2024 London Travel Guide (+ Free Download)
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This iconic city is fascinating: its skyline is instantly recognizable, its neighborhoods are diverse, and its history dates back to the Romans. There is no shortage of things to do and see in London. Whether you’re visiting for a quick few days on a great European adventure or you’re planning to plant yourself here for weeks at a time, you’ll never tire of London.
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1 DAY IN LONDON ITINERARY
If you have limited time in this capital city, don’t miss out. Our one day itinerary takes you to great spots on an easy walking tour of London.
Download to your phone and take it on the go.
London Travel Guide: Facts
We love a good London fact and we bet you will too. If nothing else, you can impress your seatmate with these on the flight over.
- There are over 300 languages spoken in London — more than any other city in the world
- The real city of London is only 1 square mile and has a population of 10,000. You can tell you’re in the city by the bollards on the street. The Greater London area is what you think of when someone refers to “London”
- A black cab driver has to pass a knowledge test, which requires them to memorize over 25,000 roads and 400 routes
- London’s Underground was the world’s first underground railway, which opened in 1863 with the Metropolitan line.
- And over half of London’s underground runs above ground!
- Big Ben is just a nickname! What we know as Big Ben was originally named Clock Tower but was changed to Elizabeth Tower in 2012 to commemorate Elizabeth II in her Diamond Jubilee.
- The city of London dates back to AD 43 when it was settled by the Romans and called Londinium.
- “Pub” is short for Public House. The name is relatively new, as Public Houses opened in the 19th century. Explore our London Pub Guide for more facts and pub history.
London Travel Guide: Geography
London is a sprawling metropolis, but as a visitor, you are likely going to base your activities in central London. To help you get your bearings, we’ll cover what you can find in North, East, South, and West London. If you’re looking for where to stay, we have that below!
London is located in southeast England and is situated on the River Thames, a tidal river that has been a major part of the history of the city’s development. The Thames runs right through the city and you’ll likely spend a lot of time along both sides of the river.
North London
In north London, you’ll find the neighborhoods of Camden, Primrose Hill, Islington, and Hampstead, as well as the popular train stations of Euston and Kings Cross. North London is residential with charming high streets and neighborhood restaurants and pubs.
Some favorite experiences here include:
- Walking through the leafy neighborhood of Hampstead and taking a stroll through Hampstead Heath
- Strolling the Primrose Hill high street, taking in the views from the top of Primrose Hill
- Scouring the markets in Camden before walking through Regent’s Park
The City
The City of London is fascinating. This history, the architecture, and the current-day bustle make it a place we enjoy exploring. The city, also known as the Square Mile because it’s 1.12 square miles, is the ancient city center established by the Romans in AD 43. Today it’s a major financial hub and it is busy during the work day, but extremely quiet at night and on the weekends.
Fun fact: you can tell you’re in the City by the red and white-top bollards located on the street.
In the City, you can:
- Visit Leadenhall Market, a covered retail and food market and was a filming location featured in the first Harry Potter movie
- Find one of our favorite hidden gems: St. Dunstan in the East Church Garden
- Take a tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral and see inside the dome that plays a dominant part in London’s city skyline
The West End
This is where you’ll probably find yourself for a good amount of your time in London. The West End encompasses neighborhoods like Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Soho, Chinatown, Mayfair, Marylebone, Fitzrovia, and the theater area.
These areas can be crowded, but vibrant. Touristy, but alive. And there are so many good reasons to spend at least a portion of your trip exploring this area.
Whether you choose to:
- Take in a world-class performance
- Shop on Oxford Street, Regent Street, or Bond Street
- Watch the very entertaining street performers in Covent Garden
- Dip in for Dim Sum in Chinatown
West London
West London is home to some of the most beautiful and affluent neighborhoods in the city. Neighborhoods include Notting Hill, Chelsea, Kensington, South Kensington, Earl’s Court, Chiswick, and Fulham.
This area is significantly less crowded than what you’ll find in the West End but is still very much central to all of the sights you want to see. Plus, there are some wonderful experiences that you’ll want to enjoy in this part of the city:
- Find some antiques at the famed (and busy) Portobello market in Notting Hill
- Bike through Kensington Garden and Hyde Park
- Visit the South Kensington museums: The Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Science Museum. They made our list of the 12 Best Museums in London.
- Take in a game at the Chelsea Football Club, which is located in Fulham!
