A city like no other
Every visit to London is a different city
From iconic landmarks and free world-class museums to the vibrant West End and the street markets of Borough, Camden and Brick Lane, London rewards every kind of traveller. Come for the history, the food, the art or the football — there is always something you have not seen yet.
Use this guide to book the big-ticket experiences, then fill the gaps with our free planning tools: where to stay, how to get around, what costs nothing, and when to visit.
Around 20 million international visitors arrive in London every year. This guide is built to help you skip the queues and see more of it.
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Top London tours & attractions
Skip-the-line tickets, guided walks and day trips beyond the city. Booked through our travel partner GetYourGuide, with free cancellation on most experiences.
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Plan your trip
Everything you need before you land, from first-timer basics to where to sleep.
First time in London?
Transport, safety, tipping, etiquette and the mistakes that cost visitors money on day one.
Read the guideWhere to stay
From five-star suites in Mayfair to boutique rooms and budget beds near the Tube.
Compare hotelsLandmarks & sightseeing
Tower of London, Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the views worth queuing for.
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Theatre
West End show offers
London's theatre district is the best in the world and it is smaller than most visitors expect — around 40 venues within a 15-minute walk of each other. Long-running musicals such as The Lion King and Wicked sit alongside new plays, comedy and opera, and midweek matinees are usually the cheapest seats of the week.
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Time travel
Walk through 2,000 years of history
London's story is one of conquest, plague, fire and reinvention. A small Roman trading post named Londinium became a medieval walled city, burned almost entirely in 1666, powered an empire through the Victorian era, survived the Blitz, and emerged as the global metropolis you see today.
Much of it is still standing. Roman wall fragments sit beside glass towers, and Tudor palaces are a short walk from Georgian squares.
Explore London's historyEssential info
Visitor essentials
The practical answers — transport, money, museums, safety — in one place.
Getting around
London has one of the world's best public transport networks. Tap in with a contactless card or an Oyster card on the Tube, buses, DLR and Overground.
- Contactless fares cap automatically each day and week
- Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult
- Touch in and out on the Tube; buses are touch in only
- The Night Tube runs Friday and Saturday on selected lines
Free museums
Most of London's great museums charge nothing for general admission — a serious advantage on any budget.
- British Museum — ancient artefacts and the Rosetta Stone
- Natural History Museum — dinosaurs and the blue whale hall
- Science Museum — hands-on exhibits, great for children
- V&A — art, design and fashion
- National Gallery — European masterpieces on Trafalgar Square
- Tate Modern — contemporary art in a former power station
Book a free timed slot online to skip the entry queue.
Best time to visit
London works year-round, but each season gives you a different city.
- Spring (Mar–May) — parks in bloom, mild and quieter
- Summer (Jun–Aug) — warmest, longest days, busiest
- Autumn (Sep–Oct) — colour in the parks, fewer crowds
- Winter (Nov–Feb) — Christmas markets and festive lights
Pack a compact umbrella whenever you come — light rain is possible all year.
Money & payments
The currency is pounds sterling (£ / GBP), and London is close to cashless.
- Cards accepted almost everywhere, including small shops
- Apple Pay and Google Pay widely supported
- Buses do not take cash at all — card or Oyster only
- ATMs are common; avoid the ones charging a fee
Tipping etiquette
Tipping is appreciated in London but far less expected than in the United States.
- Restaurants — 10–15%, and check whether service is already added
- Pubs — not expected when ordering at the bar
- Taxis — round up the fare or add 10%
- Hotels — £1–2 per bag for porters
Safety & emergencies
London is a generally safe city, but stay aware in crowded tourist areas and on public transport.
- Emergencies — call 999
- Non-emergency police — call 101
- NHS — emergency care at A&E; call 111 for advice
- Keep phones and bags secure on the Tube and around Oxford Street
Good to know
London travel questions
Quick answers to what visitors ask us most.
How many days do you need in London?
Three to four days is enough to cover the headline sights — the Tower of London, Westminster, Buckingham Palace and a West End show. Five to seven days gives you time for the major museums, neighbourhoods such as Greenwich and Notting Hill, and a day trip to Windsor, Oxford or Stonehenge.
What is the best time of year to visit London?
May to September brings the warmest weather and the longest days. March to April and October are quieter and cheaper, with mild conditions. November and December are cold but bring Christmas markets and festive lights. Light rain is possible in any month, so pack a compact umbrella whenever you travel.
Do I need to book London attractions in advance?
Yes for the big paid sights. The Tower of London, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral and popular West End shows regularly sell out in summer and school holidays, and advance tickets are usually cheaper than buying at the door. Free museums often use timed entry slots too, so it is worth reserving one.
Are London museums really free?
Permanent collections at the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, National Gallery and Tate Modern are free to enter. Temporary blockbuster exhibitions are ticketed separately, and most museums invite an optional donation on the way in.
What is the cheapest way to get around London?
Tap in with a contactless bank card or an Oyster card on the Tube, buses, DLR and Overground. Fares cap automatically each day and each week, so you never pay more than the equivalent travelcard. Buses are card only and never take cash, and central London is compact enough that many Zone 1 journeys are quicker on foot.
How do I get from Heathrow to central London?
The Piccadilly line is the cheapest option and takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes to the West End. The Elizabeth line reaches Paddington in about 30 minutes and Liverpool Street in about 45. Heathrow Express is fastest at around 15 minutes to Paddington, and also the most expensive.
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Add to home screenExploring more of the UK & Ireland?
Edinburgh, Dublin, Manchester, Bath and the Lake District are all within easy reach of London by train or short flight. Find top-rated tours and tickets for the rest of the country.