Would you choose Paris or London for 50th Birthday get away?

I would wrestle with this mightily and let transportation ease be the deciding factor. If London be faster, more comfortable, better priced, most convenient timing, then London. Should it be the City of Light, then Paris. I have been to both and each are well and truly world-class. My personal ranking has London 1 with Paris 2. Enjoy making your choice and happy travels.

Happy birthday (early). I love Paris and it screams special celebration for me but I am going to say go to London. It's more easily accessible I think for a 3-day trip because of the language.

I would vote for Paris. While I love London and will be spending a month there this June for a few days I would choose Paris. Splurge on a dinner reservations (I can't help with this as I travel on my own and don't go to fancy resturants). Maybe even a boat cruise at night. Have lunch in cafe's, visit a museum and take in the view Eiffel Tower at night. You may even find a concert one night. I usually google church concerts and find one in most European cities.

This is my vote but you can't go wrong with either. I spent my 50th on a Rick Steves tour in Portugal which was perfect. No need for a big party (we did have a cake) but it was fun to celebrate in Europe.

Have a great birthday either way

That's like asking what type of pie should I eat.....blueberry or peach? You will get answers voting for each. What really matters is what you would prefer.

You will get many many answers depending on peoples likes. I went for a long weekend to London bug I had already been there before so didn't feel the need to run around and see the sights.

I'd go with weather and more importantly airfare.

And happy birthday from a November baby.. Fall birthdays are always the best

Ditto what Frank II said.

Since this is a double celebration consider adding at least a couple of days to your trip!

Happy early birthday and anniversary!

We celebrated our 50th by taking the Rick Steves 21 Day Best of Europe tour. And as a bonus, my 70th birthday fell during the tour, as well. The tour ended in Paris, which is one of the most romantic cities in the world. I vote Paris.

Assuming you can do a direct flight to both, I would recommend Paris. I love both cities immensely but Paris has something extra for a special occasion. I too chose to be there for a birthday a few years back.

You need five nights for Paris and even more for London. If I had four nights (three days) I would choose Amsterdam, Prague, Krakow, Barcelona, Madrid or Lisbon.

I chose Amsterdam and London for my 50th birthday! A week in each.

Well, I went to Paris for my 40th (also in October, but back in the late 90's) so I think it is a wonderful city for a milestone birthday celebration. I'm hoping to return for the 4th time in April. Happy early birthday!

I would choose Paris. London felt more hectic to me. A quick trip to Paris in the fall sounds just lovely. Don’t feel obligated to “see everything”. Maybe do a tour in a vintage car to see all the highlights. We took a nighttime tour many years ago. One of the highlights was driving around the arc de Triomphe. Crazy!

My husband and I are also celebrating our 50th birthdays and 25th anniversary this year! (It’s hard to believe it since I don’t feel a day over 27).

Well France is my favorite country (so far) so I vote for Paris. It also exudes romance and celebration more than London, although it too is a fascinating city. I agree with the thought of not trying to do too much-although three full days can allow you experience the top sights. Goodness, just strolling the city streets with the fabulous architecture and dining in amazing restaurants and cafes is a treat alone! Happy Birthday and Anniversary!

Given a choice for this auspicious occasion between these two, I vote for Paris, obviously. C'est ça Paris !

By my count it's 7-2 for Paris so far. I'll make it 7-3. London, always London. The Tower, Hampton Court Palace, Westminster Abbey, museums that aren't all about art. London.

I had my 40th and 60th bdays in Paris :-) I took my niece for her 18th birthday (which was a month prior to my 50th). I went to Paris with a friend for her 50th. Had my honeymoon and 33rd bday in London. I vote PARIS hands down if you can only do one :-)

Having done long weekend trips from the US to both in the last few years, I think London worked better (I did it as a 30th bday getaway) although both were fun for 3 day trips!

Paris. While London has much to recommend it, Paris is truly a much different culture. It has an exuberance for life, that famous joie de vivre, which cannot be felt in London. Take a Seine River cruise one night, but dine at a nice restaurant for your special celebration. I have been to Paris 5 or 6 times and celebrated my 50th birthday there. I can't wait to go back this fall prior to a RS Loire tour. This is your first trip, but not your last. So, take care of one or two "must dos" like the Louvre or Eiffel Tower and leave the rest for the another trip.

