London is the most visited capital in Europe for a good reason. It has hundreds of attractions, including museums, parks, monuments, palaces, gardens, street markets, and panoramic viewpoints. While the abundance of sights makes the city exciting, it also makes it terribly difficult to come up with an itinerary that doesn’t miss any of the essentials.

The secret here is that there simply are too many things to see, so you’ll have to accept the idea that you are going to miss out on something, especially if you are visiting for as little as three days. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try your best. So here is our ideal three-day itinerary, including as many of the most important sights as possible.

Below each stop of the itinerary you will find the practical information regarding the attractions, including location, opening times, public transport stops, and ticket prices. As you’ll notice, almost all the attractions are either free to enter or are eligible for free entry with the London Pass or discounts with the 2FOR1 offers.

Remember that while both national museums and parks are completely free to enter, for the former you’ll still need to book a time slot online or get a ticket at the entrance.

Keep in mind that what we’re proposing here is merely a suggestion, and it is probably going to be too much if you try to go inside every attraction. Instead, you should have a look at each day’s itinerary and figure out what it is that you care about visiting the most.

You should also consider changing anything in the itinerary if it doesn’t quite fit your interests or if something you want to see is not included. Make it yours and make sure it is an itinerary you are going to be happy with.

Day 1

Seeing as London’s centre is rather large, we have split the days by area while still trying to give you enough variety so that you don’t get too tired (e.g. a full day of only visiting museums is not ideal for most people).

For your first day, you can visit the Westminster area and cerimonial London. This is the part of the city just west of the Thames, between the river and Green Park. We recommend you start your day as early as possible in the morning and have a quick lunch on the go to be able to make the most of the hours you have.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of the British monarch and one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Even though it’s possible to visit the inside of the Palace, many simply pass by it or stop to see the Changing of the Guard.

The ceremony, also known as Guard Mounting, is the moment when the old guard is substituted by a new shift. The Foot Guards that perform this ceremony are dressed in the traditional bearskin hats and red tunics that have become a symbol of the palace and the crown itself.

Although the ceremony is very famous, in our opinion it’s nothing special and would take up a lot of your time. We recommend you simply pass by the palace and enjoy the view of the square with the fountain and the Queen Victoria Memorial, and then move on to the next bit of your itinerary.

Buckingham Palace Practical Information

• Location: London SW1A 1AA
• Opening times: Open daily (Monday through Sunday) in the summer and autumn from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm (autumn) or 7:30 pm (summer). In the winter and spring, open only for Exclusive Guided Tours (Fridays at 4:00 and 4:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm).
• Tickets: Summer/autumn tours are £30.00 (online purchase) or £33.00 (purchase on the day). Winter/spring Exclusive tours are £90.00. Discounts are available for young visitors and children. Children under 5 enter for free.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.

Changing of the Guard Practical Information

• Location: Forecourt of Buckingham Palace, London SW1A 1AA
• Schedule: every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday from 10:45 am until 11:30 am, weather permitting.
• Tickets: no ticketed entries, the event is public and free to see for everyone.
• Transport: Tube stops St James’s Park or Green Park. Bus lines 11, 13, 16, 24, 38, 52, 148, 211, and 390.

St James’s Park

Leaving Buckingham Palace and heading east, you’ll walk across St James’s Park, a small but peaceful park in Central London, which will lead you to the heart of Westminster.

The park is famous for its beautiful landscaping, with a small lake surrounded by shrubbery, trees, and flower beds, and inhabited by lots of waterfowl, including swans and pelicans.

St James’s Park Practical Information

• Location: London SW1A 2BJ
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 5:00 am to 12:00 am.
• Tickets: No ticketed entries. The park is free to access.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops St James’s Park, Westminster, or Charing Cross. Bus lines 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211, and 453

Westminster Abbey

Once you have crossed the entire park, you’ll find yourself only 5 minutes from Westminster Abbey, the Anglican church where royal ceremonies have been held for the past millennium.

