Cost family to Paris

[LesleyA]

We are moving to the UK (family of 4). I've been selling the move to the kids saying we can go to Paris for the weekend, or Brugge or Amsterdam which I had done when I was single 20 years ago. I have been wondering really if this is affordable? Any ideas what this would probably cost /the package. There used to be a magazine I'd pick up in London that had special package deals to these places. Dont need anything fancy but suitable for kids.

Where in the UK will you be? If you live somewhere in the southeast, it'll probably be doable, depending on your finances. The Eurotunnel from or ferry are £30-60 one way. The Eurostar from London or Ashford to Paris, Lille, or Brussels is a similar cost. Obviously you could choose a hotel that fits your needs and budget. When I lived in Kent I used to go shopping in Calais for the day once every one-two months.

Look at huttopia. They have fab lodges which we stayed in. The one by Versailles was only 25mins from the Eiffel Tower by train but with all the convenience of self catering with kids. Combined with the Eurostar for a hassefree trip.

Lastminute.com do Eurostar & hotel packages. Or you could look out for Eurostar deals during the year. I’ve seen journeys to Paris as cheap as £29 each way for the train. It really depends on your budget and where you’re starting from.

Paris is extortionate. I went for a long weekend with my DP for my birthday last month and it cost us £800, easily. That was booking the cheapest flights and hotel we could find (well, within reason.. I wouldn’t stay in a hostel). Eurostar can be cheap if you live in the south which we don’t. Food and drinks are expensive in Paris and unless you’re under 26 everything has an entrance fee, museums and galleries aren’t free like they are in London.

London is cheaper than Paris. I went with my three DC for three days and because everything we did was free, I’d say including hotel and travel I spent £400 for four people.

Amsterdam is cheap. Prague is also cheap and brilliant, I preferred Prague to Paris.

I wouldn't stay in a hotel with kids. You can get an Airbnb for less than 100euros a night if you book in advance - kids might have to share a sofabed but definitely doable and you can avoided eating out for every meal that way.

When we did Paris with the DC we mostly did free or cheap things apart from the Eiffel tower. You can get a bus from there all along the river to the hotel de ville and then see Notre dame.

If you book ahead, Paris is very reasonably priced.

We go a few times a year, and normally spend £500 for 2 adults including Eurostar and a decent hotel for 2 nights.

Booking.com is good for finding deals for hotels, or lastminute.com

I worked in Paris a few years ago and have reasons to often go back.

Eurostar Snap is great - it's a Eurostar-run website which puts £25 each way tickets online exactly three weeks in advance. If you live in the south, have flexible timings and you can wait until a few weeks before to book then you can get a real bargain. The cheap tickets are often available for many travel times of day too (if you check the site early enough).

If you can stand 9 or 10 hours on a bus then you can get a coach from London Victoria and that can be extremely cheap.

Would definitely recommend the suggestion made above about Airbnb. I always stay in Airbnbs in Paris now as they are way cheaper than hotels. When working there I stayed for a bit in Laumiere/Stalingrad area which I believe is still relatively cheap for travellers (and you would have Parc des Buttes Chaumont on your doorstep... which is beautiful.) Avoid the 10th arr. if with kids, as it can get pricey because of proximity to Gare du Nord but is quite dodgy at night. Worst of both worlds!

Remember kids can get into many museums and galleries for free (search online ahead of time to confirm) unlike in UK, America etc, so you will only have to pay entrance for adults.

Paris is not exactly walkable but it is compact. If you're happy to walk the bulk of your journeys then you can save lots of money. Remember that central Paris is magical everywhere, so unlike some (but not all) other major European cities it's not as boring to walk around.

HTH!