By Madhusree Das
London and Paris are two of Europe’s most popular travel destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Both cities are very different, but as the capitals of the respective countries – England and France – you can be assured that the two are filled with history, culture, architecture, attractions, and great food to say the least. And, it’s easier than ever to travel between London and Paris with several options to choose from. Short, direct flights from all main London airports leave to Paris every day or you might consider getting on the Eurostar train through the channel tunnel. If you’re not pushed for time, you can even find coach journeys between the two capitals. If you’re planning a week in London and Paris, one of the biggest decisions to make is where you’re going to go and what you’re going to see.
#1. London: Bus Tours:
When you’re trying to cram in as much of London and Paris as you can in just one week, bus tours are a great way to make sure that you get to see as much of each city as possible. In London, the ‘Hop-On, Hop-Off’ buses are a great way to see the city and with regular buses on the route, you can easily get around the city and get off at the attractions that you want to spend a little more time at. Choose a route that takes you past all of the main sites, so that you can be sure to see them all even if you don’t have the time to get off and explore a site further. Be sure to see the big attractions like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Pauls Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.
#2. London: The London Eye:
Taking a ride on the London Eye is a super-touristy thing to do when you’re in the city, but you certainly won’t regret it, especially if it is your first time in London. Experience an unforgettable thrill when you look down onto the London skyline, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The London Eye is close to Westminster and the Houses of Parliament, so if you’re taking a bus tour it’s ideally located for a stop-off. The ride itself is not too long, so it’s easy to squeeze into a whistle-stop tour of England’s capital.
#3. London: Shopping:
Finally, once you’ve seen all the main sights and attractions, you need to experience shopping in London. Covent Garden is a prime shopping and dining area located in the West End. You can find a wide range of shops from market stalls to boutiques and high-end brands. Also, there are numerous restaurants including several in Apple Market.
#4. Paris: Bus Tours:
Once you travel from London to Paris by high-speed train, one of the best ways to see the top sights and attractions in the city is once again by bus tour. Buses stop right outside Paris Gare du Nord, where you can buy a ticket and hop on to take a tour around all the main attractions in the city including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral and many more. You can find out about bus tours and more at https://triptile.com/france.
#5. Paris: Eiffel Tower:
There is no more famous attraction in Paris than the Eiffel Tower, so it’s well worth sticking around and spending more time here. You can climb the Eiffel Tower by way of stairs or the elevator – in general, the queue for the stairs is much shorter. If you plan to take the elevator, it’s worth booking your tickets in advance and if you’re pushed for time, you can buy skip the line tickets.
What’s on your London-Paris itinerary?