You can visit the inside of this massive church, where you’ll find several memorials and burial sites of notable historical figures along with British monarchs, as well as stunning architecture that mixes Romanic, Gothic, and Gothic Revival elements.

Westminster Abbey Practical Information

• Location: 20 Deans Yard, London SW1P 3PA
• Opening times: Monday to Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Sunday closed.
• Tickets: full-priced tickets are £27.00. Discounts are available for seniors, young visitors, families, and children. Children under 5 and visitors with disabilities enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Westminster. Bus lines 3, 11, 12, 24, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211 and 453.

Westminster Palace and Big Ben

The Palace of Westminster, or Houses of Parliament, is the centre of political power in London. The building, whose profile extends for 300 metres alongside the River Thames, is one of the most famous London landmarks and has been housing the government for the past 800 years.

The palace, rebuilt in Perpendicular Gothic after a fire destroyed the old building in 1834, appears extremely slender thanks to the numerous vertical lines formed by the windows and the towers. The most well-known of these towers is Big Ben (whose official name is actually Elizabeth Tower).

We recommend visiting these two landmarks from outside rather than trying to get tickets to go in, which can be quite difficult. Visiting the inside of Westminster Palace is possible, though tour tickets are limited and sell out quickly. Big Ben visits, on the other hand, are only available to UK citizens.

Palace of Westminster Practical Information

• Location: London SW1A 0AA
• Opening times: Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. On Wednesdays only from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
• Tickets: guided tour for £29.00. Discounts are available for young visitors, seniors, and children. Children under 5 and carers enter for free.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Westminster. Bus lines 3, 11, 12, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211 and 453.

Big Ben Practical Information

• Location: London SW1A 0AA
• Visit schedule: Saturdays at 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm.
• Tickets: free, available only to UK citizens.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Westminster. Bus lines 3, 11, 12, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211 and 453.

Waterloo

From the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, you can cross Westminster Bridge (enjoy the view!) and find yourself by the London Eye, the panoramic ferris wheel that overlooks Central London.

If you are with children, you can also visit the nearby Sea Life Centre, one of the largest aquariums in the country. Inside you’ll be able to see around 500 aquatic species in 14 different environments.

London Eye Practical Information

• Location: London SE1 7PB
• Opening times: Depending on visitor flow, either from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm or from 10:00 am to 8:30 pm.
• Tickets: Full-priced tickets between £30.50 and £40.00, depending on availability. Discounts available for young visitors and families. Children under 3 enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Waterloo or Westminster, bus lines 12, 148, 159, 211, 381, and 453.

Sea Life London Centre Practical Information

• Location: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday, opening between 9:30 am and 11:00 am and closing between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, depending on the season.
• Tickets: Full-priced tickets between £29.50 and £35.00, depending on availability. Discounts available for young visitors. Children under 3 enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Waterloo or Westminster, bus lines 12, 148, 159, 211, 381, 453, and 734.

Trafalgar Square

Once you are done with your exploration of the South bank, you can cross to the other side of the river again and head towards Trafalgar Square.

The square is famous for its cultural significance (it is often witness to protests and demonstration), as well as for its architecture (the Nelson Column, the temporary art displays, and the National Gallery).

Facing the square, the National Gallery is an art museum solely focused on western paintings, and it houses what are considered some of the most important works by the masters of European art.

Behind it, facing Leicester Square, is the National Portrait Gallery, another highly specialised museum. This one is dedicated to collecting portraits of historically significant or otherwise famous British people.

National Gallery Practical Information

• Location: Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
• Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Fridays closing is delayed until 9:00 pm.
• Tickets: free for everyone.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Charing Cross and Leicester Square. Bus lines 11, 14, 24, 29, 87, 91, 139, and 176.

National Portrait Gallery Practical Information

• Location: St. Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE.
• Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays closing is delayed until 9:00 pm.
• Tickets: free for everyone.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Charing Cross and Leicester Square. Bus lines 6, 9, 14, 24, 29, 139, and 176.

