
London in 2 days: a ready-made route to 28 places with ticket prices
Two days in London can realistically fit into a single walking route. The city's main landmarks stand almost side by side: from Big Ben to the Tower you'll walk past Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, and St Paul's Cathedral. The challenge lies elsewhere: without a plan, it's easy to get stuck in queues and lose half a day traveling between areas. We've mapped twenty-eight places across two days as loops on the map and checked current prices.
An adult ticket to Westminster Abbey costs around £31 (as of 09/2026, prices on the Abbey's website), and entry to the Tower of London starts from £37 (as of 09/2026, prices on the fortress's website). Below you'll find the order of stops by the hour, the cost of each ticket, and proven ways to get from Heathrow.
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How to get from the airport to the center
💡 In short:
- Flying into Heathrow: the Elizabeth line gets you to the center in about 30 minutes and costs less than the Heathrow Express.
- Saving money: the Piccadilly line tube will cost less than the other options.
- Traveling with suitcases: book a transfer in advance so you don't have to haul luggage through connections.
- Transport prices and schedules: 09/2026, verified on the official Heathrow Express website
There are four ways to get from Heathrow to the center, and the choice depends on your budget and luggage. The Heathrow Express train reaches Paddington station in fifteen minutes (as of 09/2026, Heathrow Express). A standard one-way ticket costs around £26, but if you buy in advance it drops to about £10 (as of 09/2026, Heathrow Express).
The Elizabeth line is cheaper than the express train: a ticket to the center costs around £15.50 (as of 09/2026, Transport for London). The train runs through the center without changes, so with suitcases this option is more convenient and costs noticeably less than a standard express ticket.
The Piccadilly line tube remains the most budget-friendly option: a trip costs around £5.90 (as of 09/2026, TfL map and fares). It takes longer, about an hour, but you get off right in the center, and the machines accept contactless payment.
A taxi from Heathrow is the most expensive option, and there's no fixed fare: the price is set by the carrier depending on traffic. For travel with luggage, a transfer is more convenient: the driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel.
Tours and tickets in London
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First day
The first day goes through the historic center: from Westminster along the Thames to the City and then to the South Bank. Distances between stops are short, so you will barely need transport: put on comfortable shoes and head out for opening time. Below is the order of stops, ticket prices, and the honest catch of each one.
Big Ben

Big Ben is the clock tower of the Palace of Westminster on the banks of the Thames and the most recognizable silhouette in the city. The neo-Gothic building appeared after the fire that destroyed the old parliament: the design was done by architect Charles Barry and designer Augustus Pugin. Four clock faces look out in all directions, and the great bell strikes every hour.
Tourists practically cannot get inside: the tower has no elevator, the climb is more than three hundred steps, and it is open only to organized groups of UK residents. The best way to see the tower is from Westminster Bridge, where it fits fully into the frame.
- How to get there: Westminster tube station, Jubilee, Circle, and District lines.
- Cost: free from outside at any time.
Westminster Abbey
© ChrisVTG Photography · CC BY-SAPhoto: ChrisVTG Photography, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, known as Westminster Abbey, stands almost opposite Big Ben. British monarchs are crowned here, and the country's most distinguished figures are buried here, from Isaac Newton to Charles Darwin. Inside you will see Poets' Corner, the Henry VII Chapel, and the Chapter House, which is tied to grim medieval legends.
Adult entry costs about £31 (as of 09/2026, Westminster Abbey), audio guide included. The line at the entrance is noticeably shorter right after opening, so come in the morning. On Sundays some areas are closed to tourists due to services.
- How to get there: Westminster tube station, then walk along the Parliament building.
- Tickets: abbey ticket with audio guide
- The catch: photography is prohibited inside.
Buckingham Palace
© Diliff · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsBuckingham Palace is the official residence of the British monarch, and tourists are only allowed inside in summer. The state rooms, throne room, ballroom, picture gallery, and garden open while the royal family is away, usually from July to September. In other months you can view the facade and the changing of the guard ceremony.
Tickets to the state rooms should be booked in advance for a specific time: available slots run out quickly during the season. The changing of the guard at the gates is free to watch, but arrive early to get a spot by the fence.
The palace is said to have more than seven hundred rooms, but only some of them are open to visitors. Flamingos even live in the garden with its ponds, unfazed by the crowds of guests.
- How to get there: Victoria, Green Park, or Hyde Park Corner tube stations.
