5 days in London: Thre Perfect London Itinerary (+ map)

London is famous for its iconic landmarks such as Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, as well as its rich history, lively markets and world-famous galleries. We’ve created a 5-day London itinerary to enjoy the best of London.

I’ve designed the itinerary to cover all of London’s favourite landmarks, renowned museums, beautiful parks and popular markets that are some of the best in London. The itinerary also includes more tips on what to see nearby so you can plan your trip to London to suit you.

5 Days in London itinerary – map

The map shows the route of the 5-day itinerary in London. The route can be largely walked, so as well as visiting the sights and attractions, you will also experience the true local atmosphere.

We start in classic London between Oxford Street and Westminster. Gradually we will visit more monuments, museums and attractions, beautiful and completely different neighbourhoods and vast royal parks. As part of the itinerary we will also use the tube or bus, because London is simply huge.

For day 5 in London, we’ve created four options so that everyone can choose according to their preferences.

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Above you will find a detailed map with an 5 Days London itinerary. Click at the top left of the map to see separate layers with highlighted locations. You can hide and show the different layers or click on the icons on the map to see the names of the places I mention in the itinerary for five days in London, UK. If you want to save the map, star it. For a larger version, click on the icon in the upper right corner.

5 DAYS IN LONDON – PERFECT ITINERARY

ITINERARY FOR 1ST DAY

• Classic London (Westminster, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace)
• Covent Garden and Soho
• London Eye

Classic London

We start our first day with a tour of classic London, from the Palace of Westminster to Trafalgar Square. The itinerary may seem packed, but all the sites are close together and can easily be explored with an easy walk or a ride on London’s Double Decker.

Depending on where you’re staying, get off at Oxford Street, the main shopping thoroughfare in the city. Oxford Street is lined with shops and restaurants and is also known for its beautiful Christmas decorations before Christmas.

But there’s not much to see here except shopping, so we continue along the elegant Regent Street. It runs perpendicular to Oxford Street – turn right. Here you can visit the famous Hamley’s toy shop.

Soho and Chinatown

Regent Street separates the chic Mayfair and Soho districts, known for their lively atmosphere. And that’s where we’re headed right now. Right on the edge you’ll see the entrance to Carnaby Street, a charming street with lots of little shops and restaurants.

Weave through the streets of Soho, which has the best atmosphere in the evening. A few minutes’ walk takes you to Piccadilly Circus, one of London’s most famous squares. It is known for its illuminated advertisements and street performers.

From here it’s just a few steps to Chinatown. You can recognize it at first sight by the Chinese gate and lanterns. If you like Asian cuisine, head here.

On the other hand, you need to choose well, because some restaurants are rather tourist overpriced traps. There are a lot of tourists, so if you’re looking for a more authentic atmosphere, Chinatown is not the best place.

Hotels in London 😴

Hotel DC – great value for money

Smaller, cosy hotel with excellent accessibility

ibis London City Shoreditch

Modern 3* hotel just off Liverpool Street

Covent Garden

From Chinatown, it’s just a short walk to Covent Garden, one of London’s most beautiful neighbourhoods, centred around the market of the same name.

The market is covered and hides many small shops, cafes and restaurants. As for the market itself, we have a more popular one in London, but still Covent Garden is definitely worth a visit. Street performers regularly perform here, and a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere pervades the area.

While you’re here, walk down the lane from Covent Garden to Neal Street, which is lined with brick houses with colourful shopfronts. Very nice, picturesque place.

Trafalgar Square

From Covent Garden, take the landmark Strand, which takes you to Trafalgar Square in less than 10 minutes.

Trafalgar Square is a vibrant space known for its rich historical significance and cultural importance. It is dominated by the tall Nelson’s Column, a tribute to Admiral Horatio Nelson, at the foot of which stand four majestic lion statues commemorating his victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The square is also the gateway to London’s most famous landmarks, including the National Gallery, which houses an extensive collection of European paintings.

Buckingham Palace

Trafalgar Square is the imaginary start for The Mall’s festive route, which ends at Buckingham Palace and is lined with mature trees and colourful flags. A comfortable walk of about 15 minutes will take you directly to the palace, which is the administrative seat of the British monarch.

Buckingham Palace is renowned for its grandeur and historical significance. It is closed to the public for most of the year – for more information on opening times, see our article Things to do in London.

☞ Are you planning to visit multiple paid attractions (London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, The Shard, Kew Gardens or Windsor Castle, for example)? See if you can’t save London Pass tourist card which can save you a significant amount of money.

