London vs Paris: which is the best city for a weekend getaway?

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Choosing between London or Paris

London and Paris: two European cities on many people’s wish lists for a weekend getaway. And rightly so, because both cities are bursting with sights, museums, nice restaurants and cozy cafes. But with so much to see and do, it can be hard to choose between these two metropolises.

In this blog post, I want to help you make that choice. Having visited both cities several times, I can tell you the ins and outs about London and Paris. That way you’ll find out which city better suits your interests and travel budget.

Let’s start with a brief overview of both cities:

• London: vibrant metropolis with a royal flair, iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London and Big Ben, a huge range of museums and theaters, and a multicultural atmosphere.
• Paris: city of love with a romantic ambience, famous sights such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, delicious French cuisine, and a chic atmosphere.

In this article, I will explore the different aspects of both cities, including sights, activities, food and drink, and atmosphere. That way you can make an informed choice for your perfect weekend getaway.

And remember: both cities are absolutely worth visiting. So who knows, maybe after reading this article you’ll go for not one, but two weekend getaways!

Accessibility

Both London and Paris are easily accessible from all over Europe by various means of transportation. Choosing the best mode of transportation depends on your budget, schedule, and travel preferences.

Train

• London: The Eurostar runs from Paris and Brussels to London St Pancras.
• Paris: Multiple high-speed trains go to Paris. You can reach the city from Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Cologne, and many other cities in Europe.

By plane

• London: London has multiple airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted & City Airport) and is therefore very well connected with most European cities and even many places outside of Europe.
• Paris: Flight connections are quite similar to London, but Paris has fewer airports. Still, it’s very easy to reach the French capital by plane.

The best way to visit London or Paris depends on your budget, schedule, and travel preferences. The train is comfortable and fast, but relatively expensive. Most of the time, flying is faster but it can be a hassle to reach the city from the airport, as the airports are located (far) away from the city center.

Overall, Paris is best reached by train and car and London by plane.

Sights

London and Paris are bursting with iconic sights that you definitely want to visit during a weekend getaway. To give you an idea of what both cities have to offer, here is a rundown of some of the most beautiful (and well-known) sights in each city:

London

• Historical: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Churchill War Rooms.
• Museums: British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Tate Modern, V&A Museum.
• Other: Hyde Park, Camden Market, Covent Garden, Portobello Road Market, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Paris

• Historical: Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Panthéon, Conciergerie, Sacré-Coeur.
• Museums: Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin, Centre Pompidou, Musée Picasso, Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie.
• Other: Jardin du Luxembourg, Quartier Latin, Montmartre, Champs-Élysées, Catacombes de Paris, Disneyland Paris.

Pretty hard to choose right? It is therefore wise to plan your visit well and think in advance about what you want to see and do. Some attractions have limited availability, in which case it is convenient to buy tickets online in advance. This can be done, for example, through Get Your Guide or Tiqets. Also, keep in mind opening hours, sometimes museums are closed on Mondays, for example.

Cost

In terms of cost, the difference between London and Paris can be quite significant. In general, London is more expensive than Paris, especially in terms of accommodation and food. Prices for hotels in London are generally higher than in Paris, and restaurants can also be expensive. In Paris, you can often eat great food for a reasonable amount (especially check the afternoon deals) and there are also many affordable hotels to be found.

In terms of activities, Paris is generally more expensive. In fact, in London, all major museums are free to visit (although there is sometimes a charge for a particular exhibition). So if you only visit the museums, you will be relatively cheap. However, if you want to visit churches such as Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London, you have to pay quite a bit. In fact, a ticket to the Tower of London costs about €40.

In Paris, you do have to pay to visit the museums; a ticket to the Louvre, for example, costs €22. To go to the top of the Eiffel Tower, you will spend at least €22.

If you don’t want to visit (too many) sights, Paris is generally a more affordable city for a weekend getaway.

Climate

Both London and Paris have temperate maritime climates, meaning they have mild winters and cool summers. Still, there are some slight differences in climate between the two cities:

London

• Average temperatures
  • Winter (December – February): 4°C to 7°C
  • Spring (March – May): 9°C to 16°C
  • Summer (June-August): 18°C to 22°C
  • Autumn (September – November): 12°C to 17°C
• Precipitation: London has year-round precipitation, averaging 580 mm per year. Most rain falls in autumn and winter.
• Sunshine: London has an average of 1570 hours of sunshine per year. The most hours of sunshine are in the summer months.

