London is one of the most famous cities in the world and receives 30 million visitors every year. Travel to London is easy as it is served by major airlines from every country and it is easy to get around, thanks to an extensive public transport system. The city boasts a wealth of accommodation options and a long list of things to see and do. This travel guide to London aims to help you get the most out of a visit to the UK capital.
As the capital of the United Kingdom, the political and cultural heritage is centred on London, and it is a city with great pomp and circumstance connected with the Royal Family. Among the main attractions are many with royal associations and those that reflect the country’s fascinating history. The galleries and museums of London are world-class and include the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert. There are numerous but fascinating smaller museums around the city, and these are joined by art galleries including the National, Tate and Portrait, Madame Tussaud’s, the London Dungeon, Planetarium and Royal Observatory.
For modern entertainment, the West End hosts dozens of top plays, musicals and other events every year. World-class venues host operas and ballets, top musical artists and comedians, and various festivals of all genres grace the capital’s calendar.
London has a vibrant food scene. Global cuisines are represented, including the best Michelin-starred restaurants, the humblest street stalls, fine dining and grab-and-go. Pop-ups and street food markets like Borough Street have become hugely popular in recent years.
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Best time to travel
When deciding on the best time to visit London, first think about the duration of your stay. If you are only going to visit once in a lifetime, how many days to spend in London is an important consideration. There is so much to see and do that it is worth writing up a draft itinerary of everywhere you want to visit. This will give you an idea of how long a visit should be. Then you can look into the best time to visit London. The weather in London is very changeable. Late spring and early summer offer the most desirable weather to visit.
In London’s temperate climate, spring is March, April and May. By late spring, the city starts to see more visitors and the prices for travel and accommodation increase from their lower autumn and winter prices.
Weather
Spring can be very pleasant with mild temperatures, but there are times when the weather can be decidedly chilly. Spring is also the season when London sees a lot of rainfall. Spring temperatures fall between 11° to 15°C (52 to 59°F).
Events & parties
The milder weather enables more outdoor events, and a major highlight of spring is the Chelsea Flower Show held every May. Sporting events also star on the calendar, including the London Marathon (in April), which attracts the world’s elite athletes, and the University Boat Race (March). Easter falls in spring, and some venues will close for the extended weekend.
Price evolution
Costs for accommodation in London reflect demand, and as the number of visitors increases as spring progresses, so the prices for hotels and bed and breakfasts increase. The most expensive spring period is the two weeks on either side of the Easter weekend. If you’re attending specific events in the city, it is best to book accommodation early if you want to be close to a particular venue.
June – September
Even without the expectation of lots of sunny days, most tourists arrive in London in the summer, the months of June, July and August.
Weather
Although the UK has recently seen some serious hikes in the summer, the temperatures are usually pleasantly warm: ideal sightseeing weather. You can still expect an odd stormy day while temperatures average 18°C (64°F) and can go above 30°C (86°F). July is the hottest month.
Events & parties
London loves to party, and the city’s many parks host a whole host of diverse events, from music festivals to open-air theatre and cinema screenings. Pubs, clubs and restaurants join in with lots of different activities, but the crowning glory of the summer calendar is the Notting Hill Carnival, which happens over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Price evolution
As to be expected with the rise in demand, accommodation prices in London rise sharply in the summer. Another thing to be aware of is the price of refreshments around major attractions. Picking up supplies at supermarkets will allow you to save on costs. Queues at popular attractions also grow with longer waiting times for entry, even with pre-booked tickets.
September – December
Though there isn’t really a peak tourist season, visitor numbers do fall after the height of the summer, with numbers reducing quite significantly after the second week of September. Half term week in October is a popular time for families to visit London.
Weather
The autumn months of September and October are a nice time to visit before the cold of November heralds the oncoming of winter. You can expect temperatures of 11° to 15°C (52 to 59°F) with showery and cloudy days.
Events & parties
The weather is still mild enough to allow for outdoor events, so London’s green spaces offer a host of different entertainments. For a truly British experience, crown a stay in the capital in early November with a visit to a firework display to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day on the fifth.
Price evolution
Prices start to fall in line with reduced visitor numbers, except for the half-term holiday when family accommodation is much in demand.
December – March
The British think of December, January and February with a shiver, but it is little deterrent to visitors who want to enjoy one of the greatest cities in the world. December is particularly popular as London gears up for Christmas.
Weather
It can get extremely cold in the winter in London, with average temperatures around 1-9°C. Temperatures can be heavily influenced by wind chill factors, and it rains a fair bit, but snowy days are quite rare.
Events & parties
The whole city seems to start getting ready for Christmas in October, even if many official events do not start until December. The Christmas lights of Oxford Street are delightful, and there are crowds of visitors, both domestic and international, enjoying the atmosphere of the shopping areas and Christmas markets.
Price evolution
If you don’t mind wrapping up warm, winter is the cheapest time to visit London. All the major attractions remain open, and the accommodation rates are at their lowest.
What to see and do
How to get from the airport
London is served by five airports – Heathrow, Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted and City Airport. Heathrow and Gatwick manage the majority of long-haul visitors while City serves mostly business visitors from Europe. The airports are also a good place to visit a bureau de change to change money into the currency used in London, which is the British pound.
Where to stay
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