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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!

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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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• Places to Visit
• Sightseeing
• Practical Tips
• Where to Stay

London Underground Tickets & Travelcards

The Travelcard is a transport pass for London that gives you unlimited travel in London within certain zones . The prices vary according to the number of zones you need to travel through. Central London is in zone 1.

Travelcards are valid for 1 day, 7 days, 1 month or 1 year.

The passes are valid for travel on all types of transport in London including:

• the Underground (the tube)
• the local suburban trains within London
• the Elizabeth Line (not west of West Drayton)
• the Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
• the London Overground
• the buses all over London. A Travelcard for any zone allows you to use the buses in all zones (zones 1-6)

The 3 Day Travelcard, weekend Travelcard, Zone 1-2 & 2-6 One Day Travelcards are no longer available.

Visiting London for 1-7 days? See our guide to London’s transport tickets & passes . The Travelcard may not be the best ticket for your stay.

Single Underground Tickets

Single paper tickets on the London underground are expensive if you buy them from a tube station ticket machine:

• £6.70 for one journey in zone 1 (central London) and between zone 1 and zones 2 to 6
• See single ticket prices for all zones .

One Day Travelcards: 2024 prices

Using a Pay as you go Oyster card or a contactless card are the cheapest ways to pay for travel if you’re in London for 1-5 days. The daily cap is £8.50 per day for zones 1-2

If you really don’t want to use an Oyster card or don’t have a contactless card, the One Day Travelcard is the next best money-saving pass.

The paper Off peak One Day Travelcard for zone 1-6 is  £15.90. This is expensive, but still cheaper than paying the full cash fare for 3 underground trips in central London (3 x £6.70 = £20.10 ).

One Day Travelcard fares from 3 March 2024

Peak v anytime travelcards.

One Day Travelcard prices are different if you travel during peak or off-peak times:

Anytime Travelcard Valid for travel at anytime. Off-Peak Travelcard For travel after 9.30am Monday–Friday and all day Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Top Tip: An Off-Peak One Day Travelcard for zones 1–6 costs  £10.40 with a Railcard .

Weekly Travelcards: 2024 prices

If you stay in London for 6–7 days and use the underground, trains, and buses every day, the weekly Travelcard is the most cost-effective travel pass.

The one-week pass including central London (zones 1-2) is  £42.70.

• It can start on any day of the week
• It’s valid for travel at anytime; there is no peak or off-peak rate.

Most places sell weekly Travelcards loaded onto a plastic Oyster card. There’s a £7 fee for the Oyster card.

Your fare on an Oyster card will automatically cap at the weekly Travelcard fare (this is already available on contactless cards). The cap starts on Monday and ends Sunday, so it mainly benefits Londoners or those working in London.

Weekly Travelcard fares from 3 March 2024

• See weekly Travelcards prices for all other zones (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Monthly Travelcards: 2024 prices

For longer stays in London, monthly Travelcards are available. You won’t save much compared to buying 4 x weekly Travelcards – but you’ll save time renewing it. Like the weekly Travelcard, it can start on any day of the week and is valid for travel at any time. See monthly Travelcard prices for all other zones (2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)

Monthly Travelcards from 3 March 2024

Where to buy travelcards.

One day, weekly and monthly Travelcards are available from:

Underground stations

Travelcards are available from all underground station ticket machines (there are no longer any underground tickets offices). The busier stations in central London have staff to help you use the machines.

Local shops and newsagents

Travelcards are also available from Oyster ticket stops . These are newsagents and local shops licensed to sell London transport tickets and Oyster cards. One Day Travelcards are not available from Oyster ticket stops.

London train stations

One Day Travelcards are available from all London train station ticket offices and ticket macines. Paper weekly and monthly Travelcards are no longer available from train stations . They are available to buy, but they are loaded onto an Oyster card and may only be available from ticket machines, not ticket offices.

London Transport Visitor Centres

TfL Visitor Centres at Victoria train station, Kings Cross/St Pancras International station, Heathrow Terminal 2 & 3 tube staion, Liverpool St station & Piccadilly Circus tube station.

How to use a Travelcard

On the underground.

If you have a paper One Day Travelcard or single ticket from a ticket machine, insert the card into the slot on the front of the ticket barrier. The barrier opens when you take the ticket from behind the yellow reader, on the top.

If you have a paper One Day Travelcard, just show it to the driver when boarding the bus.

See How to use an Oyster card if you have a weekly Travelcard on an Oyster card.

Top Tip: Do you want a cheaper way to travel around central London? If you only travel by bus , it costs £5.25 per day or £24.70 per week.

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3 Day London Itinerary: What to See & Do plus FAQs & Insider Tips

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: March 12, 2023

Looking for a 3 day London itinerary? We have you covered – discover everything you need to know to make the most of your London visit with this complete guide and itinerary.

London makes it onto many a bucket list, and that’s hardly surprising – it’s one of the world’s most exciting cities! When you have limited time, though, it can be hard to know what to prioritise. Hence this 3 day London itinerary.

Full of information – including insider tips from former London residents – this 3 day itinerary for London will help you make the most of even just a short stay in the British capital.

From the quickest and simplest ways to see the sights to shopping, royalty, the river Thames and some of the city’s finest foodie experiences, this 3 days’ London itinerary has you covered.

You may even discover some surprises within this Itinerary for first-time visitors to London . Although the UK capital has a reputation for being expensive, we can show you ways to save money on all your tickets, travel and tours.

There is also a lot of free stuff to see and do in London. Whether you’d prefer a picnic in the park during summer or wandering around some of the top museums in the world in winter, when it comes to the British capital some of the best things in life really are free.

Whether you’re wondering where to stay and how to get around or are simply trying to work out how to pack it all in, this three day London itinerary aims to give you a huge head start when planning your travels. 

First off, let’s address some common issues likely to cross your mind when considering a trip to London.

☀️ Weather in London

📈 peak season in london, 🎉 uk public holidays, 📅 the best time to visit london, 🤔 how long to visit london for, 1. don’t pack too much in, 2. stay in central london, 3. wear comfortable shoes, 4. take an umbrella and/or rain jacket, 5. plan ahead, 6. the best things in london are free, 7. go overground, 8. group your destinations, 1. stay in zone 1, 2. don’t hire a car, 3. use london transport, 4. get an oyster card, 5. buy a london pass, 6. take a london taxi trip, 7. london by bike, 8. london by boat, full english breakfast, fish and chips, sunday roast, pie and mash, curry night, borough market, m&s sandwiches , afternoon tea, getting to the london eye, your trip on the london eye, london eye tickets, south bank , thames river cruise, the changing of the guard: things to know, the langham, fortnum & mason, the tower of london: things to know, harrods, hyde park & knightsbridge, take a sightseeing walking tour, south kensington museums, west end accommodation, westminster accommodation, south bank & bankside, how many days is enough in london, is 3 days enough in london, how do i see london in 3 days, what do you do in london in 72 hours, 3 day london itinerary – final thoughts, london travel guide & itinerary planner (+ 4 bonus ebooks).

3 day London itinerary – Planning a trip to London

When you’re thinking about travelling in the UK, one of the initial considerations is when to visit. How long should you spend in London, and when is the best time to go?

📆 When to visit London

London is busy during every season, with tourists from all over the world flocking to the city to see all the sights. Having said that, there are times when London is at its most crowded.

The UK has four seasons. Spring starts in March, and is when the weather starts warming up before summer starts in June. July and August are the hottest months in Britain.

Although the UK has a reputation for cold, wet weather, don’t be fooled. Summer in London can be stifling if there’s a heatwave, especially when travelling via the underground.

Winter is chilly, although the coldest weather tends to occur after the Christmas and New Year holiday period, during January and early February. Spring and autumn are kinder, with temperatures generally ranging from cool to warm during April, May, September and October. 

So the months of July and August see the best weather in London – but at times it can also get very hot in the city. Add to this the fact that these are peak periods for tourism, and you may wish to consider whether high summer is the best time to visit.

Sunny months aside, the other time when London can become very crowded is during December. This is because people head here from all over the UK, Europe and even other continents to experience the festive Christmas lights, markets, parties and shopping that typifies London in December .

Known in Britain as ‘bank holidays’, public holidays are also when London can become packed with people. Bank holidays in the UK take place at Christmas, New Year and Easter. There are also two in May and one in August, as follows:

• 25th December – Christmas Day
• 26th December – Boxing Day
• 1st January – New Year’s Day
• Good Friday – date varies
• Easter Monday – date varies
• Early May bank holiday – 1st Monday in May
• Spring bank holiday – Last Monday in May
• Summer bank holiday – Last Monday in August

Please do note that this is very occasionally varied slightly when a landmark occasion occurs, particularly involving the Royal Family. In 2022, for instance, the late May bank holiday was moved to Friday 3rd June for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Another point to note is that when a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the day off is then given as a substitute day on the next weekday. You can check the exact dates of all scheduled bank holidays with the UK government website here . 

While there are lots of factors to consider when planning the best London itinerary, it can be more pleasant to spend time in London during quieter periods. Anytime from January to June plus September, October and November tends to be less busy, as long as you don’t pick a bank holiday weekend.

If you don’t want to contend with cold weather, it’s worth knowing that the British winter is fairly mild. It does snow now and again in London during winter , but it’s not worth pinning your hopes on seeing the city covered with a twinkling blanket of the white stuff. 

Those who really aren’t used to – or fans of – colder temperatures may prefer to visit London during May, June or September. April and October can also be very mild, but the weather tends to be more hit and miss. 

A key bonus of visiting outside the peak seasons is to save money as well as avoiding overcrowding. Hotels charge less during off-peak periods and you should get around the capital more quickly too, meaning you can pack more into your itinerary for London in 3 days.

So how long do you need in London? The answer varies widely according to what you want to see and do as well as who you ask. 

Even just 1 day in London is better than nothing, and 2 is obviously an improvement on that! If possible, though, 3 days is ideal, as you can see the key sights without rushing around so much that your head starts to spin. 

Read more – Essential London planning for first-timers

3 day London itinerary – Insider Tips

Here are our top tips for the most enjoyable and memorable trip to London possible. Don’t leave home without checking out this list!

Having fun is surely the main point of taking a vacation or going travelling, so don’t try to do so much that fitting it all in will cause you stress. 

There are ways to save time, however. Book attraction tickets in advance and you’ll not only save on admin time, you may also get to skip the queue. 

This itinerary is only a guide. Think about what you want to see from the suggestions given, as well as any ideas of your own. This way you can concentrate on what appeals to you most so you don’t feel you’ve missed out. 

One way to save heaps of time is really simple. Stay in a central location and you can get everywhere far faster, even on foot. This cuts down travel time immensely. It may cost a little more, but some locations are surprisingly affordable. 

You’ll also save on travel costs, so spending less money on transport means you can put that little bit extra towards your accommodation. 

The best areas to stay in include the West End, around Leicester Square, Covent Garden or Soho. You could also stay close to Westminster, or on the other side of the river Thames near South Bank, Waterloo and Bankside. 

Read – Location guide to the best neighbourhoods in London

Even if you’re not planning to walk far, comfy shoes will make your day so much more pleasant. Don’t forget that you’ll be on your feet for hours at a time. Even hopping on and off a London bus or the tube isn’t easy in high heels!

Plus it’s best to be prepared. Distances may sometimes be further than you think, tubes are sometimes cancelled and a taxi may be nowhere in sight. 

Rain is a fact of life in the UK. If you’re going to be standing outside for any length of time, a packaway jacket with a hood and/or a compact umbrella are musts for your daypack. 

Imagine standing outside Buckingham Palace, waiting for the Changing of the Guard , while chilly rain soaks you to the skin. Not a way to experience something you’ll see only once in a lifetime! 

By doing a little forward planning before you leave home, you can save both time and money. Doing this also gets you ready for your trip, building up the anticipation about the places you’re about to see. 

We recommend booking entrance tickets and travel passes in advance – and don’t be put off by the fact that your plans may change. Buying through a third party like Get Your Guide means that you can often cancel to receive a full refund, as long as you do so 24 hours or more in advance. 

Using this type of ticket or pass can also mean skipping the queues, ensuring you make the most of every precious moment in the UK capital!

OK, so this statement may not be strictly true. There’s no arguing with the fact that many things in London can be costly.

At the same time, some of London’s highlights are indeed completely free . A wander along the Thames, a sunny afternoon in one of the city’s plentiful parks or a visit to a leading museum or art gallery can also be yours for precisely no pounds sterling whatsoever.

Just meandering around town, taking in theatreland, the smart shops of Regent Street or people watching in the busy squares can be fascinating, and as well as saving you money can make a welcome break from seeing and photographing the main tourist sights.

Although the tube is a great way to get around London, don’t spend all your time in a Victorian tunnel if you can help it. Walk, catch a bus or hail a black cab – that way you will see some of life above the surface along the way. 

It makes complete sense to visit a bunch of attractions in one day that are clustered fairly close together, rather than being spread out all over London. 

Doing this saves on travel time and ticket costs. It also means you can focus on only certain parts of the city during each day, helping to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. 

An example would be to combine your visits to the London Eye, the South Bank and Borough Market, which are clustered close together.  

3 day London itinerary – Getting around

London is a large, sprawling city and getting from one end to the other can take a lot of time. So it’s a good idea to plan your transport carefully. 

Staying as centrally as you possibly can will help enormously. Avoid anything outside of zone 1 when you’re planning to complete your London trip itinerary in 3 days; you’d just waste so much time travelling. 

Don’t bother renting a car. Even Brits find driving in London stressful, and despite the introduction of the congestion charge, finding a parking spot is nigh-on impossible. Traffic can still be terrible too.

The good news is that London has a great public transport system, including underground and overground trains and buses. These are the most useful forms of transport to use in zone 1. 

If you can, avoid rush hour, when tubes are packed with commuters. Standing room only is an understatement then, as you’re lucky if you can find a narrow gap to squeeze into while breathing in! These times tend to be before 9 am and between 16.30 and 18.30, Monday to Friday. Off-peak tickets are often cheaper too. 

Read more – How to get around London by public transport

London’s Oyster Card is used by locals and visitors alike to save money on public transport. This electronic ticket can be used to pay for journeys on the tube, overground trains, buses, and even boats and trams (the latter are found in South London only). 

An Oyster Card is cheaper than buying separate tickets, and a special Visitor Oyster Card is available to tourists from abroad. Buying one in advance will save you lots of money and also time when you arrive, and you can use it right away. 

The London Pass is one of the most popular sightseeing passes available in London. As well as jump-on, jump-off transport, it includes entry to a whole wealth of London attractions.

Discounts on entertainment, eating out and shopping are also offered to London Pass holders. With entry to over 80 London attractions, it will be worth it for you if it works out cheaper than buying tickets separately. That’s another reason why a little planning can go a long way!

Read – Is the London Pass worth it?  

Taking even a quick trip in a black cab just once is worth the fare just for the experience – London cab drivers are known for being chatty and who knows what subjects might come up as they drive you from A to B. 

To be a London cab driver they will have passed a test called ‘The Knowledge’, and to do this they must prove they know the location of every street in the capital – as well as the fastest route to it. That’s the level of expertise you’re paying the fare for.

Look for a taxi driving with its light on, which shows it’s available. Stick out your arm to hail it and the driver will pull over when they deem it safe to do so. Asking about celebrities they’ve driven can often lead to the telling of an interesting tale – or there’s always the British fail-safe of talking about the weather!

You can also hire from the fleets of Santander bikes you’ll see dotted around the city. Known informally as ‘Boris Bikes’, they were brought in when Boris Johnson was Mayor of London. To rent one, you can simply download the Santander Cycles app and follow the instructions.

The UberBoat by Thames Clippers provides an alternative way to see the city – from the river. They are run by Uber and Transport for London, and the Oyster Card can be used to pay for your journeys. 

3 day London itinerary – Food for thought

Dining out can really be a highlight of any trip to London. As a multicultural city, there are so many restaurants and cafes in the capital and standards are generally high. Here are some foodie highlights not to miss.

This may well be served at your hotel if you’ve booked the appropriate room rate. If not, ask staff for their recommendation. 

The national dish. Best eaten outdoors if possible and served with lashings of salt and vinegar.

If you’re in London over the weekend, a Sunday roast at a British pub is a must. Don’t miss out on the Yorkshire pudding!

When you’re in London on weekdays only, sampling pie and mash is the next best thing to a Sunday roast (though it’s not the same). If you’re feeling brave, some pie and mash shops also sell jellied eels, a true cockney classic.

Any night is curry night, particularly in the East End of London. The area around Brick Lane is best, where you’ll be spoiled for choice. 

