London vs Paris: Which European City Should YOU Visit?

Are you planning a European vacation and wondering if you should visit London or Paris?

Arguably Europe’s two most popular cities, London and Paris are visited by millions of visitors every single year. After visiting both of these cities myself several times, I’ve fallen in love with them, but for totally different reasons!

The truth is: the attractions, the culture, and the vibes of London and Paris are completely different, but both magical in their own way. And with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, both of these cities should be on your bucket list.

But, if you have to choose one, you’re in the right place!

In this London vs Paris guide, I’ll compare every aspect of these two incredible cities, including weather, food, attractions, cost, safety, and more! This way, you can make the best decision on which to visit based on your interests and preferences.

So, keep reading if you are trying to decide between London vs Paris for your next vacation!!

The Ultimate Comparison Guide Between London vs Paris: How to Choose Which City to Visit

Below, I’ll compare London vs Paris across several different categories to help you decide which city is right for you!

While most of these are applicable no matter where you are from, some categories are skewed for Americans, which will affect the ratings a bit (i.e. Language and Accessibility, namely).

Here’s a quick table that summarizes each category!

P.S. If you are able to visit both London and Paris, make sure to check out my 7 Day London and Paris Itinerary!

Hotels

As major European capital cities, both London and Paris have an unbelievable amount of hotels to choose from.

In both cities, you’ll want to choose a hotel close to the main attractions and nightlife if possible!

• For London, choose a hotel in the following areas: Mayfair, Covent Garden, Westminster, or South Bank.
• In Paris, choose a hotel in the 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th arrondissements.

Overall, London is home to a mix of historic hotels like The Ritz and modern, trendy options such as The Hoxton or citizenM.

Many of the hotels in London blend classic British charm with contemporary amenities, often featuring afternoon tea services, rooftop bars, and proximity to iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Covent Garden.

However, when it comes to hotel prices, London tends to be more expensive, particularly in the city center. Even mid-range hotels can feel like a splurge, with rates often exceeding $250 USD per night.

Paris, on the other hand, is known for its elegant boutique hotels and grand, historic stays such as Hôtel de Crillon or Le Meurice. In Paris, you’ll find hotels with classic French decor, stunning views of the Eiffel Tower, and cozy stays in quaint neighborhoods like Le Marais and Saint-Germain-des-Prés.

You can often find charming boutique hotels at reasonable rates in Paris, especially if you book well in advance or stay outside of peak tourist seasons.

My biggest tip is to choose a hotel near public transportation in both cities. For London, this means near a Tube or bus station, and in Paris, near a Metro or bus station. This will ensure you can get around both cities easily!

For more tips on choosing a hotel, make sure to check out my guides on Where to Stay in Paris and Where to Stay in London!

🏆 Verdict: Paris wins thanks to its larger collection of moderately priced hotels and boutique stays in the middle of the city center!

Accessibility (Getting to Each City)

As one of the busiest travel hubs in the world, London is serviced by six major airports, with Heathrow (LHR) and Gatwick (LGW) being the most prominent for international travelers.

You can find direct flights into both Heathrow and Gatwick from many US cities across a variety of airlines, including Delta, Virgin, British Airways, United, JetBlue, and more. When booked far enough in advance, you can even snag these flights for less than $500 roundtrip from the East coast.

As an island, the Eurostar train also connects London to mainland Europe through the famous “Chunnel”!

Upon arriving in London Heathrow or Gatwick, there are several options for getting to the city center, including direct express trains, the Underground, buses, shuttles, and more.

You can get from Heathrow to central London in as quick as 15 minutes, and from Gatwick to central London is as quick as 30 minutes.

We personally took the Heathrow Express for the shortest ride, but there’s also the Elizabeth line and the normal Tube lines.

➡️ Read Next: For more information on getting to London, make sure to check out my Beginner’s Guide on Visiting London!

Safety

London is generally a safe city for travelers, but like any major metropolitan area, it has its share of pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist spots like Oxford Street or around Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

Some areas of London, such as parts of East London or Brixton, have higher crime rates, but these are typically away from the tourist districts.

