THE PERFECT TWO DAY LONDON ITINERARY (MAP AND TIPS)
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
This post is about the perfect two day London itinerary
Are you looking to plan the perfect two days in London itinerary but feel a little stressed out and overwhelmed about it?
I feel you, I remember 20 odd years ago planning my first trip to London (as an adult, I’d been before as a child) and there’s so much to see and do in this iconic city that it can be difficult to know where to start when planning the perfect few days in London. Especially if you’re like me and don’t want to miss out on anything!
I’ve lived in and visited London so many times over the years, I’ve lost count at this point so take this two day London itinerary as a helping hand from a savvy local, not a tourist.
So, if you want to quickly and easily plan 2 days in London this guide is for you as everything is laid out simply for you to make sure you see all of Londons top attractions in your two days in London.
Planning your trip? Use my favourite resources!
🏨 Accommodation : I recommend Booking.com
✈️ Flights : for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner
🚗 Rental Car : I recommend Rental Cars
🛡️ Travel Insurance : for the best deals I rely on HeyMondo
LONDON CHECKLIST
✅ An excellent pair of walking shoes for all the walking you’re going to do around the capital.
✅ A hoodie or warm sweater to stay warm in the cold British winter.
✅ A decent raincoat as it rains quite a lot in England.
✅ A good quality compact camera to record those Christmas memories.
NO TIME TO READ NOW? 📍PIN FOR LATER
This post is about how to plan the perfect two days in London
About this London 2 day itinerary
🏴
London is a big city and it can be overwhelming trying to plan your first visit to the English capital, particularly if you only have two days in London. There are so many famous and iconic landmarks, incredible museums and tourist attractions it can be difficult to narrow down the ones you want to visit.
With just two days in London it’s important to make the most of your time and have a plan before you visit to know which of the major landmarks and tourist attractions you want to visit to create your perfect London trip.
As someone who has visited and stayed in London more times than I can remember I have some great travel tips for you to make the most of your two days in London.
Let’s get in to it.
Tips for Getting Around London
🏴
Book as much as possible in advance
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when visiting London is not planning your trip in advance. Once you’ve booked your flights and accommodation it’s time to book the London attractions and activities you want to do. Often when you book in advance you get more choice, better prices and you avoid the queuing times when in London. You don’t want to be spending your first trip to London standing in queues waiting for things. You want to be exploring and enjoying yourself.
Many London attractions are best booked in advance and you can often get cheaper prices when you book some time in advance. Different attractions should be booked at different times leading up to your trip.
As a guide, if you plan on visiting Buckingham Palace on the inside, I’d recommend booking the Buckingham Palace State Rooms at least 3 months in advance. As you’re short on time and have a specific date and time you want to visit, I’d recommend booking Westminster Abbey at least a month in advance.
Other things you should consider booking in advance are the London Eye and the Tower of London.
Get a London Pass to save money
When you visit London for the first time you will probably want to visit all the major attractions and the main landmarks. This could mean lots and lots of queuing. This means a lot of wasted time standing in line when you could be enjoying the wonderful things London has to offer.
The London Pass
One of the best ways to see a lot of the major attractions in London is to get The London Pass by Go City.
It gives you access to more than 90 top attractions, tours and museums including:
Tower of London
The View from the Shard
Windsor Castle
Westminster Abbey
London Bridge Experience
Tower Bridge
St Paul’s Cathedral
Kensington Palace
You can enjoy a 1-Day Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus tour with over 60 stops across London including Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus. The pass is valid for a full working day across 3 routes.
You get access to the Thames River Boat which is a fanastic way to see the city by travelling up and down the River Thames. This is a 1 day hop-on hop-off deal.
You can purchase 1 day up to 10 days London City Pass so pick whichever one is the right option for you. It only really makes sense to get the London City Pass if you’re going to visit at 2/3 attractions during your one day in London.
Walk as much as possible
London is a big sprawling city and exploring London on foot may not seem possible.
It’s sometimes surprising for first time visitors to London that alot of London especially where the main tourist attractions are can be easily explored on foot.
Most of Zone 1 of London is best explored on foot. A lot of London’s main landmarks like the London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, are all a short walk away from each other.
