Day Trip to Paris from Disneyland Paris: Itinerary & Costs
If you’re in any DLP Facebook group, you’ve seen it—‘Is a day trip from Disneyland Paris to Paris actually doable?‘
It comes up all the time. And while planning a day out for my cousin this January, I realised I was using the exact same route I always do.
That’s when it clicked: I should probably just share it.
I’m not saying one day is enough to get a feel for Paris, but it is doable. I’ve done this route more times than I can count. It’s ideal if you want to tick off the big-name sights and still make it back for fireworks.
This is the itinerary I use every time. It’s easy to follow and works for all ages—tried and tested on energetic kids, nervous adults, and Callum before he’s had anything to eat. That’s when you know it works.
I’ve included timings, travel costs, ticket tips, and a few links to book.
Oh, and how to avoid paying €25 for a Pick n Mix in Montmartre.
That one’s important.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you book or buy through them—at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my site!
📸 Short on Time? Screenshot This:
🚆 Train: RER A to Paris – €2.50 each way
🗼 Eiffel Tower: Get there for 9am (book in advance here)
🎨 Louvre: Go in or just grab a photo (skip-the-line tickets here)
🥐 Lunch: Picnic in the Tuileries or find a quick bistro
⛪ Notre-Dame: Worth a look, to go inside book ahead. Or Sainte-Chapelle nearby.
⛴️ River cruise: Great for giving your feet a break (pre-book here)
🗻 Montmartre: Take the funicular, or tackle the steps
🍽️ Dinner: Restaurant, café, or McDonald’s
🚆 Back to Disney: As you please, the last train is 12:30am
💰 How Much Does It Cost to Go from Disneyland Paris to Paris?
The RER A train from Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy) to central Paris (Bir Hakeim) costs €2.50 if you buy a standard point-to-point ticket. That covers your whole journey into the city, including the Metro.
If you’re planning more travel—like going to the airport or cramming in loads of Metro stops—you could look at the Paris Visite Pass (Zones 1–5). It costs around €29.90, so only really worth it if you’re covering a lot of ground.
And if you’re heading back late or don’t fancy the train after a long day, Uber or Bolt is an option—but it’ll cost you somewhere between €70 and €100 one way.
📝 I’ve got a full guide here: Disneyland Paris to the Eiffel Tower
🗺️ Full Day Trip Itinerary from Disneyland Paris to Paris
I’ve popped links in for you to book any activities. These are usually through GetYourGuide or Viator which are websites we regularly use and are completely safe!
Let’s get into it!
Morning: RER A + Metro to Paris
Start your day at Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy, right outside the Disney gates. Trains run every 10–15 minutes, and the ride into the city takes around 40 to 60 minutes, depending on connections.
Here’s your route:
RER A to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile
➡️ Metro Line 6 toward Nation
➡️ Get off at Bir-Hakeim
➡️ Walk 8 minutes to the Eiffel Tower
Stop 1: Eiffel Tower
Try to arrive by 9am at the latest—even earlier if you can—to get ahead of the crowds. You can try to get tickets on the day, but it’s usually step access only by then, and the queues are long.
We strongly recommend pre-booking your lift tickets here. The summit is incredible, but if you’re short on time, going to the second floor is the better call.
The views are still brilliant, and you save yourself the extra 30–45 minutes the summit usually takes.
If you’d rather not go up at all—no problem. The park around the base of the tower is a lovely spot for a walk and a few photos.
You will see street sellers, but a polite “non merci” is enough.
We cover that in more detail in our Is Paris Safe? post if you’re feeling unsure.
Stop 2: The Louvre
Once you’re finished at the Eiffel Tower, head back to Bir-Hakeim station and retrace your route:
From Bir-Hakeim
➡️ Metro Line 6 to Charles de Gaulle–Étoile
➡️ Transfer to Metro Line 1 toward Château de Vincennes
➡️ Get off at Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre
The Louvre is massive—you could easily spend a few hours here. But with just one day in Paris, you’ll want to keep things moving.
If you want to go in, you can’t really spare the time to be waiting in line so book your tickets in advance here.
Even better, this priority-access tour takes you straight to the Mona Lisa with a guide, so you don’t waste time figuring out where to go.
After that, you’re free to explore the rest of the museum at your own pace:
Not going inside? No problem—the glass pyramid is always a good photo stop, and the courtyard is a great spot to let kids stretch their legs.