Another Paris vote! There is just something magical about Paris, and there are so many options for fun celebrations. Dine at a restaurant with an Eiffel Tower view and watch her sparkle at night!

I would pick Paris. Since it’s a different language, it will seem more special in my opinion, to be there. Take an evening cruise of the Seine to see the Eiffel Tower twinkle on-the-hour from the water. And make a reservation to go up the tower a different night to see the city go from daylight to the night lit by lights.

Do you have any hobbies that could be enhanced during your birthday trip? Art lover, take a pastry class, etc.? I find those make the trip even more memorable, and it reminds me of my trip each time I make croissants again. ( I took a class at La Cuisine.)

Hands down, I would recommend Paris! https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiF-MDO0db8AhWHHTQIHU63DUUQFnoECAwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftohavetohost.com%2Fa-50th-birthday-in-paris-the-city-of-light%2F&usg=AOvVaw0eI4KvIVKlAgO6Uv8FZmAK

In Italy & Switzerland, you enjoyed ...

"history, the architecture, shopping, food, shopping, culture, cafes, scenery"

In London, the history will be more accessible for reasons of language and cultural connections between US and UK, though there are 'French Connections,' as well.

Paris hands down for dining and cafes.

Culture ... not sure exactly what you mean, though both cities have museums galore. With the Louvre and the d'Orsay, I'd give the nod to Paris, though Anglophiles would say the British Museum is incomparable ... especially if you are interested in the historic pieces from Greece and Egypt and the ancient middle east.

Smaller museums ... Paris: Carnavalet, Orangerie, and Museum of the Art and History of Judaism. London: Wallace Collection and Sir John Soane's House. Plus, there are a host of larger museums in both cities that I have not mentioned. I mention these smaller museums because there is something special about such often overlooked gems.

Bookstores, music, theater are cultural things you might explore on the internet, but since you will only be in either city for 3 days, your time to enjoy those will likely be limited to a single night of music (or a play?) somewhere that you will probably only find within days of your departure or while you are there, unless you start looking now for London theater or a classical symphony, opera or ballet in either city, this spring. (When we were in Prague, we went on-line to see who was playing in a jazz club that RS's guidebook recommended. The day we looked led my wife to look on You Tube; the performer that night did not suit her, but the next night's performers had a great video on You Tube. We were greatly pleased when we went there, the next night.)

You mentioned shopping, twice. Others will have to address that. Shopping is an incidental for me, though I did once pick up a great Italian cashmere overcoat in Rome (which I then lugged all over Italy, north of Rome). Both London and Paris have world class department stores. Paris, of course, has Parisian fashion houses like Dior and Chanel, while London has Savile Row.

As to architecture, these two cities are quite different, but for architecture, I'd give the nod to Barcelona and Prague. Scenery: Paris over London; Lucerne over either.

Bonnes vacances! Heureux anniversaires (x 2)!

Have you seen this recent Paris vs. London talk? https://youtu.be/7OxZQ12GII8

We spent a week in each and loved them both, but I'd vote for Paris unless the travel to London is much easier/faster.

Another vote, absolutely Paris! I love them both, but when you are talking about special celebrations, Paris with its food and desserts would be the place to be. There is something about the romantic, magical energy there that screams, we are doing something special! Unless, getting there eats too much into your vacation time, you will always be happy you went there.

I love both with perhaps Paris having the edge. BUT, I'm going to agree with Theresa who posted first...I'd go with whichever has the easiest and least expensive flights. Treat yourself to First/Business class if you can!

Having said that I'm headed to both in April - 10 nights in Paris and 8 in London. I never run out of things to do in either city!

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!

