How to Plan Your First International Trip to Paris and London: A Beginner’s Guide

Ready to Plan the Best First-Time International Trip to Paris and London?!?

So you want to travel internationally for the first time? Congratulations! One of our top recommendations for your first international trip is to visit both Paris and London. These iconic cities are filled with rich history, stunning landmarks, and plenty of delicious food to enjoy. Plus, they’re relatively easy to navigate, especially for first-time travelers. You can get a taste of Europe and see so many amazing things in 7-10 days.

In this post, we’ll help you craft the perfect 8-day itinerary, with 4 days in Paris and 4 days in London, complete with where to stay, what to eat, and all the can’t-miss sights. We’ll even talk about how to hop on the Eurostar and zoom between the two cities. Be sure to check out our detailed blog post HERE for everything you need to know before planning your first international trip.

Getting There

Let’s start with the journey! Both Paris and London are major international hubs, so flights from the U.S. are plentiful. For the best deals, I recommend booking your flight about 3-4 months in advance and use JetSetClub to find the absolute cheapest flights. We have flown from our home in Phoenix Arizona to Paris for $285 roundtrip through a JetSetClub deal! You can also use apps like Skyscanner or Google Flights to track prices. Also, keep your options open with airports—sometimes flying into London Heathrow or Paris Charles de Gaulle is more affordable, but smaller airports like London Gatwick or Paris Orly might have budget-friendly options, too.

For the flight, prepare yourself for an overnight journey from the U.S. to Europe, which means you’ll probably arrive jet-lagged and maybe a little dazed, but don’t worry—you’ve got this! My tip? Sleep as much as you can on the plane (or at least try), and stay hydrated. You’ll be tempted to take a nap as soon as you arrive. Flight this urge and instead go for a walk. Being active and getting some sunshine will make the time change easier to handle. We have a whole article with our tried and true methods to beat jet lag here.

First Stop: 4 Days in Paris

Day 1: Arrival and Eiffel Tower Magic

• Getting to Your Hotel: After landing at Charles de Gaulle Airport, you’ll want to make your way into central Paris. The easiest option is to take the RER B train, which takes about 35 minutes and costs around €11.50. It will drop you off at Gare du Nord station. From there, grab a taxi or use the Paris Metro to reach your hotel.
• Where to Stay:
  1. Les Jardins Du Marais: Located in the Marais district in Paris, this 4-star hotel offers rooms and suites set around a charming courtyard. Rooms start around $200 per night.
  2. Hotel Mademoiselle: Located near Gare du Nord, this stylish and affordable option offers easy access to both the station and metro. Rooms start at $200 per night.
• Afternoon: Eiffel Tower & Seine River- After you’ve checked in and freshened up, head straight for the Eiffel Tower. You’re in Paris, after all! You’re going to be tempted to take a nap, but the best cure for jet lag is to stay awake and get some sunshine. So head outside. And whether you choose to climb the Eiffel Tower or just admire it from the ground, you’ll love the view. Book your ticket well in advance here. Pro tip: Take in the view from Trocadéro across the Seine for picture-perfect shots.
• Dinner suggestion: Head to Le Petit Cler near the Eiffel Tower for an authentic French bistro experience.
• Evening: Wrap up your day with a relaxing Seine River Cruise. It’s the perfect way to see Paris all lit up at night—bonjour to the City of Lights!

Day 2: Louvre, Notre-Dame, and Marais

• Morning: The Louvre- Start your day at the Louvre Museum. Get there early to beat the crowds and make a beeline for the Mona Lisa. You can easily spend a few hours here, but don’t feel pressured to see it all—just hit the highlights! Here is our blog post with the top things to see in 2 hours at the Louvre. Be sure to book your timed entrance ticket to the Louvre in advance here.
• Lunch: Head over to Angelina near the Louvre for some legendary hot chocolate and a light meal.
• Afternoon: Île de la Cité & Notre-Dame After lunch, stroll to Île de la Cité and visit Notre-Dame Cathedral. While you can’t enter the cathedral due to ongoing restoration, you can still appreciate its stunning architecture. Don’t miss your chance to visit the nearby Sainte-Chapelle, famous for its stained glass windows and one of our favorite churches.
• Evening in Le Marais:Explore the vibrant Le Marais neighborhood. This area is full of trendy shops, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. For dinner, try Les Philosophes—a local favorite serving up classic French dishes.

