London Day Trips from Paris - Plan you Visit
- Stefanie Lambert
- 17 hours ago
- 8 min read
London and Paris are two of my favorite (and two of the most iconic) cities in the world and choosing between them can be very difficult. Luckily, you don't have to. If you want to stare at the Mona Lisa one day, and the Crown jewels of England the next, consider a day trip from Paris to London. This might seem ambitious, but thanks to the high-speed Eurostar train, it's not only possible, but can be an exciting addition to your Paris itinerary. With just over two hours of travel time each way, you can enjoy a breakfast at a Parisian cafe overlooking Notre Dame cathedral, and a lunch at a traditional English pub overlooking the river Thames. It will definitely be a full day, but the chance to see two of the most beautiful cities in one day is very tempting. There will be plenty of time to explore some of London's highlights before returning to see the Eiffel tower sparkle at night. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your cross-channel adventure including a sample itinerary.
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Planning Your Trip
Booking Eurostar Tickets
You won't be able to do this day trip by renting a car or joining a bus tour. The only way to fit London in as a day trip from Paris is to take the high-speed Eurostar train from Gare du Nord station in Paris, through the channel tunnel (chunnel) to St Pancras International station in London. The train journey will take around two hours. Make sure to book your tickets in advance to find the lowest available fare. Aim for an early start. The first train usually leaves around 7:00 AM. Return in the evening (the last train leaves around 8:00-9:00 PM) to maximize your time in London. Something you may want to consider is purchasing flexible tickets. They cost more but allow changes if your plans shift. It is a good idea to arrive at the train station at least 45-60 minutes before departure to give yourself enough time for passport control and security as well as to find the correct train. Also, always check the train schedules as they do sometimes change. On your return journey, leave at least 30 minutes to get back to St Pancras station from anywhere in central London, plus the time for passport control and to find your train.
Travel Documents
The UK is no longer part of the EU, so all travelers need a valid passport. They have also recently implemented the UK ETA program for visitors to register before visiting the UK. This is needed even if you are travelling from the United States or Canada. It is a simple process. Simply go on the UK ETA website or download the app. Then follow the instructions to register. There is a small fee and then you are all set for 2 years.
Money Matters
The UK uses the British Pound (£), not the Euro (€). The easiest way to get cash is to use ATMs in London. Try to only use ATMs that are attached to a bank as they are more secure. Credit cards are accepted in most places and will be the simplest way to make purchases so that you are not left with pounds at the end of the day that you don't need.
Other Differences
The UK also uses different outlets than the European continent. You will probably not need to be using these if you are just headed there for a day trip, but it is something to be aware of, just in case. If you did need to use an outlet, you would need a different outlet adaptor than in Paris
There is a time change from Paris to London. London is an hour behind Paris. Be sure you are aware of this when you are planning ticket entry times. This time change is helpful when going to London because you will arrive an hour earlier than expected but remember to add an hour when heading back to Paris.
Make sure your cell phone data plan will work in the UK as it will be very helpful for getting around.
Obviously, the language will change to English. If you have spent a long time trying to understand French in Paris, it can be a welcome reprieve to spend a day easily communicating again.
Making the most of your time
Plan out your day in London ahead of time so you can be efficient with you time there. Map out the sites you want to visit and the best route to see them. When looking at the map, check the walking time between stops. Distances on the map can sometimes be deceiving, and you might end up with a long walk you were not anticipating.
The London tube (underground/subway) is easy and efficient, but you may want to do some research ahead of time to familiarize yourself with it. Look at the underground map and know what stations you will want to go to throughout your day. London now has contactless credit card/device payment on the tube for maximum convenience. Just tap your card or phone as you enter and exit the tube station and it will automatically charge you for the ride. If you are taking busses or trams, you only need to tap when you enter.
If you are planning to go into the sites on London, book tickets ahead of time so you aren't wasting time in long lines. Some sites will sell out as well so you don't want to take time traveling to the sites, just to find out you can't get in.
Another option to consider for maximizing your time is joining a guided tour, hiring a private guide for the day or using the London hop on/hop off busses. These options will help get the most of the time you have.
Don't try to see everything. I know that it is tempting to jam pack your day, especially if it is your first time in London. While you want to make the most of your time, you also want to be able to enjoy the city. Just focus on three or four big sites, or maybe two different areas. London is not just about getting the snaps of the most famous monuments. You want to be able to experience the city a bit.
Your Day in London
Morning: Classic Sights
Here is an example itinerary that would help you see the main sites if this is your first visit to London. Of course, these are just ideas. Customize it to fit your needs and interests.
