How Many Days Should You Spend in London? - Tourist England (2023)

FAQs

How long can you be in London as a tourist? ›

You can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for tourism, business, study (courses up to 6 months) and other permitted activities. You can usually stay in the UK for up to 6 months. You might be able to apply to stay for longer in certain circumstances, for example to get medical treatment.

In general, 10 days in England is the ideal amount of time to be able to get a good feel for the country, spend some time in a number of different destinations and actually get to see some areas of the country outside of the capital.

Spending 10 days in England is enough to give you an insight into the country's cuisine, culture, and community spirit and allows you to tick off some real bucket list destinations.

It is, therefore, possible to get a sense of the country in a five-day England itinerary. However, with so many historical, cultural, and natural sights, the longer you can make your trip, the better. We suggest an English sojourn lasting ten days to two weeks to make the most out of this destination.

The best time to visit London is from April to June and September to October when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. However, keep in mind that prices for hotels and flights are generally higher during these months.

Peak Season (June-August)

The weather is warmest in summer and it is hands down the best climate to visit London. This is also when the city hosts numerous events and you can feel the vibrant buzz of the city during these months.

Using British Trains to Get Around

The network is well established and extensive, making train travel the easiest and, usually, the fastest way of getting around England, Scotland and Wales. It is also acknowledged to be the most eco-friendly way to travel in Britain.

England isn't a cheap place to visit. You're going to spend a lot of money here, especially if you stick to cities (and London will be about 30% more expensive than the rest of the country). However, there are plenty of ways to save if you know where to look.

Trains are the fastest way to travel around the UK, especially for long journeys. When you travel by train, you can enjoy the green British countryside through the window and take a picnic for the journey. How to get cheap train tickets: Train tickets are usually cheaper if you buy them online in advance.

If you're a first time visitor wanting to see the major London sights and have time to explore and get the basics of the city down, I would recommend 6 days as a great answer to how many days to see London.

How much would a 7 day trip to London cost? ›

Average Cost to Visit London

The average price of a 7-day trip to London is $4,000 for a solo traveler, $5,550 for a couple, and $7,900 for a family, with the main components of cost being (1) flights, (2) hotels/accommodation, and (3) meals.

On average, the cost of one week in London is £1,850 ($2,500) per person, including flights. However, if you're already in Europe and only need a European flight, then this average cost is reduced down to around £1,500 ($2,000).

The best time to visit the United Kingdom is in spring (late March to early June) and autumn (September to November), when it's usually warm and dry. You'll see beautiful spring flowers or the leaves changing hue in autumn, and avoid the much busier summer period.

You may be able to extend your stay if you have permission to be in the UK for less than 6 months. You can extend your stay up to a total of 6 months. You can only apply to stay in the UK for longer than 6 months if you're: a patient receiving medical treatment.

A week is long enough to experience not only the highlights of London but also the English countryside and Scottish Highlands. One option is a family tour that will take you and the clan to Buckingham Palace, on "Harry Potter" tours, and boat rides on Loch Ness.

Rainfall in London

Overall rainfall is highest in November and August (64mm and 59mm respectively) and is lowest in March and April (37mm each). On wet days, why not visit one of London's top museums and art galleries or entertain the kids with one of these family outings for rainy days.

The monsoon season starts in October in London and sometimes last up to January. It rains a lot in the city every month but December is the wettest month of the year.

The most affordable time to visit London will almost always be the winter months of January and February, as the holiday season is over and there's not a whole lot going on. Hotels in London are almost always busy, so there usually isn't a season in which you can expect much better prices for your hotel room.

High season is considered to be July and August. The cheapest month to fly to England is February. Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest England flight deals.

If you have time, using a mix of train, bus, taxi, walking and occasionally hiring a bike, you can get almost anywhere in England without having to drive.

How do I travel to England for the first time? ›

While London is one of the most expensive cities in the world, it is possible to visit on a budget with an average trip to London costing £75-£180 per day (roughly $89-214 USD). You can budget at the lower end if staying in budget accommodation, cooking your own meals and visiting mainly free attractions.

Although the latest statistics from the World Population Review rank the United States as a slightly more expensive country to live in than the UK, it is important to note that this is on average, and the cost of living varies widely across the USA.

It's not the hardest adjustment to make and if you're focused then you're going to be just fine driving in the UK. However, some roads are harder than others and when faced with cyclists, pedestrians, and traffic, your instincts get a little twisted due to being on the left side of the road.

Each day, Great Western Railway provide around 45 direct trains between London and Bath, covering 96 miles during each journey. On average, trains between London and Bath take around 1 hour and 30 minutes, but the fastest services take just 1 hour and 15 minutes.

In general, people spend more time in London than in Paris. However, Paris has three of the world's top ten most-visited tourist attractions (the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Palace of Versailles). London has none. We also prefer Paris for a stroll.

4 days in London is not enough to experience everything the city has to offer. However, you can cover most of the major sights and still get off the beaten path. This London itinerary is packed full of excursions, but is highly efficient. So, you'll have time to explore each place without feeling too rushed.

