2 Days in London: A Complete Itinerary from Someone Who Lived There

I lived in central London for a couple of years, and Jess and I still visit the city regularly. Between us, we’ve probably walked every major street in zone 1 at least twice. So when people ask us what to do with two days in London, we don’t have to think very hard.

This itinerary is what I’d recommend to someone visiting London for the first time. It covers the iconic sights you’ll want to see (Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the view from the Shard) in a logical walking order that won’t have you zigzagging across the city on the Tube all day. London is surprisingly walkable once you know which bits are close together, and this route takes advantage of that.

I should warn you: this isn’t a hidden gems list. There’ll be time for that on your next visit. This is the itinerary for ticking off the landmarks you’ve seen in films and on postcards, plus a few stops you might not have considered but will be glad you made time for.

I’ve also included a full breakdown of the London Pass, which can save you a serious amount of money if you’re planning to visit several paid attractions over two days. More on that below.

This itinerary fits well into a longer trip around the UK or Europe. If you’re planning a bigger adventure, take a look at our two week UK itinerary, our one week UK road trip, or our two week Europe itinerary for ideas on what that might look like.

Is 2 Days Enough in London?

Two days is enough to see London’s headline attractions and get a real feel for the city. You won’t see everything (you could live here for a decade and not manage that, trust me), but you’ll cover the Tower of London, Westminster, the South Bank, Kensington, and Buckingham Palace, which is a solid first visit by anyone’s standards.

If you can stretch your trip to three days, you’ll have room to slow down and explore areas like Greenwich, Camden, or the East End without rushing. But two days, well planned, gives you a proper introduction to London. This itinerary is designed to make every hour count without leaving you exhausted by lunchtime.

 

2 Day London Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms
• Day 2: Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, V&A Museum, Buckingham Palace, London Transport Museum

Complete 2 Day London Itinerary

London Itinerary: Day 1

Tower of London

What better place to start your London itinerary than with a visit to the Tower of London, home to the English Crown Jewels and the site of numerous key historical events, including the execution of all sorts of people who were deemed inappropriate by whoever was in charge at the time.

These days there’s less blood running on the grass, but you will still find plenty to do, from popping in to see the monarch’s crown through to exploring the White Castle at the centre of the keep.

My advice for getting the most out of your visit is to arrive as soon as the Tower opens, which is around 9am, and beating the crowds to the crown jewels. You’re likely going to want to spend at least an hour here, if not two – there is a lot to see (and photograph!) here.

Entry is ticketed, but it’s included in the London Pass.

Alternatively, you can buy a ticket online on GetYourGuide in advance here.

We also recommend checking prices on the official website here, as pricing can vary. It’s also worth comparing the refund policies as these can vary.

You see opening times and other information for your visit on the official site.

 

Tower Bridge Exhibition

On from the Tower of London, you’re going to find yourself right next to Tower Bridge, the most iconic of all the London bridges. If you want to learn more about the bridge and not just take some classic photos, then you should visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

Here you can learn about the history of the bridge, including how it was built and how the lifting mechanism works to allow ships through.

More excitingly, you can walk the glass floor walkway, a 42 meter high walkway that will definitely test any fear of heights you may have! This is a lot of fun, and well worth the entry price alone in our opinion.

There’s an entry fee, and you can see opening times and prices here. Included on the London Pass.

 

HMS Belfast

After you’ve crossed tower bridge, you might consider visiting HMS Belfast, which is permanently moored on the Thames a short walk from Tower Bridge on the south bank.

This historic warship, operated today by Imperial War Museums, will definitely be of interest to military buffs, or anyone with even a slight interest in boats.

Launched just before the outbreak of World War 2, this Royal Navy Light Cruiser saw action in both World War 2 and the Korean War, before being decommissioned in 1963.

Since 1971 she’s been a popular London tourist attraction, and you can spend a good deal of time learning all about operational life on board a warship, as well as the history of HMS Belfast specifically. Definitely a worthwhile part of your visit.

Entry is ticketed, see opening times and prices here. Tickets can be purchased at the ship or on the official website.

