Tour in Paris and London

In your previous question in the beginning of October you were given suggestions as to how to proceed, including doing some reading.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/tour-to-paris-switzerland-and-other-country

Did you read Europe Through The Back Door? Are your circumstances substantially the same for this revision of the trip?

How old are the children. Do you mean yourself and 2 additional adults, or just yourself and one other?

In the October post you said you would be two adults and two children travelling. Now you mention 3 children. Do you have a new baby?

Yes. Now I have another girl baby. She born in Dec.

Right now My children's age is 9 yr, 7 yr, 0 month.

If someone traveller can reply in detail for this trip with Day(s) then I will be very thankful.

You probably won't need a rail pass if you're focused on these two cities and a few, shorter day trips. Between London and Paris, take the Eurostar train, which can often be booked 6 months ahead (or a more or less) to get the best ticket prices. There are discounts for early purchase, traveling roundtrip, and for kids. A baby always travels free on your lap on European trains.

For a short train ride in France, such as from Paris to Chartres, Normandy, or the Loire valley, you can buy tickets locally for the unreserved regional trains; see also http://en.voyages-sncf.com/en/. British trains offer good roundtrip discounts, advance-purchase discounts up to a day ahead, discounts for kids and train tickets get you some 2-for-1 sightseeing discounts at various destinations.

But choose what you really want to see first, before getting into too much transportation detail.

Are you flying into London or Paris ?

If possible book your flight so you fly into one city and home from another , saves you time and money backtracking .

Let's assume you will fly into Paris .

Day 1- arrive in Paris , go to hotel and leave bags . Stay in a central hotel . You must book a quad room at least, AND you must tell them there is a baby also .

Day 2 - see Eiffel Tower and Champs Elyssees , Arc De Triopmhe

Day 3- Notre Dame( there is a playground behind it , let the children play) , St Chapelle . If weather is nice a boat cruise . Wander around the Latin Quarter .

Day 4 - perhaps today a museum , the Louvre has a nice playground beside it in the Tulleries garden so the children can have a break . Walk up Rue du Rivoli and shop , perhaps walk to the Madeline ( more shops in area )

Day 5- take Eurostar to London, check into hotel and walk around .

Day 6- perhaps a good bus tour today , drive by the palace , visit Hyde Park

Day 7- perhaps a museum , I like the Victoria and Albert best , but the Royal British Museum is a must for many people . The children will enjoy the Natural History Museum beside the VIctoria and Albert , a good children's section .

Day 8 - perhaps the Tower of London?

Day 9 - perhaps shopping today ? I hate shopping , but others seem to like it . If not the Imperial War Museum is intersting .

This is not a plan for you to follow , just a rough idea of what you could do .

Very good suggestions above. With only 9 days, you really don't have time to travel outside of either Paris or London, nor would I with 3 children so there's no need for a rail pass. Fly into one city, out of the other, and either take Eurostar train or fly between the two.

Pat has kindly provided some ideas for things to do and see in both cities but itineraries are very much up to personal preference. Doing some reading - as previously and wisely suggested - on what sorts of attractions both cities have to offer is where you should start. You know your family's interests far better than any of us so you know what will appeal to all of you and what will not.

Itineraries are also difficult to make for other people when we don't know exact dates; you need to take into consideration which days of the week some attractions are closed and plan to see other things on those days. With three children along, you'll want to keep things fairly flexible for needed rest and play time lest they become overtired.

I agree with Kathy - you don't need a rail pass. You should fly into Paris, spend a few days there, take the Eurostar to London, spend the rest of the time there, and then fly home from London.

Remember that the flight to Europe is overnight and will likely land early the following morning. If you have nine days total, you will need to account for your travel time.

Day 1 fly from YYZ to CDG, Day 2 you land in CDG. You can fly home from LHR the same day you land (Day 9) but you won't have time for shopping that day. You will need to get to the airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight.

Since you have a newborn, my suggestion would be to visit Paris and London. Save extra stops for next time. As others have said, your itinerary is your preference. I think taking the Eurostar to London on Day 5 or 6 would make the most sense. You would have at least four days in Paris and three in London.

If you have nine days total, you will need to account for your travel
time.

