Looking to take a day trip from London to Paris and need help planning it? Look no further! While more than one day in Paris is ideal, it's not always necessary. You can see a lot of the City of Light in one day, and a short jaunt will be quite the adventure. Luckily, with the help of the Eurostar train, a quick London to Paris day trip is totally doable. Below, we'll help you get from one beautiful city to the next and detail all the wonderful things to do in Paris on your one-day trip.
The Eiffel Tower // Unsplash
How To Get From London to Paris
The Eurostar train is the fastest way to get from Paris to London. It takes less than 2.5 hours to travel from London's St. Pancras Station to the Gare du Nord in Paris. The train is much faster than taking a bus, which takes six to eight hours. The train is also probably faster than flying once you consider the time spent traveling to and from the airport, the time getting through security, and the fact that you have to arrive so early before take-off. The train has the added benefit of delivering you to the city center, whereas planes land outside the city center and require additional travel time to get to where you want to go.
For a full London to Paris day trip, leave as early as possible. If you plan on traveling by train and don't mind waking up early, there's a 5:40 AM train in London that arrives in Paris just after 8 AM. The last train leaving Paris is at 9:13 PM, giving travelers a lot of time to work with.
Basilique du Sacré-Coeur // Unsplash
What To Do on a Quick London to Paris Day Trip
With a full day in Paris ahead of you and a city full of attractions and beautiful sights, it can be hard to choose what to do. The key to a successful London to Paris day trip is not cramming everything in. Pick two to three main Paris attractions or maybe even just one neighborhood to fully explore. A good tip is to purchase Metro tickets as soon as you arrive at the Gare du Nord. While Paris is a walking city, the Metro is ideal for getting to your first destination. Speaking of that first destination, we recommend Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, and the 1st arrondissement.
The site of the famous Moulin Rouge and the Sacré-Coeur, Montmartre is an excellent place to spend the day. We recommend visiting a Parisian café for a cup of coffee and prime people-watching.
Home to Notre Dame, Shakespeare & Company, and Luxembourg Garden, the Latin Quarter is easy to explore. Take a break from the sights and pop into a local bookstore or bakery.
Looking for a relaxing day of finding inspiration in museums, strolling through gardens, and sipping tea? The 1st arrondissement is home to the Louvre (or Musée d’Orsay), Angelina Tearoom, and Tuileries Gardens. The 1st arrondissement is also where you'll find the Rue Saint-Honoré, a shoppers' paradise lined with cute boutiques.
After a morning exploring, walk along the Seine River to the Eiffel Tower. It's picturesque and well worth the stroll. Plus, you'll want to snap a few photos of the iconic landmark before heading back to London. Since this is a quick London to Paris day trip, sit and admire the Eiffel Tower without venturing up to the top. Save climbing for a trip where you have a little more time. Before it's time to head back to London, you'll want to dine in a chic Parisian restaurant for deliciously decadent French cuisine.
As important as it is to plan the perfect one-day itinerary in Paris, it's also important to know what not to do on a quick London to Paris day trip. First of all, stay in Paris. Don't venture too far away. For example, Versailles is about an hour away, which doesn't seem like that long, but if you choose to visit, it's the only place you'll be able to see. Plus, you'll add to your travel time, cutting away from vacation time.
Related: The 25 Best Things To Do in Paris
L'Arc de Triomphe // Unsplash
Tips To Make the Most of a London to Paris Day Trip
Don't Rush
We mentioned it above, but it bears repeating: Don't try to do too much on your London to Paris day trip. It's fun to get lost on side streets, snap photos along the Seine, and smell the roses in the beautiful gardens. Linger in a café, wander through the shops — get a real taste of Parisian life, even if it's only for one day.
Pack an Umbrella
Bring a small travel umbrella. Rain falls unexpectedly in Paris, and the last thing you want is wet clothes for an entire day.
Arrive at the Gare du Nord Early
Nobody wants to miss their ride home on a London to Paris day trip. Arrive at the Gare du Nord at least one hour before departure time. You'll have to go through immigration, and depending on the length of lines, it can take a while.
Bring a Charger and an eSIM
Don't let your phone run out of charge. You'll want it to snap photos! Plus, travelers need to stay connected, even on a quick day trip. Consider an Airalo eSIM. Airalo makes it easy to get online so you can communicate with others and research train times, ticket prices, and restaurant menus. Simply download the app, choose your destination and package, install the eSIM, and connect to a mobile network when you arrive in Paris. It's useful, cost-effective, and can be a real lifesaver when you need it most.
Taking a day trip from London to Paris? Visit the Airalo store to find eSIMs for France and 200+ countries and regions worldwide.
