How I’m Planning a Budget-Friendly Trip to London + Paris (With Teens)

In just a week, I’m taking off on a 7-day budget trip to London and Paris – this time with two teens in tow and a whole lot of strategy to make it affordable, comfortable, and fun.

Want to know how I booked flights on points, found hotels with enough beds (without blowing the budget), and planned an epic week of sightseeing? Let’s break it down – plus a sneak peek at what I’m packing and what’s coming next on The Wandercents.

Where We’re Headed: London → Paris → Back Again

This trip is built around a 7-day itinerary through London and Paris – two iconic cities, one budget-savvy travel plan.

We’ll start in London for 3 nights, take the Chunnel (Eurostar) to Paris for 2 nights, and finish off with 2 more nights in London before heading home.

Traveling with teens means prioritizing space, structure, and fun (and also cell service!) so this post is all about how I made it work (without spending a fortune).

How I Planned This Budget Trip to London & Paris

Flights With Points

Before I booked anything, I scoped out prices using Kiwi.com and Skyscanner (both great for flexible travel searches). Prices were higher than I wanted, so I set a price alert – but ultimately, I booked with Capital One Venture points and only paid the taxes out of pocket ($25 total!!). Budget win!

Family-Friendly Accommodations Under $1,000

Finding one hotel room for multiple people in Europe? Almost impossible. That’s why I use Expedia to filter by number of beds, price range, and neighborhood. We needed 3 separate stays (London → Paris → London) and I found all of them for under $1,000 total – during peak season!

Pro Tip: Always check the final price with taxes/fees included – Expedia makes that easy.

Tours for Teens (and Everyone Else!)

I booked most of our tours through Viator and Get Your Guide—both make it easy to compare prices, book ahead, and adjust later.

We’re hitting the major sights: Tower of London, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Buckingham Palace, and even scored a bonus Seine River cruise with our Louvre tickets.

I especially love Viator’s “pay later” option and the flexible cancellation – super helpful when I realized I double-booked day two in London (oops).

Travel Insurance Peace of Mind

I chose World Nomads to insure our budget trip to London and Paris because they offer flexible tiers, including cancel-for-any-reason coverage, which was a must for me.

It covers all of us in the group and gives me the peace of mind to enjoy the trip, even if things don’t go exactly to plan.

^{We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.}

What I’m Packing (and When)

While my wife is more of a last minute packer, I like to start packing about 3–4 days before we leave. I’m also the one in charge of the “list” for everyone (everything that needs to make it into the suitcase) and my goal is to carry on only – especially since we’re hopping between cities.

I’m using my European Packing List, with essentials like:

• A portable charger (must-have in museums and transit)
• Refillable water bottles for each of us
• Lightweight layers for changeable weather
• My trusty Foldie crossbody bag (if you don’t have this, get it before your next trip – it’s a game changer!)

What’s Coming Next on the Blog

I’ll be sharing live updates on Instagram, and after the trip, I’ll publish:

• Our full London + Paris itinerary
• A budget breakdown: what we spent, saved, and what surprised us
• Save vs. Splurge in Europe: what was worth the money with teens
• A review of the tours we booked through Viator and Get Your Guide

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Have you done London or Paris with teens (or on a tight budget)? I’d love your tips – or your must-see stops. Drop them in the comments below or DM me on Instagram @thewandercents!