Buckingham Palace is surrounded by the green spaces of Green Park and St James’s Park. As part of this itinerary, we will visit St James’s Park with a lake in the middle where you will see ducks, pelicans and squirrels running free. There are benches, refreshments and a playground.

☞ Less time for London? Here is the itinerary for 3 days in London.

Westminster – 5 days in london itinerary

Along the park, it’s a short walk to the landmarks of Westminster – Westminster Abbey and the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, two of London’s most important landmarks.

Westminster Abbey, a magnificent Gothic church with over a thousand years of history, is the site of royal coronations and funerals. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasting stunning architectural beauty and historical significance.

Adjacent to the Abbey is the Palace of Westminster, an iconic symbol of British politics and the seat of the UK’s two Houses of Parliament: the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The palace, with its distinctive clock tower known as Big Ben, is a perfect example of Victorian neo-Gothic architecture.

Directly across the river from the bridge is Westminster Bridge, from which you can enjoy spectacular views not only of the Palace of Westminster, but also of the London Eye across the river. And here we finish our first day in London.

London Eye

The London Eye, an icon of the London skyline, is a giant Ferris wheel on the south bank of the Thames that offers fantastic views of the city. Since its opening in 2000 to celebrate the millennium, it has become one of London’s most popular tourist attractions.

It symbolizes modernity and innovation in contrast to the ancient monuments of the city. Each of the 32 air-conditioned capsules represents a London borough.

Looking at the Ferris wheel, you may notice that one of the capsules is red. To commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 2013, one of the capsules was named the Coronation Capsule and coloured red to make it easily recognisable among the others.

The full turn around takes approximately 30 minutes, giving you plenty of time to enjoy London.

Opening hours and admission to the London Eye

The London Eye is open daily from 11:00-18:00 in winter and 10:00-20:30 in summer. In winter, part of January and February is closed for maintenance.

Admission to the London Eye is not the cheapest. But if you want to experience one of the most beautiful views of London, it’s worth it. Entrance fees vary depending on the day and time you visit the London Eye. Admission is significantly more expensive on site (£45).

☞ How to save and skip the lines at the London Eye: London Eye is one of the most popular sights in London and there are long queues. In addition, tickets are significantly more expensive on site. Save money by booking tickets in advance.

5 DAYS IN LONDON – PERFECT ITINERARY

5 DAYS IN LONDON – ITINERARY FOR 2ND DAY

• Tower Bridge
• Tower of London
• City of London
• Borough Market
• St. Paul’s Cathedral

Historic London

On the second day of our itinerary we will explore the historic part of London. We start at the iconic Tower Bridge, next to which lies one of the most important monuments in the history of Great Britain – the Tower of London.

From here we head to the City of London, which is famous for its skyscrapers and is also the oldest district in London.

Disembark on the south bank of the Thames (for example, at London Bridge) and walk along the waterfront to Tower Bridge. It’s a short walk along a landscaped promenade lined with modern glass buildings and interesting sculptures. You can also enjoy spectacular views of the City of London.

At Tower Bridge we continue along the coast to Butler’s Wharf Pier, which most visitors pass by. It’s a short stop with views of the bridge. Just walk under the bridge and you’re there.

Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge, an iconic symbol of London, is a suspension bridge that crosses the River Thames near the Tower of London. This Victorian-era masterpiece, completed in 1894, is famous for its distinctive towers and unique ability to raise the bascule (the movable parts of the bridge) to allow tall ships to pass.

What’s more, Tower Bridge is open to the public and we can highly recommend it. The entrance to the bridge is in the tower closest to the Tower of London – from here you ascend to one of the towers after a very short security check. Along the way, find out more about Tower Bridge.

One of the main attractions is the partially glazed floor in the bridge that connects the two towers. Plus, you’ll have a great view of London from the bridge. There are also windows for those who want to take a photo of Tower Bridge. For the tour of the towers, the tour continues with a visit to the engine room, where you will see for yourself how the entire mechanism of the bridge works.

Opening hours and admission to Tower Bridge

You can visit the towers daily from 9:30-18:00 (last entry one hour before). Admission is 12,30 £ for 16-59 year olds and 6,20 £ for children aged 5-15. For tickets click here.

After a visit to Tower Bridge, we will head to the north bank towards the Tower of London. You can make a short stop at the St Katharine Docks, which are located to the right of the bridge. There are benches and a few shops and restaurants.

