Thursday, December 04, 2008
Cheap Date: Paris
Paris is an attractive city to visit for a lot of reasons, but price is not one of them. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be an expensive place to visit either, by and large you can make Paris a cheap date.
Shelter
For people on an extreme budget, St. Christopher's Hostel looks like a good match. With prices as low as 20 Euros per night, if you don't mind sharing a room with ten other people - it might be the right fit for you.
There are a number of cheap hotels available within Paris as well. 50-60 Euro a night rooms are possible to be found once you're there, but they generally are pretty nasty rooms and you'll share bathrooms with the whole floor. If a nice, inexpensive hotel experience is what you're after there is just the right place for you.
Mama Shelter is the place to stay in my opinion. Free internet access and a really nice room and bed. En suite bathrooms and all for as low as 79 Euros a night, which is a steal for a boutique Paris hotel. In the 20th, just off Pere Lachaise Cemetery (Gambetta Stop, Metro Line 3).
Food
Cheap eats are everywhere in the city, just don't expect anything fancy. Street food is generally good and cheap, with Panini sandwiches a quick and easy meal nearly everywhere. However, for something sit-down on the fly, the recommendation is L'As du Falafel on Rue des Rosiers. (St. Paul Stop, Metro Line 1) Amazing falafel, and yours for under 7 dollars a sandwich.
Getting Around
Metro is the easy way to get around, as Paris is relatively compact. And the cheapest way to do it? The Paris Visite card, allows you access on the whole system for the day for just under 9 Euros.
Things to Do
Of course there is the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, but at more than 10 bucks, I'll take the postcard thank you. Paris is full of history and lots of things are worth watching for free. The Notre-Dame Cathedral doesn't cost anything to enter. Pere LaChaise cemetery, is full of interesting sites and also free. You too can plant a kiss on Oscar Wilde's tombstone or hang out with the hippies at Jim Morrison's grave. There are also over a dozen other free places to check out art if that's your thing. Gridskipper has a comprehensive list on that, as well.
In the end, Paris doesn't have to break the budget. For the tight wallet crew, Paris can be just as much fun, if not more.
Shelter
For people on an extreme budget, St. Christopher's Hostel looks like a good match. With prices as low as 20 Euros per night, if you don't mind sharing a room with ten other people - it might be the right fit for you.
There are a number of cheap hotels available within Paris as well. 50-60 Euro a night rooms are possible to be found once you're there, but they generally are pretty nasty rooms and you'll share bathrooms with the whole floor. If a nice, inexpensive hotel experience is what you're after there is just the right place for you.
Mama Shelter is the place to stay in my opinion. Free internet access and a really nice room and bed. En suite bathrooms and all for as low as 79 Euros a night, which is a steal for a boutique Paris hotel. In the 20th, just off Pere Lachaise Cemetery (Gambetta Stop, Metro Line 3).
Food
Cheap eats are everywhere in the city, just don't expect anything fancy. Street food is generally good and cheap, with Panini sandwiches a quick and easy meal nearly everywhere. However, for something sit-down on the fly, the recommendation is L'As du Falafel on Rue des Rosiers. (St. Paul Stop, Metro Line 1) Amazing falafel, and yours for under 7 dollars a sandwich.
Getting Around
Metro is the easy way to get around, as Paris is relatively compact. And the cheapest way to do it? The Paris Visite card, allows you access on the whole system for the day for just under 9 Euros.
Things to Do
Of course there is the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, but at more than 10 bucks, I'll take the postcard thank you. Paris is full of history and lots of things are worth watching for free. The Notre-Dame Cathedral doesn't cost anything to enter. Pere LaChaise cemetery, is full of interesting sites and also free. You too can plant a kiss on Oscar Wilde's tombstone or hang out with the hippies at Jim Morrison's grave. There are also over a dozen other free places to check out art if that's your thing. Gridskipper has a comprehensive list on that, as well.
In the end, Paris doesn't have to break the budget. For the tight wallet crew, Paris can be just as much fun, if not more.
Labels: cheap date, paris, travel
Monday, November 17, 2008
Cheap Date: New York City
The greatest cities in the world are often some of the most expensive cities in the world to stay in. However, with a little know how, and a sense of adventure, a great vacation in a world-class city can be made on a tin can budget. This is the first of an occasional series on this world traveler to show just how easy it can be. This week: New York City.
Housing
For a city of 8 million, affordable hotel availability seems relatively scarce. Even a Holiday Inn Express can run upwards of $200 a night on any given weekday. Staying across the Hudson in New Jersey might save you some cash, and looking into hotels near JFK airport might also save you some money, even though they are quite far away from most of the sights and scenes of the New York City that is worth experiencing. For the more adventurous, Loftstel might be the right place to stay. No private rooms, all bedrooms are shared with at least three other people, the stay seems like its in its own enclosed NYC house with gorgeous kitchen accomodations, free wi-fi and a lot of other extras. Starting at $25 a night, it might just be one of the best bargains out there in New York City.
Food
New York City is home to many of the world's best restaurants and any kind of food can be found here. If there was one thing worth splurging on in New York City, it would be the restaurants. But if the budget is tight, there are a number of places worth visiting.
