The BEST 7 Day London and Paris Itinerary!

London and Paris are arguably the most popular two cities in Europe! Coupled with their close proximity to each other, visiting London and Paris in the same trip makes for a perfect one week European vacation.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting both of these cities multiple times, and I love them both equally (but for totally different reasons!). Combining Paris and London gives the perfect blend of romance, culture, history, and food all in one trip.

In this itinerary, I’ll cover exactly how to spend one week in these two capital cities! Over 7 days, you’ll visit iconic sites like Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Tower of London, plus some hidden gems as well!

So keep reading if you are dreaming of historical highlights, leisurely strolls, and unforgettable experiences across two of Europe’s most exciting cities.

Getting to London and Paris

Before we get into this itinerary, I wanted to cover how to get to Europe and whether or not you should fly into London or Paris!

This itinerary starts in Paris and ends in London. However, it can easily be reversed if you’d like to start in London and end in Paris.

It doesn’t matter which city you start in, as the options for getting from London to Paris and Paris to London will be the same!

So, I recommend letting the flights dictate which city you start in!

For example, if flights into Paris are much cheaper, start there! Or, if you can snag a great deal into London, that works too!

Because this itinerary starts in one city and ends in another, you will need to book one-way flights (unless you plan to return to the first city at the end of the trip).

Unfortunately, one-way flights can sometimes be a lot more expensive than round trip ones. But don’t worry! I have a great flight hack for you.

✈️ Enter: The “Multi-City” option on Google Flights! ✈️

Let’s say you want to follow this itinerary and start in Paris. By selecting “Multi-City” on Google Flights, you’ll be able to enter your home airport to Paris for the journey there and then London to your home airport for the journey home.

Instead of seeing ticket prices for each leg, they’ll be grouped together and much lower-priced, just like they would be for round-trip flights!

✈️ Want to know more insider tips like the Google Flights Multi-City tool? My Passport to Confidence guide has all my secrets! It’s a $7 step-by-step planning roadmap covering every decision from 6 months out to departure day. Download it instantly!

Things to Know Before Visiting Paris & London

London and Paris both have their different quirks, but there are some things you should know before visiting either of these iconic cities! For more details, make sure to check out my London Beginner’s Guide and my guide to Visiting Paris for the First Time!

Here are some tips you should know before visiting London and Paris!

1. Book in Advance: Many of the popular attractions, such as the Louvre, Tower of London, the London Eye, Versailles, and West End shows, often sell out. Booking ahead ensures you won’t miss out and helps avoid long lines.
2. Use Public Transportation: Both cities have excellent public transportation systems. In Paris, you can easily get around on the Metro, and in London, the Tube and buses will take you around the city.
3. Pack Comfortable Shoes: Both cities are best explored on foot, especially in the main London neighborhoods of Covent Garden, Soho, and Westminster, or the popular Paris arrondissements (one through eight)! You will need comfortable walking shoes for both cities!!!
4. Currency: Paris uses the Euro, while London uses the British Pound, so be prepared for the currency change when you travel between the two cities. However, both places accept credit cards and contactless payment almost everywhere!
5. Plan for Weather: Both Paris and London can have unpredictable weather, especially London. I highly recommend packing a small umbrella just in case.
6. Look into City Passes: In Paris and London, you can buy city passes, known as the London Pass and the Paris Pass. These help you save money if you plan on visiting a lot of the main attractions!

➡️ Read Next: Make sure to check out my blog post on London vs Paris if you have to choose ONE of these incredible cities to visit or just want to compare the two!

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, Arc de Triomphe, & Dinner Show

Arrival in Paris

Welcome to Paris – the City of Love!

If you’re flying from the USA, you will most likely arrive at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport (CDG), the main international airport that serves Paris.

To get from the airport into the city center, the best option is to take the RER B Train. Tickets can be bought directly at the airport (no need to purchase in advance) and cost around 11.80€.

It will take about 40 minutes to get into the city center by train. Depending on your final destination, you may have to switch to another Metro line once you get into the city center, most commonly at Gare du Nord or Châtelet Les Halles stations.

However, if you don’t want to deal with public transportation as soon as you arrive, you can also book a private transfer to take you directly to your hotel! We did this on our last trip to Paris, and it was so nice not having to worry about hauling our luggage onto the train and through the cobblestone streets.

P.S. Wondering where to stay? I recommend the 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th, arrondissements for first time visitors. Check out my full guide on Where to Stay in Paris here for a more detailed breakdown!

Early Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe

In the afternoon, make your way over to the 8th Arrondissement. Walk along the ornate Pont Alexandre III bridge towards the Petit Palais and up the famous Champs–Élysées.

