Student Travel, Cheap Student Holidays and Cheaper Worldwide Student Travel

A Students Guide to Paris

Paris, the city of love, well, especially during the winter periods. It's not your typical student dig, but the culture, lifestyle and atmosphere make it an ideal place to visit. As we all know, every student is strapped for that bit of cash to help them along the way, and introducing a holiday into the picture can tend to hit the big exit sign. Now, you think of Paris as, glamorous, expensive and certainly not suitable for those with very little expenditure. However, with this, you are wrong. Paris offers some of the world's most beautiful attractions and as an EU student between the ages of 18 – 25 years; you can visit these places at a discount price.

• Eiffel Tower: €11.80 to the top or €6.60 to the second floor
• The Louvre: Free admission
• Art De Triumph: Free admission
• Musee d'Orsay: Free admission
• Centre Pompidou: Free admission on the first Sunday of every month, or it is €12 admission every other day
• Buttes Chaumont Park: Free admission
• Truskel Pub: An indie kid pub, open until 5am with great drinks and two rooms dedicated to music.
• Notre Dame Cathedral: Free admission
• Notre Dame Bridge (Padlock Bridge): Free, but make sure you purchase a padlock and attach it to the bridge. It's a great symbolism of love, one attaches the lock and the other launches the keys into the river. You can purchase a padlock from supermarkets in Paris, or bring your own from home.
• Cemetery: Free admission (Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are buried here)
• Seinne River: Free admission to walk along, but if you have a bit more money to spend, you can take a boat tour along the river

Everything in Paris is very much in walking distance, or it's a hop on the metro for a five-minute journey to your chosen location. The metro is very similar to the tube in London, it takes at least half an hour to understand the map, but its quick and easy access, makes it the ideal travel route. Depending on the length of your trip, there are various metro tickets to purchase:

• Day Pass: Zone 1-3: €9 Zone 1-6: €18.90
• Two Day Pass: Zone 1-3: €14.70 Zone 1-6: €28.90
• Three Day Pass: Zone 1-3: €20 Zone 1-6: €40.50
• Five Day Pass: Zone 1-3: €28.90 Zone 1-6: €49.90

The ideal zone sections are those between 1-3 as it is central Paris in which these zones are located. The more centre you go, the higher the prices. Finding the back streets in Paris is key in obtaining cheap prices and those hidden gems. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try out the flea markets. They are all over Paris, but just remember, that on Sunday and Monday, most businesses are closed. This is because it is a dominant Christian country. It is a country that is derived in art, it ventures on to the concepts of wealth within its art, through the colours, styles and images used to portray its meanings. It's the perfect place to visit if you're just feeling that culture boost.

As the capital of France, eating out is expensive, but try not to eat at the restaurants on the main streets. There are many down side roads, which offer authentic French food at an ideal price. Get into the spirit and venture into trying the French cuisine, it may look strange but it always hits the spot. Frogs legs, snails and beef tartare are to name a few, but if you are willing to find the local restaurants, you can ensure yourself that you will find some unusual on the menu. Now, if you don't fancy the French cuisine, you can always opt for your typical Americanised takeaways. We are students. It is true what they say, and yes, there is a coffee shop available on every street. They are comfortable stopping places for a quick drink and that all needed sit down.

Depending on which area of Paris you stay in, the prices vary for the prices of drinks, but they are delectable. If you are a smoker, most coffee shops provide and shelter seating area. Where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and that cigarette. Don't forget to visit the TABAC stores. They are Paris's tobacconists and it is an interesting visit, so pop in and have a look around.

There is no need to pay out for maps as soon as your reach Paris, your hotel should provide you with one, and the members of staff are always available to provide you with extra information. It's not the prospects of being in Paris that are expensive; it is the travel and accommodation that loosens your pocket. The best way to travel is none other than the Eurostar, it takes you to the centre of Paris and again, if you are between 18-25 years, you receive a discount price. Along with booking the Eurostar, you are able to combine it with a hotel; this offers great prices with the combination of both. If you book in advance, you are more likely to find a lower rate than if you book a few weeks before your travel arrangements. It's a holiday, so enjoy it. There is no need to worry too much about how much expenditure to take, because Paris offers much more than what you see on paper. Don't be afraid to visit the places that aren't always overcrowded by tourists. It is those places where you may find something more than what you bargained for. You see, even as a student you can enjoy Paris as much as those that have the big cash to spend.