4 Days in London: The Great Itinerary Guide

Spending a good 4 days in London, and could do with a little guidance?

No worries.

Compared to spending just a day in London, a 4 day trip gives you the opportunity to see more attractions, and get a small taste of London life.

In between travels I’ve been fortunate enough to work in this city for the last 10 years, and it still gives me a buzz every time I jump off the train in morning rush hour.

You’ll notice when you’re here that London has a bit of everything…

Historical sites, great museums, beautiful parks, quirky shops, buzzing nightlife.

You name it, London has it.

But the best way to enjoy much of these things in a short visit is to pre-plan and ensure there are no rocks left unturned…

[lwptoc]

Is 4 days in London enough?

Of course the longer the better, but I believe that 4 days gives you enough time to see most of London’s major sightseeing attractions.

To be honest, it depends on how much you want to do, and realistically how much you think you can do in that time!

Is the 4 day London itinerary family friendly?

Yes, I would consider the itinerary family friendly.

Apart from the night-time pub visit, all the attractions are open to kids, and will make for a great family day out. I will point out that the days are pretty full-on though, so keep that in mind!

Do I need a London Pass?

Yes. If you plan to follow this itinerary from start to finish, then it makes sense to purchase a London Pass for the trip.

The London Pass is a pre-paid ticket for up to 80+ London attractions – many included on this guide!

With this pass you will:

• Save money on buying attraction tickets individually.

• Enjoy a skip-the-line perk for some of the attractions included in this itinerary.

• Get access to the Big Bus London tour bus that we’ll be using for a couple of journeys.

Even though this is a 4 day trip, I recommend booking a 3-day London Pass for this itinerary.

Now, before we get started…

Please acknowledge that this itinerary is just an outline. I can’t be held personally responsible for traffic delays or long queues for attractions on the day.

Just follow it the best you can, and try to arrive at each place in lots of time!

Day 1: Tower Hamlets & Westminster

Nothing like getting stuck in on day 1, by being thrown in at the deep end!

This will be a fun day visiting some of London’s biggest attractions. It’s also the day we’ll be making use of the hop-on hop-off bus to get from one place to the next.

9.00am-11.00am: Tower of London (included in London Pass)

One of London’s most historic and fascinating buildings, and also a personal favourite of mine.

Since being built by William the Conquerer around 1,000 years ago, the castle has played a colourful part in London’s past. Once a fortress, royal palace, prison, and even a zoo, the tower has a wealth of history, with dark stories of scandal, torture, execution and murder behind its walls. It’s also home to the royal crown jewels, which you’ll have access to view with your admission.

The tower has free beefeater-led tours, which usually start every 30 mins, lasting approximately an hour. I highly recommend jumping on one of these to gain a good insight into the tower’s history.

Price without London Pass: £28.90 (adult), £14.40 (child)

How to get here

1 min walk – from Tower Hill tube station (District/Circle line)
Your Google map route

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8 mins walk to Tower Bridge
Your Google map route
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11.15am-12.15pm: Tower Bridge (included in London Pass)

You probably would have spotted this bridge many times on post cards and stereotypical images of London. It’s one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, and arguably its most famous bridge.

The bridge was opened in 1894, after taking 8 years and over 430 people to build, and was erected to take the ease off of London’s traffic, which was the busiest in Europe at the time.

On your visit, you’ll have access to the old engine rooms, an exhibition of the bridge’s history, plus glass-floor walkways giving you a unique view of the River Thames below – but don’t worry, it’s very safe!

Price without London Pass: £10.60 (adult), £5.30 (child)

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5 mins walk to Tower Hill bus stop, 362 Tower Hill,
2 stops via Big Bus London to Westminster Pier
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1.00pm-1.45pm: Lunch

Time for a short break! As our next destination is the Westminster Abbey, it only makes sense to refuel some energy with a lunch-break nearby.