Borough Market is featured in films and on TV all the time. It’s a famous foodie haunt on the south side of the river, close to London Bridge. The ideal place to pick up a picnic for savouring in one of the city’s selection of fine parks. 

London boasts some of the world’s finest food halls. The best and most famous are to be found at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, Harrods in Knightsbridge and Selfridges on Oxford Street. 

If you’re after a quick bite to eat on the go, do as the British do and pop into M&S. There are branches all over the city, and they sell the most delicious sandwiches available at very palatable prices. 

You just can’t go to London without sampling the full-on afternoon tea experience . It’s as much about the tinkle of silver on china, the piano playing in the background and the grandeur of the setting as it is about the dainty cakes, freshly baked scones and finger sandwiches.

3 day London itinerary – DAY 1

So you’ve arrived in London. You may even have taken your first black cab ride followed by fish and chips for supper. Here’s what to do once you get there.

The first third of this London in three days itinerary begins with a reasonably relaxed day – just in case you’re getting over jet lag! You can take a trip on the London Eye followed by a riverside stroll around the South Bank, perhaps popping into Borough Market or the Tate Modern before taking a laid-lack look at the city as seen from the waters of the Thames. 

The London Eye

Booking tickets in advance for the London Eye is a great idea – not least because of jet-lag. Experts always say you should get into the time zone of where you are as soon as possible after arrival, and having pre-paid for tickets gives you an incentive to get out of bed!

A trip on the London Eye will also give you a birds-eye view as your first introduction to the city, giving you a sense of perspective while whetting your appetite about what is yet to come. 

The London Eye: things to know

Waterloo, Westminster, Charing Cross and Embankment stations are the nearest to the London Eye, Waterloo being the closest of all. If you stay in the West End or just south of the river, you may wish to walk there. 

Each ‘flight’ – as it’s sometimes referred to – on the London Eye takes 30 minutes. This will take you on the world’s largest, 135-metre-high and award-winning cantilevered observation wheel.

The Eye is the top paid-for attraction in the entire UK. Since it opened at the turn of the millenium, similar attractions have been built in cities worldwide. Your trip will give you panoramic views over one of the planet’s most exciting cities, including of course superb selfie opportunities!

While you can buy London Eye tickets on the official website, we recommend purchasing yours from Get Your Guide . This is because they don’t actually cost any extra, yet allow you to cancel 24 hours before your ‘flight’ for a full refund. There is also the option of booking a fast-track option – ideal when time is tight. 

Buy your London Eye tickets here

Read more – Best tickets, tips & tours for the London Eye

Taking a walk around the South Bank area makes complete sense after a trip on the London Eye – not least because the two are located close together, south of the Thames.  

When you leave the London Eye, keep the river to your left as you head east towards the South Bank area. Don’t rush it – watch the boats sailing by on the Thames and look out for the Royal Festival Hall as you pass. 

The South Bank and Bankside areas have plenty to keep you busy for a while, including shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. There are quirky, one off boutiques, smart cocktail bars and classic pubs, fine dining eateries and street food stalls.

Bankside is also home to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and the Tate Modern. If you’re a fan of contemporary art you’ll want to visit the latter, while committed foodies won’t mind wandering a little further to reach Borough Market. This is located on Southwark Street, near London Bridge and the tube station of the same name.  

Why not stay in South Bank? Recommended hotels in South Bank, Southwark & Bankside

Following a morning spent on the London Eye and in the South Bank area, next up for your 3 day stay in London is a relaxing cruise on the river. Even if you’re jet-lagged, this is an easy and pleasing way to spend the afternoon. 

This also allows you to see the city from another perspective, before delving deep into the city’s streets to explore it further. You can also make like James Bond and take a speedboat trip if you like.  

Thames river cruises typically last between 30 minutes and 3 hours, and if you prefer you can book an evening cruise with music plus fizz and canapes or a full-on dinner. Another alternative is to take a cruise along Regent’s Canal in North London. 

The hop-on, hop-off sightseeing cruise is also recommended. Tickets last for 24 hours, giving you plenty of time to see and stop exactly what and where you want to. 

Read more – Top 20 London cruises & boat trips

3 day London itinerary – DAY 2

Seeing all the pomp and ceremony surrounding the Royal Family can be a major highlight of any visit to London. Day two therefore includes some of the key things to do in London in 3 days, including witnessing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and relishing a sumptuous afternoon tea.

You’re likely to have some time to spare between the ceremony and your afternoon tea, so you can consider how to spend this as you wish. With this in mind, our hotel suggestions for afternoon tea are all located close to central areas like Green Park, Covent Garden, Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus.

The Goring is also close to the palace itself. If you want to tour the state rooms inside while you’re there, this could be the perfect place to rest afterwards while being served the most decadent afternoon tea of your life.  

The Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is one of those ceremonies that could only take place in the United Kingdom. For a start, it all happens at Buckingham Palace, so you’ll get to see where the Queen lives at the same time. If the flag’s flying, it means she’s at home!

The ceremony has taken place for centuries and moved to its current location during Queen Victoria’s reign. In all but the very worst weather, the Changing of the Guard takes place in front of the palace at 11am. 

• When to see the Changing of the Guard

A key thing to know when planning your trip is that the Changing of the Guard doesn’t take place every day. Normally it happens every other day, at 11 am, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 

It is worth making sure before you set off, though, and you can do that via the official Household Division website here . If the weather forecast is particularly bad or suddenly changes, the ceremony may also be called off. 

• Getting to the Changing of the Guard

The closest underground stations to Buckingham Palace are Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, St. James’s Park and Victoria. Trains from all over the UK arrive at and depart from Victoria rail station.

• Changing of the Guard timing

It’s a good idea to arrive around 15 to 20 minutes before the 11 am ceremony to secure a spot. You can arrive sooner, but may have a long wait with nothing to do but stand around!

• Changing of the Guard tours

You don’t need a ticket to see the Changing of the Guard – it’s one of those attractive free things to do in London in three days. You can, however, take a walking tour with an expert guide, which will help you make the most of the experience. They even know exactly which spots are the best ones to stand in. 

There are also other good alternative tours, including other activities such as a visit to the State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace. Or you could combine it with a visit to the Tower of London or a Thames river cruise, or a whistle-stop tour of the city. 

If these options interest you, we recommend reading our complete guide to the Changing of the Guard, which you can access here .  

Buy your Changing of the Guard walking tour here

Read more – Ultimate guide to the Changing of the Guard

Once you’ve seen the Changing of the Guard and perhaps done some exploring too, it’s time to take afternoon tea at a top London hotel. Perhaps taking a wander around the area you’re headed to, first, to make sure you build up a hearty appetite. 

Afternoon tea is a British institution – and even the cause of some controversy. Firstly there’s the question of how to pronounce ‘scone’ – is it as in cone or gone? Even Brits are divided, and it’s not even as simple as a North/South issue.

The second bone of contention concerns what you put on those scones. Jam and clotted cream, of course – but in which order? According to Hello magazine, the Queen herself spreads jam on first before adding a dollop of clotted cream.

The debate rages on down in south west England , however. The Cornish do as the monarch does, putting jam on before cream, but in Devon they swear that cream then jam is the only way to do it.

Whichever you go for, you can’t miss the chance to sample an afternoon tea while in Blighty, and for many, a top-drawer hotel is the only way to do it.

Favourites vary between folk, of course, but the list typically includes grand properties like the following options. 

Located on the Strand between the Thames and theatreland, The Savoy is just a hop, skip and jump from Covent Garden. Afternoon tea is served here in the breathtaking Thames Foyer, with a magnificent piano taking centre stage.

Also in central London’s West End is The Ritz on Piccadilly. As Buckingham Palace isn’t too far away. you could walk across Green Park from one to the other. Tea is served in the former ballroom, overseen by the UK’s only certified Tea Master.

The Langham is credited with the very invention of the afternoon tea, and the Palm Court certainly makes a stunning setting. The art deco style venue can be found on Portland Place, a secluded location close to the fashionable stores of the Oxford Circus area. 

Located in Beeston Place, The Goring is practically next door to Buckingham Palace. The hotel began serving afternoon tea in 1840, so there’s been plenty of time to perfect what’s on offer. For a real treat, you can also wash it all down with a glass or two of Bollinger champagne.

This one’s not a hotel, but it is an impressive venue – and you get to browse the fabulous food hall here before or after taking tea. It’s served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon on Piccadilly, and is located between Green Park and Piccadilly Circus. 

Read more – 21 afternoon tea options to choose from in London

3 day London itinerary – DAY 3

Your third day in London begins with a trip to the Tower of London , before spending the afternoon just as you please. But don’t worry if you get stuck – we have plenty of suggestions as to how to spend your last half day in the UK capital! That is if you can tear yourself away from the Tower of London…

Tower of London

If you could only visit one historic and cultural site while in London, the Tower of London would be top of many a list. With its intriguing – and at times brutal – history, the tower is the place to see Beefeaters in their traditional red costume, the resident ravens and of course the Crown Jewels.

During your tour you can also see suits of armour worn by previous Kings, discover the Fusilier Museum and see buildings including the White and Bloody Towers and the Mediaeval Palace.

• Getting to the Tower of London

The nearest Underground station to the Tower of London is Tower Hill. If you don’t mind walking, you can also reach the Tower on foot from London Bridge, Liverpool Street or Charing Cross stations in 25 minutes or less. 

If you’re staying centrally, you may also wish to walk from your hotel. The Tower is located by the Thames and Tower Bridge, so it’s very easy to find. 

• Your tour of the Tower of London

It’s best to arrive early at the Tower of London. This is because it gets busy later in the day. That way you can also spend as much time at the Tower as you like without having to rush. It also sometimes shuts as early as 4.30pm. 

Audio tours are available, so you can interpret and make sense of what you’re seeing while you tour the Tower. 

• Tower of London tickets

Booking tickets for the Tower of London in advance will also help you to make the most of the limited time you have when on a London three day itinerary. 

Again we recommend booking your tickets via Get Your Guide. The cost is the same as via the official website, and the bonus is that you can get a full refund if you have to cancel up to 24 hours before your booking. 

Visitors buying through Get Your Guide also get to skip the ticket line!

Buy your Tower of London tickets here

Read more – Best tickets & tours for the Tower of London

Your London

When you’re on a 3 day trip to London, it’s easy to lose sight of what you want to see and do while in the UK. Which is why we’ve factored in some free time this afternoon. How do you want to spend your final few hours in the city? 

Here are just a few suggestions, though the possibilities are pretty much endless!

If you’re the sort that likes to shop till you drop – and you either have some cash to splash or don’t mind window shopping – then a trip to upmarket Knightsbridge is a must. 

Knightsbridge is home to Harrods, one of the world’s most famous department stores. Harvey Nichols is neither far away nor far behind, and the area also boasts a range of designer boutiques including Ted Baker, Jimmy Choo, Lulu Guinness, Rigby & Peller, Lacoste, Burberry and many more. 

At the top of the road is Hyde Park, a green oasis from the hustle and bustle. It would be easy to spend an entire afternoon here if you chose to. Don’t miss The Serpentine, a 40 acre lake that hardy Londoners drop into for a dip between May and September. 

If you’re not sure what to do and are worried about wasting your last afternoon, why not place your fate in someone else’s expert hands? 

There are numerous walking tours so you can see more of the city’s sights – even when you’re doing London in 3 days. We’ve written an entire article on all the best ones, which is divided into sightseeing and themed options, and you can read that here . 

How does a Notting Hill, Doctor Who, Harry Potter , Charles Dickens or James Bond tour grab you? You can read all about them in this post , which also covers the top recommended sightseeing tours you can take on foot. 

Read more – 23 of the best London walking tours

London boasts some of the best museums on the planet. There are so many to choose from, but some of the best can be found in South Kensington. The Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum are all located on Exhibition Road, so if you’re not keen on one you can always dip into another. 

The Natural History Museum boasts a vast collection of specimens from all over the world, while the Victoria and Albert Museum specialises in art and design. It houses well over 2 million objects. The Science Museum, meanwhile, is for fans of all things that celebrate mankind’s history of discovery, invention and innovation. 

3 day London itinerary – Where to stay

Where to stay in London is an entire other article – or perhaps a whole lot more. Here are the links to our accommodation guides for the areas we recommend booking into when planning an itinerary for London in 3 days.

• Best Covent Garden hotels for all budgets
• Top Leicester Square and Soho hotels
• Best accommodation in Westminster
• Great hotels in Bankside and the South Bank  

3 day London itinerary – Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the most common FAQs that come up when planning a 3 day London itinerary – along with our answers. 

Any day spent in London is better than none, while at the other end of the scale the famous Samuel Johnson quote states that when a person is tired of London they must be tired of life, as ‘there is in London all that life can afford’.

For some there will never be enough time, which is why people from all over the world choose to call London home for a few months or years – or even for a lifetime. 

3 days in London is enough to see the key sights, while getting a feel for the city as a place where people live and work. It’s enough to leave you wanting more, without getting fed up of following the well-beaten tourist trail. 

Whether you’re on a 3 day London itinerary as a family, solo traveller or couple, you can save so much time by planning ahead. This includes booking a hotel in the central zone and buying travel passes and entry tickets in advance. 

The other thing to do is to focus on what you really want to see and do. There are no rules. You have 3 days. How would you prefer to spend them? What would you be sorry to miss out on? 

There is so much to do in London in 72 hours. See the Tower of London, the Changing of the Guard, Westminster and Buckingham Palace . Explore the museums you want to spend time in and take a break with a picnic in the park.

Stroll around the South Bank or along the Thames, or take a trip to Oxford and Regent Streets to see a dazzling array of shops. Explore the markets, take a river cruise, hop on a tube and hail a black cab. Book afternoon tea at an upmarket hotel, and enjoy fish and chips at a traditional British pub.

London really is your oyster! 

Phew! There is so much to see and do in the British capital, but we hope this London 3 day trip planner will help you make the most of your stay in one of the finest cities on earth.

We hope to have shown that while a 3 days in London itinerary is pretty tight, time-wise, it is not only do-able but will also be thoroughly enjoyable!

If you have 3 days in London and what to do is a dilemma, do remember that it’s your trip. This is only a suggested itinerary, and of course you can play around with the timings to suit your schedule and preferences perfectly.

Whether your 3 day London tour takes in the Tower of London, the Changing of the Guard and the London Eye or you prefer to spend your time eating and shopping your way through the city, we hope you have a lot of fun along the way.

Have a few extra days in London? Why not take a day trip?

• Best day trips from London by train
• 17 Places to visit for an easy day trip from London
• How to visit Harry Potter studios from London
• 7 Magnificent castles to visit near London
• Guide to the coronation of King Charles III – When, Where & FAQs
• Seasonal guides – London in Spring , London in winter

While you’re here, don’t forget to take a look at our London Travel Guide . It’s packed with tips and inspiration so you can create your perfect trip. 

London Travelcard Prices 2024 - One Day, Weekly & Monthly Pass

• Adult travelcards
• Child travelcards

What is a travelcard?

How long does a travelcard last.

• Anytime and off-peak
• Where to buy travelcards
• Are travelcards the cheapest way to travel?
• Where to use travelcards
• Using travelcards on the bus
• Using travelcards on the train
• Which is best: travelcards or Oyster?

Travelcard prices for children

London travelcards come in two different types. The cheapest version just covers buses and trams, whilst the more expensive one includes the trains as well.

Travelcards bought at a National Rail station (the big overground hubs like Waterloo , shown with a symbol on the London underground map ) are printed on orange paper. Travelcards bought at an underground station are printed on pink paper. Other than the colour of the paper, there is no difference between the two. It’s also possible to load a travel card onto a blue Oyster card . (Note: It is not possible to load them onto a Visitor Oyster card or contactless card .)

If you buy a pass that includes the trains then you will also have to choose which fare zones you want it to cover. If you buy a one day travelcard then you’ll only have three options: zones 1-4, zones 1-6 or zones 1-9. If you buy a weekly, monthly or annual travelcard then you can choose a combination of different zones between 1-9.

Important note: there are no trams in central London, only in zone 3 and beyond (in places like Beckenham, Croydon and Wimbledon). So if you buy a zone 1-2 travelcard then you won’t find any trams to travel on.

What are the benefits of a travelcard?

• London travelcards can cover one day, one week, one month or one year, depending on how long you’re staying in London
• They’re very easy for tourists to understand: you simply choose the zones and dates you want it to cover, pay once, and then you can make an unlimited number of journeys between those dates
• Depending on which one you buy, travelcards can be valid on the tram, bus , Docklands Light Railway, London Underground , London Overground, TFL Rail and National Rail
• You can also benefit from a discounted fare on the cable car and Thames Clipper riverboat

What are the downsides of a travelcard?