 

The Shard

For a truly spectacular view of London, you’re going to want to head up London’s tallest building, the Shard. This 95 story skyscraper was opened in 2012, with the viewing deck opened in 2013.

From the top you get incredible views of the majority of London, up and down the Thames. There are two floors from which you can take pictures, and this is one of my recommended photography locations in London.

Entry is ticketed and ideally should be booked in advance as this works out cheaper. You can see opening times and prices here.

You can book tickets in advance either on the official site, or here on Tiqets. The View from the Shard is also included on the London Pass, so if you have one of those it is definitely worth visiting this viewpoint.

As an alternative to the Shard, you might instead want to visit the London Eye. This doesn’t go quite as high as the Shard, but you are closer to Westminster so get great views of the Houses of Parliament. You could also do both of course! They are both included on the London Pass, which you can buy here.

If you want to do the London Eye, we’ve generally found the best prices if you book in advance on the official site here.

We also have a complete guide to visiting the London Eye.

 

Houses of Parliament

From The Shard, my suggestion is that you head to London Bridge Tube station and take the Jubilee line to Westminster tube, two stops away. This is a 12-minute journey, and the only public transport you’re going to need to take during the day.

Alternatively, if you want a nice walk, or are interested in some of the optional extras I go into below, then you should walk along the lovely south bank of the Thames.

This is one of my favourite walks in London, and if you have the time (around 45 minutes without stops), is well worth it. Along the way you’ll see sights like Shakespeare’s Globe, the Golden Hind, Tate Modern Museum and St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Another option is to take the river boat – this is going to be a little more expensive than the tube, but is a unique way to get around London, and it will take you straight to Westminster Pier. A day pass on the river boat is included for holders of the London Pass.

Either way, you’re going to find yourself by the Houses of Parliament, officially known as the Palace of Westminster. This is the seat of government in England, home to the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and is where the politics in England takes place.

Whilst it is possible to go inside and take a tour, I’d suggest just taking photos from the outside of this beautiful building, particularly of the Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, and then heading on to:

 

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey is definitely one of the UK’s most impressive churches. It’s here that key events in the life of the British Royal Family take place including Royal Weddings (17 to date) and Coronations (the majority of British rulers since 1066!).

Westminster Abbey is also one of the most desirable burial sites in the UK, with countless famous figures from British history buried here, including Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Chaucer, and multiple British royals, prime ministers and more.

Even if you’re not interested in the Royal family or the buried dead though, you can’t help but be impressed by this gorgeous gothic style building.

Again, there is plenty to see and do here (and the line to get in can take a little while), so plan at least an hour or two to fully appreciate the property.

There’s a fee to get in to Westminster Abbey. See prices and opening hours here. Included on the London Pass. You can also book your tickets online in advance here.

 

Churchill War Rooms

Depending on how much you like to do in a day, you might still have time to fit in one last attraction.

If so, last on our list for the day are the Churchill War Rooms.

Set below the heart of the government buildings in London, this huge underground bunker is where Winston Churchill directed the majority of the war effort during World War 2.

This maze of rooms is now open as a tourist attraction, and is a really fascinating place to explore, covering both the life and times of Churchill, as well as providing insight into the rooms themselves, and the people who spent so many years of their lives working away in secrecy underneath London during the war years.

An excellent audio guide is included as part of the tour, and again, you can easily spend a couple of hours here soaking everything in.

When you’re done, you’ll emerge blinking into the light, where you might want to take a stroll around St. James Park, or head through Whitehall to see the home of the British Prime Minster at No. 10 Downing Street, before finishing up at Trafalgar Square, where you’ve got full access to all the shows in the West End – an excellent way to spend the evening ahead!

The Churchill War Rooms are very popular, so we advise booking in advance. You can see prices and opening times here.

Another option we can personally recommend if you are particularly interested in Winston Churchill and the London Blitz, is the “London Churchill War Room” tour by Context Travel (use link above to get 10% off the price of any Context Travel tours).

