Ten days is a common trip length for first-time European visitors — long enough to feel worthwhile after a long-haul flight, short enough to fit within most annual leave allowances. The key question is how to allocate those 10 days without spending half of them in transit.
This guide offers two versions of a 10-day Europe itinerary: the classic London + Paris combination, and an alternative for travellers who want something slightly less expected.
Quick Takeaways
Start here: Ten days is a common trip length for first-time European visitors — long enough to feel worthwhile after a long-haul flight, short enough to fit within most annual...
Planning note: This guide offers two versions of a 10-day Europe itinerary: the classic London + Paris combination, and an alternative for travellers who want something slightly less expected.
Itinerary A: London + Paris (The Classic)
Best for: First-time visitors to Europe who want the two most iconic cities and a city-centre-to-city-centre train connection.
Overview
| Days | City | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 | London | 4 nights |
| 6 | Travel day (Eurostar) | — |
| 6–10 | Paris | 4 nights |
Total cost per person (mid-range, excluding flights): €1,300–1,900
Days 1–2: London — Arrival and Orientation
Day 1 (Arrival): Land at Heathrow. Take the Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line to central London. Southwark or Borough is the recommended neighbourhood for this itinerary (Zone 1, South Bank, good value for the area). Afternoon: walk the South Bank from Borough Market to Tate Modern. Early dinner and sleep.
Day 2: British Museum in the morning (free, allow 3 hours). Afternoon: walk through Bloomsbury to Covent Garden and Soho. Evening: dinner in Soho.
Days 3–4: London — Westminster and Parks
Day 3: Westminster (Westminster Abbey £27, Big Ben exterior free, St James’s Park), lunch in Victoria, afternoon at the National Gallery (free), evening in Covent Garden.
Day 4: South Kensington cluster — Natural History Museum (free) and V&A (free). Afternoon: Hyde Park. Optional evening: a show in the West End (book in advance; mid-range theatre seats from £25–60).
Day 5: London — South Bank and Bermondsey
Tate Modern (free) in the morning. Walk east along the South Bank past the Globe Theatre and Tate to Borough Market (Thursday–Saturday). Afternoon: Bermondsey Street for cafés and the White Cube gallery (free). Optional: Tower Bridge walkway (£11.20 adult) and the Tower of London (£34.80 adult — book ahead if visiting). Evening: last dinner in London.
Day 6: Eurostar to Paris
Morning departure from St Pancras International (allow 45 minutes before departure for passport control). Arrive Paris Gare du Nord by early afternoon. Metro to hotel. Walk the neighbourhood and eat simply — transit days are not sightseeing days.
Days 7–8: Paris Core
Day 7: Eiffel Tower summit (€29.40 — book at toureiffel.paris several weeks ahead). Walk the Champ de Mars. Afternoon: Musée d’Orsay (€16). Evening: dinner in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Day 8: Louvre (€22 — book timed entry at ticketlouvre.fr). Allow 3–4 hours. Afternoon: Le Marais neighbourhood (Place des Vosges, Marché des Enfants Rouges). Evening: dinner in Le Marais or République.
Day 9: Versailles Day Trip
RER C to Versailles-Château–Rive Gauche (40 minutes, ~€5 each way). Palace entry: €20 adult. Gardens free (except fountain show weekends). Full day — allow 5–6 hours in Versailles. Return to Paris for dinner.
Day 10: Paris — Montmartre + Departure Prep
Morning: Montmartre (walk up to Sacré-Cœur, Rue Abbesses neighbourhood). Lunch in the Latin Quarter. Afternoon: free for final shopping, Luxembourg Gardens, or another museum. Late evening or next morning: CDG airport.
Itinerary B: Amsterdam + Paris (The Alternative)
Best for: Travellers who want a more compact, walkable European experience as a pair.
Overview
| Days | City | Nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 | Amsterdam | 3 nights |
| 5 | Travel day (Eurostar) | — |
| 5–10 | Paris | 5 nights |
Amsterdam to Paris by Eurostar direct: 3h17m. Fares from £39 standard.
Amsterdam highlights (Days 1–4)
- Van Gogh Museum (€23 — must book at vangoghmuseum.nl)
- Rijksmuseum (€22.50 — book at rijksmuseum.nl)
- Anne Frank House (€16 — must book at annefrank.org; no walk-in tickets)
- Jordaan neighbourhood walk
- Boat canal tour (€15–20, multiple operators from Central Station)
Paris highlights (Days 5–10)
Five nights in Paris allows for Versailles day trip + Montmartre + both the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay without rushing.Cost Estimates
Itinerary A (London + Paris, per person, mid-range):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (9 nights) | €700–1,000 |
| Food (10 days) | €400–600 |
| Transport (London 5 days + Paris 4 days) | €125 |
| Eurostar | €55–80 |
| Attractions | €150–220 |
| Miscellaneous | €100 |
| Total | €1,530–2,125 |
Itinerary B (Amsterdam + Paris, per person, mid-range):
| Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (9 nights) | €600–900 |
| Food (10 days) | €380–580 |
| Transport | €100 |
| Eurostar (Amsterdam–Paris) | €50–80 |
| Attractions | €150–200 |
| Miscellaneous | €100 |
| Total | €1,380–1,960 |
What to Cut When 10 Days is Short
Don’t try to add a third city. The transit days eat too much time at 10 days. Two cities at depth is better than three cities rushed.
Cut the Tower of London if you’re not a history enthusiast. The £34.80 adult price and 2–3 hours required is better spent elsewhere if you’re not specifically interested in medieval English history or the Crown Jewels.
Cut the Versailles day trip if you only have 3 days in Paris. With 4 days it’s worth the full-day investment. With 3 days, replace it with a longer Paris afternoon and the Musée de l’Orangerie (€12.50 — Monet’s Water Lilies series in an oval room; takes 90 minutes and is extraordinary).
FAQ
Is 10 days enough for Europe? Yes, for two cities at meaningful depth. Ten days gives you roughly 4 full days in each of two cities, plus arrival, transit, and departure days. It’s a satisfying trip that doesn’t feel rushed if you avoid trying to add a third city.
How much does a 10-day Europe trip cost? Mid-range budget: €1,300–2,100 per person excluding international flights. Budget travel (hostels, free museums): €900–1,300. International flights from India add ₹45,000–80,000 return.
Should I go to London or Paris on a 10-day Europe trip? Both, if at all possible — the Eurostar makes combining them straightforward, and they are genuinely different experiences that complement each other. If you can only visit one, choose based on your priorities: London for English ease and free world-class museums; Paris for the most distinctly European first experience.
What is the best way to get between cities on a 10-day Europe trip? Train is the default for city pairs within 6 hours (London–Paris by Eurostar: 2h16m; Amsterdam–Paris direct: 3h17m). Use budget airlines (easyJet, Ryanair) for routes over 6 hours by train. Book inter-city trains at least 4–6 weeks ahead for the cheapest prices.
What should I book before my 10-day Europe trip? Book as early as possible: international flights, accommodation, Eurostar, Eiffel Tower (books out weeks ahead in summer). Book 2–4 weeks before: Louvre timed entry, Versailles, Anne Frank House (Amsterdam — must book, no walk-in). Everything else is manageable on arrival.
Last verified: 2026-04-27
Mara Vale
Mara Vale writes Eurly travel guides for first-time Europe visitors who want practical routes, realistic pacing, and fewer avoidable planning mistakes.
Eurly guides are written to help readers make confident travel decisions, but opening hours, ticket rules, transit disruptions, and local conditions can change. Always verify key reservations and official schedules before you travel.
