some questions from a first time traveller

b,

That's probably not the most ideal time to travel as the weather could be miserable and of course over Christmas, some places willl be closed. I never travel at that time of year but hopefully some of the group here will be able to provide some information on what to expect.

As this is your first trip to Europe, I'd recommend reading Europe Through The Back Door prior to the trip. It provides a lot of good information on "how" to travel in Europe. If you're only visiting Paris, one of the Paris guidebooks (either the full version or the pocket version) would also be a good idea as they provide hotel listings, transportation and sightseeing information.

Of course you could also consider a Paris tour as that would provide a more interesting and informative experience for your first trip to Europe, and it would provide you with some "travel skills" to use on future trips.

Happy travels!

There really isn't a bad time in Paris. In fact, of all the times I've been there, only once was in a "warm" month (September). Of course its nice to walk around without bundling up, but it is a real city with lots going on all the time. There will have to be some adjustment for closures on Christmas day. The RS staff can inform you about that. So if that is when you have time window, don't let the season slow you down.
edit- You will have some other expenses while you are there, half your dinners, lunches, souvenirs. I'd say $500 on top of the tour price would be very comfortable, less if you want to skimp on meals, but hey, its Paris. Airline tickets don't look that bad right now, depending on where you are flying from.

I think Paris at that time would be lovely with the realization that you are getting winter Paris, whatever weather that may bring. As for cost, I would add another $500 to that price. This of course is without knowing what your hotel price preference is, what kind of credit/debit card you have, etc.

Whoopee for you!

What you're going to find out is that you go where you can when you can - - and screw everything else.

Don't take a tour. Go it alone. That way you can dork it all up and learn faster.

But your question was about money. If the two grand doesn't include airfare, you're fat. I'd be fat on a grand - - seven-fifty if I needed to watch it - - maybe six if times were tight. You haven't fessed up to where you live, so it's hard to guess what your number means.

Christmas in Paris... sounds like a dream to me. I was there last year at the beginning of Dec. and it was perfect. I dressed in layers, prepared for it to be cold, and thoroughly enjoyed it all. Cheaper time to travel (although Christmas week may be more)
and far fewer lines than in the summer. I think it's a better way to get the 'feel' of a city than when it is crammed full of tourists. You can certainly go alone, but if it is your first trip and you want a bit of security there are some tours that leave you plenty of free time to go off on your own, but even the airport in Paris can be a bit overwhelming and if you say you have never flown before you might want to consider a tour. If you choose to do an RS tour that is great, but there is a company that someone recommended here for me and it is called GoAhead... a bit cheaper. Even though I am not a tour person I hopped on a Paris last minute one a few years ago and it was a great value (deep discount for last minute) and the logistics were all handled. It was what I needed at the time and made it so easy.

You don't make it clear whether you are considering the tour, or if you will do this trip independently.

Five years ago I arrived in Paris several days after Christmas and spent 10 nights there. Lodging will probably be higher than if you went before Christmas or after New Years. Many places charge High Season prices. You might get lucky and find one that doesn't. Daylight hours are short, but Paris is beautiful when it is lit up. The holiday decorations are beautiful and you should find Christmas markets open. Museums will be closed on Christmas, but I would think you would find restaurants open in the Marais, which is the Jewish area.

As for how much to save, first you need to determine how much your airfare will be. I saved quite a bit by flying over ON Christmas Day. Then take a look at hotel costs to figure out how much you will need for that. You can choose between hostels, high end hotels, and everything in between. Read a guidebook to see how much you will need for the attractions you want to see. For food you can buy food at the store, eat at high end restaurants, and everything in between. We don't know your desires.

Whatever you choose, Paris is a fabulous city any time of year!!

I've been to Paris over Christmas, and as long as you realize that it's a brief high season in terms of tourist traffic (meaning, expect long lines at poplar museums and monuments), it's a great time to visit. As others mentioned, the city is very wel illuminated, so the short hours of daylight won't affect your plans that much. And the Christmas decorations are beautiful. Not gaudy and overwhelming like you see in the US sometimes (ie, no giant inflatable snow globes), but restrained and tasteful. It won't be sunny and warm, but probably more mild than you might expect. Go for it.

As usual, Ed's got it right.
You should be fine.

One thing to keep in mind when planning winter travel is Mother Nature. A blizzard, a snowstorm, a wintery mix can shut down an airport and causes hundreds, thousands of flight cancellations of both originating and connecting flights. You could easily lose a day or 2 or even 3 of your planned time to down time in Newark, or Frankfurt. (I know this from personal experience.)

So if you are planning to fly over to join a tour, it would be wise to plan to arrive there a day or two ahead of the tour's start date, instead of arriving the morning of. The tour WILL leave without you.

When you have flight cancellations/delays/ re-bookings, you increase the chance of your checked luggage not arriving when you do, so it's even more important during the winter to fly carryon only, or to at least have all your real necessities and some extra clothing changes in your carry on.

Good, if sometimes conflicting, advice. If you don't travel solo often, and if Christmas/New Year are important to you, I would say take the tour - you'll have company for those celebration days. Also, sight visits will be planned and you won't have to deal with figuring out closings, shorter hours on holidays, etc.

About money: it's Christmas, some shopping may be irresistible, so use the axiom to take more money and less luggage.

If you are thinking of an RS tour, fgure out what you need for meals that aren't provided and then how much you want to spend per day. Take an ATM card for withdrawing cash (don't take dollars and exchange them there), a credit card as backup, and be sure to call your bank and credit card company to let them know you will be using the card(s) in France, otherwise they may block your card for unusual activity and an international phone call to correct the problem will take time and money.

Thank you everyone for the helpful and friendly advice. I am going solo but was using the tour price as an estimate. If I can save that but do it cheaper all the better. With something like lodging it does not need to be luxe just clean, friendly and a place I feel safe walking around on my own especially with shorter daylight hours. Definitely plan on looking at the reviews and tips on this forum and pulling out my, few years old, Rick Steves guide.

Your biggest expense will be airfare, and your next biggest will be accommodation. Here's my budget breakdown from my last European trip in September 2012:

I flew into Paris (spent 8 nights there) and out of London. My airfare cost $1,300 (STL - Dulles - CDG and LHR - EWR - STL) and my hotel costs were about $750.

After those expenditures, you have to factor in money for food, attractions, souvenirs, and transport. I ate on the cheap (3-euro sandwiches and 5-euro crepes, fruit and snacks from grocery stores, etc.) and bought inexpensive souvenirs like postcards and magnets. I did go to a museum every day, and Versailles for a day trip, but I purchased the 6-day Museum Pass which saved me 5 euros and lots of time waiting in lines.

Your flight may be cheaper depending on the time of year and which airport(s) you can fly out of and into. And your hotel cost may be cheaper. But to me, $1,995 for one week in Paris is a lot of money. You can certainly visit for cheaper.

That said, if you feel more comfortable going on a tour, since this is your first time out of the country, that may be worth the extra money. You are paying for all that convenience - transport, museums, meals - which you'd plan for yourself if you decide not to go on a tour. For most of us on here, planning is half the fun and we learn a lot about travel in the process.