London to Paris Itinerary: Exploring Two Iconic Cities in One Trip
Explore the Ultimate London to Paris Adventure:
Iconic Landmarks, Cultural Treasures, and Practical Travel Tips for an Unforgettable Journey
Experience the best of both worlds with a combined London and Paris itinerary. This guide will help you navigate the logistics of traveling between these two iconic cities, providing practical tips, travel times, and detailed daily plans to make the most of your visit.
6 Days Exploring London & Paris Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in London
- Arrival: Most international visitors arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick. Use the Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express for quick transfers to central London.
- Accommodation: Check into your hotel or Airbnb. Areas like South Kensington, Covent Garden, and Shoreditch offer various options.
- Afternoon: Start with a visit to the Tower of London (9 AM opening). Explore the Crown Jewels and the historic White Tower.
- Evening: Enjoy a walk along the South Bank and a ride on the London Eye for panoramic views of the city.
Day 2: Exploring London
- Morning: Witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (10:45 AM). Visit the Royal Mews if open.
- Afternoon: Tour Westminster Abbey and see the Houses of Parliament. Take iconic photos of Big Ben.
- Evening: Have dinner in Soho and catch a West End show. Be sure to book tickets in advance.
Day 3: Travel to Paris
- Morning: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Be sure to arrive at the station at least 45 minutes before departure for check-in and security.
- Afternoon: Check into your Paris accommodation. Central areas like Le Marais, Saint-Germain, and near the Eiffel Tower are recommended.
- Evening: Enjoy a Seine River Cruise. Choose a dinner cruise for a unique dining experience and view of illuminated landmarks.
Day 4: Exploring Paris
- Morning: Visit the Eiffel Tower early to avoid long queues. Take the elevator to the top for stunning views.
- Afternoon: Explore the Louvre Museum. Don’t miss the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and other famous artworks.
- Evening: Stroll through the historic Marais district. Have dinner in a traditional Parisian bistro.
Day 5: More of Paris
- Morning: Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Although reconstruction is ongoing, the area around the cathedral is still worth exploring. Take a walking tour of the Notre Dame Island.
- Afternoon: Wander around the charming Montmartre neighbourhood. Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and enjoy the artistic atmosphere. You can opt for a walking tour of Montmartre with walk to Sacré-Cœur.
- Evening: Dine at a café in Montmartre and enjoy the nightlife.
Day 6: Day Trip from Paris
- Option 1: Versailles: Take a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. The train from Paris to Versailles takes about 45 minutes. Spend the day exploring the opulent palace and its extensive gardens.
- Option 2: Loire Valley: Join a guided tour to the Loire Valley to visit stunning châteaux and vineyards. This trip can be booked through various tour operators.
Extending Your London to Paris Itinerary: Extra 2 Days of Exploration
If you have an additional two days to extend your London to Paris itinerary, here are some fantastic options to enrich your travel experience. These extra days can be spent exploring nearby regions or delving deeper into each city.
Day 7: Day Trip from London
Option 1: Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath
- Morning: Take a guided tour to Windsor Castle, the official residence of the King. Explore the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel.
- Midday: Continue the tour to Stonehenge. Learn about the mysteries surrounding this prehistoric monument.
- Afternoon: Head to Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit the Roman Baths and take a stroll around the Georgian architecture.
- Evening: Return to London and enjoy dinner at a traditional British pub.
Option 2: Oxford and the Cotswolds
- Morning: Take a train or guided tour to Oxford. Visit the historic university, the Bodleian Library, and the Ashmolean Museum.
- Afternoon: Explore the picturesque Cotswolds villages. Walk through the charming streets of Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.
- Evening: Return to London and enjoy dinner in Covent Garden.
Day 8: Additional Day in Paris
Option 1: Disneyland Paris
- Morning: Take the RER train to Disneyland Paris. Spend the day enjoying the rides, shows, and parades at Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
- Evening: Return to Paris and relax at a café in the Marais district.
Option 2: Giverny and Monet’s Gardens
- Morning: Take a train or guided tour to Giverny, the home of Claude Monet. Visit Monet’s house and the beautiful gardens that inspired many of his works.
- Afternoon: Explore the Museum of Impressionisms in Giverny.
- Evening: Return to Paris and have a farewell dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Seine.
14-Day London and Paris Itinerary: Comprehensive Travel Guide
Extend your adventure with a 14-day itinerary that covers the best of London and Paris, including nearby day trips and in-depth explorations. This guide provides options for flying out from either Paris or returning to London for your departure.
Day 1: Arrival in London
- Arrival: Most international visitors arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick. Use the Heathrow Express or Gatwick Express for quick transfers to central London.
- Accommodation: Check into your hotel or Airbnb. Areas like South Kensington, Covent Garden, and Shoreditch offer various options.
- Afternoon: Start with a visit to the Tower of London (9 AM opening). Explore the Crown Jewels and the historic White Tower.
- Evening: Enjoy a walk along the South Bank and a ride on the London Eye for panoramic views of the city.
Day 2: Historical and Cultural London
- Morning: Witness the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (10:45 AM). Visit the Royal Mews if open.
- Afternoon: Tour Westminster Abbey and see the Houses of Parliament. Take iconic photos of Big Ben.
- Evening: Have dinner in Soho and catch a West End show.
- Be sure to book tickets in advance.
Day 3: Day Trip to Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath
- Morning: Take a guided tour to Windsor Castle, the official residence of the King. Explore the State Apartments and St. George’s Chapel.
- Midday: Continue the tour to Stonehenge. Learn about the mysteries surrounding this prehistoric monument.
- Afternoon: Head to Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit the Roman Baths and take a stroll around the Georgian architecture.
- Evening: Return to London and enjoy dinner at a traditional British pub.