Covent Garden

By the time you are finished with all the visits and museum, it will be time for dinner, so we suggest you head to a nearby neighbourhood famous for its buzzing atmosphere and trendy food venues, Covent Garden.

Although you might not make it in time to see the Covent Garden Market, there still will be plenty of pubs, small restaurants, and fine dining options. After dinner, you might even want to check out a play at one of the many local theatres. The most renowned are the Royal Opera House and the Lyceum Theatre, although there are many more all over Covent Garden.

Covent Garden Practical Information

• Location: Regal House, 14 James Street, London WC2E 8BU
• Opening times: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Sundays from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Covent Garden or Leicester Square. Bus stops 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 87, 91, 139, 153, and 176.

Day 2

For your second day in London, the itinerary includes street markets, museums, parks, and some wandering in the commercial areas of the centre. The areas where you’ll spend most of your time on this second day will be Kensington, Mayfair, and Soho.

Much like day one, we suggest you have a quick lunch to go in order to make the most of your time, and have dinner in Chinatown at the end of the day.

Portobello Road Market

Portobello Road Market, in Notting Hill, is the world’s largest antiques market, so we’d say it’s pretty unmissable, especially if you find yourself there on a Friday or Saturday.

Here you’ll find hundreds of street stalls selling collectibles, furniture, bric-a-brac, jewellery, books, vintage clothing, and even food (towards the northern end of the market).

Portobello Road Market Practical Information

• Location: Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W10 5TY
• Opening times: Monday to Saturday, opening between 8:00 am and 10:00 am and closing between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm, depending on season.
• Tickets: no tickets, free access for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill Gate. Bus lines 7, 23, 27, 28, 52, 70, 328, and 452.

Kensington Palace and Gardens

Once you are finished visiting the market, you can head south towards Kensington Gardens, one of London’s Royal Parks. The Gardens are mostly famous for being home to Kensington Palace, the preferred residence of young British royals (among which was Princess Diana).

Kensington Gardens Practical Information

• Location: Kensington Gardens
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday, from 6:00 pm until sundown (changes depending on the season).
• Tickets: no tickets, free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stations Queensway, Lancaster Gate, and Bayswater. Bus lines 9, 23, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 360, and 452.

Kensington Palace Practical Information

• Location: Kensington Gardens, London W8 4PX
• Opening times: Wednesday through Sunday, from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm.
• Tickets: Full-priced tickets for £25.40. Discounts available for children, students, seniors, and visitors with disabilities.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stations High Street Kensington, Notting Hill Gate, Queensway. Bus lines 9, 23, 27, 28, 49, 52, 70, 94, 148, 328, and 452.

Museums

Just south of Kensington Gardens are some of the most important cultural institutions of London: the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

While visiting all three of these museums in one afternoon might not be feasible, both in terms of time and mental energy, we recommend you check them out and visit at least one, as they are some of the best of their kind in the world.

The Natural History Museum is dedicated to the natural world, its history, evolution, and identification. It is famous mostly for its incredible displays, which include massive mammal skeletons and dinosaur fossils.

The Science Museum, on the other hand, is dedicated to several fields of study related to science, like technology, industry, computing, medicine, and telecommunications. The museum is a favourite among children thanks to its interactive galleries and simulators.

Finally, the Victoria and Albert Museum is one of the largest museums dedicated to the decorative arts in the world, containing around 2.8 million items. In 145 galleries, you’ll see exhibitions about sculptures, jewellery, furniture, print, fashion, theatre, ceramics, glasswork, ironwork, and book art.

Natural History Museum Practical Information

• Location: Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:50 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop South Kensington. Bus lines 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, C1.

Science Museum Practical Information

• Location: Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops South Kensington and Gloucester Road. Bus lines 14, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, C1.