Not only does walking save you transport costs, but it also allows you to see some of London’s best-hidden gems that are often missed if you are spending all your time underground on the tube.
If you’re going to walk comfortable shoes should be at the very top of your London packing list.
Carry a reusable water bottle
Tap water in the UK is perfectly safe to drink and to make sure you stay hydrated on your two day London trip you should bring a reusable water bottle.
Whilst there aren’t drinking fountains around London to fill up your bottle many cafes and pubs will be happy to fill you up if you run out of water.
Two Days in London : Two Day Itinerary
Day One
Hyde Park
Hyde Park is a great place to start your two days in London. The morning is the best time to see Hyde Park. You can stroll around the park getting a relaxing start to your busy day ahead. This is a particularly nice thing to do if the sun is shining in London.
There are lots of little cafes in the park where you could grab some breakfast or coffee to start your day. Make sure you stroll around The Serpentine which is the bug lake in the middle of the park. The Princess Diana Memorial Fountain is a great place to visit. In the summer many people take off their shoes and dangle their feet in the water to cool off and children splash around in the fountain - it’s a great place to hang out.
Don’t linger too long in Hyde Park as you need to get to Buckingham Palace for Changing of the Guard ceremony at 11am. Buckingham Palace is only a short walk from Hyde Park through Green Park (another Royal Park)
Address: Hyde Park, Westminster, London, W2 2UH
Hours: 5am - 12am
Price: Free to visit.
Getting There: Depending on where your hotel is you may be able to walk to to Hyde Park. If you’re not in walking distance you could hail a famous London cab to start your day or hop on the tube. Tube stations near to Hyde Park are Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Lancaster Gate, Queensway and Marble Arch.
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace one of the most famous buildings in the world. Buckingham Palace has been the official residence of the British monarch since 1837.
Whether you’re a fan of the royal family or not the building itself is well worth a visit and it’s a must-do for first time visitors to London.
You can tour inside the palace but this is only open in the peak summer season and you probably won’t have time to do this if you only have two day in London. If you have more time in London you can find out more about touring Buckingham Palace here.
You can, however peek through the railings to see the building. You’ll also see the King’s Guard standing to attention.
You can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which takes place a few of times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. This happens at 11am so you won’t have time on this visit but that just means you can return to London another time.
Address: Constitution Hill, London SW1A 1AA
Hours: Visit the exterior any time of day. State Rooms tours are open from late July until late September on select days and times.
Price: Free to visit the exterior. Tours cost £30 per adult. Visit the official website for more information.
Getting There: Walk through Green Park from Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace.
The Mall and St James Park
The road that leads to Buckingham Palace is called The Mall. It’s the street that people line 10/15 deep when there’s a Royal preocession to catch a glimse of the royals. It’s a beautiful, wide street lined with trees with Union Jacks hanging on either side.
On one side of The Mall is St James’ Park which is one of the prettiest parks in Central London. It has beautiful flower beds that look amazing in the spring and a large, shimmering lake. There’s a cute little bridge that crosses over the lake where you can get an amazing view of Buckingham Palace.
It’s a great place for a picnic during your two days in London if you have time.
Address: London SW1A 2BJ, United Kingdom
Hours: St James’ Park open daily from 5:00 am to 12:00 am
Price: Free
Getting There: The Mall is the street Buckingham Palace is on so just walk from there. St James’ Park is on the right as you walk down the street.
10 Downing Street
Downing Street is a street in Westminster that houses the official residences and offices of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The current Prime Minister lives at Number 10 and the current Chancellor of the Exchequer lives at Number 11.
Downing Street is situated just off Whitehall, it is 200 metres long, and only few minutes' walk from the Houses of Parliament.
Visiting Downing Street isn’t quite as good as it used to be. Back when I was a kid I remember walking down Downing Street and being able to stand right outside the famous door of Number 10. These days there’s a huge fence and armed guards preventing you from going down the street but you can still spot the famous residences from the behind the fence.
Address: 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA
Hours: Street is closed but you can peer down the street from the gates anytime
Price: Free
Getting There: Head down Great George Street past Churchill War Rooms then turn left on Parliament Street. Downing Street is the second street on the left just past the cenotaph.
