Comparison · London vs Paris · United Kingdom / France
London vs Paris
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpeg){kind=link}
Quick answer
Choose London for Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and free sights; choose Paris for Eiffel Tower, Louvre and lower day-to-day costs. Paris is generally less expensive, and the two are about 344 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 344 km
- Less expensive
- Paris
- Best time for London
- May–June and September
- Best time for Paris
- April–June and September–October
Side by side
| London | Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | France |
| Known for | Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and Royal palaces | Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Café culture |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September | April–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $260–$420 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Very expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 24°C (75°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 9°C (48°F) | January, 7°C (45°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 12 | 8 |
| Day trips in our guide | 8 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | LHR, LGW, STN, LTN, LCY | CDG, ORY, BVA |
Which one is right for you?
Choose London for…
Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and free sights. London spreads across 32 boroughs, but most visitors spend their time in a central band running from Westminster and the West End to the City and the South Bank, linked by the Tube and a riverside walk along the Thames. The great national museums — the…
.jpg){kind=link}
Choose Paris for…
Eiffel Tower, Louvre and lower day-to-day costs. Paris packs the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame and the Eiffel Tower into a compact city of 20 arrondissements spiralling out from the Seine. Most first-time visitors base themselves in the central 1st–7th arrondissements and get around on foot and by…
Top sights compared
| # | London | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Museum | Eiffel Tower |
| 2 | Tower of London | Louvre Museum |
| 3 | Westminster Abbey | Musée d'Orsay |
| 4 | Houses of Parliament and Big Ben | Notre-Dame Cathedral |
| 5 | Buckingham Palace and Changing the Guard | Sainte-Chapelle |
Food compared
| London | Paris |
|---|---|
| Full English breakfast | Croissant and pain au chocolat |
| Fish and chips | Baguette tradition |
| Sunday roast | Steak frites |
| Pie and mash | Croque-monsieur |
Which is cheaper?
Paris is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $200–$350 per person there, against $260–$420 in London (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Paris on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. London and Paris are about 344 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 5 days in London and 4 in Paris.
Questions travellers ask
+Is London or Paris cheaper?
Paris is usually less expensive: about $200–$350 a day mid-range against $260–$420 (estimates).
+Is London or Paris better for a first trip?
Pick London for Big Ben and Parliament, British Museum and free sights, or Paris for Eiffel Tower, Louvre and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is London from Paris?
About 344 km in a straight line.