travel plan for london

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Your First Trip to London

Are you planning your first trip to London?  

This global city is endlessly popular with travelers from all over the world. With its famous landmarks and iconic sights, the number of things to see and do in London can easily excite and overwhelm first-time visitors.

In this post, you’ll find a cheat sheet compiled over 3 separate visits to London packed with information about how to get to London from the airport, where to stay in London, how to get around once you arrive, and best of all,  mapped-out London itinerary planning tips .

Are you ready to make your first trip to London a success? 

How to Plan a Trip to London

It can seem daunting to get started on your London trip plan. It’s a huge city with lots of iconic sights and experiences. In fact, I think it’s often underestimated by travelers who often write to tell me what a great time they had in London and that the city was such a surprise…in a good way!

So, as any good teacher will tell you, start with an outline. In this case, you want to break down each step you’ll need to do to plan a trip to London and then work on filling in all the details.

Start with deciding when you want to visit London and how many days you’ll stay. (I recommend at least 3-4 days.)

Once you know this, you can work on booking your London accommodations. (I recommend staying in a central-ish area within walking distance of a Tube station. Keep reading for more below) The further out you book your London hotel, the more available options you’ll have with competitive pricing.

ProTip: If you have flexibility, you might even look at London flights and hotels first to find the cheapest combination of dates and rates. In this way, you’re letting the deals decide when you travel versus looking for a deal on the dates you need/want to travel.

Once you’ve got the major logistics set, it’s time to work on your London itinerary. (I’ve got specific itinerary ideas below so keep reading!)

At this point in your planning a trip to London, you’ll want to make a list of the London sights and attractions that are your must sees and dos. Then, using the maps below (or Google Maps), start grouping them by area.

One really important thing to know as you plan your London trip is that the city is huge. The distances between places can be far, and with limited days, you don’t want to backtrack or plan activities on opposite ends of the city on the same day.

From here, figure out what can be booked ahead…and actually book it ahead! London is a popular destination. It’s normal for there to be lines at top sights and restaurants that are completely booked.

You can use sightseeing passes like The London Pass (my complete review) to pre-plan and save money. Or you can book individual tickets through a platform like Get Your Guide .

Once you know where you’re staying and what you’ll be doing each day, you can round out your London trip planning by looking at the Tube Map to orient yourself and decide how you’ll get from the airport to the city center. (More tips on this below!)

What to See and Do on Your First Trip to London

This London trip planner is set up in different sections to help you plan a trip to London from start to finish. The first part helps you get ideas about how to plan your days in London with landmarks, attractions, museums, markets, and activities in a logistically sensible way.

You want to maximize your time in London without backtracking or zigzagging around the city. These ideas can also help you piece together a complete day because not all of them require a full day.

You also note that I’ve included the Tube stops for individual attractions. This is to help you in case you visit these places outside of the order I’ve suggested in the Google Map for each itinerary idea.

After these itinerary ideas for planning your trip to London, you’ll find tips and helpful information so you can navigate the city confidently.

Are you ready to plan your trip to London?

London Itinerary Planning Idea #1 – History Buffs and Foodies

Tower of London – Tower Hill Tube Stop – Circle and District Lines

The  Tower of London  with its crown jewels is an absolute must with its thick, ominous walls, dark past, resident black ravens, and informative Beefeaters. The Tower and the nearby Tower Bridge sit stalwartly as a link to the past when Kings and Queens sent prisoners to “think” about their choices and to wait for the inevitable… execution.

The Tower of London was the inhospitable home to infamous gangsters, spies, Dukes, Bishops, Princes, and even Queens!

Undoubtedly the most famous Queen of them all was the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. The Tower of London is where Henry the VIII’s executioner beheaded her on charges of adultery and conspiracy, however, Henry actually blamed her for not producing a male heir.

Today, visiting the Tower of London is like stepping back in time. The daily traditions involving this historic castle have continued for hundreds of years. The resident Beefeaters live at the Tower of London and maintain the rituals and routines of the past. But they also offer free tours (once inside) and comically share their vast Tower of London knowledge.

These tours begin every 30 minutes starting at 10:00 a.m. and finishing with the last tour at 2:30 p.m.

Pro Tip:  Arrive in the morning when the Tower first opens. It becomes quite crowded later in the day. Use your  London Pass  to get Fast Track Entry and bundled savings when compared to buying attraction tickets individually.

Tower Bridge & Borough Market – London Bridge Tube Stop – Northern and Jubilee Lines

After a morning at the Tower of London, time your escape for lunch at  Borough Market . It’ll be easiest to walk from the Tower of London. Walk across Tower Bridge instead of London Bridge as shown on the map above. The walk is a bit longer than crossing London Bridge, but historic Tower Bridge is a sight in its own right.

You can tour the Victorian-era engine rooms, as well as climb to the bridge’s upper walkways for gorgeous views over London and the River Thames. Get your Tower Bridge ticket in advance or use The London Pass to visit the bridge.

You can also cross the River Thames with a river bus using your Tube Oyster Card (more on these below) from Tower Pier to London Bridge City Pier.

Once at Borough Market, the market lanes are lined with food and grocers selling every imaginable food item. It’s a great place to sample a variety of foods from all types of global cuisines. Not to mention, no London trip is complete without taking advantage of the city’s amazing international food scene!

From famous falafel to perfectly spiced Indian food, huge skillets of paella, and savory British pies from Pieminster, you’ll be thankful to visit with an empty stomach on your first trip to London and every time you return like I do!

Restaurants and cafes fill the upstairs level and the surrounding streets (in case you’d prefer to sit rather than sample and roam) making this Southwark neighborhood a foodie’s delight.

ProTip: From Borough Market, you’re just a 5-minute walk to The Shard , London’s tallest glass skyscraper to see the highest views over the city. If you have it, you can use your London Pass for access. Be sure to follow the pass instructions to pre-reserve a time.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #2 – Royalty and High Tea

Westminster Abbey – Westminster Tube Stop – Jubilee Line

Coming out of Westminster Station, you’ll immediately be in the shadow of Big Ben and London’s iconic Parliament Building. You can walk back onto the Westminster Bridge to capture fuller photos of these London landmarks. If you’re lucky, you just might get a classic shot with a red doubledecker bus!

Continue on to  Westminster Abbey , just a couple of minutes walking from Big Ben. Westminster Abbey is open to visitors Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m until 3:30 p.m. The Abbey is closed on Sundays so keep this in mind when planning your London trip.

Use your  London Pass  to gain access to Westminster. Once inside, admire the architecture and the Abbey’s gorgeous choir room. Westminster is also the final resting place of numerous kings, queens, and dignitaries. You can see the monuments in their honor, as well as learn about their place in history.

If you’re a fan of the Royals, you’ll be visiting the spot where Kate and William were married.

Pro Tip:  If you want to take a ride on the London Eye , it can be included with the stops you make in and around Big Ben because it’s just a short walk over the bridge you see in the photo below. Avoid the lines by choosing the fast-track ticket option. It’s also quite popular to depart from the Westminster Pier for a cruise along the River Thames to take in the sights of London from the water.

History buffs won’t want to miss the Churchill War Rooms. They’re not far from Westminster Abbey, along the edge of St. James’s Park. These rooms served as the secret headquarters for Churchill during WW2. The rooms have been preserved just as they were during the war and give a fascinating look at how Churchill operated and made decisions during this dark time in history.

If your trip to London is 3 days or less and it’s your first visit, this WW2 museum may not be a top priority. But if you or a travel companion is interested in visiting WW2 sights and museums in Europe, The Churchill War Rooms are a great way to divert from the typical first time in London sights.

Buckingham Palace-Green Park Tube Stop-Jubilee, Victoria, & Piccadilly Lines

Next, make your way to  Buckingham Palace  where the  Changing of the Guards  happens.

The ceremony is all pomp and fanfare. The King’s Guard outside the castle has been on watch for hours and the new guard comes to take over in grand style! A marching brigade of guards along with a mounted cavalry and a marching band head up The Mall and through the palace gates.

This ceremony draws a crowd so it’s best to arrive ahead of time so that you can get yourself in a position to see the fanfare. I’ve watched from both the gates of Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument directly opposite the palace gates.

You’ll have to choose the location you want because it’s typically too crowded to move from place to place. To get a spot along the fence at Buckingham Palace, be prepared to arrive up to an hour early and wait.

If this is the case, you also may need to reverse the order and visit Westminster Abbey after so that you can stake out your Changing of the Guard spot in the morning.

Pro Tip:  Check the  Changing of the Guard schedule  before you go to make sure the ceremony is planned for the day you intend to visit.

Hyde Park – Hyde Park Corner Tube Stop – Piccadilly Line

When the ceremony is finished, keep those royal juices flowing for a stroll around  Hyde Park . It’s one of the largest parks in London, as well as one of the Royal Parks. Enjoy its monuments, bridges, fountains, gardens, and lake, including the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain.

Finish up with a classic afternoon tea experience at  The Dorchester Hotel .

No doubt, it’s a luxurious splurge, but after having experienced life as a royal, it’s the perfect way to properly finish the experience. From finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, sweets, and of course, tea, you’ll have had a quintessential London outing.

Alternatively, if you plan afternoon tea for another day, you might want to visit London’s Natural History Museum or Kensington Palace on the other end of Hyde Park.

The latter has been a royal residence for hundreds of years and was where Princess Diana lived with Princes William and Harry. Today, you can tour the apartments and staterooms and see the sunken gardens where there is a statue of Princess Diana commemorating the 20th anniversary of her death.

While the Natural History Museum displays animal specimens, dinosaurs, and exhibitions about the history of the natural world and the people who evolved in it.

If you intend to walk into Hyde Park and casually make your way towards Kensington Palace or the Natural History Museum, the walk will be broken up by the time spent in the park.

Otherwise, if your aim is to get to either of these sights without a long walk, use the London underground. The Queensway stop along the Central line is the closest to Kensington Palace and the South Kensington stop along the Circle and District lines is near to the Natural History Museum.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #3 – Architecture, Theatre, & Art

St. Paul’s Cathedral – St. Paul’s Tube Stop – Central Line

Start off at  St. Paul’s Cathedral  to admire this Anglican Church’s architecture. You can explore the crypt or head in the opposite direction and climb the dome’s 528 steps for spectacular panoramic London views.

If you have it, entry is included with your London Pass .

Take your time crossing the pedestrian-only Millennium Bridge on your way to the Tate Modern and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. This is a great spot to watch boat traffic along the River Thames.

Tate Modern & The Globe Theatre-Blackfriars Tube Stop-Circle & District Lines

These 2 London attractions are just next to one another.

The  Tate Modern  has a vast permanent collection of modern art by the likes of Henri Matisse and Jackson Pollock, as well as temporary exhibitions. There are beautiful views looking back on St. Paul’s Cathedral and the River Thames, as well.

It’s free to enter the museum and there’s no need to book ahead, unless there is a specific exhibit you’d like to see that requires a reserved space.

The nearby  Globe Theatre  is a replica of Shakespeare’s original which burned in a fire many years ago after the thatched roof was ignited during a production of Henry VIII.

For your first trip to London, you’ll want to use your  London Pass  to tour the theater during the day and hear about its historic past. The Globe also has evening performances during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. The ambiance of the open-air theater makes for a fantastic night out!

Pro Tip:  Check times to coordinate visits to both the Tate Modern and The Globe in a way that lets you see one after the other. The Globe performance tickets sell out so purchase them in advance, especially if you want to see a play on a specific date.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #4 – Artifacts, Landmarks, and Shopping

The British Museum – Tottenham Court Tube Stop – Central & Northern Lines

No trip to London is complete without a stop at The   British Museum . The art and artifacts on display are open free to the public beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, sculptures from the Parthenon, and a vast Egyptian collection including mummies.

It’s worth checking for any special, limited-time exhibits during your stay. If there’s one you’d like to see, it’s worth buying tickets online or at the museum when you first arrive.

After the museum, spend the afternoon strolling through  Covent Garden  or head over to  Soho  and  Oxford Street  for a shopper’s paradise. Covent Garden is in London’s West End, home to theaters, restaurants, and shops. You’re sure to find anything you’d want to buy from the numerous chain stores, boutiques, and markets.

Pro Tip:  There are many classic London pubs in these neighborhoods. If you haven’t had a plate of fish and chips yet, now’s the time. You can also join a historical pub walking tour to visit some of London’s most iconic pubs.

Leicester Square – Leicester Square Tube Stop – Piccadilly & Northern Lines

Make your way to  Leicester Square  and the heart of London’s Theatre District. It’s super touristy here. Think Times Square-esque…a place where you take a few photos before moving on.

But if you plan to see a musical or a play later (and you certainly should!),  get your discounted tickets at the TKTS booth right in the square for performances that day or night.

There’s crossover between shows in London and New York’s Broadway district. Sometimes, you can even catch a performance in London before it heads to New York City.

Trafalgar Square – Charing Cross Tube Stop – Bakerloo & Northern Lines

Finish your walk at  Trafalgar Square . This iconic London crossroads has monuments, historic buildings, museums, and street performers. It’s an absolute beehive of activity and perfect for taking more classic London photos complete with red double-decker buses passing by on the streets in and around the square.

With any luck, you’ll have time to check out the  National Gallery  right in Trafalgar Square which houses famous paintings by the likes of Vermeer, Monet, Rembrandt, Cezanne, and Leonardo Da Vinci.

Best of all, it’s free to visit, and you can use your  London Pass  Hop On Hop Off double-decker bus ticket to reposition yourself closer to your hotel when you’re done.

London Itinerary Planning Idea #5 – Harry Potter Fans

Harry Potter Studio Tour Meeting Point – Victoria Station – Circle, District & Victoria Lines

Are you traveling with a wannabe wizard dying for a Hogwarts adventure?

Plan a visit to the  Harry Potter and Warner Brothers Studio . Buses leave from Central London and travel to the magical sets of the famed movie and book series. The closest tube stop to the meeting point is Victoria Station. From there, it’s just a few minutes on foot.

You’ll have 4 hours to see places like the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s Office, Diagon Alley, and more! Plus, get to see some of the most famous props and the costumes worn by Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

If you’ve wanted to visit Platform 9 ¾, ride the Hogwarts Express, and attempt to ride a broomstick, then you definitely don’t want to miss escaping the world of Muggles for just a bit on your visit to London!

ProTip: If you want to sprinkle some Harry Potter into your London trip but don’t want to commit a full day to the experience, this Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour is a popular alternative.

Out-of-Town Must-Sees on your First Trip to London

From London, many parts of Britain and the U.K. are easily reachable by train. This makes it possible to visit a couple of popular sites with even just a half day’s worth of time.

Trains run from London to both  Windsor Castle  and  Hampton Court Palace . From their respective train stations, it’s just a few minutes on foot to reach the entry points.

The exquisite staterooms at Windsor Castle are open to the public when the King is not in residence. These rooms are some of the most spectacular castle rooms you’ll see anywhere in the world.

St. George’s Chapel, within the grounds of Windsor Castle, is the final resting spot of Henry VIII and several other Kings and Queens. It’s also where Meghan and Harry were married and the final resting place of Queen Elizabeth II.

Hampton Court Palace is full of Tudor history, as it was a regular stop for Henry VIII and his royal court. The palace creates a historical experience by revealing the inner workings of how the palace operated in its heyday. It’s undoubtedly one of the most interesting and well-preserved looks at Tudor history, as well as what life was like during this period.

Look out for King Henry VIII himself, as visitors can watch the King interact with Anne Boleyn or flirt with his soon-to-be next wife, Jane Seymour. Leave some time for the palace’s gardens and maze.

Pro Tip:  Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace are both included with the  London Pass . Get Fast Track Entry at Hampton Court to maximize your time and avoid any entry line.

If you have extra days in your itinerary, consider a London day trip to:

• Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath
• The Cotswolds
• Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey) & the Filming Locations

If you’re planning a trip to England, rent a car and drive into the English countryside when your time in London is done. I’ve done this to spend time exploring places like Stratford-Upon-Avon , the Cotswolds villages , and Warwick Castle .

It’s a perfect way to add on to an England itinerary and explore more of what the country has to offer beyond London.

Best Area to Stay in London

Where to stay in London is one of the most frequently asked questions for anyone planning a trip. It’s understandable. You want to be somewhere conveniently located, safe, and within your travel budget.

London’s neighborhoods and districts each have their own unique charm and flavor. And while some might say you should absolutely stay in the heart of the most touristy areas of the city, I think the most important thing when choosing where to stay in London is to  stay somewhere with convenient access to the Tube. 

You shouldn’t be hesitant to book a hotel or rental accommodation that’s a few Tube stops away from popular attractions. You can truly get nearly anywhere in London very quickly by using the underground train system.

That being said, you don’t want to stay too far from the heart of London, either. The city is big and the Tube rides from London’s outer neighborhoods can take upwards of an hour back to the center.

Ideally, you want to find a London hotel that matches your travel budget, close to a Tube station, in a relatively center-ish location. Example neighborhoods include Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Westminster, Soho, and near Southwark along the south bank.

Below, I’ve shared a couple of hotels where I’ve stayed. They’re in different budget categories and neighborhoods, and they have convenient Tube access.

I’ve had excellent hotel points and paid stays at several London hotels including the ones listed below.

Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel  – The hotel is located in the Seven Dials neighborhood near Covent Garden, the West End’s Theatre district, pubs, and my favorite Indian restaurant, Dishoom. Rooms are a classic modern boutique style for which Radisson Blu hotels are known.

Holiday Inn Express London-Southwark  – Just a 10-minute walk to Borough Market, the Tate Modern, or the Globe Theatre, with a Tube station nearby. This hotel is on the south bank of the city not far from the Southwark Tube station.

London Rental Accommodations

During my travels, I’ve also opted for apartment and home rentals. You feel more like a local and oftentimes can save money because you’re able to prepare your own breakfast or share the overall cost with family members or friends. Not to mention, you can find truly unique places to stay with awesome views or even discover a new neighborhood!

London is the perfect destination to consider a rental accommodation over a hotel because hotels aren’t cheap(!) and London is well-connected with its underground trains.

My go-to place to search for rental accommodations is Plum Guide . They vet the properties on their site using “Home Critics” and only select the best properties in a variety of price brackets. Plum Guide even offers phone support 24/7 should you need any help or have questions.

How Many Days to Spend in London

As with most places, you can spend an extended period of time and still not see and do everything a fantastic city like London has to offer.

If it’s your first time in London, you likely will focus on the most popular attractions and experiences that interest you. For this, you’ll need 3-4 days to explore and make use of the London itinerary ideas in this guide.

With 4+ days in London, you can also use a day to visit a popular sight just outside of London or even  get off the beaten path .

London is a great city to explore. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for future trips to Europe. It’s not complicated to add a couple of days in London as a stopover before continuing on to another destination in Europe.

Arrival into London

The  Heathrow Express  is a quick and efficient way to get into the city from London Heathrow Airport. The train leaves every 15 minutes and arrives in just about the same time to Paddington Station.

You can book your tickets online or using the Heathrow Express App. Not only will this save you any hassle at the airport, but you’ll also save money. Heathrow Express prices are lower the further you book in advance.

Gatwick Airport also has an  express train  which arrives at Victoria Station. Trains run every 15 minutes and take a half-hour to reach London.

Similarly, the express train from Gatwick offers considerable discounts for booking online and ahead of time.

The airports also have commuter trains, buses, and taxis to get you into London. Except for the taxis, these options are less expensive than the express trains mentioned above but do take more time.

You can check prices and schedules for  Southern Railways  from Gatwick to compare.

In addition, from London Heathrow, you can take the Tube. Trains along the Picadilly and Elizabeth lines connect terminals 2, 3, 4, and 5. The ride takes between 45-50 minutes to reach central London but is less expensive than the Heathrow Express.

From Paddington and Victoria Stations in London, you’ll have access to the  London Tube  with lines spreading across the city, as well as a taxi queue at ground level. Most taxis take credit cards but be aware of the occasional cash-only sign in a taxi’s window.

Pro Tip:  My recommendation is to use an express train or the Tube (from/to Heathrow), for a quick and easy trip to London’s city center or even directly to your hotel. Avoid London traffic and expensive taxi rides.

If you’d prefer to arrange transportation and/or avoid taking the trains, consider booking a car with Welcome Pickups  to transfer to the city. Although I’ve only used the trains to get from Heathrow to London, I’ve used Welcome Pickups in several other European cities and always had a great experience.

This will be a much more affordable option compared to a London taxi. The price will be a flat rate, as opposed to paying based on the taxi’s metered fare which can get quite high with even the smallest amount of traffic

How to get around London

London is very pedestrian-friendly and you’re bound to do a good amount of walking during your London trip. Remember, cars are on the opposite side of the road compared to the U.S., so you need to LOOK RIGHT when crossing the road. When in doubt, just look both ways before crossing.

Along the Thames, the riverwalk is a clear path connected with several bridges to help you cross to the other side as frequently as you need.

In addition, London’s Tube (subway) is reliable, easy to navigate, and stretches across the city. The announcements are clear and the lines are identified with colors and names, like Central, District, and Piccadilly. Given how big London is, you’ll need to rely on public transportation to maximize the time you have rather than always walking long distances.

As with getting to London from the airport, taxis are expensive in London and get even pricier when traffic is heavy. It’s best to go underground to save time, money, and patience.

Visitors staying for a few days can get an Oyster Card for easy use and refills in the Tube. Your Oyster Card is good for your first trip to London and every return trip thereafter!

London Pass  purchases come with the option to add a visitor’s Oyster Card. I would skip this option because the card takes several weeks to be physically mailed to you. You can also save more money by simply using a regular Oyster Card or the Tube’s contactless payment system because it will cap how much you’ll pay each day automatically.

Use a contactless credit card to pay to enter the Tube, as well as a mobile device like a smartphone with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Just be sure you’re using a card with no foreign transaction fees.

A few things to keep in mind when paying to access the Tube.

• Use the same card or device when you touch in and out at the yellow card readers. The London Tube caps how much you’ll pay. So, you can ride as much as you want in a day or a week and you’ll never pay more than the capped price.
• If you don’t use the same card or device, the Tube card readers won’t be able to accurately cap the amount you pay.
• If you’re using a device like a smartphone, be sure you have enough battery power. You need to touch in and out of the Tube. You also need to use your phone all day otherwise the system can’t cap the amount you pay.
• You can pay for another person if you are traveling together. (They will need to touch out of the Tube and can’t do it without your card or device.) You’ll need to pay for yourself with a separate card or device.

London Tips for Your First Trip

As you plan things to do in London and where to stay in London, also take into consideration the tips below. They’ve come from 3 separate trips to London and a lot of travel experience overall.

The best time to visit London is during spring and fall.

Visiting London in the shoulder/winter season months, April-June and September-November, are the perfect combination of moderate to cool temperatures and fewer visitors. January to March can also be a good time to visit if you’re not bothered by colder temperatures and prefer to visit during the least busy time of year.

Summer can be very busy, making the next London travel tip even that much more important.

Book as many things as possible in advance.

Not only will things like the London Pass or advance fast-track tickets help you save time and money, but it’ll eliminate indecisiveness about what to do while you’re in London and who to trust when you eventually buy the tickets, tours, and passes you want.

Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

London isn’t a budget destination. The last thing you want to add to the currency exchange are fees from your credit card once you get your bill back home.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout London and also remove the necessity to convert and carry large amounts of dollars to British pounds.

ProTip: When paying by credit card or using your debit card to withdraw money at an ATM, always pay in the local currency (Pounds) and/or decline the currency conversion. This is a sneaky way to convert your money at a less-than-desirable rate.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.

I know this seems obvious but it truly can’t be understated. As someone who lives in New York City, I can always recognize a visitor who’s regretting his/her shoe choice.

These are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. I wear them walking around New York City and they’re a staple I pack for nearly every trip I take. You can walk miles without any irritation or blisters.

Check for service charges.

Tipping isn’t obligatory in London. In fact, service charges are often added to bills at restaurants and pubs. That being said, if you’re happy with your service, you always leave a small amount as a gesture of appreciation.

Pack the right electrical converters.

Most commonly, you’ll need a Type G converter to plug into the outlets throughout the U.K. I’ve encountered one place where this wasn’t the case. So, it’s smart to also have a universal adapter with USB ports, too.

London Trip Planner FAQs

How do i start planning a trip to london.

To plan a trip to London, first, decide how many days you’ll spend in the city. Then, book your hotel. You’ll find more options and competitive pricing the further in advance you book. After this, plan your London itinerary. Make a list of the sights and activities you want to see and do. Then, group them by area to logically plan what to do without backtracking. Be sure to book ahead as many things as possible to save time and to ensure you can visit places on the days that make sense for your London itinerary.

How many days should I plan for London?

As you plan a trip to London, you’ll need at least 3-4 days to comfortably see the city’s top sights and attractions. London is a very large city with an endless number of things to see and do. You can easily plan a trip to London for a week and have plenty to fill your itinerary.

What time of year is best to go to London?

The absolute best months for a perfect combination of weather and number of visitors is from April to June and September through November. January to March can also be a good time to visit London because fewer people are visiting during this time. Summers come with big crowds and long lines.

What is the best area to stay in London?

The best area to stay in London is in the heart of the city, especially if you’re visiting London for the first time, and within walking distance of a Tube station. These include neighborhoods like Seven Dials, Covent Garden, Westminster, Soho, and along the south bank near the Southwark area.

Where should I go on my first trip to London?

For your first London trip, plan to see the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the British Museum, Covent Garden, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, and the iconic view of Big Ben and Parliament from Westminster Bridge. You should also plan to have afternoon tea, eat at Borough Market, go to a play or musical, and glimpse London from above at the London Eye or the Shard.

First Trip to London – Bottom Line

You have chosen a fantastic city to visit, full of important landmarks, historic sights, good food, and fun experiences. With some advance planning, you’ll arrive in London prepared with your itinerary and know-how to navigate the city confidently for an unforgettable trip.

So, what questions do you have about your first trip to London or about planning a London itinerary?

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76 thoughts on “the ultimate cheat sheet for your first trip to london”.

I have been to London several times, but I found your guide and itineraries very helpful!

I’m so glad, Chrysoula! Thanks for reading. 🙂

Such a great guide! I’ve been to nearly 50 countries and still not the UK, so I’ll have to remember to come back to this article when I finally make it to London 🙂

Thanks, Tamara! 50 countries is quite an accomplishment! Awesome. Glad the guide will be useful when you make it to London. 🙂

Somehow I wish I’ve read this post before my first trip to London. Then I wouldn’t have skipped many experiences listed here) Thank you for putting this up! I’ve pinned it as well (maybe I’ll visit London again, then I’ll need it for sure)

Thanks for reading and sharing on Pinterest, Natalia. 🙂 Here’s to hoping you make it back to London soon!

Love the Pro Tops plus how you broke each day down into categories. What a great way to see London! I also like how you included things to see if it is your first time there. Going anywhere for the first time can be so overwhelming!

Especially in a big place like London, Bryanna. It’s nice to break it up and make the most of your time.

You made me want to visit London again! Love the way you divided the itinerary with themes and suggestions for good food. London is such a huge city and planning a trip there for the first time can be overwhelming, you just make it so easy! Cheers,

Thanks, Natalie! Sometimes, it’s just easier to work on trip planning in small chunks. 😉

I’ve been to London a few times, but I’ve never made it to the Windsor Castle or the Hampton Court Palace. There is just so much to do in the city and its surroundings, but you’ve highlighted the must-sees in a very comprehensive and informative post. I’d love to go back and take more advantage of the free museums, especially the National Gallery!

Next trip, Erika, take some time for Windsor Castle and/or Hampton Court Palace. They’re well worth your time. 🙂

Wish I had your cheat-sheet on m first trip to London! You certainly covered all the hot spots and then some. I can’t wait to go back and hit the places I missed.

Thanks, Sue. A return trip to London is always a good idea. 🙂

Loved your tips! I’ve pinned and will reference during my London trip planning. Can you share a bit more about the oyster card?

Thanks, Amanda! I’m so glad the post is helpful for planning your London trip. The oyster card is a plastic card you can use for quick and easy entry to the London’s metro, buses, and many commuter trains. The card is 5 pounds to buy, after which you load some money onto it. The fare you’ll pay for a metro ride with the oyster card will be cheaper than if you had simply purchased a single ticket for the ride. The Oyster card also caps off what you’d pay in a day making sure you never pay more than had you bought a day pass travel card. Hope that helps! 🙂

I love the addition of the pro tips, especially times of day best to visit. I do love London, but timed a few things wrong, ending up in bigger crowds than I like.

Thanks, Rhonda. I certainly know that feeling of being in a crowd and wanting to be anyplace but there! Glad the pro tips will help for your next London trip. 🙂

Hi Jackie! Any tips for going to London with a toddler? Going to London this Wednesday and I’m going to use your cheat sheet! Thanks!

Hi Jen! So exciting to hear about your trip. 🙂 I’d definitely do the London Eye, but book tickets ahead of time online to skip the line. The Changing of the Guard with its parade, music, and horses are also toddler-friendly. He’ll get in free to the London underground, but if you don’t want to do that, go for the Hop on Hop off Bus Tour. The pirate-themed Princess Diana Playground in Hyde Park is also supposed to be a big hit. Not sure if he’s too young, but the I’d also look at the Natural History Museum, the National Maritime and/or Transport Museum, and maybe a show like Lion King. If that show is too long, how about The Gruffalo? It’s based on the kids book and is less than an hour long. Let me know if you have any more questions and have a great trip!! 🙂

Awesome, thank you for this! I printed out your cheat sheet & 8′ using it for our guide! Thanks!

Great! Hope you have a fantastic trip, Jen!

I’m actually from London, yes all these places are great, but you haven’t mentioned how expensive they can be. Most museums and art galleries are free and fantastic but eating at fancy hotels is only for the rich! Try to go to restaurants and pubs that are not in the tourist areas and you’ll be much better value for your money. As for traditional fish and chips, there is a great place in Waterloo road called Superfish. It’s the best around and very reasonable. Lots of London Taxi drivers eat there, so you know it’s good!

Hi, Joanne and thanks for the tip about Superfish! It’s so great to get that from a local. Totally agreed about eating in hotels, too expensive. I only splurged on the Dorchester Tea because we wanted to have a fancy afternoon. Thanks again for reading. 🙂

Hi, thank you for your tips. We’re going to London ne te may, my husband and I. Do you recommend Stonehenge ?

Hi Helene, Thanks for reading and commenting. You know, as many times as I have been to London, I have not made it to Stonehenge. To help you, I’m linking to another blog post all about visiting Stonehenge written by a blogger friend of mine. She’s got some great tips. Hope that helps! 🙂

There are some great tips here. I’m planning a trip to London during the high season with a variety of ages from grandmother, 4x 30 year olds, 4 kids between the ages of 8-3, and 2 newborns. Aiaiai. Just trying to get a place to eat together will be challenging. I loved your tips about the Oyster card, and pre-booking tickets, It saves lots of time to book in advance so that you are not waiting in line for tickets, and then waiting in another line for entry. Depending on how early you book it also puts that block of tickets on separate credit card bill instead of all at once. Just a tip from how I travel with all the children and trying to be budget concsious, I usually stop in a local grocery store and grab the 3 (pound, I don’t have the symbol on my keyboard) meal deal, Its filling and usually healthy. If you have any more kid friendly tips I’d love to hear them. Thanks for the guide, I found you on Pintrest, and will make sure to repin.

Thanks for reading, Erin, and for repinning on Pinterest. I appreciate it. 🙂 Sounds like your trip is set to make some amazing multi-generational memories. Thanks for sharing your food tip. London has great parks to make use of when the kids need a break. Hyde Park has paddle boats for rent and a great playground and fountain. St. James Park also has a popular playground. Enjoy your trip!

Do you have more ideas? We will be in London for 10 days. We will do all you mention but we need more?

Hi June, Thanks so much for reading and so exciting about your upcoming trip to London! 🙂 A couple other sites/places I’d recommend is Kensington Palace and if you’re at all a history buff, the Churchill War Rooms. If you’re doing all of that plus these last 2, check out the London Pass to save some money. Also, check out Free Tours by Foot and Sandeman’s free walking tours. If you’re interested in street art and/or learning more about London’s ethnic food scene check out a tour in the Shoreditch neighborhood. With 10 days, you can also plan day trips out of the city if you want. The Cotswolds Warwick Castle , and/or Stratford upon Avon are just a couple of hours drive, as are Stonehenge and Bath. Even Paris is a doable day trip with the Chunnel train taking just 2ish hours. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the tip about the London Pass! We went last year and no one told us about it, and we are going back in October and still want to do many of the activities included in the pass. Sounds like a great value!

Fantastic, Dana. I hope your trip is fantastic and enjoy the London Pass! Thanks so much for reading. 🙂

The best North Indian food is in southall (West London), trains run from Paddington. Brilliant Restaurant highly recommended..

Thanks Preetvan for the tip! 🙂

It’s ravens that you find at the Tower of London, not crows!

Thanks for that! I have no bird ID skills! 🙂

Thanks for your post; definitely adding it to my Pinterest board. I’m heading there for Spring Break with my husband and three teenage girls. We have eight days (flying into Gatwick and out of Paris-CDG). How do you suggest we split the days between London and Paris? And what would your top recommendations be?

Thanks for reading, Sheath. So exciting about your upcoming family trip to London and Paris. Both cities have so much to see and do, it all depends on your interests. You can easily split your time in half, although the Francophile in me says to give yourself an extra day in Paris. Not sure if you’re into theatre, but a night out to see a show in London’s West End is unforgettable. Tower of London, Shakespeares Globe, Borough Market, high tea are all at the top of my London first time list. For Paris, visit the top of Notre Dame in the morning, Arc de Triomphe at dusk, Sainte-Chappelle, Musee de l’Orangerie, and wander through 4th, 5th, and 6th arrondissements for tucked away shops and cafes as a start to your Paris visit. Hope that helps and have soo much fun! 🙂

Thank you for this cheat sheet. Great tips and ideas. My best friend and I are traveling to Europe for our 40th birthdays in March. We are spending about 2 1/2 days in London. It seems you were recommended traveling by way of the tube for most everything. I had been looking at the Hop On and Off Bus before reading your cheat sheet. Would you recommend skipping the bus and just using the tube?

Hi Heather, Thanks for reading. London is such a great city for a friends birthday trip! I would still recommend the Tube. The traffic in London can be horrible and Hop on Hop off buses can get stuck in it with the rest of the vehicles. With 2 1/2 days, getting underground will help you maximize your time getting from place to place. Enjoy your trip! -Jackie

Do you have any recommendations for visiting in December (just prior to Christmastime)? My family and I will be arriving on a Monday and departing on Thursday (for Germany), flying in and out of Stansted. It will be myself, my husband, and our 2 kids, ages 20 and (will turn while we’re in London) 17 year old (boy and girl). My husband is normally into things like the museums, but he’s the type that would need several days in any one museum (he literally reads each and every plaque, and doesn’t miss a display, LOL). So, because we’re limited on time, we’ll probably skip museums until another time. My husband and I are doing Harry Potter/WB Studios on Tuesday (I’m a big fan, kids not so much) and we’re letting them go off on their own. Will definitely be getting Oyster Cards.

Any other recommendations, especially since will will be cold weather? Thanks!

Thanks for reading, Cammi. I’d definitely try and see a show, be it one in the west end or a special Christmas themed show or concert. I’d also like to see the seasonal attractions like the winter wonderland in Hyde Park and all the lights around the city. I’m a cold weather gal so I love to get outside. But just in case of super cold weather, I’d have 1 museum in mind just as a back up if you need to warm up. Not sure if your hubby has seen the Churchill War rooms not far from Westminster, but I highly recommend. Enjoy your trip!

My husband and I leave for our first ever trip abroad, London, in less than a week! The ironic and very strange thing is that as soon as I read the title of our article was that the authors last name is Sills. That is MY maiden name and some of my father’s family still lives in England! Dad himself, Charles Sills, was actually born in London! We will be visiting some Sills relatives in Suffolk on our trip!

Anyway, thanks for the great articles!

Sincerely, Elizabeth (Sills) Hurd

Hi Elizabeth, Thanks for reading and omg! My maiden name is Sills as well! I have done a ton of family research but always run into a dead end trying to figure out more about the George Sills who came over from England to the U.S. back in the 1800s. That’s so amazing you’ll be combining your tip with some ancestry travel. I hope you have a great trip and enjoy meeting your relatives! Thanks again for reading the blog. 🙂 Jackie

Nice tips overall. Anyway, thanks for the great articles!

Thanks for reading, Brandy. 🙂

I must say this is an ultimate post for travelers who are looking for trip to London at affordable cost. You have covered everything in your post such as best places to stay, which is really helpful.

Thanks for reading, Sandeep. Happy travels to London!

Your blog is amazing – thanks for all the incredible ideas. We are considering going to London for Spring Break (March 8-17, 2019). Would you recommend going at his time ….will the weather be agreeable? Thanks, Stacey

Thanks for reading, Stacey, and for your kind words. So, it’ll likely still be chilly, but I’d say yes, go! Take this with the knowledge that I live in NYC and walk around in all kinds of weather and that I love visiting Europe in the off-season. I’d rather have cooler temps and fewer crowds. Plus, with London’s Underground/Subway, you can so easily pop underground and get around if you needed to escape the weather for a bit. Not to mention with delicious tea, scones, English pies, and Indian food, there’s plenty to warm you up! 🙂 Thanks again for reading.

very informative blog love to read it. i got so many new ideas about London. Thanks for sharing and it will help me during my visit to London. [LINK EDITED OUT]

Thanks for reading, Mickey. Enjoy London. 🙂

Love this guide and the one for Portugal also. Now if I could print it and store it in my travel file folder for easier access when I go to London. Thanks for writing these detailed trip reports – they are extremely helpful

Thanks do much for reading, Jane. You can download the London cheat sheet to help with your travels. 🙂

Going to the Harry Potter Studios by bus from Central London is the silliest thing to do. It takes too long AND you can only stay at the studios until the time your bus would take you back (about 4 hours) – not enough time for a true Harry Potter fan. It is fastest and easiest to go by train from Euston Station to Watford Junction (Oyster can be used) and takes about 30minutes. The studio has buses at Watford Junction to take you there – it takes just about 10 minutes. We stayed over 7 hours at the studios – my kids would start a riot if we had to leave after some 4 hours only!

Thanks for reading, Deesi! And great tips! Appreciate you sharing. 🙂

Your blog is amazing. How do I download the cheat sheet??

Thank you ~Alison

Thanks so much for reading, Alison. All you need to do is fill in the fields on the cheat sheet sign up box. It’ll get sent to you. 🙂 So glad the blog has been helpful for you.

If you have enough time you should certainly consider Kew Gardens and Greenwich. You can take the clipper down the river to Greenwich. Also Kenwood is free to visit and set in beautiful grounds on Hampstead Heath. Don’t pay to go up the Shard. Book the free tickets for Skygarden three weeks ahead. Or go up the tower at Tate Modern. Children like all these places but as other people have said the parks are lovely and all different. It’s lovely to see this thread still working and growing after such a long time. Well done!!!

Thanks for reading and sharing your London tips, Marian! I didn’t know that about the Shard!

The Dorchester is indeed a great hotel, but the very best Afternoon Tea has to be the Ritz.

Thanks for reading and sharing, David. I have heard great things about the afternoon tea at the Ritz. I’ll have to try it next time I’m in London. 🙂

Thank you for sharing this info about London. I am planning to visit in a neaxt month.

Thanks for reading, Alina. Have fun in London. 🙂

Amazing. you have told very easy and splendid ways for exploring London. London is my favourite place to travel and for food too. I love the food Enjoy!

Thanks for reading, Amy. Glad you had great travels to London. 🙂

My niece and I want to go to London. We’ve considered a tour group, but the itinerary is limited, I enjoyed reading your cheat sheet. It was interesting, and we got very excited at the thought of actually visiting the sites, Have you ever traveled there in December? I am a teacher and my big break is in the month of December, I don’t want to go and freeze! The travel dates would be between December 14th and December 24th. Any tips would be appreciated. Thank you.

Rebecca and Brooke

Thanks for reading, Rebecca and Brooke. I haven’t been to London in the winter but I’ve been to many other cities in Europe in winter like Paris, Prague, Budapest, Munich, and more, also during my winter school breaks! I’m probably not the most objective person on this as I live in NYC and walk around outside all winter long. But I love European cities around Christmas. Yes, it’s chilly. But if you dress right the charm and the ambiance is unforgettable. I’d highly recommend a London Christmas visit! If you want some freedom to explore mixed with a few organized activities, plan a couple of day tours instead of something more comprehensive. The London Pass is also a great way to see what’s popular while saving money by bundling sightseeing costs. Hope this helps and you have a great trip! 😉

Thank you so much. We are moving ahead with our plans. I agree, if you dress appropriately, the weather will not be a factor.. Again, I really learned a lot from your cheat sheet and have read it many times.

Thanks for reading, Rebecca and Brooke. 🙂 So glad to hear the cheat sheet was helpful. I hope you have a wonderful trip to London.

Heathrow express!! Saved me so much time! So glad I read this.

Thanks for reading, Scott. Yep, the Heathrow Express makes things super easy! 🙂

Thanks for informative sharing. I must say that your shared information is very useful for me as well as other readers.

Glad to hear it, William. Thanks for reading.

Hello Jackie, I am at the beginning of planning a second Girls Trip to London, and the country side of England. The first was with a group of high school girls friends,(tons of fun) and this one will be with all my sister in laws. Both groups are in their early 60’s. I appreciated the link to the GO transportation site. I like the idea of a van to haul us all to the hotel from Heathrow. There will be six of us in this up coming trip. There were only four on the high school trip. We all squeezed into one cab, and shared the cost. I don’t think we can squeeze six ladies and luggage into a cab, so the van idea sounds good. I suggested a cab for the HS group, knowing it is the more expensive way to get from the airport. I knew we would be sharing the cost AND also with the age of the group, didn’t think we (or I ) would want to be dragging our luggage in and out of tube trains. They were all ok with the idea of a cab. Also one thing I tell anyone I know who is on their way over, WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES!!! I know they aren’t always the most fashionable, but gee, your feet will thank you at the end of the day. No new shoes that haven’t been wore in yet either. One last thought– the HS trip was a full week in London, so we all decided that the London Pass would be a good idea– and it was! The Shard visit alone would have cost 50 pounds for one person to enter. The payable sites do add up. All worth seeing, but can get pricy. Not so sure it will be worth it for this sister in law trip, we won’t be spending as much time in London. Thanks for the time and research you put into this travel blog. Very enjoyable read. 🙂

Thanks so much for reading, Deborah! So exciting to be planning another trip (and a Girls Trip, even better!) to London. Thanks for sharing your experiences, too. Totally agree on comfortable shoes! My go-to’s for lots of walking (live in NYC) and traveling (one pair is with me on every trip) are Allbirds . In fact, I just bought 2 new pairs (Tree Runner & Wool Runner) since I’ve worn my others out. If anyone in your group or you are looking for something comfy, definitely give these shoes a look. Enjoy your trip to London and come back if there are any questions I can answer. Thanks again for reading. 🙂

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Privacy Overview

The Best Time to Visit London

Weather & Climate

London's Airports

Neighborhoods to Know

Driving in London

Public Transport in London

London's Top Attractions

Free Things to Do

Things to Do With Kids

London's Best Parks

Museums in London

Theater in London

Live Music in London

Shopping in London

One Week in London: Itinerary

Day Trips From London

Beaches Near London

The Best Fish & Chips in London

London's Top Restaurants

Eating With Kids in London

London's Best Bars

Craft Beer in London

Your Trip to London: The Complete Guide

Buree Lalitathada / EyeEm/Getty Images

London is a popular travel destination thanks to its culture, lively food scene, and royal ties. The British city attracts millions of visitors every year (more than 40.9 million in 2019! ), including many Americans, who find London easy to navigate (especially since the main language is English). Whether you're planning an extensive trip to explore London or including it as a stop on an itinerary of other European cities, there are a few things to keep in mind when planning. Consider what you want to see and do, and plan accordingly. And don't forget the umbrella.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time to Visit: London welcomes travelers all year, but the best times to visit can be spring and late fall thanks to the mild weather . Summer can be especially crowded, so you may find fewer lines and throngs of tourists during more off-peak times. The winter holidays can also be a great time to visit London, which gets very festive and well-decorated in December.

Language: English is the primary language spoken in London and the U.K., however Londoners come from all over the world, so it's not surprising to hear multiple other languages spoken around the city.

Currency: The currency in the U.K. is the pound sterling   , also known as GBP or just "the pound."

Getting Around: Transport for London has a vast network of public transportation options, including the Tube, buses, trains, and boats. It's recommended to avoid driving into the city center and use public transportation, or opt for a taxi or Uber. Black cabs are the official taxis in London and easy to hail anywhere around town.

Travel Tip: London is a very walkable city and one of the best ways to see different areas is to go by foot. Plan your days by neighborhood or general area, and stroll from attraction to attraction to make the most of your experience. For example, see Kensington Palace, Hyde Park and Notting Hill in the same day, or hit up the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tate Modern in one swing.

Things to Do

There's a lot to see and do in London, from historical sites like Buckingham Palace to cultural institutions like the National Portrait Gallery. A trip to London typically consists of a mixture of iconic attractions, including Big Ben and the London Eye, and neighborhood exploration in areas like Notting Hill. Consider purchasing a London Pass to make the most of popular attractions. Don't miss theater in the West End, shopping around Covent Garden and snacking in London's many outdoor markets, including Borough Market and Broadway Market.

• Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens
• The Tate Modern
• Westminister Abbey

Explore more attractions with our full-length articles on what to see if you only have a few hours , what to do in the West End and things to do when it rains .

What to Eat and Drink

London's food scene is an eclectic mix of British and international eateries, with cuisine from all over the world available in the city's diverse neighborhoods. A classic experience is to dine (and grab a pint) in a local pub, which can be a great way to try British dishes like fish and chips and bangers and mash. London's ever-growing food scene isn't limited to just those well-known dishes, though: Look for hip spots like The Barbary, Barrafina and Caravan to experience a vibrant melange of internationally-inspired dishes.

