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11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks

Europe is going to be very busy in the summer of 2024 as the world is back to normal and travel demand is higher than ever. One other key factor is that most European currencies are still hovering at lower levels historically compared to the US dollar, which means that Europe will feel somewhat cheap again this year. In fact, according to our World Backpacker Index , European cities like Lisbon, Madrid, and Munich are about 30% cheaper to visit than Boston, Chicago, and New York City. In other words, flying to Europe might seem expensive, but most things will be cheaper once you get there compared to the costs of visiting a large US city.

Below you’ll find 11 of the most popular and best itineraries for a first visit to Europe. Your first visit is not really the time to be different or creative, and the famous destinations tend to be popular for a reason. In other words, it’s kind of silly to visit, say, Bulgaria, if you’ve not yet been to France or Italy. I lay out the best options along with how long to stay in each place as a general guide. I also discuss Mediterranean cruises, which can actually be an amazing way to see a lot of Europe on your first visit, especially if you don’t like going back and forth to train stations and airports every 2 or 3 days.

For a bit of fun you might be interested in the cheapest 5-star hotels in Europe , which start at US$80 per night for really nice hotels. It helps show that if you choose some of the cheaper cities, you can treat yourself to some luxury that you can’t afford in most other places.

This article was last updated in March, 2024.

There are 11 starter itineraries described in detail below

• Classic London and Paris
• England and Scotland
• Paris and Italy
• Mediterranean cruise
• France, Belgium, and Netherlands
• Paris and elsewhere in France
• Switzerland
• Best of cheap eastern Europe

For each itinerary there are suggestions of other destinations that are easy to add on to the main cities.

Note: This article was most recently updated in March, 2024

Building the best itinerary for your first trip to Europe

Below there are 11 popular itineraries for one week in Europe. If you’ve only got a week then choose one of them and assume you’ll return again to conquer more of this amazing part of the world. If you’ve got more time then you can choose from some of the top add-on suggestions for each one.

Start in the most famous cities

Your first visit to Europe is no time to try to be different or edgy. I recommend that you  focus on these 5 great cities  before you start branching out into cheaper or more obscure places.

Keep your travel days to a minimum

Spend 3 (or 4) nights in almost every major city

So many first-time visitors are initially planning on spending only 1 or 2 nights in major cities that I wrote a detailed explanation of why  3 nights is ideal for almost all European cities , even if you want to see as much as possible.

3 (or 4) nights will be enough for any city on your first trip

Most first-time visitors are tempted to move too quickly, but it can also be a mistake to move too slowly. It’s really amazing how much you can see in two full sightseeing days. If you spend too long in one city you’ll end up seeing things that are way down your list, while you could be in another city seeing things at the top of your list there.

Choose cities that are easy to reach from each other

For your first trip it’s best to visit cities that are no more than a 5-hour train ride apart.

Choose cities that are connected by reasonable train rides rather than flights

To build on the point above, finding cheap flights within Europe is easy, but train travel is about a million times more enjoyable and less stressful. You’ll enjoy the train rides almost as much as the cities, so focus on places that are within 5 hours of each other by train.

Start with one of the classic itineraries below, and then add to it if you have more time

If you only have 7 days then you’ll find a list below of classic itineraries that are well-suited to a first visit to Europe. Hopefully you have more than 7 days though, and if you do you can add in one or more of the suggested add-on cities to build an itinerary that appeals most to you.

Best 1-week itineraries for the first time in Europe

Itinerary 1: classic london and paris.

• London  (3 or 4 nights)
• Paris  (3 or 4 nights)

Fly into either city and take the 2-hour Eurostar train between them

London highlights

• Big Ben and Parliament
• Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Tower of London and Tower Bridge
• West End shows (Broadway equivalent) and classic pubs
• Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle

Paris is actually far more beautiful than London and the food is famously much better as well. Since Paris gets so many tourists from non-French speaking countries, it’s easy to get by on just English, and the Metro system makes it fast and easy to get around. The architecture of both cities is amazing from the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. These cities each pack a huge punch and they are very different from each other as well. Actually, England is arguably the best choice for your first trip to Europe .

Paris highlights

• Eiffel Tower
• Louvre Museum and Museum de Orsay
• Arc de Triomphe and other monuments
• Montmartre neighborhood and Sacré Coeur Cathedral
• Probably the world’s best affordable restaurants and wine

Best add-ons to London and Paris

• Edinburgh  (2 or 3 nights, from London)
• Amsterdam  (2 or 3 nights, from Paris)
• Bruges  and  Brussels  (2 nights, from Paris)

>>> Best one-week London and Paris itinerary in detail >>> Check London hotel deals >>> Check Paris hotel deals

Itinerary 2: England and Scotland

• York (1 night)
• Edinburgh, Scotland  (2 or 3 nights)
• Inverness, Scotland (2 or 3 nights)

York is a small Roman city with intact city walls and one of the most famous cathedrals in Europe. Edinburgh is not only the capital of Scotland, but it’s easily the second most interesting city in all of Britain. If your time is short, skip York and spend more time in Edinburgh.

If you prefer to focus on the south of England on your first trip then the best option is to go to Bath or nearby Bristol after London. Bath is another of England’s top destinations and it’s a gorgeous city that has been a spa resort for many centuries. It’s also reasonably close to Stonehenge. You can also easily get to Cornwall in England’s southwest corner from Bath, and that’s a whole different and fascinating experience (with nicer weather than up north).

If you’ve got more than a week and want to spend more time in Scotland, especially in the summer months, the place to head to is Inverness. It’s a small town that is considered the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, but it’s an interesting and charming place on its own. You can take day-trips by bus to the highlights of the Highlands including the Isle of Skye and Loch Ness. Between you and me, it’s better to minimize time in Loch Ness or skip it altogether because it’s not one of the more photogenic parts of Scotland and the monster has always been a hoax.

Travel times between the recommended places

• London to York by train: 2 hours
• York to Edinburgh by train: 2.5 hours
• London to Edinburgh by train: 4 hours
• Edinburgh to Inverness by train: 3.5 hours
• London to Bath by train: 85 minutes

Best add-ons to England and Scotland

• Paris  (3 or 4 nights from London)
• Amsterdam  (3 nights from Paris)

If you think you want to spend your whole trip in Britain you should have a look at our article on the  best itineraries in England, Scotland, and Wales .

>>> Check London hotel deals >>> Check Edinburgh hotel deals

Itinerary 3: Paris and Italy

• Paris (3 or 4 nights)
• Venice (1 night)
• Florence (2 or 3 nights)
• Rome (3 nights)

From Paris you can easily fly to Venice (or nearby Treviso) where you should try to spend about 24 hours. Venice is small enough to see in a full day, and so crowded that most people are satisfied to leave after that day. The key is to stay in the main part of the main island so you can enjoy Venice before the cruise passengers and day-trippers arrive, and also after they leave for the day. Two nights in Venice would not be wasted time, and it’s possibly the most gorgeous city in the entire world, but you can see the best of it in a bit over 24 hours.

Rome also lives up to the hype and spending a day in the Vatican City will be a highlight even for non-Catholics, but it’s also a crowded and busy city so three days is usually enough for most people. Similar to Paris, Rome is an unusually beautiful city from almost any angle when you are in the historical center. You’ll walk through a stunning piazza (town square) and then turn a corner and you’ll see gorgeous buildings or public statues that are as nice as anything in the museums. Seriously, it’s worth a visit.

Paris to Venice flight: 1 hour 35 minutes Venice to Florence by train: 1 hour 53 minutes Florence to Rome by train: 1 hour 16 minutes

You can of course instead fly from Paris to Rome and then go north to Florence and then to Venice and fly home (or back to Paris) from there, and it would be just as enjoyable.

Best add-ons to Paris and Italy

• Nice/Cannes/Monaco  (2 or 3 nights)
• Avignon (2 nights)
• Bourges (2 nights)
• Bordeaux (2 nights)
• Aix-en-Provence (2 nights)
• Reims (2 nights)
• Dijon/Burgundy (2 nights)
• Milan  (1 or 2 nights)
• Lake Como (2 nights)
• Siena (2 nights)
• Cinque Terre (1 night)
• Naples / Sorrento /Amalfi Coast/Pompeii/Capri (3 to 5 nights)
• Sicily (3 to 4 nights)

>>>Much more information in this article about the best France and Italy itineraries >>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Venice hotel deals >>> Check Florence hotel deals >>> Check Rome hotel deals

Itinerary 4: Mediterranean cruise

In spite of the reputation of cruises to be floating buffets, they can actually be an excellent way to visit a great number of amazing European cities in a short time. The ship typically is in port from the early morning until mid evening, often giving you the opportunity to have dinner in the city (unlike Caribbean cruises). Better still, the cruise ports are often near the center of town, so you can just walk off the ship and do sightseeing on foot or by public transportation.

Mediterranean cruises usually start at 7 nights but can go up to 3 weeks, which can provide an amazing tour of the entire region without having to pack and repack your bags more than once. They also can provide excellent value, especially compared to the price of taking trains or flights and finding new hotels in every destination.

Most popular Mediterranean departure ports

Barcelona, Spain – It’s an easy port to reach. Ships generally go from Barcelona with stops in France and then Italy.

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy – The port isn’t very close to Rome, but it’s easy to get back and forth. Ships go west to France and Spain as well as south around the tip of Italy and then on to Croatia, Venice, and to Greece.

Venice, Italy – The cruise ships no longer dock close to the best tourist areas, but it’s easy enough to visit Venice for a day or two before boarding a ship. Ships starting in Venice go south and then head west and to Rome and then to France, or they go south to Croatia and then head east to Greece.

Athens, Greece – The cruise port of Piraeus is just south of Athens and easy to reach. Ships from Athens usually head west towards Croatia, Italy, France, and Spain, but there are also ships that visit Greek islands and Turkey.

>>> Check for deals on Mediterranean cruises

Alternative to consider: a river cruise

Amsterdam ,  Budapest , and  Prague  are some of the most popular river cruise ports, but there are dozens of others including many smaller towns in France where few other tourists will be when you stroll off the ship. There is little or no entertainment on the river cruise ships, but passengers don’t miss it because the entire day and into the evening is spent just steps from local cultural offerings and restaurants.

>>> Check for Europe and river cruise deals

Itinerary 5: France, Belgium, and Netherlands

• Paris  (3 nights)
• Brussels  and  Bruges  (1 or 2 nights)
• Amsterdam  (2 or 3 nights)

Paris to Brussels: 1 hour 22 minutes Brussels to Bruge: 58 minutes Bruges to Amsterdam: 2 hours 45 minutes Amsterdam to Paris: 3 hours 17 minutes

Spending 4 nights in Paris and 3 nights in Amsterdam would be a great trip, but if you want to see something else you’ve got a couple options in between. My advice is to spend an afternoon looking around the Grand Place (main square) in Brussels and then hop a 58-minute train ride to Bruges for a night or two. Brussels isn’t a great tourist city, but Bruges really is so it’s a better option for most people. Whatever you choose out of this group, you can be back in Paris on another high-speed train for your flight home.

Best add-ons to France, Belgium, and Netherlands

• Luxembourg City  (1 or 2 nights)
• Cologne, Germany (1 or 2 nights)
• Interlaken, Switzerland  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Bruges hotel deals >>> Check Amsterdam hotel deals

Itinerary 6: Paris and elsewhere in France

And a choice of:

• Normandy (2 nights)

While Nice is a wonderful tourist city for a look at the French Riviera, the other larger cities of Lyon and Marseilles are probably better saved for a future trip because they are light on key sights compared to many smaller towns. Wine lovers can rent a car or take trains into Bordeaux or Burgundy. Since you can get between most of these towns by train in 2 hours or less, spending only 2 nights in each one is a reasonable option if you want to see a lot in a short time.

Normandy is an interesting choice and easy to reach in only about two hours by train from Paris. Some visitors like to see the famous WWII beaches and memorials, while others (especially in summer) like to check out one or more of the beach-resort towns. Deauville is one of the more famous of those, and it’s also famous for its horse race track and as one of the epicenters of the industry in Europe.

Best add-ons to Paris and elsewhere

• More France, of course

>>> Check Paris hotel deals >>> Check Nice hotel deals

Itinerary 7: Italy

• Rome  (3 nights)
• Florence  (2 or 3 nights)
• Venice  (1 or 2 nights)

Rome to Florence: 1 hour 16 minutes Florence to Venice: 1 hour 53 minutes

Venice is small enough that you can see the main sights in about 24 hours, and it’s so insanely crowded that many people tire of it after about a day as well. It’s better to pay more for a hotel to be on the main island and visit quickly than to save money with a hotel on the mainland where you’ll be in crowds going back and forth as well. Florence is the most relaxing of the 3, and also a great base for side trips to Pisa, Siena, and Cinque Terre, just to name a few.

Going to Italy? Here are the  best first-time Italy itineraries for 3 days to 2 weeks  (in much greater detail)

Best add-ons to Italy

>>> Check Rome hotel deals >>> Check Florence hotel deals >>> Check Venice hotel deals

Itinerary 8: Spain

• Madrid  (4 nights) (including day trip to Toledo)
• Barcelona  (3 nights)

Madrid to Barcelona: 2 hours 30 minutes

A huge part of Spain’s tourism industry is built around its southern beaches and islands such as Ibiza, Mallorca, and Tenerife (in the Canary Islands). For most people it’s best to ignore those places on your first trip because none of the beaches are special enough to spend days on them compared to the culture of the cities.

Best add-ons to Spain

• Valencia  (2 nights)
• Seville  (2 or 3 nights)
• Granada  (2 or 3 nights)
• Lisbon  (3 nights)

By popular demand, I’ve added a full article on where to go in Spain with itineraries from 7 to 10 days up to two weeks .

>>> Check Madrid hotel deals >>> Check Barcelona hotel deals >>> Check Lisbon hotel deals

Itinerary 9: Germany

• Berlin  (3 nights)
• Munich  (2 or 3 nights)
• Rothenburg ob der Tauber (1 night)
• Füssen (1 night)

Berlin to Munich: 6 hours 2 minutes Munich to Rothenburg ob der Tauber: 2 hours 56 minutes Munich to Füssen: 2 hours 4 minutes

Those two cities are the keys to a Germany visit, and after that you’ve got a wide variety of choices. I cover most of the popular choices in my article on  where to go in Germany , which covers several smaller towns that are major highlights.

Best add-ons to Germany

• Cologne (1 or 2 nights)
• Hamburg  (2 or 3 nights)
• Amsterdam  (3 nights)
• Prague  (3 nights)
• Salzburg  (2 or 3 nights)
• Vienna  (3 nights)
• Interlaken, Switzerland  (3 nights)
• Lucerne, Switzerland  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Berlin hotel deals >>> Check Munich hotel deals

Itinerary 10: Switzerland

• Interlaken  (3 nights)
• Bern (1 night)
• Lucerne  (3 nights)

Zurich Airport to Interlaken: 2 hours 10 minutes Interlaken to Bern: 53 minutes Bern to Lucerne: 1 hour 50 minutes Lucerne to Zurich Airport: 1 hour 3 minutes

Interlaken is the best hub for the most dramatic Alps views and experiences. The one-hour cable car ride up to the Schilthorn observation deck is something you’ll never forget, and the only thing that might be more dramatic is the train ride up to the Jungfraujoch station, which is the highest in Europe. Lucerne is almost as beautiful with a scenic lake at its heart and also great mountaintop views nearby. If you do want to see a Swiss city then the capital of Bern is the most interesting and photogenic on a short visit. Read more about  where to go in Switzerland  for even more ideas.

Best add-ons to Switzerland

• Munich  (3 nights)
• Italy (as long as you’ve got)

>>> Check Interlaken hotel deals >>> Check Lucerne hotel deals

Itinerary 11: Eastern Europe’s best cheap cities

• Budapest  (3 nights) and/or
• Krakow  (3 nights)

Each of these cities is beautiful and historic, but English is less widely spoken so they can also be quite a bit more challenging for a first-time visitor. Another difficulty is that the trains between them are still quite slow compared to the high-speed rail in the West, so it takes most of a day from one to another, and a bus is often a better choice. I cover this best cheap Europe itinerary more fully in the linked article.

