What is the shortest trip you would take to Paris?

[Anonymous]

I think 5 days total away. One night in a flight. 4 nights in Paris.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think 5 days total away. One night in a flight. 4 nights in Paris.

I’m leaning this way. We have kids who will stay with Grandma, so I don’t want to go for too long….but it’s also enough of a pain to arrange childcare (grandma flies out to help), that we go away once every few years….so I think I’d like to have more than a weekend.


Thank you to everyone who responded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Paris years ago, but have not been back in maybe 15 years. We are currently living on the east coast, and have a milestone event coming up (but also limited time off). What is the minimum amount of time for a trip to Paris to make it worthwhile (include day of departure and day of return travel)? When we go to Europe, we typically go for at least ten days (but don’t have that much time off this year). On the day we land, we try to keep moving, have an early dinner, and go to bed. We usually adapt, and have no problem getting up and out the next morning. How short is too short?

I never go less than a month. Not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like weekend runs to paris

How many nights total (including the overnight to Europe)?

3 nights including travel
Overnight Friday
Saturday all day
Sunday day
Overnight Sunday
Back to work on Monday

What exactly is "Overnight Sunday"? There are no overnight flights on the westbound flight from Europe to the US- the latest flight to DC leaves Paris at 5 PM, and that isn't an every day flight. Reasonably then you could stay in the city until maybe 1:30 or so before leaving.

I think it's like a 7pm departure on sunday. Three trick is to get really good sleep on the plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've done as few as 2-3 days in Paris tacked onto the beginning or end of a longer trip and I think it's a really nice length. Spend a morning at one of the smaller museums, make sure you have reservations at least one amazing restaurant for dinner, do cafes and bakeries for your other meals. Depending on time of year, I might try to go to the ballet at the Opera, or dedicate a day to shopping vintage clothing shops or the culinary supply stores.

I would prioritize staying in a great neighborhood. For me that used to be the Marais or Saint-Germaine but now I prefer Belleville, which has fewer tourists and a slightly quieter vibe.

Should also note that I've never done this as a stand alone trip but if the money worked out, I would. But I don't find the jet lag DC-Paris that bad. My strategy would be late night red eye if I could get it (9pm or 10pm, not sure if this is available right now), otherwise the 7pm AirFrance direct flight. This gets you into Paris between 8 and 11am. Drop luggage at hotel or apartment, then spend an hour at a cafe to acclimate, then a few hours at a museum. Back to room/apartment for a nap, then an early evening wander followed by dinner. Get to bed around 11pm. By the time I wake up, I'm on Paris time and ready for a fuller day. Much of what I like doing in Paris involves just going somewhere cool and hanging out, so I don't find it to be a very demanding city. I actually have some fond memories of spending lazy afternoons resting in my room with the windows open listening to a street musician. Paris is magical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like weekend runs to paris

How many nights total (including the overnight to Europe)?

3 nights including travel
Overnight Friday
Saturday all day
Sunday day
Overnight Sunday
Back to work on Monday

Sounds like a nightmare, sorry.

NP. Did this twice for work (though obviously not on a weekend). It's doable if you fly business class and can sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We lived in Paris years ago, but have not been back in maybe 15 years. We are currently living on the east coast, and have a milestone event coming up (but also limited time off). What is the minimum amount of time for a trip to Paris to make it worthwhile (include day of departure and day of return travel)? When we go to Europe, we typically go for at least ten days (but don’t have that much time off this year). On the day we land, we try to keep moving, have an early dinner, and go to bed. We usually adapt, and have no problem getting up and out the next morning. How short is too short?

I never go less than a month. Not worth it.

Ah, yes, the requisite DCUM poster who has plenty of time and money reminding us plebeians that we don’t know how to live well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like weekend runs to paris

How many nights total (including the overnight to Europe)?

3 nights including travel
Overnight Friday
Saturday all day
Sunday day
Overnight Sunday
Back to work on Monday

What exactly is "Overnight Sunday"? There are no overnight flights on the westbound flight from Europe to the US- the latest flight to DC leaves Paris at 5 PM, and that isn't an every day flight. Reasonably then you could stay in the city until maybe 1:30 or so before leaving.

I think it's like a 7pm departure on sunday. Three trick is to get really good sleep on the plane.