Victoria and Albert Museum Practical Information

• Location: Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:45 pm. On Fridays, closure is delayed to 10:00 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop South Kensington. Bus lines 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, C1.

Hyde Park

Once you are finished with your museum visits, we suggest you unwind by taking a walk in the nearby Hyde Park, the biggest of the Royal Parks in Central London. Here you can enjoy a walk along the Serpentine Lido (and maybe even go on a boat ride) and the various curated areas dotted with cafés and playgrounds.

And if going to the park doesn’t sound appealing to you, maybe you can head to Harrods, the largest department store in London. This sumptuously decorated, 7-floor luxury shop is a stop for many tourists looking to bring back a souvenir.

Hyde Park Practical Information

• Location: Hyde Park, Central London
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 5:00 am to 12:00 am.
• Tickets: no tickets, free access for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Knightsbridge, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate, and Marble Arch. Bus lines 2, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 23, 36, 52, 74, 94, 98, 137, 148, 274, 390, 414, and 452.

Harrods Practical Information

• Location: 87- 135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7XL.
• Opening times: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm. On Sundays, from 11:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• Tickets: no tickets, free access for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Knightsbridge. Bus lines 14, 19, 22, 74, 137, 414, 452, C1.

Shopping area

If you still have some energy left in you before heading to dinner, you can pass by one of the commercial hubs of the city, the area that goes from Oxford Street, to Regent Street, to Piccadilly Circus.

Expect to see large department stores, as well as historical shops like Liberty and Hamleys.

Chinatown

Once you have walked through the bustling shopping district of London, you can head to Chinatown, a small ethnic enclave famous for its restaurants (more than 80!), bakeries, cafés, food markets, and other small businesses.

This is really an opportunity to try out London’s diverse food scene, with so many venues in such close proximity. We suggest you have dinner in one of the many delicious restaurants and save some room to get your dessert somewhere else around Gerrard Street. And don’t forget to stop at one of the bakeries to grab something for breakfast the next day!

Day 3

On your last day, you will see some of northern London, along with the City of London district and Southwark. On this day too you’ll have quite the variety of attractions: museums, street markets, historical buildings, and viewpoints.

Instead of having a quick lunch on the go, for your last day we suggest you try as much street food as you like during your visit to Camden Town.

British Museum

Starting off nice and early, you should head to the British Museum and take advantage of your rested brain to absorb as much as you can in one of the world’s largest museums.

With around 8 million items, the British Museum explores human history through cultural and art objects, antiquities, and ethnography collections. You won’t be able to visit the entire museum (that would take several days), so we suggest you check out the directory and head straight for the galleries that interest you.

British Museum Practical Information

• Location: Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. On Friday, closure is delayed to 7:30 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Tottenham Court Road, Goodge Street, and Russel Square. Bus lines 14, 19, 24, 29, 38, 55, 73, 98, 188, and 390.

Camden Town

Once you have finished visiting the museum, you can head towards Camden Town. If you feel like walking you can pass through Regent’s Park, otherwise you can reach the neighbourhood by public transport.

Camden Town is famous for its counter-culture aesthetics and thriving alternative scene. Aside from the neighbourhood, which is considered an attraction in and of itself, you’ll also find the Camden Lock, a market known for its peculiar clothing and accessory items, as well as its numerous and diverse food stalls.

Camden Market Practical Information

• Location: Camden Town, NW1 NW5
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Camden Town. Bus lines 24, 27, 29, 31, 88, 168, 253, and 274.

City of London

After visiting the market and having something to eat there, you can head towards the eastern part of Central London. Here, in the City of London district you can find several monuments and historical buildings.

If you like visiting churches, we recommend St Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most important religious buildings in the UK. A little closer to the river is The Monument, a memorial column in remembrance of the Great Fire of London. You can climb inside the column to get a view of the surrounding district and the river.