This tour is around three hours in length and includes a guided visit to the Churchill War Rooms as well other sites in London related to the Blitz. You can book a small group tour or a private tour. Alternatively, this walking tour of Westminster also includes the Churchill War Rooms.

 

Optional Extras on Your Route:

I appreciate that you might not be totally in to some of the ideas I’ve floated above or be a super-quick sightseer.

Fear not, London has more for you! Along the south bank (always worth a wander), you can stop in at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the Tate Modern Art Gallery, and even quickly cross the Millennium bridge for a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral.

The Globe and St. Paul’s Cathedral are both included on the London Pass, whilst the Tate Modern is free to enter.

 

London Itinerary: Day 2

Kensington Palace

On your second day in London you’re going to head a little to the west, and take in some of the sights in this area, starting with Kensington Palace.

Inextricably linked with Queen Victoria, who was born here, Kensington Palace is a Royal Residence, and has been since the 17th century.

Today it’s home to the Prince and Princess of Wales and their family, and whilst you can’t visit the private Royal Residence, you can tour the State Rooms.

These have actually been open to the public for a long time, in a practice started by Queen Victoria in 1899, and today Kensington Palace is one of the most popular of the Royal Palaces for visitors.

There are a series of four themed routes through the palace, covering different aspects of the history of the palace, and all four are worth doing.

Then, when you’re done, there’s an excellent café where you can have a hot drink and a sandwich, before embarking on the rest of your day’s adventures.

There’s a fee for entry, and you can see opening times and prices here. It’s free for holders of the London Pass – get yours here.

Note that due to this being a popular attraction, it can get quite busy, so we recommend purchasing your ticket in advance here if you are visiting without a London Pass.

Holders of the London Pass have access to the priority queue for ticket holders and do not need to reserve a timeslot (see Kensington Palace FAQ section on London Pass here).

However, it is recommended you turn up near to opening time, as capacity is limited, and if you arrive later in the day, you may be subject to lengthy wait times – this is why we have this first for the day on this itinerary.

If you’d like to explore the wider Kensington area while you’re here, take a look at our guide to things to do in Kensington, which covers everything from the museums to Harrods and the best places to eat.

 

Royal Albert Hall

From Kensington Palace, it’s a lovely walk through Kensington Gardens to the Royal Albert Hall. This was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, and is named in memory of her husband Albert, who had died six years earlier.

Purpose built as an entertainment space, today the hall is most famous for hosting the annual Proms – an eight week long series of classical music concerts and events. It also hosts all sorts of other events, from film screenings to tennis, so there’s always something going on.

Even if there isn’t anything going on though, it’s worth a visit, with hour long guided tours available, where you’ll be able to visit that gorgeous auditorium, the King’s private suites, as well as learn a bit about the architecture and history of performances at the venue, which are now in excess of 150,000 since it opened. Pretty impressive stuff.

Tours carry a fee, and you should book in advance to avoid disappointment. You can see tour times and prices here. Free for holders of the London Pass, although you can’t book in advance.

 

V&A Museum

Keeping with the Queen Victoria theme, your next stop is one of our favourite museums in London – the Victoria and Albert Museum, usually known as the V&A.

Free to visit (although there are usually special exhibitions for a fee), this is the world’s largest museum of decorative arts and design, with over two million objects in the collection spanning 5,000 years of human existence.

As you might imagine, that’s quite a lot to take in, and you could likely spend multiple days here exploring all the artefacts on offer.

Entry is free, except to special exhibits. See opening times here.

 

Buckingham Palace

Moving on from the V&A, and the last stop on the tour is Buckingham Palace. Depending on the time of year you visit, you have a number of options for visiting Buckingham Palace.

Personally, I’d advise going in the afternoon, after you’ve visited all the above, and to finish off your day. You’ll avoid the crowds associated with the changing of the guard ceremony, and have an overall far more pleasant experience.

I do know however that lots of people do wish do experience the Changing of the Guard ceremony, so if that’s you, you’ll need to juggle the above itinerary a little as the ceremony takes place over 45 minutes in the middle of the day.

