Planning a Three, Four or Five Day Trip to London

Discover what to do in London across different trip durations

Whether you’ve only got a weekend to spare or you’re planning a slightly longer trip, London has no shortage of things to keep visitors entertained. The city’s diverse appeal and sheer range of attractions makes every trip unique, ensuring it becomes a destination you’ll want to visit over and over again.

Here, we take a look at some useful London travel tips for different trip durations – with each itinerary allowing you to make the most of the Big Smoke’s rich history, modern vibrancy and unique culture.

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What to see in London in three days: an action-packed introduction to the city’s icons

A three-day London itinerary gives you just the right amount of time to soak up the city’s most famous landmarks and even pop into a museum or two.

Day one: a royal tour

Kickstart your London adventure with a day exploring the city’s most iconic royal sites, including visiting Buckingham Palace to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. You could also venture inside the immense Westminster Abbey to see where many royals have been crowned or married over the years.

If there’s time, why not add an afternoon stop at the Houses of Parliament to your agenda? The centre of the UK parliament is bursting with history – plus you can even get up close to the iconic Big Ben clock during a guided tour.

Day two: soak up city views

Venture a bit further east down the Thames to explore two more major London landmarks: the Tower of London and Tower Bridge. The latter offers up outstanding views down the river, especially at dusk. Alternatively, you could head to The Shard to soak up some of the best panoramas of the city from its 72^nd floor viewing platform.

Day three: museum hopping and shopping

With London’s main landmarks ticked off, why not focus your final day in London on the city’s amazing selection of museums? Dedicate a morning to visiting your top option – whether that’s the Natural History Museum, that’s full of unique exhibits about the natural world, or the prestigious British Museum, with its eclectic array of history, art and cultural artefacts.

After filling up your head with facts, make your way to Oxford Street for a couple of hours of retail therapy. Nearby Carnaby Street is also a great place to browse, while you’ll also find numerous flagship department stores in the area.

Expanding your adventure: London in four to five days

Have a bit more time to play with? Extending your London trip by a day or two will give you the chance to explore the city in a little more depth and wander around a few more of its vibrant neighbourhoods.

Explore more of London

You could easily while away a few hours in picturesque Covent Garden, browsing its boutique stores and enjoying lunch in one of its arcade cafés. Alternatively, hop on the tube north to Camden Town to get lost in its colourful market or to wander down its canals.

Tailor your sightseeing

A longer trip to London allows you to add in some more specific activities to your itinerary. Football fans may want to organise a tour of one of the major stadiums like Wembley, while theatre aficionados should book tickets to an evening or matinee performance of a West End show.

Comedy lovers may also like to check out the city’s comedy club scene, while night owls will have plenty of evenings to hit the dancefloor at venues like Fabric and XOYO. Planning a trip during the festive period? A longer trip allows you to dedicate at least half a day to experiencing Christmas in London – from browsing joyful markets to ice skating outside various historic venues.

Tick off more major attractions

As well as visiting London icons like Buckingham Palace and Tower Bridge, you’ll have time to explore even more well-known attractions. Head to Madame Tussauds to view its fantastic waxworks of famous global figures. Or tempt your tastebuds with the food stalls and deli counters at bustling Borough Market.

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London travel tips for how to efficiently navigate the capital

Getting around the city is simple thanks to London’s vast public transport network which encompasses trains, buses and river ferries.

Using the London Tube

The Underground and Overground Tube network gives you access to all four corners of the city, plus it couldn’t be easier to use. Purchase a prepaid Oyster card online or at any large station. Or you can even tap in and out of ticket barriers using a contactless credit or debit card.

We recommend using the Transport for London (TFL) app or website to plan a journey or look at maps of London’s Tube and bus network. This makes it much easier to work out your transport routes as you sightsee.

Hop on a bus

Buses are also a great option for getting between sights in London. There are multiple routes to take, with many operating late into the night. You’ll also be able to use a contactless card or Oyster card to pay for your journey – making it an efficient option with no need to waste time buying paper tickets.

Airport transfers

Reaching Central London couldn’t be smoother with a fast and convenient airport transfer. Our Heathrow Express service will take you from Heathrow Airport to London Paddington station in just 15 minutes, with tickets available to buy in advance online or at the airport when you land.

Why add the Heathrow Express to your London itinerary?

For a swift and stress-free start to your London trip, choosing Heathrow Express is a no brainer. Our premium airport transfer service is comfortable and quick, allowing you to avoid traffic queues or busy commuter train services. We also offer generous luggage allowances, plus a regular timetable of services so you can arrive into the city when it suits you.

If you’re only in the city for a few days, travelling on the Heathrow Express to and from the airport is also the most efficient option. Meaning? More time for you to spend exploring all the sights you have listed on your dream London itinerary.