Our family of 4 just checked off a major bucket list moment! Our first trip to Europe together! London and Paris were the kids’ picks, and honestly? Great choices. I had always dreamed of taking them younger, but I know myself well enough to know my limits when it comes to travel anxiety and everything it takes out of me. So we waited until they were 11 and almost 10, and I have zero regrets.
We are no strangers to flying as a family, we have done domestic trips and have been our thing for a while now… but a 9-hour flight was a whole new level. I won’t lie, I was nervous. But it ended up being so much better than I expected, and here we are!
Before we dive in, a quick note: this itinerary is built around older kids. We did not plan around strollers, nap schedules, or diaper bags, so if your littles are still in that season, some of this may not translate. And if you ARE out here doing long-haul international travel with toddlers and babies. I genuinely have so much respect for you. That takes a kind of strength I do not have!
Okay, now let’s get into it.
Getting There
We flew out of Dallas with a 5:45 pm departure and honestly, that timing is everything. Here’s why it works so well with kids: they board, get settled, start a movie, and by the time the film wraps up dinner is being served. After dinner we did a no-screens wind down which means books only, and then it was lights out. The kids were out pretty quickly. The adults? We tried. My husband and I are not exactly great plane sleepers so we just did our best!
The flight itself is around 9 hours so landing in London puts you right into the morning. We grabbed a taxi straight to our hotel and got lucky because our room was ready early.
Two tips here:
Call your hotel ahead of arrival and request an early check-in. It is not guaranteed but it never hurts to ask and sometimes they can make it happen.
If your room is NOT ready when you arrive, ask them to hold your luggage and keep one carry-on with a change of clothes and your toiletries. Freshen up in the lobby restroom and head straight out to explore. No reason to sit and wait when there is a whole city outside!
Where We Stayed
One of the best decisions I made for this trip was hiring a travel agent. I am not exaggerating when I say it saved me hours of research and decision fatigue. Emily from Emily K Travel is a luxury travel agent and she was incredible at narrowing down options based on exactly what I was looking for. If you have the budget (her services to find you the hotels are free) and want someone to do the heavy lifting, I cannot recommend her enough.
London: The Zetter Marylebone
As an interior designer I am very particular about where I stay, and this one did not disappoint. The Zetter Marylebone has this beautiful vintage feel with interiors that are thoughtful and layered, exactly my kind of place. But beyond the aesthetics, what sold me was the location. It sits in a quieter, more residential part of London away from the heavy tourist areas. This was my third time in London and experiencing it from a neighborhood like this felt so different in the best way. The service was also next level. They were warm, attentive, and genuinely helpful. They truly make you feel taken care of.
Paris: Le Pavillon des Lettres
For Paris we knew we needed more space since we were staying for 6 nights, so we booked a two-room suite and it was absolutely the right call. Each room had its own bathroom and closet which if you have ever traveled to Europe you know that is not a given! The rooms were spacious, the vibe was calm, and again we were tucked into a quieter part of the city which we loved.
Both hotels are rated 4.5 stars and above so yes, they come with a price tag. But both were completely worth it.
Day 1: Settle In and Fight the Jet Lag
The number one rule for beating jet lag? Push through that first day no matter what. Do not nap. Here is how we did it:
- Piccadilly Circus – First stop. Hit the Lindt store for chocolate and ice cream. The sugar boost is real and necessary.
- Regent Street – Walked down and popped into Polene, Zara and H&M
- Luxury Car Showrooms – A spontaneous stop that ended up being one of my son’s favorite moments of the entire trip. Seeing those cars up close was a big deal for him.
- Nearby Park – When everyone started fading we found a park and sat for 10-15 minutes. Sometimes you just need a reset before the second wind kicks in.
- Dinner at BKC – A block from our hotel and every single dish was a hit. I highly recommend it.
We were showered and in bed by 9pm and slept like absolute rocks.
Day 2: Harry Potter Tour Day
- Breakfast at the Zetter – We kept it easy and ate at the hotel. It did not disappoint.
