London vs. Paris: Which Is the Better City?

Among all of Europe’s capital cities, no two cities experience more tourism than London, England, UK, and Paris, France. These two iconic cities of historical importance, cultural influence, and artistic flare provide millions of vacationers with unforgettable trips each and every year.

Though similar, London and Paris are also incredibly different! So, which of the two cities provides a better vacation experience: London or Paris?

London and Paris are very similar cities, with only one major difference in the language being the real difference. Both feature iconic museums, monuments, and cultural pursuits. London is a royal-themed city, which may be intriguing to followers of monarchy and its pageantry. 

CategoryLondonParis
Cost Range for 1 Week$2,156$2,205
Main AttractionsBuckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, The Tower of London, The London Eye, 10 Downing Street, Kensington Palace, Clarence HouseThe Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, Champs-Elysees, Musée d’Orsay, Place de la Concorde, Place de Bastille
FoodLondon cuisine incorporates influences from world cuisine with many award-winning fine dining restaurants. The food in Britain is rustic and incorporates many fresh and local ingredientsFrench cuisine is conic throughout the world and features refreshing and distinctive flavors that combine bold flavors with sweet and airy tastes. 
WeatherThe weather in London features all 4 seasons. The air is moist but not uncomfortably humid. Rainfall is common throughout the year. The weather in Paris features all 4 seasons. The air is moist but not uncomfortably humid. Rainfall is common throughout the year.
SafetyLondon is considered to be a very safe city to visit. Crime against visitors is low and almost never violent in nature. South London is not recommended for vacationers due to some increased levels of crime in this area.  Central Paris is considered to be very safe for vacationers. This is the area of the capital that contains the most popular attractions. The edges of the city are a bit more prone to crime, therefore, these areas should be avoided, especially at night.
TransportationLondon has a large subway system known as the Underground. Public buses are also plentiful in the city, as are taxis and ride-sharing apps.Paris has a large public transportation system with an underground subway, a tram system, and numerous city buses running consistently. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also throughout the city. 
CustomsTo enter the UK, you will need a passport and it must be valid for the entire length of your stay. No visa is required. You will need to have a valid passport to vacation in France. A visa is not required for stays less than 90 days. 

Comparing London and Paris is certainly not an easy task. There are strict lovers of both cities and even more vacationers who state that both cities cannot compare. This is because London and Paris are identical in many ways, with numerous attractions, things to do, restaurants, and shops to experience. This article will explore both cities through a range of categories to discover, which is the better choice for a vacation.

Cost of Stay: Paris Vs. London

London vs. Paris: Which Is the Better City?

A typical one week vacation in London will usually cost about $2,156, whereas a one-week vacation in Paris will cost about $2,205. As you can see, neither city is too far off in terms of overall price points. The main thing to keep in mind about either city is the cost of daily expenses, which can add up quite quickly in either location. 

Affordable Hotel Options

Finding an affordable hotel in London is easy due to the convenience of many popular budget chains, but consider staying at a more unique and quintessentially-British option. The New Road Hotel in the Whitechapel area of London is sleek, modern, comfortable, and best of all, affordable. 

One of the great things about this city in Paris is that you can experience the finest elegance even at an affordable hotel. This is best represented at the Victoria Hotel Paris. This elegant hotel has the feel of what Paris was like at the turn of the twentieth century, yet it is both affordable and comfortable. 

Main Attractions

In London, no matter what time of year, there is really only one definite, must-see attraction for visitors–Buckingham Palace. The official and the main residence of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s current and longest-reigning monarch, an outside or inside (summer only) tour of this iconic building is an essential experience for any European vacation. 

Main Attractions

When it comes to Paris, sometimes the most obvious choice is the best choice. A visit to the Eiffel Tower is simply a must when in the City of Lights. This worldly symbol was constructed during the late 1880s and remained a symbol and beacon of all that is great and progressive about France and the innovation of French citizens. 

Main Attractions

Food

In London, there are hundreds of must-try restaurants to experience, and you could spend your entire trip trying to decide on only a few. To help you along, consider dining at Big Jo in Finsbury Park. This award-winning bakery is also a cafe, where you can experience some of the finest British comfort foods such as shepherd’s pie, steak and kidney pie, and Yorkshire pudding. 

In Paris, the same indecisiveness is likely to come over you. To make matters easier, consider dining at Septime. This restaurant exquisitely combines the cooking styles of Old Paris with the new and consistently evolving culinary practices of a new generation of French chefs. 

Weather

The weather in both Paris and London features all four seasons. The air is moist but not uncomfortably humid, and rainfall is common throughout the year. You won’t see many extremes in weather in either city, yet London does feature a bit more rainfall when compared to Paris, which has to do with the UK’s geographic distinction of being an island nation. 

Weather

Safety

London is considered a very safe city to visit, and a crime against visitors is low and almost never violent. South London is not recommended for vacationers due to some increased levels of crime in this area. Central Paris is considered very safe for vacationers, as this is the capital area that contains the most popular attractions. The edges of the city are a bit more prone to crime; therefore, these areas should be avoided, especially at night.

Transportation

London has a large subway system known as the Underground connecting passengers to multiple points across the city. Public buses are also plentiful in the city, as are taxis and ride-sharing apps. Paris has a large public transportation system with a subway and a tram system, and numerous city buses running consistently. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also throughout the city.

Customs

To enter both the UK and France, you will need a passport, and it must be valid for the entire length of your stay. No visa is required for a vacation in the United Kingdom; however, a visa will need to be obtained if you wish to stay in France longer than 90 days. 

Conclusion: London Vs. Paris

So, which of these two European cities is better?

This comparison is a coin flip; you will be pleased with either choice. Let’s give a slight edge to London since the monarchy’s sites, and sounds are one major distinction between the two cities and likely to be unforgettable.

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