8 Easy Day Trips from Paris For Traveller

Typical day trips from Paris include trips to Monet’s House in Giverny, the Palace of Versailles, or a day trip tour of the Champagne region of France. But you can easily spend a day in one of France’s neighboring countries!

Best countries to make good trips from Paris for the day

Belgium

The first country on our list is Belgium. Just a short train ride from Paris or use bus hire paris, Belgium is known for its delicious food, interesting history, and beautiful architecture. While in Belgium, be sure to visit the capital city of Brussels and try some of the country’s famous chocolate.

Luxembourg

The next country on our list is Luxembourg. This small country is located just a few hours from Paris by train and makes for a great day trip. While, in Luxembourg, be sure to visit the capital city of Luxembourg City and explore its many castles and museums.

England

The third country on our list is England. Though it may take a bit longer to get there from Paris, England makes for a great day trip or even a weekend getaway. While in England, be sure to visit the capital city of London and explore its many sights, including Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the Tower of London.

The Netherlands

Last but not least on our list is the Netherlands. The Netherlands is located just a short train ride from Paris and is known for its windmills, tulips, and canals. While in the Netherlands, be sure to visit Amsterdam, the capital city, and explore its many museums and art galleries.

8 best day trips from Paris to other countries

1. Bruges, Belgium

Just a 2.5-hour train ride from Paris, Bruges is the perfect day trip for those who want to explore a new city without venturing too far from home. Also this medieval city is known for its canals, cobbled streets, and picturesque buildings.

Distance: 2h 55m (train) · 164 miles from Paris center

How to get to Bruges:

Getting to Bruges from Paris is easy! Simply take the Thalys train from Paris Gare du Nord to Bruges.

The journey takes about 3 hours and trains depart several times a day. And tickets for the Paris to Bruges train will run you around €60 for a one-way trip.

Flixbus offers a budget-friendly bus service from Paris to Bruges starting at just €17.99 for a one-way ticket. In addition, the journey takes around 5 hours, so it’s not the quickest option, but it is the most affordable.

What to do in Bruges:

• Visit the Markt square and buy some local produce
• Wander around the medieval city center and admire the architecture
• Visit the Church of Our Lady, a 13th-century Gothic church with a tower that offers views of the city
• Take a boat ride through one of Bruges’ many canals
• Check out the Belfry of Bruges, a 13th-century bell tower located in the Markt square
• Browse some of the many museums, including the Folklore Museum and the Bruges Chocolate Museum
• Go beer tasting at a local brewery

2. Brussels, Belgium

Located just a short train ride away from Paris, Brussels is the perfect destination for a day trip.

The city is home to many historical sights and cultural attractions, including the Grand Place, Manne. And also Brussels is known for its delicious food. So be sure to try some of the local specialties like Belgian chocolate and waffles.

Distance: 2h 55m (train) · 160 miles from Paris center

How to get to Brussels from Paris:

The easiest way to get to Brussels from Paris is by train. Take the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels-Midi station.

You can also reach Paris by bus or car, but the journey will take longer.

FlixBus is a good option for bus travel between the two cities, as they usually have multiple departures per day from Paris and tickets are pretty cheap. You can find a bus ticket from Paris to Brussels for around 20-30 EUR.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 4 hours.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for parking in Brussels, so it’s not the most budget-friendly option!

What to do in Brussels:

There are plenty of things to do in Brussels, but some of the must-sees include:

• Visit the Grand Place
• Explore the Manneken Pis statue
• Try some Belgian chocolate at a local shop
• Wander around the Royal Palace of Brussels
• Check out the Atomium, a steel structure that was built for Expo ’58
• Visit the Musee des Instruments de Musique, a music museum with over 8,000 instruments on display
• Take a boat ride through the canals
• Explore the Royal Palace of Brussels

3. Ghent, Belgium

Another great day trip from Paris is Ghent, Belgium. This beautiful city is located just an hour away by train and is known for its medieval architecture, canals, and cobbled streets.