Close to the Westminster Pier, you’ll find a local Tesco Express if you wish to pick up a meal deal (usually sandwich, crisps and drink), though if you’d rather a sit-down meal there are plenty of restaurants across Westminster Bridge, on the southbank.

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6 mins walk – from Westminster Pier to Westminster Abbey
Your Google map route
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2.00pm-3.30pm: Westminster Abbey (included in London Pass)

Ah, Westminster Abbey.

Despite the name, it’s actually no longer an Abbey, and hasn’t been since it changed to a Cathedral status in the 16th century, before settling as a Church of England. It’s held every royal coronation in the country since William the Conqueror in 1066, and has held many royal weddings – the most recent being Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Apart from being a stunningly beautiful church, it’s also the resting place of many of Britain’s most respected figures – kings, queens, warriors, prime ministers, writers, scientists, among others.

With your admission, you’ll have the option of listening to an audio guide, as you explore the abbey’s sacred tombs, and view the coronation chair and religious artefacts. No photos though!

Price without London Pass: £24 (adult), £10 (child)

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6 mins walk to Westminster Pier Your Google map route
2 stops via Big Bus London to Buckingham Palace
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4.00pm-4.45pm: Buckingham Palace

The royals are a slightly debatable topic in the UK. Loved by many as the hierarchical pride of Britain, or seen by others as a huge drain on the taxpayer. Well regardless of opinion, they remain a source of fascination all around the world, and draw in large numbers of tourists all year round.

Built in the early 1700s, and originally used as a townhouse, Buckingham Palace became the official London residence of the monarchy after Queen Victoria’s coronation in 1837. The palace survived 9 air bombing raids during World War II. It’s currently the home of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

The palace opens to the public just 10 weeks of the year between July and October (see dates and times here) – should you arrive between those dates, your London Pass will give you access to view many of the rooms at a reduced price. Otherwise, just standing outside, watching the queen’s guards and experiencing the buzz of the crowds can be an enjoyable way to spend an hour of your time.

Note: If you see the yellow and red (Standard) flag above, you’ll know she’s home. If it’s the Union flag, she’s out on duty!

Day 2: London Bridge & Southwark

We’re on the south side of the river today, and will be experiencing one of London’s most historic and interesting areas.

Little fact: London Bridge for many centuries was the debauchery hotspot of London – but that’s not why we’ll be there!

10.00am-11.15am: The Shard (included on London Pass)

To start off the day, you can enjoy some crazy views from the UK’s tallest (and Europe’s 6th tallest) skyscraper.

It’s London’s highest public viewpoint, standing at 1,016 feet in height, with 95 storeys. The floors are mostly made up of offices, but there are also a small number of 5* hotels, restaurants and bars.

Your London Pass is your free access to the ‘View from the Shard’, meaning you can join the priority lane when you queue, and then travel up to the open viewing deck on the 72nd floor. If you get time, you can enjoy a drink in the Aqua Shard bar on the 32nd floor – but I’d make sure you’re reasonably well dressed i.e smart shoes etc.

Price without London Pass: £32 (adult), £21.25 (child)

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6 mins walk to the London Bridge Experience
Your Google map route
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11.30am-1.00pm: The London Bridge Experience (included in London Pass)

Video credit: The London Bridge Experience

The London Bridge Experience is an entertaining mix of education and scare-factor. You’ll walk through the dark, cleverly-designed room sets, and learn much of London’s morbid history, depicted with clever animations and actors in costume. You will also experience the award-winning ‘Vaults’, where you can expect to be terrorised by zombies and crazy clowns, among other creepy characters.

With your admission, you can enjoy the skip-the-line perk, and also discounts in the attraction’s gift shop and cafe.

Price without London Pass: £19.95 (adult), £16.50 (child)

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4 mins walk to Borough Market
Your Google map route
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1.15pm-2.00pm: Lunch at Borough Market

Time for some lunch – and where better to stop for it than London’s oldest food market?

