Tour or activity
Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath from London
4.6 / 5 · 21,019 reviews · 11 hours
From $106.30View experience →
Region
Europe · United Kingdom
Best time to go
London is at its best from late spring through early autumn, when days are long and the parks are green. Winters are cool, damp, and festive, and rain can arrive in any season.
Getting there
Nonstop flights from many US cities to Heathrow and Gatwick; connections from elsewhere.
Why go to London
London puts royal landmarks, free national museums, West End theatre, and lively markets within a few miles of each other along the Thames. It is easy to get around by Tube, bus, and on foot, and each neighborhood has its own character.
Things to do in London
Where to stay in London
Westminster and St James'sRoyal, central, landmark-heavyThis is the London of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and grand parks. You can walk to many major sights, and the riverside is close. It is quieter at night than the West End. It suits first-time visitors who want to stay near the landmarks.
Covent Garden and SohoLively, theatrical, always busyThe heart of the West End, packed with theatres, restaurants, bars, and shops. Covent Garden's piazza has street performers, and Soho's narrow streets have a busy evening scene. It suits theatre lovers and couples who want to walk out the door into the action.
South KensingtonElegant, museum-rich, calmSouth Kensington has white stucco townhouses, garden squares, and three major museums within a short walk. Hyde Park is close. It is calmer than the West End and good for families. It suits museum lovers and travelers who want a polished, quiet base.
South Bank and BanksideRiverside, arts, great viewsAlong the south side of the Thames, this area has the London Eye, the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe, and Borough Market nearby. It has strong transport links. It suits travelers who love food, art, and walking along the river.
Shoreditch and SpitalfieldsCreative, young, street artEast London's creative quarter has street art, independent shops, markets like Old Spitalfields and Brick Lane, and a busy bar scene. Stays here tend to feel more modern and local. It suits younger travelers and repeat visitors who want something different from the classic center.MaryleboneVillage feel, central, refinedMarylebone has a village-like high street with independent shops and cafes, close to Regent's Park and Oxford Street. It feels calm but is still very central. It suits couples and travelers who want a neighborhood feel with easy access to everything.When to go
Spring
March to May
- Weather
- Mild and changeable, with blossoms in the parks and lengthening days. Showers are common.
- Crowds
- Moderate, busier around Easter.
- Value
- Often good value outside Easter school holidays.
Summer
June to August
- Weather
- Warmest months, usually mild to warm with long daylight hours. Heat waves are possible but not typical.
- Crowds
- Busiest time of year, with long lines at top sights.
- Value
- Highest rates for flights and hotels.
Autumn
September to November
- Weather
- Mild early in the season, turning cooler and wetter, with autumn color in the parks.
- Crowds
- Moderate, with fewer families after the summer holidays.
- Value
- Usually good value, especially in October and November.
Winter
December to February
- Weather
- Cool, damp, and gray, with short daylight hours. Snow is uncommon.
- Crowds
- Busy in December with festive markets and lights, quieter in January and February.
- Value
- January and February are usually the best value of the year.
Getting the best value
January through March and November, outside the holidays, are usually the least expensive times to visit. Summer and the weeks leading up to Christmas usually cost the most, and school holiday periods also push rates up.
Check tour datesGetting there and around
Getting there
- Heathrow (LHR) is London's main international airport, and Gatwick (LGW) also has transatlantic service. Stansted (STN), Luton (LTN), and London City (LCY) mostly serve flights within Europe.
- Nonstop flights reach London from many major US cities on both coasts, and from the West Coast the overnight flight is usually about ten to eleven hours.
- US citizens need a valid passport, and the UK now requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for many visa-free visitors, including Americans. Check current entry rules before booking.
- From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line, the Heathrow Express, and the Piccadilly line all run into central London, and Gatwick has direct trains to Victoria and London Bridge.
Getting around
- The Tube, buses, and trains all accept contactless bank cards and phones, with daily and weekly fare caps, so you rarely need a separate travel card.
- Do not rent a car for the city. Traffic is slow, parking is scarce, and central London has a congestion charge zone.
- Black cabs can be hailed on the street, and rideshare apps also operate across the city.
