When planning our first visit to London and Paris I wondered if we really could fit exploring both of these amazing places into just 6 days (allowing 2 more days for flying). Well, I’m happy to say we did it, and now I’m happy to share all the details with you. We honestly chose 6 days based on the simple fact that we have 3 kids and school/work schedules to keep in mind. That’s most people, right?
When to Go and How to Get There (on a budget)
Here are some tips for planning your trip. First things first. When to go, What to reserve beforehand, and How to get there.
When to Go? If you’re looking to save money- winter (November- February) is your best bet. Then you also get the benefit of smaller crowds at each museum and restaurant, better prices on Hotels, you get the picture. I honestly didn’t hate the colder temperatures, I just wore 3 layers (Florida girl here). Plus, the Eiffel tower lit up in winter was breathtaking. I’m not going to lie, Paris in spring is still on my list, but it’s Paris, It’s beautiful no matter the season.
Flights (From US to London)
Although we have traveled a decent bit, I hadn’t booked many flights, make that 0, flights to Europe. Thankfully I follow an amazing blogger who mentioned using Land Sky See for booking flights to Europe. After a quick visit to their website and entering a few details like where we wanted to go and how long we planned on staying, I had an email the next day with a quote for a nonstop flight to London. Soo was a joy to work with and I knew I could trust her to get us the best deal. They most often find flight deals in economy class seating , but are able to look up premium economy and business class upon request.
Hotels
When planning a trip, one thing to keep in mind is to reserve a Hotel that’s central to the places you want to visit. For example, although I love the Hotels in Paris with the Eiffel Tower in view, most of what we wanted to see was in a different area of town. So we chose a hotel in the 1st arrondissement close to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, and the River Seine, and then just took an Uber once to the Eiffel Tower. This way you’ll spend less on transportation, assuming walking is an option for you.
Getting Around
Gatwick Express (London)
For us, flights were cheaper to fly into Gatwick airport and choose another mode of transportation to get to London. We chose the Gatwick Express and paid around $30 for a ride to and from London for the ride home. TIP: buy online and save 10%.
Getting around In London– after we arrived in the city we really walked alot. On occasion we would Uber (even though the vintage style black taxis were adorable, they are typically more expensive). You can also use the “tube” aka the underground network, which is a budget friendly option.
Eurostar Train (From London to Paris)
One of the fastest ways to get from London to Paris (and places like Brussels and Amsterdam) is to take the Eurostar. The Eurostar is a high-speed railway service that connects London to amazing destinations. I would suggest booking these in advance as prices do seem to increase the closer you get to your departure. Make sure you also check out the 2 for 1 Esurostar deals for select museums and galleries In London and Paris.
Getting around in Paris (Metro, Uber, Walking)
Once we arrived at Paris Gare du Nord we were slightly bombarded by people offering taxis. We were warned to avoid these because of high prices. We walked a bit and took an uber to the Hotel. Word of warning, our uber experiences were mixed. Some great, some…not the level of caution I’d prefer. But, in all honestly no one was driving super cautiously. So just hang on, walk, or take public transportation. We rarely used any kind of transportation in Paris and were able to walk to most of our destinations.
What To Pack
This is something I felt like a lot of the blog posts I read left out. So here is a quick list of things I found helpful or necessary.
- A European Adapter for electrical outlets. Our Hotels offered these upon request but they came in handy at airports and train stations, etc.
- Calm Tablets. I knew my anxiety was likely to be heightened during this trip. From the flight to possible protest in Paris, I just wanted something natural to take. I loved that it had so many good reviews on Amazon and I honestly think it did help calm me without making me tired or giving me any other side effects.
- Portable Phone Chargers. These were a must. With all the walking and exploring you do in London and Paris, your phone will die if you’re out all day. Especially if it’s searching for signal (like in the Eurostar from London to Paris). Speaking of phones- the main apps we used were yelp, google translate, and maps (although this was hit and miss). I’d recommend getting a paper map and paying attention to street names/signs.
- Travel Umbrella. Depending on when your visit is planned you are likely to encounter rain. This umbrella was a great size and held up well to wind.
- Last but not least- earplugs. I’m a light sleeper. The smallest noise can keep me from sleeping. I always like to book a Hotel that’s within walking distance to restaurants and attractions- which means that typically nights can be loud. Even more so in older hotels.
Where to Stay in London:
When looking for Hotels my husband and I prefer classic and historic over trendy and modern. You have a lot of the latter in London and Paris so we were so happy to find the Hotels we did that exuded character and traditional style. Because we had trimmed our budget in other ways on this trip, this was a great place to enjoy those savings.
Hotel 41
Our favorite Hotel of the trip was Hotel 41. The attention to detail and impeccable service on our behalf was above and beyond any Hotel we have stayed at in the past. Not to mention it’s chic architecture, classic black and white color combo, and central location. I’m pretty sure if Audrey Hepburn was staying in London this would be where she would stay. Once we arrived we were so kindly upgraded to one of the Junior Suites. Having my own set of black spindle stairs and personal fireplace felt oh so glamorous. A few of my favorite things:
- Complementary treats. I was amazed at how many extras were considered standard and complimentary. From the champagne bar when you first check in to the plethora of snacks and sweets available all day, and I especially loved the “Plunder the Pantry” option from 8pm-1am (hello ice cream at midnight). My only regret is not staying in the Hotel longer. You really could eat and lounge all day without stepping foot out of the Hotel, or adding to your bill.
- The little things. I’m a little things kind of gal. Simple gestures that make life easier and make a person feel cared for may be my love language. So when someone puts a hot water bottle under my sheets to welcome my cold feet from walking in 30 degree temps and places slippers beside the bed, I feel like a queen.
Rubens at the Palace
Just steps away from Hotel 41 is the Rubens at the Palace . Did I mention both Hotels are also just steps away from Buckingham Palace? So it’s no surprise they are also full of history. Both are currently owned by Red Carnation Hotels and come with a standard of service that really is second to none in my opinion. I loved the regal colors, friendly staff, and they also have great food and drink options in house.
Where to Stay: Paris
We only stayed at one hotel in Paris- Hotel Mansart. I’m a sucker for a balcony view. For that reason and because it was located within walking distance to the Louvre and Orsay, we chose the Mansart. The Staff were very accommodating and spoke English which was so helpful seeing as how our French learned via Youtube was subpar. It was an older Hotel and like most European Hotels the space is smaller than what is considered average in America. But, with a view like this, I honestly didn’t care. The towel warmers and doors that opened up to a private terrace from the bathroom and the bedroom had me pinching myself and falling more and more in love with Paris. Throw in bubble baths while listening to Moon River and I was certainly living my best French life.
The one issue we did have (reviews are only helpful if honest) is the temperature (heat) in our room was ultimately controlled by the Hotel. Which means if you don’t like the temperature, there’s not much you can do about it-except open your windows/doors. Which we did but that also increases the noise (thank you earplugs). Overall we did enjoy our stay but slept a little less than we would’ve liked.
Stay Tuned
Although I had planned to share everything is this post: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat, it’s a bit much for one post and I don’t want to leave anything out. So stay tuned to find out where to eat and drink in London and Paris. For example, where to have the perfect English afternoon tea, and the best onion soup you’ve had in your life in Paris. As well as how we squeezed in seeing all the major museums and historical landmarks on our list in just 6 days (including travel time from London to Paris). Au Revoir.
Looking for another winter escape? Check out our Castle stay in beautiful Banff Springs, Canada
