Paris City Breaks 2024/2025
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A Guide To City Breaks In Paris
A city break in Paris in 2024/2025 is a great idea for a short getaway, especially as it's only a couple of hours away by train or plane from the UK and can often be a very cheap getaway.
Flying, taking the Eurostar and taking the coach, are all great options for getting to this beautiful city, and whether you are visiting for the culture and museums or just to soak up all that Parisian atmosphere from a quaint little cafe, you are sure to enjoy yourself.
Top brands like Expedia, Love Holidays, TUI and lastminute.com all offer ATOL protected, package city breaks, which has never been more important since the Covid 19 pandemic, however, you can book your flight/train and hotels separately. If you're booking your flight/train separately, try to book in advance if you can for the best fares, however Eurostar fares only come out four months before departure. We always recommend booking your train or flight and hotel together for better financial protection.
Getting To, From And Around Paris
City Breaks By Eurostar
By far the best way to get from central London to Paris is on the Eurostar. It's quick, easy and if you book far enough in advance, very affordable. The train will whisk you from St Pancras International through to Gare du Nord in Paris' 10th Arrondissement, where you can jump on the Metro or in a taxi. Paris breaks by Eurostar also save heading out to the airport and long airport queues.
City Breaks By Plane
For those travelling from outside of London, many low cost and scheduled airlines fly from the UK's regional airports like Manchester and Glasgow, into Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport. Jet2CityBreaks, Air France, Ryanair and easyJet City Breaks are all worth looking into if you're planning to fly. You can only fly British Airways to Paris from London.
The most affordable way to get from CDG Paris airport to the city is by RER train which takes just under an hour and costs €10. There are bus services available which are cheaper, but do take up to 90 minutes.
Travel By Coach
Did you know you can also enjoy a city break to Paris by coach? Eurolines offers coach services between London and Paris, meaning you'll need to book your hotel separately. Alternatively brands like Trafalgar Tours and Shearings coach holidays offer packaged Paris holidays including sightseeing excursions and accommodation in Paris.
Paris Metro
The Paris Metro is an ideal way to work your way around the city. There are a variety of metro ticket options, from single journeys to five day passes. The Paris Visite travel pass will allow you to take an unlimited number of journeys for one day, using all public transport services from just €5.80 per day.
The most affordable way to get from Paris CDG airport to the city is by RER train which takes just under an hour and costs €10. There are bus services available which are cheaper, but they can take up to 90 minutes, so it depends whether you would prefer to save money or time.
The Paris Pass
If you are planning to see plenty of attractions while you're in the city, The Paris Pass could be a great option for you. Starting from €132 per person for a two day adult pass, The Paris Pass gives you unlimited travel within zones 1-3 of the Paris travel network (note: Gare du Nord is in zone 1, however, Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and Disneyland Paris, are both in zone 5).
The Paris Pass also gives you free access to 60+ attractions throughout Paris including the Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles and Stade de France, as well as free journey on the Paris Big Bus Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tour and Bateaux Parisiens River Cruise along the Seine. Plus you can download the app for more information and useful guidebook. It's a great museum pass to have, although note that entry to the Eiffel Tower is not included.
Taxis
Taxis are another alternative for travelling around Paris. Paris does have Uber, but doesn't have Lyft, so these could be options if you prefer not to walk, or take the Metro or bus.
Things To Do In Paris
A trip to Paris would not be complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower, admiring the city at sunset from the steps of the Sacre Coeur and gazing at the beautiful Mona Lisa painting at the Louvre, however, there are plenty of other attractions and activities that you should look out for during your stay.
Moulin Rouge
On the way up to or down from the Sacre Coeur, be sure to visit the world famous burlesque venue, the Moulin Rouge in the Montmartre district of the city. If it has always been a dream to watch the show live, tickets can be bought online in advance and is an absolute must do if you can make it.
Arc De Triomphe
Take a stroll down the Champs-Elysees for some great shopping and impressive views of the Arc de Triomphe, the iconic Parisian monument that honours those who have fought for France, and in particular the Napoleonic Wars.
Centre Georges Pomidou
Located in the 4th arrondissement in the heart of the city, the famous Centre Georges Pompidou building, housing the largest museum for modern art in Europe, the IRCAM centre for music and acoustic research, and the Public Information Library. When admiring the architecture of the building, you will notice the pipes and structure of the building are actually the pipes that service the building, including fire extinguisher system, plumping and electric wires.
Paris Catacombs
A dark and sombre, yet intriguing side of Paris, the Paris Catacombs in Montparnasse are both interesting and chilling. These 1.5k corridors, up to 20 metres deep show a glimpse into Paris' public health history.
