One Perfect Day: A Paris from London Day Trip Itinerary

One of the many magical things about Europe is that you can travel between many cities and countries in a matter of hours. It’s quite possible to take a Paris from London Day Trip and never even have to check out of your London hotel. 

Paris really deserves a week (or months!) of its own to explore, but if you only have one day free and you fancy the idea of spending it in Paris, a day trip is absolutely doable! 

How to Get to Paris from London

The best way to travel between Paris and London is on the Eurostar train, which will get you from city-center to city-center in about 2.5 hours (see how to do it in this post). To squeeze as much time out of your Paris from London day trip, you’ll want to take the first train out in the morning and one of the last trains back to London in the evening. 

Don’t forget: Paris is one hour ahead of London. Many a train has been missed due to forgetting the time difference! And don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to travel between countries. 

Sample Paris from London Day Trip Itinerary 

Below is a sample timeline of how you could make the most of your time on your Paris from London day trip. If the sample itinerary below is missing something you’ve been dying to see — let me know and I’ll design a custom itinerary just for you. 

You’ll get off the train around 9:30 am, and here is where our adventure begins… 

• 9:45-10 am (15 minutes): Take Metro Line 4 or RER-B train from Gare du Nord to Saint-Michel station – pop out by the Seine River.
• 10 -10:30 (30 minutes): Walk toward Notre-Dame Cathedral to get a closer look at the exterior (the interior is closed until at least late 2024 for restoration after the fire). 
• 10:45-10:50 am (5 minutes): Take RER-C train to Musee d’Orsay station.
• 11-12:30 (1.5 hours): Visit the Musee d’Orsay — the best collection of Impressionist paintings (pre-booking is usually not necessary, but might be a good idea since you’re on a tight schedule.)
• 12:30 – 1:30 (30-60 minutes): Enjoy a quick lunch at Musee d’Orsay’s Cafe Campania. 
• 1:30 – 1:40 (10 minutes): Walk across the Pont Royal bridge to the Louvre Museum. 
• 2 – 4 pm (2 hours): Visit the Louvre (pre-book your entry time and/or a guided tour). 
• 4:15 – 4:45 (20-30 minutes): Metro or RER-C train to the Eiffel Tower (you’ll want to arrive 30 minutes ahead of your pre-booked entry time).
• 5:15 – 6:45 (1.5 hours): Ascend the Eiffel Tower (you must pre-book entry time for the elevators or if you are traveling during the low season or winter, you can try to buy same-day entry via the stairs).

After the Eiffel Tower, you may still have a little time left before you catch your train back to London, in which case you might squeeze in a recommendation or two below for your final hour or two in Paris…

Paris in a Day – Itinerary without the Museums

If you prefer to skip one or both of the museums, some additional options open up to you:

• You could sample the incredible food Paris is known for. 
• Enjoy a river cruise or stroll along the Seine (these boats depart from the Eiffel Tower). 
• Take a walking tour through a uniquely Parisian neighborhood.
• Hire a driver to take you on your own VIP sightseeing tour of Paris.

For more on those last two options, keep reading.   

Must-See Paris Neighborhoods 

Paris is a city overflowing with beauty and history — even if you never step foot in a museum or gallery! A walk down the street in any one of the many Parisian neighborhoods is worth the effort to get there. 

These are just a few of my favorites: 

Latin Quarter 

The Latin Quarter is on the Left Bank of the Seine, just across the river from Notre Dame. 

The 5th arrondissement is home to Sorbonne University. It’s a bustling, vibrant campus full of breathtaking architecture. 

If you’re a book lover, you might find the perfect souvenir at Shakespeare and Company bookstore. Every purchase is stamped with the store’s logo. Perhaps a book about Paris to take home with you? 

Champs-Élysées

The most beautiful avenue in the world, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, runs through the neighborhood spanning portions of the 8th and 16th arrondissements. 

There are several significant monuments along the Champs-Élysées, the most recognizable of which is the Arc de Triomphe. The Arc de Triomphe is the most visited national monument in Paris.  

The Champs-Élysées is also home to some of the most upscale shopping in all of Paris. 

The Marais

If you’re longing to wind your way through a neighborhood with that old-world charm Europe is so loved for —  narrow cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards and tranquil gardens around every corner — the Marais neighborhood in the 3rd and 4th arrondissement is where you’ll want to head next. 

Today it’s home to a vibrant Jewish community, a thriving gallery and cafe scene, and a multitude of beautiful mansions-turned-museums. 

One of these museums is home to the Paris Museum of Jewish Art and History, which houses one of the largest and most ancient collections of Judaica in the world. 

Jews have lived in Paris since the 1st century BC, when the Romans conquered the city. In the 13th century, many settled in the Marais, which eventually came to be known as the Jewish Quarter, or Pletzl (Yiddish for “little place”). 

Hire a Private Driver or Driver-Guide

If you want to cover more ground and see more of the city than you would from the underground metro, consider getting a private driver to take you around the city. You can hire them by the hour or day, customize your route, and make stops along the way. Think of this as a VIP alternative to the hop-on, hop-off-style sightseeing buses. It’s perfect for those looking for a hassle-free and highly personalized experience. 

If setting your own route and itinerary, you’ll want to sit down with a map of the city to plan carefully. You don’t want to waste time and energy zig-zagging and backtracking around the city. Make a list of your must-sees and then plan your route from start to finish based on their locations. 

Don’t forget to build in travel time into your itinerary. Plus, lunch and snack breaks you may want to take. You’ll need to keep your energy up for your busy day! 

For an even more luxurious way to explore Paris in a day, hire a private driver-guide. In addition to the benefits that come with having a driver for the day, you’ll also get a local guide who can customize your itinerary, provide expert commentary on Paris’ sites, and lead guided walking tours of neighborhoods, museums, and more. (Example: Paris Discovery 8-Hour Private Guided Tour + Eiffel Tower or this version without ascending the Eiffel Tower)

Pick a Day Trip to Paris that Works for You! 

A Paris from London day trip can be an ambitious undertaking, but if you love to pack as much as possible into each moment of your trip, you can check off quite a few must-sees in the City of Light before you head back to London. 

I would love to create a perfect day-in-Paris custom itinerary for you so all you have to do is follow the plan and enjoy your day in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.