London is also well-known for its impressive cocktail bars, many of which are nearly a century old. Don't miss a martini in The American Bar or Dukes, and consider exploring newer cocktail spots like Satan's Whiskers in Bethnal Green. Of course, you'll also want to book an afternoon tea somewhere classy. Look for high-end spots like Fortnum and Mason, The Savoy Hotel and The Ritz to make the most of your experience.

Explore our articles on the best restaurants with views , the best spots for afternoon tea and the best places for brunch .

Where to Stay

London is a large city, with many different areas, but most visitors find that it's convenient to stay centrally. Central neighborhoods like Covent Garden, Mayfair, Marylebone, Victoria and Kensington provide easy access to many popular attractions, as well as nearby restaurants and nightlife. Staying in adjacent areas like Fitzrovia, Pimlico, St. John's Wood and Southbank can be a good way to avoid crowds but keep the journey to the tourist spots quick and hassle-free. While many visitors elect to stay in a hotel, there are also many options for Airbnb and other vacation rental services. Those who want to splurge should look into iconic hotels like The Connaught, The Ritz and the Mandarin Oriental, which overlooks Hyde Park.

Explore our articles on the best budget hotels , the quirkiest places to stay and London's diverse neighborhoods .

Getting There

Most travelers arrive in London by plane, flying in to nearby airports like Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and City. Visitors coming from Europe can also arrive via the Eurostar, which comes into to St. Pancras Station, or via ferry. Trains link London with the rest of England, as well as Scotland and Wales, and cruise ships typically port in the nearby city of Southampton. Most travelers don't rent a car when visiting London, but a car can be handy if you plan to explore other areas of the U.K.

• Heathrow International Airport: Heathrow, located west of London, is the primary airport used by international travelers. It can be accessed by Tube, train, bus or taxi, and it's recommended to look into public transportation when arriving during rush hour. The Heathrow Express gets passengers from the airport in to Paddington Station in only 15 minutes (and is significantly cheaper when booked more than 30 days in advance online).
• Gatwick Airport: Gatwick, also known as London Gatwick, is located to the south of central London and can boast cheaper flights than Heathrow. It's also a hub for EasyJet, a budget airline. The airport is best accessed via the Gatwick Express from Victoria Station or a train from London Bridge Station.
• London Luton Airport: Luton can be found to the north of London and is frequently used for flights to the rest of Europe. Look for the Thames Link train or bus services to access the airport since a taxi can be quite expensive.
• London Stansted Airport: Stansted, also to the north of the city, is an international airport, but typically used for shorter flights rather than big international arrivals. Trains and buses are the best way to get to and from Stansted, which can be an inconvenient and disorganized airport experience.
• London City Airport: Located on the Royal Docks, London City is popular with short haul flights to Europe, but also services the U.S. via New York City. The airport is fairly central, so taxis or public transportation are both good options.

Explore our articles on how to get to Heathrow and how to get to Luton , as well as our guide to London's airports .

Culture and Customs

While London can feel similar to the U.S., there are a few differences, particularly when it comes to tipping. All restaurants and bars will include a service charge (usually 12.5 percent) on the bill, so there's not need to leave extra cash. If you do, 10 to 15 percent is customary   . Tip taxi drivers a few pounds if you appreciate their service, but unlike in the U.S. employees in the U.K. don't expect large tips.

One other important thing to be aware of is that British culture is fairly reserved. When using public transportation, especially the bus or the Tube, keep your voice low and be polite. Londoners also appreciate a good queue, so never skip the line or push your way to the front.

Money Saving Tips

• Take advantage of free museums. Many of London's museums are free to enter, including the British Museum, the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain. This can be a great way to see iconic spots without spending any of your travel budget.
• Get a free view. While high-up attractions like the London Eye and the Shard's viewing gallery can be pricy, the Tate Modern's 10th floor viewing deck is free, as is Sky Garden , which allows visitors to book a complimentary ticket in advance online.
• Picnic in one of the parks . On a sunny day, Londoners love a good park outing. Head to Marks & Spencer or Pret to stock up on sandwiches and drinks, and find a spot in one of London's many parks. Some of the parks, including London Fields, even allow portable BBQs.
• Purchase a London Pass. The London Pass includes entry to over 80 attractions, so can help save money if you plan to do a lot of sight-seeing. It also allows for fast-track entry at several of the attractions, which can be great when visiting during a busy time of year.

For more tips, explore our articles on the best free things to do in London , how to travel around London with your kids for free and the best free museums .

Visit Britain. "Inbound Tourism Performance: 2019 Snapshot."

Visit London Official Visitor Guide. "British Money."

Visit London Official Visitor Guide. "Tipping in London."

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Tate Modern Guide

26 Free Things to Do in London, England with Kids

Your Trip to England: The Complete Guide

What to Do and See During One Week in London

Washington, D.C. Guide: Planning Your Trip

Top 10 Things to Do With Kids in London

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Your Trip to Edinburgh: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Birmingham, England: The Complete Guide

Your Trip to Frankfurt: The Complete Guide

The British Museum: The Complete Guide

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7 Day London Itinerary: Plan a Perfect Week in London

We recently spent one week in London and, as you can imagine from a travel planner, I spent a lot of time thinking about our London itinerary before we left. One thing that always surprises me about planning a trip to London is just how much there is to do in the city. While 7 days in London seems like a long time, you will be surprised by how quickly your time fills up.

With 5 days in London, you will have enough time to hit all of the highlights if you are smart about how you organize your time. However, I’d recommend planning a week in London to leave some time for day trips to places like Stonehenge, Oxford , or Bath , or specialty tours. Based on our own trip, and my experience planning multiple London trips for other families, I’ve put together this 7 day London itinerary as your very own cheat sheet to planning an awesome trip.

Wondering how much a 7-day trip to London costs? Check out my London trip budget guide .

7 Day London Itinerary with Family

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

I’ve created this 7-day itinerary with London for families in mind, taking care not to overstuff the days racing from attraction to attraction. Trust me, it is easy to fill every second of the day and still not see everything in London. But since that will make most kids miserable, I’ve tried to balance out sightseeing with some downtime and included the must-see attractions that are appealing to families with children of all ages.

We visited London with our teen (see more things to do in London with teens ), but this is a trip that will appeal to school-age children and tweens as well. If you do plan on visiting many of the attractions and historical sights listed in this London itinerary, you may want to look at investing in the London Pass.

Day One – Arrival

If you are coming from the United States, you will likely arrive pretty early and have a lot of time to kill on not much sleep before you are able to check into your hotel. Ideally, you can book a room for the night before so that you can check in as soon as you arrive, but at a minimum try to request early check-in.

We stayed in two different locations in central London, which I will explain more about later. The first, the Royal Garden Hotel , was near Kensington Palace and Hyde Park, with easy access to the Tube. The second, the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences , was within easy walking distance to most of central London in Mayfair. For more options, also check out the top family-friendly hotels in London on TripAdvisor.

If you decide on an apartment rental , be sure to work out luggage storage with the property managers so you don’t have to lug your bags around until check-in time.

If you do need to kill some time, a hop-on hop-off bus tour is a good way to get a sense of the city without expending too much energy.

You can also spend some time relaxing in Hyde Park. In nice weather, you can rent a pedal boat on the Serpentine. Young children will love the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, or you can take a tour of Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens.

We loved staying at the Royal Garden Hotel, just steps away from Kensington Palace. We spent our time until our room was ready taking in the Princess Diana exhibit at Kensington Palace . That night we took advantage of the hotel’s food and flicks package to watch a movie and order up a room service buffet of fun treats.

Whatever you do, don’t overdo it on your first day because you want to save your energy for the rest of the trip. This is your day to get acclimated and seek out those classic British experiences (like a family photo in a red telephone booth!)

Day Two – Royal London

If you start your day early, you can fit in many of London’s most recognizable attractions for a big “wow” factor on your first full day. Start off at Westminster Abbey, the coronation church since 1066 and the burial spot for many of England’s most famous authors, poets, and royalty, including 17 monarchs. With over 1,000 years of history, this has been an important historical landmark for centuries.

It is highly recommended to book online tickets and ticket sales open up two months in advance. If you aren’t taking a formal tour , at least rent an audio guide so you can understand what you are looking at.

Depending on how much time you spend in Westminster Abbey (allot at least one hour) and when you started, you may be able to catch the Royal Horse Guard Parade . This can be a nice alternative or complement to the more well-known Changing of the Guard (and it is much easier to get a better viewing spot.)

The Queen’s Life Guard changes daily during the Horse Guards Parade at 11:00 on weekdays and   10:00 on Sundays. The Horse Guards leave Hyde Park Barracks at 10:30 on weekdays and 9:30 on Sundays to ride to Horse Guards Parade via Hyde Park Corner, Constitution Hill, and The Mall on their way to the guard change ceremony.

The New Guard arrives at Horse Guards Parade at 11:00 am and the ceremony lasts about half an hour. The Old Guard leaves Horse Guards Parade at 11:30 and passes Buckingham Palace at 11:45 am. Just be sure to check the schedules in advance as they can vary by season and depend on any royal appearances.

From there, walk down to the River Thames for a boat trip down to the Tower of London. The London Pass will get you into Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and includes a Thames River Cruise, or you can just buy a hop-on, hop-off boat tour ticket.

Or, you can take a faster water taxi using your Oyster Card . An Oyster Card is a transportation pass for the Underground Metro. You can get a Visitor Pass and load it up depending on how much you think you will use the Tube during your stay. Either way, arriving at the Tower of London via the Thames is reminiscent of how prisoners or visitors were brought to the Tower back in the day and it is a cool way to cruise through the city.

I would highly recommend a tour of the Tower of London . I know the first time I visited, we mainly went to see the Crown Jewels and nothing else really stuck with me, but there is so much history there to soak up. The Tower of London was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror and has been a prison, royal armory, royal mint, and even a zoo.

For 500 years, the Tower was used by monarchs as a luxurious palace, but today it is more well-known for some of its most infamous prisoners and the mysteries surrounding some of them. With all the history, you can see why I recommend visiting with a guide. Walking around on your own is fine if you just want to see the Crown Jewels or the Ravens, but the rooms are rather bare without the stories that fill them.

You can always take one of the public Yeoman Warder tours, but you may end up with a group of 40 people. We saw those around the grounds and I imagine it would be very hard to hear and see in a group that large, let alone ask questions.

What we did was take a half-day tour that included Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London , which worked out great. If you are visiting London around Christmas , like we did, you can expect really long lines to get in. Luckily your guide can navigate lines and get you fast-tracked.

If you need lunch beforehand, take a walk over to Leadenhall Market. This covered market is filled with boutiques, shops, restaurants, and bars, and was even used in filming Harry Potter as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron and Diagon Alley.

If you don’t want to go out of your way, there is also a small cafe on-site at the Tower of London that serves meat pies and small snacks.

After spending a couple of hours exploring the Tower of London, I would recommend walking across the Tower Bridge and visiting the Tower Bridge Exhibition . Tower Bridge is the iconic bridge that many of us think of as “London Bridge.” Today you can walk across the Bridge on high-level glass walkways for stunning panoramic views.

You can also go into the magnificent Victorian Engine Rooms and see the engineering magic behind this landmark.

Day Three – City of London

If you didn’t catch the Horse Guard Parade yesterday, make sure you get to Buckingham Palace early for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Be sure to plan ahead and check the schedule , especially if you are visiting in the winter as the ceremony doesn’t happen every day in the winter.

If the ceremony is taking place at 11 am, I would recommend arriving at the Palace NO LATER than 10:30 am (10:15 or even 10 am would be better to get primo spots by the fence.) Expect big crowds so keep an eye on your children and your purses/bags.

You may want to bring a selfie stick to take pictures above the crowds. You can also gather by the monument across from the palace and still get a good view of the guards as they march in.

After the parade, walk through the Mall over to Trafalgar Square. It is always fun to pose with the lions in front of Nelson’s Column. You can also stop at the National Gallery in the Square (admission is free!)

From here, walk through Leicester Square (you may want to check out the giant Lego Store) and over to Covent Garden for lunch and some shopping. Try Chez Antionette for fresh soup, tartine, and charcuterie, or make a reservation at Dishoom for some excellent Indian food (you MUST try the Black Daal!)

If you aren’t too tired, continue on to St. Paul’s Cathedral . You can visit and see where Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married. St. Paul’s is open to visitors Monday through Saturday. It opens for visitors at 8:30 am on most days and 10:00 am on Wednesdays and the last visitors can enter at 4:00 pm.

You can buy tickets right up until the time of entry, but it is recommended that you purchase them in advance. You can even climb to the top of the Dome for views over London.

Day Four – South Bank

Start your day at either Westminster or Waterloo station and get some good views from the South Bank side of the Westminster Bridge of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

After catching your photo opportunity, head over to the London Eye . I’d highly recommend booking in advance so you can skip the line when you arrive.

If you don’t want to worry about arriving at a certain time, you can always buy a Flex ticket that lets you skip the line at any point during the day that you reserved.

This could be a good idea to give you more flexibility to work around the weather. When we visited we booked a timed-entry ticket and it was great to skip the line, but there wasn’t a very big line anyway because it was rainy. The rain definitely impeded our views from the top, but it was still a fun experience.

Stop for lunch at Black & Blue near Waterloo or Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe . If you can continue to walk along the waterfront, you will pass the Millennium Bridge and arrive at Shakespeare’s Globe.

You can stop in for a guided tour of this reconstructed theater or visit the Tate Modern museum.

End your exploration of the South Bank at the fantastic Borough Market . Just make sure you save some room after lunch to sample some of the tasty food stalls and shops. Borough Market is the oldest and largest food market in London, with a focus on quality food, sustainable production, and social interaction. Nearby, you can see filming sites for both Harry Potter and Bridget Jones’ Diary.

There are also plenty of other things to do on the South Bank, but some are really touristy (e.g. SEA Life Aquarium) and these will give you a more authentic experience. If you have some extra time, you may want to try to catch the sunset from the viewing gallery at The Shard, a skyscraper comprised of office space, residences, and restaurants and bars. The viewing platform is on floors 68, 69, and 72, almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in London, offering 360-degree views for up to 40 miles.

Day Five – Museums and more

There are many museums in London (and so many are free!) but one that you can’t miss is the immense British Museum . There are eight million artifacts to see, so it is best to explore the museum with a guide . I should recognize that many of these artifacts were taken from their native homes and that is something to explore as you talk to the kids about colonialism (and rewatch the museum scene in the Black Panther.)

If you are visiting London with kids, make sure to find a family-friendly guide that can orient the tours to capture the imaginations and spark the curiosity of kids of all ages.

Set aside at least half a day to explore the museum. Afterward, stop into Hamley’s, the world’s largest toy store, to delight the kids. Or, enjoy some ice cream sundaes at the Fortnum & Mason department store.

Today may also be a good day to schedule an afternoon tea. After all, that is a must-do when in London and there are so many options that are kid-friendly. There is the science-themed afternoon tea at the Ampersand Hotel, the Arcane Wizard’s afternoon tea at the Wands and Wizards Exploratorium, and the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tea at One Aldwych, along with many others.

Day Six – Shopping and Special Interests

You won’t run out of things to do with 1 week in London, but make sure you leave time for the things you really enjoy. As major Harry Potter fans, we enjoyed a day out at the Warner Bros. Studio Making of Harry Potter tour . Between transportation and time on site, this really ends up taking nearly a whole day from your London itinerary.

Just make sure if you plan on doing this that you book your tickets months in advance because they sell out really early!

We also spent part of one of our days taking a Harry Potter Black Cab driving tour to see all the Harry Potter attractions in London. See my post about Harry Potter sites in London for my full review of both the Studio Tour (spoiler alert: totally a must-do for Harry Potter fans) and the Black Cab Tour (spoiler: only for true die-hards.)

If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, I have to say I found that museum pretty disappointing. There are so many options depending on your interests from a Beatles walking tour, Dr. Who walking tour ,  ghost tours , a street art tour , and even a Paddington bear tour .

You may also want to visit some of the classic London department stores like Harrod’s or Claridges. And take time to go to the theater. This could also be a good day to visit some other London attractions like Churchill’s War Rooms, the Victoria & Albert Museum, Kew Gardens, or Nottinghill.

If you enjoy food and drink (who doesn’t?), you may want to look at a gin tasting tour or an evening SoHo food tour .

Day Seven – Day Trip

If you have one week in London, you should have enough time to plan at least one day trip. Popular day trips include Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Oxford, or Bath. You can visit Oxford or Bath as a day trip by train on your own, or book a guided Stonehenge and Bath day trip .

We wanted to do something on our own but didn’t want to drive. So we took a custom day trip with British Tours to Stonehenge and Oxford . Our driver-guide Michael did an excellent job explaining Stonehenge’s fascinating history and showed us all the Harry Potter tie-ins at Oxford.

Located about 1.5 hours from London, a Stonehenge day trip is one of the most popular for families. There is just something about those mysterious prehistoric stones that fascinates kids and adults alike — especially families like ours that have a special interest in sci-fi and fantasy. After all, isn’t it fun to imagine that those stones were placed there by aliens? (But don’t worry, they weren’t.)If you are visiting Stonehenge on your own, you will want to spend some time in the visitor center to understand its history. You will park at the visitor center up the road and then take a shuttle over to the stone circle. You can no longer walk right up and touch the stones, as barriers have been erected to preserve this historical site.

Our driver-guide Michael from British Tours filled us in on the history of Stonehenge on the ride up from London. We don’t really know the purpose of the stones, since they are 5100 years old (built around the same time as the pyramids) and pre-date written history.

We don’t know what is special about the area, but we have to assume that the whole area was considered sacred as there is also another mini Stonehenge nearby. The smaller stones are 5,000 lbs. and they came from Wales 125 miles away. It is mind-boggling to consider how the ancient Druids crafted and moved these stones when the wheel hadn’t even been invented yet and there was no metal yet to use to shape the stones. The larger stones came from only 25 miles away but they are tens of thousands of pounds!

Oxford is another great day trip pick for families. There is enough to see that you could spend a weekend in Oxford . This university town is both quaint and rich in history. In warmer weather, families can enjoy taking a punting boat out on the river. But one of the main draws for us (and other families) is that it was the filming site for many scenes in the Harry Potter movies. If you visit on your own, you can join a Harry Potter walking tour. But since I told British Tours that this was important to us, our driver guide Michael was able to focus much of our visit on seeing these sites.

Oxford used to be called Oxenford (where oxen crossed or forded the Thames to be brought to market), but it became a place for study after students were thrown out of the Sorbonne in France because of a war in the 1200s. They came to Oxford to study and it grew until it was granted status as a University. Today, the University of Oxford has 38 individual colleges.

There is so much to see in Oxford you can really spend at least a full day but our Oxford tour started off at New College, where Michael pointed out the Cloisters, which were used for many hallway scenes in the Harry Potter movies. You can also see the tree where Draco Malfoy was turned into a ferret.

After lunch we visiting the Great Hall at Christchurch College, which was where they filmed scenes for the dining hall at Hogwarts. And the staircase was where McGonagall greeted all the first year students in the first movie. Something about it just makes you want to put on a robe, head into the library and start studying (magic or something else!)

Oxford is such a wonderful place to visit for those with a literary bent. Famous authors like C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, Lewis Carroll and others have spent time in Oxford and it is fun to follow in their footsteps.

Visiting both places was a full day, departing at 8am and returning to our central London hotel by 6pm. In the summer, it would be light longer and attractions would stay open later. If that was the case, we would have included a stop in the village of Lacock in the Cotswolds, another Harry Potter filming site.

So there you have it, a London itinerary with 7 days jam-packed full (but not too full) of fun!

Getting to and around London

Most airlines from the USA will fly into London Heathrow (LHR) airport, although you may find some that go into London Gatwick (LGW.) If you are looking for cheap flights to London, you may want to look at discount airlines like Play Airlines through Iceland, or use miles and points on JetBlue or American Airlines (or other OneWorld Alliance Members.)

We actually found cheap flights (under $500 per person just before Christmas) on Aer Lingus through Dublin. While it took a little longer, it was worth the cost savings and if you have more time, you can always combine a trip to London with 3 days in Dublin .

If you fly into Heathrow, the fastest way to get to Central London is on the Heathrow Express train. This high-frequency train service provides a 15-minute journey from London Paddington Station to Heathrow Terminals 2 & 3, with an extra six minutes to Terminal 5. A free transfer is available to Terminal 4.

Alternatively, the average price of a cab from Heathrow to central London is £90. If you want to arrange a private transfer instead of waiting in line for a cab, it will only cost a little bit more.

Once you arrive in London, you will want to learn how to use the Underground metro to get around. The “Tube” as it is called in London is easy to navigate. The Underground is divided into nine zones and all of central London is covered by zone 1. There are 11 Tube lines in all, so you just need to identify the line you want to take, the endpoint of the direction in which you are traveling, and the station you want to get off at.

The Tube fare depends on how far you travel, the time of day, and how you pay. The Oyster card or contactless payments are the cheapest way to pay for single fares. An adult cash fare on the London metro for a single journey in zone 1 is £5.50. The same Tube fare with a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or contactless payment card is £2.40. 

A Visitor Oyster Card is a smartcard that lets you pay for journeys on the bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, River Bus, and most National Rail services in London. You put money on your Visitor Oyster card and use it to pay as you go. You can purchase the Visitor Oyster Card before you travel and it will be delivered to your home and ready to use when you arrive.

Where to Stay in London with Kids

Note: We received a media package at the Royal Garden Hotel and hosted stay at the Athenaeum, all opinions are my own.

Royal Garden Hotel

The Royal Garden Hotel is located just outside of Kensington Gardens, nestled between Hyde Park and Millionaires Row on a sought-after piece of real estate on Kensington Road. With some rooms overlooking the park, the location really offers the best of both worlds.

It is convenient to all major attractions (Tower of London, London Eye, etc.) with the Kensington High Street tube station just a five-minute walk from the hotel. Yet you also have the peaceful views of the park with easy access to fun and play. It is a five-minute walk to Kensington Palace and just 10 minutes to the Princess Diana Memorial playground. The Royal Garden hotel even offers loaner scooters to families that want to spend time enjoying the park!

The Royal Garden Hotel décor has the feel of an upscale business hotel – clean and classy without a ton of personality. We stayed in an Executive Room and it was surprisingly spacious for the three of us. I didn’t have a chance to tour other rooms but the Executive Room with a king-sized bed and full pullout sofa bed is plenty of room for a family of four with two small children or a family of three with a teenager.

The bathroom was also quite large with both a tub and stand-up shower. Of course, it always makes me happy when a hotel offers a heated towel rack, robes, and slippers – especially when I want to warm up after a chilly, wet day exploring London. Some of the other luxe perks that I appreciated were the turndown service with complimentary bottled water, complimentary shoe shine, and no additional charge for breakfast room service – this really helped us get out the door on time in the mornings!

Since we stayed for four nights, we had time to enjoy all three of the Royal Garden Hotel’s restaurants. The kid-friendly Park Terrace restaurant offers pretty views and a generous breakfast buffet (so it pays to book a package that includes free breakfast), as well as options for lunch and tea. Bertie’s Bar offers light bites, perfect for when you need just a little snack after indulging at high tea. For a splurge, the Min Jiang restaurant on the tenth floor offers authentic Chinese cuisine with beautiful views over Hyde Park.

Athenaeum Hotel & Residences

For the latter part of our stay, we switched over to the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, on Piccadilly in the Mayfair neighborhood. This is a great location in the heart of London, just a couple of minutes’ walk to the Green Park tube station. Buckingham Palace, Fortnum & Mason department store, Hamley’s toy store, and Trafalgar Square are all within a five-to-ten-minute walk.

The Athenaeum really prides itself on making you feel at home. Every time we walked in, it was “Welcome home Mrs. Gruber” and when we left “Have a good day Mrs. Gruber.” The deluxe rooms are a bit tight for a family of three once you bring in the rollaway bed, but the Athenaeum also offers family rooms and luxury serviced apartments with fully-equipped kitchenettes.

The design and decor are luxurious and fashionable, while still feeling comfortable and child-friendly. The lobby is small but a cozy spot to enjoy a cup of tea and watch the foot traffic along Piccadilly. It was especially beautiful all decked out in its Christmas finery.

Just off the lobby is 116 at the Athenaeum, featuring local produce from independent farmers across the United Kingdom for a modern take on classic British dishes. We had dinner at the restaurant on our second night and enjoyed the braised venison shoulder, Dingley Dell bacon chop with bubble and squeak, and the parsnip and cider soup. For pickier eaters, there is also a children’s menu.

Upstairs, it was all about comfort. Our deluxe room was cozy and the bathroom was also much smaller than the family-sized bathroom at the Royal Garden, but the decor and touches were all about stylish luxury. You couldn’t beat our views over Green Park and, for overlooking Piccadilly, the room was surprisingly quiet.

The Athenaeum also provides the amenities you would expect from a luxury hotel — robes, slippers, turn-down service, a coffee maker, and a mini-fridge with free coffee, tea, milk, juice, and water. With such luxurious comforts, stand-out service, and a convenient location, I would have loved to stay even longer at the Athenaeum.

Looking for more information?

If you are planning a trip to London, be sure to also check out these posts:

• Trip to Lond on cost
• Festive things to do in London at Christmas
• Ultimate fan guide for Harry Potter attractions in London

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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 23, 2022

4 thoughts on “7 Day London Itinerary: Plan a Perfect Week in London”

The ITINERARY appeared to be ok. How ever I think you could have visited more places in London in seven days. Good to see that South Bank was in list of places to visit. Thanks you very much, I like your experience in London.

I am sure we could have but we like to make sure we have downtime on our trips too.

As a Brit who has visited London many times and because my brother-in-law is a yeoman warder at the tower of london ( so he and my sister live inside the tower so thats where I get to stay 😉 )I have to say this is a pretty good ITINERARY although maybe exhausting.One always seems to spend an inordinate amount of time on the underground.

My one tip for visitors. If you are British contact your MP for a free visit around the house of Lords and commons – it is your right to claim one. If you are a foreign visitor but have british friends get them to contact their mp so they can take you for free. I also recommend the 24hr open top bus ticket and remember you get a free boat trip too and access to walking tours. There is also a Jack the Ripper Walk that starts at 6pm near to Tower Hill Underground station. Make sure the leader is an off duty Yeoman warder (beefeater) because they are the best tours. Good Luck

Thanks for the feedback Rob! I tend to plan to keep us busy but then cut things out if we are tired or time runs short 🙂

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Posted on Published: 10th February 2023  - Last updated: 2nd January 2024 Categories London Travel Tips

By: Author Julianna Barnaby

2 Days in London Itinerary – The Insider’s Guide

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Planning a short visit to London and not sure what to see? I’ve created the perfect 2 days in London itinerary: everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.

As a born and bred Londoner, it can be too easy to take my hometown for granted. Buckingham Palace – been there, done that. London Eye? Literally used to work there. 

For someone who loves my hometown, I was close to becoming a little bit (dare I say it?)… jaded.

Utterly ridiculous right? I agree. So I decided to fix the situation and spend 2 days in London like a tourist. 

The result? IMHO the best London itinerary that you can get your hands on. 

If you’re planning your trip to the city and wondering what to do in London in 2 days, hold it right there. Put your comfortable walking shoes on and prepare yourself for this perfectly storming tour of gritty, grimy, beautiful London,

PS… Have even less time? Here’s my guide to exploring London in one day .

2 Days in London Itinerary 

10am – hyde park.

Start your two days in London in Hyde Park, one of London’s Royal Parks and my second favourite London park (the first is St James’s Park – don’t worry, we’ll pop in there later).

I love visiting Hyde Park in the morning – it somehow feels so utterly quaint. Low-key celebrity joggers, dog walkers with some of London’s most pampered pooches in well-ordered clusters at heel, a few ambitious souls swimming in the Serpentine (the lake in the middle of the park).

It’s a nice way to introduce you to London – enjoy some peace and quiet while you can, you’re about to enter the fray. 

After Hyde Park, cross over to walk through Green Park and over to Buckingham Palace. 

11am – Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

I mean, you can’t take a trip to London and not visit old Queenie at Buckingham Palace . 

Buckingham Palace is every bit as large and ostentatious as you’d expect for the official residence of the monarch. I mean, it’s all a bit embarrassing really, 775 rooms (no, that’s not a typo) including 188 bedrooms for the staff alone and 78 bathrooms in case you were wondering.

You can visit the State Rooms during the summer months (I think they’re a bit overrated, to be honest. Liz isn’t letting the general public anywhere near the good stuff for love nor money) or satisfy yourself by taking a million pictures of the palace’s exterior.

Anyway, we’re not actually here to visit Buckingham Palace. We’re here to see something much more exciting. The Changing of the Guard .

The Changing of the Guard is officially when The Queen’s Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard. Whatever that means…

In reality, it’s a glorious display of slightly ridiculous but iconic tradition as the guards strut (sorry, march) around in their bright scarlet tunics and skyscraper bearskin hats, accompanied by music.

Unfortunately, the powers that be don’t think we could deal with the excitement of the Changing of the Guard every day, so it only takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in the winter months, though it is daily during the summer months. Days and times can change or be cancelled. Check before you go.

We’ve just about got time to pop into St James’s Park for a little stroll. 

Sandwiched between Buckingham Palace, Downing Street and Horse Guards Parade, St James’s Park is a little bit of bliss in central London.

If you had more time, I’d suggest you plop yourself down on one of the benches with an ice cream and soak up the idyllic setting. But you don’t. So onwards we go.

12pm – Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben

Can I make a confession? 

I hadn’t actually visited Westminster Abbey until recently. Walked past it? A million times. Actually made the effort to go inside? Nope.  Westminster was for tourists.

Turns out I was missing a lot.

Westminster Abbey dates back to 1245 in its present form and the site has been the country’s coronation church (when the monarch is officially crowned) since 1066. It’s also one of the most spectacular gothic buildings in the UK – make sure you have plenty of space on your memory card.

I’m not that bothered about seeing the graves of past monarchs, but you shouldn’t miss Poet’s Corner, where some of the nation’s leading literary figures are buried or commemorated.

On a slightly less macabre note, pop out of Westminster Abbey and cross the road to see the Houses of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster.

The Houses of Parliament is the seat of British government, and another pretty impressive Gothic building as well. It’s not hard to imagine the cogs of politics running their course in the depths of this grand old building.

The Houses of Parliament are also famous for their role in the notorious gunpowder plot, when Guy Fawkes, Robert Catesby and a band of Catholic dissenters tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the then king, James I.

Didn’t work out so well for them, but it was the inspiration for our much-loved Fireworks Night, so they’ve made their mark in the history books in one way.

Big Ben is perched next to the Houses of Parliament (well, actually it’s a part of the Palace of Westminster too). 

I should warn you that Big Ben is currently undergoing some serious renovations for the next couple of years… you can still see one of the clock faces, but it’s not quite the ‘gram opportunity you’d hope for. 

Nevermind, it gives you a great excuse to come back in a couple of years right?

2pm – Lunch at The Cinnamon Club

You’ve been working hard. All that walking, paying attention, dodging the angry Londoners stalking the pavement. It’s really hard work – I get it. Time to treat yourself to lunch at The Cinnamon Club.

The Cinnamon Club is one of my favourite restaurants in London for one reason. Because it serves fabulous food. You have not TASTED a curry until you’ve had it there. This isn’t one of your greasy spoon, slop it on a plate kind of curry. This is high-end Indian dining in a pretty swanky setting.

Its close proximity to the Houses of Parliament means it’s not unusual to spot a politician or two either. You’ll be too busy savouring your food to care.

4pm – Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery

Now that you’re rested and refreshed, it’s time to take on another one of the city’s iconic landmarks on your London itinerary: Trafalgar Square . 

This large public square sits at the end of Whitehall, the proud home of Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery.

Trafalgar Square is at the heart of the central London community. For me, it’s filled with the memories of Christmases past – bright lights and a dazzling tree, and of so many events it’s hard to keep track.

There’s pretty much always something going on at Trafalgar Square: Ashes victory celebrations, live screenings from the nearby Royal Opera House in Covent Garden , live performances from West End productions – check the calendar to see what’s on.

The National Gallery couldn’t be more of a contrast to the busy square – there’s something so peaceful about leaving the crowds and the noise to step into the home of our national art collection. It’s busy, of course, but in that shuffling and muted manner typical of most galleries.

I’ve always loved the National Gallery, even when I was knee-high and most other galleries bored me to tears. 

Masterpiece after masterpiece, you can walk through the history of art in the course of a few hours. And all for free (good time to note that most of London’s museums and galleries are free – though you need to pay to enter any special exhibitions).

Read More: The Insider’s Guide to Visiting Trafalgar Square

7pm – The London Eye

For full disclosure, I used to work at the London Eye . I gorged myself silly at the age of 17 on all the free rides, my face pressed against the glass while I soaked up the far-reaching views down the river Thames.

It felt like adequate payback for a period in life in which my most used words were “ How many tickets ” and “ Toilets are to the left and down the stairs ”. 

Turns out there really is too much of a good thing though. I’ve never been able to face going on the damned thing again.

Still. Unless you have been on there umpteenth times, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add it to your London 2 day itinerary. 

If you can time your visit for sunset, the sight of dusk falling over the city from up high, bathing the river and the buildings in its rosy hues is something of a heart-warming spectacle.

In addition to the verging on rip-off normal priced tickets, you can also book all kinds of VIP tickets and even hire a private capsule to yourself. If I’m frank, I’d save my money for something better (like cocktails!) – paying nearly £25 ($35) for a 30 minute spin seems steep enough.

Time to hop on the Tube. Walk to Waterloo and take the Bakerloo Line (the brown line) to Oxford Circus station.

8pm – Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square

Controversial opinion alert. Don’t bother going shopping on Oxford Street . If you’ve ever been to a high street I can guarantee you that you’ve seen what it’s got to offer. In fact, I would say don’t bother with Oxford Street at all.

Still, I know that you won’t believe me until you’ve seen it for yourself. Just don’t blame me when you get trampled by a hoard of camera-touting cowboys who flatten you to the pavement without any sign of realising you even exist.

Once you’re done with that funfair/ circus/ inner circle of hell, take yourself down Regent’s Street to another one of London’s big landmarks Piccadilly Circus . Us Londoners have got a little bit of a chip on our shoulder because it’s not quite as cool as Times Square. But you can’t miss it on your London trip, chip or no chip.

Next up is Leicester Square . DON’T eat anything, buy anything or drink anything in Leicester Square – it’s almost certainly going to be shit and overpriced. I’m sorry, but it’s the cold, hard truth. 

I could extend this to saying don’t go to Leicester Square, but that seems churlish. It’s home to a ridiculous number of cinemas, so it’s definitely a winner if you want to go to watch a flick. But we’ve got bigger and better plans so we will wave farewell.

9pm – Cocktails and Dinner at Bob Bob Ricard in Soho

I hope you’ve been saving your pennies because it’s time to splurge them on the most ridiculously good meal you can eat in London. 

Welcome, my friends, to Bob Bob Ricard .

This Russian-European restaurant combines Belle-Epoque style, high-end food (my god, the lobster is so delicious, you’ll dream about it for weeks), great cocktails and some natty dining booths with actual buttons you can press for champagne. It’s exactly what you want and deserve to recuperate after your busy day.

Want to know more? Read my full review of Bob Bob Ricard now .

11pm – Late night cocktails at Disrepute Soho

OK, so I will confess. I love a cocktail. Oh, you do too? I knew we were meant to be friends.

Soho is not short of a cocktail bar or two and most of them are actually pretty good too. But if you only want the best, Disrepute is the place to go.

Book a table and settle in for perfectly-executed, devilishly sippable cocktails. Life is hard. Suck it up. Just not too many cocktails though, you’re only halfway through your London trip and you need your energy for tomorrow… not a stinking hangover.

Read Next: The Best Bars in Soho

Day Two 

9am – the tower of london and tower bridge.

It’s an early start today guys and I’m sorry. Kind of. Turns out the list of things you must see in London in 2 days is pretty long.

I’m a big believer in early starts (blame it on my father who would always get everywhere about five hours early to beat the crowds), so here we are at the Tower of London at 9am, coffee in hand, eyelids propped open.

The Tower of London is intrinsically linked with London’s history. The capital’s castle, many of the country’s high and mighty have been imprisoned within its walls – perhaps most famously Elizabeth I during her half sister Mary I’s reign.

The Tower of London has a pretty gruesome past, as the list of people executed there attests. It’s not all doom and gloom though, it’s also the site of more pleasant relics and traditions, including the Crown Jewels and the strangely attired Beefeaters.

Just a few paces away from The Tower of London, you’ll come to another of London’s icons: Tower Bridge . The neo-Gothic Bridge has been raising its ramparts to allow tall ships to pass since 1894. 

The bridge is also rumoured to be the subject of a rather amusing cock-up: it’s said that an American tycoon Robert McCulloch accidentally purchased the much less impressive London Bridge rather than the intended Tower Bridge and had it shipped all the way to Arizona in the 1960s.

Unfortunately, it looks like this is a vicious rumour and that McCulloch had always intended to buy London Bridge, but it’s a fun story nonetheless.

Entrance to the Tower of London Experience is included in the London Pass.

Read more: Cool but Crazy Facts About London

10am – The Shard

From the old to the new. If you haven’t heard the hype, The Shard is the tallest building in London, so it should come as no surprise that it’s one of the best places to see London in its full glory and must see for London in 2 days. 

The rather unimaginatively named The View From The Shard experience boasts views of up to 40 miles from levels 69 and 72 of the building.

The Shard was relatively controversial when it was built, with many claiming it would ruin London’s skyline. Now that you’ve seen it you can weigh in on the still smouldering debate.

Entrance to The View from the Shard is included in the London Pass

Read More: Cool Things to do in and around London Bridge

11am – Borough Market for Brunch

Borough Market is the city’s best-known food market and handily located just down the road from The Shard.

I sincerely hope that you are hungry: the market’s been feeding the capital in some shape or form since the 12th century and they’re pretty damned good at it now. It’s an unmissable stop, even if you are only whizzing around London in 2 days. 

I’ll let you make your mind up about how you feel about eating the gloriously cheesy concoction that is raclette at 11am in the morning – let’s face it, you only live once and it’s so good that it would be rude not to. Won you over?

Make a beeline for Kappacasein to indulge in a meal so good that you wonder why you don’t eat cheese for breakfast everyday.

PS. We can still be friends if you opt for something else.

Read More: Visiting Borough Market – What You Need to Know Before You Go

12pm – The Tate Modern

The second day of your London itinerary takes you to not one but two museums. The Tate Modern is the first.

As the name suggests, this is Tate’s museum of modern art (there’s also the Tate Britain further down the river with a more traditional offering).

The collection ranges from the thought-provoking to the downright strange – and features artists such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko. There’s also an ever-changing roster of temporary exhibitions (you’ll have to pay for these).

Read More: 30 Awesome Museums in London that are Absolutely Free

2pm – St Paul’s Cathedral

Walk across the Millenium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral , undoubtedly one of the top things to do in London in 2 days. 

Possibly the most striking building in London, St Paul’s Cathedral has been built and rebuilt five times, most famously after the Great Fire of London that razed much of the city to the ground.

The current cathedral was designed by one of England’s most-lauded architects, Sir Christopher Wren in the 17th and 18th century. Even now its huge dome is an architectural marvel.

Impressive as the building is, it’s even more striking inside and very much worth the entry fee.

Entrance to St Paul’s Cathedral is included in the London Pass

3pm – Natural History Museum/ Science Museum or V&A Museum

Time to hop on the underground again for the next stage of our 2 day London itinerary. Walk to Monument station and take the Circle or District line (yellow or green line) to South Kensington. Our destination? Museum Mile in the Kensington area .

You’ve got a tough decision to make people. 

Which museum? Sorry to make you choose but as you only have two days in London, you can’t see all three.

The Natural History Museum gives you a glimpse into the earth’s history – a story covering dinosaur fossils, human biology, creepy crawlies and human evolution, spread out over 36 galleries.

The Science Museum should start marketing itself as the most fun you can have in London with your clothes on – it’s a bold claim but it can back it up.

Immersive exhibitions, sensory experiences and little-known facts combine to provide a peek into the fascinating world of science.

There’s a reason it was always the school trip we’d get most excited about back in the day, and if I’m honest, I still get the tiniest bit excited about visiting now. 

On the other hand, the V&A was not a museum that kids get excited about (although, if you do have kids – check out this guide to child-friendly activities in London ) . Full-grown adults will appreciate the vast collection in one of the best museums of art and design in the world.

It’s a museum of superlatives: the finest collection of Italian sculptures outside of Italy, the most Indian art you’ll find outside of India and overall an enchantingly haphazard but impressive collection of arts from the Masters, Islamic art, sculptures, fashion and design clustered under its rather large and impressive roof.

Read Next: Unmissable Sights + Places to Visit in Kensington

5pm – Kensington Palace & Kensington Gardens

Our two days in London are almost over, but not quite. 

There’s still just about time to fit in one more royal palace and park – Kensington Palace and Gardens to be precise. Kensington Gardens is often referred to as the other half of Hyde Park but technically it is separate.

Swing by the Albert Memorial , built in memory of Queen Victoria’s much-beloved husband before popping into Kensington Palace, the official residence of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

You’ll need to be quick, Kensington Palace closes at 6pm. Still, there’s just enough time to see the rather ostentatious King’s State Apartments and their modest counterparts the Queen’s State Apartments (it figures). 

Don’t forget to take a peek at the Royal Albert Hall, which is across the road from the park too. 

7pm – The Churchill Arms

You’ve been haring around tackling the best things to do in London in 2 days and you haven’t been in a pub yet? 

This is a serious wrong that needs to be fixed pronto. 

Luckily, one of the capital’s most charming pubs and photo locations , The Churchill Arms is a quick walk away (15 mins).

Bedecked in a bustle of blooming flowers (try saying that in a hurry), the pub serves an excellent range of ales (so Jon tells me, I’ll stick to the wine thanks) and surprisingly good Thai food.

Settle in with a pint or a large glass of vino and give yourself a big pat on the back. 

You’ve conquered two days in London and the best London itinerary like a pro.

Now it’s time for a rest.

Time for One More? The British Museum

Try as I might, I just couldn’t fit a trip to The British Museum into the itinerary.

I’m sorry guys, I’ve failed you. 

On the plus side, if you have a bit more time, you can schedule a visit in. The galleries stretch over several miles, so wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes and don’t forget your map.

London Trip Planner: Practical Tips and Tricks for Your Two Day London Itinerary

Now you know what to see in London in two days, here are a few tips to help you plan your London trip. 

Should I take the Hop On Hop Off Bus in London for this Itinerary?

I don’t think you need to use the hop-on-hop-off for this London itinerary as we’re mostly walking but whizzing around the city on an open-top double decker with Big Bus Tours can be pretty fun. Book tickets in advance.

Grab a Pass From Go City

If you’re visiting London on a time limit, you’ll want to make sure you hit up all the best sights, squeeze in all the top experiences and get the most out of your trip.

The thing is… There’s so much to do in London it can be hard to get it right. 

That’s where Go City come in. They offer London Passes that mean you can bundle 2 – 7 London activities together, and they cover everything from London Zoo to zipping around the city on a guided bus tour.

Best of all, combining all your experiences into one bundle means savings. And not meagre ones either – we’re talking easily over £50. 

Of course, all that extra cash can then be funnelled straight into exploring London’s fantastic restaurants and traditional pubs…

Book Your Go City Explorer Pass Here

London on a Budget: Money Saving Hacks for Your London Trip

• Walk – despite its big reputation, the centre of London is quite small and very walkable. I think there’s no better way to discover a city than on foot, and it will save on London’s relatively expensive public transport costs.
• Buy a London Pass. The London Pass is a pretty expensive outlay: £69 for one day, £94 for two. But it will save you a lot of money if you plan on following this itinerary. Once you pay for the pass, you get free entry to lots of attractions, including the Tower of London, The View from the Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and Kensington Palace. You can read my guide to the London Pass for more information .
• Visit lots of museums – most of London’s museums and large galleries are free to enter. There are so many to choose from that you could easily spend your two days in London only visiting museums and only scratch the surface. Read my guide to exploring London for free .
• Eat street food or from markets – London has a buzzing street food scene full of delicious treats at a fraction of the cost of a sit-down meal. Borough Market is the city’s best-known – but there’s something to suit every taste. Other street food hotspots include Boxpark in Shoreditch , Maltby Street Market (Saturdays and Sundays), Flat Iron Square , Leather Lane (day times only) and the Southbank Centre.
• Book in advance – lots of attractions, such as the London Eye offer a discount if you book in advance. It’s an easy way to save some money and skip the lines at the same time.
• Don’t bother with the London pass with the transport option added in: you can either buy an Oyster Card or use a contactless card to pay for transport as you go – it’s capped at £12.50/ £10.70 per day depending on whether you travel peak or off-peak times. So cheaper than the £15 the London Pass whacks on for the transport-inclusive option.
• Check listings to see if there are any free events happening in the evenings. This two day London itinerary leaves you free for the late night. There’s always time to see something else, right? 
• Read my London Travel Tips Guide – 40 insanely practical tips for your trip.

London Transport: How to Get Around

London has an extensive transport system that is easy to use. In central London, the system is formed of trains, buses, the London Underground (the tube), river buses and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). 

I would recommend purchasing an Oyster Card to pay for your journeys. 

You can also use contactless cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay to pay for trips. Just check ahead that you won’t be charged an additional foreign transaction fee by your card issuer or bank as this will add a lot of unnecessary costs to your trip. 

