Fancy a weekend break in Paris but worried about the cost? Take a read through this two night trip to Paris on a room only basis including Eurostar tickets for just £135 per person. Didn't think it was possible? Read on…
When you look at weekend breaks in Paris, many of the cheaper hotels are outside of the city centre and ultimately can mean lots of travelling while in Paris, but don't be deceived, areas such as Saint Denis and La Defense, the popular business districts get quiet at weekends and that means cheap hotel rates with lastminute.com.
Located in zones two and three (respectively) of the Parisian Metro, if you are going to be a three day Paris Metro Pass (which includes travel for zones 1-3 on both the Metro and buses), La Defense and Saint Denis are excellent choices. If you are arriving into Paris on the first train of the day and want to drop your things at your hotel while you explore the sights of Paris, Saint Denis is only a couple of stops from the Gare du Nord Eurostar station. Although quiet areas, they do offer some good discounts.
My favourite budget hotel is the Adagio Access Saint Denis Pleyel Hotel, located just a few hundred metres from the Stade de France railway station in Saint Denis, and steps from Carrefour Pleyel station (with direct Metro links to the Champs Elysees). Although only a two star rating, this low-cost accommodation is a great option if you're on a budget weekend in Paris and only really need a place to sleep, and even more so if you are in town for a concert or match at the Stade de France.
This basic apartment hotel, run and owned by the Accord chain of hotels, is clean and comfortable with a fridge, microwave, sink and hob in each room. There isn't much in the area for food shopping so be sure to pick a few necessities at the Gare du Nord when you arrive. On the other hand, continental breakfast at the hotel is available at a supplement.
From here on in, Paris is yours to discover. For the culture vultures on a cheap weekend break, there's a world of museums and galleries waiting to be discovered. Of course, no visit should be complete without visiting the main sites of the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, Champs Elysees and Notre Dame. Being such a popular tourist destination, tour groups can fill up pretty quickly so make sure you get there early or around lunchtime to avoid the queues.
The quickest way to get around the city is by Metro. Paris Metro Passes are available to purchase and allow unlimited travel within the particular zones that your pass covers. A three day pass is £20.14 per person.
Another favourite of mine is the trusty open top bus tours, an easy way to get around the city and a handy city tour too. A two day ticket costs €29pp with a comprehensive tour of the main sightseeing attractions. Note, however, that this is a central city tour and so does not go as far as areas such as Gare du Nord, Saint Denis or La Defense.
We found this trip, leaving on the first Eurostar out of London St Pancras at 5:40am on a Friday, arriving into Paris Gare du Nord station at 9:17am. With a full Friday and Saturday at your leisure, the 11:07am train on the Sunday whisks you back to London for 12:30pm, leaving you the afternoon to get back home, chill out, and get an early night before work the next day. Booking in advance will get you the best fares and Eurostar fares are released 3 months in advance. This return journey was £69pp.
Two nights at the 2-star Adagio Access Paris Saint Denis Pleyel was on offer at £45.21pp excluding breakfast in a standard room.