St Paul’s Cathedral Practical Information

• Location: St. Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
• Opening times: Monday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. On Wednesdays opening time is delayed to 10:00 am.
• Tickets: Full-price tickets between £20.50 and £23.00. Discounts available for seniors, young visitors, and families. Visitors with disabilities and children under 5 enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops St Paul’s and Mansion House. Bus lines 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 25, 26, 76, and 521.

The Monument Practical Information

• Location: Fish St Hill, City of London, London EC3R 8AH
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm and then from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
• Tickets: Full-price tickets for £5.80. Discounts available for seniors and young visitors. Visitors with disabilities and children under 5 enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Monument and Bank. Bus lines 15, 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 149, 388, 521.

Tower of London

Heading further east, you will find London’s historical fortress, the Tower of London. The castle can be visited almost in its entirety, including the rooms, battlements, the fusiliers museums, a chapel, and the Waterloo Block, where the Crown Jewels are kept.

Tower of London Practical Information

• Location: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB.
• Opening times: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm or 5:30 pm (depending on the season). Sunday and Monday opening is delayed to 10:00 am.
• Tickets: Full-priced tickets for £33.60. Discounts available for young visitors, seniors, and visitors with disabilities. Children under 5 enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Tower Hill. Bus lines 15, 42, 78, 100, 343, and 734.

Tower Bridge

Right in front of the fortress you will find Tower Bridge, the bascule bridge inspired by the tower itself. The construction is an electro-hydraulic masterpiece and its inside can be visited, although many simply choose to walk its length and enjoy the view from street level.

Tower Bridge Practical Information

• Location: Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2UP
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm.
• Tickets: £11.40. Discounts available for seniors, young visitors, and visitors with disabilities. Children under 5 enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stop Tower Hill. Bus lines 15, 42, 78, 100, 343, and 734.

Southwark

To conclude your last day, once you have crossed Tower Bridge, we suggest you take a walk along one of the most beautiful parts of riverside London, Southwark.

As soon as you cross the bridge and start heading west, you’ll find The Shard, the tallest building in western Europe. You can enjoy it from the outside or climb to the very top floors and enjoy a 360-degree view from the panoramic deck.

A little further is one of the city’s most famous gastronomic markets, the Borough Market, where you can try a variety of local and gourmet foods and fresh products.

Even further west is Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, a modern reconstruction of what The Globe Theatre was like in Shakespeare’s time. If you are lucky, you can even catch a play in this open-roof theatre house.

Not far from the theatre is the Tate Modern, one of the most important modern and contemporary art museums in the world.

The Shard Practical Information

• Location: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday, opening between 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, closing between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm depending on season.
• Tickets: Full-priced tickets between £28.00 and £37.00, depending on availability. Children under 3 and carers enter for free.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops London Bridge. Bus lines 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 343, and 381.

Borough Market Practical Information

• Location: 8 Southwark Street, Southwark, London SE1 1TL
• Opening times: Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
• Tickets: no tickets. Free access for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops London Bridge. Bus lines 17, 21, 35, 43, 47, 133, 141, 149, 344, 381, and 388.

Shakespeare’s Globe Practical Information

• Location: 21 New Globe Walk, Southwark, London SE1 9DT
• Opening times: Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sunday from 10:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
• Tickets: Full-priced tour tickets for £25.00. Discounts available for young visitors.
• London Pass: applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Southwark and Blackfriars. Bus lines 4, 40, 63, 344, and 381.

Tate Modern Practical Information

• Location: Bankside, London SE1 9TG
• Opening times: Monday through Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Tickets: free entry for all.
• London Pass: not applicable.
• 2FOR1 offers: not applicable.
• Transport: Tube stops Southwark and Blackfriars. Bus lines 4, 40, 63, 344, and 381.

Getting around London

London is a rather large city, but it is extremely well connected thanks to the Underground and bus transport networks. Additionally, London also has a bike-sharing system and excellent cab services.

The means of transport you’re more likely to use is the Tube, followed by buses and other London Underground services like the DLR. We don’t particularly recommend taxis, as they can get quite expensive and are often slowed down by heavy traffic, but they can be a good solution if you stay out late at night and want to get back to your accommodation quickly.

