BEST Paris Layover Tours to Maximize Your Time in the City of Lights (2024)
Looking for the best Paris layover tours to maximize your time?
Then this is the guide for you. Rather than waiting around in one of the busiest airports, make the most of your precious time in Europe with a Paris layover tour.
Going to Paris for the first or second time can be overwhelming. Paris is big! And with so many iconic sights, it can be challenging to navigate in a short time.
I’ve been to Paris four times and can confirm, Paris is worth a visit for sure, even if you’re working with a limited timeframe. The Paris layover tours in this guide will help you make the most of your limited time as you experience the magic of this iconic city.
Don’t have time to read the full list? I’ve got you covered. The BEST Paris layover tour is this one, with more than 100 5-star reviews!
Whether you’re visiting Paris solo or with company, looking for half-day layovers or full day tours, you’ll find what you’re lookin for in this detailed guide. Let’s dive in and help you find a tour that’ll turn a few hours into an unforgettable adventure!
7 Best Paris Layover Tours
Perfect for travelers seeking a taste of Parisian charm in a pinch, these local-led tours provide curated glimpses into the city’s iconic landmarks and cultural treasures.
1. Paris Layover Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 4-5 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Included: Water, WiFi, Private Transportation, and Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
This Paris layover tour with AskMaya is the ultimate experience. It features a carefully curated itinerary with eight stops, and this private excursion ensures travelers make the most of their limited time in Paris.
What sets AskMaya apart is the unmatched convenience it offers right from the start. The tour begins with a direct pick-up from Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airport, eliminating the need to navigate the complexities of public transport or worry about finding a reliable taxi.
My wife and I had the most amazing tour by Farid during our Layover coming from Naples. Farid provided excellent instructions where to meet and kept in constant contact with us as our flight landed. He was extremely friendly and wowed us with his historical knowledgeable of Paris. We can’t believe all things we got to see during the tour! Farid ensured we made it back to the airport with plenty of time to catch our connecting flight. This tour is a MUST do!
– tom (read more reviews)
As you drive through the City of Lights, enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle equipped with Wi-Fi, allowing you to stay connected during your adventure.
Stay refreshed with complimentary bottled water for all passengers, ensuring you’re energized for each exciting destination. Your peace of mind is guaranteed with inclusive round-trip transportation to and from the airport, ensuring you make your connecting flight with ease.
AskMaya also has a sterling reputation, boasting more than 100 5-star reviews. Travelers consistently highlight the punctuality and reliability of AskMaya tours, making it a tour company you can trust.
Choosing this Paris layover experience means you’re opting for a stress-free, seamless and unforgettable adventure in one of the world’s most enchanting cities.
2. Layover in Paris 24/7
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 5-7 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Included: Air-conditioned vehicle and Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
This private Paris layover tour is tailored for groups of up to eight people.
What sets this experience apart is the flexibility it offers, allowing you to create a personalized itinerary that includes stops at the sights you’re most eager to see.
Whether you have a layover during the day or an overnight layover, this guided tour is available at your convenience, making it a convenient option. With seven carefully selected stops, it’s most ideal for those with a 7-hour layover in Paris.
So far, nearly 100 travelers have left glowing 5-star reviews for this experience.
These reviews speak highly about the exceptional experience provided by David, your guide and chauffeur. His warm and friendly demeanor adds a personal touch to the journey as he shares his extensive knowledge of Paris and its history.
Having been to Paris several times already, I wanted my husband’s first time to be a bit different then the average ‘tour’. I contacted David with a list of obscure things that we would like to see and visit. He curated a custom tour around all my weird requests and we had an absolutely wonderful 8 hours in Paris with the best use of time. I cannot recommend David more! Born and raised in Paris, he is interesting, well travelled and super easy to talk to, and he was able to engage my 14 year old too! I really enjoyed talking to him about Paris and the world. The absolute best use of time and money for our short layover in Paris and we can’t wait to come back again! If you value time and enrichment, this is the way to do it, you will not be disappointed!
– bonnie (read more reviews)
This tour package also includes pick-up and drop-off directly to the airport, ensuring a seamless transition for travelers with time constraints.
3. Private Paris Airport Layover Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 5 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Included: Private transportation, Charles De Gaulle Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
This private tour grants you the freedom to tailor your sightseeing experience to your liking. From 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., the city is your playground, and you can explore it as you see fit during this 5-hour tour.
Diego, the guide, speaks excellent English, and his profound knowledge of the city allows him to craft a personalized experience that showcases the highlights that you are excited to see.
Diego, our guide, was awesome. He picked us up on time at the airport, and had a 5 hour tour planned. When he found out our son was a huge Paris Saint-Germaine soccer fan, he took us by their stadium. Diego saw some local kids wearing a team scarf, so he asked them about it. It happened to be the day that supporters could sign up for the fan club emails, look inside the stadium, get a free scarf and buy t-shirts. This thrilled our son, and the fan club organizers were excited to have a new member in the US. He also adjusted our tour so we could have an early supper at an outdoor cafe. Diego spoke English very well and definitely customized our tour to show us the highlights we wanted to see. Great way to spend some time during a long layover!
– douglas (read more reviews)
Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or simply looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant Parisian culture this tour offers the perfect opportunity to experience the city in your own unique way.
Please note that this experience is non-refundable and cannot be modified for any reason. Should you need to cancel or request any changes, the amount you paid for the tour will not be refunded.
4. Short Layover Tour in Paris
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 3 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Included: Water, Private transportation, Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
This 3-hour tour is perfect for those with a shorter layover in Paris. The tour, also with AskMaya, has guides who have in-depth knowledge of the historical significance of the various locations you will visit.
