Trip Report - Pros and Cons of an organised day tour from London to Paris

In episode 72 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast Tracy shares her trip report from an organised day tour she took from London to Paris in June 2023. 

She discusses the pros and cons of taking a guided day tour and talks about the various activities included in the tour, such as the Eurostar journey, a bus tour of Paris, a boat trip down the Seine with lunch, and a coach tour of the city's highlights.

This episode offers valuable insights for those considering a day trip to Paris from London and offers tips for making the most of the experience.

Show notes - Episode 72

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:03

Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast. Your host is the founder of the UK Travel Planning website, tracey Collins. In this podcast, tracey shares destination guides, travel tips and itinerary ideas, as well as interviews with a variety of guests who share their knowledge and experience of UK travel to help you plan your perfect UK vacation. Join us as we explore the UK from cosmopolitan cities to quaint villages, from historic castles to beautiful islands, and from the picturesque countryside to seaside towns.

Speaker 2: 0:42

Hello and welcome to episode 72 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast. In this week's episode I'm going to be doing a trip report from my day trip from London to Paris, which I took in June this year. I know this is an eagerly awaited episode. We've had lots of questions about that day trip in particular, and the reason I decided to do this episode and actually to do the trip from London to Paris is that we are often asked in the Facebook group about how to travel from London to Paris and while we do have a podcast about the Eurostar which is episode 40, which covers how to get between the two capitals by train independently, we are asked a lot about visiting Paris on a day trip from London. Is it doable? How do you do it? Is it worth it? And so we do include Paris on our best day trips from London by train article.

Speaker 2: 1:34

So I thought you know what, let's do it. I've been to Paris numerous times before, but I thought, okay, let's book a tour in June, which is what I did a fully escorted tour. So because there are a variety of tour data options available from London to Paris so you can take fully guided or unescorted tours, but on this occasion I choose tours to take a fully escorted tour because I think that's the most popular option if you're a first time visitor to Paris. So in this episode I'm going to share my thoughts about the pros and cons of taking a guided day tour, talk you through the day, how it went, what it looked like, what sort of things we did, so you can consider if this is the right option for you. So Doug is going to ask questions about the day.

Speaker 3: 2:19

Bonjour. Thank you, Tracy. I'll take it from here then.

Speaker 2: 2:23

Okay.

Speaker 3: 2:24

Right. So first question Can you give us a brief overview of the plan day?

Speaker 2: 2:30

Yeah, okay. So basically the tour included taking the Eurostart from St Paris International over to Paris Gardenault station, a bus tour of Paris the main highlights of Paris, a boat trip with lunch down the Seine, and then another kind of coach tour some of the highlights of Paris and then back onto the Eurostart to London. And this was a guided tour, so we did have a guide with us.

Speaker 3: 2:59

Come up, expanded the day a bit more. How did the day start First thing in the morning? How did that go?

Speaker 2: 3:05

Okay, well it was a bit of a disaster to start with.

Speaker 2: 3:08

We had to meet 5.30am, st Paris International at a designated meeting spot, which sounds great, but unfortunately somebody's alarm didn't go off, did it Doug? Whoops, sorry, right, so who? I had hoped that Doug would set the alarm for quarter five, but he kind of hadn't. So I woke up at approximately I think it was something like 5.14 and I had 16 minutes to get dressed, sorted and next door to St Pankhurst International. So what we had done, which was really advantageous, is that we had booked a hotel right next to the train station. So and I also prepared everything the night before, so it was a case of getting dressed, brushing my teeth out the door. It was that quick, so I did actually manage to get there, unbelievably by 5.27. I did take my makeup with me, had to put that on the train, but my main thing was that I was actually there. So so that's what you have to do you, there's a designated place that you go and meet your guide, which is what I did yeah, and a few choice words in my direction the entire night.

Speaker 3: 4:09

Yes, I have to say yes like once you get on the train, the well the train ticket itself really. Did you have to book the train ticket separately from the tour?

Speaker 2: 4:19

no, no, that was all included in the tour. So you did have a choice between if you wanted standard or standard premiere on the Eurostar. So I chose to kind of treat myself, so I went standard premiere, which was lovely oh good, so everybody with the same class of travel.

Speaker 3: 4:32

Do you all sit together on one?

Speaker 2: 4:35

no, no, we were given the tickets by the guide. So once everybody got, there was only 16 of us in the tour. It was a small tour. When we got there, he handed us our tickets and the return tickets for that evening and he also talked about how. You know, for those of us who hadn't done it I've obviously done it numerous times before but for those who hadn't done it before, he talked through the process of how you go through to catch the train. So he did talk us through that. Also, people had different, they were doing different things during the day, but I will talk about that a little bit later. But we were all catching the Eurostar there and the Eurostar back. Some people standard, premiere, other standard so obviously if you'd booked with your family anyone standard, you would be all together, but we weren't, as a group, all together, if that makes sense obviously these trains are long.