Just a short walk away from the London Bridge Experience, you’ll find popular Borough Market. It’s a large semi-indoor maze of street food vendors, cafes, pubs and restaurants. You’ll find food from up to 30 nationalities from all over the world, with some offering tasters as you walk around. It does get busy around lunch hour, but as far as food choice is concerned, you can’t beat it.

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8 mins walk to Shakespeare’s Globe
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2.30pm-3.30pm: Shakespeare’s Globe Tour (included in London Pass)

During this next hour, you can enjoy a guided tour around one of London’s most iconic theatres.

Built only around 230 metres from its original location, the venue is a charming reconstruction of William Shakespeare’s original open-air playhouse built in 1599, before its reconstruction in 1614, and then complete demolition in 1644. The original was the hosting venue of many, if not all of Shakespeare’s written plays. The new theatre continues to host shows on a regular basis.

It’s important to know that the theatre does have a bag size policy, that you may wish to look at before visiting.

Price without London Pass: £17 (adult), £10 (child)

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5 mins walk to Tate Modern
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3.45pm-5.15pm: Tate Modern (free)

As we’re near, it would be rude not to stop by!

The Tate Modern is one of the largest and most visited contemporary art museums in the world, drawing in millions of visitors every year. As you walk around the gallery floors, you can expect to see artwork from big-name artists such as Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, among others. The museum is free entry, but holds some optional paid exhibitions.

If you haven’t had enough of views from the Shard earlier on, the museum has a great viewing deck (closes at 4.30pm) on the 10th floor!

Day 3: City, Camden & River Cruise

A slightly earlier start today, and an interesting mix of attractions to get stuck into on your last day of using the London Pass.

As there’s a bit to squeeze in, fitting in time for a lunch break may be difficult – so I’d advise to bring a lunch with you if possible, and enjoy it somewhere in between activities!

8.30am-9.45am: St Paul’s Cathedral (included in London Pass)

Start off the day by wandering around one of London’s most famous cathedrals.

Built in the late 17th century as a replacement for the previous cathedral destroyed in the Great Fire, St Paul’s has been an iconic landmark in British culture. It’s been the hosting venue of many major occasions, including the marriage of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. It’s also the resting place of some of Britain’s most respected figures, including Winston Churchill and Admiral Nelson. The building contains a whispering gallery, and a viewing spot at the top.

Price without London Pass: £20 (adult), £16 (student/ senior), £8 (child)

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3 mins walk to St Paul’s tube station,
3 stops westbound to Tottenham Court Road (Central line),
5 stops northbound to Camden Town (Northern line),
15 mins walk to London Zoo
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10.30am-1.30pm: London Zoo (included in London Pass)

Next, you can enjoy a few hours marvelling inside London’s great animal kingdom.

Sat inside a corner of Regent’s Park, London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo, with a history spanning nearly 200 years. As you walk around, you can enjoy exploring enclosures such as the Gorilla Kingdom, the Tiger Territory and the Reptile House, among others.

Remember to make use of your pass’s ‘skip the line’ perk when you arrive.

As you can imagine, there is a lot to see, but due to time it’ll be wise not to spend too long in one place as time is a virtue!

Price without London Pass: £26 (adult), £16.90 (child)

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15 mins walk to Camden Town tube station,
8 stops southbound via Charing Cross to Embankment (Northern line),
8 mins walk to Westminster Pier
Your Google map
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2.30pm-3.30pm: Thames River Cruise (included in London Pass)

On your City Cruises boat ride, you can expect to see many of the major London attractions. Choose to sit below deck, or you can head to the top, where you can enjoy the sea breeze and a more panoramic view of the sites. You can also listen to live commentary, as you pass iconic sites such as the Tower of London, the Shard and Shakespeare’s Globe. There are hot and cold drinks available on board, should you fancy a refreshment. We’ll be getting off at the second stop, Tower Pier.

Remember: Try to arrive at Westminster Pier in plenty of time, as the last cruise sets off at 2.40pm!