- The catch: photography is prohibited in the state rooms.
Trafalgar Square
© Charlie Forman · CC BY-SAPhoto: Charlie Forman, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsTrafalgar Square is London's main city square at the entrance to the National Gallery. At its center rises the column of Admiral Horatio Nelson, surrounded by bronze lions, fountains, and pedestals with monuments. Distances to other cities are measured from here, and on holidays Londoners gather in the square.
This is a convenient place to start your walk: Charing Cross station is nearby, and Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are within walking distance. The best way to photograph the whole square is from the south side of the gallery steps, where both the fountains and the column fit into the frame.
- How to get there: Charing Cross tube station, exit directly onto the square.
- Cost: free around the clock.
National Gallery
© https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryansjs · CC BY-SAPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bryansjs, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe National Gallery occupies the east side of Trafalgar Square and houses a collection of Western European painting. The collection began with the purchase of a private holding, and today the rooms run in chronological order from the Middle Ages to the Impressionists. Works by Botticelli, da Vinci, Rembrandt, Turner, and Van Gogh hang here.
Entry to the main collection is free (as of 09/2026, National Gallery); you only pay for temporary exhibitions. Allow at least two hours for a quick visit, otherwise you will rush past the major paintings.
The collection has more than two thousand paintings spread across four wings.
- How to get there: Charing Cross tube station, entrance from the square.
- The catch: by midday on weekends the rooms fill up.
Leicester Square
© Romazur · CC BY-SAPhoto: Romazur, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsLeicester Square is an entertainment square a few minutes from Trafalgar Square. During the day people come here for souvenirs and street shows, and in the evening theaters, cinemas, bars, and restaurants open up. The area once belonged to the nobility and later turned into a center of commerce and nightlife.
Nearby is the entrance to the Covent Garden district and the box offices of West End theaters. Booking a show in advance is cheaper than buying on the day of the performance on site.
- How to get there: Leicester Square tube station, exit directly onto the square.
- The catch: in the evening on weekends it is noisy and crowded here.
Covent Garden
© Ilya Grigorik · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsCovent Garden is a district and the opera house of the same name, one of the most famous stages in Europe. The first theater opened with the ballet Pygmalion, the building was rebuilt after two fires, and the auditorium now seats more than two thousand people. In addition to performances, backstage tours and visits to the royal box are available here.
During the day, street performers appear on the square in front of the theater, and a craft market operates under the glass pavilion. The area is easy to explore on foot, between Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square.
- How to get there: Covent Garden tube station, exit to the square.
- Tours: see programs on GetYourGuide
- The catch: before a performance starts, the narrow lanes get packed.
Fleet Street
© Josep Renalias · CC BY-SAPhoto: Josep Renalias, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsFleet Street was once the center of the British press: newspapers were printed here and newsrooms operated along the street. The printing houses have since moved, but the old landmarks remain. Look out for Temple Bar, the gate barrier between the City and Westminster, the neo-Gothic church of St Dunstan, and the church of St Bride, where Charles Dickens used to stop by.
A separate stop is the oldest pub, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, favored by Mark Twain and Arthur Conan Doyle. Inside, the medieval atmosphere survives, with low ceilings and several rooms.
- How to get there: Temple or Blackfriars tube station, then walk.
- The catch: most of the old buildings are closed, so you can only view them from outside.
St Paul's Cathedral
© Matt Brown · CC BYPhoto: Matt Brown, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsSt Paul's Cathedral is the main church of the City of London, with a huge dome visible from far away. The current Baroque building was designed by architect Christopher Wren after the Great Fire: the dome rises almost one hundred and ten meters above the city. Statues of distinguished figures of England line the walls, and their tombs are in the crypt.
Adult admission costs £27 (as of 09/2026, St Paul's Cathedral), and a separate ticket is required to climb to the dome gallery via the spiral staircase. Arrive at opening time, otherwise the queue can stretch to an hour.
- How to get there: St Paul's tube station, exit to the cathedral.
- The catch: climbing to the dome requires a good level of fitness.
One New Change shopping center
© Eluveitie · CC BY-SAPhoto: Eluveitie, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe One New Change shopping center is a few minutes' walk from St Paul's Cathedral. Its three floors house clothing, cosmetics and jewelry brands, as well as cafes and restaurants. The main reason to stop by is not shopping: the rooftop has a free terrace with a panorama of the dome and the whole City.