Eve, the OP said, " I have 9 days (Excluding travel time). "

Hi, Thanks. Now I can make the following trip. I have added one more day in Paris. Is it Ok or should I add this day in London? Please also advise for Day1, Day5 and Day6 question.

Day 1- arrive in Paris (Charles de Gaulle) , go to hotel and leave bags . Explore the neighborhood.
Should I stay in a central hotel OR Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche?

Day 2 - see Eiffel Tower and Champs Elyssees , Arc De Triopmhe

Day 3- Notre Dame, St Chapelle . If weather is nice a boat cruise . Wander around the Latin Quarter .

Day 4 - Louvre Museum , Chateau de Versailles, Galarie Layfayette, the Louvre has a nice playground beside it in the Tulleries garden so the children can have a break . Walk up Rue du Rivoli and shop , perhaps walk to the Madeline ( more shops in area )

Day 5 - ???

Day 6- take Eurostar to London, check into hotel and walk around .
In which Hotel should I stay in London (My budget $150-$200/night)?

Day 7- perhaps a good bus tour today , drive by the palace , visit Hyde Park

Day 8- perhaps a museum , Victoria and Albert best , Royal British Museum. The children will enjoy the Natural History Museum beside the VIctoria and Albert.

Day 9 - Tower of London, Westminster Abbey.

Day 10 - Shopping today. Fly to home.

IF ANY TRAVELLOR FEEL NEED ALTER/REARRANGE FOR THIS TRIP SCHEULE THEN PLEASE DO AND ADVISE. I WILL BE MUCH THANKFUL FOR YOUR HELP.

Hi, Thanks. I have added one more day in Paris. Please also advise for Day1, Day5 and Day6 question.
Is any mountains sightseeing in Paris?

Day 1- arrive in Paris (Charles de Gaulle) , go to hotel and leave bags . Explore the neighborhood.
Should I stay in a central hotel OR Hotel Trianon Rive Gauche?

Day 2 - see Eiffel Tower and Champs Elyssees , Arc De Triopmhe

Day 3- Notre Dame, St Chapelle . If weather is nice a boat cruise . Wander around the Latin Quarter .

Day 4 - Louvre Museum , Chateau de Versailles, Galarie Layfayette, the Louvre has a nice playground beside it in the Tulleries garden so the children can have a break . Walk up Rue du Rivoli and shop , perhaps walk to the Madeline ( more shops in area )

Day 5 - ???

Day 6- take Eurostar to London, check into hotel and walk around .
In which Hotel should I stay in London (My budget $150-$200/night)?

Day 7- perhaps a good bus tour today , drive by the palace , visit Hyde Park

Day 8- perhaps a museum , Victoria and Albert best , Royal British Museum. The children will enjoy the Natural History Museum beside the VIctoria and Albert.

Day 9 - Tower of London, Westminster Abbey.

Day 10 - Shopping today. Fly to home.

IF ANY TRAVELLOR FEEL NEED ALTER/REARRANGE FOR THIS TRIP SCHEULE THEN PLEASE DO AND ADVISE. I WILL BE MUCH THANKFUL FOR YOUR HELP.

There is no mountains near Paris to sight see.

There are no mountains near London to see.

You must read a guide book and choose which sites most interest you,, none of us want you to follow our plans exactly.. these are only suggestions and idea.

Fill in your own empty days.

There are many things to see.. but people like different sites.

You cannot do all the things you have on Day 4, so you could visit Versailles on Day 5, if you choose.

Agree with the above: the Louvre, Chateau de Versailles and Galarie Layfayette are too much to try and do in a day.

And no, there are no mountains anywhere near London or Paris.

Filling in your itinerary yourself is the best idea as you can make better choices for your own family than we can. We also cannot say if your itinerary as laid out so far will work as we don't have exact dates. For instance, we don't know if your day 4 might fall on a date that the Louvre or Versailles is closed.

And a note about the Louvre? Are you very interested in art? I suspect that some visitors think they HAVE to do the Louvre because, well, it's something everyone seems to do. If you aren't particularly into art, you do not HAVE to do it.

I'm not a fan of the Champs-Elyssees; it's sort of an unremarkable street with lots of chain shops, and one of those more overrated attractions in Paris, IMHO. With children along, I'd substitute Jardin du Luxenbourg for the Champs.