Welcome to our London Travel Guide. London is one of the most popular cities for visitors in the world. Every year an estimated 18 million people flock to sample the culture and history which make it so special.
Nearly 9 million people call London home and it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world.
It is also where you will find some of the world’s most iconic buildings – Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London as well as 170 museums, numerous parks, restaurants and shops.
With so much to see and do what are you waiting for?
Below you will find links to all the information you need to plan your visit to London.
For general planning advice take a look at our UK travel planning page and guide to the best booking websites for UK travel.
Check out our new London Travel Planning website too which is totally dedicated to London!
- LONDON PODCAST EPISODES
- LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE – ITINERARIES
- LONDON SIGHTS, LANDMARKS & ATTRACTIONS
- LONDON WITH KIDS
- LONDON TOURS & TICKETS
- LONDON TIPS
- LONDON IN WINTER
- LONDON IN SPRING
- GETTING AROUND LONDON
- FOOD & DRINK
- WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON
- HARRY POTTER
- LONDON TV & MOVIES
- LONDON SPORT
- LONDON EVENTS
- DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON
- BEYOND LONDON
- LONDON PACKING
- LONDON TRAVEL BOOKS
- VISITING LONDON – FAQ's
LONDON PODCAST EPISODES
LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE – ITINERARIES
Greenwich One Day Itinerary: Top Things to Do in Greenwich, London
We’ve just been to Greenwich and as always absolutely loved it – hence this Greenwich…
3 Day London Itinerary: What to See & Do plus FAQs & Insider Tips
Looking for a 3 day London itinerary? We have you covered – discover everything you…
LONDON SIGHTS, LANDMARKS & ATTRACTIONS
Episode 94 – Discovering the Best Photography Spots in London with Domi of Scalens Studio
In episode 94 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, host Tracy Collins is joined by…
New Year’s Eve in London | The Complete Guide
Spending New Year’s Eve in London at least once in a lifetime surely belongs on…
37 Best Hidden Gems in London [with map of locations]
When you visit London for the first time, it might be all about ticking off…
Review: Tower of London Guided Tour (with Opening Ceremony & Crown Jewels)
👑 Discover an exclusive Tower of London Guided Tour which includes both VIP access to…
9 Top Red London Telephone Booth Locations for Iconic Photos
If you’re wondering where the top London telephone booth locations are for capturing those iconic…
9 Best London Markets: Where to go, when they’re on & what to buy
Visiting London and want to include some of London’s best markets in your itinerary? Unsure…
22 Famous London Landmarks to Visit (+ map and tips)
Planning to visit London for the first time? Not sure which London landmarks to include…
Visiting the London Eye (Best Tips, Tickets & Tours)
If you’re thinking about visiting the London Eye then this is the post for you!…
20 Best London Boat Trips and Cruises
Are you considering booking a cruise down the River Thames? Not sure what is available…
Best Guide to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is so famous that it was immortalised…
Visiting the Tower of London (FAQs + best tickets & tours)
If you’re planning on visiting the Tower of London, then this article is for you! …
11 virtual tours of London’s top museums & landmarks
If you are planning to visit London I am sure there are many of its…
Ultimate London Bucket List (+tips to plan your visit)
Are you planning to visit London and feeling overwhelmed putting together your itinerary? In this…
LONDON WITH KIDS
London with Teens: The Complete Guide to the Top Teen Activities & Attractions
If you’re looking for things to do in London as a teenager, don’t despair! We…
London with Kids: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Attractions, Activities & more
If you’re planning to visit London with kids – congratulations on your great taste! There…
Episode 13 – Trip report: A fun-filled family adventure in London
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. Episode 13…
Best London Hotels for Families of 5 or More (+ Apartments)
Families come in all shapes and sizes – and thankfully, so do the best family…
Best London hotels for families (luxury, mid-range & budget options)
Are you looking for a family-friendly hotel in London? In this article, you will find…
LONDON TOURS & TICKETS
Episode 85 – Unveiling London’s Timeless Tales: A Journey Through History with Walks Tours
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. In episode…
Best tours in London [2024 & beyond]
Taking a guided tour is one of the simplest ways to make the most of…
22 Best Christmas tours in London (2024)
Visiting London during the festive season? Discover the best Christmas tours in London for 2024…
18 Best Food Tours in London – Chocolate, Cheese, Curry, Cocktails, Markets & More
If you’re going to be spending time in London, then you need to taste and…
Review: Tower of London Guided Tour (with Opening Ceremony & Crown Jewels)
👑 Discover an exclusive Tower of London Guided Tour which includes both VIP access to…
The Beatles in London: The Best Beatles Tours & Places to Visit
Whether you want to take London Beatles tours on a self-guided basis or would rather…
Harry Potter in London: The Best Walking & Bus Tours plus FAQs, Tips & Facts
Discover the best tours for fans of Harry Potter in London in our complete guide….