Since this is a short stay, we don’t recommend relying on bikes to move around the city - London is a big capital, and cycling through it can take up a lot of time. However, Santander Cycles can be great if you want to quickly pass through a neighbourhood or park instead of taking a long walk.

In terms of transport zones, the city centre corresponds to Zone 1, where you’ll be spending the majority of your time. There are some attractions in Zone 2 (like the Greenwich Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark) or even further (like Windsor Castle and Legoland Windsor), but they have not been included in this 3-day itinerary.

If you want to find out more about how to get around London, you can read our article on local transport.

What transport tickets and passes to get in London

There are essentially two ways to pay for your public transport journeys in London. One is to pay as you go (with an Oyster card or simply your bank card) and the other is to get an unlimited pass for a fixed price (this is called a Travelcard, and it must be loaded on an Oyster card).

For a 3-day stay, the most convenient thing is to pay for your transport as you go - the Travelcard is only available as a 1-day option (inconvenient and overall expensive) or as a 7-day option (excessive for a 3-day stay).

As mentioned above, you can either pay with an Oyster card (a transport card that you have to load with credit) or by using a contactless payment method (your bank card with a contactless chip, an Apple watch, your phone, etc).

How much you’ll spend on transport in London

To understand how much you’ll be spending for transport, you have to know that the journey fares are determined by zone validity and peak/off-peak hour usage. Using the London Underground (Tube, London Overground, DLR) in Zone 1, each journey is £2.80 (for peak hours) or £2.70 (for off-peak hours). Bus journeys always cost £1.75 everywhere in London.

Oyster cards and contactless payment methods also have daily caps, meaning that you’ll never get charged over a certain amount per day, no matter how much you travel. The daily cap if you travel within zones 1-2 is £8.10.

If you travel by bus exclusively, the cap is £5.25. Caps are applied from 4:00 am of any given day until 3:59 am of the following day.

In conclusion, for three days in London, you should not spend more than £24.30 on public transportation (London Underground network and buses). If you use buses exclusively, however, you will not spend more than £15.75.

The airports

Depending on which airport you fly to and from, there will be different solutions available to you.

Heathrow Airport is the biggest one, in Zone 6. It is reachable by Underground lines Piccadilly and Elizabeth. A single journey from Heathrow to London city centre with a pay-as-you-go method costs £5.60 during peak hours and £3.60 during off-peak hours.

If you’re in a rush, you can take the Heathrow Express train (£25.00 for a single or £37.00 for a return) to reach the city centre in 15 minutes. Obviously, there also are coaches (between £5.00 and £15.00, depending on the company) or taxis (around £60.00) available to take you to Central London.

If you need more information about the airport and its transport options, read our dedicated article.

Gatwick Airport is London’s second biggest airport, about 30 miles south of the city. It can be reached using the Gatwick Express train (£19.50 for a single or £38.90 for a return), by coach (£10.00), or by taxi (around £150.00).

Although coach buses are much cheaper, the advantage of the Gatwick Express is that by keeping the train ticket you are eligible for 2FOR1 discounts. These offers grant you two tickets for the price of one at the majority of London’s attractions if you present your transport ticket.

If you need more information about the airport and its transport options, read our dedicated article.

The third most visited airport in London is Stansted. Stansted Airport is reachable by express train - the Stansted Express (between £9.90 and £21.90 for a single and between £19.80 and £34.60 for a return, depending on how early you book), by coach (£8.00 to £17.00, depending on the company and advance booking), and by cab (around £60.00).

Much like the Gatwick Express, the Stansted Express too makes you eligible for 2FOR1 offers, so if you want to use them we recommend you get a return ticket at the Stansted train station.

You can find all the details about Stansted Airport in our article.

