London

London Travel Guide

England is full of pageantry and tradition, and nowhere else is that on display so vividly than in London. Yet the capital of the United Kingdom is hardly living in the past, continually courting innovation and growth in its art, architecture, restaurants, and hotels. From the burgeoning East End to the well-established City Centre, T+L’s London travel guide proves the world-class destination continues to evolve.

England’s temperate climate means rain showers throughout much of the year, although temperatures remain mostly comfortable. Tourist numbers hit a high between April and September, and again around Christmas time, when the nights are long, but holiday decorations provide extra sparkle. Opt for travel dates in the spring and fall for brisk days and nights, plus a little more breathing room.

History and tradition greet you at every turn in London; it's also one of the coolest, most modern cities in the world. If London contained only landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, it would still rank as one of the world's great destinations, but Britain's capital is much more. People come to glimpse the royals and stop by hot galleries; to take in theater and trendy shops; to sample tea and scones or cutting-edge cuisine. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub, relax in a park—or take a walk and make London your own

Best Time To Visit

Spring starts early in the U.K., and it’s optimal in otherwise temperamental weather (still: pack an umbrella). Mild winters and traditional Christmas markets make November and December popular, too.

London Weather

January is the coldest month, with an average low of 45°F (7°C) and July is the hottest month, with an average high of 66 °F (19 °C).

When To Go

The heaviest tourist season runs April–September, with another peak around Christmas. Late spring is the time to see the Royal Parks and gardens at their freshest; fall brings autumnal beauty and fewer people. Summer gives the best chance of good weather, although the crowds are intense. Winter can be dismal—it’s dark by 5—but all the theaters, concerts, and exhibitions go full-speed ahead, and Christmas lights bring a major touch of festive magic. Weather-wise, winter is cold and wet with occasional light snow and spring is colorful and fair. June through August can range from a total washout to a long hot summer and anything in between. Autumn ranges from warm to cool to mild. It's impossible to forecast London weather but you can be certain that it will not be what you expect.

Top Tourist Attraction

1  Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London provides an amazing new opportunity to explore the magic of the Harry Potter™ films – the most successful film series of all time. This unique walking tour takes you behind-the-scenes and showcases a huge array of beautiful sets, costumes and props. It also reveals some closely guarded secrets, including facts about the special effects and animatronics that made these films so hugely popular all over the world.

Step onto the famous cobbles of Diagon Alley, featuring the shop fronts of Ollivanders wand shop, Flourish and Blotts, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, Gringotts Wizarding Bank and Eeylops Owl Emporium.

•See iconic props from the films, including Harry’s Nimbus 2000 and Hagrid’s motorcycle.

•Learn how creatures were brought to life with green screen effects, animatronics and life-sized models.

•Rediscover other memorable sets from the film series, including the Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, Hagrid’s hut, Potion’s classroom and Professor Umbridge’s office at the Ministry of Magic.

Adult Ticket:	From £69.00 (INR5,801.09) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £64.00 (INR5,380.72) per ticket

Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets on the door. Tickets are timed and you must arrive in time for your tour.

If you are travelling from Central London, book with visitlondon.com and your transport from Victoria is included - from £57.

Opening Times:

The first tour starts at 10:00 and the last tour is between 16:00 and 18:30 (depending upon the time of year, school holidays and weekends

2 Coca-Cola London Eye

The Coca-Cola London Eye is centrally located in the heart of the capital, gracefully rotating over the River Thames opposite the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

At 135 metres, the Coca-Cola London Eye is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel; a feat of design and engineering, it has become the modern symbol representing the capital and a global icon. The experience showcases breathtaking 360-degree views of the capital and its famous landmarks and has been the number one visitor experience in the city for the past decade.

The gradual rotation in one of the 32 high-tech glass capsules takes approximately 30 minutes and gives you an ever-changing perspective of London. Within each capsule, interactive guides allow you to explore the capital's iconic landmarks in several languages.

An experience on the Coca-Cola London Eye will lift you high enough to see up to 40 kilometres on a clear day and keep you close enough to see the spectacular details of the city unfolding beneath you.

Make the most of your time with us by visiting our London Eye 4D Experience, free with every ticket. See London come to life through unique perspectives and multi-sensory special effects, including wind, bubbles and scent. The four-minute show is perfect to watch at the start of your visit.