London also has a visible police presence, and many areas are monitored by CCTV, giving a sense of added security.

On my last trip to London, we never felt unsafe once, even walking around at night as two females! The Tube also feels very safe at night.

Paris is similarly safe, though pickpocketing is a more frequent concern than in London, particularly around landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Champs-Élysées.

In addition, scammers also target tourists near the major attractions. In fact, on both of my trips to Paris, we were approached by scammers.

Once, walking along the Seine near the Eiffel Tower, an older lady approached us with a ring that we “dropped” and said we needed to give her money (a common scam). On our second trip, as we were leaving the Louvre through the Tuileries Garden, men were trying to stop us and asking for tickets (which made no sense).

Note: When approached by random people in Paris, just ignore them and keep walking! You can read more tips like this in my list of 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Paris!

In general, I felt much safer riding the Tube in London, even at night, than riding the Paris Metro. Certain areas of Paris can also feel a little sketchy at night.

🏆 Verdict: London has an overall safer feel with less pickpocketing and scammers!

Overall Cost

London is notoriously expensive, especially when it comes to accommodation, dining out, and transportation.

For example, a quick breakfast in London (coffee and a sandwich) was around $15. However, a similar style breakfast in Paris was around $10 or less. You can typically grab an espresso and croissant in Paris for less than 5 euros!

In terms of public transportation, London is also a bit more expensive, depending on the exchange rate of course. For example, a one-way Tube ride in central London costs £2.80, which currently equates to ~$3.75. A one-way Metro ride in Paris, however, costs €2.10, which currently equates to ~$2.35.

With regard to attractions, London also felt a bit pricier than Paris. A ticket to the Tower of London costs ~$46 while a ticket to the Palace of Versailles only cost ~$35. However, most museums in London are free, while the Paris museums like the Louvre and Orsay have an admission fee.

Both Paris and London have a variety of lodging options for all types of travelers, including budget accommodations and luxury hotels. However, London tends to be a bit pricier, especially if you want to stay in the main city center.

🏆 Verdict: Paris tends to be slightly more affordable than London!

Walkability

London is a vast city, but many of its central areas, such as Covent Garden, Westminster, and the Southbank, are highly walkable.

However, getting from one area of the city to another often requires public transport due to the city’s sprawling size.

When visiting London, it’s best to tackle your days by neighborhood (for example, Westminster, South Bank, City of London, etc.) so you’re not spending all day on public transportation.

Paris, however, is known for being a very walkable city, especially within its central districts. The compact layout of neighborhoods like Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, and Saint-Germain makes it easy to explore on foot.

While the iconic sites around Paris such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe are all technically in different Arrondissements (neighborhoods), you can easily walk between them all in one day, or hop on the Metro to reduce your step count!

One of my favorite parts about visiting Paris is just walking around, especially along the Seine. It definitely adds to the city’s charm!

🏆 Verdict: Paris wins when it comes to walkability, with its more compact and pedestrian-friendly layout.

Food

London has grown into one of the world’s best food cities, offering everything from high-end Michelin-starred restaurants to multicultural street food. The city’s food scene is diverse, representing cuisines from around the world, including Indian, Chinese, and Italian.

For example, our best meal in London (and one of its most popular restaurants) is the Bombay-inspired street kitchen, Dishoom! With several locations around London, you have to add this spot to your itinerary.

However, London’s local British food can fall short for some tastes. While I personally love fish and chips, bangers & mash, and shepherds pie, it’s certainly not for everyone.

Other London staples like blood sausage can be a bit hard to get used to!

Paris is world-renowned for its culinary excellence, particularly when it comes to French cuisine. From fresh pastries in cozy cafés to gourmet meals in Michelin-starred restaurants, Paris is a paradise for foodies.

The city is also famous for its street food, such as crepes and baguette sandwiches. I love how you can walk down any street in Paris and find fresh pastries and baguettes that will blow your mind!

In fact, I highly recommend booking a pastry tour in Paris like we did, so you can learn more about all of the different specialities and their history in Paris!

However, similar to London, some French cuisine, like foie gras and escargot, can be unappealing to some foreigners.

