7 Days: London & Paris

Arrive in London and settle into your hotel near King's Cross/St. Pancras (strategically chosen for the later Eurostar departure). Start at Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard ceremony (11am, check schedule — not daily in winter). Walk through St. James's Park to Westminster Abbey (£29) — where every monarch since 1066 has been crowned. Cross the road to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben for the quintessential London photo. Walk along the South Bank of the Thames past the London Eye (skip the ride — the views from below are free and nearly as good), past the brutalist National Theatre, to Borough Market for lunch. This is London's oldest food market — try a steak sandwich from Ginger Pig, Turkish gozleme, and a fresh doughnut from Bread Ahead.

Meal Budget: Borough Market lunch (£12-20) + Southwark dinner (£20-35)

Start at the Tower of London (£33, book ahead) — 1,000 years of history, the Crown Jewels, and Beefeater-guided tours that are equal parts history lesson and comedy show. Cross Tower Bridge (free, walk across the glass floor exhibition for £12.50) and grab a coffee on the South Bank. After lunch, spend the afternoon at the British Museum (free) — the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Egyptian mummies, and the stunning Great Court. This is one of the world's greatest museums and it costs nothing to enter. In the evening, head to the West End for a show. Book same-day discounted tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square (up to 50% off) — Hamilton, Les Miserables, and The Mousetrap are all excellent choices. Post-theatre dinner in Soho — Chinatown is steps away for affordable late-night dining.

Meal Budget: South Bank lunch (£12-18) + Soho/Chinatown dinner (£15-25)

Morning at the National Gallery (free) in Trafalgar Square — Van Gogh's Sunflowers, Turner's sea paintings, and the entire Italian Renaissance collection. Walk through Covent Garden (free street performers) and have lunch at a Neal's Yard restaurant — the colorful courtyard is Instagram gold. Afternoon in Hyde Park — rent a deckchair (£1.80), row a boat on the Serpentine, and visit the Diana Memorial Fountain. If weather permits, walk through Kensington Gardens to the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. Evening in Notting Hill — browse the antique shops on Portobello Road (full market on Saturdays), dinner at a Notting Hill gastropub, and a pint at a local pub.

Meal Budget: Neal's Yard lunch (£15-22) + Notting Hill gastropub dinner (£20-35)

Choose your own adventure today. Option A: Day trip to Stonehenge and Bath (£69-85, full day tour). The mysterious 5,000-year-old stone circle followed by the elegant Roman spa city with its Georgian architecture and thermal baths. Option B: Stay in London and visit the Tate Modern (free) for contemporary art, walk across the Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral (£21, climb to the Whispering Gallery), and explore the historic pubs of Bankside and Southwark. Either way, tonight is your London farewell dinner. Splurge on a rooftop restaurant near the Shard, or keep it real at a proper London curry house on Brick Lane. Pack and prepare for tomorrow's Eurostar to Paris.

Meal Budget: Varies by option + farewell dinner (£25-50)

Check out of your London hotel and head to St. Pancras International station. The Eurostar departs frequently (book in advance for best prices, from £39-78 one-way). The 2h15 journey whisks you through the Kent countryside, under the English Channel, and into the Gare du Nord in central Paris. Check into your Paris hotel — we recommend Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Pres. Your first Parisian afternoon: walk along the Seine, cross Pont Neuf (Paris's oldest bridge), and explore Ile de la Cite. Visit Sainte-Chapelle (€13) — the 13th-century stained glass is the most beautiful in Paris and often overlooked by tourists. First dinner in Paris should be a classic bistro experience: French onion soup, steak frites, and a glass of Cotes du Rhone. Welcome to France.

Meal Budget: Station breakfast (£8-12) + Bistro dinner (€25-40)

Early morning at the Eiffel Tower (€35 summit, book ahead). The views from the top — the Arc de Triomphe, Sacre-Coeur, the Seine snaking through the city — are worth every cent. Descend and walk through the Champ de Mars to Rue Cler, a charming market street perfect for assembling a French picnic: baguette, cheese, charcuterie, and a split of wine. Eat in the Champ de Mars gardens with the tower behind you. Afternoon at the Musee d'Orsay (€18) — the world's greatest Impressionist collection housed in a grand Beaux-Arts railway station. Do not miss the impressionist galleries on the top floor with their skylight-lit rooms. Evening in Montmartre — climb to Sacre-Coeur for sunset over Paris, explore the artists' square at Place du Tertre, and have dinner at a candlelit restaurant on a cobblestone side street.

Meal Budget: Rue Cler picnic (€12-18) + Montmartre dinner (€25-40)

Your final day demands the Louvre (€22, book timed entry). Even with 3 hours, you can only scratch the surface — prioritize the "Big Three" (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace), then wander through whichever wing calls to you. The Egyptian antiquities and the Napoleon III apartments are spectacular and far less crowded. Exit through the Tuileries Garden and walk up the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe (€16 to climb to the rooftop for the best view of the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower). For your farewell lunch, try a traditional Parisian brasserie — seafood platters, duck confit, or a perfectly executed sole meuniere. If your flight is in the evening, there is time for a final stroll through the Luxembourg Gardens or a last espresso at Cafe de Flore. Au revoir, Paris.

Meal Budget: Museum cafe breakfast (€8-12) + Brasserie farewell lunch (€30-50)

• A compact umbrella and waterproof jacket (essential for London, useful in Paris)
• Comfortable walking shoes — both cities reward walking over driving
• An adapter: UK uses Type G (three-prong), France uses Type C/E (two-prong) — bring both or a universal
• Smart-casual outfit for West End theatre (no strict dress code but jeans and trainers feel underdressed)
• A scarf for Paris churches and cooler evenings
• Oyster card for London (or use contactless payment) and buy a Navigo or carnet in Paris
• Cross-body bag for security in crowded tourist areas
• Portable phone charger — long sightseeing days drain batteries fast

• Book the Eurostar 2-3 months in advance for the best prices — fares triple closer to departure.
• In London, start with free museums (British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern) and save paid attractions for specific days.
• Buy a London Oyster card at any Tube station — it caps your daily fare and saves money over single tickets.
• In Paris, never order "tourist menu" meals near major landmarks — walk two blocks away for authentic food at half the price.
• Learn basic French greetings: "Bonjour" (hello), "Merci" (thanks), "S'il vous plait" (please). Parisians respond much better when you try.
• The London Pass is only worth it if you plan to visit 3+ paid attractions in 2-3 days. Otherwise, buy individual tickets.
• For West End shows, the TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day discounted tickets. Queue opens at 10am.
• Paris Metro tickets are now loaded onto Navigo Easy cards — paper tickets are being phased out.