London travel guide

London is one of the most visited capitals in the world: world-class museums with free admission, neighbourhoods with strong distinct identities and a cultural offer that never runs dry. It works well both for a first visit focused on the classics and for repeat trips to discover new corners each time.

Best time to visit

Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September) offer the best balance between weather and crowds; December has a special charm thanks to the Christmas markets, but it's cold and days are short.

What to see and do

British Museum and National Gallery — free admission, among the world's most important collections.
London Eye and Tower Bridge — panoramic views over the city and the Thames.
Camden Market and Borough Market — street food and markets for a taste of London's more informal side.
Buckingham Palace — catch the Changing of the Guard if the timing works out.
West End — a theatre show is a classic for musical lovers.

Indicative budget

London is one of Europe's priciest capitals: budget roughly £100-150 per day per person for food, accommodation and local transport, flights excluded — an Oyster Card for public transport helps keep costs down.

Figures are purely indicative and do not represent real or guaranteed prices.

Getting around

The Tube is the fastest way to cross London, integrated with buses, the DLR and Overground under a single zone-based fare system: an Oyster Card or contactless tap-in/tap-out is the easiest option and automatically caps your daily spend. Many central areas are also very walkable.

Where to stay

South Kensington and Covent Garden are central and handy for museums and West End theatres, but among the priciest; Shoreditch has a younger, more creative feel to the east; Notting Hill is elegant and residential; King's Cross, well connected since its regeneration, offers a good balance of price and location.