Budget Services Offered in Scotland and France

Special services to help young travelers’ budgets will be available in Paris and Scotland this summer.

Paris’ youth information offices, Acceuil Des Jeunes en France (AJF), makes free on-the-spot reservations for accommodations, books inexpensive transportation services and finds student restaurants.

During the summer months AJF offers about 11,000 beds at budget rates. About 5,000 are in multishare rooms in youth hotels, and cost between 72 and 90 francs ($12 to $15) per person, breakfast included.

One of the most convenient AJF offices is at Gare Du Nord (North railway station) inside the new suburban station. During summer months it’s open every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Beaubourg office is opposite the Georges Pompidou Centre at 119 Rue St. Martin. It’s open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Rambuteau is the closest Metro stop. The Marais office is near the Town Hall at 16 Rue de Pont Louis-Phillippe. The closest Metro station is Hotel de Ville, open between June and September, Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

If you’re near the Latin Quarter, another office is at 139 Blvd. St. Michel, near the Luxembourg Metro stop. It’s open March to October, Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Breakfast Included

In many European countries breakfast is included in overnight stays, even if at a youth hostel or student hotel. Breakfast usually is bread, jam, possibly some cheese, and coffee or hot chocolate.

In Scotland, when you stay in a bed and breakfast the breakfasts are usually substantial. You can expect toast, eggs, bacon, juice and coffee or tea. During the low-travel seasons many B&Bs; are on good-value rates--7.50 to 10 ($12 to $16) per person a night.

During the summer, when rates rise and availability is low, other options are available, such as accommodations and special do-it-yourself tour packages offered by the Scottish Youth Hostel Assn.

This year SYHA’s “Explore Scotland” package offers independent travelers budget accommodations and transportation.

In the package is a seven-day Citylink bus pass, valid for travel on the Scottish mainland, plus travel to the Isle of Skye, and vouchers for six nights of youth hostel accommodations, plus a handbook, a map and a bus timetable, a discount card for tourist services, and a pass for admission to historic monuments. The package is available until Sept. 30 for 59.

The “Highland Wayfarer” package offers a 7- or 14-day pass for unlimited rail, bus and ferry travel, plus seven or 14 vouchers for youth hostel accommodations.

Round-trip transportation between Glasgow, Aberdeen or Edinburgh and the travel-pass area also is included. During June, July and August seven-night packages cost 89, 14-night versions are 134. Rates are slightly lower in spring and fall.

For more information, contact Breakaway Holidays, Scottish Youth Hostels Assn. (SYHA), National Office, 7 Glebe Cresent, Stirling, Scotland FK8 2J8, or check with travel agencies affiliated with national youth hostel associations.

For general information on travel to Scotland, contact the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071, or call (213) 628-3525.