Go up to the viewing terrace closer to sunset, when the cathedral is illuminated. On weekdays the terrace stays open longer, while on weekends it fills up earlier, so come in the morning.
- How to get there: St Paul's tube station, entrance from Cheapside.
- Cost: admission and the terrace are free.
Leadenhall Market

Leadenhall Market is a covered market in the heart of the City that has been operating since roughly the fourteenth century. In the late nineteenth century it was given a glass roof, decorated with stained glass and mosaics, and the resulting arcade began appearing in films, from Harry Potter movies to music videos.
Today it sells shoes, clothing, cheeses, cigars and premium spirits, with restaurants nearby ranging from Korean to European cuisine. Stop by on a weekday before lunch, when all the stalls are open.
- How to get there: Bank or Monument tube stations, then walk.
- The catch: some stalls are closed on weekends.
Sky Garden viewing platform
Sky Garden is a garden and viewing platform on the roof of a business skyscraper in the City. Under the planning conditions, the tower was only permitted with a landscaped roof open to the public, so a real park with palms and ferns was created beneath the glass canopy. From a height of about 155 meters, you get a panorama of the city.
© Colin · CC BY-SAPhoto: Colin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsAdmission is free but time-slotted: tickets are booked in advance on the website, and slots go quickly. Among the cafes and restaurants on site, the Skypod cafeteria offers the best value; the other venues are priced for the view.
- How to get there: Monument or Tower Hill tube stations, entrance from Fenchurch Street.
- Cost: free with advance booking (as of 09/2026, Sky Garden).
Tower of London
© Richard Nevell · CC BY-SAPhoto: Richard Nevell, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Tower of London is a medieval fortress on the banks of the Thames that has served as a royal residence, prison, zoo, and treasury. Its walls, several meters thick in places, have witnessed the executions of queens and prisoners, and today they house the Crown Jewels: the crown and scepter. Separate exhibitions are dedicated to armor, knightly tournaments, and royal animals.
Adult admission starts from £37 (as of 09/2026, Historic Royal Palaces). Tickets are sold online by time slot, and this is essential: without a slot, you risk standing in line for over an hour.
Guards are on duty at the entrance, and ravens live in the courtyard: according to legend, as long as the birds remain in the Tower, the fortress and the kingdom are safe. Guided tours start every half hour and help you make sense of the history of prisoners and executions.
- How to get there: Tower Hill tube station, exit toward the fortress.
- Tickets: skip-the-line Tower pass
- The catch: seeing all the towers takes at least half a day.
Tower Bridge
© Sarahhoa · CC BY-SAPhoto: Sarahhoa, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsTower Bridge is a drawbridge about two hundred and forty meters long, opened at the end of the nineteenth century. Between the two towers, at a height of forty meters, runs a pedestrian walkway with a glass floor offering views of the Thames and the Tower. Inside the towers, a museum covers the history of the bridge and its steam engines.
- How to get there: Tower Hill tube station, then walk along the embankment.
- Tickets: Tower Bridge walkway admission
- The catch: not everyone gets to see the bridge lift on schedule, as times change.
Borough Market
© Jeremy Keith from Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom · CC BYPhoto: Jeremy Keith from Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsBorough Market is one of London's oldest markets, operating for over a thousand years. The selection used to be modest, but today it sells delicacies from around the world: from cheeses to seafood and Middle Eastern spices. The oyster bar and the baked goods stalls are worth a separate visit.
The market is easy to combine with Tower Bridge and Tate Modern, as they are a few minutes' walk away. The best selection of produce is on weekdays before noon; on weekends there are more tourists than actual shopping.
The stalls feature rare products: ostrich eggs, over a hundred varieties of cheese, coconut pancakes, and oysters. There are dedicated chocolate shops, fish and meat counters with ready-made dishes cooked right on the spot.
- How to get there: London Bridge tube station, exit toward the market canopies.
- Cost: admission is free.
Tate Modern
© Amanda Slater from Coventry, West Midlands, UK · CC BY-SAPhoto: Amanda Slater from Coventry, West Midlands, UK, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsTate Modern is a modern art museum housed in a former power station on the south bank of the Thames. The industrial facade with its huge chimney could easily be mistaken for an abandoned site, but inside is one of the largest collections of twentieth- and twenty-first-century art. Works include Picasso, Dali, and Matisse, as well as unexpected installations.
Admission to the permanent collection is free (as of 09/2026, Tate Modern); you only pay for temporary exhibitions. The upper floors offer an excellent view of St Paul's Cathedral across the Thames.