Lastly, the other airport in London is Luton Airport. You can reach it with the Luton Express (between £3.80 and £17.50 for a single and between £18.10 and £30.70 for a return, depending on availability), a coach bus (around £11.00), or a taxi (around £100.00).

If you need more details about Luton Airport and its transport connection to the city, read our dedicated article.

Where to stay

Normally, finding accommodation in London is not difficult at all, considering the city is quite large and ready to accommodate tourists year-round.

For such a short stay, we recommend you try to find something central, so that you don’t have to waste time on transport. Some areas that we would suggest in particular are Covent Garden, Mayfair, the South Bank, or Southwark.

In terms of prices, you can find a pretty wide selection, but as with any other destination, the most important thing to do to guarantee the most convenient rates is to book early. You can book your stay in the dedicated section.

Accommodation in London

Perfect accommodation in London at the best prices. Hotels & apartments with great location by the main sights. All well connected & stress-free!

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When to visit and seasons

Obviously, the majority of people are not able to go on holiday any time of the year, so we are going to go through what are some of the best times to visit the city in each season.

Spring is a lovely time to visit London, as the weather is mostly cool with lots of sunny days. If possible, we recommend visiting towards late-spring to make the most of the long hours of daylight and the more consistent weather.

If you visit at the beginning of spring, keep in mind that the weather will often change quickly, so you always need to have an umbrella or water-proof jacket with you.

The summer months are the busiest time for tourism in London, so you’ll find the city very much alive and buzzing. Except for the odd week in July, the weather never gets excessively hot and the days are rather long, so this too is a good time to visit.

Autumn is normally the quietest season in the city. If you can choose, we particularly recommend the first few weeks of autumn to catch good weather and as much daylight as possible. Keep in mind that rain is very common in autumn, so dress accordingly.

Finally, winters are also a quiet time in London, except for December (especially the second half) and the first week of January. Expect big crowds around Christmas time and cold weather with frequent drizzle.

If you’d like to know more about the climate and temperatures in London year-round, you can read our dedicated article.

General tips

• The first things you book should be your transport and accommodation. Especially with the latter, don’t put reservations off to a later time, as hotels and apartments get more expensive as you approach the date of your visit. You can find and book your accommodation in the dedicated section.
• If you are visiting an attraction or museum that is not free, book your ticket online. This will save you lots of time, since you don’t have to queue at the entrance when you buy online, and it will make it easier to follow your schedule and visit everything you intend to.
• If you want to visit a lot of sights and attractions, get a London Pass. This pass gives you free access to the most important monuments and attractions (excluding the ones that are already free) and lets you skip the line at the entrance. To check what’s included in the London Pass and how to get it, you can read our dedicated article.
• If you are travelling with someone else, you should consider the Days Out 2FOR1 offers. They are part of a national discount scheme that gives anyone with a valid National Rail ticket two entries for the price of one full-price ticket. To use this offer both people have to have a valid National Rail ticket for the day of their visit. The best way to use this is to get a return ticket from the airport, so that you can use 2FOR1 offers for the entire duration of your stay. If you want to understand how 2FOR1 offers works and what attractions are included, we have a dedicated article.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes. The city and its neighbourhoods are best explored on foot, and the itinerary we have prepared for you makes it so that you can explore as much as possible without having to continuously get on and off the Tube.
• Wear layered clothing and make sure you have a water-proof jacket. Sudden weather changes and rain are extremely common in the UK, especially in the autumn and spring.
• Be careful when crossing the street. Even if you are not planning to drive during your stay in London, it’s important to remember that in the UK, traffic is on the left, so make sure you are checking in the right direction when crossing the street. It’s probably going to take a few times of frantically checking every possible direction, but better safe than sorry.
• UK plugs and sockets are weird (type G), so bring an adapter. You don’t want to get to the hotel at night and go to charge your phone only to realise that you don’t have the right plug.
• Tap water is always drinkable unless otherwise specified. Bring a refillable water bottle or flask and you won’t have to buy your water.