• Depending on how many journeys you make, you might find that Oyster prices and contactless prices are cheaper than travelcard prices
• You’re only allowed to travel in the fare zones you chose at the start. If you later decide to travel outside the zones then you’ll have to buy a completely separate ticket
• Two people are not allowed to share one travelcard
• If you lose a paper travelcard then there’s no way of replacing it, or getting your money back

A travelcard lasts for one day , one week , one month or one year , and you choose which one you want when you buy it. You can then travel as many times as you like during that period.

You always have to choose a start date when you buy it. The date can be in the future, but it’s not possible to buy a dateless card.

One Day Travelcards (Anytime) – Valid for the date shown on the ticket, plus any journeys that start before 4.30 AM the next morning

One Day Travelcards (Off-peak) – Valid for the date shown on the ticket, but only after 9.30 AM on Mon-Fri, plus any journeys that start before 4.30 AM the next morning

Weekly, Monthly & Annual Travelcards – Valid between the start date and end date shown on the ticket. And they all have to be consecutive days (it’s not possible to buy a 7 day travel card that skips a day in the middle, for example).

Can two people share one travelcard?

No . Two people are not allowed to share one travelcard between them. And you can’t share an Oyster card that has a travelcard loaded on to it either.

What time is Anytime and Off-Peak?

Anytime – Anytime is valid for the dates shown on the ticket, and up to 4.30 AM the following morning. (So if your travelcard expires on the 10th, you can actually travel up to 4.30 AM on the 11th.)

Off-Peak – Off-Peak travelcard holders are restricted to travelling after 9:30 AM on Mon-Fri, but can travel at anytime during the weekend or on a public holiday.

Is it cheaper to use a travelcard?

Travelcards are not always the cheapest way to travel in London.

1-Day Travelcards – The Oyster daily cap and contactless daily cap are always cheaper than a one day travelcard (by around two-thirds).

Weekly Travelcards – Weekly travelcards are always cheaper than buying seven one day travel cards, but whether it works out cheaper than the Oyster card weekly cap depends on how many journeys you make. If you make two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six of the days, then a weekly travelcard is likely cheaper. But the only way of knowing for sure is to add up all your journeys on a calculator (sorry!).

Monthly Travelcards – Monthly travelcards are always cheaper than buying four weekly travel cards.

Annual Travelcards – Annnual passes give you 12 months travel for the price of ten and a half.

Where can you use a travelcard?

Buses – All travelcards are valid on TFL buses , regardless of which zones they cover. That’s because buses don’t have zones. So if you buy a zone 1-4 travelcard then you can ride the trams and trains in zones 1-4, but you can ride the buses all the way out to zone 6.

Trams – Bus & Tram travelcards don’t have zones, so they’re valid on all the buses, and all the trams. But Train, Bus & Tram travelcards are only valid on the trams if they cover zones 3 and beyond, because there aren’t any trams in zones 1-2.

London Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway, TFL Rail, National Rail – A Train, Bus & Tram travelcard is valid on all of these trains as long as it covers the right zones (you choose which zones you want when you buy it). The exceptions are the Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express and Stansted Express, Heathrow Connect to Hayes and Harlington, and high-speed Southeastern services between St. Pancras and Stratford .

IFS Cloud Cable Car – You can’t actually use your travelcard to ride the cable car , but if you present it at the ticket window you’ll get a 25% discount off the price.

Thames Clipper – You can’t use it on the Thames Clipper river boat service either, but if you show it at the window you’ll get a 33% discount off some of the fares.

Where can you buy a travelcard?

Day Travelcards (for Bus & Tram only) – It’s not possible to buy a day travelcard for the Bus & Tram from the TFL website. It’s not possible to buy one in advance either. You can only purchase them on the day of travel from a train station or London Visitor Centre.

There are seven Visitor Centres in London: Euston station , King’s Cross , Liverpool Street , Paddington , Piccadilly Circus , Victoria and Heathrow airport.

These will always come as a paper ticket.

You can also buy a Bus & Tram pass from an Oyster Ticket Stop, but these ones will be put onto an Oyster card instead. Oyster Ticket Stops are just normal shops (usually newsagents) which have a blue Oyster sticker in their window. (Note: The usual £7 deposit will apply if you need to buy a new Oyster card, which will come on top of the day travelcard price. It is not possible to load a travelcard onto a London Visitor Oyster Card .)

Day travelcards do not require a photocard.

Day Travelcards (for Bus, Tram & Train) – Paper tickets for the Bus, Tram & Train are available to buy online from the TFL website and from train stations and Visitor Centres.

Group Day Travelcards – Group Day Travelcards can be ordered from the TFL website . They only last for one day and you need to be travelling in a group of at least ten people during off-peak hours (after 9:30 AM Mon-Fri, or any time during the weekend).

Weekly Travelcards – Weekly Travelcards can be bought online at TFL’s Visitor Shop , You can also have it loaded onto your Oyster card at a train station, Oyster Ticket Stop, London Visitor Centre or TFL’s Oyster website (but you need to set up an Oyster account with them first).

Weekly travelcards do not require a photocard.

Monthly Travelcards – Monthly Travelcards can be loaded onto your Oyster card at train stations, Oyster Ticket Stops, London Visitor Centres and TFL’s Oyster website .

Annual Travelcards – Annual travelcards can be loaded onto your London Oyster card at TFL’s Oyster website , and most London Overground, TFL Rail and National Rail stations… but not London Underground stations, London Visitor Centres or Oyster Ticket Stops.

What zone travelcard do you need?

Most tourists will choose a travelcard that covers zones 1-2, which covers the touristy heart of London.

Zone 3 is for places like Highgate Cemetery , Kew Gardens , Wimbledon and London City Airport . Zone 4 will take you to Wembley Stadium . And if you’re flying into Heathrow then you might need a zone 1-6 travelcard.

How do you use a travelcard on a bus?

Using a travelcard on a London bus is easy. If you have a paper travelcard then just show it to the driver as you board the bus.

If you have an Oyster travelcard then touch it against the big round yellow reader by the front door (some buses also have Oyster readers by the middle door and back door). There’s no need to touch the travel card down again when you leave the bus – you only have to do that for trains.

How do you use a travelcard on a train?

Using a travelcard on the London Underground is easy. If you have a paper travelcard then just insert it face-up into the slot at the front of the barrier. The same ticket will then pop out of the slot on the top. The gate won’t open until you remove your travelcard from that slot.

If you have an Oyster travelcard then all you have to do is wave it in front of the big round yellow reader and the gate will open automatically.

Which is better: Travelcards or Oyster?

TFL travelcards are very easy to understand – you simply choose the starting date, the duration, which zones you need (probably just zones 1-2 if you’re here on holiday), and then you pay just once and can make an unlimited number of journeys until the travel card expires.

The downside is that travelcards are only available for fixed periods – either one day, one week, one month or one year – so if you’re visiting for a different number of days then you’re better off buying an Oyster card .

Train travelcards are also limited to the zones you buy it for, so if you decide to make an extra journey out of the blue then you’ll have to buy a completely different ticket, whereas the pay-as-you-go credit on an Oyster card can be used in all zones.

Your comments and questions

CC Hi, I want to know if I buy the one day card does it means it lasts 24 hrs? Or just till midnight of the day I purchase it?

Staff Hi CC. It actually lasts until 4.30 AM the next morning. So if it's dated for the 1st, it will last until 4.30 AM on the 2nd.

Leanne Hi there, I am travelling to London with 3 children aged 8, 10 & 11 and will need a travelcard that will cover us all. We have a few things planned but im not sure of which travelcards I need and for which zones? We will need to travel from Paddington station to Waterloo, and will be visiting the Cambridge Theatre and also Knightsbridge. Is it possible to buy a 3 day ticket that will cover those areas? Ive not been to London before so would like to plan as much as I can in advance. Thank you

Staff Hi Leanne. It's not possible to buy a 3-day card unfortunately - they only come as 1-day or weekly cards (or monthly). And the only travelcard that covers multiple people is the Group Day Travelcard, but that's for a minimum of ten people. The good news is that your 8 and 10 year old will travel for free on the tube, so I recommend that you use your contactless bank card, and you get an Oyster card for your 11 year old. That's because contactless and oyster fares are cheaper. The most you will pay each day is the 'daily cap' for zone 1, which is less than the cost of a 1-day travelcard (all of the places you mentioned are inside zone 1). Unfortunately you will also have to pay a £5 deposit the first time you buy a new Oyster card - but you can claim that back at the self-service ticket machine at the end if you want.

Leanne Thank you very much, that's very helpful

Csaba Is it possible to buy a new Oystercard and put a 7-day Travelcard on it at the newsagents generally? Do I have to have a minimum pay-as-you-go balance on it if using a Travelcard loaded onto my Oystercard?

Staff Hi Csaba. You can just have the travelcard on your Oyster card if you want. There's no need to have any pay-as-you-go credit on there as well, but you can do that as well if you want. You should be able to do it at any newsagent displaying the Oyster symbol in their window - not all of them have it.

Lafont If I have a travelcard on my Oyster card for zones 1 and 2, and I want to visit Hampton Court, how to proceed.

Staff Hi Lafont. Hampton Court is in zone 6, so you just need to add some pay-as-you-credit onto the same card to cover zones 2-6. You can see that fare here - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php . When you tap it down on the gate the computer will recognise that the travelcard already covers zones 1&2 and just use the credit for the extra bit.

Pamela Laurie I need only a paper 1 day Oyster ticket, is it over 24 hours from when you buy it? ie. 12am one day till 12 am next day ?

Staff Hi Pamela. You buy it for a particular date. It will then last for the whole of that date, and up to 4.30 AM the next morning.

Ch What time can you use your travelcard from on a Sunday?

Staff Hi Ch. If it's a 1-day card then it's all day Sunday, right up to 4.30 AM Monday morning. If it was a midweek one then it would be different, because there are two cards available midweek: anytime and off-peak. The off-peak ones wouldn't start until 9.30 AM

Awi If I buy a zone 1-6 travelcard from Vauxhall rail station will that entitle me to the National Rail 2for1 promotion? Thanks

Staff Hi Awi. You have to be careful because you need a National Rail paper ticket for the 2for1 offer. Don't buy it from the underground station because then it will be a TFL ticket. That won't be valid. Buy it upstairs from the National Rail windows, and make sure they give you a paper ticket rather than putting it on an Oyster card, because that won't be valid either.

Diane Can you use a one day travelcard on any of the London tour buses?

Staff Hi Diane. No, sightseeing tour buses have got nothing to do with normal buses, so you'll have to buy a ticket from them.

Cathy If I buy a weekly travelcard from a train station, will the start day to use to card be the day I buy it? Or can I tell the counter staff which day I would like to start to use the travelcard? For example, I want to buy the paper travelcard at London Paddington Station on July 1st and I would like to start using it on July 6th. Is it possible? Thanks for your help.

Staff Hi Cathy. Sure. You can tell them which date you want it to start. It doesn't have to be the same day that you buy it. Paper tickets will then have the start date printed on the front.

Elle Hi, With weekly travelcards, do I need to get an identity card to go with it? Thanks

Staff Hi Elle. Not if you're an adult, no. You only need to provide a passport photo for monthly and annual travelcards, but not weekly ones. And a child would need a photocard

Ray Does the one day travelcard include journeys to Heathrow? Thank you Ray.

Staff Hi Ray. You have to choose the zones when you buy it. If you choose the one that covers zones 1-6 (or 1-9) then it will.

Cozzieanne Hi there, I'm soon going to be travelling four times a week from Ealing Broadway to Leytonstone station on the Central Line. If I buy an annual Zones 2-9 travelcard, does that mean that I can get on and off at literally any stop, on any line, at any time, as long as I'm within those zones? And does it include buses? Thank you! Cozzieanne

Staff Hi Cozzieanna. A zone 2-9 travelcard won't get you from Ealing Broadway to Leytonstone on the central line, because that journey goes straight through zone 1, so you'll need a zone 1-9 instead (actually, you only really need a 1-3 for that journey, unless you've got some other plans out to zone 9 that you haven't mentioned). A zone 1-9 travelcard will let you get on and off at any stop within zones 1-9, at any time, as many times as you like. And you can use it on the bus as well.

Graham Can a London Travelcard be used on both the Underground and on Network Rail trains? I'm planning to travel from Baker Street to Monument on the Circle Line, then from London Bridge to Waterloo East on normal Network Rail. Is the Travelcard valid for both journeys?

Staff Hi Graham, It works on both the underground and National Rail trains within the zones you buy it for. So assuming your travelcard covers zone 1 (which all those journeys are in), then it will be fine

Harmeen I just want to know that if I opt for a weekly travelcard for Zone 1 and 2, how many trips am I allowed in a week?

Staff Hi Harmeen. As many as you like. There's no limit with travelcards

Lailiyah McInnes Can I buy weekly travel card to London zone 1-2 and5? And how much the cost weekly and monthly .I just from Bromley south to Victoria to Fulham

Staff Hi Lailiyah. You can buy one for zones 1to5 (price is in the table above), but not zones 1,2+5. They don't sell one for just zone 5 on its own either. If you really wanted to then you could put a zone 1-2 travelcard on your oyster card, and then top it up with some pay-as-you-go credit as well. Then every time you tap it down on the gate the computer will recognise that you have a travelcard for zones 1-2, and only take the fare for zones 2-5 from the pay-as-you-go credit

Heather Is there a student discount on Oyster cards.

Staff Hi Heather. There is a discount, but you have to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard to get them. All the details are here - tfl.gov.uk/​fares/​free-and-discounted-travel/18-plus-student-oyster-photocard

amar Can I use oyster card on traine

Staff Hi Amar. You can, yes. But it depends what train you’re talking about. It has to be within the Oyster zones. If you're talking about putting a travelcard onto an oyster card, then the train will have to be in the zones you buy the travelcard for

Jerry I need Travelcard from zone 2 to 8. How can I get one?

Staff Hi Jerry. It sounds a bit bonkers, but they don't sell travelcards for zones 2-8. You can get one for zones 1-8, or zones 2-9 instead which is a bit cheaper

Jerry I don`t understand why I have to pay more for something what we don`t need.

Staff Maybe you could try using a contactless card instead, because there's a cap for zones 2-8 on that. But if you want the weekly cap then it only works from Mon-Sun (not Tue-Mon, or any other combination of 7 days) - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php

Bob Scrivener Where do you find a zone map?

Staff Hi Bob. Here's one - content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf

Nigel Hi, I plan to come to London in the Autumn. It looks as if I’ll need to travel in zones 1-3 between my University and accommodation. Can you advise what the weekly cost is for a travel card

Staff Hi Nigel. All the prices are shown in the table above - at the moment it's £43:50 for zones 1-3

Karen Wilce Are there any concessions

Staff Hi Karen. If you mean senior concessions then you can get something called a Freedom Pass or a 60+ Oyster card, but you need to live in a London borough to qualify. If you live outside London then you can get a Senior Railcard. There are more details here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-train-fares.php

Theresa I have a monthly travel card zones 1 to 4, but i need to get to zone 6, what do i need to do.

Staff Hi Theresa. Assuming that it’s on an Oyster card, all you have to do is go up to a ticket machine and load some pay-as-you-go credit on to it. When you tap down on the gate the computer will recognise that the travelcard already covers zones 1-4 and just charge for the extra zones. You can see the price on our Oyster card page - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

Anita Ganea My daughter is a 2nd year university student living in London, travelling to university and also to her place of work. She has now got a student oyster card and also has a 1/3 16-25 railcard. Does she have to link these to get the full benefits of the oyster card. I said that her travel will be a 1/3 cheaper if she gets the oyster card but obviously if she uses it as a pay as you go it is still the same, why is this?

Staff Hi Anita. She needs to get the railcard loaded onto her Oyster card, then she can use the Oyster card like normal and it will charge the discounted fares. She needs to take both cards to a London Underground station and then ask a member of TFL staff to load it on. You can usually find one standing behind the ticket barriers. Bear in mind that she doesn't get a discount on all Oyster fares, just off-peak ones, and zone 1-9 travelcards (if bought together with another National Rail ticket) - full details here 16-25railcard.co.uk/​using-your-railcard/​travel-times-tickets/

Steven Gatting Hi folks,,, returning uk resident arriving with Family from US for 7 day visit covering all areas on tube. Kis are 10. 14 and 16 . Shall I just get 7 day travel cards.Will be making plenty travel around the tube on all days. Thanks Steve Gatting

Staff Hi Steven, if you’re staying seven days then a weekly travelcard usually works out cheapest if you’re making at least two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six days, but it depends what zones you buy (most people only need zones 1-2). Your 10 year old will travel for free, but bear in mind your 14 and 16 year olds will have to pay for adult passes because it won’t be worth paying out extra for photocards to qualify for the kid prices.

