Paris – The Wknd Travel

A Dream Come True Part 2: 24 DAYS Around FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN For Less Than ₱170,000 ALL IN – Airfare, Accommodation, Food, Museum Tickets & Transportation Included

I flew to Europe alone in 2019 and explored 4 countries – The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Denmark – for 19 days and spent a little over ₱117,000 for everything. The total expense included return flights via Singapore Airlines, hostel accommodations, visa application fees, travel insurance and daily expenses. Cheap-o, right? I honestly cannot believe I did it that time. I hope you can check out all the details of this life-changing EU solo trip here – Going Solo in Europe category.

Fast forward to 2022 when prices of everything went up, I did not think I will be able to do it again. In early to mid-2022, my friends and I talked about flying to Europe for a few weeks towards the end of the year. After months and weeks of planning and visa applications, we finally flew to Europe in November 2022 for holiday. I, with some friends, went around France, Italy and Spain for 24 days.

Guess what? I spent a little over ₱167,000 ALL IN for this 3.5-week trip! Curious how I made it happen? Let me share the breakdown of travel expenses below.

Air Tickets

Back in 2020, I booked a ticket with Emirates from Hong Kong to Munich and back from Budapest to Hong Kong for only HK$4,039 or ₱27,072.73 for October 2020. The pandemic happened; I was not able to use that ticket.

Luckily, Emirates offered the most flexible option for tickets booked that year. They offered to keep the ticket and extended its validity for 3 years. They allowed passengers to book their tickets when they are ready to fly. On top of that, they also allowed the passengers to change the airports of origin and destination as long as the airports are within the same Emirates region. Emirates also waived all fare difference, rebooking and change fees.

After securing my tourist visa last October 2022, I called Emirates and advised them my preferred dates and flight schedules. I got my new ticket in less than a minute after I ended the call. I wrote about my Emirates flight experiences last year under the Flight Reports category – EK 335 Manila to Dubai, EK 073 Dubai to Paris CDG, EK 256 Barcelona to Dubai and EK 332 Dubai to Manila. I hope you can check them out.

My friends and I also booked our inter-country tickets before flying to Europe. We flew with Air France from Paris, France to Rome Italy and paid ₱6,854.74 for a one-way ticket. After Milan, my friends all flew back to Manila while I continued my journey to Barcelona. I flew with Vueling from Milan, Italy to Barcelona, Spain. I got my ticket 2 months before the trip and paid ₱3,442.29 for this one-way ticket.

On top of these flights, I also paid the Philippine Travel Tax of ₱1,620 before leaving Manila. This travel tax is required for all Filipinos going out of the country for holiday or vacation.

Accommodation

I mentioned in my 2019 Euro trip summary that accommodations in the continent are expensive. After the pandemic, I noticed that accommodation rates got more expensive in general. I still cannot afford staying in these hotels and private rooms so I opted in staying with hostels again! I am happy I found a travel buddy / friend who is also keen on staying in hostels to save some cash. Just like before, I stayed in popular and high-rated hostels found in central and well-recommended locations.

I stayed with Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels for 4 nights in Paris (€147 paid during check-in), The Romehello for 5 nights in Rome (€89,26 paid through Agoda days before check-in), YellowSquare Florence for 4 nights in Florence (€95,60 paid during check-in), YellowSquare Milan for 4 nights in Milan (€109,24 paid during check-in) and YEAH Hostel Barcelona for 4 nights in Barcelona (₱5,589.42 paid through Agoda in Philippine Peso).

Travel Insurance

Schengen tourist visa applications require a travel insurance with up to €30,000 medical coverage for the duration of the trip, some even up to 15 to 30 days after the trip.

I got my travel insurance from Oona Insurance (previously known as Mapfre Insurance) and paid ₱1,969.43 (€34.95) for a 35-day coverage.

Schengen Tourist Visa

I applied for my own tourist visa with the Italian Embassy in the Philippines’ Visa Center – VIA Italy. I paid ₱4,494 (€80) for the visa fee and ₱1,350 for the visa handling fee including the courier fee / service. I opted for the passport pick-up to make sure I get the visa in time for my trip. I previously shared in this website how I got my Schengen tourist visa from VIA Italy without the help of any tour agency. Check out that Tuesday Tip post here.

Internet Sim Card

Travelling around Europe is a lot easier when you are connected to the internet throughout the trip. I did not want to get lost during the trip so I ordered a 3UK internet sim card from Travel Sim PH Shopee Store (not sponsored). I got the sim card that has 12GB data allocation valid for 1 month after activation. I paid ₱1,521 for this sim card including shipping fee and had it delivered at home weeks before the trip.

Pre-Booked Tickets & Tours

Weeks before our trip, my friend and I booked several tickets that we will use for the trip. We booked our bus tickets from Rome to Florence, Florence to Milan and the return bus tickets to Serravalle Designer Outlet. We also booked entry tickets to museums like the Vatican Museums in Vatican, Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence and the Last Supper in Milan. We also booked day trips to the Colosseum in Rome, Tuscany countryside in Florence and Lake Como in Milan.

All these tickets were booked using our credit cards and cost us ₱20,206.70 each.

Daily Expenses

I tried to set a daily budget for the trip but I noticed I have been spending more than the allotted amount. I decided to just let things go with the flow. Most of the day-to-day expenses came from food and transportation. I brought some euros to Europe and used my credit card for other purchases.