Speaker 3: 5:25

There are lots of people catch the train, so I can imagine it would be quite busy when you get there. So how did that work?

Speaker 2: 5:31

yeah, it was really busy when we got off the train in the Paris Garden all but he, the, the guide, had said right, when you get off the train you walk to the end of the platform, I'll be standing this spot and I'll wait for you there. So, obviously, got off the train, you walked to the end of the platform and I just waited a few minutes. I think I got off probably about first in our group so I had to wait a few minutes because there's a lot of people getting off the train, so waited and then kind of after a few minutes we were all kind of in the group so we'd left the train actually left London at 6 31 am and we arrived at 9 48. So you've got to remember Paris France is an hour ahead during the summer months. So, though the journey only takes two hours 17 minutes, you actually arrive that. You would think you'd arrive at 8 48. We didn't react at 9 48 because of our ahead yeah, thank you.

Speaker 3: 6:24

And then obviously coming out the garden or stations, but what happened then when you first arrived, actually in Paris itself?

Speaker 2: 6:31

yeah, well, we were with the guide, so then we followed him through to a coach which was waiting just outside the station, so it was a few minutes walk from the train station. So he walked out, met the coach there and then after that we took a tour of the main sites on the coach that was. It was quite slow because Paris traffic is pretty hectic, but the guide was excellent. Actually he was really really good. He talked just through what we're seeing and some of the history and also, which I thought was amazing and really good and really thoughtful thing to do, is that he taught everybody and the coach some basic words of French so that they communicate you know so that was really good.

Speaker 2: 7:12

I speak French, so it's such a big deal, but if you don't speak French, it's really good, so, and that's really important have a few words of French, so if you walked into a cafe or a shop, you'd know to say bonjour, so yeah, so that and mercy and a few words like that. So that was, that was really good. So he was excellent and he spoke fluent French, so that that's really helpful. If you don't, so yeah, so that was, it was good. It was good, but, as I say, it was quite slow because obviously it was a Saturday and the traffic was quite hectic.

Speaker 3: 7:39

After they catched all, then what happened?

Speaker 2: 7:42

Well, at that point we were, some of us were doing a cruise on the Sen with a meal, so, but some people weren't. So we actually headed to catch the boat, which is near the Eiffel Tower. Now, I had actually initially booked an Eiffel to champagne lunch, but that was changed the week before because it was cancelled and I was given I was given a small refund for the difference and then I was actually allocated to a cruise lunch on this boat along the Sen. So we basically went to where the boats were leaving from and given the tickets for for those of us who were taken having a meal, those that weren't, they just went off to to explore the area. Yeah, so I went off, found my period and to board the boat for for my my experience on the Sen.

Speaker 3: 8:33

Oh, that's good. So you had lunch there, and so did you pre-book your lunch. Were you given a selection first?

Speaker 2: 8:40

No, there was a. There was a choice from the menu, so we had three courses plus a glass of wine. The food was very, very good. Really enjoyed it. Yeah, it was. It was really tasty. So, yeah, really really good food.

Speaker 3: 8:55

That's going to be a lot of interaction between people on, because you're a solo traveler, so did that go.

Speaker 2: 9:00

Yeah, well, I was really lucky actually because I was a little bit concerned because, obviously, traveling solo, you kind of think I'm going to be sitting here having this lunch on my own. But I was so lucky because next to my table were two friends who had gone to university in the UK together actually Newcastle, which was amazing because that's where I'm from and they meet up occasionally in different parts of Europe. So one of the ladies lived in Holland and the other lived in England and they were so lovely so they were chatting to me. They kind of realized I was sitting on my own, so the entire time we were chatting away to each other and they shared the wine. They were very, very generous. So it was lovely Really, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Obviously, as you go along with saying, you see the lovely sights as well.

Speaker 3: 9:43

I've seen the photos. It does look like a lot of fun.

Speaker 2: 9:46

It was the food was really good, the wine was good, the company was lovely. It was actually a really lovely boat trip. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Speaker 3: 9:54

That's good, and so after the lunch, what happened then?

Speaker 2: 9:57

Yeah. So after the lunch we had a time to meet up, so got off the cruise and probably had about 20 minutes before I had to meet up with a guide. So we'd all been given a designated spot to go to. So after that we met the guide and then we walked back to the coach, which is probably about 10 minutes walk away, and then with the coach, we headed to the Champs-Elyse, got up, took some pictures of that opto trip and then we went to Montmartre for about five in the afternoon I'd say that was around about that time and then we had an hour and a half to wander Montmartre, which in my opinion was a little bit too long, because actually by that point people were pretty tired, because obviously it is a long day.