At the end of the Champs-Élysées, you’ll find the iconic Arc de Triomphe!

Built to honor those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe is one of the most popular landmarks in Paris, but most people only see it from the ground!

I highly recommend booking a ticket in advance to climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe! Having a ticket will help you avoid the giant line when you arrive!

The views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe are superb – one of the best in Paris! You’ll be able to see other iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower from a different perspective. The coolest part, however, is the 12 avenues that radiate out from the Arc as their center!

Late Afternoon & Evening: Explore Montmartre & Dinner Show

After your visit to the Arc de Triomphe, head to the Montmartre district – a bohemian neighborhood that was once home to famous artists like Picasso and Van Gogh.

Here, you can wander through cobbled streets lined with art galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Make sure to visit the Sacré-Cœur Basilica, which offers stunning views of Paris from its hilltop perch. This is a great place to watch the sunset in Paris!!

Behind the Basilica, you’ll find the historic Place du Tertre, where all types of artists still gather to sell their art.

Then, end your first day in Paris with a classic French experience – a dinner show! Many venues in this neighborhood offer cabaret-style performances, complete with a gourmet French meal. 

Moulin Rouge is one of the most famous options if you’re looking for a full Parisian experience and is located right in Montmartre!

Or, if you’re looking for a more adult-friendly experience, I highly recommend checking out Crazy Horse back in the center of Paris. This is the dinner show we did on our last trip, and it absolutely blew me away! While pricey, it’s now one of my top things to do in Paris at night.

Day 2: Art, History, and a Seine River Cruise

Morning: Explore the Louvre and Tuileries Garden

Start your second day in Paris nice and early with a visit to the famous Louvre Museum! It’s home to thousands of artworks, including the famous Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and countless other masterpieces. Personal opinion: it’s really not worth standing in line for the Mona Lisa!

Since the Louvre is massive, it’s a good idea to focus on a few sections that interest you most, like Renaissance art or the Egyptian installation. It’s nearly impossible to see everything here in one day!

P.S. Make sure to reserve your tickets for the Louvre in advance. If you’re visiting in the summer, I recommend booking around a month in advance so you can get a morning time slot. This goes for pretty much every major site in Paris. DO NOT wait to get your ticket in person.

After your museum visit, take a relaxing stroll through the Tuileries Gardens, right outside the Louvre. This beautifully manicured park is perfect for a mid-morning break from the crowds of the Louvre.

You can grab a coffee from a nearby café and enjoy the view of the Louvre’s stunning architecture from the gardens!

Afternoon: Île de la Cité and Notre-Dame

After you finish up in the gardens, I recommend heading east along the Seine to the famous Île de la Cité, one of the natural islands in the Seine River and the historical heart of Paris. This is one of my favorite areas to walk around in Paris.

On the Île de la Cité, you’ll find the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral right in the center. As of 2025, the Notre Dame is back open to the public! It’s 100% free to enter.

While you can reserve your spot online to skip-the-line, you don’t need to. The standby line moves quickly – we waited less than 5 minutes! The inside of the Church is absolutely stunning and worth the wait.

After you’re done at Notre-Dame, you can walk around Île de la Cité, visiting the Pont Neuf bridge and visit the Sainte-Chapelle, a Gothic chapel famous for its stunning stained glass windows!

Depending on how much you saw yesterday, I recommend spending the rest of your afternoon exploring this area of Paris along the Seine. If the weather is nice, there is no better way to spend a beautiful afternoon than wandering the streets of Paris with no destination in mind!

Day 3: Day Trip + Picnic by the Eiffel Tower

Morning and Early Afternoon: Day Trip to Versailles

With your full last day in Paris, you have a few options in terms of what to do!

If you feel like you’ve seen a good amount of Paris already, I highly recommend taking a day trip to the Palace of Versailles. Located about 30-45 minutes outside the city, Versailles makes the perfect half day (or full day!) trip from Paris.

Make sure to check out my full guide on taking a day trip from Paris to Versailles for even more details, but I’ll cover the highlights here!

The easiest way to get to Versailles from Paris is to take one of the RER-C (yellow) trains from the Paris city center. RER-C is a regional train line that runs from several popular spots around Paris (like the Champ de Mars station) directly to Versailles’ station – Château-Rive Gauche Station.

Once you arrive at the train station, it’s a quick 10-minute walk to the Palace – just follow the crowds!

In terms of entering the Palace, I highly recommend booking your ticket in advance. The Palace of Versailles is extremely popular and likely to sell out, especially if you are visiting during the summer months.

You’ll need to book a timed-entry ticket for the Palace and make sure you arrive when it says to on your ticket so you don’t miss your time slot!