Visiting the Tower of London (FAQs + best tickets & tours)
If you’re planning on visiting the Tower of London, then this article is for you! …
11 Best Cotswolds Tours from London
If you’re spending some time in London, then a must-do is to escape the city…
15 Best Bus Tours of London Reviewed (Ultimate guide)
Are you considering a bus tour of London? Not sure what is available or which…
The London Pass (Review – Is it a cost-effective option for you?)
Visiting London? Are you considering purchasing the London Pass? In this article discover what it…
How to purchase London Attraction Tickets (Complete Guide)
Planning to visit some of London’s top sights, landmarks and attractions? In this guide discover…
Best Walking Tours of London – Themed and sightseeing options
There are so many walking tours of London available that the choice can be overwhelming….
LONDON TIPS
Podcast Episode 16 – What to expect from a London photoshoot with guest Domi of Scalens Studio
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. In episode…
Planning a London trip (essential tips for first time visitors)
Planning your first visit to London? Feeling overwhelmed? We have you covered! In this article,…
How Should I Bring Money to the UK? A Complete Guide to Cash & Cards
Asking yourself how should I bring money to the UK when I visit? Discover the…
Episode 4 – Visiting London (Top Tips for First-Time Visitors)
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. London is…
Budget London (How to visit London on a budget)
In this article, discover our top tips to help you make the most of your…
32 Free things to do in London
LONDON IN WINTER
Visiting London in winter (Ultimate guide + practical tips)
Discover the very best things to do and see if you are visiting London in…
London in December – 21 best festive experiences
Discover all the best things to do in London this festive season including Christmas lights,…
22 Best Christmas tours in London (2024)
Visiting London during the festive season? Discover the best Christmas tours in London for 2024…
Where to Find the Best Christmas Lights in London [2024]
Winter is a magical time to visit the UK capital, and no more so than…
16 Christmas Things to Do in London
✨ Searching for the best Christmas things to do in London? Discover the best Christmas…
LONDON IN SPRING
Visiting London in Spring (29 best things to see and do)
Are you planning to visit London in spring? At this time of year, spring flowers are in full bloom and it’s less crowded than…
GETTING AROUND LONDON
Episode 83 – To London and Beyond with Riz from XFA Cars
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. Welcome to…
Podcast Episode 24 – Getting around London: A introduction to the various public transport options
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. In episode…
Oyster Card v Contactless – What’s the Best Way to Pay for London Transport?
