London is one of the biggest and most vibrant cities in the world, offering tourists hundreds of things to do. Whether you enjoy visiting museums and historical sites, shopping, or watching world-class theater, London has something for you.
With so many options available, planning a London vacation can be quite overwhelming for first-time visitors, and only if you have a couple of days to spare. So is 3 days in London enough?
Yes, it is! As long as you plan carefully and strategically you can definitely experience London in 3 days, and our 3-day itinerary is a great place to start.
How To Travel To London
No matter where you are in the world, getting to London is possible and the city is easily accessible, with the majority of international visitors arriving in London by airplane.
There are six main airports in London, and you can fly to London from practically anywhere in the world. When flying to London from a country outside Europe, then you will likely be landing at Heathrow Airport.
How To Travel Around London
The best way to explore London is either by public transport or on foot. You can also hire bikes or hail one of those famous London cabs.
London has an excellent public transportation network, and it is favored by most tourists. This public transportation network includes bus, tram, and rail services within the city such as the Tube.
While you can purchase individual tickets for every ride, many tourists use an Oyster Card which lets you travel on practically all the public transportation options in the city.
Unless you’re staying on the outskirts of the city we would advise against driving in London, as driving and parking in busy locations in the center of the city can be extremely challenging.
Plus, parking is costly in most areas, and driving in the center of London comes with hefty congestion fees.
Day 1 In London: The City of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a great place to start your London trip as it is the cultural, geographical, and political hub of the city. In fact, as the name suggests, the City of Westminster is its own city inside London.
London’s most iconic buildings are found here, such as Westminster Abbey, the Palace of Westminster, and Buckingham Palace.
Most tourists like to go on a walking tour or take a sightseeing bus to get a good overview of the city before they go off exploring by themselves.
To orient yourself in the city, we would also recommend doing this.
Day 2 In London: City of London & Southwark
On your second day in London, we recommend visiting the City of London, which like Westminster is a city within a city.
It is home to much of the city’s banking and financial services while also being the oldest part of the city. Needless to say, it’s full of history!
Originally called ‘Londinium’ by the Romans, you’ll find a fascinating combination of London’s oldest landmarks and its most modern buildings in the City of London.
Across the River Thames, you’ll find the London Borough of Southwark, home to many popular London landmarks and attractions such as Borough Market, HMS Belfast, the Imperial War Museum, The Shard, and Southwark Cathedral.
While it’s possible to spend most of this day on foot, to get from the Sky Garden to St Paul’s Cathedral we recommend using public transport to save time. If you would like to do a river cruise of the Thames, it might be best to do this after you visit the Tower of London.
Day 3 In London: Kensington & Windsor Castle
Now you’ve seen the most iconic London landmarks such as Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the National Gallery, the Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey.
On your third day, we recommend exploring the neighborhood of Kensington in the morning before going to Windsor Castle in the afternoon.
While we’re recommending Kensington because it has a wide variety of attractions to appeal to most travelers, Camden or Greenwich would also be great options to visit on your third day.
Both neighborhoods are fascinating places to visit with many attractions and are great places to spend your third day in London.
Where Should You Stay In London?
If you are planning a visit to London like the 3-day itinerary we’ve outlined, then we would recommend you stay in central London to cut down on extra traveling time.
In particular, we’d recommend you stay somewhere between Kensington in west London and Canary Wharf in east London.
London has a wide variety of accommodations available, from hostels to mid-range hotels to 5-star hotels, including famous luxury hotels like Brown’s Hotel, The Dorchester, The Ritz, and The Savoy. Let’s take a look at some of the best hotels in London.
The Ritz London: One of the most famous hotels in the world, The Ritz London is known for hosting politicians, celebrities, and now you! The hotel offers outstanding personal service, fabulous dining options, and sophisticated, iconic Afternoon Tea.
The Stafford London: Nestled in the middle of St James, The Stafford is a stone’s throw away from the most famous London landmarks, and is brimming with luxury.
The Langham London: The Langham is considered the home of afternoon tea, and they still offer one of the best afternoon teas in London to this day! Plus, they have 380 beautiful rooms and a roomy, stylish Club Lounge.
Brown’s Hotel: For a stay in an iconic 5-star luxury London hotel, look no further than Brown’s, which has been providing boutique luxury for years. Not only is it a 12-minute walk to Buckingham Palace, but it’s also the oldest hotel in London.
The Savoy: This is another famous 5-star luxury hotel that is much bigger than Brown’s Hotel and is located in the heart of London. It takes under 10 minutes to walk from the Savoy to the National Gallery and Trafalgar Square.
Final Thoughts
We hope our article has shown you that even a short trip to London is possible and totally worth it, especially if you opt for a truly unforgettable luxury experience!
London is a big city with a lot to do, but with careful planning, you can see quite a lot in even a short space of time.
Ready to embark on your own unforgettable London adventure now that the nest is empty or about to be? Let us craft the perfect itinerary tailored just for you. Discover the charm of London at your own pace, explore hidden gems, and create lasting memories. Contact us today to start planning your dream getaway!
To find out more check out my home page here.
Reach out today at erin@cultivatingconnectionstravelplanners.com
Or you can just give me a call at 405.310.7588
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