Thank you so much for all the opinions and suggestions! So much fun stuff to think about and plan! I actually had always said I’d celebrate my 30th birthday in Paris, instead I was 9 months pregnant then and we just went to dinner close to home. Then I said Paris for my 40th…but we had young kids and it just wasn’t the right time. So then I’m thinking Definitely Paris for my 50th…and then yesterday I started looking into airfare…ugh, why is it so expensive to fly to Paris?? I can fly from JFK, Newark, Philly…nonstop flights to Paris are all around $1100. Meanwhile direct flights to London are around $500. I’m really surprised there’s such a huge difference! So definitely something to think about there…luckily we have time before anything needs to be booked so I hope the fares will come down a bit. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts with me!

I have to say if you have been dreaming about a milestone birthday in Paris for that many years (and you can afford the higher plane fare), I encourage you to finally do it. Life is too short to delay too many of our dreams. (Read Jamie Beck’s new book, An American in Provence. She was on a plane with significant turbulence and as an anxious flyer, her first thought was ‘now I’ll never live in France for a year’. She vowed that if all was fine with her flight, she would fulfil the dream.)

Even though I am team London for this trip (not for my life, for my life I am totally team Paris), I think that since you have been thinking about going to Paris for 20 years, you should go to Paris. It's $1,200 more for two but since you have been thinking about it for 20 years think of it as $30 per year over the years. In the scheme of things, unless you absolutely cannot afford it, go for it.

Have you considered flying to London, then catching a flight on one of the European airlines to Paris? You would likely be able to go Lon-Par round-trip for less than $100 /person. If you have any sort of layover, grab a nice cup of tea and enjoy the London vibe. I remember a couple of my trips to Paris where I'd just be sitting in the lobby waiting to get into my room on that first morning anyway.

As you said, "I can fly from JFK, Newark, Philly…nonstop flights to Paris are all around $1100. Meanwhile direct flights to London are around $500."

Air fares are a drag. Look at NY/Newark (or Phil.) to Paris via London. That will only add about 3 to 3-1/2 hours each way; up to two hours at Heathrow plus 60 to 80 minutes for the flight to Paris. A lot for a 5 day trip (3 days in Paris; two days of travel), but its worth a look. Or, conceivably, Aer Lingus via Dublin or Icelandic via Reykjavik?

Both LHR and CDG have good, cheap train service from the airport into the respective cities.

Life is short. Go to Paris. You never know what life has in store to once again prevent you from going.

Now that you've revealed that you've thought about Paris for 30 and 40, I'd go to Paris. You don't want something you've "settled" on and feel like it's 2nd best. To me London's not 2nd best but I do love Paris, lol! (And I'm not a city gal!!)

If it is any comfort at all....those of us who fly from the West Coast often start with a bast of $1400-1500 for anywhere in Europe and it goes up from there. So...just pretend you are flying from North Idaho and have gotten a deal on airfare to Paris! And DON'T keep looking after you buy!

I'm old enough to be your Mom but looking back to 2020 and even before I'm not putting things off that I really want to do/see/experience.

You could also look into flying into London and go directly to grab the Chunnel to Paris. Just a thought. I did that once but I had stayed 2 nights in London before we took the Chunnel (which was easy).

When I went to Paris for my 60th, I’d already been to Paris many, many times already, but that’s where I wanted to go. (Of course, my bday is in January and prices are less). We rented a beautiful 1 bedroom apartment overlooking Pont Neuf and while it was well over my “fun” range in terms of cost, we did it anyway and haven’t regretted a single euro. That view morning and night more than made the trip special. We still talk about it, a year later.

All that to say — money comes and goes and you really won’t miss it. Go to Paris if that’s where you want to go!

I’m with you, Pam — go! Go! Go! Our mantra these days is “Nothing is promised - GO!”

I'm old enough to be your Mom but looking back to 2020 and even before I'm not putting things off that I really want to do/see/experience.

You know, Pam, as someone a wee bit older than you are, I didn't need to see this!

You only have three days. Do NOT take a connecting flight to Paris via London. No matter how quick the flight, it will add several hours each way when you factor in the layover. You have no time to spare. It also increases the risk of a flight problem, missed connection, etc. I wouldn’t do the Eurostar either.

