Traveling From London to Paris: A Worthwhile Day Trip?


 

Updated by Vanessa M in July 2023.

France, being the giant land mass that it is, tends to offer day trips that reside within the country’s boarders. Travelers to Paris tend to venture out to Disneyland, Versailles or Normandy when they want to see something other than the city.

However, the geographical location of Paris sits far north in France, giving way for a day trip that is very much out of bounds.

Fancy an afternoon tea in London, anyone?

London – by Anthony DELANOIX – Unsplash

The Journey 

If you were to venture directly north and then slightly west from Paris, you would eventually find yourself in the English capital.

London and Paris are separated by the English Channel, but thanks to modern infrastructure it has never been easier to move between the two cities.

Technically speaking, there are just over 450km between Paris and London. By car, this would be a seemingly pointless day trip to make, but using other means of transport can cut this journey’s timeframe significantly enough to make it totally doable for just a day’s adventure.

Read also; From Paris to Versailles: 4 Quick Ways to Get There

If you’re considering this day trip, bear in mind you might need a different travel document for London than you do for Paris. The UK is no longer part of the EU, and have always had a travel visa system of their own.

Your documentation will be checked both on arrival and departure in London, as well as on departure and arrival in Paris.

A Day in London

So this begs the question, is a day trip to London even worth it?

Unlike most day trips, visiting London is rarely an isolated outing. You’re coming to see an entire city in juts one day, as opposed to exploring the whole of Versailles Palace in the same amount of time.

There is a lot to do in London Town. I’ve found that making the day trip is absolutely worth it, provided to carefully curate your schedule prior to your arrival.

London – by Oscar Nord – Unsplash

Try to have a specific list of things you want to get done before you make the journey back to Paris at the end of the day. If it’s a museum you want to see, a free guided walking tour of the city, or perhaps a show on West End, let that be it, and try not to put too much expectation on filling the day with activities.

Read also; LONDON

London is massive, and getting from A to B can sometimes take longer than even getting there from Paris took. Know where you need to be, and keep your day within a strictly confined surface area, ideally accessible on foot at all times!

You might want to have a plan in place in the event of your exit transport falling through for whatever reason. Or perhaps you find that one day was not sufficient for a visit, and that you’d like to stay the night & head back the following day instead.

London – by Heidi Fin – Unsplash

Transportation Options

You have a variety of transportation options when it comes to making the journey from Paris to London, even if just for a day.

I’m going to leave the bus route out of this list, as it simply takes too long (just under 8 hours) and wouldn’t be worth the time.

Train

The high-speed railway is what truly makes a day trip between Paris and London plausible.

The Eurostar departs multiple times a day from Paris’ Nord Station. In just under 2 hours and 30 minutes you’ll be in London’s St Pancras Station, right in the heart of the city.

Tickets for this journey start at €100, but you can find them for much cheaper, and much more expensive, depending on the season and time of booking.

The railway is able to travel the 450km distance in such a short amount of time as it is routed under the water of the English Channel. The train journey back to Paris will take the same amount of time.

London – by Tomas Anton Escobar – Unsplash

Car

Not nearly as fast, your second option would be to drive through the Eurotunnel that connects France and England.

While this route also runs under the channel, motorists have to adhere to strict speeds at all times, and the journey between the cities will take 4 hours and 30 minutes.

While traveling by car will save money if there are two or more people accompanying you, it’s still a considerably longer journey than the train. Using this option for a day trip is rare, but totally doable if you were to depart from Paris at 4am; putting you in London Central by 8:30am just in time for breakfast and a full day of exploring.

Fly

Flying is another option if you begin your journey early enough. The flight itself is just an hour in duration, but transit times need to be taken into consideration.

Since you’re day tripping, you could easily get to Paris’ Airport about 30 minutes before your departure time. It’s unlikely you’ll have luggage, so you can head straight to the gate.