Prague to Budapest: 6 hours 41 minutes Budapest to Krakow: 9 hours 54 minutes (flying might be better)

Best add-ons to cheap Eastern Europe

• Cesky Krumlov, Czechia  (2 nights)
• Ljubljana, Slovenia  (2 or 3 nights)
• Split, Croatia  (3 nights)
• Belgrade, Serbia  (2 or 3 nights)
• Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina  (2 or 3 nights)
• Sofia, Bulgaria  (2 or 3 nights)

>>> Check Prague hotel deals >>> Check Budapest hotel deals >>> Check Krakow hotel deals

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11 Best first-time Europe itineraries for 1, 2, or 3 weeks " --> All Comments

Hi Roger, was reading your article and reply to various questions and its actually too good and kind from you. if you pls,help me out a route plan for 15days. but my catch is, i have to start from Stockholm.i like to end in rome to head back home. in between what should be my plan?thanks

I’m happy to help. Stockholm to Rome could be done in 15 days, but it would require skipping quite a few great places along the way. My recommendation would be to choose 5 or maybe 6 cities total and spend 3 days in each. If Stockholm is one of your cities you’d only have 12 days left but even if Stockholm didn’t count on the 15 days I think it’s probably best to fly from Stockholm to a city closer to Italy and then do the rest of it on shorter train rides. You could do Stockholm to Copenhagen by train, but those are pretty long train rides and honestly those two cities are pretty similar to each other.

So maybe Stockholm and then a flight to Paris and then trains to Venice, Florence and Rome? That sort of thing. Stockholm is just so remote that it would require at least 3 or 4 longer train journeys but if you flew from Stockholm to Paris (or Berlin or Prague or Budapest or wherever) the remaining train rides would be relatively short. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the article and itineraries; they are very helpful.

My wife and I are planning a 3 to 4-month trip around the EU (Western Europe). Before I delve into the specifics of our itinerary, I am wondering if the same 3 to 5-day in each-city principle applies for cases where travellers will spend more time travelling around?

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Raf

Wow. That sounds amazing! Even when traveling for longer periods like that I’d recommend a minimum of 3 nights in almost any place you go. The main reason is your travel days tend to be kind of long when you factor in everything from checking out of one hotel to getting to the train station and waiting and then the journey time and then getting to your next hotel and getting situated. All of that usually takes 4 to 6 hours even when the train journey is only an hour or two, so you just don’t get much sightseeing done on those days. So if you only stay 2 nights in each city it means every other day is a travel day and that just takes up too much time.

That said, I think 3 or 4 days is enough time in most places as well. If you really want to get to know Paris, for example, you might stay a week there. But for most cities there are diminishing marginal returns starting on day 3 or 4. In other words, you’ll be able to see the 10 things that most interest you in 3 days or so, and at that point you might be ready to see the Top 10 things in the next city instead of the #11 through #20 things in the first city.

Another thing that is important with longer trips like that is to plan some down time at least every few weeks. If you try to do sightseeing 7 days per week for weeks at a time it starts to feel like a job. What I like to do is every two or three weeks find a smaller town or cheaper place where I can rent a little apartment or some place larger and more comfortable than a typical small European hotel room. And I like to stop in places without many sights otherwise it’s too tempting to keep sightseeing every day.

I’ve actually done quite a few long trips like this and I’m happy to help with any other advice if you like. -Roger

Comment*We are planning on Athens to Amsterdam from June 4, 2024 to Amsterdam June 24th.

We are thinking trains to major cities inbetween Athens and Amsterdam. We are open to anything and everything.

Priorities: Parthenon in Athens, Art Museums in Amsterdam (3-5 days in Amsterdam) Can you help us?

That is a tricky one. Both Athens and Amsterdam are great and very worthwhile, but once you go north of Athens to Thessaloniki in northern Greece, the train service is spotty and very slow all the way until you reach Budapest. Strangely enough, buses tend to be faster and much more frequent in those “eastern” countries like Bulgaria and Romania. Also, being perfectly honest, most of those in-between cities such as Sofia and Belgrade are kind of dull by European standards, although they are quite cheap.

If you really want to visit Athens I’d definitely start there and then after a few days fly to Budapest or some other city in that area that interests you and then carry on from there by train. In fact, Athens to Budapest and then trains to Prague then Berlin and then Amsterdam could be perfect. You could even add in a couple of days in Cesky Krumlov near Prague if you want to include a gorgeous smaller town among the big cities.

Those are all first-class cities and several of them are quite affordable as well. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, my wife and I would like to visit Rome, Florence, Italy, Venice, Prague, Berlin and maybe Switzerland. This will be the first time travelling to Europe and I would appreciate your help in planning where to start, where to stay, how to get there and where to go. We will be coming from Trinidad and Tobago for 2 weeks. If possible, i would like a day-to-day plan.

Unfortunately I don’t have time to do a day-by-day plan for you, but I can help get you started. If you’ve got 14 nights I would keep the list to 5 total cities. If you tried to include Switzerland on this trip it would mean spending only 1 or 2 days in some cities and that means spending every other day on trains.

I think the best thing to do would be to fly into Berlin or Prague and then spend 3 days there and then take a train to the other one and spend 3 days there and then fly to Venice. Spend 1 or 2 days in Venice and then take a short train ride to Florence for 2 days or so and then a train ride down to Rome for your final 3 days and then a flight home or back to your starting city if that is cheaper. I’m happy to help if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, Roger. My wife and I (56 and 63) want to do our first trip to Europe from Canada and would like to start by visiting Portugal (Lisbon and Porto) and Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada y Sevilla with day trips to close small cities in between). What it would be your suggestion for: 1. Stay in each city for a 15/17 days trip? 2. any additions/modifications? 3. Train over flights internally? 4. If we travel with one suitcase of 50 Lbs would it work to take public transit when required? 5. Instead of this plan, would it be better to visit 1/2 famous city in different countries? Would appreciate your inputs. Than you Roger

If you’ve only got about 16 days I’d recommend choosing 5 or maybe 6 cities in total. I strongly believe that 3 nights is the best amount of time to stay in each city so you have two full sightseeing days in each one, although some smaller cities can be done a bit quicker. I go over the reasons in detail on this other article about how long to stay in each European city , but the main point is that if you stay only two nights it means literally spending every other day on trains or in airports and such and you just don’t get much sightseeing done on those travel days with all of the packing and unpacking and checking in and out of hotels.

I’d definitely include Lisbon, Madrid, and Barcelona. You could add a 2-day visit to Porto and 2 or 3 days each in Sevilla and Granada. I’d save Valencia for a future trip. It’s nice, but aside from the new buildings clustered in one area, it’s more generic than any of the others on your list.

The only train between Portugal and Madrid goes over night and I’m not a fan of those so I’d fly on that leg. But from there I’d definitely take the high-speed trains, which are fast and comfortable. Buy your tickets at least a couple months in advance for the best fares.

There will be room for a 50 lb suitcase on the flights (of course) and on the trains as well. On older trains they have you put them on racks above the seats, but on most of the more modern ones (like the high-speed trains) they also have room for larger bags at each end of the carriage. If you can lift them, there will definitely be room for them.

I think your plan sounds really good and those are all great cities. That said, for most first-time visitors to Europe I’d recommend Paris and Italy as those are really more dramatic and interesting, although also more crowded and somewhat more expensive as well. I think once you do the Iberia trip you’ll be hooked and you’ll start planning a trip to France and Italy for the coming years. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Hi, Roger. Thank you for your comments and recommendations and also for your prompt response. I have modified my plan as I have now 22 days. My Itinerary is Porto(3), Lisbon(3), Seville(2), Malaga(2), Madrid(3),Barcelona(3), Zaragoza(2) and Bilbao(3). What do you think? is this a good plan? Any suggestions? I am still debating between Malaga and Granada though. I included Bilbao to visit friends. The question on the luggage was more related to the comfort to pull a large back in public transit than the allowance in the planes or trains. I will appreciate your inputs. Thank you again, Roger

Those six more days will help a lot. I think your new plan looks really good. You can probably enjoy Porto in 2 days and add an extra day somewhere else, but you might also be dealing with jet-lag so 3 days might be better. Your itinerary looks efficient and logical.

I really like Granada and Malaga, but I think if I were to choose between the two I would go with Granada. Malaga is (in my opinion) an underrated city that is close to some extremely popular beach towns and it’s got a lot going for it, but if you aren’t also going to be staying by the beach I think I’d save it for another trip. Granada has got the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens and those are unlike anything else in Spain or the world for that matter. Granada is small enough to enjoy in two days and I think seeing the Alhambra will be more memorable than anything in Malaga.

Buy your train tickets as early as possible for the best times and fares, and the flight for Lisbon to Seville (or you could take a bus).

And again, your 50 lb suitcase will fit on city to city trains (although not as well on buses or trams within a city), but still (as the saying goes) no one ever went on a trip around Europe like this and swore they would pack more stuff the next time. In other words, 40 lbs is much easier than 50 lbs and getting laundry done cheaply in a country like Spain is quite easy. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Comment*Hi travelling first time to europe next year we are 55 years age group any suggestions for 10-12 days itenary with guided tour would be nice if any suggestion are there also april or may better time to visit there anil

Actually, all of my best suggestions for first-time visits to Europe are in the article above. If you specifically want a guided tour you’ll obviously just be choosing from the ones that are available from the companies you look it, although many of those should resemble the itineraries in my article. Planning your own trip to Europe is actually quite easy, and especially if you are going to the classic and most popular cities. I’ve got lots of articles that could help you.

I’m not sure how many guided tours you’ve done, but one thing to consider is that they always move at the speed of the slowest person in the group. If YOU are the slowest person in the group then it’s fine, but if you are 55 then you should be much faster than most other people on a guided tour. For example, if you have a coach/bus tour for a day with 5 or 6 stops, you always have to wait for the slowest people to get on an off the bus. I’ve done countless day tours this way and it can be frustrating waiting 10 extra minutes many times each day as slow people are trying their best.

I think my top two best suggestions are London and maybe another stop or two in England and then Paris and other stop or two in France, OR, Paris then another stop in France and then Venice, Florence, and Rome. It obviously depends whether England or Italy sounds more interesting. Let me know if I can be of any other help. -Roger

Planning a family trip with a adult and nearly adult children. Hoping to be able to do 18 to 20 days. Must sees are Paris, Venice, England, and Prague but would adore seeing more! What route would you suggest and should we rent a car, fly, train, river cruise? There are so many options and I’m completely overwhelmed! A suggested itinerary would be amazing!! Thank you!

That sounds like a great start to a plan. As far as “England” is concerned it’s probably best to just think of it as 3 or probably 4 nights in London. With 4 nights you’d have enough time for a good day trip to Bath/Stonehenge and Windsor or to Oxford or even York, but London is big enough to keep you busy and it’s probably best to just stay there and then take the Eurostar train to Paris for 3 or 4 nights.

Prague is a bit out of the way, but you can fly there cheaply enough if you want and then after 3 nights fly to Venice. After 2 nights in Venice I’d take a train down to Florence for 2 nights and then another train to Rome for 3 nights. That would be just about a perfect 18 to 20 day trip including Prague. I definitely wouldn’t rent a car as they tend to be counter productive when visiting a string of large cities that have bad traffic and expensive parking. Your itinerary doesn’t really work with a river cruise at all, but hopefully you can plan one in the future.

It would probably be cheapest to fly from Rome back to London for your flight home (being careful of which of London’s 5 airports you fly into because your flight home will almost certainly go out of Heathrow), but if you can get a flight home straight from Rome for a good price, that would be even better. Getting around by train in Europe is by far the best way wherever it’s close and fast enough, so I’d focus on trains in the places I mentioned. I hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger

Yes, I meant London. Thank you for picking up on that. After reading though your site and many, many of these informative comments, I think I have figured out a basic itinerary and would love your feedback and suggestions!

-Fly into London London(3 days) -Eurostar Train to Paris Paris (3 days) -Train to Switzerland – unsure which train company Switzerland (3 days) -Train to Venice?? Venice (2 days) -Train to Florence – which train company? Is there a pass? Florence (2 days) -Train to Rome Rome (2 days) -Fly to Prague Prague (3 days) -Fly home out of Prague

Very interested to hear your feedback. I know you suggest 3 nights but I am ok with missing out on some things in Rome/Florence if needed. Would love train suggestions and if passes are best. NO idea on how the trains operate in Europe.

Thank you so much for your time!

This itinerary looks amazing. My only real suggestion would be to spend only one day in Venice and three days in Rome, or at least a day and a half in Venice rather than two, but you’ll enjoy it no matter what. The thing is that Venice is about the size of a theme park like Disneyland and from 9 AM until 5 PM it feels even more crowded than Disneyland. It’s absolutely amazing, but also easy to get tired of the crowds and you’ll do your best sightseeing in the mornings before the day-trippers come and in the evenings after they’ve left. And Rome is huge with a long list of really cool sights so with only one full sightseeing day you’ll miss quite a few of them. But again, you’ll enjoy it no matter how you divide your time.

In most of Europe including between France and Switzerland and Italy, there is just one rail company per country so just book whatever comes up. From Paris to Basel, Switzerland you’ll take the France national service and then change trains to a Swiss train for your ride to Interlaken or Lucern. Then from Switzerland you’ll take (probably) a Swiss train to Spiez or Brig and then change there for an Italian train to Venice. You’ll buy it just as one ticket and it’ll include all the legs required to get from one city to your final city, and usually come with seat reservations as well (except in Switzerland).

My favorite site for checking schedules all over Europe is the Trainline . But you can also check the official rail sites of each country involved and I’d definitely check those prices before booking anything. My article on buying European train tickets in advance is still pretty much up to date and it has links to the various national train companies.

It will be cheapest if you lock in your dates and buy all of your train tickets as early as possible, which will be around 3 months out in most cases. The tickets start off really cheap and go up in price as more seats are sold on each train, so earlier is always better. There are no rail passes that would be helpful on a trip like this, but that’s mostly because the tickets will be pretty cheap already, especially the ones within Italy.

Trains in Europe are really fun and shockingly easy once you get started. All the important signs will be in English as well as a local language. For most of them you can literally walk aboard just before it leaves and you are fine as long as you have a reserved seat, but the Eurostar works more like a flight with security and such so you have to be checked in at least 30 minutes in advance. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I won’t have time to update that other older article about trains vs planes vs buses, partly because these days there is a clear choice depending on which two cities you are going between. There are places in eastern Europe where there are advantages to each mode, but for the cities you’ll be doing the train is going to be the fastest, by far the most enjoyable, and probably the cheapest as well, at least once you factor in airport transportation costs. It’s going to be a great trip! -Roger

Thank you SO much for all of your help. Your in-depth website is an amazing resource! I get so lost in it and spend hours scouring your resources and links – it has everything anyone could need! And, the fact that you are also personally answering comments and offering personalized advice is mind blowing! Thank you for all that you do to inform us!

If you could suggest on a 14-15 day iterinary covering Athens, rome Milan paris London and Finland from New Delhi / Mumbai.

If you have 14 to 15 days I’d suggest choosing about 5 cities in total to visit. So your list should work out fairly well, although it depends on how much of Finland you’d hope to see. I’m guessing you must have a specific reason for wanting to go there? Finland normally isn’t very popular and honestly there isn’t much to see. Helsinki is, in my opinion, the least interesting of the Nordic capitals, although it’s pleasant enough and the country has some nice forests. If you are visiting relatives or something, that requires different planning of course.

It might be easiest to fly from Mumbai to London and then use that as a base. You could spend a few nights there and then fly to Helsinki and back after that or Helsinki to Paris for a few days. After Paris you could fly to Milan or Rome and then take a train to the other and then fly to Athens to finish your trip.

Milan actually isn’t a popular tourist city. It’s the home of most of Italy’s big banks and fashion brands, but neither of those are accessible to most tourists. Italy has amazing fashion shopping in Rome as well as Florence. Venice is also more popular. I hope this helps and I’m happy to help more if you have questions. -Roger

Comment* Planning first trip to Europe Want to do tour of England, Scotland, Wales and then to Paris for sites and Monet Gardens. Might take train to Brussels and Bruge. Then to Switzerland and home. Any suggestions what tour group to contact. Want slower pace trip…at least 3 weeks. Thank you.

I enjoy helping people plan independent trips, and I honestly don’t know much about booking all-inclusive tours like you are after. I’d imagine you’d have to do at least a few different tours to cover all the places you have in mind. The one outfit that I am familiar with is Rick Steves, who I am a huge fan of for his Europe travel guides and I know he has a big tour organization. I’d start with them and see if they have anything that fits what you are looking for. Best of luck. -Roger

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hello! i am planning a trip in September and will greatly appreciate advice as i am the only one planning for family of 5 - all adults! hope

the weather is good as parents wanted to avoid summer / june- july period

day 1 - fly in to geneve, stay 1 night

day 2,3 - travel to zermatt by train, stay 2 nights - skiing

day 4 - glacier express to st moritz ( or is it advise to do st moritz - zermatt direction? - stay 1 night

day 5 - travel to lucerne by train - stay 1 night

day 6 - travel to zurich by train stay 1 or 2 night

day 7 - train to paris by train

then we’ll look to spend 5 days in Paris - usual museums shopping etc - haven’t planned in details yet

parents keen to go london but i think it will be too rushed? otherwise then we can spend another 2 days in either Switzerland or Paris..

i saw eurorail and swiss travel pass can cover train rides in both paris and switzerland respectively. are there any other considerations?