This layover tour was just perfect for us. We only had 3 hours to spare before going to back to the airport and our awesome guide took us around and stopped for pictures. Our tour guide Alain was very informative and fun. I highly recommend this tour. Definitely worth the money.
– miralyn (read more reviews)
If you’re considering this tour, rest assured that both the tour company and this experience in particular come highly recommended. Additionally, the tour includes WiFi for your convenience, and your pick-up is from either of the Paris airports.
The entire experience will last approximately 3 hours, and it is designed for groups of up to 3 people.
5. The Great Paris Layover: Best of Paris in a Day
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 4 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Included: Tour guide, Hotel pickup
Want to experience Paris even more uniquely and efficiently? Then book this guided tour that will have you whisking around town on Parisian public transport!
You’ll meet your guide at the airport and together purchase RER tickets to head into the heart of Paris. Once there, you’ll have the chance to explore many key landmarks on this private tour.
The public transportation options in Paris are safe and even more so with a knowledgeable guide to lead the way. Plus, you’ll get to see locals on their routine commutes and get a taste for the non-tourist life of the city.
On the other hand, depending on the size of your group and your timetable your guide might suggest taking a taxi instead. Be sure to communicate with your guide in advance one you book for a more seamless experience on the ground.
In the span of just 4 hours, you’ll visit eight different stops that highlight the city’s top attractions, ensuring you get a taste of Paris’s best.
Meeting Allison for our ’tour was a breeze from start to finish. She is very knowledgeable about Paris. Both the old and the new. Our tour was extensive and enjoyable. We are so happy we booked our tour with Allison. We feel that we probably saw much more than we would have on our own. We almost ran out of ‘wow’! Well worth every penny.
– james (read more reviews)
At the end of the tour, you’ll be conveniently dropped off at the train station, which can take you back to the airport, or the guide can assist you in arranging an Uber.
6. Paris in a Half Day: Private Car Tour With a Local
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 4-5 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Included: Bottled water, AC, WiFI on board, Pick up / Drop off, Panoramic Car
This tour provides private transportation and the added convenience of hotel pick-up and drop-off (an additional fee from the airport), ensuring a hassle-free experience for visitors and ensuring you can explore the city with ease.
Should your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, providing peace of mind for your travel arrangements.
This experience has been AMAZING!!! From Maya coordinating everything and making sure everything was perfect from the beginning to JZ picking us up and taking us to all our locations safely and to Line for being an exceptional guide showing us and giving us history of beautiful Paris. This will always be an unforgettable memory!! Thank you!!
– rebecca (read more reviews)
This tour is the perfect way for first timers or short timers (or both!) to get a feel for the city’s key sites. Note that there is a minimum participant requirement of at least two peoplel for this tour to run.
7. Full Day Champagne Tour Perfect for Layovers in Paris
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 | ⏰ Duration: 4-5 Hours | 🇫🇷 BOOK NOW
Okay, so this tour isn’t really focused on the city of Paris but it’s definitely a worthwhile option to consider. Especially if you’ve already seen Paris and are open to doing something different.
Not too far at all from Paris is France’s champagne region, and there are many great tours from Paris to this region.
Including this 8-hour experience because the tour guide will pick you up and drop you back off at the airport. This experience is perfect if you have a longer layover and want to spend it in a pretty, quieter area of France sipping on bubbly in between flights!
My husband and I and our 8 month old took a champagne tour with David during our stay in Paris. He had a brand new carseat for our little one, called ahead to the champagne houses to confirm we could bring our daughter and made our tour so memorable! Would highly recommend taking a tour with David!
(read more reviews)
Paris Layover FAQs
Navigating a layover in Paris can be an exciting and efficient way to experience the city’s charm, but it often comes with questions and uncertainties. Let’s address frequently asked questions to help you maximize your layover in Paris, France.
Can you leave Paris airport during the layover?
Yes, you can leave Paris airport during your layover. However, it’s essential to verify whether your passport requires a transit visa for your specific travel circumstances to avoid any inconveniences.
Can you leave Paris airport with a 7-hour layover?
Yes, you can venture outside of Paris airport during a 7-hour layover. It’s advisable to factor in the time it takes to travel to and from the city center, as well as any potential delays, such as passing through security or customs, especially depending on your final destination.
Can I visit Paris during a layover as a US citizen?
Yes, as a US citizen, you have the privilege of visiting Paris during a layover with no entry restrictions.
How long of a layover do you need to see the Eiffel Tower?
To have plenty of time to visit the Eiffel Tower and nearby attractions, along with the journey to and from the airport, plan for a layover of at least 7 hours in Paris. This duration allows you to comfortably experience these iconic landmarks while ensuring a timely return to catch your connecting flight.
If you ONLY want to see the Eiffel Tower, you can prioritize that with less than 7 hours. Coordinate with your tour operator based on your travel details.
How far is Paris Charles de Gaulle airport from the city center?
The Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is approximately 25 kilometers (about 15.5 miles) from the city center of Paris. The RER B train(€11,45) takes around 40 minutes, a taxi journey (€58) typically takes 30-45 minutes and the RoissyBus (€14) takes 60 minutes.
Final Thoughts: Best Paris Layover Tours
Don’t let a layover in Paris go to waste! With so much to see and do in this iconic city, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore and make the most of your limited time.
Whether you have a few hours or a more extended layover, there are plenty of fantastic Paris layover tours available that will allow you to get out on the town.
From visiting famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral to strolling along the charming streets of Montmartre, these tours offer a convenient and efficient way to see the best of Paris.
Don’t waste another minute waiting at the airport; book your Paris layover tour today and make your time in Paris truly memorable!