If you only have 3 days in London you certainly won't need to leave the city for want of things to do. If this is your first visit, we actually would recommend spending the full 3 days in London as there is so much to see, do, eat, and take in!

Do I need cash in London? ›

It's good to carry some cash for smaller purchases or to use for tips. You'll easily find ATMs at banks, stores and gas stations — but try to only use your debit card. You'll pay steep fees getting a cash advance from your credit cards.

Budget Breakfast Prices in London: £3-£10

A traditional English breakfast from a typical café will cost £6-£9. You can also find plenty of budget-friendly options at the bakery or grocery store. Croissants and other baked goods start at around £1.50. Coffee from a typical café will cost around £2.50-£4.

4. Re: How much $$ to budget for food per day? Per person it's a good rule of thumb to assume around 5 pounds for breakfast, ten for lunch, and 20-25 for dinner. It can be done much cheaper but that's a good average for middle of the road places where the food is decent, and usually more interesting.

Typically, people tip around 10-15% in London, except for when using taxis or public transport, where a smaller tip is frequently accepted. Tour guides do not need to be tipped, but this is up to the customer to decide. Some restaurants add an automatic tip to your bill.

The average spend on food per person is around £47.5 per week (£206 per month), including groceries and eating out—across all ages and genders. The average weekly food shop for 1 is £34.4 in the UK, plus we spend another £13 on eating out or ordering takeaways each week.

The cheapest time to travel to Britain is during the off-season: from November 1 to December 12 and from December 25 to March 14.

Clothing/Outfits: Temperatures in October are generally mild, so t-shirts, trousers, sweaters, and long dresses will be ideal, but do prepare for potential rainfall with a rainproof jacket or umbrella.

Low season in England: November-April

There are still remnants of fall colors in early November but the temperature is more like winter, dropping to an average of 39°F. The coldest months in England are January and February when temperatures can be freezing.

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays less than six months.

What does a US citizen need to enter the UK? ›

UK Border Entry

Starting June 2019 U.S. passport holders will be able to use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the United Kingdom. U.S. citizens who had previously registered for the UK's Registered Traveller Service (RTS) should now also use the ePassport Gates on arrival in the UK.

Although the UK government recently closed its retirement visa program, it's still possible to retire in the UK through other visa types. Here's how to do so and how to weigh the financial implications of retiring outside the United States. A financial advisor can help you plan for retirement, wherever it may take you.

In general, England can be an expensive destination to visit and expect to spend approximately £75-220 per person per day (roughly $93-272 USD). This means that the cost of 7 days in England is around £525 to £1,540 (about $650-1903).

Even in as few as four or five days, you can see many of its most famous sights. However, plan for a two-week or more extended visit, and you can take in several of the country's distinct regions and cultural activities.

Visitors can usually enter and leave the UK any number of times while the visa is still valid. They can only stay for up to six months on each visit. Visitor visas issued overseas can be valid for six months or up to 10 years if you can prove you need to make repeat visits over a longer period.

TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays less than six months.

One of the most common UK immigration myths is that there is a maximum permitted stay of 180 days in a year (or six months in 12 months) for UK visit visa holders. This myth has been propagated not just by migrants but also by advisers and even UK Border Force staff. In reality, there is no such rule.

Is the UK 180 day rule per visit or per year? The 180-day rule for UK visitors applies per visit, not per year. Under the visitor rules, an overseas national can cumulatively stay for more than 180 days in any 12-month period over the course of two or more separate trips.

As set out in the Home Office visit visa guidance, there is no minimum level of funds that applicants need demonstrate, unlike the spouse and partner visa requirements.

Is UK tourist visa easy to get? ›

It's not easy to get the UK tourist visa, there is a long list of required documents. Check the following list : Valid passport.

The United States has an agreement with the United Kingdom automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. Therefore, your passport need remain valid only for the duration of your stay in the United States.

You must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay. You may also need a visa, depending on which country you're from.

Entry Requirements & Customs in London. To enter the United Kingdom, all U.S. citizens, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and South Africans must have a passport valid through their length of stay. No visa is required. A passport will allow you to stay in the country for up to 6 months.

All travellers. You will need to get a visa or an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) visa waiver to enter or transit the USA as a visitor.

You do not need to take any COVID-19 travel tests or self-isolate on arrival in England if you qualify as fully vaccinated. The testing and quarantine rules for international travel to England will change 11 February 2022.

You can stay for a maximum of 6 months on each visit. If you're under 18 years old when you apply, your long-term Standard Visitor visa will only be valid for up to 6 months after you turn 18.

Travelers seeking to enter the United States for business or tourism (B-1/B-2 visa), or in transit (C-1) for less than 90 days may be eligible to travel to the United States visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they meet specific requirements.

Visit visas allow stays of no longer than 6 months (or 180 days) per visit. Visit visas can be valid for long term periods (1 year or more), facilitating multiple visits. Additionally, those using visit visas are in general more limited in the activities they are permitted to undertake while in the UK.