TIA! I am also researching more along the way…

26 replies to this topic

Reduce the waste of precious time/money due to unnecessary traveling and changing bases. Stay 3/4 nights in each destination and enjoy them more!

For me, the GEX is not an absolute must, as you have the possibility, in the mountain resorts, to go even higher, with better views, by cable cars and cogwheel trains.

To Paris I would then go by train, to London by plane . But honestly, if it would me, I would skip Paris/London this time and add those second week to Switzerland to explore all mentioned destinations (only, switch Geneva with Montreux and keep Zurich to a minimum stay).

This post has been removed at the author's request.

thanks much for response and advice - i am noting these destinations down for more googling and research!

my parents do ski but the other 3 of us dont - was thinking of visiting the glacier at least get a feel of snow in sept! (we were debating to travel in autumn or winter). alternatively we can visit zermatt but not ski…assuming then it will just be a touch and go?

i am dropping london off now after your advice but fam is keen for paris given first time in europe- so i will keep 5days in paris, 10 for switzerland and we can extend trip by 1-2 days additionally if required…

they are also super keen on GEX!

day 1 arrive Zurich morning travel straight to lucerne for 2 nights >

day 3 travel to st moritz 1 night

day 4 GEX to Zermatt stay 3 nights >

day 8 back to Zurich stay 1 night >

day 9 train out to Paris >

arrive Paris mid day spend 4 nights

day 15 fly out Paris

Arrive Zurich spend 1 night

day 2 travel to St Moritz spend 3 nights

day 6 travel to Zermatt spend 3 nights

day 10 travel to Zurich spend 1 night

day 11 out to Paris arrive mid day spend 4 nights

Thanks Terra2014

Skiing in Sept is not great but would a visit to zermatt glacier be still worth it?

You can have very leisurely walks in the Engadine, Pontresina to the Val Roseg is more or less flat, from Muottas Muragl to Alp Languard is very easy, my mother in her 80s complained that this is "an old people's walk" and so on and so on.

Arrive Zurich, go straight to Engadine for 4-5 nights, go Zermatt for 3 nights, then Paris for 4-5 nights.

I forgot about skiing but yes, I agree with Terre: play with snow on the glacier when in Zermatt but skip skiing. A snowballs-fight will be more fun (and cheaper, more convenient, less weather, snow-condition and apparel dependent)

Seems there are many more voters for Engadine! Apologies I have been out of action due to a bad flu.

with 15 days now confirmed, was thinking of perhaps 3 nights in lucerne and 2 nights in st moritz, 3 in zermatt, 1 in zurich before heading to paris for 5 days…i will do more research in the meantime ..

wanted to ask in the meantime if any train pass is recommended? thanks in advance!

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London - Paris and Zurich

❮ london - paris and zurich.

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This 8 night sample itinerary includes:.

• Hotel for 3 nights in London
• Eurostar Train from London to Paris
• Hotel for 3 nights in Paris
• Flight from Paris to Zurich
• Hotel for 2 nights in Zurich
• The Eurostar does not have guaranteed availability at Christmas, we suggest selecting air between Paris and London during this time

A popular (and romantic) package through Europe, visiting England , France and Switzerland . Start in London (Royal Palaces, arts, culture and nightlife) and then, take the train to Paris (known as an endearing, romantic city with unmatched atmosphere). After that, fly to Zurich (set on a stunning lake, luxurious lifestyles, high-end shopping). This is a flexible vacation package. Select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities.

Please contact us for any special arrangements such as more than three rooms and partial stays.

Change cabin, booking without flight, returning to a different city/airport, Reorder city, or design your own Itinerary

Flexible Itinerary

American travelers cannot get enough of England, and to this day it consistently ranks in the three most popular European countries in terms of visitors per year. Nearly everyone visits London, one of the world`s most important cities and the epicenter of what was once a vast world empire, but England should definitely be explored in-depth, from the charm of the Cotswolds to the seaside resorts on the English Channel and the Irish Sea to the beautiful landscapes of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Westcountry. England is a country where the present day and over a millennia of history routinely intersect.

Switzerland

Switzerland is a pristine country of lakes, mountains and forests. The best known of the continent`s mountain ranges, the Alpine chain, runs through most of Switzerland and provides the majority of the country`s magnificent natural sights. In the summer, towns such as Interlaken become green mountain centers for walking and mountaineering, and there are few places more naturally beautiful in the whole of Europe. Zurich, Geneva, Bern and Lucerne are models of Swiss efficiency, offering a wealth of perfectly serene history. Less busy are the lakeside resorts, including fashionable Montreux on Lake Geneva.

France remains one of the worlds most talked-about and written-about destinations. Whether the romance of Paris sweeps you off your feet or you fall gently for the relaxed life of Provence, France is a place for lovers, and will leave you spellbound. Paris is undoubtedly one of the world's great cities, with enough monuments, museums, restaurants, theatres and shows to last a lifetime. The northern provinces of Normandy and Brittany are steeped in history while the Loire Valley is world famous for its châteaux. And there is more to explore.

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Trip Summary

London offers everything! Iconic landmarks, centuries of history, world-class shopping and achingly cool fashion, arts and food scenes. A 40-minute walk along the South Bank will take you past Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, St Paul's Cathedral and Tower Bridge. There are eight Royal Parks to explore, and over 300 museums and galleries. It is home to 60 Michelin starred restaurants and fantastic street food. The evenings offer from high-end nightclubs of Chelsea and Mayfair to cool clubs in Soho and Camden. As for theatre, London's legendary West End boasts over 40 world-class theatres. Visit Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, the British Museum, Piccadilly Circus and so much more!

Paris is regarded as one of the most dynamic cities in Europe, and for good reason: the city assaults the senses; demanding to be seen, heard, touched, tasted, and smelled. Gaze at impressive monuments and savor its gourmet cheeses, chocolates, wines, and seafood. Paris is relatively small as capitals go, with many of its major sights and museums within walking distance of each other. A world of discovery awaits in every hidden corner and at all the famous sites, there is so much to explore. Visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Jardin des Tuileries, Latin Quarter, Avenue des Champs Elysees, Musee d'Orsay, Place de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe and so much more!

Zurich is a stunningly gorgeous with a beautifully-preserved old town, endless greenery, wondrous snow-capped mountains, fresh air, and crystal clear lake views. The city`s extraordinary museums, churches and galleries, confirm the city`s position as Switzerland's spiritual, if not political, capital. There is also a hip, less conventional side to Zurich. Zuri West, once the industrial section, has become the in spot over the last decade, with loft living, galleries, museums, experimental theater and clubs. Explore Lake Zurich, Old Town (Altstadt), Museum of Art (Kunsthaus Zurich), Uetliberg Mountain, Zoo Zurich, Lindenhofplatz, Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmunster, Church of Our Lady (Fraumunster), Rietberg Museum and so much more!

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A 15 day London, Paris and Switzerland itinerary for a funfilled family vacation

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London and paris trip itinerary.

Paris and London are some of the most amazing cities in the world. Follow this London Paris trip itinerary for an amazing experience!

10 Days in Paris and London Vacation Itinerary

When you’re trying to decide between London vs Paris, it can be a tough choice! Both cities offer so much fun, food, history, culture, and class. And to be honest, you really can’t go wrong! But the good thing is, you don’t have to choose! You can take a London and Paris trip in just a few short days.

Here's a Short Cut

How Long Should I spend in London and Paris?

Where should i start my trip, how do i get between london and paris, 1. purchase a london pass, 2. purchase a paris pass, 3. learn about london transportation, 4. learn about paris transportation, welcome to london, 1. check into your hotel or airbnb, 2. enjoy a full english breakfast at regency cafe, 3. ride the hoho bus, 4. be inspired at westminster abbey, 5. take a picture with big ben, 6. take a ride on the coca cola london eye, 7. take afternoon tea at the library lounge, 8. take and evening stroll down southbank, 1. grab breakfast at simply tasty cafe & kitchen, 2. turn back time at the tower of london, 3. walk across tower bridge, 4. try all the food at borough market, 5. embrace your inner thespian at shakespeare’s globe theater, 6. explore the ancient st. paul’s cathedral, 7. dine at rules, 1. harry potter breakfast, afternoon tea, or magical cocktails, 2. take a harry potter walking tour, 3. end the day shopping at platform 9 3/4, 3. warner brothers harry potter studios, 4. dinner at cora pearl, 4. drinks at the cauldron, 1. breakfast at daylesford organic, 2. wander the iconic streets of notting hill, 4. dinner at a local pub or the park, 1. grab a quick breakfast at pret a manger, 2. go back in time at kensington palace, 3. eat at wagamama for lunch, 4. say hello to the queen at buckingham palace and horseguards, 5. wander the victoria & albert museum, 6. window shop at harrods, 7. wander through hyde park, 8. dine at cinnamon bazaar for great indian food, take the eurostar from london to paris, welcome to paris, 1. catch a bird’s eye view from the eiffel tower, 2. take a paris dinner cruise, 1. take a paris walking tour, 2. have the best dinner of your life, 1. visit paris museums, 2. have the tastiest crepes ever, day 4- take a day trip, 1. climb the steps for a great view or paris on top of the arc de triomphe, 2. take a paris food tour or a cooking class, 3. explore the paris catacombs.

I’ve taken this Paris and London trip multiple times over the last few years. I’ve done it with my husband, as a girls trip, with my kids, and solo! London and Paris are two of my very favorite cities in the world so I just keep coming back to visit like they’re my old friends.

It’s not often that I return to places I’ve gone, but there is just something special about these two cities that contain so much history, both separately and together. They’re both worth a visit, even if you only have a few days in each. You can even take a day trip to Paris from London or a day trip to France London from Paris if you’re really short on time.

While London and Paris are doable in a day or so each, you could definitely spend years and years exploring them! Every time I visit it’s like taking an entirely new trip.

This itinerary will give you a suggestion on how to layout your days. For more detailed information you can read my Paris guide and my detailed London Itinerary.

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If you’ve got enough time, I think the ideal trip is 10 days in Paris and London. This will give you 5 days to explore each city without being in too much of a rush. Obviously, the longer you can spend in each place the better. I do think it’s best to divide your time equally between cities. There’s just so much to see and do in both of them!

You can start your trip to London and Paris in either city. Honestly, I have done it both ways and they have both been great. If you’re more excited about one city, maybe save that for last! It’s just a personal preference.

London and Paris are about 250 miles apart, but divided by the English Channel. You can get between cities by flying, driving your onto the Chunnel Train, taking a ferry, or by taking the train. By far, the fastest and most efficient method is the Eurostar train. The Eurostar goes under the English Channel through the Channel Tunnel, lovingly referred to as the “Chunnel.”

Before Going on your London and Paris Vacation

There are a few things you should do before leaving for London and Paris.

Before you go to London, you may want to consider purchasing the  London Pass.  This will save you  tons  of money! It includes entry to over 80 attractions, including:

• Tower of London • Hop on Hop off Bus Tour • Thames River Cruise • Windsor Castle • Westminster Abbey • London Bridge Experience and London Tombs • Tower Bridge Exhibition • London Zoo • Kensington Palace & The Orangery • Hampton Court Palace • ArcelorMittal Orbit • Arsenal FC Stadium (Emirates Stadium) • Apsley House • Banqueting House • Beefeater Gin Distillery Tour • Benjamin Franklin House • Best LDN Walks tour around Royal London • Cartoon Museum • Chelsea Cinema • Chelsea FC Stadium Tour • Chelsea Physic Garden • Chislehurst Caves • Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Rooms • City Cruises • The Courtauld Gallery • Curzon Mayfair Cinema • Curzon Soho Cinema • Eltham Palace • Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art • Eton College • Fan Museum • Foundling Museum • Guards Museum • Handel House Museum • Household Cavalry Museum • HMS Belfast • Imperial War Museum London • Jason’s Canal Boat Trip • Jewel Tower • Kew Gardens • KIA Oval • London Bicycle Tour Company • London Canal Museum • London Motor Museum • London Museum of Water and Steam • London Legends Walk • London Transport Museum • London Wetland Centre • Lord’s Cricket Ground • Monument • Museum of Brands, Packaging, and Advertising • Museum of London Docklands (with guidebook) • Museum of Rugby • National Gallery • National Theatre Backstage Tours • Old Operating Theatre Museum • Pollocks Toy Museum • Queen’s Gallery • Queen’s Ice & Bowl • Renoir Cinema • Royal Albert Hall • Royal Mews • Royal Observatory Greenwich • Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre • The British Museum (entry to one exhibition)  • The Postal Museum • Tour & Exhibition • Southwark Cathedral • Tate Britain • Tate Modern • Wellington Arch • Wembley Stadium Tours • Wernher Collection at Ranger’s House • Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum • Wimbledon Tour Experience

Get London Pass

Just like the London Pass, the Paris Pass will allow you access to over 60 attractions and you’ll also get a Paris Visite Travelcard that offers free, unlimited travel on the Paris metro, buses, and RER trains in zone 1-3. The Paris Pass includes entry to:

• Hop On Hop Off Bus
• The Louvre Museum
• Arc de Triomphe
• Palace of Versailles
• Notre Dame Cathedral (closed now for reconstruction)
• Rodin Museum
• Picasso Museum
• Paris Aquarium
• Bateaux Parisian River Cruise
• Centre Pompidou
• Montmartre Walking Tour
• Musee d’Orsay
• Les Caves du Louvre Wine Tasting
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Grevin Wax Museum
• Opera Garnier Guided Tour
• The Paris Story Museum
• Rex Studios
• Petit Train de Montmartre
• La Conciergerie
• Paris Science Museum
• Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis
• Gustave Moreau Museum
• Villa Savoye
• Chateau de Compiegne
• Palace of Malmaison
• Maurice Denis Museum
• and more…

Get Paris Pass

London is an amazing city and it’s a breeze to get around on public transport if you plan ahead and know how to use it. Be sure to read up about how to get around London before you leave.

Paris is another city with a decent public transportation system, but not nearly as efficient as London. The Paris Metro workers are known to go on strike, seemingly, once a year, so do think of backup options like UBER if you’re not able to use the trains or buses. Honestly, Paris is a very walkable city and the Paris bike shares are a great option as well. This guide to getting around Paris will help.

And finally, on to our London and Paris itinerary…

Welcome to the first leg of your Paris and London vacation! You’re going to fall in love with London! I can’t wait to show you all of my favorite sites and eats in this enchanting city!

Day 1 – Arrive in London

Welcome to London! You’re probably arriving in the morning after a red-eye flight. You’ll need about an hour to go through passport control and gather your luggage. Head into the city by taking the Heathrow Express , which will get you there in about 15 minutes. It’s cheapest to book several months beforehand and you don’t need to know your exact time.

Book Heathrow Express

You’re probably exhausted so, if you can, go straight to your accommodations and drop your luggage and freshen up. It’s going to be tempting to take a nap, but don’t! You’ve got to beat that jetlag! If it’s too early to check in to your place, use this luggage storage service that I love!

Day 1 of this London itinerary will show you around London’s main sites so that you can be sure you see all the important things from the beginning! You may be tired and jet-lagged today, but it’s important to push through!

It’s your first day in London, so if you have time, be sure to start it off right with a full English breakfast. What’s that you may ask? Well, besides a walking heart attack, it’s usually bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and toast, and no one dishes out a great no-frills full English like the Regency Cafe.

Once you’ve dropped your bags, hop on the HOHO Bus (Hop On Hop Off Bus). There are several Hop on Hop off Bus tours in London, but I like using this company.

I know this activity may seem a little cliche, but there’s a reason I recommend doing this on your first day in London: While taking the tube and public transportation can be great, and London has one of the best public transit systems in the world, it can also be a little disorientating to walk underground and come back out in a completely different place in the city.

Taking the HOHO Bus on your first day in London allows you to get the lay of the land and to get an idea of how close or far things really are from each other. You’d be surprised at how walkable London can be. `

The bus tour offers several different routes, but I recommend staying on the red route which will lead you around all of London’s most iconic sites.