There is also the option of taking a guided tour through the Palace of Versailles. Some tours like this one include “skip-the-line” tickets so you don’t have to worry about waiting at all!

No matter which way you decide to explore Versailles, I promise you will have a good time! Spend your morning and early afternoon exploring the inside of the Palace and the opulent gardens outside.

It’s important to note that the grounds of the palace are HUGE, so it’s extremely difficult to see everything in one day. If you want to explore as much as possible, I highly recommend taking the Petite Train (no need to book tickets in advance for this) or rent bikes so you can cover as much ground as possible!

Note: If you are not interested in visiting Versailles (or have already been before), there are plenty of other day trips you can take! Read my full guide on Day Trips from Paris by Train here!

Alternative Option: Le Marais and Catacombs

If you want to spend your last day exploring more of Paris instead of leaving the city, I have another option for you!

First, start your day off with a walking pastry tour through Le Marais, one of my favorite neighborhoods of Paris! We did this pastry tour on our last trip to Paris and it was so fun learning more about all the different types of pastries in French culture (there is so much more than croissants!!).

Le Marais is also a beautiful area to walk around, one of my favorite hidden gems in Paris!

After your pastry tour, make your way south to the Paris catacombs! It took me 3 trips to Paris to finally visit the catacombs, and I can’t believe I waited so long!

You’ll need to reserve your catacombs tickets in advance for a specific time slot, and they open up one week in advance. They do sell out!

Once you go through security, you’ll descend down a long spiral staircase before walking a mile underground through tunnels lined with bones. Creepy, but very cool!

Late Afternoon & Evening: Back to Paris and Eiffel Tower Picnic

Once you’ve had your fill of Versailles, it’s time to head back to the city center for your last night in Paris!!

To get back to Paris, you’ll return the same way you came, on the RER-C yellow line. Once you get back to Paris, head back to your hotel and change clothes before heading back out to the Eiffel Tower!

For your last night in Paris, I highly recommend spending it by having a picnic at the Eiffel Tower. First, head over to the 7th arrondissement and grab some wine, cheese, bread, fruit, and whatever else you want for your picnic from a local market!

Make sure to bring a small blanket or towel with you to sit on in case the grass is wet! Once you have your picnic essentials, head over to the Champ de Mars, a large public green space right in front of the Eiffel Tower.

For the best views, arrive one hour before sunset! This way, you’ll get to see the Eiffel Tower in a few different lighting situations – daylight, golden hour, sunset, and nighttime!

At dusk, the Eiffel Tower will light up golden thanks to its automatic light sensors! Then, at the top of the next hour, the Eiffel Tower will begin its 5-minute long sparkle. This sparkle repeats at the top of every hour until 11:00pm (or 1:00am in the summer!)

So, if dusk is at 8:30pm, then the golden lights will turn on between 8:30pm and 8:40pm. Then, the entire tower will first sparkle from 9:00pm to 9:05pm.

Although you’ve probably seen the Eiffel Tower countless times on your trip already, nothing beats watching it sparkle at night while lounging on the Champ de Mars – I promise!

If the Champ de Mars is too busy, don’t worry, you can just walk down to the Seine and find a place to sit along the water. There are tons of areas to watch the Eiffel Tower from here!

Day 4: Lazy Morning & Travel to London

Morning: Leisurely Morning in Paris

Today starts part 2 of this 7 day London and Paris itinerary, which means it’s time to hop across the English Channel to England!!

In the morning, feel free to explore any other areas of the city you didn’t have time to get to during your 3 days in Paris. If you don’t have plans, I highly recommend just heading to a cafe and enjoying your morning Parisian style.

This means just sitting outside, having an espresso (or two or three), people watching, and enjoying yourself! One of the best parts of Paris is the cafe culture, so you need to experience it before you leave.

Early Afternoon: Travel to London

Taking the Eurostar

I recommend heading to London from Paris in the early afternoon; however, this will depend on what transportation you decide to book! Let’s look at the options below.

The most popular way to get from Paris to London (or London to Paris) is by taking the famous Eurostar train. The Eurostar has been operating since the late 90s and connects southern England and northern France through the famous Channel Tunnel, bette known as the Chunnel!

It’s named this because it travels through the English Channel, but unfortunately, it won’t look like much while you’re traveling under the sea!

One way tickets start at $52 but are more expensive during peak times. Make sure to reserve in advance for the best availability and pricing. There are typically 15 trains per day, so you will have a good choice for departure times!

The route from Paris to London takes exactly 2 hours and 14 minutes. From Paris, you’ll board the train at the Gard du Nord train station and arrive in London at the St. Pancras International station.