Moving On: Recommended Day Trips from London 

• Oxford. I may be biased as I went to university in Oxford, but Oxford is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities with a long and fascinating history for you to discover. Clusters of golden sandstone buildings, dreaming spires and bucolic riverside walks await. Read my guide to planning a day trip to Oxford or check out this Oxford and Cotswolds tour . 
• Cambridge. The eternal rivalry lives on: Cambridge is quieter than Oxford but no less idyllic. Meander between university buildings that are centuries old whilst soaking up the atmosphere. Go from King’s Cross or hop on an easy day tour .
• Bath . Bath has been a fashionable go-to destination since the 18th century – it even pops up in a few Jane Austen books! Go to see the Roman ruins, spend some time at the spa and live your best Georgian-era life. Combine Bath with a trip to Stonehenge on this day trip.  
• Brighton. A quintessential British seaside destination, Brighton might not have golden sands (full disclosure: it is a pebble beach) but it is a lively, cool city with a vibrant dining and nightlife scene. Read my guide to the best beaches near London.
• The Cotswolds . Chances are that if you conjure up an image of a traditional British village, it will look a lot like the villages dotted around The Cotswolds. I’ll warn you, they are descended on by hordes of tourists during peak season, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to enter the fray. You’ll need a car, or go with an organised tour.

Don’t Forget to Pack

Much as we like to deny it, it really does rain a fair bit in London. You can step out into the pure and brilliant sunshine and then five minutes later you’re soaked to the skin after the heavens have opened. This is a very long-winded way of saying don’t forget your umbrella .

Comfortable Walking Shoes 

You’re going to be doing a lot of walking. In the winter, nothing says London style like a pair of chic ankle boots. In the summer months, I swear by my Birkenstocks – they’re so comfortable you can walk for miles in them and they’re pretty cool at the same time.

London Travel Guide 

Take your pick from the Lonely Planet , Rough Guide or DK Travel Guide . The Rough Guide is my favourite. 

2 Days in London: Where to Stay

Budget – safestay, holland park.

It might not have the most imaginative name, but this hotel-come- hostel in the leafy area of Holland Park offers excellent value and good transportation links to whizz you into the centre, at a fraction of the cost of most other London hotels. Check prices at Safestay now. 

Mid-Range – K-West Hotel & Spa, Shepherd’s Bush

Ultra-modern rooms and a spa to pamper yourself in at the end of a long day. K-West might be an underground ride away from central London but it offers a high-end stay at mid-range prices, a rarity in a city known for its expensive accommodation. Check prices at K-West now.

Read More: K West Review

Luxury – Henrietta Hotel, Covent Garden

I am a sucker for a gorgeously-decorated boutique hotel, so it was inevitable that I’d love the Henrietta. What’s not to love? Its contemporary-luxe decor is eccentric enough to be interesting, comfortable enough to put you at ease. Add to that a central location and you’re onto a winner. Check prices at The Henrietta now.

Want to know more? Read all of my recommendations and reviews of the best hotels in London

Two Days in London – Itinerary Map

Recommended Reading for Planning Your London Itinerary

I’ve written a host of guides about London (check out the full collection here) but I would particularly recommend reading these before your trip. 

• One Day in London : To help you plan an even shorter trip to the city!
• Five Days in London: In case you decide you want to stay longer.
• Where to Stay in London : An area by area guide of the best areas to stay in London and what to do in each one. 
• The London Sightseeing Guide : a guide to London’s top sights and attractions. Obviously this itinerary is a gentle guide –  see if there’s anything you’d like to swap in or out for your two days in London. 
• London Tourist Map : All of London’s top sights on one handy interactive map. Complete with a printable version.
• Is the London Pass Worth It ? Work out if the London Pass is right for you or whether you should skip. 
• Offbeat Things to do in London : Away from the big sights, these are the cool, quirky and sometimes weird things that London has to offer. 
• Tipping in London : Navigate the murky waters of tipping in the big smoke.
• Day Trips from London : Cool British destinations in easy day trip distance from London. 
• Harry Potter in London : Hunting out Harry Potter filming locations and hotspots. 
• London for Free : 30 brilliant things to do in London that are completely free.
• London at Night : How to see the best of the capital after dark. 
• London’s Best Secret Bars and Speakeasies : For illicit cocktails and cheeky drinks. 
• Solo London : The best things to do in London when you’re flyin’ solo. 

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Sapal Pastakia

Wednesday 6th of May 2020

The best tour plan of London. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Julianna Barnaby

Tuesday 12th of May 2020

Thank you Sapal - really glad to hear.

Wednesday 26th of February 2020

Thank you so much for putting this outstanding itinerary together. I'll have 2 full days in London on May before leaving on a cruise, and this is exactly what I was looking for. I'm staying in Holborn and from the looks of it, I'll be right in the middle of all of your Google pins! :)

Thursday 27th of February 2020

Hey Mike - Thanks for dropping a comment and your lovely words. It's really appreciated. Holborn is indeed a brilliant location for your stay - have a wonderful trip!

Saturday 25th of January 2020

Thank you for your two days of adventures in London! I’ve visited twice before, but has been a long time passed. Bringing three first time visitors in Sept 2020. This will be a grand plan for us. Wondering about cheapest transportation for 4 and best location to stay to work in the most of this tour. Will cut out museums. Want to tour Buckingham Palace & Tower of London for sure. I will review the additional guides you listed above too. Want to stay in safe area for 4 female tourists. Glad I’m planning early. Thanks for your help! K

Tuesday 28th of January 2020

I'm glad you're planning ahead for your time in London - sounds like it's an exciting trip. Transport-wise, I'd always recommend taking public transport as much as possible. Get an oyster card (or you can use your contactless card - just check your card provider's foreign transaction fees) and then you can top it up and pay for what you use (up to a capped amount). It's hard to say where to stay without having an idea of your budget - places like Soho and Covent Garden are well-located but generally expensive, while areas like Shoreditch and other parts of East London are cheaper but a bit further out. You'll probably find the where to stay in London guide useful as it will give you an idea of what's in each area and pros and cons. https://www.thediscoveriesof.com/best-hotels-in-london/ All the best, Julianna

Saturday 26th of October 2019

We are coming to London with a 20 month old on Dec 1 for 2 days. Any modifications you recommend for the winter/Christmas season? Also, how do you feel about Hamley's (to me it seems like a must-do with an infant). Thoughts? Thank you in advance.

Hey Jason - I've got a piece on cool things to do in London at Christmas here, which you'll probably find helpful. Hamley's is a great stop during the Christmas period, so would totally recommend including it, and also visiting the Christmas lights (the ones on Regent Street have been better than those on Oxford Street in recent years but they're right next to each other so you can easily see both - swing by Carnaby Street for more cool lights in that area too). Have a great time!

This is great!We are going to try your itinerary out next May (2020)! Any modifications you'd suggest if traveling with a 16-year old? It is our first trip to London. Thanks!

Hi Robin, glad to hear you're excited about your London trip. I think that itinerary is fine for a 16 year old overall - you probably want to cut out the cocktails - maybe replace the evening in Soho with dinner and a trip to a West End show but I think you'll all have a great time :)

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We delve into the cool, interesting and quirky spots that make London such a dynamic city, telling you the best things to do, eat and drink along the way. 

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Savvy Travel Advice

3 Days in London: A Perfect 72 Hour London Itinerary

Last updated: January 28, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 160 Comments

London is one of the world’s largest and most exciting cities, offering visitors thousands of things to do, including museums, royal palaces, beautiful parks, historical sites, and world-class theatre.

With all these options, planning a trip to London can be a bit overwhelming, especially for first time visitors. We’ve put together a recommended 3 day London itinerary that will help you see the city’s highlights if you have at least 3 days in London.

Our suggested 3 day itinerary has you visiting all the city’s most famous attractions (e.g., Westminster Abbey, Windsor Castle, Tower of London) as well as some of the city’s lesser-known attractions.

In addition to the 3 day itinerary, we also provide tips on how to get around London, a map that plots out each day’s suggested itinerary, and tips on how to save money during your 3 days in London.

Table of Contents:

Planning Tips for 3 Days in London 

Before we share the 3 day London itinerary, we wanted to make sure you have all the planning information to make the most of your 3 days in London. So we first share information on how to get around London, how to save money on sightseeing, day trip recommendations, advice on where to stay, and further trip planning resources.

How to Get to London

London is well-connected to the rest of the world and easy to reach by plane or train. Most international visitors arrive by air.

London has six main airports, and you can get to London from almost any part of the world. If you are arriving from an international location outside Europe, Heathrow  is likely to be your arrival airport. For helping in getting into London from an airport, see our London airport guide  which covers transport options from all 6 airports.

If you are arriving by train, London is well-connected to train routes throughout the UK and Europe with a number of train stations in and around central London. Those planning to travel by train throughout the UK might want to see if a BritRail Pass might save you money, or another rail pass if traveling throughout Europe by train.

Those arriving from Scotland can check out our Edinburgh to London guide , and might want to consider taking an  overnight sleeper train .

If you are arriving from continental Europe by train or car, you’ll need to travel across the English Channel on the  EuroStar  train or take a ferry.

How to Get around London

London is best explored either on foot or by public transportation. Cabs and bike hires are also options.

London has a great public transportation network and most visitors spend at least some time traveling on it. This includes public bus, tram, and rail services (including “the Tube”) within the city. You can buy individual tickets for each ride, but many visitors get an Oyster Card  which allows you to travel on almost all the city’s public transit options and can save you time and money.

If you are considering an Oyster Card, you can read our full Oyster Card review . For more information and tips on getting around London, check out our detailed  public transport guide to London .

We do not recommend driving in London unless you are planning to stay on the outskirts of the city as driving and finding parking in central busy locations can be a nightmare. Parking is also expensive in many areas and there are congestion fees for driving in the city center.

If you are driving to London, I’d park your car when you arrive in the city and then use public transport to get around the city.

If you need to book a taxi in London, we recommend using minicabit to compare prices and make a booking.

How to Save Money on Sightseeing in London

London can be an expensive destination for visitors and the costs of a trip here can quickly add up. There are a number of London discount passes you can purchase before your trip to help you save money (and time) at London’s most popular attractions and museums.

Our favorite London discount pass is the  London Pass which allows free entry into over 80 of London’s top attractions, including the Tower of London , Westminster Abbey, View from the Shard, Windsor Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and many more.

The Pass also comes with a free hop-on, hop-off bus ticket, hop-on hop-off river boat, and additional discounts on food, shopping, theatre tickets, and tours. You can see a full list of attractions and benefits here .

We’ve used the London Pass on a number of visits and have written an in-depth London Pass review  which you can read to help determine if the London Pass would help you save money or time on your trip.

Although London can be expensive, it also has a number of fantastic free attractions including beautiful green parks, historic sites, and world-class museums like the British Museum, National Gallery, and Victoria & Albert Museum. Also be sure to check for special events and festivals that may be happening during your visit. 

Possible Day Trips from London

If you only have 3 days in London you certainly won’t need to leave the city for want of things to do. If this is your first visit, we actually would recommend spending the full 3 days in London as there is so much to see, do, eat, and take in! But we know that for many visitors, there is a must-see attraction outside of London that they want to see such as Stonehenge, Oxford, or the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio tour .

If there is something you really want to see in southern England and you only have the three days, then you can visit it as a day trip from London. For most places, you’ll have the option to see it as part of a guided tour, take public transit, arrange a private transfer, or rent a car and drive yourself.

We recommend taking public transit, joining a tour, or booking a private transfer to do a day tour from London. Unless you arrived by car or are planning to drive in the UK after your visit to London, we don’t really recommend having a car in central London as it can be a headache with the traffic, lack of parking, high overnight parking rates, and congestion charges.

Below are some popular London day trip options to consider:

• Stonehenge – This ancient and mysterious stone circle is one of the most popular stops on a day trip from London. Most commonly done as a bus day trip, but you can also do it via public transit (train plus shuttle), rent a car, or book a private transfer. Read about our Stonehenge day trip experience here , which was a version of this tour  of Stonehenge, Bath, and the Cotswolds. A couple other suggestions for guided tours are this express half-day trip  to Stonehenge or this full day trip which includes inner stone access at Stonehenge and a stop in Bath.
• WB Harry Potter Studio – Harry Potter fans will likely want to make time to visit the Warner Brothers Studio located outside the city in Leavesden where all of the Harry Potter films were filmed. The Harry Potter Studio Tour  (fee) includes loads of original sets, clothing, props, interactive exhibits, and a giant gift shop. You can get here from London via public transit (train plus shuttle) or by booking a tour or transfer. Tickets must be booked in advance. You can also  book a tour  from central London that will take you directly to and from the studio so you don’t have to take the train and shuttle. If you want to take a walking tour of the Harry Potter London filming sites consider this guided tour .
• Oxford – Oxford is a compact and scenic historical city that is home to England’s oldest university. You can read our post about things to do in Oxford and how to plan your own Oxford day trip from London . It is easy to reach by train. If you are interested in a guided tour, you might consider this tour which visits Oxford plus the Cotswolds.
• Highclere Castle  – Highclere Castle is the country house home of the Earl of Carnarvon, but it is better known as Downton Abbey from the hit British period TV series. The best way to get here is by car or by joining a tour. Here is a suggested guided tour option that includes a visit to Highclere Castle, Bampton (used as Downton village), and other Downton Abbey filming locations. Open seasonally so check opening dates before planning a visit.
• Stratford-upon-Avon  – Stratford-upon-Avon is a picturesque Midlands market town that is best known as the birthplace of William Shakespeare and for its well-preserved Tudor buildings. Best ways to get here is by car, train, or guided tour. Here is a  guided tour option that includes a visit to Stratford-upon-Avon and the Cotswolds. See our guide to things to do in Stratford-upon-Avon here .

Where to Stay in London for 3 Days

If you are planning to do a visit that is similar to our suggested 3 day London itinerary, we’d recommend staying in central London to avoid added travel time. We’d suggest staying somewhere in the region between Kensington in the west and Canary Wharf in the east.

London has every type of accommodation option that you can imagine, from  inexpensive hostels  to self-catering  apartments  to 5-star  luxury hotels .

London is home to some really classic luxury hotels like  The Ritz ,  The Dorchester ,  Brown’s , and  The Savoy , but it also has a number of mid-range and budget friendly chains like  Holiday Inn Express ,  Travelodge ,  Best Western ,  Premier Inn , and  Ibis.

London is an expensive city so expect to pay a bit more than you might normally in less expensive destinations. But if you book in advance and compare prices, you should be able to find something that will fit most budgets.

To find the best rates on hotels in London, we recommend searching on Booking com or Hotels.com as in our experience these two sites tend to have the best prices and widest choice on both hotels and a range of apartments.

If you are looking for self-catering apartments or rooms, we recommend checking out Plum Guide . In our experience they offer some of the best options. See their listings for London here . There are also loads of other apartment booking sites  you can check.

Here are a few suggestions across budgets (lowest to highest):

• The Walrus Bar and Hostel  – A well reviewed centrally located hostel, only a 15 minute walk from the Palace of Westminster (Big Ben) and Parliament Square.
• SoHostel – Another well-reviewed hostel located just at the edge of Westminster, only a 15 minute walk from Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.
• Point A Hotel – This is a hotel within the well-priced Point A hotel range, and this one is well-reviewed and located in Westminster. A 17 minute walk to Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey. We’ve stayed here; rooms are tiny but clean and a great budget option.
• Premier Inn – This well-rated mid-range 3-star option is located hotel is located near the Borough Market and London Bridge.
• Hilton Tower Bridge – This well-rated hotel offers a good value for what it offers and is located within a short walk of Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and Borough Market.
• The Resident Victoria Hotel – A centrally located 4-star hotel offering excellent value for money located near Buckingham Palace. We’ve stayed here; the lower priced rooms are small but the hotel is very well-located.
• Lime Tree Hotel – A well reviewed boutique hotel, around nine minutes walk from London Victoria
• Brown’s – If you are looking for a classic 5-star London luxury hotel, you can’t go wrong with Brown’s which provides intimate boutique luxury. It is the oldest hotel in London and is located in Mayfair within a 12 minute walk from Buckingham Palace.
• The Savoy  – Another classic 5-star luxury hotel, this one much larger, located in central London. Less than 10 minute walk to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery.

For many more options, see our complete guide to where to stay in London , which also has tips on what to look for and the different neighbourhoods in the city.

Have More or Less than 3 Days in London?

If you have less than 3 days in London, we have also written a suggested guide to spending  1 day in London  as well as a  2 day London itinerary . We also have a guide to seeing the best of the city and its royal sites in a  one day London walking tour .

If you have more than 3 days, we also have a 6 day London itinerary  that should give you plenty of ideas of how to spend up to 1 week in London.

If you’re in London for longer than 1 week and want some advice, feel free to leave us a comment and we’re always happy to provide some suggestions based on what you enjoy doing and seeing.

Further Information & London Resources

We have written a lot about London on both of our travel blogs, so you can check out our  London articles on Finding the Universe  and our  London articles  on this blog for more info and to see where we’ve been.

For additional planning resources, the  city tourism website  and  Visit Great Britain  websites also offer tons of helpful information for visitors. If your travels are taking you beyond London, you can check out Laurence’s suggested  2-week UK itinerary  to get you started.

If you are looking for a London guidebook, we recommend either the latest Rick Steves guidebook or Lonely Planet guidebooks .

Most of our suggested itinerary has you walking and using the Tube, so we recommend picking up a decent walking map for London. We really like the London  laminated Streetwise map  (it also includes a central Underground Tube map), but you can also probably find a free paper map at your hotel or at a visitor center.

If you are looking for packing tips for your trip, check out our suggested  London packing list .

3 Day London Itinerary: How to Spend 3 Days in London

Now, we’ll share our suggested 3-day London itinerary. Our itinerary is geared to the first-time visitor to London who has 3 days in London (or more), and is interested in visiting a number of historic and cultural attractions as well as some green spaces and scenic viewpoints.

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we recommend that you use this as a guide for your trip and tailor it to suit your individual interests, needs, and speed of travel. If you have any questions as you are planning your trip to London, please feel free to leave us a comment in the Comments section at the end of this post.

Be sure to check on the opening dates and hours for any must-see attractions before you set out as many attractions close for one day per week, or may be closed due to renovation or a special event.

For all attractions with an entrance fee, we’ve noted there is an entry fee by writing “(fee)” next to them. Since many visitors use the  London Pass , the attractions that are included on the London Pass are starred (*) denoting that passholders receive free entry so these attractions have “(fee*)” next to them. We do our best to keep this information updated, but things change so you may want to double-check fees and London Pass inclusions before your trip.

The map below shows the suggested walking routes for each of the three days in London with all major London itinerary locations noted. Click  here  or double click on the map below for a closer look and to see exact locations in Google maps:

London Itinerary Day 1 – Explore Westminster

We recommend starting your trip to London in Westminster as it is the geographical, cultural, and political center of the city. The City of Westminster is actually its own city within London! Here you’ll find some of London’s most iconic buildings, including Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey.

Many people enjoy taking a sightseeing bus or walking tour to get a good overview of a city before heading off to explore on their own. If this is you, I’d recommend doing it on your first day in London to get a good orientation.

• If you like hop on hop off buses, the City Sightseeing bus covers many of London’s highlights. A  free sightseeing bus is included for those with a London Pass.
• If you enjoy walking tours we can recommend  Take Walks which offers several tours in London as well as many other locations in Europe. We have used them several times and all their tours are well-rated.
• If you are looking for a full day walking tour that will cover most of the highlights of Westminster, we recommend this one  or this one . Both cover many of the highlights including a visit to Tower of London , a Thames river cruise, and seeing the Changing of the Guard. You can read a full description of the full day London walking tour I did on my very first visit to London to get an idea of what these are like.
• If you are looking for a half day tour, you might consider this 4 hour tour .
• If you are a Harry Potter fan, consider a Harry Potter guided walking tour like this one
• If you are looking for a private walking tour of London or a customized tour, we recommend checking out the London tours offered by Context Travel.

Our suggested Day 1 London itinerary starts and stops near Parliament Square, but you can begin it at any point along the route. Today’s route is walkable but you can also get around via public transit, taxi, or a sightseeing bus as well.

Parliament Square & Houses of Parliament

We’re going to start off our itinerary at Parliament Square which is a well known public square in Westminster that is easy to get to via public transport and is a stop on all the main sightseeing buses as well. Around the square you’ll also find the statues of a number of famous people, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Robert Peel, and Gandhi.

This popular square is surrounded by famous buildings, including Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret’s Church, the UK Supreme Court, and the Palace of Westminster. The Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, is probably best known for its famous Big Ben bell which sits within the iconic golden Elizabeth Tower.

The large government building is named after the former medieval palace of the same name. A few sections of the medieval palace of Westminster still remain, including the 14th century  Jewel Tower  (fee*) which you can visit.

Although perhaps not a priority stop with only 3 days in London, the public can tour the  Houses of Parliament  (fee) on certain dates. Tours include visits to the Westminster Hall, St. Stephens Hall, Commons Chamber, and the Lords Chamber. UK residents can contact their local MP or a Member of the House of Lords to arrange a free tour. Otherwise, you can  book a tour ticket online  for a self-guided audio tour or guided tour. Tours must be booked in advance.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey  (fee*) is one of the most famous and impressive churches in England. It dates back to 1245 and was mostly built in the Gothic style. Inside the church are tombs and memorials to a number of the most famous British people from the past 1,000 years, including royalty, scientists, aristocrats, and artists. It has also been used for all English and British coronations since William the Conqueror in 1066 as well as being the site of numerous royal weddings, including the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

If you plan to visit Westminster Abbey be sure to leave extra time to get in and see everything as it is a popular place and it takes a while to explore. An audioguide is included and will help you make the most of your self-guided visit. You can skip the line and get fast track entry by booking your ticket online in advance here .

In summer 2018, the  Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries  (fee) via the new Weston Tower of Westminster Abbey Tower was opened. The galleries house exhibits about the history of the abbey as well as a number of priceless artifacts. Admission to the Galleries is currently an extra £5.00 and you will receive a timed ticket since space is limited.

Guided tours of the main sections of the Abbey are also possible for a small extra fee (currently £5/person), check at arrival or on the Abbey website for tour times.

Churchill War Rooms

The  Churchill War Rooms (fee) is made up of two connected museums: the Cabinet War Rooms and the Churchill Museum. The Cabinet War Rooms allows visitors to explore the huge underground secret bunker where the majority of the World War 2 effort was directed from 1939 to 1945. An audioguide and interpretive exhibits help visitors understand the maze of underground rooms and what happened here.

The Churchill Museum is a large room dedicated to the life of Winston Churchill. It provides information on his life from his early years to his death in 1965, with a focus on his long political career. This is the most comprehensive museum I’ve ever visited on Churchill and our favorite site of the many  Winston Churchill sites in London . Book your tickets online in advance here .

For those with an interest in the London Blitz, we can also recommend the  London Churchill War Room tour  (save 10% off any Context tour using this link) by Context Travel which includes a guided visit to the Churchill War Rooms as well as a guided tour of parts of London related to the Blitz.

Those interested in military and war related history, should check out this list of London war museums and memorials .

St. James’s Park

We now recommend walking through St. James’ Park in the direction of Buckingham Palace for a bit of greenery. The 50-acre park is one of the city’s 8 Royal Parks and is known for its famous pelican residents. There is a café located within the park if you need a tea or coffee break or a light lunch.

Near the park is the  The Guards Museum  (fee*) which tells the history of the British Army Guards regiments as well as St. James’s Palace , a 16th century palace that was once the main residence of the British monarch. Today the palace is still used as a residence for members of the British royal family (although not the monarch) and as a meeting place. The palace is not open to visitors.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the most famous palace in the UK and serves as the primary London residence for the reigning sovereign of the United Kingdom. The royal palace dates back to 1703 and was originally built as a townhouse for the Duke of Buckingham, but was later acquired by King George III. Queen Victoria was the first monarch to officially reside in the palace.

If you want to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, you’ll need to skip either the morning visit to Westminster Abbey or the Churchill War Rooms (you can visit one later in the afternoon instead) to get to Buckingham Palace before 11am. The Changing of the Queen’s Guard ceremony takes place on most days at the forecourt of Buckingham Palace around 11am, and lasts about 45 minutes. If you want to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony, check the  schedule online  in advance (may be cancelled last minute due to weather or security issues) and show up early to get a good viewing spot.

If you want a spot to watch part of the Changing of the Guard with fewer people, you might consider watching from in front of Friary Court in front of St. James Palace (the Old Guard normally lines up and starts here). Another alternative is to watch the Changing of the The Queen’s Lifeguard (horse guards) at the  Horse Guards Parade .

Most visitors are happy to just get a look at the palace and perhaps see the Changing of the Guard, but you can also tour the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace (fee) in the summer (generally August and September only). You need to book tickets in advance if you want to tour the palace, you can get tickets here for a tour and self-guided tours include audioguides.

Even if you can’t visit the State Rooms of Buckingham Place, there are places on the palace grounds that are open to the public year round. At the  Royal Mews  (fee) you can see a large number of royal carriages and coaches, including the Diamond Jubilee State Coach. At the Queen’s Gallery  (fee*) you’ll find excellent art exhibitions from the royal collection which change regularly throughout the year.

Piccadilly Circus

We now recommend heading to Piccadilly Circus en route to Trafalgar Square. Piccadilly Circus  doesn’t have any clowns, but it is a famous circular road junction well-known for its neon signs and advertising. You’ll find the well-known Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain  here.

From here, it is a short walk to many of London’s West End theaters (head up Shaftesbury Avenue) or to London’s West End shopping area (follow Regent Street).

Trafalgar Square & the National Gallery

Trafalgar Square is one of the most popular public squares in London and is home to Nelson’s Column (a monument to Admiral Horatio Nelson) and London’s famous stone lion statues. The square also features performing street artists and contemporary art (a changing featured piece of art occupies the square’s Fourth Plinth ).

Here you’ll also find two of London top art museums, the  National Gallery  and the  National Portrait Gallery . We’ve spent a lot of time in both over the years and they include world-class art from artists such as Picasso, Turner, Titian, and Monet. If you love art, I’d plan to spend some time at one or both of these museums. Entry is free (special exhibitions may cost extra) at both museums although donations are greatly appreciated.

If you are traveling with kids, they may enjoy creating a brass rubbing they can take home with them at the nearby  London Brass Rubbing Centre (fee) located underground within St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Note that this isn’t always available, check the website for when you can do it.

Now we recommend walking down Whitehall, which is the street running south from Trafalgar Square towards Parliament Square. Whitehall is so named for the Palace of Whitehall, a large medieval royal palace complex that stood here until it was destroyed by fire in 1698. It was the largest palace in the world at one time with over 1,500 rooms!

A small well-preserved section of the Whitehall palace complex, the  Banqueting Hall (fee), can still be visited today. The Banqueting House was designed by Inigo Jones and features a beautiful ceiling painted by Peter Paul Reubens.

Today Whitehall is still the center of the UK Government and you’ll pass a number of government buildings along your walk. You’ll also pass the  The Household Calvary Museum  (fee*), a small museum dedicated to the history of the Household Cavalry which is located in the 18th century stables of the Horse Guards. In the middle of the street, you’ll also see The Cenotaph , the UK’s national war memorial.

You’ll also pass by the entrance to Downing Street which is where the Prime Minister (at 10 Downing Street) and other UK government ministers reside. The street is gated and guarded, but you can peek through and should be able to get a glimpse 10 Downing Street, which is the headquarters of the UK government and official residence of the UK Prime Minister.

As you continue your walk, you’ll end back in Parliament Square where we started our day.

Westminster Bridge

Now we recommend walking across Parliament Square and onto Westminster Bridge. This bridge dates back to 1862 but there has been a bridge here since 1750. From the bridge, you’ll have a fantastic view back of the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames. You can then take a walk along the Thames or head off to dinner.

London Dungeon

If you still have time and stamina you might want to continue on across Westminster Bridge to where you’ll find several attractions located along the Thames, including the London Dungeon and the London Eye .

The  London Dungeon  (fee) is a popular interactive walkthrough attraction that uses costumed actors, special effects, and rides to share some of London’s darker and more gory history and provide some laughs and screams along the way.

The educational and historical part of the experience here is a bit questionable, but if you enjoy amusement parks and haunted houses, you’ll probably enjoy this. Not recommended for young children or those with a nervous disposition.

Next door to the London Dungeon are two family-oriented attractions, the Sea Life London Aquarium  (fee) and  DreamWorks Tours: Shrek’s Adventure  (fee).

If you are wanting to visit these attractions, none of them are currently covered by the recommended London Pass.

The  London Eye  (fee) is Europe’s tallest observation wheel and a great place to get some nice views over London and the Thames. Visitors stand in large enclosed glass pods on this giant ferris wheel like attraction and it spins very slowly to give visitors expansive views. You can also add champagne to the experience or even get a private pod.

The London Eye is open late (depending on the time of year) making it a great last stop or even after dinner visit. Around sunset is a nice time to do this ride. Great in good weather, I’d skip if the weather is too bad as it will spoil the views.

You can save money (and time) by purchasing your tickets in advance. Online prices are usually much lower than if you buy at the ticket desk.

You can buy tickets for the London Eye from the official site here . We also have a complete guide to visiting the London Eye here .

London Itinerary Day 2 – City of London & Southwark

Today we recommend exploring the City of London. The City of London is another “city within a city” like Westminster. It is home to much of the city’s financial and banking services, and is also the oldest part of the city. This area was named “Londinium” by the Romans and you’ll find an interesting mix of the city’s oldest landmarks and most modern buildings here.

Across the River Thames from the City of London is the London Borough of Southwark. A number of top London attractions and landmarks can be found here including HMS Belfast, the Tate Modern, The Shard, Southwark Cathedral, the Imperial War Museum, and Borough Market.

You can get around and do this itinerary on foot, but you may want to take public transit to get from the Sky Garden to St. Paul’s Cathedral to save time. If you are planning to do a Thames river cruise, you may want to do it today after your visit to the Tower of London. 

Tower of London

The  Tower of London  (fee*) was first built by William the Conqueror in 1078 as a royal castle and defense tower. It was then expanded over the centuries and served many purposes, including a fortress, prison, armory, and Royal Mint. Today is it a UNESCO world heritage site and it is famous for serving as a prison and execution site of famous people like Queen Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, and for housing the Crown Jewels.

The Tower of London is definitely one of the most popular (and one of our favorite) attractions in London, so we recommend being there near opening time if you can. Once inside, we recommend visiting the Crown Jewels first as this part can get very crowded.

There is a lot of to see here but some of the highlights are the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the Tower Green, and the tours given by the Beefeaters ( Yeoman Warders ). For more information, see our complete guide to visiting the Tower of London .

The Tower of London is included on the London Pass, or you can book tickets in advance here .

If you enjoy nice views, we recommend a stop at Sky Garden, London’s highest public garden. The terraced garden area is laid out over three storeys (level 35 to 37) and there is an observation deck, bar, and open air terrace.

Although the Sky Garden is technically a public garden and can be visited for free, we recommend booking a space in advance as they are often fully booked and can’t always accommodate walk-ins. Tickets are generally released each week and can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance. If the free slots are already booked out and you still want to visit and enjoy the views, you can generally still get in by making a restaurant reservation and eating at one of the several restaurants located here.

Nearby, we recommend stopping by to see The Monument , a 202 foot Doric column monument designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666 . The column stands approximately at the spot the fire started. Visitors can actually go inside (fee*) and climb the over 300 stairs to the viewing platform on top.

You can then walk to St. Paul’s (about 15 minutes) or take the Underground from The Monument stop to the St. Paul’s Cathedral stop.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

St. Paul’s Cathedral  (fee*) dates back to 1697 after the previous one was badly destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. It was rebuilt by Christopher Wren in the English Baroque style, but a church dedicated to St. Paul has been on this site since the 7th century!

The dome of the cathedral is a recognizable feature of the London skyline and the church has long been seen as a symbol of the spirit of the British people, especially during World War II. The church is an active place of worship with regular Anglican services, and has been the site of a number of notable events including the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana, the state funeral of Winston Churchill, and Jubilee services for Queen Elizabeth II.

The church can be visited and tour and admission prices include an audioguide for a self-guided visited. Guided tours are often given throughout the day by church staff.

Visitors have the option to visit the main parts of the cathedral, the dome, and the crypt. There is often a line to visit the dome as only a certain number of visitors can climb the steps at a time, so allow extra time if you want to climb the dome to visit the Whispering Gallery and/or the Stone and Golden Galleries.

If you don’t have the London Pass (free entry included), we recommend booking your ticket online in advance to save money and to skip the ticket line.

Alternative: An alternative (or additional) attraction in the area that you may want to visit is the Museum of London . A great free museum that we’d highly recommend to anyone interested in the history of the city (note, closed until 2026).

Shakespeare’s Globe

Now we recommend heading across the Millennium Bridge, a steel pedestrian suspension bridge, to the other side of the Thames to see Shakespeare’s Globe (fee*).

This is of course not the original Globe Theatre (built in 1599) used by William Shakespeare, but it is as faithful of a modern construction as could be produced of the open-air theatre where Shakespeare staged many of his famous plays. The Globe is located near where the original would have stood. The original Globe Theatre stood about 200 meters away and you can go see the site and it is marked by a plaque.

The reconstruction of The Globe was the dream project of American actor/director Sam Wanamaker. If you want to see the inside of the theatre, you can visit the museum exhibition, learn how it was constructed, and do a guided tour of the open-air Globe where you get to see the stage and seating areas.

You can also enjoy open-air performances here in the summer or at the indoor candle-lit Jacobean style Sam Wanamaker Playhouse year-round. A great venue to see a Shakespeare play in London. Just be sure to book your performance ticket in advance.

Alternatives:  Other nearby attractions include the Tate Modern (free, charges for exhibitions*), HMS Belfast  (fee*), Southwark Cathedral (free, donations welcome), and  The Old Operating Theatre Museum  (fee*).

Borough Market

Borough Market is the best known and one of the oldest markets in the UK. It is believed that a market has been in this area since around 1014!

Today the market is filled with fresh produce, fresh meats and fish, baked goods, cheeses, flowers, wines, spices, and other food stuff. There are also cafes, demonstration kitchens, and restaurants that are part of the market as well as many food stalls selling ready-to-eat foods, including sandwiches and all kinds of street foods from Ethiopian wraps to Galloway beef stew to vegetarian pastries. This is a great place for a snack or meal!

If you are really interested in food, we’d recommend considering cutting out some of the other stops in the itinerary today and doing a food tour here, such as this one . A food tour will allow you to understand the history of Borough Market and allow you to sample and taste a wide selection of local products and dishes.

The market is normally open from 10am to 5pm and is closed on most Sundays during the year. Check the hours ahead of time when planning your day.

London Bridge & Tower Bridge

From this area you can admire London’s two most famous bridges, London Bridge and Tower Bridge. Both are active road bridges over the River Thames that can be crossed by vehicles and pedestrians.

Given time, you probably only have time to admire them today, but both do have associated attractions if you want to visit them. You’ll also have a good view of HMS Belfast (fee) moored in the Thames, a WW2 era Royal Navy light cruiser that is now a popular tourist attraction.

London Bridge has existed in some form since Roman times, although the current one was built in the 1970’s. Next to London Bridge is the  The London Bridge Experience  (fee*) which tells the darker history of the London Bridge over time through the use of interactive exhibits and theater and is geared towards families and young adults that don’t mind a bit of a scare.

Tower Bridge is the more iconic bridge, although often mistakenly referred to as London Bridge. It is a Victorian bascule and suspension bridge built between 1886 and 1894, and is very photogenic with its iconic bridge towers.

If you want to learn more about the Tower Bridge (and have extra time) you can visit the  Tower Bridge Exhibition  (fee*) which covers the history of the bridge and allows access to the towers and walkways, including a glass walkway you can walk across that extends 138 feet above the Thames!

The Shard  is a modern pyramidal shaped skyscraper that is home to several restaurants, a hotel, offices, shops, and a viewing gallery. It was completed in 2012 and is currently the tallest building in Western Europe at 1,017 feet (309 meters) with 87 floors.

The viewing gallery, called The View from the Shard (fee*), is the highest public viewing gallery in London located on floors 68, 69, and 72. The building offers spectacular 360 degree views over central London and you can see just about all of the city’s major landmarks. On a clear day they say you can see up to 40 miles away, and it definitely offers the most expansive views over London we’ve every seen! Good views both during the day and the evening.

Now, The View at the Shard is fairly pricey (currently £37/person) for what it offers. So I’d carefully consider your visit here especially if you have already visited the London Eye and/or Sky Garden which both also offer good city views. If you do want to visit book your tickets online in advance for the best prices.

The View from the Shard is also included on the London Pass , so if you have one of these then it is definitely worth visiting.

Another way to enjoy the view is to head to the GONG Bar on Floor 21, and while not as high as the viewing platform, still offers sweeping views of the city for the price of a cocktail. This is a great spot to enjoy a before or after dinner drink. You can book ahead but they also take walk-ins at the bar. The Shard also has several other restaurants and bars, reservations recommended or required for meals.

West End Show

The West End is one of the most world-renown places in the world, along with New York City’s Broadway, for professional theatre. Over 30 theaters can be found in the West End offering a wide variety of musicals and plays. Here is a good list  of the theaters which also denotes the current main production being shown at each.

If you are wanting to go to a West End theater performance, you can book tickets in advance online before your trip (recommended if there is a specific performance you want to see) or try to find a deal once you are in London if you are flexible in what you see. Here are some  tips for buying theatre tickets,  and London Pass holders have access to  theater ticket discounts  on several West End shows.

But if theater and musicals are not your thing, there are a number of nighttime performances in London every day, from rock concerts to opera to films to comedy shows. For operas, symphonies, and classical music, you can find a list of upcoming performances here .

London also has a great nightlife scene with hundreds of bars, pubs, discos, and clubs. No matter what your taste, you are sure to find something of interest!

London Itinerary Day 3 – Kensington & Windsor Castle

So now you’ve seen some of the BIG highlights in London like Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and the National Gallery. For your last day we’d suggest exploring a neighborhood like Kensington in the morning and then head to Windsor Castle in the afternoon.

Alternative London Neighborhood Options. We are going to recommend Kensington as the neighborhood to explore today, as we feel it offers something for every type of traveler and also has a large number of attractions, including several free museums. But if you are wondering about other neighborhood options we can also recommend Greenwich or Camden.

Each of these 3 neighborhoods are interesting and have a number of attractions and are worth a day of exploring. If you’d prefer to explore Greenwich or Camden, you can find a day itinerary for both of these neighborhoods as part of our suggested 6 day itinerary .

Or you can instead use this day to visit sites of interest to you that didn’t make it into our 3 day itinerary, such as the British Museum (free), Kew Gardens (fee*), the London Zoo (fee*) or a tour of the FC Chelsea stadium (fee*). Indulge in a particular passion or just enjoy a leisurely day of shopping or pub hopping.

Or head out of London for a day trip (see “Possible Day Trips from London” section at the beginning of the post for ideas) to visit popular sites in southern England such as Stonehenge or Oxford. It’s you last day, so spend it however you like!

You can get around Kensington today by foot, but you will need to take a train to reach Windsor Castle.

Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace (fee*) is a grand 17th century home that was first used as a royal residence by King William II and Queen Mary II. It continued to be used as a royal residence by a British monarch through the reign of King George II. Since then it been used as the residence and workplace of “minor royalty”, and is still an active working royal palace.

One of the people most associated with the palace is Queen Victoria although she never lived here as queen. Victoria was born at Kensington Palace and it was here that she learned that she was queen. Fittingly, outside of Kensington Palace is a large marble statue of Queen Victoria, designed by her daughter Princess Louise, that depicts her at the age of 18 in her coronation robes.

In more recent times, it has been the home and workplace of Princess Margaret, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Henry. It is still the official London residence of Prince William and Prince Henry and their wives, Princess Eugenie, and several other members of the Royal Family.

Despite it being a working royal palace, visitors are able to visit many of the rooms in the palace year round. There is a lot to see here and you can easily spent a few hours wandering around the warren of rooms. I would recommend taking a look at the different self-guided routes that the palace staff recommend and these are color coded and mapped out. The routes are based on different themes (e.g., Queen Victoria, King’s Apartments, Queen Victoria, royal fashion) so you can be sure to see the parts of most interest.

Note, the palace currently has a very popular Princess Diana fashion exhibition (entry is included with the palace ticket but expect additional lines for this exhibition). This has led to increased visitor numbers.

If you don’t have a London Pass I would recommend purchasing your ticket in advance here and if you do have a London Pass, I’d recommend arriving near opening time. I’d also recommend visiting on a weekday rather than a weekend if you can.

There is a  café here serving meals and refreshments, and also a garden worth exploring if you have time and the weather is good.

Kensington Gardens

After visiting the palace, we recommend spending some time exploring the surrounding Kensington Gardens. The gardens are another one of London’s royal parks and covers 265 acres. It’s a beautiful green space and we recommend a little wander if the weather is nice.

Some of the highlights of the park are the two Serpentine Galleries (free contemporary art galleries), an ornamental water garden, the Albert Memorial, the Elphin Oak (carved hollow oak tree), and the Princess Diana Memorial Playground.  Food and drinks are also available at cafés in the park year round.

Probably the most striking memorial in the park is the Albert Memorial, a giant ornate memorial to Prince Albert who died of typhoid in 1861, leaving his wife Queen Victoria grief stricken. From the memorial, you’ll have a good view of the Royal Albert Hall.

Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall (fee*) is the top performance venue in London and the hall hosts everything from classical concerts to rock bands to sporting events. The world-class concert hall was the idea of Prince Albert and was first opened in 1871. Everyone from the Beatles to Winston Churchill to Nine Inch Nails have made appearances or performed here, and each year it hosts the BBC Proms .

If you are heading off to Windsor Castle this afternoon, you may not have time go inside and can just admire it from the outside. But if you do have time, visitors can join a guided tour of the hall. Guided tours of the Royal Albert Hall help you understand the history of the concert hall and take you to see the auditorium, gallery, and the private suites of the Royal Family.

If you want to do a guided tour, we recommend booking these online in advance, as they are very popular and do sell out.

If you are looking for an evening entertainment option during your time in London, there is almost always something happening at the Royal Albert Hall. You can book a ticket online or stop by the Ticket Office.

Now we recommend deciding between a visit to Windsor Castle or spending the rest of the afternoon exploring more of Kensington.

Afternoon Option #1:  Windsor Castle 

Windsor Castle  (fee*) is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and still an active royal residence. It was originally built in the 11th century as a defensive motte-and-bailey castle by William the Conquerer and has been a royal residence since the reign of King Henry I. Today the castle is a favorite weekend home to Queen Elizabeth II, a place where state visits are often hosted, and a popular tourist attraction.

During most of the year, parts of Windsor Castle are open to the public. This includes the castle’s  magnificent State Rooms which were mostly designed and built in the 19th century. Other highlights include the Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the 15th-century St. George’s Chapel, and the Changing of the Guards ceremony (a much smaller version of the ceremony that takes place in front of Buckingham Palace). 

Most visits are self-guided and there is a good audioguide included with admission. You can also join offered guided tours at the castle, I’d check the website in advance for tour times. Note that the castle can get very busy, especially in the summer months. 

If you want to visit Windsor Castle, the afternoon is currently the recommended time as the castle gets very crowded in the morning. We’d recommend getting on a train to Windsor at least 3 hours before closing time (it varies by season so check the website) to ensure you have enough time to visit. We’d recommend allowing 1 hour to travel to the castle and at least 2 hours for the visit.

To get here you need to take a train out of London (about 1 hour ride each way). You cannot use your Oyster Card to travel to Windsor as it is outside London, so you will need to buy a rail ticket at the station. Paddington Station is a 25 minutes walk (or slightly shorter Tube ride) from either Kensington Palace or Royal Albert Hall.

Afternoon Option #2: Afternoon Tea, V&A Museum, Shopping, & Hyde Park

If you decide to continue to explore Kensington, we recommend considering an afternoon tea break, visiting the V&A Museum (or one of the other free museums in Kensington), doing some shopping, and taking a stroll through Hyde Park. Check our guide for more things to do in Kensington .

Afternoon Tea in Kensington

The tradition of afternoon tea originated in the aristocratic homes of England in the 19th century, and there is no better place to have afternoon tea than in London. You’ll be spoiled for choice in London as there are thousands of places that serve tea from casual cafés where you can get a cuppa and a scone to luxury hotels offering a 3-tiered silver tray fancy afternoon tea experience.

If you are just looking for a casual tea, you’ll be able to find that at many cafés in this area. One suggestion is to break for tea within one of the cafés at the Victoria & Albert Museum , which include both opulent Victorian era rooms as well as casual outdoor courtyard spaces. Once a week, The Victoria & Albert Museum also serves a formal Victorian afternoon tea that recreates the afternoon tea experience of Queen Victoria, and for this one you do need to book in advance.

But if you want a more luxurious experience, you’ll want to make a reservation in advance. Luxury spots to enjoy afternoon tea in the Kensington area include The Berkeley and The Lanesborough . Also a few to consider in nearby Mayfair (west of Hyde Park) are The Ritz , The Dorchester , and Claridge’s .

We have oddly had a lot more afternoon teas in Paris (see our Paris afternoon tea guide ) than London so far. But we can suggest in this area that if you are looking for something a bit different, you might want to check out the fashion-inspired Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea at The Berkeley. This fun and colorful tea is designed for those who love fashion and the tea menu changes each season along with the fashions on the catwalk.

Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria & Albert Museum , often referred to as the V&A, is one of the world’s leading museums of art and design. The museum collection is extensive and items range from Chinese embroidery to John Constable paintings to Baroque furniture to Alexander McQueen gowns. It’s a must visit for anyone interested in art or design.

The museum is also known for hosting a lot of really interesting exhibitions which often attract a large number of visitors. The museum is also known for its current café and restaurant located within the beautiful Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms, which is the oldest museum café in the world.

Entry to see the permanent collection at the V&A is free. Some temporary exhibitions are also free but there is generally a fee to enter the major ones. If you have a London Pass, you get free entry into one of the paid exhibitions.

Alternatives: Kensington is home to several other well-known museums, including the   Science Museum  and the Natural History Museum . Both are free (donations appreciated) and both are good alternatives if you aren’t excited by the V&A. The Science Museum in particular is a great family-friendly option.

