5 Days in London: The Tower, the British Museum and Buckingham Palace
St. Paul's Cathedral · Tower of London · Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club · Westminster Abbey · Tate Modern · London Eye
5-day London itinerary. Day-by-day route, attractions and food.
London offers a distinct layering of Roman, Medieval, and Imperial history that a city like Paris lacks. While Paris excels in uniform, planned aestheticism, London thrives on jarring, dense contrasts where glass skyscrapers overhang ancient Roman walls. This itinerary is for the traveler who wants to navigate 2,000 years of history on foot, preferring distinct, gritty neighborhood pulses over a singular city aesthetic.
St. Paul's Cathedral
Day 1 · Historic Landmarks
Borough Market
Day 1 · Iconic Food Markets
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club
Day 1 · A West End Intimate Jazz Club
London Eye
Day 2 · Panoramic Viewpoints
Kensington Palace
Day 3 · Royal Palaces
Brick Lane
Day 4 · An Alternative Cultural Neighborhood Walk
Pick travel dates to see the weather for your month.
London transitions from brisk, gray winters into long, mild days that invite lingering in the parks. Summer afternoons are pleasant and rarely stifling, but expect sudden showers year-round and keep a waterproof layer in your bag.
Best time to go: Late spring and early summer
The whole year
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 48°F / 9°C | 37°F / 3°C (cold) | 10 | 7:59 AM – 4:20 PM |
| Feb | 49°F / 10°C | 37°F / 3°C (cold) | 8 | 7:14 AM – 5:15 PM |
| Mar | 53°F / 12°C | 39°F / 4°C (cold) | 9 | 6:15 AM – 6:04 PM |
| Apr | 60°F / 15°C | 41°F / 5°C (cold) | 7 | 6:05 AM – 7:56 PM |
| May | 66°F / 19°C | 47°F / 8°C (cold) | 9 | 5:09 AM – 8:45 PM |
| Jun | 72°F / 22°C | 53°F / 12°C | 8 | 4:43 AM – 9:19 PM |
| Jul | 78°F / 25°C | 57°F / 14°C | 7 | 5:01 AM – 9:11 PM |
| Aug | 75°F / 24°C | 57°F / 14°C | 8 | 5:46 AM – 8:22 PM |
| Sep | 69°F / 20°C | 52°F / 11°C | 7 | 6:35 AM – 7:14 PM |
| Oct | 62°F / 16°C | 48°F / 9°C | 9 | 7:24 AM – 6:07 PM |
| Nov | 53°F / 12°C | 42°F / 6°C (cold) | 9 | 7:18 AM – 4:10 PM |
| Dec | 50°F / 10°C | 40°F / 4°C (cold) | 9 | 8:00 AM – 3:51 PM |
- Morning
8:00 AM - Arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)· 2 hrs
USD 25 (~GBP 19)
Konstantin Von Wedelstaedt (GFDL 1.2)Arrive at Heathrow Airport. Take the Elizabeth Line to Farringdon station (approx. 40 min, 12 GBP) or the Heathrow Express to Paddington (15 min, 25 GBP) then taxi to the City of London hotel area. Account for 1.5 to 2 hours total transit time to settle in.
- Afternoon
12:45 PM - Lunch: Sausage Roll in the City· 45 min
USD 8 (~GBP 6)Iconic dish
AlphaLemur (CC0)Stop at a traditional bakery in the City for a warm, flaky sausage roll. It is a quintessential local lunch staple.
Typical USD 2-6 (~GBP 2-5)
- 1C
3:15 PM - Tower of London· 2 hrs
USD 35 (~GBP 26)Closes 5:30 PM · 2.2h hereDoubles back across the city — check the order - Evening
7:00 PM - Dinner: Shepherd's Pie in Southwark· 1 hr 30 min
USD 22 (~GBP 17)Iconic dish
Abhinaba Basu from Redmond, United States (CC BY 2.0)Enjoy a hearty, classic British shepherd's pie at a traditional pub. This dish features minced lamb and creamy mashed potato.
Typical USD 12-25 (~GBP 9-19)
Where to Stay Tonight
City of London
· This area is perfect for historical sightseeing, providing walking access to the Tower of London, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Borough Market.- Morning
- Afternoon
12:00 PM - Lunch: Pie and Mash in South Bank· 1 hr
USD 12 (~GBP 9)Iconic dish
Goddards Pies Limited (CC BY-SA 4.0)Enjoy a traditional London working-class staple served with a signature salty parsley liquor in a casual local setting.
