How to Plan a Day Trip to London from Paris

Is A Day Trip to London from Paris Worth It?

There is so much to see in Paris, from Notre Dame (which will finally be restored by the end of 2024!) and the Eiffel Tower to all the museums the city has to offer. But if you’ve been to Paris before, you’re spending over a week there, or you want a quick way to see another city, then squeezing in a London day trip can be a great addition to your European vacation.

London is so close to Paris that you can take a day trip there via a direct train. If you’re traveling to Paris any time soon, consider taking the train into London for the day for a quick change of scenery. It’s a short ride, and there’s plenty you can cross off your sightseeing list without the need to spend the night. 

The first train of the day leaves Paris at 7:12am and gets you to London at 8:30am. The last train from London to Paris leaves at 9:00pm, getting you back into Paris to end your day just before midnight.

How to Plan a Day Trip to London from Paris

Book Your Train Tickets

Getting the train to London from Paris is extremely easy via the Eurostar train. It is a direct, 2-hour and 16-minute ride from Gare du Nord to London’s St. Pancras Station at King’s Cross. 

You can purchase Eurostar tickets online in advance, and even pick your seat. Eurostar offers three classes: Standard, Standard Premier, and Business Premier.

I have always done Standard Premier, which has larger, spacious seats, as well as a light meal service that includes food, drinks, and coffee/tea.

Don’t Forget Your Passport

You will need to bring your passport, even for a day trip to London from Paris.

Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, there is a customs checkpoint to and from London and Paris. You will need to show your passport to board your outgoing train to London, and then again to board the train back into France.

All border checks are complete before you depart, so once you arrive in London (or back in Paris at the end of the day), you can simply hop off the train and exit the station. You do not need to go through another checkpoint.

Going through this checkpoint is relatively easy, and the lines move quickly. However, you still want to make sure you arrive at the train station on time.

Here are the recommended arrival times to the train station, per the Eurostar website: 

Dress Accordingly

What you wear to London will depend on when you visit, and what you plan to do while you’re there.

Since this post focuses on a heavy sightseeing agenda, it’s a good idea to wear something comfortable like jeans, sneakers, and a t-shirt. If you’ll be in London in spring or summer take a light layer; if you’ll be there in fall or winter, take a coat.

The one thing that’s predictable about London weather is its unpredictability, so be sure to check the weather a few days before your trip.

I also recommend taking a crossbody bag like this; it’s large enough to fit a small camera, sunglasses, a wallet, your phone, and an external phone battery. Whenever I travel abroad or to a big city, a crossbody is a must for me. It allows you to be hands-free while you’re on the go, and it’s a much safer option than a shoulder or handbag.

What to Do in One Day in London

Whenever I am short on time in a city, I take a bus tour. Yes, maybe it’s cheesy and it’s certainly touristy. But guess what? You are a tourist! A bus tour is one of the best ways to see a lot of popular destinations in a short period of time if you don’t want to do all the planning, especially if you’re a first-time visitor.

We have used Get Your Guide a handful of times, including our first visit to the Harry Potter Tour at Warner Bros. Studios.

However, if you’re very adamant about not doing this, the below itinerary is what I would do if I only had one day in London.

Note: Pre-purchase timed-entry tickets for high-priority attractions like the Tower of London or Westminster Abbey. It’s also worth the extra money to select fast-track ticket options when available. With just one day in London, you don’t want to waste time standing in line.

The Tube is the cheapest and usually the quickest way to get around in London. However, cabs are everywhere in London and cab drivers are very friendly and extremely well-versed with the streets and routes around the city. They’ll know just where to take you and the best driving routes.

Visit the Tower of London

Take the Tube or grab a cab to the Tower of London. This is my top favorite tourist attraction because it’s literally where the city of London began.

The Tower of London dates back to 1066 when it was the fortress and gateway to the city. You’ll need a solid 2 hours to go through everything, but it’s totally worth it. You’ll be able to walk through the medieval remains, learn about what happened there (A weird zoo! Torture chambers!), and see the Crown Jewels.

**Prioritize going inside either the Tower of London OR Westminster Abbey, otherwise it may be a very jammed day if you try to squeeze in both.

View the Tower Bridge

Just next door to the Tower of London is the famous Tower Bridge. This is an iconic London landmark that you can’t miss! 

You can go inside the bridge and walk a glass bottom observation walkway, but for me personally, viewing it from afar is just fine. 

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to time your visit and see the drawbridge raise; these mechanisms are original from 1886! We were lucky to see it lift on our most recent trip and it’s a cool several minutes when you think about how long ago the bridge was constructed and that the engineering still holds up even today!

Grab a Cab to Buckingham Palace

No visit to London is complete without a quick visit to Buckingham Palace and a ceremonial wave at HRH King Charles III.

Ask your cab driver to take you to Westminster Abbey with a drive by Buckingham Palace.

Other than some public rooms you can visit during a select time of the year, there’s not much to see of Buckingham Palace other than the big, beautiful gates and the sprawling building itself. Personally, for me, a drive past Buckingham Palace is enough, but if you want to grab some selfies, have your driver drop you off here, then hail another one and head to the abbey.

Walk Through Westminster Abbey

Benedictine monks founded Westminster Abbey in 960 AD and the church is still in use today as a place of worship. It has been the official coronation church since 1066, the resting place of 17 monarchs and other important historical figures, and has played host to several royal weddings, including Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding.

Even if you’re not into the monarchy, Westminster Abbey is still worth a visit. The building’s architecture is incredible, and it’s really breathtaking to look at all the stained-glass windows.

Lines can get very long here, so I recommend purchasing online tickets in advance, which provides a quicker, fast-track entry. 

**Prioritize going inside either the Tower of London OR Westminster Abbey, otherwise it may be a very jammed day if you try to squeeze in both.

Catch a Glimpse of Big Ben

Take a short 5-minute walk from Westminster Abbey to Big Ben and the House of Parliament. This is my favorite building in all of London; it is so ornate, and you can get lost staring at the details. Much like its name, you will find Big Ben to be huge. Photos don’t do it justice, and even after seeing it three times now, I am always astonished at how large the clock tower is in real life.

Stroll Along the River Thames

Make your way across the Westminster Bridge and walk along the River Thames.

Visit the London Eye

For the best view of the city of London, a ride on the London Eye is a must. It’s a giant, fully enclosed Ferris wheel that gives you beautiful panoramic views of London, including Big Ben, Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. As someone who is afraid of heights, even I sack it up to take in the views.

You can buy timed tickets in advance or at the venue. If the line is long and you’re strapped for time on your day, buy upgraded passes with a reduced wait time to get onto the attraction quicker.

I put the London Eye as the final stop of your London day trip because this attraction closes later than some of the others listed here.

Grab a Pint at a Pub

Make sure to stop by a traditional English pub for a proper pint and some fish and chips. There are so many all over the city, and as one Londoner told us on our most recent trip, “The English think the older the pubs, the better,” so keep that in mind while you’re looking for a place to grab a bite.

This day trip to London from Paris itinerary is definitely jam-packed, so my best advice is to prioritize where you want to go ahead of time, pre-book any timed entry tickets, and buy fast-track tickets when possible.

Visiting the inside of both the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey is an aggressive plan, but if you do, limit yourself to 1.5 hours max. Otherwise, prioritize one over the other (this will give you a reason to go back again!). Also, take the Tube to help reduce commute times.

Remember, you will need to arrive at St. Pancras to head back to Paris 60-90 minutes ahead of your train departure.