MuseumsFree cancel
2h 30m
United Kingdom
London Travel Guide
London is huge, but the Underground makes it easy to cover. Most first-time visitors stay in or near the West End, Westminster or Kensington, where the major museums, theatres and royal parks are within a short Tube ride.
- Best time: May to September
- Airport: LHR / LGW / STN / LTN
- Pound sterling
Overview
About London
London is huge, but the Underground makes it easy to cover. Most first-time visitors stay in or near the West End, Westminster or Kensington, where the major museums, theatres and royal parks are within a short Tube ride.
Many of the big museums, including the British Museum, Natural History Museum and Tate Modern, are free to enter.
- Best time to visit
- May to September
- Currency
- Pound sterling (GBP)
- Time zone
- GMT (UTC+0) in winter, BST (UTC+1) from late March to late October
- Language
- English
Hotels in London
Where to stay in London
Each area links to places to stay on our London hotels page.
- West End & Covent GardenTheatreland, Soho and Oxford Street โ the most central base for sightseeing on foot.
- Westminster & South BankBig Ben, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye and riverside walks along the South Bank.
- Kensington & Hyde ParkThe V&A, Natural History and Science Museums, Hyde Park and Kensington Palace.
- Kingโs Cross & BloomsburyEurostar at St Pancras, fast Tube links and the British Museum a short walk away.
Getting there
Flights to London
Heathrow (LHR) is the main long-haul airport, linked to central London by the Elizabeth line, the Piccadilly line and the Heathrow Express to Paddington. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are further out and used by many low-cost and holiday flights, each with its own rail link.
- LHR
- London Heathrow Airport
- LGW
- London Gatwick Airport
- STN
- London Stansted Airport
- LTN
- London Luton Airport
Popular routes
Things to do
Things to do in London
Popular tours and tickets from our activity partner.
Popular attractions
- British Museum
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey & Big Ben
- London Eye
- Natural History Museum
- West End theatre
Cruises & BoatFree cancel
Full Day
MuseumsFree cancel
2 hours
MuseumsFree cancel
3 hours
MuseumsFree cancel
4 hours
MuseumsFree cancel
2h 30m
Cruises & BoatFree cancel
3 hours
Day Trips
3 hours
London, England
A craft beer tasting tour of the Bermondsey Beer Mile
When to go
Best time to visit London
Late spring and summer have the longest days and the mildest weather, and are the busiest months. Winter is cold and dark early but good for museums, theatre and December lights.
Transport
Getting around London
Pay with contactless cards on the Tube, buses, Elizabeth line and Overground; daily fares are capped automatically.
Travel tips
London travel tips
- Hotels around Covent Garden and Soho put dozens of West End theatres within walking distance, so you can skip late-night Tube journeys.
- Pay for the Tube, buses and most trains with a contactless card or phone โ daily and weekly fare caps apply automatically.
- Many of London's major museums, including the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, have free general admission.
- The Elizabeth line is the quickest rail link from Heathrow to central London; Gatwick and Stansted have their own express trains.
London essentials
London travel FAQs
Which London airport is best?
Heathrow (LHR) is the best-connected to central London and handles most long-haul flights. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are further out but often have cheaper short-haul fares.
What is the best time to visit London?
May to September for the best weather and long days; winter is quieter and good for museums and theatre.
Plan your trip
Plan your London trip
- Hotels in LondonExplore hotels in West End & Covent Garden and Westminster & South Bank and more.
- Things to do in LondonExplore British Museum, Tower of London and other experiences.
- United Kingdom travel guideUnited Kingdom travel guide focused on London: the best areas to stay, when to visit, airports and the Tube, and top things to do.
Facts last reviewed 27 September 2026. Hotel, flight and activity availability is provided live by our booking partners, and bookings are completed with them.