Cheap France travel

France isn't a cheap destination, but it doesn't have to be extremely expensive either. The easiest way to save money (and sanity) is by traveling outside of the summer high season. But regardless of season, knowing where to find good deals means getting better value whenever you travel.

When to book

For accommodations, book as far in advance as possible, especially for travel between June and September, to ensure the best prices and availability.

Deciding when to book airfare is a trickier issue. Booking too far in advance can mean paying a premium for locking in the rate early and missing later sales. However, waiting too long can mean paying extra for a last-minute fare or missing out on preferred travel dates. Begin monitoring prices five or six months in advance, and for peak season travel, start to worry if you haven't booked by about a month-and-a-half before your departure date.

Airfare sales often crop up in early fall and continue sporadically until mid-spring. Typically, there are very few sales during summer.

Where to find deals and book

There's no single airline that consistently offers the best prices on airfare to France from the U.S., so shopping around will generally be your best bet for transatlantic flights. SmarterTravel.com keeps track of the latest airfare sales to France. For air travel between France and other cities in Europe, try checking websites such as Momondo.com and Dohop.com, which compare flight prices on European low-cost carriers.

Bundled air-and-hotel packages for France are abundant, and at their best offer airfare-and-hotel accommodations for about the average cost of airfare. Often the best deals come from Gate1Travel.com, AirFranceHolidays.com, EuropeASAP.com, and Go-Today.com. These providers also tend to offer flexible return dates, which makes extending a trip possible.

For hotels only, Franceguide.com keeps an updated list of hotel deals, and ParisInfo has some discounted rates on accommodations (though it's still wise to compare prices).

Another path to good value is to seek out alternative accommodations options. The Tourisme en France website has listings (in French) for smaller hotels, B&Bs, vacation rentals, and more, though you'll have to do a web search for information beyond location and phone number. Minor consolidator sites such as Francehotelreservation.com specialize in hotels that are often smaller and less expensive than chain hotels. Gîtes-de-France lists rural vacation houses, and Abritel has apartment and house vacation rentals.

A few more sites for deals

• Eurail, RailEurope, and Railpass.com: These sites are all official distributors of Eurail passes. Prices and promotions can vary by site, so if price is important, shop around.
• SNCF: The French national railway's website tends to be the best place to go for individual train tickets, since prices on other ticket-selling sites can sometimes be more expensive. If you're considering a rail pass, know your itinerary, and want to make sure you're getting the best deal, compare the cost of individual tickets against the pass price before purchasing. Read more about paying less for rail travel in France in the Today in Travel blog.
• Mappy: When considering the cost of renting a car, it's important to factor in tolls and gas. Mappy is a very useful tool for establishing toll costs, fuel estimates, and driving times between destinations in France.
• L'Avion: This new low-cost business class airline serves the New York-Paris route. Regular fares start at $1,599, which is a fraction of the cost of business class prices from the major airlines.
• ParisInfo online boutique: Browse for and purchase passes and tickets, including the Paris Museum Pass, which offers priority entry into 60 museums; and the Paris Visite card, which blends unlimited access to public transportation and discounts at attractions.

The information and websites listed here were valid at the time of publication, but some details may have changed since that time. Please check directly with the provider for the latest information.