POCKET MONEY

Before leaving for Europe, I managed to change some cash to Euros to serve as my pocket. I changed ₱29,980 worth of Philippine pesos to €500. Towards the end of my stay in Italy, I also withdrew some cash from the ATM. The withdrawal cost me ₱9,435.93 including the international withdrawal charges.

I used the cash for day-to-day expenses like transportation and food. I also used the money to get my Navigo card and Paris Museum Pass in Paris.

TRAVEL EXPENSES CHARGED TO CREDIT CARD

Credit cards are widely accepted in Europe. In fact, it is the preferred mode of payment of some establishments. I used my credit cards a lot of times during the trip – mostly for food and transportation.

FOOD

I tapped my card in a lot of restaurants, fast food chains, hostel buffets and supermarkets during the trip. For instance, I used my card in paying for all the hostel breakfast buffets I availed at The RomeHello and YEAH Hostel Barcelona. I also used it in various restaurants in Florence, Milan and Barcelona. I even used my credit card in getting food from different fast-food chains and supermarkets.

In total, I charged ₱20,424.28 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) only for food.

TRANSPORTATION

I also used my credit card in paying for transportation costs like airport trains, subways, buses and ride-hailing applications such as Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. In total, I charged ₱6,865.51 to my BPI Credit Card (not sponsored) for all transportation-related expenses.

Summary of Expenses

Here is the summary of all the expenses mentioned above.

The total amount spent for this 24-day trip around France, Italy and Spain is ₱167,752.45. This total cost includes flight tickets, accommodation bookings, visa application fees, travel insurance, entry tickets, food and transportation costs.

Please do not get me wrong, ₱167,752.45 is a big amount of money. At the same time, it was everything I spent for a 24-day trip to Europe from the Philippines. It may be a little over 40% higher than my 2019 Euro trip but it is still cheap given all the places I have been to in this trip.

Blog List

Here is the list of blog posts that are related to this 2022 trip to Europe.

FLIGHT REPORTS ✈️

Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 335 – Manila to Dubai – Overnight Long-Haul Flight with the Middle Eastern Global Carrier [November 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 073 – Dubai to Paris CDG – Excellent Airbus A380 Superjumbo Flight to the Famous French Capital [November 2022]
Flight Report: AIR FRANCE AF 1304 – Paris CDG to Rome – Short Inter-European Hop to Italy’s Capital City [November 2022]
Flight Report: VUELING VY 6333 – Milan Malpensa to Barcelona – Superb Flying Experience with a Spanish Low-Cost Airline [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 256 – Barcelona to Dubai – Impressive Intercontinental Flight on a Rare Long-Range Aircraft [December 2022]
Flight Report: EMIRATES EK 332 – Dubai to Manila – Underwhelming Inflight Meals on a Busy & Full Flight Back to Manila [December 2022]

HOSTEL FEATURES 🏨

Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District
Hostel of the Day: THE ROMEHELLO – Affordable, Hospitable & High-Rated Accommodation That Felt Like Home
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE FLORENCE – Lively & Social Hostel Outside (But Near) Florence City Center
Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE MILAN – Hidden Hostel Gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District
Hostel of the Day: YEAH HOSTEL BARCELONA – 4 Fun & Solid Nights in One of the World’s Best Hostels

VISA APPLICATION ✍️

Tuesday Tips for Philippine Passport Holders: Do-It-Yourself SCHENGEN TOURIST VISA Application with VIA ITALY

PARIS 🇫🇷

N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 1 & 2]
N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 3, 4 & 5]
N9 Friends in Europe: CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES Day Trip Photoblog
PARIS MUSEUM PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

ROME 🇮🇹

N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Arrival, Colosseum Tour & Trastevere Food Tour [Part 1 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Vatican City, Necropolis Tour & Papal Audience [Part 2 of 3]
N9 Friends in Europe: ROME – 6 Days Around the Italian Eternal City – Rome at Night, City Walking Tour & Departure [Part 3 of 3]

FLORENCE 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: FLORENCE – The Cradle of Renaissance | 4 Wonderful Days Around the Historic Italian City
N9 in Europe: TUSCANY EXPERIENCE CLASSIC TOUR Photoblog – A Day Trip to Pisa, San Gimignano & Siena
P’s List: 7 Food Places to Check Out in Florence

MILAN 🇮🇹

N9 in Europe: MILAN – 4 Beautiful Days Around the Italian Business, Shopping & Fashion Capital
N9 in Europe: LUGANO & LAKE COMO DAY TRIP FROM MILAN Photoblog – Exploring 3 Places in 2 Countries in 1 Day

BARCELONA 🇪🇸

N9 in Europe: BARCELONA – 4 Lazy Days Around the Bustling Spanish City

Do you have any questions about anything mentioned above? Is there anything you want to ask how I planned the trip in general? Or maybe how I made it happen? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. You can also send it via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in summarizing my 2022 trip to Europe. I may be months behind in posting everything about this trip but I hope it is never too late to share these details. I would like to thank my N9 friends for joining me in this life-changing and memorable trip to Europe. I cannot wait to go back to the continent in the future!

