Important: check COVID-19 travel rules and complete documents before you go. New testing and self-isolation rules for passengers arriving in the UK are now in place. From Saturday 04 December, entry rules are changing for travel to France. Find out more.
Day trips to Paris
Is it worth going to Paris from London for just a day? Mais oui
While a day trip to Paris from London might seem ambitious at first, it’s easy when the journey’s so quick and comfortable.
In fact, if you take the first Eurostar and come back on the last, you’ll have more than eleven hours to enjoy in the City of Light. And since Paris is one hour ahead of London, you’ll be back earlier than you might expect. In short, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the capital.
Top Tips
- Time it right: get the most out of the day, take the 05:40 train out and come back on the 21:13 one.
- Travel in style: go Standard Premier for a more spacious seat and get breakfast served to you on board.
- Be prepared: buy your Paris metro tickets at our onboard bar buffet and avoid the queues in Paris.
What to do in a day? Let our team of locals inspire you
The real secret is to be prepared. So swap apps and websites for these tips from our local in-the-know guides.
Paris Food Affair
MORNING
Breakfast like a true Parisian
Hot foot it to the 6th arrondissement and grab a table on the terrace at Les Deux Magots Café. Steeped in history and oh-so-French, it’s perfect for a spot of people-watching. Breakfast like a true Parisian with a café crème and a fresh, flaky croissant or a tartine with lashings of Échiré butter. An indulgent petit déjeuner to set you up for the day.
My Parisian Life
LUNCH
If there’s one tip to follow in the hunt for your dream déjeuner, it’s to eat where the locals eat. Luckily, there’s no shortage of choice, whether you’re vegetarian, visiting with kids or a romantic lunch à deux.
The classic French bistro
Love in the City of Lights
AFTERNOON
The islands of Paris
Two natural islands sit proudly in the midst of this stretch of the River Seine. Île de la Cité, the larger of the two, is home to the majestic Notre Dame Cathedral.
Bonjour Paris
EVENING
Parisian nightlife
Before you hop on the train back to London, why not sample some Parisian nightlife? If you book ahead, you could even catch a concert at the legendary, and newly-renovated, Elysée-Montmartre music hall.
Book your train to Europe
You may also like
Paris city breaks
Paris is all about people watching, as you drink coffee on a café terrace.
Brussels
Beer, waffles, chocolate and culture, and only 2 hrs from London by train.
Lille city breaks
At only 1 hr 30 mins from London, Lille is the perfect destination for a day trip or overnight stay.
Image credits: © Eurostar; © Eurostar; © Paris food affair; © Eurostar; © My Parisian life; © Love in the city of lights; © Eurostar; © Bonjours Paris; © Eurostar; © Eurostar; © Eurostar; © Eurostar