Do such things as senior reduced rates for museums exist in Paris? Spain was wonderful about that. Some places were even free (I think the Fundacio Miro was one of them - and it was wonderful.) Other places were often half price. Pretty nice.
And what about Amsterdam, Berlin, and Buenos Aires?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
I think in Paris the seniors discounts are only available to EU citizens.. but there are a few free museums, the two I can think of ,, the Shoah ( Halocaust) Museum in the Marias and the Carnlevent ( think I spelt that wrong) are both free and both very good.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23457 posts
The only place we have found that consistently offered discounts to US seniors was Spain. You can ask elsewhere but mostly it is restricted to EU seniors. Have no idea about Buenos Aires since it is not in Europe.
Posted by
OP
La Conner, WA, usa
97 posts
Darn. Wonder if there is an AARP international....
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33183 posts
Buenos Aires?
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
@ Nigel - if I'm not mistaken, back in 1945 that Berlin to Buenos Aires route was pretty popular.
Posted by
OP
La Conner, WA, usa
97 posts
Buenos Aires would be a different trip. But I like the idea of traveling from B to B places : ) Barcelona, Berlin, BA, Bali, Beijing.... : )
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32253 posts
Linda, From what I've observed in Europe, Senior's Discounts are usually only available to E.U. residents. This is sometimes corroborated by the Guidebooks. There seems to be a difference between countries in terms of what age they recognize one as being a "Senior". I can qualify for some Senior's discounts here, but I'm not 65 yet so can't qualify for all of them. I'll have to check my CARP membership to see if they have any information on discounts in Europe. Cheers!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7529 posts
FWIW, when I was at the Castle of the Count (Gravensteen) in Gent, Belgium in 2010, they cheerfully offered me a discount for age 60, and accepted a photocopy of my passport page as proof.
Posted by
Redmond, WA
295 posts
Well, I'm 63 and I usually get the senior discount (we spend 8 weeks every summer in Europe). French rail is really nice about it. I think they extend it to you more often if you request it in French or in German. Some preparation with the correct terms and rules helps you along - the web sites are pretty good sources for the guidelines. Museum and rail staff are some of the friendliest people along the way, in my experience.
Posted by
OP
La Conner, WA, usa
97 posts
So is retired the same as unemployed?
Posted by
Redmond, WA
295 posts
No, retired and unemployed aren't the same for France. You can get an extended visa to stay for 6 months (or more) when you prove you are retired with sufficient income and medical insurance for Europe. They are quite happy to have you spend your retirement dollars (as Euros) in France, so long as you won't be a burden on the medical system or look for a job.
Posted by
Berlin, Germany
337 posts
Here in Berlin the State Museums of Berlin (Staatliche Museen zu Berlin), do not grant reduced ticket prices for any seniors or retirees -- German, EU, or otherwise.
That is also true for the German History Museum (DHM), the Fernsehturm and the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. Actually the only organization of even marginal interest for tourists offering senior rates here in Berlin that I know of is the "Stern- und Kreisschifffahrt", a company offering river sightseeing cruises.