Feel free to follow me on my social media channels for more information on cheap fares, thrift hacks & fun itineraries – Facebook & Instagram. I will end this post with this statement. I DID IT AGAIN – 24 DAYS AROUND FRANCE, ITALY & SPAIN FOR LESS THAN ₱170,000 ALL IN AND I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Flight Report: AIR FRANCE AF 1304 – Paris CDG to Rome – Short Inter-European Hop to Italy’s Capital City [November 2022]

After spending 5 days around Paris (Days 1 and 2 + Days 3, 4 and 5), it was time for us to leave this beautiful city. My friend and I took an Uber from Le Village Montmartre to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport and hopped on a short flight to another beautiful and famous city – Rome, Italy. We flew with Air France on their inter-European flight AF 1304 from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport to Rome–Fiumicino International Airport. Join me in today’s flight report as I run you through my first-ever Air France flight experience.

Air France

Air France is the flag carrier of France. Founded in 1933 from a merger of a few airlines, the airline is one of the biggest subsidiaries of the Air France-KLM Group. It operates most of its flights from its hubs in Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly Airports.

In case you missed it, I post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Emirates & Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category..

The airline flies to over 90 countries and 200 destinations in the 6 habitable continents. It has a mixed fleet of narrow and wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The airline also operates a cargo division named Air France Cargo. The airline also has substantial shares in regional carrier HOP! (also known as Air France Hop) and low-cost carrier Transavia France.

Air France’ frequent flyer program is called Flying Blue. The airline is a founding member of one of the world’s biggest airline alliances (with 19 members) – SkyTeam. Aside from this alliance, the airline also has codeshare and interline agreements with over 50 airlines from all over the world.

Air France is a semi full-service carrier. The airline provides inflight snacks and drinks on their short, medium, and long-haul flights. Complimentary check-in baggage depends on fare bundle you purchase from the airline. Basic fares normally only include carry-on baggage allowance with check-in baggage available for a minimal fee (or complimentary in a higher fare bundle). The airline offers inflight entertainment in selected sectors but not on flights within Europe.

Do you want to know the difference between a full-service & a low-cost airline? Check out my previous post detailing the differences of these 2 types of airlines.

Airfare

My friend and I booked our flights 4 months before our intended trip; we paid €116,64 each for this one-way economy class flight. We were charged by our bank ₱6,854.74 each including foreign currency conversion fees.

This expensive ticket included 12 kilograms of carry-on baggage (1 backpack or luggage + 1 accessory bag), 23 kilograms of pre-booked check-in baggage, a randomly-assigned seat during check-in and inflight snacks. Unfortunately, the plane assigned to this flight did not feature personal entertainment screens.

This ticket was probably one of the most expensive one-way economy class tickets I have purchased to date. It is more expensive than my 2019 Brussels Airlines Brussels to Prague and Czech Airlines Prague to Copenhagen flights combined. It is even more expensive than my Vietnam Airlines Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh one-way business class flight last January 2023. It came with a hefty price but it was the best and most convenient option that fit our itinerary.

Travel Requirements

Italy has scrapped all pandemic-related requirements during our flight back in November 2022. The airline only required a valid ID for Schengen residents and passport for foreigners or visitors.

Before the Flight

30 hours before the flight, Air France sent an e-mail advising that our flight is already open for online check-in. We checked in for our flight and were assigned to exit row seats – 25B and 25C.

Aircraft & Flight Information

Air France flight AF 1304 was operated by a 24.7-year-old Airbus A321-200 aircraft. This aircraft, delivered to the airline in March 1998, has 212 seats in a 2-class configuration – business class and economy class. All seats had a 3-3 configuration with business class section having a blocked middle seat. The blocked middle seat business class configuration is typical in inter-European flights.

AP 1304 took off from Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport at 3:06pm and landed at Rome–Fiumicino International Airport at 4:40pm. The quick and relatively uneventful flight only took 1 hour and 34 minutes.

Ground & Airport Experience

At the time of the flight, this Air France flight to Rome departed from Paris CDG Terminal 2F.

CHECK-IN

Airport check-in / bag drop for Air France flights open exactly 2 hours before the flight. All passengers can print their boarding passes and luggage tags using the check-in kiosks outside the bag drop area. After printing the boarding pass and tags, those with luggage can drop their bags in the automated bag drop machines. Our check-in and bag drop process only took 4 minutes.

PRE-DEPARTURE

After check-in, we got some snacks then passed by final security. Airport authorities in the European Union ask all passengers to take out all laptops and 100-ml liquids from the bags and have them checked in using a separate tray. They are a bit strict compared to how security checks are made in the Philippines. We then walked to Gate F28 and waited for boarding to start.

BOARDING

Boarding commenced at 2:14pm. Business class passengers, Flying Blue and SkyTeam status holders boarded first. Economy class passengers boarded the plane last. The crew handed out face masks and sanitary wipes to passengers upon entering the aircraft.

The aircraft doors were closed at exactly 2:50pm. The whole boarding process took 36 minutes. It took longer than usual because all seats were booked. There were no empty seats.

Inflight Hard & Soft Product

SEAT FEATURES

The aircraft used in this flight is equipped with 212 seats on an all-economy class 3-3 configuration. The cabin features a business class section but only with the typical blocked middle seat on a few rows. Each seat has 18 inches width and 32 inches of leg space.

Each seat features a foldable tray table, a small seat pocket with an aircraft safety card and a decent recline. Passengers have access to individual reading lights, air nozzles and attendant call buttons. Each row also has 2 USB charging ports which passengers can use during the flight. Short haul flights on economy do not feature headrests, pillows, and blankets.

I got seat 25B – a middle emergency exit row seat which cannot be reclined. I got a bigger than usual leg room; I had a pleasant seat experience in this short flight to Rome.

