London Packing List: What to Pack for London and the UK at Any Time of Year

I lived in London for a number of years, and between us Jess and I have also visited the city many times on various trips. We’ve also spent a lot of time travelling across the rest of the UK, from the Scottish Highlands to the Cornish coast.

All of which is to say, we know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to packing for a trip to London and the UK. The weather is famously unpredictable (you can absolutely get four seasons in one afternoon), and the city involves a lot more walking than most people expect.

This packing list covers everything you need for London at any time of year, with seasonal notes for winter and summer items. It also works for the wider UK, since the climate doesn’t vary too dramatically across the country, though it does get a little cooler the further north you go, especially up into Scotland.

We’ll go through everything in detail, and then you’ll find a printable checklist at the end so you don’t forget anything.

Do You Need to Pack a Lot for London?

Honestly, no. London is a major city with shops everywhere, so if you forget something, you can pick it up easily. Boots, Superdrug and Primark are on practically every high street, and there are pharmacies and convenience stores around every corner.

The things that are genuinely worth bringing from home are items that are hard to replace quickly: your preferred medications, a good travel adapter (UK plugs are different from almost everywhere else), comfortable shoes you’ve already broken in, and layers you trust for unpredictable weather. Everything else is a nice-to-have rather than essential.

That said, buying things on arrival costs time and money you could be spending on actually enjoying London. So a little planning goes a long way.

London Packing List

1. Clothing

Generally, for cities in the UK you will find that folks will tend to be fairly well dressed, so you will likely want to pack your nicer looking clothes – although you don’t need to be super dressy for most occasions.

Just bear in mind that if your travel plans include fine dining, nice bars or trips to shows like the opera or the west end then you might want to bring some smarter clothes.

I normally pack a button-up shirt and a light cotton jacket whilst Jess will pack a smart dress.

Clothes for London in Winter

When we travel to London in winter, we usually wear jeans or pants and Jess will wear layers with a warm sweater like this on top, while I will usually have a shirt and a fleece.

We will also both wear a warm winter coat. A warm scarf and good gloves are also essential winter items for London!

In terms of gloves, there are a number of options on the market. These are a good pair specifically designed for photography, with a warm merino wool lining and magnetic finger caps, and are the pair that I own.

However, you’ll find plenty of gloves to choose from if you don’t need a photography specific pair. Our main suggestion is to get a pair with touchscreen capability so you don’t need to take them off to use your phone when navigating or looking up information.

For scarves, we love our cashmere scarves as they are really warm and look great, you can get them for women here and for men here. We have a guide to travel scarves here if you need some more inspiration!

If you suffer from the cold, you will also likely want a warm hat.

Clothes for London in Summer

For visiting London in summer, Jess will usually bring along a pair of pants, capris, and have a light dress with a shoulder wrap to wear depending on the weather.

I usually wear jeans, although on the odd rare hot day I can find that jeans become uncomfortably hot to walk in sometimes, so I will also pack light pants or shorts. For bright days (they do happen, we promise!), you’ll also likely want a pair of sunglasses.

The key thing for either time of year is to bring a series of clothing you can layer so you can adjust to the climate accordingly.

As mentioned at the beginning of the post, if you are doing anything more formal such as a nice afternoon tea at a nice hotel, you should definitely check the dress code in advance so you are prepared.

You are unlikely to need outdoor gear such as hiking pants or boots for your London trip, although if you are heading out to the countryside for a little while, (perhaps following one of our UK itineraries), then a good pair of hiking pants will likely be a good addition to your UK packing list.

2. Shoes

A decent pair of shoes can make or break a holiday. You’re going to be doing a fair bit of walking as you explore the UK and her cities, and the last thing you want is sore feet or blisters.

We’ve been big fans of travelling in our Allbirds shoes for a while now (see our detailed Allbirds review here). They closed their US stores in early 2026 but still sell online and through retailers like Amazon.

Of course, sometimes you want something a little bit smarter. In that case, I have a pair of Timberland shoes that I love.

They are dressy enough for a night out or a nice meal, but also comfortable enough for walking in all day. They’re also 100% waterproof, which can be a real benefit, as rain showers can happen at any time in the UK!

For slightly more formal situations, Jess loves her versatile black Rockport shoes. Whatever shoes Jess wears though, she finds she suffers from arch pain, probably because of high arches. After a lot of research, we settled on these cool insoles, which have solved that problem.