You don’t need to ride the bus for hours, but get off at stops on your list along the way.

Book HOHO Bus

Be sure to hit Westminster Abbey. If you are interested in British history, religion, or literature at all, you will love this! I recommend booking your ticket in advance.

Walk around the corner just one block away. There’s not a more iconic sight in London than Big Ben! “Big Ben” is actually the name of the bell inside the tower and the tower is called the Elizabeth Tower.

But everyone lovingly refers to this part of the houses of parliament as “Big Ben” and it’s one of those iconic pieces of architecture that does not disappoint in real life. The best views are found on Westminster Bridge. Watch out for selfie sticks!

Time to walk across the Westminster Bridge to the London Eye. You’ll get a fantastic view of the city from the top of this 443-foot tall Ferris wheel on London’s Southbank. If you want to ride the London Eye, it’s essential to book tickets in advance . The lines can get very long. The ride itself takes about 30 minutes for the entire revolution and you’ll get the best views of London from the top.

You’ve probably had a late breakfast, so a late lunch, or afternoon tea, might be just the ticket. Directly under the London Eye you’ll find the Library Lounge in the beautiful Marriott County Hall, one of my favorite hotels in London! Enjoy a filling afternoon tea with fantastic views of the London Eye and Houses of Parliament.

Southbank is a really fun and quirky area that’s just a short walk from the London Eye and along the Thames River with a roller rink called BUMP, a skate park (as seen on Sherlock), and a hot chocolate stand called Beltane & Pop (they offer “adult” hot chocolates too). You also get the dreamy view of the London Eye and Big Ben across Westminster Bridge all lit up at night!

Try and get to bed early tonight and ready to wake up early to another beautiful day in London!

Day 2 – Ancient London History

Now that you’ve seen the major sites in London, it’s time to take in some of this city’s rich and extremely long history! The City of London dates back to Roman times and it has a fascinating past full of many stories. There’s never an end to the history you can learn in London, but these highlights will give you a taste today.

It might be time for another full English breakfast, or try something new. This traditional shop serves breakfast all day, so don’t worry if you get up late.

The Tower of London is not to be missed. See the crown jewels and hang out with the beefeaters! They’re not just tour guides, but decorated veterans and all-around awesome people!

This is one of the best views of Tower Bridge so be sure to get a picture when you’re done at the tower. You can also go to the top of Tower Bridge, which is really amazing. There is a glass floor where you can look down at the River Thames. My kids love this! 

Cross over the river either on Tower Bridge or London Bridge next door and wander on over to Borough Market to grab some lunch! There are so many options here, you may have a hard time not trying them all! If you have time, take a market tour with a local and learn about all the amazing food in London! 

If you’re really into food, you can take a Private British Food Tour and explore all the food that London has to offer.

After filling up on goodies from Borough Market, waddle on over to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. You’ll need to take a tour to see the inside of the Globe, or, even better, see a show if you’re there from April-October.

If you are really into Shakespeare and want to learn more, you can take this 3-hour tour of Shakespeare’s London .

There has been a St. Paul’s church at this site since 300 AD. The church has been burned and rebuilt 3 different times. The current St. Paul’s was the tallest building in London for over 200 years. You can pay to go inside or just walk around the outside, either choice is impressive!

After a one-mile walk, treat yourself to a fine meal at London’s oldest restaurant, Rule’s, established in 1798 and frequented by the likes of Charles Dickens and Charlie Chaplin. Be sure to make a reservation well in advance. BOOK HERE

Day 3: All About Harry Potter 

Day three of this London itinerary is ALL about Harry Potter!

If you’re really into Harry Potter, you may want to add an extra Harry Potter day to your London itinerary. Definitely read my guide to Harry Potter London! 

If you want to start the day off and really get in a magical mood, I recommend having breakfast at the Georgian House Hotel. If you don’t have time for breakfast, they do a really fun and tasty Wizard Afternoon Tea and a magical Wizard cocktail experience later in the day! All of the Georgian House Hote experiences should be booked ahead of time. You can read more about our stay in the Wizard Chambers at this enchanting hotel .

A Harry Potter Walking tour is a MUST for any fan! You’ll learn so much, not only about the books and the movies but also about the history and mystery of London! The guides are so fun and knowledgeable!

You can also do the Harry Potter walking tour on your own if you like. I recommend doing the tour as the guides know so much and it’s a lot of fun, especially if you have kids. If you do go it alone, be sure to stop at these sites:

• Westminster Tube (Closest tube to the Ministry of Magic as seen in The Order of the Phoenix)
• Downing Street (Muggle Prime Minister’s Office and location of communication between the Muggle PM and the wizarding world)
• Horseguards Avenue (Ministry of Magic Staff Entrance as seen in Deathly Hallows Part 1)
• Scotland Yard Place/Horse Guards Avenue (Ministry of Magic Visitors entrance as seen in the Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows Part 1)
• Trafalgar Square (Location of the final Harry Potter film premiere)
• Cecil’s Court (aka Diagon Alley)
• Godwin’s Court (aka Knockturn Alley)
• The Palace Theatre (home to the ‘The Cursed Child’ – the 8th story in the Harry Potter franchise)
• St. Paul’s ( Geometrical Staircase as seen in the Prisoner of Azkaban)
• Millennium Bridge (Rebuilt after the attack by the Death Eaters! (then a walk past Shakespeare’s globe)
• Leadenhall Market
• The House of Mina Lima, the company that did all the graphic design work for the movies (think Daily Prophet, Harry’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts, candy wrappers, etc)

Finish your day off at King’s Cross Station for Platform 9 3/4 and the Harry Potter Shop . If you want to take pictures pushing your trolley through Platform 9 3/4, I HIGHLY recommend buying the VIP photo pass, which will mean you can skip the long photo lines while also pre-paying for your photos. I think it’s so much fun and totally worth a stop on your London itinerary. 

Alternatively, you can also take a visit just outside London to the Harry Potter Studios where you’ll be treated to Butterbeer and be able to see some amazing things from the set of the movies! It’s a special place for sure! Keep in mind that this is a half to full day experience, so you may need to pick and choose which activity takes priority.

Head to Covent Garden to dine at this delicious and exclusive little restaurant. Advanced reservations will be required. Their menu is almost as small as the restaurant, but you know that anything you order will be delicious. Don’t leave without having the milk and cookies. It’s not what you’d expect!

Spend the evening making your own potions at The Cauldron . This fun cocktail-making experience is sure to end the day on a fun note! Make a reservation.

Day 4- Notting Hill

Notting Hill is a charming and iconic neighborhood in London that you’ve probably seen on many films like Paddington, Paddington 2, Bed knobs and Broomsticks, and, of course, Notting Hill. It’s a bit of a jaunt outside the city center, but worth spending some time there. Try and hit the neighborhood on a Friday or Saturday if you’re interested in shopping at Portobello Road.

If you’re looking for a healthy, organic breakfast, this place is fantastic! SEE MENU HERE

This affluent West London district will make you wish you could move into one of the adorable pastel terraced victorian houses and never leave. Wander the streets and take the perfect Instagram picture until you get hungry again. I recommend taking a fun photo tour that will show you all the most beautiful places in Notting Hill! 

Notting Hill is also a great place for a photoshoot. We did our family Christmas pictures here last year with Flytographer. If you’re traveling and need a great photographer, this is a fantastic way to go. Click here or use my code VANESSAHUNT for a big discount on your first shoot.

There are great pubs all over London. Grab a meat pie or some fish and chips and a pint. But if you’re too full or you’ve bought too many goodies at Portobello Road, I recommend getting your steps in and taking a stroll to Hyde Park and having a picnic. If you have kids, the Princess Diana Memorial Playground is a great place to let the kids run around after a day of shopping. It’s our favorite playground in the world, no joke!

Day 5- Palaces and Parks

Today is all about the palaces and parks of London, of which there are plenty! This will be a great day of history and nature combined.

Start your day off at Pret A Manger, which you can find all over the city and offer juices, smoothies, sandwiches, and prepackaged healthy food.

Immerse yourself in British history with this interactive Palace turned museum. You can try on Victoria era clothing and play a game of cards!

This modern Japanese-inspired food will be a nice change to all the meat pies and fish and chips you’ll be eating this week. CHECK THE MENU HERE

Walk off your delicious lunch to visit the queen at Buckingham Palace. If you time it right you can catch the changing of the guard. You can check the times here . If you’re lucky enough to be in London during the months of August or September, you can tour the staterooms of the palace. 

Walk down the road to the world’s largest mueum of decorative arts and design. The best part? It’s free! If that’s not for you, try out the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum across the street.

Take a little shopping break at this luxury department store. Be sure to head downstairs to the grocery section for snacks. If you go at Christmas time this place is an expensive wonderland.

Wander through Hyde Park and work up an appetite on your way to dinner on the other side of the park.

Indian food is a staple in London. End the day with a great meal at Cinnamon Bazaar for some beautiful and authentic Indian food that comes with a special dining experience.

Taking the Eurostar from London to Paris takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance of your trip. The earlier you buy them, the cheaper they will be. And they do tend to sell out.

The Eurostar leaves from London St. Pancras station and you need to be there about an hour before your train leaves. You are leaving the UK and going to the EU, so you will need to go through passport control before boarding. So have your Eurostar Ticket and Passport available.

Once you go through passport control, you will wait in the boarding area, where there are shops and restaurants, until your track number is called, then everyone will file onto the train and find their assigned seats.

Congratulations! You’ve made it to Paris, the City of Light! You’re in for a real treat as you explore all this amazing destination has to offer. Get your walking shoes and your appetite ready to go!

A note about breakfast in Paris. I have yet to have a sit down breakfast in Paris. There are patisseries on every corner where you can go for a pain au chocolat et cafe (chocolate croissant and coffee). So I recommend stopping in the one closest to your hotel and maybe even trying a new patisserie every morning. You honestly cannot beat a fresh baked croissant on a Parisian morning!

Day 1- Arrive on the Eurostar & See the Sites

You’ll arrive at the Paris Gare du Nord train station. Get ready to hit the ground running! Check into your Paris hotel or vacation rental , or if it’s too early, you can store your bags. We use this great site to find luggage storage options all over the world. You can use my code: WANDERLUSTCREW for a special discount.

Start your visit to Paris off right with the world famous iconic site in the city, the Eiffel Tower! Originally built for the World’s Fair and despised by Parisians, this iron structure, over a thousand feet tall, is worth a visit to the top! You must book tickets to enter the tower, and to go to the top is an extra charge. I highly recommend booking these tickets in advance that provide you with both a guide who can skip the line and also take you to the summit.

You’ve had a long travel day. Take a few hours to relax on the water, enjoy a delicious dinner, and take in the views of Paris as you float down the Seine on this 3-course dinner cruise .

If you want to combine your Eiffel Tower tour ticket and your Dinner Cruise ticket, you can look into booking a combo tour to save some money. This is a fun farewell dinner at the end of your tour that allows you to take in the sights of Paris one last time as you enjoy the delicious food.

Day 2- Walk Paris

Spend your second day in Paris exploring all the city has to offer. You can follow my Paris Walking Guide or take a guided walking tour with Take Walks. Some sites you won’t want to miss in Paris are:

• Notre Dame de Paris
• Sacre Coeur
• Il de la Cite
• Luxembourg Gardens
• Saint-Germain-des-Prés
• Tuileries Gardens
• The Trocadero
• Champs Elysees
• Place De La Concorde

For more tips, you can check out my Best Day Trips from Paris blog to see some amazing landmarks to explore in your guided walking tour.

After a long day of walking around Paris, you’ll be ready for a good meal! While there are many incredible restaurants and bistros in Paris, absolute favorite restaurant is Les Papilles . I’ve sent hundreds of people to this tiny place, and have not heard from one disappointed person.

At Les Papilles, you show up and get what you get. It’s a fixed menu every night, but you will never be disappointed. They use high-quality ingredients and cook them to perfection. It’s a large, several course, meal. So come hungry! Be sure to make your reservations ASAP!

Day 3- Explore Paris Museums

There’s one thing you’ll never have a shortage of in Paris, and that’s art museums! You may not have time to visit them all, but be sure to hit at least one or two during your stay. Here are some of my favorite art museums in Paris:

• Musée d’Orsay
• Musée du Luxembourg
• Petit Palais
• Musée Rodin
• Musée de l’Orangerie

If you purchase a Paris Pass, many of these museums will be covered. If you’re only interested in using the passes for museums, it will be cheaper to purchase the Paris Museum Pass instead.

Dine on delicious crepes for lunch at Breizh Café Montorgeuil. This is a delicious and popular place, so be sure to make reservations .

The great thing about Paris is that there are so many great sites just a day trip away. Here are a few options:

• The Palace of Versailles
• Disneyland Paris
• Mont-Saint-Michel
• The Loire Valley
• More Day Trips from Paris

Day 5- Arc de Triomphe & Catacombs

As much as I enjoy the view from the Eiffel Tower, I think the best view of Paris is from the Arc de Triomphe. It allows you to have a view of Paris that actually includes the tower.

The arc also has a fascinating history and is older than the Eiffel Tower. It’s very interesting to learn it all. Be sure to get to the Arc through the underground tunnels and don’t even try to cross the street. It’s one of the busiest roundabouts in the world!

You don’t want to leave this city, which is so famous for its culinary perfection, without taking either a food tour or a cooking class . This food tour will take you through the streets of Paris on an edible adventure. Your guide will share the Parisian passion for French history and gastronomy. Try wine, cheese, beef stew, crêpes, oysters, and cider.

If you really want to dive into the food culture of Paris and try your hand at creating your own masterpiece, take this cooking class which will teach you how to cook like a true Parisian chef.

If you’re more interested in learning to bake bread the French way, this hands-on bread-making class is great too.

There are seriously so many great cooking classes and food tours to take in Paris. I’ve done so many, I’ve lost track, and they have all been unique and fantastic! Just check reviews before you book and come hungry!

This is a Paris activity I prefer doing at night or else in the heat of the day depending on what time of year you go to Paris. I usually don’t want to waste daylight hours, but if it’s really hot it’s a great chance to go underground and get cool.

People have mixed feelings about the Paris Catacombs . Some say it is disrespectful to the dead, some say that it is a unique experience. Whatever your take on this, I think it’s worth a visit. Referred to as “the world’s largest grave,” the Paris Catacombs hold the remains of over 6 million people!

They were created to solve two major problems that Paris faced in the late 1700s: Cave-ins from the mines underneath Paris and overflowing cemeteries! For two years the bones were carried from the cemeteries down into the tunnels to reinforce the walls of the mines.

Many of the bones have been laid in patterns making this macabre art museum worth a visit, at least for history’s sake! But this activity is not for the squeamish, you have been warned! From the Catacombs website: The Catacombs are open for limited days and hours so be sure to check before visiting.

The End of Your London Paris Trip

And this concludes your trip to London and Paris. You can either plan to fly home from Paris, or you can take the Eurostar back up to London if you have a roundtrip flight booked. I hope you have a wonderful time in two of my very favorite cities! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected] Bon Voyage!

Wanderlust Crew

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Arzo Travels

Solo Female Travel – Switzerland, Europe and Beyond

7 DAYS IN PARIS AND LONDIN – ITINERARY

Epic 7-Day Paris and London Itinerary

Table of Contents

Are you ready for the ultimate European vacation? Why not combine a trip to two of the world’s most iconic cities: Paris and London!

This Paris and London itinerary will show you how to combine a trip to these beautiful European cities (which are some of my favorite cities in the world). From sipping coffee in a Parisian café to taking in the sights of Big Ben and Buckingham Palace—there’s something for everyone. 

I totally get why Europe is so intriguing for many Americans – actually for people from all over the world. Europeans love to travel within Europe, and if you have never been to Europe before, you will quickly understand why it is so popular.

I mean, we all know about the world-famous cities like Vienna , or Barcelona ; about the stunning islands like Santorini and Mallorca ; and let’s not forget about the breathtaking scenery of Central Europe .   Paris and London, however, are some of the most special destinations on the continent.

So, if you plan to visit the two main cities in Europe, London, and Paris, this one-week itinerary will help you figure out how to organize your trip. Whether you want to stay seven days or even longer, there are lots of things to do and see.

DISCLAIMER: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. THIS MEANS I MIGHT EARN A SMALL COMMISSION WHEN YOU BUY A PRODUCT/SERVICE (AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU). MORE ABOUT IT  HERE .

TRAVEL TIPS FOR YOUR LONDON AND PARIS ITINERARY

Here are some tips that will help you plan your trip before discussing your actual Paris and London itinerary.