Harrod’s

Now if you are in the mood for some shopping or just some window shopping, Kensington has some excellent shopping areas. The most concentrated areas are along King’s Road, Kensington High Street, and Sloane Street. You can find everything from more budget friendly international brands like Zara and H&M to high-end luxury department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Harrod’s is one of the most famous luxury department stores in the world. It was founded by Charles Harrod in 1835 and grew to be the best known British department store in the world, being patronized by celebrities, politicians, royalty, and the British elite. Although in recent years it has been bought by the state of Qatar and has suffered from some bad press, it is still a luxury store worth checking out for those who enjoy shopping. Other department stores in this area are Harvey Nichols and the more traditional Peter Jones.

If you are more into antiques, you’ll want to head to Church Street where you’ll find a number of antique stores like Andrew Nebbett Antiques and Designs, Alfie’s Antique Market, The FM Gallery, and Church Street Antiques.

Hyde Park is yet another of London’s great Royal Parks, covering 350 acres. It used to also encompass Kensington Gardens, but the two are now divided by the Serpentine Lake and Carriage Drive. The park offers lots of tress, ornamental flower gardens, a large lake, walking and cycling paths, sport facilities, and a playground. 

Attractions with the park include The Serpentine Bridge, Holocaust Memorial, the Diana Memorial Fountain, Speaker’s Corner, and several war memorials. Located at the northwestern and southwestern corners of the park are the Wellington Arch and Marble Arch.

Each Sunday at Speakers’ Corner , located on the northeast edge of Hyde Park (near intersection of Marble Arch and Oxford Street), you can hear people give speeches and hold debates about a variety of topics in the name of free speech. The tradition dates back to the mid-1800’s and anyone can participate.

The park is a great place to get active as you can boat, cycle, play tennis, skate, ride horses, or even swim within the park. In the summer boating is popular and you can rent a rowing or pedal boat to enjoy the Serpentine Lake or you can take a ride on the solar-powered Solarshuttle. There are also a few places to grab coffee or have a meal, including lakeside dining.

Enjoy your final evening!

It is your last night in London so plan something you’ll enjoy and remember. This could be a nice dinner out, a pub crawl, attending a late night museum opening, a sunset River Thames cruise, a creepy Jack the Ripper tour , seeing an event at the Royal Albert Hall, a sporting event, a  classical music performance , or just relaxing after 3 busy days of sightseeing!

Save Money on your 3 Days in London with the London Pass

We wanted to give you an example of the cost savings over 3 days in London if you were using a London Pass. The following calculations are based on the above itinerary although it doesn’t include every single attraction we suggested but includes what we believe is a realistic number for someone planning to actively sightsee based on the above itinerary.

Here is the cost savings for 3 days in London for 2 people using the London Pass.

So in the above example, visitors would have a cost savings of £97.30 per person for a total cost savings of £194.60 for 2 people. This is definitely a considerable savings on entry fees for three days of sightseeing!

Even if you change some of the attractions or take away a couple of them, you would still save money with a London Pass if doing a similar amount of sightseeing. In general, you need to visit an average of 2 to 3 higher priced attractions per day to save money with a 3 day London Pass.

We highly recommend that all visitors check out the London Pass, especially if it is your first visit to London. The pass covers free entry to over 90 attractions and museums, plus a number of discounts on tours, restaurants, souvenirs, and theater tickets. Not only will it save many visitors money, it can also save time as it provides fast track entry into certain busy sites.

You can check the latest prices and purchase the London Pass at the official website for the pass here . We also recommend checking prices on and GetYourGuide here as sometimes one will be better value than the other.

However the London Pass is not a good fit for all travelers, and if you are not sure if it is a good fit or not, read our  full review of the London Pass to help you decide if it is worth it. Our review breaks down the features, ways to purchase, how to calculate your cost savings, and more.

There you have our suggested London itinerary on how to spend 3 days in London!

Planning a trip to London? Pin this article to Pinterest to read later:

How many of these attractions would be on your London itinerary? If you’ve visited London, what were you favorite spots in London? If you have any questions about the itinerary or visiting London, just ask them in the comments below and as always we are happy to help!

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Kai Parker Post author

March 28, 2024 at 2:50 am

London has always been a dream destination for me, and this city itinerary just sealed the deal! I can’t wait to immerse myself in the rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture of this iconic city. Thanks for the inspiration, I’m definitely bookmarking this for my next adventure!

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

March 31, 2024 at 6:58 am

Glad you found our London itinerary to be an inspiration for your future trip to UK. Once you start your planning, feel free to ask us any questions about your trip!

Wishing you happy travels! Jessica

Michelle Post author

February 25, 2024 at 1:11 am

Hi There, the map above is AWESOME! Just wondering if there’s a list of the numbered points on the map, rather than having to comb through the information, like a quick reference? Thanks 🙂

February 26, 2024 at 12:46 pm

Hi Michelle,

I am so happy that our London map and 3 day London itinerary have been useful in planning your trip. So I think you are just referring to the image, but if you double click on the image or the link above it (look at the paragraph above it where it says click here) that will take you to the map I created within Google Maps so you can see all the points on the map that are numbered in the picture. Does that help?

But just note that you should definitely consider reading through each day of the itinerary as these are just suggested routes and places to visit and you should modify it per your own time and interests. You may not have time for everything on each day so best to know which places are must-sees for you and which you are OK just seeing from the outside and all that.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip to London!

Best, Jessica

December 27, 2023 at 6:26 am

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your insightful 3-day London itinerary! Your detailed suggestions and personal experiences really add a genuine touch. I followed your recommendations and had a fantastic time exploring the city. I’d like to share an additional budget-friendly tip: consider staying at Serviced Apartments in London. My recent stay there was both comfortable and affordable, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to make the most of their London trip without breaking the bank. Thanks again for your fantastic suggestions!

December 28, 2023 at 1:31 pm

So glad that you enjoyed you stay in London!! Thanks for taking the time to let us know that you found our itinerary and advice helpful in spending 3 days in London. And thanks for sharting your tip about having a good stay in a serviced apartment. I hope you get a chance to return to London again soon!

Alan Post author

August 22, 2023 at 3:22 am

just wanted to say a big thank you for all the work you put into this itinerary, we used it to plan our own 3 days in London, got the pass, had a wonderful time! your advice made our time much easier and less stressful!

August 23, 2023 at 12:47 pm

Thanks for taking the time to comment and glad you found our 3 day London itinerary helpful. Very happy to hear that you had such a wonderful trip to London!

Hapy travels, Jessica & Laurence

Mary Jo Lauscher Post author

July 31, 2023 at 1:15 pm

Hi there, I found your three day itinerary very helpful.

We are going to London at the end of September. My question is about getting advance tickets for any of the sites. If we plan on using the London Pass, how do I order advance tickets, make a reservation, or skip the line ticket, etc? I have not been able to find any information on that. Also with the London Pass can we use the Hop on hop off both days of the 2 day pass? Thanks for all your information, it was very helpful!

August 2, 2023 at 8:04 am

Hi Mary Jo,

Glad you are finding our 3 day London itinerary helpful in planning your upcoming trip. So if you decide to go with the London Pass, you do not need to make advanced reservations for most attractions. But you do need to book for most walking tours, bus tours, and other types of guided activities. You can find all the details for the attractions and tours that need to be reserved and how to do that on this page .

The hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus ticket included with the London Pass is only valid for 1 day (no matter the length of your pass). This is the same with the Thames boat cruise ticket.

For skip the line access, you can skip the ticket line for most attractions with the pass but you can’t skip the security lines. Your London Pass essentially acts as your ticket for most attractions. I don’t think since COVID that there have been many attractions that have a specific line for pass holders, but generally you get in the same line as those who have prebooked tickets.

For popular attractions not included on the London Pass, such as the London Eye , Churchill War Rooms, UK Parliament tours, Madame Tussauds , etc. then it is best to buy tickets in advance for these. I would check on any must-see attraction if reservations are recommended or required. But if you only have 2 days, I suspect that the London Pass will cover your admission fees for most attractions that you plan to visit.

For any attractions or tours that you want to do in London that recommend or require reservations (with or without the London Pass), I would start booking those soon if you have your dates set for next month.

Hope that helps and let me know if you have any questions as you plan your trip!

Katie Post author

July 6, 2023 at 11:32 pm

Hello! Your itinerary is awesome!! I was wondering if you could help me with mine for four days in London in November. Is it doable or too packed? What should I take out or add? Should I buy an Oyster card? What should we actually go in and see? We are most likely staying at the Hoxton Holborn, AMANO hotel, or Wilde Aparthotel. Any dinner recommendations or cocktail/ house music places? 🙂

Day 1: Friday On and off bus tour Buckingham Palace Churchill War room Big Ben Westminster Abbey Dinner dishoom Shoreditch neighborhood for dinner/drinks

Day 2: Saturday St Paul’s Cathedral Borough Market Tower bridge South bank river walk Tower of London Leadenhall Market Soccer game

Day 3 Sunday Walking Notting Hill Kensington Palace Hyde Park Bond Street Regent street/Park Camden Market Abbey Road Hampstead Heath

Bermondsey neighborhood to eat?

Day 4 National Gallery Seven dials market Tennis museum?

July 9, 2023 at 7:05 am

So Day 1, I think all that is doable. Doing HOHO bus, visiting the Churchill War Rooms and Westminster Abbey. Seeing Buckingham Palace and the Parliament/Big Ben from outside. Also lots of other things you can easily see in that area such as St. James Park, Parliament Square, Westminster Bridge, London Eye and National COVID memorial. Dishoom is a great restaurant to try for atypical Indian food, we love it and just be sure to make a reservation as they are often fully booked. Although I’d also recommend trying a typical British curry place at some point too if you want the typical British Indian experience. The closest Dishoom to you (if stay in Holborn area) is the location in Covent Garden as its within walking distance. But if you are wanting to go to Shoreditch that night, then there is a location there as well, just note you’ll be looking at a 30 minute Tube/bus ride each way. Shoreditch might make more sense on the day you plan to visit Tower of London and be in the City of London.

Day 2 – I’d probably start with the Tower of London in the morning as it is normally worse with crowds than St. Pauls Cathedral. So I’d reverse the order and go from the Tower of London then to Tower Bridge and Borough Market before heading over to St. Paul’s. You can have lunch at or near Borough Market. Leadenhall Market is nice but limited options there compared to Borough Market. I think it would be hard to fit in a soccer game today if you want to visit all those places unless there is an evening football game on that day, might be better to try to do on Day 4?

Day 3 – If Kensington Palace is the only place you really want to visit the inside of, I think this is doable. Just note if walking it is about a 1 hour or so walk from Kensington Gardens to Hampstead Heath (so may want to take public transit as well). So if wandering on a more relaxed day today except for the palace, I’d just priortize your day for what you really want to see most and if you don’t make it to everything, you won’t be disappointed. The other thing to note is that Bermondsey is very far from any of the places you are planning to visit this day.

Day 4 – This might be a good day to also include the British Museum, especially if staying nearby. Its free, donation only and you can book time online in advance. Also easy to visit in the same day as the National gallery and Seven Dials Market. For a tennis museum in London, I am guessing you mean Wimbeldon – this is doable but it is well oustide central London and will take you about an hour each way to visit so I would just be sure this is something you really want to see. You could try to do the soccer game this day instead perhaps? Or consider a West End play or musical?

In terms of timing, I would go back through your itinerary and just make sure the timings will work out when you check the opening times/days and how long you expect to spend at each one. So say you expect to spend 2 hours at Tower of London, 1.5 hours at Westminster Abbey, 1 hour Borough Market, etc. plus the amount of time you think it will realistically take you to get from one place to the other. I’d then build in a bit of extra time so you don’t feel rushed. That should help you decide if there is too much on any one day. You want to try to balance seeing all the must-see things on your list without feeling rushed and having a little down time to relax and make unexpected stops.

London has so many restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars – I would just think about where you are going to be/want to be and look for well-rated options nearby. It sounds like you are going to be staying in the Covent Garden area and there are lots of options there that would likely be within walking distance of where you are staying. For a cocktail bar with live house music (and also food), you might check out STEREO. If looking for a historic pub for a typical pub lunch or dinner, you could try Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden or Museum Tavern across from the British Museum. Just note that for meals, especially for dinner you’ll want to be sure to book a table in advance.

In terms of Oyster Card, you can read our Oyster Card review post here . Based on your itinerary, I would say you will be taking public transport quite a few times so you can either get Oyster Cards or use your credit cards if they are PIN & Chip ones. You would also probably save money with the London Pass , and you can order your Visitor Oyster Card with the pass if you want. For a London Pass, I’d probably do a 3-day pass and just be sure to fit anything in that you want to see included on the pass on the first 3 days, and stick to free or not included attractions on Day 4. But that would cover all the big attractions you have listed (Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, St. Paul’s, sightseeing bus, Kensington Palace, etc.) except for Churchill War Rooms which sadly is not currently on the pass.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to London.

Wishing you a wonderful trip! Jessica

katie Post author

July 12, 2023 at 6:34 pm

Thank you so much for the info!! What restaurant would you suggest for a traditional curry? Also out of my day 1 and day 2? Which do you think I should visit vs just see? Anything overrated? Are the markets worth it? Anything more local that I should include?

July 13, 2023 at 4:11 am

You’re very welcome, happy to help.

You can find good Indian curry places all over London, Brick Lane is famous for them but I’d just go some place that is convenient. I’d just check reviews or ask a local person of best curry place nearby. Chicken tikka masala is probably one of the most classic British Indian dishes and one of the most popular dishes eaten in the UK (of all foods!), but there are lots of popular curries. Indian curry is one of the most popular takeaway foods in the UK.

For Days 1 and 2, I would recommend visiting all the places you want to see (see my prior comments on each day). The places you listed are some of the most popular places to visit and all are worth visiting. But of course it depends on your specific interests, time, and budget.

Leadenhall Market is OK – it’s a beautiful setting (I think most tourists come here for the Harry Potter connection as it was used a filming location) and there are several places to eat here. But if you are looking for more of an actual fresh food market, then Borough Market has both fresh food/produce stalls as well as prepared food stalls and restaurants. So I would recommend Borough Market over Leadenhall but they are both different. You can walk through either fairly quickly (although Borough Markets gets really busy around lunch time) so if on your way, they are easy enough to visit but if you want to try food or buy food, I’d recommend Borough Market over Leadenhall.

I would just build your itinerary based on what you are most interested in seeing and doing. Just make sure to allow yourself enough time and build in some flexibility.

Hope that helps! Jessica

TF Post author

June 27, 2023 at 4:41 am

Hello there! Just finished reading your article on the “3 Days in London” itinerary, your detailed itinerary and insightful recommendations have truly sparked my wanderlust.

Thank you for putting together such a comprehensive and well-thought-out itinerary. Your passion for travel and your love for London shine through in your writing, making it an enjoyable and informative read. I can’t wait to plan my own trip to London using your recommendations. Keep up the great work, and I’ll be eagerly following your future travel adventures!

June 28, 2023 at 7:58 am

You’re very welcome, glad you enjoyed reading our London itinerary, and just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to London!

Happy travels, Jessica

Lyn Fields Post author

May 26, 2023 at 6:08 am

LOVE all this info about London. We will be following the three day walking tour. We would like to have high tea/afternoon tea on Day 2. Do you have a recommendation for a location that would be in the vicinity of our Day 2 itinerary?

June 2, 2023 at 4:28 am

So glad that you are finding our London itinerary and info helpful!

So in terms of afternoon tea options in that area, you have a lot of them. Fortnum and Mason at the Royal Exchange would be a good bet in the City of London. Others in that area you might check out are The Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square, The Ned, and the Rosewood Hotel. Another option could be the Helix Restaurant at The Gherkin for a more contemporary setting with a city view. But pretty much any nice hotel in that area serves afternoon tea (although some only on weekends) and you can also find more informal and less pricey afternoon tea options at cafes and such in the area (one is Cafe Rouge near St. Paul’s Cathedral). Just be sure to check dates and times, and make sure location makes sense with your schedule. And be sure to book your time in advance.

Enjoy! Jessica

Henry Cris Post author

February 5, 2023 at 7:05 pm

Amazing tips on London travelling. Hoping to visit here soon. And really liked your article about London. It will help me a lot on visiting here. Thanks for sharing.

February 13, 2023 at 7:24 am

Thanks for taking the time to comment, and so glad to hear our article was helpful to you! Wishing you a great trip to London and just let us know if you have any questions as youplan your visit to London.

Amy Bull Post author

January 7, 2023 at 9:22 pm

Hi J & L, I have read your advice for many cities we visit and it is WONDERFUL! I am actually going this week and we are celebrating a 60th birthday. I wanted to know if you recommended a few restaurants that are note worthy of a memorable birthday dinner for two. Maybe with a view or great environment? I want to make the entire day memorable and his biggest request is to see Stonehenge. Any thoughts would be very helpful! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! Amy

January 11, 2023 at 1:03 am

So happy to hear that you have found our travel blogs helpful in planning your travels to various cities!

So for London, I don’t have any specific recommendations as it would depend a lot on budget, type of food, part of London, etc. There are just so many restaurants you could choose. Some thoughts might be to go to one of the old historic pubs for a pub lunch or dinner one day. For something fancy, the 5-star hotels (Savoy, Dorchester, Grosvenor Hotel, Claridge’s, Browns’, Ritz, etc.) all have very nice restaurants & bars and some of the top rated ones in the city. In terms of views, that is much harder but you could consider a restaurant near the top of The Shard as there are a few restaurants and bars there with great views over central London, and the nicer ones would make a good potential b-day dinner spot. Another option is the Sky Garden which has a restaurant. Or you might consider a restaurant along Thames with nice view of river. Anyway, hope that gives you some options and ideas to research.

For Stonehenge, it really depends if you are planning to drive yourself, take public transit, or join a guided tour from London? We’ve done all three at one point or another. Laurence has written a guide to visiting Stonehenge that might be helpful. Last visit, once we arrived, we took the free Stonehenge shuttle to the end to walk to the site, and then walked back through the field using the little map there to see some of the other prehistoric remains on walk back through fields. There is also a good visitor centre/museum that is worth spending some time to learn more.

If your husband is specifically interested in stone circles and prehistoric stone sights, Avebury might be a good secondary stop which is nearby and much less crowded (you can walk up and touch stones). There are also lots of other prehistoric sites in the region. Other places that people might combine on a day trip to Stonehenge are Oxford, Salisbury, or Bath. But I would just be careful to not pack in too much, especially if traveling on your own as it can make for a long day. But if doing a day tour, then at least you are not doing the driving. The only drawback to a guided tour is to make sure you will have a enough time in the places you visit for what you want to see/do.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have more questions as you plan your specific bday trip! Jessica

Florence Post author

November 1, 2022 at 8:15 pm

Hi Jessica & Laurence, This is Florence and i am making my 1st trip to the UK soon. May i know what’s the best site that i can look at for booking of train tickets in advance for travelling within UK? Apprecaite any advise. Thank yo.

November 2, 2022 at 7:04 am

Hi Florence,

So I am assuming you are meaning for travel outside of London? As within London itself, you don’t need to book in advance for the public transit Underground trains, buses, etc.

There is National Rail website which is the official UK train website which has info on the trains in England, Wales, and Scotland. But since there is not actual national rail service operator (but several independent operators), there are a number of website operators where you can book trains online in the UK so you can also go directly to the train service website (LNER, ScotRail, Avanti, Lumo, NI Railways etc.). The local operator will depend on where you are going in the country.

One convenient website to compare times and prices you can book on a website like Trainline . This is what we normally use for convenience to book online and they also have a mobile app.

You can also of course buy and book tickets in person at the actual train stations but we recommend booking in advance if you can for any longer journeys. You are often not guaranteed seats if you don’t book in advance on many trains. It depends on the company but tickets are often available to purchase 90 days in advance.

Another good website for figuring out how to get from one place to another and general travel info and connections (also works for buses and such) is the Traveline Info website . It is a very helpful website.

Anyway, hope that helps get you started. If you have any specific questions about booking train tickets in the UK, just let us know.

November 3, 2022 at 2:58 am

Great! Thanks Jessica. I will look into it and will inquire again if I have any other questions with my travel plans. Have a great day!

Bart Post author

October 3, 2022 at 12:53 am

Top tip if you’re visiting Borough Market… don’t venture there on a Saturday. It’s crazy busy, rammed full of people from very Early on! Visiting during the week is a far more pleasant & leisurely affair – you won’t feel like you’re being rushed off of your feet.

October 3, 2022 at 7:09 am

Thanks for sharing your tip for visiting Bourough Market in London – it is definitely busier on the weekends. But it is also the most lively so it can still be interesting to visit on the weekends if that is when you plan to visit, but you do have to expect the crowds and be more patient than on weekdays.

Also on Saturdays is usually opens earlier (8am) so going near opening time is a great way to enjoy the market on Saturday.

Shelley Post author

September 20, 2022 at 11:29 am

Hello! I love your 3-day itinerary and plan to use most all of it. Is there link where I can download it? Maybe I missed it but I am trying to work smarter, not harder and am copying and pasting a ton. Thanks in advance!

September 21, 2022 at 4:16 am

Hi Shelley,

Glad you are finding our London itinerary helpful for your trip. Is there a reason you need to copy it? We’d recommend just using it directly from the website for best functionality.

But you can also print or download it as a PDF file for offline personal use as long as you are a newsletter subscriber (it is free and easy to sign up). Once signed up you can then click on the Printer icon on the sidebar or at the end of the article.

Hope that helps and just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to Lonon!

Bright A Post author

September 15, 2022 at 12:04 pm

Great tips to hear from you for 3 days itinerary. You blog is awesome to read also to explore London within the days. Thanks!

September 16, 2022 at 4:01 am

Hello Bright,

Thanks for letting us know our London itinerary is helpful.

Obviously if planning to visit London in the next few days, things are a bit crazy because of the Queen’s passing and upcoming funeral. So be sure to check opening dates/times and closures. Many businesses and attractions will be closed on Monday for the funeral.

Wishing you a great trip to London! Jessica

Suzie Post author

July 15, 2022 at 1:52 pm

Wow so glad I stumbled across your blog . So informative. I will be visiting London this July and am taking a lot of tips from your blog . For shopping , what would you recommend? Any outlets where I can get a good deal on bags ? Thanks so much

July 18, 2022 at 5:51 am

Glad you are finding our London articles on our travel blogs helpful in planing your upcoming trip.

In terms of shopping in London, Oxford Street is probably the best known shopping street. Also Regents Street, Bond Street, Mayfair area, Knightbridge area (Harrods). So lots of shopping opportunities, but not sure about great outlet stores in the city or where to get a good deal. London is generally an expensive city so we find shopping is often less expensive elsewhere. But you can often get good deals if you shop the sales and pay attention to discounts. It just depends on your budget and the types of stores you are prefer.

Bicester Village is a shopping outlet located near Oxford (about 1.5 hours from London) which has a lot of outlet stores all together and is a popular place for shopping for tourists. So that might be a place for your to consider.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have any other questions as you plan your trip to London!

tuhina roy Post author

June 27, 2022 at 11:56 pm

wow…great info….wud be visiting in Oct’22….might add perfect fit for me at one glance/place…have been asking so many people around for last one month abt London n places to visit n here its given in such a nice n informative way….wonderful:-)….thanx much for collating these kind of info for people like us who r visiting from other countries….thanx again

June 28, 2022 at 10:41 am

You are very welcome, and so glad to hear that you are finding our London itinerary helpful! If you have 3 days in London, this should definitely give you some good ideas of where you might want to visit on your trip.

But if you have any questions as you plan your trip about things to do in London or elsewhere in the UK, just ask us and we are happy to try to give advice.

Rebecca Post author

June 12, 2022 at 5:34 am

Jessica & Laurence, We just returned from an awesome visit to London and we used your recommended 3 day itinerary. Thank you SO MUCH for your work in preparing the itinerary. All of the information you provide from the London Pass, Oyster Card, the description of places to visit and how to get there helped our visit to go smoothly. We didn’t waste too much time looking for things or figuring out how to get there and we were able to fit in everything we wanted to do! Having the London Pass helped us avoid lines, plus everything was already paid. The Oyster Card was also a huge benefit because we didn’t have to keep buying tickets. THANK YOU! Rebecca

June 12, 2022 at 6:11 am

Hi Rebecca,

So happy that you had such a great trip to London! And we are happy that our tips and advice were helpful in planning your trip.

Yes, I think that if you have limited time on a trip, you want to plan ahead and do what you can so that you can spend as much time as possible doing things and visiting places rather than having to plan and figure things out on the go.

Thanks for taking the time to comment and let us know about your trip. We always love hearing that our advice was helpful!

shelly v Post author

April 27, 2022 at 8:12 pm

Hello Jessica, Wow! Thank you for all the valuable info in your planning tips and itineraries. We are traveling to London and Paris this June. It is our first visit and traveling with teenage daughters so are focused on the most iconic sites. Based upon your 3-Day Itinerary for London, we have selected our “Must-See” London List ( most likely the minimum time to tour the area for each site since I’ll be traveling with teenagers). – Explore Westminster: Buckingham Palace w changing of guard; Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Bridge, Westminster Abbey – City of London: Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Borough Market, London Bridge & Tower Bridge, – Windsor Castle & Kensington: Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, Shopping at Harrod’s

1) Based upon our Must-see list, will the 3-day London Pass cover the attractions we plan to visit? 2) We are staying close to Earl’s Court Station – do you recommend we also purchase the Travelcard? 3) Since we arrive 6/9 midday into London (after overnight flight), what might you recommend for day 1 itinerary?

April 28, 2022 at 9:27 am

Thanks very much!

So based on your itinerary we have the following feedback if you are trying to visit them all in 3 days:

– For Westminister: Make sure you check Westminster Abbey opening dates and hours. It is closed on Sundays to visitors and for certain occasions/holidays so you’d want to make sure to schedule around any closures if you want to visit here. – For City of London sites: I would probably choose to do either the London Bridge OR Tower Bridge experience. I think otherwise you’ll be rushed for time as the Tower of London, in particular, can take a while to visit. But you can of course see both from the outside without paying but as far as doing the full attractions on them, I’d probably do one or the other. – For Windsor & Kensington – Because you will need to travel out to Windsor, this could be a lot to fit into one day, but depends of course on how long you spend at each place. For the Royal Albert Hall, the tours are only given at certain hours so you may want to make sure that will fit in with your day. – Note that it looks like you are planning to visit a few days after the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (June 5th) so we expect things will be busier than usual during this general period. Although luckily you are arriving after the Jubilee weekend itself when things will be super busy and hard to visit I think. It may make sense to book timed tickets directly for some attractions that have limited capacity such as Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, and Royal Albert Hall so you are guaranteed entry within a certain time period.

1 – Yes, the 3-day London Pass will cover all the paid attractions you plan to visit, which are Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge Exhibition, London Bridge experience, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall. If you were to pay adult (16+) entry to all those it would cost around £178, whereas a 3-day adult London pass is normally £123. However, as noted above, you may not have time to do everything on your list so keep that in mind. The price saving will also depend on the age of your daughters, if they are under 16, then they can use a child pass so I would do those cost-savings separately. If you plan to take the sightseeing bus at any time during your visit, that would also add to the cost savings.

2 – You are definitely going to use public transport during your time in London, so will need a travel card. Bundling the travel card will save you some time and is convenient, although it costs the same as buying a Visitor Oyster Card separately. It’s really just for convenience, there’s no saving or extra cost to buying it with the London Pass. You can see more about getting around London here.

3 – For your first day, it sounds like you will just have probably a half day once checking in at hotel. I am guessing this is not a day you plan to use the London Pass? If not, I’d recommend maybe the British Museum and/or London Eye, both of which are not included on the pass. You’ll likely be pretty tired so I wouldn’t plan too much that first day.

April 9, 2022 at 5:07 pm

Hi Jessica, The information you provide in the 3 days itinerary is amazing, so detailed and informative! We will be getting off a cruise in London on a Friday and will stay until Monday.

We have reservations at Point A Hotel in Paddington. What would you recommend for transportation from the port to our hotel? We’ve already purchased the 4 day London Pass and Visitor Oyster card. Is our hotel near public transportation? It looked like it when we checked, but would like to verify. What would you recommend for getting to the airport on Tuesday morning? We need to arrive at the airport at 6:00 A.M. Transportation begins at 5:00 A.M. Is it feasible to use the public transportation and arrive to the airport on time? Our Oyster Card will be expired so we’ll need to pay for the transportation to the airport.

On Day 2 you recommend the river cruise right after visiting the Tower of London in the morning. If we do that, will we have time to visit the other sites recommended for that day? Might it be better to take the cruise in the evening? I looked at the times and it looks like it runs later on weekends, but stops in the afternoon during the week. Am I reading that right? Is the Thames River Cruise the same as the Uber Boat by Thames River that’s included in the London Pass?

If I download the London Pass app on my phone prior to the trip, will I use data as I access it while in London?

April 10, 2022 at 6:35 am

First, glad you are finding our London itinerary helpful in planning your upcoming trip! Sounds like you have already got a lot of your trip planned.

Yes, the Point A Hotel (a good budget option) is near a lot of public transit options. You have Underground stations (e.g, Edgware and Paddington), bus stops, a train station (Paddington), and the Heathrow Express service (at Paddington) all under a 10 minute walk from your hotel. So you should not have any issues accessing public transit.

For getting to the airport, probably the best option, if flying out of Heathrow (I assume you are flying out of Heathrow? there are 6 airports around London) would be to do the TfL Rail train from Paddington Station to the airport. It takes about 30-40 minutes. I would just double check the timetable for your specific date to make sure it works for when you need to leave.

You should be able to still use your Oyster Card by just adding some credit to it if you have used up your prepaid credit (you can do it at the machines at the stations) as the Oyster Cards do not expire. Or you can buy tickets at the station or in advance online.

Other options would be to take the Heathrow Express (a bit faster but more expensive) or the Underground/Tube (but you would have to change stations).

Yes, we do mention taking the boat after visiting the Tower of London just because it is very convenient to do so there as there is a boat pier just next to where you exit the Tower of London. But you can of course do it later in the day from elsewhere along its route. It can be a good late afternoon or evening activity as it keeps running after many of the other attractions close. But just make sure that you will be near one of the piers where you can use the London Pass (you can only start a journey from 4 of the piers). And yes, there are a few options for taking Thames River Cruises but the one included with the London Pass is now called the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. So you want to make sure to get on that one.

I think you may be reading the timetables wrong on the boat schedule as that doesn’t sound correct as I think the boats run until 10pm/11pm all week. Some of the boats don’t run as much on weekends, especially the routes focused on commuters, but the more tourist-oriented routes generally run regularly all week. I would double check the schedule and specifically look at the times for the 4 stations where you could start your journey with the London Pass. The boats are normally about every 20 to 30 minutes. You can choose how long you want to stay on the boat as there are regular stops and you can do hop-on, hop-off if you wish.

In terms of how much you can do, it will just depend on which places you intend to visit and for how long, and which you just plan to stop and see during your day. The Tower of London for instance will likely take up all or most of your morning. I would not plan for more than 3 big visits per day. So you may need to pick and choose and prioritize certain attractions over others. I would write down which places you want to visit, how long you think you’ll spend at each, and the time it takes to get between them to get a good idea of what is feasible. Everyone goes at their own pace. You also want to work in some flexibility and free time so you aren’t too rushed and also leave a little time for getting lost/waiting in lines, etc.

If you download the London Pass app and install it prior to your trip, you should then not need to use any data to access the app on your phone. You just need data to download it and set it up. The only reason it would need data would be if the app needed an update. We also recommend downloading your QR code to a separate local place on your phone so you will have access even if you can’t open the app for any reason. We also recommend printing the QR code and London Pass # so you also have a paper copy you can use to access sites in case your phone battery dies or something.

Anyway, hope all that helps and makes sense! Happy to answer further questions as you plan your trip to London.

April 15, 2022 at 10:53 am

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide thorough answers to all of my questions! You are an amazing wealth of information! Rebecca

April 15, 2022 at 11:20 am

You’re very welcome and just let us know if you have further questions as you plan your trip to London!

April 29, 2022 at 12:13 pm

Hi Jessica, I’m trying to finalize our plans for our trip to London. We’ll be getting off a NCL cruise. What do you suggest is the best transportation option for getting from the port to our hotel, Point A Hotel in Paddington? We’ve purchased the Oyster Card. Thank you, Rebecca

April 30, 2022 at 4:29 am

It depends on where specifically your cruise ends, where is the cruise terminal? You say the cruise goes to London but does it actually end in London itself?

Most cruises end in either Dover or Southhampton, and if that is the case, you would need to catch a train from either to London. For a journey to London from either of these cities, you would need to pay for your train tickets separately (can’t use Oyster Card) since that journey would be well outside of greater London. Then once in London, if you are not arriving into Paddington station, you would probably want to get the Tube to your hotel and you can use your Oyster Card for that. Or you can of course take a taxi if you have a lot of luggage.

May 1, 2022 at 3:30 pm

Trish Post author

April 8, 2022 at 9:40 am

Thank you for your article on visiting London! I’m doing research for a trip I’m planning in early 2023. My question is, are there any of the locations you mention that could be unsafe for an older lady traveling alone? Or any special tips for me related to this?

April 8, 2022 at 10:37 am

London is considered a pretty safe city in general for travelers. I’ve generally felt safe when in London, even in the “less nice” neighborhoods. So I would not worry too much about it when visiting London.

However, as with any large city, there are pickpockets and thieves, and you should always use normal caution (e.g., not carrying large amounts of cash, securing your valuables so difficult to pickpocket, being aware of your surroundings, trust your gut). Most crimes against tourists are opportunity ones where a theif will steal someone’s wallet, smartphone, or purse. Thefts and muggings tend to take place in London’s busiest tourists areas, including Westminister, Camden, and Kensington.

And of course, more serious things do happen (we were in London during the 2017 London Bridge incident for instance) but these are unusual. Violent crimes against tourists are pretty rare in London (and the UK in general).

The only thing I would say other than regular safety advice would be to be more cautious if walking around the city at night after dark, such as after dinner or after leaving an evening West End play or something. But it is generally pretty easy to stay in well-lit main streets and around other people. If you need to go a longer distance, you can always take a taxi/minicab/Uber or get a bus instead of walking. Also a good idea to have your route and transport planned out in advance before leaving the attraction/restaurant/hotel.

If it’s late at night (after 10pm), particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings, I tend to avoid the Tube. It’s not necessarily unsafe but a lot of drunk people tend to be riding on these evenings and it can be more unpleasant.

In terms of planning your time, our suggested London itinerary is pretty geared to someone trying to do a lot each day. But if you like to go at a slower pace, I’d just recommend planning a bit less each day so you have plenty of time to enjoy each attraction and get from one place to the other.

Hope that helps, and feel free to reach out if you have further questions as you plan your London trip!

tatiana Post author

March 2, 2022 at 12:21 pm

HI. I saw the London Pass includes a walking tour, any reviews on this tour?

March 3, 2022 at 2:49 am

Hi Tatiana,

Yes, the two general London walking tours: 3 hour Palaces and Parliament Tour and then the 5-hour 30+ London Sights Tour are newer additions to the London Pass. We haven’t done either of those tours or taken any tours yet with the company that runs those two tours but the company has a 5-star rating on Google. The tours are pretty similar to ones we have taken in London with other companies and seem like they would both be good intro tours to London.

Just note that the tours don’t include entry into any attractions. If choosing one of them, I would choose the 3-hour tour as 5 hours is pretty long without visiting any attractions. But both of them have very good reviews online.

If you decide to take any of the walking/bus/bike tours with the London Pass, just be sure to make your reservation in advance once you have your Pass. I believe that all the guided tours required advanced bookings.

Marina Teramond Post author

February 11, 2022 at 3:09 am

I can subscribe to everything mentioned about London because it is truly an incredible place with its unique atmosphere and I think that if you have an opportunity, this city should be in your list of places which you plan to visit. It is so cool that you devoted your article to a detailed plan for implementing a trip to London. I really like this idea to cover London for three days because if you plan it in a smart and thoughtful way, you will be able to spend this time eventfully and it will be enough for you to observe wonderful landscapes there. Your plan seems so elaborate and convenient in all respects because it provides you with a great deal of opportunities. I think that it is important to put exploring Westminster first because it is a real calling card of this city and it has its own individuality at the same time, being truly unique. I also want to visit Trafalgar Square because I think that it perfectly conveys the vibe of London.

February 11, 2022 at 9:35 pm

Glad you are finding our 3 day London itinerary helpful in planning your trip. You will want to tailor it to your interests, pace, mobility, time, etc. but this should be a good starting point for what you might want to see on a first time visit with 3 days to visit London. Just let us know if you have any specific questions as you plan your trip!

Kitkat Post author

February 5, 2022 at 1:42 pm

So glad I found this article! I live in UK and my family is visiting soon but was having a hard time planning on what to see in London. This is perfect! Although I would like to ask, roughly how long or how many hours does the daily itinerary last? As I have to factor in touring with a child and a 60 year old. 🙂

February 6, 2022 at 5:28 am

Glad you are finding our 3 day London itinerary helpful in planning things to do with visiting family. For each day, we list a lot of potential places you could see and things to do; however, you would want to pick and choose what is of the most interest. We give some of the main sights as well as alternatives. The itineraries are definitely designed with those packing in a lot for a full day from after breakfast in morning to about dinner time, but you can adjust to suit your own pace and interests.

I would say visiting 3 major sights per day is going to be plenty with children but you could also see additional things along the way (without taking the time to go inside and visit). I’d try to estimate amount of time you’d want to spend at each and plan day accordingly with plenty of time for breaks and plenty of time to get in between each place, depending on how far away. Most of the places we list each day are within a reasonable walking distance from one another, but it will depend on everyone’s physical mobility.

Since you have a child visiting, I’d maybe pick at least one place that would be particularly fun for him or her. Depending on age and interests, this could be a place like the London Dungeon (not for young children), Sea Life, London Eye, Shrek’s Adventure, Tower of London, London Zoo, Science Museum, etc.

Some places you could easily spend a few hours (such as the Tower of London or National Gallery) whereas another place you may only be interested in a brief visit. If you have London Passes , this can save you a lot of money if visiting several places. We used them when we had family visiting over the summer and they were great. Note that a few places in London (including free museums) require reservations due to COVID-19 precautions so be sure to check in advance if reservations or time slots are needed to visit.

Our 6 day London itinerary may also be helpful as it includes a couple more areas of London you may want to explore in addition or instead, depending on how long your family is staying.

Hope that helps, and just let me know if you have further questions. Wishing your family a fun visit to London!

elena gilbert Post author

December 28, 2021 at 9:22 pm

Amazing blog on visiting London, really interesting I loved reading it.

December 29, 2021 at 8:12 am

Glad you enjoyed our London itinerary and hope you found it helpful. Do let us know if you have any questions if you are planning a trip to London!

Vicki Copeland Post author

October 2, 2021 at 5:08 pm

Hi Cats- This is a fantastic travel site! Thank you so much. There are 2 of us headed to London for 3 days and your itinerary is perfect! I think we should definitely get the London Pass. Being that we are going in October, do you think there will be fewer people already booked for the places that are currently selling tickets for specific times? I’m guessing that even if we have a pass, if the time we arrive is booked we will have to wait? We are so looking forward to some pints and Shepard’s pie!

Laurence Post author

October 3, 2021 at 1:55 am

London is a busy city year round but there should be fewer visitors in October. A lot of tourist attractions have not been very busy this year due to Covid and travel restrictions. We last used the London Pass in late August and never had any long waits when we visited (including Tower of London & Westminister Abbey) but it does just depend as some have security checks. So just be sure to book those places that require it and you should be OK. But I would leave a little extra time in your itinerary just in case.

Note that most of London’s free museums currently also require pre-booking a time slot due to COVID to ensure entry so be sure to check in advance.

Wishing you safe & happy travels to London! Laurence

Elena Post author

September 24, 2021 at 4:18 am

Amazing blog about London, really interesting and very informative!

September 26, 2021 at 6:03 am

Glad you enjoyed our suggested 3 day London itinerary! Just let us know if you have any questions if you are planning a trip to London.

vertoe Post author

August 26, 2021 at 4:21 am

Thank you for this amazing itinerary on 3 days to spend in London. London is a beautiful place to visit .

August 29, 2021 at 3:58 am

Thanks Vertoe, glad you enjoyed our London itinerary and had a good visit to the city! We were just back in London ourselves just yesterday and spent 3 days there – so much do there!

Johani Ponce Post author

August 19, 2021 at 6:49 am

I am planning to go to London next year. Very good guide

August 20, 2021 at 4:55 am

Thanks for taking the time to let us know that you enjoyed our London itinerary. Just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to London for next year!

Vertoe Post author

March 25, 2021 at 5:52 am

Wow what an amazing London itinerary and list of things to do! Thanks for sharing this valuebale information.

March 25, 2021 at 8:44 am

Thanks very much, and just let us know if you have any questions if you are planning a trip to London!

GG Post author

January 19, 2021 at 4:00 am

This was so useful in planning my first trip to London! Thank you so much.

January 23, 2021 at 8:31 am

You’re welcome GG, just let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to London!

Raleigh Truitt Post author

September 17, 2020 at 9:12 am

Will you publish a fold-up plasticized (rain-proof) version of your 3-day London guide? I could use one.

September 20, 2020 at 5:34 am

Hi Raleigh,

Glad you like our 3 day London itinerary. We do not have any published guides (waterproof or otherwise) of our itineraries but you are welcome to print (and laminate!) it. Just let me know if you have any questions as you plan your trip to London.

Vernon Post author

April 15, 2020 at 10:22 pm

Great blog, very helpful! If you’re visiting Europe and would like to stop over in London, but only have a 3 days to spare this blog get you covered it contains all the information.

April 16, 2020 at 5:24 am

Glad you found our 3 day London itinerary helpful and wishing you safe and happy travels!

Lia Post author

February 26, 2020 at 2:30 pm

Hello, Me and my mom are going to travel to London next week, we arrive on the 4th at about 3pm and we leave on the 7th at about the same time, so that means we have 2 full days and 2 half days…we have a lot things we want to do but we are kinda short on time and we need to stay with a budget…This time, I’m really lost and it has been really difficult to plan this trip….Do you have any tips or suggestions for our trip? Thank you ^-^

February 27, 2020 at 5:13 am

It really depends on what you want to do, your budget, and where you are staying in London. But I would recommend considering getting a London Pass or London Explorer Pass if many of the places you want to visit are included on those passes. They can help save you money and also help you organize your time – the London Pass also includes a sightseeing bus and boat tour you can do.

I’d make a list of the places you really want to see and can realistically see in the time you have and then group them together by where they are in London. The half-days are going to make it harder to plan around, especially if you are arriving into London via the airport as most places will be closing by the time you get in so I’d focus on the evening only activities that night (London Eye, theatre shoes, late night museum openings) so you don’t feel rushed.

I would also focus on some of the many free and low-cost attractions in London – many of London’s best museums have free entry (donation only) and there are of course the parks, gardens, and you can do your own walking tours of neighborhoods of interest.

If dining out is not a must-do, you can definitely save money in London on food and drink by picking up sandwiches, salads, snacks, etc. on the go rather than dining in. Grocery stores, Marks & Spencer, Greggs, Pret a Manger, fast food, etc. Museum cafeterias can also be great places to stop and eat that are normally good value without taking up too much time (if you are there already). It can also save you time, especially in the day, if you are trying to see a lot in one day.

Hope that helps and wishing you a great trip! Jessica

Karen Gilbert Post author

February 8, 2020 at 8:23 pm

Good Morning My friend and i will be in London (first time) on 14th April departing 18th April from Gatwick to South Australia. I have looked at so many things and have got myself very confused. We woud like to see Buckingham Palace, Changing of the Guard, the Mews, Kensington Palce, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, Parliment Houses, Harrods and Portobella Markets and a cruise on the Thames. Is this realistic??We have a hop on hop off bus ticket for the 15th only. Is it worth getting the London Pass or would it be better to pay as we go in case our wants exceed our endurance. We are both in our 60’s. We dont want to do too much walking (ie a complete walking tour)but we can manage some walking. Should we get an oyster Card? we are staying at Hyde Park Executive Apartments which is close to a train station and bus line i understand. Any help you can give 2 older ladies would be appreciated very much.

February 9, 2020 at 5:38 am

I would look at how much time you have from arrival to when you need to depart London for Gatwick airport. Do you have 4 full days for instance? 3.5 days?

Then I’d break down the places you want to see by day and think about how much time you wan to spend at each. For instance do you plan to tour Westminster Abbey or do you just want to see the outside of it? Most things are not time specific except for things like the Changing of the Guard so you will want to take that into account when planning our your days.

For the busiest places, like Tower of London you’ll want to try to get there first thing in the morning to make the most of your visit.

Given the number of places you want to see, I would suggest that you’d probably save money with a 3 day London Pass. The London Pass allows you to be flexible as it sounds like you don’t want to pre-purchase your tickets for attractions in advance? So then the pass would be ideal if you plan to visit several places on it.

The Oyster Card can also make transport easier for you if you plan to use the public transit and you can also use it to get to and from the airport.

The apartments it looks like you are staying are near some metro and bus stops. The Paddington train station is about a 15 minute walk away. However, if you are flying into Gatwick Airport, you might be better off staying near Victoria Station in London as the bus and train connections to and from Gatwick are better to Victoria train station. But you can of course just transfer and change trains to get there as well.

Veronica Webster Post author

January 28, 2020 at 11:17 am

Hi Jessica, I love your blog!! My husband and I are travelling in March to London-Paris-Amsterdam and your blog has been very useful. Very well organized, the information is fantastic. Here gomy questions. Based on your 3 days itinerary we have planned the London part. My “problem” seems to be fitting Saint Paul’s Cathedral in a more efficient way, on day 2, as we also plan to take the river cruise that day. I’m breaking down the draft so maybe you have some suggestions

Day 1, we arrive 10:50 am in London, we are giving ourselves like 2-2:30 hours to arrive to hour hotel (customs, picking up Oyster card, London pass, etc), our hotel is very close to Saint Pancras station (5 minutes walk, on Argyle square). As it will be the afternoon, we’re trying things not included in the London Pass. If we make it to he museum well, if not we will just take time to walk around and enjoy the evening by Picadelly Circus.