After arriving at St. Pancras International Station around 9:00 AM local time (UK is one hour behind France as mentioned earlier), begin with London's iconic attractions:
Westminster area (3 hours, depending on how long you take at Westminster abbey and the national gallery)
Take the Underground (Victoria, Circle, or District Line) to Westminster Station
See Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Explore Westminster Abbey (there is an entrance fee, book this ahead of time)
Walk to Whitehall and see 10 Downing Street
Continue to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Entry is free but book ahead of time. Even though you can often get tickets at the door, you don't want to take the chance. I recommend getting the audio tour. It is very helpful and informative. You could literally spend days in here so you will have to choose a few rooms to explore. Do some research ahead of time to find out the top things you want to see. If you go in to the museum, this section of the itinerary will take longer than 3 hours.
Midday: Lunch Break
Quick Option: Grab a sandwich or pastry from Pret A Manger or similar chain
Traditional Option: Try a pub for fish and chips or a pie
Foodie Option: Visit Borough Market for artisanal food stalls if your itinerary takes you near London Bridge
I would probably try to only have one sit down meal if you are wanting to get the most into your day. For the rest of your day just grab a pastry here, or an ice cream there when you need something to help keep you going. You could also bring or buy snacks to enjoy as you sit on a bench in a park for a quick break.
Afternoon: Choose Your Adventure
Option 1: Royal London (3 hours)
Walk up The Mall to Buckingham Palace - I know it will be tempting, but my advice is to skip the changing of the guard at the palace. It gets very crowded, is really not that interesting, and will take precious time from your day.
Stroll through St. James's Park
Visit the Tower of London with its crown jewels, beefeaters and site of Anne Boleyn's execution. (note: Tower of London has an entrance fee and can take more than 2 hours so if you want to visit, book ahead of time and factor in the time it will take to visit.)
Take pictures of tower bridge
Option 2: Choose a museum (3 hours)
There are so many museums to choose from in London. You could spend days and days just exploring all they have to offer. Many of them are also free but again, I would book your tickets ahead of time so you aren't wasting time in lines or get there to find out you can't get in. I would probably just choose one on the list to see well instead of trying to jump around seeing only a few bits of each one. You will have a much more enjoyable time and won't waste time traveling between the different museums. Do some research ahead of time as to what you are interested in so you will know where to go once you are in. Audioguides can be very helpful to give more information, or you could book a guided tour. Besides the National Gallery I mentioned earlier, here are a few more options:
British Museum for world-class artifacts including the Rosetta Stone
Victoria and Albert Museum for decorative arts and design
Natural History Museum for dinosaurs and natural wonders
All of these museums are free but again, I would book your tickets ahead of time so you aren't wasting time in lines or get there to find out you can't get in.
Option 3: London Shopping (3 hours)
Oxford Street for mainstream shopping
Covent Garden for boutiques and street performers
Liberty London for luxury in a historic building
Harrods to experience a historical department store with a wonderful toy section
Early Evening: Last Impressions
Take a quick ride on the London Eye for panoramic views (pre-book to avoid lines)
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream and other pastries
Walk along the South Bank of the Thames to see modern London
Take a thames river cruise to see the city from the water
Other options
Here are some other options to consider
Take a stroll in the beautiful Hyde park with Kensington palace and gardens
Regent's park is also very beautiful. If you are up in this area you can visit Camden market with its interesting shops, stalls and restaurants. From Camden market you can take a boat ride down the picturesque canals.
Visit the gorgeous St. Paul's cathedral. Make sure to go up to the whispering gallery in the dome where you can hear people whispering from across the rim of the dome if you are standing in the right spot. There is a fee to enter. Book you tickets ahead of time as well.
Visit Shakespear's the globe theater. There are guided tours available. Book ahead of time
See a matinee in London's west end theater district. This is equivalent to Broadway with multiple shows playing in different theaters in the area. Check to see which shows are available on the day you are visiting and book ahead
Final Thoughts
A Paris-London day trip requires efficient planning but offers a wonderful taste of British culture. You'll return to Paris in the evening tired but with memories of two of Europe's greatest capitals in a single day. While you won't see everything London has to offer, you'll be able to see some of its iconic landmarks and experience enough to decide if a longer future visit is in order. Remember that the Eurostar journey is part of the experience – crossing under the English Channel is an adventure in itself! Bon voyage and enjoy your British excursion.
Ready to travel to London or Paris? Contact me at stefanie@eurotravelsbydesign.com and I will custom design your perfect trip.
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