Choosing between Paris and London for a city-break isn't obvious. Both capitals shine culturally but differ on price, mood and logistics. Here's an honest data-driven comparison to decide in 3 minutes.
Central 3* per night (2025): Paris €145 (Marais, Opéra, Latin), London €178 (Covent Garden, South Bank, Kensington).
For 4*: €220 in Paris vs €265 in London. Hostels start at €42 in Paris and €48 in London. Paris is ~20% cheaper on accommodation.
Paris Métro: t+ ticket €2.15, weekly Navigo €30.75 all zones. 16 lines + RER.
London Tube: single Oyster £2.80 (zones 1-2), 7-day Travelcard £44.70 (~€52). More extensive but 60% pricier.
4-night trip transport budget: ~€25 Paris, ~€40 London.
Bistro set lunch Paris: €18–25. London pub: £15–22 (€18–26). Similar on paper — except London adds 12.5% service and pints cost £7–9 (€8–10) vs €6–8 in Paris.
Michelin: Paris 122 vs London 76. But London wins on world cuisine (Indian at Brick Lane, Chinese in Chinatown, Korean in New Malden).
London wins outright: British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, V&A — all free.
Paris: only city museums (Petit Palais, MAM, Cognacq-Jay) are permanently free. Louvre €22, Orsay €16. First Sunday of the month (Nov–Mar) most national museums are free.
Pick Paris if: tight budget, French cuisine, romance, walking (compact 10×10 km).
Pick London if: free museums, world cuisine, shopping (Oxford Street, Camden), eclectic architecture, pub nightlife, West End shows.
Tip: combine both! Eurostar Paris–London in 2h20 from €78 return enables a 5-day combo (3 Paris + 2 London).
London averages ~25% more on hotels, transport and drinks. Restaurants are comparable.
3 days minimum per city for essentials. A 5-day combo via Eurostar is ideal.
Yes: 2h20 city centre to city centre vs 3h30 by plane (with peripheral airports). From €78 return booked 2 months ahead.