Day 1 Arrival Hotel British Museum Picadelly Circus

Day 2 (we start the London Pass) HopOnOff (we actually use it as transportation to Westminster) Parliament Square Westminster Abbey Big Ben ( I know it’s under renovation, just watch) Churchill War Rooms Trafalgar Square Buckingham palace

Day 3 Tower of London Tower Bridge/London Bridge (we walk to St Paul’s and views of bridges) St Paul’s Cathedral (here we would use the tube to go back to almost where we started to take the cruise) Cruise Tower of London-Westminster Westminster Bridge to London Eye London Eye

Day 4 Kensington Palace Hyde Park Harrods

Thank you very much!! Veronica

January 29, 2020 at 6:34 am

Hi Veronica,

Yes, I would probably leave yourself 3 hours for everything just to be on the safe side for everything as it is hard to predict time it takes for security etc. and you don’t want to feel rushed on your first day.

Day 1 – The British Museum is a great place to visit and entry is by donation only and there is so much to see that you could spend most of the day here if you wanted. From there you could also wander around the Covent Garden area and go to Picadilly Circus. If you don’t get to Picadilly Circus your first night, it is very close to Trafalgar Square on your second day so easy to fit in there between Trafalgar and Buckingham Palace. Day 2 – Looks good, yes, I think they’ve uncovered Big Ben finally (it was under wraps for a while) but it is still under construction. But you will see it from as soon as you step off the bus into Parliament Square. You’ll also see it from Westminster Bridge which you cross to get to London Eye on Day 3 which is our favorite view of the Houses of Parliament. I am guessing you are going by Buckingham Palace just for the view, correct? The palace is not open to the public in March but you can visit the next door Queen’s Gallery (royal art gallery) and the Royal Mews (royal carriages). Both are included with your London Pass if you have extra time that day. Day 3 – I think St. Paul’s is fine as you have it and it is only about a 30 minute walk between the two sites if you go along the river and it is a nice walk along the Thames (provided weather isn’t too bad!). Just note that the London Eye is not included as part of the London Pass so you’ll want to buy tickets for that separately. Day 4 – Looks good. If you are staying near St. Pancreas train station, you are a fairly short walk away from the Eurostar station if you are taking the train from London to Paris.

If you are still planning your Paris part, this suggested 3 day itinerary may be helpful.

Hope that helps and wishing you a great trip to London, Paris, & Amsterdam!

Leslie Post author

December 1, 2019 at 5:25 am

Thank you so much for your 3 day itinerary! I visited London for the first time in October and only had 3 days; I followed your itinerary almost exactly (with just a few slight variations). London seemed a little overwhelming as I was planning my trip and your itinerary made it so easy to figure out how to organize and spend my time. I was able to see all of the highlights I wanted to without feeling rushed. It turned out to be one of the best trips I’ve ever taken!

December 1, 2019 at 6:28 am

Hi Leslie, So happy to hear that you had a great trip to London and that our 3 day London itinerary was helpful in planning your trip. Thanks for letting us know! Feel free to share any highlights from your own trip or tips for future readers visiting London as I know a lot of other visitors only have a few days to explore. Best, Jessica

December 2, 2019 at 2:30 pm

I think the highlight of my trip was the morning spent in Kensington; walking through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, touring Kensington Palace, then walking by Royal Albert Hall and on to the History Museum. One thing I did that was not on your itinerary was take the Thames Clipper (you can use your Oyster card) from the Tower of London to Greenwich. I enjoyed walking around Greenwich, visiting the market and a pub there, and of course see the Royal Observatory and standing on the Prime Meridian!

December 3, 2019 at 9:38 am

So glad you enjoyed Kensington so much. Yes, it is nice a nice area of London to wander around and there is a lot to do and see while still being fairly relaxing with lots of green spaces and free museums.

We enjoy Greenwich too, especially the historical sites and market! We have it as part of our 6 day London itinerary but not on our 3 day one. But yes for those wanting to take a Thames river cruise, to any destination, the Tower of London is a great place to do it as the boat stops just a short walk from the Tower.

So glad you had a great trip and thanks so much for sharing some of your favorite places and tips!!

Trevor Hall Post author

September 25, 2019 at 7:10 am

I’m glad London has great transportation that I can take all around the city. My wife and I are taking our kids to the UK soon to make some fun memories. I’ll try to incorporate public transportation into our plans.

September 26, 2019 at 12:55 pm

Yes, it is very easy to get around London using public transportation and you can check out this guide to London public transit for some more information and tips. You can explore just about all of London using a combination of public transportation and walking. Best, Jessica

Sanjay Kadam Post author

September 7, 2019 at 8:17 pm

Dear Team, Excellent information provided for visiting London. I am sure with such descriptive and in-depth study of spending 3 days in London anyone as per his/her budget can explore London . it will be much more easier and convenient to a first time traveler. Thanks and keep up the good work.

September 8, 2019 at 2:24 am

Hi Sanjay, Thanks for taking the time to comment, and glad it was useful to you. Wishing you a wonderful trip to London! Jessica

Taryn Hristova Post author

August 27, 2019 at 5:55 am

Thanks for this awesome article! My daughter and I just spent three days in London earlier this month and your itinerary was a lifesaver! We used it as ours. We did a ton of walking and feel like we packed so much in. Thank you so much for all of your research and advice 🙂

August 27, 2019 at 6:10 am

So glad you had a great visit to London and thanks for letting us know that our itinerary was helpful in planning your visit!

John William Post author

August 26, 2019 at 9:49 am

nice article, thanks for sharing.

August 26, 2019 at 11:33 am

Hi John, Thanks for letting us know you enjoyed it! Wishing you a great trip to London, Jessica

Tiffany Bui Post author

August 12, 2019 at 10:46 am

My friend and I are going to London Sept 14-18. We’ll arrive at Heathrow airport noon the 14th and travel to Paris morning the 18th from St Pancras station. We already got 3 days London Pass (mobile). Which London transportation pass do you recommend for our stay?

August 12, 2019 at 11:34 am

Hi Tiffany,

For your time in London, I’d recommend the Oyster Card if you are looking for a transport card. You can read our Oyster Card guide for more info – you can purchase it in advance (the Visitor Oyster Card which can be purchased here ) or get one once in London.

For tips on using the public transit in London, you can read this London public transport guide .

For your trip to Paris, you’ll want to book your EuroStar tickets in advance for the train if you haven’t done so already.

Hope that helps, and wishing you a great trip to London & Paris!

Tiffy B Post author

August 12, 2019 at 1:04 pm

Thank you so much for the prompt response and all the helpful tips. I really appreciate your work. May you and Laurence be blessed in everything that you do!

Have a wonderful week!

August 9, 2019 at 3:58 pm

Great itinerary, thank you so much for your recommendation. I’m going to buy 3 days pass and how should I best fit Hop on hop off bus and the river cruise to this itinerary?

August 10, 2019 at 2:47 am

Glad you are planning to use our London itinerary. You can modify the itinerary as you wish but we would suggust maybe doing the sightseeing bus on the first day you arrive to get an overview of the city (rather than so much to get from place to place) by taking one of the routes. This can be a nice way to get an overview of a part of the city. But you can take a look at the routes and see what will make the most sense for you as it could work on other days as well.

We recommend doing the Thames River cruise on Day 2, perhaps after a morning visit to the Tower of London. There is a stop located near the Tower. You can also check out Day 2 suggestions as part of our 6 day itinerary as we have the Thames cruise included as part of it.

Simone Post author

August 6, 2019 at 5:38 am

Hey Laurence and Jessica, Thanks for the content, it has helped me a lot to craft the best route for my short-visiting.

August 7, 2019 at 5:44 am

Hi Simone, You’re very welcome and wishing you a great trip to London. Best, Jessica & Laurence

Claudel P Post author

June 11, 2019 at 8:57 am

Great post! We will be heading to London for 5 full days during Thanksgiving this year.. so I am loving reading on your 3 and 6 day posts! Will there be christmas decorations or christmas markets during this time (november 27-december 2). if so, do you know where and what we should hit? We love Christmas! Have you seen either plays: Harry potter & cursed child, wicked, or matilda? which would you recommend?

Thank you so so much! I’m sure I’ll have more questions once I continue reading 🙂

June 11, 2019 at 10:14 am

Hi Claudel,

Glad you are finding our London posts helpful in planning your trip.

Some Christmas decorations should be up by the beginning of December, especially in the stores. Some of the larger Christmas markets also start around this time. One of the biggest is the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and it is expected to begin in late November so you should be able to catch that which has Christmas market, decorations, ice skating, rides, circus shows, etc, but it is a bit early for exact dates for most of these so I’d check a bit closer to your trip. You can see the official website for the Winter Wonderland here .

I have personally seen Wicked and enjoyed it but not the other two, but all have really good reviews. I doubt you’d be disappointed with any of them and I would go for the one that is of most interest to you. Or if you are on a bit of a budget, you can see if you can get discount tickets for any of the shows once in London. If you are getting a London Pass, then Wicked is currently one of the shows that pass users are eligible for discounted tickets, you can see more about this here .

Note that the Harry Potter & Cursed Child is a long two-part show (either both shows on same day or 2 over 2 days) and tickets often sell out well in advance, and you are very unlikely to get a discount for that show. So if that one is your fave, I’d book it in advance to guarantee a seat.

If you enjoy Harry Potter, Laurence has a Harry Potter filming location in London guide that you might enjoy, as well as a guide to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour .

Olga castillo Post author

May 29, 2019 at 12:49 pm

Great tips and great 3 day pass information.

On the London pass does that include theater tickets? Any recommendations for a nice pub for lunch and for a good place for fish n chips. Also if you can help me out or give me some suggestions. I purchased London eye tickets for the wrong date, now it seems that I can’t change therefore will lose my money what can I do please help. Also can we wear shorts and go into the churches and the museums? Please advice if all possible. O. Castillo Miami Fl

May 29, 2019 at 2:23 pm

Glad you finding our London itinerary helpful in planning your upcoming trip. Sure happy to try to answer your question.

– The London Pass does not include free theater tickets, but it gives you up to 50% off on certain shows so you can purchase theater tickets at a discounted rates through their concierge service with your Pass. For example, there is usually 4-5 shows discounted (e.g., Aladdin, Thriller Live) and the discounts are usually between 20 to 50% off the normal ticket price. You can see more about this here . -BTW, I assumed above you were referring to West End performance theater, not movie theaters / cinemas as the London Pass does allow free entry to see films in a few area Curzon movie theaters right now. You can see those listed under the included attractions.

-There are LOTS of good pubs in London and many also serve fish and chips so you can get both at the same place in many cases. I’m not an expert on good fish n chips, but I would just do a search online depending on where you are and you’ll find lots of recommendations. The Clarence in Whitehill (Westminster) is a long-standing central pub where many Prime Minsters have had a pint including Winston Churchill. One popular spot for fish n chips is Ben’s Traditional Fish & Chips. But as I said, there are lots and lots of pubs, you’ll run into them everywhere as you walk around.

-For London Eye tickets, I can’t really help with that. You will need to call or email the London Eye or ticket seller where you purchased the tickets to see if they can change the date for you. Where did you purchase them?

-Appropriate shorts (e.g., not too short) should be OK in London. Most of the churches in London are active places of worship and so you should dress respectfully and act as you would in churches in your own country. You are asked to dress respectfully and modestly (e.g., avoid wearing things like skimpy tank tops, midriff baring tops, really short shorts/skirts) and for men to remove hat upon entry, etc.

-Note that if you are from Miami you might find London a bit chilly depending on the weather when you visit, as it can be cool and rainy even in the summer at times (or it can be pretty hot). So be sure to check the weather before your trip and make sure you bring some clothes for layering.

Stanley Post author

May 18, 2019 at 8:58 pm

Hi Jessica,

We, a party of 4 adults and 6 teenagers, will be in London this December. First arrival on the 18th, then off to Europe the next day, and back to London for a few days from the 31st to the 2nd

My questions are:

1. Would moving around London (mainly using tube, HIHO, and walking) during New Year’s eve and New Year’s day itself be congested, meaning we may have to scale down on the number of places that we plan to visit?

2. Will the attractions be open on New Year’s day?

3. For the above reasons, and to avoid the crowd, we are actually considering the option of taking a day trip to Bicester Village on New Year’s eve for some shopping. But, can you advise if we would have problems returning to London due to overcrowding on the trains and tube?

May 19, 2019 at 3:42 am

Hi Stanley,

Sounds like a fun family trip to Europe.

1. Yes, things will likely be congested on New Year’s Eve, especially towards evening as many people will be heading off to eat, celebrate, and party. So expect it to be busy and the Tube may not be the best place to be later in the evening (e.g., plenty of loud drunk people). But New Year’s Day shouldn’t be too bad as most people in the UK are off work and sleeping in as it’s a public holiday.

2. Some attractions will be closed on New Year’s Eve and/or New Year’s Day so I would be sure to double check the ones you plan to visit to be sure they are open. Some may just have reduced hours. But you should still find plenty to do in London on these days as many attractions stay open.

3. Bicester Village is definitely an option and I think it only closes on Christmas. You can get there by train or you can book one of the dedicated shuttle buses that goes back and forth from central London to Bicester Village if worried about the trains/Tube. It is a very popular destination with the Chinese and other international tourists so it will likely still be busy but not more busy than usual. Other non-shopping options is to book a day tour to some place like Stonehenge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Kent, Cambridge, the Cotswolds, etc. Since you have such a large group, a private tour is likely to be less expensive than joining a group tour and most private tours will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel so you don’t need to worry about transportation.

May 19, 2019 at 9:15 pm

Many thanks for the speedy response and useful tips, much appreciated.

Warmest Regards,

Vicki Baker Post author

May 17, 2019 at 6:51 am

So informative. Thanks so much. I have planned our UK trip from your suggestions. What SIM card for my cell phone do you recommend for the UK. We are coming from Canada.

May 17, 2019 at 7:33 am

Hi Vicki, Glad you are finding our London itinerary and other UK content helpful. For a SIM card, perhaps the easiest is going to be the Three SIM card , which you can pick up at the airports in booths or once in London. Then you can just add data to it as required, and they come with unlimited texts and minutes. Three is our provider here in the UK.

Another to consider is the SIMS and SiM stickers by KnowRoaming which is a Canadian company and you could get one before your trip. We’ve used them as well before.

But you can read more about these and other options for getting online and staying in touch internationally in this article .

May 17, 2019 at 7:56 am

Thank you Jessica for the quick response. Will look up the article you suggested. Great help. Keep up the good work!

May 17, 2019 at 9:03 am

Hi Vicki, Glad it was helpful and just leave Laurence (my husband who wrote the article about SIM cards, hotspots, etc.) a comment if you have further questions as he is more of an expert on UK SIMs 🙂 Wishing you a wonderful time in the UK. Jessica

Tim Riley Post author

April 5, 2019 at 10:10 am

Wonderful web site. We are going to be in London 2 days prior to a Princess Cruise around the British isles. There are 8 of us, ranging in age form 62-82. We arrive Heathrow, June 4 @ 6:45am and will be staying 2 nights 6/4 & 6/5) at the Grange Tower Bridge Hotel. Boarding the ship on Thursday, June 6. Would like your suggestion of how best to make the most of 2 these days.

Thanks for your time.

April 5, 2019 at 1:04 pm

Your hotel is well suited for exploring the central highlights of London. I would recommend doing Day 1 and Day 2 of this itinerary. And then I’d recommend taking a few things out and slowing it down since you’ll be traveling in a bigger group. Getting a 2 day London Pass can help as it will allow you to bypass ticket lines at many attractions.

I’d also recommend asking everyone for 1 or 2 must-see things to do or see in London and see if you can incorporate at least one thing everyone really wants to do. Hopefully most will fall within the main highlights (Tower of London, Buckingham Place, etc.) of the itinerary, but may also include changing the itinerary a bit to visit the British Museum, going to a particular shop, or making sure to stop for a fish and chips pub lunch or going to a West End performance.

It may also make sense for a group of this size to split into 2 if there are differences in interests (e.g., one wants to spend the day in museums and one wants to go shopping).

If you have any specific questions about how to modify the itinerary, let me know!

Ken Post author

March 25, 2019 at 10:09 pm

Hi Jessica, we are planning 4 and half days in London and then 3 days and nights starting in Bath and Cotswold. Any suggestions on a mid range hotel/ bed and breakfasts . We are taking a train to Bath and I’m asking for help on the transportation to the Cotswolds area, places to stay for 3 nights,tours and rentals car to get around. Thanks in advance, Ken

March 26, 2019 at 11:29 am

I’d book your train ticket in advance to Bath to save money and also ensure a seat reservation. You can see schedule here .

For exploring the Cotswolds, you can either explore on your own by car or you can take a half day or full day tour from Bath. So if you stay within walking distance of central historic Bath (e.g. Roman baths) you could probably do it without a car if you wanted and rely on public buses and day tours. Or you can rent a car in Bath but you don’t really need a car to explore Bath itself as the highlights are located within walking distance of each other.

If you rent a car, there are a few agencies in Bath including Europcar and Enterprise, we normally use Enterprise, you can check prices here . Just note you need to take a short bus or taxi ride from central Bath to many of the car rental agencies, including Enterprise, as most are a little outside the city center.

For activities and day trips from Bath, I’d check out this list . Some good day trips might be Stonehenge, Cotswolds, Oxford, Bristol, Cheddar Gorge, but I’d recommend spending one day just exploring Bath itself.

We haven’t personally stayed in Bath overnight so I don’t have any personal recs, but there are a number of mid-range hotel and B&B options, I’d just pick something near the city center. Some to check out might be Annabelle’s Guest House , Henrietta House , or The Rising Sun Inn .

Menaka Post author

March 18, 2019 at 5:06 pm

hi Jessica This is super awesome…all your blogs have helped me tremendously in planning my itinerary. Would greatly appreciate your inputs on a few of my questions below: 1- as part of the London pass, I believe we get one day of HOHO bus and River Thames cruise option. Assuming the 24 hour clock for HOHO starts the moment we take the bus but do we also have to take the River Thames cruise within that 24 hours or can we do it any time within the 3 days of London Pass validity? 2- how did use the HOHO option with the 3 day pass itinerary? 3- we want to do the stonehenge, bath and windsor day trip as a part of a tour so I’m assuming the admission fee to Windsor would be a waste for us? 4- we are a party of 6, 2 kids (5 and 9) and 4 adults (2 over 60)- how family friendly would you consider the 3 day itinerary, also considering, we will be jet lagging first couple of days. We are staying a total of 6 days in London and 3 in Edinburgh- London 4 days, Edinburgh 3 days and London 2 days.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

thanks Menaka

March 18, 2019 at 6:05 pm

1. The HOHO bus ticket is good for 1 full day, so not for 24 hours. Just for one full operating day of the sightseeing bus to whenever the bus service begins to when it ends. The HOHO River Thames cruise is good for 24 hours, and I would probably do this a different day than you are using the bus ticket. 2. You can use the HOHO bus anytime/day you want, but I’d probably do it the first day so you can listen to the commentary and learn more about the city and sightsee from the bus before you start visiting a lot of places. If you are feeling tired the first day from jet lag, this can also be a nice break from walking. Since our itinerary is designed for walking, you don’t really need the bus or public transit too much to get around so you can also use it more to just sightsee than to get from place to place, but it is up to you. 3. For the day trip, yes, the price of the entry fee for Windsor is probably included in your tour cost. I’d try to do the day tour on a day when you don’t have the London Pass if you have days when the pass is not going to be valid. 4. With 2 younger kids and a group of 6 people, it is going to take you longer and you’ll need more breaks. So I’d cut out a little bit from each day or just take it at a relaxed pace and do what you can each day, without trying to rush too much. Maybe just set priorities to make sure that everyone in the group gets to visit their top attraction. I’d get some info from everyone what their must-see thing to do in London is so you know it ahead of time and can make sure you can fit it in.

Elaine Post author

February 24, 2019 at 8:54 am

Hi Jessica and Laurence, My friend and I are traveling to London and Paris from 4/19 (land at 9am) – 4/26 (leave at 6:40 pm) . My son is studying abroad in Bologna and will be meeting us in London for the weekend. We are in London from 4/19-4/23 but are going on a day trip to Highclere Castle on 4/22. What days’ itinerary would you suggest for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Sunday is Easter so hope that doesn’t impact our stay too much. We were planning on attending Mass(Covent Garden) around 9ish that morning then continuing on from there. We are staying at the Doubletree Hilton – Victoria. Thank you, Elaine

February 24, 2019 at 10:15 am

I think our suggested 3 Day itinerary will work for you since you essentially have 3 full days with one day going to Highclere Castle. I’d just check on the opening dates for each attractions you want to visit. Some may be closed (or have reduced hours) for Easter Sunday. Many attractions are closed certain days (Westminster Abbey closes on Sunday) so I would just plan as you would any other trip. If you plan to follow our itinerary (at least loosely), I’d recommend considering the London Pass.

Covent Garden is a good area as you are within walking distance (or short ride) from several good attractions including St. Paul’s Cathedral, London Transport Museum, The National Gallery, and the West End theatres.

At Highclere Castle be sure to take time to stroll the gardens and visit the museum – the focus of the visit here has become on Downton Abbey but I think the true life story of the family is more interesting.

I would expect that London will be busier than usual that weekend as many people, locals and tourists, will be enjoying a long weekend in the city. But it should not be as busy as summertime.

For Paris, it looks like you may have at least 2 full days there. Here is a suggested 2 day Paris itinerary that may be helpful.

Hope that helps, and let us know if you have any specific questions as you continue planning your trip to London!

Cindy Post author

January 13, 2019 at 1:05 pm

I am researching my first trip to London. I think that our flight will come in around 11:00 am. Is this too late to start with the day 1 itinerary? Is there something else that you would recommend for this day?

January 13, 2019 at 3:22 pm

Hi Cindy, If your flights lands around 11am and then you go through security, baggage claim, travel into London, and check into your hotel to leave your luggage, you’ll probably have about half the day left. So you could probably fit in part of the day’s itinerary, but you won’t be able to do it all.

I would suggest just picking one big attraction that you want to visit and head there after you get into London and drop off your luggage, perhaps in Westminster. Then after your visit you can see how much time you have left. I’d do some walking around and visit one or two of the attractions that are open later hours, such as the London Eye and the the Shard or you can do a tour such as the Jack the Ripper tour or get tickets for a West End show. Some of the museums also are open late one night of the week (Fridays is a popular day) so you can check that as well.

Hope that helps, Jessica

Cindy Dunlap Post author

May 6, 2019 at 3:01 pm

Hi Jessica, I think this was my post to you from January. Now that I have solidified my itinerary a little more, it raises more questions. You were so good with your last reply I am reaching out to you again. We land at Heathrow at 10:10am on May 12th, with transportation to our hotel in Bloomsberry already covered. Should we purchase our Oyster Pass at the airport? We will be in London May 12th, 13th, 14th, then Paris on the 15th for a one day visit. (Already have tickets for EuroStar) Back in London 16th with a 1:15 Harry Potter Tour and 17th with an afternoon tour of Stonehenge. We fly back home at noon on Saturday the 18th. We are planning to get a two day London Pass since my understanding is they have to be used on consecutive days. Should we pick up the pass at their Center? We love your 3 day itinerary but how can we tweak it to fit our schedule, any suggestions? Also, we want to do the London Eye, any idea as to when would be best time to squeeze it into our time in London? So much to see so little time???? Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance, Cindy

May 7, 2019 at 1:11 pm

Hi Cindy, Yes, I think getting the Oyster Card at the airport make sense and then you can start using it right away. Otherwise you can purchase the Oyster Card at just about any Underground station (the standard one, not the Visitor one).

Yes, the London Pass has to be used during consecutive days so it does sound like you would want the 2 day London Pass. I would then to try to visit all the main attractions you want to visit covered by the London Pass on those 2 days. You can often save money by purchasing the London Pass online and then you could pick it up in central London. Otherwise, you can purchase it at the Heathrow airport Information Center, but the lines here can sometimes be a bit long.

If you like the itinerary and you only have 2 days, I would just do Day 1 and Day 2 of the itinerary as that covers most of the central highlights of London. The London Eye is already included as a suggestion for something to do in the evening of Day 1. Since the London Eye is not included on the London Pass, it is good to do in evening when other attractions are closed. It is also nice for sunset views and is open late.

Grace lee Post author

October 17, 2018 at 5:46 pm

Wow! I can’t believe how helpful this site is! You’re amazing. We will be in london in June for about 5 full days and will follow your 3 day itinerary. We want to explore Cotswolds area. Is there a way to do it without a tour guide? Sounds like it’s not an easy area to visit on your own? We will rely on public transportation. Any suggestions please? Thank you! Sincerely, Grace from Chicago

October 18, 2018 at 12:19 pm

Public transport is generally very good in the UK, particularly England, but it is not the best in the Cotswolds area. You can take a train to get there but a train will not get you around efficiently. There are several bus companies that operate within the area but you can spend a lot of time waiting and changing buses to see the main towns with tourist appeal unless you only want to stop in one or two of them. It is doable though to see the area by bus, and best if you have 2 days from London to explore just so you have adequate time to really explore. If you decide to do public transit, I’d recommend taking a train to Oxford and then taking buses from there.

But probably the two best ways to explore the area, especially as a day trip or overnight trip from London, are by renting a car or taking a guided bus tour (or private tour). If you are only doing a day trip, it is probably not worth renting a car unless you have a bit more time. Taking an escorted tour of the Cotswolds is very time efficient as you don’t have to worry about driving or parking, can visit several villages in one day, and they will take you to some of the most scenic and popular spots.

Check out our article on visiting Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds , as it goes over the various options in how to get to Oxford and the Cotswolds from London (car, train, bus, guided tour, self drive). It can also help you decide what villages and attractions you may want to visit on a day trip.

Hopefully that helps, and just let us know if you have any further questions as you plan your trip to London!

Julie Post author

October 17, 2018 at 12:00 am

Hello I will be arriving at Gatwick airport next month. It is my first trip to London and I am very excited! Can I know where can I buy the London oyster card and London pass in Gatwick airport? Will the shop be opened? Also how much to rent a wifi router there? My arrival time is 5am. I will need the card to go to St Pancras station. Thanks in advance!

October 17, 2018 at 1:23 pm

Sounds like an exciting trip to London!

You can buy the London Pass at Gatwick Airport at the travel concierge and reservations desks. I don’t know for certain their hours, but it says here that there are 2 and both open at 4:00am. I would call in advance just to double check their times and what they have available if you need to purchase something there and you can find all the phone details here: https://www.gatwickairport.com/at-the-airport/shopping-eating/shops/airport-concierge/

But I would actually recommend buying the London Pass online in advance if you can. It is currently on sale so it will save you a little money – you can then have it delivered to your home (for a shipping fee) or pick it up once in London (for free).

If you are planning to get a Visitor Oyster Card , you need to purchase it in advance. You can purchase it alone or in combination with the London Pass.

The regular Oyster Card can be purchased at the concierge desks in Gatwick North Terminal or Gatwick South Terminal or at the Gatwick Airport train station (or most Underground stations once in London).

I am not sure about mobile WiFi hotspots, but you can certainly rent them if you need to. If you can’t rent one in the airport (or they seem too pricey), you can certainly rent them once you get into London. Here is a guide to getting online while traveling that might be helpful. But you might also look into options before your trip. Prices generally range from about $7 to $12 per day depending on the company.

Hope this helps and do let us know if you have more questions as you plan your trip to London!

October 19, 2018 at 10:35 pm

Hi Jessica, thank you for your quick reply. 🙂 Could you let me know if our itinerary (first week of Nov) is feasible? We do not want to wear ourselves out, yet do not wish to miss out on any interesting sights.

DAY 1 (5pm onwards) – Watch a musical. Which do you recommend? And any tips on getting a cheaper tic? I have watched The Wicked, Lion King, Phantom of the Opera and the Les Miserables at my hometown. Would love to watch one that I have not seen before in London itself!!

DAY 2 – 1) Free & easy day trip to Stonehenge. Love to see the magnificent wonders of nature! Is it the most convenient way to go by the tube? Can I just use the Oyster card?

2) Leicester Square to see the Christmas lights (heard it will be up already?)

DAY 3 – 1) Sky Garden, 2) Imperial War Museum, 3) Westminister Abbey, 4) Churchill War Rooms, 5) Thames River Boat Cruise @Westminister Pier, 6) London Eye.

DAY 4 – 1) St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2) Tower of London, 3) Tower Bridge, 4) Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, 5) Borough Market, 6) View From The Shard.

DAY 5 – 1) Kensington Palace, 2) Windsor Castle.

DAY 6 (Need to leave for Gatwick around 6 – 7pm) – 1) British Museum, 2) London Zoo.

I am thinking to get a 3 days London Pass to use from Days 2 ~ 4. Is the free transport to Windsor Castle still valid on Day 5, after the 3 days?

We are also keen in the following: Is it possible to squeeze into the above?

1. Mudchute City Farm (If we go for this, should we skip London Zoo?) 2. Chinatown 3. Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising 4. Brick Lane visit 5. Big Ben (Is it under renovation?) 6. B Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

We are also on a tight budget as have spent most on the airfare and accommodation. It would be great if you can recommend any affordable and nice places to eat, shop (for souvenirs, snacks, etc) or apps that can use to get discounts? Is UK Groupon good for tourists? Our budget is around 20 pounds/pax for lunch and dinner.

Thank you in advance!

October 21, 2018 at 9:33 am

There are a lot of musicals (and plays) always playing in London – you’ve seen some good ones, some other popular ones include Kinky Boots, Book of Mormon, Aladdin, Matilda, Mamma Mia, Thriller, Hamilton, and School of Rock.

If you are flexible about the performance you see, a good way to save money is to check in at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square which offers half-price and discounted theatre tickets or you can go directly to a theatre’s box office on the day for cheap standby tickets and returns. But you can also save money often by booking online (just be sure to book with a reputable ticket seller). You can also get discounted theater tickets with the London Pass (performances change but currently includes Thriller, Kinky Boots, and Aladdin) as well and you can see more about that here .

If you want to go to Stonehenge, you will need to book train tickets (and then take a shuttle) or book a bus trip. Stonehenge is far from London so you cannot use your Oyster Card or take the Tube. You can read all about that in our Stonehenge day trip post. I’d recommend booking a day tour for the most convenient option.

Day 3 – This will be a busy day and a bit spread out. I’d start early and perhaps consider starting at either Westminster Abbey or Churchill War Rooms as those are the busiest 2 attractions. Or start really early at Sky Garden (breakfast or coffee) so you can get to one of the others by opening time.

Day 4 – Tower of London gets very busy, so you may want to go there first. St. Paul’s is also busy but absorbs crowds a bit better. Just a thought.

The London Pass will definitely save you money on your time in London if you do all the above. I’d consider the 6 Day London Pass (especially since it is currently on sale) as I think it will be worth it as you’ll save money on entrances to Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, and the travel to Windsor and back. Otherwise you will need to pay for these entrances and the travel.

I would probably not try to squeeze much more into your itinerary as it is already pretty full. If you find yourself with extra time, it is always good to know what else is around you but I would maybe not try to do too much more. Having some time to relax and enjoy just wandering around and enjoying a pub lunch is always nice 😉 Big Ben is under renovation and is not expected to reopen to the public for tours until 2021.

Some budget tips: London Pass will save you money on attractions and theatre tickets. Grab sandwiches and snacks from places like Boots or Marks & Spencers during the day – most UK grocery stores and convenience stores offer grab-and-go meals deals around £10 which include sandwich or pasta, side or snack, and drink. Compare menus for sit-down meals before you sit down – traditional pub meals usually offer a good value in London as well as ethnic food spots like Indian, Thai, and Pakistani. London has great Indian food! I have not used Groupon in the UK but it is here.

October 24, 2018 at 12:21 am

Noted on your tips.

If I buy a 3 days London Pass, do I have to activate the HOHO bus and transport to/from Windsor Castle during the same 3 days? Or can they be used outside of the 3 days?

Also what is the current theatre 1 for 1 promotion on the Visitor Oyster card? I read up online and it seems that the train play (can’t remember the name) has finished? Does it offer discount for Aladdin and the other plays that you mentioned?

If not, would it better if I just buy a standard Oyster Card at Gatwick airport’s concierge counter upon arrival? Is it for sale there? I emailed them but no response.

Where are the places that I can get affordable souvenirs and snacks?

October 25, 2018 at 12:51 pm

Yes, you do need to get and use the HOHO ticket while your London Pass is valid, you use your London Pass to get a same-day ticket to get on the bus. It is the same for Windsor Castle as if the person checks your London Pass date and it is expired they won’t let you though the gates (they are manned by a staff member). So for your itinerary, I’d recommend the 6 day pass as it will probably be a better value than the 4 for what you want to do.

For the discounts with the Visitor Oyster Card, you can see them here . They change regularly so not sure which theater tickets are currently on offer. For the London Pass, you can see the discounted tickets on offer here (currently includes Aladdin).

The Oyster Cards are essentially the same but the Visitor Oyster Card provides discounts so it is normally the pick for most visitors. But if you don’t plan to use any of the discounts, then either will work exactly the same. Just remember the Visitor Oyster Card would need to be purchased before your arrival to London.

As noted before, there are several locations you can purchase the regular Oyster Card at Gatwick. If you need to get a hold of the airport concierge counter, I’d recommend calling them rather than email them. The phone number to both desks is on the page I sent earlier.

For discounts on passes and cards, you won’t find them in person, only online. So if the London Pass is on sale, I’d definitely recommend buying it online. The London Pass has fairly regular sales online. As far as I know there are not sales on the Oyster Card as it is a transport pass.

A good area for budget souvenirs is actually where you pick up the London Pass (if you buy it online, and don’t have it mailed) around Leicester Square as there are several shops there. But it depends on what you are looking for as you’ll see souvenir places all around as you travel in London. Snacks can be found all over – grocery stores like Boots, Sainsburys, Aldi, Tesco, etc. all have affordable snacks.

Wishing you a great trip to London!

Sulastri Gunawan Post author

October 14, 2018 at 7:33 am

We’re interested to follow your 3 days itinerary and buy a London Pass for 4 people. Please advise which 3 stars hotel should I stay which is close to the HOHO bus so we can save transport cost.

Many thanks and best regards, Lastri

October 14, 2018 at 2:37 pm

Hi Sulastri,

Glad you found our 3 days in London post helpful in planning your trip itinerary 😉 In terms of hotels in the 3 star range a few to check out are Premier Inn (located near the Borough Market and London Bridge), Hilton Tower Bridge (within walking distance of Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and Borough Market) and Nadler Victoria Hotel (a 4-star near Buckingham Palace). All are centrally located and within a 10 minute walk of a HOHO bus stop – all work well with the itinerary and will minimize the amount of public transport (or taxis) you’ll need to take.

Those should give you some good places to start, but you have loads of lodging options in London near bus stops as the buses stop near almost all of the major centrally located tourist attractions.

sergio Post author

October 10, 2018 at 10:58 pm

This itinerary is amazing. The best one I’ve seen while researching my London trip next week. Is there a way to get this in a PDF or hard copy so I can keep it with me while on the road? Or should I just print it from my web browser. I feel like it may get too cluttered that way. Thanks!

October 12, 2018 at 7:28 pm

Hi Sergio, So happy you found our 3 day London itinerary so helpful in planning your trip! We don’t have a great way to get a PDF of our content at this time, but since a lot of people have asked over the past year, we are trying to come up with a solution soon.

But can definitely print it if you wish and the best way to do that might be to scroll to the bottom of the post and then find the “Share this Post” social icons. If you then click on the “More” button, you’ll find a print option.

Wishing you a wonderful trip to London! Jessica

Karen Post author

October 10, 2018 at 9:50 am

Hi, We will be visiting London October 25-28. I am having a hard time deciding on how to plan out our days. We arrive October 25th at 10:00 am from Los Angeles. I would like to do some sightseeing that afternoon. What would you recommend doing that day? Th next day we will try to see a lot!! Then on the 27th I would like to go to Windsor and if you have other recommendations I would greatly appreciate it. Do you think we should book any tours? Sorry for all the questions. It’s difficult to cram so much in a short time. I appreciate your help. I love your site!! Its been very helpful.

October 10, 2018 at 10:53 am

I would recommend following the Day 1 suggested itinerary on your first afternoon in London. Since you will have a later start, you won’t be able to go inside too many places, so prioritize any of the sites you want to visit the interiors, but there is lots to see by just following the walking tour. Then on Day 2, I’d start at Tower of London if you want to visit there. On Day 2, you can also go back and visit anything on Day 1 that you missed and prioritize the places you really want to see/visit. Then Day 3 you can follow the Day 3 itinerary as it includes Windsor.

Since it sounds like you have about 3 full days, I’d just modify the 3 day London itinerary into how it fits your time in London and interests. The more you plan ahead, the more you’ll be able to see. Just make sure to leave in some flexibility so you are not too rushed and have some time to explore and enjoy!

Let me know if you have questions as you put together your itinerary.

Anais Hernandez Post author

October 1, 2018 at 5:42 pm

My brother and I will be spending 3 full days in London in November. After sooooo many reading of London itinerary, this one is the most complex. I feel it covers everything and most importantly at my pace. Love it! Well done!

October 3, 2018 at 8:31 pm

Hi Anais, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us a comment and thanks so much for the kind words. We are so happy that you found our 3 day London itinerary helpful for planning your trip to London. We wish you and your brother a wonderful 3 days in London. Please let us know if you have any questions as you plan your trip – we will be back in London in November ourselves for a week 😉 Best, Jessica

Hugh Post author

August 25, 2018 at 4:49 am

Hi Jessica & Laurence,

Simply wow….!!! Your efforts are really appreciable, this is an amazing itinerary for spending 3 days in London. I love all the images that you have shared. Thanks for sharing this!

August 25, 2018 at 5:45 am

Thanks Hugh, thanks for taking the time to comment and wishing you a great trip to London! ~ Jessica

Rio Post author

August 25, 2018 at 4:00 am

This is a great itinerary. As a native Brit I only visited the Tower of London last year and still have yet to visit The Churchill War Rooms (it was closed the last time I was there). I used to visit London several times a year as I had family living there at the time and we would rarely do any tourist attractions. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve actually managed to properly explore our Capital.

August 25, 2018 at 5:43 am

Hi Rio, Glad you enjoyed our London itinerary and hopefully you get a chance to visit some more attractions on your next trip. It is so true that we often don’t properly explore our own home. My husband lived in central London for a few years, and only went to a few of the major tourist attractions while he was there. Now, with me, he’s been to just about all the highlights over the past few years 😉 Best, Jessica

Rob+Ann Post author

August 21, 2018 at 8:55 pm

We’ll definitely be using both this itinerary and the London Pass on our next visit. Sadly, we have yet to actually dedicate a trip to explore the city properly! Fixing that is high on our list. Thanks for all of the ideas and details – pinning this one for later! Only thing is, so much to see we’ll have to repeat several times. At least, that’s our plan! 🙂

August 23, 2018 at 5:40 am

Hi Rob & Ann, Hope you get a chance to visit soon and the London Pass is definitely a great way to explore the city. Yes, there is so much to do in London that it can take a few visits to do all the things you might want to do. We visit at least once a year and always leave with things we want to see next time 😉 Best, Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

August 20, 2018 at 6:10 am

The last time we were in London I was surprised at how crowded it was. It had been awhile since I’d been there, and I found it pretty packed. If I were to go back, I’d love the side trips. I’ve never done any of them. I would love seeing Highclere Castle and the Harry Potter world. I wonder what I would think of Stonehenge, but hey, why not? I love the detail of all of your posts.

August 20, 2018 at 6:29 am

Hi Seana, Yes, London is just one of those cities that is busy and popular year round – it can particularly be busy in the summer months. We tend to visit in the autumn, winter, or Spring although you can get some amazing weather in summer. Day trips are pretty easy to take from London and we’ve done all three of those ones and really enjoyed them – I am not even a huge Harry Potter fan but the Harry Potter Studio is still really interesting and well done. Best, Jessica

Anna Post author

August 19, 2018 at 7:43 am

London is such an awesome city and what a great itineary! I´ve spent a month there for my masters thesis 6 years ago and really wanted to go back to do more of the sightseeing ever since! Especially the day trips like Stonehenge or Oxford!

August 19, 2018 at 11:11 am

Hi Anna, Thanks, and hope you get a chance to return to London to do some of the day trips and explore more of the country. Stonehenge and Oxford are both great places to visit in England – we particularly really love Oxford. Best, Jessica

Michael Post author

August 19, 2018 at 3:26 am

Wow what an extensive list of things to do! WE live in London and are meant to be planning 3 days here for our friends later this year. I think I might just send them the link to this and then spend my afternoon in the pub!? Thanks for sharing!

August 19, 2018 at 4:59 am

Hi Michael, So you can just print the 3 day London itinerary, have them buy a London Pass, and meet up with them after their sightseeing in the evening for drinks and dinners – all sorted 😉 It can be hard to show people around a popular destination, I used to live near San Francisco and we now are in Edinburgh (Laurence used to live in London as well) and most people want to go do/see many of the same things but how many times do you really want to ride the cable cars or visit Edinburgh Castle. Enjoy your friends’ visit to London and hope this helps you a bit in your planning! Best, Jessica

Wendy Maes Post author

August 18, 2018 at 7:00 am

It’s been 16 yers since I was in London, but next month I am finally going back with my BFF. This itinerary is perfect! I am going to pin it to use it next month.

August 18, 2018 at 7:59 am

Hi Wendy, Thanks for pinning and so happy to hear you are getting a chance to visit London again next month. I hope you have a wonderful time and glad our London itinerary came at such a great time – enjoy your vacation in London! Best, Jessica

California Globetrotter Post author

August 17, 2018 at 7:20 pm

We thoroughly enjoyed using the London Pass and would highly recommend it again! And probably get it again on a future return to do more! So convenient, and it’s so nice to be able to visit as many locations as you wish without any limits, unlike Nashville.

August 18, 2018 at 7:47 am

Hi Lolo, Yes, the London Pass is one of our favorite city discount passes and we’ve used it a few times now. It would definitely save you money (and time) if spending three days in London and visiting many of the places on this itinerary. It along with the Paris Museum Pass are our two favorite city passes we’ve used.

There is a limit with the London Pass (there is a maximum purse value) but it is pretty high so very few travelers would be able to visit enough places to max is out, and we’ve never heard from anyone about this being an issue. Best, Jessica

Cynthia Post author

August 17, 2018 at 6:41 pm

This is a great itinerary! I was in London for 5 days a few years ago. My favorites were the National Gallery, the British Museum, and the Tate Modern. Also went to a couple other museums can’t remember names of! One had pre-Raphaelite art. Wonderful collections. The Tower of London and other iconic sights were faves as well. I liked seeing the sparkly jewels. 😉

August 18, 2018 at 7:41 am

Hi Cynthia,

Thanks, yes, London has some amazing museums and art galleries and you could easily spend 3 full days just visiting them! Sounds like you visited a number of great ones. Umm, for the pre-Raphaelite art, it may have been The Tate (not the Tate Modern) but it could have been one of several museums. Yes, the Tower of London and the Crown Jewels is always a popular favorite 😉 Best, Jessica

Anda Post author

August 17, 2018 at 6:15 pm

London is one of my favorite travel destinations. We’ve spent a week there a few years ago, but my sweet memories started to fade. I think it’s time for another trip. Your 3-day itinerary gave me the idea to add London to our trip to Italy this fall.

August 18, 2018 at 7:36 am

Hi Anda, Ours too! Although I didn’t have a very good impression of London on my first day there, it was raining, windy, and there was tons of some sort of debris in the air that kept blowing into our faces. One of our first stops was also visa related which didn’t add to the appeal. But I’ve come to really love the city and there is just so much to do there, which is a good thing since is it one of the places we visit the most 😉 Hope you get a chance to stop in London in the fall. Best, Jessica

Katherine Post author

August 17, 2018 at 2:35 pm

I lived in London for a few years, and the best thing about it is that you’re never done seeing everything there. There’s always something new and different to check out, and your London itinerary is an awesome first taste! I miss it so much 🙂

August 18, 2018 at 7:34 am

Hi Katherine, I hope you get a chance to get back to London soon 😉 Laurence also used to live in London but saw very few tourist attractions while in London so he enjoys returning with me and seeing all the museums, historical attractions, etc. We’re excited to head back for a week in November! Jessica

Anisa Post author

August 17, 2018 at 1:46 pm

I have spent a fair amount of time in London but I still have so many things I want to see! I need to go to the Churchill War Rooms and do the tour of the Houses of Parliament. I still need to go to the Sky Garden too, but I never plan enough in advance.

August 18, 2018 at 7:31 am

Hi Anisa, Both the Houses of Parliament and Churchill War Rooms are great sites in London and both are easy to visit on the same day as they are a short walk from one another, but you do need to plan ahead for the Parliament. There are also some similar threads between them that make them good stops for the same day. We’ve visited the War Rooms twice, once with a guide and once without and found it interesting both times. Best, Jessica

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7 day London itinerary: A Comprehensive Guide for First Time Travellers and Beyond

Are you planning a 7 day London itinerary? Well you are in luck, London has to be one of our favourite cities. It’s full of museums, beautiful buildings, and awesome places to just explore. Living in Manchester means that we get to visit quite often. Every time we go we turn into instant tourists, cameras at the ready . There is so much to see and do in the city, and it can be hard to decide where to start, so we have put together a 1 week London itinerary for first time visitors and beyond. 

London Itinerary Factsheet

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Country:  England

Languages Spoken:  English,

Currency:  British Pound – GBP

Famous for: Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, Red Buses, Royalty…..the list goes on

Visit if you like:  history and culture, theatre, and really old buildings

London is the capital of both England, and the United Kingdom. It’s also famous for being the political, economic, and cultural hub of the country.

London is highly populated with almost 9 million people living her. But what you might not know is that this statistic actually represents Greater London. The city of London itself is only small and covers 1.2 square miles. It has a population of around 9000 people.