Other Options for Getting to London

If you don’t want to take the Eurostar train from Paris to London, there are other options to check out!

The second most popular option is to fly! Both London and Paris have two international airports that fly directly to each other: Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) in London and Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY) in Paris!

Depending on the time and how far out you book, you can snag flights from Paris to London for as low as $31 on budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair. The flight time from Paris to London should be right around one hour, depending on which specific airports you fly in and out of.

So, flying can certainly be the quickest option for getting from Paris to London, if you don’t count the pre-flight time in the airport.

If you are a budget traveler, you can also look into taking a bus from Paris to London. While you can find bus rides on Flixbus for as low as $25, the journey typically takes over 9 hours. For just a few more dollars, you could fly instead!

Of course, you can also rent a car and drive from Paris to London; however, I don’t recommend this since the public transportation options are so good in both cities!

For more information on where to stay during your time in London, as well as some other tips, make sure to check out my guide on Where to Stay in London for First Timers!

Once you’ve had time to check in and drop off your bags, I recommend spending the evening exploring around your hotel and getting aquatinted to the area. If you’ve chosen a hotel in one of the above locations, there should be plenty to do and see!

Day 5: River Cruise, Tower of London, and Borough Market

Afternoon: Lunch at Borough Market

By now, you’ve probably worked up an appetite! For lunch, head across the River to Borough Market, a food lover’s paradise.

To get to Borough Market from Tower of London, head back west along the river, cross over the London Bridge, and arrive at Borough Market in less than 20 minutes!

This bustling market is filled with vendors selling everything from artisanal cheese to gourmet street food. At the market, you can grab a bite (or two or three) to eat, whether you’re in the mood for fresh oysters, raclette, or a vegan sandwich.

Make sure to take your time to explore all the different stalls and try as many different things as possible!

Evening: Free Time in Southbank

To wrap up your first full day in London, spend your evening wandering around the Southbank area, which is just outside of Borough Market. This is a lively spot along the river, perfect for a casual stroll or a drink at one of the riverside pubs.

If you’re looking for a fancy dinner with incredible views, you can head to the Shangri-La Hotel in the iconic Shard building! Or, consider seeing a play at Shakespeare’s Globe, an Elizabethan playhouse that performs Shakespeare plays in an open-air format, just like they would have been enjoyed during his time.

To close out the evening, you can take a ride on the London Eye for spectacular views of the city at sunset. Make sure to book tickets in advance to avoid the long line!!!

Day 6: Westminster, Hyde Park, Kensington, and Notting Hill

Morning: Explore Westminster and Famous Landmarks

I recommend starting your second day in London similar to how you started your first day in Paris – with a walking tour!

You can opt for another free walking tour through Sandemans, which will take you past Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, and other iconic spots!

Or, consider booking a tour like this 5.5 hour one that includes skip-the-line tickets into Westminster Abbey if you want to see the inside of the Church.

Either way, most of today will be spent exploring the iconic sites of Westminster. If you want to save some steps, you can also visit most of these places via bike!!

In fact, if the weather is nice, I highly recommend starting your day with a bike ride through Hyde Park! You can rent e-bikes from various locations throughout London – just look for them on the side of the road!

After exploring Hyde Park, make your way down to Wellington Arch along Constitution Hill road to Buckingham Palace! Then, you can drop your bikes off near Buckingham Palace and continue on foot through St. James Park towards Downing Street and Big Ben!

Afternoon: Kensington Gardens

In the afternoon, continue your exploration of London in the Kensington Gardens area. This is the perfect place to wind down after a full morning of sightseeing.

Located adjacent to Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens is a serene, expansive park that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The park is steeped in history and filled with notable landmarks, sculptures, and picturesque landscapes.

One of my favorite spots was the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, which includes a statue of the Princess and three children in a sunken garden. The statue was commissioned by Harry and William on the 20th anniversary of her death and is a beautiful tribute to her!

Just behind the statue is the famous Kensington Palace, a royal residence with a rich history. The palace was once the childhood home of Queen Victoria and remains a royal residence today, housing members of the British royal family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales.

If you are significantly interested in the Royals, you can visit the State Apartments, which showcase exhibitions about the palace’s history, royal fashion, and more. This is also a popular place to have afternoon tea!

Evening: Notting Hill

After a peaceful afternoon in the gardens, take a short walk, taxi, or tube ride to Notting Hill. This charming neighborhood is famous for its colorful houses, vibrant markets, and quaint streets lined with boutiques, cafés, and galleries.