Booking Accommodation

For hotels, I mostly use booking.com because I am a very spontaneous person and want to be flexible. Most of the time, you can – often-  cancel accommodations without any cost up to 24 hours before your stay. The rates are also most often the best.

Keep in mind, that London and Paris are both extremely expensive when it comes to accommodation. If you stay outside the city center. you can find better deals. Also, public transportation in both cities is pretty good. If you rely on public transportation, make sure a metro/underground station is close by.

Booking Tours

When I book my tours, I mostly use GetYourGuide because of their generous cancellation policy. And in case something comes up, I know they have my back (like the day I was not picked up for a tour even though the tour operator confirmed the trip. I got my money back from GetYourGuide after the tour operator did not return my messages). I will mention tours whenever I feel it is suitable for you guys!

Airports in London and Paris

For this London and Paris itinerary, you can start either in London or Paris. Both cities are well connected to airports from all over the world. If you come from abroad, you will most likely fly into London or Paris

• Airports in London:  These airports include London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, and London Stansted. Some are quite far from the city center, but all airports are well-connected to the city center of London and have regular shuttle buses.
• Airports in Paris:  There are three main airports in Paris for visitors: Charles de Gaulle Airport, Orly Airport, and Beauvais-Tillé Airport. The first two airports are well-served by public transport. The latter one is a lot farther from the city and getting to the city requires a longer and more expensive transfer.

However, if you are from European countries like Germany , Belgium , or the Netherlands (or any other country close by), then getting to London or Paris by train would probably be a good or even better choice.

Best Time to Visit London and Paris

I have visited both cities many times, and while I almost always had great weather in Paris, the weather in London was… grayish.

Both cities are great to visit in December  – for all the Christmas lights and shopping. But Christmas lights, markets, and shopping is not your main priority and if you can freely book your trip, I suggest visiting in May, June, or September. 

I normally never recommend visiting a place during the high season, which for Europe is most often in July and August. Both cities also host many events, like the Tour de France and Fashion Weeks, which make prices for accommodation go up significantly at that time. 

So, if you aren’t visiting for one of those events, try avoiding those times.

How to Get From London to Paris or From Paris to London

You can, of course, fly from one city to the other. There are quite a number of flights between these two capitals each day.

However, the easiest way to get from Paris to London is by train.   The journey from Paris to London takes around 2,5 hours on board Eurostar’s high-speed trains. You can book tickets online .

Normally, the earlier you book, the cheaper it gets.

Make sure to have your ID with you – since the UK is not part of the EU anymore, your passports will be checked. 

HOW TO SPEND 7 DAYS IN PARIS – LONDON ITINERARY

For your itinerary, you can start your trip with London or Paris – it’s up to you. I do not see any particular benefit to starting in one city.

3,5 DAYS IN PARIS

Paris… there are not many cities in the world that are as popular, famous, and appealing as this quite small European city. While I did not fall in love with Paris immediately, after about 8 trips or so, I can say that the city has grown on me. Now, I do feel that Paris is rightfully on people´s bucket lists! 

Paris is not only a great destination for love birds : it is a heaven for shopping addicts , for architect lovers , for people who enjoy outdoor time and nice strolls, for history nerds … to make it short: Paris is great!

It is pretty. Pretty, pretty, pretty!

Best Places to Stay in Paris

You can find all kinds of accommodations in Paris. However, the standard of accommodation is not very high (a 3-star hotel can be quite shabby), so I would probably pay a few $ more to avoid ending up in a very shady place.

To check out accommodation rates for different hotels just click on each link:

• Luxury Hotels in Paris – the luxurious hotels in Paris come with a big price tag but are probably worth the money:  Four Seasons Hotel George V is one of the most iconic hotels in Paris – find out more about the hotel and the rates here.
• Hotel Wo –  this 3-star hotel has great reviews and is centrally located– Click here to find the best rates for this hotel in Paris
• I sometimes book budget hotels – but actually, I cannot recommend budget hotels in Paris (if you know a great budget hotel let me know though).

You should know what to expect – while it is often called the most romantic city in the world, the truth is that it can be a bit disappointing at first. It is dirty, and there are a lot of tourist scams but it is also extremely beautiful and special. While I am often in my hotel after sunset, I try to experience Paris at night.

Because Paris is the City of Lights – and the illuminated Eiffel Tower is just one fantastic sight to see after sunset – and it wears its best dress at night.

• Paris is best explored on foot .   The city is geographically small, and many tourist attractions are quite close to one another. However, once in a while, you will need public transportation.
• Public transportation is also pretty great . So, hop on the metro or bus to get around, if needed. It is easy, fast, and affordable.  There is no Oyster Card in Paris  (unlike in London) so you could either buy single tickets or plan in advance and buy multi-tickets to save a bit of money.
• Hop-on and hop-off buses are also great options, and you get a discount on several popular tourist attractions in Paris.
• I hate to say it, but Parisians are not the nicest people – and they do not even bother to speak English . So, you really should pick up some French words. However, I also realized that people were becoming nicer day by day, but still… Download a translation app, if needed.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re returning for a second visit, you won’t be disappointed by what Paris has in store. Paris, the City of Lights, is a romantic destination that offers something for everyone. With three days in Paris, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this charming city.

Spend your day getting to know the city with a relaxing stroll through the cobbled streets of Montmartre. Stop by the Sacré Coeur for epic views of Paris, and don’t miss out on famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Indulge in some retail therapy at Galeries Lafayette and Le Marais, then explore the Latin Quarter or take a romantic boat ride along the Seine River. Explore stunning Versaille and learn about France´s history.

End your trip with a visit to the Louvre and some well-deserved rest and relaxation in one of the city’s many parks. With so much to do, your 3,5 days in Paris will be unforgettable!

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT IN PARIS IN 3,5 DAYS

• Visit the Eiffel Tower (during day and night – it is really magical in the dark)
• Stroll the Seine
• Admire the Bridges
• Picnic by the Seine
• See Notre Dame
• Explore the Louvre
• Rest at Jardin des Tuileries
• Explore Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur
• Rest at Jardin du Luxembourg
• Visit Versailles

3,5 DAYS IN LONDON

London is another fun capital in Europe. It is a bit hipper and I think younger people (especially if you travel with teenagers) will enjoy London more than Paris. However, this does not mean I suggest skipping Paris. Like Paris, I have visited London numerous times, and I always find new cute places and great spots.

Since the UK has left the European Union, things have changed a bit and this might also be true for crossing borders. I haven’t been to England since then. So, I cannot say how much you will be controlled when crossing borders. 

Where to Stay in London

Here are some of the best-rated hotels for each budget:

• Luxury Hotels in London –  London is home to numerous luxury hotels – if you find something easily it is luxury accommodation in London.
• Ritz-Carlton is one of the top hotels – it is also conveniently located in the city center and quite close to Buckingham Palace. Click here for the best rates and more info.
• Draycott  Hotel is a small luxury boutique hotel I actually stayed at one night. It is definitely, a good choice if you prefer smaller and more unique places. Click here for more info and the best rates.
• Mid-Range Hotels in London –  If you are looking for nice but more budget-friendly hotels that are located in the center of London, then check out the following hotels:
• 3-star hotel Hampton by Hilton Waterloo – find out more about this hotel and get the best rates here.
• Budget Hotels in London – London is expensive but you might find a good deal
• This hostel is well-rated, and conveniently located and if you book a bed in a dorm you can actually get a bargain. Click here to get the best rates for YHA London Central.

London is a must on any England itinerary but since it is quite easy to get from London to Paris, this Paris/London itinerary is also fun.

London is as rainy as rumors say and so, don’t forget your umbrella – with this in the back of your head, be ready to explore one of the most exciting and diverse cities in Europe.

There is so much history – so many historic and important buildings, so many new and modern buildings, so many great Instagrammable spots, so many artists…Do not forget all the pubs and friendly people…

Before discussing the main things to do in London, here is some information for your days in London.

LONDON TRAVEL TIPS 

• Though many sights are within walking distance , you might need to take the bus or underground once in a while. 
• The underground in London works fine (I still prefer taking buses though). It gets extremely busy, especially at rush hour. So, I really recommend not taking the underground or bus at those times. It works fine and is quite cheap and fast.
• Some of the red double-decker buses are actually regular buses and not sightseeing buses, which is pretty cool and I recommend using them at least once.
• Oyster Card :   Buying an Oyster Card makes sense if you use public transportation often. You can load it up with credit and just swipe it in/out at every bus and underground station. In the end, it finds the best rates and calculates the cheapest tickets (handy, right?). You can now also use your credit card and pay contactless.
• Hop-on and hop-off buses are also popular and great for seeing London from a different perspective.
• You can rent bikes for free at many bike stations. The first 30 minutes are free, then you would have to pay. I normally just ride around for 30 minutes and then bring it back to a rental station. There are quite a few rental stations in the city center.
• While the black cabs are very popular and iconic, I have never used them and don’t think you really need a cap if you book your hotel in a central location.

London is an iconic European destination full of culture, history, and entertainment. With three days in the city, you’ll be able to experience all that it has to offer. Begin your journey with a tour of some of London’s most famous landmarks such as Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace.

Once you’ve seen the sights, explore the city’s vibrant neighborhoods like Covent Garden, Camden Market, and Shoreditch. Make sure to sample some of the local cuisines in one of London’s many restaurants and pubs. Of course, you can’t miss a traditional afternoon tea at one of London’s historic hotels.

Finish your trip with a show at the West End theatre district or by exploring more of this vibrant city at night!

THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO VISIT IN LONDON

• Hyde Park and Speaker´s Corner
• Buckingham Palace
• St. James´ Park
• Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower)
• Tower of London
• St. Paul‘s Cathedral
• Nottinghill
• Oxford Street or Regent´s Street
• If you visit in winter check out my London winter travel guide.
• For more tips and more detailed info on all of the places to see, head to my detailed London 4-day itinerary.
• Check out my England itinerary if you want to stay a bit longer in England – click here to find out more.
• If you are on a budget, then take out my London budget guide .

As you can see, my more detailed posts have much more info for your trip. 

FINAL THOUGHTS ON VISITING PARIS AND LONDON FOR A WEEK

Visiting Paris and London in 7 days is the perfect combination of culture, sightseeing, and entertainment. With iconic monuments, historic landmarks, delicious food, vibrant nightlife, and much more – there’s something for everyone in these two stunning cities. From Big Ben to the Eiffel Tower and everything in between, you’ll have a vacation of a lifetime.

By combining a London and Paris trip, you can experience the best of both worlds.

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The Ultimate Paris to London Day Trip Itinerary (+ London Travel Tips)

By: Author Tiana Thompson

Posted on Last updated: June 9, 2023

Categories Day trips from Paris , France , Paris , Travel Guides , UK

Home » The Ultimate Paris to London Day Trip Itinerary (+ London Travel Tips)

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Paris is beautiful, but have you ever wanted to take a day trip away from the French capital and explore London?

Most people visiting Paris choose to spend the day away at Monet’s Gardens in nearby Giverny or on a day trip to the beautiful champagne region of France .

These are both great options, don’t get me wrong.

But if you’re looking for something a bit different, why not take a day trip to London? It’s the perfect way to explore two of Europe’s most iconic cities in one day.

Taking a day trip to London from Paris is possible (and relatively easy) with the right planning.

It’s definitely one of the best things you can do if you want to maximize your time in Europe! A trip to London is my top choice when it comes to the best day trip to take from Paris to other countries in Europe .

In this post, we’ll take a look at all the transportation options available to you, as well as provide some helpful tips on how to navigate each one.

We’ll also dig into the best places to go and things to see in London , as well as provide an itinerary that allows you to make the most of your day trip from Paris .

This 10-page Paris travel guide includes all the best foods to eat in Paris, where to eat, the top things to do and see in Paris, including day trips, scenic tours, museums, attractions, and more. Find out the best (and worst) places to stay in Paris, including my top picks for hotels in each area. Links in this PDF are clickable so you can book your tours and hotels directly!

In this post, you'll find...

How far is London from Paris?

London is located about 280 miles away from Paris, just across the English channel.

This might seem like a long way to travel in one day, but it’s actually quite doable with the right transportation option!

Can you visit Paris and London in one trip?

The answer is yes – with some careful planning and the right transportation options, you can have an incredible day trip from Paris to London!

Depending on your travel dates, you can get there and back with time to spare for exploring both cities. The high-speed Eurostar train service makes it easy to get from Paris Gare du Nord station to London’s St. Pancras Station in just a few hours.

P.S. You can find all my Paris travel articles, resources, and recommendations here 👈

Is a day trip from Paris to London worth it?

There is so much to see in London and it really deserves more than just one day. But if you have limited time and are looking for a great way to experience both cities, a day trip from Paris to London can be an incredible experience!

With the right itinerary and transportation options, you can make the most of your day in this iconic city.

The Best Things to See in London on a Day Trip

When it comes to sightseeing, there’s no shortage of things to see in London!

Here are some of the must-see London attractions:

• Windsor Castle – one of the official residences of The Queen

• Tower Bridge – one of the most iconic bridges over the Thames

• Big Ben – a clock tower housing one of the world’s largest bells

• The London Eye – a giant Ferris wheel offering unparalleled views of the city skyline

• Buckingham Palace – the official residence of former Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family

• Trafalgar Square – one of London’s most recognizable public spaces.

• Tower of London – a medieval fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site

• St. Paul’s Cathedral – one of the largest churches in England, with an impressive dome

• British Museum – one of the world’s oldest museums, housing over 8 million artifacts from around the world

Of course, there is so much more where this came from! London is home to world-class museums, galleries, parks, and monuments. There are over 1,000 activities and attractions that you can see here!

I recommend checking out some of the most popular London attractions and activities and planning out in advance what you want to see.

Best way to get to London from Paris for a one-day trip

For a day trip to London from Paris, the best way is to take the Eurostar high-speed train. A train ride on the Eurostar from Paris will typically last around 2 hours and 15 minutes. You’ll be dropped off in the center of London’s city center, at St. Pancras Station.

Eurostar tickets from Paris Gare du Nord station to London St Pancras station start at €60 (one way). You can book tickets for the Eurostar on Omio .

Note : Eurostar is best when booked in advance. It is possible to buy tickets on the day of your visit, but you may find yourself paying more for tickets, or not being able to get a seat on the day you choose to travel.

The next best option for getting to London from Paris is by plane. Flights from Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport in Paris will get you to Heathrow airport, London’s major international airport, in just under one hour.

Flights on budget airlines such as EasyJet can be found as low as €20 one way if booked in advance. However, flight times are limited to a few hours a day and you have to factor in the time it takes for getting to/from the airports, security queues, and baggage collection.

I typically use WayAway to find the best deals on flights and get cashback. You can search for flights on WayAway here 👇

For those looking for an even cheaper option than taking Eurostar, there is also the option of traveling by train. Regional trains run from Gare du Nord train station in Paris to London St Pancras station twice a day, with an approximate travel time of 7-8 hours.

Prices for these tickets start at €19 one way if booked in advance. Train tickets can be booked online with Omio .

Driving to London from Paris is also an option, though it’s not ideal only for a day trip. London is about 280 miles from Paris, or a 6-hour drive. It’s technically feasible if you get an early start, but it’s really not worth it with such limited time to spend in London.

If you decide to drive, remember that you will need to pay for gasoline and tolls for crossing the English Channel tunnel.

There is also the option of taking a bus from Paris to London. Buses are generally slower than trains or planes and take around 11 hours to get from one city to the other. Prices are cheaper than Eurostar and flights, with tickets starting at around €25 one way if booked in advance.

Obviously, an 11-hour bus ride is less than ideal with only one day to spend in London. But it is an affordable option if you don’t mind the long ride. I always use FlixBus to book my bus tickets.

Finally, if you really want to make the most of your one day in London, there are also special day trips available that include a guided tour and transport. Usually, these will pick up from central locations in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower or Sacré Coeur. Prices for these tours vary depending on what’s included but usually start around €100.

How to spend one day in London: One-day Itinerary

Once you’ve arrived in London, there is a lot that can be done! Ideally, you’ll have a full day here to really maximize the time you have to visit London.

Depending on what time you arrive, here is a suggested itinerary of how to spend one day in London :

• 9:00 am – Arrive in London and get breakfast at Borough Market. After breakfast, start your day with a visit to St Paul’s Cathedral, one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Next, head over to Tower Bridge and take some time to admire the view of Thames River.

• 10:30 am – Explore Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Nearby, you’ll also find Big Ben and the London Eye.