Tower of London

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress, is a historic castle dating from the 11th century on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. It has served variously as the royal residence, treasury, menagerie, seat of the royal mint, office of public records and seat of the English crown jewels.

The Tower is also known as a prison where many prisoners have been held, from Elizabeth I before she became Queen to the Kray twins in the 20th century.

If you’re interested in history, the Tower of London should definitely be on your London itinerary. The White Tower, built by William the Conqueror, is part of the complex.

Allow at least 2-4 hours for a comprehensive visit, as there is much to see and explore, including the Crown Jewels, the medieval palace and various exhibitions.

Opening Hours and Admission to the Tower of London

Opening hours vary according to the season. In winter, it is open daily 10:00-17:00, and the hours gradually get longer as summer approaches.

Entry to the Tower of London costs 33,60 £ for adults 18-64, 16,80 £ for children 5-15, 26,80 £ for students aged 16+, seniors 65+ and disabled.

☞ How to skip the lines: Tower of London is one of the most visited landmarks in London. Tickets are bought separately opposite the castle, so by booking tickets in advance skip the ticket line. I still recommend arriving right at opening time, as there are long queues for the crown jewels later on.

Lunch

Markets are one of the best things to do in London. There are two near the Tower of London – Leadenhall Market and Spitalfields Market.

Both markets offer a great selection of food, but each exudes a completely different atmosphere. Leadenhall Market is characterised by its historic setting with a range of traditional and modern restaurants. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this is where Harry bought his wand.

Spitalfields Market is ideal for those looking for a lively, informal environment with a great selection of international cuisine.

☞ Travelling with children? Check out our tips on things to do in London with kids.

City of London

The City of London or “Square Mile” is one of our favourite neighbourhoods in London. If you like the combination of modernity and history, you will like it here too.

The area has a rich history dating back to Roman times, contrasted by modern skyscrapers such as the Gherkin and Sky Garden. You can wander for hours and enjoy the streets full of attractions including The Monument, a memorial to the Great Fire of London.

Walk past the Gherkin skyscraper, translated as “Cucumber”, located at 30 St Mary Axe (see photo above). There is seating and benches. Or visit the hidden garden with the semi-dilapidated St Dunstan in the East Church Garden, whose tower was designed by Christopher Wren. He is best known as the architect of St Paul’s Cathedral, another major landmark in the City of London.

If you prefer the Brutalist style, don’t miss the Barbican Centre on the northern edge of the district (within walking distance of St Paul’s Cathedral). It is home to the London Orchestra, a gallery and restaurants, as well as a pleasant relaxation area and an open-air garden.

Where are the best views in the City of London?

Or would you like to enjoy the views of London? There are 3 places in the City of London where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city for free:

• Sky Garden – advance booking required, usually booked in advance, or. you can book a table in the bar or restaurant
• Horizon 22 – advance booking required, usually booked weeks in advance
• Garden at 120 – a beautiful place full of greenery where no reservation is required. On the other hand, queues form and only a limited number of people are allowed upstairs, so it’s better to come right at opening time (especially in the season from spring to autumn).

Millennium Bridge and Borough Market

Or walk from St Paul’s Cathedral across the river to Millennium Bridge and enjoy an iconic view of London. Especially in the evening, it’s a beautiful spectacle. On the other side, cross the bridge to the Tate Modern, a modern art gallery with free entry.

Borough Market, one of the city’s most popular markets, is a few minutes away. You just need to keep an eye on the opening hours, because it closes at 5 pm.

Hotels in London 😴

White House Hotel

Cheap hotel in central London

ibis London Blackfriars

Cozy hotel in the city center at a good price

5 DAYS IN LONDON – PERFECT ITINERARY

5 DAYS IN LONDON – ITINERARY FOR 3RD DAY

• South Kensington
• Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
• Canary Wharf
• Shoreditch and Brick Lane

Museums in South Kensington

We start our third day in London in the elegant South Kensington area, which is easily accessible from central London. The whole area is famous for its high concentration of prestigious museums and cultural institutions.

Here is the Victoria & Albert Museum, one of the largest museums of decorative and design objects in the world. Entry is completely free (there are also paid exhibitions) and no advance booking is required. It’s a beautiful museum even for those who are not into art.

Across the road on the left is the magnificent monumental building of the Natural History Museum. This includes over 80 million items, including exhibits collected by Charles Darwin and an extensive collection of fossils. Entrance is free again, just be prepared for longer queues, but they pass quickly. Both museums are incredibly popular, so it’s best to arrive right at the 10am opening time.

