Budget travelers who journey from London to Paris will find accommodation strategies in the two cities quite different.
In London, many stay in bed-and-breakfast places, where a modest room comes with a huge breakfast. In Paris, that huge breakfast will cost a small fortune.
The strategy in Paris involves finding your own breakfast at a bakery, and search a wide array of two- and three-star hotel rooms that provide comfort and convenience without frills or high costs. Some will offer you breakfast, but the price is unlikely to make you happy. Opt out of that deal and just rent the room.
Priceline is another option in Paris. You'll tend to get business-class hotels, and some might be quite a distance from main attractions. The best bids land properties that are close to a subway station. Unfortunately, there is no way to assure yourself of such a location while bidding blindly for a room.
One place to search for budget rooms from small hotels to hostels is Travellerspoint.com, which offers a variety of options that can be searched by district.
If you have a larger party and you'll be staying more than a night or two, consider renting an apartment. Apartment rentals can be a very good idea because European hotel rooms tend to be small. If you're traveling with more than two people, chances are good you'll have to bulk multiple rooms.
A recent search on Paristay.com turned up a furnished apartment for as little as 500€/week ($780 USD). Renting two hotel rooms in Paris for a week at that price would be quite a challenge.
One final strategy for your consideration: if you're leaving Paris to tour other areas by rail, consider an overnight stay on the train. It will give you an entire day and part of an evening in the city and you'll sleep at a lower price than most hotels would charge. It won't be the most restful night, but it will soothe your aching budget.
