History and headline sights take center stage on this compact Europe itinerary, perfect for families. You’ll split time between London’s royal pageantry, Paris’s world-class museums, and Geneva’s blue-lake scenery—linked by fast, comfortable trains. Expect short lines with prebooked tickets, playground breaks, and plenty of pastries.

London’s story stretches back to Roman Londinium, with the Tower of London guarding the Crown Jewels and Westminster Abbey hosting coronations on repeat. Paris dazzles with the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and riverside promenades that invite stroller-friendly wandering. Geneva adds Alpine air and lake views—plus a bite of Swiss chocolate—before you fly home.

Practical notes: you’ll use three currencies (GBP, EUR, CHF) and encounter different plug types (UK Type G, EU Type C/E/F, Swiss Type J). For value, ride trains between cities via Omio and rely on free museums in London, “bouillons” in Paris for low-cost French classics, and picnic lunches from markets. Book major tickets in advance, especially the Eiffel Tower.

London

London is made for families: huge parks, free museums, and big sights clustered along the Thames. Ride the London Eye for skyline views, meet the Beefeaters at the Tower, and wave at the Changing of the Guard near Buckingham Palace.

• Top family stops: Tower of London, South Bank, Natural History Museum (the blue whale skeleton is a show-stopper), Covent Garden street performers.
• Food to try: flaky sausage rolls, fish & chips, and for breakfast, a full English or a sticky Chelsea bun.
• Fun fact: Ravens at the Tower are said to protect the Crown and the kingdom—kids love spotting them.

Stay (budget to midrange): Premier Inn London County Hall (next to the London Eye, great for families), Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (simple, modern, value), YHA London Central (private family rooms, shared kitchen), or upgrade to Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London. Browse more: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Getting to London: Compare flights on Omio (flights to/from Europe), or worldwide on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1 — Arrive London (Afternoon start)

Afternoon: Land and drop bags. Stretch your legs along the South Bank: street performers by the Royal Festival Hall, views of Big Ben and Parliament, and kid-pleasing snack stalls. If energy allows, prebook a ride on the London Eye for a gentle panorama.

Evening: Casual dinner near the river. Try Giraffe Southbank for kid-friendly global plates, or Pizza Pilgrims Waterloo for chewy Neapolitan pies. Early night to reset the clocks.

Day 2 — Royal history, easy sightseeing and free museums

Morning: Fuel up at Regency Café (classic fry-up; arrive early) or grab pastries at Gail’s. Then head to the Tower—book ahead:

Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Meet a Yeoman Warder, see the ravens, and marvel at the Crown Jewels. Walk across Tower Bridge for photos.

Afternoon: Make sightseeing easy with a hop-on bus—great with kids for resting between stops:

Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour with Optional River Cruise

Hop off at Buckingham Palace for the Changing of the Guard (check schedule), then continue to the Natural History Museum:

Natural History Museum London Guaranteed Free Entry & Audio Tour

Lunch idea: Borough Market (Kappacasein grilled cheese, Fish! Kitchen’s chips, and Bread Ahead doughnuts).

Evening: Family-friendly Indian at Dishoom Covent Garden (order the house black daal and naan) or classic fish & chips at Poppies Soho. Finish with a short Thames stroll to see the city lights.

Paris

Paris mixes blockbuster monuments with neighborhood parks and pocket-sized museums that work well for families. Climb the Eiffel Tower, cruise the Seine at sunset, and picnic on warm baguette in the Tuileries.

• Top family stops: Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay’s Impressionists, Jardin du Luxembourg playgrounds and sailboats, Notre-Dame’s newly reopened interior.
• Affordable eats: “Bouillons” serve traditional fare at low prices; crêperies are a reliable kid-pleaser.
• Fun fact: The Eiffel Tower was supposed to be temporary for the 1889 World’s Fair—Parisians protested it before falling in love.

Stay (budget to midrange): Generator Paris (private family rooms, lively common areas), Hotel du College de France (Latin Quarter, cozy and central), Hôtel du Champ de Mars (Eiffel Tower area, neighborhood feel). For a splurge: The Ritz Paris. Browse more: VRBO Paris | Hotels.com Paris

Day 3 — London to Paris by Eurostar, Eiffel views and a Seine cruise

Morning: Depart London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord via Eurostar (about 2h20). Advance fares from roughly $60–$120 adult; kids get reduced fares. Book on Omio (trains in Europe). Grab simple sandwiches at St Pancras before boarding.

Afternoon: Check in and head to the Eiffel Tower—reserve a timed entry to keep waits kid-friendly:

Eiffel Tower Dedicated Reserved Access Top or 2nd floor by lift

Let kids run on the Champ de Mars afterward; pick up crêpes from a nearby stand.