Hyde Park – 5 Days in London

Visiting museums can be exhausting. As well as the previous two days in central London. The perfect time to relax in Hyde Park, the largest park in London.

You can rent a bicycle or pedal boats, stroll around, visit the amusement park or listen to debates at Speaker’s Corner, where Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin or George Orwell once spoke. If you like landscaped gardens, enter Hyde Park from Lancaster Gate – there’s a beautiful Italian garden.

Or visit the landscaped Kensington Gardens, adjacent to Hyde Park. Both locations are free and open from early morning until the evening.

☞ Are you planning to visit multiple paid attractions (London Eye, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, The Shard, Kew Gardens or Windsor Castle, for example)? See if you can’t save London Pass tourist card which can save you a significant amount of money.

Canary Wharf

After a rest in one of the parks, we take the metro to Canary Wharf, where we will spend the afternoon.

Canary Wharf is an area that hasn’t yet made it onto the radar of most travellers to London. This is a great pity, because Canary Wharf is a symbol of modern and innovative London. This area combines corporate energy with leisure and culture.

Take a stroll along the seafront with views of the skyline of modern skyscrapers or enjoy the high-end shopping, fine dining and open spaces such as Jubilee Park.

Shoreditch and Brick Lane

End your day in Shoreditch, a neighbourhood famous for its lively street art, trendy cafés and eclectic markets. One of them is Brick Lane, famous for its curry houses, vintage fashion and world cuisine.

If you’re looking for a good meal, Brick Lane and Shoreditch in general is the place to go. Here are some tips on where to go for a good meal:

• BOXPARK – a shopping mall that was built from shipping containers. In one place you will find food stalls from all over the world.
• Beigel Bake – excellent bakery with bagels, but also other pastries and cakes, open non-stop on Brick Lane
• Dishoom – excellent Indian restaurant in a stylish environment, open from morning till night
• Gloria – authentic Italian cuisine in a beautiful setting

But there are many more great places to eat in Shoreditch. All our tips are also marked on the map at the beginning of the article.

5 DAYS IN LONDON – PERFECT ITINERARY

ITINERARY FOR 4ST DAY

• British Museum
• Regent’s Park
• Camden Market

British Museum

The British Museum in London is literally a treasure trove of human history, culture and art. Here you will see an extensive collection that spans more than two million years.

The museum is renowned for its diverse exhibits, including the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles and an extensive collection of Egyptian and Greek antiquities. What’s more, the museum building itself is an architectural marvel.

Admission to the British Museum is completely free (donations are welcome). All this is why the British Museum is one of the most visited places in London. Come as soon as possible and preferably book a free ticket in advance. The museum is open daily from 10:00-17:00.

Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park is another Royal Park in London. Did you know that there are so many parks in London that it could even be classified as a forest? After seeing the huge collection at the British Museum, a visit to Regent’s Park is more than worthwhile.

While you’re here, don’t miss the magnificent Queen Mary Gardens, home to the largest collection of roses in London. The park is adjacent to London Zoo.

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Gardens

The Royal Parks in London are beautiful. But the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew Gardens are a few levels above that. They do charge, but considering what you’ll see here, the admission fee is well worth it.

As you stroll through the gardens, you’ll see various themed gardens, iconic buildings such as the Victorian-era Palm House, and a treetop walkway from which to enjoy views of the surrounding area. You can spend a whole afternoon here and still have something to discover.

From spring the gardens are in full bloom, but even in winter or in the rain you won’t be bored here.

The gardens close at 19:00, on Thursdays they close at 16:00 and on weekends at 20:00. In winter, opening hours are shortened to 16 hours. Kew Gardens are very popular – it’s best to book tickets in advance.

Recommendation: if you plan to visit Kew Gardens, move it to the morning and the British Museum to the afternoon. The gardens open at 10am, so you’ll have plenty of time to get here.

How to get in: Kew Gardens is located west of the city centre in Richmond. The District Line and Overground metro lines run directly from the city centre. Please allow approximately 40-60 minutes depending on where you are leaving from.

Camden Market

One of London’s most famous markets is Camden Market, a vibrant and eclectic place known for its unique atmosphere and diverse range of offerings. It’s the perfect place for those looking for alternative fashion, vintage finds and handmade items, but of course it’s also full of trinket shops.

The shops are complemented by international food stalls, so you can sample cuisine from all over the world in one place. Shops have normal opening hours, restaurants and bars close in the evening and night.