Finally, in the summer months, you can actually tour parts of Buckingham Palace. These tours last around two hours, and operate quite late into the evenings, so you could definitely do this at the end of the day.

If this is something you want to do you definitely need to book in advance to ensure you get a ticket. You can book Buckingham Palace tickets here.

 

London Transport Museum

From Buckingham Palace you’re going to head to Covent Garden, one of London’s most well-known markets and a good place to watch street performers and grab a bite to eat or drink.

Here you’ll also find the excellent London Transport Museum, which we think is well worth visiting. It covers the history of transport in London, from horse drawn carriages and trams through to the evolution of the tube.

It’s definitely a popular place to visit, especially if you are visiting London with family. See opening times and prices here. Included on the London Pass, or you can buy a ticket here.

From here you are well placed for the West End of London, where you can take in a show or just take advantage of some of the early evening pre-dinner dining deals!

 

Optional Extras On Your Route:

Again, there is loads more to see and do in this area, really depending on what you’re interested in. Harrods, the world-famous shopping experience, is a brief walk from the V&A museum.

You could also really go museum crazy, and drop in at either the Natural History Museum or Science Museum, both of which are free.

If you’re into pageantry, just round the corner from Buckingham Palace, and officially part of the grounds, the Royal Mews is a fascinating place to visit, and much less popular than its exhibits deserve.

Finally, if you’re into afternoon tea, you can experience a fashionable take on the high tea experience at the Berkeley.

 

2 Day London Itinerary Map

To help you visualise all the above we’ve put together a map so you can see where all the sights are and plan your accommodation and public transport appropriately. You can see this on Google maps here.

Is the London Pass Worth It for 2 Days in London?

London’s paid attractions are not cheap. If you add up the entry fees for just the main stops on this itinerary, you’re looking at well over £200 per person. That’s before you’ve bought lunch or a pint.

The London Pass is the single best way to manage those costs. It’s a digital sightseeing pass that gives you entry to 90+ London attractions for a set number of consecutive days. You just scan the Go City app at each attraction and walk in.

For this two-day itinerary, a 2-day London Pass covers the Tower of London, Tower Bridge Exhibition, the Shard, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall tour, the London Transport Museum, and the London Eye. It also includes a 2-day hop-on hop-off bus tour and a 1-day Thames river boat pass, both of which are handy for getting between sights.

We’ve used the London Pass on multiple trips to London and keep coming back to it because it pretty much always save us money. Here’s the breakdown for this specific itinerary.

London Pass Savings for This Itinerary

Below are the individual ticket prices for the attractions on this itinerary that are included with the London Pass. Prices are based on standard adult admission as of March 2026 and can vary, so always check the latest prices.

Attraction	Standard Adult Price
Tower of London	£34.80
Tower Bridge Exhibition	£16.00
The View from The Shard	£19.00
Westminster Abbey	£31.00
Kensington Palace	£20.60
Royal Albert Hall Tour	£20.00
London Transport Museum	£25.00
Total for one adult	£166.40
Total for two adults	£332.80

A 2-day London Pass currently costs £149 per adult at full price. That’s £298 for two people, compared to £332.80 if you bought every ticket individually. That’s a saving of nearly £35 for a couple just on the attractions listed above, and that’s before you factor in any of the optional extras like the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, or the hop-on hop-off bus. Add even one of those and the pass pulls further ahead.

Even if you only visit five or six of those attractions (which is realistic for two busy days), the pass still pays for itself comfortably.

You can buy the London Pass in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10-day options, so pick whichever matches your trip length. For the full rundown on how the pass works, what’s included, and tips for getting the most out of it, read Jess’s detailed London Pass review on her blog. It covers everything from how the credits system works to which attractions are worth prioritising.

Check the latest London Pass prices and buy yours here.

If You Don’t Get a London Pass

If you’d rather not commit to the pass, I’d still strongly recommend booking tickets in advance online for each attraction. Advance prices are usually cheaper than the door price, and for popular attractions with timed entry (the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Shard), you’ll save yourself a lot of queuing.

