely to be cheaper.

I stay in this hotel most of the time http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-paris-france-FR218 - it's clean, usually inexpensive and 2 minutes from Luxembourg RER which is on the line from CDG airport. Walking distance to Notre Dame and well connected to the RER & Metro

Uncle_moe

I agree, def go to CDG, will never fly to beauvais again. I think the nicest part of the city is the latin quarter, certainly the most picturesque, full of nightlife and is very safe at night. Short walk to lots of nice places. Plenty of pubs in the area off the main streets do good happy hour deals too, a welcome change from the 10euro beer tourist traps.

Beffs

Thanks for the feedback.

Flying on Ryanair is only 19.99 each way. Flying with Aer Lingus and Air France is 2-4 times that. Other than taking longer to get from Beauvais to central Paris, is it really all that bad?

sarkozy

You can be OK with planning ahead and losing time travelling to and from Beauvais and putting up with some of the stress getting the bus entails, or you can spend more to have less stress and a more relaxed time.

As for Paris, as much as there's a 'centre', it's still a big centre. As mentioned, there can be affordable places in and around the Latin Quarter/St. Germain des Pres/Left bank and, as part of the older city, it's very atmospheric. But remember that every Arrondisement is nearly a town within itself meaning everything you could want (eating, drinking, seeing, people-watching, flaneuring) are right in front of you.

An alternative, and also old, is the right bank, in and around the Pompidou Centre, Le Marais, the Jewish quarter. In this general area, Notre Dame, the Opera, the Louvre, the city hall (Mairie), Les Galleries Lafayette department store, etc. are all a lovely day's stroll. There are also some lovely parks/gardens within that area. The area is also very good for transport links.

However, so much of Paris is spread apart, so getting the Metro is just practical. And it's so brilliant because stops are so close by that if you get tired/bored, you can just wimp out and hop on a train.

Many people, however, forget to mention Paris' bus system, which has the distinct advantage of criss-crossing every inch of the city, but also you can see the lovely city pass you by.

Don't stay in Montparnasse. And, in theory, Montmartre is a quaint, lovely place to stay, but it's a big hill, so all your transport links are down below in Pigalle or elsewhere. Buses do go up the hill, but if you're not into walking or not able for it, don't bother.

Louche Lad

For Ryanair, reckon on around two hours from when your flight arrives in Beauvais to your arrival at your accommodation.

There's a dedicated shuttle bus from Beauvais to Porte Maillot (on the western edge of Paris), where you can then get a Métro to wherever you're going.

You can often just walk between the major tourist sites in the centre. For Montmartre, use the Métro.

sarkozy

Getting to Porte Maillot is a pain IMO.

Fratton Fred

The two day hop on hop off bus ticket is a must in my opinion. You can do a guided tour for a couple of hours to orientate yourself and then use it to get to most of the tourist sites.

sarkozy

Oh yeah, the red buses are great. Done those in at least three continents. Do it!