Westminster
The city of Westminster is small but it packs in the sights and history. Located on the Thames River, here you’ll find the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace.
You should plan to spend a good part of a day in Westminster because there is plenty to do and see there:
- Tour Westminster Abbey or stop in for their Evensong
- In the summer take a tour of Buckingham Palace — a real treat!
- Stroll along the river Thames and stare up at the iconic Big Ben (fun fact: Big Ben is the bell inside of the tower that you can’t see — you’re looking at Queen Elizabeth Tower)
- Grab a glass of wine on the embankment at Gordon’s Wine Bar
East London
Once a less desirable part of the city to live in, East London is now a vibrant, diverse, and trendy area, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and hotels for visitors to enjoy.
Some of the neighborhoods in East London are Shoreditch, Hoxton, Hackney, and Stratford. Most of the hotels are in and around Shoreditch. Some things in East London you’ll want to experience are:
- Columbia Road flower market on Sunday from 8 to 3 (ish)
- Grab a bite to eat at one of the Indian restaurants on Brick Lane
- Spend the day shopping at Old Spitalfields Market
South London
There is a lot south of the river, but we’ll focus on the things you’ll most likely enjoy experiencing as a visitor with a limited amount of time in the city. Here you’ll find Waterloo and Southwark, which includes sights like the Southbank Centre and Borough Market, as well as Battersea and Clapham, home to Clapham Junction which claims to be the busiest station in Europe!
Some sights to include on your itinerary are:
- Borough Market, a historic food market which is one of the largest and oldest food markets in Europe
- The Tate Modern, an art gallery focusing on contemporary art, which is free to enter
- Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, where you can see one of Shakespeare’s plays
- The London Eye, where you can take in London from above
Getting around London is super easy, you don’t need to rent a car, so get all you need to know about taking the Tube in London. Even if you’re short on time, spending just one day in London can be a blast!
London Travel Guide: Fast FAQs
Let’s get some quick faqs out of the way before we dive into London trip planning details.
What’s the currency?
The UK uses the pound sterling (the GPB, Great British Pound). It’s the official currency of the UK. Casually you may hear it referred to as just the “pound” or “quid”. The change is called pence. So if you’re purchasing something for £5.10, that will be five pounds and 10 pence (or ‘p’).
Do I need cash in London?
London is nearly a cashless city, so don’t dash for the ATM upon arrival. You can use your card nearly everywhere (check on those foreign transaction fees before you travel). And to make things easy, make sure your credit card is contactless so you can just tap and go. This is especially helpful when taking public transport.
In case you’re wondering what else you don’t need on your trip to London, check out our London Packing List.
Can I use my electronics in London?
This gets tricky. Your US electronics run on 110-120 volts, while Europe uses 220-240 volts. Most of the small electronics that we travel with (phones, tablets, and computers) can be used with both voltages by using a cheap and light plug adapter.
The outlets in the UK have three rectangular plugs and are different from what you’ll find in continental Europe. So if you’re planning to travel to places other than the UK, grab a full adapter set like this one.
Hair tools, like a hair dryer or curling iron, are tricker and not as easy to use abroad. They would require a convertor but even then might not work well, or may break. So it’s best to not use them abroad!
Is a visa needed to visit London and the UK?
If you are visiting the UK as a citizen of the US, you can stay in the UK for up to 6 months without a visa as a standard visitor.
You can use this UK government website to check your country-specific visa requirements.
Get The 5 Day London Wayfinder Itinerary
We help you experience the best of London with perfectly crafted days out. This step by step itinerary takes you to some of London’s best neighborhoods, sites, and restaurants on a perfectly planned out route. Plus, with a transportation guide and an audio guide we help you make the most of your limited vacation time.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit London?
While we love visiting London year-round, some months are dreary while others are crammed and crowded. Visiting during the best months can make your vacation that much better as well as save you a significant amount of money.
The best time of year to visit London is in May, June, September and October. During those months you’ll find fewer crowds but you still have a great chance for some wonderful weather.
Unfortunately, the summer months of July and August aren’t the best for visiting the capital city. Crowds are larger, accommodations are more expensive, and you can get hit with a very unpleasant heat wave (most accommodations in the city don’t have air conditioning). If that’s the only time you can go, the heat doesn’t bother you, or you want to experience something fun (like Wimbledon!), those months are great. But they just don’t make the list as our favorite months.