Overall, Paris’s cafe culture was a bit more noticeable than in London. At any time of day, French people will be sitting outside on patios, enjoying a meal or a drink in the fresh air! It was such a vibe.

🏆 Verdict: While both cities have a range of restaurants and foods, Paris wins thanks to its cafe culture!

Nightlife

London has a vibrant nightlife scene with options ranging from traditional British pubs to high-energy nightclubs, and everything in between.

Areas like Shoreditch and Soho are famous for their eclectic bars and clubs, while West End offers upscale venues and London’s premier plays and musicals.

London also has its fair share of fun cocktail bars and speakeasies, like the Sky Garden, Florattica, Cahoots, and The Alchemist.

In addition, all of these neighborhoods are extremely walkable and feel very safe at night! We hung out multiple nights in Soho and Covent Garden and never worried about safety.

On the other hand, Paris offers a more romantic and laid-back nightlife scene. While there are clubs, the city is better known for its wine bars, cafés, and intimate jazz clubs. There are plenty of things to do in Paris at night for all different tastes.

Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, and Bastille areas are popular for their lively nightlifes scenes in Paris.

Paris also has its famous cabaret shows, like Moulin Rouge and Crazy Horse, and the famous Opera House, Palais Garnier. We personally did the Crazy Horse show on our last trip to Paris, and it was absolutely incredible!

If you’re looking for something quiet and romantic, Paris really shines. Two of my favorite things to do in Paris at night are going for a romantic walk along the Seine banks and having a sunset picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower.

And of course, spending your evening on a Seine river cruise offers some of the best views and vibes in Paris! You can eat dinner as you glide past Paris’s landmarks illuminated at night, and see the Eiffel Tower sparkle at dusk from the roof of the boat!

🏆 Verdict: This one is close, but London wins due to the various bars, pubs, and clubs! Paris is better for romantic and quiet nightlife.

Attractions

London is packed with world-famous attractions and monuments scattered across the city. From exploring Buckingham Palace to wandering through Borough Market, you will certainly not be bored on a trip to London.

Here’s a list of all the main sites I recommend seeing in London!

• Buckingham Palace
• Westminster Abbey
• Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
• London Eye
• Tower of London & Tower Bridge
• British Museum
• Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour
• Trafalgar Square & Leicester Square
• Millennium Bridge
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Thames River Cruise

Read Next: For more information on these sites and how to piece them all together, make sure to check out my list of 30 Things to Do in London and my 4 Day London Itinerary🇬🇧!!

If you plan to visit a majority of these locations, you should look into buying the London Pass. There are two Pass options: the Explorer Pass (for a specific number of attractions) or the All-Inclusive Pass (unlimited access).

For each pass, you can choose how many days you want it for.

While the London Pass can be great, you really need to do the math and make sure it will actually save you money based on the attractions you plan on visiting!

Similar to London, Paris has a number of world class attractions and things to do. My favorites to visit in Paris are the Arc de Triomphe (climb to the top!), the Eiffel Tower, and taking a day trip to Versailles.

There are also tons of world-class museums including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Rodin Museum, and more! You can also go on a tour of the underground catacombs, take a Seine dinner cruise, or visit the stunning Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre.

For more information on visiting these places and more, make sure to check out my 4 Day Paris Itinerary🇫🇷!

Of course, just like London, Paris also has a city pass – the Paris Pass! Again, make sure to compare prices of the attractions you plan to visit versus the Paris Pass to confirm it will save you money!

🏆 Verdict: I call this one a tie! Both Paris and London have an unbelievable amount of world-class attractions and things to do!

Language

The official language of England is of course…. English! As an American traveling to London, there is no language barrier when it comes to reading street signs, maps, etc.

Of course, Londoners will have a British accent, with some being stronger than others! However, you should have no problem getting around and communicating in London.

Paris, on the other hand, can be a bit more complicated! With French as the national language, not everyone in Paris speaks English.

While things like street signs and restaurant names are guaranteed to be in French, you will likely find the English translation underneath French in places like airports and train stations.

When it comes to visiting restaurants, bars, and other public places, some locals may speak perfect English, while some may not. Same goes for menus – English may be available, and it might not. Google Translate does wonders here!