Disneyland Paris
While a short break in Paris might be plenty of sightseeing, if you've got kids, an add-on trip to Disneyland Paris might also be a good choice if you have the time and the money. About an hour train ride east of the city in zone 5, Disneyland Paris is perfect for children of all ages (even the big kids). Tickets can get pricey so it's worth looking to book Disneyland tickets in advance and see if you can get any discounts.
Where To Eat In Paris
A foodie orientated Paris break will allow you to discover some incredible eateries, from the delicious dishes of the Latin Quarter to the traditional moules frites in a typical Parisian restaurant around the Champs Elysees. Of course, if you're the adventurous type, escargot (snails) are also served up on many menus. Here are a couple of our favourite cafes and restaurants in Paris.
Macarons
If you love a macaron, you'll find many chocolatiers serving them. Although pricey, a couple of notable macaron shops include Pierre Marcolini, Christophe Roussel, or for the more budget friendly, Amorino.
Moules Frites
For a bowl of french Moules, take a trip to La Vie d'Ange in Montparnasse. A traditional looking Parisian restaurant, La Vie d'Ange serve up some incredible dishes.
The Hidden Gem
If you're looking for an understated, family restaurant serving up good french food at a better price, try La Becane A Gaston a few streets away from Gare d'Est. Dishes here include artichoke gratin, french port sausages and fine cuts of beef.
Where To Stay In Paris
Paris is split up into 20 districts, or arrondissements, as they are known locally. Each one is home to its own unique citizens and lifestyles, with AirBnB apartments, boutique hotels and glamorous 5 star hotels. Generally, the further out you go, the cheaper you will find the hotel rates. But with so much choice, the question is where to stay in Paris?
If you're looking for a cheap weekend break in Paris, the business district of La Defense could be a good option. Similar to London's Canary Wharf, business visitors generally stay during the weekdays which means hotels around this area will often discount rooms on Friday and Saturday nights, meaning weekend breaks in Paris can be very affordable if you stay in this area of the city. La Defense is in zone 3 of the Paris transport map.
Northern areas of Paris like Montmartre and into the 18th arrondissement can also be very cheap too, and very useful if arriving by Eurostar as the train station is Gare du Nord and based in this area also. Budget friendly hotels in this area include brands like Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles.
Le Marais in the heart of the city is one of our favourite areas. Full of rich culture and great restaurants, hotel prices in and around the 3rd arrondissement can be a little pricier but sometimes well worth it. Try the Hotel Duo for mid-range, or the Hotel du Vieux Marais for a more budget friendly option in this area.
We always recommend booking your flight and hotel together, however, if you are thinking of booking separately, Booking.com is good for hotels in Paris, while Airbnb is good for holiday apartments in Paris. If you stay with a host, they can also be a great guide and source of information.
Nightlife In Paris
Although it's not as well known for its nightlife as other European cities, nightlife in Paris is still very good. There's also a more relaxed vibe in many places with quite a 'cafe culture' in the city. But there are still some lively hotspots to head to for live music and clubbing in Paris at night.
Le Marais offers a good selection of bars to choose from and is also the city's gay and lesbian scene. Although home to the red light district, Montmartre enjoys a variety of lively (and non seedy) bars and clubs to explore. This is also home to the Moulin Rouge so it's a bit of a tourist trap too with many people on Paris holidays.
Iconic Must-Sees In Paris
Louvre Museum
Palais Garnier
Palace Of Versailles
Sacre Coeur
Fly To Paris From Your Local Airport
Frequently Asked Questions
Paris Metro Map
There are some fantastic hotels dotted around the city like the Monet Garden Hotel (pictured) which is actually rated second best hotel in Amsterdam by TripAdvisor reviewers. Picking the right area is important in Amsterdam depending on your plans for the trip. While you might expect Centrum to be the place to be, which is true if you love to be central, love your nightlife and don't mind being close to the red light district.
When To Go To Paris
Paris is the city of lovers, so a romantic Paris break over Valentine's Day springs to mind, however, Paris in February can be a bit more expensive because it's naturally on everyone's radar.
As we approach Christmas, December is often a popular time to visit Paris to explore the shops and Christmas markets. The Christmas market at Notre Dame Cathedral is worth noting. Xmas is a magical time of year and with the backdrop of the cathedral, it makes it feel extra special.
A Paris city break in May is a good option though. It's warmed up but not quite the peak of summer when many tourists visit. During May (and even much of April-June), as the days get warmer, the city has a much more magical feel.
Hotels In Paris You Don't Want To Miss
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