How to Plan Your Best Vacation from London to Paris
While exciting, juggling between two of the most beautiful cities in the world for your vacation can appear just as exhausting. It might seem relatively easy, considering how close to each other London and Paris are, but in reality, there is plenty of stuff to regard and do for your travels to go smoothly. So, before jumping into all the fun of writing an itinerary, let’s go through some steps that will help you plan your best vacation from London to Paris!
Plan your budget
First things first, you should thoroughly plan how much money the trip is going to cost you and how much you are willing to spend. Being as popular as they are, London and Paris are relatively expensive cities for tourists, so it would be in your best interest to check the introductory pricing to avoid surprises!
The trip
Traveling from England’s capital city to France’s is a quick and comfortable journey. Many tourists often choose it as a day trip, since it is very easy to navigate between the two cities.
Approximately the fastest and most direct London to Paris train costs €60 and it only takes 2hrs 22mins to get to Paris. Keep in mind that we are talking about the quickest option here. Prices can de/increase if you choose different railway routes!
The bus will cost considerably less, almost three times less, though the journey is three times longer!
Accommodations
If you plan on spending some nights in London before taking off to Paris, be aware of the costs! One night in a vacation rental in London in an average-rating hotel or Airbnb can cost you over £100 per night.
An average night’s stay in Paris on a weeknight is €200. While the fees are quite steep, keep in mind that we are talking about one of Europe’s capital cities of culture and history, so spending a lot is inevitable!
General expenses
Naturally, there will be unplanned expenses you will not avoid during your trip. That includes stopping for food, water, souvenirs, or spontaneous sightseeing. In London, you should be ready to spend about £80 per day on these outgoings, and just about the same in Paris!
Purchasing travel cards
Both cities entertain Travel Cards or Pass - a much more convenient way to see the most popular tourist attractions, including a much more accessible entry and less money on tickets.
London Pass will grant you more comfortable access to places such as the Tower of London, Thames River Cruise, Windsor Castle, London Zoo, Westminster Abbey, and many, many more!
Similar to a London Pass, Paris Pass allows you easier entry and reservations for all of the essential spots you would usually find included in any tours to France. Visit the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, museums of Rodin and Picasso, and many other attractive sites!
Transportation
While many tourist attractions are relatively close to each other in both London and Paris, there are some stunning sites a bit further from the city center, so in both cases, we suggest using public transportation for easy navigating. Now, let’s see what you should know beforehand!
London
Traveling by bus is convenient and cheap! Significantly, the famous red double-deckers allow you an insight into the most famous spots in the city.
The Tube or the London Underground Railway network is best for a bit longer distances, especially while traveling from and to the city center.
Taxis are best if you need to get somewhere quickly and find yourself already late. However, if possible, try to avoid them, the fees are very high, and traffic is usually quite frantic, so the more you spend in the taxi, the more the meter goes up!
Local trains might be your top choice since the pricing is the most adequate and the railway system in London is very well developed. Additionally, if needed, you can easily reach any other city.
Paris
Riding the metro is the easiest and cheapest way to travel around Paris! There are 16 lines developed and 300 metro stations. So if you want quick and inexpensive, this is your number one!
The RER service line, known as the Suburban Express Railway, with only five railway routes, goes beyond Paris and can take you to other close regions while still offering a reasonable price!
Regarding prices and locations, buses and trains are probably the most popular choice. Buses are better if you are not traveling very far, and trains are more appropriate if you wish to see some scenic landscapes or take more exciting routes.
For night owls, we suggest Noctilien. This is a night bus service, working from 12:30 am to 5:30 am. With 47 lines and directions, it is bound to take you anywhere you want in the middle of the night, so if you happen to get stranded after a late night of sightseeing, use Noctilien!
Itinerary
The perfect itinerary is the last and most crucial part of planning your trip! First, make up a list of places you wish to see or deem essential to get the essence of both London and Paris.
For example, you should definitely include Westminster Abbey in London, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and Stonehedge. And while visiting Paris, you must see the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Provence, and others.
Do some research and determine which sites are a must-see, but try to leave free time slots in your schedule for unexpected stops, spontaneous sightseeing, and other unplanned yet exciting stuff! Be free and get lost in the beauty of England and France!
Final words
There you go! Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how to plan your trip. London to Paris is an extremely popular holiday route, and we guarantee you will have a great time. So follow our suggestions, and onto planning. Best of luck!
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