Confused? Wondering which is best for you? Oyster Card v Contactless? Read on for our…
What is an Oyster Card? Whether You Should Get One & How to Use it
If you’re planning a trip to London, then it’s pretty likely that you’ve heard of…
20 Best London Boat Trips and Cruises
Are you considering booking a cruise down the River Thames? Not sure what is available…
15 Best Bus Tours of London Reviewed (Ultimate guide)
Are you considering a bus tour of London? Not sure what is available or which…
How to travel from Gatwick to London (Every option explained)
Are you flying into Gatwick Airport but are unsure about how to get into central…
Complete guide to 9 main London train stations (+travel tips & map)
Are you planning a train trip from London but are not familiar with the major…
Getting Around London (Guide to Public Transport in London)
Are you planning a visit to London and wondering how to get around? The good…
How to travel from Heathrow to London (all options compared)
FOOD & DRINK
18 Best Food Tours in London – Chocolate, Cheese, Curry, Cocktails, Markets & More
If you’re going to be spending time in London, then you need to taste and…
9 Best London Markets: Where to go, when they’re on & what to buy
Visiting London and want to include some of London’s best markets in your itinerary? Unsure…
Best Place for Afternoon Tea in London (22 Fabulous Options)
Looking for the best place for afternoon tea in London? Discover 22 of the best…
WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON
Best London Hotels for Families of 5 or More (+ Apartments)
Families come in all shapes and sizes – and thankfully, so do the best family hotels in London! If you travel…
8 Best Heathrow Hotels for your Stay in London – including Terminals 3, 4 & 5
If you’re flying into or out of London at some silly hour of the morning or night, then making a booking…
9 Best Budget Hotels in London (Solo travellers, couples and families)
Are you planning a city break to London and want to find comfortable accommodation on a budget? It is possible to…
Best hotels in Shoreditch & Spitalfields for every budget (+ area guide)
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure which area to choose to suit your budget and needs? In this…
Best hotels in the City of London for every budget (+ area guide)
Discover our best hotels in the City of London plus an essential guide to the area. The Tower of London –…
Best hotels in Covent Garden for all budgets (+ area guide)
Discover our recommended best hotels in Covent Garden plus an essential area guide. Where to stay in Covent Garden – Quick…
Best hotels near Leicester Square and Soho (+ area guide)
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure about which area to choose to suit your needs and budget? In…
10 Best London hotel chains from budget to affordable luxury
Looking for accommodation in London? Our curated list of the best London hotel chains offers budget, mid-range and affordable luxury options…
Best hotels in South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Belgravia & Chelsea
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure about which area to choose to suit your needs and budget? In…
Best apartments & hotels in Westminster and St James’s London
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure which area to choose to suit your budget and needs? In this…
Best London hotels for families (luxury, mid-range & budget options)
Are you looking for a family-friendly hotel in London? In this article, you will find a selection of the best London…
Best hotels in Southwark, Bankside and South Bank London
Best apartments & hotels in Mayfair, Marylebone & Oxford Street London
Best Hotels in Bloomsbury London (Options for all budgets)
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure about which area to choose to suit your needs and budget? In…
Discover the best area to stay in London (Area guide, map + options for every budget)
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure which is the best area to stay in London to suit your…
Apartments & hotels near Kings Cross Station London (for every budget)
Are you looking for accommodation in London? Not sure about which area to choose to suit your needs and budget? In…
10 best mid-range hotels in London (near the must-see sights)
Deciding where to stay in London (and within your budget) can be difficult for first-time visitors. I am the same when…
HARRY POTTER
18 Harry Potter Filming Locations in the UK: The Ultimate Guide to England, Scotland and Wales
No Potterhead can surely come to the UK without notching up a few Harry Potter…
Harry Potter filming locations in London (+ map & magical places to stay, shop, eat & drink)
🪄If you are a Harry Potter fan discover Harry Potter filming locations in London plus…
Harry Potter in London: The Best Walking & Bus Tours plus FAQs, Tips & Facts
Discover the best tours for fans of Harry Potter in London in our complete guide….
How to get from London to the Harry Potter Studios – Tips, Tours, Tickets & FAQs
Is a trip from London to Harry Potter studios on your itinerary? Discover how to…
LONDON TV & MOVIES
12 Ted Lasso filming locations in London (+ map)
Plan your homage to the best football coach in the world with our guide to…
15 movies set in London (you have to watch!)