Michael Just to make sure it will work: I want to buy a weekly 1-2 zones paper travel card at Paddington railway station. All I need is to bring £37 and paper-sized photo, right? No need to buy Oyster card or something like that?

Staff Hi Michael. You can only get a paper travelcard if it’s a 1-day travelcard. Weekly ones will go onto an Oyster card. If you don’t have an Oyster card you’ll have to go to an Oyster Ticket stop shop (newsagent) in the National Rail part of Paddington (and pay £5 deposit for a new card on top). The underground bit only has self-service machines. If you do have an Oyster card then you can load it on at a self-service machine. You don’t need a photo

Selina Rahman Hi, If I want to travel from Woodford to Bermondsey by train and then bus from Bermondsey to Bricklayer's Arms by bus, can I buy a weekly oyster card from zone 2-4? If not, please suggest how I can make this journey with the most economical option? Thanks,

Staff Hi Selina. Thats okay for Woodfood to Bermondsey (assuming you don't choose a route that passes through zone 1). theres more than one bricklayers arm’s in london so we don't know which one you're talking about, but it should be alright because buses don’t have zones. all travelcards are valid for bus travel in zones 1-6, regardless of which zones they cover

Polya Genova Why when I transfer via Wimbledon from Streatham to Fulham Broadway I am overcharged for zone 1.??? I notice 3 times on my way going but mot charge in my way back. The pink rider was no clear sound.

Staff Hi Polya. You're only supposed to tap down on the pink readers if your journey would normally take you across London through zone 1, and you're changing trains to bypass zone 1. But the journey you're doing wouldn't normally go through zone 1 anyway, so I would stop tapping down on the pink reader and see if that helps - just tap down at the beginning and end of your journey instead

Lorraine I am travelling to london from Leigh on sea going to Wood Green station / Shepherd’s Bush there are 6 of us all together 2 adults 4 chikdren under 11 years we have bought the Kidszania tickets What would be the cheapest fares to travel on the tube

Staff Hi Lorraine. your national rail tickets would be separate, but if all four kids are under 11 then they travel for free on the tube, and the adults should just use their contactless cards to pay (oyster is the same price as contactless, but you have to pay a £7 deposit to get hold of the cards)

MR JOHN ROZNOWSKI Is there any discount for ENCTS pass holders who live outside London?

Staff Hi John. Not if you want to buy a travelcard, but you should be able to use it to travel for free on TFL buses (with time restrictions) if it has the red rose symbol on it. Theres some more information here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-bus-fares.php

Engrid Hello, Do children travel for free with a parent who purchases a travel card?

Staff Hi Engrid. Only if they’re under 11. They travel for free with a fare paying adult - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Pauline My partner and myself are travelling on Avanti train from Lancaster for the day.Can we buy I day travel cards when we buy our train tickets in Lancaster. Thankyou

Staff Hi Pauline, we cant really help with what’s for sale in Lancaster, but we doubt that the train company will sell them. But you’d be better off just using your contactless card to pay anyway (assuming that you both have one), because the ‘daily cap’ for contactless is half the price of a 1-day travelcard - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php

John Evans RAIL CARDS OR SENIOR BUS PASS Are they valid with one day travel card off peak

Staff Hi John. A senior bus pass with the red rose symbol lets you travel for free on TFL buses, with time restrictions, but you cant use them to buy a travelcard, A Senior Railcard will give you a discount on “Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London (subject to minimum fare)” - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-train-fares.php

James allison Is their a pensioner discount

Staff Hi James. Not for travelcards, no, unless you have a senior railcard as mentioned in the comment above. But you can travel for free on the buses and trains if you have a freedom pass or 60+ oyster card (with time restrictions). More info here - city-guide.london/​transport/​senior-train-fares.php

Paul Hoelzley Good afternoon, We are Canadian seniors (82 & 76) and will be in London for 5 days early January 2023. Could you kindly help us and advise us on what is the cheapest card to use during our stay. There seem to be so many different choices and fares and this is very confusing to us. Thank you for taking the time to answer our question (s). Regards, Paul H.

Staff Hi Paul. A Visitor Oyster card will be the cheapest, and you can buy it online before you go and have it delivered to you in Canada - more information about that here: city-guide.london/​transport/​visitor-oyster-cards.php . You’ll have to choose how much credit you want on it, so just work out which fare zones you’ll be travelling through each day (most tourists just need zone 1), and look at the ‘daily cap’ for that zone in the fares chart. That will be the maximum you will be charged that day. Add up all the daily caps for the five days, and thats how much credit you’ll need. Alternatively… you can just buy a weekly travelcard when you arrive in London. You’ll lose a little bit of money, but its a lot less complicated because you can make unlimited journeys for the whole week

Mark Hi, we will be travelling to London from Melbourne in September. Four adults For five full days. We are flying into Gatewick. What is the best way to get to accommodation near Hyde park and where should we get recommended pass?

Staff Hi Mark. I would buy tickets for the Gatwick Express into Victoria on their website, and then get Visitor Oyster Cards for everyone and have them delivered to Australia before I travel. Oyster cards have the cheapest fares, and you can use them on the tube to wherever it is you're staying around Hyde Park. Info about where to get Visitor Oyster cards here - city-guide.london/​transport/​visitor-oyster-cards.php

Ali Need a travel pass ticket in London for tube and buss

Staff Hi Ali. We've explained how you can get one on this page

Jordi Hello, I'm going to travel to London for a 7 days in July. 2 adults and 1 of 14 years. We move for zones 1-3. Wich is the best option? and Where can I buy better?

Staff Hi Jordi. It depends how many journeys you're making. If you make two or more journeys on each of the seven days, or three or more journeys on six of the days, then a weekly travelcard should be cheaper. Otherwise the adults should use their contactless cards if they're from the UK, or Oyster cards if they're from abroad (which have the same fares as contactless, but you have to pay a £5 deposit on top). The 14-year old should get an Oyster card and have the 'Young Visitor Discount' applied to it, as explained on this page - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Keith Morgan How much will a 1-6 zone one day travelcard for 2 adults and two children with a family railcard

Staff Hi Keith. You dont get a discount if you buy the travelcard on its own. You need to be coming into London on another train. According to their terms: “With your Railcard you can get 1/3 off Anytime Day Travelcard when bought as part of your journey to London from outside London Zones 1-9 (subject to a minimum fare which is currently £20,30)” - familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/​help/​faqs/

DEREK SPELLER Good afternoon.......we are travelling into Heathrow from Canada in August and staying in Paddington. The London Transport Travelcard will allow us onto the Tube at Heathrow but NOT the Heathrow to Paddington Airport Train.....am I correct?

Staff Hi Derek. That's correct, yes. You can use an Oyster card on the Heathrow Express, but not a travelcard. If you want to use a travelcard on the tube from heathrow to paddington then you'll have to get one covering zones 1-6

Muraleedharan vp Which are the places covered by differrnt zones?

Staff Zone 1-2 covers the central touristy part of London, which is good enough for 99% of tourists. but maybe you'll want zone 3 for kew, and zone 6 for heathrow

Reda Weekly travel card zone 2 to zone 4. Travelling from zone 4 to zone 4 without crossing zone 1 , why I got charged £2.50 at the end of the day.

Staff Hi Reda. Is the travelcard loaded onto an Oyster card? £2.50 is a zone 1 fare, so the only thing I can think of is that you didn’t tap out at the end.

B Walker Can I purchase a weekly anytime travel card as ticket? Not plastic oyster

Staff Hi B Walker. Only if you buy it online from the TFL shop - visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/​en/​london-travelcard . If you buy it anywhere in London then it will be loaded onto an Oyster card.

Veronica We are a family of five traveling into London Kings Cross on 7th Oct children are aged 15,15,14, We are staying for 9 nights at Twickenham and will be travelling in/out London and going to attractions. What would be the best travel option?

Staff Hi Veronica. We always recommend that adults use their contactless bank card. (oyster cards have the same fares, but you have to pay a deposit on top.) and then get oyster cards for the kids. but get the ‘young visitor discount’ applied to the oyster cards when you arrive in London, which is explained here - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Veronica Which zone is Twickenham in. Should I order the child oyster card before we arrive and do they require a photo

Staff Its in zone 5. you can order it in advance if you want to, they don’t require a photo. its all explained on our oyster card page - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

PEDRO Do foreign children between 11 and 15 have a discount with the one-day travelcard? I think no...

Staff Hi Pedro. They can do, but only if you get them an Oyster Zip photocard as well. But you have to pay extra for those, which will wipe out any savings you make. So we dont recommend getting one if its just a one-off visit - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Alex If I buy a travelcard at Heathrow and need to travel to Hammersmith but only on the next day do I need to make another journey (in zones 1 and 2), can I buy a 7 day travelcard at the same time as buying some PAYG but somehow POST-DATE the 7 day travelcard so it is only active from the NEXT day?

Staff Hi Alex. You can do. You always have to choose the start date when you buy a travelcard so i would do that first, then load some credit on after. Another way is to just buy a zone 1-2 travelcard at heathrow, from the first day, and load some extra credit on to cover the zones 2-6 bit

Alex Hello again. Travelling from Buckhurst Hill to Hampton Wick with a Zone 1-2 Travelcard and PAYG. I see this necessitates a National Rail Journey from Zone 1 to 6. Will it cost a Zone 1 to 6 fare from PAYG despite the travelcard because it's National Rail and not Overground/Underground? Does one have to check in/check out at a station on the border of zones 2-3? Pink card reader or something?

Staff As long as the National Rail station is within the oyster zones (which your stations are) then you can pay with a travelcard and oyster - theres no difference. you dont have to tap down on a pink reader. you only use those if you're making a detour to avoid zone 1, on a journey that would normally go through zone 1. you just have to tap down at the beginning and end of your journey like normal

ELHAMUDDIN ZAHID Hello I am student and have class two days a week and live in zone 5 which option will be cheap for me. Many thanks

Staff Hi Elhamuddin. The easiest and cheapest thing to do is to just use your contactless card - city-guide.london/​transport/​contactless-cards.php

Alex Hi. I just phoned up TFL and got my PAYG balance refunded (£8:70) from my oyster into bank account. I'm no longer on London and couldn't do it at machine in London as I still had a valid travelcard on my last day! Now the oyster card has been removed from the app! Is the card still valid should I return to London in the future? Or did refunding the PAYG balance cancel the card? I paid £7 for the card. Perhaps they canceled the card and refunded the £7 as well as the £8:70?

Staff Hi Alex. The card gets voided at the same time as the refund, so you wont be able to use it anymore. The deposit would have been converted into PAYG credit after 12 months, but if you've had it less than that then you don't get it back.

JOHN Hello everyone, I have a crucial to me question that puzzles me when I try to buy online a London weekly anytime travelcard for my planned trip to London next month, i.e. November 2022, landing at Heathrow airport. As far as I understand, a 7-Days (weekly) London anytime travelcard does not have a peak, or, off-peak option (As 1-day travelcards do). They are valid throughout the whole day (And, if I am not mistaken valid until 04:30 am of the next day after their expiry). I am trying to buy the card from abroad (within EU) prior my arrival & ordering it to be mailed to my home country. I choose adult, Ticket Duration = 7 Day (only option), Ticket Zone = Zones 1-6, Then it requires me to choose (Under: “Admission)” an option, BUT, the only option available in the: “Peak”. Then date of first use which I provide and then the total price is £70.30. Question is, in the field entitled: “Admission” the only option being: “Peak”, What do they mean by the word: Peak ? If I choose Peak (the only option available) will I purchase a weekly anytime travelcard that I will be able to use throughout the whole day, OR, will I be able to ONLY use it during Peak hours (i.e. prior 09:30 am) which does NOT make any sense as a 7-Days (weekly) anytime travelcard (As the name clearly states) is valid throughout the whole day ? I am at a loss. What do they mean by the option: Peak ? Can somebody please help me ? Many thanks in advance for your time & effort. Looking forward to your reply/assistance. Many thanks & Best Regards

Staff Hi John. The way they've worded it does look a bit confusing (they should have called it 'anytime') but it will definitely be valid for an entire week, both off-peak and peak hours. That's the only version you can buy for a weekly travelcard.

JOHN Many thanks for your reply ref London weekly anytime travelcard. Much appreciated. If I land to Heathrow during weekend will I be able to buy a London weekly anytime travelcard from Heathrow Visitor Center, OR, from a Heathrow ticket machine ? In this case do I need an oyster card ? Can I use the very same card to travel (By tube and/or overground rail) from, AND, to Heathrow airport (E.g. Heathrow to Waterloo)? In the latter case, are there any specific tube/overground trains I cannot use, i.e. express ? Many thanks in advance for your time & effort. Looking forward to your reply/assistance. Many thanks & Best Regards

Staff You won't be able to buy a paper travelcard at Heathrow, but you will be able to get one loaded onto an Oyster card. Assuming that you haven't got an Oyster card already, that will add another £7 deposit on top. But if you do get an Oyster card then you may as well forget the travelcard and load some credit onto it instead, and pay normal Oyster fares, which might work out cheaper depending on how many days you're staying. Oyster credit can be used on buses and trains in all the zones, including Heathrow. But if you catch the Heathrow Express then the credit will be used to pay the normal Heathrow Express fare instead (rather than a cheaper Oyster fare - you'd have to catch the tube for that). More info about all that here - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php - If you want a paper travelcard then your only option is to get it from the TFL site and have it posted to you.

Matt Greer Are weekly travelcards discontinuing in January 2023? If so, what is replacing it for tourist weekly travel?

Staff Hi Matt. There was talk about scrapping them last year as well, but nothing has happened so far. If they do disappear then people will have to use the weekly cap on Oyster and contactless instead (which is the same price as a weekly travelcard). So tourists will have to buy an Oyster card.

Eva Ticket type Hi, I found Super Off-Peak Day Travelcardincludes London Travelcard with Travel conditions Same day return off-peak travel including unlimited bus, tube, tram and DLR journeys around London. I would like to use with the 2 for 1 promotion wisiting London Eye. I would like to be sure that this train ticket is accepted by them. thank you

Staff Hi Eva. It has to be from a National Rail station rather than an underground station (so it has to be printed on orange paper), and you have to book the London Eye in advance rather than turn up on the day. You can check the ticket here - daysoutguide.co.uk/​travel-by-train/​is-my-ticket-valid-for-2for1-and-other-offers

Muhammad Athar Masood I am coming to London on March 29 and shall stay here upto April 11. During my stay, I intend to travel in almost all zones of the city using bus, tube, tram or train whichever convenient. Please guide me if should buy a Travle Card or an Oyester Card.

Staff Hi Muhammad. Price-wise you're probably going to be better off with an Oyster card rather than a travelcard, but there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Have a read of this page which explains them all - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-contactless-travelcard-comparison.php

Sandr Hi, Me and my husband are coming to London with our kids age 8,15,16.We will be there one week.Is the seven days travelcard best options for us?

Staff Hi Sandr. Travelcards usually work out cheaper if you make 2 or more journeys on each of the 7 days, or three or more on 6 of the days. Otherwise you’ll be better off with Oyster cards (unless you have UK bank cards, then you can just use contactless instead)

Sandra Thank you very much for your answer.We surely will be using it more than 2 times a day.And my daughter age 8 doesn't have to have a travelcard?My daughter age 15 has a child travelcard?Does it have to be with a photo? Thanks for your help.

Staff You can only get a child travelcard if you have a child photocard, but you have to pay extra money for those which means you’d wipe out all the savings. So its not worth it. Your 8 year old travels for free. Its all explained on our child fares page - city-guide.london/​transport/​child-train-fares.php

Kathe Conway Hello, riding here i am curious, i will be in london for seven days thinking it is best to get a travel card, can you buy this at Heathrow ? Also if for one day I am traveling to zone four does it make more sense just to buy a single trip that day? sorry so confusing :)

Staff Hi Kathe. You can get it loaded on to an oyster card, but youll need the oyster card first. You can have a paper one posted to you if you order it online (even abroad - its all described in the ‘Where can you buy a travelcard?’ section above). If you want to use it from heathrow into central london that would be zones 1-6, which would also cover zone 4. You wouldnt be travelling zones 1-6 all week though, so it would be a bit of a waste of money. I would probably recommend getting an oyster card instead, which you can get from heathrow - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-cards.php

Giuluano Hi there, how much cost me a travel card zone 1to 6 on Sunday?

Staff Hi Giuluano. Sunday is off-peak so get the off-peak one - 15,20

Richard Can I buy the 1 day Travelcard at any national trainstation (planning for Knockholt)? As this is a requirement for 2for1

Staff Hi. Richard. You can, yes (assuming you mean one of the stations in London). But you have to get it from the windows/machines upstairs, in the National Rail part of the station. If you go downstairs to the London Underground part then it will be printed on different paper, which is no good for the offer.