INFLIGHT SNACK

The cabin crew started the snack service 15 minutes after take-off. They offered sandwiches and a long list of drink options for passengers to choose from – beers, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, wine, coffee, tea, water, and spirits.

I got a ham sandwich and a can of Heineken beer. I applaud Air France for keeping the snack service even on such short inter-European flight.

INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT

This Airbus A321 aircraft do not feature personal entertainment screens. Correct me if I am wrong but I believe Air France does not offer inflight entertainment options on their flights within Europe.

INFLIGHT CONNECTIVITY

I saw an icon in the aircraft saying that this Airbus A321 is equipped with on-board wi-fi service. I tried to connect during the flight but I did not see an active wi-fi option during the flight.

LAVATORY

The lavatory was busy throughout this full flight to Rome. I decided to skip it and used the toilet upon arrival at Rome–Fiumicino International Airport.

Cabin Crew Service

The cabin crew service on this flight from Paris to Rome was just alright. The crew did their job in assisting the passengers during boarding and meal service.

Disembarkation & Baggage Claim

Disembarkation and baggage claim process was quick and organized. We got off in a gate far at the far end of the terminal, walked towards baggage claim area and got our suitcases in no time.

Final Thoughts

It was an interesting experience with Air France. I will not say it is a great flight but a normal or usual inter-European flight.

Here are some points where I believe the airline excelled. First, check-in and bag drop process was quick and efficient. All passengers will check-in through the kiosks and print their boarding pass and luggage tags. After this, those with check-in luggage need to surrender their bags in the automated bag drop counters. The whole process finished in less than 5 minutes including a short queue.

Second, Air France provides a generous carry-on baggage allowance of 12 kilograms for a bag and a personal item. I believe they are the only airline that I have flown so far that allowed up to this generous allowance. Third, the airline provided masks and disinfectant wipes during boarding.

Lastly, the airline provided a snack service (sandwich and beverage of choice) on this 1.5-hour flight to Rome. I, kind of, expected it given Air France is a full-service airline but I did not think that the beverage list will be that extensive.

This flight also had some let downs. First, the fare was not cheap. I booked the ticket 4 months before the intended flight date but it was still more expensive than my 2019 Brussels Airlines and Czech Airlines tickets combined. It was even more expensive than my Vietnam Airlines business class ticket from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh. Maybe the fare was expensive because of high demand (the flight was full), soaring fuel prices (at that time) and inflation?

Second, the cabin cleanliness can be improved. The tray table, seat pocket and seat itself were all unacceptably dirty. Third, the aircraft does not feature wi-fi service even if there were signs showing that it is wi-fi equipped. Fourth, without the meal service, I felt like I was flying a low-cost carrier. I may not be used to how flights are within Europe but I felt like it was just so-so.

This sums up my first ever Air France inter-European flight. Will I fly them again in the future? For sure I will but only if the flight schedule fits my itinerary. Please note that this will only apply for flights within Europe. I am still keen on trying their medium and long-haul products.

Do you want to know the geeky details of this flight? Here you go!

Airline: Air France
Flight Date: 20 November 2022
Flight Number: AF 1304
Route: Paris, France (CDG) to Rome, Italy (FCO)
Duration: 1 hour and 34 minutes
Seat Number: 25B (middle emergency exit seat)
Aircraft: Airbus A321-200
Aircraft Registration: F-GTAE
Engines: 2 x CFM International CFM56 engines
Age (at the time of the flight): 24.7 years old
Delivered: March 1998

Have you tried Air France in their short, medium and long-haul routes? How was your experience? Share them in the comments section below. Do you have comments, suggestions, or questions about anything mentioned above? Feel free to comment them below. You may also send them via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me on this Air France flight report. I have a long list of flight reports and Europe blog contents coming up so I hope you can watch out for them. Before you go, can you visit my social media channels –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

PARIS MUSEUM PASS Review – Is It Worth It?

Paris Museum Pass – I have repeatedly mentioned this pass in my Paris (Days 1-2 and Days 3-5) and Versailles blog posts. My friend and I availed of and used this pass to enter different museums and monuments during our trip to Paris and Versailles last November 2022. Today, I will share with you my thoughts about this pass and whether it is worth it.

Paris Museum Pass

Paris Museum Pass is a tourist pass that gives access to over 50 museums, chateaux and monuments located in Paris and in the Paris Region. It allows access to famous sites such as Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, Musée du Louvre, Panthéon, Sainte-Chapelle and Château de Versailles et de Trianon.

This pass allows the pass holder to visit as many museums, chateaux and monuments as possible (found in this list: Paris, Paris Region) for a specific cost and under a specific timeframe. The pass only allows single entry per site during its validity.

Cost & Validity

My friend and I bought our 48-hour pass for €52 each last November 2022. Prices have changed since then. As of April 2023, the Paris Museum Pass now costs €55 for the 2-day / 48-hour pass, €70 for the 4-day / 96-hour pass and €85 for the 6-day / 144-hour pass.

As per the website, museum pass savings / value is unlocked from the 4^th visit for the 48-hour pass, from the 5^th visit for the 96-hour pass and from the 6^th visit for the 144-hour pass. Please also take note that the count / validity starts from the time of the 1^st visit.

Please note that most museums and sites are free of charge for non-EU national visitors up to 18 years old and up to 26 years old for nationals of the European Union.

