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London or Paris? An honest comparison
The short answer
Pick London for free world-class museums, theatre, pubs and food from every corner of the world. Pick Paris for a more compact, walkable, romantic city with cafés, bakeries and classic monuments, at a lower daily cost (about €215 mid-range against €256 in London).
London: suits families, solo travellers and theatre lovers who want free museums and global food.
Paris: suits couples, honeymooners and older travellers who want art, cafés and walking along the Seine.
Side by side
| London | Paris | |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day* | €257 £219 local | €215 |
| Budget day* | €133 | €110 |
| Value for money | ●●●●●About €256 a day mid-range, the higher of the two. | ●●●●●About €215 a day mid-range; bakeries help keep costs down. |
| Crowds (5 = calm) | ●●●●●Oxford Street, the Tower and Westminster are busy year-round. | ●●●●●Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Montmartre are crowded in every season. |
| Food | ●●●●●Superb international food, Borough Market and great Indian cooking. | ●●●●●Bakeries, bistros and markets set a high everyday standard. |
| Nightlife | ●●●●●Pubs, West End theatre and clubs in Shoreditch and Soho. | ●●●●●Wine bars and late cafés; clubs fewer than London. |
| Family-friendly | ●●●●●Free museums, parks and attractions built for children. | ●●●●●Parks and carousels are good, but apartments and metro are tight. |
| Getting around | ●●●●●Extensive Tube and buses; contactless payment is easy. | ●●●●●Dense metro, short distances, very walkable centre. |
| Best months | Aug | Jul |
| Warmest / coolest | Jul 23°C / Jan 7°C | Jun 25°C / Jan 7°C |
| Known for | Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, free world-class museums, West End theatre | Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame restored spire, Left Bank cafes, Versailles |
* Per person per day with two sharing a room: bed, food, sights and local transport, from our London and Paris day-cost tables (approximate 2026 prices; other currencies converted at recent rates). Ratings are our editorial judgement.
Which one should you pick?
Pick London if…
- you want major museums for free: British Museum, National Gallery, Tate.
- you want West End theatre or live music.
- you are travelling with children.
- you enjoy pubs and varied international food.
Pick Paris if…
- you are on a romantic trip or honeymoon.
- you want to walk between most sights.
- you care about bakeries, bistros and wine.
- you want a somewhat lower daily budget.
Weather month by month
| Month | London high / rainy days | Paris high / rainy days |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C · 12 | 7°C · 12 |
| Feb | 10°C · 9 | 10°C · 7 |
| Mar | 11°C · 14 | 13°C · 12 |
| Apr | 13°C · 8 | 14°C · 9 |
| May | 17°C · 13 | 19°C · 10 |
| Jun | 22°C · 10 | 25°C · 12 |
| Jul | 23°C · 12 | 25°C · 9 |
| Aug | 22°C · 7 | 25°C · 11 |
| Sep | 21°C · 10 | 23°C · 11 |
| Oct | 17°C · 14 | 18°C · 13 |
| Nov | 11°C · 12 | 11°C · 14 |
| Dec | 9°C · 12 | 8°C · 14 |
Average daily high and number of rainy days. Copernicus ERA5, 2021–2023.
What you will eat
London
Fish and chips · Salt beef bagel · Pie and mash · Full English breakfast · Sunday roast · Curry
Where: Borough Market (Southwark), Brick Lane and Whitechapel, Old Spitalfields Market, Maltby Street Market (Bermondsey)
Paris
Croissant and pain au chocolat · Baguette · Ham and butter sandwich · Croque-monsieur · Steak and chips · Crêpes and galettes
Where: Marché d'Aligre (12th), Marché des Enfants Rouges (3rd), Le Marais: Rue des Rosiers, Rue Cler, Rue Montorgueil and Rue Mouffetard
Doing both in one trip
7 days: 4 in London + 3 in Paris
Either order works; start where your flight is cheapest. Ending in Paris gives a slower, more relaxed finish.
Getting between them: Eurostar train, about 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 between London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord; arrive early for passport and security checks. Distance about 344 km as the crow flies. Check current timetables.
- Day 1: Westminster, Big Ben, South Bank
- Day 2: British Museum, Covent Garden, a West End show
- Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern
- Day 4: Notting Hill or Camden and a park
- Day 5: Eurostar to Paris, Marais in the evening
- Day 6: Louvre, Tuileries, Seine walk to the Eiffel Tower
- Day 7: Montmartre or Versailles
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Common questions
Is London or Paris cheaper?
Paris, by our numbers: about €215 per person per day mid-range against about €256 in London. Hotels and public transport cost more in London. London claws some back because many major museums are free, while Paris museums charge entry, so a museum-heavy trip narrows the gap. Both are expensive cities, so book hotels early.
Which is better for first-timers?
Paris is easier to grasp because its main sights sit close together along the Seine, and you can walk between many of them. London is larger and spread out, but English signage and the Tube make it simple to navigate. If you can only choose one, pick Paris for romance and walking, London for museums, theatre and variety.
How do I get between London and Paris?
The Eurostar train is the best option: about 2 h 15 to 2 h 30 from St Pancras International to Gare du Nord, city centre to city centre. Arrive at least an hour early for border checks. Flying is rarely faster once you add airport transfers. Book early, as fares rise close to departure.
When is the best time to visit?
Late spring and early autumn are comfortable for both, with fewer school-holiday crowds. Summer is warmest, around 23°C in London and 25°C in Paris, and the busiest. Winter is grey and cold, around 7°C, but quieter, with festive markets and lights in December. Rain is possible in any month, especially in London.