Richard Thanks. Indeed we drive from SevenOaks to Knockholt national railstation, with our Diesel from the Netherlands, which I want to leave outside LEZ. Thus parking in Knockholt (which is in Zone 6) and then use for the Saturday and Sunday the 2 day paper travelcard. This should allow our group of 6 to have the cheapest means of transportation into London, benefitting from 2FOR1, as long as we purchase the cards at Knockholt national Railwaystation (Can we purchase them at this station!? ). Can you confirm this is the best strategy? Thx

Staff Knockholt is in zone 6, so they should sell them. Its not the cheapest way of travelling (using contactless/oyster would be cheaper) but you’d make all the money back and more from doing the 2-for-1 offer, so it sounds like a good plan. You can buy the off-peak ones if youre travelling at the weekend. And its definitely a lot cheaper than driving into london. If youre talking about this saturday and sunday remember the coronation is on, so everywhere will likely be packed

JOSE CARVALHO If I have a travelcard card for zones 1 and 2, and I want to go Canning Town (zone 2/3) and return, how to proceed.

Staff Hi Jose. if you coming from the direction of zone 1 or 2, and get off at Canning Town, then you're fine, your travelcard will cover the whole journey. If you’re going into zone 3 and your travelcard is on an oyster card, then you can just load on some extra pay-as-you-go credit to cover the fare for zone 2-3 (which can be seen here - city-guide.london/​transport/​adult-train-fares.php )

Lynn I am arriving in London from overseas and need just one train ticket from Paddington Station to Kings Cross Station. What is the best way to pay for this trip please

Staff Hi lynn. If it's just a one-off then I would buy a single ticket from the self-service machine in the station

Derek Scriven Is there still a concession on 1 day travelcards with a senior railcard?

Staff H Derek. There is, but only this specific one - "Anytime Day Travelcard Zones 1-9 when bought as part of ticket to London from outside London" - senior-railcard.co.uk/​using-your-railcard/​travel-times-tickets/

Richard I want to find out about the cheapest weekly cost for travel card from Brockley station to Reading.

Lala If I want to travel to London zones 1-6 and I need the weekly travel cards, how much is it and how do I buy it? I also have a 16-25 Railcard, can it be applied when buying?

Staff Hi Lala. the prices for zone 1-6 are all shown in the table at the top. The different ways to buy it are described under ‘Where can you buy travelcards’. The railcard wont get you a discount on a weekly travelcard. The only travelcard you can get a discount on is a “one day travelcard, zones 1-9, when bought together with a National Rail ticket to London (when coming from outside London)”

ALAN Can I use a Rail Travel Voucher issued by Transport for Wales for a cancelled journey to buy a TFL Travelcard?

Staff Hi Alan. I wouldn't imagine so, but it's probably best to ask Transport for Wales - tfw.wales/​help-and-contact/​rail/contact-us

Edward Gould Do I need a photo for an annual season travel card

Staff Hi Edward. You’ll need to get an oyster card and register it on the TFL website. You’ll then be able to buy the annual travelcard through that website and load it straight onto your card

Malcolm Oates What is price of off-peak one day travelcard zones 1-6 for a senior railcard holder. it was 34% off.

Staff Hi Malcom. The normal price is £15,20 and the discount would only apply if you bought the ticket as part of a longer National Rail journey from outside zones 1-9 - senior-railcard.co.uk/​about-the-railcard/​using-your-railcard/

Tahira If I bought a Train, Bus & Tram Travelcard covering zones 5-6, what buses would be covered? Will it always be buses up to zone 6? Or is my case different?

Staff Hi Tahira. Buses don't have zones, so whichever train travelcard you buy it will always cover buses in train zones 1-6

Steve Hi, I’m traveling to Leicester square on the Friday bank holiday from Bedford with two adults and two 15 year olds just for the day. Do we just get the one day travel card or is there a better option. Tia

Staff HI Steve. The fares will be cheaper if you just use your contactless card. But you’ll have to have one card each. if your kids don’t have one then I would get them one day travelcards - city-guide.london/​transport/​oyster-contactless-travelcard-comparison.php

Steve Thank you for your help

Ron Travelling from Richmond to Stratford using Overground line Do I need to use pink reader anywhere to get cheaper fare using contactless? Thanks

Staff Hi Ron. You need to avoid zone 1, so it will make the journey a lot longer. If you want to do it then you could change onto the Overground at Gunnersbury and tap the pink reader there (don't go through any ticket barriers, because that would end your journey)

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3-Day Itinerary: Getting the Most Out of the London Pass

I always feel torn whenever I visit a new city. On one hand, I want to cross off as many bucket list items as possible since I don’t know when I’ll be able to come back (or if I’ll be able to come back at all). But on the other hand, I also don’t want to blow my budget on one trip.

Finding the right balance between the two is always a struggle! And the level of difficulty to stay within budget increases tenfold when you go to a city that is expensive to begin with.

I learned that the hard way during my recent trip to London, where the cost of basic expenses (such as food and transportation) is pricier compared to other major cities. With that taking up a significant chunk of my limited travel fund, I got worried that I wouldn’t get a chance to visit all the must-see sights that ooze of history, heritage and culture!

Luckily, I came across The London Pass® while I was working on my itinerary (and trying not to cry as I was also doing my cost estimates). And let me just say, The London Pass® saved my life! And my wallet!

What exactly is The London Pass ® ?

The London Pass® is a sightseeing travel card that gives the holder free entry to over 60 tourist hot spots in London as well as fast-track entry, special offers and exclusive discounts to select attractions. It’s available for 1, 2, 3, 6 or 10 consecutive days and can be purchased with an Oyster Travelcard. You also get the option of having the pass sent to your smartphone, to your home/office (for a fee) or to a redemption desk in Charing Cross Road (for pick-up).

The London Pass® comes with a free detailed guidebook to help you plan your trip. This book is quite thick and bulky though, so I don’t think you’d want to bring this with you everywhere you go. I suggest you just download the guide app, which is available for iOS and Android phones, for ease and convenience while you’re on-the-go.

I purchased the 3-day adult pass without an Oyster Travelcard for my trip. (I already had a standard Oyster card — the one with a refundable GBP 5 deposit — on hand.) The London Pass® website was on sale at the time of my booking so I got it for only GBP 80.10. The original price was GBP 95. Awesome, huh? I got to save even before I started using my pass so do watch out for those flash sales. If you’re wondering if it’s okay to purchase months in advance, don’t worry. A pass is valid for 12 months from purchase date.

Of course, The London Pass® will only be worthwhile if you get to visit as many attractions as you can within a specified period so proper planning is key.

In order to get the most out of my 3-day pass, here were my main strategies:

1. I only used my pass for paid attractions. General admission to some attractions (such as museums and art galleries) is already free without The London Pass® so I saved them for a different day.

2. I started my days early. I made sure I arrived at the first destination of the day as early as 8-9AM and would wait for it to open. This also helped in case I needed to queue.

3. I grouped the attractions that were close to each other. I saved a lot on transportation costs that way since I could just walk from one place to another.

4. I allowed myself to spend at least 2-3 hours in one site. While I wanted to see as many places as I can, I wanted to truly appreciate each one too. Quality is always better than quantity!

5. I brought my smartphone (for apps like The London Pass® and Google Maps) and my pocket Wi-Fi with me for easy navigation. The last thing I wanted was to waste time, money and energy from getting lost.

My 3-day itinerary:

9.00am - 11.00am: tower of london.

Your first stop should be the Tower of London, located near the Tower Hill Station (Circle and District lines) of the London Underground, to check out the Crown Jewels. Get completely awed by the priceless treasures as well as the coronation videos that showcase the wealth and opulence of the British monarchy. Taking photographs inside the Tower is prohibited, though, so you’ll just have to commit the images of the beautiful gems to memory. After you’ve had your fill of the precious royal possessions, set off to see the Royal Mint, the Royal Menagerie and the ravens. End your tour by heading up the White Tower to get a peak of the armoury.

If you want a guided tour, look for a Yeoman Warder near the main entrance. He’s got lots of royal secrets and tales to share! Tours depart every 30 minutes.

Price: Adult: GBP 22.50, Child: GBP 10.50

Opening Hours: March - October: Sunday - Monday: 10.00am - 5.30pm Tuesday - Saturday: 9.00am to 5.30pm November - February: Sunday - Monday: 10.00am - 4.30PM Tuesday - Saturday: 9.00am - 4.30PM Closed on 24 - 26 December and 1 January

11.00am - 1.00pm: Tower Bridge

Just a few steps from the Tower of London is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, the Tower Bridge. If you’re not afraid of heights, climb up to the Tower Bridge Exhibition to see its iconic structure up close and gaze down at the River Thames from its new glass floor. After which, descend to the Victorian Engine Rooms to learn about how the original steam engines were used to power the bridge’s “bascules” during the old days.

Price:  Adult: GBP 9, Child: GBP 3.90

Opening Hours:  April to September: 10.00am - 5.30pm daily October - March: 9.30am - 5.00pm daily January 1: Open from 10.00am Closed on 24 - 26 December

1.00pm - 2.00pm: Lunch 

2.00pm - 3.00pm: HMS Belfast

In the afternoon, fast forward to World War II for a bit and visit HMS Belfast, a Royal Navy light cruiser turned museum ship. It’s permanently docked on the River Thames so you can climb onboard anytime to explore all nine decks, including the boiler and engine rooms, and to get a glimpse of the hardships encountered by the soldiers during the war.

Price: Adult: GBP 14.50, Child: GBP 7.25

Opening Hours: March - October: 10.00am - 6.00pm daily November - February: 10.00am - 5.00pm daily Closed on 24 - 26 December

3.00pm - 5.00pm: Shakespeare’s Globe

Also on the banks of the River Thames is Shakespeare’s Globe, an Elizabethan theatre replica that showcases Shakespeare’s plays on open air. The exhibition and tour will give you an opportunity to learn more about the world’s greatest playwright as well as give you a unique insight on what it was like to watch an indoor performance during the Elizabethan period.

As this is a working theatre, the exhibition and tours are not always available, especially during the summer, to give way to events, rehearsals and performances. So be sure to check before you head out. If you can’t visit Shakespeare’s Globe, the London Bridge Experience is a good (albeit frightening) alternative as it is just a short walk away.

Price:  Adult: GBP 15, Child: GBP 9

Opening Hours: Exhibition:  9.00am - 5.00pm Tours: Monday: 9.30am - 5.00pm, Tuesday - Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm, Sunday: 9.30am - 11.30am Closed on 24 - 25 December

5.00PM - 7.00PM: River Thames Cruise

Since you just spent your day by the riverbanks, you must cap it off by actually weaving through the great River Thames. The London Pass® offers a River Red Rover pass, allowing holders unlimited hop on, hop off access to the river for 24 hours. Cruises depart every 30 minutes at the following piers: Westminster, London Eye, Tower of London and Greenwich.

I strongly urge you not to miss this experience! It’ll give you fantastic views of the city and allow you to capture dozens of Instagram-worthy shots of London’s icons.

Price:  Adult: GBP 16.65, Child: GBP 8.33

Opening Hours: 10.00am onwards daily

9.00am - 11.00am: Westminster Abbey

Get up bright and early for your second day! You should be stepping off the Westminster Station (Jubilee, District and Circle lines) of the London Underground as early as 8.00am. Why? Westminster Abbey is just a stone’s throw from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament so while you wait for the famous abbey to open, you can take zillions of selfies with Big Ben and from a distance, the London Eye.

If you take too long capturing the perfect selfie, don’t fret. While there’s usually a line at the entrance of the Westminster Abbey, it shouldn’t take you more than 15 minutes to get in. Visitors flock to this beautiful Gothic church as this has been the British monarchy’s coronation church for decades. It is also the burial and memorial place of many famous British historical figures, poets and scientists. As this is a working Christian church, daily services are still held here so be respectful at all times. Keep in mind that taking photos and videos are not allowed inside.

Price:  Adult: GBP 20, Child: GBP 9

Opening Hours:  Monday - Saturday (except Wednesday): 9.30am - 3.30pm, Wednesday – 9.30am - 6.00pm Closed on 24 - 25 December and Good Friday

11.00am - 12.00pm: Lunch

12.00pm - 2.00pm: Royal Albert Hall

Spend your afternoon touring the Royal Albert Hall near South Kensington and High Street Kensington Stations of the London Underground. Since it was formally opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria, this concert hall has become the country’s premier venue for entertainment. It hosts hundreds of shows every year — concerts, ballets, operas, film showings, award ceremonies and the like — and is known globally as many of the world’s greatest artists have graced its stage.

Tours depart every 30 minutes and last for about an hour. However, since this is a working auditorium, closures are common so please check online before dropping by.

Price: Adult: GBP 13.50, Child: GBP 6.50

Opening Hours:  April - October: 9.30am- 4.30pm daily November - March: 10.00am - 4.00pm daily

2.00pm to 4.00pm: Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace has been the residence of many royals for over 300 years. Queen Mary, Queen Victoria and Princess Diana have all called this magnificent place home. Now, it is where William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, reside with their two children.

Be inspired by the private and public lives of the royals, who lived here, as you make your way through the exhibits, relax in the peaceful palace gardens and go for high tea in The Orangery.

Price:  March - October: Adult – GBP 16.30, November to February: Adult – GBP 15

Opening Hours: March to October: 10.00am - 6.00pm daily November - February: 10.00am - 4.00pm daily Closed on 24 - 26 December

9.00am to 12.00pm: Windsor Castle

On your third day, travel all the way to Windsor Castle in Berkshire for free using The London Pass®. Just show your pass to the ticket controller at the London Paddington Station and off you go. Board the Great Western Railway train to Slough and then transfer to a train bound for Windsor & Eton Central. The trip will take around 45 minutes so wake up extra early.

Windsor Castle is the official residence of HM The Queen. It is also the largest inhabited castle in the world so reserve at least half a day if you want to explore the entire area. Don’t miss the lavish State Apartments, the Gothic St. George’s Chapel, the Royal Library and Queen Mary’s Dollhouse!

The trip back to London Paddington from Windsor & Eton is also free so you get a really awesome deal!

Price:  Adult: GBP 20, Child: GBP 11.70

Opening Hours:  March - October: 9.30am - 5.30pm daily November - February: 9.45am - 4.15pm daily

If you’d like to know how much I saved, here’s the breakdown:

Was it worth it?! Oh, yeah! Without The London Pass®, I would’ve shelled out GBP 166.45. But with it, I was able to save GBP 86.35! And this doesn’t even include my savings from discounts at stores and restaurants plus my free roundtrip train ride to Windsor Castle. Thus, I highly recommend The London Pass® for first-timers in London.

Note: Prices and opening times are correct as of the time of writing. As they are subject to change, please double-check if they’re still the same before leaving for your trip. Also, if the information you need is not covered in this article, I suggest you visit The London Pass® website for more details. Happy travels!

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Getting around London: Pay as you go and Travelcard prices

London is big. We get it. So working out how to get from A to B can be slightly intimidating.

To help you with your travel planning and budgeting, we've laid out the best ticket options (and how much they cost*) for your time in London. Pay daily or buy a weekly London Travel card - it's up to you.

Daily Travel Card Prices

If you only need to use public transport for a day or two of your trip, TFL's (Transport for London) day pass with a price cap is all you need to know about. It's priced as a London day travel - one day travel pass. Tap in using your bank card as much as you wish throughout the day and you'll never be charged more than the daily London tube prices cap and they can be used for bus travel as well.   

Weekly Travel Card Prices

If you have a week in the city and you know you're going to be bouncing between the London Underground and those iconic red buses, purchasing a weekly London ticket could save you a few pennies. 

*The above prices are controlled by TFL and are subject to change.

Buy with confidence

Free cancellation.

Plans can change, we get it. All non-activated credits packages are eligible for a refund within 90 days of your purchase date.

Got a question?

Check out our FAQs or live chat with our customer service agents now

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3 Day London Itinerary – How To See All Of London in 3 Days!

Categories Itinerary , London

3 Days in London is just enough amount of time to see all of the best places to visit in London and best things to do in London in 3 days!

Based on my time living in London and getting to know the city really well, this 3 day London itinerary will take you to all of the London tourist attractions that make the city so iconic but my London 3 day itinerary will also show you some local sides of London that are definitely worth seeing!

This 3-day London itinerary is the best London itinerary for your first visit to London, and a great reminder of where to visit in London if you have been before but can’t quite remember where to go so you can visit London in 3 days!

3 Day London Itinerary

Find What You're Looking For Easily Here!

