2 Days in Paris (not the movie)

You spend almost half a day getting there and back. I would fly multi city tickets flying into London. Eurostar at end of trip and home from Paris. This is not using one way tickets but considered multi city. Be sure to book thru the airline not a third party. Also the farther out you buy Eurostar tickets the cheaper they are.

To spend 2 days in Paris, you would need to stay 3 nights. Staying 1 night in Paris, considering the time for travel to/from the Gare du Nord and hotel, packing, and unpacking, is not really even the equivalent to one full day.

You'll see a few things, but probably less than you have planned. It is a lot of expense for so little time.

I second the suggestion to book flights in to London and home from Paris. Saves a ton of time, even if the air fare is slightly more expensive than round trip out of London (and it could actually be cheaper, depends on time of year, airline, etc.). Aside from Eurostar tickets, be sure to purchase the tickets ahead for your "must see" sites in Paris (Louvre, Eiffel Tower). I personally would allocate more time to Paris on a two week trip, but that's just me.

So now you’re getting me advice on how you should book your vacation because it will just cost a little more to fly into London and out of Paris or vice versa. But don’t assume that’s automatically correct

The open jaw ticket into Paris out of London or vice versa was only a couple of thousand dollars more expensive than my round trip to London.

Yes, I took the train back-and-forth to London instead of paying just a few thousand dollars more.

But I agree if you could possibly spend second night in Paris it would be worth it. If not pick one major place you want to do each day so the afternoon of your first day you’re going to pick one place, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, etc and the same thing the morning of your second day. Leave the rest of your time unstructured and then you’ll have some time to look at the rest of Paris and sit in the café and enjoy being in Paris. You could have some minor places you want to go, that you don’t have to reserve in advance on your list and that way if you get there you get there, and if you don’t you don’t, but Paris requires that you make reservations for most of the major sites and that’s why you gotta pick those two must dos.

The open jaw ticket into Paris out of London or vice versa was only a couple of thousand dollars more expensive than my round trip to London.

Definitely check ticket prices as this is not always true. I agree with Gail and CL in that it can be infinitely easier and usually no more expensive to fly into London and out of Paris. That is what I am doing on Wednesday with 2 of my grandkids. The multi-city flights were no more expensive than a round-trip ticket, and I know this because I was monitoring both on Google Flights.

We are flying into London, spending 10 nights there, then taking the Eurostar to Paris where we will spend 3 nights, and then fly back to MSP from CDG. The original main cabin tickets on Delta for a flight from MSP to LHR, then CDG to MSP were around $925 pp (I did upgrade us to Comfort+ later, which bumped the price up). And I saved several hundred dollars, plus time, by not having to take the Eurostar back to London.

First Eurostar to Paris and last one back to London gives you plenty of time without having to pay two hotels for a second night. Break it into activity blocks: day 1 afternoon, evening, day 2 morning, afternoon, early evening gives you five blocks to see something different and plenty of time to sit on a bench, in a cafe, quick meal and get back to Gare du Nord for early check-in.

This is a much better plan than going for one day as some people want to do.

We have flown open jaw for nearly 40 years. In the last 2 years we have flown into Paris and out of Berlin, into Milan and out of Paris, and into Paris and out of Limerick Ireland with a transfer at Heathrow. NONE of these tickets cost more than a round trip to Paris. If it is $2000 more you are looking at one way flights or not enough airlines.

I would not bother with a trip that was one night in Paris from London unless you must 'see the Eiffel Tower' before you die. Even two nights would give you a full day, but one night doesn't even get you a full day. but if you do it, well what is your dream of Paris? Do that. You could have a great meal, go up the Eiffel Tower, take a Seine cruise -- I would not plan more than 3 things and then play it by ear.

I think your plan sounds good. This trip might be a time to stay right across the street from Gare du Nord. Take the earliest train from London and drop your luggage off at your hotel and you will have a full day in Paris to wander around and hit the sights you mentioned. On Day two, take the second to last train back to London and voila there is your full second day in Paris. I suggest 25 Hours Paris Terminus Nord as the hotel though in a couple of years, it might have a different name. I’ve done day trips to London from Paris and see no reason why you can’t do a single night trip to Paris from London. I am Team Paris needs at least 4 days but I am also Team Paris is always a good idea. And seeing it for a packed overnight trip is better than not seeing it at all IMO.

So now you’re getting me advice on how you should book your vacation
because it will just cost a little more to fly into London and out of
Paris or vice versa. But don’t assume that’s automatically correct

As Steve said he's booking this in "a couple years" so plenty of time to monitor flight options and costs. The cost of an open jaw ticket highly depends on your departure airport, day of week, time of year, so anything is possible Similar to Mardee I also tracked to London/from Paris flights on Google for this summer and the cost of the open jaw ticket I purchased was cheaper than a round trip to either city (in part because Heathrow departure taxes are somewhat high comparatively).

Good point, CL—I forgot about the departure taxes. That in itself could save you hundreds of pounds, depending on the price of the ticket. And they are going up much higher in 2026.

