I received an email the other day from a reader who wanted to get an idea of how much it would cost to stay in Paris for two weeks. Unfortunately the person in question didn't provide me with any other information such as: How many people are involved? Did she also want to know what the airfare might cost? And other such details which would obviously influence the amount of money one might spend during two weeks here.
But I did my best to address her question in general terms, because really there is no way to put an exact price tag on what it MIGHT cost to stay here... since every tourist's idea of "value for the buck" is going to be different.
Paris, as you probably realize by now, is one of the most expensive cities in the world in which to take a vacation, and live. A Coca-Cola purchased in any sidewalk café could run you as much as 7 euros, which at today's exchange rate is the US equivalent of $9.90. NINE DOLLARS AND NINETY CENTS FOR A COKE? I hear you screaming. YES. Exactly. It sucks. You see my point. And for the Aussies it's worse: that SAME little glass bouteille de Coca will cost our friends from down-under a whopping $12 AUD. TWELVE! Just to take the Pause that Refreshes. It's cheaper to order a glass of house wine or a beer (that will run you between 3-5 Euros or $5-7 USD), but of course you can't serve that to your kids unless of course you WANT them to get drunk and sleep off the jet lag.
Of course, there are also cafés where a Coke will only run you 3 or 4 euros (still $5-6 USD though). And you can walk into any grocery store and take one out of the cooler (and it might even be cold) for about 2 euros. It's all relative. The restaurants and cafés in the more touristy areas will always charge a significant markup because they know they've got you -- the unsuspecting tourist -- just where they want you. You can eat cheaper by buying a sandwich and bottle of water for your lunch, in any boulangerie, and sitting in a park while you eat it -- thus saving your money for a nice dinner out. You can also try one of Paris' many ethnic restaurants if you like Thai, Vietnamese or Indian food, which always seem to cost less than those "authentic" Parisian bistros, and the food will be plentiful.
Then there is the price of a hotel room. Like New York City or any big international city, on average you will find that the hotel rooms in Paris are pricey and small. You'll pay more to stay at the center of the city nearest the major tourist attractions than if you're willing to stay in a hotel in one of the outer arrondissements. You'll pay more if you insist on a 4 or 5 star luxury hotel with room service and a chocolate on your pillow than if you can get by with a 3 or even 2 star accommodation that's clean but basic. You'll pay more if you come at the peak of tourist season -- uh, NOW -- than if you come in, say, February.
If you're here for a week or more, one way you can probably save some money and still have a really nice experience is to consider renting a furnished apartment instead of staying in a hotel. This is a particularly smart move if you're traveling with children who are picky eaters, because you can shop at the local supermarket and street marché (like a REAL Parisian!) for the foods they like, and eat some of your meals at "home". Even if you're on your own, staying in an apartment will give you a sense of being a local, if just for those few days you're here, and you'll have more space in which to move around than you would in a hotel room. Check www.vrbo.com for Vacation Rentals By Owner in Paris; it's where I found my adorable apartment in the 15th, before I met Georges.
As with any vacation, asking what it will cost before you've determined what you can really AFFORD is sort of like putting the cart before the horse. You really need to figure out some idea of what your budget is... and then design your vacation plans around THAT. If you can afford a $10,000 trip to Paris, then you'll be staying at the Ritz or the Plaza Athénée and taking taxis everywhere; if you can afford $2,000, you'll be staying at a 2-star hotel in the 20th and taking the metro or bus.
Yes, Paris is expensive. But it's PARIS. So what's the problem? You want to come? Then just come... the city awaits you with open arms... and a $12 cheeseburger.
At least you won't have to leave a tip for it.