Where To Buy

Interested visitors can avail of the Paris Museum Pass in 2 ways – online and on site. Those who want to save time and paper can buy their Paris Museum Pass from the website. Those interested can choose from French, English, Spanish, Italian and German and will receive the pass in the chosen language. The museum pass will be sent via e-mail; it can be presented via mobile phone in the checkpoints.

Panthéon can be accessed using this pass.

Those who want to have a physical copy of the museum pass can buy the paper ticket from the Tourist Information Points found in major airports (CDG and ORY), train stations and even in major museums / sites. We bought our pass at CDG Airport Terminal 2F’s Tourist Information Point.

The Paris Museum Pass, once purchased, cannot be returned, exchanged, or refunded.

Advantages

Now that we know more about the Paris Museum Pass, let us look at the advantages of having this pass during your visit to Paris.

Fixed cost for all major museums and sites – The Paris Museum Pass already includes all the entry fees of the sites and museums listed in the website. Pass holders do not need to shell out additional euros to enter these sites.

Two must-see in Musée du Louvre. You can see both using your Paris Museum Pass.

Perfect for visitors with limited time in Paris – The pass provides visitors the chance to cover as many museums, sites and chateaux as possible during their limited time in the city.

Hassle-free and separate entry in selected sites – Pass holders need not to worry about long queues. Most of the sites have a special line for Paris Museum Pass holders. These special lines are often not crowded and provide immediate entry to the museum.

Special Line for Paris Museum Pass Holders

Great value for money – The Paris Museum Pass provides a great value for money for those who are visiting Paris in a well-planned itinerary. You can visit up to 5 sites in a day provided you have allotted ample time for all these places.

Disadvantages

The Paris Museum Pass also has some disadvantages. Let us discuss some of them below.

Some sites require reservations / timed-entry – Major museums and sites require timed-entry reservations which is almost like buying entry tickets for these sites.

Not ideal for long visits – The Paris Museum Pass is not for those who plan to stay longer in every museum / site or in Paris in general. This pass is not for you if you are the type of traveler who wants to explore in a calm and relaxing pace.

It does not cover all Paris landmarks – The pass does not cover other Paris Landmarks such as The Eiffel Tower, Opéra Garnier and The Paris Catacombs. You need to pay extra to enter these landmarks.

Pass is not for everyone – The Paris Museum Pass is not valid for those visiting below 18 years old for non-EU nationals and below 26 years old for EU nationals. It may also be not for backpackers or those who are travelling on a budget because it comes with a hefty price. There could also be other passes like the Paris Pass which suits your travelling style.

Tips to Maximize Paris Museum Pass

I want to share with you some tips on how you can maximize your Paris Museum Pass.

Check museum / site opening hours – Some museums and sites have extended operating hours a day every week. For example, Musée du Louvre is open until 9:45pm every Friday compared to the usual 6:00pm closing time on a normal day. On the other hand, Musée d’Orsay extends its opening hours to 9:45pm every Thursday, from the usual 6:00pm on other days. If you have the 48-hour pass and you started it on a Thursday morning, you can visit Musée d’Orsay on Thursday night, Musée du Louvre on Friday night and make time for other museums and sites during the day.

Be aware of museum / site closures – The museums and sites usually have 1 day in a week when they are closed. Musée du Louvre is closed every Tuesday, Musée d’Orsay and Château de Versailles et de Trianon are closed every Monday. Some of them are also closed during Christmas, New Year and other special holidays.

Château de Versailles is can also be accessed using the Paris Museum Pass.

Know which museums and sites require timed-entry reservations – Some museums and sites require Paris Museum Pass holders to book and reserve their visits. These schedules make the pass holder’s visit faster and secured. Sites that require reservations include Château de Versailles et de Trianon, Saint-Chapelle and Musée du Louvre. Please note that pass holders do not need to pay in reserving their slots / schedules.

Saint-Chapelle is included in the Paris Museum Pass

Plan your itinerary well – Maximize the cost of the Paris Museum Pass by planning your itinerary well. Avoid redeeming the pass during days when some museums are closed; also take advantage of longer museum hours.

Verdict: Is It Worth It?

It is time to answer the most important question. Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? For the sake of this post, I will make a stand and answer it with a Conditional Yes. It is not an easy ‘yes’ but a conditional one where you will be only be in Paris for a limited time / period and you have a well-planned itinerary to maximize it.

My friend and I planned our itinerary well and used the 48-hour Paris Museum Pass in the following attractions: Saint-Chappelle (€11,50), Musée du Louvre (€17), Musée d’Orsay (€16), Château de Versailles and Trianon Estate (€21,50) and Panthéon (€11,50). We had plans of going up the Arc de Triomphe but we opted to skip it last-minute and met with our friends instead. We only paid €52 each (that time) for the pass and used it in 6 museums and sites that cost €77,50 in total if availed individually. On top of it, we saved tons of time by not queuing in all these attractions.

The Paris Museum Pass is not a cheap investment when visiting Paris but it is something that can be maximized during the availed timeframe. The key to maximizing the pass is knowing which places you want to visit and planning your itinerary well.

What do you think of the Paris Museum Pass? Is it something that caters to you as a traveler? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have any questions about the pass? Apart from posting it below, you may also send it via e-mail contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Don’t forget to check out my previous posts about Paris – N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 1 & 2], N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 3, 4 & 5], N9 Friends in Europe: CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES Day Trip Photoblog & Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District.

