3 Days in London: The Perfect Itinerary (2026 Guide)
Top destinations, hidden gems, costs, and tips for planning your trip
Where
The best way to spend 3 days in London is to mix world-famous sights like the Tower of London and British Museum with local neighborhoods, markets, and pubs. Don't miss river views from the South Bank, afternoon tea, and a West End show. Book early and use an Oyster card to save time and money.
The Perfect 3 Days in London Itinerary
A 3 days in London itinerary covers landmarks, neighborhoods, and eats that pack a punch for any first-time or return visitor. You can see the Tower of London, stroll Covent Garden, watch the guards at Buckingham Palace, and still find time for a curry on Brick Lane. For most travelers, three days lets you hit the biggest highlights without feeling rushed. It’s enough time to ride a red double-decker, get lost in the British Museum’s Egyptian galleries, and taste real fish and chips in Soho.
London is huge, but the Underground (the Tube) makes it possible to zip between Westminster, Camden, and Notting Hill in under 25 minutes. Centrally located hotels fill up fast, so I always recommend booking early. You can search hotels in London on Travorio and use pay-later or crypto options to stretch your budget. London weather is unpredictable, so bring layers and a light rain jacket even in summer.
Day 1: Royal London and Iconic Sights
Start your first morning at Buckingham Palace, where the Changing of the Guard takes place around 11:00 am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Tip: Arrive by 10:15 am for a good spot at the Victoria Memorial. From most hotels in Soho or Covent Garden, the palace is about 15 minutes by foot or 10 minutes via the Victoria or Piccadilly lines to Green Park station (single fare £2.80 with an Oyster card). The ceremony is free, but crowds are thick, grab a coffee from Café Nero (£3.50 for a flat white) on the way and settle in.
After the palace, walk through St James’s Park to Westminster Abbey (entry £27, allow 90 minutes). The Abbey is packed with British history, from royal weddings to tombs of poets and scientists. Parliament Square is just outside, with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament perfect for that classic London photo. For lunch, grab a table at The Red Lion pub on Parliament Street, locals order the steak and ale pie (£16.50), and it’s usually less busy if you go before 12:30 pm.
In the afternoon, cross Westminster Bridge to the South Bank. The London Eye is here (a standard ticket is £32.50 if booked online), but if you skip the ride, you can still enjoy the riverside walk. The Southbank Centre’s food market is open from noon Fridays through Sundays, with street food from £7-£12. Don’t miss the view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the Millennium Bridge. From the Globe Theatre, the walk to Borough Market is about 18 minutes, grab a Monmouth coffee and a sausage roll (£4.50) if you need a snack.
Evenings in central London mean West End shows. Leicester Square is the hub for cheap tickets, TKTS booth often has deals for same-day performances (£25-£60). Pre-theatre dinner at Dishoom Covent Garden is a local favorite (black daal and naan, £14). After curtain call, wander Chinatown for late-night bao buns or dessert. Night buses run all night, or a black cab from Covent Garden to Soho is around £10.
Day 2: Museums, Markets, and the Thames
Begin in South Kensington, home to three of London’s best museums. The Victoria and Albert Museum (free entry) opens at 10:00 am; the Natural History Museum and Science Museum (both free) are just next door. I usually spend about 90 minutes at the V&A for design and fashion exhibits, then head to the Natural History Museum to see the blue whale. Café prices run high, so consider picking up a pastry from Gail’s Bakery on Thurloe Street (£3.20 for a cinnamon bun) before you go inside.
For lunch, hop on the Piccadilly line from South Kensington to King’s Cross (15 minutes, £2.80 Oyster fare). Walk 10 minutes to Granary Square, where Caravan serves brunch all day (avocado toast with eggs, £13.50). The area behind King’s Cross station, called Coal Drops Yard, is loaded with boutiques and pop-ups. On weekends, KERB food market has dozens of street food vendors. Try Club Mexicana for vegan tacos (£8) or Bodega Rita’s for gourmet sandwiches.
