What would be the cheapest way for me to get to Paris, France from Boston, MA, USA? Passport is like $120, flights are like $2000/roundtrip, hostels are like $26/night. If anyone has any suggestions, I would be very much obliged. I’d be willing to live there in an Orwell’s Down And Out In Paris And London sort of lifestyle (would actually prefer it, I think). I’ve never been outside the US before, so if anyone has any experiance with this sort of thing, then please advise. Suggestions for further reading would be appreciated also.
I don’t plan on actually living there until I’ve learned at least a semester of French. (I think I can teach myself after that, either in France or otherwise.) I would like to visit sometime soon, though.
Adding to what Tripler said, France (of all places) is not a good option.
Orbitz.com found a Boston-Sydney (Australia) roundtrip flight for you, departing May 15 and returning August 22 this year (dates picked at random but at least 30 days from now) for only $1,849.00.
Hey, it’s not hard to pick up the local language, the folks are super-friendly, the food is terrific (as its the wine), and if you play your cards correctly, you can probably get a student visa (work while you’re there) and have a life experience no one else would believe!
Duckster, I like the cut of your jib (…or whatever). …“and have a life experiance no one else would believe”: that’s what I should have asked. Rephrased question:
Does anyone have any advice on how to set myself up to “have a life experiance no one else would believe” in Paris?
Just to clarify, though. Why would France not be such a good choice? I know it seems like a stupid question, but I had thought about it, and it I didn’t think it would be bad.
$2000 roundtrip?! The current low price on my Travelocity farewatcher is $234 on IcelandAir.
People are probably commenting on the current state of political relations between the US and France, but that’s a topic for a different forum.
I found a decent hotel for $50/night last year, you can find hostels and the like for much less. Paris is a fun city, but don’t expect to find stuff like you’ve read in stories from the 1930’s. It’s a bit different over there now.
first, ignore the fact that people are saying not to go to france. if you want to go then go. seeing that you are attempting to learn the language and the culture, i’m sure that most people will be quite open and friendly to you.
second, $2000 is way too much for a round trip ticket. expect to pay more around $400-600. search around for different fares. my family has found a lot of good deal for international travel during off season. i think we’ve flown for as low as $250 a ticket. (keep in mind though that it was when the airlines were doing price wars)
third, as in any big city, watch out for yourself. keep a good eye and a firm grip on your belongs when you’re out in the city.
fourth, don’t bother with tours and all those type things. find things you’d like to do on your own. get into the life rather then the tourist attractions. i had more fun with the every day life things then the major attractions. i hardly remember the top of the eiffle tower, but i remember breakfasts i’ve had there.
overall just enjoy yourself… and if you get a chance, swing by germany. frankfurt is one of my favorite places to be. always had a blast at the night clubs and the people were always so nice to me.
one energy, don’t believe these nay-sayers telling you to stay away from France. Yes, there is wide displeasure with the United States government, but not with American people. Now as to your query: it’s really not terribly difficult to set yourself up in Paris. After college a couple years ago, I ran off to Paris and lived there for 6 months. Granted, I was able to get a work permit since I was a recent graduate, which made finding work much easier. But there are lots of places that will hire you under the table, mostly in bars and restaurants. Housing can be cheap, but difficult to come by. You will find cheaper apartments if you’re staying for the entire summer (I was leaving in June, so ended up paying far more than I should have). If you’re willing to take a small studio with a bathroom down the hall, I had a number of friends who were paying only $175-200 a month for their places. You really have to look around, and network through friends.
As for the Orwell experience, that’s for you to make for yourself. Meet lots of people, spend time hanging out in hole in the wall and out of the way cafes and bars, and soak up the city. But don’t go expecting to re-create some Henry Miller-esque Quiet Days in Clichy lifestyle. It’s just not the same, obviously. But you can live affordably and enjoyably. You just need to be relaxed, outgoing, and willing to put up with a lot of crap. Go ahead and email me if you have other specific questions.
The cheapest method of airfare is to find a tourgroup going over. Lots of senior citizens groups and ski-clubs go, and get group rates. I went round trip to Japan with a ski-group for $1300 including hotel, lift tickets, equipment rentals, airfare, and dinner every night. And most groups are more than willing to let you piggyback on their airfare rates without using the rest of the trip because the more people they have the cheaper their rates. Check it out.
If you’re really looking for the cheapest way to get to France, try to find a sailboat that needs crew members. You can go for free or extremely cheap, and it’s a lot more adventurous than flying in a commercial airliner. There are tons of places on the internet to get hooked up with a boat. Here are some sites to get started:
How, exactly, do you plan on earning money once you get there?
My advice? Get a wee bit older, get a job, save some cash…enough to live on for at least a year.
By that time you will have come to your senses, realized you will have a better life here in the US, and will be able to take a 2 week vacation in France where you can make fun of the people, and look down on the country as a whole.
Well, Spit’s post makes one good point anyway - you won’t be able to work there, unless you have an EU passport or French work visa - and those are incredibly difficult to come by.
My advice is to take the excess money you’ve budgeted for your airline ticket and use it to get a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. With one of those* you’ll have a decent chance of getting work in a European country (although probably not France) even without a work visa.
[sub]*You probably could get a teaching gig without one, but it will increase your chances.[/sub]
Sheesh, I was in France just a month and a half ago and the French were never less than gracious, despite my nearly total lack of comprehension of the French language. I did see a protest against the war and Bush, but the protestors were having entirely too good of a time (happy, smiling, singing songs, playing music) for me to feel even vaguely threatened. So I don’t think you have any reason to hesitate regarding a trip to France.
Check out the Eurotrip.com boards. I believe there is one about working in other countries. I love Paris! Very dog friendly place, too. Just watch your step. Bon voyage!
Another option, now that I think about it: one opportunity a lot of younger males (especially those without working papers) jump on is to head south during the grape harvest season. You’ll find an absolutely very different perspective, get a lot of great stories, and make a little bit of money. I knew two Americans who did this – but I’m not sure if they knew which vineyard they were going to before they left Paris – and had an amazing few months in the South.
Definitely don’t go over unless you have something of a nest egg put away. I recommend at least $2000 to start with in Paris, since you’ll need to make deposits on your lodgings, etc, etc. And yes, $2000 is way too much to pay for airfare.
One cheap way might be to take a flight to Frankfurt, Germany and then a train to Paris. Look at airlines from the former Soviet Republics, a lot of times you can get really cheap fares to Germany on them. Try Air Moldova, I’ve flown them a lot and they are very inexpensive.
Bon voyage!