- Daunt Books – About a 15 minute walk from the hotel. A stunning independent bookstore that has been used as a film location. Worth a visit even if you are not a big reader.
- Harry Potter Studios – Ubered to the pickup point, grabbed a snack at a nearby coffee shop, and boarded the bus at noon. About an hour drive to the studios. We did the half day tour but honestly book the full day if you can — we could have used the extra time. There is a large cafe on site for butterbeer and ice cream which the kids loved.
- This is the tour we booked on Viator. It may not be the same when you book as it changes often. BOOKING LINK
We were dropped back by 6:30 pm, grabbed pizza at a local spot and called it a night.
Day 3: Vintage Shopping and a Surprise Favorite
Get to Portobello Market early- it makes a HUGE difference.
- Portobello Road Market – We ubered to Notting Hill first thing. Arrived just as it was opening which was perfect. I picked up vintage watches and gifts. The kids got personalized passport holders made on the spot and were obsessed.
- Notting Hill Bookstore – Go early before the line builds up. Charming little stop.
- The Colorful Houses – Walk down and grab your pictures. You have seen them on Instagram and they deliver in person.
- Imperial College – A personal stop for us since my father-in-law studied there. Happened to be right next to the Science Museum which was a great bonus.
- Natural History and Science Museum – Free entry and my son could have stayed all day. Great stop for kids.
- High Tea at The Ampersand Hotel – The perfect way to end the day. This is not the stuffy dressed-up kind of high tea. It is relaxed, really well done and the kids absolutely loved it.
Day 4: All the Touristy Things
Last full day and we leaned all the way in.
- Brunch at Daisy Green – Right next to our hotel. Really good food and a great vibe to start the day.
- The London Eye – Buy the fast lane tickets. They are valid all day so no pressure on timing and the lines move quickly. Took about an hour total.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Bus – The best way to hit the major landmarks without walking yourself into the ground. We covered Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge and stuck to our list.
- The DDLJ Statue – A little tricky to find because it is small and tucked away but if you are a Bollywood fan it is such a fun little moment. Not a must but a sweet surprise if you are nearby.
- Dinner at Colonel Saab, Trafalgar Square – Reservations are a must. The food was delicious, the service was great and as an interior designer I have to say the space was stunning. Really well done.
After dinner we went straight back to pack – train to Paris in the morning!
Day 5: London to Paris on the Eurostar
- Breakfast at The Watchhouse – Quick and easy, right near the hotel.
- Check out and head to St. Pancras Station – We arrived at 10:15 for an 11:30 departure and had plenty of time.
- The Eurostar – So much easier than flying between these two cities. Security is straightforward, there are tons of shops before you even get to the checkpoint, and the 2.5 hour ride is genuinely comfortable. Book directly through Eurostar. This was one of the easiest parts of the whole trip. EUROSTAR
Paris Itinerary
Day 1: Check In and Settle
After a smooth Eurostar ride our train pulled in at 3:45pm which was perfect timing for hotel check in. We unpacked, freshened up and kept the evening low key knowing we had a full 5 days ahead.
- Dinner – We tried an Italian restaurant nearby. Honestly just ok, I would skip it and find somewhere else.
- Arc de Triomphe – We were tired but walked over after dinner and it was worth it.
- Dessert at Carette – The famous hot chocolate is everything and you get a view of the Eiffel Tower while you sit. The perfect end to day one.
Day 2: Eiffel Tower and the Louvre
Breakfast was included at our hotel which was a game changer, no figuring out where to go, just an easy start to the day.
- Eiffel Tower Tour (10:15am) – We booked a guided tour and it was the best decision. The guide walks you through the history on the way there, handles the lines and security and takes you up to level 2. The first time my husband and I visited we wasted so much time figuring it out ourselves so this was a completely different experience. BOOKING LINK
- Lunch at L’As du Falafel – Lines get long here. There are two lines — take away on the left, eat in on the right. We ate in to sit and take a break and it was delicious.