I also highly recommend learning some French before visiting Paris and attempting to speak French before assuming the person speaks or understands English. A simple “Bonjour” or “Merci” goes a long way!

Overall, you shouldn’t skip Paris just because of the language barrier, but if it’s your first trip abroad, you might feel more comfortable in London!

🏆 Verdict: As an American, London of course wins here!!

Free Activities

My opinion on free activities in London is split down the middle! On the one hand, you can visit the outside of plenty of attractions and monuments for free in London, including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, and Big Ben.

On the other hand, if you’d like to visit the inside of any of these places, there is an entrance free (and typically a long line!).

However, one perk of London is that almost all of its museums are completely free!! This includes the British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, Imperial War Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery!!

There are also plenty of other completely free things to do in London, like strolling through Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Borough Market, Covent Garden, and more.

Similar to London, Paris has a number of attractions that you can view from the exterior for free, including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. However, entering (or climbing!) these iconic spots will come at a cost.

If you’re looking to save money in Paris, you can simply stroll along the Seine River, through the Luxembourg Gardens, and across the many beautiful bridges that offer epic views of the Eiffel Tower.

Like I mentioned, simply walking around Paris is one of my favorite activities, and it’s completely free!

There’s also plenty of hidden gems in Paris, most of which are free and much less busy than the top attractions!

🏆 Verdict: While both cities have free things to do, London wins this category thanks to its free museums!

Cleanliness

I was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of London!! Like any major city, some areas can feel crowded and a bit messy, particularly near and inside public transportation centers like the Tube!

In general, however, London feels very clean overall!

Paris, on the other hand, is somewhat known for not being the cleanest city! I distinctly remember walking through the streets of Paris and smelling.. not the greatest smells.

Litter and graffiti are certainly more common in Paris vs London, again near major tourist areas and Metro stations.

🏆 Verdict: London tends to be the cleaner city of the two!

Weather

London is known for its somewhat unpredictable weather!! As Taylor Swift says, “show me a gray sky”.

Overcast skies and rainy weather are the norm in London. However, I do have to say when we visited in August, we were spoiled with particularly beautiful weather. It was sunny and 70 degrees every day!

This certainly isn’t the norm though! In fact, it was cold and windy the day after we left.

Visiting London during the spring or summer is your best bet for good weather and lower precipitation rates. However, you just never know!

It can be sunny one minute and raining the next in London, so you should always pack an umbrella!

Paris, on the other hand, has a slightly more predictable weather pattern and less rainfall overall. Precipitation rates remain pretty much the same throughout the year.

Summer has the warmest weather of course, but it’s also the busiest time to visit. Spring and fall see mild temperatures and lower crowds. Winters are chilly but not unbearable!

I’ve personally been to Paris in May, June, and September, and had very similar (and beautiful) weather each time. While it did rain shortly sometimes, most days were mild and the nights cool, the perfect weather for exploring!

🏆 Verdict: Paris wins this category thanks to its more predictable and mild weather!

Parks and Green Spaces

London has no shortage of incredible parks scattered throughout the city. In fact, there’s a name for them: The Royal Parks!

There are eight individual parks that make up the Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Green Park, Richmond, Greenwich, St James’s, Bushy Park, Regents Parks, and Kensington Gardens!

And all of these parks aren’t on the outskirts of the city center like other places. Some are smack dab in the middle of London!

In fact, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Green Park, and St. James Park are all connected, with Green Park and St. James Park surrounding Buckingham Palace!

We loved spending our mornings drinking coffee and strolling through the London parks. We also rented e-bikes and rode through them so we could see more during our 4 days in London!

Note: Make sure to check out the Princess Diana Memorial inside Kensington Gardens!

Paris also has some gorgeous parks throughout its city center, including the Luxembourg Gardens, the Tuileries Gardens (outside of the Louvre), and the Bois de Boulogne.

These parks offer beautiful floral displays, especially in spring and summer, and plenty of space to relax.

We visited the Luxembourg Gardens on our last trip to Paris and were pleasantly surprised by both the fall colors, large pond, and gorgeous flowers in front of the Senate building!