Greater London is incredibly diverse, and there are over 300 languages being spoken in the area. The top 5 languages after English are Polish, Turkish, Bengali, French, and Punjabi.

Before you embark on your 7 days in London you probably want to know how to get there. Well, good news, London is probably one of the easiest cities to get to. There are 4 airports that you can fly into including, London City, Stansted , Gatwick , and the busiest, Heathrow . There are good public transport links from all airports and you can easily hop onto the tube and get yourself into central London.

If you are arriving from within the UK the train is usually your best option, with most National Rail services stopping at Euston Station. We recommend looking at Trainline website for some great deals. You can even get the bus to Victoria Station if you are trying to save your pennies. Before you start to plan your 7 days in London we highly recommend that you book your train in advance. The cheapest tickets are found well in advance. 

A 7 day London itinerary is going to involve a lot of travel around the city. Once you are in London the easiest way to get around is via the Tube. You should purchase an Oyster card and top up with the required credit. Alternatively you can download the app, or use your debit card to tap in and out of stations. For more information on this we recommend having a look at the Transport for Greater London website .

Public transport is brilliant in London and most major attractions can be accessed by Tube, but admittedly it can get tricky when signal failures or planned engineering works strike. It can look daunting at first but study the Tube map, and once you know how the stations connect you will be commuting like a pro in no time. Google maps is also a Godsend and you can easily navigate your way around on the Tube and the buses with it. 

If you are spending 7 days in London you can purchase a Travelcard. These are valid for either 1 day or 7 days depending on the option you pick. You can also choose what zones you would like it to cover as well. For more information here is a handy link for you. 

Accommodation in London ranges from the super expensive to the more budget friendly options so you have a lot of choices when planning your 7 day London itinerary. Just keep in mind the more budget you go, the less amenities in the hotel and the further away it will be from the main city attractions.

You are probably best looking at hotel booking sites well in advance of your trip to find the best deals.

On our last trip we decided to stay at the Assembly Hotel which was located a couple minutes from Leicester Square tube station. The hotel was very modern with clean rooms and a very central location. The only downside was that there was no TV or coffee/tea making facilities in the room. This can be standard in London and to be honest who wants to sit inside and watch TV when you are in London anyway? 

One of the tips when planning your 1 week London itinerary is to make sure that you book accommodation near a Tube Station. This means no matter how far our of central London you are staying it will still be easy to get around.

When planning your 7 day London itinerary you will need to think about where you want to stay. London is huge! Like seriously HUGE! And therefore deciding on where to stay can be quite overwhelming at times. For that reason we wanted to list a couple of our favourite areas. This list is by no means comprehensive, but hopefully will give you some ideas when planning your own 7 days in London.

Covent Garden

Our top area to stay in for 7 days in London is definitely Covent Garden. It’s a really well connected area in terms of transport, and there are a number of attractions located around this area too. Accommodation can be a bit expensive, but we think it is worth it. For starters there are a number of restaurants, and bars in the Covent Garden area, which makes it a fantastic base particularly if you want to enjoy a few nights out.

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is another great area, especially if you are after something a little quirky. It’s a little less touristy then Covent Garden (only just) and is close to the Portobello Road Market too. There are lots of bars and restaurants in the area, and it’s definitely a lot cooler than Covent Garden. It’s a good area if you are travelling as a couple.

Westminster

Accommodation in Westminster is certainly on the more expensive side, and rooms are smaller here too as space is at a premium (although it pretty much is anywhere in London). Westminster is great if you want to be close to a lot of the tourist attractions, and public transport. Although not so great if you are planning to have some wild nights out. The nightlife in the area is pretty much non-existent.

South Kensington

South Kensington is another good all-round area to stay in. It’s close to some cool restaurants and bars, as well as being close to a number of museums. It’s a central location with good transport links, and is often suggested as one of the best locations to stay in London for families.

One of our favourite neighbourhoods in London has to be Camden. Admittedly it is a little further out then say South Kensington, but still has great transport links. It’s also close to the London Zoo if that is your thing. What really makes this area great though is the nightlife. There are a lot of indie rock bars, grungy markets, and a lot of different restaurants serving international cuisine. Camden probably attracts a slightly younger, partygoing crowd, so if its peace and quiet you want this might not be for you.

You might be wondering when is the best time to plan your 7 days in London . Well London really is one of those cities that can be enjoyed year round. Here is our seasonal breakdown on the best time to plan your 1 week London itinerary.

Winter (December – February) 

Winter in London is great because there are way less tourists. So you won’t have the queue for hours to visit the big attractions. It does get cold and rainy in winter, though so you will want to limit your time outdoors. If you want to take advantage of the museums and the galleries then this is a good time to go. In December there are a number of Christmas markets to enjoy as well as ice skating rinks, in preparation for the holidays. 

Spring (March-May)

Spring is probably the best time to visit London in our opinion. The weather is mild, and whilst it is busy with tourists, it isn’t as chaotic as the summer months. Spring is also a nice time to enjoy walking through the parks with the daffodils in bloom. 

Summer (June – August)

Summer is peak tourist season so expect a very sweaty warm, and crowded 7 days in London. The weather is at its best, and there are a number of summer events that take place in the city. A lot of schools are finished for summer holidays so there are a lot of families around, and a lot of activities for kids and adults alike. If you visit in summer make sure that you book things like accommodation and attractions well in advance. It can get really warm in London over summer, so remember this particularly as travelling on the tube squashed up against other commuters in 30 degree heat is not fun. 

Autumn (September – November)

Autumn is another good time to book your 7 days in London. The weather starts to cool, but hasn’t quite reached the cold temperatures of winter. It also isn’t as busy as the summer months with tourists. 

Realistically, 7 days in London is a good amount of time to really get to grips with the city. It gives you the chance to explore some of the neighbourhoods, eat a lot of British  food (or visit a lot of British pubs more to the point), and see the key tourist attractions.

That being said, London is such a vibrant and incredible city that there is always something to do. We honestly don’t think even 2 weeks in London is enough. And ask some of our friends who live there, even years in London isn’t enough. But in all seriousness, a week in London is doable, particularly if you want to immerse yourself in the place.

London can be really daunting, because there is literally so much that you can see and do. With 7 days in London sometimes this can be overwhelming so it is good to have a plan. These are our recommendations for things to do.

Further down in the article we have a 7 day London sample itinerary to help you plan your trip. This guide is probably best for first time visitors as it covers the key tourist attractions in London, but also a few hidden gems as well. 

Westminster Bridge

Every time we come to London we take a walk along this bridge. To me this really symbolises London. Get off at Westminster Station and the first thing you will be greeted with is the Houses of Parliament looming over you. I like to start the walk on Westminster Bridge on the left side walking towards the London Eye. You can then cross over on the way back and face the Houses of Parliament for an excellent view.

What I love about the bridge, and London in general has to be the intricacy, and the designs. Make sure you take time to appreciate the little things like the beautiful street lamps on the bridge. Directly opposite the Houses of Parliament instead of turning towards the London Eye walk under the tunnel and you will find a secret photo spot where you can take a picture of Big Ben. 

Getting Here

Get the Tube to Westminster Station and take a short walk past the Houses of Parliament to the Bridge. 

A 7 day London itinerary is not complete without a visit to Southbank. This is one of our favourite places just to people watch. Here you will find street performers, and skateboarders, as well as tourists gazing out at the Houses of Parliament.  The Sealife centre is also here, if time allows as well as the main attraction, the London Eye.

Get the Tube to Westminster Station and take a short walk past the Houses of Parliament and across Westminster Bridge. 

The London Eye

We have done this a few times now and whilst some people may say it is over rated we love it. It costs about £36 although if you get advance tickets this can be cheaper. You can visit their website for further information. It takes about 30 minutes to do a full rotation and you really do get an amazing view of London.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is a beautiful gothic cathedral which is a short walk from the Houses of Parliament. If you are into the Royal Family, then you will recognise it from a lot of Royal Weddings, including Prince William’s wedding to Kate Middleton. It is also the traditional place of both coronation and burial for English Monarchs.  You can see the inside of the Abbey for £25 or if you are short on funds you can admire it from the outside.

Get the Tube to Westminster Station and take a short walk away from the South Bank. 

Trafalgar Square

Another must for your 7 days in London has to be a visit to one of the most photographed public squares in the city. Trafalgar Square was built to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar that took place in 1805. These days it is swarming with tourists all trying to get those iconic shots of the fountains and the lions.

I actually remember visiting the Square as a kid and it being filled with pigeons, in fact I even remember feeding bird seed to them. If you visit these days however you won’t find many. In fact you may even see some of the trained birds of prey that fly around discouraging pigeons to visit. Apparently pigeon droppings caused some of the Square’s monuments to erode and so pigeon feeding was banned.

Charing Cross is the closest Tube Station, but it is also walkable from Piccadilly Circus and Leicster Square. 

The National Gallery

The National Gallery which is located right at Trafalgar Square, houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings. Entry into the main exhibits is free although for special or visiting exhibits you do need to pay for entry.

Buckingham Palace

The Palace is the official headquarters and residence of the British Royal Family. If you are a fan of royalty then make sure you add this to your 7 day London itinerary, even though it does get really busy with tourists. One of the most amazing things to witness is the changing of the guards. It is a daily ceremony where the old guards welcome the new guards to take over the duty of guarding the Palace and St James Park. You really do need to get in early for a good view and it is best to check the Palace website for up to date information on times.

Buckingham Palace is only a 15 minute walk from Trafalgar Square. 

St James Park

Located just next to Buckingham Palace St James Park is a lovely place to take a stroll. It also has a wonderful view of Westminster Abbey and the London Eye when you stand on the Blue Bridge and look west.

The park is located right next to Buckingham Palace. 

Speaking of parks, the most famous park in London to visit is of course Hyde Park. It is a wonderful place to sit and feed the ducks, go for a stroll or rollerblade, or even take a boat ride on one of the lakes.

The Park is huge but one of our highlights include Speakers Corner. This is a place where speakers get on soap boxes to try and convince the masses of particular points of view. There is no set schedule to whom you may find here but if you like your debates then this is the place for you. Famous speakers have included Karl Marx and George Orwell.

The park also includes the famous pedal boats you can hire on the Serpentine, which makes for a really beautiful summers day out. There is also the Diana Memorial which is a must for any Royal fans. Bring your walking shoes if you do want to do a proper explore of Hyde Park as it is massive. 

Considering Hyde Park is huge there are a number of Tube Stops that you will lead you here. The main stations around the park though are:

• Lancaster Gate 
• Marble Arch 
• Hyde Park Corner
• Knightsbridge 
• Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is the place to go for all your natural history needs. With exhibits ranging from dinosaur bones to collections relating to botany and zoology. The best thing is this museum is free, although be prepared to wait in line especially during peak season in the summer (usually around the August summer holidays). Even if you aren’t into museums it is a great place to visit to marvel at the architecture. Construction was finished on the museum in 1880 and it really is an architectural dream.

The best station for the Natural History Museum is South Kensington. 

St Pauls Cathedral

The cathedral is one of the most famous sights in London and has been the location for a number of Royal weddings and funerals, much like Westminster Abbey. The interior is worth a look, and if you are brave enough you can actually climb to the viewing platform for some incredible sights over London.

The aptly named St Pauls station on the Central Line is your best best for getting here. The cathedral is only a 2 minute walk away. 

If you are looking for restaurants and quirky bars then head to Covent Garden. There are so many places to eat, drink and be merry. If you get the chance explore the area and see if you can find the secret Neal’s Yard courtyard. Neal’s Yard is basically a small alley with restaurants and shops and very colourful buildings.

Conveniently the closest Tube Station is Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line. 

Camden Town

Ok so Camden is our absolute favourite part of London. It is sort of an alternative/indie paradise. You can explore the markets and pick up some quirky T-Shirts. There are also some amazing indie music inspired bars where you can sit and have a drink. Our favourite bar has to be the World’s End located just across from the Camden Tube Station.  Overall Camden is a great place to go if you want to buy anything from funky jewellery, to souvenirs, to sunglasses. The atmosphere in Camden is almost an anything goes kind of feel. It’s also a great place for people watching.

You will need to get on the Northern Line and take the tube to Camden Town. 

Churchill Arms

If you are looking for the prettiest pub in London then look no further than the Churchill Arms. Its located a short walk from Notting Hill Gate Tube Station, and it is a great place for a pint or some pub food. The pub is decorated form head to toe in flowers and its even quirkier inside.

Notting Hill Gate or High Street Kensington are your closes Tube Stations with the pub being a short walk from both. 

Tower Bridge

Another of London’s most famous monuments that often gets confused with London Bridge, is Tower Bridge. The bridge was completed in 1894 which makes it nearly 123 years old. You can pay for entry into the Tower Bridge Exhibition, and more information can be found here .

The area around Tower Bridge is also great to explore. There are some lovely bars and coffee shops nearby with wonderful views of the bridge. 7 days in London will involve quite a bit of walking so we recommend popping into Vicinity which is a bar and restaurant with prime views of the Bridge. 

The bridge is about a 5 minute walk from the Tower Hill Tube Station. 

Tower of London

Located next to Tower Bridge is the Tower of London a historic castle founded in 1066. If you are into history this is a fascinating place to visit as you get a full understanding of the history of the castle. This includes its time as a Royal residence and even a prison. Entry for adults is £21.50 but do keep in mind that this is a popular attraction and the queues can be long so you are best booking in advance .

Again this is a short walk from the Tower Hill Tube Station.

Piccadilly Circus

Home to the iconic advertising hoarding that you will see other tourists trying to get a picture of, Piccadilly Circus is one of London’s busiest squares. I should also note that if you are expecting to find a circus acts this is not your place. In this context circus actually refers to the fact that it used to be a roundabout.

Get off at the Piccadilly Circus Tube Station. 

St Dunstan in the East

This is a quaint little garden on the site of a former church that was damaged in 1941. Whilst they decided not the rebuild the church the remains add to the atmosphere in this secluded garden. This is a real hidden gem in London.

Either Tower Hill or Monument will be your closest stations and you will need to take a short walk from both to get here. 

Imperial War Museum 

The Imperial War Museum is another of London’s amazing museums and it is free. Here you can learn all about Britain’s involvement in historical wars. One of the most haunting parts of the museum has to be the section documenting the Holocaust. There were some bits where it was so hard to keep reading, but it is so important to document what happened in the past in the hopes that we can learn from these atrocities. 

You can either get the Tube to Lambeth Road and walk (7 mins) or to Elephant and Castle and walk (10 mins). 

Churchill’s War Rooms

This is another fascinating insight into Britain’s involvement in war. This time documenting Churchill’s involvement in the second world war. The museum is housed in an underground complex where the government operated a command centre during WWII. You do have to pay for entry but it really is worth it.  

Get off at either St James’ Park Underground station or Westminster. 

Leadenhall Market

One of the prettiest places in London has to be Leadenhall Market, a victorian era building with shops, restaurants and bars. It is a great place to explore and take those all important social media photos. 

The closest station is Monument. 

Harrods is one of the world’s most famous department stores. It is ideal if you want to purchase luxury goods and designer clothes. But if your budget doesn’t cater for that it is still worth a visit. We purchased a tin of hot chocolate and left with the satisfaction that we ticked ‘shopping in Harrods’ off our London bucket list. 

Knightsbridge is your closest station. 

• Tate Modern

The Tate is a must for art lovers. Located just across the Thames from St Paul’s Cathedral the building houses works from artists from around the world. This is another attraction that is free to visit, unless you want to go to one of the special exhibitions in which case you will need to pay. 

Blackfriars is the closest station right near the Tate Modern, but a lot of people also walk from London Bridge Station which is about 10 mins away. 

Chelsea is one of the most affluent areas of London and certainly a great place to walk around and explore. In fact there are a lot of really cool things to do in Chelsea . If you get the chance visit some of the back streets with those pastel houses that you see all over Instagram. Do be mindful that people live here though so have a peak and then leave, and don’t trespass on other people’s property. 

Sloane Square is probably your closest Tube Station and it is a bit of a walk to get to Chelsea from here. 

Nunhead Cemetery 

I know adding a cemetery on a list of things to do in London, might sound weird, but Nunhead Cemetery is truly beautiful. It is a really old cemetery that was left to go to ruin before being restored by the council. It’s fascinating looking at the really old graves that have become overgrown with plants and vines, which to me is a symbol of life going on after death. Nunhead is accessible via the overground network, so you will need to get a tube to Victoria and change there. 

You do need to get the overground to Nunhead Station, and the cemetery is a short walk from there. 

Thames cruise

Departing from Westminster Bridge a Thames cruise is a really nice way to see London from the water. Plus its also an awesome opportunity to get up close to some of London’s beautiful bridges.

The cruise departs from different locations but if you are leaving near Westminster Bridge then Westminster Station is the closest. 

So now you have seen our list of things to do in London in 7 days, here is our sample 1 week London itinerary. 

We recommend starting your 7 day London itinerary by getting acquainted with the Westminster and Southbank areas. Start the day at Southbank and check out some of the street performers and the incredible views of the Thames and Houses of Parliament. Be sure to ride the London Eye for some amazing city views. 

Afterwards cross Westminster Bridge and do a Thames cruise, before checking out the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey before finally making your way over to Trafalgar Square. Once you get your selfie with a lion head into the National Gallery. 

For dinner there is a great pub called the Admiralty that serves the most amazing selection of pies that you simply have to try. 

7 days in London is not complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace. Afterwards check out St James’ Park before making your way to the Natural History Museum in the afternoon. 

In the evening head to Covent Garden for dinner and do visit Neals Yard which is one of the hidden gems of London. 

Head to St Pauls Cathedral, and if you are both brave and fit enough you can climb to the top and enjoy the views of London. Afterwards cross the Millennium Bridge and make your way to the Tate Modern. 

In the evening/ afternoon head to the Churchill Arms near Notting Hill to rest your weary legs and grab some pints and dinner. 

In the morning explore Leadenhall Market, before making your way over to St Dunstan in the East in the afternoon. Take a trip to Chelsea and explore the neighbourhood and get some photos of those incredible pastel houses. Checkout Piccadilly Circus, and Oxford Street in the evening. 

Start the morning with a visit to the Tower of London. You will probably spend a good few hours here taking you to the afternoon. Afterwards walk towards Tower Bridge to see it up close. Explore the surrounding area and see if you can find the girl with the dolphin statue. Grab some lunch here and some drinks with a view. 

In the late afternoon head to Camden Town to explore before having some dinner and drinks there in the evening. 

In the morning visit the Imperial War Museum. Entry is free and in all honestly you could spend a good day exploring. In the late afternoon get a bus to the Churchill War Rooms. Along the way make sure you take a photo of the classic red phone boxes with Big Ben in the background. 

In the evening head to Harrods to see it all lit up and explore the food hall. If you are feeling flashy grab some dinner here, otherwise grab something cheaper in the area. 

Take a trip out of the city and head to Nunhead Cemetery. It is a great place to walk around and whilst there see if you can spot the framed view of St Paul’s Cathedral. Take the rest of the afternoon to explore Hyde Park. we recommend having dinner and drinks in Shoreditch afterwards. 

If you are looking for some fun experiences to add to your 7 day London itinerary here are some of our favourites.

Rock and Roll London tours

Let’s be honest London is pretty synonymous with some of the greatest musical acts of all time. So a rock and roll style tour of London is something that music lovers should immediately add to their 7 day London itinerary. There are a couple of tours we recommend, like this London Rock and Roll history tour taking you to places such as Jimi Hendrix’s flat and Abbey Road.

Or if you are a straight up Beatles fan then do the Beatles London tour that takes you to all the key Beatles’ locations in the city.

Climb the roof of the O2 Arena

If you fancy yourself a bit of a daredevil this might be the tour for you. It gives you the chance to climb one of the city’s most popular entertainment venues, but also to get a completely different view of the city.

Do a bike tour

A guided bike tour is actually a really fun way to see London, and there are so many different ones to choose from during your 7 days in London.

Jack the Ripper Tour

London’s most famous serial killer has to of course be Jack the Ripper. We highly recommend doing a Jack the Ripper tour, that takes you back to historical London, as you walk in the footsteps of the killer and his victims.

If your week in London happens to be with your significant other than there are a lot of romantic things to do in the city. Here are a few to give you some inspiration.

The London Eye itself is pretty romantic, that is if you think sharing views of the cityscape with your significant other constitutes as romance. But there is actually a champagne package that you can purchase. It might be a little pricey at £55 pp but can you really put a price on love?

Little  Venice

One of the more romantic spots to add to your 7 day London itinerary has to be Little Venice. Here you can do a canal boat ride, or even just sit at a café and soak up the views.

A romantic river cruise

Another romantic option for London is to do a river cruise with dinner . What could be more romantic than sailing up the Thames devouring a three course meal and drinking wine?

Ice skating

In the winter months take your significant other to the pop up ice skating rink outside the Natural History Museum. Not only is the setting beautiful but you can skate hand in hand in the cool London air.

Hyde Park Picnic

One of my favourite romantic things to do in London is to have a picnic in Hyde Park. Why not grab some bread and cheese from one of the local supermarkets, and enjoy them whilst people watching in the park.

Do a tour in a mini cooper

This one is advertised as a bit of a romantic treat. You get a 90 minute tour in a classic Mini Cooper , which is such a British thing to do. Plus you can sip on champagne whilst being driven around the city.

There are also so many restaurants and cocktails bars to plan the perfect date night in places like Camden or Covent Garden. London is literally your romantic oyster.

A lot of the things we have already mentioned in the post are free, but to make it easy for those on a budget here are our suggestions for free things to add to your 1 week London itinerary.

VISIT THE MUSEUMS

If you are travelling from the US or other parts of Europe you might be surprised to discover that some of the top museums in London are actually free. For your information here are some of the free museums can you visit as part of your 1 week London itinerary.

• Imperial War Museum
• National Gallery
• The British Museum
• Science Museum
• National Maritime Museum
• Victoria and Albert Museum

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

One of the top things to add to your 1 week London itinerary has to be to see the Changing of the Guard. It’s a lot of pomp and ceremony and it is completely free.

It’s essentially a ceremony when the King’s Guards change shifts. It’s really interesting to see and attracts a lot of visitors.

LEADENHALL MARKET

Leadenhall Market is another free thing to add to your 7 day London itinerary. It’s also popular among Harry Potter fans as you may recognise it from the films.

It’s free to walk around, but obviously if you buy anything or have a drink or coffee, you will need to pay.

VISIT PLATFORM 9 3/4

Speaking of Harry Potter, located near the Harry Potter Shop at King’s Cross Railway Station you will find Platform 9 3/4. Here you can get a photo with a disappearing trolley and make your Harry Potter dreams come true. Lines do get long though so expect to wait.

CHILL IN SOME OF THE PARKS

For a bustling metropolis London is pretty green. There are so many great parks you can add to your 7 day London itinerary for free. Here are some of the best:

• Richmond Park
• Greenwich Park
• St James’ Park

The weather in London isn’t always perfect so here are some rainy day ideas in case it rains during your 7 day London itinerary. We have mentioned museums a lot in this article already, so I’ll keep those out.

THE SKY GARDEN

Located on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie building in London the Sky Garden is one of the prettier places to visit in the city. You get panoramic views over London and get to chill out in the indoor garden area. And the best thing is you get complete shelter from the rain! It’s also free you just have to book your space in advance.

THE BARBICAN CONSERVATORY

One of the quirkier things to add to your 7 day London itinerary, has to be the Barbican Conservatory. It’s a garden/ oasis that is completely indoors, which is great for sheltering from the rain. It’s located in the Barbican Estate and it was originally designed to hide the massive fly tower. It started with a few plants and things escalated quickly into the amazing conservatory we see today.

It is free to visit but you must book your space in advance

HAVE AFTERNOON TEA

Afternoon tea is a very English thing to do. And there are so many incredible places to do this in London. One of our favourite spots is  Peggy Porschen . Not only is it incredibly pretty, but you can have tea and cafe whilst sheltering from the rain.

GO TO THE PUB

Another quintessentially British thing to do, is head to the pub. In fact your 1 week London itinerary will not be complete without a pub experience. They obviously provide some excellent shelter from the rain.

There are so many to choose from but our favourite is the Churchill Arms. You will know you are in the right place once you see the baskets of flowers that decorate the pub.

Spring is the best time to visit as all the flowers are in bloom. That being said they also go all out at Christmas as well. The closest station is Notting Hill Gate. The pub is about a 4 minute walk from the station.

If you are travelling to London with the kids you might be wondering what to do. Here are some suggestions for the best things to add to your 1 week London itinerary when travelling with kids.

SEA LIFE LONDON

Right next to the London Eye in Southbank you will find the Sea Life London Aquarium. It’s a popular attraction particularly if you are visiting the city with kids.

It’s a great experience for kids as they can see seahorses, piranhas, sharks and much more.

MADAM TUSSAUDS

Madam Tussauds is another top attraction for your 1 week London itinerary with kids. You can get your photo taken with wax royalty, as well as celebrities and sports stars. Plus there is also the Marvel Universe 4D experience which is a lot of fun.

SEE A MUSICAL

There are a number of kid friendly musicals in London at any given time. And many of these have lunchtime or early afternoon showings so you don’t have to stay up super late to go.

DIANA PRINCESS OF WALES MEMORIAL PLAYGROUND

If you are visiting Hyde Park as part of your 7 day London itinerary then make sure you visit the playground. There is a giant pirate ship for kids to discover, and it is one of the better playgrounds in London.

LONDON DUNGEON

The London Dungeon is probably better suited to older kids. I say this as a 30 something year old who screams every time she visits!

It’s an interactive and fun way to learn all about the gory history of London including Jack the Ripper, and Sweeny Todd. It can be a bit gory and you do have actors jumping out at you which is why it’s not great for really little ones.

IFS CLOUD CABLE CAR

Another fun thing to add to your 1 week London itinerary is the IFS Cloud Cable Car. It goes from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks and glides above the Thames in about 10 minutes.

Tickets cost £5 for a single trip for an adult, and £2.50 for kids.

HOP ON HOP OFF BUS TOUR

Personally this is one of my favourite things to do in London because you can literally just sit there and watch the world go by. It’s a fun activity to do with kids, especially on a nice day when you get a seat on the open top part of the bus. You will get to learn all about the history of London as you pass the sights.

Here are some tips for planning your 7 days in London. 

• Book attractions in advance when you can
• Book restaurants and bars in advance to avoid missing out
• Bring decent walking shoes – because you will want to get out there and explore
• Be prepared for things to be more expensive than other parts of the UK
• Tipping isn’t customary in the UK, but some restaurants will add an additional service charge to your bill. You can request for this to be removed, but if the service was good do leave it. 
• Bring a waterproof jacket/ umbrella. It’s London- it rains!
• If you are not from the UK you should remember to look right when crossing a road. 
• Choose public transport over a taxi. It is way cheaper and you will get where you need to go much faster. 

London is massive and you honestly have so many places to choose from when it comes to eating and drinking. If you are spending 7 days in London we recommend that you explore a different area each evening. Some of our favourites include:

We highly recommend spending a bit of time around Camden as part of your 7 day London itinerary. The World’s End is a must when visiting. It is somewhat an institution in London and attracts an eclectic crowd. It is genuinely one of those places that you feel that everyone is welcome. 

Another favourite, particularly if you love indie music is the Dublin Castle . It is a live music venue/ pub with great music and chilled out vibes. 

Covent Garden/ Chinatown

If you are after something a little more upmarket Covent Garden is a great night out. With a mixture of pubs and cocktail bars you can never go wrong. We really like Eve which is a dimly lit cocktail bar serving some quirky cocktails in a sort of Garden of Eden type setting. Cocktails can be a bit expensive (£17 on average) but they are nice and it is a good place to stop by for a few drinks. You should book before visiting, especially if you are planning to go around 6pm/ 7pm as it gets very busy. 

Another quirky cocktail place is Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration . It is a speakeasy style bar with an around the world theme. Cocktails are grouped into location and there are quite a few to choose from. What we like about this bar is that it is a lot of fun without feeling pretentious. 

Our final recommendation of bars is Opium which is a little out of Covent Garden and situated in Chinatown. It is a 1920’s Shanghai themed bar serving some tasty Dim Sum as well. You definitely should book a table if you want to visit although they do try to fit you in, you just might be waiting for a while. 

If you are a first time visitor to London you might be wondering what traditional foods you should add to your 7 day London itinerary. Here are some of our suggestions.

Fish and Chips

I don’t know what is more quintessentially British then a good serving of fish and chips with mushy peas. If you are going to give them a try the best fish and chips are found at your local ‘chippy’ takeaway and not a restaurant.

English Breakfast

Commonly referred to in the UK as a ‘fry up’, English Breakfasts are very popular and a must try if you are visiting London. It includes things like eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, fried bread, mushrooms, tomatoes, and black pudding.

A good old London Pub

One of the things London is famous for (and the whole of the UK for that matter) is of course the pub. Pubs in London can be traced back to Roman times, where they started the idea of the Tavern, a place visitors, importers, and soldiers could visit to quench their thirst. Ale was one of the more popular things brewed in the UK, which is another must try when you are in London.

There are so many pubs dotted across London, although one of the prettiest has to be the Churchill Arms in Notting Hill.

Pie and Mash

No 7 day London itinerary is complete without chowing down on some good old English comfort food. And Pie and Mash is certainly one that we recommend. Originating as a working class meal from the Industrial Revolution, a good Pie and Mash usually consist of a steak and ale pie, fluffy mashed potatoes, peas, and then a whole lot of gravy.

If you are wanting to add some food tours to your 7 days in London here are some suggestions.

British food tour

If you are struggling to find the best places to go to indulge in some British food why not do a food tour. There are so many different tours to choose from that all guarantee good food, and good company.

Historical Pub Walking Tour

A 7 day London itinerary is not complete without a visit to the pub. So a pub tour is a great way to experience some of the more historic pubs in the city.

If you have a little bit longer in London or if you are wanting to explore a bit more of the UK as part of your 7 day London itinerary, you could do a day trip. Here are some of the best day trip ideas from London.

Oxford is another good choice for a day trip. You can do an organised tour like this one  that takes you to Oxford and the Cotswolds. Alternatively you can get to Oxford yourself by train in about an hour.

Surry itself might not sound like the most exciting place to visit but it is home to Denbies, a wine estate with wine tours and accommodation. If you are thinking of a day trip here, there are some wonderful walking trails and of course some wine tasting at the end. It takes about 1 hour to get here by train with a 20 minute walk at the end.

One of my favourite day trip options from London has to be Brighton. If you are looking for a beach escape this one is for you. On average it takes about 1.5 hours on the train to get to Brighton. This one is obviously weather dependant so try and plan this for a dry day.

Depending on what time of year you are visiting London you will need to pack accordingly. In the winter months make sure you wrap up warm with a heavy coat, scarf, and gloves.

If you are visiting in summer London can get quite hot so carry a bottle of water around with you (especially on the Tube), and wear sunscreen. Summer evenings can be chilly as well so bring a light jacket.

In general it does tend to rain a fair bit in London so an umbrella is a really good shout when visiting London. Or you could be a super tourist in one of those giant rain ponchos!!! Also make sure you bring a good pair of shoes with you because you will do a lot of walking in London we can guarantee it.

Short answer yes, London is quite an expensive city. Particularly in comparison to the rest of the UK where you might find items are a lot cheaper. In fact we judge how expensive London is in terms of the cost of a pint of beer. It depends where you go in London but a pint can cost you around £5 and up whereas in other parts of the UK you can purchase a pint for £3 or less in some places.

That being said a lot of things in London are free. The museums are completely free, and even seeing a lot of the attractions is free. It doesn’t mean you necessarily have to go in to them. The Tube can be costly and so is food and drink, but it also depends on how much you want to spend.

You might be wondering how much money you need for your 7 days in London. In reality London is a pretty expensive city. To put it into context a mid-range hotel room around the 3 star mark will probably cost you upwards of £100 per night. And these rooms tend to be small, particularly the closer you get to central London. If you stay a little bit further out you can save a bit of money but anything that you do save in hotel prices will probably end up being spent on transport trying to get back into Central London.

The good news though is that in terms of other essentials like transport, with an Oyster Card the Tube is capped at £7.70 per day as long as you stick to Zones 1 & 2. In fairness most of the tourist attractions are within this area anyway.

Tourist attractions can also be a little pricey depending on what you want to do. For example, a ticket on the London eye will set you back around £36. Obviously, it all starts to add up.

We would recommend budgeting around £100 – £150 per person per day not including your accommodation. You can spend less if you avoid actually entering the tourist attractions. For example, the London Eye is still pretty cool to see even if you don’t go on it. And you can further bring costs down by eating at cafes and local pubs as opposed to restaurants. Also as mentioned above do keep in mind there are tons of free things to do in London as well like museums and public gardens to help you save your pennies.

Speaking of money matters, London as well as the rest of the UK use Pound Sterling (GBP). We recommend carrying some cash on you for things like tipping, or emergencies, but you can get away with just using your credit card here too as most places will accept these.

If you do take out cash you will find that ATMs dispense notes such as £20 & £10. Although some may dispense £5 notes too.

 A £50 note is rarely used in the UK, and if you do find yourself with one, you might discover that a lot of places won’t accept this. And if they do, they may examine the note, to make sure that it is real and not counterfeit. Don’t take offense to this, this is pretty standard.

Coins are made up of Pence – and come in 50p, 20p, 10p, 5p, 2p & 1p. You will also come across £1 and £2 coins too. The £1 coins come in handy particularly for tipping, or paying for public bathrooms (as do the 20p).

7 days in London is a really good amount of time to get to grips with the city, explore the vast majority of the tourist attractions, and basically have a really good holiday. London is such a fascinating city, and there is basically an endless number of things to do. We have visited so many times now, and find something new and exciting to do each time we go. It might be expensive and overwhelming at times, but London is one of the greatest cities in the world, and we absolutely recommend visiting.

If you are still wondering if London is worth visiting here is a useful guide.

Or trying to decide between London and Dublin – here is a helpful guide.

Hopefully this guide will help you plan your own trip to the British capital and has answered your questions about what to do in London in 7 days. It really is an incredible city with so much to see and do. and if you plan ahead you will be able to cover a lot of ground in a week.  Don’t forget to Pin this 7 day London itinerary for later. 

And if you are trying to decide between London or Amsterdam or London or Manchester here are some handy guides.

Wanderlust and Life is a blog for those that love to travel.

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I’ve been visiting London regularly for the last 6 years and there are still lots of places I’ve never been to. My favourite spots from your list are Camden (there’s such a great vibe there) and the Natural History Museum, mainly for the stunning architecture. The first time I went I barely noticed any exhibits, I was so blown away by the building itself!

I so agree. The Natural History Museum is just an incredible building! And Camden is probably one of our favourite places in London too.

this is the place to be http://www.tripindicator.com/view/attractions/london.html There is a large number of fascinating sights in this huge, lively city. Above all else, you’ll need to look at Buckingham Palace, regardless of the possibility that just to take a gander at it from outside, and on the off chance that you time it right you can see the Changing of the Guard. The Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Tower of London and Westminster Abbey are in a split second conspicuous notable images of London. There are the vivacious markets, for example, the outstanding one at Camden where numerous a deal can be found, and brilliant road entertainers in Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square. Investigate the city’s terrible past at the London Dungeon, and see tremendous dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum. For astonishing perspectives, move to the highest point of St Paul’s celebrated Dome or take a ride on the London Eye. For a fun day out with the children, go to the edges for a visit to Chessington World of Adventures or LegoLand in Windsor, which offer an assortment of rides.

You definitely listed up all the main things to discover in London! It’s been so many years since I was there, and your post makes me wanna go again 🙂

Aww thanks! There is so much to do and it always feels like so little time.

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• London’s Most Popular Attractions
• Day Trips From London
• London With Kids
• London Travel Tips

As a London Trip Planner for over 10 years, I have helped over 100 families and individuals planning a trip to London

Why it's important to have a london trip planner when planning a trip to london.

Planning a visit to London can be a daunting task. Especially if it’s your first visit. Unlike many American and European cities where the are attractions located in one general area, London’s tourist attractions are spread out over a massive area. This makes planning on how to get around to them in an efficient way without wasting valuable vacation time very challenging to say the least. And then there are all the other questions you’ll need answers to, like where to stay in london, what form of transportation you should take to get around, which hotels to stay in and which to avoid, and so many other questions. As someone who has visited London 50 times, and has helped over 100 people plan their visit to London, I can answer these questions for you. Let me assist you with a personalized London Trip Plan that will help make your trip to London the perfect visit!

There are three factors you need to take into consideration when planning a visit to London as a tourist. These are:

• Which area of London you should stay in.
• How you’re going to get around to the attractions.
• Answers to the many questions that will arise before you leave and after you get there.

My personalized London Trip Plan for you will address these 3 factors with a unique plan, designed for your visit, in a way that will alleviate the stress of dealing with these factors both before and during your London vacation. Here is how I can help you with all 3:

Where to stay in london, as a tourist, it is extremely important that you choose the right area to stay in london.

Choosing which area to stay in London is the most important decision you’ll make for your visit. It is the cornerstone of my London Trip Plan for you because not only not does it play a key role in maximizing your vacation time, but the neighborhood in which your hotel is located will have a huge effect on your overall London experience. I have stayed all around London and I can show you what I feel is the best area to stay, or help you maximize your stay in an area for which you have a personal preference.

Getting around London

London is very large geographically and its main tourist attractions aren't centralized.

As I mentioned earlier, London’s tourist attractions are spread out all over a vast area. My London Trip Plan shows you how to see London’s attractions efficiently by traveling to different sections of London each day, seeing the attractions in that particular section, rather than zig-zagging all over this huge city, robbing you of your valuable vacation time. The time you save following my plan will give you added time to do other things in London, which many of my clients consider to be a huge bonus!

Answers to your Questions

You're going to have a lot of questions both before and after you arrive in london.

If you’re traveling to London for the first time you’ll quickly find out that there are many questions for which you’re going to need answers. After helping so many people plan their visits to London, I know what those questions will be, and my London Trip Plan ensures you have answers to those questions before you leave. This too will save you valuable vacation time, and make your visit less stressful and more relaxing.

Other important topics you should know about when planning a trip to London

• Which London airport to fly in to
• The best way to get into London from the airport
• Best area to stay in London
• The best and safest way to exchange money for British pounds
• The best way to get around to the tourist attractions
• Things to do in London if you’re bringing children
• How to see London on a budget

I encountered this very nice German couple at Cafe Nero in Paddington, and I quickly realized that I was looking at exactly why I started this website.

Your personal london trip planner is only $99, get in touch for a complimentary first time consultation.

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Traveling to London for the First Time (2024): Tips & Tricks

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: March 18, 2024

Traveling to London for the first time and not sure where to start? Planning a trip to London might be overwhelming indeed and especially so if this is your first time in the city!

How long do I need to spend in London? When to visit? What are the best places to stay in London? How to save time and money and still see the best that London has to offer?

To help you plan your first trip to London, I selected some of the best tips for visiting London . This no-nonsense practical guide will not only help you plan your London trip, but will also show you how to make the best of your visit, time, and budget. Find out!

Top 5 Experiences in London:

• London Eye .
• Tower of London & Crown Jewels .
• Thames River Cruise .
• Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio (book well in advance!)
• The View from The Shard .

These are our top travel tips for visiting London:

1. Stay in Central London

The question that gets asked a lot by first-time visitors is what are the best places to stay in London.

Hotels in central London can be expensive, yet while it might be very tempting to choose cheaper accommodation outside the city center, it’s a choice that you’ll quickly regret. First, commuting into the city every day will cost a lot of money and time. Precious time, that you could otherwise use for sightseeing.

Visiting London for the first time? Stay in central London!  By staying in central London you can see much more in less time. Ultimately this will save money not just on transportation, but also on your overall trip budget because you’ll need fewer days in order to see just as much.

Now that we established that central London is the best place to stay when visiting London for the first time, you might be wondering which neighborhoods are the best for sightseeing.

There is probably no single best answer to this, but here is a short list of neighborhoods that we personally looked at when planning our recent trip to London with kids : Westminster, Trafalgar/ Covent Garden, Soho, Bankside, and South Bank. 

Ultimately we chose the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel , which is located on the South Bank close to the London Eye . We loved being in the center of the action and being able to easily walk everywhere. Staying in the center makes visiting London so much easier because many of the main attractions are within easy walking distance or just a short bus/ tube drive away.

The area around Covent Garden/Trafalgar Square is another great choice. Check out Citadines Trafalgar Square if you are looking for a nice price/quality/location hotel.

TIP: Using the map below, you can also easily see what’s available in central London for your travel dates and group size.

In general, I’d say just look for the best deals that you can find for your group and travel dates and as long as it’s in Central London, you know you made a good choice.

TIP: If you are looking for a lower budget stay in central London (although ‘budget’ is a relative term here), check out the Waterloo Station area (10 minutes walk to London Eye ). It’s one of the few places in the center where you can often find good quality budget accommodation. Here are two of the best choices in this area: Nox Hotel Waterloo and Point A Hotel London Westminster .

If you go further from the center, accommodation gets a bit cheaper. But a lot also depends on the specific area. In general, west/ northwest of the River Thames is better than going further east/ southeast because most of the main landmarks and attractions of London are on the western side of the river. Unless you stay very close to the river, in which case, it’s as good as it gets.

LEARN MORE: Where to Stay in London

2. Avoid Bank Holidays and School Breaks

London is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK , and one of the most popular cities in Europe. It’s an extremely popular destination that attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.

The busiest times to visit London are July and August, as well as European bank holiday weekends and school breaks. If you can, try to avoid these peak periods for fewer crowds and better prices and availability.

If you plan to see London during Holiday Season, it’s best to avoid the main shopping streets on the weekends and the last days just before Christmas.

TIP: Since spring school holidays in Europe usually fall later than in the U.S., London is a great European destination for spring break . It can also be very nice in June when most European countries still have school.

READ ALSO: Best Time to Travel in Europe

3. Foresee Enough Time and Don’t Try to See Everything

If you are traveling to London for the first time, you are probably wondering how much time you need in London. You have to realize that London is huge and there is no way to see everything in just a few days or even a few weeks… So don’t come to London thinking that you can see it all in just one or two days.

While you can see most of the main sights in London in one day or two days , for first-time visitors, I highly recommend spending at least 3-4 days in London. This should give you sufficient time to get acquainted with the city, see the main landmarks, and visit a few of the most popular tourist attractions in London .

However, we also suggest visiting at least a few places outside of the city as that will make your trip so much more special. In that case, you should really plan at least 5-7 days in London. More about day trip suggestions further below.

Also, don’t try to see ‘everything’ in London. This is simply not possible and will leave you tired and frustrated. Plan to visit no more than two or three bigger attractions every day and leave some time for unexpected discoveries.

4. Book as Much as Possible in Advance

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting London is not to plan your visit in advance. Long in advance!

Starting with flights and accommodations and ending with London attractions and activities – booking in advance means more choice, better prices, and less time wasted queuing. After all, you want to make the most of your trip to London and not spend all your precious time standing in line.

TIP: Often tickets for the main London attractions are cheaper if booked online at least a day in advance. For example, you can usually get cheaper tickets for Madame Tussauds , The View from The Shard , or the  London Eye online (not even to mention avoiding the biggest queues and actually being able to visit).

For some places not reserving in advance usually means that you won’t be able to visit at all. For example, the Harry Potter Studio Tour , which is often booked up weeks and months ahead. To give you an idea, recently, we couldn’t find tickets for the day (let alone the time) when we wanted to go 16 weeks in advance! I checked all the possible websites and tour options and this day tour was the only one that still had availability, and only because it was just new at that time. And it’s not even the peak season!

If you want to go see a musical in London, book your theater tickets well in advance. Sometimes, there are last-minute tickets available as well, but not to the most popular shows and the seats you get are usually far from great.

TIP:   If you didn’t think to prebook and are looking for last-minute theatre tickets in London, check the TKTS ticket booth on Leicester Square. You can buy theatre tickets only in person for performances on the same day, or up to two days in advance.

5. Save Time and Money on London’s Major Attractions

Visiting London for the first time means visiting all the main landmarks and attractions in London . However, if you aren’t prepared, it’s very likely you will waste hours and days standing in lines.

If you want to make the most of your time in London, consider skip-the-line tickets and priority passes at the most popular attractions.

Yes, they are expensive but think of it this way. What’s the point of paying all that money to travel to London to then spend all your time queuing instead of sightseeing…

Sunday 40% Off (2024 Spring)

If you are visiting London between March and May 2024, you might be able to take advantage of the 40% discount on some of the major London attractions if you book in advance and visit them on Sunday.

Below is the list of the attractions that offer this discount. Click on the links to activate the promo code and book the ticket directly on the official website:

• Madame Tussauds London .
• London Dungeon .
• SEA LIFE London .
• Shrek’s Adventure .

The London Pass

One of the best ways to see a lot of the major attractions in London with a priority entrance is The London Pass . For example, it includes FREE entrance to places like The Tower of London, The View from the Shard, Westminster Abbey, London Bridge, or London Zoo and experiences like the Thames River Cruise or Hop-on Hop-off bus tour (to mention just a few)…

However, it only makes sense to get the pass if you visit at least 2-3 of the included attractions per day, so you need to decide if it’s worth it for you.

If you are planning to visit a lot of major attractions in a very short time, then the London Pass is definitely worth it. But plan well and make sure you get the most out of your pass during its validity period.

TIP: If you are staying in London longer, buying a pass for multiple days is more beneficial than just getting a pass for one day. Note that there are several different choices of passes in London ( The London Pass , London Explorer Pass ). Our research shows that the London Pass is one of the best options.

Fast Track, Skip the Line & Timed-Entry Tickets

The London Pass includes free entrance to 60 top attractions in London, but some of the most popular attractions like the London Eye are not included in this pass. Furthermore, many popular attractions now work with timed entry slots.

So for the most popular attractions, it’s best to book fast-track or timed-entry tickets well in advance.