Lunch: Picnic or Bistro?
After the Louvre, you’ve got two easy lunch options depending on how you’re feeling (and how much time you’ve got).
- Picnic in the Tuileries Garden: Just across the road from the museum, it’s a lovely spot to sit and recharge. Pick up some pastries or sandwiches from a nearby bakery and enjoy the break.
- Find a Bistro: If you’re in the mood to sit down properly, there are plenty of casual bistros nearby serving classics like croque monsieur or quiche Lorraine.
✨ Want to turn lunch into more of an experience? i have a list of wine and cheese tasting tour in Paris that fits into a day trip really nicely. They’re relaxed, central, and don’t take up too much time.
Stop 3: Notre‑Dame Cathedral
After lunch, head back into the Metro:
From Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre
➡️Metro Line 1 to Châtelet
➡️ Transfer to Line 4 toward Mairie de Montrouge
➡️ Get off at Cité
Here’s the good news: Notre‑Dame reopened to the public on 7 December 2024, so you can now go inside again! The queues are hefty, so make sure you book in advance here.
Even though restoration work is still ongoing (some areas like the towers remain closed), the cathedral’s interior and exterior are absolutely worth seeing. That said, with limited time, you might be better off just enjoying the view from outside.
You could also skip it entirely and see it from the Seine River cruise instead (more on that coming up). It’s only a 7-minute walk from Notre-Dame to Pont Neuf, and cruising past gives you a perfect view—plus a chance to sit down.
Nearby Sainte-Chapelle is also worth a look if you’ve got time. It’s quieter, full of stunning stained glass, and just a 6-minute walk from Notre-Dame.
Stop 4: Seine River Cruise
Best thing about this? I’ve done it in every kind of weather—rain, wind, sunshine—and it’s always a good break for your feet.
After seeing Notre-Dame, walk about 7 minutes to Pont Neuf, where the river cruises typically depart.
A standard cruise takes about 45–60 minutes, depending on the operator.
💡 Pro tip: I’ve actually seen people turned away at the dock because boats were full. Definitely book in advance here to avoid any last-minute disappointment—and to save time queuing on the day.
From the water, you’ll see Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, Musée d’Orsay, and more—without walking another step.
Stop 5: Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur
Your next stop will be for Paris’s quirky district, including Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Cœur.
From Pont Neuf, walk 10 minutes back to Châtelet station
➡️Metro Line 4 toward Porte de Clignancourt
➡️ Get off at Barbès–Rochechouart
➡️ Change to Line 2 toward Porte Dauphine
➡️ Get off at Anvers
From Anvers, you’ll walk uphill to the base of Sacré-Cœur. That stretch is lined with souvenir stalls and sweet shops. I’d avoid these: Callum once paid €25 for a tiny bag of Pick n Mix here.
It’s been four years, and we still bring it up.
At the top of the hill, you’ve then got two choices:
- 🪜 Climb the stairs (around 200)
- 🚡 Take the funicular for €2.50 (or use your Paris Visite pass if you have one)
Once you’re at the top, take in the views—the panoramic shot over Paris is always worth it. You’ll usually spot street musicians, artists, and people relaxing on the steps.
⚠️ A quick safety tip: don’t let anyone tie a bracelet on your wrist, and don’t stop for anyone waving a clipboard. Say a firm “non merci” and walk away. They’re persistent, but avoidable.
When you’re ready to head down, walk left of Sacré-Cœur (when facing it) and follow the winding streets. You’ll pass cafés, creperies, and little galleries, and after about 15 minutes, you’ll come out near the Moulin Rouge.
If you’re not fussed about seeing the Moulin Rouge, use this time to explore the Place du Tertre artists’ market near the basilica instead. It’s full of street painters and has a completely different vibe to the rest of the city.
Dinner: Free Choice
After Montmartre, it’s time to refuel before heading back to the magic. Here are a few nearby spots to wrap up the day:
- 🥘 Le Poulbot – A charming little bistro tucked into the Montmartre streets. Think boeuf bourguignon, duck confit, and that proper French feel.
- 🥞 Crêperie Brocéliande – Very Parisian, quick, and great value. Sweet or savoury crêpes with a glass of cider on the side.
