How to Spend 2 Days in Paris Before Disneyland Paris (Family-Friendly Itinerary)

Are you planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? I highly recommend starting your trip in Paris first. 

Spending 2 days in Paris before Disneyland Paris gives your family the perfect mix of Parisian culture, iconic sights, amazing food, and slower exploring before diving into park days. While I don’t think you can see everything Paris has to offer within 2 days, it’s the perfect amount of time for a sample. 

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If you live on the East Coast of the US, this itinerary is the perfect “long weekend” trip if you don’t mind doing a lot in a short amount of time. Having been to Paris multiple times, for a range of timeframes, this two-day itinerary gives you just the right amount of time for some classic highlights. 

Here’s exactly how I would structure a 2-day Paris + 2.5-day Disneyland Paris itinerary, including everything you need to know about traveling with kids. I will cover where to stay, how to get around, what’s worth the splurge, and practical advice for making the most of your time. 

Why Spend 2 Days in Paris Before Disneyland Paris?

I went back and forth on whether we started or ended our trip in Paris. In the end, we opted to start the trip there, and I am so glad we did. While it likely would have worked out either way, this was the best balance for us and I would do it the same way in a heartbeat. 

​By starting in Paris rather than going straight to Disneyland, you are able to adjust to jet lag before busy park days, mix in some history, and dive into exploring an actual Paris experience. 

While Disneyland Paris is an absolute must-visit in my opinion, starting there may not give you the full “we are in Paris!” feel since it has so many Disney elements. You also won’t feel rushed to squeeze in all the Paris things at the end of your trip. 

Where to Stay in Paris (With Kids)

For a short 2-day stay, location matters more than luxury. I went back and forth for months on where to stay and what our priorities were during our 2 days in Paris. In the end, I realized that no matter how amazing the hotel was, or even how great the view could be, the location was the most important aspect. Being near transportation, as many of the iconic locations as possible, and having enough room for all 5 of us way key. 

One note on that last part- finding a hotel to fit more than 2 people was a task. As soon as I added a 7-year-old child, I lost half of the hotel options, and the price tripled. In the end, we LOVED where we stayed. It wasn’t the fanciest, but it was totally perfect for us. Check the end of this section to see our exact hotel and what we loved about it! 

As mentioned, location felt the most important, so based on that I suggest looking for hotels in these areas:

• The 1st arrondissement (near the Louvre)
• The 7th arrondissement (near the Eiffel Tower)
• Le Marais (great atmosphere + walkability)

And you should also check the filters, descriptions and reviews to look for:

• Air conditioning (important in warmer months)
• Elevator access (many boutique hotels don’t have large lifts)
• Family room options
• Proximity to a Metro station

If it’s your first time in Paris, I recommend staying central so you can walk to at least one major landmark. We were able to walk to several and that was a game changer! 

Where We Stayed

The Yooma Urban Lodge in Paris was perfect for us! We were traveling with our daughter, my sister and her husband, and finding a room for 5 was quite tricky! The Yooma Urban Lodge has several family suite-style rooms that would work for our party size, and the location was ideal. 

We were steps from the Eiffel Tower, practically on the Seine, a short walk to transportation (the train station and bus stops), and we had access to plenty of restaurants, pharmacies, and more. We booked a bunk room which had 4 bunks and 1 full-size bed, and a separate toilet room and shower room. 

How to Get Around Paris (Especially With Kids)

Navigating Paris was something I worried about before this visit, especially traveling with kids, but it ended up being much easier than I expected once we got the hang of it.

Paris is an incredibly walkable city, and depending on where you stay, you may be surprised at how much you can reach on foot. We walked to several major landmarks from our hotel, and those strolls ended up being some of my favorite parts of the trip. 

That said, distances can be deceiving on a map, and little legs tire quickly, so it’s helpful to have multiple transportation options in your pocket. 

The Metro

The Paris Metro is efficient, affordable, and extensive. It can get you almost anywhere you want to go in the city.

A few things to know when traveling with kids:

• Not all stations have elevators or escalators
• Expect stairs – sometimes a lot of them
• Platforms can be narrow and crowded
• Lightweight or compact strollers are much easier to manage. 