We generally use GetYourGuide for booking individual attraction tickets. The prices are usually the same as or very close to the official sites, and most tickets come with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit, which is handy if your plans change.

Here are direct booking links for the main attractions on this itinerary:

• Tower of London – book tickets here
• Tower Bridge Exhibition – book tickets here
• The Shard – book tickets here
• London Eye – book tickets here
• Westminster Abbey – book tickets here
• Churchill War Rooms – book tickets here
• Kensington Palace – book tickets here
• Royal Albert Hall – book tickets here
• Buckingham Palace (summer only) – book tickets here

 

Getting Around London

London is really easy to get around, with an excellent public transport network. It’s also wonderfully walkable, as hopefully my itinerary makes clear.

For public transport, you should consider investing in an Oyster Card. Available both online and from most tube stations, this prepaid card is the most cost-effective way to get around in London, offering fares that are significantly cheaper compared to buying individual tickets with cash.

You just have to load it up, and then tap in and out as you go through tube stops. It also works on London buses and river boats. Note that if you have a contactless bank card or Apple Pay / Google Pay device, this might end up better value – check out my post comparing Oyster and contactless to figure out which is best for you.

For more information on getting around London, check out my detailed Guide To Transportation Options in London.

 

Walking Tours in London

If you like walking tours, we recommend the company Take Walks, who are behind the popular walking tour company Walks of Italy.

They have expanded their portfolio, and now have a number of walks in London, including this London in a Day walking tour that includes the changing of the guard.

A walking tour of London is a good way to learn a lot in a relatively short time, and also to meet someone who can give you local insights and tips about the city. Obviously you will need to adjust your itinerary to include a walking tour.

Our suggestion would be to perhaps do the London in a Day tour on your first day, which covers the majority of the sites covered in our itinerary, and then continue with the second day as it is.

Another option we suggest are these tours by City Wonders, they offer a wide range of tours in London, from introductory tours through to more detailed and specific tours.

We have a full guide to some of the best walking tours in London, which is also worth reviewing if you are interested in a walking tour while you are in the city.

If you prefer the idea of walking and eating, then we also have you covered with our complete guide to the best food tours in London. That also covers all the food and drink you might want to try on your visit to the city.

 

Where to Go After London: Day Trips & More

We’re often asked where to head to from London after this two day itinerary is over, or just for suggestions on good day trips from London.

We’ve done quite a few day trips from London, including a day trip to Oxford, a day trip to Stonehenge from London, and a day trip to Blenheim and the Cotswolds from London. Based on these experiences we wanted to share some ideas for both day trips from the city and longer trips to see more of the country.

• Stonehenge, Bath and the Cotswolds are really popular destinations, and you can easily do these together as part of a day trip from London. This tour features all of those destinations, as well as Windsor Castle. It even includes lunch!
• A tour of Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford. Three popular destinations from London that you can visit as part of a day trip. Also see my guide to visiting Oxford for more ideas.
• A private tour down to Portsmouth, perfect for those of you interested in naval history and visiting a lovely seaside city. See our guide to things to do in Portsmouth for more inspiration
• Lovers of Downton Abbey will want to visit Highclere Castle where the show was filmed. See our guide to visiting Highclere Castle, which includes tips for visiting as a day trip from London
• For a longer trip, check out my 10 day UK itinerary by public transport, which starts with a couple of days in London, but then has you touring some highlights of the rest of the country. We also have 1 week and 2 week self drive itineraries.
• If you want to take a longer guided tour from London and see more of the UK, we recommend this small group tour, which takes eight days to take you from London to Edinburgh. There’s also this 5 day tour which covers South West England and Wales.

Hopefully these give you a starting point for the next stage in your trip!

 

Where to Stay in London

Accommodation wise, London has a wide range of options, ranging from hostels, through to self catered apartments and seriously upscale hotels. There’s something to suit every budget, with en-suite double rooms starting from around $80 a night.

