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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

London and Paris to Basel

London, Paris, and Basel independent rail trip by Eurostar

Illustration of London and Paris to Basel

Railbookers runs this 5-day, 4-night independent rail vacation from London to Basel by way of Paris, crossing three countries on one route. The trip opens with two nights in London, where a hop-on hop-off pass and a ride on the London Eye fill day 2. On day 3, the Eurostar leaves St Pancras station for Paris, where travelers settle in for two nights and can stroll Montmartre's streets past its street artists. Day 4 centers on a small group tour of the Eiffel Tower, a Seine river cruise past the city's bridges, and a timed visit to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. On day 5, after breakfast, a train continues on to Basel on the TGV Lyria, where this package ends. Railbookers positions the route as a lead-in to a Rhine river cruise from Basel, which suits independent explorers and first-time rail travelers, along with history lovers drawn to the Louvre.

What to know before you look closer

  • Railbookers lists 16 accommodation options across London and Paris in different tiers, so the actual hotel depends on the tier and city option chosen.
  • The 4 included nights split between London and Paris only. Day 5 is a train to Basel after breakfast, with no hotel night or included sightseeing in Basel itself.
  • Railbookers positions this package as a lead-in to a Rhine river cruise from Basel, so it is built to connect with a separate cruise booking rather than stand alone as a Basel vacation.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    London

    Welcome to London! On arrival in this great city make your way to your hotel for a 2-night stay then head out to enjoy the city. Take a stroll to Leicester Square and historic Covent Garden for a great choice or restaurants for dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    London

    Get the best out of the city today thanks to your Hop-on Hop-off pass. Hear the stories of the great buildings as you pass by, then make your way down to the South Bank and take a ride on the huge London Eye for some amazing views.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Paris

    Paris

    Make your way to St Pancras station and take the Eurostar train to Paris. Check in to your hotel for a 2-night stay, then perhaps take a stroll around the idyllic Montmartre neighbourhood with its famous street artists, great views across Paris and warm and cosy restaurants.

  4. Day 4overnight: Paris

    Paris

    In the morning make your way to the Eiffel Tower for a small group tour and some amazing views. Then cruise the Seine, passing the iconic bridges of Paris and at your allotted time slot meet the Mona Lisa and other iconic pieces or art in the Louvre museum.

  5. Day 5rail

    Paris to Basel

    Following breakfast at your hotel make your way to to the station and your train to Basel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A ride on the London Eye from the South Bank gives sweeping views over the city.
  • Day 3The Eurostar leaves St Pancras station for Paris, followed by a stroll around Montmartre and its street artists.
  • Day 4A small group tour climbs the Eiffel Tower, then a Seine cruise passes the city's famous bridges before a timed Louvre visit to see the Mona Lisa.
  • Day 5After breakfast, a train continues from Paris on to Basel.

Included

  • Rail Travel as per the itinerary
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in London
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Paris
  • Skip the line London Eye entrance
  • 24hr Hop-on Hop-off London sightseeing pass
  • Eiffel Tower entrance
  • Louvre museum entrance
  • Seine river cruise in Paris

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, rail travel is included as per the itinerary: the Eurostar from London to Paris, then a train on to Basel.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an independent rail vacation overall, though the Eiffel Tower visit on day 4 is run as a small group tour.
Which trains are used?
The Eurostar to Paris, then onward toward Switzerland on the TGV Lyria, the high-speed rail service between France and Switzerland, alongside France's SNCF network.
What hotels are used?
Railbookers offers 16 accommodation options across London and Paris at different tiers, including hotels such as Kimpton Fitzroy London and InterContinental London Park Lane in London, and Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opera in Paris.
Do you stay overnight in Basel?
No. The package includes 2 nights in London and 2 in Paris; day 5 is travel to Basel by train after breakfast, without an included hotel night.
What sightseeing is included?
Skip-the-line London Eye entrance, a 24-hour London hop-on hop-off pass, a small group Eiffel Tower tour, a Seine river cruise, and Louvre Museum entrance.

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