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
Big Ben is one of London’s most famous landmarks. For a first timer in London, it is a crazy sight to see this famous landmark in person when you get that first glimpse of Big Ben.
Big Ben is not actually the name of the tower but the name of the largest of the five bells inside of the clock tower. This bell weighs 13.76 tons (30,000lbs) tolls on the hour, every hour.
The tower itself was previously known as 'The Clock Tower', but in 2012 it was renamed Elizabeth Tower to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee.
The tower was completed in 1869 and is probably the most recognisable clock in the world.
The Elizabeth Tower itself is 96m tall and has 399 steps inside, leading all the way to the Aryton Light (a lantern type structure) at the top.
This iconic tower sits on the north end of the Houses of Parliament. You can book to go on a tour of the tower. Tickets are released around 3 months in advance and they sell out quickly so you have to be quick to book.
The best views of Big Ben can be seen by walking across Westminster Bridge from the south side of the river or going on the London Eye.
The clock faces are always illumated at night which makes for some amazing photographs. Also, look out for the light illuminating at the top of all four clock faces as that indicates that Parliament is in session.
The Houses of Parliament have been used for political meetings since the Norman conquest in 1066. The Houses of Parliament are the centre of the British government where the House of Commons and the House of Lords assemble.
The oldest part of the Houses of Parliament is Westminster Hall which was built in 1097 which is an incredible part of the building.
Did you know that you can actually do a tour the Houses of Parliament and even attend the debates at the House of Commons or House of Lords? For more information, click here.
Address: Parliament Square, London SW1A 0AA
Hours: You can visit the exterior any time of day. However, tour dates and times do not follow a set schedule.
Price: Free to view the exterior. £35 per adult for a Big Ben tour. Houses of Parliament tour is free for UK residents and £25 for others.
Getting there: Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are easy to spot from Downing Street and are about a 4 minute walk.
Westminster Abbey
Visiting Westminster Abbey is one of the best things you can do in London.
Westminster Abbey is the site of many of Britain’s most important moments in history. The building was consecrated in 1065 and every British monarch has been crowned there since 1066. On 6th May 2023 King Charles III was coronated at Westminster Abbey. It has also been the venuw of 16 Royal weddings with the most recent being the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton (now the Prince and Princess of Wales.)
More than 3,300 people are buried in Westminster Abbey. These include Charles Darwin, Sir Isaac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Laurence Olivier, Stephen Hawking and many of the Kings and Queens of England.
The Abbey is open for regular worship although it isn’t a normal parish church or a cathedral. Westminster Abbey is known as a ‘Royal Peculiar,’ which means it isn’t subject to a bishop or archbishop, only to the reigning Sovereign.
There’s plenty to see when visiting Westminster Abbey. You must see the ancient Coronation chair in St George’s Chapel. You may have seen it on the TV when Charles was being crowned. It’s a magnificent oak seat that many Kings and Queens have sat on to be coronated.
There are over 600 wall tablets and monuments commemorating important figures in music, science, warfare and more. You can visit Poet’s Corner which is devoted to notable British writers such as William Shakesphere, Charles Dickens and CS Lewis.
While here, you have the option to add on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. It’s the best £5 you’ll spend in London. The views of Westminster Abbey are breathtaking and you’ll stand in rooms that were closed for hundreds of years.
Westminster Abbey is open from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Saturday. For the best experience, book your tickets online in advance as you may end up queuing for a reasonable amount of time if you don’t.
Address: 20 Deans Yd, London SW1P 3PA
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Price: The Westminster Abbey entrance ticket is £30 per person. Westminster Abbey guided tour is £70.
Getting There: The abbey is in Parliament Square – yards away from the Houses of Parliament.
London Eye
The London Eye is hard to miss when you’re in London. It stands tall on the South Bank of the Thames opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
For one of the best views of London you should take a ride on the London Eye. Your pod moves slowly making one revolution that takes around 30 minutes and whislt that happens, you’ll get an ever changing bird’s eye view of London including the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the River Thames. In the distance, you can see St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Shard, Tower Bridge and other famous London landmarks.
