London, England
Plan a trip to London
Enormous, and best handled as a set of villages linked by the Tube. The major museums are free, which changes how you budget a week.
- First-timers
- Families
- Food trips
- Art
Free to run, and you keep editing after. Add who's coming or a pace like “slow mornings” to shape the result.
London at a glance
Most trips run 4 to 7 days. This page covers the 4 stops worth anchoring a plan around, 3 neighborhoods to base yourself in, and what the timing looks like across the year — then you can turn any of it into a mapped London itinerary you can edit and share.
- How long
- 4–7 days
- When to go
- May to September has the longest days and the most outdoor life. Rain is possible year-round, so it matters less than daylight. December brings markets and short afternoons.
- Getting around
- Tap a contactless card on the Tube, buses, and Overground; daily capping makes travelcards unnecessary. Walk within neighborhoods, and use the Elizabeth line from Heathrow.
What to build the plan around
- 1
British Museum
Free entry. Pick two galleries; the Egyptian and Assyrian rooms are the reason most people come.
- 2
Tower of London
Ticketed and worth it. Arrive at opening and see the Crown Jewels first.
- 3
Borough Market
Best lunch in the city, near London Bridge. Closed Sundays and quietest on weekday mornings.
- 4
South Bank walk
From Westminster to Tower Bridge along the river, past the Tate Modern and the Globe. About two miles.
Where to stay in London
- South Bank / Southwark
- Central, riverside, walk to Westminster and the Tate, good transport.
- Shoreditch
- Best food and bars, cheaper rooms, ten minutes to the City by Overground.
- Bloomsbury
- Quiet Georgian squares next to the British Museum, well placed for King's Cross.
London planning questions
- How many days do you need in London?
- 4 to 7 days. Four days covers the core sights and two neighborhoods. A week lets you add Greenwich, Hampstead, and a day trip to Oxford or Bath.
- What is the best time to visit London?
- May to September has the longest days and the most outdoor life. Rain is possible year-round, so it matters less than daylight. December brings markets and short afternoons.
- Where should I stay in London?
- Three areas cover most trips — South Bank / Southwark (central, riverside, walk to westminster and the tate, good transport); Shoreditch (best food and bars, cheaper rooms, ten minutes to the city by overground); Bloomsbury (quiet georgian squares next to the british museum, well placed for king's cross). Pick based on whether you'd rather walk to dinner or pay less per night.
- How do you get around London?
- Tap a contactless card on the Tube, buses, and Overground; daily capping makes travelcards unnecessary. Walk within neighborhoods, and use the Elizabeth line from Heathrow.
- What should I see first in London?
- Start with British Museum, Tower of London, Borough Market. British Museum is the one to schedule first: free entry. Pick two galleries; the Egyptian and Assyrian rooms are the reason most people come.
- Can I build a London itinerary automatically?
- Yes. Describe the trip — length, pace, who's coming — and Arriv builds a London itinerary with real, mapped venues you can reorder or replace. It's free to run, and you only sign in to save it or share it with your group.