The 7 Best Day Trips from Paris by Train: A Complete Guide

Are you planning a trip to Paris and considering taking a day trip by train to a new city?

Paris is a destination that everyone should visit at least once in their life. It’s one of the most popular destinations in the world and draws millions of visitors every year for good reason!

However, there are tons of destinations outside of the city waiting to be explored. Visiting Paris and not venturing to other nearby destinations by train is a huge mistake! In fact, getting outside the city was one of our favorite parts about our trip to France.

So, in this guide, I’ll cover the top 7 day trips from Paris by train, including Champagne, Giverny, and more! I’ll provide all the details you need to know, including the distance and time to get there, the cost of tickets, and the best things to do in each area.

These day trips make the perfect addition to any France itinerary. However, I only recommend a day trip if you have at least 3 days in Paris or more. If you only have 2 days, you should stick to the main sites in the city!

So, keep reading if you are ready to explore some of the best regions in France near Paris! 

1. Day Trip from Paris to Versailles

Distance from Paris: 17 km (10.5 miles)
Time by Train: 30-40 minutes
Cost by Train: Around €7 round trip

The Palace of Versailles is certainly one of the most popular and well-known day trips from Paris by train, thanks to its close proximity and world-famous palace and gardens!

If you only have time for one day trip from Paris, you can’t go wrong with Versailles. This is the day trip we chose on our first trip to Paris, and it did not disappoint! We had so much fun exploring the palace and gardens and getting a break from the city.

A day trip from Paris to Versailles is short and straightforward, taking approximately 30-40 minutes by train and costing around €7 for a roundtrip ticket.

To reach Versailles, you can catch the RER C train from several stations throughout Paris, such as Saint-Michel Notre-Dame, Eiffel Tower, or Musée d’Orsay. From there, head towards Versailles Château-Rive Gauche and take the train to the last stop!

We started our day with some early photos at the Trocadero Gardens (a great spot to photograph the Eiffel Tower) then hopped on the RER C train from the Champs de Mars Tour Eiffel station right across the river!

Some of the best highlights and things to do in Versailles include exploring the Palace of Versailles itself and taking a walk through the Gardens of Versailles. There are plenty of other smaller places to explore like the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon, and, of course, the Queen’s Hamlet, the rustic village built for the unforgettable Marie Antoinette. 

Note: Make sure to book your Versailles tickets in advance, especially if you are visiting during the summer. Tickets are timed, and you have to arrive for your time slot or you won’t be allowed in!

To maximize your time exploring the vast grounds, I highly recommend renting a bike or purchasing tickets for the “Petit Train“, an adorable open-air trolley that takes you from spot to spot.

If you have time after exploring the palace and its grounds, you can also wander through the town, enjoy a delicious meal, or sip on a coffee at one of the many outdoor terraces. You can also visit the local market, Marché Notre-Dame!

For those who do not wish to navigate a day trip to Versailles on their own, there are plenty of tour options available for visiting Versailles from Paris! These tickets often include “skip the line” entry. Some of these tours also include a stop in Giverny, which we will cover in the next section.

🏰 For even more details about visiting Versailles, make sure to check out my in-depth blog post about taking a day trip from Paris to Versailles! 🏰

2. Day Trip from Paris to Giverny

Distance from Paris: 75 km (47 miles)
Time by Train: 45-60 minutes
Cost by Train: Around €15 round trip

Another great day trip from Paris by train is to Giverny, a delightful escape into the world of art and nature. Art aficionados and those who appreciate impressionism will really enjoy a day trip here, as it was home to the famous Claude Monet!

The journey is short, approximately 45-60 minutes by train, and costs around €15 for a round-trip ticket. To reach Giverny, you can catch a train from Paris Saint-Lazare station to Vernon, which is the nearest train station. From Vernon, it’s a short bus or taxi ride to the village.

Once you arrive, the main attraction is Claude Monet’s House and Gardens. This house is where the famous Impressionist painter lived and worked, and is now a museum showcasing his life and art.

The gardens are full of beautiful flower beds, water lilies, and the iconic Japanese bridge that Monet famously painted.

Giverny offers other attractions, too, like the Musée des Impressionnismes, a beautiful park, and tons of cafes and shops. These places will allow you to soak in the French atmosphere in a slower and calmer vibe outside of the capital.

Note: Monet’s House & Gardens, as well as the Musée des Impressionnismes, are typically closed from November – March, as there is not much to see when the flowers aren’t in bloom!