Evening: Unwind on a 1-hour Seine cruise (open-top boats, commentary, and big monument views):

Paris Seine River Sightseeing Cruise with Commentary by Bateaux Parisiens

Dinner: Bouillon Chartier or Bouillon Pigalle for classic French (steak-frites, roasted chicken) at budget prices; arrive early for shorter lines.

Day 4 — Art, parks and Notre-Dame

Morning: Breakfast at Du Pain et des Idées (try the pistachio escargot pastry) or croissants from Poilâne. Choose your museum: the Louvre (Mona Lisa, Egyptian antiquities) or the easier-to-digest Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay:

Paris: Orsay Museum Daily Entry Ticket

Lunch nearby: Breizh Café (buckwheat galettes) or L’As du Fallafel in the Marais for a quick, delicious pita.

Afternoon: Walk the Île de la Cité and step inside the newly reopened cathedral area with a local guide option:

Experience Notre-Dame: Interior or Exterior Tour with Access

Then let the kids sail toy boats at Jardin du Luxembourg or hit playgrounds in the Tuileries.

Evening: Budget-friendly neighborhood dinner: Chartier Montparnasse or a cozy crêperie on Rue du Montparnasse. Sweet finish at Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint-Louis.

Geneva

Geneva brings lakeside calm and postcard Alps in the distance. Compact and clean, it’s an easy final stop with stroller-friendly promenades, the famous Jet d’Eau, and Old Town lanes culminating at St. Pierre Cathedral.

• Great with kids: lakeside promenades, paddle-boat piers, Pâquis Baths in summer, and an hour-long boat cruise.
• Snack strategy: pick up picnic fixings from Manor Food Hall; save room for Swiss chocolate.

Stay (if adding a night): Hotel Central (value in Old Town), Novotel Geneve Centre (family rooms), or splurge on Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva. Browse more: VRBO Geneva | Hotels.com Geneva

Day 5 — Paris to Geneva, lake time, fly home

Morning: TGV Lyria from Paris Gare de Lyon to Genève-Cornavin (about 3h05). Advance fares from ~€29–€59 adult. Book via Omio. Drop bags at station lockers if departing the same day.

Afternoon: Stroll the lakefront to the Jet d’Eau, then Old Town (Maison Tavel courtyard, St. Pierre Cathedral). If timing allows, take a one-hour narrated lake cruise:

Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva

Lunch: Chez Ma Cousine (roast chicken plates, kid-approved) or lakeside crêpes. Pick up chocolate at Läderach or Favarger for the flight.

Evening: Head to Geneva Airport for your afternoon/early evening flight. Compare fares on Omio (flights in Europe) or globally via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you keep the day pass (unireso), trams link the center to the airport in ~7 minutes.

Getting between cities (time and budget)

• London → Paris (Eurostar): ~2h20. From ~$60–$120 adult one-way if booked early; under-11 discounted. Book on Omio. Consider Omio (buses) for rock-bottom fares (8–10 hours).
• Paris → Geneva (TGV Lyria): ~3h05 direct. From ~€29–€59 advance on Omio.

Daily Coffee, Snack, and Meal Ideas

• London breakfast: Regency Café (retro, cash-friendly), or Pret a Manger for quick porridge and fruit.
• Paris breakfast: croissants from Poilâne or Du Pain et des Idées; fresh fruit from open-air markets.
• Geneva coffee: Boréal Coffee Roasters near the lake; pastries from Manor Food Hall upstairs.

Optional swaps for different interests

• London Eye alternative: Ride the Thames by boat instead: Westminster to Greenwich Sightseeing Thames Cruise

  

• Louvre instead of Orsay: Louvre Museum Ticket & Optional Seine River Cruise

  

Family budget tips

• London’s big museums (British Museum, Natural History Museum) are free; donate a few pounds if you can.
• In Paris, “bouillons” serve classic French food at low prices; split crêpes and order carafes of tap water (“une carafe d’eau”).
• Buy metro/bus day passes when you’ll ride 3+ times; otherwise, walk—these cities are best on foot.
• Picnic: markets and supermarkets offer fresh fruit, yogurts, and baguettes for under €5–€10 per person.

Quick note on seasonality: Summer lines are longest—book the Eiffel Tower and major attractions early. Winter is quieter; pack layers and a small umbrella year-round.

Trip summary: In five days you’ll cover three countries without rushing the fun: London’s storied fortress and skyline, Paris’s river-lit romance and museums, and Geneva’s lake breeze and chocolate finale. With trains doing the heavy lifting and kid-forward food and activities, this route keeps stress (and costs) down while keeping the memories big.