I recommend taking a ride on the London Eye for a bird’s eye view of the city! It’s kinda like the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower, but so much better.

This area is also home to Buckingham Palace, one of the iconic symbols of London. Wrap up the morning with a stroll in St James’ Park or check out the historic Trafalgar Square.

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• 12:30 pm – Have lunch in one of the many pubs or cafes in Soho. Afterward, take a walk through China Town and visit Carnaby Street for some shopping. You can even take a walk along the Southbank, stopping at art galleries such as Tate Modern or the National Gallery.

• 2:00 pm – Visit Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. These two parks are great for a leisurely stroll on a sunny day in London. If the weather is bad, take a quick tour of the Natural History Museum or Victoria & Albert Museum .

Entrance to the Victoria & Albert museum is free, and you don’t need to book in advance. This makes it a great option for those on a day trip, especially if you’re visiting London on a budget.

• 3:00 pm – Spend some time exploring the British Museum , one of London’s top attractions. Afterward, take a stroll around Covent Garden and soak up some of the local culture. You can even join a Secrets of London walking tour with a professional guide who can give you some secret history of the area.

Or hop on a 3-hour Secret British food tour of London !

• 4:00 pm – As the day draws to an end, head over to Notting Hill and explore its bohemian streets and colorful houses. Finish your day with some afternoon tea at one of London’s famous cafes like The Goring Hotel or Claridge’s .

• 5:00 pm – End your day with dinner in one of Shoreditch’s trendy restaurants and pubs. Dishoom and Blacklock Shoreditch are two of my favorites here!

• 6:00 pm – Head back to the train station or airport for your journey back to Paris.

If you don’t want to stick to an itinerary while in London and prefer to just go with the flow, I’d recommend getting on a hop-on hop-off Big Bus sightseeing tour of London . It’s a great way to explore the city and get a feel for the different neighborhoods. You can easily hop off at each stop and explore the attractions you want to see!

Getting Around in London

Navigating London can seem daunting even to native English speakers, so if it’s your first time in the city it’s a good idea to plan ahead on how to get around most efficiently.

The best way to get around London is by using public transport such as the Tube (London Underground). London’s public transportation system is widely considered one of the best in Europe, and it’s very easy to use.

The best way to save money is by getting an Oyster card, which allows you to pay per ride and get discounts on longer journeys. You can buy one from any Tube station or online.

Without the Oyster card, you can just pay with cash or credit card at the station, but you will be charged a higher fare. Ticket fares are typically around £6 each way when you pay with cash or card.

The Tube runs from 5 am until midnight, but there are also buses and night buses that run after midnight if you miss the last train.

You can also get around London by bus, which is a great way to see the city’s sights as you travel from one place to another. Bus fares are £1.50 per journey when you use an Oyster card and £2.40 without it.

Walking in London is also a great option as most of the major attractions are located close to each other. However, London is a lot bigger than Paris and can be quite tiring, so make sure to plan your walking route ahead of time.

You can also use Uber or a black cab for shorter distances, but it’s usually more expensive than the Tube.

Where to stay in London – Best areas & Hotels

London is way cool and definitely deserves more than just a day trip. If you plan on staying overnight ( which you absolutely should ), there are a few areas I recommend checking out.

Central London is my favorite area and the best place to stay if it’s your first time in town. It’s home to some of the city’s main attractions like Buckingham Palace and The Shard, but also some of its coolest neighborhoods like Soho, Marylebone, and Covent Garden.

Hotels like St Pancras Renaissance Hotel , The Montcalm Royal London House-City of London , or The Langham are all great options for a luxurious stay in Central London.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, check out the East End neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Hackney, and Whitechapel. The area is full of cool bars and restaurants as well as some really nice budget hotels like Generator London or CitizenM London Shoreditch .

No matter where you decide to stay in London, make sure to book in advance as accommodations fill up quickly!

Search through over 1000 hotels and apartment rentals in London here 👇

Essential Travel Tips for London & the UK

Now that we’ve got transportation, activities, and accommodations sorted, it’s time to talk about a few last travel tips.

• Make sure to check the weather forecast before your trip – London weather can be unpredictable. And don’t forget to bring an umbrella! London is a very rainy city and you’ll want to be prepared.
• The currency in London is the British Pound (GBP). You can easily exchange your Euros at any bank or exchange office.
• Tipping is not a big part of the culture in the UK, so don’t feel obligated to tip unless you’re really impressed with someone’s service.
• London is a lot more expensive than Paris so budget accordingly!
• Carry cash with you in case your card doesn’t work in some places.
• Most public restrooms in London require a payment of £0.30 – you can use coins or a contactless card.
• Download Google Maps for offline navigation and make sure to turn on mobile data roaming before you arrive.
• The legal drinking age in the UK is 18. Drinking in public places is illegal so make sure to stick to bars and pubs.
• Don’t forget to bring your passport with you! Since the UK is no longer in the EU, you’ll have to present your passport at customs when crossing the border from France. This applies even if you’re only taking a day trip.

Thanks for reading!

And that’s it! Visiting London for one day on a day trip from Paris is totally doable.

Of course, there is much more to London than what can be done in just one day, but with careful planning and an itinerary like the one I suggested above it’s definitely worth it.

By the end of your day trip from Paris to London, you’ll have seen some of the most iconic sites in two of Europe’s most amazing cities!

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Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!

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15-Day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

When my mom and sister revealed their zealous plans for their 15-day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary, I was curious how they planned their European trip (and, to be honest, I was skeptical that they would be able to pull it off). Creating a 15 Days in Europe Itinerary to these top three cities is no easy feat. 

Although we have visited all three destinations over multiple trips, we have never been to all three in a short two weeks. Intrigued by their ambitiously planned London, Paris, Rome tour, I wanted to know exactly how they devised their route and the details of their day-by-day itinerary. 

Why Plan a London, Paris Rome Trip? 

A London, Paris, Rome vacation is a bucket list trip. These cities rank as top worldwide destinations – alongside places like New York City , San Francisco and Bangkok . The difference is that London, Paris and Rome are relatively close together, which allows travelers to see all three in a short amount of time…but only with a solid trip plan. 

Unlike me, who wants to travel to eternity, my family approached their trip as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit these cities. It would be Tracy’s (my sister) first trip to Europe and Dianne’s (my mom) second trip (although, it would be her first time to London and Rome). They packed their 15-Day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary to the brim…and then heaped on a bit more for good measure.

How To Plan a Trip from London to Paris to Rome

I was fascinated, not only by the sightseeing they were able to accomplish with their 15-day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary, but also by how efficiently they were able to do so. For the first-time traveler to Europe or for the traveler who only anticipates ever going once, it’s an ideal itinerary that succinctly hits all the major sights and then some.

Breaking from our typical style of travel tips, we are presenting a Q&A regarding their diligent planning and execution of their trip abroad. Because they had detailed documentation, they are sharing their pre-trip preparation, experiences abroad, post-trip thoughts and a detailed account of their 15-Day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary Day-by-Day (including links!).

Fellow travelers planning self guided tours of London, Paris, Rome can use the tips from their experience to help plan their own perfect European trip. We also recommend using Travel Planning Printables to help you stay organized and reading our guide to plan your European Vacation !

Are There London, Paris, Rome Tours?

Absolutely! While it is possible to plan your own 2-Week London, Paris, Rome vacation (and my family is proof!), it does take an enormous amount of time and effort to create a seamless trip plan. 

Travelers can opt to tour London, Paris, Rome with a professional sightseeing tour group. The London, Paris, Italy vacation packages are planned by professionals – so all you need to do is show up and enjoy the sights! 

Young travelers – aged 18-35 – can start by searching Contiki . The company specializes in travel for young adults and offers fun and affordable London, Paris, Rome tour packages. 

Travelers of any age can find a Rome, London Paris vacation package with a reliable company – like Trafalgar Tours . 

Before scoffing at a tour for being too expensive, we recommend pricing out the London, Paris, Rome vacation packages versus the cost of planning your own 15 Days Europe Tour Itinerary to see the cost difference. 

If you do decide to plan your Rome, Paris, London trip on your own, read on for detailed trip planning tips! 

London, Paris, Rome Itinerary: Pre-Trip Preparation

Pre-trip preparation is key to planning a trip to London, Paris and Italy – and they shared some of the steps they took to ensure their trip went off without a hitch.

How did you decide where to go and how much time to spend in each place?

Our European vacation was nearly three years in the making. A year and a half prior to the trip, we started checking out travel books from the library. Tracy read them cover-to-cover. Eight months out, we began researching flights. Five months prior to departure, we were booking accommodations.

We discussed our itinerary at length. We were constrained by Tracy’s limited time off work, but were determined to fit as much as we possibly could into our trip. We focused on the must-see cities and their best-known sights.

We originally created a London, Paris Italy Itinerary that included Florence and Venice. However, in the planning stages, we felt the time we would have to spend actually traveling between the cities was too much. We settled on Europe’s Big Three: London, Paris and Rome – with five nights in each city.

What luggage did you carry? Were you happy with what you packed?

We debated whether a backpack or suitcase would be better to tour London, Paris, Rome. Although I have traveled through Europe with a backpack before, we decided to use roller suitcases for this trip. We each had one large checked roller bag and a carry-on backpack. Our carry-on backpacks served as a daypack as we explored the cities.

We knew our 15-Day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary was ambitious and wanted to make sure we were as prepared as possible, so we ended up bringing things that we didn’t use. In our packing list , we packed too many shirts and warmer clothes (as we traveled in the autumn) and a lot of just-in-case medications. However, we are still glad we had them with us and wouldn’t have left anything behind.

Did you buy or use any specific travel gadgets or guides?

We purchased adapters and a converter. The adapters were essential, but the converter did not work properly and it turned out we didn’t really need one.

We always used our money belts and bra stashes and were glad we purchased them for our trip. Since we are not seasoned travelers, it made us feel more safe to have our money and important documents with us at all times and concealed beneath our clothing.

The guide book we used was Rick Steves’ Best of Europe . We tore out and carried only the information we needed for the cities we were visiting.

Of the entire trip, what were you most looking forward to?

We were really intent on checking off all the sights on our list. It might end up being my (Dianne’s) last trip and Tracy’s only trip to Europe. We didn’t want to miss a single sight that appealed to us.

London, Paris, Rome: Experiences By City

Travelers who plan a 2-Week London, Paris, Rome Itinerary will want to consider what they want to experience in each city. 

What London sights did you see?

The British Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Tower of London, The Monument, Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace, Thames River Cruise, Greenwich (Royal Observatory and Maritime Museum), Big Ben, Westminster Bridge, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Soho, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Houses of Parliament (and viewed sessions), 10 Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, National Gallery, Covent Garden, Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park (including the Princess Diana Memorial), Wellington Arch, Westminster Cathedral and the National Library.

We did not see the Natural History Museum or walk Abbey Road. We could not Visit The Sky Garden because, while it is free to enter, prior reservations are required and we hadn’t made them.

What was the food like in London?

We ate a variety of food in London , from high tea to street food. We most enjoyed the food in Chinatown. Our high tea experience (which included sandwiches, sweets and a prosecco finish) was one of our most memorable dining experiences.

Where did you stay in London?

We stayed at the European Hotel for its close proximity to King’s Cross Station (which provided access to the entire city and even the Chunnel to Paris). The hotel offered a complimentary traditional English breakfast that included a lot of protein, which was a nice way to start the day. The rooms were much smaller than we had anticipated…and the bathroom was shockingly small, but sufficient. Also, the electricity and wifi were sometimes unreliable.

Any other recommendations for London?

The best way to see a lot of the city in an economical way is to purchase a weekly National Train paper pass. It allows visitors to use 2-for-1 vouchers for all the major sights – as well as transportation on the Tube and buses.

What were your highlights of London?

The Tower of London (with the Beefeater’s Tour), Kensington Palace and high tea.

Find more tips for sightseeing in our complete London Itinerary !

Paris, France

What sights did you see in Paris?

Musee du Louvre, Tuileries Garden, Musee d’Orsay, Musee de l’Orangerie, Place de la Concorde, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles Chateau and Gardens (including the Grand and Petit Trianons of Marie-Antoinette’s Estate), Moulin Rouge (including a show), Notre Dame Cathedral and Tower, Sainte Chapelle, Conciergerie, The Latin Quarter, The Pantheon, Luxembourg Gardens, St. Sulpice Church, Seine River Tour, Trocadero Gardens, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, Parc du Champs de Mars, Hotel des Invalides (Tomb of Napoleon), Musee Rodin, Montmartre, Sacre-Coeur, Pigalle (red light district) and Saint-Martin Canal.

What was the food like in Paris?

We ate quick food on-the-go a lot in Paris. Our favorite place to grab breakfast and lunch was at Paul, a bakery which has multiple locations. We had street crepes a few times and especially liked the Nutella crepes at Montmartre.

The Saint-Martin Canal neighborhood offered a wide variety of quaint cafes and restaurants. Our two favorite meals in the area were a savory buckwheat crepe at Lulu’s Creperies and a wild boar and chestnut stew at La Patache.

Where did you stay in Paris?

We stayed in a charming flat in an old building on the Saint-Martin Canal, which we found through Airbnb . It was nice to have the extra space and a washer/dryer (as we needed to do laundry by then!). It was well-situated in a residential neighborhood, but close to Gare de l’Est where we could access the Metro.

Any other recommendations for Paris?

We highly recommend the Paris Museum Pass (not to be confused with the Paris Pass). It offers entry into all the major sights in and around Paris at a reasonable cost. With the pass, we could enter certain sights to see just the highlights and not feel like we had to stay to get our money’s worth.

The best value for transportation around Paris is the weekly (calendar week only Monday through Sunday) Navigo Pass, which was good for the Metro, buses and trains (even the train to Versailles and the airport!).

What were your highlights of Paris?

Sainte Chappelle, Conciergerie, Musee Rodin, and the Tower of Notre Dame.

Read about our tips for sightseeing in this Paris Itinerary !

Rome, Italy

What sights did you see in Rome?

Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese Gardens, Villa Medici, Circus Maximus, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, Victor Emmanuel and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, St. Peter’s Basilica and Square, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. John Lateran, Scala Sancta (Holy Stairs), Capitoline Museum, Bocca della Verita, Trastevere neighborhood, Piazza Santa Maria, Basilica di Santa Maria, Tiber Island, the Old Jewish neighborhood, Campo dei Fiori, Piazza Navona.

We did not make it to Ostia Antica nor Ostia di Lido (the beach on the Mediterranean).

What was the food like in Rome?

Hello Gelato! We ate gelato every day, because when in Rome… We also ate a lot of pizza, both at sidewalk cafes and where they scissor-cut the slices and sell them by weight.

Our best meal was at a little family-run restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood. The chef used family recipes that had been handed-down through several generations.

Where did you stay in Rome?

We stayed in a small B&B in a very safe neighborhood, Salario, on the north side of the city. It was recently renovated and spacious. However, due to our delayed flight and unclear directions to the B&B, our late arrival (after midnight) resulted in a deplorable welcome from the host. Unfortunately, encounters like that are carried throughout the rest of the stay and sadly gave us a negative impression of Romans in general.

Any other recommendations for Rome?

What we would NOT recommend is the OMNIA Pass. We thought it would speed up our sightseeing by eliminating standing in long lines, but it never worked out that way. It was expensive ($109), included things we didn’t use and although it promised front-of-line entry, required longer waiting times than those with regular entry tickets.

Alternatively, we could have purchased the combo pass to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill (Cost: $13.50) from the shortest ticket lines at the Palatine Hill entrance on Via di San Gregorio and then we could skip the ticket line at the Colosseum.

In addition, we could have bought our ticket to the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, online (Cost: $22) and skipped the lines there, too. (The OMNIA Pass could possibly be to an advantage in the high season, though).

What were your highlights of Rome?

St. Peter’s Basilica and the many ruins throughout the city, although the most impressive were those at the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. We really enjoyed the time we spent walking through the Rome neighborhoods and piazzas.

Find more tips for sightseeing in our Rome Itinerary !

European Trip Thoughts

Before planning your London, Paris, Rome tour, these are a few things you might want to consider. 

How much did you spend on your European Trip? Did you have a budget? Did you stick to it?

The total cost of our trip was $2550 each, just $50 more than we had budgeted. That amount includes everything we spent during our vacation – the flight and all transportation abroad, accommodations, food, drink, tours, passes, entertainment, souvenirs…everything!

We researched and carefully determined how to do our trip on a budget without missing any of the sights we wanted to see. For hardcore sightseers, like us, we found the city passes to the sights and public transportation passes to be quite beneficial financially.