In May and June, the weather is usually getting quite warm and sunny and you haven’t hit peak visitor levels yet. You can still find some deals on hotels if you plan and it’s one of our favorite times to enjoy the city.
September and October are excellent months as London weather is pretty pleasant in the fall, the crowds have dissipated, and the fall foliage is beautiful, especially if you’re heading outside of the city, like to the Cotswolds.
For details on the weather, costs, and crowd, see our Worst Time to Visit London.
How Many Days Should You Spend in London?
We recommend spending a minimum of three full days in London to get started. While you could easily spend a lifetime there and never get bored, with a minimum of three days you can see some of the interesting sights, enjoy a few pints in a pub, and start to see what makes this city so special.
An ideal trip to London would be at least five days so you can see different areas of the city and have a slightly more leisurely pace.
If you’re hoping to fit in a day trip outside of the city, save that for a trip that lasts for more than five days.
How Much Does a Trip to London Cost?
London trip costs can vary widely depending on when you go and how you like to travel. But we calculated that the average cost of a week-long trip to London for two people is $5,980, which includes airfare, hotel, transportation, admission to sights, and food.
Have no fear: you can adjust this up or down, depending on the type of trip you want to have. We give you a full rundown of how we calculated this as well as different prices for a budget trip as well as a luxury trip.
Read: How much does a trip to London cost in 2024?
Getting to London
London has six major airports and only one of them is located in London. If you’re flying into London, you’ll find yourself at one of these:
- London Heathrow: located 20 miles west of central London, Heathrow is the busiest airport in the UK and the most likely airport to arrive at if you’re flying in from a location outside of Europe.
- London Gatwick: the second busiest airport in London, Gatwick is located 28 miles south of London.
- London Stansted: Stanstead is located 40 miles northeast of London and can be reached via the Stanstead Express train (a 47-minute journey from London Liverpool Street).
- London Luton: London Luton is located 35 miles northwest of London and you can reach central London via a shuttle bus and train in 45 minutes.
- London City: the most convenient airport that is located IN London, the City Airport is just 6 miles east of central London. It’s a small airport with limited flights.
- London Southend: located 40 miles east of London, Southend Airport offers a small number of flights to limited locations in continental Europe.
Related article: Paris Travel Guide
Getting to London from Heathrow
Getting to London from Heathrow airport is easy and you have a lot of different options available. But it’s helpful to know where you’re headed in London to help find the best transportation option.
Black Cab from Heathrow to London
All of the arrivals halls at Heathrow have a taxi desk and taxi rank where you can find black cabs queueing for customers. The trip will take approximately 1 hour, though this can vary depending on traffic. Expect to pay £60-£90 for a taxi ride into London.
Private Car Service from Heathrow to London
You can pre-book a private car into London through various companies, including Addison Lee, Chauffeurit, WeKnow, Majestic Taxis, and Blackberry Cars.
Heathrow Express (train) to London
The Heathrow Express offers a train from Heathrow to Paddington Station, which takes 15 minutes and tickets can be purchased in advance for £16.50. While this is fast, if you’re not staying near Paddington, you’ll still need to take the tube or a taxi to your final destination.
Elizabeth Line (tube) to London
The newest addition to the transportation list is the Elizabeth Line, which runs from Heathrow Airport to stations in central London including Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, and Liverpool Street. Tickets are £13.30 per person and you can use your contactless card or an Oyster card for payment.
Piccadilly Line (tube) to London
This is the best budget option. Travel from Heathrow to central London in 45 minutes and you can use your Oyster card or contactless card to purchase a ticket. A ticket costs £5.60 per person. The train can get crowded during rush hour, but Heathrow is the first stop so you’ll be able to get a seat before it gets crowded closer to London.
Coach (Bus) to London
National Express runs bus services from Heathrow to Victoria Coach Station. The trip can take up to an hour and a half, depending on traffic, and costs around £10 per person.
If you’re flying into Gatwick check out this helpful article on getting to London from Gatwick.
If you’re heading to London from Paris, this guide has you covered!
Getting around London
One of my favorite things about living in London was how easy it was to get around the city. London is huge (607 square miles) so getting from one side to the other can take some time. But thankfully, public transport, taxis, bikes, and your own two feet are all you need to see the city.
