3 college aged girls looking for a cheap safe place to stay in Paris

Etap on Rue Dr. Babinski is about 60E per night, in-suite and sleeps 3. Two on a bottom queen bed and one on a twin top bunk.

If you don't necessarily yearn for the youth hostel experience, you might try:

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p210926

It's the apartment we stayed in just 2 minutes walk to Notre Dame, on the livliest "party" street around (I mean that in a good way) but in the back, so also very quiet. The rate is $1000 for the week, but that's only $50/person/night which is not that much more than a youth hostel.

They provide free phone service to USA, too!

Abbie,

You might have a look at www.hihostels.com/dba/Hostels-Paris-list.php?lang=E&city=FR%7C0048 for Hostel listings, as they have four properties in Paris. I've found that as HI is part of a "chain", the facilities tend to be somewhat consistent from one location to another.

They usually offer 4-bed Dorms, so that would be a good choice for your group (almost a private room, especially if the fourth bed isn't occupied). The cost is about €22 per night, per person and that includes breakfast.

As there are four locations, you can choose a Hostel in whichever area you prefer to stay.

If you'd prefer a budget Hotel, check the Paris Guidebook for listings in different parts of Paris. The Rue Cler area is popular with many of the group here, and it's within walking distance from the Eiffel Tower and other sites.

Happy travels!

I've stayed twice in the past 4 years (most recently with my sister in October 09) at the Hotel Cluny Sorbonne which is in the Latin quarter right across the street from the Sorbonne and a few blocks from the Seine and Notre Dame. There is a room on the(5th?) floor that sleeps 3 that has two dormer windows with a view of the Panteon. I highly recommend it. Reasonable rates,very helpful staff and good cafes nearby. My sister and I felt quite safe.

Maybe it's just me, but I think any question starting with "3 college aged girls looking for..." ought to get more responses than this ;-)

Residence Du Palais, it was a pension, pretty cheap, clean and right across the street from Jardin Du Luxembourg

Do what John said. It's the all-time great deal in town.

Hotel Royal Phare right at the Ecole Militaire Metro and a view to the Eiffel Tower was very cheap...for Paris.

I toured this place for a Girl Scout group.

http://www.fiap.asso.fr/index-en.html

It was my first choice. I have stayed at the Marriott in the area and have never felt unsafe. It's couple of blocks from the Metro so even though it's in the 14thw you can get places pretty fast

They have some rooms that sleep three and have two showers and sinks which would work great for three women!

(I didn't get to stay here as it was sold out by the time we got organized)

Three Ducks Hostel is a lot of fun. Very social place with a wine bar too.

Definitely a younger backpacker crowd.

On re-reading your post, you did not say how long in Paris. If over 5 days, an apartment might be cheaper and better. VRBO has been mentioned by several as a good source. There are several more. Do a search on this web site for paris apartments or a google search will turn up hundreds. Can be cheaper than hotels and an apt. gives you the freedom to fix some meals wich can save a lot of loot.

We cut our food bill by 30% by eating some meals, especially a late dinner, at our apt. instead of eating out. We ate some breakfasts in and some out, and had wonderful lunches at different restaurants. The same meal at dinner would be almost double.

Also, all restaurants and bars have food prices and or pricefix meals posted on the outside or behind a window. Read them and decide on a meal. DO NOT order off the menu unless you have a really big charge account. Most restaurants/bars, away from the tourist areas, have lunches in the 9 to 16 Euro range, which includes 3 courses, and if lucky 4. A half liter of table wine will add 6-8 Euro to the meal and will give all of you a glass.

Rue Saint Ouen, going away from central Paris, has wonderful restaurants. You can walk for blocks and the smells are great. You can also buy cooked chickens, prepaired vegies, wine, cheese, deserts and bread at stores and take back to eat at your apt. Do nto stock up however. Bakers only use fresh ingredients and bread and deserts will spoil in two days if not eaten. Only buy what you can eat in the day/evening or the next morning.

Also Picard stores sell frozen foods. Wonderful deserts and TV type dinners are cheap and good.

John;

"DO NOT order off the menu unless you have a really big charge account."

What's that mean?

Admittedly, you and I are the only two who champion St Ouen, but you've really thrown me here.

Ordering of the menu means, to me, taking a menu from a waiter, and ordering each course separately. If you took a pricefix meal, lets say 11 Euro, and ordered it separately, a salad, a main course and a desert, the meal would cost at lest 18-20 Euro or more, for the same food. That is why I said eat from the pricefix menu posted, not from a menu.

Got it. Thought you had a secret code to find out what was available but not listed.