The Ultimate 14-Day Itinerary for London, Paris, and Beyond (with a 3-Day Bonus in Scotland)
7 min readSep 22, 2024
If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring the iconic landmarks of London and Paris with a dash of hidden gems, this detailed 14-day itinerary (with an optional 3-day Scotland extension) is for you! We’ll dive deep into where to stay, what to eat, must-see attractions, non-touristy spots, and even help you capture those Instagram-worthy photos. This guide will also break down your daily budget, transport options, and essential tips like eSIMs, travel insurance, and how to score amazing flight and hotel deals.
By the end, you’ll be more than ready to plan your epic European adventure. And if you want us to take care of all the details, don’t forget to check out my Ultimate Travel Guides and Cheat Sheets at ZachusTravel.com, where we can plan everything for you. Let’s get started!
Day 1–4: London — The Heart of the UK
Day 1: Arrival and Exploring Central London
- Morning: Fly into London Heathrow (LHR). For flight deals, head to Skyscanner — it’s perfect for finding cheap flights into London from the US. From Heathrow, take the Heathrow Express for a 15-minute ride to Central London ($30 USD).
- Afternoon: After settling in, kick off your trip by exploring Westminster Abbey and walking to Big Ben and The Houses of Parliament.
- Lunch: Head to Borough Market for street food or try a traditional British pub lunch (Fish and Chips for about $15 USD).
- Evening: Visit the iconic Tower Bridge and The Tower of London. Finish the night with a sunset stroll along the Thames River.
Budget:
- Heathrow Express: $30 USD
- Lunch at Borough Market: $15 USD
- Entry to Tower of London: $35 USD
- Hotel: $120 USD (Check Skyscanner or Agoda for deals)
- Total Day 1: ~$200 USD
Day 2: Iconic Sights and Hidden Gems
- Morning: Start your day at The British Museum (free entry!). Walk over to Covent Garden to soak in street performers and boutique shops.
- Lunch: Grab a sandwich at Pret A Manger for a quick and affordable bite (~$10 USD).
- Afternoon: Explore Notting Hill, known for its charming streets and colorful houses. Don’t miss Portobello Road Market for unique antiques and local finds.
- Evening: Catch a West End Show — check Viator for ticket deals.
Budget:
- Lunch: $10 USD
- West End Show: $60 USD
- Hotel: $120 USD
- Total Day 2: ~$190 USD
Day 3: Royal London
- Morning: Visit Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard (check the schedule!). Stroll through St. James’s Park afterwards.
- Afternoon: Have lunch at a traditional afternoon tea spot (budget around $50 USD for tea and sandwiches).
- Evening: Take a ride on the London Eye for breathtaking views of the city ($40 USD). Snap that perfect sunset picture!
Budget:
- Afternoon Tea: $50 USD
- London Eye: $40 USD
- Hotel: $120 USD
- Total Day 3: ~$210 USD
Day 4: Day Trip to Windsor Castle or Oxford
- Morning: Take a day trip to Windsor Castle or Oxford. Both are reachable by train from London in about an hour (~$25 USD round-trip). Explore Windsor’s beautiful castle or Oxford’s historic university.
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at a cozy café in either town ($20 USD).
- Evening: Return to London and have dinner in Soho. Try Dishoom for modern Indian food ($30 USD).
Budget:
- Train to Windsor/Oxford: $25 USD
- Lunch: $20 USD
- Dinner in Soho: $30 USD
- Hotel: $120 USD
- Total Day 4: ~$195 USD
Day 5–8: Paris — The City of Light
Day 5: Travel to Paris
- Morning: Take the Eurostar train from London to Paris ($60–100 USD one-way depending on deals from Skyscanner). Arrive in Gare du Nord in just 2.5 hours.
- Afternoon: Settle into your hotel and take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe. Stop for a café au lait and a croissant (~$10 USD).
- Evening: Have dinner at a classic French bistro in Le Marais (budget $40 USD for a 3-course meal).
Budget:
- Eurostar: $80 USD
- Coffee & Croissant: $10 USD
- Dinner: $40 USD
- Hotel: $140 USD (Find great deals via Skyscanner or Agoda)
- Total Day 5: ~$270 USD
Day 6: Classic Paris Landmarks
- Morning: Head straight to the Eiffel Tower (book a ticket online for $30 USD to skip the line). Take your time and get those iconic photos.
- Lunch: Enjoy a picnic in Champ de Mars with a fresh baguette, cheese, and wine (~$20 USD).
- Afternoon: Visit Musée d’Orsay ($15 USD) and explore its incredible Impressionist collection.
- Evening: Walk along the Seine River and explore the Latin Quarter. End with a crepe from a street vendor (~$5 USD).
Budget:
- Eiffel Tower: $30 USD
- Picnic: $20 USD
- Musée d’Orsay: $15 USD
- Crepe: $5 USD
- Hotel: $140 USD
- Total Day 6: ~$210 USD
Day 7: Versailles Day Trip
- Morning: Take the RER C train to Versailles ($10 USD round-trip). Spend the day exploring the palace and gardens ($20 USD for entry).
- Lunch: Grab lunch at a local café near the palace (~$20 USD).
- Evening: Return to Paris and explore Montmartre. See the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and have dinner in this artistic neighborhood ($40 USD).
