France is one of the most popular European countries to visit, especially among Americans. Therefore, it only makes sense that it is also one of the most expensive. There are many ways to spend a lot of money visiting France, but quite a few ways to spend a modest amount, as well. If you plan correctly, you too can visit France on a budget.
Instructions
1. Purchase your airline tickets well in advance. As is the case with almost all airfare, the further in advance you buy your tickets, the cheaper they will be. Don't just contact the airlines themselves, however. There are many online options for discounted tickets overseas, especially if you've given yourself several months to plan ahead of time. You may find that your ticket to France will be cheaper than a ticket to an American city!
2. Fly into a major city and take the train the rest of the way. One of the best things about travel in Europe is the intricate and well-run rail system. Take advantage of a cheaper flight into a busy airport like Paris' Charles de Gaulle, then take an inexpensive train ride the rest of the way to your destination city. You will save yourself hundreds of dollars.
3. Stay in an area that is off the beaten path. Staying in Paris can be expensive, but Perpignon, in the south of France, can be a relative bargain. Some of the beautiful, mid-sized towns in France offer all of the modern amenities of Paris, but only charge a fraction of the cost.
4. Stay in a gite instead of a hotel. If you love the countryside, a gite is the way to go. Pronounced jeet, these lodgings are usually run by a family or single person, are almost always on a farm in the French countryside and usually have all of the comforts of home. It is very common to find a gite that has a full kitchen, living room and bedroom. In addition to being out of the way and unique, they are incredibly inexpensive. A standard gite costs between 200 and 500 Euros a week. That's roughly $300 to $800 in U.S. currency.
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