We also were able to find entertainment deals on major websites (like Viator  and Get Your Guide ). We weren’t on a mission to spend as little as possible, but we were budget conscious and feel that the price we paid was well-worth the trip.

It should be noted that we found majorly discounted airline tickets from Toronto rather than from our home city in the United States. Therefore, we tacked on a mini-vacation to Canada on each end of our European trip, which is also included in the total cost of the trip (which, all-inclusive, was still less than if we had paid the more expensive airfare from our home city).

What about your European Trip exceeded your expectations?

We were pleasantly surprised that everything went pretty much according to plan, but perhaps that is because we were so diligent in our planning. The specific sights that exceeded our expectations (although, not necessarily top-of-the-list things to do) are:

London – The British Library, the National Gallery, House of Commons session, afternoon tea

Paris – Sainte Chapelle, Musee Rodin, Conciergerie

Rome – Palatine Hill, Capitoline Museum

What were your biggest disappointments on your European Trip?

London – Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace. We spent too much time there and even though we arrived an hour and half before the event, we were unable to get close enough to really see. While standing in the sea of people, we felt like prime targets for pickpockets!

Paris – The interior of Versailles Chateau. It was over-crowded with a lot of people elbowing their way through. The rooms everyone was pushing to see were pretty, but not all that impressive to us for the hassle involved in seeing them. However, the Mesdames section, the gardens and the Trianons were worth seeing.

Rome – The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. After spending several hours in the Vatican Museum, we were underwhelmed by the time we got to the Sistine Chapel. The small area was packed and a booming voice coming from speakers reminded guests that pictures were not allowed (although many blatantly disregarded the message and took photos anyway, which we thought was quite rude). We were expecting to be wowed, but instead felt like cattle being corralled. It wasn’t the experience we were anticipating.

What did you find difficult about traveling in Europe?

The language barrier in Paris and Rome made communication in those cities trying, especially as we were there for such a short time and had a full itinerary planned.

Rome was also an extremely difficult city to get around in using public transportation. The buses were always crowded and the Metro stations were few and far between. It would have been better if we had stayed closer to the sights or near a Metro station.

What was easier than you thought it would be?

The lines to get into the sights were not as long as we had anticipated. Of course, it helped that we were traveling in the shoulder season (mid-October).

What would you have done differently on your Trip To Europe?

We would have planned our travel between cities for early morning as it would have made getting acquainted with the new city much easier. More specifically, we would not again plan to arrive to a city after dark.

Also, it would have been extremely beneficial to have been able to use our mobile phones. We should have purchased an international data plan or purchased a WiFi pocket device for our time abroad so that we could have used them when we really needed to.

Additionally, we wish we had planned more time to simply walk the neighborhoods, relax in the parks and piazzas and enjoy people-watching from the cafes.

15-Day London, Paris, Rome Itinerary Day-by-Day

Prices indicated are in U.S. dollars and were accurate at time of trip; entry fees and tickets indicate the cost per person, accommodations indicate the total cost of the lodging. If cost is not listed, it is a public, outdoor space or a sight viewed only from the outside.

Day 1 – Arrive in London

Arrive in London mid-morning.

• Purchase public transportation passes ( National Rail Paper Tickets , weekly pass, $46, passport picture required – 2-for-1 vouchers printed prior to travel) and check in to the European Hotel ($620 for 5 nights)
• Late Lunch on the go
• The British Museum ( Free )– Highlights: Rosetta Stone, mummies, pill display
• St. Paul’s Cathedral ( Entry Fee: $26, used 2-for-1 pass| Time: 3-4 hours ) – Highlights: whispering wall on balcony, tower, Princess Diana’s wedding, Florence Nightingale
• Lunch on the go
• Tower of London ( Entry Fee: $35.25, used 2-for-1 pass | Time: 3 hours ) – Highlights: crown jewels, torture chamber
• The Monument to the Great Fire of London 1666 ( did not enter )
• Self Guided London Pub Crawl and Dinner 
• Shakespeare Globe ( did not enter, Entry Fee: $19.50 ). 

Day 3 

• Changing of the Guard ( Free ) – Tip: Arrive by 10 a.m., expect crowds
• Thames River Walk (especially lively during summer and over Christmastime in London !)
• Cruise with City Cruises from Westminster to Greenwich ( Ticket: $23 roundtrip, used 2-for-1 pass )
• Lunch: Street vendors on Greenwich Dock
• Royal Observatory and Astronomy Center ( only entered the free portion )
• National Maritime Museum ( Free )
• Return cruise to Westminster
• Big Ben and walking tour of Westminster sights
• Walk Westminster Bridge
• London Eye ( Entry Fee: $31, used 2-for-1 pass )
• Piccadilly Circus
• Dinner: Lido Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown (crispy seaweed and crispy duck)

Day 4 

• Westminster Abbey ( Entry Fee: $29 regular, senior discount $24.50 | Time: 1-2 hours )
• Tower Bridge ( Entry Fee: $13, used 2-for-1 pass )
• Potters Fields Park
• Houses of Parliament ( in-session, Free ) – Highlights: House of Lords ornate room, quite entertaining session in House of Commons
• Number 10 Downing Street
• Trafalgar Square
• National Gallery ( Free, accepts donations ) – Highlights: Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh
• Covent Garden
• Dinner: Nags Head Pub (beef pie and chicken pie)
• Royal Opera House ( did not enter )
• Kensington Palace ( Entry Fee: $25.25, used 2-for-1 pass | Time: 1-1.5 hours ) – Highlights: Stories of royal family – especially Queen Victoria, king’s and queen’s apartments, fashions of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens – Highlight: Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
• High Tea with prosecco finish  ( Cost: $120 | Time: 3 hours )
• Wellington Arch ( did not enter, but walked under arch – which, at one time, only royalty could do! )
• Westminster Cathedral ( Free )
• The British Library (also known as National Library) ( Free ) – Highlights: Magna Carta, bibles, Beatles, sheet music of Bach, Beethoven, Handel
• Dinner on the go

Day 6 – Travel from London to Paris

Mid-morning Chunnel to Paris ($60); arrive mid-afternoon, purchase public transportation pass ( Navigo Decouverte weekly pass : $29, includes activation fee, 3cm x 2.5cm passport-type photo required), purchase Paris Museum Pass (4-day pass, $90) and check into Airbnb apartment ($462 for 5 nights) in the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood.

• Walk the Canal Saint-Martin neighborhood
• Dinner: Lulu la nantaise – Creperie (buckwheat crepes)
• Musee du Louvre ( Entry to the Louvre Museum included with Paris Museum Pass ) – Highlights: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Napoleon’s Apartments
• Tuileries Garden
• Walk  Pont des Arts Bridge (also known as Love Locks Bridge)
• Musee d’Orsay ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass ) – Highlights: Impressionists
• Musee de l’Orangerie ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass ) – Highlights: Monet murals
• Place de la Concorde
• Grand Palais ( did not enter )
• Walk the length of Champs-Elysees (eat crepes along the way!)
• Arc de Triomphe ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass )
• Dinner: La Patache in the Canal Saint-Martin area (bison stew and wild boar stew)
• Palace of Versailles ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass ) and Gardens  ( Free ) – Highlights: chapel, hall of mirrors, Mesdames quarters
• Lunch in the gardens (baguettes from a vendor)
• Marie-Antoinette Estate  and Grand Trianon ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass )
• Dinner on the go: Paul Bakery at Gare de l’Est
• Moulin Rouge Show with Champagne ( Ticket: $127 ) – Highlights: comedy skits, stunts, dancing
• Notre Dame Cathedral ( Free )
• Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie  ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass )
• Walk The Latin Quarter (on a guided tour or self guided walk )
• The Pantheon ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass )
• Luxembourg Gardens
• St. Sulpice Church ( Free )
• Boat trip on River Seine with  Vedettes du Pont Neuf (Ticket : $16 ) Tip: food in waiting area for the boat not recommended, poor tour guide, but lovely night cruise
• Tower of Notre Dame Cathedral ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass | Time: 1.5 hours ) – Highlights: gargoyles, bell tower
• Trocadero Gardens
• Food on the go
• Eiffel Tower ( did not climb )
• Parc du Champs de Mars
• Musee de l’Armee (also known as Hotel des Invalides) ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass ) – Highlights: Tomb of Napoleon and Napoleon’s horse
• Musee Rodin ( Entry included with Paris Museum Pass ) – Highlights: The Thinker, Gates of Hell
• Walk Montmartre neighborhood
• Sacre-Coeur ( Free ) – Highlights: St. Peter’s side chapel
• Pigalle  (also known as the Red Light District)
• Dinner: La Patache

Day 11 – Travel from Paris to Rome

• Say au revoir to Paris with a walk along the Canal Saint-Martin – Highlights: boats traveling through the locks
• Train to airport; flight to Rome ($79); check in to B&B Espresso ($343 for 5 nights) in the Salario neighborhood.
• Walk the Salario neighborhood
• Metro to Vatican  to obtain OMNIA Vatican and Rome Card ($109)
• Piazza del Popolo
• Villa Borghese Gardens ($50)– Highlights: view from Villa Medici
• Dinner at a sidewalk cafe for pizza
• Circus Maximus
• Palatine Hill ( Entry included with the OMNIA Pass ) – Highlights: many interesting ruins and history
• Roman Forum ( Entry included with the OMNIA Pass ) – Highlights: Rome’s oldest road, the place where Caesar was killed, Temple of Vesta
• Colosseum ( Entry included with the OMNIA Pass ) – Highlight: standing inside the Colosseum
• Arch of Constantine
• Hop-on Hop-off Bus from Colosseum to Piazza Venezia ( Included with the OMNIA Pass )
• Victor Emmanuel Monument (also known as Altare della Patria) and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ( did not enter )
• Lunch (and gelato!) on the go
• Ruins at Largo Argentina
• Pantheon  ( Free )
• Trevi Fountain
• Spanish Steps
• St. Peter’s Basilica ( Free, audio guide included with the OMNIA Pass, did not climb the cupola ) – Highlights: high altar, hidden relics, La Pieta
• St. Peter’s Square – Highlights: 140 statues of saints that line the square
• Vatican Museums ( Entry included with the OMNIA Pass ) – Highlights: Egyptian artifacts, art by the masters
• Sistine Chapel – ( Entry included with the OMNIA Pass )
• Lunch at a sidewalk café
• St. John Lateran Church (San Giovanni in Laterano) ( Free, cloister admission included with OMNIA Pass ) – Highlights: Bishop Seat of Rome presided over by the Pope, cloister garden
• Holy Stairs (also known as Scala Sancta) ( Free ) – Highlights: climbing the same stairs (relocated from Jerusalem) that Jesus climbed (on our knees)
• Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli ( Free ) – Highlights: Ornate interior
• Capitoline Museums ( Entry included with the OMNIA Pass ) – Highlights: She-Wolf with Romulus and Remus, Marcus Aurelius, The Fortune Teller, Capitoline Venus, The Dying Gaul, Bust of Medusa, view of the Forum
• Capitoline Hill – Highlights: mayor’s office, drinking fountain, Michelangelo’s steps
• Bocca della Verita ( Free, but long line )
• Walk the Trastevere neighborhood
• Lunch: Polpetta (traditional Italian dishes)
• Fontana dell’Acqua Paola
• Fountain in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere
• Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere ( Free )
• Tiber Island
• Gelato on the go
• Walk the Jewish neighborhood
• Campo dei Fiori
• Piazza Navona
• Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
• Dinner on the go: Pizza by weight!

Day 16 

Bus to Airport, Flight to back to the USA!

Top Tips For Your London, Paris, Rome Trip

Planning a 15 Day Europe Itinerary to London, Paris and Rome is not an easy task. Although we have outlined a detailed trip plan, we have a few more tips that will help make planning your trip to Europe just a little bit easier. 

City Sightseeing Passes

City sightseeing passes can offer substantial savings for travelers who want to visit the top ticketed attractions. London, Paris and Rome all offer a variety of sightseeing pass options (and some are better than others).

London Sightseeing Passes

The National Rail 2-for-1 vouchers are a fabulous way to see London sights on a budget …unless you are traveling solo (or with an odd number of people) and not using public transportation. The London Pass is another city pass that might save you money.

In lieu of using public transportation, consider getting around London using Big Bus Tours , which makes stops at all the top London attractions. 

Paris Museum Pass

We highly recommend buying the Paris Museum Pass while sightseeing in Paris , as we think it is well worth the money and added bonus of skipping the line. 

Alternatively, look at the Paris Pass , which includes the Paris Hop-On Hop-Off Bus and free public transportation, and might provide savings for your Paris trip . 

Rome Sightseeing Tips

We have yet to find a Rome sightseeing pass that we can recommend, as they don’t seem to offer the convenience and savings promised. Instead of spending money on a pass like OMNIA , organize your Rome sightseeing on your own.

Use the money you saved from buying a city pass and join a guided tour of the sights that are of most interest to you, like St. Peter’s Basilica , the  Vatican Museum , or the Colosseum . To get around the city, use the Rome Big Bus , public transportation or walk. 

As stated before, save time and money by purchasing the combo pass to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill (Cost: $13.50) from the shortest ticket lines at the Palatine Hill entrance on Via di San Gregorio and then use your combo ticket to skip the ticket line at the Colosseum. Additionally, buy your ticket to the Vatican Museums , including the Sistine Chapel, online and skip the lines there, too.

Where To Stay in Europe

Choosing the type of accommodations and where to stay for a 2-week, multicity European trip can feel overwhelming. With 5 days in each city, travelers can opt to stay in a hotel, but a short-term apartment might be a better option. 

The main factors to consider when making your decision are location, cost, ease of check in, cleanliness and comfort. For any short stay in a city, location is key. It is optimal to be either in the city center or close to a public transit line. 

Airbnb in Europe

In general, we have found that staying in apartments is often less expensive than hotel rooms – but that is not always true with short stays where fees can add up in a hurry. However, it may be worth it for the added benefit of a kitchen and, usually, more space. Airbnb is our go-to site for finding the best Europe holiday apartments.

Europe Hotels

That said, we would not discount staying in hotels. At most hotels in Europe, the front desk staff speaks English and – with long days of sightseeing – a kitchen may not be necessary. When looking for hotels in London , Paris and Rome , we always start our search on Booking.com . Budget travelers can search for Hostels in London , Paris and Rome .

Pro Tip: Before you get started, read our top tips for Booking the Best Hotels .

Getting To Europe

All three cities – London, Paris, Rome – are easily accessible via plane, train, bus or car. 

Our preferred method of getting anywhere is by flying (we are JetSetting Fools, after all!) and when we do need to purchase plane tickets, we start our search for the best deals on airline tickets on Skyscanner .

Pro Tip: Read all our Tips for Cheaper Airfare .

Getting Around Europe

To get from city to city when flights are not possible, we usually rely on public transportation and take trains or buses. In Europe, we use Rail Europe to find train tickets and our preferred bus company is FlixBus – as it is economical, clean and comfortable (sometimes with on-board wifi, seat-back entertainment, refreshments and a toilet).

Renting a Car in Europe

For this Rome, Paris, London Itinerary, it is not necessary to rent a car. In fact, when bouncing between any big cities in Europe, it is best to use public transit. However, for travelers interested in seeing sights outside the city center,  renting a car can often save time and money (especially when traveling with more than two people).

Top Tip: We share tips for getting the Best Car Rental here . 

Before You Go To Europe: What You Will Need

We have a few final tips on what you will need for your London, Paris and Rome trip! You can find our Packing Hacks and other advice on our dedicated Travel Packing blog page. 

Comfortable Walking Shoes

Anyone planning a 2-Week Trip to London, Paris and Rome will need a good pair of walking shoes to most comfortably see the sights. The best travel shoes are lightweight and comfortable. I like wearing versatile sneakers , while Kris prefers Merrell trail shoes . 

Travel Camera

We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your trip. Rather than relying on your mobile phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual travel camera for higher quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos and is a great budget camera for beginners!) – and use an everyday 18-135mm lens .  

Maps and Guidebooks

It’s easy to get turned around in any foreign city! Make sure to have a good city map for London , Paris and Rome . Additionally, some travelers (like my mom and sister) like to use a trusted guidebook – like Rick Steves’ Europe .

European Trip Insurance

Travel insurance may cover lost luggage and trip delays, as well as illness or injured abroad . If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Europe, consider traveling protected with World Nomads .