We used the Metro when distances were longer or when everyone needed a break from walking. It quickly became second nature.

A side note about strollers in Europe: we stopped bringing a stroller with us to Europe when our daughter was 5, and we were perfectly fine! She’s navigated over 15 countries, multiple 2-week-long trips, and many staircases perfectly fine without one. Bringing a stroller is a personal decision, you know your child the best. For us, by 5, we were ready to leave it at home. 

When we traveled with a stroller, we loved this compact stroller option! 

Uber & Ride Shares

Uber works well throughout Paris and can be worth using after long sightseeing days or in the evening when everyone is tired. This was especially helpful when we didn’t feel like navigating stairs or juggling bags.

It’s more expensive than the Metro, of course, but the convenience factor with kids can absolutely justify it.

Important Note: scroll through all of the Uber and ride share options! In my experience, they are not the same as in the US due to car sizes. So an XL may be a larger vehicle, but won’t fit as many people as an XL in the United States. 

Pre-Booked Tours

I love a good tour to see a lot of a city in a small amount of time. Especially a hop-on-hop-off bus tour. While we didn’t do one on our most recent trip, we have done one in Paris before, and it’s absolutely worth it! You can see many sights all for the price of the bus.

We love Big Bus Tours!

Walking

I truly believe walking is the best way to experience Paris – especially on a short trip. You discover charming streets, bakeries you didn’t plan for, and unexpected views that don’t show up on itineraries. 

Being prepared for all the walking is essential, though, and the same is especially true if you are also heading to Disneyland Paris. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable. 

Don’t miss the ultimate guide to packing for Europe to see my favorite options!

Getting to Disneyland Paris from the City

Transitioning from Paris to Disneyland Paris is straightforward and surprisingly easy, but it’s important to research your options in advance. 

The most common method is taking the RER A regional train from central Paris to the Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy station, which drops you directly at the entrance to Disneyland Paris and next to the Disney hotels. The ride takes about 45 minutes. 

It’s an easy journey (in most cases), just plan your path to the Central Paris station, or whichever station you are closest to that has a train to Chessy. 

If you’re traveling with a lot of bags or prefer simplicity, private transfers are another option, though significantly more expensive.

Personally, I want to be completely transported by navigating by train. We have attempted to take the train from Paris to Disneyland on two separate occasions, the first time we ended up having to get off 2-stops before Chessy because the train had a security breach and service stopped for multiple hours.

We ended up walking (long story!) and it was quite the journey walking along the highway (not on purpose) to get to the Disney gates. But we made it! 

The second time we attempted to take the train, we needed to take a bus to the central station before hopping on the train. The ride from our hotel to the central station was around 10 minutes on the bus, but after waiting 40 minutes for the bus, it was completely full and wouldn’t fit us. We considered a Uber or ride share to the station, but that would have been half the cost of the journey to Disneyland Paris. So we took an Uber. 

While in the city, we love using public transportation, but it just didn’t work out on these two occasions getting to Disneyland. 

The Disneyland Paris Express is a shuttle bus that provides transportation from a few stops within the Paris city-center, this is a great option if you know exactly when you want to travel to Disneyland during your vacation. Looking back, I wish we would have booked this for our last trip! 

Another option is taking the Magical Shuttle, which offers transportation between Paris-Orly and Paris-Charles De Gaulle airports and the Disney hotels. This option isn’t great if you want to start from the city of Paris, but if it’s easier to get back to the airport and then onto Disneyland Paris, it could be a more straightforward and pre-planned option. 

If you would rather plan a day-trip from Paris, instead of visiting Disneyland for a few days, I highly recommend reserving a day trip option with private transportation. It’s going to be the easiest option to ensure you have the time to make the most of your day.

A Family-Friendly 2-Day Paris Itinerary

With just two days, the goal isn’t to see everything – it’s to experience the highlights without exhausting everyone. This outline balances iconic sights, downtime, and flexibility. You can always go back to Paris for an extended trip! 

The best way to maximize your time is to arrive in Paris prior to 10 am. For us, this meant an overnight flight from Philadelphia, but it worked out perfectly! 