Speaker 2: 10:39

There was a massive thunderstorm on the way as we were driving across Paris as well. Luckily, by the time we got to Montmartre that had stopped, because I was thinking, oh gosh, we're going to get drenched here because I hadn't taken a. I hadn't taken a rain jacket. So yeah, so we arrived in Montmartre and everybody got off the bus to have a look around. So, as I say, luckily it was dry, it was sunny, it was very hot. This is June, so it was actually hot in Paris.

Speaker 3: 11:02

Yet Okay, so what did you do to fill the time you had it, and my mom?

Speaker 2: 11:07

Well, because I've been there so many times before, to be honest, I just kind of walked up to where the bottom of the finnacle is, up to the Sacre Cure, and I just sat and people watched and I did do a little bit of walk around the area. I did pop into a shop and just buy a drink and some snacks as well, because I was a little bit peckish.

Speaker 2: 11:24

I thought, well, going back on the train, I'll just have something if I need it waiting for the train. So I did that. I think it was a little bit it was quite a long period of time in my mom's, but it is. There's a lot to see in the area. So I suppose and that'll be one of the tips I will recommend it is that, if you know, do a little bit of research so that you know where you're going. When you go to that area in particular, because you're not with the guide, you meet up with him, kind of after about an hour and a half, yeah. So so I literally just sat. It was crowded. It was crazy, crazy, crazy busy. Seriously, I've never seen Paris as busy as it was. Yep, it was really really busy.

Speaker 3: 12:02

Okay, so then, after that you picked up when you're taking back to the north.

Speaker 2: 12:06

Yeah, so we met the guide, went back on the coach and then we drove back to the garden or and we all went through the tickets and the customs and everything, the passports, and then just into the waiting area for the Eurostar, kind of said goodbye to the guide at that point because obviously we're gonna get on the train and head back. So I think it with the train was some like it was about nine minutes past eight in the evening and then we arrived back it again 9 30 because of course you get that hour back. So, as we say, we're given the return ticket that morning. So it was, it was fairly easy because everybody kind of had already done that at St Pankliss international. They kind of knew the procedure, yeah.

Speaker 2: 12:42

So again it was busy, though at the garden or there was, you know they said that the Eurostar waiting area departure lounge. It was quite busy. But there are toilets there, there are shops there, there's a few cafes. You know it was actually just find somewhere to sit was was a little bit problematic, but yeah that's good, so thank you for showing that to me.

Speaker 3: 13:02

So a few more personal opinion questions. So what was your favorite part of the day and why I?

Speaker 2: 13:09

Loved the cruise, the river cruise down the same, with that lunch. It was just lovely and I think it was obviously made because I happened to sit next to two lovely ladies who Included me in the conversation. We're really interested to chat to me and and so we got on house off. I really. So that was just a really lovely, relaxing part of the day, and also the food was so good. So I was just kind of ready for that, just to kind of relax, enjoy the sights of Paris. There's me under down the sand and you have some really good company in conversation. So yeah, for me that was absolutely the highlight of the day and the next question.

Speaker 3: 13:43

I think I know the answer to this already what was your least favorite part of the day and what?

Speaker 2: 13:47

That's definitely my mark, I think. By that point I think everybody was a little bit tired, you know it was, so I cannot stress how crowded it was there. It was crazy busy and I just and I guess because I've been there so many times before to be missed, I probably was a little less appreciative that point of exploring that area, you know. So I, so I didn't, I kind of set it out, I to be honest. There was another family who decided to go back to catch you a start early, because I think the children were tired, yes, by that point in the day. So that was probably my last, least favorite part of the day and it was probably a little bit too long To spend in that area.

Speaker 3: 14:26

So yeah, but otherwise you took an organized day tour from Paris to London. So Think about what the you consider the pros and cons of the organized tour.

Speaker 2: 14:37

Okay. So the obvious pro is that it's all organized for you, so you don't have to book the train, you're driven around. You've got a tour guide who speaks French, which is fantastic. You can include meals. So, obviously, depending on which class of year you start, you take, you can have the meals on the way there and the way back, which I didn't include. So I had a fist and a light meal on the way back, which was lovely, and I did have include the river cruise, which was fantastic.