5 DAYS IN LONDON – PERFECT ITINERARY

ITINERARY FOR 5TH DAY

Even though you have 5 days in London, it is very difficult to cover everything. For that reason, we’ll leave your last day in London more open-ended and show you four itineraries of how you can spend the day.

Option no. 1: Art Gallery – Nothing Hill – Shard

Art Gallery

Under the first option, we will stay close to the centre. In the morning, visit one of the art galleries such as the Tate Modern (see photos below), Tate Britain or the National Gallery. All are free to enter (donations are welcome) and early in the morning, you have a chance to enjoy the art without the crowds. All galleries open at 10am.

Nothing Hill and Holland Park

From here, continue on to Nothing Hill, one of London’s most beautiful neighbourhoods. You can wander the quiet streets of the upmarket residential area or visit the colourful Portobello Road Market.

Holland Park is nearby, where you cannot miss the beautiful Kyoto Garden. An oasis of tranquility full of greenery, with a pond, a cascading waterfall and peacocks running free. Entrance is completely free.

The Shard – 5 Days in London

Finish the day with a visit to The Shard, the tallest skyscraper in the UK. This is located near the Tate Modern (ideal to combine both places in one visit).

The Shard can be imagined as an ultra-modern 72-storey building that literally stands out like a shard above its surroundings. It consists of an incredible 11,000 glass panels.

You will find luxury apartments, offices, restaurants and a viewing platform accessible by high-speed elevator. Admission is higher, but if you want to enjoy the best view of London, this is where you’ll find it.

☞ Reservation for the viewpoint in The Shard is mandatory. For specific times to book online. The most popular time is at sunset, when tickets tend to sell out early.

It is open daily from Monday to Friday 11:00-19:00, Saturday 10:00-22:00 and Sunday 10:00-18:00. Opening hours are shortened in winter. You will choose the specific time when booking.

Finish the evening with dinner at one of London’s best restaurants:

• Mercato Mayfair – cuisine from all over the world in an old church just off Oxford Street
• Seven Dials Market – an indoor market with street food from around the world near Camden Town
• Pizza Pilgrims – authentic Italian restaurant in Soho at great prices
• Circolo Popolare – an upmarket Italian restaurant in a stylish setting just off Tottenham Court Road
• Churchill Arms – a traditional floral pub in Kensington

Option no. 2: Greenwich

In the second option we move east of the centre – to Greenwich.

Greenwich in London is worth a visit for several reasons. It is home to the Royal Observatory, the Prime Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time, making it an important place in the history of astronomy and navigation.

Or visit Greenwich Park, which offers extensive views of the River Thames and the city. Greenwich also has a rich maritime history, highlighted by the Cutty Sark, a historic tea clipper, and the National Maritime Museum.

Another attraction you can’t miss in London if you’re in the Greenwich area is the IFS Cable Car (formerly Emirates Cable Car ), a cable car overlooking Greenwich and Canary Wharf.

The fare is 6 £ and you can pay simply by Oyster card or contactless card.

On the other hand, the cable car is incredibly popular, especially in good weather. Long lines are the order of the day. For this reason, it is better to start here and then move on to exploring Greenwich.

Option no. 3 – Harry Potter

Do you love Harry Potter? Just outside London is Warner Bros. Studio Tour Londonwhere Harry Potter was filmed.

You will see, for example, the Hogwarts Express, Dumbledore’s Office or the Forbidden Forest. You’ll get to try out lots of costumes, fun activities and movie effects, such as a virtual broomstick ride.

Getting to Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Harry Potter Studios is located in Leavesden, north of London. The first option is to buy a separate ticket (full admission starts at £51.50) and transport yourself to Leavesden. You take the train and then change to a bus that takes visitors directly to the Warner Bross studios.

The second and easier option is to buy tickets with transport. The bus departs from central London.

☞ Note: Tickets must be booked online. They can sell out weeks in advance. Here you will find tickets with transport round trip.

Option no. 4 – Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is the official residence of the British monarch and the oldest inhabited castle in the world. Sounds like good reasons to visit, doesn’t it? Plus, it literally immerses you in the rich royal history and there is so much to see that you can easily spend half a day here.

After visiting the castle, you can stroll around the town, which is made up of small streets lined with shops, restaurants and traditional taverns.

The castle is open all year round except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Opening hours vary according to the season: from March to the end of October it is open 10:00-17:15 (last entry at 16:00), from November to the end of February 10:00-16:15 (last entry at 15:00). St George Chapel is closed on Sundays.