Day 3: Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

• Morning: Montmartre-Spend your morning wandering the bohemian streets of Montmartre. Visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica for a panoramic view of Paris, then explore the area around Place du Tertre, where artists display their works.
• Lunch: Stop by Café des Deux Moulins, famous from the movie Amélie, for a casual lunch.
• Afternoon: Head back to central Paris and visit Musée d’Orsay. This might be my favorite museum in the world! Housed in an old Parisian train station that was transformed into a museum, it showcases the largest collection of impressionist paintings. Get swept up by the Impressionist movement and see works by Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir, and Cézanne, among others.
• Dinner: For your last evening, enjoy a classic French meal at Chez Janou in the Marais. Be sure to try their famous chocolate mousse!
• Evening: Visit the iconic Arc de Triomphe at night for an epic view of Paris. If you time it right, you might get lucky and see the Eiffel Tower sparkle! Then take a stroll down the Champs Elysees to window shop at the luxury boutiques that line this famous street.

Day 4: Day Trip or Free Day

• Option 1: Day Trip to Versailles. If you’re up for it, take a half-day trip to Versailles. The palace is absolutely breathtaking, and the gardens are perfect for a leisurely stroll. You can get there in about 45 minutes by taking the RER C train.
• Option 2: If you’d rather stay in Paris, explore Saint-Germain-des-Prés, hit up some final shopping spots, or revisit your favorite cafe for a leisurely brunch.
• Option 3: If museums are your thing, consider visiting Musée de l’Orangerie, the excellent Picasso Museum, or the Pompidou Centre Modern Art Museum.

Taking the Eurostar to London

• Booking your ticket: Booking a Eurostar train ticket is super easy and can be done entirely online. Head to the official Eurostar website or use apps like Trainline or Omio, which are popular for booking European train tickets. Choose your departure station (Gare du Nord in Paris) and your arrival station (St. Pancras International in London), then select your travel dates and preferred time. Eurostar often releases tickets several months in advance, and the earlier you book, the better chance you have at scoring a cheaper fare. You can also choose from different classes of service—Standard, Standard Premier, or Business Premier—depending on your budget and how comfortable you want your journey to be. Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive an e-ticket via email, which you can either print out or scan directly from your phone at the station.
• Getting to Gare du Nord: The Eurostar train departs from Gare du Nord, which is centrally located in Paris. You can take a quick Uber or hop on the Metro to reach the station.
• Eurostar Tips: The train ride to London is around 2 hours and 15 minutes, and you’ll go through border control before boarding, so arrive about 45-60 minutes early. Make sure to bring snacks and charge your phone because you’ll want to snap some photos as you zoom under the English Channel!

Next Stop: 4 Days in London

Day 1: Arrival and London Landmarks

• Arriving in London:You’ll arrive at St. Pancras International Station. From there, you can take a quick taxi or hop on the Tube (London’s underground system) to your hotel.
• Where to Stay:The Bailey’s Hotel London: A lovely Victorian-era hotel in South Kensington—perfect for easy access to museums and the Tube. Rooms start around $250 per night.The Hoxton, Holborn: A trendy, mid-priced option near Covent Garden. Rooms start at $220 per night.
• Afternoon: Westminster & Big Ben- After settling in, start your London adventure at Westminster Abbey. Then, cross the street to see Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament. From there, walk along the Thames River and take a ride on the London Eye for a great sunset view. Booked timed entrance tickets in advance for both of these attractions.
• Dinner: For dinner, check out Dishoom in Covent Garden—a popular Indian restaurant with delicious food and great atmosphere.
• Evening: If you love Broadway theatre, check out the current line-up of shows playing on the West End. We usually see at least a few shows every time we visit, so if this is your thing too, be sure to book these tickets in advance.