We visited London with our three kids and used fast-track tickets wherever we could. I can’t imagine how different our experience would have been if we had to wait in line everywhere. We could have never seen half as much in the time that we had, not to mention our sanity, standing in line for hours with young children…

For example, you can buy fast-track tickets for the London Eye , Madame Tussauds , and some others. You can get timed-entry tickets for the Tower of London , The Shard , and many others.

A fast-track ticket to the most popular attractions like the London Eye or even Madame Tussauds can easily save you a couple of hours! The queues here can be 2-3 hours long, so believe me, a fast-track ticket is a real lifesaver . As a minimum, get a standard timed-entry ticket online before you go.

TIP: The London Eye also has several different prices depending on when you book and when you visit. For example, the early morning, late evening, or weekday tickets are usually a bit cheaper. Plus, you can save up to 20% if booking online and at least 24 hours in advance! You can find all the best ticket options for The London Eye on the official website .

6. Visit London’s FREE Attractions

Here are some places and activities that you should definitely add to your London travel list:

Free Museums in London

Visiting London is not cheap, but there are so many great things to see and do completely for free. Here are just a few London museums that can be visited free of charge : British Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, Science Museum, Museum of London and many more.

London’s Parks and Gardens

London has many gardens, parks and playgrounds that are free to visit. It is also a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

London Views

While some places require a ticket, there are lots of great views in London that don’t cost anything at all. For more information, please see our guide to the best views of London .

London’s Shops

Don’t get me wrong – shopping in London isn’t cheap by any means. But visiting the shops is of course absolutely free and can be an attraction in itself. Don’t miss Harrods and Oxford Street ! Kids will love  Hamleys (the world’s largest and oldest toy store), the LEGO store , and the  M&M store .

TIP: Try to avoid shopping streets and big department stores on the weekends and just before Christmas.

London Markets

London has lots of wonderful markets, scattered all around the city. With quirky, unique shops and food stalls that will leave you mouthwatering, it will likely be hard to resist buying something. But you can spend hours and days wandering around London’s markets without spending anything…

TIP: Some of our favorite markets include Camden Market , Greenwich Market , Spitalfields Market, and Borough Market (this is where some of the best food tours in London come too).

Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is one of the free things to do in London that are not to be missed. The ceremony is free to watch and takes place at Buckingham Palace at 10.45 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays (weather permitting).  It’s very popular among tourists, so make sure to arrive early in order to secure a spot with a good view.

For the exact location and up-to-date schedule, please consult the website of the Household Division .

READ ALSO: Top FREE Sights & Things to Do in London with Kids (many suggestions will also be interesting for adults)

7. Use Credit Cards (or Smartphone)

These days, you hardly ever need cash for payments in the UK. Pretty much every place accepts credit cards and most places now also accept payments directly via your smartphone. You may want to get some cash for small purchases, but it’s so much easier to just use your credit card or smartphone.

You can use all major credit cards in London, but VISA and Mastercard are by far the most accepted cards. Amex is not widely used in Europe and Diner’s Club is pretty much useless. Debit cards (or cash-only cards) are also accepted pretty much everywhere.

One thing you should know is that if you use a card, often, you need one with a chip and a 4-digit PIN. Make sure that you know your PIN number by heart! You’ll need a credit card with a PIN for most payments all over Europe. Some places might still accept a card with your signature, but often, they don’t even know that they can or how to approach it because nobody in Europe uses that system anymore.

Good to know: When using an ATM or paying for purchases, you’ll be asked to choose currency – either local currency (UK pound sterling) or your own currency (US dollar if you’re traveling from the US, or Euro if you’re from Europe). Always choose to pay in local currency (UK pound sterling) and let your own bank do the currency transaction, or you risk losing a lot of money. A lot.

TIP:  If you don’t have the right credit card with a chip and a 4-digit pin, check out this selection of  the best American credit cards for travel . I recommend choosing  a card with no foreign transaction fees .

8. Use Public Transport & Use a Contactless Credit Card or Oyster Card

London is a big city and visiting everything on foot just isn’t feasible. The good news is that London’s public transport system is very efficient.

One of the best and quickest ways to get around in London is metro, aka the London tube . The biggest advantage of the tube is that you can quickly get to the other side of London without having to waste your time in the traffic. Here’s a tip for you I once got from a local. Avoid the tube during rush hour and during Christmas.

However, while traveling underground, you don’t see anything of the city, so for shorter distances, I recommend taking one of the city’s buses. Riding these original red double-decker buses is a typical London experience you should try at least once.

TIP:  Get the Oyster card . It’s a sort of electronic ticket that can be used for all public transport in Greater London and is much cheaper than paying for single-ride tickets. You can find more information about the Oyster Card here .

Alternatively, just use your contactless credit card . You can scan it when entering the metro, then scan it again when you leave. It works the same way as the Oyster card and if you use public transport several times a day, the maximum amount you spend will be capped at a daily ticket rate.

Note that children often travel free of charge (more information here ). However, for older kids where kids’ tariff is applicable, you better get a ticket. Using your credit card for the kids as well would mean that you’re paying adult rates for them. On top of that, you need one card per person anyway.

TIP: Since the recent Uber ban in London, a traditional London cab is the best option if you have lots of luggage. You really don’t want to take the tube with young kids and big suitcases, take my word for it. We took a cab twice in London and it was much more affordable than we expected. Furthermore, riding a traditional English cab is part of the experience of visiting London for the first time.

9. Walk or Rent a Bike

I know that I just told you that seeing London on foot isn’t feasible. However, you’d be missing a great deal if you take a tube or a bus every time. After all, one of the best ways to see a new city is to explore it on foot . London is no exception.

Another great way to see London and easily cover bigger distances is by bike . There are lots of self-service city bike stands where you can rent a bike, or you can join a guided bike tour.

If you are visiting London for the first time and don’t know the city well, renting a bike without a guide is maybe not the best idea, unless in the parks. London traffic is really busy, it comes (for most of us) from a different side than what we are used to, and if you also need to read the map, it can get quite dangerous.

TIP: If you want to explore London by bike, book a tour with a local guide. There are several great options, e.g. this half-day bike tour that covers the main highlights of London , or this bike tour that brings you to the less-known places of London .

10. Use Hop-on Hop-off Buses and River Cruises

There are so many ways to see London! For the complete experience, I recommend you try as many different means of transport as you can during your London trip.

Hop-on hop-off buses are extremely popular and are a great way to see the city and major attractions.

One of my favorite ways to see any city is by taking a boat where possible. There are so many boat trip options in London, so you really have no excuse not to see London from the Thames. One of the most popular options is hop-on hop-off boat on River Thames . It allows you to see many attractions close to the river in an easy way.

TIP: Hop-on Hop-off bus tickets usually include one FREE Thames River cruise ride and a FREE walking tour.

11. Get off the Beaten Path

It’s understandable that you want to see the main landmarks when traveling to London for the first time. However, London is so much more than Big Ben or Buckingham Palace!

There are so many quirky neighborhoods, local markets, lesser-known museums, and beautiful gardens in London.

Visiting a few less known places like this will just make your first trip to London even more special and memorable.

TIP: Here you can find some great ideas for different things to do, the hidden gems of London . And here you can find some nice ideas for the best views and viewpoints in London .

READ ALSO: Camden Town – one of the coolest neighborhoods in London

12. Eat Like the British

London is an expensive city and dining out can be a pricey experience. Furthermore, restaurants located close to tourist attractions don’t always serve the best food, so researching restaurants in advance can be a good idea.

Here are some insider tips on where to find the best food in London and save money :

• Try traditional Fish&Chips where locals eat (e.g. Poppies Fish&Chips or The Golden Chippy).
• Local supermarkets offer lots of affordable options for sandwiches or salads – perfect for a picnic in the park.
• Borough Market is the best food market in London, but there are also so many other smaller markets and food stalls.
• Ottolenghi deli sells delicious packed lunches.
• Harrods food hall is not to be missed.
• Lots of fine restaurants cost a fraction of the price if you go there for lunch rather than dinner.
• Traditional afternoon tea experience is a must in London and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We had  afternoon tea with kids at St. Ermin’s and loved it! Nowadays, there are many easily accessible and very affordable high tea experiences all over London (see here for some of the best options ).

READ ALSO: British Food to Try in the UK

13. Take a Day Trip Outside of the City

While London has so much to offer, there are also so many nice places to visit outside the city as well! From the most popular destinations like Windsor Castle and bucket-list places like Stonehenge to the English countryside and charming villages of the Cotswolds , but also some of the UK’s best towns and cities such as Bath, Oxford, or Cambridge – there are so many amazing possibilities near London.

So if you can, plan a longer stay in London and take at least a few day trips to explore more of England. This will make your trip so much more special!

TIP: If you are short on time, we recommend that you take organized tours that cover some of the nicest places in one day. That way you can see a lot in just a few days – much more than you’d ever be able to do on your own. And yes, it’s not exactly exploring deeper, but if this is your first time in the UK, it’s better than nothing.

Here are some of the best day tours from London that we recommend for first-time visitors:

• Windsor Castle, Stonehenge & Bath .
• Oxford, Stratford & the Cotswolds .
• Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio with Transfer .
• Liverpool and The Beatles (a very long day, but well worth it for The Beatles fans). See also our guide on how to visit Liverpool from London .

READ ALSO: Best Day Trips and One Day Tours from London

14. Don’t Forget The Little Important Details

Here are some more practical tips to consider when traveling to London for the first time:

• You can pay by credit card pretty much everywhere, but it’s always useful to have some cash as well. And no, you can’t pay in Euro or US Dollars in London, you really need to get Pound sterling from an ATM.
• You are not expected to tip in the UK and service charge is often included in your restaurant bill. In most London restaurants, you’ll get charged 10-15% in addition to your bill. Locals say they don’t typically tip at the bar, but would usually leave a 10% tip at a restaurant if the service was good and not yet included in the bill.
• Don’t forget your travel adapter . UK uses Type G plugs, which are very different from other European countries, or the US.
• You’ll be walking a lot, so wear comfortable shoes . Nowadays, Europeans wear sneakers in the cities too, and London is no exception. However, we tend to wear more fashionable sneakers (something like this ), not the ones you wear when playing tennis… However, some places in London still throw upon (and some doormen give you ‘the look’ or even refuse entry) if your clothing and/or footwear looks too casual…
• Look right(!) when crossing a street in London. Yes, right, because they do drive on the other side of the road in Britain. If this is your first trip to the UK, it might take some getting used to. So be careful!
• You may want to consider buying a local SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi to save on roaming charges.
• Pack an umbrella or a good rain jacket. It rains a lot in London, especially in the colder season. Although, as climate changes, the weather has gotten significantly drier here too. So check the weather forecast before your trip. Wearing layers is always the best way to go!

So, these are some of the most important practical tips you should know when traveling to London for the first time.

Do you have any questions or maybe want to share your experience and tips from visiting London? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

READ ALSO: Best Secret Places of London That Most Tourists Never See

London Travel FAQ

The best time to travel to London is in the warm season between March and October. Summer is the peak season with big crowds. For mild weather and fewer people, come in spring or in the fall. The very best months to visit London are April-May and September-beginning of October.

London is huge and there’s no way to see everything in one trip. If you are visiting for the first time, we recommend spending at least 3-4 days in London. This will allow you to see the main landmarks and visit a few tourist attractions. If you also plan to take day trips and see some of the UK from London, then plan to stay for at least a week.

The best way to explore London is by focusing on one area at a time and walking between the main attractions that are located next to each other. For bigger distances, use the London subway, hop-on hop-off buses, or river cruises.

If you are visiting London for the first time and want to see all the main landmarks and attractions, we recommend staying in Central London. The areas around Big Ben – London Eye have the prime location for sightseeing. Staying here will save you lots of time for commute and will allow you to make the most of your trip.

London is one of the best cities in the entire world and definitely worth visiting! With famous landmarks, royal history and traditions, fun tourist attractions, world-class museums, theaters, and a unique cultural mix, London has something to offer for any type of traveler. It’s a bucket list destination that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime!

More inspiration for your trip to the UK:

• Best Things to Do in London
• 1 Day in London
• 2 Days in London
• Things to Do in Greenwich
• Best Things to Do in Liverpool
• Best Things to Do in Manchester
• Yorkshire Day Trips
• Best Places to Visit in Cornwall
• London with Kids
• Isle of Skye Itinerary
• Scotland Whisky Tour
• Top Things to Do in Blackpool
• Tips for Visiting Blackpool
• Best Things to Do in Edinburgh
• One Day in Glasgow

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who are planning their first trip to London. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Travel tips for other major cities in Europe:

• Amsterdam Travel Tips
• Barcelona Travel Tips
• Paris Travel Tips
• Rome Travel Tips
• Read also our step-by-step guide with planning info and tips for traveling to Europe .

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Monday 18th of March 2024

Hello - your article has been very helpful - I do have a few specific questions with regard to the 'skip the line' or 'fast track' tickets - I am not clear on where to buy those? Do I buy from the individual attractions like St. Paul's, Tower of London or some other way? And when it says to book well in advance using one of the apps such as the London Pass - is that days in advance or weeks in advance? (we will be there in late August, just 2 adults). Does the London Pass include/automatically give you Priority entrance? Thank you so much!!

@Jurga, Thank you! This is indeed super helpful - I appreciate all the tips!

Hi Tracy, 'fast track' or 'skip the line' might mean different things depending on attraction. It's usually indicated when you book tickets. Nowadays, many of the most popular attractions also work with timed-entry tickets, so you book a specific time slot and the wait is limited. A few examples: * the London Eye tickets. You can choose standard, or fast-track tickets, and many other options like multi-attraction tickets, etc. In most cases (unless you opt for flex tickets), you have to choose a time slot. However, even with the reserved time slot, the fast-track ticket will give you a much faster entry (skipping most lines) than the standard ticket where you'll have a much longer queue with everyone who reserved those tickets for the same time. * The Tower of London tickets - here, you book a specific time slot. It's not completely skip-the-line, but the line will be limited to only those people who reserved the same time slot. * Madame Tussauds - you can choose between standard and fast-track tickets. * St Paul's Cathedral tickets are now valid on the specific date, not time, and it shouldn't be too busy. Entrance to the Golden Gallery might be limited if it's very busy, but it's not something you can reserve in advance.

If you buy any multi-attraction pass, then you will usually receive instructions from them and they will advise you for which attractions it's best to reserve time slots separately. Each place has different ways how they work, but e.g. if you get this London Pass, you will find all the instructions for each of the attractions. The majority of less popular places will be simple to enter just like that, but for the most popular ones, you will need to make a reservation. It's a bit more complicated that way, but you might save quite some money depending on which pass you get, for how long, and which places you choose to visit. Let's just say that if money isn't an issue, it's usually simpler to get the tickets for the most popular attractions separately, with reserved time slots, and potentially fast-track/skip-the-line access where available.

As for how long in advance to book - as soon as you know your travel dates and/or when tickets become available. The earlier you book, the more options you will have and time slots to choose from. That said, some places only open their booking system a month or two/three in advance. But there are also others that get completely sold out half a year in advance. August is a peak season, so I'd book everything that you absolutely want to do asap. If you use GetYourGuide and other websites which we personally use and recommend for most tickets and tours, you will see that they offer a free cancelation option for most of the attractions for up to 24 hours before the visit, so you have nothing to lose. All this information is available for each ticket/tour separately, and you can see it all before you book.

Alternatively, book guided tours for the most popular places. Most of them have skip-the-line access and some even offer something unique. For example, we are visiting London again soon, and this time we reserved this early-access tour to the Tower of London. The same company also has this amazing after-hours tour.

Hope this helps a bit. I know how overwhelming it can be, but nowadays not making advance bookings often means that you will not be able to visit the most popular places at all. It's not just London or Europe, but pretty much any big city in the world. In the USA, you even have to make reservations for many national parks and similar... So if you want to have a truly fun and relaxing trip, you have to do your homework. Have a great trip!

Wednesday 21st of February 2024

My name is Wendy! I am planning to visit London soon .I very enjoyed your article. It was really helpful .thanks a lot

Friday 23rd of February 2024

Glad to help, Wendy. Enjoy London!

Sunday 26th of November 2023

I really enjoyed your article and it was VERY informative. It helped me decide not only what to do, but what not to do. I have 2 teenagers. I was wondering if the Harry Potter studio is considered a "must-do" or is it a tourist trap or falls somewhere in between. It seems like all-tolled it will take about 7-8 hours, and that is a lot of time spent out of the city for 1 place. We will have 5 1/2 days in London and already planning 2 full-day excursions, so will have 3 1/2 days. Thank you in advance for your help!

Monday 27th of November 2023

Hi Brian, I know exactly how you feel. We ourselves are going to London soon with our three teenagers, for just 3 days, and we're also considering Harry Potter Studios on one of those days. It is a long day, indeed, and not cheap either. But from everything I read and heard, it's extremely well done and everyone I know who visited with teens was very enthusiastic about it. We recently visited Harry Potter studios in LA and the whole family found it amazing. From what I understand, the ones in London are much bigger and even more impressive. But we have a couple Harry Potter fans in the family AND we have been to London many times before, so we are less worried about 'missing' something else out. We are actually going for the more special experiences this time (ABBA Voyage, Tina Musical, maybe one of the Walks' exclusive tours, street art, markets, etc.) rather than traditional sightseeing. I guess it all comes down to your family's interests and which alternatives you consider instead. But remember that most of the places you'll visit will likely be less interesting to your kids than to you, so sometimes you have to balance things out to make sure the trip has something for the whole family. I know from experience that there are only that many churches and museums that our kids can handle... ;) So I'm afraid I can't help you much, and you'll have to ask your kids and decide together with them. Maybe make two alternative plans for a day, present it to the kids, and let them choose which one they prefer. If you decide to go, the research I just did for our own trip shows that - at the moment - this transfer + Harry Potter Studios entrance ticket is the cheapest option (about 50£ savings for a family of 4 vs other providers). Have a great time in London!

Thursday 12th of October 2023

My name is Albert, I was very impressed after reading your article and I also got a lot of useful information. Thank you.

Glad to help, Albert. Have a great time in London!

Sunday 6th of August 2023

Wow !!Planning to visit London along with out of city October, Thank you for helping me find thé information I needed ,it’s so helpful and informative! looking forward to hear you more 💙

Glad to help, Diki. Enjoy London!

London Travel Guide

Welcome to our London Travel Guide . London is one of the most popular cities for visitors in the world. Every year an estimated 18 million people flock to sample the culture and history which make it so special.

Nearly 9 million people call London home and it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.

It is also where you will find some of the world’s most iconic buildings – Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London as well as 170 museums, numerous parks, restaurants and shops.

With so much to see and do what are you waiting for?

Below you will find links to all the information you need to plan your visit to London.

For general planning advice take a look at our UK travel planning page and guide to the best booking websites for UK travel.

Check out our new London Travel Planning website too which is totally dedicated to London!

LONDON PODCAST EPISODES

London travel guide – itineraries, london sights, landmarks & attractions, london with kids, london tours & tickets, london tips, london in winter, london in spring, getting around london, food & drink, where to stay in london, harry potter, london tv & movies, london sport, london events, day trips from london, beyond london, london packing, london travel books, when is the best time to visit london, how much time do i need in london, how can i get around london, how can i get from the airport to my hotel, how much money should i budget for london, what should i pack for london.

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How to purchase London Attraction Tickets (Complete Guide)

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Episode 4 – Visiting London (Top Tips for First-Time Visitors)

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15 Best things to do in London at night

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If you are unsure about what to pack for your London trip I recommend including the following items.

You can find a detailed packing list (including a free printable) in this packing guide for London in winter or this all-seasons packing guide for the UK.

VISITING LONDON – FAQ’s

Below you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about planning your London trip.

London is busy pretty much all year round so deciding when to visit can be tricky if you are hoping to avoid the crowds!

London is particularly busy in July and August during the UK summer school holidays and again in December during the festive season.

To help you plan your visit to London read my guide to “When is the best time of year to visit the UK?” which looks at every season as well as detailing a month by month guide to events and festivals occurring throughout the year in London and the UK.

I recommend planning to spend at least 3 to 4 days in London to see some of the main sights and attractions.

Tip – If you are jet lagged on day one why not take a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get your bearings of the city.

Don’t underestimate how tiring visiting London can be especially if you pack a lot of attractions into a short period of time.

Public transportation is excellent in London with a choice of the Tube, buses, trains, riverboats, trams and even bicycles to get around.

The cheapest way to get around London is with an Oyster Card which allows you to travel between all parts of London using public transport.

Read more about London transportation in our guide.

There are various options to travel from Heathrow into London including the Tube, cab, bus or Heathrow Express train.

You can read more in our guide which details the various options including costs, time and availability.

Plan at least £120 per day per person in London. This will cover food, transportation, and accommodation costs. Consider the time of year that you plan to visit as prices for accommodation will be substantially higher during those times.

Whilst London is not a cheap city to visit there are ways to save money including purchasing an Oyster Card, visiting free attractions, and buying lunch from supermarkets. Read my guide to visiting London on a budget.

Pack layers! Even in winter it can be hot in shops and on the Tube so take clothes that you can layer off and on.

An absolute must are comfortable shoes. London is a walkable city so be prepared with sneakers or boots. Don’t wear heels!

Assume it will rain whatever time of year you are visiting and pack a waterproof.

Read more in my UK packing list.

> CLICK HERE FOR MY STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR UK TRIP !

What to budget

What to pack

7 day London itinerary for first time visitors

Steeped in history and culture, crammed with iconic landmarks, and bustling with activity, there’s something for everyone in this world-famous capital. Founded by the Romans in the first century, London is now the most visited city in the world.

The skyline is a blend of the modern and the ancient, with hidden gems in every corner; stumbling across a stunning piece of architecture or a hidden cafe is just the norm, making it an exciting place for any visitor. This 7-day London itinerary will help you see as much as possible combining popular and unique things to do in London. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission.

Tips for your 7-day London itinerary

Depending on how you plan to travel to and from the airport and around London during your trip, it may be worth buying an Oyster or travel card. It is therefore advisable to decide what type of ticket will be best before you arrive, as it may be possible to also use this ticket to get from the airport. Some tickets also need to be purchased in advance, such as Visitor Oyster cards.

Oyster and travel cards

If you plan to travel around London using public transport it’s best to get an Oyster card, as tickets are usually cheaper when you pay with these. If you want to pay for tickets as you go and you live outside the UK, you can get a Visitor Oyster card, which you preload with credit. The card itself costs £5 and needs to be bought before you arrive. The Visitor Oyster card also gives you access to discounts and special offers around London.

If you know you will be using public transport a lot then you might want to buy a travel card. Have a look at Transport for London’s (TFL) handy guide if you’re unsure whether a Visitor Oyster card or a travel card would be best for you.

London Pass

It is also possible to combine a travel card with the London Pass. The London Pass gives you entry to many of London’s top tourist destinations, which can be excellent value if you intend on visiting a lot of attractions. The pass can be bought with or without a travel card.

A 6-day London Pass, excluding travel card, costs around £154. If, for example, you chose to do every activity in this guide, you would save around £90 using the London Pass. Tickets can be collected in Charing Cross, London, or downloaded to your mobile phone for free. You can also have them delivered to your home for a fee.

Click here to buy your London Pass.

Click here to read my London Pass review.

How to spend 7 days in London a first timers itinerary

While this itinerary can be followed as it is, you might want to swap some days around as certain events only happen on specified days, or you might want to take advantage of some good weather by doing outdoor activities, and saving the museums for those inevitable rainy days.

7 days in London: Day One

After arriving and settling into your hotel, there is no better way of getting that London feeling than heading towards the West End.

The British Museum

The British museum is widely considered to be one of the best museums in the UK, with around six million visitors every year. Displaying over two million years of human history through a large collection of arts and antiquities, there’s bound to be something to peak your interest. The Egyptian mummies and Rosetta Stone are must-sees, along with the Greek and Assyria exhibitions.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm

Admission: free

The West End

After taking in the culture at the British museum you can soak up the atmosphere of the West End, including world-famous shopping destination Oxford Street, Covent Gardens with its historic markets and quirky street performers, Leicester square famous for its cinemas, as well as lively Soho and China Town.

Check here some amazing things to do in Covent Garden. 

While you’re in the area, it’s a great opportunity to catch a West End show. There are over 40 theatres in “theatreland”, mostly from the Victorian and Georgian period and architecturally very impressive. As there are so many theatres, there is always a great range of shows to choose from, including several classic, long-running show.

These include Phantom of the Opera, which has been running at Her Majesty’s Theatre since 1986, the world’s longest running musical, Les Misérables, which has been playing at Queen’s Theatre since 1985, or even The Mousetrap, which has been staged at St. Martin’s theatre since 1974 and is the longest continuous run of any show in the world.

If you just want to see a quintessential West End theatre then visit the London Palladium, arguably one of the most famous, or the London Coliseum, one of the largest theatres in London.

7 days in London: Day Two

Buckingham palace and trafalgar square.

Buckingham Palace is the Queen of England’s official residence and a working palace. When the queen is not in residence (during the summer and some selected days in winter and spring) it is possible to go inside and visit the impressive State Rooms, which are lavishly furnished and used for entertainment on a grand scale.

The visit also includes a walk through the gardens. However, even when the queen is home, the palace is still a great place to visit, not least for the famous Changing of the Guard. The ceremony never fails to bring in a crowd and is totally free to watch, although it’s recommended to get there around 45 minutes before the start to guarantee a good viewpoint.

You can also always visit the Royal Mews, which is a working stables housing all the horses, carriages and vehicles used for royal occasions. The Queen’s Gallery is also open year round and displays an impressive array of artwork from the Royal Collection.

Opening hours:

The State Rooms 9:30 am to 7:00 pm (closes at 6:00 pm in September)

The Royal Mews 10.00 am to 4.00 pm (closes 5.00 pm March to November)

The Queen’s Gallery 10.00 am to 5.30 pm (opens 9.30am in the summer)

Changing of the Guard times: every day during the summer (weather permitting). Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for the rest of the year. Starts at 10:45 am with the actual of change of guard occurring at 11.00 am

The State Rooms £24,

The Royal Mews £11, included in London Pass

The Queen’s Gallery £12, included in London Pass

All three £42.30

After visiting the palace, you can walk down The Mall, the famous tree-lined street that leads up to the palace gates. Walking through the historic Admiralty Arch takes you straight towards another important London landmark, Trafalgar Square.

Here you will find the 52-metre high Nelson’s Column, guarded by four lions. Along with the other statues in Trafalgar Square, be sure to check out the “Fourth Plinth” which has traditionally stood empty, but is now used for specially commissioned temporary artworks.

Churchill’s War Rooms

From Trafalgar Square, take a stroll through St James’ Park, or a very short tube ride, to Churchill’s War Rooms. Here you will find the underground complex from which prime minister Winston Churchill ran the government during the Second World War. There is also a museum about Churchill, giving you everything you need to know about this important figure in British history.

Admission: £21, included in London Pass

Opening hours: 9.30 am to 6.00 pm

Westminster Palace and Abbey

Just a short walk from the Churchill War Rooms is Parliament Square, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Westminster Palace (also known as the Houses of Parliament) including the instantly-recognisable Elizabeth Tower which house Big Ben, and Westminster Abbey.

Parliament has been meeting at the site of Westminster Palace since the 13th century, however the current building has been in place since around 1840. Only from seeing it in real life is it possible to really gain a sense for the scale and ornate detail of this truly impressive building.

If you want to go inside you need to book a guided tour, which lasts about 90 minutes. During the tour you will learn about how the parliament works, visit the Commons and Lords Chambers and see the nearly 1,000 year-old Westminster Hall. It is also possible to have afternoon tea in one of the riverside rooms, although you do need to book in advance.

Next to the Houses of Parliament is Westminster Abbey. Founded in AD 960, the current gothic building was constructed in 1245. The abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of 17 monarchs. Guided tours are available, and recommended if you want to learn all about the abbey’s rich history.

The tour lasts around 90 minutes, during which you will see Poets Corner, the Lady Chapel, the nave, the royal tombs and the gardens which are said to have been cultivated for over 900 years.

The guided tour also includes a visit to Edward the Confessor’s tomb, one of the last Anglo Saxon kings of England, which is not accessibletovisitors who wish to look around on their own.

Houses of Parliament

Admission: £28 (cheaper if booked in advance)

Afternoon tea: £29

Westminster Abbey

Admission: £22, included in London Pass, tour costs an additional £5

Opening hours: depends on the day. Visit website for details.

Click here to book your Westminster Abbey fast track tickets. 

Cruise in River Thames

With the River Thames winding its way through the centre of the capital, there is no better way of seeing the city than by getting on a boat that traverses the waterway. With views of Big Ben, the Tower of London, the London Eye and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, you’ll be in for a real treat!

Seeing London’s sights by night while enjoying hours of entertainment is an amazing way to spend an evening while in London. The music events by City Cruises allow you to dance the night away, listening to sounds of the 80s, 90s, 00s and today. Hosted by top DJs, the events each have a fun theme, with everything from a Hip Hop Karaoke and Silent Disco to a stylish Champagne Sunday Brunch, so you can choose your style, get your friends together and enjoy an event to remember!

Alternatively, you can stick to a more traditional dinner cruise along the Thames or simply opt for a sight-seeing tour during the day.

7 days in London: Day Three

On day three you can get out of the city centre and head to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, where two of London’s best attractions can be found. There is a lot to see at both of these places, so if you want to have a thorough look around, and have the time, you can dedicate a whole day to each.

Hampton Court Palace

It’s easy to reach Hampton Court train station from Waterloo. Building of the palace began in 1515, but it has been extended multiple times over the centuries. Even if you’re not usually a fan of royal history, stories of the events at Hampton Court Palace will never bore.

Steeped in scandalous Tudor history, and offering an immersive experience, Hampton Court won’t disappoint. Some of the highlights are the 300-year old hedge puzzle maze and Henry VIII’s kitchen, where you can learn about the extraordinary Tudor feasts.

There are many different guided tours available, and with all the tales of ghosts, beheadings, adultery and royal births and deaths, you won’t want to miss out. There are also daily and seasonal presentations that you can listen to for free.

Admission: £20.90, included in London Pass

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm

Click here to book your Hampton Court Palace tickets.

Kew Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew have one of the largest and most diverse collections of plants in the world, some of which are rare or threatened. One of the most recognisable features of Kew Gardens is The Palm House. Built in 1844, it was the biggest glasshouse built at that time and was used to house plants that Victorian explorers brought back with them.

Following the success with the Palm House, the Temperate House was built in 1860 and is the largest Victorian glasshouse in the world. The Temperate House is home to an internationally important collection of temperate zone plants.

In the Princess of Wales Conservatory you can find plants from 10 different climate zones, including the titan arum which is often known as “the corpse flower” due to its stench of rotting flesh used to attract insects.

As well as strolling through the greenhouses, you can also experience what it is like to walk through a forest canopy, with the treetop walkway. Set 18 metres above the woodland floor, this 200-metre long walkway transports you through the canopy with its birds, insects, lichens and fungi.

Admission: £17, included in London Pass

Opening hours: opens at 10.00 am, closing times vary dependent on season. Check website for details.

Click here to book your Kew Garden Tickets.

If you only have 3 days in London you might want to check this itinerary for 3 days in London. 

7 days in London: Day Four

There are many great places not far from London than can easily be explored within a day, so why not get out of the city and try one of these day trips?

Harry Potter: Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transfer

If you’re a Harry Potter fan then a visit to the Warner Brothers Studios is an absolute must during your time in London!

Located on the outskirts of Watford, the studios feature a selection of permanent exhibitions as well as extra special exhibits that change on a regular basis so there’s always something new and exciting to see.

Witness the fantastical props from the films, step into the Gryffindor Common Room and walk through Diagon Alley while tasting a sip of sweet butterbeer along the way.

You can even buy some chocolate frogs or a copy of your character’s favourite wand from the epic gift shop at the end.

To ensure you have a hassle-free trip, book on to a Studio tour which includes entrance fees and return transfers from central London.

Click here for more information and to book the Harry Potter Warner Bros studio tour. 

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument consisting of a ring of standing stones, each standing around four metres high and two metres wide, with no one really sure how, or why it was built. Nonetheless it’s a very impressive sight, incredibly intriguing, and one of the UK’s most famous landmarks. The site and its surrounding is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The stone circle itself is a masterpiece of engineering for its time and it is incredible to think how much work would have been involved to build it, and therefore how important it must have been.

Walking around the stone circle (albeit from a short distance) is the highlight of a visit to Stonehenge and will leave you wanting to know more about its construction and possible purpose, however there is also much more to see and do.

The visitor centre offers a lot of context and insight into the stones and their history. Outside the visitors centre some Neolithic houses have been constructed, enabling you to see how the people of Salisbury would have lived 4,500 years ago, when Stonehenge was built. Volunteers are on hand to answer questions and demonstrate activities that would have been daily parts of life at that time.

At te Stonehenge exhibition you can see many of the artefacts that have been found during archaeological digs in the area, ranging from jewellery, pottery and tools to human remains. You can also find out about the diet and lifestyle of the people who built Stonehenge, as well as the science behind how these have been discovered.

There is a visitor shuttle between the visitor centre and the stone circle, however you can also walk if you want to get a feel for the landscape and enjoy Salisbury Plain.

Stonehenge is located in Salisbury, which is around one and a half hours away from central London by train. Take the train from London Waterloo to Salisbury and then jump onboard the dedicated tour bus to Stonehenge . You can also take a day-trip bus from London, which takes around two and a half hours.

Tickets are required to see Stonehenge, for which you will be given a set arrival time, it is therefore advised to book in advance.

Admission: £17.50 when booking in advance

Opening hours: 9.30 am to 7.00 pm

Book a day trip from London to Stonehedge with a visit to Bath here.

Situated in picturesque south-west England, the ancient city of Bath has it all, famed for its history, culture, literature, art and UNESCO World Heritage status. The city was founded in first century by the Romans, who used the natural hot springs as a spa and built the baths around them.

The baths have remained at the heart of the city’s development ever since, and are considered to be some of the best preserved Roman remains in the world. However, it’s not just its Roman past that makes Bath historically important. The 18th century was when the town really developed, with elegant Georgian architecture characterising the city andmaking it one of the most beautiful in Europe.

A visit to the Roman Baths is obviously a must. With so much to see, it is recommended you spare at least two hours for your visit. From the Great Bath itself, to the changing rooms, saunas, plunge pools and the Sacred Spring. Admission to the baths includes an audioguide, a public guided tour and the opportunity to try the natural spa water from the spa water fountain.

Bath is the only place in Britain where you can bathe in natural hot springs and while its not possible to bathe in the old Roman Baths, you can head over to Thermae Bath Spa for a more modern alternative, including a roof-top pool with panoramic views of the city.

To experience Bath in its full glory, you should climb the Bath Abbey Tower , which offers breathtaking views of the city. On the way up the tower you visit the ringing chamber and bell chamber, and can even go behind the clock face. Once up the top you will get unrivalled views of Bath. You will need to buy ticket to go up the tower, with the whole tour lasting around 45 minutes.

Another excellent way to enjoy Bath is the Skyline Walk . The six-mile long footpath takes you through woodlands and valleys and up to some stunning viewpoints over the city. You will also find several sites of archaeological interest along the way, such as the Iron Age fort and Roman settlements. If you’re more interested in learning about the history and architecture of Bath, there are many guided walks you can take through the city, dependent on your interests.

Bath is easy to reach from London, with a direct train from London Paddington to Bath Spa, which takes around one hour and 40 minutes.

Click here to book a a day trip from London to Stonehedge and Bath.

You might be interested in: Things to do in Bath

7 days in London: Day Five

Kensington palace.

Kensington Palace has historically been a fashionable home for young royals, with Queen Victoria spending most of her childhood at Kensington. This tradition has continued in modern times, as Prince Charles and Princess Diana brought up their young family, William and Harry, at the palace, and it is now home to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) and their children.

The Queen’s State Apartments and the King’s State Apartments are mostly unchanged since their construction in 1690, and the opulent decor is worth the visit. At the palace you will also find a collection of royal ceremonial dress and an exhibition of Princess Diana’s most famous outfits. Kensington Palace is also a fantastic place to enjoy an afternoon tea, surrounded by the stunning formal gardens and giving you that real royal feeling.

Admission: £19.50, included in London Pass

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (closes at 4.00 pm November to January)

Click here to book your tickets to Kensington Palace.

Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park

Kensington Gardens was once the grounds of the palace, but is now a Royal Park. The park itself is lovely to walk through and has several points of interest for you to stumble across on your way round. The Albert Memorial (one of many memorials Queen Victoria dedicated to her husband who died in 1861), is one of London’s most ornate memorials. If you want to get up close you can take a tour for £8 (they run daily and there is no need to book).

The Serpentine Galleries were built in 1934 as a tea room, but has been a gallery since 1970 and is free to go inside, with new exhibitions every season. The Italian Garden is a 150-year old water garden featuring four fountains and a number of classical sculptures.

There is also a Princess Diana memorial playground, featuring a large pirate ship. As the “Peoples’ Princess” there are several memorials to Princess Diana in the area, including the Diana Memorial Fountain in neighbouring Hyde Park. For real fans of Diana, there is a seven-mile memorial walk, following 90 plaques set in the ground that take you within sight of famous building where Diana spent her time.

National History, V&A and Science museums

Kensington is awash with world-renowned museums, so once you’ve got your royal palace fix for the day, you can walk through the parks and head over to one, or all, of these tourist favourites.

National History Museum

Famous for its dinosaur exhibition, including several dinosaur skeletons, the National History Museum tells you everything you need to know about the planet’s and humans’ evolution and all about the diverse life on Earth.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.50 pm

V&A Museum

The Victoria and Albert Museum, most often known simply as the V&A, is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design. It holds everything you can think of from ceramics, textiles, and glass to the world’s largest collection of post-classical sculptures, spanning all times and geographies.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.45 pm

Science Museum

The Science Museum is one of London’s most popular tourist attractions and includes items such as the oldest surviving steam locomotive and the first jet engine. With many interactive exhibits, you’ll know everything there is to know about medical history, space, technology and much more, in no time.

7 days in London: Day Six

St. paul’s cathedral.

St. Paul’s Cathedral sits at the highest part of the City of London and was designed in the 17th century in the English baroque style by one of the most highly acclaimed architects in English history, Sr Christopher Wren. The cathedral was part of major rebuilding work that happened after The Great Fire of London in 1666, with the site of the original church dating back to AD 604.

Once inside, make sure you try out the Whispering Gallery which, due to its architecture, means you can whisper on one side of the large dome and be heard on the other. The other two galleries, the Stone and Golden galleries, offer fantastic views over London. There is also an exhibition on Sir Christopher Wren and the challenges he faced with his unique design.

Admission: £18 includes a guided tour, included in London Pass

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Click here to book your fast track tickets to St. Pauls Cathedral.

The Tower of London

Founded towards the end of 1066, the Tower of London is primarily known for its history as a prison, although that was never intended to be its main purpose. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage sight and makes a slightly strange sight, this series of ancient buildings nestled in a thoroughly modern area of London.

The Tower has played a very prominent role in English history, acting as a fortress and protecting the City of London. The Yeoman wardens, commonly knowns as “Beefeaters” are one of the most famous symbols of London and Great Britain. You can hear their stories on a one-hour guided tour. Be sure to be mindful of the ravens on your way around, as it is said that if the ravens all leave the Tower then it will fall and Britain with it.

You can also see the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House. These are still used today in royal ceremonies and are kept under armed guard. In The White Tower you will find the Royal Armouries and in the Bloody Tower, you will see the famous prison.

The Lower Wakefield Tower offers an exhibition on the methods used for torture in the tower, along with some replica instruments. An execution site memorial can be seen at Tower Green, within the grounds, although it was usually only high-profile people who were executed at the Tower of London. You can see where executions were more commonly held at nearby Tower Hill, where an original part of the 3rd century city wall also still stands.

Admission: £26.80, included in London Pass

Click here to book your tickets to the Tower of London.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is yet another classic London landmark, built between 1886 and 1894. It’s fun to just walk over this bridge and take in the views, however you can also have a look at the Tower Bridge exhibition, making your way across a glass walkway 44 metres above the Thames, as well as access to the bridge’s old engine rooms, complete with original steam engines, used to raise the bridge.

Admission: £9.80, included in London Pass

Click here to book your tickets to the Tower Bridge. 

This 95-story sky scraper stands 309.7 metres high, and at the top there are two viewing platforms; one indoors on the 69th floor, and a second partially outdoors on the 72nd floor. If you just want to enjoy the view you can buy a ticket to go up to the viewing platform, however The Shard is also the perfect place to luxuriate with an afternoon tea and spectacular view, and you have a choice. Aqua, on the 31st floor serves innovative, contemporary British cuisine, including a traditional afternoon tea.

Or if you prefer a little more altitude and a little less tradition, you can opt for Shangri-La’s restaurant Ting on the 35th floor, serving British cuisine with an Asian twist and an afternoon tea with theatrical elegance. Both restaurants have also been known to do quirky, themed afternoon teas for special occasions.

Admission for The View from the Shard: £30, included in London Pass

Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm Thursday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm Sunday to Wednesday

Click here to book your tickets to The Shard. 

Check my Shard experience here.

The Southbank, Tate Modern and the London Eye

Walk off your sandwiches and scones with a stroll down the South Bank, which is the best way to soak up some famous London sights. Along the walk you’ll come across the buzzing Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre (a reconstruction near to the site of the original which was demolished in 1644), and the Tate Modern (one of the largest galleries of modern and contemporary art in the world, housed in an old power station).

Finally you’ll reach the London Eye, so if you haven’t had enough of city aerial views, then jump in one of the pods and marvel at the glory of Westminster from above.

Click here to book your tickets to the London Eye. 

Check my London Eye experience here.

Tate Modern

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (closes at 10 pm on Friday and Saturday)

The London Eye

Admission: £27

Opening hours: dependent on the season, check online for details

7 days in London: Day Seven

The final day can be a day of catching up on anything you might have missed in this vast city, however a trip to Greenwich allows you to cram in more history, culture and great views before you leave. You can even take a Thames Clipper boat trip to Greenwich, giving you a scenic tour of London down the world-famous river.

It takes around 35 minutes from the London Eye Pier and you can pay using your Oyster card. You can buy a Greenwich day explorer ticket which covers all the below attractions, except the planetarium, for £24.25.

Greenwich Royal Observatory and the Planetarium

The Royal Observatory at Greenwich has played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation. It is here you can stand in the centre of the world, where east meets west, at the Greenwich Meridian.

You can also visit the Peter Harrison Planetarium, which offers range of shows for children and adults, such as experiencing the night sky with expert commentary from an astronomer, or shows which delve into the depths of space.

Royal Observatory

Admission: £15, included in London Pass

Planetarium

Admission: ticket price depends on the show. Information can be found online .

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

One of the one remaining ships of her kind in the world, the Cutty Sark is a clipper ship constructed in 1869 and built for speed to challenge the other ships on the tea trade. As well as going on board and learning about the history of the ship and life at sea, you can enjoy an afternoon tea in a very unique setting underneath the ship.

The Cutty Sark afternoon tea offers a very traditional spread of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and clotted cream. It is, however, necessary to pre-book at least 72 hours in advance.

Admission: £13.50, included in London Pass. Afternoon tea £27 per person, includes admission to the ship.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily

Old Royal Naval College

While in Greenwich make sure to stop by the Old Royal Naval College, another of architect Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpieces. This impressive waterside building and its surroundings are a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolising English artistic and scientific endeavours in the 17th and 18th centuries.

It’s free to wander around the historic grounds, but you can also take a tour to explore the magnificent painted ceiling. The Neoclassical chapel, featuring notable craftsmanship in the chapel design and decor, is also worth a look.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, historic grounds 8.00 am to 11.00 pm

Greenwich Market

Dating back to 1737, Greenwich market is known for its distinctive arts and crafts. Here, in the quaint cobbled streets, you will find all manner of items that cannot be bought in high street shops, making it the perfect place to buy some souvenirs. There is also a wide range of food stalls to choose from if you want to grab some lunch.

Opening hours: 10.00 am to 5.30 pm, daily

National Maritime Museum

The National Maritime Museum is as beautiful on the outside as it is interesting on the inside, documenting Britain’s strong naval history. The museum is home to a large collection of maritime-related artwork, including many portraits You can also learn about the history of the British navy, including an exhibition on Lord Nelson, often considered one of Britain’s most heroic figures, and his legacy which still has influences today. You can also find out all about the tumultuous history of the East India Company, which shaped trade between Britain and Asia for 250 years.

Greenwich Park

When you’re tired from exploring all Greenwich has to offer, take some time to relax in Greenwich Park, which has some truly stunning views across London. The park has a long history, with remains from the Anglo Saxons and Romans having been found.

There are also several beautiful gardens within the park, such as the Queen’s Orchard, a walled garden with several varieties of fruit trees dating back to the 1500s, the Flower Garden, first laid out in the 1890s, and the longest herbaceous border in London, which dates back to 1925. The Pavilion Cafe at the top of the hill near the Royal Observatory is the perfect place to relax with a cup of tea.

Where to stay in London

There are many accommodation options to choose from, from traditional B&B to quirky London hotels and posh apartments. Find here a selection of places I have stayed over the years.

Park Plaza County Hall London

The Park Plaza County Hall is located in a prime position on London’s South Bank, with wonderful views of the London Eye and the River Thames. Guests not only have great on-site facilities such as a fitness centre and restaurant but they are within walking distance of a number of top attractions and transport links. Rooms are spacious and comfortable throughout and staff are especially friendly!

Click here for the latest prices and to book this hotel.

The Ampersand Hotel

This superb hotel in the Kensington and Chelsea borough of London is chic and cosmopolitan and is ideal for those visiting the museums around South Kensington. Both the rooms and the facilities of the hotel are sophisticated and stylish, with quirky décor and a fantastic restaurant adding to the experience.

Click here for more information and to book your stay. 

Novatel London Canary Wharf

The Novatel at Canary Wharf offers everything you expect of a smart chain hotel: contemporary design, comfortable rooms and a 24h front desk for added convenience. This property also boasts a stunning rooftop bar with 360-degree views of the city which makes it well worth a visit!

