Doing a solo trip from London to Paris? Look no further. Here’s how to do an unforgettable trip in the city of love on your ones! From a London travel blogger.
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Paris. The city of love. Romance. And one too many Eiffel Tower pics.
It doesn’t take long to see Paris is a city made and advertised for lovers. Or is it?
The first time I went to Paris was in 2017 on Valentine’s Day with a #definitelynottheone.
We did the cheesy locks (which get removed by the way), walks on the Seine, and everything you’d see in a Hallmark movie.
Fast-forward years later and I’d realised amidst my anticipated singlehood and newfound partner I had forgotten that the city of love is one that could be enjoyed with the greatest love of all, you!
So I packed my bags, headed on the Eurostar, and made my way to a 4-day trip in Paris — by myself.
Whether you’re trying to rediscover the city of love on your ones, or simply want to go on a solo trip made of dreams, there’s no better place to do it than Paris.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know to have the perfect solo trip from London to Paris. Enjoy!
How to Do a Solo Trip from London to Paris
How to Get from London to Paris
Before you can have a magical trip from London to Paris, you’ve gotta get there first.
I wrote a whole blog post on how to find the cheapest train tickets from London to Paris, but it all comes back to one thing. Taking the train.
The Eurostar is the best way to get to Paris as it’s fast, convenient, and has way less security checks than an airport.
You’ll leave from St Pancras International in King’s Cross (which is way easier to get to than most London airports) and arrive at Gare Du Nord in just 2 hours and 16 minutes!
Now in terms of ‘how much does it cost to go from London to Paris by Eurostar?’, prices vary greatly depending on when you book.
Tickets start from £39 per person one way for a Standard Class ticket, but can go up to £275 one way — so always book in advance or find last-minute deals!
Prices can also vary by class including:
Standard Class: Lets you bring up to 2 pieces of luggage (and 1 hand luggage), you can exchange your tickets up to 7 days before without a fee, and there’s an onboard buffet at Café Métropole to purchase some drinks and snacks for your journey.
Standard Premier: Same luggage allowance and exchange rules, but seats are more spacious and you’ll be served a light meal and drinks during your journey.
Business Premier: Lets you bring up to 3 pieces of luggage (and 1 hand luggage), free cancellation, no change fees and full refunds for up to 60 days before departure. You’ll also be served a hot meal and champagne during your journey, with spacious seats, an exclusive lounge, and a taxi booking service.
For my trip I took Standard Premier on the way there and Standard on the way back.
Honestly, I didn’t find much difference between the two outside of the breakfast as I found both had good legroom and comfortable seats.
However overall I did prefer Standard Premier as it was a bit of a quieter train and watching London pass me by and Paris in view with coffee and breakfast was quite nice.
To ensure you’re getting the cheapest Eurostar from London to Paris I highly suggest booking via Trainline.
It’s a comparison site that scours the internet for the best train prices around Europe; and I use it for ALL my UK and Europe trips — it’s that good.
P.S – Make sure you book to leave in the morning and make the most of your day in Paris — and arrive back in the evening while the trains are still running in London.
How Much Does a Solo Trip from London to Paris Cost?
Of course, how much you spend on a trip from London to Paris will vary greatly depending on your taste and the activities/restaurants you choose to go.
But here’s a breakdown of what I spent on my solo trip from London to Paris for reference (for a 4 day trip):
Eurostar Roundtrip Tickets: £98
Accommodation: £454.37
Museums & Tours: £50.02 (Louvre, Versailles, and a Seine River Cruise)
Storage Lockers: £24.79
Food & Drinks: £231
Transport: £45.77 (all metro + one Bolt ride)
Shopping: £49.72
Misc: £8.66 (Pharmacy, bathroom in Gare Du Nord etc.)
Total spent on a solo trip from London to Paris: £962.33
Spending this amount I felt I did and saw everything I wanted to do for this trip.
Bearing in mind I didn’t really go to any fancy restaurants (as I was too busy exploring!) and spent a lot of the trip walking to see the sights over taking the metro.
Where to Stay for a Solo Trip from London to Paris
Of course, one of the most important things to do on a solo trip from London to Paris is find a place to stay. For a solo trip, where you stay should be somewhere very Central, so you can get around easily and in a safe neighbourhood or area.