I’m in the Paris camp, but with that kind of price differential, I’d probably go to London. You couldn’t decide before, so I’d think the money would swing you to London. It depends on how much you value $1000.

The important thing is you can’t go wrong with either!

Another encouraging “nudge” for Paris. You’ll only celebrate your 50th birthday once! Like Pam, I love Paris (even tho my favorite places are anywhere with mountains). But Paris is for strolling, sitting at an outdoor cafe, eating macarons, and searching for the best views of the Eiffel Tower.
Go for it. In years to come, you’ll wonder why you hesitated.
I too could be your mom (in fact our daughter turns 50 this year),….so listen to your “moms.” 😊

are you sure about that airfare difference? perhaps it's different from LAX but for us, Paris and London are equivalent most of the time.

You really need to rethink the 3 day thing, it's almost not worth the effort.

Jane!!!! LOL!! "You know, Pam, as someone a wee bit older than you are, I didn't need to see this!"

Carol!!! That made me laugh too.... "I too could be your mom (in fact our daughter turns 50 this year),….so listen to your “moms.” 😊"

BTW, I spent my 50th AND my 70th in the place of my heart, Yellowstone. For my 50th I even remember what hike I did! The only reason I chose Yellowstone over Paris is that my birthday is in mid-August and it's just too hot in Paris then. At least with Yellowstone if it's hot during the day it will cool off drastically during the night.

And yes, even for 3 days if it's a splurge for a really special occasion I'd say it's worth it!

YOU GO GIRL! We spent our 44th wedding anniversary in Paris, our 50th anniversary in Central Europe. Memories we will always treasure. No regrets. À votre santé!

I think this is what roubrat was referring to above: go to YouTube and watch the Monday Night Travel episode from about a month ago where 4 tour guides debate whether London or Paris is the best city. They made it fun, showed lots of pictures, and semi-seriously debated museums, cuisine, night life, etc. Even if you've already made up your mind, this is a fun way to enjoy the travel planning phase. Happy, Happy Bday, whichever place you select!

When you’re talking about exorbitant airfare and you’re only going for four nights wait until you have at least two weeks and fly in and out of Paris and London.

Whatever you choose have an amazing time. We are finally doing Paris after 4 visits to Italy and I’m still sad I’m not doing Italy again. It’s our 20 year wedding anniversary. I was hoping to squeeze London in we have never been to either place but we are saving London for another time. Excited to visit a new place.

Here's a link to the Monday Night Travel Paris/London Smackdown. Do watch it; it's a hoot.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/travel-classes/monday-night-travel/paris-vs-london

I mentioned above that we did the 21 Day BOE to celebrate our 50th; as it happens, we'll be celebrating our 55th in Portugal, again, on a Rick Steves tour. Maybe back to Paris for our 60th? Lol.

For my birthday, we combined London and Leiden,The Netherlands. It was perfect! I like both London and Paris, but would choose London.

I went to Paris for my 50th, it was my second time there and more since.

Whichever you choose, enjoy.

My vote has to be Paris, though I have been to both cities at least a dozen times for brief trips and enjoy both. For my 40th, I asked DH to take me to Paris for three nights, and we had the most magnificent, special trip! Just don’t try to do too much. Take time to enjoy cafe life, a neighborhood restaurant, a shop that catches your eye. Walk everywhere possible (very doable in Paris) and simply soak up the ambiance. Go to a rooftop viewpoint at night to see just how beautiful the city is. Ah, Paris.

Seeing this question made me smile. Last year, we went on Paris & Heart of France tour in April for my 50th then Athens & Heart of Greece tour in October for husband’s 50th.

Whatever you do, what a way to celebrate! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!!!

I would definitely choose Paris! The architecture, food, streets, museums, etc. are amazing!

Have the best trip ever!!

Both are great cities. Paris. You can hang in Montmarte, hang out at a cafe, just the overall vibe- as a woman I would prefer Paris over London. Walk along the Siene. Buy yourself a Hermes Scarf to celebrate. I have a milestone too coming up and I was just telling my husband I'd love to be in Paris for it. In the meantime, Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary.