Paris Day Trip from London by Eurostar: Complete Itinerary
A day trip to Paris from London sounds ambitious — but thanks to the Eurostar, it's entirely doable and incredibly rewarding. With the right plan, you can see iconic sights, enjoy French cuisine, and be back in London by bedtime.
The Schedule
- 06:01 — Depart London St Pancras on the early Eurostar
- 09:17 — Arrive Paris Gare du Nord (local time, +1 hour)
- 20:01 — Depart Paris Gare du Nord on the return Eurostar
- 21:06 — Arrive London St Pancras
That gives you roughly 11 hours in Paris.
Morning: Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur (9:30 - 11:30)
Start your day at Montmartre, just a short Metro ride from Gare du Nord:
- Walk up to Sacré-Cœur Basilica for stunning panoramic views
- Wander through the artistic Place du Tertre
- Grab a croissant and café au lait at a local bakery
Late Morning: The Louvre Area (11:30 - 13:30)
- Take the Metro to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre
- See the Louvre Pyramid and stroll through the Tuileries Garden
- Don't try to visit inside the Louvre on a day trip — it deserves a full day on its own
Lunch: Classic French Dining (13:30 - 14:30)
Enjoy a proper French lunch in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area:
- Try a croque-monsieur or steak-frites
- Pair with a glass of French wine
- Budget: €15-25 per person for a satisfying meal
Afternoon: Eiffel Tower and Seine (14:30 - 17:00)
- Walk or Metro to the Champ de Mars
- See the Eiffel Tower up close (skip the queue to go up — use your time for more sights)
- Stroll along the Seine River and cross the beautiful Pont Alexandre III
Late Afternoon: Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe (17:00 - 18:30)
- Walk up the famous Champs-Élysées
- Admire the Arc de Triomphe at the end
- Browse the shops or stop for macarons at Ladurée
Evening: Notre-Dame and Dinner (18:30 - 19:30)
- Head to Île de la Cité to see Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior)
- Grab a quick crêpe from a street vendor as your farewell snack
- Make your way back to Gare du Nord for your return train
Tips for a Successful Day Trip
- Book the earliest Eurostar to maximise your time
- Buy a Paris Metro day pass — you'll use it extensively
- Wear comfortable walking shoes — expect 15,000+ steps
- Don't over-plan — leave room to wander and soak in the atmosphere
- Book your Eurostar tickets on FlipEarth for the best day-return fares
One day in Paris is not enough to see everything — but it's more than enough to fall in love with the city.