As mentioned above, there are plenty of tours from Paris that offer day trips to Giverny if you do not wish to plan it yourself! Of course, they are pricier than making the journey on your own, but worth it if you don’t want to worry about navigating yourself.

This 5-hour tour costs less than $100 and includes a skip-the-line ticket to Monet’s House. You can also choose to add on an audio guide or guided tour through the gardens if you want to learn from an expert as you explore.

I highly recommend booking the 9:00am option, so you’ll be back in the city in early afternoon and still have plenty of time to explore Paris at night!

Book your half-day trip from Paris to Giverny here! 🌸🌿🌼🌷

3. Day Trip from Paris to Champagne

Distance from Paris: 145 km (90 miles)
Time by Train: 1.5 hours
Cost by Train: Around €30-€50 round trip

If you are a lover of champagne, this is the day trip for you!

A trip from Paris to the Champagne region is an escape into the heart of France’s famous wine country. The journey takes around 1.5 hours by train and costs about €30-€50 to get there and back.

To get to Champagne, you should catch a train from Paris Gare de l’Est to either Reims or Épernay, the two main hubs of the region.

Once you arrive in Champagne, kickstart your adventure in Reims. Explore the Reims Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, then head to Champagne houses like Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot for a guided tour and tasting (Note: These can be pricey!).

Next, journey over to Épernay, dubbed the “Capital of Champagne,” to wander along the Avenue de Champagne, home to renowned producers like Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët. 

Beyond the houses, you can bike ride through vineyards and villages, stopping at family-owned producers for an authentic taste of Champagne. A day trip here is a sparkling addition to your Paris itinerary.

There are many cool things to see, do, and taste, and of course, world-class Champagne!

If you want to see and do as much as possible in Champagne, I do recommend booking a tour from Paris for this day trip!

4. Day Trip from Paris to Normandy

Distance from Paris: 200 km (124 miles)
Time by Train: 2-2.5 hours
Cost by Train: Around €30-€50 round trip

History buffs and culture lovers will really enjoy a day trip to Normandy, as the region showcases how the country has evolved over time. 

A day trip from Paris to Normandy offers a mix of history, landscapes, and maybe a little bit of rain. The journey takes about 2-2.5 hours by train and costs €30-€50 round trip.

To get to Normandy, catch a train from Paris Saint-Lazare station heading towards the coastal town of Caen, a central hub for exploring.

Start your visit in the historic city of Caen, where you can explore the Caen Memorial Museum, all about World War II and the D-Day landings.

From Caen, head to Omaha Beach and Juno Beach, where you can walk along the sands steeped in history and visit the American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer.

You can also visit Bayeux, home to the Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-meter-long embroidered cloth that depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England.

If time allows, make your way to the coastal cliffs of Étretat. Known for their dramatic white chalk formations, these cliffs offer great views and a lot of hiking opportunities for outdoor lovers. 

This is another day trip that is great to do through an organized tour, especially if you are looking to learn as much as possible, since most tours include a knowledgable guide. However, they do take longer since most travel by bus or coach instead of train.

P.S. If this is your first trip to Paris, make sure to check out my guide on 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Paris!

5. Day Trip from Paris to Loire Valley

Distance from Paris: Approximately 200-250 km (125-155 miles)
Time by Train: 1.5-2.5 hours
Cost by Train: Around €40-€60 round trip

Next on our list of day trips from Paris is a trip to the Loire Valley, a region known for its castles, vineyards, and countryside.

The Loire Valley is about 1.5-2.5 hours away by train, with tickets costing around €40-€60 to get there and back. To reach the Loire Valley, catch a train from Paris Montparnasse station to cities like Tours or Blois, both excellent starting points.

Now, it’s time to step into a fairytale! Begin your adventure in Tours, a city known for its markets, Old Town, and the Cathedral of Saint Gatien.

From Tours, venture to nearby châteaux such as Château de Chenonceau or Château de Villandry, famous for its landscaped Renaissance gardens. Alternatively, head to Blois, home to the Château de Blois, a masterpiece of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. 

Read more about the amazing chateaus in the Loire Valley here from my friend Caity, an expert on all things France! 🏰

For wine enthusiasts, a visit to the Loire Valley wouldn’t be complete without sampling its world-class wines. Be sure to take a tour of local vineyards and cellars, tasting the varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc.