Thank you for joining me in today’s review. Please watch out for more Europe posts in the coming weeks. Before you go, I hope you can visit, like and follow my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? It means a lot, cheers. See you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 3, 4 & 5]

Last time, I shared with you what kept us busy on our first 2 days in the beautiful city of Paris. We started our trip with a dinner meal at Carette, a visit to Place du Trocadéro, Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. We spent our second day knowing more about Paris, France and its history. We took the walking tour with SANDEMANs New Europe; we also visited Saint-Chapelle, Musée du Louvre and Musée d’Orsay.

In case you missed it, my friends and I went to Europe late last year for 3.5 weeks and visited France, Italy and Spain. I have just started sharing bits and pieces about this trip. This Paris blog is the 6^th after posting about my Schengen Visa application with VIA Italy, my Emirates flight from Manila to Dubai, my Emirates flight from Dubai to Paris CDG, our hostel in Paris – Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels and our itinerary during our first 2 days around Paris.

Today, I will share with you what my friend and I did for 3 more days in the postcard-perfect city of Paris, France. Allow me to share again the details about our accommodation, public transportation pass and museum pass.

Accommodation

Given the high accommodation rates around the city, my friend and I decided to stay in Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels. We booked 2 beds in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room for 4 nights and paid €132 each including city tax. I wrote about the hostel, its amenities and our experience in the latest hostel of the day feature. Check it out here.

Going Around Paris

We opted for the Navigo Découverte Travel Card in our 5-day trip around Paris. We bought the week-long unlimited travel ticket for around €35 (including the card itself) and we had access to all RER trains, bus lines and city metro lines (in all of Paris’ 5 fare zones) until Sunday 23:59 that week. The ticket also included train lines to Paris Disneyland, Château de Versailles and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Tip: Please take note that the train card requires a photo of the card holder. You may bring your own photo or you can use the photo booths located near the train offices in CDG Airport and major train stations.

Tip 2: The Navigo travel card is valid for 10 years. You can use it again in your next trips to Paris. Also, the weekly pass validity starts 00:01 every Monday and ends 23:59 every Sunday. It is not advisable to get the weekly pass if you are arriving Paris on a Thursday or Friday.

Paris Museum Pass

We bought the 48-hour Paris Museum Pass for €52 (now €55). This pass allowed us fast-track entry to known museums and sites within Paris and the nearby region. Some museums and sites like Musée d’Orsay and Pantheon do not require reservations. The more famous ones like Musée du Louvre, Sainte-Chapelle and Château de Versailles require reservations prior entry.

Tip: Plan your itinerary well. The pass period count starts when the museum pass is scanned in the first museum or site.

Places Visited in Paris – Days 3, 4 & 5

We went around Paris for 5 days (or 96 full hours) and went to a lot of famous spots. We did not aim to see all places and decided to take our time in every spot. The only planned itinerary we had was when we used the Paris Museum Pass for 48 hours. Allow me to share with you days 3, 4 and 5 of our 5-day chill itinerary around Paris.

Day 3 – Versailles Day Trip, Pantheon & Jardin de la Tour Eiffel

Day 3 started very early with a day trip to Versailles. We visited the Château de Versailles; walked around The Palace of Versailles and The Estate of Trianon. I will walk about this day trip in a separate blog post – please look forward to it.

We dropped by KFC Versailles for late lunch and then headed back to Paris. We were supposed to go up the Arc de Triomphe but decided to change plans while we were on the RER C train – our Navigo pass allowed it. We got off at Javel Station on RER C and transferred to Javel – André Citroën Station. We took the Metro Line 10 (Dark Orange Line) and got off at Cardinal Lemoine Station. We walked for a few minutes and made it to The Panthéon. We got in using our Paris Museum Pass.

Note: The Panthéon does not require booking for Paris Museum Pass Holders. Visitors using the pass can use the fast-track line. Regular tickets cost Є11,50 per person.

The Panthéon was initially built as a church in honor of St. Genevieve. It was commissioned by King Louis XV. After the French Revolution, the government decided to make a place of honor for those who fought during the revolution. Nowadays, it is also a burial place of prominent French writers like Victor Hugo, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Alexandre Dumas. It is also where the famous scientists Marie and Pierre Curie are buried.

After The Panthéon, we walked to Place de l’Estrapade to check out the Emily in Paris shooting locations. We saw Emily’s apartment, the small park in front of it, Gabriel’s restaurant and the boulangerie where Emily got her first French pastry. We, then, walked towards Jardin du Luxembourg only to find out that the park was already closed. We had no choice but to leave and head to the Eiffel Tower. We took RER B Luxembourg Station to Denfert-Rochereau Station then changed to the Metro Line 6 (Green Line) to Bir-Hakeim Station.

Note: Unfortunately, I cannot post a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night due to copyright laws.

We met with our friends again at Jardin De La Tour Eiffel before heading to Gusto Italia 218 for dinner. We had pasta and wine to celebrate our friend’s memorable trip to Europe. After dinner, we walked back to Jardin De La Tour Eiffel for more photos with the iconic landmark. We bid our goodbyes to our friend and her family and took a FreeNow ride back to our hostel.

Day 4 – Sacré Coeur, Paris Highlights & More Eiffel Tower

Our 4^th day in Paris started with a decent breakfast meal from Le Village Montmartre. After breakfast, we walked up to La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre or the Sacré Cour Basilica. We also inside the church and saw the beautiful art painted in the basilica’s dome. This basilica is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It sits on top of a Montmartre Hill and has a panoramic view of Paris and its suburbs.