No, as stated in the message you replied to, the late departures to Dulles on Air France and United (on the days they operate, which is mostly the summer schedule I think) both leave at 5 PM, and arrive at Dulles at about 7:30 PM EDT. I don't understand your strategy to "get really good sleep on the plane" on a flight that leaves that early. And then what do you do when you arrive? Stay up overnight? If I slept even 2 hours on the plane I would be up until probably 3 or 4 AM, and then maybe get 3 hours sleep.

I think you are confusing this type of flight with the ones from the middle east, some of which depart around midnight, and are much longer (14 hours from say Doha versus 8 from Paris), and thus arrive at 8 or 9 AM. On that type of true red eye you could certainly time this all out well. But I don't see how it's manageable on what's essentially a late afternoon flight that arrives at 7:30 PM.

[Anonymous]

Take the Thursday red eye to Paris, then 3 actual nights in Paris, then fly back Monday afternoon. Even that just gives you 2 fulls days in Paris.

[Anonymous]

Even a long weekend would be appealing to me, with a few great meals, a smaller museum or two, a lot of walking, and a trip to Dehellerin. I would also bring back a bunch of groceries!

[Anonymous]

My stepmom used to work for delta so we all flew for free. We did weekend trips all the time when I was a teenager (two nights) and we had a lot of fun. We just didn’t adjust to the time zone and we’re zombies all weekend.

As always, the issue of whether or not the money is worth it is so personal. For our family of four I probably would only do it if I could get really cheap tickets, like 300 dollars. And not on TAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done as few as 2-3 days in Paris tacked onto the beginning or end of a longer trip and I think it's a really nice length. Spend a morning at one of the smaller museums, make sure you have reservations at least one amazing restaurant for dinner, do cafes and bakeries for your other meals. Depending on time of year, I might try to go to the ballet at the Opera, or dedicate a day to shopping vintage clothing shops or the culinary supply stores.

I would prioritize staying in a great neighborhood. For me that used to be the Marais or Saint-Germaine but now I prefer Belleville, which has fewer tourists and a slightly quieter vibe.

Should also note that I've never done this as a stand alone trip but if the money worked out, I would. But I don't find the jet lag DC-Paris that bad. My strategy would be late night red eye if I could get it (9pm or 10pm, not sure if this is available right now), otherwise the 7pm AirFrance direct flight. This gets you into Paris between 8 and 11am. Drop luggage at hotel or apartment, then spend an hour at a cafe to acclimate, then a few hours at a museum. Back to room/apartment for a nap, then an early evening wander followed by dinner. Get to bed around 11pm. By the time I wake up, I'm on Paris time and ready for a fuller day. Much of what I like doing in Paris involves just going somewhere cool and hanging out, so I don't find it to be a very demanding city. I actually have some fond memories of spending lazy afternoons resting in my room with the windows open listening to a street musician. Paris is magical.

Looks like Air France starts their 9:30 PM flight out of Dulles in mid-April, it runs 3 times per week. The in June, the new United 11 PM flight starts, and the AF 9:30 flight becomes daily. That lasts through October with both daily. Then Air France 9:30 PM back down to 3 weekly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like weekend runs to paris

How many nights total (including the overnight to Europe)?

3 nights including travel
Overnight Friday
Saturday all day
Sunday day
Overnight Sunday
Back to work on Monday

What exactly is "Overnight Sunday"? There are no overnight flights on the westbound flight from Europe to the US- the latest flight to DC leaves Paris at 5 PM, and that isn't an every day flight. Reasonably then you could stay in the city until maybe 1:30 or so before leaving.

I think it's like a 7pm departure on sunday. Three trick is to get really good sleep on the plane.

No, as stated in the message you replied to, the late departures to Dulles on Air France and United (on the days they operate, which is mostly the summer schedule I think) both leave at 5 PM, and arrive at Dulles at about 7:30 PM EDT. I don't understand your strategy to "get really good sleep on the plane" on a flight that leaves that early. And then what do you do when you arrive? Stay up overnight? If I slept even 2 hours on the plane I would be up until probably 3 or 4 AM, and then maybe get 3 hours sleep.