Your first stop should be Portobello Road, the heart of Notting Hill. If you visit on the earlier side, you’ll find the famous Portobello Road Market in full swing, offering everything from antiques and vintage clothing to fresh produce and street food.

Once you’re ready for dinner, you have plenty of options, whether you’re in the mood for a cozy gastropub, a trendy café, or fine dining.

For something quintessentially British, you can’t go wrong with The Ledbury, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its seasonal menu.

For a traditional English pub experience, stop by The Churchill Arms, an iconic pub known for its floral-covered façade and cozy interior. Despite its classic British charm, the pub also serves up a delicious selection of Thai food, making it a unique dining experience.

After dinner, you can experience Notting Hill’s cozy wine bars, pubs, and live music venues. Electric Cinema is a great option for an evening of relaxation – it’s one of the oldest working cinemas in the UK, complete with plush leather armchairs and footstools.

Day 7: Covent Garden, Famous Squares, and a Show

Morning: Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Covent Garden

To kick off your last day of this itinerary, you’ll be exploring some of the iconic sites around central London that every tourist has to visit.

Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square are the two most popular and are bustling with street vendors (and some tourist traps). However, we did enjoy seeing the statues of British icons in Leicester Square like Harry Potter and Mary Poppins!

After you’ve seen these, head over to the famous Covent Garden Market! You can wander through the covered market filled with artisan goods, boutique shops, and street entertainers. You’ll also find plenty of cafés and restaurants in the area for a morning coffee or a light snack.

Make sure to save room for lunch, however, as you’ll be headed to one of the best restaurants in London – Dishoom!

This Bombay-inspired Indian restaurant is famous for a reason!! In fact, it was so delicious that we went back on our last day for breakfast. It was life changing.

Afternoon: Shopping and Museums

After filling your belly at Dishoom, spend the afternoon exploring the shopping districts near Oxford Street and Regent Street. This area is famous for its high-end retailers, department stores, and fashion boutiques.

If shopping isn’t your thing, consider visiting the nearby British Museum or National Gallery, which are both free to enter and filled with incredible art and historical artifacts!!

Another option is to visit Soho, just a short walk from Covent Garden, for a more eclectic vibe with indie stores, cool cafés, and vintage shops.

Evening: West End Show and Farewell Cocktails

To wrap up your last day in London, I highly recommend seeing a show at West End!! Known as London’s equivalent of Broadway, the West End offers a wide range of performances, from classic musicals to contemporary plays. Popular shows include The Lion King, Les Misérables, Hamilton, and Wicked.

Be sure to book your tickets in advance, as shows often sell out quickly, especially on weekends.

If you’re not sure what to see, check out TKTS in Leicester Square for last-minute discounted tickets. After the show, celebrate your final night in London with a drink at one of the nearby pubs or cocktail bars!

One of my favorite spots we visited was Cahoots Underground, which is tucked away one street off Soho’s Carnaby Street. This speakeasy-style cocktail bar is located in an old Underground station (hence the name), so the entire menu and decor is train-themed! So fun!

Best Time To Go To London and Paris

If you’re wondering when the best time to go to London and Paris is… it really depends! Do you want a chance at the best weather? Or the least amount of crowds? Are you hoping to see Christmas markets?

All of these factor into when you should visit London and Paris!

I personally love visiting Europe in the “shoulder” season – this means the season between peak and off season. For Europe this typically means spring and fall, so around April-May and September-October.

Visiting during this time means you’ll avoid the heavy summer crowds, which typically hit their peak in July and August.

In the late springtime (April/May), you can expect moderate weather (highs in the 60s) and beautiful spring blooms throughout both cities. In the fall (September/October), the weather is very similar but you’ll have the potential of seeing fall colors!

If your priority is visiting during the warmest part of the year, you should visit London and Paris in June, July, or August. However, be prepared for high crowds and expensive during this time!

Also, remember that air conditioning is not common in Europe, especially in London. So a heat wave can be particularly brutal!

If you want to avoid large crowds and don’t mind some chilly weather, winter is technically the off-season in London and Paris. However, both cities have fabulous Christmas markets that bring in visitors and make visiting in mid-November through December extra special!

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my Ultimate 7 Day London and Paris Itinerary!! As you can see, London and Paris offer the perfect balance of sightseeing, history, culture, fun, and relaxation. This itinerary provides you with the perfect introduction to two of Europe’s most iconic cities!

So whether you’re soaking in the views from the Eiffel Tower or the London Eye, grabbing a croissant or a Scotch Egg, or cruising along the Thames or the Seine, I promise you’ll have a blast in London and Paris!

For more details on both of these cities, make sure to check out my 4 Day Paris Itinerary and my 4 Day London Itinerary!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!!