visit

Hello,
Looking at 1st time budget travel & bucket list, to France, August 2018, to see the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, Palace Versailles, this one may take a full day, Biblioteque Historique, Arc de Triomphe, not sure of Eiffel Tower, and England, to see Harrod's, for shopping fun, Claridge, for English tea, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, for crown jewels, Stonehenge, ( this one may take a full day), Windsor Castle, Clarence House, Bodelian Library, Westminster, House of Parliament.
I believe ten days is good, as I may be able to do France in three days.
I look at flying into Paris, from Boston, as it seems less in cost.
I understand I must obtain Euros & Great Britain Pounds before entering Europe, and looking at buying a 'Paris Pass', probably 'London Pass' & online tours, as well. Not sure of the chip/pin card. Will travel with little USD, yet will have US cr card.
I look at squeezing in Ireland, as well, perhaps. I do tend to look at sites in an education mindset.
I speak a few words of French to assist respectfully.
Any additional info. I should know, from experienced travelers, many thanks.
J.A.

Belinda

Do you really mean August 2018? There are only 14 days left.

You don’t need to get money before you get here. Use the ATMs. At this late date Eurostar Paris to London will be expensive.

janisj

Just some quick comments:

>>I understand I must obtain Euros & Great Britain Pounds before entering Europe, and looking at buying a 'Paris Pass', probably 'London Pass' & online tours,<<

No, you do not need to get € and £ before entering Europe. It is much better to use your ATM card in cash machines. Do not under any circumstances but a London Pass. It is VERY expensive and quite a rip off. I'm not as adamant about the Paris Pass but it may or may not be a good deal.

>>Not sure of the chip/pin card.<<

You very likely only have chip and signature cards -- but that is perfectly OK.

>>I look at squeezing in Ireland, as well, perhaps.<<

You definitely do not have enough time to add Ireland.

The best option would be to divide your time between London and Paris about evenly with maybe one extra day for London because it is MUCH larger and because you are talking at least two all day out of town trips (Stonehenge and Oxford)


Look at open jaw tickets (often called 'multi city') in to London and home from Paris or vice versa

And I ssume you mean Aug 2019???

StCirq

THIS August???

I doubt you can really even "do" Paris in 3 days, especially considering jet lag and traveling time to other places, never mind "do France." But you can see a couple of sights.

You don't need to buy any currency before entering Europe. Bring an ATM card, preferably one that doesn't charge any transaction fees (though it's too late for you to get one if you don't already have one) and a credit card for the big purchases.

The Paris Pass is almost always a rip-off, but you probably don't have the time to figure out how to get around using the usual inexpensive means. I don't know about the London Pass.

I would give Ireland a pass. When you figure in your travel time between places, not to mention the high cost of traveling at such late notice, it will be a very rushed and expensive experience.

PalenQ

Yes check www.eurostar.com right away and be flexible on looking at travel times and dates to see the lower fares. Book your own online. No Crown Jewels in Tower Bridge but the Tower of London near it. Split time evenly between Paris and London - forget Ireland this time. Versailles itself will take more than half a day - not in Paris itself but in suburbs.

janisj

You are assuming the OP means 2018 -- I figured that was just a typo. If s/he really does mean this month, I'm afraid there isn't very much we can do to help . . .

visit

Thank you for stating to use ATMs, as it was suggested to not arrive without Euros or GB Pounds. Thank you, as well, for the info. re: Eurostar.

PalenQ

Well is it Aug 2018 or not?

StCirq

"it was suggested???" Where? By whom?

janisj

WHEN is your trip? Is it this month or in Aug 2019? If it is this month you may not be able to even book a Eurostar ticket for the dates you want.

PalenQ

Or well can always take train to ferry and train to London - imagine we used to do that! Spur of moment trip?

suze

I understand I must obtain Euros & Great Britain Pounds before entering Europe

It is convenient to arrive with local currency but not required. You can order it in your home city in advance of your trip, if you have time. Or you can use a bank debit card at an ATM machine.

Will travel with little USD, yet will have US cr card.

I would never travel with only a "little USD" ... it's good to have a chunk of cash tucked away in case of emergency. And remember you'll need some for the trip home (airports, taxis).

PalenQ

Or you can use a bank debit card at an ATM machine.>

And NEVER used a credit card for cash at ATMS - steep interest rates as soon as do - make sure it is your local bank's ATM card with a debit card like suze says. And tell your bank that you will be using the card in exactly what countries and no more or they may block transactions as a security risk. Same with credit cards which should be used for any purchase possible - do not want to carry too much cash around.

StCirq

Ferry and train to London would really eat into the OP's already pretty short timeframe, no?

I really hope s/he doesn't mean August 2018.

PalenQ

Well yes was only fooling - but in case all Eurostar trains full as janis says? Seriously then flying would be only realistic alternative.

OP- are you really traveling next few days to Europe?

janisj

>>Well yes was only fooling -<<

What else is new?

>>OP- are you really traveling next few days to Europe?<<

The OP is brand new so won't be able to post again for a while -- probably not until tomorrow.

PalenQ

OP - it's tomorrow! Maybe gone to Europe?

visit

Thank you for the information.
J.A.

visit

Thank you, the information is appreciated, especially about the Paris Pass.
J.A.

ayemimi2007

With the exception of Stonehenge, which you say may require a full day, all the other "England" sites you wish to see are in LONDON. So when did they move the Bodelian Library, from Oxford???...You are aware that it is still there, to the best of my knowledge, and it may require the better part of a day, also, if you are staying in London.