A day trip to Paris from London: Is it worth it?

What can you do in Paris in one day?

Just one day in Paris is never enough. That said, with many of the main attractions within 30 minutes of each other, you could power through a lot in less than 24 hours.

One of the most efficient ways to tick off the big-hitters is to travel clockwise from Paris’s main station, Gare du Nord, in a rough circuit.

Your day trip to Paris itinerary

Start your day with coffee in Le Marais

Take the Métro Line 4 to stop Châtelet and follow Rue de Rivoli into the heart of the Marais district.

You could spend hours getting lost in the cobbled streets of this medieval-turned-boho neighbourhood where boutique stores rub shoulders with popular falafel joints (try L'As du Fallafel), quiet gardens sidle up behind specialty galleries and charming courtyards can be found at every turn.

After a stroll through the area, grab a morning café et croissant at the jazzy Le Voltigeur – the staff always dish up something delicious and Instagrammable.

Visit two of Paris’s loveliest churches

Once you’ve dipped your toe in the life of a Parisian hipster, walk about 15 minutes to the Île de la Cité – the heart of Paris and the home of two of the city’s most iconic churches.

Currently, only one is open to visitors: the incredible Sainte-Chapelle. Nestled in imposing gothic arches, the chapel’s jaw-dropping 13th-century stained glass windows are definitely worth the stop. To save time (you only have a day, after all), pre-purchase your ticket online to fly past security and the often hour-long ticket queue.

The other, the Notre-Dame, has been closed since April 2019 after a tragic fire. It’s set to reopen after more than five years on 8 December 2024. Entry will remain free but you’ll need to book your time slot.

It’s just a 500m walk between the two churches, so it’s certainly possible to see both on your day trip to Paris if you plan ahead.

Check out the art at the Musée d’Orsay

To tackle the Louvre in an afternoon is impossible, so why not try something a little more manageable?

Just a 25-minute walk from the Île de la Cité is the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in an old train station, the gallery boasts a huge collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. Allow two hours for a comfortable visit – and don’t forget to pre-book your tickets online to skip the long queues.

Enjoy a late lunch in front of the Eiffel Tower

Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Paris without at least a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. Luckily, it’s only a 15-minute train ride on the RER C right up to it.

If the weather’s good, you can grab a takeaway baguette from any number of nearby boulangeries and enjoy a late lunch with a view in the Champs de Mar gardens.

There’s also a string of choices on the Avenue de Suffren (Aux Cerises gets good reviews despite its touristy location) or you can cross the Seine for a more upmarket experience at Monsieur Bleu in the Palais de Tokyo art gallery. It’s got a partial view of the tower too.

You could spend the rest of the day lining up to climb the tower but remember: if you’re on the Eiffel Tower, you won’t be able to see it!

Wander along Paris’s most iconic street

Depending on which side of the river you end up on, walk or take the Métro Line 6 to the Arc de Triomphe. After you’ve snapped the iconic memorial, you can spiral up the stairs of the tower for epic 360 views of the city and the hectic 12-street roundabout.

If you have time, stop in on macaron giant Ladurée – a ten-minute walk down the Champs-Élysées – for a sugar hit to last the rest of the day.

End the day in Montmartre

If you prefer to ramp up the romance, hop on Métro Line 2 to Pigalle and the Wall of Love. This modern installation in the dreamy Montmartre district features the words ‘I love you’ in 250 languages.

You can finish your day at the Sacré-Cœur, around ten minutes away. The domed church at the top of Montmartre hill looks down over the city and is free to enter, though the inside is far less impressive than its blindingly white exterior.

Instead, enjoy those macarons on the grass before meandering back to Gare du Nord. It’s just another 20 minutes from the basilica. Et voila! Paris in a day, done.

Tips for taking the train to Paris from London

How long is the Eurostar from London to Paris?

At its fastest, the Eurostar takes just two hours and sixteen minutes from London to Paris. At its slowest, the trip takes two hours and thirty-seven minutes.

How much does it cost to take the Eurostar from London to Paris?

Booking early can pay off for a day trip from London to Paris – you can find one-way tickets from as little as £39pp midweek or from £35pp in Eurostar’s flash sales that are held throughout the year.

As with many holidays, prices depend on the day and time you travel. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be the cheapest days to travel from London to Paris, while last-minute weekend trips can cost around £170 one-way.

You may have also seen Eurostar's new Snap fares. While it’s possible to pick up bargain last-minute tickets using the service, it doesn’t allow same-day return tickets.

Which trains from London should you take for a day trip to Paris?

The Eurostar timetable for trains from London to Paris changes seasonally – usually in spring and autumn.

At the time of writing (November 2024), the following are the best times to take the Eurostar to make the most of your London to Paris day trip. Note that these times are indicative only and the schedule is subject to change.

Earliest trains from London to Paris

Monday - Friday: 6:01am

Saturday: 6:31am

Sunday: 8.01am

Latest trains from Paris to London

Monday - Friday: 8:59pm / 9:11pm

Saturday: 8:12pm

Sunday: 9:11pm

Five tips for doing Paris in a day

1. Pick a few must-dos and plan your day around them: The above itinerary packs in a lot of sightseeing, but if you prefer to spend more time shopping or trying out France's culinary delights, base your day around those instead. If you've visited before, why not get to know a district you haven't been to?

2. Factor in time to rest: Powering around a city in just ten hours can get exhausting so plan at least one sit-down meal during the day so you can re-energise for more sightseeing – or shopping!

3. Buy tickets in advance: You can buy tickets to most attractions online and then skip the queue on the day.

4. Check the conditions of entry: Some attractions such as the Sainte-Chapelle can scan you in with tickets on your phone, while others may ask you to pick them up at a collection point or print them yourselves.

5. Don't overpack: Remember, you'll have to carry anything you bring around all day. A small backpack with water, your camera, a few snacks and a jumper should do – especially if you expect to be weighed down with new purchases throughout the day.