- How to get there: Southwark or Blackfriars tube stations, then walk.
- The catch: the embankment by the museum is windy even in summer.
Sea life London aquarium
© Txllxt TxllxT · CC BY-SAPhoto: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsSea life London aquarium sits next to the observation wheel and opened at the end of the twentieth century. It is home to more than four hundred species of marine life from different oceans: sharks, rays, jellyfish, coral reef fish, and penguins. Some animals can be touched in separate pools under staff supervision.
Tickets are cheaper to buy online in advance; they cost more at the door. With small children, it is better to come on weekday mornings, before tour groups arrive.
- How to get there: Waterloo or Westminster tube station, then walk along the embankment.
- The catch: on weekends, the shark tunnel gets too crowded.
London Eye observation wheel
© Christian David · CC BY-SAPhoto: Christian David, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsLondon Eye is a Ferris wheel about one hundred thirty-five meters tall on the south bank of the Thames. One full rotation takes about half an hour, the capsules are enclosed and each holds several dozen people, so the ride is comfortable in any weather. From the top you will see Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the entire city center.
An adult ticket bought online starts at about £29 (as of 09/2026, London Eye), and it costs more at the ticket office on site. Book a morning or sunset slot: during the day on sunny days it gets hot inside the capsules.
The wheel has thirty-two capsules, and the ride includes a short film about holidays and New Year in the capital. At the end of the ride, a camera in the capsule takes a photo, but it is offered for purchase separately. You can also rent a single capsule for two with service, champagne, and snacks.
- How to get there: Waterloo tube station, then a few minutes on foot.
- The catch: in strong winds the attraction closes and your ticket is rescheduled.
It makes sense to end the first evening in a pub. In the Clerkenwell area, Jerusalem Tavern serves traditional ale. Another option is a small bar called Call Me Mister Lucky, hidden behind a refrigerator door.
Day two
Day two splits into two parts: the morning in West London museums, then a trip out of town to a university, a castle, or Stonehenge. The museums around South Kensington are free, so you can fit two of them back to back in one morning. After lunch, pick one out-of-town route instead of trying to combine two.
Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road Market is a flea and antiques market in West London with roots going back to the nineteenth century. The area is divided into three zones: antiques, food, and designer goods. You can find collectible books, old cameras, and tableware for little money, while well-known fashion houses sell items with minor defects.

Saturday is the market's main day, when the most stalls are open. Come at opening time; by noon it is already packed.
- Getting there: Notting Hill Gate or Ladbroke Grove tube station.
- The catch: only some of the stalls operate on weekdays.
Victoria and Albert Museum
© Diliff · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diliff, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Victoria and Albert Museum is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. The collection began in the mid-nineteenth century, and today the galleries cover furniture, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and photography. Admission to the main collection is free; you only pay for special exhibitions (as of 09/2026, V&A).
You cannot cover sixteen galleries in one day, so choose the themes that interest you in advance. With children, it is worth visiting the educational workshops, where they teach drawing and working with materials.
- Getting there: South Kensington tube station, underground passage to the museums.
- The catch: popular galleries get crowded on weekends.
Natural History Museum
© Poidabro · CC BY-SAPhoto: Poidabro, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsThe Natural History Museum greets visitors with a dinosaur skeleton, a statue of Charles Darwin, and a cross-section of a giant sequoia. The exhibition is divided into color-coded zones: geology with volcanoes and earthquakes, ecology with extinct animals, dinosaur galleries, and a carnivorous plants section. Some exhibits move and make sounds, which is why children enjoy it here the most.
Admission is free (as of 09/2026, Natural History Museum); you pay for the 4D film and some temporary exhibitions. On weekday mornings the halls are quieter, while on weekends families come here together.
- Getting there: South Kensington tube station, exit to the museum.
- The catch: during school holidays, lines form at the entrance from the morning.
Hyde Park
© wasd42 · CC BY-SAPhoto: wasd42, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsHyde Park is one of the main green spaces in central London, once a royal hunting ground. Today it has the Serpentine lake with boat rentals, fountains, and flower gardens, and on Sundays Londoners speak on any topic at Speakers' Corner. The park also has a contemporary art gallery and a riding school.
The easiest way to enter the park is from Marble Arch or Hyde Park Corner tube stations. Bring a blanket: in summer people picnic on the lawns here.
- Getting there: Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Lancaster Gate tube stations.