London Itinerary Overview.

• Here are the places you can visit in London with 3 days in London using this 3 day London itinerary:
• Westminster & London Eye
• Southbank & Tower Bridge
• Borough Market
• Nottinghill
• Buckingham Palace
• Leicester Square
• Covent Garden
• Oxford Street
• Camden Town
• Primrose Hill

How To Get To London.

London is served by 5 Airports – London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, Luton Airport and Stansted Airport.

How to Get Around London.

The London Tube is the best way to get around London as it’s quick and easy to use.

If you are travelling with a contactless bank card that doesn’t charge you fees every time you use it, you can pay for your tube journeys by tapping it. There is a cap the cost the end of the day/week depending on when and where you use it.

The other option is to buy an Oyster card like a local and top it up with credit . This is much easier and more time-efficient than buying tickets every day, even when you have just four days in London!

Where to Stay in London.

With 3 days in London, I recommend you book accommodation in London that is central so you do not spend too much time travelling into the centre of the city, as the below London 3 day itinerary is based around Zone 1 and 2 in London.

So book accommodation within Zone 1 or 2 and you’ll be central and for an extra special trip, check out these quirky London Hotels !

Hotels & Hostels in London!

London has so many hotels and hostels available to book. Bare in mind that you pay for what you get in London and space might be tight so be sure to check the reviews, I use Booking.com to book my hostels and hotels so search for you London accommodation here on Booking.com !

London 3 Day Itinerary.

Day 1 –  river thames & east london.

Start your 3 day London itinerary by taking the tube to Westminster station to see top London attractions like  Westminster , Big Ben and the   London Eye .

Spend the rest of the morning walking along the River Thames to the East exploring the Southbank to see the famous London icons such as the  Millennium Bridge & Tate Modern Museum .

Here’s my River Thames Walking Guide From Tower Bridge to the London Eye so read this to help you work out what to see!

St Paul’s Cathedral is somewhere you must visit when planning things to see in London in 3 days because it is a famous icon so make sure you cross over the river to see it properly! Things to do near St Paul’s Cathedral include going to the top floor of the One New Change shopping centre to see a free view of London from above.

Head back onto the River Thames and keep walking along the Thames until you reach the Tower of London , Tower Bridge and The Shard !

You can get London attraction   tickets  or a  London Pass to enter the Tower of London, the Shard and even go up inside the famous Tower Bridge. These are good places to add to your 3 day London itinerary with family!

I’d recommend getting tickets in advance and using Get Your Guide to get the best prices. But also be sure to look out for  2 for 1 London Tours to help you save money! Here are some great London tour options :

Talking of London Attraction Tickets Let Me Introduce You to The London Pass!

The London Pass offers access into 80+ of the top London attractions . If you plan on going on the London Eye, taking Boat Trips, going into Tower Bridge and St Pauls Cathedral and even plan on going outside of London to Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace, it would be cheaper to buy the London Pass so you save money on entrance fee’s and get fast track entry , perfect for if you only have a few days in London!

The London Pass is valid for 2 years once purchased and you can buy a 1, 2, 3, 6 or 10-day pass so you can visit so many of London’s best attractions in the cheapest possible way !

Click here to look into the options and to buy your pass now while you’re thinking about it!

There are lots of lunch places close to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.  Borough Market behind London Bridge station one of the best street food markets in London so I recommend going here to start your London itinerary in true London style!

Late Afternoon:

Walk North away from the River Thames with your aim being to reach Spitalfield’s Market and Liverpool Street station in East London. In-between the River and Liverpool Street station is the business part of the City of London, on the weekend it is very quiet but on weekdays it’s pretty busy with office workers.

If you want to jump on the tube to save time you can get the Northern Line North from Borough Station or London Bridge Station to Moorgate Station and then walk into Shoreditch from Moorgate Station as it’s very close, or you can get on the Circle / Metropolitan Line East one stop to Liverpool Street Station.

For the best things to do in London in 3 days, you need to head to  Shoreditch  because this is one of the hipster parts of London and one of the best areas to see in London, it’s really diverse and one of my favourite areas so make sure you explore this more local side of London.

Walk along Brick lane , go to Shoreditch Box Park and look out for lots of street art! For more idea’s on what to do in Shoreditch I have a  Shoreditch Guide here !

Curries are a popular thing to eat on Brick Lane because there are so many Indian Restaurants along Brick Lane and they’re cheap and yummy. There are also lots of food markets in Shoreditch and Hoxton like  Box Park , Urban Food Fest , Dinerama  so you could go to one of these for a real local London experience and most of the time they are filled with Londoners.

For the best bars in Shoreditch go to Shoreditch High Street . I like Barrio Shoreditch and The Queen of Hoxton is good with an awesome rooftop!

Day 2 in London - West London & Central London!

For the best way of how to see London in 3 days you need to head to West London too, so on the morning of day 2 on this London 3 day itinerary, in the morning take the tube to Notting Hill Gate Station .

From the station head towards Portobello Road (on Saturdays this area is busy with the markets but on the weekdays it’s a lot nicer as its quiet). Explore Portobello Road and the colourful houses off of it.

Brunch in London is so popular so if you want to  brunch in Notting Hill  like a local, check out Farm Girl & Granger & Co Notting Hill . For your 3 days in London  Tripadvisor  is a good way to check the best restaurants in London so you don't waste any time!

For more brunch ideas check out my post: My Ultimate List of Recommended London Brunch Spots!

Go back to Notting Hill Gate Station and take the tube 1 stop to High Street Kensington (Circle or District Line), or walk you can walk.

There are lots of places to eat on Kensington High Street and all of the buildings are really impressive to see inside and outside!

From High Street Kensington walk towards the Natural History Museum but take all the smaller side streets to see all the posh houses and to come across London’s famous Mews !

For more information on where to see the best mews in London and what to do in Kensington, check out my Kensington London Guide .

There are 3 world-class London museums in South Kensington - the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the V&A. Visiting the museums are a great way to spend a rainy day in London  and because you have time on this London 4 day itinerary I suggest visiting one or two of them, all 3 museums are free to enter!

If you want to see  Buckingham Palace in London, you should do it today, take the Piccadilly line from South Kensington Station to Green Park, walk through Green Park to the Royal Buckingham Palace.

Get back on the tube at Green Park and go to Covent Garden station which is also on the Piccadilly line.

Hyde Park is also close to South Kensington so head here if you want to.

Covent Garden is one of the best places to visit in London on a London itinerary because not only is it famous and iconic with it's Apple Market and great shopping, it is also close to many other popular London tourist attractions like Chinatown, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square .

It's also close to Regents Street and Oxford Street , the best shopping streets in London!

Here's my guide to Covent Garden for more information!

If watching a show in Soho is on your London bucket list, you're in the right area to do it and therefore enjoying a show or even dinner and a show on day 2 of this 3 day London itinerary is a good idea.

There are so many places to eat dinner around Covent Garden and Leicester Square but I recommend going into the Soho area for the best choice and to join all of the Londoners who have finished work for the day!

Day 3 in London - North London!

You can't visit London and not visit the very famous area of Camden Town , so on your last day in London on this London 4 day itinerary, I recommend you head to Camden mid-morning.

For all the details of things to do in Camden, have a read of my Camden blog post here .

I recommend you spend your morning in Camden browsing the Camden Market , walking along Regents Canal and visiting Primrose Hill if you feel like a bit of a further walk.

Camden Food Market is incredible with so many food choices so you won't want to have lunch from anywhere else!

I always recommend that visitors to London visit Hampstead which is a few tube stops north of Camden.

Hampstead is easily the prettiest and one of the fanciest neighbourhoods in London and with 4 days in London you have enough time to spend all afternoon there.

Things to do in Hampstead including walking it's pretty streets, visiting Hampstead Heath , going into the art museums and simply relaxing, here's my post for 30 things to do in Hampstead so you know just how much it has to offer!

Hampstead is home to a lot of really nice restaurants and plenty of English pubs which are all perfect places to enjoy dinner in and a great way to end your 3 day London itinerary!

Here are the best pubs in Hampstead to visit , and the best restaurants in Hampstead to visit !

London Resources

LONDON PASS

The London Pass offers access into 80+ of the top London attractions . If you plan on going on the London Eye, taking Boat Trips, going into Tower Bridge and St Pauls Cathedral and even plan on going outside of London to Windsor Castle or Hampton Court Palace, it would be cheaper to buy the London Pass so you save money on entrance fee's and get fast track entry , perfect for if you only have a few days in London!

The London Pass is valid for 2 years once purchased and you can buy a 1, 2, 3, 6 or 10 day pass so you can visit so many of London's best attractions in the cheapest possible way !

Click here to look into the options and to buy your pass now while you're thinking about it!

LONDON TOURS

To help you see London in the best way possible, I do suggest mixing exploring on your own with some London tours! Get Your Guide is by far the biggest operator of tours in London with so many tours to choose from so get planning your 2 day London itinerary with them:

TRAINS TO LONDON

Remember, if you're not in London already and need to book train tickets to London, even from London's Airports, be sure to check out The Train Line . I use them all the time to compare the best train times, journey lengths and prices!

• More of my London Posts:
• Complete Guide to Camden Town!
• Things to do in Shoreditch!
• The Best Places to Get Brunch in London!
• Things To Do in London When it Rains!

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40 Essential London Travel Tips For First-Timers

If you’re ready to embark on a journey to one of the most iconic cities in the world, then London is the destination you’ve been looking for!

I mean it! I didn’t think much of London before my first trip. Just from the sound of it, London seemed like another boring big city, just like any old metropolis around the world. But oh boy was I completely wrong.

I was completely blown away by all the fun I had during my first trip — and I was traveling alone too!

With its rich culture, vibrant nightlife, and centuries of history, London has something to keep every type of traveler entertained. Truly!

And with so much to do and see, for a first-timer, it can be intimidating to navigate such a large city. Luckily, this article will provide valuable tips to ensure that your trip to London is seamless and enjoyable.

Are you ready to make your trip THAT much better? Then you need to read these useful travel tips before your next visit to London.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!

1. London’s currency is the pound sterling (£). 100 pence = £1.

It’ll be useful to know how much a “pence” is. You may come across it throughout your visit to London.

Funny story: I really needed to use the restroom (or “loo” as the Brits say), and I found a public toilet that charged money to enter — pence to be exact.

I didn’t know how much this was, so I went in blindly and wished for the best when I used my credit card to enter a public bathroom in one of the royal parks. Luckily, it wasn’t too expensive.

2. There are five airports nearby, so make sure you’re booking your flights to and from the correct one.

The airports are Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Stansted Airport, Luton Airport, London City Airport.

Most international flights go in and out of Heathrow (LHR), while domestic flights or flights within the EU can go in and out of a few other ones.

3. The London Heathrow Airport is not actually in London.

Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and is often considered to be London’s main airport. However, many people are surprised to learn that Heathrow is actually located outside of London, in the neighboring county of Middlesex.

Heathrow Airport is situated about 14 miles (23 kilometers) west of central London and is easily accessible by public transport, including the London Underground, buses, and trains.

For travelers arriving at Heathrow, it’s important to plan their onward journey carefully to avoid any confusion or delays. There are many transport options available, but some may be more convenient or cost-effective than others depending on your destination and budget.

Depending on the method you choose, getting to/from the airport will take you anywhere from 20 minutes to 1-ish hour.

4. Transportation to and from the airport is a bit more expensive than in other countries.

Expect to spend about $7 to $90 USD, depending on which mode of transportation you choose.

Even if you choose public transportation, not all public transportation options are equally as cheap. For example, the Heathrow Express (the fastest way to get from LHR to Central London) will set you back a hefty amount of money.

The Heathrow Express is a non-stop train service that takes you from Heathrow Airport to Paddington Station in Central London. It runs every 15 minutes and takes just 15 minutes to get to Paddington. However, it can be quite expensive, with a one-way ticket costing around £25 ($34) and a return ticket costing around £37 ($51).

Shocking, right? Read the next few tips to get around this crazy cost.

5. Book your Heathrow Express tickets in advance to save a good chunk of change.

By booking your Heathrow Express journey in advance, you could get a one-way ticket from just £5.50 .

If you’re reading this post early in your trip planning, I recommend you buy your train tickets in advance online to take advantage of substantial discounts compared to buying them on the day of travel. Pricing differs depending on whether you’re 14, 30, or 90 days out from your travel date.

The greatest discount of up to 75% of the walk-up price (the one that’s advertised as £5.50 for a one-way saver ticket) must be booked at least 90 days in advance through the mobile app.

During my latest solo trip to London, I hadn’t started planning my itinerary until a few weeks in advance. By that point, it was far too late to save substantially on Heathrow Express tickets. The cheapest price I could get for Heathrow Express at the time of booking was £20.

Not the best pricing, but it also wasn’t the day-of cost of £25 either!

6. If you missed your chance to snag cheap Heathrow Express tickets, take the London Underground instead.

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, the London Underground or the Elizabeth Line are great options.

The Elizabeth Line , also known as Crossrail, is a new line that connects Heathrow Airport with several locations in Central London. It’s a fast and efficient service that runs every 10 minutes and takes around 30 minutes to get to Central London.

The cost of a one-way ticket on the Elizabeth Line is £12.80 ($15 USD) at all times of the day, for a journey from Heathrow airport to Zone 1 (Central London) and vice versa.

If you’re looking for an even cheaper option, you can take the Piccadilly Line on the London Underground . The Piccadilly Line is a slower service than the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line, but it’s much cheaper. A one-way ticket on the Piccadilly Line costs around £3 ($4), and a return ticket costs around £6 ($8).

However, keep in mind the journey time can take up to an hour to reach Central London, so if you’re not in a rush, this can be a really budget-friendly option for you.

7. A lot of things in London are painfully expensive. Especially accommodations!

You’ll almost always need to book your room well in advance. If you’re on a budget, hostels are easy to find and offer decently priced double rooms. Simple bed and breakfasts are also a more inexpensive option than typical chain hotels.

During my last solo trip to London, I stumbled across a wonderful little accommodation option called Vincent House . While the rooms were on the simpler side, the fact that there was free breakfast (as well as a dinner/half board option) made my stay so worth the money!

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to a proper English breakfast each and every morning?

They have single rooms too, which means solo travelers don’t need to pay a double-occupancy premium for traveling alone while still getting some much-needed privacy.

Pro Tip: For the best deals on accommodation, try avoiding the summer season as well as the Christmas/New Year holidays.

WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON: CENTRAL LONDON (ZONE 1)

If you are planning a trip to London, one of the most important decisions you will make is where to stay. While there are plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from, staying in a central location in London is a surefire way to have an unforgettable experience.

One major advantage of staying in central London is the proximity to all the world-renowned landmarks. With iconic sites like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and The Tower Bridge just minutes away from your hotel or Airbnb, you’ll be able to maximize your time exploring without wasting hours each day commuting on trains and buses.

Staying in a central location also allows for more spontaneity during your trip. With everything within easy reach, you can easily pop back to your hotel or apartment if you need a break or want to drop off some new purchases before heading out again.

A hotel anywhere in Zone 1 is best. More specifically, Zone 1 covers the West End, the Holborn district, Kensington, Paddington, the City of London, Borough, London Bridge, Earl’s Court, Marylebone, Edgware Road, Lambeth North, Waterloo, and more.

Recommended Hotels In Chelsea/Kensington : Egerton House ($$$) or Milestone Hotel Kensington ($$$)

Recommended Hotels In Notting Hill: The Portobello Hotel ($$) or Vincent House ($-$$)

Recommended Hotels In Victoria: The Windermere Hotel, London ($$)

Recommended Hotels In Shoreditch : One Hundred Shoreditch ($$)

Recommended Hostels that are centrally located: Hostel One Notting Hill , Urbany Hostel London , Lee Abbey London

8. Food is expensive too. But there are ways to get around the price.

During lunchtime on weekdays, a lot of restaurants feature a lunch special where you can get a decent amount of food on a lunch menu for a special price.

And unless you decide to eat falafel wraps, kebabs, and grab-and-go food (Pret a Manger, Leon, pizza, etc.), you can expect to spend £15-20 for lunch and slightly more for dinner.

If you’re interested in fine dining, consider making lunch reservations over dinner reservations as lunch meals are typically cheaper.

9. Expect to spend a bit more on shopping than you would in the EU.

If shopping is on your mind, be prepared to pay a few bucks more than you would outside of the UK.

While shopping around many of London’s bustling shopping districts, I found that for international brands like Zara, & other stories, etc.– when you compare the price in pounds vs euros, you’ll actually get a better deal paying the price in euros.

I’d say if you’re traveling to the EU either before or after your trip to London, save your shopping for then.

