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London
Free museums and royal history
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Currency
- GBP
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Country
- United Kingdom
World-class museums that cost nothing, royal palaces and a river lined with landmarks.
- London
- Birmingham
- Manchester
- Glasgow
- Edinburgh
- Liverpool
Quick facts
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Capital
- London
- City population
- 8.9M
- Population of United Kingdom
- 69.3M
- Country area
- 242,495 km²
- Official language
- English
- Currency
- British Pound (GBP) · 1 USD ≈ 0.7565 GBP
- Time zone
- UTC+0
- Calling code
- +44
- Drives on the
- Left
- Elevation
- 11 m
- Plugs
- G · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 999 · 112
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 8° | 9° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 24° | 23° | 20° | 16° | 11° | 9° |
| Low | 3° | 3° | 4° | 6° | 9° | 12° | 14° | 14° | 12° | 9° | 5° | 3° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$80
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$181
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$445
Top things to do
- Free
British Museum
Free entry to two million years of history, from the Rosetta Stone to the Egyptian galleries.
- Half day
- Bloomsbury
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- ≈ $40
Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Parliament
Coronation church (ticketed), the Elizabeth Tower and a walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.
- Half day
- Westminster
- ≈ $45
Tower of London and Tower Bridge
The Crown Jewels and the Yeoman Warders' tours, then a walk across the bridge.
- Half day
- The City and Tower Hill
- Good for kids
- Free
National Gallery and Covent Garden
Free Old Masters on Trafalgar Square, then street performers and shops in Covent Garden.
- Half day
- West End
- Indoors
- ≈ $45
South Bank and the London Eye
A riverside walk past theatres and food markets, with a 30-minute turn on the Eye.
- Half day
- South Bank
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Natural History Museum and Hyde Park
Free dinosaurs and the V&A next door, then a walk to Kensington Palace and Hyde Park.
- Half day
- Kensington
- Good for kids
- Indoors
- Free
Soho and the West End
Chinatown dinner and Leicester Square; theatre tickets are extra, and day-of deals exist.
- Half day
- West End
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $12
Greenwich by river boat
Uber Boat down the Thames, the Royal Observatory's meridian line and the park view.
- Half day
- Greenwich
- Good for kids
- ≈ $60
Day trip: Windsor Castle
The oldest occupied castle in the world, under an hour by train. Check closure days first.
- Full day
- Windsor
- Good for kids
Before you go
Entry and visas
Most visitors need either an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or a visa. You usually need an ETA if you are from Europe, the USA, Australia, Canada or certain other countries; an ETA costs £20 and lets you stay for up to 6 months. Each person travelling needs their own ETA, including babies and children. If you are transiting through a UK airport and passing through border control, you also need an ETA. Check GOV.UK to see if you need an ETA or a visa.
Official websiteFrom the airport
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line and the Piccadilly line reach central London; the Heathrow Express is faster and costs more. From Gatwick, take the train.
Getting around
Tap a contactless bank card or phone on the Tube and buses: daily fares are capped automatically. Many central sights are walkable.
Local tips
- Most big museums are free; some ask for a timed booking.
- Weather changes quickly: carry a light waterproof in any season.
- Stand on the right on escalators.
- Tipping 10–12.5% is common; check whether service is already on the bill.
Areas worth knowing
- The City and Tower Hill
- West End
- Windsor
- Greenwich
- South Bank
- Bloomsbury
- Kensington
- Westminster
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Sources: GOV.UK: Check if you need a UK visa · GOV.UK: Electronic Travel Authorisation · Transport for London: fares · VisitLondon (official guide)