Only got 24 hours in Paris?
Only got 24 hours in Paris? Don’t panic… you’ve got just enough time to race around the city and experience all of Paris’ iconic landmarks and sites.
BUT, the secret to seeing it all? Planning and Preparation.
Get ready to fall head over heels in love with Paris in just 24 hours with this ultimate itinerary for first-timers.
This is your fast-paced, fast-pass guide to everything iconic, historic, and unmistakably Parisian.
Here’s how to squeeze all the must-see sights into one whirlwind 24 hours in the city of love…. Paris.
Table of contents
Paris – Key Information
OPEN our GOOGLE MAP with all the spots listed in this itinerary
Get 10% off Tours, Attractions, Hotels with Klook using our code: TRAVELLIVNKLOOK
WHERE TO STAY IN PARIS
(with Eiffel Tower Views)
$$$ Mercure Tour Eiffel Grenelle
$$$ Hotel Muguet
$$$$$ Shangri-La Paris
ATTRACTIONS TO BOOK IN ADVANCE IN PARIS
Moulin Rouge (MUST BOOK in advance)
PARIS AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Train: Approximately €25 per person / Duration: 1 hour
Private Transfer: Approximately A$95 (regular car) / Duration: 40 minutes – (This is who we used)
Taxi: Approximately A$110–130 per car / Duration: 40 minutes
ESSENTIAL APPS IN PARIS
Klook app (Transfers, Tours & Attractions) get 10% off with our code TRAVELLIVNKOOK
We use a Wise Card for the best Currency exchange rates
We use Apple Maps or Google Maps to navigate
France Esim
Arriving in Paris: Airport Transfer Options
Upon landing at Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly Airport (ORY), you have many easy options to reach your hotel and the city center, to begin your Paris Itinerary:
Option 1: Private Transfer (our personal suggestion)
The easiest, most comfortable, and direct way to reach your hotel is by booking a private transfer. This is a great way to make the most of your time especially if, like us, you only have 24 hours in Paris.
This is the stress-free option. Your driver will meet you right after you exit customs, help with your luggage, and take you straight to your hotel door. No dragging suitcases through train stations or along busy sidewalks.
We booked our transfer through Klook and paid approximately €55 for a private car. Vans for larger groups are also available for a slightly higher price.
You’ll find the link to book here
✨Use our code TRAVELLIVNKLOOK for up to 10% off your booking!✨
Option 2: Train + Metro
Duration: Approximately 1 hour
Cost: Around €25 per person
Note: This is a budget-friendly option, but it does involve carrying your luggage, navigating train transfers, and potentially dealing with crowded trains. Plus, if you are travelling with more than 2 passengers, it is not that much more to book the private transfer.
Option 3: Standard Taxi
Standard Taxi: Expect to pay approximately €60 to €80 depending on where you are travelling to.
Duration: Around 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Our Hotel Recommendation:
Want a view of the Eiffel Tower without spending thousands?
The Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Grenelle is your perfect solution. It offers modern, affordable mid-range rooms with the option of an Eiffel Tower view. Ideally located just opposite the Duplex Metro Station and only a 10-minute walk from the Eiffel tower itself, this hotel makes an excellent base for your 24 hours in Paris itinerary.
Check it out below:
Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Grenelle Hotel Highlights:
- Proximity: 10-minute walk to the Eiffel Tower and Champs de Mars.
- Amenities: Fitness room, sauna, bar, and patio, breakfast.
- Comfort: Air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and some offering Eiffel Tower views.
- Accessibility: Dupleix Metro station directly opposite, providing easy access to major attractions. Close to many nearby cafes and restaurants.
24 hour Paris Itinerary – Lets go!
This Paris 24 hour itinerary is jam-packed, so get ready to put in some serious steps!
To fit everything into just 24 hours, you’ll need to start your day early. Lace up those walking shoes and prepare to make the most of every moment in Paris.
Open and save our Google Map, which includes all the pinned locations from this itinerary.
Morning: Walk & Parisian Breakfast
Start your day with a leisurely walk around the Eiffel Tower neighborhood straight out from your Hotel.
Pick out your favourite points of interest and photo ops from this list:
- Rue de l’Université: One of Paris’s most Instagrammable streets.
- Av. de Camoens: Another great spot to take photos of the Eifell Tower
- Rue du Maréchal Harispe & Place du Trocadéro: Ideal spots for panoramic photos.
- Pl. du Trocadéro offers one of the most iconic views of the Eiffel Tower, making it a popular spot for visitors and photographers alike.
- Champs de Mars: A tranquil park offering stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. (You will be going here later for a sunset picnic so no need to spend too much time here)
Grab some breakfast:
- L’Howea has loads of breakfast spots.
- Breakfast: Enjoy a traditional Parisian breakfast at a nearby café, or your hotel.
Mid Morning: Arc de Triomphe & Champs-Élysées
Take the Metro to George V station:
- Arc de Triomphe: one of Paris’s iconic monuments, and one that cannot be missed. You can even book to climb to the top and take in the views.
- Champs-Élysées: Stroll along this famous avenue, lined with high end shops and cafés.
Midday – The Louvre
Take the Metro to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station or walk the 2km:
- Louvre Museum: Admire the glass pyramid and explore the surrounding courtyard.
- Admission: Entry to the museum requires a ticket which you can pre-purchase here.
- Checkout the nearby markets on your way to Notre-Dame and grab some Paris souvenirs.
Mid Afternoon: Notre-Dame & Sainte-Chapell
Next you will walk to explore Notre- Dame, and Sainte Chapelle.
- Notre-Dame Cathedral: View the cathedral’s impressive façade. You can line up to get entry or prebook a timeslot (entry fee apply).
- Sainte-Chapelle: is a stunning Gothic chapel (entry fee apply).
Late Afternoon: Eiffel Tower Picnic
Walk or take to metro back to Duplex Station and back to Champs de Mars or Esplanade du Trocadéro for a picnic:
Tip: Stop by a nearby Franprix supermarket to pick up picnic essentials like champagne, wine, cheese, and baguettes. Tthey offer a wide selection at great prices. While hawkers do sell champagne and wine in the park, you’ll find a better variety and value at the supermarket.
Sunset / Evening: Seine River Cruise & Eiffel Sparkle Show
A sunset Seine River Cruise in Paris is a magical experience, offering breathtaking views of the city bathed in golden light. As you drift along the water, you’ll pass iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, and the Louvre, all glowing beautifully against the evening sky.
TIP: Watch the Eiffel Tower Sparkle every night, on the hour starting at 9:00 PM.
Late Evening: Dinner & Moulin Rouge
Conclude your 24-hour itinerary with dinner and a show at a Paris icon… the Moulin Rouge.
- Dinner Suggestion: Pink Mamma: Delicious Italian cuisine on a stunning rooftop garden.
- Evening 11pm Show: Visit the Moulin Rouge for a night caberet show that you will never forget! Tip: You will have to prebook your Moulin Rouge Tickets as they SELL OUT.
And that concludes your epic and whirlwind day in Paris… AND all of those steps, absolutely worth it!
From sunrise at Trocadéro to the glitz and glamour of the Moulin Rouge at night, we managed to pack a lifetime of memories of Paris into just 24 hours.
Until next time… au revoir, Paris.
