My husband and I are planning a trip March 2025. We plan on flying to Paris and staying for one or two nights, then taking the train to London. We would like to stay in an area that is walkable to the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and near the Seine. We both are able to walk long distances easily but would also like a hotel not far from these locations and also nearby dining options.
We would appreciate any suggestions. We have taken RS tours the past two years, and this will be our first unguided adventure.
Also any advice on the taking the train to London would be great!
Thanks in advance.
Allison
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7003 posts
Also any advice on the taking the train to London would be great!
Buy a ticket. Don't use any third parties, buy them from www.eurostar.com. And buy them in advance, they can get expensive if you buy them last minute. And make sure you show up in time before departure since there is a small security check and passport checks.
Posted by
OP
GA
14 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
3996 posts
Maybe stay in the area between the Pont Royal and the Eiffel Tower. You will have about a 30-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame and be near the Seine. I like the Hotel d'Orsay and Hotel de Lille in that area. If you are willing to be a little bit further south, Hotel de Varenne is a good choice but the walk to the river and Notre Dame will be a bit longer.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33887 posts
When you reach the Eurostar check-in upstairs at Gare du Nord you will first be in a queue, then through the ticket checking gates, then airport style security check without most of the restrictions, then French exit border control (have your passports out), then UK Border Force entry border control (still have your passports out), all of which takes time. You will be told what is the minimum check-in time, and if you are late you won't go.
The advantage of front loading all that before you leave is when you get to the other end, St Pancras International, you just walk through the appropriate coloured door for something to declare at Customs or nothing to declare, and then the long walk down the ramps to the frosted doors which will open, and you are in London! If you are hungry after the short journey (don't forget to set your watches back an hour) there is almost anything you can imagine to eat and drink in the station, including a very long champagne bar.
Buy your Eurostar tickets as soon as you know for sure when you are going, the prices only go one way and it isn't down.
Posted by
OP
GA
14 posts
Thank you for the great information! It really helps to have the hotel recommendations.
And having the train station procedures lessens the stress of going somewhere for the first time!