If you're feeling a tad fancy, you can book a private capsule for that extra romantic touch or celebrate a special occasion. Pop the champagne and let the breathtaking views be the backdrop to your unforgettable moment. If you don’t do that you will be sharing your pod with others and are free to walk around inside.
PRO TIP : Book your tickets online. London is fabulous, but standing in line isn't. Save yourself some precious time and prebook your tickets online.
Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, London SE1 7PB
Hours: London Eye is open daily from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Price: Tickets start at £30 when booked online in advance.
Thames Cruise
A must do in London is to see it from the river and take a cruise along the River Thames. It gives you the opportunity to see the city from a whole new perspective and you’ll get to see many of the popular tourist attractions and iconic sights from a different angle.
There are many different types of experiences you can book on the river. The most popular option for tourists tends to be a cruise that takes you between the London Eye/Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge/Tower of London. The great news is it’s often included in the hop-on hop-off bus tickets.
It’s a great way to see London from a different perspective and a fun way to get across the city to your next location on your two day London itinerary.
You will get on at Westminster Pier and off at Tower Bridge Quay.
This cruise is worth prebooking which you can do here or click the blue button below.
If a cruise is a little out of your budget you can take a Thames Clipper which is boats by Uber that allow you to travel along the river from Greenwich in the east to Battersea in the west.
Tower Bridge
The Tower Bridge Quay is right next to Tower Bridge and this is your next stop on your one day visit to London. Depending on time you can choose to either stroll across this iconic bridge or if you have longer you can climb the towers of Tower Bridge to learn more about the history of this bridge and for unique views of the River Thames.
At the top you walk across a glass floor where you can see boats going along the Thames and big,red London double deckers driving across the bridge.
You can prebook your ticket for Tower Bridge here.
A visit up Tower Bridge lasts around an hour.
INSIDER TIP : Not many people realise that Tower Bridge still rises today. Infact, it rises at least once most days to allow taller boats to pass underneath. If you go to the official website it will tell you the schedule for when the bridge will be raised in the coming days. It’s a cool thing to see if you’re around for it.
Address: Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP
Hours: London Eye is open daily from 9:30 to 18:00 (last admission 17:00)
Price: Tickets start at £12 when booked online in advance.
Tower of London
Right next to Tower Bridge is The Tower of London which is your next stop on this one day visit to London.
The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror back to 1086 and was used as both a prison and a royal residence and now houses the crown jewels.
It has been an important part of British history since that time and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will be able to spot the famous ravens that live on the premises and find out why they are known as the guardians of the Tower.
You’ll stroll across Tower Green to see where many executions took place, including those of two of Henry VIII's wives. You will also be able to go inside of the tower.
There is a travelator that takes thousands of visitors a day past the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. These priceless symbols of the British Monarchy compose the greatest working collection of crown jewels in the world.
You will see the glistening Imperial State Crown that has 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies.
You can just buy an entrance ticket to the Tower of London but I recommend taking a Yeoman Warder Tour as it’s very entertaining and you will learn alot about the history of the Tower of London.
A visit to the Tower of London lasts around 2 hours.
For more information visit the official website.
Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Opening times : Mon and Sun : 10am - 5:30pm (last admission 3:30pm), Tues - Sat : 9am - 5:30pm (last admission 3:30pm) Last Yeoman Warder guided tour (included in your ticket): 3.30pm
Price : Members: Free, Adult: £33.60, Child age 5-15: £16.80
How to Get There: Tower of London is right next to Tower Bridge.
The Shard
The Shard is not your average skyscraper. It's a towering architectural marvel piercing the London skyline at a staggering 310 meters (1,016 feet). As you approach it, the Shard's pointy tip seems to almost touch the clouds. You should book your The View from The Shard experience in advance to avoid disappointment and standing in line.
Going up The Shard is a fantastic experience that will give you incredible views over all of London. The Shard boasts not one, but three viewing platforms, each offering a 360-degree panorama of London's iconic landmarks. From the Tower Bridge to the London Eye, you’ll be able to see it all. There are two indoor viewing platforms on the 66th and the 69th floor and one open air on the 72nd floor. The open air sky deck on the 72nd floor is the highest viewing platform in Western Europe.