Adult Ticket:	From £23.00 (INR1,933.70) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £16.25 (INR1,366.20) per ticket

Children under 4 are free.

10% discount to groups of 15 or more paying guests both for the London Eye and the London Eye river cruise experience.

Senior discounts are not valid for any weekends or during July and August.

Lower prices are for online booking in advance. Higher prices are charged at the attraction on the day of your visit.

Opening Times:

1 October-31 March: 10:00 - 20:30 daily.

1 April-30 June: 10:00 - 21:00 daily.

1 July-30 September: 10:00 - 21:30 daily.

Closed Christmas Day.

3 . Buckingham Palace Tour

Book your visit to Buckingham Palace for a glimpse inside one of the few working royal palaces remaining in the world today.

During the summer, you can tour the 19 spectacular State Rooms. These magnificent rooms are decorated with some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.

Each year Buckingham Palace hosts a special exhibition as part of the summer opening. The exhibition changes each year, but always provides a fascinating glimpse into royal life.

Outside of the summer opening, you can still see the iconic exterior of the palace and watch the famous Changing the Guard.

Adult Ticket:	From £33.00 (INR2,774.44) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £18.00 (INR1,513.33) per ticket
Concession Ticket:	From £30.20 (INR2,539.03) per ticket

A Royal Day Out ticket is also available and gives admission to The State Rooms, The Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery:

Adult £39.50

Over 60/Student (with ID) £36.20

Under 17/Disabled £22.00

Family £100.00

Audio tours are included in the admission price.

Opening Times:

Summer 2017: 22 July - 31 August 2017

Open daily 09:30 - 19:30 (last admission 17:15)

1 September - 1 October 2017

Open daily 09:30 - 18:30 (last admission 16:15)

4  Hop on Hop off Bus Tour

See London's iconic landmarks from the comfort of a hop on hop off bus tour. Buy a 24 hour ticket and enjoy unlimited travel around London in that period. Plus, get a free walking tour and a free river tour included with your bus ticket.

The buses cover four different routes with more than 60 stops, so there's plenty of opportunity to see London's most famous places. You can hop on hop off as many times as you want, giving you the chance to explore areas and sights in more detail.

A live tour guide, or audio guide, is available in the following languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese (Brazilian) and Russian. There is also free Wi-Fi available on the bus.

On the hop on hop off tour, you'll have the opportunity to see and explore:

•Tower of London

•Buckingham Palace

•Westminster Abbey

•Oxford Street & Regent Street

•Shakespeare's Globe

•St Paul's Cathedral

•Trafalgar Square

Buses depart every five to 10 minutes from the main tourist points, and every 15 to 20 minutes elsewhere.

The bus tour also entitles you to a free walking tour - choose from the Royal London tour, or the Beatles' London tour.

A free Thames boat ride is also included in the trip, allowing you to see London's iconic skyline from the river.

Save even more money by buying a ticket which includes entry to one of London's major attractions, including The Tower of London, The London Eye or Madame Tussauds.

Tickets valid for 24 or 48 hours. Includes a free walking tour voucher and a free Thames river boat ride.

Adult Ticket:From £26.00 (INR2,185.92) per ticket

 5  Madame Tussauds London

With 14 interactive areas, Madame Tussauds London combines glitz, glamour and incredible history with more than 300 stunning wax figures.

Walk down the red carpet with Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Depp, before exploring our sports zone alongside Usain Bolt and David Beckham. Enjoy an audience with Her Majesty The Queen and Will and Kate before stepping on stage with music icons including Miley Cyrus. Then, after a behind-the-scenes look at how our sculptors work, ride in a taxi and relive the rich history of London.

Now you can delve into the world of Star Wars™ at Madame Tussauds London. Your favourite heroes and villains from Star Wars Episodes I-VI have been brought to life in authentic walk-in sets, inspired by key scenes from the films, including the swamps of Dagobah, Jabba’s Throne Room and the flight deck of the Millennium Falcon.

Adult Ticket:	From £31.00 (INR2,606.29) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £24.00 (INR2,017.77) per ticket
Family Ticket:	From £100.00 (INR8,407.38) per ticket

Low price only available when booking online in advance. Prices subject to change.

Visis www.madametussauds.com/London to book your tickets online and save up to 50%!