Spend your afternoon exploring the British Museum in Bloomsbury (free entry, but special exhibits £15-£22). Aim for the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, and the Egyptian mummies. The trick is to book a free timed ticket online to avoid queues. Most guides won’t mention the Reading Room, tucked away in the center, which is a peaceful spot to rest your feet. The museum closes at 5:00 pm.
Evening is perfect for wandering the Thames at sunset. From Tottenham Court Road, the Central line takes you to St Paul’s in 9 minutes (£2.80). Millennium Bridge is just outside; cross over for river views. For dinner, Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe has river-facing tables (fish pie, £17). If you’re up for it, walk to the Shard’s Aqua Shard bar for a nightcap, cocktails start at £18, but the view is free if you just want a look.
Day 3: East London, Local Life, and Day Trip Ideas
On your last morning, explore Shoreditch and Brick Lane, where street art and markets give a different flavor from central London. Take the Overground to Shoreditch High Street (single £2.80) or the Central line to Liverpool Street, then walk 10 minutes. On Sundays, Brick Lane Market is packed with vintage stalls, vinyl, and food from £5 curry to £9 salt beef bagels at Beigel Bake. Locals swear by Dark Arts Coffee on Hackney Road (£3.20 flat white).
Midday, check out Spitalfields Market for independent designers and food stalls. If you like street art, book a walking tour (£15-£20, Alternative London is popular) to spot works by Banksy and others. For lunch, Gunpowder offers Indian small plates (spicy venison doughnut, £7.80; okra fries, £6). Walk 12 minutes to the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street, free tickets bookable online for skyline views. Don’t bring large bags, or you’ll have to check them downstairs.
If you want to take a quick day trip, Windsor Castle is 50 minutes from Paddington Station via GWR trains (£13.40 one-way, buy in advance for best price). The castle opens at 10:00 am, and last admission is 3:30 pm. Allow at least 4-5 hours for the return and castle tour. Alternatively, Greenwich is a great local escape: take the DLR from Bank to Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich in 25 minutes (£2.80). Visit the Royal Observatory, see the Prime Meridian, and have lunch at Goddards at Greenwich (pie and mash, £6.50).
For your final evening, return to central London. If your flight’s early, stay near Paddington or Victoria for easy Heathrow/Gatwick access. Heathrow Express runs every 15 minutes from Paddington (£25 for a 15-minute trip, advance fares from £5.50 off-peak). Gatwick Express from Victoria is 30 minutes (£19.90). Leave at least 2.5 hours before your flight to allow for security lines.
Where to Stay in London for 3 Days
The best neighborhood for a london 3 day trip depends on your budget and how you want to spend your evenings. Soho puts you in the middle of nightlife and theaters, but rooms start at £210/night at the Soho Hotel. Covent Garden is quieter after dark and close to the West End, The Henrietta Hotel has doubles from £255/night. For classic London with a local vibe, try Notting Hill’s Portobello Hotel (from £170/night) or the Z Hotel Shoreditch (from £110/night) for something funkier.
Budget travelers often look to King’s Cross for hostels and basic hotels. Generator London has dorm beds from £35/night and private rooms from £95. Premier Inn locations near Waterloo or Southwark have clean doubles from £115/night. If you want to splurge, The Savoy on The Strand averages £650/night but is walking distance to Covent Garden and the Thames.
For families, South Kensington and Westminster are both quiet at night and close to the main museums and parks. The Nadler Victoria (now The Resident Victoria) has kitchens in every room (from £200/night). If you’re using buy now, pay later, you can browse pay later hotels on Travorio and filter by price and amenities. Don’t forget to check cancellation policies, flexible rates can save you if plans change.
Wherever you stay, being near a Tube station saves time. Most attractions are 20-30 minutes apart by Underground. Oyster cards are available at all stations, or you can tap a contactless card for the same fare. Uber and black cabs are everywhere, but traffic crawls at rush hour, so walking or the Tube is often faster.
How to Book Your London Trip
Travorio makes booking hotels and flights simple, especially if you want to pay with crypto or choose a pay-later plan. Flights from the US often run $450-$900 roundtrip on airlines like British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, or American, direct from NYC, Boston, or Chicago. You can compare options, filter for refundable fares, and use Sezzle or PayPal Pay Later for interest-free payments. Check flights and book with crypto if you want more flexibility.