Love movies? Love London? We have you covered on both scores – sit back, grab…
LONDON SPORT
The Complete Guide to Buying Premier League Tickets in England
Everything you need to know about buying Premier League tickets in England – including tips…
12 Ted Lasso filming locations in London (+ map)
Plan your homage to the best football coach in the world with our guide to…
LONDON EVENTS
The Coronation of Charles III (When, where & FAQ’s)
Buckingham Palace has announced the official date of the coronation of Charles III for 6th…
DAY TRIPS FROM LONDON
Episode 97 – Easy day trips from London by train (Part 2)
In episode 97 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy and Doug discuss easy day…
Episode 96 – 10 Easy day trips from London by train (Part 1)
In episode 96 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, hosts Tracy and Doug Collins discuss…
Day trip to Windsor [Review of Walks Day Tour to Windsor]
One of the most popular day trips from London is a visit to the beautiful…
Podcast Episode 19 – Top tips to help you choose the best day trip/s from London
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to my disclosure here for more information. In episode…
How to take a Day trip to Dover from London
Plan your perfect day in Dover from London with our practical tips and guide to…
How to visit Windsor Castle from London – Tips, tours, trains & more
Wondering how to get to Windsor Castle from London? Discover the best ways including train,…
How to get from London to Stonehenge – Taking an Organised Tour, Public Transport or a Car
If you’re touring the UK and are based in London, then you simply cannot miss…
How to visit Bath from London – Taking a Car, Public Transport or a Tour
For so many visitors, Bath is a must-do while in the UK. If you want…
How to get from London to Paris: Complete Guide to 5 Options
Considering a trip to Paris from London? Our guide covers each option plus includes details…
How to get from London to the Harry Potter Studios – Tips, Tours, Tickets & FAQs
Is a trip from London to Harry Potter studios on your itinerary? Discover how to…
Visiting Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle) – A complete guide
All you need to know about visiting Downton Abbey (Highclere Castle) including practical tips, best…
11 Best Cotswolds Tours from London
If you’re spending some time in London, then a must-do is to escape the city…
How to get from London to the Cotswolds (Helpful Guide)
Are you considering a visit to the beautiful Cotswolds? Are you unsure of how to…
17 Best day trips from London (+ tours, practical info & travel tips)
Discover the very best places to visit on a day trip from London, including getting…
12 Best Day trips from London by train (+logistics, tips & maps)
Are you planning to take some day trips from London by train but unsure where…
BEYOND LONDON
How to visit Windsor Castle from London – Tips, tours, trains & more
Wondering how to get to Windsor Castle from London? Discover the best ways including train,…
How to get from London to Edinburgh (Options – train, car, plane or coach)
Wondering how to get from London to Edinburgh? In this guide, we cover 4 of…
How to get from London to Paris: Complete Guide to 5 Options
Considering a trip to Paris from London? Our guide covers each option plus includes details…
LONDON PACKING
If you are unsure about what to pack for your London trip I recommend including the following items.
You can find a detailed packing list (including a free printable) in this packing guide for London in winter or this all-seasons packing guide for the UK.
LONDON TRAVEL BOOKS
VISITING LONDON – FAQ’s
Below you will find the answers to frequently asked questions about planning your London trip.
When is the best time to visit London?
London is busy pretty much all year round so deciding when to visit can be tricky if you are hoping to avoid the crowds!
London is particularly busy in July and August during the UK summer school holidays and again in December during the festive season.
To help you plan your visit to London read my guide to “When is the best time of year to visit the UK?” which looks at every season as well as detailing a month by month guide to events and festivals occurring throughout the year in London and the UK.
How much time do I need in London?
I recommend planning to spend at least 3 to 4 days in London to see some of the main sights and attractions.
Tip – If you are jet lagged on day one why not take a hop-on hop-off bus tour to get your bearings of the city.
Don’t underestimate how tiring visiting London can be especially if you pack a lot of attractions into a short period of time.
How can I get around London?
Public transportation is excellent in London with a choice of the Tube, buses, trains, riverboats, trams and even bicycles to get around.
The cheapest way to get around London is with an Oyster Card which allows you to travel between all parts of London using public transport.
Read more about London transportation in our guide.
How can I get from the airport to my hotel?
There are various options to travel from Heathrow into London including the Tube, cab, bus or Heathrow Express train.
You can read more in our guide which details the various options including costs, time and availability.
How much money should I budget for London?
Plan at least £120 per day per person in London. This will cover food, transportation, and accommodation costs. Consider the time of year that you plan to visit as prices for accommodation will be substantially higher during those times.
Whilst London is not a cheap city to visit there are ways to save money including purchasing an Oyster Card, visiting free attractions, and buying lunch from supermarkets. Read my guide to visiting London on a budget.
What should I pack for London?
Pack layers! Even in winter it can be hot in shops and on the Tube so take clothes that you can layer off and on.
An absolute must are comfortable shoes. London is a walkable city so be prepared with sneakers or boots. Don’t wear heels!
Assume it will rain whatever time of year you are visiting and pack a waterproof.