Quick answer: Paris is the easiest city break from the UK: 2h 15m by Eurostar from St Pancras, world-class museums, and a metro that gets you anywhere for about £2 a ride.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Paris from the UK”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/destinations/paris/
Paris is the only major European capital you can reach from London without an airport. The Eurostar puts you in the middle of it, which changes the shape of a weekend: no transfer, no baggage queue, and an extra half day at each end.
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When to go
- Best months: April to June and September to October
- Cheapest months: January and February, outside fashion weeks
- Avoid: August, when half the restaurants close and the city empties
What it costs
| Eurostar return from London | £70–£180 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel, per night | £110–£190 |
| Metro single | About £2 |
| Dinner for two, mid-range | £55–£85 |
Typical ranges from our partner searches, 2026-11-12. The month and the booking window change these numbers.
Getting there
Eurostar from St Pancras in 2 hours 15 minutes, or flights to Charles de Gaulle and Orly from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Edinburgh. The RER B runs from CDG to the centre in 35 minutes for about £10.
Flights to Paris from the UK
8 UK airports have non-stop flights to Paris, landing at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). The full month-by-month fare bands are on the cheapest month page, and a two-night budget is on what a weekend costs.
| From | Flight time | Cheapest month | Returns from |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick | 1h 20m | January | £65 |
| London Heathrow | 1h 20m | January | £65 |
| London Luton | 1h 20m | January | £65 |
| London Stansted | 1h 20m | January | £65 |
| Birmingham | 1h 30m | January | £70 |
| Edinburgh | 1h 30m | January | £70 |
| Glasgow | 1h 30m | January | £70 |
| Manchester | 1h 30m | January | £70 |
Indicative return bands from our partner searches, city airport to arrival. The full month-by-month table is on each route page.
All 149 UK flight routes we cover
What to see
- The Louvre early, before the tour groups arrive at the Mona Lisa
- Musée d'Orsay for the Impressionists, in a converted railway station
- Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur at sunset, then dinner in the 11th
- Versailles by RER C, which takes 45 minutes and fills a day
Where to stay
The Marais for atmosphere, the 6th for the classic version, the 10th and 11th for better value and better food.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Eurostar cheaper than flying?
Often, once you add the airport transfer and a bag. Book eight to twelve weeks ahead and it usually wins.
How many days do you need in Paris?
Three is enough for the Louvre, one other museum and a neighbourhood. Two is a sprint.
Do I need to book the Eiffel Tower?
Yes, if you want to go up. Tickets go on sale about 60 days ahead and the lift sells out first.
Also worth a look
- Amsterdam: The easiest city break from London — an hour in the air.
- Barcelona: Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter and a beach in the same afternoon.
- Rome: Two and a half hours from the UK, two thousand years away.