Paris

• Average temperatures:
  • Winter (December – February): 2°C to 6°C
  • Spring (March – May): 9°C to 17°C
  • Summer (June-August): 19°C to 24°C
  • Autumn (September-November): 11°C to 16°C
• Precipitation: Paris has slightly less precipitation than London, with an average of 560 mm per year. Most rain falls in autumn and winter.
• Sunshine: Paris has an average of 1,630 hours of sunshine per year. The most hours of sunshine are in the summer months.

As you can see, the climate in London and Paris is similar, with mild winters and cool summers. However, Paris is slightly warmer and sunnier in summer, while London is slightly cooler and rainier in winter. The best city for you in terms of climate depends on your preferences.

Would you like to have as much sun as possible? Then Paris might be a better choice. Are you not afraid of a little rain and cooler temperatures during your city break? Then London might be more suitable.

Atmosphere

Another important aspect of a city break is the atmosphere of the city. And that (I think) is what makes these cities really different.

London

London is buzzing with energy. It is a melting pot of cultures with always something to see and do. Londoners are polite with a down-to-earth sense of humor. The city has several neighborhoods, each with its own character, from trendy Shoreditch to regal Kensington.

There are plenty of pubs, clubs, bars and restaurants where you can have a great evening. Do you like music? Then you will definitely get your money’s worth here too, concerts and festivals abound.

Paris

Paris exudes romance and charm with a touch of elegance and chic. Beautiful architecture, good food, and art on every street corner characterize the city. Parisians are proud of their city and attention to detail is evident everywhere.

Charming neighborhoods such as Montmartre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés each possess their unique character. There are also modern business districts that provide contrast. You can also go out well here thanks to the many cafes, bistros and cabarets. Gastronomy is paramount with numerous excellent restaurants.

In both cities, you can best experience the unique atmosphere by wandering around on your own, sampling local specialties, visiting museums or sights, and talking to locals. Unforgettable moments are guaranteed!

Other considerations

In addition to these factors, of course, there are many other questions to ask yourself when choosing between London and Paris. Which city has the best shopping? Which one has the best restaurants? Which one has the best nightlife? These are all aspects that can factor into your decision.

Conclusion: London vs Paris

Ultimately, the choice between London and Paris is a very personal one. Both cities have their own charm and unique features. It is important to think about what you find important in a weekend getaway and which city best meets your expectations.

I must confess that I find it very hard to choose from these cities myself, they are both so much fun to visit! If I am in the mood for grand sights I think I would go for London, but if I want to enjoy hopping from café to café through the beautiful narrow streets, I would choose Paris.

Whether you choose the bustling streets of London or the romantic atmosphere of Paris, a weekend in any of these cities is sure to be an unforgettable experience. So pack your bag and enjoy your city break!

Book your city break

Have you decided whether to visit Paris or London? Then book your trip now!

🚆 Train tickets – It’s very easy to explore Europe by train. Both London and Paris have good connections with high-speed trains. Check Rail Europe for tickets.

✈️ Plane tickets – Both cities have multiple airports. Check WayAway for the best deals on plane tickets. Make sure to check the distance/travel costs of the airport to the city center, as it might add up.

🛏️ Accommodation – Check Booking.com for all sorts of amazing places to stay, from a bed in a hostel to a luxury boutique hotel.

💊 Travel insurance – Personally, I think that travel insurance is a necessary component of any trip. Before you book, check Insubuy. This is currently the largest provider of visitor insurance. You will for sure find the most appropriate insurance plan that suits your trip!

Read more

To make the most out of your weekend getaway, it’s always useful to get a travel guide. These are some of the best travel guides for London and Paris:

Fodor’s London

DK Eyewitness Paris

In addition, I have also visited both cities several times, which is why you can read more about London and Paris on this website. Check out:

• 17 fun things to do in Paris
• London Bucket List | 27 fun things to do!
• 14 fun things to do in Paris when it rains

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