Looking for more travel planning tips? Check out our detailed Guide to Planning a European Vacation and then head over to our Travel Planning page for our complete packing tips and other travel resources !

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board .

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Planning a trip to Switzerland and Paris

Planning a trip to Switzerland and Paris took quite a lot of time for us especially because we want to travel within a certain budget.  I had three generations with me on the trip, from my 2-year-old daughter, to my 67-year-old mom.  Of course, with such an age range, my itinerary could not be too strenuous.  Travelling by train required some time to plan as there was a need to look at the train schedule and see which schedule fits the itinerary the best.

Getting around

The best way to travel around Switzerland is by train.  While planning this trip, I considered two choices (1) buy the 2 country Eurail Select pass (2) buy the Swiss pass , and separately buy a bullet train from Switzerland to Paris, and buy the local metro pass for Paris.  The second worked out to be much cheaper.  Furthermore, the Swiss pass allowed unlimited rides, not only on train, but on boats and buses as well.  It covered scenic train rides as well as discounts. It also came with a Swiss Family card which allowed children under 16 to travel for free with parents or guardian. At that time, it was the best deal that I could find.

When I collected my pass from the travel agent, the agent told me that since I was travelling with 6 people, including young kids and an elderly person, I should reserve seats for all my train rides.  With the reservations, my family would always be seated together, even for rides that did not need reservations.  She had a valid explanation, so I decided to reserve all my seats.  For those scenic train rides like the Glacier Express and the Golden Pass, reservations were compulsory.   In the end, the amount I paid for the train reservations was almost equal the amount I paid for the Swiss pass. I think reserving train seats when it was not compulsory to do so was not really necessary.  There were enough seats on the trains most of the time.

When we arrived in Switzerland and made our way to the train station in Zurich,  we were quite surprised by how efficient the trains were.  Don’t get me wrong. I know Swiss trains are known for its efficiency, but to me it was too efficient.  For some trains, the train doors opened for barely 1-2 minutes.  With about 2 steps leading up to the train, I wondered at that time how we were ever going to find the correct carriage according to our reservations, get our luggages up the steps and onto the train, and help two kids and my elderly mom up the steps, all in under 2 minutes!

I thought the least we could do was to stand in front of the correct carriage, which was the fifth one.  However, the trains that passed by before ours had carriages which were of different sizes.  The fifth carriage for different trains were different.  We were lugging our bags from one place to another trying to figure out where the fifth carriage for our train would stop.  It was only after our second ride that we discovered a board that showed the various trains, with different number and length of carriages.  It described clearly where one should stand for any specific carriage.  How I wished I had found such board in Zurich.  Oh well, it was a lesson for us.  After that, we were wiser.

Here was my transportation for Switzerland and Paris:

1.  6-day consecutive Swiss pass (from www.raileurope.com.sg ) used as follows:

Day 1: Train from Zurich (airport) to Berne

Day 2: Train from Berne to Brig. (Schedule at www.glacierexpress.ch) Glacier Express scenic train from Brig to Zermatt. (Compulsory reservation)

Day 3: Train from Zermatt up and down Gornergrat station. Funicular to/from Sunnega Paradise. Train to Interlaken West.

Day 4: Train to Jungfraujoch via Interlaken Ost, Grindelwald and KL Schneigg (Bought tickets at the train station)

Day 5: Golden pass scenic train from Interlaken to Montreux. (Compulsory reservation) (Schedule at www.goldenpass.ch )

Boat ride from Montreux to Lausanne. Train from Lausanne to Interlaken.

Day 6: Train to Murren and Lauterbrunnen

Day 7: Interlaken West to Berne

For more details about train schedules in Switzerland, goto www.sbb.ch/en .

2. TGV train tickets from Berne to Paris Gare de Lyon departing at 7.30am arriving at 12-1pm.

3. Paris metro train tickets to Trocadero and back.

4. Paris Illumination tour – with pick-up and drop-off from hotel

5. Paris hop-on-hop-off bus tour

6. Paris metro train tickets to and from Disneyland Paris.

7.  Taxi to airport

To find out which trains require compulsory reservations, I went to www.eurorailways.com .

Accommodations

It was challenging to find accommodations for 4 adults and 2 children.  Most of the time, we ended up in two rooms.  I stayed at the following accommodations which were all walking distance from the train stations.  It was a good thing I did that, because taking taxi rides in Switzerland were very expensive.

1N in Berne (I stayed at Hotel Continental )

1N in Zermatt (I stayed at Haus la Perle , which had accommodations for 6 people with kitchenette)

4N in Interlaken (I stayed at Rugenpark B&B , which was voted no. 1 for B&B on Tripadvisor)

3N in Paris (I stayed at Unic Hotel , which had a double-storey apartment for 5 people)

Click here for my tried-and-tested   10-day Switzerland and Paris Itinerary

If I were to do this trip again

Managing suitcases up and down the train was the single-most difficult thing to handle during the trip.  If I were to do this trip again, I might consider basing myself in Interlaken, and then make day trips from there.  For Zermatt, which is too far to do a day trip, I could leave my main luggage in a locker at the Interlaken train station and just bring an overnight bag.

Also, instead of bringing two suitcases, I would bring only one large suitcase and substitute the other with a large backpack. This would enable us to go up and down the trains swiftly.

I would not plan the Paris Illumination tour late in the evening on the same day that we had to take an early morning train to Paris.  If it was not summer, it would not be too bad as the tour would start earlier.

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Thank you and your blog helped me plan my own trip to France and Switzerland.

You are most welcome.

Can you help me figure out how I can visit Paris when I only have one day to spend there with my daughter? I had not seen your blog until now. I already booked a non refundable flight and room for Geneva Switzerland. My arrival will be October 17 in Geneva. my trip will end on the 22nd. We would like to go the 18th and 19th but we must be back in Geneva by the evening of the 19th. Is thia feasible on a limited budget?

Hi Mar! You can cover quite a number of sights in Paris in one day by taking the hop-on-hop-off bus tour. It gets you to many popular tourist spots without having to think about which train to take. The river cruise is also quite nice in the evening when the surrounding buildings are illuminated.

Thank you very much ! Your blog is useful in planning my trip to Swiss and France esp. your lesson learnt (If I were to do this trip again) Well done !

You are most welcome, Mark. I am glad that it has helped you in planning your vacation. Switzerland is one of my most memorable trips. Hope you enjoy your trip there.

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London to Switzerland drive

London to switzerland road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from London to Switzerland. If you're planning a road trip to Switzerland, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in London drive for about 1.5 hours

11:35 am   Canterbury stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:35 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

2:09 pm   Calais (France) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:09 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

4:36 pm   Cambrai stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:36 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

day 1 driving ≈ 6 hours find more stops

10:00 am  leave from Reims drive for about 1.5 hours

11:20 am   Saint-Dizier stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:20 pm drive for about 1.5 hours

1:36 pm   Nancy stay for about 1 hour and leave at 2:36 pm drive for about 2 hours

4:24 pm   Colmar stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:24 pm drive for about 2 hours

7:26 pm  arrive at Switzerland

day 2 driving ≈ 6.5 hours

Where should I stop along the way?

Canterbury   (12 answers) Calais (France)   (8 answers) Cambrai Reims   (13 answers)     Reims Cathedral   (3 mentions) Saint-Dizier Nancy Colmar   (10 answers)

What are some things to do in Switzerland?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Switzerland. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Switzerland.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Switzerland to London drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from London to Switzerland . Or get a full London to Switzerland flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

And if you know London well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about London!

More info on this route:

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How to plan a trip to Switzerland

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SWISS. Stunning views from the Grütschalp, Mürren, and Gimmelwald trail.

Joshua Berida

When you think of Switzerland, you’ll think of delectable chocolates, rolling hills, snow-capped peaks, and stunning landscapes. These are exactly what you’ll get when you get the chance to visit this beautiful country.

You don’t need to hike up to the best viewpoints all the time because you can just take the cable car or train to reach them. However, you can also follow the trails to earn the views of the mountains.

Getting a visa

You’ll need a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland. Some of the basic requirements for visa applications include:

• Valid passport
• Photo (35 x 45 mm)
• Accommodation confirmation
• Application form
• Proof of occupation or business registration
• Proof of funds (bank certificate, credit card statements, bank statements, etc.)

You will have to apply at a VFS office: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/phl/en/che /

Check the link out to learn more about the requirements and booking an appointment.

Get into Switzerland

There are no direct flights to Switzerland from Manila. You’ll have to transit through a different country before reaching Zurich, the capital. You can check Skyscanner or your preferred website to check schedules and prices. You can then book directly with the airline if you want. You can combine Switzerland with other countries in Europe if you have the time and the budget.

Getting around Switzerland

You can get around the country by train and get to mountain villages and trails using the cable cars.

Check schedules and fares here: https://www.sbb.ch/en .

Itinerary and places to visit

This itinerary consists mostly of day hikes with Lauterbrunnen, Grindelwald, and Interlaken as jump-off points.

Upon arrival in Zurich, make your way to the main train station and catch the train bound for Lauterbrunnen. There are no direct trains to this destination, you’ll have to switch trains after arriving in Interlaken. Lauterbrunnen is a small town with stunning mountain views. Check in your accommodation and walk around to experience the Swiss countryside.

You can check schedules and book train tickets here: https://www.sbb.ch/en

One of the reasons I visited Switzerland is to see the mountains and hike along its scenic trails. The hike I would recommend on your first day is the Grütschalp, Mürren, and Gimmelwald trail. The latter is beginner-friendly with mostly flat surfaces and stunning mountain views.

I suggest starting the hike from Grütschalp so that you’ll descend gradually instead of walking uphill if you started from Gimmelwald. After the cable car ride up, you’ll immediately see the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The recurring theme of this trail is spectacular mountain vistas. You won’t sweat much because of the cool breeze and the easy-to-follow trail. The Gimmelwald section is paved and leads you to the station where you can catch the cable car down.

How to get to the trail: Take the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp. You can buy tickets here https://www.sbb.ch/en .

Check out of your accommodation and get ready to do another easy hike. The trail I suggest doing on your second day is Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg. The latter is another beginner-friendly and easy trail with beautiful views of the mountains. The trail is straightforward, it’s easy to find and follow it. It’s also mostly flat with gradual descents.

Take as much time as you want soaking in the views and breathing in the fresh air. Bring some snacks and drinks with you. The trail takes around two hours with plenty of time to stop, take photos, and eat. You can stay for a few hours in Wengen if you’re not in a hurry. This quaint mountain town is a nice place to relax and unwind in before or after your hike. Make your way back to your accommodation in Lauterbrunnen and head on over to Grindelwald.

How to get to the trail:

• From Lauterbrunnen, take a train bound for Wengen. After arriving in Wengen, take a cable car to Männlichen.
• From Grindelwald, take a direct cable car to Männlichen.

You can buy tickets here https://www.sbb.ch/en or over the counter.

It’s time to do another hike, this time your jump-off point is Grindelwald. The hike you’ll do is the Eiger Trail. You’ll start at Eigergletscher Station and finish the trip at Alpiglen before taking another cable car to Grund (Grindelwald). The cable car ride up is scenic with a view of the mountains throughout. The view from the station is spectacular (again).

After taking some photos, you’ll likely see a crowd heading for another ride up to the Top of Europe. Walk away from them and make your way to the start of the Eiger Trail. There are signs that point you to it. The first half of the trek is easy enough with mostly flat dirt paths. You’ll also get to see the North Face. The surrounding views are worth dozens of photos. The last section of the trail gets more challenging and steeper. The hike to Alpiglen was the toughest part with steep inclines that require some balancing but nothing technical.

How to get to the trail: You can take a direct cable car from Grindelwald to Eigergletscher Station. You’ll most likely encounter a crowd because this is the same route that goes to the Top of Europe Station.

You can buy tickets here https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/ , https://www.sbb.ch/en or at the station counters.

After breakfast, board a cable car all the way up to First Station. First is a beautiful area where you can try the Cliff Walk. The latter provides you with breathtaking views of the mountains and the landscape. However, sometimes the weather can be unpredictable. It could be foggy the whole time you’re there (which happened during my visit). Despite poor visibility, you can still get a glimpse of how spectacular the views are. There’s also a restaurant where you can get a hot drink and something to eat.

Another reason to make your way here is the walk to Bachalpsee. The walk takes a few hours going there and back. The lake is pretty and the views of the mountains the same. Again, it depends on the weather. It could get foggy during your trip.

If you have the budget, you can go all the way up to Jungfraujoch or also known as the “Top of Europe.” The cable car to it is quite expensive.

After breakfast, hop on a train and make your way to Interlaken. After arriving, head on over to your accommodation to check in or at least leave your things in the luggage storage.

Interlaken is a lovely destination with views of the mountains and a laid-back vibe. It’s a tourist town so expect more people. It has some attractions you might want to visit during your stay. You can go on a short trip to Lake Thu and Lake Brienz. You can go up Harder Kulm for more overlooking views, visit Unterseen, try paragliding, walk to Unspunnen Castle, or visit the Interlaken Monastery and Castle.

After visiting some attractions in Interlaken, it’s time to go for another hike with spectacular views at Schynige Platte. You can reach this hiking destination by taking the train from Wilderswil. The ride up to the mountain station is scenic (you’ll be staring out the window most of the time kind of views).

I would recommend the panorama trail as it’s easy to do and has stunning vistas. The loop takes around three hours or faster depending on your pace. The trail is mostly flat with gradual inclines in some parts. You’ll have to climb up stairs to reach one of the viewpoints but it’s also easy. You’ll see views of the lake and the mountains throughout your adventure. Wilderswil is a short train ride from Interlaken. If you have the time and the energy, you can combine Schynige Platte with Faulhorn and all the way to First. This alternative can take an entire day so bring enough food and drinks.

You can buy tickets here https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/prices-and-tickets/ , https://www.sbb.ch/en or at the station counters.

Check out of your accommodation in Interlaken then take the morning train to Zurich. After arriving at Zurich, head on over to your accommodation to check in or leave your stuff in the luggage room. Zurich is a small city to explore on foot and at a slow pace. You can see a lot in a short time. Go at a leisurely pace to soak in the culture and history of the city after hiking for most of this itinerary.

The old town is a quaint and charming neighborhood that has plenty of historic buildings that are centuries old. Take a leisurely stroll along Lake Zurich, hang out by the gardens and parks, and/or grab something to eat at the cafes and restaurants. Another pedestrian street worth checking out is the Banhof and Banhofstrasse. Here you’ll find shops from various brands.

Grossmünster or Great Minster dominates Zurich’s cityscape with its towers. This church is centuries old and is a renowned city landmark. Other churches of note include the Fraumünster and St. Peter’s Church. Take another leisurely stroll around Lindenhof. The latter also provides beautiful views of the old town.

If you have the time and budget for museums, you can check out the following:

• Lindt Home of Chocolate
• Swiss National Museum
• FIFA Museum
• Museum of Fine Arts

Zurich has other activities you can do in the city or just a day trip from it.

Depending on the time of your flight, you’ll have extra time to revisit some of your favorite hangout spots in the city. You can also do some last-minute shopping before leaving Switzerland.

You can also combine this itinerary with other places you want to visit while in Europe.

When is hiking season?

The hiking trails are closed during certain months of the year. Most trails are open from the end of June until late October. Dates change so you’ll have to check official websites for more information.

You can check this website for the trails mentioned above: https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/

Swiss Pass or Half-Fare Card?

For the itinerary mentioned above, I would recommend a half-fare card instead of the Swiss Travel Pass.

The card reduces the price of cable cars and train tickets by 50% within its scope of coverage. On the other hand, the Swiss Pass only provides unlimited rides within its scope of coverage, and you won’t get a 50% discount for some of the cable car rides up and down the mountains.

You can get a Swiss Pass and learn more about it here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets- offers/swisspass/swisspass.html

You can purchase a Half-Fare Card from Klook: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/10184-swiss-half-fare-card-switzerland/

You can also buy a Half-Fare Card from the official site here: https://www.sbb.ch/en/tickets- offers/tickets/guests-abroad/swiss-halffare-card.html

How much will you spend?

There’s no denying it Switzerland is an expensive country even if you’re trying to go on a budget. A budget of around P80,000 for the itinerary mentioned above covers the following:

• Budget room or bed din a dorm
• Eat at a budget restaurant or food from supermarkets
• Swiss Half-Fare Card
• Cable cars up and down mountains and train rides between cities and towns

This budget doesn’t include shopping, flights, and other activities you might want to do such as boat rides, kayaks, etc. Sky’s the limit for you if you can afford it. –  Rappler.com

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