During my trip I opted for an Airbnb, and although I had some issues with the property itself (I had issues unlocking the door during my trip, and there was construction going on during my stay) it was in the heart of the 2nd Arrondissement, a 10-minute walk to the Louvre, and the view was incredible. Here’s the property I stayed if you’re keen.
P.S. – The bathroom was also separate from the bedroom part, divided by a hallway — which is pretty common in France apparently
I actually ended up staying one night at another hotel called Hotel 34B, and it was lovely. Very cheesily French and in the 2nd arrondissement as well. Check out prices and availability.
Of course, if you’d like to meet people during your stay in Paris or be in a more sociable environment, then I suggest staying in a hostel.
St. Christopher’s Inn Gare Du Nord, Generator Paris, and The 3 Ducks Eiffel Tower are very Central and great for solo trips.
P.S. – You can also opt for a female-only dorm in hostels if you’d prefer not to share a room with the opposite sex.
Safety Tips for Travelling to Paris
If you’re coming from London, you’ll know the importance of keeping safe as a woman in the city.
In all candidness, I didn’t find Paris to be as safe as London, and definitely felt I needed to be more alert during my trip.
This was paired with the fact that I went during the week of the Pension Protests, and due to the heavy amount of tourism — Paris is a big target for scammers trying to take advantage of tourists.
With that said, I had a fabulous time exploring Paris alone — but I was well prepared beforehand on how to keep myself safe. Here’s how you can too.
Avoid looking like a tourist:
Like I said Paris is a MAJOR hotspot for scammers looking to take advantage of tourists, so blending in will help you become less of a target instantly.
For a solo trip to Paris, this means dropping off your bigger bags (big backpacks or suitcases) before you explore either at your hotel or Airbnb or at a locker storage site if it’s before check-in, or after your check-out time before you train leaves.
P.S. – There is a locker storage facility at St. Christopher’s Inn, a 5-minute walk from Gare du Nord and tons more locker storage facilities across Paris you can use from just €5. Use Bounce to find the closest one to you.
Not only will lugging bags around the city be exhausting, but it’s a sure fire way to look like a tourist.
If you’re bringing a DSLR or fancy camera, I suggest keeping this deep in your bag and only taking it out when you’re ready to snap a photo (i.e. – not having it dangling around your neck).
And lastly, although I’m of the solid belief that women should wear whatever the F they want — dressing more conservatively (we’re not talking nun clothes, but maybe no booty shorts or mini crop tops) will help draw less attention to you while you’re exploring solo, which ultimately keeps you safer.
Walk confidently and know your directions:
I’m always on the lookout in London for who looks like a tourist and who doesn’t. And it all comes down to one thing — confidence.
If you look nervous and like you don’t know where you’re going, then you’ll be more susceptible to people trying to take advantage. The antidote?
Walk straight, walk fast, and walk with intention.
Citymapper in Paris works great for this (the local equivalent would be Bonjour RATP) as you can quickly look up where you need to go, get your initial directions and put your phone in your bag to walk confidently through the streets of Paris until you need to check your directions again.
Doing this during my trip worked wonders as everyone from cat callers to tourist scammers didn’t have time to even approach me — I was a woman on the move!
Mind your phone at all times:
One thing that happens a lot in Paris is phone theft — both from locals and tourists.
A friend I met during my trip said her phone was grabbed from her on the metro a few weeks ago while reading the news! So it’s always super important to stay alert.
Personally, I wouldn’t have your phone out while you’re on the metro. Check it quickly, get your directions and put it in your bag tightly.
Again, people that are looking to scam or steal from people, especially in Paris, are looking for those that seem distracted or unaware. So make sure you don’t give them that impression.
In addition to the metro I would avoid keeping your phone in your pocket (especially your back pocket) during your trip and instead opting to have it in a zipped up bag or held tightly in your hand.
A lot of people in Paris were also using this to hold their phone, making it virtually impossible for it to get stolen during your trip.
Don’t fall for the sacre coeur scam:
I actually learned this from an American living in Paris named Amanda who’s Tik Tok is GOLD if you’re coming to Paris as a solo female traveller.