Now obviously if you’re looking to pick up British snacks and souvenirs only sold in England, you’ll have to shell out money here and pay that premium.

10. The London Pass can save you a ton of money if you’re looking to see a lot in a short amount of time.

This super-popular sightseeing card is jam-packed with tourist goodness and provides free entry to over 80 top attractions in London!

The pass can be purchased for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 10 consecutive days, with prices varying depending on the duration of the pass. With the pass, you can skip the ticket lines at many of the included attractions, saving you time and allowing you to fit more into your day.

Some of the top attractions included in the London Pass are the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Churchill War Rooms, the London Zoo, and the London Eye.

The pass also includes a hop-on, hop-off bus tour that takes you to many of the city’s top sights while also doubling as free transportation for the day!

In addition to free entry to the included attractions, the London Pass also offers other perks, such as discounts on dining, shopping, and theater tickets. It also includes a guidebook with maps and information on all the included attractions.

11. If you’re looking for a good deal on accommodation in Notting Hill, go with Vincent House.

I’ll say it again, Vincent House is a great value. I stayed here during my last solo trip to London and would stay here again in a heartbeat. And before your mind goes to “oh this must be a hostel”, let me tell you that it was not!

I had my own room and it didn’t cost me an arm and a leg (unlike many other hotels in the Notting Hill area).

Rooms are simple, but how much time are you going to be spending in your room anyway? The complimentary breakfast buffet is amazing for what you’re paying–it was definitely the highlight of every morning in London.

Best of all, the hotel is located just a block away from Portobello Road, super close to Portobello Road Market and all the colorful little houses that made Notting Hill famous. Highly recommend this little residence!

12. London is huge. Explore by neighborhood to avoid wasting time and money on transportation.

London is one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world, covering an area of over 600 square miles. With so much to see and do, it can be overwhelming for visitors to know where to start. One of the best ways to explore London efficiently and economically is to focus on exploring each neighborhood in turn, rather than trying to visit all the city’s attractions in one go.

Public transportation in London can be expensive, particularly if you are using it multiple times a day. By exploring one neighborhood at a time, you can often walk or cycle between different attractions, saving money on transportation costs.

By focusing on one neighborhood at a time, you can take the time to explore its streets, parks, museums, and local shops, getting a deeper understanding of what makes each area special!

Alternatively, you can opt for a full-day adventure ( London In One Day Tour ) to help you understand the lay of the land, get some major London attractions out of the way, and set yourself up with all the knowledge you need for the remaining days of your trip!

13. While an Oyster Card is a cheap and convenient way to pay for public transportation, using contactless paying by credit card or debit card also works.

For those of you who don’t know if your cards have contactless payment, take a look at your cards! This function is indicated by a symbol of four wavy lines.

In fact, during my last 5-day trip to London, I skipped buying the Oyster Card and instead stuck with contactless payments with my credit card. It was simple and convenient and I never ran into any trouble with the entry gates not opening.

By skipping the Oyster Card option, I was able to save the £7 it costs for the Oyster card itself. The fee is non-refundable too. I’d say if you’re planning on going back to London time and time again, it may be worth it for the Oyster card, but if you’re just visiting once every few years, skip it and use contactless payment.

14. Exploring London on foot is the best way to discover Central London.

There’s so much to see at every turn. Walk in one direction and you’ll find yourself in a neighborhood filled with pubs, restaurants, and boutique shopping. Walk a few hundred yards in another direction and you’ll find yourself surrounded by palaces, statues, museums, and churches.

Plus, it’s cheaper than taking public transportation!

15. Traveling during rush hour can be uncomfortably crowded.

Rush hour is defined as the time from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 4 PM to 7 PM. You can expect a ton of people standing face to face (or face to armpit) packed into the subway cars.

Tube fares are also more expensive during this time so be aware if you’re trying to travel on a budget!

If you do, you have to travel during rush hour, remember to take your backpack off and have your belongings glued in front of you so that you are able to see everything that’s happening in and around your bags. You wouldn’t want anything to get swiped out of your bag!

While London is a generally safe city, pickpocketing does occur and you wouldn’t want to be a victim of that now, would you?

16. London is open for business every day of the year, except on Christmas Day.

What this means is that you can plan your trip without needing to account for Sunday/Monday closures as you would in some other destinations like France and Portugal.

Most shops in central London are open seven days a week, though they can only trade for six hours, (usually noon to 6 PM) on Sundays.

17. Make reservations and book tickets to popular day trips, restaurants, performances, tours, or festivals in advance.

In a city with this many people, it makes sense to book your tickets for anything, and everything that you can think of in advance. This will help you avoid any potential disappointment when you find that the restaurant that you’ve been wanting to go to for months is fully booked for a few weeks out.

Many of London’s popular attractions, such as the London Eye and Tower of London, can have long queues, especially during peak tourist season. To avoid waiting in line at iconic London landmarks, consider booking tickets in advance.

Tiqets is a great site for booking skip-the-line entry tickets to popular attractions, while Viator is my go-to for day trip excursions and tours from London.

The only thing where I wouldn’t necessarily recommend advance-purchase tickets is if you’re trying to catch a musical or show in West End for discounted prices. In this case, you can opt for standby tickets or last-minute ticket booths.

Standby tickets can be purchased on the day of the show at the venue. Alternatively, you can head to any last-minute ticket booth on Leicester Square. I recommend TKTS for all last-minute ticket needs!

For an idea of what popular shows are available, check out the current show offerings on Viator .

18. Don’t plan to do too much on your first day here, especially if you’re traveling internationally.

You will likely be jetlagged, so do account for that when planning out your itinerary. Don’t schedule day trips or full-day tours/excursions on your first few days so you can catch up on sleep and adjust to the time shift.

Here are some quick jetlag tips for traveling eastward:

• Adjust your sleep schedule: Start adjusting your sleep schedule a few days before your trip by going to bed and waking up earlier, in line with the destination time zone. This will help your body adjust more quickly to the new time zone.
• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water before, during, and after your flight can help prevent dehydration, which can make jetlag symptoms worse.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine: Alcohol and caffeine can disrupt your sleep patterns and dehydrate you, making jetlag worse. Try to avoid or limit your intake of these substances before and during your flight.
• Get some sunlight: Exposure to natural light can help regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to adjust to the new time zone. Try to spend some time outside during daylight hours when you arrive at your destination.

19. Tipping is a thing here, though it’s not as crazy as it is in the USA.

Here’s a little tipping guide, depending on the situation you’re in:

• At hotels : you can pay a porter £1 per bag. Gratuity for room staff is at your discretion.
• At pubs : not expected, unless table service is provided. If so, pay £1 per round of drinks.
• At restaurants : you can expect a service charge to be included in the bill. If there is no service charge, you can put down 10% for decent service and up to 15% for exceptional service.
• For taxis : you can round the fare up to the nearest pound.

20. Want to experience the dark side of London’s history? The London Dungeon is a whole lot of fun.

Take a water ride through the “rat-infested” streets of London, experience how the Great Fire of London took place, get a haircut and a shave by Sweeney Todd, learn about Jack The Ripper’s gruesome actions, live your way through the plague in the 1600s, and more in this incredibly fun experience that is The London Dungeon !

I had tickets for this experience during my last trip to London, and I already want to go back so badly–and bring along everyone I know who likes dark history! Sure it’s touristy (it’s located right next to the London Eye) but it’s SO much fun and worth every penny.

Seriously, take my money, London Dungeon!!

21. The museums and iconic landmarks are worth visiting, but do make time to simply stroll through the eclectic neighborhoods and markets too.

I’m talking about areas like Greenwich, Marylebone, Seven Dials, Borough Market, Bermondsey Street, and Spitalfields. Not only will you get to ogle at all the colors of the neighborhoods and get in some really good people-watching, but it’s also completely free!

Not sure how to prioritize them all? I’d recommend you get the London Pass for your first few days so you can see all the major landmarks at a steeply discounted price (compared to buying admission tickets for all the attractions separately).

Once you’ve got all the heavy hitters out of the way, it’s time to hit the neighborhoods so you can experience real London! In addition to the list above, other cool areas to add to your list include Shoreditch, Notting Hill, Barnaby, Soho, Chinatown, Brixton, and Hackney Wick.

22. Bathrooms are few and far between in London, so plan your liquid intake wisely!

One of the challenges that many visitors to London encounter is finding public restrooms, especially in busy areas like the city center or popular tourist spots. While there are some public toilets available, they can be difficult to locate, and many require payment to use.

To avoid any discomfort or inconvenience, it’s a good idea to plan your liquid intake carefully when exploring the city. Try to use restrooms whenever you have the opportunity, such as in cafes, restaurants, or shops that allow customers to use their facilities.

Another option is to take advantage of facilities offered by some of London’s major attractions. For example, many museums and galleries have restrooms available for visitors, even if you’re not there to see the exhibits.

If you’re traveling with children, it’s especially important to plan ahead and make sure you know where public restrooms are located. Many parks and playgrounds have restrooms available (some do charge an entree fee of 25-50 pence though), and some shopping centers and department stores have family-friendly facilities that can be used by visitors.

23. On Sundays, do not miss your chance to enjoy Sunday Roast.

Sunday Roast is a traditional meal that is typically served on Sundays in London and throughout the UK. It typically consists of roasted meat (such as beef, chicken, pork, or lamb) served with roasted potatoes, vegetables, Yorkshire pudding, and gravy.

The meal is often enjoyed with family and friends, and is a popular choice for lunch or dinner on Sundays. It is considered a classic British dish, and many pubs and restaurants in London offer Sunday Roast as a menu item. Kids are welcome at these pubs too!

Sunday Roast is like Thanksgiving every Sunday, so don’t miss it!

Pro Tip: If you’re not sure where to head for pubs, I’d recommend Notting Hill. A lot of these pubs are family-friendly too, especially on weekends.

24. Visit a pie shop while you’re in town.

A pie shop wasn’t featured in Sweeney Todd for nothing! London is filled with great pie shops serving everything from savory to sweet pies. We’re all familiar with what sweet pies are, but some of the most popular savory pie flavors include:

• Steak and ale: a classic pie made with chunks of tender beef and ale gravy
• Chicken and mushroom: a creamy pie filled with chicken, mushrooms, and a rich sauce
• Pork pie: a small, individual pie filled with seasoned pork and jelly
• Shepherd’s pie: a pie made with ground lamb or beef, vegetables, and topped with mashed potatoes
• Fish pie: a creamy pie made with a variety of fish and topped with mashed potatoes

For some of the best pies in London, head to M. Manze, MotherMash, or Cockney’s Pie & Mash Shop .

25. Don’t just eat British food during your trip, Indian cuisine is amazing in London.

While British food certainly has its charms, there are plenty of other delicious options to try in London as well. One cuisine that is particularly well-represented in the city is Indian food, thanks in part to the large Indian and South Asian population.

If you didn’t already know, London has really good Indian food. Whether you’re in the mood for spicy curries, crispy pakoras, flavorful biriyanis, or fluffy garlic naan, there is sure to be an Indian dish that satisfies your cravings.

Some popular Indian restaurants in London include Dishoom (there are lots of locations throughout the city because it’s THAT good), Masala Zone, Tayyabs, and Hoppers . Many of these restaurants also offer vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten-free choices.

26. Make some time to check out the free green spaces in London.

London is a bustling metropolis that can sometimes feel overwhelming with its crowds and traffic. However, there are plenty of free green spaces throughout the city that offer a respite from the hustle and bustle.

Here are some of the best parks in London that are worth checking out:

• Hyde Park: one of the city’s largest and most popular parks. It features expansive green spaces, a lake, and several famous landmarks like Speakers’ Corner and the Serpentine Gallery.
• Hampstead Heath : This sprawling park in north London offers plenty of open spaces, woodland, and ponds, as well as a stunning view of the city from Parliament Hill.
• Regent’s Park : Another large park in central London, Regent’s Park is home to the London Zoo, several beautiful gardens, and the famous Open Air Theatre.
• Greenwich Park : Located in southeast London, Greenwich Park offers stunning views of the city skyline, as well as several historical landmarks like the Royal Observatory and the National Maritime Museum.
• Richmond Park : The largest of London’s Royal Parks, Richmond Park is home to herds of deer, as well as several walking and cycling trails, gardens, and ponds.

Remember, entry to these parks are free, so be sure to make some time to explore these natural spaces during your visit to London–especially during the months when trees are full and flowers are in bloom.

27. For antiques and vintage shopping, head to Portobello Road Market.

You can buy so much along Portobello Road. You can pick up hip and trendy clothing from an indie boutique, hidden treasures from a charity shop, a vintage teacup from an antique shop, and so much more!

Because of how eclectic it is, Portobello Road Market is one of my favorite areas of London, despite it being a touristy place to visit.

Head to House of Retro for super unique styles! This store completely blew me away with its adorable clothing and accessories.

28. Afternoon tea is a fun little tradition in London worth doing at least once.

Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British tradition that has been enjoyed for centuries. It typically involves a mid-afternoon meal of tea, sandwiches, scones, and cakes, and is often seen as a social occasion for friends and family to catch up and enjoy each other’s company. If you’re planning a trip to London, afternoon tea is definitely worth experiencing at least once.

Many hotels, restaurants, and tea rooms offer traditional afternoon tea service, complete with elegant table settings, fine china, and attentive service.

In addition to the finger foods being super cute and delicious, it’s also a great way to take a break from sightseeing or shopping and to unwind for an hour or two.

Some quintessential places to enjoy afternoon tea in London include The Ritz, Claridge’s, Fortnum & Mason, and The Savoy .

Spots like Fortnum & Mason’s got you with its live classical music, while the Shangri-La Hotel’s Sky High Afternoon Tea has got you on the epic views. Having said that, these will cost you a pretty penny!

There are many other options available at different price points, so if this interests you, do put in a little research to find an afternoon tea menu that fits your budget and preferences.

For something super unique (and fun for the kids), check out the Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych!

29. For incredible street art, check out the Shoreditch area in East London.

Shoreditch is an area in East London that has become known as a hub for street art. The streets are lined with colorful murals, graffiti, and other forms of urban art that are constantly changing and evolving.

One of the best things about street art in Shoreditch is that it’s accessible to everyone. You can explore the area on foot and see the art up close, taking in all the intricate details and hidden messages. There are also many street art tours available, led by local artists who can provide insights into the works and the artists who created them.

Some of the most famous street art in Shoreditch includes works by artists like Banksy, ROA, and Invader, but there are also many lesser-known artists who have created stunning pieces that are well worth seeking out.

In addition to street art, Shoreditch is also known for its vibrant nightlife, independent shops, and trendy restaurants and cafes. It’s a great place to spend a day or an evening, soaking up the atmosphere and experiencing the creativity that has made this part of London so famous.

30. Skip Leicester Square — walk one block next to it through Chinatown instead.

Unless you need to go to Leicester Square for something specific (such as the TKTS kiosk for show tickets), I’d recommend you skip it. There’s not really much here other than tacky souvenir stores and touristy restaurants that you can easily find in other ultra-touristy parts of the world.

Instead, take a stroll on the adjacent street, which will take you through the picturesque Chinatown! Be sure to pop into Chinatown Bakery for a light and carby snack, or Four Seasons (known for their Peking duck dishes).

31. Make sure you have an appetite when visiting the Convent Garden area.

When in Covent Garden, don’t miss a stroll through The Yards, Arome Cafe, and Dishoom for a sit-down meal.

Not feeling a sit-down vibe? For something casual yet extremely exciting, head to Seven Dials Market . At the food hall, I recommend Bad Boy Pizza Society, Curry on Naanstop, Pick & Cheese – The Cheese Bar!

32. Make sure that The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is taking place on the day you plan to visit.

I didn’t know this prior to my visit, but The Changing of the Guard doesn’t take place every day when it’s not peak season! Because I did the London In One Day tour on a day when the event wasn’t happening, I did not get to witness the iconic event during my first trip. Better luck next time!

Here are the event days:

• From June – July: takes place daily
• From August – May: takes place Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

33. There are hotspots where you can find all your tacky souvenirs.

You can visit Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden’s Jubilee Hall Market, or stroll from Westminster to The London Eye for tacky and cheap souvenir heaven.

You’ll find an endless amount of affordable keychains, magnets, and other random items depicting the London guards, British flags, telephone booths, and double-decker buses.

34. Some of the best souvenirs are located in museum gift shops.

Did you know that some of the best souvenirs can be found in museum gift shops? That’s right – forget about tacky keychains or fridge magnets from tourist traps, head straight to a museum shop instead.

Museum shops offer a wide variety of unique and interesting gifts that reflect the collections held within their walls. From beautiful prints and posters and replicas of historical artifacts to beautifully designed tea towels and themed holiday ornaments, you can easily find something for everyone on your list.

