How much does a trip to Paris cost?

[Thelay]

additional question po:

1. ano po yung st. michael gate? dun daw kasi mag stop ang buses. once we enter andun na po ba lahat ng pilgrimage area? can we do it by walking?

2. how muh po usually ang bus fare dun?


i am considering DIY na din kasi mahal talaga ang tour.

Thank you

[mama squeak!]

^sis, check mo the map of the sanctuary here:

http://www.lourdes-france.org/include/plan_e.php

The St. Michel gate (D1 - I) is the main center gate but medyo malayo yung lalakarin mo to get to the basilica. There is another bus stop nearest to the church and is a side entrance. That's the St. Joseph's gate (C2 - II). There are a lot of souvenir shops outside this gate. If you're buying, buy from the inner stores kasi cheaper compared to the stores sa bukana.

The town is small and most of the hotels there are walking distance to the sanctuary. The nearer hotels to the sanctuary the more expensive of course. We stayed at the BW in front of the train station for convenience. From there it was a good 10-15 minutes leisurely stroll to the sanctuary. Ask the hotel staff for the short cut.

If you prefer to take the bus, the stop is just across the hotel (side of the train station). Not sure if there was an increase in bus fare from the last time we were there (2008), one way was EUR1.50 while a round trip/return ticket was EUR2.00

Try to stay at least overnight so you can join the candlelight procession. And if you're doing the baths, try to be in line at least 2 hours before they open as the lines get to be humongous. Check the same website I posted above for the schedule of activities.

 

[Thelay]

Whole day lang kami sa Lourdes kasi sa Toulouse na stay namin para dun na namin iwan ang gamit kasi maaga ang alis namin to Rome.

Thanks mama squeak, hindi na ako mag avail ng tour at malaki ang matitipid ko! =)

now ang problem ko na lang ang oras ng train sa Toulouse - matalbiau. sana may 6am. Nahihirapan akong makakuha ng schedule. I am thinking na walang schedule ang regional train. Sana lang talaga may maagang alis to lourdes.

[mama squeak!]

^This might help 

http://www.bonjourlafrance.com/trains_Toulouse_Matabiau_Train_Station_to_Lourdes_Train_Station_168_108.aspx

[Thelay]

OMG! 11am na pala kami makaka punta ng Lourdes. April 8 kasi kami andun, Sunday. alis sya ng 731 then andun ng 10:49. No choice na, kasi naka book na kami ng hotel and easyjet sa Toulouse. I-mamaximize na lang namin ang half day namin. Yung tour ganon din ang oras ng alis. So same lang din. Mag papa - late na lang kami ng alis sa Lourdes. Yung bath negative na talaga.

[mama squeak!]

^sis, do you really have to go to Lourdes? Kasi if you only have a short time bitin-bitin yun plus you will just be stressed. Baka ma-ngarag mother mo 

If I may make a suggestion, better stay in Toulouse and do a DIY city tour there. Maraming pwedeng makita sa Toulouse. The city center itself plus the churches there are awesome. The food is another great experience! If you stay within the center everything is walking distance. Medyo relax mode pa kayo ni mother  But of course it's all up to you, it is your trip anyway 

[Thelay]

yup sis... naku Lourdes talaga pinunta namin doon sa area na yun. Ayaw kasi ni mama mag overnight train kasi mapapagod sya sa Lourdes whole day next day. Now I am thinking rebooking flight or rent a car.

How much usual rate doon ng sasakyan? atleast mga 8am andun na kami sa Lourdes.

[mama squeak!]

^sis, if that's the case better just take the train from Toulouse. Renting a car for just a day will be more expensive and inconvenient. Wait na-confuse ako sa timings mo. You said you arrive at 11AM or 8AM?

[Thelay]

11 am pag train. if mag rent a car sana atleast 8am andun na kami sa lourdes.