Distance: 1h 10m (train) · 155 miles from Paris center

How to get to Ghent from Paris:

The easiest way to get from Paris to Ghent is by train. You can take the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels-Midi station and then transfer to a local train bound for Ghent.

The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes in total.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 3 hours. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for parking in Ghent, as well as highway toll fees, so be prepared to have to spend some extra money if you travel by car.

A bus ride from Paris to Ghent will cost you around 20-30 EUR and take about 5 hours, depending on traffic.

FlixBus is a good option for bus travel between the two cities.

What to do in Ghent:

Ghent is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do. Some of the must-sees include:

• Visit the Gravensteen Castle for a look at medieval architecture
• Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral known for its 12th-century painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”
• Wander around the medieval city center, taking in the architecture and cobbled streets
• Visit the belfry of Ghent, a 14th-century bell tower that offers views of the city
• Check out the Ghent Altarpiece, a 15th-century Gothic painting located at Saint Bavo Cathedral in the city center

4. Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp, Belgium is another great option for a day trip from Paris. This city is located just over an hour away by train and is known for its diamond industry, medieval architecture, and fashion scene.

Distance: 2h 40m (train) · 184 miles from Paris center

How to get to Antwerp from Paris:

The easiest way to get from Paris to Antwerp is by train. You can take the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels-Midi station and then transfer to a local train bound for Antwerp.

The journey takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes in total.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Keep in mind you will also have to pay international toll fees, gasoline, and parking within the city of Antwerp.

Budget travelers can opt for a bus trip to Antwerp from Paris, which will take about 5 hours.

Tickets cost between 20-30 EUR

What to do in Antwerp:

Antwerp is a beautiful city with plenty of things to see and do. Some of the must-sees include:

• Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady, a Gothic cathedral known for its height and intricate architecture. Climb up the 123m steeple for panoramic views of the city.
• Check out the Rubens House, a museum dedicated to the life and work of Flemish Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens who lived in Antwerp.
• See zebras, penguins, and monkeys at the Antwerp Zoo, one of the oldest zoos in the world
• Explore the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a museum dedicated to the history of printing
• See the Grote Markt, Antwerp’s main square lined with Gothic guildhalls

5. London, United Kingdom

Just a few hours away by train, London makes for an easy and enjoyable day trip. London is known for its historic landmarks, shopping, and cultural diversity.

It’s a popular tourist destination due to its many attractions, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy on a day trip here.

Distance: 2h 20m (train) · 210 miles from Paris center

How to get to London from Paris:

The easiest way to get from Paris to London is by train. You can take the Eurostar from Paris Gare du Nord station directly to London St Pancras International. The journey takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 6 hours.

Keep in mind that you will have to pay for international tolls, gasoline, and parking within London (which is known to be extremely costly!).

There are also a few budget-friendly bus options available from Paris to London. The ride will take about 11 hours, so it’s obviously not ideal for a day trip but could be a good option if you plan on staying for a few days.

What to do in London:

London is a huge city with plenty of things to see and do. You definitely won’t be bored in this vibrant city!

• Visit Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch (See the changing of the guard ceremony if you can!)
• Check out Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• Explore Westminster Abbey, a Gothic cathedral where many British monarchs have been crowned

• Walk across Tower Bridge for panoramic views of the city
• Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, another iconic London landmark
• Take a ride on the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel with views of the city
• Explore Hyde Park, one of the largest parks in London
• Try a traditional English breakfast at one of London’s many restaurants

There is so much to see and do in London that you could easily spend several days here and not get bored.

6. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Just a few hours from Paris by train, Luxembourg City is the perfect destination for a day trip. The city is home to many historical landmarks and museums, as well as a lively nightlife scene.

Distance: 2h (train) · 177 miles from Paris center

How to get to Luxembourg City from Paris:

The easiest way to get from Paris to Luxembourg City is by train. There are direct trains from Paris Gare du Nord station to Luxembourg City, and the journey takes about 2 hours.

