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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 26, 2006 22:46:26 GMT -5
Does anyone know of a good (but cheap) hostel that is really close to the Paris Orly airport and not the Paris CDG airport? We are staying at another place for most of our duration in the city and only want to stay at a 2nd hostel on our last night in the city that is close to the airport to prevent metro/bus hassels!
My travel partner and I would prefer to stay the night at a hostel located very close to the Orly airport and check in for a 6 AM flight the next morning.
P.S. Does anyone know what time the metro/buses start running in Paris? For a 6:00 AM flight, I expect that we'd have to be there at 4 AM or about so. Can we sleep at the airport? If so, what's the best time to show up there in the night?
Another thing... I know most of you aren't fans of Milan but we have to head there from Florence for a flight to Athens. We're just basically taking a train from Florence to Milan in the morning and then spending the night there and leaving ASAP the next morning. What's the best hostel in Milan?
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 26, 2006 23:14:23 GMT -5
This has been asked before, but so far as I can tell there's no hostel right near Orly airport. Try www.accorhotels.com and see what the rate for a Formule 1 or Etap hotel near Orly is - it might be less than 40 Euros for a double room. For Milan, try the hostel link at the bottom. In the past, there was only one hostel in Milan that was not that great, and quite far out. But I think there might be another one since. This place would be more pricy, but I've heard they have a cash discount, so it might not be so bad for a double: sara.hotelsinmilan.it/ |
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 26, 2006 23:16:33 GMT -5
There is a site for sleeping in airports. But for me, it would ruin the next day, so it wouldn't be worth it: www.sleepinginairports.net/ |
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 26, 2006 23:21:13 GMT -5
We've made a few changes to our original iterinary which I will post sometimes soon to get opinions on it because I've just returned from Montreal after visiting my travel partner to finalize our major arrangements.
It's tricky finding hostels in Paris and Milan. Why can't this stuff be easy to do?! LOL!
Will look into the places/links you've recommended. Honestly, for both cities (the last night in Paris and the one-night stay in Milan), we don't really care if it's that bad (as in noisy hostels, etc). It's just one night anyways.
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 26, 2006 23:23:37 GMT -5
By the way, the link you gave me concerning the Formulae 1 or ETAP hotels, are they per person or per room?
Edit - I forgot, can we check out at like 3 AM? I have no idea... I found several hotels close to the airport (5 mins) that are in the price of 30-40 euros for a twin occupany room. We just basically want to be out by time to make the 4:30 AM check in the next day. Is there a standard check-out time in hotels in Paris?
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 26, 2006 23:57:59 GMT -5
Those rates are per room. I think Etap and Formule 1 are set up so you do a self check-out. They have a very low staff ratio, which is one reason they are cheap. Etap has private bathrooms and Formule 1 does not. If you are there during the hours that staff is not there, you check in yourself with the credit card you use to book, and you can check out as you want. Ibis is the next step up in the Accor brands, and it has 24-hour desk service.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 27, 2006 1:03:59 GMT -5
WT is on the money with the hotel recommendations - from memory there is an ETAP (or maybe Ibis) hotel near to Orly. There is also a Kyriad hotel near Orly that offers airport transfers, but I'm sure you'd have to make a special request for an early transfer. Rates usually are per room, but check if it says "per/pro person". Otherwise you're wandering into Holiday Inn, etc, territory in terms of price. Have a look for one called Hotel Agil 7 - I'm not sure if it's still there, but it also has a transfer service and is about 7mins from the airport.
If you decide to stay in the city and go for transport out to Orly, and it's within your budget, there are a few private transfer companies that offer a car service at that time of the morning (Metro starts at 5.30-ish and Orly Bus at 6am - so no good to you). Some reputable companies are Airport Connection (quite good) or Paris Airport Shuttle. Just be sure you re-confirm your pickup time the afternoon before, and ask for a contact number for your driver, just in case.
On Milan - if you are going to be there for just a night, make sure you go for a stroll into the centre and walk around in front of La Scala, through the Galleria and to the front of the Duomo. Even better with a gelato (or gelati!) in hand!
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 27, 2006 9:04:10 GMT -5
Fantastic! I didn't know about the self check-in and check-out's. I will definitely jump onto these hotels. I'll give them a call before I go to make sure that everything is going to be okay and Paris is our first city in Europe so I won't have to worry about plans changing, etc.
