Long story short, thought the kids summer schedule wouldn't allow for any travel this summer but we found a 10 day window we can make work in a few weeks.

We are going to do 5 days in London, 4 in Paris.

What parts of London would limit our transportation time/costs the most if all we are really going to do is the high points of London? Westminister seems to be the most common answer but hotels are really pricy last minute in that area. Anything close to that area that wont break the bank? (Our budget is around $450/night and we have a family of 4)

Same goes for Paris? If not totally centrally located in Paris, any recs of what's the next best area? Same budget.

Any other recs for those 2 cities appreciated. Taking a 15 year old and 11 year old with us.

TIA

If you want to go to any of the museums or other attractions in Paris, get your tickets now.

I think staying by the Louvre is closer to more of the attractions, but you won't go wrong near the Eiffel Tower either.

I was there 6 weeks ago, the crowds were insane. It's probably worse now, that's why you need to get tickets to what you want to see ASAP. The best experience is getting the tickets for when the attraction opens, and then getting there early.

Just got back from London, maybe try to look around the Tower of London area for places to stay then take the tube to Westminster. You have to do the Churchill War Rooms since it's right by Westminster.

We leave for Paris in just over a week.

We snagged Eiffel Tower tickets (elevator to the top) at the 3 week mark, after having no luck when ticket sales first opened. They do release more tickets at 3 weeks. Just be online right away (noting the time difference). Other alternative is to just show up first thing in the am or wait and try to go very late in the evening. They do reserve tickets for same day sales.

We are using a company called Walks for the Louvre and a croissant/pastry tasting tour. If you can snag spots on one or more of their tours, it will save you some hassle re getting tickets. We've done their tours in other cities, and they have all been great.

Www.takewalks.com

We are also doing a bike tour of Paris with Fat Tire Tours. They came highly recommended, both here and other places online.

We are on a waitlist for a dinner cruise on the Seine. I looked in April for late June dates, and our preferred option was booked. I'm not optimistic we will get to do that, but we should be able to just do a cruise (no meal).

Food tours are a great option at that age. In addition to Walks, there is Devour, Secret Food Tours, and Paris by Mouth, all of which get good reviews. Typically you'll get the tastings plus some history of whatever area you're in (like Montmartre, the Latin Quarter, St-Germain, etc).

I'm honestly not super excited about the Louvre. I think it's both over and underwhelming at the same time. But I have a directive to take my BF's 15 year old son there.

I would choose Musee D'Orsay over the Louvre any day. You can do guided tours or just buy tickets on your own. It's a much more manageable size with absolutely beautiful impressionist art.

If you haven't booked accommodations, I would look at Airbnbs. I've found great deals on them all over Europe, and they don't add on ridiculous cleaning and admin fees like here in the US. Bonus is you typically get more space than a hotel too

Might look at the hotels around London Fenchurch Street station / Tower Hill tube stop.

Thanks for all the responses.

So today we go to book our air, and just as we do that my wife has an epiphany that maybe she'd like to do Italy instead. (She's done Paris, I've done London so Italy would be somewhere neither of us have gone plus endless pizza/pasta/gelato for kids) So now, by this weekend we will decide on whether we wanna do London/Paris or Italy lol.

Sorry for potentially wasting everyone's time!! (potentially) .

I'll start an Italy thread if we choose that, or stick to this thread if we stick with London/Paris.

TXTransplant said:

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I would choose Musee D'Orsay over the Louvre any day. You can do guided tours or just buy tickets on your own. It's a much more manageable size with absolutely beautiful impressionist art.

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This x100. My wife and I enjoyed D'Orsay much more than the Louvre. We also stayed one block away from D'Orsay and it was a great central location.

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What parts of London would limit our transportation time/costs the most if all we are really going to do is the high points of London?

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The stretch of the Thames from the Tower of London on the East to Westminster on the West will give you more than you can do in 5 days.

You get going east to west

1) Buckingham Palace/Hyde Park/St.James Park/Tate Britian Museum

2) Westminster Abbey

3) Big Ben/#10 Downing Street

4) Cabinet War Rooms

5) London Eye (South of the river)

6) National Gallery and Trafalgar Square

7) St. Paul's Cathedral

8) Tate Modern (South of the River)

9) Borough Market

10) HMS Belfast

11) Tower of London

12) White Chapel

13) Brick Lane for the best Indian Food


All are easily traversible through walking or riding the Circle or District Lines which have stops all along the way.

You could in theory stretch that out a bit further west into Kensington, Knightsbridge, and Notting Hill to see Harrod's, the V&A museum, the Science Museum, and Portobello Road.

Just got back last night from 12 day Dublin/London/Paris. Really enjoyed Dublin. London - did most of the touristy things - went to see Phantom at Her Majesty's Theater (great). Staying near the Louvre would be handy. Traffic is crazy during the day. Lots of people. Weather was nice. Paris - again, did the touristy things, wife and daughter went to the ballet at the Palais Garnier. Stay near city center, Arc De Triumphe - Champs area if you can. We walked a ton on our travels - my daughter and I actually lost weight on the trip. Watch transfers to and from airports/rail stations. It can take a lot of time getting where you need to be. All in all, it was a good trip.

You mentioned possibly going to Italy instead. We toured Italy for a couple of weeks last. If I was picking, I would choose touring Italy. Only issue at this time of year might be the heat.

Have a great trip no matter what you choose.