The best fries in the city are undoubtedly at Pommes Frites off St. Marks. The regular size is extremely filling and affordable. It's possible to get filled with potatoes and any of 40 different frites sauces for under 6 dollars. Strongly recommended: the "Frites Sauce," a danish tangy mayonnaise that's available for free with the purchase of an order of fries.
Dirty water dogs are available at every street corner for about a dollar or two and they are quintessentially New York. They also may get you a little sick. For something that's an NYC hot dog tradition, skip the overpriced dogs at Nathan's and head to Gray's Papaya (3 locations in Manhattan including 37th Street and 8th Ave, just off the A/C/E subway lines at 34th st) for the "Recession Special." Two dogs and a drink for $4.45. Worried that the recession will be over before the visit is possible? No problem, the recession special is even available in boom times.
Looking for something with more bite? Try Oasis, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Amazing falafel, schwarma and just about everything else. Pricing is extremely reasonable too for a great takeout meal in one of the most happening neighborhoods in the city. (On 7 Street, just off the L train at Bedford Ave)
Getting Around
The best and cheapest way to get across New York City cheaply is the subway system. Day passes are available for just $7.50 and this will get you unlimited access for the day. Also, get a great view of the Statue of Liberty without paying to get there by taking the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island and back. The ride is free and offers some wonderful views.
Things To Do
There's so much to see and do in New York City, and much of it is cheap or free. Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Coney Island, Times Square. All those places are worth hitting up and they don't cost a dime. A lot of museums have free admission occasionally as well. The Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street is free on Friday evenings, and the New Museum on the Bowery in SoHo is free on Thursday nights. Also in more than a handful of spots in the city, ice skating is possible during the winter for just the cost of skate rental.
Looking for nightlife? That's a bit more costly, but there is one spot in Williamsburg where there's always live entertainment and never a cover charge. Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg (Lorimer Street, off the L train at Lorimer) hosts three or four performance a night ranging from indie rock to poetry readings and spelling bees. Plus $2 drafts for happy hour. It's one of the best values and most pleasant venues in the city.
There's plenty to do for very little money in New York City, enough to easily fill a weekend. NYC can definitely be a cheap date.
Housing
For a city of 8 million, affordable hotel availability seems relatively scarce. Even a Holiday Inn Express can run upwards of $200 a night on any given weekday. Staying across the Hudson in New Jersey might save you some cash, and looking into hotels near JFK airport might also save you some money, even though they are quite far away from most of the sights and scenes of the New York City that is worth experiencing. For the more adventurous, Loftstel might be the right place to stay. No private rooms, all bedrooms are shared with at least three other people, the stay seems like its in its own enclosed NYC house with gorgeous kitchen accomodations, free wi-fi and a lot of other extras. Starting at $25 a night, it might just be one of the best bargains out there in New York City.
Food
New York City is home to many of the world's best restaurants and any kind of food can be found here. If there was one thing worth splurging on in New York City, it would be the restaurants. But if the budget is tight, there are a number of places worth visiting.
The best fries in the city are undoubtedly at Pommes Frites off St. Marks. The regular size is extremely filling and affordable. It's possible to get filled with potatoes and any of 40 different frites sauces for under 6 dollars. Strongly recommended: the "Frites Sauce," a danish tangy mayonnaise that's available for free with the purchase of an order of fries.
Dirty water dogs are available at every street corner for about a dollar or two and they are quintessentially New York. They also may get you a little sick. For something that's an NYC hot dog tradition, skip the overpriced dogs at Nathan's and head to Gray's Papaya (3 locations in Manhattan including 37th Street and 8th Ave, just off the A/C/E subway lines at 34th st) for the "Recession Special." Two dogs and a drink for $4.45. Worried that the recession will be over before the visit is possible? No problem, the recession special is even available in boom times.
Looking for something with more bite? Try Oasis, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Amazing falafel, schwarma and just about everything else. Pricing is extremely reasonable too for a great takeout meal in one of the most happening neighborhoods in the city. (On 7 Street, just off the L train at Bedford Ave)
Getting Around
The best and cheapest way to get across New York City cheaply is the subway system. Day passes are available for just $7.50 and this will get you unlimited access for the day. Also, get a great view of the Statue of Liberty without paying to get there by taking the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island and back. The ride is free and offers some wonderful views.
Things To Do
There's so much to see and do in New York City, and much of it is cheap or free. Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Coney Island, Times Square. All those places are worth hitting up and they don't cost a dime. A lot of museums have free admission occasionally as well. The Museum of Modern Art on 53rd Street is free on Friday evenings, and the New Museum on the Bowery in SoHo is free on Thursday nights. Also in more than a handful of spots in the city, ice skating is possible during the winter for just the cost of skate rental.
Looking for nightlife? That's a bit more costly, but there is one spot in Williamsburg where there's always live entertainment and never a cover charge. Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg (Lorimer Street, off the L train at Lorimer) hosts three or four performance a night ranging from indie rock to poetry readings and spelling bees. Plus $2 drafts for happy hour. It's one of the best values and most pleasant venues in the city.
There's plenty to do for very little money in New York City, enough to easily fill a weekend. NYC can definitely be a cheap date.
Labels: budget travel, cheap date, cities, hostels, new york, new york city, tips, travel