Budget:
- Train to Versailles: $10 USD
- Entry to Versailles: $20 USD
- Lunch: $20 USD
- Dinner: $40 USD
- Hotel: $140 USD
- Total Day 7: ~$230 USD
Day 8: Hidden Gems in Paris
- Morning: Visit the Musée Rodin ($15 USD) for beautiful sculptures in a serene garden.
- Lunch: Try a falafel sandwich in the Jewish Quarter of Le Marais (~$10 USD).
- Afternoon: Walk through the Île de la Cité to visit Notre-Dame and explore Shakespeare & Company bookstore.
- Evening: Enjoy a romantic boat cruise on the Seine ($30 USD).
Budget:
- Museum Entry: $15 USD
- Lunch: $10 USD
- Boat Cruise: $30 USD
- Hotel: $140 USD
- Total Day 8: ~$195 USD
Day 9–11: Loire Valley and Normandy
Day 9: Travel to the Loire Valley
- Morning: Pick up a rental car from Paris for your journey to the Loire Valley (~$60 USD/day). IDP required ($36 USD at AAA).
- Afternoon: Visit Château de Chambord, one of the most stunning castles in the Loire Valley ($15 USD entry).
- Evening: Stay at a quaint château hotel (book on Agoda for $120 USD/night). Dinner at a local restaurant ($30 USD).
Budget:
- Rental Car: $60 USD
- Château de Chambord: $15 USD
- Dinner: $30 USD
- Hotel: $120 USD
- Total Day 9: ~$225 USD
Day 10: Loire Valley Castles
- Morning: Visit Château de Chenonceau ($15 USD entry). This fairy-tale castle spans the Cher River.
- Lunch: Enjoy a casual lunch at a café nearby (~$20 USD).
- Afternoon: Drive to Amboise to explore the Château Royal d’Amboise ($15 USD).
- Evening: Have dinner in Amboise (~$40 USD) and return to your château hotel.
Budget:
- Castle Entry: $15 USD (x2)
- Lunch: $20 USD
- Dinner: $40 USD
- Hotel: $120 USD
- Total Day 10: ~$210 USD
Day 11: Normandy Day Trip
- Morning: Drive to Normandy and visit Mont Saint-Michel, a stunning island commune ($12 USD for entry).
- Lunch: Have lunch in a local bistro (~$20 USD).
- Afternoon: Drive back to Paris and return your rental car.
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Paris (~$40 USD).
Budget:
- Mont Saint-Michel Entry: $12 USD
- Lunch: $20 USD
- Dinner: $40 USD
- Hotel: $140 USD
- Total Day 11: ~$212 USD
Day 12–14: Optional Scotland Extension
Day 12: Fly to Edinburgh
- Morning: Fly from Paris to Edinburgh (~$60 USD on Skyscanner).
- Afternoon: Visit Edinburgh Castle ($20 USD) and stroll down the historic Royal Mile.
- Evening: Have dinner in the Old Town ($40 USD). Stay in a charming hotel or Airbnb ($130 USD).
Budget:
- Flight: $60 USD
- Castle Entry: $20 USD
- Dinner: $40 USD
- Hotel: $130 USD
- Total Day 12: ~$250 USD
Day 13: Explore Edinburgh and Beyond
- Morning: Visit Arthur’s Seat for a scenic hike and incredible city views (free!).
- Lunch: Stop at a local pub for fish and chips (~$20 USD).
- Afternoon: Take a day trip to Stirling Castle or explore the Scottish Highlands with a tour from Viator (~$70 USD).
- Evening: Return to Edinburgh for dinner at The Witchery (~$50 USD).
Budget:
- Lunch: $20 USD
- Stirling Castle/Highlands Tour: $70 USD
- Dinner: $50 USD
- Hotel: $130 USD
- Total Day 13: ~$270 USD
Day 14: Departure
- Morning: Relax with a leisurely breakfast at The Elephant House (where J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter) (~$15 USD).
- Afternoon: Fly back to the US from Edinburgh (check Skyscanner for deals).
Budget:
- Breakfast: $15 USD
- Miscellaneous: $10 USD
- Total Day 14: ~$25 USD (excluding flight)
Total Estimated Budget (14 Days)
- London: ~$795 USD
- Paris: ~$1,110 USD
- Loire Valley/Normandy: ~$647 USD
- Scotland (Optional 3-Day Extension): ~$795 USD
- Grand Total (without Scotland): ~$2,552 USD
- Grand Total (with Scotland): ~$3,347 USD
Travel Essentials: eSIM, Health Insurance, and Data Plans
- eSIMs: Stay connected by purchasing an eSIM from providers like Airalo or Nomad for affordable data plans.
- US Carriers: Both AT&T and T-Mobile offer great international plans to take your US number abroad.
- Travel Health Insurance: Don’t leave home without Nomad Health Insurance by SafetyWing, the most reliable coverage for international travelers.
- International Driver’s Permit (IDP): Get your IDP from AAA for $36 if you plan to drive in Europe.
Check out ZachusTravel.com and my YouTube Channel for even more tips and detailed guides on affordable luxury travel, and remember: We can plan your entire trip for you with our Ultimate Travel Guides!
Until next time here’s to smooth skies, good company, a journey full of happy memories. I’m your Travel Hack Guide to affordable luxury tips. Catch you later. Peace
Travel Hack Guy
ZachusTravel.com & YouTube.com/zachustravel