Opening Times:

Madame Tussauds is open seven days a week. Normal opening hours are 09:30 – 17:30. Peak opening hours are 09:00 - 18:00. Peak times are every weekend and UK school holidays. Please refer to www.madametussauds.com/London for full details. Christmas Eve 09:00 - 14:30, closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day 10:00 - 18:00 and New Years Day 10:30 - 18:00.

6  Tower of London

Despite the Tower of London's grim reputation as a place of torture and death, within these walls you will also discover the history of a royal palace, an armoury and a powerful fortress. Don't miss Royal Beasts and learn about the wild and wonderous animals that have inhabited the Tower, making it the first London Zoo.

Discover the priceless Crown Jewels, join an iconic Beefeater on a tour and hear their bloody tales, stand where famous heads have rolled, learn the legend of the Tower's ravens, storm the battlements, get to grips with swords and armour, and much more!

Adult Ticket:	From £24.80 (INR2,085.03) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £11.50 (INR966.85) per ticket
Concession Ticket:	From £19.30 (INR1,622.62) per ticket

Children 5-15 years, under 5 free. All prices exempt of VAT. Family 2 adults and up to 3 children.

This content has been supplied by HM Tower of London

Opening Times:

Open all year. Summer: 1 March - 31 October: Tuesday - Saturday 09:00-18:00 / Sunday - Monday 10:00-18:00. Last admission 17:00. Winter: 1 November - 28 February: Tuesday - Saturday 09:00-17:00 / Sunday - Monday 10:00-17:00. Last admission 16:00.

The Tower is closed 24-26 December (inclusive) and 1 January.

7 Westminster Abbey

  Kings, queens, statesmen and soldiers; poets, priests, heroes and villains - Westminster Abbey is a must-see living pageant of British history.

Every year, the Abbey welcomes over one million visitors who want to explore this wonderful 700-year-old building - the coronation church of England. Audio guides are available in eleven languages or there is the highly-popular verger-led tour.

Adult Ticket:	From £20.00 (INR1,681.48) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £9.00 (INR756.66) per ticket

Child under 5 free.

This content has been supplied by Westminster Abbey

Opening Times:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

09:30 - 15:30

Wednesday

09:30 - 18:00

Saturday

September - April - 09:30 - 13:30

May - August - 09:30 - 15:30

 8 Kensington Palace

  Kensington Palace, a palace of secret stories and public lives, has been influenced by generations of royal women.

Experience life as an 18th century royal courtier whilst making your way through the magnificent King's and Queen's State Apartments adorned with remarkable paintings from the Royal Collection.

Victoria Revealed, set within the rooms Queen Victoria lived in as a child, is an exhibition that explores her life and reign as wife, mother, Queen and Empress.

Fashion Rules; restyled, this exhibition explores how three royal women - HM The Queen, Princess Margaret and Diana, Princess of Wales - navigated the fashion "rules" defined by their royal duties. The collection includes exquisite dresses worm by all three.

Adult Ticket:	From £17.00 (INR1,429.25) per ticket
Child Ticket:	Free
Concession Ticket:	From £13.50 (INR1,135.00) per ticket

Children up to 15 years free of charge. Concession full time student with ID and over 60's. Prices exempt of VAT.

This content has been supplied by Kensington Palace

Opening Times:

01 March - 31 October 10:00 - 18:00 daily, last admission 17:00.

1st November until 28th February

10:00 - 16:00 daily, last admission 15:00.

Closed 24-26 December inclusive

9  The View from The Shard

The View from The Shard is the premium visitor attraction at the top of Western Europe's tallest building, and London's newest landmark, The Shard.

Designed by Master Architect Renzo Piano, the Shard redefines London’s skyline and has become a dynamic symbol of London. At a height of up to 800ft or 244m, The View from The Shard offers spectacular views over London, enabling visitors to see as far as 40 miles away. Twice as high as any other vantage point in the city, it is the only place where visitors can see the entire city at once.

Book your tickets in advance for your chance to see London in high definition, and save £5 compared to the door price!

Adult Ticket:	From £25.95 (INR2,181.39) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £19.95 (INR1,677.02) per ticket

This content has been supplied by The View from The Shard

Opening Times:

Our normal opening hours are as follows:

1 April - 31 October

Open daily 10am - 10pm (last entry 9:30pm)

1 November - 31 March

Sunday to Wednesday 10am - 7pm (last entry 5:30pm)

Thursday to Saturday 10am - 10pm

We are closed on 25 December.