Some helpful tips for getting around London:
- Download the Citymapper app: Don’t rely on another map app to help you get from point A to point B. Citymapper is our first pick for navigating the city. When you punch in your destination, it gives you all options (tube, car, bus, bike, walking), real-time arrival information, and tracks your progress on your trip. It is excellent.
- Pay for public transport with an Oyster card or Contactless Card: If you’re going to use public transportation, the easiest way to do that is with your credit card as long as you can make contactless payments. Check for the contactless symbol on your card. If you don’t have one, an Oyster card can be “topped up” with money and then used each time you ride the tube, bus, or Thamesclipper ferry. One card is required per rider ( and kids under 11 ride for free).
- Busses are underrated: the tube is often praised for being fast and efficient — and it is! We love the tube. But sometimes a ride on the top of a double-decker bus can be great. It might take a little longer thanks to London traffic, but you’ll get to see more of the city. And that’s what you’re there to do!
- Taxis can be helpful: London traffic can be brutal, but in the right situations taking a taxi can be helpful. While we’ll never hop in a cab to head to congested locations in central London (like Covent Garden and Soho), we find them especially helpful if we’re carrying quite a bit of luggage or dragging around tired kids.
- Not all stations have step-free access: if you need extra assistance, are in a wheelchair, or are pushing a stroller, finding a tube station that works for you can be challenging. The TFL has a map here to help you identify which stations have step-free access. But there aren’t many of them. Often, a bus will be your best bet to have an easier journey.
If you’re on the fence about renting a car in London, see our Should I Rent a Car in London?
Where to Stay in London
We’ve stayed all over London and in many different neighborhoods. We’ve listed some of our favorite places to stay below:
West Central London is where you’ll find a majority of the hotels. This area is bustling and is a center of activity, so it can be a pro if you like to be in the center of it all.
- Great Scotland Yard Hotel: located in Westminster near Charing Cross and Embankment and just a quick walk to Big Ben. This is my favorite hotel for using Hyatt points.
- Henrietta Hotel: while this hotel is pricey, Covent Garden is right on your doorstep here
- Treehouse Hotel: Excellent location in the north part of central London between Marylebone and Soho with a rooftop bar. It has a nice vibe but it can be a louder spot to stay.
- Dorset Square Hotel (West Central London): Townhome style hotel that is just a quick walk to Regent’s Park
- Sydney House Hotel (West London): small, boutique hotel located in the residential area of Chelsea, just off Fulham Road and a short walk to the infamous shopping on King’s Road.
- Kensington Hotel (West London): a high-end hotel located in the heart of South Kensington, just a short walk from the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and Victoria and Albert Museum.
- Georgian House Hotel (West London): small rooms but each uniquely styled in a slightly quieter location that is still just a quick walk to the main sights.
- Ruby Lucy (South London): a South London hotel that is close to Waterloo station and reasonably priced. And there’s a daily street food market so you’ll never go hungry.
- Mama Shelter (East London): well-designed and well-priced mini chain hotel located in east London, just a five-minute walk from the Columbia Road Flower Market.
- For more options, check out our article on where to stay in London.
Things to Do in London – classic experiences
There is honestly so much to do in London it is difficult to narrow it down. But you’re here for some of the top ideas, so let’s give it a go:
Explore London’s Markets
You can find a market to enjoy every single day of the week in London. From antiques to food to crafts, there’s something for everyone. Even if you’re not a marketperson, you might enjoy a quick stroll through one on your way to something else. Pick one of the markets from the video below and enjoy!
Take in the history
The Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral. You can’t see every important historical site in London, but you can see so many great ones in our 1 day London itinerary. Our free download takes you on a day tour through some of London’s most iconic sights and is easy to use on the go with our links to directions. Download before you go!
Free Download!
1 DAY IN LONDON ITINERARY
If you have limited time in this capital city, don’t miss out. Our one day itinerary takes you to great spots on an easy walking tour of London.
Download to your phone and take it on the go.
Enjoy Afternoon Tea
One special dining experience that we love is going to afternoon tea. Not to be confused with high tea, which was a supper eaten between 5pm and 7 pm. Afternoon tea started in 1840 when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford would get hungry between lunch and dinner. The tradition caught on and now it’s a special meal for London locals and visitors alike.
Afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, and an assortment of small pastries and cakes.
Check out some of our favorite afternoon teas in the video below.
If you’re looking for fancy tea, consider Claridges, the Ritz London, and Fortnum and Mason. If you’re in the mood for something unique, consider tea at Sketch. My personal favorite is afternoon tea at the Goring as it’s very cozy.