But basically at the Sacre Coeur specifically, there’s a scam where mainly (and unfortunately) a bunch of African men will approach you trying to put a ‘friendship’ bracelet on you and ask ‘Where are you from?’.
If you engage and let them put it on you they’ll then ask what you’re going to give them for it and depending where you stay you’re from they’ll create a price that reflects the stereotypes they have of your nationality (for example – if you’re American they may think you’re super rich and ask you for more).
For those that do get scammed it’s very hard to get out of the situation without giving them money as things can get quite aggressive. So if you see this at all during your trip, say ‘NON!’ and walk away. Don’t engage.
There’s a few more tourist scams to watch out for too so make sure to watch this amazing video by Amanda on the most common tourist scams in Paris before your trip.
P.S. – The Sacre Coeur scammers will also do this weird thing where they call you ‘Lady Gaga’ (whether you look like her or not) to throw you off guard and get your attention. Lol, please DM me if you go and they say the same thing to you!
Learn the word ‘Non!’:
Whether it’s a woman trying to get you to sign her clipboard petition (another scam), a man saying ‘beautiful girl’ or the likes — staying ‘Non!’ in a strong and assertive way will do wonders during your trip.
I feel like a broken record but it’s so true in London, in Paris and beyond — people like taking advantage of people that look like easy targets. And being confident, strong and assertive just isn’t the type of person creepy men or scammers want to deal with (we’re too much of a hassle).
Don’t let men or scammers take away from your time in Paris:
I really hope this section didn’t scare you out of taking a solo trip to Paris as like I said, KNOWING these things is what made me have a great time — so just take these safety tips onboard and you’ll be fine!
A note on protests: If you know anything about French culture you’ll know protests in the city aren’t uncommon (French Revolution anyone?), in general this shouldn’t impact your trip too much — but just be mindful of getting involved or engaging to keep safe.
Solo Trip from London to Paris Itinerary
What you choose to do for your time in Paris will depend greatly on your own personal preferences and interests, but here’s what I got up to for some inspiration (P.S. – If you’re only going for a weekend or a day, you can also just pick out what bits you think you can fit in your trip).
Overall I suggest saving plenty of time to stroll Paris during your trip and wander, as it really is one of the best things to do in the city!
Day 1: Solo in Paris
Day 1 in Paris is about taking in the city for the first time and doing a little bit of sightseeing, but mainly just get acquainted with Paris and having an easy first night in France. Let’s go!
Take the Eurostar from London to Paris:
I suggest booking your Eurostar ticket to leave early (I left around 6am) to get an early start on your first day in Paris. Try to arrive in King’s Cross about an hour before your departure so you can get through customs in time and pick up some breakfast past the gate if you don’t have a Standard Premier ticket.
After two hours and some change, you’ll officially be in Paris!
Drop your bags off:
Considering you’re arriving in Paris early you might not be able to check-in to your accommodation yet so this is where I suggest dropping off your bags.
If you’re staying close to the station there’s a locker storage facility at St. Christopher’s Inn, a 5-minute walk from Gare du Nord and tons more locker storage facilities across Paris (use Bounce to find the closest one to you).
P.S. – If you’re staying in a hotel, they should be able to take your bags early, so you don’t need to worry about getting a locker.
Get (purposely) lost around Paris:
I know this sounds strange, but one of my biggest goals coming to Paris was to be a ‘Flâneur‘.
It’s one of my favourite French words (with no English equivalent), which literally means to wander aimlessly through a city.
This is something that doesn’t take much effort in Paris as the majority of streets look straight out of a movie.
It was such a magical couple of hours just wandering around the streets of Paris and seeing what I found. So before you get to ticking off your Paris to-do’s, give being a ‘Flâner‘ a try!
Visit Musee D’Orsay:
After you’re all Flâner’d out, it’s time to soak up your first bits of French art at Musée d’Orsay.
Although the the Louvre gets most of the hype, the Musée d’Orsay is truly one of the most beautiful buildings and art collections I’ve ever seen, and is extremely solo travel friendly.
The museum holds the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art, including the famed’ Starry Night’.
With no one to rush your visit, you can pick up an audioguide and take in the Musée d’Orsay piece by piece.
P.S. – Make sure to book your tickets to the Musée d’Orsay in advance!