- 🍟 McDonald’s/Burger King – And then there’s the classic. No judgement here—Callum is a chicken nugget fiend and proud of it.
I truly hope you enjoy the picture of Callum stuffing his face with Burger King on our first ever trip together. - 🛍️ Galeries Lafayette Rooftop – If you’ve still got a little energy (and want dinner with a view), head to the Galeries Lafayette Haussmann rooftop.
It’s got food options and a fantastic view across Paris—especially nice around sunset. Here’s how to get there from Sacré-Cœur.
Walk ~10 minutes to Abbesses station
➡️ Metro Line 12 toward Mairie d’Issy
➡️ Get off at Saint-Lazare
➡️ Walk ~8 minutes to Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
Optional Extra Stop: Back to a Sparkly Tower
This isn’t included in our freebie, but if you decide to stick around Montmartre for dinner, you could throw in an extra stop back to the Eiffel Tower to see it sparkle.
It lights up every hour on the hour after sunset and only lasts for five minutes—but it’s one of those simple little moments that makes the whole day feel special.
Here’s how to get there from Anvers:
➡️Metro Line 2 toward Porte Dauphine
➡️ Get off at Charles de Gaulle–Étoile
➡️ Switch to Metro Line 6 toward Nation
➡️ Get off at Bir-Hakeim
➡️Walk to Rue Buenos-Ayres for a fantastic without the crowds.
If you’ve gone for dinner at Galeries Lafayette, you’ll also be able to see the tower twinkling from the rooftop.
And if you’re staying out a bit longer, here are some more ideas for things to do in Paris at night.
Getting Back to Disneyland Paris
Where you head back from will depend on where you wrap up your day—here’s how to get back to Disneyland Paris from each main spot:
🗻 From Montmartre (Anvers Station)
➡️Metro Line 2 toward Nation
➡️ Get off at Nation
➡️ Transfer to RER A toward Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy
🗼 From the Eiffel Tower
➡️ Walk to Bir-Hakeim station
➡️ Metro Line 6 toward Charles de Gaulle–Étoile
➡️ Switch to RER A at Charles de Gaulle–Étoile toward Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy
📝 Need more help with this route? Here’s my full guide to getting back to Disneyland Paris from the Eiffel Tower
🛍️ From Galeries Lafayette
➡️ Walk to either Chaussée d’Antin–La Fayette (Line 9) or Opéra (Line 8)
➡️ Take the Metro to Nation
➡️ Then transfer to RER A toward Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy
🕧 The last RER A usually runs around 12:30am, but always check the RATP app or Google Maps on the day to avoid getting stuck.
🚌 Getting Around Paris
This itinerary is based on using the Metro, which is usually the quickest and easiest way to get around. You can buy individual tickets or grab a Paris Visite pass if you’re planning a busy day with lots of stops.
You could walk between some of the sights to soak up the city—but fair warning, a few of the distances are longer than they look on the map.
If you’re short on time or travelling with tired feet (or kids), it’s probably not worth the detour.
A Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour is a great alternative—especially with little ones. You’ll cover loads of ground and still see all the big sights without constantly jumping on and off trains.
📝 I break down all the options (plus a few mistakes to avoid) in this full guide to getting around Paris.
❓FAQs
Is one day long enough for Disneyland Paris?
It can be! If you’ve only got one day, just focus on your must-do rides and shows. I’ve written a full one-day Disneyland Paris guide that walks you through how to make it work—without running yourself into the ground.
Should I do 2 days in Paris instead?
If you’ve got a bit more time, you can slow things down, add a museum or two, or just spend longer at each stop.
I’ve put together a full 2 Days in Paris itinerary that works really well if you’re not heading back to the parks the same night.
Do I need a lot of money for a day trip to Paris?
Not really. You can see all the big sights without paying to go inside. The Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Sacré-Cœur are just as impressive from the outside—and if you skip the tickets, you’ll save loads of time too.
If you’re keeping things low-cost, check out my list of free things to do in Paris with kids. It’s not just for kids, either—there’s plenty on there for adults too.
🧳 Final Thoughts
This itinerary covers a lot, but it’s one I’ve used time and time again—and it works. As long as you plan ahead and keep your day moving, a Paris day trip from Disneyland Paris is absolutely doable.
Just book your tickets in advance, wear comfy shoes, and enjoy the mix of magic and monuments.
