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London in 3 Days: Your Essential Guide to City & Airport Travel

Making the most of London: visiting the top sights for a three-day trip


While you could easily spend a week in London and never run out of things to see, a long weekend is ideal if you’re short on time or hoping to also explore beyond the city’s limits.


Here, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for making sure you get the most out of your experience as you soak up the UK capital’s best sights and attractions. Ready to discover London in three days? Let’s delve into the details…

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Mastering London transport: getting around on your three-day London visit

You’ve likely already decided what you’d like to see and do in London during your three-day getaway. This might include ticking off some top London sights like the London Eye or even exploring the city’s best galleries and museums.


Next, it’ll be worth considering how exactly you’ll get around the city before you arrive. Remember: London is HUGE, stretching out over 600 square miles! Luckily, covering all that territory couldn’t be easier thanks to the efficient London transport network that’s made up of trains, the London Underground (or Tube), regular bus services and even ferries on the River Thames.


The London Tube is one of the fastest ways to get around, with stations within easy walking distance of most big city attractions. Paying for transport couldn’t be easier either. You can either buy a prepaid Oyster card, which you can then top up at stations or online. Or you can simply use a contactless credit or debit card to tap in and out of ticket barriers or as you get on any buses or ferries.

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Seamless airport transfers: the ultimate guide for your three-day London visit

Arriving in London by air? Getting from Heathrow into the city couldn’t be easier – with plenty of options available to you.


If you’ve flown into Heathrow, the best option is our efficient Heathrow Express rail service. Hop on at Heathrow Central station and you’ll arrive into London Paddington station in just 15 minutes – it’s an extra six minutes from Terminal 5 station. From Paddington, many of the city’s top attractions are just a short walk away.

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Maximising your stay: essential tips for your three-day London journey


You might have your itinerary sorted – but there’s still plenty of practical things to consider on a three-day trip to London. This includes:

Where to stay in London

London has an almost overwhelming number of accommodation options. While staying somewhere central will likely offer you the best district for a city trip by keeping you close to the action and minimising transport times, you will inevitably end up spending more money.


If your sightseeing agenda isn’t quite as packed and you have a bit more flexibility, you may want to consider staying in a farther flung suburb with good transport links into Central London. You’ll also find a variety of self-catered accommodation across London if you’d prefer not to eat every single meal out in the city.

Choosing a London hotel

There are hundreds of hotels to choose from in London, including big chain hotels, smaller boutique options and locally-run B&Bs. While booking in advance is always recommended to secure somewhere in your preferred area, you’ll likely spot some great last-minute options if your London escape is a bit more spontaneous.

Budgeting for three days in London

A visit to London may seem like an expensive option on the surface. However, there are many ways you can keep costs down. This includes staying in a less central location, using public transport or purchasing a multi-attraction access pass from our travel partner, The London Pass, which gives you entry to over 90 different London sights at a discounted price.

You’ll additionally find that many London attractions are free to visit, including the majority of the city’s museums and galleries, plus unique attractions like the Sky Garden London.

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Discover the ease of Heathrow Express for your London adventure

Flying into Heathrow for your next London trip? Don’t waste a second of your precious sightseeing time and make sure you choose the Heathrow Express for your airport transfer. Our speedy, premium rail connection can get you directly into London Paddington station in just 15 minutes, avoiding the need to sit on packed London Underground trains or in busy traffic queues.


Ultimately, by choosing the Heathrow Express, you’ll enjoy more time exploring the city’s sights – an important factor to consider if you’re planning a short yet action-packed three-day trip in London.

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