Admission to Windsor Castle is not the cheapest. On the other hand, the whole complex is huge and there is a lot to see. Book your ticket by clicking here.

Getting to Windsor Castle: Windsor is easily accessible from Paddington or Waterloo station in about 30 minutes by train.

Hotels in London

• ibis London Blackfriars – Hotel is on the south side of the Thames near Waterloo station near Westminster and the London Eye; bus stop just opposite, restaurants and shops nearby
• Hotel Holiday Inn Express – One of the best hotels in London, clean and practical rooms, excellent connections to the city centre and airport (especially Stansted and Heathrow), quiet location
• ibis London City Shoreditch – Modern rooms near Liverpool Street Station (ideal for Stansted and Heathrow airports), next to Tesco Express hotel and nearby restaurants and markets, close to attractions
• White House hotel – Simply furnished but clean and very cheap accommodation in the centre of town, a short walk from Hyde Park and Paddington Station
• Hotel DC – A smaller, cosy hotel at an unbeatable price in the quiet Stratford area, with easy access to the city centre and airport by tube, train and bus

Hotel DC – great value for money

Smaller, cosy hotel with excellent accessibility

ibis London City Shoreditch

Modern 3* hotel near Liverpool Street Station

White House Hotel

Cheap hotel in central London

ibis London Blackfriars

Cozy hotel in the city center at a good price

How to save in London

• Get yourself a a London Pass tourist card which gives you free entry to over 90 places in London for a pre-selected number of days.
• Or choose the second London Explorer Pass where you choose the number of attractions you plan to visit at a discounted price.

Read more: How to save in London

How to get to London

The London area is served by a number of airports, with Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Stansted airports being the most popular on the Prague-London route. And what airlines fly here?

• British Airways – the traditional British route connects Prague with Heathrow Airport, which is easily accessible to the city centre by tube or train.
• EasyJet and Wizz Air – low-cost airlines connecting Prague with Gatwick and Luton airports. In both cases, you can reach London by express train in half an hour or National Express buses in an hour.
• Ryanair – a well-known low-cost airline that operates on the Prague-Stansted route, which is the furthest from London. Yet you’re a half-hour train or 1.5 hours by bus to Liverpool Street.

☞ Here you can find all flights to London.

From the airport, you can take trains, buses or, of course, taxis. Trains are faster, but they’re also twice as expensive. If you’re travelling on a budget, National Express buses are a good option, just allow for significantly longer arrival times (especially at peak times).

☞ See our previous article for more information on transport in London, including information on airports.

How to get around London

The backbone of London’s transport is the Tube. This will get you almost anywhere. There are several lines, all well marked and easy to use. The metro is complemented by buses, the iconic red Double Deckers, which connect the city over shorter distances. There are also trains that connect London to the suburbs and surrounding areas.

London is divided into several zones for transport purposes. The fares vary according to this. Central London itself is in Zone 1, with Nothing Hill, Canary Wharf and Camden Market in Zone 2.

For up-to-date fares, you can use the Citymapper app, which provides the closest transport information for similar sized cities.

There is a cap on the amount you can ride each day/week. From this amount onwards, you travel for free. For more information on transport, see the previous article Transport in London.

The best way to pay is with a contactless card (or Apple Pay, etc.) or Oyster card to get the best shipping rates. Just keep in mind that it is always necessary to keep the same payment method all the time, i.e. if you’ve paid with a watch once, you have to pay with a watch all the time.

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Have a question about our London itinerary how to spend 5 days in London? We’ll be happy to answer it in the comments below. Have a safe journey!

More information about London

THINGS TO DO IN LONDON: Here’s a list of the best places to visit in London (including handy information on admission fees and opening times).

We’ve created an itinerary for 3 days in London and if you’re even more pressed for time, take a look at the 1 day London itinerary.

London is a great place for the whole family. Read our tips on things do in London with kids (+ more practical information).

LONDON TRAVEL GUIDE: In the article you can find out all about transport in London (airport, public transport, underground, bicycle). Read about accommodation, prices, food and safety in our London travel guide. Tips on the best hotels in London will help you make your accommodation choices easier.

Here are 7 tips on how to save in London. The London Pass is a popular way to save money in London – find out more about London Pass.

GREAT BRITAIN: Find tips on what to see and do in England in our list of the most beautiful places in England. Or head north to Edinburgh or visit beautiful Scotland.