Here's a good Reddit post that explains it: https://www.reddit.com/r/uktravel/comments/1gpnrbw/uk_air_passenger_duty_is_now_the_highest_in_the/

Steve, if you're sticking with your plan, then it might be of interest to you that Le Louvre is open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays which is an extra three hours. It might help you fit in your other excursions. The advice here is excellent and from knowledgeable individuals. We frequently fly open jaw which saves us time and money.

Hello, everyone. Thanks for replying to my post, I do appreciate it. Some people suggested 3 nights in Paris, which, I think, might be a bit long for what we're looking for. See, we've talked about heading to London with friends of ours, and Paris was to be kind of a side trip, a chance to see Paris since we're going to be so close, because I don't know when we're going get there again. Having said that, let me give you more of what I was planning so you know where I was coming from with my 2 day plan. The plan was to get a flat/apartment through VRBO in London for 2 weeks where we'd be the only ones there, or with our friends, providing the scheduling of my friends sabbatical works out with the trip. Either way, a flat for 2 weeks. I'd pack a soft gym bag in my luggage to use for Paris. We'd each (me, my wife and daughter) would pack a shirt or two, undergarments/socks etc., and basic toiletries. That's it. I'd bring along my backpack I'd use to keep my camera in while traveling and walking around. As for a hotel in Paris I was planning on researching hotels around Gare du Nord, somewhere close to the train station to make it easy. I don't remember who said this, but thanks for the suggestion on 25 Hour Hotel Terminus Nord. I wanted to be able to get to the hotel quickly, drop the luggage and go. So hotels around the train station are a plus. Again, don't remember who said this, but knowing the Louvre is open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays helps a lot in planning. Someone said, "...unless the Eiffel Tower is a must see." Kind of is. I've always wanted to see that and the Arch du Triomphe. Don’t necessarily need to go up in them, but if the family wants to I’m game. There are a lot of other places, of course, but we're willing to pick a few and go from there. For our trip to German, more than 15 years ago, before we had our daughter, we were in Mainz walking around and stumbled upon the Gutenberg Museum where we got to see 2 Gutenberg Bibles. Man, was that an experience. So the idea is to see some big stuff along with just walking around and explore. Since reading the responses, I have started thinking of staying 1 more night and leaving the next morning back to London. If our trip with our friends don't work out, I'd certainly be open to an open-law type trip where we'd fly out of Paris. Thanks again for the replies, everyone. I hope this reply of mine doesn't sound like I'm rambling, but I was typing quickly before leaving for work. Have a good day.

Definitely check ticket prices as this is not always true. I agree with Gail and CL in that it can be infinitely easier and usually no more expensive to fly into London and out of Paris.

This has been my experience multiple times through the years, including twice last year - open jaw tickets for Paris/London priced no more than and sometimes lower than RT into either one from US. Do a one way Eurostar to connect the cities...

This has been my experience multiple times through the years, including twice last year - open jaw tickets for Paris/London priced no more than and sometimes lower than RT into either one from US. Do a one way Eurostar to connect the cities...

And I’d be open to flying open-jaw. When/if we decide on going and when those dates will be I’ll start looking into it.

Steve (who lives on the other cape): Your trip is exactly what I did on my daughter's first trip to Europe over a school vacation when she was 15...many years ago. It was easy and efficient. I don't think we even left on the first train of the day...me not being a morning person. My daughter ended up living for 2 years in France, one of which was in Paris. She spent the other 5 in England.

So, it will not take you half a day each for the travel back and forth. As you are staying just one night, you don't even need luggage. You will have a nice 12 hours out and about each day/evening. I would suggest you treat this as an overview for your return. Unless you have a particular need or interest to see the Louvre, don't. If you love art, there are many small museums in Paris for a taste. My favorite is the Rhodin Museum (watch Camille Claudel before you go), but there are many lovely small, easy museums, but I wouldn't on the first trip. You will be arriving at Gare du Nord. I suggest you head right down to the Seine and enjoy the walking between the Eiffel Tower (don't go up) and the Louvre (just don't go in) or vice versa. Find neighborhoods and check out a pattiserie, a fromagerie and a boulangerie...as many as you want! Beautiful windows. At the bottom of the Champs Elysee, near Trocadero (well classic view of the Eiffel Tower) and the Seine is the area that was the World's Fair in the late 19th century. I enjoy picking out the buildings (nerd that I can be). Take the Metro to Arc de Triomphe, and if you want a view, go up. Near the Arc, a bit, is Parc Monceau, a lovely neighborhood park. Last time I was there, had a lovely sandwich from the truck/stand in the park, LOL, Hit a street food market....there used to be one on Rue de Poncelot, but I haven't been there for years so see if it is still there...it was a true neighborhood market. There's also one on Rue de Levis, quite a ways on the other side of Park Monceau. If you don't want to walk, learn the buses. For a direct trip to start, take the Metro.

