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United Kingdom

London

A city of endless neighbourhoods

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

Recommended stay: 2–4 days
Best time to visit: Late spring to early autumn
Airports: STN · LTN

London at a glance

London spreads across neighbourhoods, museums, parks and the Thames. Parliament and Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Tower, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's, Covent Garden and Hyde Park sit in several districts rather than on one walking loop. Rail and coach services link Stansted and Luton with the centre; Greenwich, Windsor, Oxford, Cambridge and Brighton work best as separate day trips.

Quick information

Recommended stay2–4 days

Best time to visitLate spring to early autumn

AirportsSTN · LTN

Budget travelRooms and restaurants move the total most. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Late spring and early autumn are more comfortable for parks, the South Bank and neighbourhood walks. Rain is possible in every season, so keep the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's, covered markets or afternoon tea in reserve for rainy spells.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street

Direct train to Liverpool Street, with an interchange at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line

Standard rail fareTransport

Must-see sights

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

Buckingham Palace

Tower of London

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Parliament views and Westminster Abbey if tickets allow.
Lunch: Cross Westminster Bridge and stop for a meal on the South Bank.
Afternoon: South Bank, then either the London Eye or a reserved British Museum slot.
Evening: Covent Garden or a neighbourhood meal away from the busiest bridge approaches.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Westminster / South Bank
Westminster
Close to Parliament, the Eye and the river. Streets are busier and rooms usually cost more.
Best for
First visits, Parliament and the river
Covent Garden / West End
Covent Garden
Shops, theatres and restaurants in the middle of town — handy for evenings without a long Tube ride.
Best for
Theatres, markets and central TfL links
Kensington / Hyde Park
Kensington
West of the centre, near Hyde Park and the museum streets. Quieter at night than the West End, still on the Tube.
Best for
Parks, museums and a calmer evening
Southwark / Tower
Southwark
On the river near the Tower, Tower Bridge and Borough Market — closer to the fortress and the food halls.
Best for
Tower Bridge, Borough Market and the Thames Path

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple accommodation, markets or bakeries, TfL and free park or exterior walks; excludes travel to London.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, café and restaurant meals, TfL and selected paid sights.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central higher-end accommodation, frequent dining, taxis and several reserved visits.

Airports

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

STN
London Stansted Airport
60 km from city centre
LTN
London Luton Airport
50 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

STN

Stansted Express to London Liverpool StreetSTNThe airport station is at the terminal. Oyster pay-as-you-go is not valid on this route, but contactless bank cards are accepted on the Stansted Express. Check the current timetable for first and last trains.
Direct train to Liverpool Street, with an interchange at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria line
Standard rail fare
Details
The airport station is at the terminal. Oyster pay-as-you-go is not valid on this route, but contactless bank cards are accepted on the Stansted Express. Check the current timetable for first and last trains.
Coach services (National Express and other operators)STNNational Express and other operators run coaches to central and east London, including Stratford, Victoria and Liverpool Street. Check the operator's website for the stop nearest your accommodation.
Slower than the train, but with direct services to several parts of London; the time depends on traffic
Coach fare
Details
National Express and other operators run coaches to central and east London, including Stratford, Victoria and Liverpool Street. Check the operator's website for the stop nearest your accommodation.
Licensed taxi or pre-booked private hireSTNConvenient for groups or heavy luggage, but Stansted is a long way from central London. Use licensed taxis or a pre-booked private-hire service rather than offers made inside the terminal.
A long road journey to central London; the time depends on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Convenient for groups or heavy luggage, but Stansted is a long way from central London. Use licensed taxis or a pre-booked private-hire service rather than offers made inside the terminal.