Speaker 2: 15:05

So I didn't feel when I got to Paris that I was like, okay, I'm arrived at the garden or what do I do now? You know that kind of feeling, especially if not been there before, and so you know it is a really good way if you want to see the main highlights and you haven't got much time. So if you are you know Paris has been on your bucket list for your entire life and you think, okay, this is the only way that I'm going to see Paris. I can do this day trip Then yeah, absolutely, it's a good. I would say that's a good thing to do. If that's what you want, to include that in your itinerary, you can do the trip independently. But I would say, if you're going to do it independently, I would stay at least one night so that you're rushing around and feeling stressed because you're trying to fit too many things in. So I would definitely. If you're doing it independently, I would just stay longer. But if you're limited and you really just want to see the highlights of Paris, then it's a great way to do it. Cons it's a long day, so it's tiring, it is rushed so you don't see much more of some places and a quick glimpse out of the coach window.

Speaker 2: 16:14

And also in the summer months, as I've mentioned from a moment it is it was incredibly busy. I honestly have never seen Paris as busy as it was, and we were there last June, so we were there the year before, so I had a good comparison. It was also very hot. You know, I've got to the point really where it's some of the European cities over the summer months. If you can avoid them, really, it's just incredibly pleasant when it's very crowded. A lot of people everywhere all want to see the same things and, yeah, it just not for me. I would say, if you can not to do it if it's a June, july, august thing, because I think, yeah, just too hot, too crowded, and it may not be what you have in mind for Paris.

Speaker 3: 17:02

So that might be what I would say yeah, that's good, so anybody can sit and plan a day tour from Paris to London. What tips can you offer?

Speaker 2: 17:12

Well, I would say first of all, stay in the SNPancras International so that you can get to the train early.

Speaker 2: 17:20

Do not trust somebody else to set an alarm, set your own alarm because you have to be there early. I'd read about the places you go to visit so you can. We have got on one of our other websites, tracestravelsandtimecom. You can find tips and info for first-time visitors to Paris, which I will link to in the show notes. So if this is going to be your first visit to Paris, there's some information about the different places that I'm sure are included in this day trip.

Speaker 2: 17:45

If you do this particular tour, I would reconsider if you're thinking June, july and August, because honestly, it's crowded and hot. If you can swing it, book a premium economy on the Eurostar. Honestly, it's so nice, so so nice. Meals are included at your seat so they bring your food to you. Really comfortable, lovely, lovely trip Thoroughly. I always love the Eurostar anyway, but if you can try to swing premium economy, Don't take too much with you.

Speaker 2: 18:11

I just took one bag with me and if you do take a theft proof bag, honestly you do have to be careful in Paris, even the small walk-in that we did, you know, unfortunately it's like any major city in the world. There are pickpockets around and there are scams going on. So just make sure that you, when you take a bag that you take a theft proof bag. Again, I can link to an article that I have and I took one and it was absolutely fine. If you don't speak French, learn a few words of French. You will get taught, hopefully by the guide on the coach, which is great, but just learn a few words that you can converse when you go into cafes and shops. I would read our article about the Eurostar or listen to our podcast episode about it so that you're prepared for the Eurostar trip.

Speaker 2: 18:53

Remember, it's a long day so it might not be suitable for everyone. Like, say, there was a family on the day trip that I took who decided they didn't want to stop in Montmartre. They decided to get a new train back to London because I think their children were tired by that point. I would take a couple of bottles of water with you, so I bought some in the shop in the departure lounge in London. Eurostar had those with me because you know you're going to get thirsty and hot and there's not necessarily lots of stops to go and buy drinks. Don't forget to take your phone charger back. We pack with you because it says a long day and you're going to need it to keep your phone charged and do not forget to take your passport, because you will need your passport to move from London to Paris.

Speaker 3: 19:39

One last thing that's just a cure to me. Did you take any cash with you the day?

Speaker 2: 19:44

No, I didn't. Actually, I took no cash at all, which we actually hadn't done last year when we were in Paris, remember, we took no cash at all, no, just used contactless the entire time. Yet I didn't buy very much. I popped into a shop actually beside the Champs Elysees to get drinks, because everybody was thirsty by that point and we were drinking everything. And also, I think, I bought something in the Eurostar departure lounge. I bought a sandwich, I think by that point as well. So I did buy bits and bobs, but I used contactless for all of those. Oh, excellent, thank you. Thanks, a dog, for asking me the questions in this episode.

Speaker 3: 20:18

No problem, always happy to talk about trains.

Speaker 2: 20:20

Yep, I know you are. Hopefully we have answered all your questions about visiting Paris on an organised day tour from London. You can always join our UK TravelPlanet Facebook group for more related discussion. Links to various tours from London to Paris are included in this week's show notes at UKTravelPlanetcom. Forward slash episode 72. That just leaves us to say until next week, happy UK TravelPlanet.