For an extra special experience you can time your visit with sunset and experience London from up high during this magical time of warm, golden hues. There’s also Shard’s Sky Bar where you can grab a drink and enjoy your evening.
GOOD TO KNOW : The Shard is pretty close to Tower Bridge. It’s just a 10/15 minute walk from the bridge on the south side of the river.
Address: 32 London Bridge St, London SE1 9SG
Opening times : The View from the Shard is open between 10:00 and 22:00 during the summer, but closes at 20:00 Sunday to Wednesday in winter.
Price : £28.50
How to Get There: The Shard is only 10/15 minute walk from the south side of Tower Bridge. Follow the river west.
Day Two
Trafalgar Square
Start your second day in London at one of Londons most famous locations, Trafalgar Square. To get to Trafalgar Square you could walk from your hotel if you are close enough or get the tube to Charing Cross Station/Embankment.
Trafalgar Square was established in the early 19th century and was named to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar that happened in 1805. In this battle Horatio Nelson and the British Navy defeated Napoleon. Which is why right in the centre of the square stands a 52m column called Nelson’s Column that has a statue of Nelson on top.
Surrounding the column are two large fountains which many people sit around, especially in the warmer weather. It’s a place that tourists and locals alike gather.
There are also four huge black lion statues surrounding Nelson’s Column that I remember climbing on to when I was young on my first trip to London. The lions at the base of Nelson’s Column represent the heroism Lord Nelson showed during the battle.
Also in Tragalgar Square is the National Gallery which is one of the best museums to visit in London.
Trafalgar Square is not a place that you have to spend a great deal of time but it is a must-go-to when you visit London.
If you are visiting London during the Christmas season you won’t be able to miss the big Norway spruce Christmas tree that is gifted to London from Oslo each year as a thank you for Britain’s help during the Second World War. Trafalgar Square is a great place to spend New Years Eve in London as well. There are lots of crowds, celebrating and bringing in the new year together.
Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Opening times : 24/7
Price : Free
How to Get There: From Charing Cross/Embankment Station walk up Northumberland Avenue away from the river and Trafalgar Square is 5 minutes away.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is one of the places in London I just love to hang around! It’s a district in the West End that is now a popular shopping and tourist site filled with lively markets, eclectic shops, delightful cafes, fun street performers, and beautiful architecture.
It is the perfect place to stop during your two days in London itinerary since it has a fun atmosphere that will appeal to anyone looking for a taste of local culture.
Personally I love to take a seat and watch the street performers. The first record of Covent Garden street entertainment came in 1662, when Samuel Pepys’ diary notes that a marionette show featuring a character named Punch took place on the Piazza. Today, the custom continues with performers taking to the piazza to entertain tourists and locals alike.
Covent Garden has many fantastic shops and restaurants that you can wander around or enjoy a bite to eat. Most shops are small boutique shops, but you’ll also find Apple, Chanel, Free People, L’Occitane, Pandora, and Tom Ford.
For a full listing of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, visit the official Covent Garden website.
Address: 21, The Market Building, London WC2E 8RD, UK
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Getting There: Covent Garden is a short 5 minute walk north east of Trafalgar Square. As you look at the National Gallery turn right and keep walking until you reach Covent Garden.
MORE IN LONDON
Leicester Square
From Covent Garden walk the short distance to Leicester Square where there are many shops and restaurants. You could grab you dinner here, have a look around the famous M&M Store or catch a West End theatre performance if you have time.
One of the best things to do in London is to see a theatre performance. There are so many theatres and concert halls that put on world class shows and musicals. There’s bound to be a show that takes your fancy whatever you enjoy.
For the best seats and choice of show you will have to book your tickets at least 3 months in advance particularly for the more popular shows.
Ot if you’re not too bothered about which show you see and if you want to get West End tickets for less during your one day in London itinerary then I highly recommend downloading the TodayTix app. It’s a great way to get cheap theatre tickets and you can save up to 50% on same day tickets.
If you’ve decided to see a show whilst you’re in London head to the show after the market.
Have a look at what shows are on during your visit.