- Cost: park admission is free.
Grosvenor Square
© Matt Brown · CC BYPhoto: Matt Brown, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia CommonsGrosvenor Square is a garden square in the upscale Mayfair district next to Hyde Park. The estate around the square was once owned by the Grosvenor family, and an old church now stands here. The US Embassy moved away from here in 2018. The square itself has many trees and flower beds, along with a monument to Roosevelt and memorials to Americans who died in World War II and to Britons killed in terrorist attacks.
It is a quiet place to rest in the shade after the museums. From here it is a short walk to the shops of Oxford Street and to Hyde Park.
- Getting there: Bond Street or Marble Arch tube station.
- Cost: free.
The last five sights of the day are in different parts of the region, and each needs at least half a day. Choose one of the five options based on your interests: Greenwich, Cambridge, Oxford, Windsor, or Stonehenge.
Greenwich
© Matt Brown · CC BYPhoto: Matt Brown, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsGreenwich is a district in southeast London through which the prime meridian passes. It is home to the Royal Observatory, where the meridian line is marked with a laser: stand on either side of the beam and you will be in two hemispheres at once. The same district is home to the Cutty Sark sailing ship, the National Maritime Museum, the Queen's House, and the park around the observatory.
The observatory's viewing platform offers a view of the City's skyscrapers across the river.
During a walk you will be shown the Time Ball and the Shepherd Gate Clock, and taken past the Royal Naval College and monuments to Yuri Gagarin and James Cook. A separate item on the program is the pedestrian tunnel under the Thames that connects Greenwich with the north bank. After sightseeing, you can stop by the market with handmade goods and antique shops.
- Getting there: DLR train to Cutty Sark station or riverboat to Greenwich Pier.
- Tours: group tours of Greenwich
- The catch: the walk up to the observatory takes about twenty minutes uphill.
Cambridge
Cambridge is a university city in the east of England, about an hour from London. It has more than thirty colleges, historic libraries, museums, and gardens, and flat-bottomed boats take visitors along the River Cam. At various times Erasmus of Rotterdam and Isaac Newton studied and taught here, and in summer Shakespeare is performed on the lawns.
The city is best explored on foot, but admission to individual colleges is paid and time-limited. It is easier to book a trip with transfer and guide in advance, otherwise everything sells out in season.
- Getting there: train from King's Cross or Liverpool Street stations, then walk from the station.
- Tours: day trips to Cambridge
- The catch: in one day you will only have time for the center and a couple of colleges.
Oxford
© Chensiyuan · CC BY-SAPhoto: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsOxford is the oldest university city in the country, northwest of London. Margaret Thatcher and members of royal dynasties studied here, and there are only a few students per instructor. The center is home to Carfax Tower, the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, the Museum of Modern Art, and a picture gallery with works by Raphael, Rembrandt, and Leonardo da Vinci.
A separate reason to visit is Christ Church college, where scenes from the Harry Potter films were shot. A full tour of the university buildings and gardens takes a whole day.
Take a guided tour: on your own, it is hard to figure out which courtyards are open to visitors. In the evening, old pubs serve traditional ale in the same rooms where writers and scholars once gathered.
- Getting there: train from Paddington station or bus from Victoria Coach Station.
- Tours: guided tours to Oxford
- The catch: some colleges are closed to tourists during exam periods.
Windsor
© Diego Delso · CC BY-SAPhoto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia CommonsWindsor Castle is the largest inhabited fortress in the world and one of the residences of the British royal family. If the flag is raised above the Round Tower, the monarch is inside. The state apartments, galleries, St George's Chapel, and the famous dollhouse showing the life of monarchs in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are open to visitors.
The audio guide helps you understand the castle's history and not miss the main rooms. Parts of the palace are closed on certain days, so check the schedule before your trip.
The castle was built starting in the eleventh century and absorbed nearly every architectural style, which is why its walls look different in each section. St George's Chapel contains the tombs of British monarchs.
- Getting there: train from Waterloo or Paddington station to Windsor & Eton Central station.
- Tickets and opening hours: official Windsor Castle website
- The catch: on weekends, tour groups gather at the castle.
Stonehenge and Bath

Stonehenge is a ring of giant stone blocks thought to be both an ancient calendar and a place of worship. How stones weighing up to several tons were brought here is still unknown. Tours usually split the day into two parts: first the megaliths, then the city of Bath with its Roman thermal springs, botanical garden, and art gallery.