However, these parks are a bit smaller than London’s and more formal, with very manicured lawns and tree-lined avenues.

🏆 Verdict: While both cities have beautiful parks and gardens, London’s collection of Royal Parks makes it the winner!

Local Interactions

This category is a bit difficult to compare, since interactions with locals come down to each individual’s experience. In general, however, Londoners have a reputation of being a bit more polite than Parisians.

We had nothing but great interactions with the locals in London, often hearing “cheers” in the streets and people offering to help when we looked lost.

Paris, on the other hand, has a bit of a reputation for non-welcoming locals. But again, this really depends on your interactions and attitude.

If you walk into a cafe, assume everyone speaks English, and act like a rude American, you will get rude interactions in return.

Sometimes, however, you can be very polite and still be treated rudely (this is true of any city, though). During my first trip to Paris as a 17-year old, I’ll never forget trying to order a chocolate croissant in French at a cafe and being treated.. not so nicely.

However, on my last trip to Paris, we had nothing but great interactions with all the locals we spoke to! Again, please don’t judge a whole city based on stereotypes. I highly encourage you to visit and experience the culture for yourself!

🏆 Verdict: Londoners tend to be a bit more friendly and welcoming than Parisians, but it can vary by personal experience and attitude!

Day Trips

London and Paris are both extremely well-connected to surrounding areas that make perfect day trips!

Some popular day trips from London include the following:

• London to Oxford: 1 hour (easy to visit on a direct train)
• London to the Cotswolds: 2-3 hours depending on the village (train and bus required)
• London to Bath: just under 2 hours via train
• London to Windsor Castle: just under an hour via train

Many of these can be accomplished on your own or via an organized tour! You can even do a day trip from London to Paris if you want to, thanks to the 2 hour train ride on the Eurostar!

However, since Great Britain is an island separated from the rest of Western Europe, your day trip options from London to other countries are slightly limited.

Similarly, Paris is well-connected to different areas of France and beyond thanks to its extensive train network. You can visit other regions of France, like Champagne, Versailles, or Giverny, or explore outside of France in neighboring countries like Belgium or Luxembourg.

Below are some of the most popular day trips from Paris!

• Paris to Versailles: 30 minutes by train (read my full guide here!)
• Paris to Normandy: 2.5 hours by train
• Paris to Brugges or Brussels: 2.5-2.5 hours by train
• Paris to Champagne: 1.5 hours by train
• Paris to Giverny: Less than an hour by train

Read Next: You can read more about these day trips in my blog post about the best day trips from Paris by train!

🏆 Verdict: Paris wins this category thanks to its proximity to other European cities as well as destinations throughout France!

Romance

Last but not least, let’s talk about the romantic vibes in London vs Paris!!

While London may not immediately come to mind as a romantic destination, there are plenty of charming spots for couples.

Walking along the Thames, enjoying a picnic in Hyde Park, or taking a ride on the London Eye offers beautiful city views. Overall, however, I wouldn’t call London a “romantic city”.

Paris, on the other hand, is often dubbed the “City of Love” and for good reason! You just can’t help but feel in love while in this city.

I remember being 17 years old and thinking how romantic it was. Getting to return with my husband was so special!

Whether you’re strolling along the Seine at sunset, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle at night, or just sharing a romantic dinner on a river cruise, Paris oozes romance at every turn!

🏆 Verdict: Paris is the clear winner for romance, as it’s renowned worldwide for being the most romantic city on earth!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when comparing London vs Paris! There’s a reason these are the two most popular cities in Europe.

While London is known for its Royal landmarks, red phone booths, and pubs, Paris is known for its cozy cafes, romantic atmosphere, and iconic structures.

Although I named a winner of each category, I won’t name an overall winner, since it really depends on your travel style and preferences. For example, you might care way more about nightlife than green spaces, or your priority might be food and drink only!

So, I hope this guide has helped you make the decision for yourself! My personal recommendation is to visit BOTH of these amazing cities if you can 🙂

For more details on each, make sure to check out my guide on How to Spend 3 Days in Paris and my Perfect 4 Day London Itinerary!

Or, check out all of my posts on Paris and London!

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