First, when to go and for how long

There is no bad time to visit, only trade-offs in weather, crowds and price. Our guide to the best time to visit London walks through the year month by month. Once you have a season in mind, decide the length of trip with how many days you need in London. If you would rather follow a ready-made plan, the three day itinerary is a good template.

Then, where to stay

Your base shapes the whole trip, so choose the area before the hotel. Our guide to choosing your London neighbourhood explains who each area suits, and the full where to stay guide and neighbourhood guides take it from there.

Sort the practical bits

A little admin now saves a lot of friction later. Read up on getting from the airport into central London, then how to move around once you arrive in getting around London without the stress. For money, tickets and timings, our practical tips guide and our notes on doing London on a budget cover the essentials.

Pack and prepare

Two short reads round things off: what to pack for a London trip and a few notes on London etiquette so you feel at home from the first morning.

Then plan what to see

With the logistics handled, the fun part. Build your days around the attractions and things to do worth your time, leave room for a museum or two, and give a spare day to a day trip beyond the city. That is the whole plan: decide when and how long, pick your base, sort the basics, then enjoy it.

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On the Tube and escalators

Stand on the right of escalators and let people pass on the left. Let passengers off before you board, move down inside the carriage, and have your card ready at the gate. More on the system in getting around London.

Queuing and pavements

The British take queuing seriously, so join the back and wait your turn. On busy pavements, keep right, do not stop suddenly, and step aside if you need to check a map or take a photo.

Money and manners

A please and a thank you go a long way. Tipping is more relaxed than in some countries; a service charge is often already added, so check the bill before adding more. Our practical tips guide has the details, and our dining guide the tables worth booking.

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Layers, whatever the season

Even in summer, mornings and evenings can turn cool, so bring layers you can add and shed. Check the likely conditions first with the best time to visit London and pack to the season.

Shoes and a day bag

Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter more than any other single item, because the best of London is seen on foot, as our things to do guide makes clear. A small day bag for water, a layer and a brolly completes the kit.

The practical extras

Bring a UK plug adapter, a contactless card or phone for travel and shops, and not much cash. Our practical tips guide covers the money and tickets side so you can pack light and tap your way around.

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Heathrow

Heathrow is the closest major airport to the centre and the best connected. You can reach central London by Underground, by the Elizabeth line, or by a faster dedicated express service. Which suits you depends on your budget and how much luggage you are wrangling.

Gatwick, Stansted and Luton

Gatwick, Stansted and Luton sit further out but all have frequent trains into central rail terminals. From there it is a short hop on the Tube or in a taxi to most hotels. Check the train operator for the quickest option on the day.

Paying and onward travel

A contactless card or phone works on most of these services and on the onward Tube, which keeps things simple. For the full rundown on fares and tickets, see our practical tips, and for moving around once you arrive, getting around London.

With arrivals sorted, a couple of final reads: what to pack for London and London etiquette.

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Central and polished

If you want to walk to the sights and do not mind a premium, central districts are hard to beat. We are fond of the quiet luxury of Mayfair, and the wider neighbourhood guides compare the others.

By style and budget

From grand dames to small boutiques, the where to stay guide sorts the options, and the luxury hotels guide covers the very top end. Decide what matters most: location, character or value, then match the area to it.

Getting around from your base

Wherever you choose, check the transport links first. Our guide to getting around London explains why a good Tube connection matters more than a fashionable postcode.

Once your base is set, sort the journey in with getting from the airport into central London.

Want the full detail? See our complete guide to the best areas to stay in London.

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Three days

Three days is enough for a first taste: the headline landmarks, one great museum and a wander through a neighbourhood or two. Our three day itinerary plans it hour by hour so you do not waste a minute.

Five days

Five days is the sweet spot. You keep the icons but add breathing room: a slow morning, a second museum, a proper look at a couple of neighbourhoods, maybe a show. Browse the full itineraries for longer plans.

A week or more

With seven days or more you can live a little like a local and still take a day trip to Windsor, Oxford or Bath without feeling rushed. The extra days are best spent going deeper, not faster.

Settled on a length? Next, decide the season with the best time to visit London, then pick your base with where to stay in London.

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Spring and early summer

Late spring into early summer is our quiet favourite. The parks are at their best, the days are long and the weather is usually kind. It is busy but not yet peak, which keeps queues and prices a touch more reasonable.

High summer

July and August bring the warmest weather, the longest evenings and the biggest crowds. It is a lovely time to be outdoors, as our notes on free things to do and the city parks show, but book ahead and start early at the big sights.

Autumn and winter

Autumn is underrated: mild, golden and calmer once the school holidays end. Winter is cold and dark but full of character, especially around the festive season, which we cover in the seasonal guide. Off-peak months also tend to be the friendliest on the wallet.

Whenever you land, plan the length of your stay next with how many days you need in London, then build the days from our things to do guide.

Want the full detail? See our complete guide to the best time to visit London.

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