You've been great help.
About Milan - yes we are planning to look at the Duomo, etc.... we're taking a morning train from Florence to Venice so we're planning to walk around the city and maybe hit a sight or three before turning in for the night and getting up for a 7:30 AM flight (there is another one at 11 AM) so we are looking forward to it! Although I must say.... definitely not looking forward to the prices in Milan hehehehe!
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 27, 2006 15:18:34 GMT -5
MTH had a very good point about the shuttles to the airport. You'll probably want to make sure your transport to the airport is assured no matter which Orly airport hotel you choose.
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 27, 2006 16:41:13 GMT -5
MTH had a very good point about the shuttles to the airport. You'll probably want to make sure your transport to the airport is assured no matter which Orly airport hotel you choose. I'm definitely going to have to look further into this and call ahead and see if they can provide shuttles for a reasonable cost at this time of the morning. I don't know what time the airport actually opens (Re: check-in counters open) but easyJet requires people to be at the check-in counter 2 hours prior to the flight if they did not use the web check in (about 40 minutes). I'd like the web check-in option but that's only if you're not checking in any bags and we most likely will have to check in our bags. Plan B is to arrive at the airport around 11-ish and find a spot to sleep and get to the check-in counter around 4 or 4:30 AM then when we arrive in Rome, we could just take a nap at our hostel if there's no lockout. |
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Post by WillTravel on Sept 27, 2006 16:51:56 GMT -5
It's a very good idea to be there two hours ahead for EasyJet, and they stop check-in either 30 or 40 minutes prior to the flight (even if you are standing in line waiting), but you don't absolutely have to be there two hours ahead of time.
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 27, 2006 17:20:34 GMT -5
It's a very good idea to be there two hours ahead for EasyJet, and they stop check-in either 30 or 40 minutes prior to the flight (even if you are standing in line waiting), but you don't absolutely have to be there two hours ahead of time. LOL. I'm just so anal about punctuality. I always have to be early for things. If the shuttles that were listed doesn't provide service at the time I want, I think we're probably better off sleeping/hanging out in the airport. It's only 5 hours of waiting time till check-in opens. We could just as easily take a nap before showing up there or turn in early on our first day in Rome. |
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Post by herrbert on Sept 28, 2006 12:42:21 GMT -5
If you want to stay at the airport during the night, than make sure that they don't close the place. A lot of airport close for a couple of hours during the night. (I don't know if Orly does, but just make sure)
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Post by pointofnoreturn on Sept 28, 2006 17:01:10 GMT -5
If you want to stay at the airport during the night, than make sure that they don't close the place. A lot of airport close for a couple of hours during the night. (I don't know if Orly does, but just make sure) I think we're better off staying in the airport (i.e. arriving around 11-ish and finding a spot to hang out/nap till the check-in counter opens) because I've done a bit of research and the shuttles aren't guaranteed to have me get to the airport in time to make the check-in. I checked the sleepinginairports thing and they do have Orly listed there and I've read some good reviews. I'll also have to do the same thing in Athens as well LOL! (Making a 6:35 AM flight to London). That's only depending on the 2006 Spring/Summer schedule and not the 2007 schedule which will be posted soon. If the times are the same (which won't be surprising), expect me to be hitting the hay among airport chairs then! |
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 28, 2006 19:37:37 GMT -5
I checked the sleepinginairports thing and they do have Orly listed there and I've read some good reviews. I'll also have to do the same thing in Athens as well LOL! (Making a 6:35 AM flight to London). The airport in Athens, whilst further out of town than the old one, doesn't cost too much in a taxi if you don't fancy sleeping there. The airport is open 24hours, but not a lot of nice places to "relax" in the terminal for flights to London (ie, not many comfortable seats). For that time of morning, you should book a taxi the evening before and also be in reception 15mins before you want to leave, just to be able to call the taxi company if it doesn't show up (they are usually pretty good though). The cost (two years ago was the last time I did it) is around Euro25 from the centre of town (not sure if you're staying in the city or out at Glyfada, in which case add about Euro10 to the price) and allow 30mins at that time of day (no traffic and drivers who will happily drive like the wind!). I've caught that flight a few times before (for work) and although it's painfully early, at least you're back in London by lunchtime. There are also shuttle busses that go out to the airport from various destinations in the city, but for the convenience, I'd consider a taxi for this one. |
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