Often found around East EndTypical USD 7-15 (~GBP 5-11)
- Evening
8:00 PM - Dinner: Shepherd's Pie in West End· 1 hr
USD 22 (~GBP 17)Iconic dishAbhinaba Basu from Redmond, United States (CC BY 2.0)Settle into a historic pub near the theatre district for a hearty, traditional meat-and-potato classic.
Typical USD 12-25 (~GBP 9-19)
Staying at City of London since Day 1
- Morning
- Afternoon
12:00 PM - Lunch: Jacket Potato in South Kensington· 1 hr
USD 12 (~GBP 9)Iconic dish
Andy Li (CC0)Stop at a classic cafe near the museum to enjoy a hot, fluffy baked potato with various savory toppings.
Typical USD 4-10 (~GBP 3-8)
- Evening
7:15 PM - Dinner: Steak and Kidney Pie in Chelsea· 1 hr 30 min
USD 35 (~GBP 26)Steak and Kidney PieDine at a historic gastropub for a classic piece of British culinary heritage that pairs perfectly with a pint.
Staying at City of London since Day 1
- Morning
- Afternoon
1:30 PM - Lunch: Bangers and Mash in Shoreditch· 1 hr
USD 22 (~GBP 17)Try the dish
anokarina (CC BY-SA 2.0)Bangers and MashEnjoy traditional pork sausages served over a mound of creamy mashed potatoes with onion gravy.
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Beef Wellington in Covent Garden· 1 hr 30 min
USD 75 (~GBP 57)Try the dish
Snielsen1112 (CC BY-SA 4.0)Beef WellingtonDine on high-end classic British fare at a historic restaurant, featuring tender beef wrapped in pastry.
Staying at City of London since Day 1
- Morning
- Afternoon
12:00 PM - Stroll in Bloomsbury· 1 hr
FREE
Luke Massey & the Greater London National Park City Initiative (CC BY 2.0)Walk through the literary and leafy streets of Bloomsbury, admiring the historic Georgian squares near the museum.
1:00 PM - Lunch: Scone in Bloomsbury· 1 hr
USD 15 (~GBP 11)Iconic dish
Benson Kua from Toronto, Canada (CC BY-SA 2.0)Enjoy a traditional freshly baked scone with clotted cream and jam at a quiet tea room in the neighborhood.
Typical USD 3-10 (~GBP 2-8)
2:00 PM - Souvenir shopping· 1 hr
USD 50 (~GBP 38)Browse local boutiques for unique gifts before leaving the city.
3:30 PM - Hotel Checkout & Luggage Collection· 30 min
FREEReturn to the hotel to check out, collect luggage, and prepare for departure.
4:00 PM - Depart from London Heathrow Airport (LHR)· 1 hr 30 min
USD 85 (~GBP 64)Transfer to the airport for your international flight home.
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Top 7 dishes to try
Tap any photo for more photos, the story, and where to find it.
Sausage Roll
Day 1 · lunch
Scotch Egg
Scone
Day 5 · lunch
Jacket Potato
Day 3 · lunch
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Pie and Mash
Day 2 · lunch
Shepherd's Pie
Days 1 and 2
Where to eat · Borough Market, Shoreditch, Soho
- Borough Market · London — The gold standard for fresh produce, artisan cheeses, and high-quality prepared street food.
- Shoreditch · London — Modern gastropubs serving elevated, reliable versions of classic British comfort food.
- Soho · London — Dense clusters of historic pubs and long-standing eateries serving traditional tavern fare.
Good to know · meal times, tipping, water, vegetarian, payment, etiquette
- Meal times
- Lunch is typically 12:00-14:30 and dinner 18:00-21:30. Many kitchen staff take a break, so expect kitchens to close mid-afternoon.
- Tipping
- Check your bill for a service charge. If included, do not tip extra. If not, 10-12 percent is standard.
- Water
- Tap water is perfectly safe and high quality. Always ask for 'tap water' to avoid paying for expensive bottled options.
- Vegetarian
- London is exceptionally vegan-friendly; almost every menu clearly marks vegetarian and vegan items. Halal options are easy to find, especially in East London.
- Payment
- Card is dominant everywhere. You will rarely need cash unless you are at a tiny, traditional market stall.
- Etiquette
- Tipping is 10-12 percent if service is not included. Always stand on the right of escalators. Queueing is a local religion, so do not cut the line.