London is busiest from late May through August, with July temperatures averaging 78°F (26°C). Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) bring smaller crowds and lower hotel prices. January and February have deals but short days and rain. Most museums and attractions offer advance tickets online, which can cut wait times in half. The London Pass covers 80+ attractions, but only buy it if you’ll visit at least 3 big-ticket sights per day.
Oyster cards save money on transport: a daily cap of £8.10 covers all central Tube and bus rides. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and M&S Food have £3 meal deals for fast lunches. For West End shows, TKTS Leicester Square has last-minute discounts. I always recommend booking hotels at least two months out for the best rates, especially if you want to stay in Soho or Covent Garden.
If you’re paying with crypto, Travorio supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 100+ coins. Payment is instant, and you can lock in rates to avoid currency swings. Sezzle and PayPal Pay Later split your bill into four payments with no interest, which can help if you want a nicer hotel or last-minute flight. Some hotels require a credit card on check-in for incidentals, so bring one just in case.
3-Day Itinerary Overview
Estimated 3-Day Budget
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
Three days is enough to visit London’s most famous sights like Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, and the West End. You won’t see everything, but you’ll cover the essentials and get a feel for different neighborhoods. If you want to fit in a day trip, plan your days carefully and start early. Many locals say even a lifetime in London isn’t enough, but three days gives you a strong first taste.
For a short stay, Soho and Covent Garden put you close to theaters, restaurants, and major sights. King’s Cross is great for budget travelers and offers fast Tube connections. If you want quieter evenings, South Kensington and Notting Hill are safe bets. Choose a hotel near a Tube station to save time, like The Z Hotel Shoreditch or The Resident Victoria.
From Heathrow, the Heathrow Express train to Paddington takes 15 minutes and costs £25 (advance fares from £5.50 off-peak). The Piccadilly line Tube is slower (about 50 minutes) but cheaper at £5.60. Gatwick Express from Victoria Station takes 30 minutes and costs £19.90. National Express coaches are cheaper but take longer, about 80 minutes.
Late spring (April-May) and early autumn (September-October) offer mild weather and smaller crowds. July and August are warmest, averaging 78°F (26°C), but hotels are priciest. Winters are chilly and damp but have fewer tourists. If you want to see London’s parks in bloom, late May is ideal.
Budget travelers can get by on $100-$120 per day by staying in hostels, eating street food, and using Oyster cards. Mid-range visitors should plan $200-$250 daily for hotels, pubs, and paid attractions. Luxury travelers can spend $400+ per day on fine dining, taxis, and West End shows. Book activities and hotels early for the best deals.
The Tower of London, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and a West End show rank high for most visitors. Don’t miss markets like Borough or Brick Lane for food and people-watching. The London Eye and Sky Garden offer great views, and the V&A Museum is a top pick for design lovers.
For classic British food, try The Red Lion near Parliament or Rules in Covent Garden. Dishoom Covent Garden is famous for Bombay canteen dishes. On Sundays, Brick Lane Market has curries and bagels, while Granary Square and Borough Market have street food from £7-£12. Afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason is a splurge at £70 per person.
Central London is generally safe, especially around major attractions, museums, and hotels. Watch out for pickpockets in crowded spots like Oxford Circus and on the Tube. Avoid empty parks after dark. Emergency services are reachable at 999, and most areas have CCTV cameras.
The Underground is the fastest way to travel between neighborhoods, with single fares from £2.80 using an Oyster card. Buses are cheaper and run all night, while black cabs are everywhere but pricier. Walking is great for Soho, Covent Garden, and the South Bank. Download the Citymapper app for easy route planning.
Bring layers: a light rain jacket, compact umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes are essentials. Even in summer, evenings can get cool (as low as 55°F/13°C in July). Don’t forget a UK plug adapter and a contactless credit card for transport. If you plan on visiting churches or posh restaurants, add a nicer outfit.
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