I think you are confusing this type of flight with the ones from the middle east, some of which depart around midnight, and are much longer (14 hours from say Doha versus 8 from Paris), and thus arrive at 8 or 9 AM. On that type of true red eye you could certainly time this all out well. But I don't see how it's manageable on what's essentially a late afternoon flight that arrives at 7:30 PM.

DP but I don't understand what the issue is. You are coming home and getting hours back because of time change. You don't need a red eye. Just take the afternoon direct flight, get in around dinner time, eat dinner and go to bed early since you will be tired. Paris is not enough of a time difference to require any other approach. I like the red eye on the way over because it allows me to get a full day there when I arrive and not lose an entire day to travel. I like the 6:45 Air France out of Dulles -- they do a quick dinner service and keep the cabin lights low, I never have trouble falling asleep early and can get 4-5 hours, and then you get into CDG just after 8, can drop of luggage and spend a day doing low key activities like museum/cafe/parks, then catch a quick nap before dinner. Very little jet lag this way. Coming home is even easier.

I don't understand why people are having trouble with this. It's among the easier international flights to take in terms of time change and jet lag. We're not talking about going to Australia or India or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think 5 days total away. One night in a flight. 4 nights in Paris.

I’m leaning this way. We have kids who will stay with Grandma, so I don’t want to go for too long….but it’s also enough of a pain to arrange childcare (grandma flies out to help), that we go away once every few years….so I think I’d like to have more than a weekend.


Thank you to everyone who responded.

I would definitely do this. I would possibly do 3 full nights in France if I *HAD* to but it wouldn't be optimal.

I'm sure you have lots of great restaurants in mind and probably close friends you want to catch up with but if you want a restaurant with a nice view for a special date....I recommend 6 New York. You have a view of the eiffel tower, the food was delicious, and the service great! It is a little pricey but not crazy! George's was similar in comparison but I read that you have better service and food at 6 New York and it was impeccable. Of course, picking a sweet hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Montmartre would also be delightful! *Le sigh* So many wonderful restaurants in Montmartre and you could just hunker down for a 2-3 hour dinner. Parfait!!

Also, in case you didn't know....The Louvre has Angelina's in it on the Richelieu side (not sure how long they've been there) but if you get there close to when they open at at 10am, you can get an excellent seat with the pyramid behind you and it's just fun!

If the weather is nice and it's springy, please take a fabulous walk and picnic through one of the many beautiful gardens...It's such a fabulous city to visit with or without kids.

I know you lived in Paris but it's been a long time and it's always fun to indulge when in Paris! I adore Paris, you will have an amazing time. Enjoy your child-free trip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've done as few as 2-3 days in Paris tacked onto the beginning or end of a longer trip and I think it's a really nice length. Spend a morning at one of the smaller museums, make sure you have reservations at least one amazing restaurant for dinner, do cafes and bakeries for your other meals. Depending on time of year, I might try to go to the ballet at the Opera, or dedicate a day to shopping vintage clothing shops or the culinary supply stores.

I would prioritize staying in a great neighborhood. For me that used to be the Marais or Saint-Germaine but now I prefer Belleville, which has fewer tourists and a slightly quieter vibe.

Should also note that I've never done this as a stand alone trip but if the money worked out, I would. But I don't find the jet lag DC-Paris that bad. My strategy would be late night red eye if I could get it (9pm or 10pm, not sure if this is available right now), otherwise the 7pm AirFrance direct flight. This gets you into Paris between 8 and 11am. Drop luggage at hotel or apartment, then spend an hour at a cafe to acclimate, then a few hours at a museum. Back to room/apartment for a nap, then an early evening wander followed by dinner. Get to bed around 11pm. By the time I wake up, I'm on Paris time and ready for a fuller day. Much of what I like doing in Paris involves just going somewhere cool and hanging out, so I don't find it to be a very demanding city. I actually have some fond memories of spending lazy afternoons resting in my room with the windows open listening to a street musician. Paris is magical.

Looks like Air France starts their 9:30 PM flight out of Dulles in mid-April, it runs 3 times per week. The in June, the new United 11 PM flight starts, and the AF 9:30 flight becomes daily. That lasts through October with both daily. Then Air France 9:30 PM back down to 3 weekly.

PP here, oh good I'm glad this is still an option. It's been a few years since I've done it.