Price without London Pass: £11 (adult), £7.25 (child)

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17 mins walk – from Tower Pier to HMS Belfast
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4.00pm-5.30pm: HMS Belfast (included in London Pass)

Though maybe not everybody’s cup of tea, visiting a warship with such a significant place in British history has to be worth a consideration.

The HMS Belfast was one of the first vessels to begin firing at the D-day landings in World War II, and was a fundamental asset in the taking down of a powerful Nazi battleship off the Norwegian coast in 1942. You can take the time to climb the ladders to each of its 9 floors, and learn stories of those who sailed on it back in its day.

Price without London Pass: £16.20 (adult), £8.10 (child)

Day 4: City & West End

A bit of long one today, dedicated to fitting in some of the remaining attractions for the last of your 4 days in London.

9.00am-12.00pm: British Museum (free)

There’s no question about it – in my opinion visiting a London museum is one of the top things to do in London.

Though controversial to some, the British Museum is a fascinating place to visit, and has up to 8 million artefacts from all over the world in its collection, taken during the years of the British Empire. The museum is free, though donations are always accepted.

Truth be told, it’ll probably take about 3 whole days to explore every corner of the building, but a good few hours gives you time to see a reasonable amount before heading onto our next destination.

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12 mins walk to Euston Square tube station,
2 stops westbound to Baker Street (Hammersmith & City line),
3 mins walk to Madame Tussauds
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12.45pm-1.45pm: Lunch

Probably a good time to grab a bite to eat before heading into our next destination, Madame Tussauds.

Just a short walk away from Madame Tussauds, along Baker Street you’ll find a small number of cafes and restaurants nearby, including a Pret A Manger and a Nando’s.

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5 mins walk to Madame Tussauds
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2.00pm-4.00pm: Madame Tussauds (£29 per person)

Now on to London’s world-famous celebrity wax museum.

Get up close to the stars as you walk around and view the royals and the latest celebrity A-listers in life-size form. Expect to see shockingly realistic monarchy figures, classic film stars, musicians and big-time athletes. You’ll also get to enjoy the ‘Spirit of London’ taxi ride, and the Star Wars Experience.

You will be have to pay for this attraction, but you can skip the queues by purchasing your ticket(s) in advance.

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4 mins walk to Baker Street tube station,
4 stops southbound to Charing Cross (Bakerloo line),
1 min walk to Trafalgar Square
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4.30pm-5.00pm: Trafalgar Square

A trip around London wouldn’t be fulfilled without a stop at Trafalgar Square, one of London’s most iconic landmarks.

The square is named after the Battle of Trafalgar – a successful British naval conflict, led by Lord Horatio Nelson, over French and Spanish fleets off the coast of Cape Trafalgar in 1805.

As you approach, you’ll be met by Nelson’s Column, the 1,000ft monument made in dedication to the successful officer who lost his own life in the battle. You’ll notice fountains on both sides of the square, and the grand National Gallery in the background.

Trafalgar Square is considered by many to be the centre point of London, and for over 150 years has been the meeting place for many political protestors.

Little fact: Each of the 4 bronze panels on the pedestal of Nelson’s Column are made from weaponry taken from French troops at the battle!

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7 mins walk to Chinatown
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5.15pm-6.45pm: Chinatown

Just a short walk away, in lively Soho, you’ll find London’s own little China.

It’s a small set of vibrant streets filled with restaurants, shops and other businesses run by many of London’s Chinese community. As you enter, you’ll be met by grand ornate arches, stone lions and red hanging Chinese lanterns. There are plenty of restaurants offering tasty oriental cuisine – and due to competition, at very reasonable West End prices. Don’t fancy Chinese food? there also are a small number of non-Chinese restaurants nearby.

If you’re not ready to eat just yet, then simply exploring the streets and soaking in the atmosphere is just as good a way to pass the time.