Day 1: Classic Paris

Morning: Eiffel Tower Area

Start your trip with one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world: the Eiffel Tower.

Whether you go up or simply enjoy it from below, this area sets the tone for the trip. We spent time walking nearby, taking photos, and letting everyone soak in the “we’re really in Paris” moment, before going to the top- this was a dream for my daughter! 

Personally, I recommend buying tickets to the summit, with lift access! You could walk, but that’s a lot of stairs, so the lift is worth the cost!

Is going to the top worth it?
If it’s your first visit, I’d say yes – especially if you book timed or skip-the-line tickets in advance. It saves a lot of waiting, and is well worth it. 

If you prefer something more relaxed, spending time in the surrounding park area is just as memorable for kids as the views from above if they aren’t already excited about them.

What’s included on each floor? 

The Eiffel Tower has multiple floors you can visit, which I actually didn’t know before our first trip! 

• The first floor: Largest area for hanging out, food options, a bar and beautiful views. 
• The second floor: More amazing views, food, and drink options. If you are looking for a glass of champagne and don’t plan to go to the summit, grab one while you are here! 
• The summit floor: The very top of the Eiffel tower! All the views, champagne and macarons, and some stairs if you want to go a bit higher. 

Optional activity if you have the time: A Seine River cruise departing nearby is a fantastic, low-effort way to see landmarks while everyone sits and rests.

Afternoon: Arc de Triomphe & Surroundings

Head toward the Arc de Triomphe. We walked, but you could also use public transportation. I feel like a leisurely stroll is exactly what we needed and it only took about 30 minutes. 

Climbing to the top is something lots of friends have recommended, we haven’t done it, but it could be worth it depending on your family! They have said the great views are worth it, but I feel like just seeing it is magical! 

Afterward, explore nearby streets, grab snacks, or simply wander. This part of the day is best kept flexible! 

Evening: Simple Dinner & Reset

Jet lag and stimulation hit hard by evening. We kept dinner relaxed and earlier than locals typically dine (which can be anywhere from 8-10pm).

Optional, but highly recommended: Depending on the season and how late the sunsets, I loved grabbing snacks from a grocery store for a picnic on the lawn by the Eiffel Tower and waiting until it starts to sparkle. The lights turn on at dusk, and the Eiffel Tower sparkle occurs every hour until 11 pm or 12 am, depending on the season. We didn’t do this until our 3rd or 4th trip and it’s so worth it at least once! The views of the Eiffel Tower are amazing and will be embedded in your mind after this! 

My biggest advice for day one, don’t overbook your evenings. A slower pace keeps everyone happier for Day 2.

Pro Tip: Go onto Google Maps before your trip and create a “Paris” map of all the locations you want to visit. I create maps for every vacation and it’s very helpful. I save other places like our hotel, photo spots, grocery stores, luggage storage options and the best places to let kids run around. 

Day 2: Culture & Charm

Morning: The Louvre

Start at the Louvre Museum. One of my FAVORITE travel memories was during our first visit to Paris when my husband and I grabbed pastries and sat by The Louvre early in the morning. It was so special and felt so “Paris”. 

Trying to “do” the entire Louvre isn’t realistic, especially with kids, and honestly isn’t necessary. Pick a handful of highlights and keep expectations light. You could also skip inside the Louvre *insert gasp* if you aren’t a big museum family. Seeing some of the most iconic artwork (the Mona Lisa!) is very cool, but it also takes a decent amount of time, so do what is best for your family and don’t feel guilty either way! 

I do recommend heading into the Louvre, which is free for anyone to do. 

If you do plan to go inside, consider these tips: 

• 2–3 hours maximum
• Pre-booked timed entry tickets
• Plenty of breaks
• Book a guided tour with a local guide to see just what’s most important to your family

Even a partial visit feels special simply because of the scale and history of the museum. 

Midday: Outdoor Break

Before determining how you want to spend this afternoon, consider what you will do after the Louvre in the “Afternoon” section below. If you are planning to make the journey to Montmatre, definitely take this break!

After the museum, spend time outdoors nearby letting kids decompress. The Tuileries Garden is perfect for this! This reset makes a big difference before continuing the day. Grab lunch, relax, and avoid rushing.