If you want to have a meal and maybe a pint in a traditional British pub and try some of the best British food there are many pubs around Leicester Square including The Imperial, The Round Table and The Crown.
Hours: 24/7
Price: Free
Getting There: Leicester Square is right next to Covent Garden to the west.
British Museum
The British Museum is one of the world’s top museums. At the entrance is the Great Court which has a breathtaking glass roof welcoming you to this spectacular museum.
This museum contains a massive collection of historical artifacts, including a portion of the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and hieroglyphics.
A visit here typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, but you could spend all day here. This place is enormous and filled with historical treasures.
The great thing about this museums and many of Londons museums is that admission is free but donations are accepted. For the best experience, book your time slot in advance.
Address: Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG
Hours: Daily: 10.00–17.00
Price: Free
Getting There: Head north from Leicester Square and the British Museum is about a 15 minute walk.
Tube
The London Tube or Underground is London’s metro or subway system. It was the world's first underground railway, opening in January 1863 between Paddington and Farringdon using gas-lit wooden carriages hauled by steam locomotives.
These days it is fast, efficient and easy to use even if you’ve never used it before. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to get around the city. Just remember one of my most important tips and tricks when visiting London and stand on the right of the escalators - the locals will thank you for it.
Going on the London Underground is a great thing to do when visiting London so you could hop on it here on the red Central line from Tottenham Court Road to St Pauls for your next stop on your two day London trip.
St Pauls Cathedral
St. Pauls’ Cathedral is a very famous London landmark. It is instantly recognisable by it’s world famous dome. The present design of the cathedral is by Sir Christopher Wren and was built from 1675 to 1710 after the Great Fire of London destroyed most of the old St Paul’s Cathedral in 1666.
It is still an active place of worship and has seen many of Britains most important events over the years including the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981. The funerals of several important figures have been held here including Margaret Thatcher, Lord Nelson and Winston Churchill.
There is so much to see in the cathedral and you could easily spend a whole morning or afternoon admiring the different chapels, religious artifacts and artwork and absolutely stunning fresco ceilings.
The highlight of a trip to St Paul’s Cathedral is climbing up the dome. It’s not for the faint hearted as you have to climb 526 steps in total but you are rewarded with spectacular panoramic views of London.
The first 259 steps takes you to the Whispering Gallery where you will get the most amazing views of the inside of the cathedral. The Whispering Gallery gets it’s name from the fact that the slightest whisper can be heard on the other side of the gallery.
Another 117 steps takes you up to the Stone Gallery. If you’re feeling like you can go further (and you should!) the final 150 steps take you to the Golden Gallery at the very top where you get the London views.
St. Paul’s Cathedral opens at 8:30 am most days of the week. On Wednesdays it does not open until 10 am and Sundays it is closed to visitors. I recommend getting updated hours before your visit because these can change.
I recommend you book your tickets in advance for St Paul’s Cathedral.
A visit here will last at least an hour and a half.
TOP TIP : For a unique view of St Paul’s Cathedral from the outside head to the rooftop terrace of One New Change shopping centre. It offers one of the best views in London.
Address: St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD
Hours: doors open at 8.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10am on Wednesdays. Last entry for sightseeing is usually at 4pm with sightseeing ending 30 minutes after the last entry time.
Price: It’s free to attend the Cathedral for services, but if you want to explore the building, you will need a sightseeing ticket. Tickets are priced at £25 per adult and £10 per child with discounts for families, groups and concessions and free tickets for those with a disability.
Getting There: Tube on the red central line from Tottenham Court Road to St Pauls.
Camden Town and Market
Camden Town is the penultemet stop on this 2 day London tour. If you wanted to you could skip the last stop and spend your entire evening in Camden Town.
Camden Town is a great spot to hang out with its canal running through the centre with shops, restaurants, bars and eateries all around. I recommend you start your time in Camden Town at Camden Market as most stalls on the market close around 6pm where as the restaurants and other places stay open much later.
There are so many thrift stores, independent shops and street food stalls around Camden Market that sell so many different interesting items.
West End Show
One of the best things to do in London is to see a theatre performance. There are so many theatres and concert halls that put on world class shows and musicals. There’s bound to be a show that takes your fancy whatever you enjoy.