For more shoe tips, check out our guide to the best travel shoes for men and the best travel shoes for women for tips on picking a great pair to travel in.

3. Toiletries / Make up

Naturally you’re going to want to bring your toiletries with you on your trip to London!

You don’t need much different for London and the UK than anywhere else, so just remember your essentials – toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, moisturizer, travel razor and any make-up or sanitary products that you might need.

Of course, all these things are easily available to buy in the UK as well, although as brands might differ slightly, if there is a product you love from home it is best to bring it with you to be sure. If you are on any medication, you should definitely bring this as well.

We’d also advise sunscreen for travel in the summer months, and a good Chapstick for travel in winter as the cold winter air can very quickly dry out your lips which isn’t fun.

4. Electronic Gear

The UK uses a 220-230v system with a three-pin Type G plug, so if you’re travelling from almost anywhere else in the world, you’ll need a travel adapter. This is one of the most important items on this list.

We use a universal travel adapter with built-in USB-C ports, which means we can charge our phones and other USB devices directly without needing extra chargers.

A good option is the TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter, which covers over 150 countries and has USB-C and USB-A ports built in. If you want something with more outlets (handy for a couple or a family), the TESSAN UK adapter with 4 AC outlets and 3 USB ports is excellent, as it turns a single hotel socket into a full charging station.

Note that if you are travelling to England from the USA, which uses a 110v system, not all your equipment will work.

Most laptops, phones and cameras will be fine, but in our experience, many hair dryers, curling irons, and hair straighteners don’t support dual voltages. You can check on the plug or in the manual to find out.

Jess has a dual voltage hair dryer and a dual voltage hair straightener for just this reason.

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

You will also want your smartphone, of course. If you’re visiting from outside the UK and want affordable mobile data, you have a couple of options. The simplest is an eSIM, which lets you set up a UK data plan before you even leave home, with no physical SIM card to swap. We use Airalo, which offers UK and Europe-wide data plans starting from a few dollars. You can read our full Airalo review here.

If your phone doesn’t support eSIM, you can also pick up a physical SIM card on arrival. They’re easy to find at shops like Carphone Warehouse, EE, Three and Vodafone, and data is cost-effective in the UK.

See our guide to getting online when you travel for more detailed tips on all the options.

See our advice on getting online when you travel for tips on the best options.

If you’re thinking of a new smartphone for your trip, check our guide to the best cameras for travel, which has a section on smartphones that are good for travel and taking photos.

We’d also recommend an external power bank to keep everything charged through a long day of sightseeing. An Anker 10,000mAh power bank is our go-to. It’s small enough to slip into a jacket pocket, light enough that you forget it’s there, and holds enough charge to fill a phone two to three times. The Anker Nano 10K with a built-in USB-C cable is particularly handy since you don’t need to remember a separate charging cable.

A decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be a lifesaver on the flight and on the Tube. We’re not going to tell you which specific pair to buy since everyone has their own preferences and budget, but if you don’t already own a pair, the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Pro are both excellent for travel. Even a more affordable option from brands like Soundcore or JBL will make a big difference on a long-haul flight.

If you like to read, you may also want to travel with a table or e-reader like a Kindle. For most trips you probably won’t need a laptop, but of course if you find it easier to travel with a laptop or tablet then bring one by all means!

5. Photography Gear

London is a very photogenic city (see my guide to the best photography locations here for some ideas), so you’re definitely going to want to bring some kind of photography gear with you on your trip. Even if that’s just a smartphone!

Our photography setup is likely overkill for most, but if you want to get the best photos, then we advise investing in a dedicated camera and ideally a tripod. See our guide to why you need a tripod for suggestions on the best travel tripods.

We also travel with a selfie stick to get nice photos of the two of us together if we don’t want have time or space to set up the tripod.

Don’t forget when travelling with your camera to bring a few accessories. We’d advise spare batteries, spare memory cards, a UV filter for the lens, and a decent bag or case to keep it all safe. If you don’t get a dedicated camera bag, a camera insert that goes inside your daypack or carry-on is a wise investment.

We also travel with a number of large Ziploc bags which can be really handy to put electronics and wet clothes in should the weather turn bad.

6. Luggage & Backpacks

Picking the right luggage for you is a big decision. The right bag should last you for many years of travel, and suit your particular style – be that carry-on only or checked luggage.