Andaz London Liverpool Street

This five-star property is stunning both inside and out with sleek interiors and state-of-the-art facilities. Andaz is well situated in the hipster area of Shoreditch with loads of cool bars, restaurants and shops nearby. Plus, Liverpool Street Station is right next door so you have easy access to both underground tubes and National Rail links.

The Z Hotel

The Z is a simple but mordern hotel that offers everything you need for a busy stay in London. The rooms are quite compact but perfectly comfortable and an optional hearty breakfast with unlimited coffee is a great way to start the day! Old Street station is close by so you can hop on and off the tube to reach the city’s top spots.

The Chilworth London Paddington

The Chilworth Hotel near London Paddington is perfectly located for exploring the capital with Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Oxford Street all within 20 minutes. The décor is modern throughout and some rooms feature both a double bed and sofa bed which is great for families or groups of friends looking to save while travelling.

Getting to Central London from the airport

Heathrow airport.

Heathrow is the most centrally located of all the airports and is also the largest. Pay close attention to which terminal your flights arrive and leave from, as travel between the terminals takes time and requires the use of a shuttle.

Heathrow Express train

The Heathrow Express train is the fastest way to get into central London. The train goes directly from terminals 2 & 3 and 5. If travelling to or from terminal 4 you will need to take the free transfer train. These run every 15 minutes and the journey takes about 4 minutes.

The Heathrow Express trains are every 15 minutes, running from the airport to London Paddington. The journey to Paddington takes around 15 minutes. If you are planning to use the Heathrow Express both to and from the airport it is cheapest to get a return ticket, costing £39 when bought before boarding the train.

Tickets can be purchased at the train station, at ticket machines, online or via the app. It is possible to buy tickets onboard the train but these are more expensive. Note that it is not possible to use an Oyster or travel card on the Heathrow Express.

National Rail trains

It is also possible to take the regular National Rail train service to Paddington. While this journey takes longer than the Heathrow Express (around 30-50minutes), tickets are cheaper and you can use an Oyster or travel card. Trains leave every 30 minutes and stop at stations across west London.

Underground train

The Piccadilly line runs directly from central London and is the most cost efficient way to get into the city centre. There are stations at terminals 2 & 3, 4 and 5 and you can use your Oyster or travel card for the journey. The journey takes around 50 minutes.

Gatwick airport

Gatwick Express and National Rail trains

The best way to get into central London from Gatwick airport is by train, with services running four times an hour. You can either take the Gatwick Express or use the National Rail service. The Gatwick Express goes to Victoria and takes around 30 minutes at a cost of £19 one way. However the National Rail service is cheaper and only marginally slower (taking around 35 minutes to Victoria and Clapham Junction). You can also take the National Rail train to London Bridge, Blackfriars, Farringdon and St Pancras, in around 30/45 minutes. Travel cards are not valid on trains to Gatwick airport. You can use Pay As You Go Oyster credit, although it may be cheaper to buy a regular rail ticket instead.

Travelling by coach can be a cheaper alternative to the train, particularly if booked well in advance. National Express run a service from Gatwick to Victoria coach station, which takes between one and a half to two hours depending on the time of day and costs from £10. While easyBus runs a service to West London from as little as £2 one way. The journey takes around an hour.

Luton airport

The easiest way to travel into the city centre from Luton airport is by coach. National Express coaches run 24/7, with up to four departures every hour during the day. There are two different routes: A1 runs to Victoria coach station, while A2 goes to Paddington. Both routes have several stops along the way and tickets cost from £5. The coach journey to central London takes around 50 minutes.

It is also possible to take the train from Luton, however there is a 10 minute shuttle bus service to get to the train station. The train journey itself takes around 40 minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes during peak times, with services to various central stations including St Pancras. It is not possible to use Oyster or travel cards on these services.

Stansted airport

Stansted Express and National Rail trains

The Stansted Express is the fastest way to get into central London from Stansted. The service runs to Liverpool Street and takes about 47 minutes. Trains depart every 15 minutes. Prices vary and can be found online . It is also possible to use the National Rail services, however you cannot use an Oyster or travel card for these journeys.

National Express coach services run 24 hours a day and stop at 15 different locations in central London. The journey can costfrom as little as £6 one way and takes around 50 minutes.

Taxis from all London airports

A taxi from any of the airports into central London is not particularly recommended unless you really don’t want to use public transport. Taxis are usually expensive (it can cost around £100) and can take longer than public transport due to the heavy traffic in central London. If you have a lot of luggage, it is usually possible to get a luggage transfer from the airport directly to your hotel.

If you do decide to take a taxi from the airport then either take a black cab (metered prices) from the taxi rank outside the airport or book a minicab (fixed prices), either by booking in advance online or by phone, or via the kiosk once you arrive at the airport. More information about getting a taxi safely in London is found below.

Getting around London

Navigate your way around on public transport using TFL’s journey planner. Oyster and travel cards are valid on the underground and buses throughout the city.

The easiest way to get around London is by the underground, known as “the tube”. Thanks to the award-winning map design, navigating the tube is easy, and really opens up your options for visiting every part of the city. Keep a map close to hand or download one of the many tube map apps to make it even simpler.

Another great way to get around and to see the sights is by bus. London buses are iconic and it’s easy to just hop on and off using an Oyster or travel card.

There are two types of taxi in London. The traditional black cab and pre-booked minicabs. Black cabs can be hailed from the street, picked up from taxi ranks or booked in advance. The prices are metered and there is a minimum fare of just below £3. Minicabs, however, are booked in advance and offer a fixed fare for your journey. Remember that only black cabs may be hailed from the street. If you decide to take a minicab (i.e. not a black cab) you must call and book it in advance from a licensed minicab service. Taking a minicab from the street is illegal and unsafe. More information about the safest way to get a taxi can be found on the Visit London webpage .

Where to eat and drink in London

Duck and Waffle

The highest 24-hour restaurant in London offers the most stunning views night and day. Located on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate, the quirky British cuisine with European influences is designed for sharing and will certainly give you and your dinner companions plenty to talk about. If you’re finding it impossible to choose from the menu, the waiters will happily advice you, just make sure you save room for the signature dish of duck and waffle. This unique dining experience is in demand, so book well in advance and be aware of the more formal dress code.

Gordon’s Wine Bar

Gordon’s Wine Bar in Charing Cross is thought to be the oldest wine bar in London, having been established in 1890. The original decor has been maintained, creating an atmosphere as if time has stood still. Although it can become cramped, that’s just part of its charm, with its cost candle-lit tables in the cellar and historical newspaper cutting and memorabilia on the walls. Along with its award-winning wine list, Gordon’s serves food in real-sized portions, including home-made pies.

Christopher’s Grill and Martini Bar

Located in Covent Garden and perfect for drinks, lunch or dinner. If you want drinks or a lunch head into the American Deco martini bar, billed as a theatrical and atmospheric drinking parlour. Here you can get burgers, wraps, clubs and salads as well as American tapas for sharing. Seating can be booked but walk in places are always available. Alternatively you can make your way to the grill, an American restaurant set in an elegant dining room that blends the contemporary with the classic. At the weekends you can get a superfood brunch, or if you fancy something less healthy opt for the build-your-own pancake menu, with a wide range of toppings available.

La Trompette

Slightly outside of central London, in Chiswick, you will find modern British restaurant La Trompette. The restaurant is known for having some of the best food in London without the associated high prices or formality. The lunch menu is particularly good, but choosing the tasting menu means you’re sure not to miss out on a thing.

Located in fashionable Soho, HIX offers indulgence and comfort in the heart of the West End. HIX specialises in fish and shellfish, although there is also a vegetarian menu. In fact there is a menu for every occasion: a la carte, lunch, brunch or a theatre menu, popular in many of the restaurants in the West End and catering for those going to see shows in the evening. Below the restaurant you will find Mark’s Bar, known as one of the best bars in London, offering classic luxury with its chesterfields and cocktails.

Cinnamon Club

Not trip to London would be complete without going to an Indian restaurant. Indian food has long been an important part of British cuisine, with Anglo-Indian cuisine taking on a life of its own. Cinnamon Club is set in a historic building, which was previously the Westminster library, giving it an air of sophistication before you’ve even set foot in the door. This fine-dining restaurant has redefined modern Indian cuisine in London, using exclusive ingredients in its contemporary menu. Don’t forget to dip into the gin trolly, which includes a specially curated selection of gins sourced from iconic brands and small-batch producers across the UK.

Jackson & Rye

Offering New York food with a hint of Parisian influence, this brasserie, bar and grill is open seven days a week and perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anything in between. With several locations, including one in Bank and one in Soho, it’s hard to find an excuse not to go to this relaxed, yet stylish eatery.

Inn the Park

Easy to miss, nestled in amongst the trees in St James’ Park, but worth seeking out, is Inn the Park. Perfect for a breakfast or lunch, you can get some delicious British classics and it’s always hard to choose just one thing from the menu. The calm atmosphere and beautiful surrounding nature makes it the perfect place to relax away from the frenzy of central London.

Social Eating House

Social Eating House positions itself as a place where people can enjoy key elements of the current London dining scene, but in a social and informal setting (while still being endlessly fashionable). The Michelin-star awarded food is designed to be simple and uses locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Hidden above the restaurant is the award-winning cocktail bar The Blind Pig. The bar, as the name suggests, has a speakeasy vibe and mirrored ceiling, while the cocktail list is inspired by children’s literature.

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2 thoughts on “7 day London itinerary for first time visitors”

This is so helpful. I will be travelling to London on my own too, and seeing your blog is a really big help. This made me more excited.

Nice Itinerary. Great to read and useful content.

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Doc Holiday: Trick to seeing London in 2 days

London is one of the best tourist cities in the world, but can you really “see it all” in 48 hours?

Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.

Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions.

What’s the best plan of attack to see London in a couple of days?

I remember asking myself the same question many years ago while I was trying to see as much of London as I could with two young children in tow. 

Very quickly, I realised the genius of the Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, which allowed us to see all the city’s top attractions (more than 60 of them) in relative comfort and with live commentary. 

The ticket also includes a Thames River tour if you’d like to see the likes of Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament from the water.

Buses run every 15 to 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to hop off and see the attractions that most interest you. Just remember your ticket doesn’t include entry to attractions, but a great way to bypass the queues (and get a discount) is by buying a London Pass, which has more than 90 attractions, tours and experiences to choose from, including the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Which option you go for depends on your budget. A two-day London Pass is £115 ($223), while a two-day Hop-On Hop-Off ticket with cruise is priced at £53 (about $100).

Does Italy have a train travel pass we could buy or are we better off getting a Eurail Pass? We’re looking at taking six to seven train trips there.

Yes, the Trenitalia Pass is available in Italy, which allows you to travel on Frecce, Intercity Notte, EuroCity Italy-Switzerland trains (on internal Italian routes) and FrecciaLink. Prices vary, but the one most likely to suit your needs, the “7 trips in 15 days”, starts from €269 (about $445). Exy? Yes, but unlike the Eurail Pass, there’s no need to pay additional reservation fees for each leg (and you will need reservations in Italy, particularly if travelling in peak season).

If you wanted to go with a Eurail Italy Pass, you could go for a “Six days travel within a month” which is priced from $US272 (about $414), but it’s important to note that you’ll have to pay extra for seat reservations, which are about €10 per leg. What’s interesting is that the Trenitalia Pass doesn’t cover as many classes of trains, so you may find Eurail more convenient and easy to use in the long run.

You can, of course, also buy point-to-point tickets, which can save you a tidy sum but rather than use the ticket machines at train stations, buy them in advance online at trenitalia.com where significant discounts can be found.

My wife and I (both 64) have been advised our pre-existing medical conditions will be covered (for an extra $90) by the travel insurance provided by our credit card. Am I missing something here?

With travel insurance being what it is, paying an additional $90 to cover two 64-year-olds – each with their own respective set of pre-existing medical conditions – is a bargain in any language. That said, I understand why you’d feel nervous about anything that seems too good to be true.

Depending on the provider, credit card insurance can be as good or even better than stand-alone providers, but since many won’t automatically cover pre-existing conditions, nor let customers pay an additional premium to make exceptions, you’ll need to scour their Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) with a fine-tooth comb.

Those who cover pre-existing conditions will usually list them within the PDS, but even if you have been advised that your conditions are covered, I would contact them once more to double-check and ask them to confirm your coverage in writing. When it comes to travel insurance, you can never be too careful.

What you will also need to check is that you meet all the requirements to be covered for the trip. Some policies, for example, will only activate if you paid for the trip on your credit card, while some banks require notification before you travel in order to activate the policy.

More Coverage

It’s important to know that domestic travel isn’t covered by credit card insurance policies, and that some providers may restrict coverage only to the cardholder, so you’ll need to check that your wife would also definitely be covered.

Be aware too, that the excess charge of credit card travel insurance policies can often be significantly higher than stand-alone policies, and that benefit limits may not be enough for countries such as the United States or Japan where medical care is eye-wateringly expensive

I have had a look through the policy for your card and it looks pretty good (and certainly suitable for a trip to the Pacific Islands), but I urge you to double-check the pre-existing conditions just the same.

Originally published as Doc Holiday: Trick to seeing London in 2 days

Gender bias in Medicare rebates is costing women more, experts say

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There’s a new Parisian-inspired hotel in Sydney

With an exciting new restaurant, a European design and an eco-conscious strategy, the Novotel Sydney City Centre is the perfect place to unpack your bags for a city stay.

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Getting around London

Planning to travel in London? Whether you’re a visitor or a resident, let this guide help you make the most of your London experience. Travel from the airport to a hotel using Uber and discover popular routes and destinations. Depending on your city, you can even use the app to get around with public transport, bikes or scooters, and more.

Plus, check out Uber rates for riders and drivers and learn how to use Uber to get paid to drive or deliver in London.

Reserve car service in London with Uber

Arrange your car service needs in advance with Uber in London. Request a ride anytime up to 90 days ahead, whether you need transportation to London City Airport, you have plans to visit your favorite restaurant, or you’re going somewhere else.

Ride Sharing in London

Getting around London without a car is easy with Uber. Find places to visit in the area, then request a ride on any day and at any time of the week. You can request a ride in real-time or request a ride in advance so your ride is ready when you are. Whether you’re traveling in a group or alone, you can use the app to find a ride option for your needs.

Open the Uber app and enter your destination to begin exploring London.

London-area airport car service

When your travel in London takes you to an airport from a neighborhood, or elsewhere, open the app and request a ride at any time of day. Tap below on the name of a nearby airport to learn how to use Uber to get car service to arrivals and departures. On the linked airport page, you’ll find out where to meet your driver for pickup, how much the trip will cost, and more.

London City Airport (LCY)

Gatwick airport (lgw), heathrow airport (lhr), london stansted airport (stn), london luton airport (ltn), choose the best ways to get around london, taxi in london.

Consider Uber as an alternative to taxis when getting around London. With Uber, you can trade flagging down cabs for requesting rides on demand, no matter the time of day. Request a ride from an airport to a hotel, head to a restaurant, or visit another place. The choice is yours. Open the app and enter a destination to get started.

Public transport in London

Getting around with public transport is an affordable way to travel. Depending on the area, you can view nearby bus or subway routes with Uber Transit to help plan your travels. Open the app to see if Uber Transit is available in your neighborhood or visit popular places in London by ridesharing with Uber.

Bike rentals in London

Biking is an eco-friendly way to get around the heart of a city. In select cities, you can find and ride electric bikes with Uber. Open the app to see if bikes are available in London. If bikes are available in London, remember to wear a helmet and follow traffic laws while riding.

Uber does not tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs by drivers using the Uber app. If you believe your driver may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please have the driver end the trip immediately.

Commercial vehicles may be subject to additional state government taxes, which would be over and above the toll.

Please note: some trips to and from the airport can also incur a surcharge to cover the minimum cost of parking at airport car parks. If dynamic pricing is in effect, the quoted fare will take the current rates into account.

From 25 January 2016, all trips starting and ending at London airports will be calculated at standard rates (time + distance) instead of a flat rate. A Clean Air Fee of £0.03 per mile will also be charged, including on minimum fare trips. Learn more about Uber’s Clean Air Plan in London. .

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London travel news LIVE: M25 closed after crash; rail passengers warned as train driver overtime ban begins

LIVE – Updated at 08:45

Rail passengers have been warned they face reduced services on Thursday as train drivers begin an overtime ban ahead of a series of fresh strikes.

The overtime ban is from Thursday to Saturday and for 48 hours from next Monday which is likely to cause delays and cancellations to services.

“Plan your journey and check your first and last train times.” National Rail warned.

Meanwhile the M25 in Surrey is closed anti-clockwise between J6 (Godstone) and J5 (M26 link) due to a serious collision.

National Highways South-East warned there are at least 30 minute delays.

For the latest travel updates please scroll down.

Bakerloo suspended

There is currently no service between Stonebridge Park and Harrow and Wealdstone due to a power supply failure - good service on the rest of the line.

London Overground part suspended

There is currently no service between Willesden Junction and Watford Junction due to power supply failure at Hatch end - good service on other routes.

Minor delays to Hammersmith and City line

There are minor delays due to a earlier faulty train.

Diversion route for M25 closure

Drivers are advised to follow the Hollow Square diversion symbol on road signs.

• Exit the M25 at J6 then at the Godstone Interchange take the 3rd exit onto the A22 towards East Grinstead.
• At the A22/A25 roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A25 towards Westerham.
• Follow the A25 through Limpsfield, Oxted, Westerham, Brasted and Sundridge.
• At the traffic signal junction A25/M25 turn left to re-join the M25 towards Dartford Crossing.

More on M25 closure:

The M25 in Surrey is closed anti-clockwise between J6 (Godstone) and J5 (M26 link) due to a serious collision.

All emergency services are working at the scene with Surrey police leading the response. 

Traffic Officers are assisting with strategic closures on the approach. 

Minor delays to Circle line

There are currently minor delays clockwise while TfL fixes a faulty train - good service anti-clockwise.

Part closure to Tram again

Until April 24, there will be no service between Wellesley Road / George Street and Beckenham Junction / Elmers End / New Addington.

Eastbound trams will operate from Wimbledon to Wellesley Road, and westbound trams will operate from George Street to Wimbledon.

Part closure on the Northern line again

There is no service between Golders Green and Edgware due to planned engineering works, with replacement buses operating, until April 11.

Severe delays to District line

There are currently severe delays between Tower Hill, Ealing Broadway and Richmond westbound only while TfL fixes a faulty train - good service on the rest of the line.

M25 closure warning due to crash

Drives are being warned of delays after the M25 was closed anti-clockwise between J6 (Godstone) and J5 (M26 link)

Warning of delays and cancellations as train driver industrial action begins

Train drivers will launch an overtime ban on Thursday ahead of a series of fresh strikes which will cause travel chaos for passengers.

Members of Aslef are embroiled in a 20-month dispute over jobs with no sign of a breakthrough and no plans for any talks.

Passengers are being advised to check before they travel, with some areas having no services on strike days.

A strike on Friday will hit Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands and London Northwestern.

On Saturday train drivers will walk out on Chiltern Railways, Great Western Railway, LNER, Heathrow Express, Northern and TransPennine Express.

A strike on Monday will affect c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia (including Stansted Express), Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (including the Island Line) and Thameslink.

Train operators warned that on strike days it is likely that little or no services will run across large areas of the network operated by the affected train companies.

Services are also likely to be disrupted and start later on the day immediately following a full strike day.

On days where an overtime ban is in place, the timetable for some train companies may be revised in advance or services subject to short-notice delay or cancellation on the day.

Passengers are warned to expect significant disruption and advised to plan ahead and check before they travel.

A law is now in place aimed at ensuring a minimum level of service during rail strikes but none of the operators involved in the Aslef dispute have applied to use it.

Hilton makes a splash in luxury lifestyle travel with its plan to grow NoMad by 100 hotels

Hilton has arisen from its slumber on luxury and lifestyle brands.

The hotel giant is taking a majority stake in Sydell Group, the parent company of the NoMad Hotels brand, both companies announced Wednesday. The deal puts Hilton in charge of expanding the NoMad brand, currently limited to hotels in London and Las Vegas. The plan is to eventually expand NoMad up to 100 hotels, with deals for 10 hotels in "advanced stages of discussion."

While the deal was only announced this week, Hilton leaders had been teasing for months that some play for a luxury lifestyle brand was in the works.

"Adding NoMad to our growing brand portfolio will create new offerings for guests seeking unique luxury experiences in some of the world's most desirable locations," Chris Silcock, Hilton's president of global brands and commercial services, said in a statement . "By pairing an already proven brand concept that's ready for expansion with the power of Hilton's commercial engine, we are accelerating our ability to drive growth in the luxury lifestyle segment."

If you're not familiar with NoMad, you're not the only one: It is only a two-hotel brand, after all. But this also enables Hilton to have more influence in the overall vibe as it beefs up the brand into its offering in the competitive luxury lifestyle space, which counts brands like Marriott's Edition and W, and Hyatt's Thompson Hotels as leading players.

Hilton's "buy small" is a similar growth strategy to what IHG Hotels & Resorts did with the smaller Regent brand , which the company took a majority stake of in 2018. Regent was an established brand before IHG came knocking, but IHG now has the final say in what it looks like as it goes global. Expect Hilton to do the same with NoMad.

The brand aesthetic NoMad is going for as it grows into the Hilton ecosystem will be to provide guests with a residential feel in some of the world's most desirable neighborhoods, per the company announcement. Expect a mix of "grand and intimate," "classic and playful" and "fun and elegant," per the adjectives Hilton uses to depict the soon-to-grow brand.

Details on the full lineup of amenities travelers should expect from a more robust NoMad portfolio with Hilton's involvement remain scarce, but the important thing is Hilton Honors members will now have an option in the popular luxury lifestyle space where Marriott, Hyatt and Accor's Ennismore offshoot currently dominate.

"We're excited to begin this new phase for Sydell, as we enter into a partnership with Hilton to expand the NoMad brand around the world," Andrew Zobler, Sydell Group founder and CEO, said in a statement. "Grounded in the idea of the hotel as a great home, the NoMad brand is dedicated to providing guests with accessible luxury, exceptional design and award-winning food and beverage. Hilton's expertise in both luxury and lifestyle, paired with its track record in scaling brands, makes for an exciting opportunity."

The flagship NoMad London hotel — a TPG favorite for its rich, moody furnishings, spacious accommodations and atrium restaurant — will appear on Hilton booking platforms later this year. The NoMad Las Vegas, which is part of the MGM Resorts and Marriott-affiliated Park MGM complex, is not included in the deal and will reflag to a different brand identity in the coming months.

"By fusing Sydell's chic hospitality with Hilton's unrivaled distribution and loyalty programs, we have created the perfect partnership — a marriage of Andrew Zobler's pioneering creativity with Hilton's best-in-class leadership," Jeremy Cooper, Sydell Group's chief investment officer, told TPG. "This unprecedented collaboration sets a new benchmark in the luxury-lifestyle hotel sector."

A new day at Hilton

The NoMad deal is a departure from Hilton's longtime "build, don't buy" growth strategy of organically developing brands instead of acquiring existing hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Accor are known to do .

But in the last month, Hilton has acquired two: Graduate Hotels and now NoMad.

There have been swelling murmurs in the hotel orbit in recent months over Hilton's ambition to snatch the world's largest hotel company crown from Marriott, especially as the gap narrows between each company's development pipeline and loyalty program membership count. For a while, it seemed like Hilton was focusing on the affordable end of the spectrum by developing new budget-friendly brands like Spark and LivSmart Studios to fuel more hotel growth.

But the company can't ignore the luxury and lifestyle end of the spectrum, where Hilton has lagged behind its competitors.

Hilton appears ready to put that line of thought in the rearview mirror, as Graduate Hotels will give the brand a viable lifestyle hotel product in various towns and cities with ties to a college or university. NoMad can be the glitzy luxury lifestyle sibling in some of the most popular destinations in the world.

Further, Hilton's upcoming partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World — with the expected snatch from Hyatt slated to finalize later this year — provides Hilton Honors members with a wide array of new options in the boutique luxury space.

Consider this a new day for luxury at Hilton — one that can play a vital part in making this company vault to the top position in the hotel conglomerate food chain.

Related reading:

• The award travelers guide to Hilton Honors
• How to choose the best Hilton credit card for you
• Hilton Honors elite status: What it is and how to earn it
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Which credit cards offer the most lucrative rewards for hotel stays?
• The best hotel rewards programs in the world
• Best hotel credit cards

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Easter travel delays forecast for UK due to poor weather and rail disruption

Line closures and strikes coinciding with school holidays and turbulent weather are expected to hit travel plans

A long Good Friday looms for many drivers and rail passengers who are heading off for a UK getaway, as the Easter weekend collides with the start of school holidays, engineering works and turbulent weather.

With more than 14 million leisure trips planned by drivers over the coming days, motorists have been warned to expect delays on many routes. Additional cars could be forced on to the roads because of major railway line closures, with strikes hampering possible return train journeys next week.

According to the RAC, some car journeys could take twice as long as normal as many schools are breaking up at the start of the bank holiday weekend this year, leading to an increase in getaway traffic.

Meanwhile, all trains in and out of London Euston on the west coast mainline to cities including Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow will be cancelled from Friday to Monday, with passengers wishing to travel diverted via rail replacement buses to Milton Keynes.

Getaway hell was expected to kick off on Thursday afternoon, with the biggest potential for gridlock coming from the south-east after 2pm with many schools closing at lunchtime.

With normal commuter journeys contributing to the traffic, the RAC and transport analysts Inrix forecast peak jams between 4pm and 5pm on the western flank of the M25 motorway between the M1 north and the M23 for Gatwick, including the turnoffs for the west and south-west. A usual one-hour drive on that stretch of the London orbital motorway is expected to take 2 hours 10 minutes or more, they predict.

Most long car journeys are expected to be made on Good Friday, with the lengthiest delays likely between 11am and 3pm. Two popular routes for holidaymakers – the M5 southbound between Bristol and Taunton and M3 between the M25 and the south coast – could take twice as long as usual.

One curveball is the British bank holiday weather , with changeable sun and rain either luring or deterring more in the coming days. The worst was forecast by the Met Office for Thursday afternoon, including strong winds and heavy rain at times, with a yellow warning for wind across the south of England .

The RAC Breakdown spokesperson Alice Simpson said: “If you do need to travel between the busiest hours of 2pm and 7pm, keep speeds appropriate to the conditions and leave plenty of extra stopping distance.”

She said anyone who could delay leaving until later on Thursday or set off as early as possible on Good Friday was likely to have a better journey, but lengthy queues could be expected.

Network Rail meanwhile has advised train passengers to check their journey details with £90m worth of engineering works scheduled to land awkwardly on the getaway plans of anyone fleeing London for the north in the coming days.

As well as the west coast mainline closure south of Milton Keynes, there will be disruption and closures around Glasgow and Huddersfield.

Network Rail’s network strategy director, Lawrence Bowman, said: “There’s never a good time to do the work we need to do but the four days of the bank holiday, when fewer people are travelling, give us the opportunity to do major work we couldn’t do in normal weekend.”

Rolling 24-hour rail strikes next week from 5 to 8 April by drivers in the Aslef union will halt most long-distance trains in Britain next Friday or Saturday, further hampering potential train holidays. The strikes affect different companies on different days but firms affected include Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry on 5 April and GWR, LNER, Northern and TransPennine on 6 April.

Tourist board VisitEngland said around 11 million people in the UK are nonetheless planning an overnight Easter trip, generating an estimated £3.2bn boost to the economy.

Two million of us are, however, not taking that chance, according to travel association Abta, heading overseas instead. The somewhat balmier Canary Islands, mainland Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Turkey are the most popular destinations for foreign travel.

The Port of Dover has warned holidaymakers they may face delays due to tighter French border security after the Moscow concert attack, including controls in Dover before passengers board cross-Channel ferries. About 20,000 cars are expected to travel through the port this weekend.

• Rail transport
• Industrial action
• Road transport

More on this story

M25 reopens ahead of schedule

Motorists warned of long delays as M25 to shut for roadworks

Tourists heading to Europe could face 14-hour queues at Dover from October

Disbelief at plan to fix London potholes as part of Network North project

Watford Gap: M1 services that hosted Stones and Beatles faces demolition

Sunak ‘backs drivers’ with curbs on 20mph limits and bus lanes

Sunak expected to limit powers of councils in England to curb car use

True cost of Edinburgh tram line has exceeded £1bn, says report

Welsh minister says Tories waging ‘culture war’ over new 20mph limit

Most viewed.

Maps of the April 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

By Jonathan Corum

On April 8, the moon will slip between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow across a swath of North America: a total solar eclipse.

By cosmic coincidence, the moon and the sun appear roughly the same size in the sky. When the moon blocks the glare of the sun, the sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, will be briefly visible.

Below are several maps of the eclipse’s path as well as images of what you might experience during the event.

Where Can I See the Total Eclipse?

The eclipse will begin at sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, then cut through Mexico and cross the United States from Texas to Maine. Most of North America will see a partial eclipse, but viewers within the deepest shadow — a band sliding from Mazatlán, Mexico, to the Newfoundland coast near Gander, Canada — will experience a total solar eclipse.

Percentage of

the sun obscured

during the eclipse

Indianapolis

Little Rock

San Antonio

Viewers inside the path of the total eclipse may notice a drop in temperature , a lull or shift in the wind , the appearance of bright planets in the sky, and the quieting of birds and other wildlife.

Many cities lie inside the path of the total eclipse, as shown below, the width of which varies from 108 miles to 122 miles.

5:13 p.m. NDT

20% partial eclipse

NEWFOUNDLAND

SASKATCHEWAN

Fredericton

4:33 p.m. ADT

3:26 p.m. EDT

3:20 p.m. EDT

Minneapolis

3:18 p.m. EDT

3:13 p.m. EDT

San Francisco

90% partial eclipse

3:05 p.m. EDT

Los Angeles

1:51 p.m. CDT

1:40 p.m. CDT

1:33 p.m. CDT

12:16 p.m. CST

12:12 p.m. CST

11:07 a.m. MST

Mexico City

EL SALVADOR

12:23 p.m. CST

1:36 p.m. CDT

3:09 p.m. EDT

3:27 p.m. EDT

Explore our interactive cloud outlook for eclipse viewing times and average cloud data at your location.

What Will I See?

A composite image of the 2017 solar eclipse over Madras, Ore.

Aubrey Gemignani/NASA

If the sky is clear, viewers in the path of the total eclipse should see a “diamond ring” effect a few seconds before and after the total eclipse, as the edge of the sun slips in and out of view.

The “diamond ring” effect during the 2017 solar eclipse.

Rami Daud/NASA, Alcyon Technical Services

The sun’s outer atmosphere, or corona, is normally hidden by the sun’s glare. These tendrils and sheets of gas, heated to a million degrees Fahrenheit or more, are in constant motion and shaped by the sun’s swirling magnetic field.

The sun’s corona during the 2017 solar eclipse.

The sun is relatively active this year and is nearing the expected peak of its 11-year solar cycle . Researchers at Predictive Science are using data about the sun’s magnetic field to predict and model a dramatic corona for the April eclipse.

A prediction of how the sun’s corona might appear during the April 8 total eclipse.

Predictive Science

What Colors Should I Wear?

As the sky darkens, light-sensitive cells in human eyes become more sensitive to blue and green hues than to reds and oranges. This shift in color perception is known as the Purkinje effect , after a 19th-century Czech scientist, and is typically seen at twilight.

Watching the 2017 total eclipse at Southern Illinois University.

Andrea Morales for The New York Times

To take advantage of the Purkinje effect, wear green clothes or a contrasting combination of greens and reds. Blue-green colors (shorter wavelengths) will appear brighter, while red colors (longer wavelengths) will appear to recede into the darkness.

What If I Miss It?

The next two total solar eclipses in the United States won’t occur until 2044 and 2045 . But eclipse chasers might catch one in 2026 in Greenland, Iceland and Spain; 2027 along the coast of Northern Africa; 2028 in Australia and New Zealand; or 2030 across Southern Africa and Australia.

A Total Solar Eclipse Is Coming. Here’s What You Need to Know.

These are answers to common questions about the April 8 eclipse, and we’re offering you a place to pose more of them.

By Katrina Miller

What’s the Cloud Forecast for Eclipse Day? See if the Weather Is on Your Side.

April 8 could be your best opportunity to see a total solar eclipse for decades. But if clouds fill the sky, you may miss the spectacle.

By Josh Katz, K.K. Rebecca Lai and William B. Davis

• Share full article

Our Coverage of the Total Solar Eclipse

Hearing the Eclipse:  A device called LightSound is being distributed to help the blind and visually impaired experience what they can’t see .

Maine Brac es Itself :  Businesses and planning committees are eager for visitors, but some in remote Aroostook County are not sure how they feel  about lying smack in the path of totality.

A Dark Day for Buffalo:  When the sky above Buffalo briefly goes dark  on the afternoon of April 8, the city will transcend its dreary place in the public consciousness — measured as it so often is by snowstorms — if only for about three minutes. The city can’t wait.

Under the Moon’s Shadow:  The late Jay Pasachoff, who spent a lifetime chasing eclipses , inspired generations of students to become astronomers by dragging them to the ends of the Earth for a few precarious moments of ecstasy.

A Rare Return:  It is rare for a total solar eclipse to hit the same place twice — once every 366 years on average. People in certain areas will encounter April 8’s eclipse  about seven years after they were near the middle of the path of the “Great American Eclipse.”

A Small City’s Big Plans:  Let the big cities have their eclipse mega-events. In Plattsburgh, N.Y., success looks different  for everyone stopping to look up.

 No Power Outages:  When the sky darkens during the eclipse, electricity production in some parts of the country will drop so sharply that it could theoretically leave tens of millions of homes in the dark. In practice, hardly anyone will notice  a sudden loss of energy.

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Money blog: What makes up the cost of a £6 pint - and how much is profit?

The cost of draught lager has gone up nearly 30% since January 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics. Read this and more in the Money blog, your place for personal finance news. Leave a comment on stories we've covered, or a question for our experts, in the form below.

Thursday 4 April 2024 08:35, UK

• British Savings Bonds announced in the budget go on sale - but experts aren't convinced
• What makes up the cost of a £6 pint - and how much is profit?
• How to make your money work harder while it's sat in your current account
• How much will your take-home pay increase this month with NI cut? Use our calculator
• 'Are they going to go around sniffing people?' Big Issue founder says government has 'lost the plot' over homelessness plan
• Eight big price hikes this week - and six boosts to Britons' pockets
• All the places kids can eat cheap or free this Easter

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Google is considering charging for premium AI-powered features, the Financial Times reports.

It would be the first time the tech giant put any core products behind a paywall, as it seeks to gain ground in the fast-moving AI space

The FT cited sources familiar with Google's plans as saying it could incorporate a generative AI-powered search engine in its subscription services, which already provide access to its new Gemini AI assistant in Gmail and Docs.

Google's traditional search engine would remain free of charge and ads would continue to appear alongside search results even for subscribers.

"We're not working on or considering an ad-free search experience. As we've done many times before, we'll continue to build new premium capabilities and services to enhance our subscription offerings across Google," the company told Reuters.

Google, which invented the foundational technology for today's AI boom, is locked in battle with two industry players that have captured the business world's attention - ChatGPT's creator OpenAI and its backer Microsoft.

Every Thursday we look at a different savings option, explain the pros and cons, and reveal the best deals on the market (see table below for that).  This week we're talking about the top interest-paying current accounts. Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes  writes...

From time to time there are plenty of incentives available to attempt to encourage people to switch their current accounts - but switching is not always necessary. There are also some current accounts that offer competitive interest rates, even if there's not a switching incentive. 

While not as prevalent as they have been in the recent past, interest-paying current accounts can offer some very competitive interest rates – especially bearing in mind that most current accounts offer no interest at all. In fact, according to the Bank of England, there is £253bn currently held in these non-interest bearing accounts.

These accounts are usually more complicated than a traditional savings account and there are a number of hoops to jump through and potential hazards to avoid, in order to get the returns on offer. 

Potential traps to look out for are: low maximum balances, introductory rates, monthly fees, a requirement to set up direct debits, a minimum amount to pay in each month and a minimum amount to maintain in the account.

All of these factors need to be taken into account when choosing an account and if you feel that you may fall foul of the rules, take a look at one of the alternatives that will suit your circumstances better. 

Setting up standing orders is an easy way to ensure you deposit and withdraw the qualifying amounts each month and can be effective in managing multiple current accounts. It may take a while to set it all up, but the rates on offer could make it worthwhile. It is also worth remembering that many of these accounts can be opened without having to switch your main current account. 

A final point to bear in mind is that some of these accounts give you access to exclusive savings accounts, which often pay competitive rates - especially true with regular savings accounts.

By Ollie Cooper, Money team

Many of us have noticed the price of pints creeping up in recent years. 

The cost of draught lager has gone up nearly 30% since January 2019, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The ONS says the cost of the average pint in Britain is £4.70 (it was £3.67 in January 2019), but many pubs frequently sell beers for over £5, £6 or even £7 in cities like London, Edinburgh and Brighton. 

The beer doesn't taste any different despite the increase in price - so where exactly does that £6-7 for a pint go? 

Sky News spoke with management at The Duke of Greenwich pub in Greenwich, London, for some insight. 

A pint of The Duke of Greenwich's eponymous lager costs £6 - but just 83p (about 13.8% of the cost to the consumer) is profit for the pub.

They pay the brewery £1.36 per pint and allow for 5% wastage - which people in the industry say is perhaps a little on the low side, given the number of top-ups and over-lively pints poured. 

Nearly 30%, or £1.76, of your £6 goes towards paying staff - with hospitality wages needing to rise given inflation, the national minimum wage and in order for pubs, restaurants and cafes to compete in the worsening inter-industry dogfight for employees. 

£1.16 may seem steep for rent and utilities per pint - but remember they aren't just paying for the building and the lights. They also need to wash your glass with very hot water using a dishwasher or glass cleaner, provide heating for punters, water for the bathrooms and electricity across the wider pub for bandits (aka trusty fruit machines), music and for that bloke at the bar to charge his phone. 

No one will need reminding that there's a cost of living crisis that affects pubs as much as everyone else. 

There's also beer gas that needs to be paid for. 

This goes some way towards explaining why pubs charge so much - they simply have to survive. 

More expensive means more profit, right?

As you go further up the scale, the trend continues. 

Despite a pint of Crush IPA by the Drop Project Brewery in Mitcham costing £1.80 more than the lager (£7.80), there's actually a decrease in the profit margin - from around 13.8% to around 12.7%. 

Less than £1 of that £7.80 is profit for the pub itself - and this is before we've accounted for extra expenses like refurbishments, cleaners, breakages, expired products, etc. 

While being aware of these facts may not make you wince any less when that card machine turns around, you will have a better idea of where that money is going. 

British Savings Bonds, which were announced in the budget, have gone on sale.

The bonds, issued by the Treasury-backed NS&I, offer a fixed rate for three years - and the rate has been revealed at 4.15%.

This has left experts feeling a little underwhelmed.

Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes gave us her view: "In essence, this is simply a re-issuance of the NS&I three-year Guaranteed Income and Guaranteed Growth bonds, rather than anything new or British.

"As was reported just after the budget and as is often the case with NS&I products, while the interest rate is not rock bottom it’s mid-table, so is likely to still be utilised, especially for those rolling over old bonds, and those with more than the FSCS limit of £85,000, because of course all cash held with NS&I is guaranteed by HM Treasury.

"NS&I is a trusted institution so will always be popular, but savers can earn quite a lot more if they shop around and perhaps choose a provider they are less familiar with."

The Guaranteed Growth Bond option is available at 4.15% and the Guaranteed Income Bond option has a rate of 4.07%.

Funds of between £500 and £1 million can be invested, with the money locked in for the duration of the three-year term.

The investments have 100%, Treasury-backed security, and are invested back into the country via government financing.

British Savings Bonds can be purchased online at nsandi.com .

Those looking for three-year deals can find a range of options with rates above 4.60% AER in the wider market, according to Moneyfactscompare.co.uk .

Bonds with shorter terms also offer higher rates, such as 5.25% AER for a one-year deal or 5.10% for a two-year deal.

Rachel Springall, a finance expert at Moneyfactscompare.co.uk , said: "As it stands, savers can get an account that pays more than 5% on either an easy access account or fixed-rate bond. As has been evident, fixed rates on savings accounts are coming down, so the deals that sit towards the top of the market will likely be in high demand."

Bim Afolami, economic secretary to the Treasury, said: "This is a new opportunity for UK savers to benefit from the three-year fixed-rate British Savings Bonds knowing that their money is fully protected by HM Treasury.

"The bonds will help to grow the savings culture in the UK while providing cost-effective financing for the government."

More than one in three UK water employees has reported being verbally abused at work, according to GMB Union.

A survey of almost 1,300 staff found industry workers have been physically assaulted and unsafe working alone, the Guardian reported.

The survey comes after backlash to news of sewage dumping practices.

The government has declined to launch a public inquiry into Thurrock council's bankruptcy , the Financial Times reports.

Residents had petitioned for an investigation into the Conservative-run Essex council.

But minister for local government Simon Hoare said a best value inspection report published last year was an effective way to look into the issue.

Co-op is reintroducing the  remote wine-tastings  first piloted during lockdown.

Winemakers will host sessions to members each month over Zoom following demand from customers, according to the supermarket.

Participants will receive advance notice of which wines will be the subject of the tastings.

Superdrug has axed the cost of VAT from its own-brand sun care range.

The retailer says the products should be deemed a healthcare essential and not a beauty treatment, and believes all sun protection should be exempt from the 20% levy.

The UK government is coming under increasing pressure to remove VAT on all sun care after a rise in calls for donations of such products, with some having to go without sun protection completely. 

The reduction is expected to save consumers around £1m.

Jamie Archer, own brand director at Superdrug, said: "Sun cream is currently classed as a cosmetic product and therefore carries the VAT associated with it, making it unaffordable for some people.

"We believe that everyone should have access to the products that protect their health and wellbeing and at an affordable price. 

"Therefore, we're proud to support our customers by removing 20% from our sun care range for a second year."

The cut means Solait Sun Cream SPF50 (200ml) costs £3.59 and the Solait Kid’s Roll-on Sun Cream SPF50+ (75ml) £2.79.

As many as 1,000 jobs could be cut by Royal Mail as the service plans to dramatically cut second-class letter deliveries.

In its submission to Ofcom's consultation on the future of the universal postal service, Royal Mail said its proposals would reduce all non first-class letter deliveries to save up to £300m a year.

Second-class letters would only be delivered three days a week - every other weekday.

However, the six-day-a-week service for first-class mail would be maintained - a row back on plans to axe Saturday deliveries.

The group said it didn't expect any compulsory redundancies and the roles would be reduced through natural staff turnover among its 130,000 employees.

They added that the proposals would not need a change in legislation, given it would still be delivering first-class post six days a week. It called for Ofcom to put the changes in place by April 2025.

Big Issue founder Lord Bird says the government has "lost the plot" over proposed legislation which critics say criminalises homelessness.

He called the Criminal Justice Bill a "waste of time" that fails to stop people living and dying on the streets of the UK.

The bill contains provisions to allow police to forcibly move on "nuisance" rough sleepers, with criteria including creating "excessive smell" or "looking like they are intending to sleep on the streets".

"How the hell are you going to enforce this?" said Lord Bird.

"You're going to get the old bill [police] or the local security going out their sniffing people? This is just a waste of time."

Lord Bird said it was "human rights abuse to let people live and die on our streets".

"When it's moved onto criminal justice issues, then you've lost the plot."

He pointed to "the evils" of no-fault evictions as one cause of homelessness.

"Today there will be somebody falling into homelessness because the government hasn't got off its rear and sorted out what it said it was going to do in 2019."

Lord Bill recalled his experience of living on the streets as a young man, including being urinated on and sexually propositioned by the public.

"Anybody who falls onto the streets in a very short period of time becomes so traumatised that they actually become dehumanised.

"There's nothing pretty about street life and therefore if people are behaving aggressively it's because really they need the A&E department."

Will the bill go through?

When the bill was introduced to parliament last year, Suella Braverman was still the home secretary.

She claimed at the time that rough sleeping was a "lifestyle choice".

The government has pledged to bring in the Criminal Justice Bill before the next election, although it is currently making its way through the House of Commons - with MPs proposing amendments, including dozens of Tories, that may come to a vote later.

Yesterday, minister Gillian Keegan was asked about the matter as Tory MPs seek to strip the provision to detain someone based on odour.

Asked if people should be arrested if they smell, Ms Keegan said: "Well, no, people should not be arrested just if they smell."

Royal Mail has reportedly launched an investigation into complaints that members of the public have been fined because their stamps were deemed counterfeit.

Affected customers have been told to pay £5 to collect post from Royal Mail.

The postal service switched to a barcoded stamp system last summer.

Questions have been raised over whether stamps are being wrongly identified as counterfeit after postmasters said the allegedly fake stamps were bought from Royal Mail directly.

Royal Mail has said the system is secure and any allegation that fake stamps were bought from its branches were "extremely serious".

Barcoded stamps became mandatory from 31 July 2023.

National insurance will be cut, for the second time this year, from 10% to 8% on employee earnings between £12,570 and £50,270 from Saturday.

The change, announced by the chancellor in his March budget, impacts around 27 million payroll employees across the UK.

The cut is worth almost £250 to someone earning £25,000 a year and almost £750 for those earning £50,000

Use our tool below for a rough guide to what tax changes can be expected for most people, as there are other variables not included which might affect how much tax you pay including being in receipt of the blind person's allowance or the marriage allowance. It also assumes you are not self-employed and are under pension age...

There are also national insurance cuts for the self-employed. This includes the scrapping of Class 2 contributions, as well as a reduction of the rate of Class 4 contributions from 9% to 6% for the £12,570 to £50,270 earnings bracket.

These will impact nearly two million self-employed people, according to the Treasury.

While many campaigners welcomed the national insurance announcement last month, they pointed out that the tax burden remains at record high levels for Britons - thanks in part to the threshold at which people start paying income tax being frozen, rather than rising with inflation.

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