Once you arrive in Heathrow bear in mind that it’s another 20 to 40 minute transit time to get into the city center. All in all, this journey will take around 3 hours at best — not too bad for a day trip at all.

London – by Mike Stezycki – Unsplash

Something to Remember

Despite being neighbors, France and England have extremely different climates and weather patterns.

Winters in Paris are considerably milder than Paris. And Paris’ rainy season isn’t over the same months as London’s.

Be prepared when making this journey. You’ll need incidental clothing on hand to make it through nonstop downpours, possible blizzard, scorching heat and/or heavy wind. London during the daytime is also vastly different to London when the sun goes down.

Click here for some more information on what to wear in London throughout all of the seasons.

10-Must See London Attractions

London has a rich history, culture, and prominent sites. Here are 10 must-see sights in London;

Read also; Top London Tours and Attractions selected by Discover Walks Experts

1. Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace has been the official London residence of Britain’s sovereigns since 1837, and it now serves as the Monarch’s administrative headquarters. The Royal family frequently uses the palace’s 19 State Rooms to host guests on State, ceremonial, and official visits to the United Kingdom. Every summer, these opulent apartments are available to the public.

Choose from a number of excursions and tickets to this must-see London destination! Since 1837, the Palace has frequently been the focal point of state festivities and royal hospitality. It was also bombed frequently during WWII, albeit the palace chapel was destroyed. It is now a symbol of British monarchs and their unwavering commitment to UK citizens.

It is a popular destination for both locals and international visitors. Make sure to go at the proper time of day to see one of London’s most renowned tourist attractions the Changing of the Guards. Every day, the guards who guard Buckingham Palace are “relieved” of their duties and replaced by a new group of soldiers.

Practical information
address: London SW1A 1AA, United Kingdom
hours: thur-mon; 9:30am-7:30pm
Metro station: St. James’ Park

2. Tower of London

Bob Collowan, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons,

If you’re seeking a destination filled with terrible stories and horrifying history, the Tower is the place to be. The Tower has been the location of political intrigue and gruesome beheadings, making it an excellent place to visit if you enjoy gloomy tourism.

The residence ravens, which are thought to protect the Kingdom, are one of the Tower’s most iconic features. According to legend, if the ravens ever disappear, the Tower and the United Kingdom will crumble. There are currently nine ravens on duty, so if you get the chance, stop and say hello. The Crown Jewels are perhaps the most recognizable feature of the Tower.

These magnificent jewels are on show for all to see, and they are incredibly lovely. The famed ‘Beefeaters’ also station themselves around the Tower, allowing visitors to observe the Yeomen Warders as they go about their duties of preserving the Crown Jewels. If you’re a history geek the Tower is a great site to learn about England’s rich history.

Practical information
address: London EC3N 4AB, United Kingdom
hours: tue-sat; 9 am-5:30 pm/ sun-mon; 10 am-5:30 pm
Metro station: Tower Hill

3. The British Museum

Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The British Museum was the world’s first national public museum when it opened in 1753, and it is still free to all “studious and curious persons.” It houses an incredible collection of over 8 million artifacts that offer a linked panorama of the world’s cultures. However, it also exemplifies the great British traditions of exploration, eccentricity, and obsessive collecting. You could easily spend weeks here.

Practical information
address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG, United Kingdom
hours: tue-thur and sat; 11 am-5 pm/ sun-mon; 10 am-5 pm/fri; 11 am-8:30 pm
Metro station: Tottenham Court Road

4. The London Eye

Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The London Eye is the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in the world. The feat of engineering has become a symbol of modern capital and a world-famous architectural classic. On a clear day you can view up to 40km from the London Eye and from its astounding height of 135 meters, you’ll be able to spot some of the capital’s most famous landmarks and top attractions including Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. The London Eye contains 32 pods, each symbolizing one of London’s 32 boroughs, and it is the ideal way to reconnect with and appreciate the city’s beauty.