- All Bags – A fun stop where you can personalize bags with initials or names. Great for gifts or yourself.
- La Perlerie 22 (Charm Bracelets) – Go as soon as it opens, it gets packed fast and feels overwhelming when it is crowded. We made 3 bracelets – one for me, one for my daughter and one as a gift. So many charms to choose from and one of the more affordable and memorable things to do in Paris. Note: they ask you to come back to pick up since they assemble it after. Take a photo of your pink ticket or they will have trouble finding your order!
- Louvre Small Group Tour (5pm) – Pricey but worth every penny. They know exactly where to take you, hit all the important pieces including the Mona Lisa and the small group setting makes it feel manageable. The Louvre is massive and overwhelming on your own, this was the right call. The tour ran until 7:30pm. BOOKING LINK
- Seine River Cruise – Beautiful and relaxing after a packed day. Get there on time as lines can build up. We got tickets for there during the Eiffel Tower tour since they were offering a discount.
Day 3: Macaron Class and Shopping
A lighter day after two big ones and honestly one of my favorites.
- Macaron Making Class in Montmartre – About 3 hours and SO worth it. We did a class with local grandmas and it was one of the most fun and memorable things we did the whole trip. BOOKING LINK
- Flueron – A gorgeous Parisian purse store. I had this one on my list and found my bag here.
- La Bonne Brosse – A high end hairbrush store. Yes a splurge for a hairbrush but I have heard amazing things and I finally understand that the brush you use actually matters for your hair!
- Stationery Store – Grabbed some small things for the kids, a sweet little stop.
- Dinner and early night – Big day ahead at Versailles so we kept the evening easy.
Day 4: Palace of Versailles
- Breakfast at the hotel – By this point I was fully addicted to my gourmet latte every morning. No regrets.
- Palace of Versailles Half Day Tour – About an hour bus ride from Paris. We spent around 4 hours there and were back by 3:30pm. It is massive so a full day tour is also a great option if you want to see everything. BOOKING LINK
- McDonald’s Paris – Okay hear me out. We walked into a McDonald’s and the vegetarian menu was huge. The kids got their first Happy Meal and immediately asked why the US does not offer this. A surprisingly fun little cultural moment.
- Parisian Hair Clip Shopping – My daughter and I snuck away to a hair accessories store near the hotel. Pricey but so cute.
- Dinner at a vegan restaurant – Just ok honestly. France is beautiful but vegetarian and vegan food has always felt a little underwhelming to me taste wise.
- Ice Cream by the Opera House – We grabbed ice cream and just sat and people watched. One of those simple moments you do not forget.
Day 5: Monet’s Giverny
- Giverny Half Day Tour – I am so glad I booked this one. Getting out of the city to the countryside and seeing Monet’s home and gardens was absolutely stunning. A dream. We did the half day but I wish I had booked the full day — we did not get to see everything and I wanted more time there. BOOKING LINK
- Back in Paris by 3:30pm – McDonald’s again because it was easy and the kids were happy!
- Galleries Lafayette – Took the kids to experience a truly fancy mall. Worth the stop just to see it.
- French Pharmacy – Do not skip this. The skincare is so much more affordable than back home and the selection is incredible. I showed restraint but honestly I could have bought so much more.
- Dessert at Angelina’s – The perfect sweet ending to the day.
Day 6: Family Photoshoot and Last Day Feels
- Family Photoshoot -I booked through Flytographer and it was seamless and so worth it. We got gorgeous family photos and I got my Diwali card shot. If you are celebrating anything or just want beautiful memories, do this! Leo was our photographer and he was great. Here is his direct BOOKING LINK. If you’re a family of 4 or more, I would book the hour, 30 mins is too short! And if it ends up raining…do it anyway, get those fun beautiful shots with umbrellas, it will still turned out stunning!
- Burger King Paris – We tried another fast food spot with a great veggie menu and it did not disappoint. The European fast food vegetarian options are genuinely good.
- RSVP – My final shopping stop and I got the bag I had been eyeing. She is so pretty!
