24 Hours in Paris on a Layover: What’s Actually Worth It

24 Hours in Paris on a Layover: What We Did, What We Skipped, and What Was Totally Worth It

Paris wasn’t originally part of the plan — it was just a 36-hour layover on our way to Greece. But if you’re going to be stuck somewhere between long flights, Paris is hardly a bad place to land.

That said, let’s be honest: short layovers come with challenges, and Paris does not ease you in gently.

Arrival Reality Check: Customs, Traffic & Why a Driver Is Non-Negotiable

Customs lines were long. Like, questioning-your-life-choices long. After an 8 hour flight the last thing I wanted to do was figure out public transportation or navigate Paris traffic on my own.

Hiring Welcome Pickups was hands down one of the best decisions we made. Our driver met us at arrivals, handled the chaos, and got us through the notoriously horrendous Paris traffic straight to our hotel. If you only have 24 hours in Paris, this is not the place to cut corners.

Where We Stayed: Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

We stayed at the Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel, and if you’re debating this hotel, let me help you decide: book it — and ask for a higher-floor room. It's pricey, but you're not there long, every minute counts.

The Eiffel Tower views were unreal. The kind of view that makes jet lag feel slightly less offensive. Being able to see the Tower from your room instantly makes even a short Paris stay feel special.

Seeing Paris Fast: Txango Tours City Highlights

With limited time and questionable weather, we booked a private city tour with Txango Tours, and it was exactly what we needed.

This was the easiest way to see a lot of Paris quickly without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. We hit all the major highlights:

*Eiffel Tower

*Arc de Triomphe

*Dome des Invalides

*A drive down the Champs-Élysées, including a glimpse of the original Chanel store (eat your heart out Carrie Bradshaw)

Our guide shared great historical facts without it feeling like a lecture, and navigating the city by car saved us from wasting precious hours figuring out logistics. For a short layover, this was absolutely the move.

The Louvre: Outside Counts When Time Is Tight

Once the tour wrapped, we headed over to the Louvre. Given our limited time (and energy), we didn’t even attempt to go inside — and honestly, no regrets.

We got the iconic photos, soaked in the atmosphere, and moved on. If you only have 24 hours in Paris, you don’t need to do everything to feel like you experienced the city

Weather, Wine & an Early Night

The weather was awful — cold, rainy, and not particularly romantic — so we pivoted and opted for an early dinner at Café Varenne.

The food was great, the vibe was cozy, and here’s your friendly reminder to respect the metric system. Misjudging wine measurements in Paris is easy to do and could be disastrous.

We had grand plans to make it out to the jazz district later that night… and then promptly realized we were absolutely not those people on this trip. Sleep won.

Morning in Paris: Balcony Breakfast with a View

The next morning was slow, quiet, and honestly perfect.

We ordered room service breakfast and enjoyed it on the balcony, staring at the Eiffel Tower like we weren’t about to head straight back to the airport. For a quick layover, it was a pretty unbeatable way to end our Paris moment.

Is 24 Hours in Paris Worth It?

Absolutely — as long as you’re realistic.

You won’t see everything. You won’t move at a leisurely Parisian pace. But with a good hotel, a driver, and a solid plan, 24 hours in Paris on a layover can feel intentional instead of chaotic.

Would I do it again? Yes.