How to Plan a Day Trip from London to Paris (or Vice Versa!)

How to Plan a Day Trip from London to Paris (or Vice Versa!)

Fancy a day tip to Paris from London? Or Vice versa? Wherever you find yourself, planning a day trip to either city is quick and easy.

Both 伦敦 和 巴黎 are wonderful cities for a holiday, and while they’re both in two different countries, you can easily see either on a day trip. For over 20 years, these destinations have been connected via a high speed train, transporting thousands of passengers a day. Have your coffee and croissant in the morning in Paris, and an afternoon high-tea in London – all within a day. Wondering how to plan a day trip from London to Paris? Our guide will show you how you can visit either capital city in a day!

How to Get Between the Two Cities

You’d be forgiven for assuming the journey between the two cities would take longer than half a day. You could hop on a plane and arrive within an hour, but you’d end up spending more time in the airport than the destination. The best way to reach either destination is to hop on a train. EuroStar offers a direct service from either London St. Pancras 或 Paris Gare du Nord in just over 2 hours.

Trains leave once a day, but if you’re planning to make a day trip out of it, your best option is to leave on the early morning train. Tickets start at 44€, and please make note of the time difference when crossing the border. Did we mention this train travels through an underwater tunnel in the English Channel?

巴黎, 法国

The French capital is a romantic and exciting destination for everyone who visits. Though Paris is full of things to do, you won’t have time to see it all if you’re only planning a day trip. But if you plan your day trip from London to Paris right, you can ensure you see the top sights!

If you’re planning to head to Paris for a day trip, you’ll be arriving at Paris Gare du Nord. The station is within walking distance to the famous Monmartre where you can see sites like Moulin Rouge 和 Sacre Coeur. The neighbourhood is full of great Instagram spots, and second hand shopping.

Hop on the Paris Metro (Anvers Station) and ride 11 mins to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile. Once you exit the station, you’ll see the famous Paris landmark L’Arc de Triomphe. Once you’ve taken some time to admire its beauty, walk down the Champs-Élysées and take in the luxury brand store fronts.

Eventually, you’ll reach Jardin de Tuileries, which is a beautiful Parisian garden. Walk to the end to see the exterior of the Louvre, and then cross at Pont du Carrousel to have lunch in the St. Germaine neighbourhood. After lunch, walk 20 minutes and see the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral.

At this point, the rest of the day depends on how much you’ve managed to see with your time. You should be able to see at least one more landmark on your day trip from London to Paris: the Eiffel Tower. Rather than spend time in the queue, walk around the park and find a great spot to snap some pics!

Afterwards, head back to Paris Gare du Nord and hop on your train to head back to jolly old England!

London, U.K.

伦敦 is jam packed with things to do, and getting around the British capital is easy. Having said that, it’s much, much bigger than Paris, so seeing as many sites might be tricky, but you can certainly give it your best shot.

If you’re travelling from Paris, you’ll arrive at London St. Pancras. Since London is much larger than Paris, it’s probably a good idea to purchase an Oyster Card for the day to ensure you maximise your time here. Hop on the tube at St. Pancras and starting your day trip in London at the British Museum. Home to some pretty incredible artefacts, the interior is also worth checking out, especially if you’re an architecture fan. Did we mention entrance is free?

Afterwards, walk to Leicester Square, and then head to Piccadilly Circus and take in all the digital billboards (it’s like the Times Square of London). From here, walk through Green Park, finally arriving at Buckingham Palace, home of the Queen!

After marvelling at the Royal Palace, head to Westminster Abbey. This is where Royal events such as Coronations, weddings, and funerals take place. It’s located near The British Parliament Buildings, as well as 大本钟, one of the most famous landmarks in London.

From here, cross Westminster Bridge, and head towards the London Eye. If you want, purchase a ticket in advance to get an incredible view of the city, but it’ll be time-consuming so it depends on how high a priority it is on your list. Walk along the river until you end up at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Finally, cross at Millennium Bridge and walk to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Afterwards, head back to St. Pancras and hop on your train back to Paris!

Where to Stay in London or Paris

For the best accommodation in London, be sure to book a room at St. Christopher’s Village London! They offer a range of rooms, from dorms, to private rooms, and even pod beds. This centrally located hostel also has an in house bar, and tons of amenities making it the perfect home away from home.

Our top recommendation in Paris is St. Christopher’s Inn. With two fully equipped locations, they’re the perfect hosts in Paris. Enjoy exclusive discounts at their restaurants and bar, participate in a range of their free activities, and sleep soundly when you’re a guest at St. Christopher’s.

How to Plan a Day Trip from London to Paris (or Vice Versa!)

And that’s how to plan a day trip from London to Paris, or vice versa! Please keep in mind these two destinations also use a different currency (Euro in Paris and British Pound in London), so make sure you have the right cash with you when you go.

If you’re looking for more information to plan your adventure, or simply get inspired, click 这里 to find tons of helpful tips and tricks. From food guides, museum guides, hidden destination tips, and more, we cover all topics to help you plan the ultimate adventure. For all the latest news at Famous Hostels, follow us or subscribe on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Youtube.