We travel with a fair amount of gear, so we invariably have one checked bag each, and then one piece of hand luggage which has our high value items in. One tip I learnt from my mum’s years of travel wisdom is to split our belongings across our two checked bags – that way if one of them doesn’t make it, we still both have clothes!

For my camera and electronic gear, I currently use a Vanguard Alta Sky 49, which works well as both a carry-on and a day pack. Prior to that, I used an Osprey day pack with a camera insert, which was also super comfortable.

Jess loves her Eagle Creek bags, and has both a carry-on sized backpack and a larger wheeled backpack that we check-in. For a long time my main checked bag was an Osprey Sojourn 60. This travelled with me from 2013 until 2021 through multiple countries and countless baggage handlers, and never let me down.

Currently though, we travel with two main checked bags. We have a Level8 trunk bag, and a Delsey Hardside bag. We picked luggage with four spinner wheels as it’s honestly so much easier to move around, and both these bags have survived the rigours of travel very well, including a five week African safari, which is tough on any bag!

If you’re in the market for a new bag, we have no hesitation recommending Eagle Creek, Osprey, Level8, Delsey and Vanguard as great choices.

7. Reusable Water Bottle

We highly recommend bringing a reusable bottle for water with you so you can fill it in sinks and water fountains and not need to pay for drinks or purchase bottled water. Tap water across the UK is safe to drink, so there’s no need to spend money on water.

If you need to get a water bottle for your trip, we personally like the Klean Kanteen insulated bottles. They keep drinks cold all day (or hot, if you’re getting a takeaway tea), the anti-leak lids are reliable, and they’re easy to clean. The 20oz TKWide is a good size for a daypack without being too bulky.

We have a few different sizes and find the anti-leak lids and easy washability make them perfect for travel. You’ll be saving money and creating less plastic waste, which is always a good thing!

8. Miscellaneous

Obviously, there are a few items you need to bring with you when travelling to the UK, such as your passport. Depending on where you are coming from, you might also need proof of onward travel, a visa, and proof of funds for your time in the UK.

Check the UK government website here to get an idea of what documentation you might need.

We’d also advise having a note of your hotel address available in non-electronic format, as you may need this during immigration proceedings.

Beyond the documentation requirements, don’t forget all the cables for your electronic devices. You are unlikely to need a towel for travel in London and the UK unless you are staying in particularly budget accommodation like backpacker hostels or some of the more budget hotel options that charge for add-ons like towels.

We would recommend you bring a travel umbrella or a travel poncho – these can be very useful in London and the UK as rain can happen at pretty much any time! You can also buy these at many shops in London although the quality might not stand the test of time.

If you would like to keep track of your adventures, we also recommend bringing along a travel journal. We always journal our travels so we can remember what we have seen and done. See our guide to the best travel journals for some ideas.

If you prefer a physical guidebook, we’d recommend the latest Rick Steves London (the 2024 edition is the most current as of early 2026, with a new edition expected in June 2026), or the Fodor’s London 2026 guide, which has the most up-to-date listings. Both are available on Kindle too, which saves luggage space.

London Packing Checklist

Here’s a full list for you to use as a reminder for your trip to London. You can also download this London packing list in PDF form to print off here.

•  Clothing
  • Shirts / t-shirts
  • Sweater / fleece for layering
  • Jeans / Pants
  • Underwear / socks
  • Shoes (bring a pair that is versatile so you can travel with just one or at most two pairs)
  • Swimwear (if needed, such as hotel has pool for instance)
  • More formal wear (if needed, such as planned fine dining or theatre experience)
• Clothes (Cold Weather additional items)
  • Warm winter Coat
  • Gloves
  • Hat
  • Scarf
  • Additional Sweaters/ Fleece
• Clothing (Warm Weather additional items)
  • Short sleeve t-shirts / tank tops
  • Spring/Summer skirts/dresses
  • Capris / Shorts
  • Light jacket / sweater
  • Sandals
  • Sunglasses / hat
• Reusable water bottle
•  Toiletries
  • Toothpaste / toothbrush
  • Deodorant/Fragrance
  • Moisturiser
  • Chapstick
  • Makeup
  • Sunscreen
  • Medications
  • Hygiene Products
  • Other __________________
• Photography Gear
  • Camera
  • Tripod / selfie-stick
  •  Memory cards
  • Spare batteries
  • Camera accessories
•  Electronics
  • Smartphone
  • Headphones
  • Portable power pack
  • Travel adaptor
  • Extension lead
  • Laptop / tablet / e-reader
  • Cables
  • Other __________________
• Luggage
  • Checked bag
  • Carry-on bag
• Miscellaneous
  • Passport
  • Visa / proof of onward travel etc (if required)
  • Travel towel (backpackers only)
  • Jewelry / watch
  • Travel journal / reading materials
  • Cards / games
  • Travel umbrella or poncho
  • Other ___________________

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I pack for London in summer?

