Travel for Pennies

To experience Paris to its fullest, you need to be prepared to walk – a lot. The winding streets and cobblestone roads are a pleasure to explore, but don’t forget your walking shoes. The best way to get around is by searching on foot, because it allows you to pick up on all the intricate details of this beautiful European city.  However, it is a large city and has a great metro system that is speedy and will get you right where you need to be; there is nearly a metro station on every street corner. You’ll need a metro map to understand all the routes and directions, but they are very easy to read.

If you know that you’ll be using the metro quite often, pick up a short-term metro pass. It will alleviate the travel process and will make going in and out of the metro station simple. Make sure you keep your ticket for the entire journey because tickets are frequently checked on the way out of metro stations. A great option is getting the Paris Visite pass for unlimited journeys for five days or less. You can choose one of two travel zones: either the city center zones and the entire metro system, or a broader range of zones that extends to the Charles de Gaulle airport.

Many attractions are right off the metro line, including the French Open. You can easily buy a 5-day metro pass for the tournament, which starts May 24th and lasts through June 7th. There are many hotels located nearby the tournament that have the French Open schedule and are also off the metro line. If you are planning to attend Wimbledon as well, public transportation is also the recommended way to travel. Tennis for all!

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Paris is unarguably the most romantic city in the world. The lights, glamour and passion surging through the European destination are palpable. Many tourists planning their first trip to Paris are often overwhelmed by the dozens of spectacular attractions and activities to take part in. But travelers should not feel the burden of over-preparing – going to Paris should be a relaxed, fly by the whim sort of adventure. There are so many fascinating sights, but let the city be your guide and inspiration be your compass.

Although it’s important to maintain flexibility and simplicity in planning, making the best of your trip still requires some preparation. A great way to save money is to look into passes for all the great attractions. Most museums accept a universal museum pass that will definitely come in handy if you plan on going to all the great attractions, like the Louvre, and monuments. Plan your schedule accordingly if you want to see all the major attractions. For example, if you want to stop by the Eiffel Tower, do it early in the morning, when the air is crisp and the crowds are minimal.

If you are planning on going to the French Open 2009, look for tickets immediately. They go fast and you don’t want to miss out on all the excitement. The Wimbledon results are also thrilling. Happening just a few weeks after the Paris tournament, Wimbledon live can make a fun getaway while you stay in Paris. Tennis galore!
Don’t over-think your trip to Europe. Make it fun and casual, and never let the planning process take away from experiencing the city’s beauty.

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