Opening times do vary on occasion depending on the events that are taking place so please do check the website before you visit.

 

 

10 London Dungeon

The London Dungeon is a uniquely thrilling attraction that’ll take you back to the past’s most horrible bits. See, hear, smell and feel London's darkest stories as they come to life before your eyes.

As you are taken back in time, you will come face-to-face with frighteningly funny characters, from torturers and judges to local legends. As you listen to their stories, you’ll feel yourself drawn into another world, where the boundaries between reality and the past blur.

Be warned: as you make your way through the London Dungeon, surprises are lurking in the darkness and will keep your senses on high alert as you anticipate what’s waiting around the next corner…

Adult Ticket:	From £23.20 (INR1,950.22) per ticket
Child Ticket:	From £18.20 (INR1,529.92) per ticket
Concession Ticket:	From £20.20 (INR1,698.04) per ticket

Pre-booked groups of 10 or more can enjoy the benefits of discounted admission.

To discover more go to: www.thedungeons.com/london

Ticket prices vary during the year, and may be cheaper online. See website for booking information.

Opening Times:

Seven days a week every day of the year except Christmas Day. Opening hours vary during the year, see website for more details.

Where to stay in London

Find the best places to stay in London and make the most of your trip to the capital with our London area guide.

Plan your perfect stay in London, whether you are searching for family accommodation, looking for cheap places to stay in London, or want to be near London’s top attractions for sightseeing.

Stay in Central London

Choose a hotel in Central London and have London’s greatest attractions on your doorstep.

Whether you are looking for a stay in a bed and breakfast, or want to treat yourself to a luxury hotel in London, Central London offers countless accommodation options. From your room, you will be steps away from London’s landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s. Exploring Central London’s vibrant neighbourhoods will be very easy, and you’ll save precious energy and time.  

Stay in Covent Garden

Stay in Covent Garden’s Central London district, and enjoy the fantastic array of shops, restaurants and attractions this area is famous for.

Book your hotel in Covent Garden, and be around the corner from Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Browse for souvenirs at Covent Garden Market, do some shopping in Seven Dials, and catch a musical at one of London’s West End theatres. By choosing to stay in this area, you’ll be very close to Trafalgar Square and Somerset House, and have easy access to the rest of London via public transport.

Stay in East London

Discover East London, a cool and up-and-coming area of the city with convenient transport links to London’s main points of interest.

Accommodation in East London spans from hostels for revellers attracted by Shoreditch nightlife, to luxury hotels for business travellers headed for Canary Wharf financial district. Enjoy East London’s street art and many attractions, such as Brick Lane and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Liverpool Street Station big transport hub is at hand.

Stay in Greenwich

Greenwich is the perfect hub to explore the rest of the city. This charming London area’s quick transport links make it a great option if you want to see the city from a different perspective, and still get to Central London in under 30 minutes.

Book your hotel in Greenwich and visit The Old Royal Naval College, the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory Greenwich, home to the Prime Meridian Line. Get adventurous and try some alternative means of transport with a river cruise or the Emirates Air Line Cable Car. Staying in Greenwich is also a great choice if you are planning to see a show at The O2: the famous concert venue is just around the corner.

Stay in Kensington and Chelsea

The elegant neighbourhoods of Kensington and Chelsea give a taste of London’s fashionable spirit. Hotels in Kensington and Chelsea allow quick access to world-class restaurants, museums and designer boutiques, plus a bit of celebrity-spotting.

Enjoy South Kensington‘s popular museums such as the V&A and the Natural History Museum on your doorstep. Wander around Kings Road, the centre of the 1960s swinging London in Chelsea, and see cutting-edge contemporary art at the Saatchi Gallery.  

Stay in North London

North London hotels are good value for money - an ideal choice for a cheap stay in London, if you don’t need to stay in the centre of town.

Thanks to North London’s efficient transport links, Central London is within easy reach, with Kings Cross St Pancras Station and Euston Station a few minutes away. Explore the fascinating Highgate Cemetery, take a photo at the famous Abbey Road crossing, or do some shopping at Camden Town Market.

Stay in Notting Hill

Choose a hotel in Notting Hill and enjoy this lively neighbourhood a few minutes from Central London. Immerse yourself in this area’s unique charm while having a convenient base to explore the rest of London.