Top 6 souvenirs
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Monmouth Coffee Beans
Liberty London Fabric
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Antiquarian Books
Choosing Keeping Stationery
D.R. Harris Apothecary Goods
Traditional apothecary operating since 1790; grab the Arlington scent for a classic experience.
Where to shop · Bermondsey Street, Cecil Court, Columbia Road
- Bermondsey Street · London — Boutique fashion, local design, and artisan coffee.
- Cecil Court · London — Antique books, old maps, and rare collectibles.
- Columbia Road · London — Independent homewares, ceramics, and prints.
Good to know · customs, tax refund, payment, bargaining
- Customs
- UK customs allow reasonable amounts for personal use. Check your home country regulations for alcohol volume limits.
- Tax refund
- The VAT retail export scheme was abolished in the UK in 2021. You cannot claim tax refunds on shopping here.
- Payment
- Contactless card payment is standard everywhere; you rarely need physical cash.
- Bargaining
- Prices are fixed in all shops and markets. Do not attempt to haggle.
The big events across the year
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Trooping the Colour (King's Birthday Parade)
Jun 13
Second Saturday of June. The King's official birthday parade at Horse Guards Parade, London. Royal family appears on Buckingham Palace balcony with the RAF flypast.
Wimbledon
Jun 29 – Jul 12
Notting Hill Carnival
Aug 30 – 31
Christmas in London
Nov 6 – Dec 25
Christmas
Dec 25 – 26
Costs
Estimated total · For 2 travelers · 1 room · 5 days
USD 2,553Flights from your city not included.
Getting there and betweenUSD 0
AccommodationUSD 720
- London · 4 nights1 roomUSD 720
| City | Simple | Comfortable | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
ActivitiesUSD 903
- Day 1 · Arrive at London Heathrow Airport (LHR)USD 50
- Day 1 · St. Paul's CathedralUSD 50
- Day 1 · Borough MarketUSD 30
- Day 1 · Tower of LondonUSD 100
- Day 1 · Ronnie Scott's Jazz ClubUSD 90
- Day 2 · Westminster AbbeyUSD 77
- Day 2 · London EyeUSD 77
- Day 2 · His Majesty's TheatreUSD 140
- Day 3 · Kensington PalaceUSD 65
- Day 3 · Royal Albert HallUSD 44
- Day 3 · The 606 ClubUSD 50
- Day 4 · Tower BridgeUSD 30
- Day 5 · Souvenir shoppingUSD 100
FoodUSD 750
- London · 5 daysUSD 750
Local transportUSD 180
- London · 5 daysUSD 180
Not included: visas, travel insurance, SIM cards, tips, shopping.
Money tips
Expensive base costs -- expect 200 USD per night for a central hotel and 20 USD for a standard pub lunch. Tap water is safe everywhere; ask for tap water at bars to avoid being charged for bottled brands.
Use your contactless credit card or phone for every journey on the Tube and buses to trigger automatic daily fare capping. You pay no more than 8.50 GBP for unlimited Zone 1-2 travel in one day.
Eat breakfast or lunch at local market stalls like those in Borough Market to save on sit-down costs. If you need a cheap pint and hot meal, Wetherspoon pubs offer consistent prices usually under 12 GBP.
Secure West End theater tickets via the TodayTix app or the TKTS booth in Leicester Square. Tickets often drop to 40-60 GBP for same-day shows, significantly under the box office price.
The British Museum, Tate Modern, and Natural History Museum offer free entry to permanent collections. Book your time slot online one week before arrival to bypass the entry queues.
Before you go
Travel and stays
Round-trip flight, London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Day 1–5
Hotel in London
Nights 1–4 · City of London · about USD 720 · Comfortable hotel range
Book ahead · most urgent first
His Majesty's Theatre musical tickets
Day 2 · Book 8 weeks ahead · Popular West End shows require early booking for optimal seating options.
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club performance
Day 1 · Book 4 weeks ahead · Popular late night shows sell out quickly; book via official website.
Royal Albert Hall guided tour
Day 3 · Book 3 weeks ahead · Availability is limited by the venue's active performance schedule.
Tower of London general admission
Day 1 · Book 2 weeks ahead · Timed entry is required to guarantee entry and skip long ticket office queues.
Westminster Abbey entry
Day 2 · Book 2 weeks ahead · Purchasing online in advance saves time and secures your preferred entry window.
Kensington Palace exhibition tickets
Day 3 · Book 2 weeks ahead · Online booking is essential for timed entry during peak visitor seasons.