- Walking is often the best way to link sights in central London, and river boats along the Thames double as transport and a scenic ride.
Eat and drink
Sunday roastA pub tradition of roast beef, lamb, chicken, or pork with roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire pudding. Popular pubs fill up on Sundays, so book or go early.Fish and chipsBattered cod or haddock with thick-cut chips, often with mushy peas and tartar sauce. Look for a local chippy rather than a tourist-street spot.Afternoon teaTea served with finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and small cakes. Many hotels and tearooms offer it, and it usually needs a booking.Curry on Brick Lane and beyondSouth Asian food is a huge part of London's food culture. Brick Lane is famous for Bangladeshi curry houses, and you will find excellent Indian and Pakistani cooking across the city.The local pubPubs are London's living rooms, serving cask ales, ciders, and simple food. Order and pay at the bar, since table service is not the norm.Full English breakfastEggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, grilled tomato, mushrooms, toast, and sometimes black pudding. It is served in cafes across the city and makes a solid start to a long day.
Day trips from London
Sample itineraries
5 days: classic London
- Day 1Arrive, check in, and take an easy walk along the South Bank from the London Eye to Tower Bridge.
- Day 2See Westminster Abbey and Parliament in the morning, the Changing of the Guard if it is running, and walk through St James's Park.
- Day 3Visit the Tower of London early, then cross to Borough Market for lunch and spend the afternoon at Tate Modern.
- Day 4Spend the morning at the British Museum, then explore Covent Garden and see a West End show at night.
- Day 5Visit the Natural History Museum or the V&A in South Kensington, then walk through Hyde Park before you leave.
7 days: London plus a day trip
- Day 1Arrive and stroll through Covent Garden and Soho, with an early pub dinner.
- Day 2Explore Westminster, Buckingham Palace, and St James's Park, then ride the London Eye in the late afternoon.
- Day 3See the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, then climb the dome at St Paul's Cathedral.
- Day 4Spend the day in South Kensington's museums and finish with a walk in Kensington Gardens.
- Day 5Take the train to Windsor to visit Windsor Castle, and return for dinner in the city.
- Day 6Take a river boat to Greenwich for the Royal Observatory and the market, then spend the evening in Shoreditch.
- Day 7Wander Camden Market and Regent's Canal in the morning, then have a final Sunday roast or afternoon tea before your flight.
Good to know
- Use a contactless card or phone for transit, and tap the same card in and out every time so the fare caps apply correctly.
- Pack layers and a compact umbrella in every season, since London weather can change several times in one day.
- Restaurants often add a service charge to the bill. If it is already included, you do not need to tip more; in pubs, tipping at the bar is not expected.
- Stand on the right on Tube escalators and walk on the left, and let passengers off the train before you board.
- Book timed tickets ahead for popular paid sights like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye to skip the longest lines.
- Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including many market stalls, but a little cash in pounds sterling is still handy.
Questions people ask
What is the best month to visit London?
May, June, and September usually offer long days, green parks, and fewer crowds than July and August. December is popular for festive lights and markets.
How many days do I need in London?
Four to five days covers the major landmarks and a couple of museums. A week lets you add a day trip to Windsor, Oxford, or Bath.
Is London kid friendly?
Yes. Many top museums are free, the parks are large and well kept, and kids under eleven can ride the Tube free with a paying adult.
Do I need a car in London?
No. Public transport covers the whole city, and driving in central London is slow and expensive.
What currency is used in London?
The British pound sterling. Contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, including on transit.
Is London safe for tourists?
London is generally safe for visitors. Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas and on the Tube, and keep phones secure on busy streets.
Make a day of it
Tours and activities in London
Tour or activity
Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London
4.5 / 5 · 4,192 reviews · 7 hours
From $121.11View experience →
Tour or activity
Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath Full Day Guided Tour
4.6 / 5 · 5,931 reviews · 11 hours
From $106.30View experience →
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Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Superior Transport from London
4.2 / 5 · 2,152 reviews · 7 hours
From $133.22View experience →
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Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London
4.9 / 5 · 1,183 reviews · 3.5 hours
From $106.30View experience →
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Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Day Ticket
4.4 / 5 · 7,789 reviews · 24 hours
From $51.13View experience →
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