Take a night cruise across Paris with Bateaux Mouches:
After Musée d’Orsay I did a quick dip back to my Airbnb, then decided to go see the Eiffel Tower at night on the Bateaux Mouches.
It’s a Paris excursion boat company offering boat tours across the Seine throughout the day. This particular standard tour was €13 for a 1 hour and 10 minute ride along the Seine with commentary — which I thought was an absolute steal (book your tickets here).
Make sure to get there early as the best seats go fast. And if you can, catch the 7pm tour so you can see the first glitters of the Eiffel Tower at 8pm (or whatever time dusk is when you go).
P.S. – The tower sparkles on the hour for 5 minutes from dusk to 11:45pm every night
To close the night I treated myself to a quick dinner at the Dumpling House (literally the best dumplings I’ve had outside of China), but there are so many amazing spots to eat in Paris to choose from — so go with what you’re craving for the night!
At this point, you’ll probably be exhausted from a day of travelling from London to Paris, so you can call it a night after dinner or if you’re uber adventurous — see Moulin Rouge! (which you can totally do alone by the way).
Day 2: Solo in Paris
Today’s about ticking off all the touristy things on your Paris bucket list (although this trip to Paris I actually did the touristy things at the end — but getting that Eiffel Tower pic is way too tempting!), let’s start with the basics:
Eiffel Tower:
We all know it’s not a solo trip from London to Paris without a cheeky visit to the Eiffel Tower.
Now, I’m sure you know you can go inside the Eiffel Tower, but I personally didn’t as I wanted a view of the Eiffel Tower…which funnily enough you can’t get if you’re in it!
Instead, I would visit on a weekday early morning to get minimal crowds and your perfect Eiffel Tower shot from the garden below.
P.S. – This trip, I wasn’t too worried about getting an Eiffel Tower pic so I just took some selfies for memories, but if you want proper ones I would suggest bringing a tripod along and using a self-timer (and keep your eye on it) as I found people to be very focused on getting their own photos here so you may not be able to ask someone. Here’s the tripod I use.
There’s also a beautiful little park nearby called the Jardins du Trocadéro as well if you want to soak up the Eiffel with less crowds.
Sacre Coeur:
After I said goodbye to the Eiffel Tower it was time to say hello to Sacre Coeur.
Resting proud at the top of Montmarte, the beautiful white building is an official Roman Catholic Church and minor basilica offering some of the best panoramic views of Paris 130 metres above it all.
I didn’t go inside the Sacre Coeur either (it was insanely busy), but loved soaking in the iconic views of the capital.
If you’d like to go inside the Sacre Coeur make sure to book your tickets in advance and beware of the ‘friendship bracelet’ scammers here that we talked about in the safety section.
Musée du Louvre:
To end our touristy day on our solo trip from London to Paris, we’re going to go to the Louvre.
Despite common belief, there is SO much more to see here than the Mona Lisa. Including:
- The Persian Collection
- Great Sphinx of Tanis
- Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss
- Les Noces de Cana/The Wedding at Cana
- Liberty Leading the People
- Venus de Milo
- Victoire de Samothrace/Winged Victory of Samothrace
I suggest saving around 2-3 hours to fully take it all in! And booking your tickets in advance.
What about Notre Dame?: As you may know Notre Dame was heavily destroyed by a fire in 2019, however it’s slowly being rebuilt and a few parts of the cathedral are open to the public, but many are still closed so it may be best to wait to see it in its full glory, at least from the inside.
Day 3: Solo in Paris
I know what you’re thinking Candace — we just got to Paris, why are we leaving! Because there’s truly nothing like it, day 3 is about getting your booty out of Paris and getting to Versailles! But first, brunch.
Brunch in Paris:
Start your day with a cosy solo brunch in Paris before making your way to Versailles.
I personally went to Kozy Kanopé which admittedly isn’t the most ‘typical Parisian breakfast’ you could go for but the interiors were beautiful, the food was amazing and the staff was super friendly too — so I highly recommend!
If you’d like some options, there are tons of great Paris breakfast spots to try throughout the city or you can simply pop into your local bakery for a sweet start to your day.
P.S. – Dining alone for a sit-down meal is something that took me a long time to get comfortable with. But once you do it, you’ll truly realise there was nothing to be scared about in the first place (and it actually gets a bit addictive!).