Note: Entry to Sacré Cour is free of charge. Just fall in-line near the steps for a quick security check.

After Sacré Cour, we walked down the hill and went to Barbès – Rochechouart Station. We took the Metro Line 2 (Magenta Line) to Les Halles Station and walked to Palais-Royal. We checked out Domaine National du Palais-Royal and took photos in this cultural landmark. We also strolled around the nearby Jardin du Palais-Royal.

Note: Entry to Domaine National du Palais-Royal and Jardin du Palais-Royal premises is free of charge.

We had our late lunch at Burger King and continued our walk to one of the most beautiful Starbucks branches in the world – along Boulevard des Capucines. We then walked towards Academie National de Musique / Palais Garnier before heading to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. We checked out the department store’s iconic dome and Christmas tree as well as its crowded roof deck.

After the quick visit to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, we took the Metro Line 9 (Yellow Green Line) from Chaussée d’Antin — La Fayette Station to Alma-Marceau Station. We headed to Flamme de la Liberte (Liberty Flame). We also enjoyed the magnificent view of the Eiffel Tower from the banks of River Seine.

We continued our walk to Rue de Monttessuy where we found Chez Ming – a Chinese restaurant. We have been craving for rice so we decided to have Asian food for dinner. We ordered their set meal which included fried rice, fried spring rolls, sweet and sour pork, beef sauteed with garlic, dumplings and ice cream.

After dinner, we walked along Rue de l’Université to check out a famous photography spot with the Eiffel Tower. We went to Bateaux Parisiens by the River Seine and took the night river cruise. We got our ticket from Le Village Montmartre for only Є9 per person. We enjoyed the beautiful view of Paris from the upper open deck area of the boat while cruising along River Seine.

After the hour-long boat cruise, we walked back to Alma-Marceau Station and took the Metro Line 9 (Yellow Green Line), changed at Miromesnil Station and took the Metro Line 13 (Light Blue Line) to Place de Clichy Station. We walked towards the famous Le Moulin Rouge and checked out the place from the outside. We finished the day by taking the Metro Line 2 (Blue Line) from Blanche Station to Anvers Station and walking back to our hostel.

Note: I am still doing research about copyright if I can post photos of Moulin Rouge.

Day 5 – Montmartre & Goodbye Paris

Our 5^th day in Paris was not that eventful. We started our day by packing our stuff and getting breakfast in the nearby French bakery – Les Fournils de France. We enjoyed their croissant, pain au chocolat and other local pastries. We also took some time to walk around the Montmartre neighborhood.

After check-out, we took an Uber ride to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Merci at au revoir, Paris!

This ends our 5 days around the postcard-perfect city of Paris. My friend and I have been to and have seen a lot but we still have not seen everything. My personal favorite is Saint-Chapelle from Day 2 – what is yours?

Which is your favorite Paris landmark or museum and why? Are you looking to visit Paris in the future? What are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Do you have questions about those mentioned above or about Paris in general? Feel free to post them as well below. You may also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. I will help you in any way I can.

Thank you so much for checking out today’s post about Paris, France. Please look forward to the upcoming posts about this trip. In case you missed the other posts about this trip, you can check them out under the N9 in Europe category.

Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? It means a lot, cheers. Catch you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

N9 Friends in Europe: PARIS – 5 Days Around the Postcard-Perfect French Capital [Days 1 & 2]

Paris, France – a city which many people dream of visiting! I am lucky I had the chance to go around this beautiful city for a few days last November 2022. In case you missed it, my friends and I went to Europe late last year for 3.5 weeks and visited France, Italy and Spain. I have just started sharing bits and pieces about this trip. This Paris blog is the 5^th after posting about my Schengen Visa application with VIA Italy, my Emirates flight from Manila to Dubai, my Emirates flight from Dubai to Paris CDG and my hostel in Paris – Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels.

I will share with you today what my friends and I did on the first 2 days of our 5-day trip around the postcard-perfect city of Paris. To be honest, 5 days were not enough to see everything the city has to offer. We did not aim to see and visit everything; instead, we had a well-planned and relaxed itinerary. I will share into details our day-to-day happenings around Paris.

Accommodation

Going Around Paris

Paris Museum Pass

Tip: Plan your itinerary well. The pass period count starts when the museum pass is scanned in the first museum or site.

Places Visited in Paris – Days 1 & 2

We went around Paris for 5 days (or 96 full hours) and went to a lot of famous spots. We did not aim to see all places and decided to take our time in every spot. The only planned itinerary we had was when we used the Paris Museum Pass for 48 hours. Allow me to share with you the first 2 days of our 5-day chill itinerary around Paris.

Day 1 – Hello Paris & Hello Eiffel Tower

After arriving at Paris CDG Airport, I met up with my friend, Leng, who arrived at the airport a few hours before. She bought our Paris Museum Pass for €52 each in one of the tourist information centers while I was waiting for my luggage. We met at Terminal 2C and headed to Billets Paris et Ile de France or the train ticket office. We purchased our Navigo Découverte Travel Cards, went to the station and waited for the next RER B service to the city.