The British Museum, for example, has an extensive range of Egyptian-inspired items such as jewelry and home decor pieces. The Natural History Museum offers dinosaur-themed toys for children as well as stunning books on wildlife photography.

Other great places to shop for souvenirs? Department stores (Brits sure love their chocolates and candies) like Selfridges , Harrods , Liberty , and of course Fortnum & Mason for all your tea and gourmet epicurean gifts!

35. Bring an umbrella with you, even if rain is not in the forecast.

One of the most common things that people associate with London is its rainy weather. While it’s true that the city can experience frequent rain showers throughout the year, it’s not always predictable.

Having said that, you’ll want to pack an umbrella when you visit London, even if rain is not in the forecast.

Even if the forecast says that it’s going to be sunny, there’s always a chance of rain, especially during the cooler months of the year. Carrying an umbrella with you ensures that you’re prepared for any sudden changes in the weather!

36. Be prepared to come across a lot of free museums.

There are tons of free museums in London, thanks to the UK government’s commitment to promoting access to culture and education for everyone. Most of these museums are supported by public funding and donations, which allows them to offer free admission to all visitors.

Here are a few of the more popular ones to have on your radar (if they interest you):

• The British Museum : This iconic museum houses a vast collection of artefacts and objects from around the world, including ancient Egyptian mummies, Greek sculptures, and Roman artefacts.
• The National Gallery : This world-renowned art museum boasts an impressive collection of over 2,000 paintings from the 13th to 19th centuries, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Van Gogh.
• The Natural History Museum : This museum is home to a fascinating collection of specimens from the natural world, including dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and rare animal specimens.
• The Science Museum : This interactive museum is perfect for science enthusiasts, with exhibits and interactive displays that cover everything from space exploration to robotics.
• The Tate Modern : This contemporary art museum is located in a former power station and features works by some of the world’s most renowned modern artists, including Picasso and Warhol.

In addition to these major museums, there are also many smaller and more niche museums in London that offer free admission, such as:

• Sir John Soane’s Museum
• Museum of London
• The Wallace Collection
• Grand Museum of Zoology
• The Wellcome Collection
• Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
• V&A Museum of Childhood
• Design Museum
• Mediatheque
• The Vault – musical memorabilia in the Hard Rock Cafe!

37. The number of green spaces in London is endless.

Back in the day, British kings loved hunting, so many parts of London were closed off and designated for hunting purposes. Since then, they’ve been converted for recreational use by the public. 

If you want to spend a day enjoying as many green spaces in London, here’s a great walking route through the parks: start in Trafalgar Square, cut over to St. James’ Park , then to Green Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens , and finally make a cut through to Holland Park .

It’ll be a day jam-packed with enough picturesque parks to last a lifetime!

38. Portobello Road Market is an eclectic shopper’s paradise.

Aside from the outdoor vendors along the street, don’t miss the shops along the sidewalks. You’ll find independent boutiques and clothing stores for people of all ages, antique shopping arcades, vintage clothing stores, charity shops, and some really great cafes, dessert shops, and restaurants!

For pointers on funky and interesting shops, stop at House of Retro, Alice’s, Jessie Western, and Kin .

For even more unique vintage/antique/unique treasures shopping markets, head to East London’s Upmarket, Spitalfields Market, and Backyard Market .

39. When out exploring, bring an everyday bag with you that fits a water bottle.

A crossbody or hands-free bag that can fit a water bottle, phone, camera, sunglasses, and your phone charging accessories is a must.

And so is that water bottle! It can be way too easy to forget to drink water while out and about, but the last thing you want to do is get dehydrated midday.

Backpacks usually need to be coat-checked at museums, so you’re better off with an anti-theft crossbody bag. You’ll also want to consider that when you’re taking the tube, it’s safer to have your bag in front of you as opposed to behind you on your back.

And if you’re able to find a bag that folds flat so that you’re able to stow it in your carry-on, even better! I like  Baggallini’s Securtex Anti-Theft Free Time Crossbody Bag  or Travelon’s Anti-Theft Concealed Carry Hobo Bag .

For the guys (and gals too), crossbody shoulder sling bags work really well for traveling if you don’t have a ton of stuff on you! My boyfriend is absolutely obsessed with his  Bellroy Sling Bag .

Worried about pickpocketing? Check out this post:  10 Best Anti-Theft Travel Bags For Your Next Vacation

40. Check out local events during your trip.

London has a vibrant events scene, with plenty of concerts, exhibitions, and festivals taking place throughout the year.

Do a quick Google search or Facebook events search for the dates of your trip to see if there are any local listings for events during your visit.

41. Ride the local bus if you want to see the city without tiring yourself out.

Ride a regular bus for a super cheap, local-life view of the city! The Route 11 bus runs from Fulham to Liverpool Street Station via Chelsea, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Bank of England.

Best of all, the bus ride costs less than £2! There are day passes for less than £5 so you can take the bus back to where you came from — and then some.

Consider Getting The Go City London Pass

Experience the best of London with the Go City London Pass, an all-digital pass that provides easy access to the city’s most popular museums and excursions.

With the Go City London Pass, you can explore the city’s most iconic landmarks, including Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the Royal Observatory Greenwich. You can also visit some of London’s best museums, such as the London Transport Museum and the Household Cavalry Museum.

Here’s a breakdown of the two different passes they have for London:

Go City London All-Inclusive Pass

The Go City All-Inclusive Pass is really great for travelers who want to see as much as possible while they’re in a destination.

With the Go City London All-Inclusive Pass, you can choose between a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10-day pass that will give you free admission to 80+ museums and attractions throughout the city.

Here’s a sample of what the pass offers:

• Tower of London (Take a look at the magnificent Crown Jewels and see the Tower’s world-famous history. Retail value: £33.60)
• Uber Boat by Thames Clippers 1-day River Roamer (See the best of London’s landmarks from the River Thames with a hop-on hop-off boat tour. Retail value: £23.50)
• 1-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (Get to know London a little better with a hop-on hop-off bus tour! Retail value: £37.00)
• Westminster Abbey (Visit one of London’s most important historical buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Retail value: £27.00)
• Old Royal Naval College (Explore one of the most stunning painted ceilings in Britain at the Old Royal Naval College. Retail value: £15.00)
• London Bridge Experience (Explore the spooky underground tombs of London Bridge and brave the haunted house. Retail value: £31.95)
• Tower Bridge (Explore one of London’s most iconic structures. Tower Bridge is an unmissable sight! Retail value: £12.30)
• ZSL London Zoo (Meet over 750 incredible species and explore innovative exhibits at ZSL London Zoo. Retail value: £41.80)
• St Paul’s Cathedral (Explore St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most enchanting architectural landmarks in London. Retail value: £23.00)
• Kensington Palace (Retail value: £25.40)
• Sherlock: The Official Live Game (Retail value: £45.00)
• Royal Mews (Discover the royal working stables and British monarchy’s grand collection of carriages and coaches. Retail value: £15.00)
• The Queen’s Gallery (Step into The Queen’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace to explore art exhibitions and displays from the Royal Collection. Retail value: £17.00)
• Hampton Court Palace (Take a step back in history and walk the hallways of one of the country’s most famous palaces. Retail value: £26.30)
• RHS Garden Wisley (Discover one of the world’s greatest gardens and go green with envy at RHS Garden Wisley. Retail value: £16.50)
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Admire the unique landscapes, iconic architecture, and a vast collection of living plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retail value: £21.50)
• …and TONS more!

DEAL ALERT: For a limited time, use the above link + the promo code AFFGOALL for an additional 5% off your Go City pass. This code is valid for any Go City pass in any destination!

Go City London Explorer Pass

If you don’t plan on visiting a ton of different attractions and would like to handpick your activities, Go City also has an Explorer Pass for London. With the Explorer Pass, you’ll pay one flat fee for a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7-choice pass.

You’ll then have 60 days to use the Explorer Pass on whichever attractions you’d like. There is also no need to pick attractions ahead of time, so you’ll have the flexibility to choose attractions as you go.

A lot of the same attractions included with the All-Inclusive pass are available, but some do differ. You can check out the full list of included attractions here .

No matter which of the two you choose, there’s no denying that the London Pass provides great savings, with up to 50% off the normal ticket value of included attractions!

Other things to know: The pass is valid for the duration of your pass, starting with and including the first day you visit an attraction. Non-activated Explorer and All-Inclusive passes are valid for two years from the date of purchase, so you can buy them now for a good price and travel within two years’ time!

London Travel Insurance

This is a no-brainer. When traveling internationally, be sure to get yourself some travel insurance.

I’ve heard of too many unfortunate experiences where friends and family have had baggage lost/stolen, hotels canceled, or have had unexpected medical emergencies while traveling where they’ve had to cut their trips short.

True story alert — in 2022, my partner even had his shoulder completely dislocated while surfing in Mexico, resulting in a $950 USD emergency room bill that we had to pay out of pocket for! Not fun… and most definitely not cheap.

Without travel insurance, you would have to pay out of pocket for these mishaps. This is why I get travel insurance for all my international trips now!

One of the best budget-friendly travel insurances for those traveling outside their home country is  SafetyWing .

SafetyWing Insurance provides coverage for unexpected illness or injury, including eligible expenses for hospital, doctor or prescription drugs. This means that if you get ill or injured, they will cover the medical expenses.

In addition, it provides emergency travel-related benefits such as emergency medical evacuation (much needed if you like to go hiking / trekking in the wild), travel delay, and lost checked luggage.

Click here to price out how much travel insurance would be for your trip .

Do you have any tips for first-timers to London? Let us know in the comments below!

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21 Immersive Things To Do In London For People Who Love Unique Experiences

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Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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Middle East latest: Iranian commandos hijack Israel-linked cargo ship by helicopter - Israel vows 'consequences'

Iranian forces have seized an Israel-linked cargo ship with 25 crew members on board, steering it towards Iran. Israel has vowed there will be "consequences" for the hijacking, and demanded the EU sanction Iran and deem its Revolutionary Guards terrorists.

Saturday 13 April 2024 15:59, UK

• Israel-Hamas war
• Iran seizes Israeli-linked cargo ship with 25 crew on board
• Watch: Revolutionary Guards board vessel by helicopter
• 'Iran will bear consequences', Israel responds
• Risk of dragging US and UK into another major conflict
• US 'prepared to intercept' strikes on Israel
• Explained: Why is Iran threatening to attack Israel? 
• Live reporting by Jess Sharp

A British-Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in Gaza hospitals during the first weeks of the war said he was denied entry into Germany for the duration of a pro-Palestinian conference this weekend.

Dr Ghassan Abu Sitta was due to take part in the conference, but when he arrived at Berlin airport yesterday, he was held for several hours and then told he had to return to the UK, he said.

Police at the airport refused entry due to "the safety of the people at the conference and public order," Mr Abu Sitta told the AP.

The gathering, entitled the Palestine Congress, was to discuss a range of topics including German arms shipments to Israel and solidarity with what organisers called the Palestinian struggle. 

Police at Berlin airport could not immediately be reached for comment. 

Mr Abu Sitta has worked during multiple conflicts in the Palestinian territories, beginning in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian uprising.  

He has also worked in other conflict zones, including in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. 

He spent 44 days in Gaza hospitals as a volunteer for Doctors Without Borders. 

Protestors have been demonstrating outside the US embassy office in Tel Aviv.

People held placards and stopped traffic during as they called for a deal to release Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Levels of protest against Benjamin Netanyahu's approach to the war have been steadily increasing in Israel.

Footage shows a barrage of rockets fired toward northern Israel last night.

The IDF said Hezbollah launched approximately 40 rockets into the north of the country.

While some of the rockets were intercepted, others fell in open areas and sirens were sounded to warn of falling shrapnel. 

There were no injuries reported during the attack, the IDF said.

Hezbollah - an Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon - has regularly exchanged fire with Israel since the 7 October attacks. 

Israel's "blatant" provocation of Iran means a response was expected, says Yoss Mekelberg, associate fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa programme.

But the seizure of a commercial ship in the Strait of Hormuz was "not exactly the response we expected, it is a relatively minor one," he said.

Iran either felt that it had to do something but did not wish to escalate the situation, or this is the "first among other acts".

Mr Mekelberg said it was difficult to know what Benjamin Netanyahu's priorities were, having lost much of the support of the international community in Gaza and now "provoking [Iran] to react".

Iran blames an attack on its consulate in Syria that killed senior commanders on Israel - Israel has not said it was responsible.

"It was so blatant there is an expectation... for a response, the question is what kind of response," said Mr Mekelberg.

A total of 33,686 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's military offensive so far, the Hamas-led health ministry has said. 

A further 76,309 people have been wounded, it added. 

There have been 52 Palestinians killed and 95 injured in the last 24 hours, it said in a statement. 

The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. 

While some Israeli officials have sought to cast doubt on fatality figures given out by the Palestinian Health Authority in Gaza, a number of independent groups say they have proved to be largely reliable and broadly in line with those later produced by the UN and Israel itself.

Examination of data from previous Gaza conflicts - the health ministry's counts compared with the post-war United Nations analysis - shows that the initial data is largely accurate with, at most, a 10-12% discrepancy.

The Netherlands will close its embassy in Tehran tomorrow as a precaution, the Dutch foreign ministry has said.

It cited rising tensions between Iran and Israel.

The ministry added that it would decide on Sunday whether the embassy would reopen on Monday.

By  Alex Rossi , international correspondent 

This was no act of maritime piracy and it was not meant to be. It was a warning from a major state which would have been sanctioned at the highest levels in Tehran.

In daylight, commandos from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps board and takeover a ship in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. 

Huge amounts of oil and gas pass through the waterway everyday - if it was closed, it would have huge ramifications for global trade. In short, it would cause chaos.

Why have the Iranians done this? Well, timing is everything. 

The ship, the MSC Aries, is Portuguese-flagged but it is linked to Zodiac Maritime, which is part of Israeli billionaire's Eyal Ofer's portfolio.

Tensions between Israel and Iran are extraordinarily high - US intelligence claims an Iranian missile attack on Israel as retaliation for the Damascus consulate strike is imminent.

The taking of the ship is unlikely to draw a military response from the IDF but it sends signals. 

It is a provocation to Jerusalem but it's also a message to Israel's allies that Iran can cause mayhem by closing the Strait of Hormuz.

In that sense it is a projection of Iranian power and a warning that standing with Israel can bring consequences.

Earlier this morning, an Israeli human rights group said dozens of settlers stormed a Palestinian village in the occupied West Bank, shooting and setting fire to cars and houses.

Settlers entered the village of al-Mughayyir in search of a missing 14-year-old Israeli boy, according to rights group Yesh Din, before killing a man and wounding 25 others.

The Israeli army has now said the body of the Israeli boy has been found.

Binyamin Achimair was killed in a "terrorist attack", the IDF said.

"Security forces are continuing the pursuit after those suspected of carrying out the attack," the army said.

Footage shows Iranian Revolutionary Guards commandos seizing a Portuguese-flagged commercial ship linked to Israel.

A helicopter used by the Guards to board the vessel can be seen hovering above the containers. 

The attack appeared to use similar methods to the Houthis in November, when the group stormed the Galaxy Leader in the southern Red Sea.

Iran is conducting piracy and should be sanctioned for it, Israel's foreign minister has demanded.

If you're just joining us, Iran's Revolutionary Guards has seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel Katz said: "The Ayatollah regime of Khamenei is a criminal regime that supports Hamas's crimes and is now conducting a pirate operation in violation of international law.

"I call on the European Union and the free world to immediately declare the Iranian Revolutionary Guards corps as a terrorist organisation and to sanction Iran now." 

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When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

Keep reading

A ramadan no palestinian will ever forget, the cost of a ramadan iftar meal around the world, ramadan 2024: where do your dates come from, in washington, dc: celebrating ramadan, protesting israel’s siege of gaza.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.

Solar eclipse 2024: Photos from the path of totality and elsewhere in the U.S.

Images show the Great American Eclipse, seen by tens of millions of people in parts of Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada for the first time since 2017.

Millions gathered across North America on Monday to bask in the glory of the Great American Eclipse — the moment when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. 

The path of totality measures more than 100 miles wide and will first be visible on Mexico’s Pacific coast before moving northeast through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and upward toward New York, New Hampshire and Maine, then on to Canada.

Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

During the cosmic spectacle, the moon’s movements will temporarily block the sun’s light, creating minutes of darkness, and will make the sun's outer atmosphere, or the corona, visible as a glowing halo.

Here are moments of the celestial activities across the country:

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Elise Wrabetz is a Senior Photo Editor for NBC News digital

Chelsea Stahl is the art director for NBC News Digital