Travel tips
Stand on the right on every escalator in the Underground; the left side is strictly for those walking.
Book free timed-entry slots for the British Museum and Natural History Museum online at least 3 days ahead to bypass long queues.
Use Citymapper to check bus routes; a bus ride from Waterloo to Aldwych costs 1.75 GBP and offers better views than the Tube.
Ignore anyone offering drugs near Camden Town; just keep walking, they will stop.
Visit the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day West End theatre tickets at up to 50 percent off.
Avoid the morning rush from 7:30am to 9:30am and evening rush from 5:30pm to 7:00pm on the Tube; trains are packed.
Reserve your Sunday Roast at local gastropubs like The Harwood Arms or The Marksman by Thursday; weekends sell out fast.
Use the Elizabeth Line for faster transit between Heathrow and central London; it costs 12.80 GBP and takes 40 minutes to Tottenham Court Road.
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get GBP cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for United Kingdom
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Transit card: Oyster · London
Pen for arrival forms
We start with the City of London on Day 1 to plant you immediately in the oldest, densest ground. Day 2 and 3 push outward to Westminster and South Kensington, following the historical expansion of the monarchy and cultural elite. We save the East End for Day 4, when you have the legs for more varied, modern exploration, keeping the final museum day light to avoid departure stress.
This plan prioritizes central hubs and high-density historical layers over peripheral districts. You skip the expansive wild green of Hampstead Heath and the quiet, canal-side walks of Little Venice. You also miss the day trips to Oxford or Bath, which require a full morning train ride.
This is the right cut if you came for intense urban history; the wrong one if you want to escape the city for the English countryside. Extend by one day to visit Greenwich. Take the boat down the Thames to stand on the Prime Meridian line and tour the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, which offers a perspective on London's maritime power you cannot get in the center.
Interest coverage
4 of 4 coveredEntry and safety
| Visa & entry | US, EU, and Australian citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 6 months. Check if you require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel as requirements roll out. Ensure your passport remains valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date. |
|---|---|
| US risk level | Exercise increased cautionUpdated May 7, 2025 |
| Official advice | US State Department |
| Emergency | Police 999 · Ambulance 999 · Fire 999999 or 112 for all emergencies. 111 for non-emergency medical. |
Money and tipping
| Tipping: restaurants | 10–15% if no service charge; check the bill |
|---|---|
| Tipping: taxis | Round up or 10% |
| Tipping: hotels | £1–2 per bag for porters |
| Cards | Universally accepted |
| Contactless | Ubiquitous — tap payment is the norm |
| Cash | Cash declining — many places are card-only |
| Payment tip | Contactless payment is king. Many places no longer accept cash. |
Plugs
| Plugs | Type G230V · 50Hz |
|---|
Staying connected
| SIM | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| EE eSIM | 15 GBP for 30 days / 10GB | EE website or Airalo app |
| Vodafone physical SIM | 10 GBP for 30 days / 5GB | Vodafone stores at Heathrow or Stansted airports |
| Three UK prepaid SIM | 15 GBP for 30 days / Unlimited data | Any Three retail store |
Avoid buying a physical Oyster card; use your contactless bank card or phone wallet directly on all transport barriers to pay as you go.
About USD 2,553 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 5 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.
Most Western tourists do not need a visa for short visits. Check the UK government website to confirm if your nationality requires an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before you fly.
London is very safe for solo women. Stick to well-lit main streets at night, use licensed black cabs or ride-share apps after midnight, and trust your instincts in busy tourist hubs.
The London Underground is the fastest way to move. Use your own contactless bank card or smartphone wallet on the yellow readers at barriers; there is no need for paper tickets.
London is almost entirely cashless. You can go an entire trip without needing a single pound coin, though having 20 GBP for emergencies is fine.
Check your final bill for a 12.5 percent service charge. If it is included, you do not need to tip anything further.
Yes, tap water in London is perfectly safe and high quality. Carry a reusable bottle to refill at stations.
Visit on weekday mornings right when they open to avoid school trips. Avoid weekend afternoons if you dislike extreme crowds.
London weather is unpredictable. Pack layers and a reliable waterproof jacket regardless of the season; you will experience sun and rain on the same day.
These 3 experiences didn't make it into this itinerary
River Thames Cruises
e.g., Thames River Cruise, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
A Specialized Historical Museum
e.g., Sir John Soanes Museum, Sherlock Holmes Museum
A Modern British Gastronomy Dinner
e.g., St John, The Ledbury
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