Day 4: Museums and Shopping
- Morning: Visit the British Museum (10 AM opening). Don’t miss the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
- Afternoon: Explore Covent Garden for street performances and lunch. Head to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.
- Evening: Shop at Oxford Street and Regent Street. Visit famous stores like Selfridges and Hamleys.
Day 5: Day Trip to Oxford and the Cotswolds
- Morning: Take a train or guided tour to Oxford. Visit the historic university, the Bodleian Library, and the Ashmolean Museum.
- Afternoon: Explore the picturesque Cotswolds villages. Walk through the charming streets of Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.
- Evening: Return to London and enjoy dinner in Covent Garden.
Day 6: Relaxation and Modern London
- Morning: Stroll through Hyde Park and visit Kensington Gardens. Stop by the Serpentine Galleries if interested.
- Afternoon: Visit Tate Modern and cross Millennium Bridge to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
- Evening: Explore Borough Market for dinner and enjoy the vibrant South Bank area.
Day 7: Travel to Paris
- Morning: Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Be sure to arrive at the station at least 45 minutes before departure for check-in and security.
- Afternoon: Check into your Paris accommodation. Central areas like Le Marais, Saint-Germain, and near the Eiffel Tower are recommended.
- Evening: Enjoy a Seine River Cruise. Choose a dinner cruise for a unique dining experience and view of illuminated landmarks.
Day 8: Iconic Paris
- Morning: Visit the Eiffel Tower early to avoid long queues. Take the elevator to the top for stunning views.
- Afternoon: Explore the Louvre Museum. Don’t miss the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and other famous artworks.
- Evening: Stroll through the historic Marais district. Have dinner in a traditional Parisian bistro.
Day 9: Day Trip to Versailles
- Morning: Take a train or guided tour to the Palace of Versailles. Explore the opulent palace and its extensive gardens.
- Afternoon: Continue exploring the Trianon Palaces and Marie Antoinette’s Estate.
- Evening: Return to Paris and relax at a café in the Marais district.
Day 10: Cultural Paris
- Morning: Visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. Although reconstruction is ongoing, the area around the cathedral is still worth exploring. Take a walking tour of the Notre Dame Island.
- Afternoon: Wander around the charming Montmartre neighbourhood. Visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and enjoy the artistic atmosphere. You can opt for a walking tour of Montmartre with walk to Sacré-Cœur.
- Evening: Dine at a café in Montmartre and enjoy the nightlife.
Day 11: Day Trip to Giverny and Monet’s Gardens
- Morning: Take a train or guided tour to Giverny, the home of Claude Monet. Visit Monet’s house and the beautiful gardens that inspired many of his works.
- Afternoon: Explore the Museum of Impressionisms in Giverny.
- Evening: Return to Paris and have a farewell dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Seine.
Day 12: Disneyland Paris
- Morning: Take the RER train to Disneyland Paris. Spend the day enjoying the rides, shows, and parades at Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
- Evening: Return to Paris and relax at a café in the Marais district.
Day 13: Return to London
- Morning: Travel back to London via Eurostar. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
- Afternoon: Check back into your London accommodation and spend the afternoon at leisure. You could revisit favuorite spots or explore new areas like Camden Market.
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a top London restaurant.
Day 14: Departure from London
- Morning: Pack and prepare for your flight. Depending on your departure time, you may have a few hours for last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
- Afternoon: Travel to Heathrow or Gatwick for your flight back home.
Practical Travel Tips
- Currency: In London, the currency is the British Pound (GBP). In Paris, it’s the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted in both cities.
- Language: English is spoken in London, and French is spoken in Paris. Basic phrases in French can be helpful in Paris.
- Communication: Buy a local SIM card or use roaming plans. Free Wi-Fi is available in most public areas in both cities.
- Safety: Both London and Paris are generally safe, but stay vigilant in crowded areas and watch out for pickpockets.
How to Travel Between London and Paris
- Eurostar Train: The Eurostar is the most convenient way to travel between London and Paris. The journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. Book tickets in advance to secure the best prices.
- Flight: Alternatively, you can fly between London and Paris. Flights take about 1 hour, but consider additional time for airport transfers and security checks. Airlines like British Airways and Air France offer frequent flights.
- Bus: For a budget-friendly option, buses like FlixBus and Eurolines operate between London and Paris. The journey is longer (around 7-9 hours) but can be cost-effective.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tickets in London and Paris
For an easy and flexible way to explore both London and Paris, consider purchasing Hop-On Hop-Off bus tickets. These buses offer a convenient way to see the top attractions at your own pace, allowing you to hop on and off at numerous stops.
Benefits include informative commentary, various routes covering different parts of the cities, and the ability to plan your day with ease.
Learn more and purchase tickets at Hop-On Hop-Off London Bus Tours and Hop-On Hop-Off Paris Bus Tours.
London Pass and Paris Pass
To make the most of your visits, consider purchasing the London Pass and Paris Pass. These passes offer free entry to numerous top attractions, fast-track entry at selected sites, and discounts on dining and shopping.
The passes are an excellent way to save time and money while exploring the cities’ highlights. For more details and to purchase the passes, visit The London Pass and The Paris Pass.
Recommended London Tours
Recommended Paris Tours
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If you enjoyed this itinerary, check out our other travel guides for different durations and interests:
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- 5-Day London Itinerary: Ultimate City Guide
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- 7-Day London Itinerary: A Week in the Capital
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jade
Jade is a wanderer at heart, driven by a deep curiosity to explore new cultures and traditions. With a background in journalism, Jade combines storytelling with travel to paint vivid pictures of her journeys. Whether it's savouring local delicacies or immersing in ancient rituals, Jade's travels are a quest for understanding and connection.
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