For this itinerary, we’d advise staying somewhere fairly central so you can get around easily. We’d suggest staying somewhere in the region between Kensington in the west and Canary Wharf in the east.

For examples of properties at different price points that are centrally located, here are some options:

• The Walrus Bar and Hostel – A well reviewed centrally located hostel
• The Z hotel in Shoreditch – excellent value in a lively and popular part of London with great dining options
• Point A Hotel – This hotel is within the well-priced Point A hotel range. It’s a 17 minute walk to Parliament Square and Westminster Abbey. We’ve stayed here; the rooms are tiny but clean and it’s a great budget option.
• Lime Tree Hotel – A well reviewed boutique hotel, around nine minutes walk from London Victoria
• The Resident Victoria Hotel – a well reviewed and centrally located hotel offering excellent value for money. The room we stayed in was quite compact, but it had everything we needed including a small kitchenette. Larger rooms are of course available, depending on budget.
• The Savoy – true luxury as close to the city centre as you can get!

Generally when searching for somewhere to stay our first choice is booking.com. They’re easy to use, usually have the best prices, and have everything from hotels to hostels, guest-houses and even apartments. Try them for London and see!

If you prefer an apartment, then we recommend either Plum Guide or Vrbo.

Plum Guide doesn’t have quite so many choices, but they carefully curate their listings so their options tend to be of a very high quality whilst still being available at a range of price points.  See their listings for London here.

You also can read our detailed Plum Guide review to learn more about this service and our experiences using it.

If you can’t find what you want from the above choices, or you want some new options to try out, we wrote a whole post on the best alternatives to AirBnB and a guide to our favourite holiday cottage accommodation in the UK which you should check out!

Between these options, you should find the best prices and places to stay for your trip, as well as a good selection of reviews and feedback to help you make an informed decision.

 

Practicalities for Visiting London

Power

London, and the wider UK, use a 220v standard for electricity, with a three pin plug. Travellers from most of the rest of the world, including mainland Europe and the US will need an adapter like this.

US travellers will also want to check their equipment supports the 220v standard, as the US uses a 110v standard. The voltage a device supports will be written clearly on the power adapter, usually in the form of 110v – 240v.

In our experience laptops, phone and camera chargers and other small electronics are universal, whilst larger devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners are not.

See more on travel adapters and how to choose one for your trip in our guide to the best travel adapters.

Currency

London uses the British pound, which is accepted across the British Isles. You can get Pounds from ATM’s, banks and currency exchanges, although credit cards are widely accepted, and there is no need to carry large quantities of currency. It is helpful to have some change and some bills of course, but it is rare to find an instance where a card isn’t accepted.

If you do use a credit or debit card, just make sure it doesn’t charge foreign exchange fees or have a poor currency conversion rate. There are a number of excellent credit cards for travellers, and it’s always worth checking to be sure you have a good deal before travelling and racking up unexpected fees.

Internet Access

If you’re visiting from outside the UK and want data on your phone, an eSIM is the easiest option these days. We use Airalo, which lets you buy and install a data plan before you even leave home. No fumbling with physical SIM cards at the airport. You can read our full Airalo review for more details on how it works.

Free Wi-Fi is widely available across London in cafes, restaurants, and public spaces. The Tube also has Wi-Fi at most stations (though not between stations underground).

Water 

The water in the taps in London is safe to drink unless otherwise indicated. If you don’t like the taste, bottled water is widely available. We usually recommend you travel with a re-usable water bottle like this to save on having to buy water bottles.

Safety

London is a safe city in our experience, although as with any major city, of course you need to keep your wits about you – keep your possessions in view all the time, keep your wallet or phone in a front pocket (with a zip if possible), and don’t do anything that you wouldn’t do at home. If you’re going to use a taxi, make sure you use a licensed operator such as a black cab.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting London in 2 Days

Is 2 days enough to see London?

Two days is enough to cover London’s major landmarks, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and the South Bank. You won’t see everything the city has to offer, but with a well-planned itinerary you can fit in the headline attractions without feeling rushed. If you can add a third day, you’ll have time to explore areas like Greenwich or Camden at a slower pace.

