From Chicago’s skyline to Europe’s grand boulevards, this 7-day itinerary blends history, culture, and cuisine across two of the world’s great capitals: London and Paris. You’ll land in London, hop the Eurostar to Paris midweek, and fly home with a camera roll full of stone bridges, stained glass, and buttery pastries.

London’s story arcs from Roman Londinium to a modern city of galleries, markets, and theater. Paris is a living museum, layered with Gothic spires, Haussmannian avenues, Impressionist masterworks, and neighborhood bistros where the menu changes with the market. Both cities reward walkers, museum lovers, and serious eaters.

Practical notes: Nonstop overnight flights from Chicago run 7–8 hours eastbound; trains between London and Paris take about 2 hours 20 minutes. Tap in with Oyster in London and use Navigo Easy or contactless in Paris. Check current entry rules; the EU’s ETIAS program is expected in 2025—verify status before travel.

London

London is a city of villages—Soho, Shoreditch, Notting Hill—each with its own rhythm. Walk the Thames Path past St. Paul’s and the Tate Modern, or duck into a neighborhood pub for Sunday roast. The British Museum and National Gallery are free; a West End show is a classic night out.

Top sights include the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Borough Market, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Sky Garden. Food ranges from South Asian standouts to old-school pie-and-mash; markets like Borough and Maltby Street are ideal for a grazing lunch.

• Where to stay: Search centrally (Covent Garden, Soho, South Bank) for easy sightseeing. Browse stays on Hotels.com London or apartments on VRBO London.
• How to get there from Chicago: Compare flights on Omio. Expect 7–8 hours nonstop eastbound; typical economy fares range ~USD 500–900 roundtrip depending on season.
• Local transport: Contactless or an Oyster card caps daily fares across the Tube and buses. Peak times are busy—plan major transfers just after rush hour if you can.

Day 1: Arrival in London, Westminster and the South Bank

Morning: In flight from Chicago (overnight red-eye). Hydrate, stretch, and set your watch to local time.

Afternoon: Land and drop bags. Start outdoors to reset your body clock: walk from Westminster Bridge to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, then along the South Bank past street performers and bookstalls. Coffee stop at WatchHouse Tower Bridge (modern roastery, excellent flat whites) or Monmouth Coffee near Borough for single-origin pour-overs.

Evening: Early dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden (Bombay-inspired, famed black daal; arrive early or join the virtual queue) or Flat Iron (great-value steak; no reservations at some branches). If energy allows, ascend the free-to-book Sky Garden for dusk skyline views; finish with a pint at The Harp (classic cask ales near Trafalgar Square).

Day 2: British Museum, Covent Garden, Soho, West End

Morning: Breakfast at The Breakfast Club Soho (hearty pancakes, Full English) or Granger & Co. King’s Cross (ricotta hotcakes, bright Aussie-style brunch). Explore the British Museum (Rosetta Stone, Parthenon Marbles). Focus on a few galleries to avoid museum fatigue.

Afternoon: Wander Covent Garden’s arcades and the London Transport Museum shop. Lunch at Seven Dials Market (varied street-food hall) or Homeslice (20-inch pizzas by the slice). Coffee at Rosslyn near the City for precision espresso.

Evening: West End show options: musicals at the Palace or Apollo Victoria, or a play at the Noel Coward Theatre. Dinner pre- or post-show at Hoppers (Sri Lankan; try the egg hopper and black pork curry) or Bancone (silk handkerchief pasta with walnut butter).

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, Tate Modern & The Globe

Morning: Arrive early at the Tower of London to see the Crown Jewels with minimal queue, then stroll the riverside to Tower Bridge. Coffee and a pastel de nata at Lechevalier in Maltby Street Market (weekends) or Fuckoffee Bermondsey for cheeky vibes.

Afternoon: Lunch at Borough Market—don’t miss Kappacasein (oozy raclette) and Padella (cacio e pepe). Cross the Millennium Bridge to the Tate Modern (contemporary art) and tour Shakespeare’s Globe if shows aren’t on.

Evening: River walk to Bankside for dinner at Swan at the Globe (modern British, Thames views) or head to Shoreditch for BRAT (Basque-influenced, wood-fired turbot). Nightcap at Swift Soho (upstairs aperitivo, downstairs speakeasy) or The Churchill Arms in Kensington (flower-laden façade, Thai in the back).

Paris

Paris marries grand museums with everyday pleasures: a flaky croissant, a sunlit terrace, a stroll beside the Seine. Neighborhoods are distinct—Marais is lively and bohemian, Saint‑Germain is literary and elegant, Montmartre is romantic on its hilltop perch.

Headliners include the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre‑Dame (exterior viewing and area reopened), Sainte‑Chapelle’s stained glass, the Champs‑Élysées/Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower. Food highlights: market-driven bistros, classic bouillons, natural-wine bars, and perfect crêpes.