🚂 Day trips are a great way to see more of France — and they’re easy to book once you’re there. But before you get to Paris, there’s a lot more to figure out: international flights, travel insurance, money abroad, phone plans, visas. My Passport to Confidence guide is a $7 planning roadmap that covers all of it. Download it instantly!

6. Day Trip from Paris to Bruges

Distance from Paris: Approximately 300 km (186 miles)
Time by Train: 2.5-3.5 hours
Cost by Train: Around €50-€80 round trip

Next up is the famous town of Bruges, renowned for its canals, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved architecture.

Bruges, otherwise known as “the little Venice of the North,” is a medieval town with centuries-old traditions and a lot to see and do, making it perfect for a day trip from Paris!

The journey takes 2.5-3.5 hours by train, with tickets costing around €50-€80. To reach Bruges, catch a train from Paris Gare du Nord station to Brussels, then transfer to a local train bound for Bruges.

When you arrive in Bruges, you’ll be transported back in time. Begin your adventure in the Markt, the city’s central square, where you can admire Belfry of Bruges.

For history enthusiasts, a visit to the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Bruges is a must. Wander through the well-preserved medieval streets, visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Church of Our Lady, and explore the various museums. 

No trip to Bruges would be complete without some tasty foods. Treat yourself to Belgian chocolates, waffles, and fries from local vendors!

7. Day Trip from Paris to London

Distance from Paris: Approximately 461 km (286 miles)
Time by Train: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Cost by Train: Around €95 round trip

Last but certainly not least, another day trip you can take from Paris by train is to beautiful London, England! Now, this is not a very popular day trip since most people spend a few days in London; however, it’s totally doable!

To get from Paris to London by train, you’ll hop on the famous Eurostar that travels underwater through the English Channel. From Paris, you’ll board the train at the Gard du Nord train station and arrive in London at the St. Pancras International station.

The route takes exactly 2 hours and 15 minutes. One way tickets start at $52 but are more expensive during peak times. Make sure to reserve in advance!

Once you arrive, there are of course tons of different things to do in London! Here is a quick list to choose from:

• Buckingham Palace
• Hyde Park
• London Eye
• Tower of London & Tower Bridge
• Westminister Abbey
• Natural History Museum
• Borough Market
• Big Ben
• Trafalgar Square

Want to spend a few days in London and Paris? Make sure to check out my 7 Day London and Paris itinerary! 🇬🇧🇫🇷

Other Things to Do in Paris

Before we wrap up this guide on the best day trips from Paris by train, I wanted to touch on all the other amazing things there are to do within Paris itself.

If you only have 1 or 2 days in Paris, I recommend skipping the day trips and focusing on activities within the city center. There is enough to do in Paris to fill a whole week on its own.

My favorite activities to do in Paris include wandering around the Louvre or the Museum d’Orsay, climbing to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, and taking a Seine dinner cruise!

You also shouldn’t miss having a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower at the Champs de Mars or strolling through the Jardin de Luxembourg.

➡️ Read Next: For more ideas on things to do in Paris, make sure to check out my 3 Day Paris Itinerary and my list of Hidden Gems in Paris!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Paris is not only a destination in itself but also an ideal starting point for a variety of day trips by train. Whether you’re looking to explore castles, beaches, or the French countryside, there is truly a day trip for every style.

With easy and convenient train access, you can enhance your Parisian adventure and create unforgettable memories on the outskirts of the city. 

I hope this guide has inspired you to explore more of France outside of the capital and start planning the French trip of your dreams! To expand your adventure even further south, check out my 7 Day France Itinerary!

Or, check out my other Paris blog posts below! ⬇️ 🇫🇷
Visiting Paris For The First Time: 10 Things To Know!
Where To Stay In Paris For First Time Visitors: Detailed Guide
3 Days In Paris: The Perfect Paris Itinerary
Day Trip From Paris To Versailles: A Complete Guide
19 AMAZING Things To Do In Paris At Night!
5 BEST Dinner Cruises In Paris: Prices, Duration, & More
The 7 Best Day Trips From Paris By Train: A Complete Guide
How To Spend 4 Days In Paris: The Ultimate 4 Day Paris Itinerary
A Perfect Packing List For Paris For Every Season!
15 Hidden Gems In Paris You HAVE To Visit!
How To Have A PERFECT Picnic At The Eiffel Tower In Paris
London Vs Paris: Which European City Should YOU Visit?
The BEST 7 Day London And Paris Itinerary!

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