Afternoon: Montmartre Exploration OR Notre Dame + Luxembourg Gardens

There are two options for this second afternoon, because you know your family best- one involves lots of stairs and longer transportation time and the other is better for families who want to burn off some energy, have a chill afternoon and enjoy the surroundings. 

Option One: 

Head toward Montmartre and visit Sacre Coeur for a few hours! 

This area feels distinctly Parisian – winding streets, artists, views overlooking the city. Expect hills and steps, but it’s worth it for the atmosphere alone.

This was one of the most memorable parts of our time in Paris, but it is a lot to include in two days if you aren’t a fan of nonstop plans. 

Option Two: 

If you’d prefer something a little more relaxed (and especially great with kids), spend your afternoon near Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Luxembourg Gardens.

Even if you don’t plan to tour the interior of Notre Dame, seeing it in person is very cool. The architecture alone is worth the stop, and it’s an easy landmark to pair with nearby exploring. 

From there, head to Luxembourg Gardens, which ended up being one of my favorite family-friendly spots in the city.

Here’s why it works so well with kids:

• Wide open space to run around
• A beautiful playground (small fee to enter)
• The famous pond where children sail miniature boats
• Plenty of shaded seating for parents

After two busy sightseeing days, this area provides breathing room. Grab a crepe or sandwich nearby, let the kids play, and enjoy slowing down for a bit before transitioning into your Disneyland days.

What’s Worth the Splurge 

After visiting multiple times, these are the experiences I’d prioritize spending on:

Worth It

• Timed Eiffel Tower tickets with skip-the-line access
• Louvre entry reservations if you opt to go inside 
• Seine River cruise to see Paris from another view
• Airport or hotel transfer after a long flight. An absolute must!! 
• A guided walking tour, if you have specific tourist attractions you want to see, and feel like a guide would make it a more relaxing experience. We usually opt not to do guided tours, but some families absolutely benefit from them! 

Skip or Lower Priority

• Hop-on bus tours (transportation is easy enough without them) BUT you are able to see a lot if that is your #1 goal 
• Overly formal multi-course dining experiences with young kids, we have tried and it isn’t the best way to end the day 

What to Expect When Visiting Paris With Children

Paris is magical – but it’s different from traveling within the US, or even other European cities. Knowing this ahead of time helps set expectations.

• Restaurants move slower – meals are experiences, not quick stops
• Air conditioning isn’t universal
• Bathrooms are smaller and sometimes harder to find, and you may need to pay a euro or two for entry
• Ice and free refills aren’t common
• Stairs and cobblestones are part of the experience, consider this when thinking about the stroller

None of these are negatives, just differences worth planning for.

A few notes about what 2-days in Paris limits:

• You aren’t able to see everything, 2 days is a short amount of time, but like I mentioned above, you can always come back! There are so many popular attractions in Paris that you would need weeks to see them all. 
• You aren’t able to see The Palace of Versailles which is one of the coolest experiences we have ever had. You need nearly a full day for this and while it’s worth the time, it’s too much to add to a 2-day trip 
• Learning a new city in a short amount of time can be slightly stressful; you have to be even more prepared in advance, which isn’t for everyone 
• You will likely have to spend more money due to the additional cost of timed tickets and avoiding long lines, point A to point B transportation, etc. But- it’s worth it, your time is valuable! 

Transitioning to Disneyland Paris

After two days exploring Paris, heading to Disneyland Paris feels like stepping into a completely different world – in the best way. I can’t recommend staying at a Disneyland resort more. The onsite experience is absolutely worth it, and doesn’t end up costing much more. 

Staying on the property gives families valuable convenience:

• Early park entry
• Easy midday breaks
• Simple logistics with kids

With 2.5 days, you can comfortably experience both parks without rushing. 

Check out the ultimate guide to Disneyland Paris to see how I recommend planning your park days. 

Two days in Paris isn’t about checking every box – it’s about experiencing the feeling of the city, introducing your family to its culture, and creating space for memorable moments before shifting into park days.

For families pairing 2 days in Paris before Disneyland Paris, this balance worked beautifully for us. It provided just enough exploration, just enough downtime, and just enough magic to make the entire trip feel complete.