LTN

Luton DART and train from Luton Airport ParkwayLTNTrains stop at Luton Airport Parkway, not at the terminal, so the Luton DART completes the journey. Thameslink serves central London stations such as St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge, and East Midlands Railway runs the Luton Airport Express from St Pancras. Book to Luton Airport rather than Luton Airport Parkway so the DART is included.
About 4 minutes on the DART shuttle between Luton Airport Parkway station and the terminal, plus the train journey to London
Rail fare, with the DART included in a through ticket to Luton Airport
Details
Trains stop at Luton Airport Parkway, not at the terminal, so the Luton DART completes the journey. Thameslink serves central London stations such as St Pancras International, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge, and East Midlands Railway runs the Luton Airport Express from St Pancras. Book to Luton Airport rather than Luton Airport Parkway so the DART is included.
Coach servicesLTNCoaches stop outside the terminal building, close to the Departures entrance. Operators include National Express, Green Line, Stagecoach and Arriva; check which operator serves your destination.
Direct coaches to London; the time depends on traffic
Coach fare
Details
Coaches stop outside the terminal building, close to the Departures entrance. Operators include National Express, Green Line, Stagecoach and Arriva; check which operator serves your destination.
Licensed taxi or pre-booked private hireLTNCheck the airport's website for the current taxi pick-up arrangements, and use only licensed vehicles or a pre-booked private-hire service.
A road journey to London; the time depends on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Check the airport's website for the current taxi pick-up arrangements, and use only licensed vehicles or a pre-booked private-hire service.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

WalkingDistricts are farther apart than a postcard map suggests. Keep Westminster separate from the Tower and Hyde Park, and allow extra time in rain.
Best around Westminster, the South Bank, Covent Garden and Hyde Park
Free
Details
Districts are farther apart than a postcard map suggests. Keep Westminster separate from the Tower and Hyde Park, and allow extra time in rain.
Underground, Elizabeth line, DLR, buses and OvergroundPay with a contactless bank card or Oyster. Touch in and out, keep children in sight on platforms, and use the official TfL planner when there are works.
Between districts, Greenwich and both airports after the train
TfL Oyster, contactless and zone rules
Details
Pay with a contactless bank card or Oyster. Touch in and out, keep children in sight on platforms, and use the official TfL planner when there are works.

Top sights

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Palace of Westminster
The Gothic palace on the Thames is the UK Parliament, with the Elizabeth Tower clock commonly called Big Ben. Exterior views from Westminster Bridge are free; interior access follows official visitor rules.
Buckingham Palace
The monarch's London residence faces The Mall and St James's Park. Changing the Guard and any garden or interior openings follow official calendars. If the rooms are closed, the façade is still a short stop.
Tower of London
A Historic Royal Palaces fortress on the Thames, with the Crown Jewels and Yeoman Warders. Book official tickets and give it half a day — it does not sit comfortably with Westminster in one rushed morning.
Tower Bridge
The Victorian bascule bridge beside the Tower. Walking across is free; the high-level walkways are a separate paid visit. Fold it into the riverside path rather than making a special isolated stop.
London Eye
The observation wheel on the South Bank. Timed tickets are usually required. Pair it with a walk along the river; skip a long indoor queue on a wet day with no view.
British Museum
A large Bloomsbury museum of world collections. General entry is usually free; special exhibitions and timed entry change. Pick a few galleries and take a break — the whole building is too much for one visit.
Westminster Abbey
A working church and royal coronation church beside Parliament. Worship times affect visitor access; use official tickets and keep voices low around memorials.
St Paul's Cathedral
Wren's dome above the City. Check worship hours against sightseeing, and whether the galleries are open, before you plan a long climb.
Covent Garden
A historic market square with shops, street performers and theatres nearby. Walk the neighbourhood, not just one shop, and expect crowds in the central arcade.
Hyde Park
A large royal park west of the West End, joined to Kensington Gardens. Good for a slower outdoor pause, playgrounds and a break from museums. Stay on the paths when it is wet.

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London at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Westminster / South Bank

Covent Garden / West End

Kensington / Hyde Park

Southwark / Tower

Approximate budget