London and Paris are two excellent city break destinations, each with their own unique quirks and charms. It might be that you are only able to squeeze one into your travel plans. But who’s to say you can’t enjoy both?
If you settle in London, you can still head out on a London to Paris day trip. The Eurostar London to Paris train is fast and reliable, and you can be in the French capital in only two hours and 20 minutes. Take the first 6 am train from Saint Pancras straight to Paris Gare du Nord, and you will have a full day in Paris for yourself!
You can take a Eurostar London to Paris tour as part of a full package or a self-guided trip. Here are some proposals for your Paris day trip from London for every type of traveler:
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Eurostar London to Paris Day Tour (Guided)
If you want a hassle-free experience, why not go on a London to Paris day tour. This London to Paris tour is ideal for groups of friends or solo travelers, especially for those with limited time.
This Eurostar London to Paris day trip includes:
- Return Eurostar tickets
- Eiffel Tower admission (up to the second floor)
- Louvre Museum admission (or Orsay Museum tickets if you travel on Tuesday when the Louvre is closed)
- Panoramic tour of the city
- 1 hour River Seine cruise
- Map of Paris
- Friendly and informative guide
- Light meal on the Eurostar (for standard premier tickets)
This day tour London to Paris starts early. Guests need to meet at Chop’d Coffee Shop at 6 am.
This tour is fantastic for first-time visitors to Paris and a good value to see some of the most famous landmarks in Paris in one day. It is also wonderful seeing the city from so many different angles, from the bus to the river cruise, from the top of the Eiffel Tower to inside the Louvre, and their knowledgeable local guides make for a more informative trip. The return Eurostar train departs at 8:13 pm from Gare du Nord train station.
This tour is only held a few days per week, so be sure to plan ahead and book your Paris day trip from London.
Flexible Eurostar London to Paris Tour
People opt for this 1-day tour from London to Paris because of its flexibility. This Flexible London to Paris day trip offers a structured guided tour or a flexible independent excursion. If you already know what you want to see, the independent day trip will be right up your street. If you want someone else to take the reins, try the escorted trip.
This day trip London to Paris includes:
- Transportation from London to Paris (Eurostar)
- Public transport information and city map
- Small group tour of Paris (on a small private coach)
- Sightseeing cruise
- Light meal on the Eurostar (for standard premier tickets)
- Hop-on hop-off tour (for the self-guided tour option)
If you decide to take the guided tour, you will pass by the Seine River, Notre Dame Cathedral, Hotel de Ville, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and Basilique du Sacre-Cœur de Montmartre. It should be noted that this tour doesn’t allow for time to go up the Eiffel Tower, but it is one of the places that you will pass by.
This trip is ideal if you want to get an overview of the city. It is jam-packed with sightseeing opportunities, and you’ll always be on the go. With their highly informed guides, you’ll learn so much about Paris.
Self-Guided London to Paris Day Trip
If you don’t want to be restricted by the confines of a Eurostar London to Paris tour, then why not go it alone. A self-guided Paris day trip from London is for those who want flexibility and a fun-filled day.
To make the most out of your 1-day tour from London to Paris, you’ll want to set out early. We, therefore, recommend you take one of the earliest trains from St Pancras and one of the last trains from Paris Gare du Nord.
The first train departs at 5:59 am and arrives at 9:17 am (remember Paris is an hour ahead), and the last train back to London departs Paris around 8 pm. Ticket prices vary depending on the time of the first train and category (standard, standard premier, and business premier) – Click here to see train times and prices
With one day in Paris, you don’t want to spend half of the time waiting in line! We suggest buying skip-the-line tickets for the main attractions online in advance. Tourist attractions like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, or the Sainte-Chapelle require booking a specific date and time slot.
Here’s our proposed itinerary for a self-guided London to Paris day trip:
When you arrive at Garde du Nord, you should take the Metro Line 4 to Saint-Michel Notre Dame station on Île de la Cité. Here you can marvel at the Sainte Chapelle, one of the most popular Paris attractions and well known for its remarkable stained-glass windows. You’ll need to book the tickets (date and time slot) to the Sainte-Chapelle in advance.
Next explore the western side of Île de la Cité. Place Dauphine is one of the Royal Squares in Paris, an attractive public square that embodies true Parisian elegance. Few venture to the western tip of Île de la Cité, but head there, and you’ll discover Square du Vert-Galant.
Next, cross over the Pont Neuf bridge over the River Seine towards the iconic Louvre Palace. You can marvel at it from the outside or decide to go inside the glass pyramid to visit some of its most popular artworks – Click here to buy your Louvre skip-the-line tickets
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The nearby Tuileries Gardens are lovely to stroll around. Why not grab a bite to eat at one of the park’s kiosks, or if you packed a picnic eat on the grass?
Next, head to the Place de la Concorde. This is where King Louis XVI was beheaded during the French Revolution. In the center of this square, you can see the Egyptian Obelisk that was gifted to France during the 19th century.
The afternoon can be spent walking the Champs-Élysées up to the Arc de Triomphe. This London to Paris day trip doesn’t allow for much time, so make sure you book tickets to go up the Arc de Triomphe in advance. At the top, you’ll see some of the best views of Paris.
No trip to Paris is complete without some of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. From the Arc de Triomphe, take Metro Line 9 to Trocadéro station. Cross over the River Seine for a closer view of this iconic French landmark. Depending on your pace, you may have time to climb up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Make sure you plan in advance and book Eiffel Tower skip-the-line tickets (with a specific date and time slot) to maximize your time in Paris.
Take the glass-roofed Batobus (the only Paris hop-on hop-off river cruise) from the base of the Eiffel Tower past Notre Dame or to the Jardin des Plantes if you have time. To get your Eurostar London to Paris return train, take the Metro Line 5 from Austerlitz station.