Tickets for the train can be purchased in advance through the SNCF website or at the station.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 5 hours. You will have to pay for international tolls and gasoline, so it’s best to carpool if possible.

There is also a budget-friendly bus option available from Paris to Luxembourg City on Flixbus. The ride will take about 11 hours, so it’s obviously not ideal for a day trip but could be a good option if you plan on staying for a few days. Tickets from Paris to Luxembourg City start at around 25 EUR and can be booked through FlixBus.

What to do in Luxembourg City:

Luxembourg City is a historic and culturally rich city with plenty of things to see and do.

• Visit the Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg
• Explore the Bock Casemates, a series of underground tunnels used as a military fortress
• Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows
• Walk through the picturesque Vianden Castle
• Explore the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, a WWII cemetery with over 5,000 graves
• Visit the National Museum of History and Art, which houses many historical artifacts

7. Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The Netherlands’ second-largest city, Rotterdam is a bustling metropolis with plenty to see and do. It’s home to many historical landmarks and museums, as well as a lively nightlife scene.

Rotterdam is a great destination for a day trip from Amsterdam or Paris!

Distance: 3h (train) · 229 miles from Paris center

Getting to Rotterdam from Paris is easy and there are multiple transportation options available.

The fastest way to get from Paris to Rotterdam is by train. There are direct trains from Paris Gare du Nord station to Rotterdam Central station, and the journey takes about 3 hours. Tickets for the train can be purchased in advance through the SNCF website or at the station.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 4 hours. You will have to pay for international tolls and gasoline, so it’s not the best option for those on a time crunch or those looking to save money.

Budget travelers hoping to travel to Rotterdam by car can book a carpool trip via Blablacar.

There is also a budget-friendly bus option available from Paris to Rotterdam. The ride will take about 11 hours, so it’s probably not worth it to stay for only one day if traveling by bus.

Flixbus tickets from Paris to Rotterdam start at around 25 EUR and can be booked online or on the app.

8. Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is a popular day trip from Paris for good reason. This vibrant city is just a 2.5-hour train ride from Paris and is known for its canals, museums, and coffee shops.

Amsterdam is the perfect place to spend a day (or two!) if you’re looking to explore somewhere new.

And if you’re visiting Paris in February, you should definitely pop over to Amsterdam and check out the tulip season in all its glory.

Distance: 3h30 (train) · 265 miles from Paris center

How to get to Amsterdam from Paris:

The most common way to get from Paris to Amsterdam is by train. And also there are direct trains from Paris Gare du Nord station to Amsterdam Central station, and the journey takes about 3.5 hours.

Tickets for the train can be purchased in advance via Omio or Trainline.

If you’re driving, the journey will take about 5 hours. You will have to pay for international tolls and gasoline, as well as parking fees within Amsterdam.

What to do in Amsterdam:

There is so much to see and do in Amsterdam that you could easily spend several days here.

• Explore the must-see attractions including the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum.
• Take a canal cruise or explore one of the many parks in the city
• Visit the Red Light District for a look at Amsterdam’s more risque side
• Take a tour of the Heineken Brewery, or go on a pub crawl
• Munch on a variety of delicious foods at Foodhaal, an indoor food market

There is so much to see and do in Amsterdam that it can be hard to know where to start.

Because of these are just a few of the great countries that you can visit from Paris for the day. So, the next time you find yourself in the City of Light, be sure to venture out and explore some of these nearby countries.

In conclusion, the possibilities for exciting and enriching trips from Paris are virtually endless. Whether you're looking to explore charming French towns, delve into the history of Europe, or savor the beauty of nature, Paris serves as an ideal gateway to a world of diverse experiences. From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the historic sites of Normandy, the fairytale castles of the Loire Valley to the picturesque villages of Provence, there's a journey to suit every traveler's interests.

>> See more: Should you book a Minibus Rental in Paris? 

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