Palace of Versailles:
After breakfast it’s time to go to the Palace of Versailles!
The UNESCO World Heritage site and former residence of King Louis XIV and French royalty is just about the grandest display of wealth you’ll ever see in your life. We’re talking jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Getting there from Paris is pretty straightforward as you’ll just need to take the RER C Train to Versailles Chateau Rive-Gauche or go with a tour group (here’s a blog post on exactly how to get from Paris to Versailles).
Once inside, I suggest visiting Marie Antoinette’s bedroom, The Grand Trianon, The Grand Chapel, The Gallery of Battles, The Empire Rooms, The Gardens of Versailles, and of course, The Hall of Mirrors.
After you’ve done your exploring grab some macaroons from Ladurée and take in The Gardens of Versailles in the back.
There are few words I can use to describe my experience visiting Versailles other than unimaginably magnificent — so I highly suggest adding it to your solo trip itinerary.
After you’ve finished exploring the Palace of Versailles, you’ll probably want to head back to Paris. But if you have time, I would try to explore the town of Versailles too.
P.S. – Don’t forget to book your tickets to the Palace of Versailles in advance! The queues are ridiculously long if you try to purchase on the day.
Meeting a Tik Tok friend:
This evening I actually ended up meeting with a friend from Tik Tok! (@kianatiese).
I’ll admit that one of my favourite things about solo travel is inevitably meeting new people, especially like-minded women.
Whether you hit someone up on Instagram or Tik Tok that you think you’d vibe with, chat with someone in your hostel dorm or in the lobby that you end up grabbing a drink with, or join a tour excursion for the day or night that allows you to meet new people — there’s something amazing about putting yourself out there, testing your social skills abroad and making new connections.
Day 4: Solo in Paris
Monoprix Breakfast on the Seine:
One thing I noticed on my Bateaux Mouches cruise was all the cool Parisians sitting Seine side as us tourists cruised by (and waved of course). So I decided I wanted to be one of them this trip.
To start my last day in Paris I stopped by Monoprix, a very popular grocery store here, picked up some French breakfast bits and did a beautiful walk over to the Seine near Pont Neuf — the oldest standing bridge in Paris.
Sitting on the river with a book, journal and food with my own company was lovely — and this actually ended up being one of the biggest highlights of my trip!
Market Hopping Around Paris:
Throughout my Paris trip I was constantly picking up bits here and there to take home, honestly randomly stumbling on markets as I found them. Some of the most famous one in Paris are:
- Passage Jouffrey – a 19th-century covered arcade in the 9th arrondissement
- Le marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen – largest second hand and antique market in the world
- Marché des Enfants Rouges – a covered marketing dating back to 1615!
If you do plan on doing some shopping in Paris, make sure to underpack in your suitcase! Unless you want to be lugging around way more bags than you came with…like me.
Père Lachaise Cemetery:
I know cemeteries are definitely not everyone’s thing, so feel free to skip this part if it’s not your jam. But the Père Lachaise Cemetery was easily one of the most beautiful places I went on my solo trip from London to Paris.
It’s one of the world’s most famous cemeteries, home to the likes of Oscar Wilde, Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison and thousands of other notable figures throughout history.
P.S. – It’s free to enter and no booking required!
Bistrot Père:
Right next to the Père Lachaise Cemetery is where I treated myself to my last solo meal in the city at Bistrot Père.
It’s a cosy and very authentically French restaurant with plat du jours made of dreams.
Sipping on red wine and piles of hearty boeuf while looking onto the streets of Paris was exactly the finale I needed for my solo trip from London to the city of love.
Take the Eurostar back to London:
And just like that your Parisian solo trip has come to an end!
I suggest booking your Eurostar back for around 6 or 7pm so you truly can have a full day to wander before heading back to London (without all the trains being closed by the time you get back).
P.S. – you can bring some treats back with you too on the train, which you definitely should.
