London
Two thousand years of history, world-class museums, and the best theater on earth
Best Time
May–September
Duration
5–7 days
Budget
Moderate to High
London rewards every type of traveler. The museums are free and genuinely world-class. The neighborhoods are wildly different from one another — Georgian townhouses in Notting Hill, Victorian markets in Borough, glass towers in the City. The food scene has completely reinvented itself over the past decade and is now one of Europe's best. And the theater — West End productions that rival Broadway at a fraction of the cost if you book smart. Give yourself at least five days and you'll still leave with a list of things you didn't get to.
Get your personalized London itinerary
Tell TripDraft your dates, budget, and travel style — get a custom day-by-day plan in minutes, free.
The Major Landmarks
Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament are all worth visiting — but timing matters. The Tower of London is best booked online in advance and deserves a full half-day; the Crown Jewels alone justify the ticket price. Westminster Abbey requires a timed ticket and is quieter on weekday mornings. St. Paul's Cathedral is often overlooked but stunning, and the climb to the dome offers the best view in central London. The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace runs most mornings and is free.
The Free Museums
London's national museums are free to enter, and several rank among the finest in the world. The British Museum holds the Rosetta Stone and the Elgin Marbles among millions of objects. The Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's greatest decorative arts collection. The Natural History Museum has a dinosaur hall that genuinely impresses all ages. The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square has Van Gogh, da Vinci, and Rembrandt. The Tate Modern on the South Bank is the best modern art museum in Europe. You could spend a week doing nothing but free museums and not exhaust them.
Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
Notting Hill is charming on any day but magical on Saturday when Portobello Road market is running. Shoreditch is London's creative hub — street art, independent coffee shops, vintage stores, and some of the city's most interesting restaurants. Borough Market near London Bridge is the best food market in the city, open Thursday through Saturday. Covent Garden is touristy but fun for street performers and people-watching. For a quieter, more residential feel, Islington and Stoke Newington offer excellent cafés and a glimpse of how Londoners actually live.
Getting Around
The London Underground (the Tube) is fast, extensive, and easy to navigate. Tap your contactless bank card or get an Oyster card — both give you the same capped daily fare. Avoid the Tube at rush hour (8–9:30am and 5–7pm) if you can. Black cabs are reliable and the drivers know the city intimately, but they're expensive. The Elizabeth Line, opened in 2022, now makes getting between Heathrow and central London significantly faster. Walking between central neighborhoods is often quicker than you'd expect — the city is surprisingly compact in the center.
Theater and Culture
The West End is the world's greatest concentration of live theater. On any given night there are 40+ productions running, from massive long-running musicals to limited-run dramas with film stars. TKTS in Leicester Square offers same-day discounts of up to 50% on many shows — arrive early for the best selection. The National Theatre on the South Bank produces world-class work at lower prices than the commercial West End. Shakespeare's Globe offers open-air performances in a faithful recreation of the original theater from April to October — cheap standing tickets make it remarkably accessible.
A Sample 6-Day London Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive, walk along the South Bank (Tate Modern, Borough Market, Tower Bridge), dinner in Bermondsey. Day 2: British Museum in the morning, Covent Garden for lunch, National Gallery afternoon, West End show in the evening. Day 3: Tower of London half-day, St. Paul's Cathedral, evening in Shoreditch. Day 4: Day trip to Windsor Castle or Stonehenge. Day 5: Notting Hill and Portobello Road (Saturday is best), Hyde Park, Victoria and Albert Museum. Day 6: Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament exterior, farewell dinner in Mayfair or Soho.
💡 Practical Tips for London
- ✓Tap your contactless card on the Tube — it's capped daily and simpler than buying tickets
- ✓Book the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and popular restaurants online in advance
- ✓TKTS in Leicester Square sells same-day theater tickets at up to 50% off — arrive by noon for best choice
- ✓The national museums are free; budget your money for experiences and food instead
- ✓Sunday is the quietest day for central London sightseeing — Monday some smaller attractions are closed
- ✓Pubs close earlier than you might expect — last orders are typically 11pm
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about London
How many days do you need in London?▾
Five to seven days is the recommended minimum for first-time visitors. Three days lets you hit the highlights but feels rushed. A week allows time for neighborhoods, a day trip (Windsor, Oxford, or Stonehenge), and the kind of slow exploration that makes London reveal itself.
Is London expensive?▾
London is one of Europe's more expensive cities, but the free museums significantly reduce costs. Budget travelers can manage on £80–100/day using public transport and eating at markets and pubs. Mid-range travelers should expect £150–250/day. Theater tickets via TKTS can be as low as £20–30.
What is the best time to visit London?▾
May through September offers the best weather — long days, temperatures in the 65–75°F range, and the city at its most energetic. July and August are peak tourist season with higher prices. April and October are good shoulder months with fewer crowds. London in December is festive and atmospheric despite the cold.
How do I get from Heathrow to central London?▾
The Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) is now the fastest and easiest option — about 25 minutes to Paddington for around £12 with an Oyster or contactless card. The Heathrow Express is faster (15 minutes) but significantly more expensive at £25+. A black cab to central London takes 45–75 minutes depending on traffic and costs £55–90.
Is London safe for tourists?▾
London is generally very safe for tourists in the main visitor areas. As in any major city, be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas like the Tube, markets, and tourist sites. Keep bags in front of you in busy stations. Violent crime against tourists is very rare.
Do I need to tip in London restaurants?▾
Tipping is expected but not at the level it is in the US. A 10–12.5% tip is customary in sit-down restaurants; many add a service charge automatically, so check the bill first. You don't tip in pubs when ordering at the bar. No tipping is expected in cafés or fast-casual restaurants.
What are the best day trips from London?▾
Windsor Castle is just 40 minutes by train and one of Britain's most impressive royal residences. Stonehenge and Bath can be combined in one day by car or tour. Oxford is an hour by bus or train and beautiful to walk around. Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's birthplace) is about 2 hours. Cambridge is 50 minutes by train and lovely for punting on the river.
Ready to plan your London trip?
TripDraft builds a personalized day-by-day itinerary based on your dates, travel style, and budget — in minutes, for free.
Plan My London Trip →