Daughter (age 20) is currently doing study abroad in Europe. Has planned to take her one week break in Paris starting 10/23/10.
- What areas would be the best to stay in, given there may be metro strikes going on? Something safe, nice local atmosphere, walking distance to main sites (30-40 minute walk is fine), but through safe areas. Hostels or budget hotels would be preferable. She'll be on her own for a few days, maybe longer, depending on the travel situation for others. She sent me the review to St. Christopher hostel, but the area looks somewhat industrial.
- What would be the best way to get from Brussels to Paris? She was planning on Eurostar, but seems there may be problems on that route.
I'd suggest she skip Paris, but this is her only chance to get there in the foreseeable future.
Thanks.
Posted by
Pantego, NC, USA
1014 posts
Look into Eurolines.com for bus transport from Brussels to Paris. Not a bad trip. In Paris, if she gets a hotel in the central core, she can walk to almost every place she needs to and does not have to take the Metro or Train. The buses are still running, I read, but they probably are really full now. Back to walking. Look at an Etap or Ibis hotel. Some are in the outskirts and some are closer in. Maybe someone else will chime in about good hotels/hostels in the single digit paris arrondissements.
If staying a week, she might want to look into a studio apt. I have found that they are cheaper than a hotel/hostel and cleaner.
Posted by
Kingston, Wa, USA
18 posts
Therese- I just got back from a week in Paris two days ago. I had a hotel snafu and had to change at the last second. I got a a room at the Grand Hotel des Goeblins and found it to be a great deal. It is in the Latin Quarter and has everything either in the hotel itself or a VERY short walk (Supermarket right next door, laundry about 100 feet up the street, Metro stop 1/2 block away). I felt safe and was out until all hours of the night. I ended up booking this place through Expedia, but can also be booked online through the hotel website. I believe it cost around 80 Euro a night and that includes free Wi-Fi in your room and breakfast every morning. Hope this helps a bit.
Posted by
OP
new york
2 posts
Thank you! I'll let her know about these suggestions. Things seem to be getting worse by the day there, and the terror alert on top of it all! Even if she does get there, may be difficult to get to the airport and get her flight back. She's willing to take on the adventure, but might be more than she bargained for.
I really appreciate the advice.
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Therese - the situation does indeed get worse by the day. If this is the absolutely only opportunity she has to get to Paris and she would absolutely regret not attempting to get there before leaving Europe, then it's worth a try - if she has patience, wits and can keep a cool head. Train is the easiest way to get from Brussels to Paris, but that means having to also watch the situation with the Belgium rail workers strikes as well. The bus mentioned previously is another option. Given the youth uprisings of late (and police responses), I would strongly advise her to avoid any large groups of high school and college aged students. Normally, I would suggest the Latin Quarter might be a great place to stay, but given the history of this area during strikes, I would not advise it. I'm not familiar enough with any hostels in Paris to make any recommendations, but you can check out reviews on tripadvisor to get some more insight.
Last, I'd suggest she plan to leave a day or two before she needs to be back at school "just in case" it takes a few days to get back.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
26 posts
I stayed in the Young & Happy hostel in Paris as a single 26-year-old back in 2006 and it was great. The neighborhood was nice and accessible. There is a supermarket next door and two metro stops nearby.
I'm heading back for the first time in November and I'm hoping I don't have big problems, also!