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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Edinburgh and London from Paris

Independent rail loop from Paris to Edinburgh, London and back

Illustration of Edinburgh and London from Paris

Railbookers operates this 8-day, 7-night independent rail vacation that begins and ends in Paris, with stops in Edinburgh and London along the way. Travelers cover each leg by train, starting with the Eurostar from Paris to London, then transferring at London's Kings Cross station for a direct train north across the Scottish border to Edinburgh. After two nights built around a Small Group Edinburgh Food Tour through the city's cobbled streets, the trip continues by direct train to London for two more nights, including a full-day guided city tour that takes in St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and a Thames river cruise. A final high-speed train returns travelers to Paris for one more night before the trip ends. Because most days are unguided, this suits independent-minded travelers who want the convenience of pre-booked trains and hotels without joining a full escorted group.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers offers 18 accommodation options across Paris, Edinburgh and London and different price tiers, so the exact hotel you get depends on the tier and city combination you choose rather than one fixed hotel per stop.
  • Aside from the Small Group Edinburgh Food Tour and the London city tour, the days in each city are unguided; travelers plan their own sightseeing time around the included tickets and passes.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Paris

    Your Journey Begins in Paris

    Welcome to the City of Lights! Upon arrival in Paris, make your way to check in at your hotel for a two-night stay. The rest of the day is yours, so make the most of your first day and enjoy the abundance of exciting visitor attractions to explore at your own leisure. In the evening, enjoy a gourmet dinner cruise along the river Seine – the perfect romantic ending to a first night in Paris!

  2. Day 2overnight: Paris

    Paris

    Spend another day sightseeing in Paris using your skip-the-line Eiffel Tower tickets for what surely will be one of the best photo opportunities of your whole trip. You might also like to visit the history museum located within the Arc de Triomphe or marvel at the Gothic Notre Dame Cathedral.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Edinburgh

    Paris to Edinburgh Via London

    All aboard the train to Edinburgh! Make your way to Paris Nord station to board the direct Eurostar to London. Transfer over to London's Kings Cross Station, made world-famous in the Harry Potter series. Travel through lush, rolling countryside north, crossing the Scottish border and arriving in Edinburgh about four and a half hours later.

  4. Day 4overnight: Edinburgh

    Edinburgh

    Explore Edinburgh's vibrant food scene with your included food tour today, a tantalizing adventure through cobbled streets and hidden lanes, where each stop reveals a new layer of the city's rich culinary heritage.

  5. Day 5railovernight: London

    Edinburgh to London

    Embark on a direct train from Edinburgh to London and check into your hotel for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: London

    London

    After breakfast, join a full-day guided tour showcasing London's most iconic sights. Begin with a visit to St. Paul's Cathedral before heading to Buckingham Palace to witness the famous Changing of the Guard. Continue to the historic Tower of London to explore its storied past and view the Crown Jewels, then enjoy a relaxing private cruise along the River Thames. Conclude your day with sweeping panoramic views over the city from the London Eye.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Paris

    London to Paris

    Enjoy a final breakfast in London this morning before embarking on a direct high-speed train back to Paris for a final overnight stay.

  8. Day 8

    Your Journey Ends in Paris

    Check out of your hotel after breakfast this morning and continue with your travels.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1A Gourmet Dinner and Sightseeing Cruise along the river Seine on the first evening in Paris.
  • Day 3The direct Eurostar from Paris to London, a transfer at London's Kings Cross station, then a train north across the Scottish border into Edinburgh.
  • Day 4The Small Group Edinburgh Food Tour through the city's cobbled streets and hidden lanes.
  • Day 6A full-day guided London tour taking in St. Paul's Cathedral, the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, and a private cruise on the River Thames.

Included

  • Rail travel as per itinerary
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Edinburgh
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • Gourmet Dinner and Sightseeing Cruise on the Seine
  • Tickets for the Eiffel Tower with Priority Boarding and Summit
  • Multi-day Edinburgh Pass Inc. Entrance to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Small Group Edinburgh Food Tour
  • London city tour including the London Eye

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. Rail travel is included as per the itinerary: the Eurostar from Paris to London, then UK rail on to Edinburgh, back to London, and a final high-speed train to Paris.
Is it escorted or independent?
It's an independent rail vacation. Two elements come with a guide, a Small Group Edinburgh Food Tour and a London city tour, but the rest of each day is unguided.
Which trains are used?
The Eurostar between Paris and London, and UK Rail services between London and Edinburgh in both directions.
What hotels are included?
Railbookers lists 18 accommodation options across Paris, Edinburgh and London, including the Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera, the InterContinental Edinburgh The George and The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton, among others.
What else is included besides rail and hotels?
A Gourmet Dinner and Sightseeing Cruise on the Seine, priority-boarding Eiffel Tower tickets with summit access, a multi-day Edinburgh Pass covering Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Edinburgh food tour, and a London city tour including the London Eye.
How much does it cost?
Prices start from 2,499 US dollars per person.

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