- Montmartre – Such a charming neighborhood. We walked around, visited the cathedral, did some shopping and my husband’s prediction came true — we had to buy a small duffle bag because the shopping was absolutely not fitting in our original luggage. Ha!
- Farewell Dinner in Montmartre – Ended our last night with dinner in the neighborhood before heading back to pack and get some sleep.
The Flight Home
We booked an 10 am early flight which also meant getting to the airport early by 7 AM to go through the tax back process for all the shopping. I will walk you through exactly how that works in the next section!
Our hearts were a little sad on that ride home but already thinking about the next adventure.
My Top Tips & Takeaways for London and Paris
- Pack for the Heat We got hit with a full heatwave across both cities and it was no joke. Light breathable clothing is a must and honestly the thing that saved us most was our rechargeable fans. Do not leave home without them. You can watch my Travel Must Have Videos on instagram! Many of the stores and resturants also don’t have air conditioning so these fans will be saving you in more ways than you think!
- Budget Extra Luggage for Paris Shopping If you plan on shopping in Paris, and you will, either bring an extra bag or keep a carry on with room to spare. Clothing, perfumes and purses are genuinely cheaper there than in the US and with the VAT refund on top of that you are saving a significant amount. Plan ahead so you are not buying a duffle bag last minute like we did!
- Build Your Map Before You Go Before the trip create a saved map on Google Maps with every place you want to visit. Restaurants, shops, landmarks, all of it. Being able to pull it up instantly without searching while you are tired and on your feet is a game changer.
- Uber vs Public Transportation We ubered a lot and it was absolutely the easier option with kids. Just know it adds up fast. If you are comfortable with the metro it will save you money, but for us convenience won over cost most days and no regrets there.
- Book the Eurostar Directly Go straight to the Eurostar website, it is simple and easy. We traveled standard class and it was really comfortable. No need to use a third party site.
- Bring Snacks From Home This one is personal but as a vegetarian I really wished I had packed more snacks from home. Grab some easy portable US snacks for yourself and the kids. The small individual snack bags are perfect for long days out and the gaps between meals when everyone starts getting hangry.
- Stay Alert With Your Belongings Pickpocketing is very real in Europe and you need to be hyperaware especially in crowded tourist areas. Keep your bag in front of you at all times and I highly recommend a phone wristlet so your phone cannot be easily grabbed. Better to be overly cautious than to deal with that headache on vacation.
- Pack Light and Restyle Plan your outfits before you go and choose pieces that can be worn multiple ways. Packing light makes everything easier — moving between cities, navigating train stations and not paying overweight baggage fees. A little planning goes a long way.
The VAT Tax Refund Process (Do Not Skip This!)
My husband and I had a terrible experience with this 12 years ago in Portugal so I want to make sure you do not go through the same thing. The good news is that Paris has made this process really straightforward.
Who qualifies: Any purchase over 100 euros made in France is eligible for a tax refund.
At the store when purchasing:
- Tell the cashier you want tax back before they finish the transaction
- Have a copy of your passport ready – a photo on your phone works fine
- They will take your passport info and give you a receipt and paperwork in an envelope
- Each receipt has a scan code in the top right corner – do not lose these
At the airport:
- This must be done BEFORE security so factor in extra time
- We arrived 3 hours early which gave us plenty of buffer
- Our flight was out of Terminal 2C but the VAT kiosks are located in terminals A and B – know this ahead of time so you are not scrambling
- Simply scan each receipt using the code in the top right corner, wait for it to show accepted and move to the next one
- Once all receipts are scanned hit complete and you are done
Getting your refund:
- Credit card refund – expect it to show up within about 4 weeks
- Cash refund – there is a separate line right next to the kiosks for this
That same line is also where you go if any of your codes do not scan properly. Ours went smoothly and the line was barely anything because we got there early. Moral of the story… give yourself time and it is totally painless!
I hope this gives you all the information you need to have a wonderful, safe trip to Europe!
Happy Traveling,
Rashmi