Tickets to Stonehenge are sold for specific time slots on the official website, and you need to book them in advance. Bath is easy to explore on foot: the old streets and thermae are compactly located in the center.
- Getting there: by organized tour or by car on the A303.
- Tickets: Stonehenge admission
- The catch: without a car, getting to the megaliths is difficult; public transport barely runs.
Two-day London route on the map
Below, the whole trip is gathered into one table: what to see each day, which tickets to book in advance, and how much walking is involved.
Day | Main focus for the day | Tickets in advance | Walking, km |
|---|---|---|---|
Day one | Westminster, the City, and the South Bank | Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London | about eight |
Day two | Museums in South Kensington and a day trip out of town | Stonehenge or Windsor Castle | about four |
See the route on the map below and save the points in advance so you don't have to hunt for entrances on the spot.
What to see in London in 2 days
Places on the map
- 1Big Ben Clock tower of the Palace of Westminster, almost never open to visitors
- 2Westminster Abbey Site of coronations and burials of British monarchs
- 3Buckingham Palace Residence of the monarch, changing of the guard at the gates
- 4Trafalgar Square Nelson's Column, bronze lions and fountains
- 5National Gallery Western European painting from the Middle Ages to the Impressionists
- 6Leicester Square Square of theatres, cinemas and nightlife
- 7Covent Garden District and opera house, street performers and a crafts market
- 8Fleet Street Former centre of the British press, the oldest pub Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
- 9St Paul's Cathedral Christopher Wren's dome, almost 110 metres high
- 10One New Change Shopping centre by the cathedral with a free rooftop viewing terrace
- 11Leadenhall Market 14th-century covered market under a glass roof, used in Harry Potter
- 12Sky Garden Garden and viewing platform on top of a skyscraper, free entry by booking
- 13Tower of London Medieval fortress, the Crown Jewels and ravens
- 14Tower Bridge Bascule bridge with a glass walkway between the towers
- 15Borough Market London's oldest food market
- 16Tate Modern Museum of modern art in a former power station building
- 17Sea Life London Aquarium Over 400 species of marine life near the observation wheel
- 18London Eye Observation wheel 135 metres tall on the south bank of the Thames
- 19Portobello Road Market Flea and antiques market, main day - Saturday
- 20Victoria and Albert Museum The largest museum of decorative arts and design
- 21Natural History Museum Dinosaur skeleton, geology and extinct animals
- 22Hyde Park Serpentine lake and Speakers' Corner on Sundays
- 23Grosvenor Square Square in Mayfair with a monument to Roosevelt and memorials
- 24Greenwich Prime meridian, Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark
- 25Oxford The country's second-oldest university town
- 26Windsor The world's largest inhabited castle, St George's Chapel
⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions
How much money do you need for two days in London?
A lot in the city is free: the National Gallery, Tate Modern, both museums in South Kensington, and the parks. The biggest expenses are tickets to the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey, with prices listed above. Add transport, food, and souvenirs. Budget a comfortable amount per person, and check exact prices on official websites before your trip.
Can you see London in two days?
Yes, if you group the sights by area and avoid unnecessary trips across the city. Day one covers Westminster, the City, and the South Bank; day two covers the museums and one day trip out of town. Book Tower and Abbey tickets online in advance, it saves you hours in queues.
Which is cheaper for getting around: the Tube or the bus?
Contactless card payment works on both the Tube and buses. For a central London route, the Tube is faster, while short hops between nearby sights are easier to walk. A day pass pays off after three or four rides, so count your trips in advance.
When is the best time to visit London?
The most comfortable months are May through June and September: it's warm enough, and there are fewer tourists than at the height of summer. In July and August, queues for the Tower and the observation wheel are at their longest. In winter, hotels are cheaper, but it gets dark early, so plan museums for the second half of the day.
Is two days enough for London and Oxford?
Yes, if you set aside the second half of day two for Oxford or Cambridge. In the morning you see the museums, after lunch you take the train, and you return late in the evening. If you prefer a relaxed pace, save the university town for a separate trip.
In short: what to book
If you're short on time: book Tower of London and Westminster Abbey tickets online and start your day at Westminster. If you're traveling with kids: plan the morning in South Kensington and leave the observation wheel for the evening. If you want to see more: add a trip to Windsor or Stonehenge. Tickets and tours are easiest to book in advance through GetYourGuide, and arrange your airport transfer as a Heathrow transfer.


