Free and Easy in Paris

A 3-day relax itinerary which best to travel with family.

I have planned this trip beforehand, and I always try not to over plan, as over planned a trip may cause unnecessary restrictions.

Day 1

Reach Gare du Nord (the central station of Paris) by 12 o clock. We will be travelling around Paris with Metro, as Paris is a wonderful place to explore by foot and the unlimited day pass is very expensive so I've decided to buy a book of T+ tickets (€11.60). Remember to ask for a tube map from the counter, as the map will be useful.

Once settled in the hotel (a 3 star hotel rate is about €30 per person per night), we set off to Eifel Tower about 4.00pm, to catch the sunset and the night view of Paris. The queue lasted for about an hour, and to reach to the top of Eiffel Tower would cost an adult €13.00 euro. It was winter; so on the top of the Eiffel tower would easily reach minus 2 degrees. Therefore Extra clothing is highly recommended during December. When travelling back to the hotel, we tried to avoid peak hour, as this would increase the chances of being nabbed.

A fine dining in France would cost about €25 per person; it would be more expensive if you eat around landmarks.

Day 2

We woke up at about 10am, had a quick brunch in McD around Pigalle (dodgy area) metro station. One Big Mac Meal in Paris is about €7.60; I would say McD is the safest option for budget travellers. From Pigalle, we took metro to Charles de Gaulle Etoile, which is the nearest metro station to the Arc de triumphe. From there, we spent the whole day shopping around Champs Elysees (Paris’s High Street). It’s like KL’s Bintang Walk, Singapore’s Orchard Road and London’s Oxford Street. Make sure to go for a loo whenever you see a McD, as a toilet elsewhere would cost you €1.00 - €1.50.

Day 3

It snowed, we took pictures, and had brunch in McD, and then we went to the Lourve by Metro (Nearest Metro station: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre). We spend half a day there, and another half a day In La-fayatte which is like KL’s KLCC and London’s Harrods. We did buy some chocolate there; I think probably that is the only affordable item for me in that building, as a chocolate may cost €94 per 100 grams here.

Day 4

We took the earliest train from Paris to London St Pancras.

I personally feel that this is a simple and relaxing trip for families which cost roughly around €300-€400 pp.