The next day, I'd spend time in Montmartre, perhaps before you leave on the train as it is relatively near Gare de Nord. Sit on the steps and watch the sunset and the lights come on...and a view of the smaller appearing ET. This after exploring the neighborhood behind the church, maybe go to that museum about the history of the area...name escapes me. Earlier in the day, you could hit up Notre Dame and the Latin Quarter (or rearrange and do this the day before). Make this trip more about touching on Paris, enjoying your strolling as Paris should be absorbed, not just seeing this and that, IMO. Walking Paris is a huge part. Don't hurry through, see what you have time to see, but experience being there...people watch, walk the streets with the lovely buildings, etc. and just go back someday for a more in-depth view. You might not get to all of this, depending on your energy, but two days of walking gets you a lot. At 71 now, I'd not do this much, but 15 years ago, no problem. And there are taxis also to help! So maybe I will do this again...I'll be there in 12 days!

So I will repeat DON'T go up the Eiffel Tower or go into the Louvre, this trip. I think it was my 4th trip that I finally went up the ET and it was not worth the bother...the better view is of the ET. IMO YMMV. Have a great trip. (And the train is soooo much more pleasant than the flight, particularly where you will already be in London.)

So I will repeat DON'T go up the Eiffel Tower or go into the Louvre, this trip.

I agree with this wholeheartedly.

On a short trip like the OP is proposing, I would spend ALL of my time outdoors, walking the neighborhoods, taking in the sights, sounds, etc. Paris is a place to be "experienced", not to spend limited time in a crowded museum or standing in line to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower.

Steve,
What Wray and JoJoRabbit said.

Take the elevator up Montparnasse Tower and get a birds eye view of Paris with the Eiffel Tower in view.

And I say, do what you want to do and if that includes the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, go for it. I like your idea of just bringing a backpack for an overnight. I did that once, but in a different country and it worked out great.

I went to Paris this February for a week. Regarding the Eiffel tower, since we did not know what the weather would be like, we bought our tickets the same day. But, we didn't take the elevator, but walked up the stairs. Only waited for maybe 15 mins for those tickets. It really wasn't that bad walking to the 2nd level. We saw kids and grandparents doing the same thing. So, that could be an option. I thought going up was worth it. Walking up was half the fun. And I really liked the Louvre, it was my favorite museum. Actually spent over 8 hours in that place (went in the morning on one of those days where it is open late). I would go up the Arch de Triomphe at night to see the Eiffel tower all lit up. That's what we did.

Edit to add: If only going up the Eiffel Tower for the view, I understand why others say to skip it. For me, it wasn't about the view, but the structure itself. It's pretty cool to look at the construction of the tower while walking up the steps. Personally, I don't think you get the full impact just by taking an elevator up.

Steve,
The walk up the Eiffel Tower is to the second level, not the top. You have to buy a ticket for the elevator to go all the way up. I do agree that if you have a long wait on a short trip to Paris, there are many better ways to spend your time. The ET is magnificent from below as you walk around it, or from the Trocadero as well.

Steve (who lives on the other cape): Your trip is exactly what I did on my daughter's first trip to Europe over a school vacation when she was 15...many years ago. It was easy and efficient

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I do appreciate it very much.

(Waves towards Cape Ann) Hi, Wray! Thank you for the ideas, especially heading to the Trocidéro for the pictures of the Eiffel Tower, never would have thought of that.

I agree with you and others that Paris is city that needs to be walked to enjoy it.

I would go up the Arch de Triomphe at night to see the Eiffel tower all lit up. That's what we did.

Love this idea. Thanks!

Group what you want to see by proximity. Allocate the day with the most hours to Louvre, Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle.

Allocate the other day to Eiffel and Triumph. Look into using Bateau Bus to get around which also can double as a seine cruise. For lunch, I would do picnics by the Eiffel and Louvre gardens.

I personally would not waste my time lining up to go up the tower as that takes too much time. I would do that with Arc. Also make sure you reserve with time slots wherever possible.

Paris is my favourite city in the world and have visited it 7 or 8 times. 3 of those were on 24 hour layovers (anytime my flight takes me on a Paris stop, I try to make it 24hr where possible). For those trips, I tend to only do 1 thing indoors and just stroll around the rest. It is almost always either Louvre, Notre Dame or D'Orsay. Of course, I have been on longer trips and have seen most attractions more than once so it is different but I always just by the seine neighborhoods.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower and Arc don’t take a lot of time if you don’t go up them. I went up the tower 55 (YIKES) years ago when there weren’t the long lines. I didn’t go up last year and don’t plan on it this next trip.

I’m planning on 2 hours for the Louvre next trip which is with my wife, son, and DIL. on the first trip with my wife, we just saw the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory and left. I was quite surprised because my wife is much more of an art student than I am.

We saw Sacre Coeur for the first time but my wife’s knee tefused to climb all the steps to the church. This trip I planned a walking tour of Montmartre that starts at a metro stop higher on the hill so I’m hopeful that we can see a lot without much uphill going. Several good Youtube videos on exploring the area.