How Much Would It Cost For You To Holiday In Paris Right Now?
Beneath the glittering luxury stores and fine dining restaurants lies a completely affordable travel destination.
Published for Martell, 18 Apr 2016, 06:00 PM
Fondly associated with love, culture, and adventure, it's no surprise that Paris remains a staple on any traveller's list
It's famed for the finer things in life, but Paris doesn't have to be an expensive holiday if you do it right. Here are some ideas:
Note: All Euros to Malaysian Ringgit rates below are based on conversions done in April 2016.
1. Flight: Score the cheapest fares by stalking airfare comparison websites
Skyscanner is a great place to start! It's generally cheaper to fly to Paris between late March and late May, and you can score return flights for as low as RM1,919 during this period.
If you're booking directly with an airline, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are popular choices, given their reasonable fares. Look out for special deals on Malaysia Airlines, KLM, and Vietnam Airlines too, and don't forget to make full use of your frequent flyer miles!
2. Accommodation: Be a true Parisian and stay in a local apartment or house
If you have family or friends staying in Paris who are more than happy to accommodate you, lucky you! If not, there's always Airbnb ;)
You can get pretty decent rooms within a range of RM100 - RM200 a night, like this cosy apartment just 5 minutes from Montmartre, complete with a wrought-iron balcony.
If you're keen to learn the French way of life, stay with a local family in this charming home, just 15 minutes from the city centre.
3. Sightseeing (and transportation): Spend the first 2 days exploring the city with the Paris Pass
If a trip to Paris for you is not complete without visiting classic attractions like the Louvre, spring for a Paris Pass. For a flat rate, the pass gets you free access to over 60 attractions and activities.
Visit popular museums and monuments like Musee d'Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Arc de Triomphe or try some special interest ones including the Gourmet Chocolate Museum and Museum of Advertising. Don't worry about long queues, you'll get Fast Track Entry to attractions like the Louvre and Centre Pompidou.
Rack up quintessentially French experiences, from going on a Seine river cruise, to a wine-tasting session, to a guided tour of Opera Garnier (yes, that opera house that inspired Phantom of the Opera).
Transportation is included in the pass, which provides free access to the Paris hop-on hop-off Big Bus, as well as unlimited travel on the metro, RER and buses.
The Pass comes with a choice of 2, 3, 4 or 6 days, with a 2-day Paris Pass costing €129 (approximately RM574). It's great value considering the entrance fees to just 7 of the above attractions would have set you back €139, and that's not even including transportation costs to get there (and without the valuable option of skipping queues!).
4. The rest of the days, take your time and explore the city
There are actually a lot of amazing things you can do for free in Paris! Whether you're an art buff or not, we'd recommend an afternoon soaking up the charms of Montmartre, a quaint hilly part of Paris lined with art galleries and kitschy cafes along its cobblestone paths. If you're feeling bursts of inspiration traipsing around Montmartre, it could have something to do with it being the favourite hangout of some of the most legendary artists in the world, from Vincent van Gogh to Pablo Picasso to Salvador Dali.
Visiting a cemetery might sound like an absurd idea, but in Paris, the incredibly serene and scenic Père Lachaise Cemetery makes it a popular choice for a walk among the tombstones. Grab a map and find the resting spots of iconic personalities, from writer Oscar Wilde to French songstress Edith Piaf to The Doors' frontman Jim Morrison.
Paris is also the perfect place for days when you feel like doing nothing. Head to a cafe, sip a cup of cafe au lait and watch the world go by. You could also pack some baguette and cheese, head to Tuilleries Garden and picnic while enjoying a phenomenal view of the Eiffel Tower.
5. Transportation: For getting around on days without the Paris Pass, use the Mobilis Pass
The Mobilis Pass is a day ticket that allows for unlimited rides on the Metro system. Opt for the Zones 1 - 2 ticket, if your itinerary only involves central Paris, which costs €7 (approximately RM32).
You can buy the Mobilis Pass at major Metro stations and RER stations.
6. Food: There are actually a lot of mouth-watering cheap eats, if you know where to find them
There's always something new to try in Paris' amazing street food scene!
The creperie Au P’tit Grec on Rue Mouffetard has everyone going crazy for their flavour-packed crepes, which come in huge portions at cheap prices! €6 (approximately RM27) will take you a long way.
For something hearty and reasonably-priced, just head to any Middle Eastern stall and order up a kebab platter. Their portions are mostly huge and can sometimes be shared between 2 people. For a start, check out Urfa Dürüm on rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis.
Save some space for desserts! Check out the artistic eclairs from L'Éclair de Génie, which come in the most amazing flavours including wild French strawberries with mascarpone and pecans with Madagascan vanilla cream. The eclairs start from €4.50 (approximately RM20).
The final tally: A 5D4N trip to Paris can cost you less than RM3,800!
Here's the breakdown:
1. Flight: RM1,919 onwards
2. Accommodation: RM500 for 4 nights (based on RM125 a night, if you're going with the Montmartre apartment)
3. Sightseeing: RM574 for the Paris Pass (inclusive of transportation)
4. Transportation: RM96 for 3 days
5. Food: RM670 for 5 days (based on an average of RM134 a day for 3 meals)
Which means that if you have at least RM3,759 chilling in your bank account right now, then it's a good time to start thinking of your Parisian adventure!
Imagining yourself strolling around Montmartre already? Get some inspiration for your trip by savouring some Martell VSOP Paris Style.
Start savouring the spirit of Paris with this limited edition bottle of cognac. Designed by fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, the elegant white bottle is beautifully contrasted with quirky Montmartre-inspired sketches, and finished off with an inviting play on words: "MontMartell me a story". Click here to find out more.
