My Honest Thoughts After a Day Trip from London

Earlier this week I did something a little spontaneous - I got the Eurostar to Paris at the crack of dawn and was back home and in bed by 10:30pm the same evening.

A day trip to Paris from London might sound ambitious, but with the Eurostar it’s surprisingly easy. In fact, after trying several ways of travelling between the UK and France over the years - flying, the ferry, the Eurotunnel and the Eurostar - the train is by far my favourite way to get there.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a day trip to Paris is actually worth it, here are my honest thoughts after trying it for myself.

Getting to Paris from London: Why the Eurostar is the Best Option

The Eurostar from London to Paris really is one of the easiest international journeys you can make. The train runs from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare du Nord and takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, which often ends up being quicker than flying once you factor in airport security and travel time.

What I love most about the Eurostar is how stress-free it feels. Once you’ve checked in and gone through passport control, it honestly just feels like boarding any other train.

For this trip we decided to try Eurostar Plus on the way out and Standard on the way back so we could compare.

Eurostar Plus does offer:

• more spacious seating
• a small meal and drinks served at your seat (in our case this was coffee, juice, a pastry and yoghurt compote bowl for breakfast)
• a quieter carriage atmosphere

But if I’m being honest, Standard was absolutely fine too. The seats were comfortable, the journey was smooth and it still felt like a relaxed experience.

Our tickets cost £119 per person return, which I thought was very reasonable for a quick trip to Paris. We found holding out for a seat sale a great way to save pennies, and managed to upgrade to Plus for £15 each on the way out.

Can You Really See Paris in a Day?

We took the 6am Eurostar from London and the 6pm train back to the UK.

In hindsight, I might choose a slightly later train home next time, just to squeeze in a longer dinner or a glass of wine in the evening. But even with these timings, we managed to fit a surprising amount into the day.

You could easily:

• enjoy a leisurely brunch in Paris
• explore several neighbourhoods
• visit some iconic sights
• stop for coffee and pastries
• finish with an early dinner before heading back

It’s definitely a full day, but it never felt rushed.

Getting Around Paris for the Day

Paris is a wonderful city for walking, but the Paris Metro makes it very easy to travel between areas quickly.

We used a combination of walking and the Metro, and the total cost for transport was less than €15 for the entire day.

By the end of the trip we had clocked up around 25,000 steps, helped along by beautiful blue skies and warm spring sunshine - the perfect conditions for wandering through the city.

Things to Do on a Day Trip to Paris

Even with limited time, there are some sights you simply can’t miss.

Here were a few of my favourite moments from the day.-

Sacré-Cœur and the Streets of Montmartre

We began the day with a visit to Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, which is always a magical place to start a Paris morning.

The walk up through the narrow cobbled streets is beautiful, with charming cafés, artists and little bakeries dotted along the way. At the top you’re rewarded with one of the most breathtaking views across Paris.

On the way up we stopped at a small local bakery full of every pastry you could imagine - the perfect start to the day.

There really is nothing quite like a fresh croissant and coffee in Paris first thing in the morning.

Coffee at Noir Café

One of the places I had been particularly excited to visit was Noir Café.

I’d first seen it on Instagram a year or two ago, and as often happens with places that become popular online, I worried it might not live up to the hype.

But thankfully it absolutely did.

The coffee was excellent, the space was charming and relaxed, and it still felt like a genuine Parisian neighbourhood café rather than a tourist hotspot.

If you’re looking for good coffee - or hot chocolate - in Paris, I would definitely recommend stopping here.

Noir Café
33 Rue Richer
75009 Paris

The Stunning Dome at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann

No visit to Paris feels complete without a stop at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann.

Even if you’re not planning on shopping, it’s worth stepping inside simply to admire the extraordinary glass dome and beautiful architecture.

Standing beneath the colourful stained glass ceiling is always a bit of a “wow” moment, and the rooftop terrace also offers another fantastic view across the Paris skyline.

Finding the Perfect Eiffel Tower Photo Spot

Of course, you can’t visit Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower.

We managed to find a lovely spot that wasn’t too overcrowded, framed beautifully by classic Haussmann-style buildings and a marble monument.

If you’re looking for a quieter photo location, this viewpoint worked perfectly.

Avenue de Camoens
75116 Paris

Marché des Enfants Rouges: A Foodie Stop in Paris

One highlight for food lovers is Marché des Enfants Rouges, the oldest covered food market in Paris.

Unlike traditional French restaurants, the atmosphere here is lively and informal. Inside you’ll find a wonderful mix of cuisines, from Moroccan and Japanese to classic French dishes.

We spotted some incredible freshly made crêpes filled with everything from chocolate to savoury cheeses, and it’s a brilliant place to stop for a relaxed lunch.

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The Joy of Exploring Paris on Foot

One of the best things about Paris is simply wandering.

Walking through the city you constantly stumble across:

• beautiful hidden courtyards
• charming cafés
• little bakeries
• flower shops
• historic streets

These unexpected moments are often what make a Paris day trip feel so special.

Is a Day Trip to Paris Worth It?

So, is one day in Paris enough?

Of course not.

Paris is a city you could spend weeks exploring and still discover something new every day.

But is it worth visiting Paris for the day from London?

Absolutely.

With the Eurostar making the journey so quick and easy, it’s entirely possible to enjoy a wonderful taste of the city - good coffee, delicious food, beautiful streets and iconic landmarks - all in just one day.

And if anything, a day trip to Paris will probably just leave you wanting to come back again very soon.

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