How much does 2 days in London cost?

Budget roughly £150 to £250 per person per day, depending on your accommodation and how many paid attractions you visit. Attraction entry fees add up quickly (the Tower of London alone is nearly £35), but a London Pass can bring that cost down significantly. Many of London’s best museums, including the British Museum, the V&A, and the Natural History Museum, are free to enter.

Is the London Pass worth it for 2 days?

In most cases, yes. A 2-day London Pass costs £149 per adult at full price. If you visit four or five of the major attractions on this itinerary (Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, the Shard, Kensington Palace, Tower Bridge Exhibition), you’ll spend more than that buying tickets individually.

The pass also includes a hop-on hop-off bus tour and a Thames river boat day pass, which adds further value. Note that not every attraction on this itinerary is included on the pass (the Churchill War Rooms, for example, require a separate ticket), but the savings from the included attractions more than cover the cost.

What is the best area to stay in London for 2 days?

For first-time visitors following this itinerary, staying near a Zone 1 Tube station gives you the best access to the main sights. South Kensington, Westminster, and London Bridge are all well-positioned areas.

If you’re on a tighter budget, areas like King’s Cross or Paddington have good transport links and more affordable hotel options. Check out our guide to where to stay in London for detailed neighbourhood recommendations.

What is the best way to get around London in 2 days?

A combination of walking and the Tube is the most efficient way to get around. This itinerary is designed to be mostly walkable, with just one or two short Tube journeys per day. Use a contactless bank card or Apple Pay / Google Pay to tap in and out on the Tube and buses, which gives you the best fares automatically.

We have a full guide to London public transport and a comparison of Oyster vs contactless payment if you want the details.

What should I not miss in London in 2 days?

The Tower of London is the one attraction I’d put at the top of any first-timer’s list. It’s nearly a thousand years old, home to the Crown Jewels, and the Yeoman Warder tours are fantastic.

Westminster Abbey is a close second, particularly if you’re interested in British history. For views of the city, the Shard or the London Eye will give you a perspective you can’t get from street level.

 

Further Reading For Your 2 Days In London

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your London trip, here are some resources to help you out:

• Our detailed guide to what to pack for London, to help you prepare for your trip to London.
• Tips on finding the best Photography Locations in London that I put together
• If you’re short on time, or just really want to focus on the highlights, check out my guide to spending 1 Day in London, and if you’re here for longer or just want some more ideas for you visit, check out our detailed itineraries for three days in London and six days in London.
• For the Harry Potter fans amongst you, take a look at our guide to finding Harry Potter in London
• 8 Things to Do in Kensington, London, in case you wanted to focus more on a specific region of the city
• We have detailed guides to visiting the Tower of London and the London Eye which includes information on planning your visit and how to save money on these popular attractions
• If you enjoy military museums, take a look at our guide to London’s Best Military Museums and Memorials
• Tips on spending Two Weeks in the UK, should you want to have London as the start of a bigger adventure
• For budget planning, see our guide to how much it costs to travel in the UK
• Our experience taking a full day walking tour of London, in case you like the idea of a fully guided day
• We have a guide to our favourite food tours in London
• Thoughts on visiting Stonehenge from London as a day trip
• Other good day or weekend trips from London include Oxford and Cambridge. See our guide to Oxford in a day. our guide to spending a weekend in York as well as our suggested things to do in Cambridge for ideas.
• Heading further north? We have loads of content on Scotland, including a 2 Day Edinburgh itinerary, a guide to the North Coast 500 and a 2 Day Glasgow itinerary
• How about heading to Paris from London? We have a detailed guide to the best way to get from London to Paris to help you plan
• The Eyewitness Travel Guide to London, which has all sorts of information within, including more itineraries and ideas for your trip
• Rick Steve’s London guide, the #1 bestseller on Amazon for UK travel guides, and always an excellent source of relevant information

And that’s it for my two day London Itinerary post! Got a favourite part of London that I missed? Let us know about it in the comments below!