So if you fancy ending your two day London trip with watching a world class London theatre performance head back to central London for a show.
For the best seats and choice of show you will have to book your tickets at least 3 months in advance particularly for the more popular shows.
If you are not too bothered about your seats or which show you see you can usually find some great price last minute tickets. There is a last minute ticket booth in Leicester Square (look for the TKTS stand) that you can purchase tickets for same day or next day shows.
Best Day Trips from London
🏴
England is more than just London and there are some amazing places you can visit nearby. If you are spending more than two days in London then you might want to plan a trip or two out of the city.
Here are five different day trips from London that you can plan independently or as part of a tour.
Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio Tour – This tour is perfect for Harry Potter fans as it goes behind the scenes as you visit the sets of the Harry Potter film. You’ll roam down Diagon Alley, peek into Dumbledore’s office, and sample sugary delights like Butter Beer. Tour includes return transport and admission and should be booked in advance now.
Oxford and Cambridge Universities Tour – A trip to these two famous university cities is a great day trip from London. The tour takes you to such sights as Oxford’s Bodleian Library and Cambridge’s Bridge of Sighs.
Windsor, Oxford & Stonehenge Full-Day Trip – A great day trip to see Windsor Castle, the King’s favourite weekend residence as well as visit the famous university city of Oxford and the mysterious Stonehenge.
Full-day Cotswold Tour with Lunch – The Cotswolds is a stunning Area of Outstanding Beauty not far from London. This tour includes stops at Burford, Bibury, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Stow-on-the-Wold. Rolling hills and dry stone walls are aplenty, complete with a pub lunch too.
Downton Abbey Tour – Step into the hit TV series Downton Abbey on this full-day bus tour from London. Visit filming locations from the show like the village of Bampton which was used for the village of Downton and Highclere Castle which was used as Downton Abbey.
Map of this Two Day London Itinerary
🏴
Frequently Asked Questions
🏴
Is London worth visiting for 2 days?
London is a big and bustling city and seeing all the sights in the city is definitely not possible in two days. You can however see the main attractions and tourist hotspots. So yes! London is definitely worth visiting for a day.
What is the best month to visit London?
The best time to travel to London is in the warmer season between March and October. Summer (end of July and August) is the busiest time with big crowds.. For mild weather and less people you should visit London in the spring or autumn. The best months to visit London are April and May and September
What’s the best way to tour London?
The best way to explore London is by focusing on one neighbourhood or area at a time and walking between the main tourisit attractions that are all close to each other. For bigger distances use the London Tube, hop-on hop-off buses or river cruises.
Do you tip in London?
Yes, it is customary to tip 10 to 15% at restaurants and tip taxi drivers and bellhops one to two pounds for their assistance.
Is London a walkable city?
Even though London is a big sprawling city the main tourist attractions are pretty close together so yes, London is a walkable city. If you plan your one day in London itinerary carefully, it is actually very convenient to walk about. Many tourists prefer to walk about because it avoids the London traffic.
As you can see from this two day London itinerary I’ve put together the attractions that are close together so that you can walk between them.
What are the best free things to do in London?
Many museums in London are free, including Tate Modern, The National Gallery, and the British Museum. Other free things to do in London include watching the Changing of the Guard, strolling across Westminster Bridge and the south bank of the River Thames, enjoying the view from Sky Garden, seeing Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, and window shopping along Regent, Oxford, and Bond Streets.
Is London worth visiting?
London is one of the best cities in the world and definitely worth visiting. London has something to offer all types of travellers from famous landmarks, world class museums, theatres, royal history and amazing tourist attractions. It’s a bucketlist destination that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
What is the most famous shopping area in London?
For a true London shopping experience head to Oxford Street. It is the largest shopping area in London that covers 4 underground stations and is home to over 300 shops.
Other popular shopping areas include Bond street, Piccadilly Circus and Regent street.
Top 10 London Experiences
Where to stay in London
🏴
These are my favourite hotels in London for a range of budgets.
BUDGET TRAVELLER
Dover Castle Hotel is great for budget travellers costing around £40 per night during the festive season. It’s less than a mile from the Tower and London and Tower Bridge and offers dorm rooms at a great price in a handy location.