We took the 30-minute RER B train to Gare du Nord and changed to Metro Line 2 (Blue Line) and took the 5-minute ride to Anvers Station. We checked-in at Le Village Montmartre, took a rest for a while and freshened up. After a little over an hour, we took the Metro Line 2 (Blue Line) and the Metro Line 6 (Green Line) to Trocadéro Station and went up to meet our friends at Carette. I got Quiche Lorraine, greens salad and their signature hot chocolate for dinner.

After the meal, we braved the rain and strong winds and walked to Place du Trocadéro to take photos and videos with Tour Eiffel or the Eiffel Tower. We then took the Metro Line 9 (Yellow Green Line) to Saint-Philippe-du-Roule Station. We went to our friend’s hotel and waited for the weather to improve. Unfortunately, it kept raining. We then braved the rain (again) and the strong winds and walked around Champs-Élysées then to the iconic Arc de Triomphe. We took our photos from the center islands of Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

After that, we took the Metro Line 2 (Blue Line) from Charles de Gaulle – Étoile Station back to Anvers Station and walked up to the hostel.

Note: Unfortunately, I cannot post a photo of the Eiffel Tower at night due to copyright laws.

Day 2 – Paris Walking Tour & Museum Day

Our 2^nd day in Paris started with a metro trip on Line 2 (Magenta Line) from Barbès – Rochechouart Station to Saint-Michel Station. We dropped by Soc Parisienne Restauration Rapide SP2 to have some croissant breakfast before going to Saint-Chapelle.

We got inside Saint-Chapelle at 9:00am with our Paris Museum Pass and explored the royal Gothic chapel. This chapel was commissioned by King Louis IX to house important Christian relics including the Jesus Christ’s Crown of Thorns. The said relic was transferred to the Notre-Dame Cathedral. The chapel has been converted to a museum. It is honestly one of the must-see places in Paris!

Note: Saint-Chapelle requires timeslot bookings for Paris Museum Pass holders. Visitors can reserve their slots via the museum’s website. Regular tickets to Saint-Chapelle cost Є11,50 per person.

After an hour at Saint-Chapelle, my friend and I prepared for a 2.5-hour walking tour by getting a quick bite at Brasserie Les Deux Palais. We got Croque-Monsieur, frites maison, salade to share – it is toasted ham and cheese with homemade salad and French fries. We walked to Place Saint-Michel to join our walking tour group.

We joined SANDEMANs New Europe’s Free Walking Tour of Paris. We met Harry, our guide, in front of Fontaine Saint-Michel. We walked around Latin Quarter, an area that was spared from the transformation led by Baron Haussmann. We, then, crossed the River Seine and walked to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris or more known as the Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral is currently closed and undergoing renovations after it caught fire back in 2019. We passed by Palais de Justice de Paris, Tour de l’Horloge du Palais de la Cité (Clock Tower) and Conciergerie (14^th Century Royal Palace and Prison). We walked to Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum) and finished the walking tour at Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens).

We learned about the history of Paris and of France during our tour with Harry. We also knew more about the stories of King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and the French Revolution from our guide. I highly-recommend this tip-based tour under SANDEMANs New Europe. I took a few tours under them in the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic and Denmark and I have to say this Paris Walking Tour with Harry was one of, if not the best I have had with the company.

After the tour, we had our lunch at the nearby McDonalds store. Minutes before 3:00pm, we walked back to Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum) and entered using our Paris Museum Pass. Musée du Louvre (Louvre Museum) is the world’s most famous and most-visited museum. It houses hundreds of thousands of objects and tens of thousands of artworks. It houses famous works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Alexandros of Antioch’s Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People of Eugène Delacroix, The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault and a lot more. We roamed around the museum for 2.5 hours and we still did not see everything.

The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault

Liberty Leading the People of Eugène Delacroix

Note: Musée du Louvre requires a timeslot reservation for Paris Museum Pass holders. We booked our slots 2 weeks before the intended day of visit via the museum’s website. Guests can still book slots even if you do not have your Paris Museum Pass yet – in our case, we bought it upon arrival at Paris CDG. Regular tickets to the Louvre Museum cost Є17 per person.

Note: Unfortunately, I cannot post a photo of the Louvre’s Pyramid due to copyright laws.

We walked to the other side of River Seine and entered Musée d’Orsay using our Paris Museum Pass. This museum is located in the old Gare d’Orsay train station. It houses impressionist paintings and artwork by famous artists like Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Berthe Morisot.

Note: Musée d’Orsay does not require timeslot bookings for Paris Museum Pass holders. Visitors can directly go inside the museum using the special lane for pass holders. Regular tickets to the museum cost Є16 per person.

After Musée d’Orsay, we walked to Assemblée Nationale Station, took the Metro Line 12 (Dark Green Line) to Pigalle Station, then changed to the Line 2 (Blue Line) and got off at Anvers Station. We dropped by the supermarket to get food for dinner before heading back to the hostel.

This wraps up our first 2 days in Paris. We visited a lot of places but we made sure that we learned something about the city, its history and culture.

Have you been to Paris? If yes, may I know which landmark or museum mentioned above is your favorite and why? If not, which is the first place you would want to visit when you fly to Paris in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Do you have questions about Paris or the itinerary above? Feel free to post them below or send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thank you for joining me in today’s Paris itinerary. We are just starting on this 3.5-week trip around France, Italy and Spain. Make sure to check out the previous posts about this trip; it’s all compiled under the N9 in Europe category. Stay tuned for Days 3 to 5 and the other adventures we had in this memorable trip!

Before you go, can you please visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Means a lot, thank you. See you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.