Practical information
address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB, United Kingdom
hours: mon-sun; 11 am-6 pm
Metro station: Waterloo

5. Horniman Museum and Gardens

The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill house a collection of natural history artifacts and handicrafts from all over the world. The very varied collection includes everything from traditional sand paintings to a large number of stuffed creatures that demonstrate the true talent of taxidermy. There’s also a collection of anthropological things from all around the world – 80,000 different pieces in all to explore, as well as the colorful gardens and Butterfly House.

Practical information
address: 100 London Rd, London SE23 3PQ, United Kingdom
hours: mon-sun; 10 am-5:30 pm
Metro station: Brixton

6. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey was founded in 1245 by Henry III and is one of England’s most famous Gothic structures. Originally a Benedictine monastery, it has been the coronation church since 1066 and the ultimate resting place of 17 monarchs.

It houses a treasure trove of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles, books, and various other artifacts, as well as the UK’s most significant collection of massive sculptures. In June 2018, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries in the Abbey’s Triforium opened. Explore almost 1,000 years of history high above the Abbey floor in this very unusual area.

Practical information
address: Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PA, United Kingdom
hours: mon-fri; 9:30 am-4:30 pm/sat; 9 am-2 pm
Metro station: Westminster

7. Hyde Park

Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hyde Park, which covers 350 acres of Central London’s landscape, is a popular destination for millions of people each year. With five Tube stations spread around the outskirts and adequate road connections, it’s rather easy to get to despite its location in the heart of the city. Bring a picnic and dine on the lawns of this historic royal hunting property. Hyde Park has lovely wooded pathways, a boating lake, and an excellent collection of statues and sculptures to appreciate on a sunny afternoon away from the city.

Practical information
address: London, United Kingdom
hours: mon-sun; 5 am-12 am
Metro station: Knightsbridge

8. The National Gallery

Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The National Gallery is a famous London site and hop-on hop-off bus excursions stop right outside its doors. It is a prominent art gallery on Trafalgar Square, just steps away from the hotel. The entrance is instantly recognizable because it has been in several film and television productions. The National Gallery houses some of the country’s most productive portraits and works. It is free to visit and a must-see if you have never been.

Practical information
address: Trafalgar Square, London
WC2N 5DN
hours: mon-sun; 10 am–6 pm
Metro station: Charing Cross

9. Bushy Park

Jim Linwood, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bushy Park, at over 1000 acres, is the second-largest of London’s eight Royal Parks. Bushy, located just north of Hampton Court Palace in Richmond upon Thames, is well-known for its rivers, gardens, and roaming herds of red and fallow deer.

The Longford River, a twelve-mile canal built entirely by hand in the 1630s to maintain a stable water supply to Hampton Court, is one of the park’s defining characteristics.

The river now appears to be an organic part of the terrain, supporting various plants and animals. However, it also allowed for construction of various spectacular water features that give Bushy its distinct character. Look for the magnificent Diana Fountain, the focal point of the mile-long Chestnut Avenue created by Sir Christopher Wren, one of the world’s most recognized architects.

Visit the Upper Lodge Water Gardens, a historic jewel hidden away in the park’s north. See if you can detect any of the fascinating birds, which include kingfishers and kestrels. After refueling at the Pheasantry Café, take a stroll around the tranquil Woodland Gardens.

Practical information
address: United Kingdom
hours: open 24 hours
Metro station: Richmond

10. Wellcome Collection

The Wellcome Collection on Euston Road, billed as “the free destination for the incurably curious,” offers an in-depth look at science and medicine. It has fascinating exhibitions across its galleries that show how they related to art and our lives throughout history. The Wellcome Collection, which houses a massive archive of medical periodicals and books, as well as video footage and interactive exhibits, employs a variety of unconventional lectures and exhibits to educate how medicine was researched and practiced in the past, and how it will be in the future.

Practical information
address: 183 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BE, United Kingdom
hours: fri-sun and tue-wed; 10 am-6 pm/Thur; 10 am-8 pm
Metro station: Richmond

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