Notting Hill is home to a host of restaurant and boutiques. Browse for everything, from antiques to souvenirs, at the famous Portobello Market, and catch a film at the fascinating Electric Cinema. If you are coming to London on the August Bank Holiday, make sure not to miss the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival, celebrating everything Caribbean.

London Transportation

London has one of the largest urban transport networks in the world, with integrated bus, river and road systems spanning the city's 32 boroughs.

1 London Buses

London's iconic double-decker buses are a quick, convenient and cheap way to travel around the city, with plenty of sightseeing opportunities along the way. London’s bus route network covers all the city with a 24-hour service. Check the traveller information below to find out all you need to know about bus travel in London.

How to Pay a Bus Fare in London

You cannot pay your London bus fare with cash.

A single bus fare costs £1.50. You can pay this fare by using a Visitor Oyster card, an Oyster card, a Travelcard or with a contactless payment card.

Make a journey using pay as you go on a bus, and you can make a second bus journey for free within one hour of first touching in. To take advantage of the hopper fare, you must touch in using the same card on the second bus or tram.

If you only use buses and trams to travel around London, you will pay a maximum of £4.50 per day, as long as you pay with the same ticket or contactless payment card every time. 

London Bus and Tram Passes

Bus and tram passes are valid for the Transport for London bus and tram network in London which do not have fare zones.

One Day Bus and Tram Pass

With this pass you have unlimited travel for £5 on buses and trams only. You can travel for a single day, until 04:29 the following day.

2016 London Bus and Tram Pass Prices (Standard Adult Fares)

• 7 Day: £21.20
• 1 month: £81.50
• 1 year: £848

Children under the age of 11 travel free on buses and trams
Read more at 

2 London Underground

The London Underground rail network, or "the Tube" is a great way to travel to and from Central London and will be an integral part of most people's stay in the UK capital.

Greater London is served by 12 Tube lines, along with the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and an interconnected local train network. Underground trains generally run between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday, with reduced operating hours on Sunday.

What are the London Tube prices?

Buy a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card, Travelcard or use a contactless payment card to get the best value as cash is the most expensive way to pay.

An adult cash fare on the London metro for a single journey in zone 1 is £4.90. The same Tube fare with Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or contactless payment card is £2.40. For more details about London Tube prices, see the Transport for London website.

For contactless payment cards issued outside the UK, please check for transaction fees or bank changes.

3 Local Trains in London

Use London's Overground train network to travel across the city and beyond the Tube.

London's Overground rail services crisscross the city and extend beyond the Tube network. Most local train lines connect efficiently with the Tube and accept payment by Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card, Travelcard and contactless payment card.

London Train Service Information

Transport for London's (TfL) London Overground currently operates rail services on six routes in London. Journeys by train and other modes of public transport can be planned online using the Transport for London Journey Planner

How to Pay for Train Journeys in London

You can use a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or Travelcard as well as contactless payment cards on all London Overground trains and most National Rail services in zones 1-9.

How much you pay depends on the time of day and which lines you use. If you pay with a Visitor Oyster card, Oyster card or contactless payment card, the fare is the same. For contactless payment cards issued outside of the UK, please check for any transaction fees or bank charges that may apply.

Railcards for Discounted Fares

Several different types of card are available offering up to a third off train fares:

• Young Persons Railcard (aged 16-25) £30
• Family and Friends Railcard (up to 4 adults and 4 children aged 5-15) £30
• Senior Railcard (aged 60+) £30
• Network Railcard (off-peak services in South East England) £30
• Disabled Persons Railcard (disabled people and their carers) £20

4 London Taxis

From iconic London black cabs to local minicabs, we've got all the traveller information you need to help you travel around London by taxi.

Complete your London experience with a ride in one of the city's black cabs. London's official taxis, black cabs can be hailed in the street or at designated ranks situated in prominent places, including many mainline rail, Tube and bus stations. They can also be booked by telephone.

If the yellow TAXI sign at the front is illuminated, the cab is available for hire. Black cabs are legally obliged to take on any job for journeys up to 12 miles (20 miles for cabs at the Heathrow Airport taxi ranks), or up to one hour duration.

London Cabs Fares and Tips

Fares are metered, and there is a minimum charge of £2.60. Additional charges apply when you take a black cab from Heathrow, book by telephone and on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. All black cabs accept payment by credit or debit card, and there is no surcharge on the taxi fare for card payment.