And if you’d like afternoon tea that isn’t quite such an event, the Ivy Restaurant offers a great and better-priced afternoon tea option.
Visit a museum
If you enjoy museums, London has plenty for you to choose from. Science enthusiasts and kids will love the Science Museum. Modern art fans should plan to make a stop at the Tate Modern. Design enthusiasts will love exploring the Victoria and Albert Museum. History buffs will love spending hours at the Churchill War Rooms. And I really can’t forget the Natural History Museum.
Check out our full list of the 12 Best London Museums.
Walk the streets
Part of what makes London so special is the beautiful neighborhoods. The best way to see these neighborhoods is to get lost in the small streets. Get off the tube at Hampstead, Notting Hill, or Chelsea, and get lost in the beautiful streets, stop in at the charming cafes, duck into a pub for a pint, and just sit and enjoy. There’s something so special about just taking the time to enjoy London away from the main sights.
Don’t miss London’s hidden gems!
Make time for the parks
From Hyde Park to Battersea Park, London is made up of 40% public green space. There are eight royal parks plus small garden squares that are perfect for a quick break. We love going to Regent’s Park in the spring because the flowers in the garden are impressive. Biking through Hyde Park is such a fun activity (there are plenty of rental bikes to be found in the park). St James Park has a lovely cafe and offers great views of Buckingham Palace.
Our favorite parks in London are Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. They are seamlessly connected, making for a giant, central park in London. See our Is Hyde Park Worth Visiting? for details.
Where to Eat in London
The people who claim food in London is bad just aren’t eating at the right places. We love eating out in the city and there is a range of cuisines to choose from.
Pub food has also gotten a lot better, so we have been told. Explore our London Pub Guide for our favorite gastropubs and the history of London pubs.
Check out our video on the 9 food experiences you don’t want to miss in London for some great places to eat:
Heading Out of London
While there is so much to keep you busy for a lifetime in London, there is still a lot to explore outside of the city.
Take a day trip to Bath
Jump a train early in the morning and you can be in Bath before the crowds arrive. Tour the 2,000-year-old Roman-built baths, stop into No. 1 Royal Crescent (a museum), and enjoy a meal at the Elder.
Bath is a walkable city, so no need for a car!
If you’d prefer to combine Bath and Stonehenge on a tour, this is a great option.
Go punting in Cambridge
Another easy day trip from London is to explore Cambridge. While it’s a charming town to walk around and explore, you can tour King’s College Chapel, shop in the market square, take a stroll through St. John’s College, and go punting down the River Cam.
Tour Windsor Castle
An easy day trip that doesn’t take all day is to head out to Windsor. You can tour Windsor Castle, and then take a stroll through the long walk and deer park.
Take a direct train from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eaton Riverside station and walk 5 minutes up to Windsor Castle. Or for an easier walk, take the train from Paddington to Windsor Central Station with a change at Slough station.
Explore Greenwich
Technically part of London, but it feels worlds away. Cruise down the Thames on the Thames Clipper or a sightseeing tour and depart the boat in Greenwich. From there you can hike up to the Royal Observatory, learn more history at the National Maritime Museum, and explore the Cutty Sark tea clipper.
Want to see more? This is a great day out in Greenwich itinerary:
Enjoy the Cotswolds Countryside
We think that the Cotswolds are worth more than just a day trip, but if you only have a day and you want to see this picturesque countryside, there are options! Rather than renting a car, you can take a train to Moreton in Marsh. There you can explore the charming town and head out for a walk if you’re up to it. There’s a 7-mile circular walk that explores the open countryside.
If a walk isn’t high on your list, you can also catch a bus from Moreton-in-Marsh to Stow-on-the-wold, another charming Cotswolds town. Explore our FREE Cotswold Travel Guide for more Cotswold information. And don’t miss our favorite things to do in the Cotswolds. If you’re not quite sold, be sure to also check out our comparison of the Cotswolds vs Bath.
Get out of London with these transportation tours:
How to Get Harry Potter London Tickets Even if it’s SOLD OUT
Bath and Stonehenge Tours: 2 great tours + our review!
THE BEST 1-DAY LONDON ITINERARY
If you have limited time in this capital city, don’t miss out. Our one day itinerary takes you to great spots on an easy walking tour of London. Download to your phone and take it on the go.
