Do you have any New Year’s resolutions for 2023? Lots of people challenge themselves to exercise more or eat healthier during the new year, but your New Year’s resolution doesn’t have to be something so demanding. 

You might also encourage yourself to see more of the world and seek out new experiences. Whether you’re a well-seasoned traveler or you have never left your home country, studies show that travel can help boost your happiness and relieve stress.

If you’re looking to broaden your horizons and feel reinvigorated on a daily basis, travel can also help increase your creativity and cognitive flexibility. That means that even once you return from a trip abroad, you will maintain that new cultural awareness and understanding and be able to incorporate it into your work and hobbies.

In fact, deciding that you do want to go abroad is probably the easiest part of the decision-making process. With so many countries and cultures to explore, it can be tough to decide where to go first! There are a number of major cities in Europe, like London and Paris, that are popular travel destinations. 

Both the capital of England and the City of Light has plenty to see and do, whether you prefer popular tourist locations or hidden local spots. In choosing between traveling to London or Paris, you will want to consider a number of factors like ease of transportation, price, daytime and nighttime activities, and food.

Ease of Transportation

Depending on which airline you fly, the flight time to London and Paris will be approximately the same. It takes about seven to ten hours to reach either London or Paris from America. If you’re not staying directly in the city or near the airport, you will need to arrange for further travel either by rideshare service, train, or public transportation. It’s important to note that public transportation in London is more expensive than in Paris if you want to ride the Underground to get around the city.

If you do choose to ride the railway or Underground in London, though, you can visit some iconic locations like Paddington Station. If your flight arrives early or you want to start exploring London as soon as you land, you can also find Paddington Station luggage storage for easy luggage retrieval later.

Prices in Paris vs. London

While transportation and clothes are more expensive in London, food does tend to be slightly more expensive in Paris. If you are backpacking or visiting on a budget, though, both cities have budget-friendly hotel and restaurant options. If you’re visiting Paris, there are plenty of cute bakeries and sandwich shops where you can eat lunch on a budget. It will still give you that classic Parisian feel without the price tag.

While flight costs to Paris and London are generally the same, the price may be higher depending on what time of year you visit. Late spring and summer are some of the most popular times to visit London, which means that flight and hotel costs will be higher. London’s temperatures are mild, and its parks are beautiful between March and May, which may make a summer visit worth the extra cost.

On the other hand, if you prefer to travel in the fall or winter, you may want to visit Paris. The weather in Paris is beautiful in the fall, and its seasonal baked goods are not to be missed. Since summer is always tourist season, flights to Paris are the most expensive in the summer, so you will save some money by traveling during the colder months, too.

Activities in Paris and London

Both Paris and London have a host of wonderful activities and tourist attractions to keep you sightseeing all day and night long.

The London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and Tower Bridge are some of the most popular tourist attractions in London. London is also famous for its nightlife, so if you prefer to go clubbing or barhopping, you might want to choose London over Paris. London houses plenty of fantastic bars and pubs with live music, and both Soho and Mayfair have great clubs for dancing.

If you choose to visit Paris, you have to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris is a great travel destination for art, literature, and architecture lovers because of its rich history. You may want to set aside time to walk around the city and admire its architecture or to eat lunch at a cafe with the locals.

Food in London and Paris

When in London or Paris, eat as the locals do. Some of the most popular foods in London are pie and mash, fish and chips, tikka masala, and pudding. You should also be sure to stop for a spot of afternoon tea in between sightseeing.

In Paris, pastries like macarons and croissants are the way to go. You will also want to try escargots, French cheese, and Paris street food. 

Conclusion

Both Paris and London are beautiful cities with their own unique cuisines and sights to see, and you can’t go wrong with either one. Happy traveling!