How to Spend One Week in London and Paris with Teens (Without Blowing Your Budget)
A budget-friendly 7-day London and Paris itinerary for families with teens, packed with iconic sights, interactive museums, great food, and smart money-saving tips.
Traveling to Europe with teens doesn’t have to mean blowing your entire year’s vacation budget. We just wrapped up an incredible one-week adventure in London and Paris with two teenagers – and thanks to strategic planning, smart bookings, and a few budget-friendly travel hacks, we made the most of every moment without maxing out our credit cards.
This post breaks down exactly where we stayed, what we did, how much we spent (without sacrificing fun), and the lessons we learned along the way – because let’s be honest, planning a multi-city Europe trip for a family isn’t for the faint of heart. Here’s exactly how we did it.
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One-Week London & Paris Itinerary with Teens – Cost Snapshot
Here’s what our one week in London and Paris with teenagers itinerary cost breakdown. Prices are in USD and reflect summer 2025 travel.
| Category | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (U.S. to London roundtrip) | $2,100 | Booked 6 months in advance; economy |
| Eurostar (London ↔ Paris) | $480 | Evening departure saved a hotel night |
| Hotels | $3000 | Sea Containers London (2 nights) + Paris boutique hotel (2 nights) + Doubletree Hilton (2 nights) |
| Attractions & Tours | $750 | Includes Hop-On Hop-Off bus, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Churchill War Rooms, Tower of London, Eiffel Tower, Seine River cruise, Louvre |
| Food & Drinks | $1,050 | Mix of sit-down meals, bakeries, and casual eats |
| Local Transport | $180 | Tube, buses, Paris Metro, occasional taxis |
| Total | $7,560 | About $270 per person, per day |
Budget Tip: Booking the Eurostar in the evening and choosing hotels with breakfast included can save $300–$500 over the course of the week.
Day 1: Arrival in London + Sea Containers Hotel + Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
We flew into London on a red-eye and landed exhausted – but excited. Knowing we’d arrive way before check-in time, we booked our first stay at Sea Containers London, and they were phenomenal from the moment we walked in. They offered us access to free showers in the spa, fast-tracked cleaning for our room, and even pointed us toward a delicious breakfast spot to kill some time. We were checked in and napping by noon – absolute lifesavers.
Once we’d rallied, we kicked things off with a classic Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour, perfect for our jet-lagged crew. We rode past all the major sites and made stops at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where we explored the crypt and climbed to the very top for panoramic views of London.
The hotel’s location on the Southbank was also a win. We walked along the Thames in the evening, passing Shakespeare’s Globe, pop-up food stalls, a skate park, and live music. Dinner was a casual Mexican spot (Las Iguanas) – because when you’re traveling with picky teen eaters, sometimes “familiar” wins over “authentic.” No regrets.
Day 2: History, Politics & Iconic Landmarks
We had just three days in London to start with, so we planned a mix of must-see attractions, slower-paced walking spots, and hands-on experiences that would actually hold the interest of two teens.
Here’s what we hit:
- The Churchill War Rooms – A total win. The interactive museum setup kept everyone engaged, and it gave our teens some fascinating context for everything they’d learned in school. Highly recommend pre-booking tickets to avoid the line.
- The Tower of London – Between the Beefeaters, Crown Jewels, and dark history, this was one of our kids’ favorite stops. Book tickets in advance and go early in the day if you can – it gets packed.
- London Bridge & Tower Bridge – Quick photo ops and views over the Thames.
If you’re planning your own itinerary, I’d suggest front-loading more active or interactive sights early in the day and saving open-air or food-based stops for the late afternoon, when energy tends to drop.
Day 3: Royal Sights + Foodie Finds
We kicked off Monday with breakfast at Timmy Green – a trendy spot near Buckingham Palace. The food was delicious, and they had plenty of gluten-free options.
After breakfast, we walked through Green Park to watch the Changing of the Guard but found that the ceremony had been canceled due to the UK women’s Euro 2025 win (Go UK!). So, we spent the rest of the day exploring Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, and checking out shops before heading back to pack up.
Pro Tip: Make sure to check the schedule for the changing of the guard. Typically, the ceremony only happens on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 am.
Eurostar to Paris + First Impressions
We took the Eurostar train from London to Paris on Monday evening, which gave us almost a full extra day in London before we left. Once in Paris, we checked into Apartments du Louvre – a cozy, well-located spot that gave us space to spread out and cook a few meals.
Dinner that night was at Restaurant Le Molière, a charming bistro near our apartment. Great food, great wine, and the perfect way to kick off our Parisian stay.
Day 4: Eiffel Tower, Gluten-Free Eats, and Seine Views
On Tuesday, we had a timed-entry ticket to the Eiffel Tower and climbed all the way up – stairs first, then elevator. Totally worth it.
Afterwards, we had lunch at Tasca Sans Gluten, a 100% gluten-free Italian spot not far from the tower. Red awning, full pizza menu, and zero worries for our gluten-sensitive traveler.
After a quick stop back at the hotel to trade out some laundry, we decided to use the Seine River boat tour tickets that came with our Louvre reservation to see some more sites, and then wrapped up the day with a fancy French dinner at Chez Claude, which felt indulgent but didn’t wreck our budget.
Day 5: Museums, Bakeries, and Sunset Vibes
Wednesday mornings started with a quick walk to Boulangerie Julien for fresh croissants and coffee before heading into the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
We skipped Montmartre and Sacré-Cœur (we caught views of them during our Seine cruise anyway) and instead walked the Champs-Élysées, window-shopped, and people-watched. After, a quick macaroons pit stop, we caught the Eurostar back to London. We walked a short distance from our latest hotel (Doubletree by Hilton – Kings Cross), and had dinner at Nennos, a stylish Italian restaurant that totally nailed the vibe – great service, cool atmosphere, and teen-approved pasta.
Day 6: Back to London for One Last Meal
While the Doubletree wasn’t our best hotel stay of the week – a little dated and it didn’t fit the bill on beds (but the breakfast was good!) – it was a great central location that gave us a new perspective of the city.
With rain in the forecast we decided on Madame Tussaud’s, and had a blast posing with both English and Hollywood royalty. After, we took a taxi to Kensington Palace Garden and walked around Hyde Park.
For our last dinner, we wandered over to The Castle for pub food and that classic British feel. After a whirlwind week, we were full – of food, memories, and appreciation for a trip that balanced fun and frugality.
Final Thoughts: Big Cities with Teens, Done Right
A week in London and Paris with teenagers doesn’t have to come with a scary price tag – with the right planning, you can enjoy both cities’ top sights, amazing food, and memorable experiences without sacrificing comfort. From Sea Containers’ perfect Thames views to wandering the Louvre’s galleries, our trip proved that budget-conscious doesn’t mean boring. With a mix of splurge-worthy moments and clever savings – like taking the Wednesday night train between cities instead of losing a day to travel – we maximized every hour. Whether you’re traveling for the first time or returning for another adventure, this itinerary is proof that you can give your teens an unforgettable European getaway while keeping your finances happily intact.
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Want More Wandercents?
To read more about how we decide when to save or splurge when traveling, check out my post where I break it down further!
Curious what we packed for our weeklong adventure? Check out my guide on how to pack for a month in only a carry-on!
And read why I never leave home without travel insurance!
Curious how we kept our flights, hotels, tour tickets, and directions straight? Read my about my favorite travel apps that keep me organized on the road!
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