Day 2: Tower of London & South Bank

• Morning: Tower of London- Head to the Tower of London early and take a guided tour to hear fascinating stories about its dark past. Don’t forget to see the Crown Jewels before you leave!
• Lunch: Walk across Tower Bridge and stop for lunch at Borough Market—a foodie paradise with tons of street food options.
• Afternoon: South Bank Stroll- Spend the afternoon exploring South Bank, where you can visit Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, check out the Tate Modern, or just enjoy the riverside views.
• Dinner: Grab a bite at The Anchor, a traditional pub along the river, and enjoy some classic British fare like fish and chips.

Day 3: Buckingham Palace & Museums

• Morning: Changing of the Guard- No trip to London is complete without seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Check the schedule in advance (it usually happens on certain days at 10:45am), and get there early for a good view.
• Lunch: Walk over to The Wolseley for a lovely British afternoon tea or lunch.
• Afternoon: After lunch, explore the excellent British Museum. Entry is free. Plan on spending a few hours here and prepare to be amazed by thousands of years of human history.
• Dinner: For your evening meal, head to The Ivy Chelsea Garden—a beautiful spot with a great mix of British and European dishes.

Day 4: Free Day, Day Trip or More Museums

• Option 1: Day Trip to Windsor Castle- Take a day trip to Windsor Castle and explore one of the Queen’s favorite residences. It’s just a 45-minute train ride from London.
• Option 2: Free Day in London- Alternatively, spend your last day checking out Notting Hill, walking through Hyde Park, or doing some shopping on Oxford Street.
• Option 3: If you’re a fan of museums like we are, you can hit the Natural History Museum or the Victoria and Albert Museum. Both are free and full of fascinating exhibits.

Getting Around Paris and London

• Paris: The Paris Metro is one of the most efficient and affordable ways to get around the city. With 16 lines connecting nearly every corner of Paris, it’s easy to navigate once you get the hang of the color-coded routes and numbered lines. You can buy single tickets (around €3 each) from vending machines at the station, but if you’re staying a few days, it’s worth purchasing a carnet (a pack of 10 tickets) for a discount. If you plan to use the metro frequently, you can also get a Paris Visite pass, which offers unlimited travel for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days. You’ll simply validate your ticket by tapping or inserting it at the turnstile, and you’re good to go! Buses and walking are also great ways to get around.
• London: London’s famous Tube (underground system) is the fastest way to get around the city, with 11 lines serving central London and beyond. Paying is easy with an Oyster card—a reloadable smart card that you can top up at machines—or by using your contactless bank card or smartphone. Just tap in and tap out at the start and end of your journey. You can also buy Travelcards for unlimited travel, either daily or for longer stays, depending on how much you plan to use public transportation. Fares are based on travel zones, with central London being Zone 1. The Tube runs frequently, and signs in every station make it simple to navigate. Just don’t forget to “Mind the Gap!”

Safety in Europe:

When traveling through Europe, safety is key, especially in popular tourist areas where pickpocketing can be common. Always be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded spots like metro stations, markets, and major attractions. Wearing a crossbody bag with the zipper or flap facing inward is a great way to deter thieves, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash—use cards where possible. Don’t keep your wallet or phone in your back pocket and keep valuables like your passport and extra cards safely stored in a money belt or your hotel’s safe. Be cautious of overly friendly strangers or people offering unsolicited help, as these can sometimes be distractions for pickpockets. If you use a backpack, look into using a backpack lock and be sure to keep valuables in inside zippered pockets. And always trust your instincts—if something feels off, it’s okay to walk away. Staying alert but relaxed is the best way to enjoy Europe’s beauty without any trouble!

Final Thoughts

Paris and London are two of the most iconic cities in Europe, and this itinerary gives you a great mix of history, culture, food, and adventure. Traveling between the two on the Eurostar is seamless and adds a fun element to your trip. Whether it’s your first international adventure or one of many, these cities will leave you with memories to last a lifetime!