Light layers are key. Bring t-shirts, a pair of shorts or a light dress, comfortable walking shoes, and sunglasses. But always pack a light jacket or sweater and a compact umbrella, because even in July and August, you can get cooler days and surprise rain showers. I’ve lived through more than one “summer” day in London that felt like autumn by lunchtime.

What should I pack for London in winter?

A warm coat is essential, along with a scarf, gloves and a hat if you feel the cold. Layers work best underneath, so you can adjust when you step in and out of heated shops, the Tube, and restaurants. Waterproof shoes are a very good idea, as rain is common throughout the winter months. Temperatures typically sit between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 Fahrenheit) from December to February.

Do I need a travel adapter for London?

Yes, if you’re visiting from outside the UK. The UK uses a three-pin Type G plug on a 220-230v system, which is different from the US, Europe, Australia and most of Asia. Most phone chargers and laptop power supplies handle dual voltage automatically, but items like hair dryers and straighteners often don’t, so check the label before plugging them in. We have a full guide to choosing a travel adapter here.

Can I drink the tap water in London?

Yes, tap water across the UK is safe to drink and perfectly fine. We always travel with a reusable water bottle and fill it from the tap. London water is quite hard (high mineral content), which some people notice the taste of, but it’s completely safe.

How much walking should I expect in London?

A lot. On a typical sightseeing day, you can easily cover 15,000 to 20,000 steps, or around 10 to 15 kilometres. That’s why comfortable, broken-in shoes are genuinely the most important thing on this list. Don’t bring brand new shoes that you haven’t walked in before.

What should I wear to afternoon tea or a West End show?

Smart casual is usually fine for both. For afternoon tea at somewhere like The Ritz or Claridge’s, there’s a formal dress code (jacket and tie for men, smart dress or equivalent for women), but most other afternoon teas are more relaxed. West End theatres don’t enforce a dress code, but most people dress up a little. A button-up shirt and trousers or a nice dress will be more than enough for either.

Further Reading for your Visit to London and the UK

We have written many guides that will help you plan and prepare for your trip to London, plus we have some other go-to resources we think you will find useful.

• • To help you plan your time in London effectively, check out our itineraries for 1 Day in London, 2 Days in London, 3 Days in London and 6 Days in London
  • If you’re flying into London, see our post on advice on getting to London from the airport, which includes detailed information for all six of London’s airports
  • Getting around can be a bit daunting on your first visit to London. See our guide to public transport options in London, as well as our overview of how to buy and use an Oyster card to help get prepared
  • 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’re a Harry Potter fan, you’re going to want to take a look at our guide to the best Harry Potter locations in London
  • We have a complete guide to the best food tours in London, which also details all the food and drink you might consider trying when in the capital
  • We have a complete guide to where to stay in London, with over 60 recommendations across all the main areas in London we recommend.
  • Fans of Winston Churchill will want to see our detailed guide to seeing all London’s Winston Churchill sights
  • Military history buffs will want to check out our guide to London’s Best Military Museums and Memorials
  • London has four UNESCO world heritage sites, we have a guide to visiting all of them here
  • If you want to get the best photos during your time in London, see my guide to the best Photography Locations in London
  • 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.
  • Many of London’s attractions are quite expensive, so if you plan on doing a lot of sight-seeing, you can save money with a London Pass. See our full review of the London Pass here to see if it will save you money on your trip
  • If your visit to London is part of a wider trip to the UK, check out our detailed 1 week and 2 week UK itinerary posts for inspiration
  • For accommodation, we recommend Booking.com. See all their London listings here
  • If you’d like a physical guidebook, the latest Rick Steves London and the Fodor’s London 2026 are both excellent (also available on Kindle)

And that’s it for our detailed packing guide for London, which hopefully covers everything you need to know for what to pack for London and the UK in general!

As always, we’re happy to take your questions and feedback – just leave us a comment below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Safe travels!