Want more Paris Itineraries? Check out Solo Sophie’s Solo in Paris Guide, Paris Unlocked’s Full Solo Travel to Paris Guide and Adventurous Kate’s Chilled Trip to Paris Guide
Other Paris Tourist Attractions to Visit:
Of course, there’s only so much you can do in one trip to Paris, but in case you’re looking for more ideas here are some more places to add to your itinerary:
- Champs-Élysées
- Arc de Triomphe
- Les Catacombes
- Disneyland Paris
- Notre Dame
- Canal Saint-Martin
- Luxembourg Gardens and the Musée du Luxembourg
- Palais Garnier
- Galeries Lafayette
- Latin Quarter
The Best Paris Tours & Activities for Solo Travellers
Where to Eat in Paris
If you’re a foodie coming to Paris you may or may not have been disappointed by my limited food recommendations.
In all honesty, I got so sidetracked by exploring the majority of my meals were stuffed down croissants and quick bites from around the city (which I absolutely loved by the way).
But if you want to spend more time wining and dining, I highly suggest checking out the 100 Paris Bistros list and Paris Foodie Tik Tokers like ImperatriceWu and BisousMorgan for some inspiration.
London to Paris Solo Trip FAQs
What should I pack for a trip to Paris?
Paris’ climate is very similar to London in a lot of ways, so you can pretty much match it to packing for London, just be sure to check the weather for the week beforehand.
To top off the #solotripvibes I would also bring a journal, a book to read on the train and on the Seine if you decide to go, and of course — a portable charger and adapter for your travels.
How Do I get around Paris?
The Metro and Citymapper!
Using the metro is very similar to using the tube in London however, instead of using your Oyster or contactless card, you’ll need to buy individual metro tickets to use during your trip.
These are €2.10 each one-way or €19.10 for a pack of 10, which I suggest getting to save you time and money.
If you’d like a physical pass similar to the Oyster you can get the Navigo Découverte, but the standard Navigo Pass is reserved for residents only.
Similar to London, Citymapper is a great way to get around the city. It’ll tell you exactly when your metro is coming and give you walking directions to whenever you need to go.
Do I need cash in Paris?
I would only take out around €20 – €30 at an ATM to use day-to-day during your trip as most places accept card and Apple Pay.
Is a day trip from London to Paris worth it?
If you’re short on time a day trip in Paris from London is definitely doable! Just make sure you book one of the earliest Eurostar’s leaving London and get back on one of the latest ones.
You’ll also want to plan your itinerary in advance so you don’t waste any time deciding what to do!
Will my phone work in Paris?
If you’re coming on a solo trip from London to Paris you’ll probably be with one of the big 5, i.e. the O2, EE, Vodafone, GiffGaff or Three — each of which should come with some EU roaming post-Brexit (I’m with GiffGaff and had 5G of EU Data to use in Paris and used wifi for the rest).
Otherwise, you can buy a French SIM card to use during your trip.
How do I get good photos of myself during my trip?
Although no one came with me you may or may not have noticed I got some pretty bomb photos during my trip! And it’s all thanks to strangers.
Since it’s Paris you’ll have no shortage of tourists everywhere you go, so lookout for women in groups that are already taking pics of each other and look friendly, or someone who looks like they know what to do with a camera and ask nicely for a picture. And don’t forget to offer them one back in return!
For the times you’re not able to find one or really want the perfect shot, I suggest investing in a tripod for your trip.
Are Skip-the-line tickets worth it?
While you’re visiting attractions in Paris you may notice one thing, there are a lot of queues!
As one of the most visited cities in the world there’s never a slow day at Paris’ tourist sites and being at an age where my time and convenience matters — I personally would suggest getting Skip-the-Line tickets.
This includes Skip-the-Line Louvre Tickets and Skip-the-Line Versailles Tickets specifically, where the lines can honestly be quite unbearable if you don’t.
Do I need to know French to do a solo trip from London to Paris?
No.
Although speaking the language will give you a more immersive experience in Paris, it can still be enjoyed without it.
What I do suggest is looking up the first sentence of a phrase on Google Translate before you enter a French restaurant or cafe (for example: ‘table pour une personnel, s’il vous plait’ or ‘table for one please’).
There’s a huge perception that all French people, especially French waiters and waitresses are rude — but I’ve noticed people are much more friendly in Paris if you show you’re making an effort to speak the language. So just try to speak a sentence or two!
Thanks for reading my London to Paris Solo Travel Guide. If you enjoyed it, let me know on Instagram!
CHECK OUT MORE SOLO TRAVEL GUIDES:
Happy travels,