The Walrus Bar and Hostel is on the south side of the river just across from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It offers twin rooms with breakfast available close to Lambeth North and Southwark tube stations.
MID RANGE BUDGET
The Portico Hotel is located in Westminster so excellent for Big Ben and Houses and Parliament and most of the central London tourist attractions. Room are available for around £150 per night during the festive season.
Inhabit, Southwick Street is near Paddington Station and offers beautiful rooms. Breakfast is available at the hotel should you wish to eat before you head out on your day exploring the capital.
LUXURY ACCOMODATION
is located right by Hyde Park. It has breath taking views over the famous London skyline. There is a gym on site and two award winning restaurants.
this superb luxury hotel is located in the heart of the city overlooking the impressive Somerset House. You can stay here from £450 per night over the festive season. There is an amazing rooftop bar with spectacular views over London.
Getting to Central London from the airports
🏴
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow Express: The fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, taking you to London Paddington Station in about 15-20 minutes. Book here
London Underground (Piccadilly Line): A more economical choice. Take the Piccadilly Line to various central London stations. The journey takes about 45-60 minutes.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are available, but they are more expensive than public transport.
You can also book a private transfer.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Gatwick Express: The fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, taking you to London Victoria Station in about 30 minutes.
Southern and Thameslink trains: A more economical choice. Trains connect Gatwick to various central London stations, and the journey takes about 30-40 minutes.
National Express coach can be prebooked here.
Stansted Airport (STN):
Stansted Express: The fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, taking you to London Liverpool Street Station in about 45 minutes.
National Express buses and Terravision buses provide economical options. The journey time varies, but it's around 60-90 minutes.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available.
Luton Airport (LTN)
Thameslink trains: The most convenient option. Trains run frequently to central London, with the journey taking around 30-40 minutes.
Shuttle buses and coaches are also available here.
London City Airport (LCY)
Docklands Light Railway (DLR): The airport is directly connected to the DLR, which can take you to various central London locations in about 20-30 minutes.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are available.
There you have it! That completes this epic guide to twos day in London!
If you found this post useful, don’t forget to pin this post now so that you can read it again later.
More Information About London
LONDON ITINERARY: In our article The Perfect 2 Days in London you’ll find a detailed itinerary for exploring London. If you only have one day in London you can find out the most important things to fit into your day in this 1 Day London Itinerary.
LONDON TRAVEL ADVICE: Here are the important things to know if it will be your first time in London. Included in this article are all my best hints and tips for visiting London for the first time. The Best 49 Things to do in London article will help you plan your London itinerary. If you’re wondering what foods you should try when in London read this Best British Foods You Have to Try.
WHERE TO STAY: If you’re unsure on the different areas in London and where would be best to stay make sure you read this Best Places to Stay in London article.
PACKING FOR LONDON: If you’re wondering what you should pack when visiting London read this Packing for London and the Rest of the UK Guide.
LONDON AT CHRISTMAS: For an overview of the best things to do in London at Christmas here are 15 things to do in London at Christmas. I also have guides to the best Christmas lights, best London Christmas window displays and best Christmas markets in London. Learn how to put it all together in this great London Christmas Itinerary.
Information for your trip to the UK
If you’re struggling to decide other places to visit in the UK read Best Cities to Visit in the UK
I also have many other UK city guides and which you can read by clicking on the links.
ENGLAND: How to visit Liverpool from London, visit best beaches near Liverpool and find out the best things to do in Liverpool, must sees in Manchester, make the most of your time in Brighton. Visit the Roman city of Chester or head to the stunning Lake District.
SCOTLAND: Discover the best things to do in Edinburgh
WALES: Llangollen
Read all of my articles about England in the United Kingdom Travel Guide.
LONDON ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to London? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in the UK.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to London using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for the UK and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Stanstead Airport, Gatwick Airport or Gatwick Airport
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in London on Booking.com.
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your transport once you’re in London but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy private transfers online through Bookaway .
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in London on Viator or Get Your Guide.
Did you know that …
When you purchase something through my links I earn a small fee. However, you still pay the same. Win-win!