• Where to stay: Look in the 1st–7th for central access (Louvre, Saint‑Germain, Eiffel), or the 9th/Marais for nightlife. Compare stays on Hotels.com Paris or apartments on VRBO Paris.
• London to Paris: Take the Eurostar (~2h 20m) from St Pancras to Gare du Nord. Book early on Omio Trains (Europe); fares commonly run ~USD 70–180.
• Local transport: Buy a Navigo Easy card or use contactless. Metro is fast; buses are scenic. Walk whenever you can—distances are often shorter than they look.

Day 4: Eurostar to Paris, Montmartre at Golden Hour

Morning: Depart London on a morning Eurostar. Grab pastries at Gail’s near St Pancras. Journey time is ~2h 20m; you’ll arrive late morning or around noon.

Afternoon: Check in and head to Montmartre. Coffee at Hardware Société (Aussie-style brunch plates) or a classic café crème at Café des Deux Moulins (Amélie fame). Explore Sacré‑Cœur and the quiet backstreets around Rue des Saules and the tiny vineyard.

Evening: Dinner at Bouillon Pigalle (no-frills, very affordable French classics; expect a line) or Le Coq Rico (poultry specialist). For views, wander down to the carousel at dusk. Nightcap at Le Syndicat (French-spirits cocktail bar) or a glass at La Cave à Michel (natural wines, small plates).

Day 5: Louvre, Tuileries, Le Marais

Morning: Breakfast at Du Pain et des Idées (legendary escargot pastries) or Le Petit Déjeuner near the Louvre. Enter the Louvre via the Carrousel/underground entrance to save time; see the Italian masters, Winged Victory, and the Cour Marly sculptures.

Afternoon: Picnic in the Tuileries or lunch at Café Marly (arcade views) before walking to Le Marais. Shop along Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and Rue Vieille du Temple. Snack at L’As du Fallafel or indulge in buckwheat galettes at Breizh Café.

Evening: Dinner at Bistrot Paul Bert (steak au poivre; reserve) or Septime La Cave (standing room, excellent small plates and wine). Ice cream at Berthillon on Île Saint-Louis if you stroll the river after dinner.

Day 6: Versailles in the morning, Impressionism by afternoon

Morning: RER C to Versailles early; see the dazzling Hall of Mirrors before it crowds, then walk the gardens and Trianon Estate. Pick up a savory galette near the station for the train back.

Afternoon: Return to Paris for the Musée d’Orsay—home to Monet, Degas, Renoir, and that glorious former Beaux-Arts train hall. Coffee at Coutume or KB Coffee Roasters (if you head back toward South Pigalle).

Evening: Classic Left Bank night: dinner at Le Comptoir du Relais (market-driven bistro, line forms early) or Semilla (contemporary French). Jazz after at Le Caveau de la Huchette or Duc des Lombards.

Day 7: Île de la Cité, Sainte‑Chapelle, Latin Quarter, Departure

Morning: Coffee at Café Kitsuné in Palais-Royal or Boot Café (tiny, photogenic). Visit Sainte‑Chapelle—its 13th‑century stained glass glows in morning light. See Notre‑Dame’s exterior and newly revitalized surroundings.

Afternoon: Early lunch in the Latin Quarter at Au P’tit Grec (hearty crêpes) or Chez Gladines (Basque plates). Pick up a last baguette and macarons for the flight. Head to the airport for your afternoon departure; compare returns on Omio.

Evening: In flight. Scroll your photos of river sunsets and museum masterpieces—and start plotting the return.

Getting Between Cities

• Chicago to London flight: Search and book on Omio (Flights to/from Europe). Nonstop options run ~7–8 hours eastbound, ~8–9 hours westbound. Typical fares: USD ~500–900 RT depending on season and advance purchase.
• London to Paris train: Book Eurostar on Omio Trains. 2h 16m–2h 25m city center to city center; fares often USD ~70–180 if booked early.
• Within cities: No need for cars. Use Oyster/contactless in London; in Paris, Navigo Easy or contactless. For occasional intercity buses or ferries in Europe, browse Omio Buses and Omio Ferries if adding side trips.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• London neighborhoods: Covent Garden/Soho (nightlife, theater), South Bank (river walks, families), Kensington (museums, quieter). Search Hotels.com London or VRBO London.
• Paris neighborhoods: 1st–7th (central classics), 9th (South Pigalle dining), Marais (boutiques, lively nights). Compare on Hotels.com Paris and VRBO Paris.

Optional Chicago Send-Off (Before Your Flight)

If you have a spare morning in Chicago before your overnight departure, toast the journey with a skyline classic or a sky-high view:

• Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Tour — a sweeping look at the city’s design legacy on the water.

  

• Skydeck Chicago Admission Ticket — step onto The Ledge at Willis Tower for floor-to-glass thrills and panoramic photos before you head to the airport.

  

Bon voyage: with London’s theaters and markets and Paris’s museums and river light, this week balances iconic sights and local flavors. The Eurostar keeps the pace gentle, and well-chosen meals make each day memorable.