Hays, sana makakita pa ako iba pang way to get to Lourdes early

[prettymom]

Hi to all:) how's Paris In December? We are planning to spend the holiday season there this year or February next year? Would it be too cold to walk around? We will be going with our 3 kids ( 9yo, 7th and 2 yo) I've tried a -2 deg temp and it's really cold, would it be like that during those months? Pwede kaya kaming maglakad around during those seasons? Thanks:) I'm so excited!

[mama squeak!]

^sis, please backread on this thread because that has already been discussed. If you have more questions after backreading then post them here.

 

[iggypop]

i just booked a Europe Escape Tour at expatexplore.com... am so excited!!!

next step airbnb naman. hopefully i'd still be able to book an affordable room, a week before the 2012 Olympics kami nasa London.

thanks mama squeak for the tips. i will definitely monitor this topic for more helpful info

[raven03]

Hi girls! I am finally able to get vacation days to go to Paris, I was wondering though, if I use AirBNB for my stay, will it be acceptable for my Schengen visa application? Or must I book a hotel for a day or two then transfer to my AirBnB accomodation?

Thanks!

[mama squeak!]

^If you use Airbnb you will be corresponding directly with the landlord. Your email correspondence detailing your stay confirmation will serve as your proof of accommodation that you can show the embassy official.

[lavieenrose]

^^ raven03: I have presented airbnb bookings on my visa application to the French Embassy.

[raven03]

Mama squeak and lavieenrose, thanks for the reply. I am so excited now, I gave up our Manila vacation for this 

I'm in the process of making our itinerary, I'll share it here once it's done. I'm looking at a week in Paris, around April 10-17. Ngayon pa lang, di na ko makatulog.   

[prettymom]

mama squeak I've spent a night or 2 back reading and I think I did'nt come across about the weather in February. Maybe December was discussed in passing but what was I asking was traveling with the kids, because we are planning to bring them. I've tried a single digit and a negative temperature and it was too cold to walk around and enjoy the scenery. Sometimes weather forecast aren't that accurate. I was asking for a first hand info of someone who've tried it. Thanks

[mama squeak!]

^February is still winter time, expect it to be cold and wet. Average temperature is still in the single digits. As you said weather can be unpredictable nowadays. You may have sunny days but it will still be very cold.

My personal experience when we used to live in London, during winter time we would only go out if really needed otherwise we'd just stay home. I have friends who went to Europe during Jan-Feb and isa lang ang lagi nilang comment: "sobrang lamig!"

Since you'll be travelling with your kids, preferable to travel during spring (late March to April) when the temperature is not that cold. Mas enjoy pa kayong mamasyal. And you won't have to pull them out from school (assuming you guys are from MNL).

You can also PM foxymom and [c-h-a] to get first hand info on how it was in Paris during December and January.

[foxymom]

Hi to all:) how's Paris In December? We are planning to spend the holiday season there this year or February next year? Would it be too cold to walk around? We will be going with our 3 kids ( 9yo, 7th and 2 yo) I've tried a -2 deg temp and it's really cold, would it be like that during those months? Pwede kaya kaming maglakad around during those seasons? Thanks:) I'm so excited!

we spent the last christmas-new year 2011 in paris! the city is heaven but the weather is cold. temp was low 30's F, so i think -2 to 5C. i think we were lucky because it wasn't that cold, the 2010 holidays it was snowing and temp was -10C. we had thermals, and 2 layers of clothes, and a down jacket. and an umbrella since there are intermittent rain showers

walking around is okay for the adults, but i think it will be very hard and uncomfortable for the children. for me ha, europe is not for kids. you will do a lot of walking and very little kiddie sights. if your kids are into the culture stuff, looking at paintings, nature, etc. then going there will be great. also, paris is not kid friendly. there are no escalators in the metro (subway), you have to carry your stroller thru one or 2 flights of stairs. the streets are narrow and usually full of people. hassle to have a stroller and maneuver thru the crowd.

   

[prettymom]

Mama squeak thanks sis. We wanna go there before the end of February next year because our bunso would only be paying the tax, she is yet to turn 2 by Feb 26, sayang naman.

Foxymom: you gave me something to think about sis.we are actually choosing where to spend the holiday, NYC or in France. Thanks