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6 mins walk to the Lamb & Flag pub, Covent Garden
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7.00pm-8.30pm: Drink in a historic London pub

The old-school pub seems to be becoming somewhat a novelty these days since the arrival of European-style bars. Though fortunately, there are many still standing in London.

With a history dating as far back as the late 17th century, the Lamb & Flag pub in Covent Garden has a history unlike many other. Apart from being a pub frequented by Charles Dickens, it was also a venue for bare-knuckle boxing, nicknamed the ‘Bucket of Blood’. Also, the small alley next to it was the location of an assault on a famous poet by thugs sent by Charles II.

You may have difficulty finding somewhere to sit, but if you’re OK to stand then this pub is worth a visit!

Little fact: The pub is said to be haunted by the ghost of a French sailor named George, who was stabbed to death after a betting disagreement on one of the bare-knuckle fights!

Ending the itinerary…

So, there you have it…

Your 4 day London itinerary blueprint, should you wish to use it.

Before we finish though, I know there are some more important questions you may have…

When should I do the 4-day itinerary?

When booking, I recommend avoiding weekends, if possible. London is a VERY busy city, and never more so than when the working week is finished.

I’d try to aim between Monday and Friday if you can.

When is the best time of year to visit?

Spring (March-May): The ideal time of year to visit. The weather is generally nice and sunny, and the tourist numbers aren’t as big as in the Summer months. Average temp: 9.3 degrees celsius (48.7 F).

Summer (June-August): Very busy! plus the flights and accommodation are usually more expensive at this time. Average temp: 21 degrees celsius (70 F).

Autumn (September-October): Like Spring, the weather is at a nice temperature, and not overly busy! Average temp: 14 degrees celsius (61 F).

Winter (November-February): Although London can be nice for a Winter break, the generally cold and wet weather isn’t always ideal for sightseeing. Average temp: 5 degrees celsius (41 F).

What is the 4 day London budget?

Including payment for the London Pass and accommodation, I’d suggest taking between £250-£300 (GBP) per adult.

One thing to remember is that London is expensive. To be safe, I always recommend taking a little more than necessary.

Most places in the UK accept credit/debit cards.

Where should I stay in London for 4 days?

I would personally recommend either a 3/4 star hotel or hiring an apartment on Airbnb.

The west end (WC postcode) would be your best location, as you’ll be close to most of London’s big attractions, but any postcodes with a “1” (EC1, SE1, WC1 etc) are great choices as they’re all pretty central.

Hotels

London’s hotels are generally pricey, but they have the typical conveniences of reception staff for advice, housekeeping, and locations usually close to London’s underground stations.

Here are a few decent hotel choices you may like:

• St Giles London, Camden
• Grange Beauchamp, Camden
• Grange Lancaster, Camden

Airbnb

London has a growing number of apartments available for hire, which can make cheaper and more homely alternatives to hotels, which usually include a kitchen and WIFI.

You can check out London apartments on Airbnb by clicking here.

Hostels

These are the cheapest option, but they have limited privacy, as you’ll probably be sharing a room with fellow travellers. Separate rooms are often available, at a slightly higher rate.

For more hotels and hostels, be sure to check out my article for Best Places to Stay in London!

What else should I take?

There are a small number of essentials I would consider bringing with you on a trip around London, in order to be prepared and save any possible headaches.

So here are some recommendations for you:

✔︎ Rain jacket – I know us Brits are always talking about the weather, but there’s a reason for it – because it’s so unpredictable! If you can find the space in your bag, then I’d roll one up and put it in. An umbrella is also wise!

✔︎ Good walking shoes – As you will be on your feet a lot, it makes sense to have comfortable footwear to avoid any foot pains ruining your day. Light and cushion-soled running shoes are a good option.

✔︎ Google maps – You’ve probably already gathered that we’ll be relying a lot on Google maps in this itinerary. This app has been a life-saver for myself and many travellers when getting around, and is very easy to use. Most smartphones should have it already installed, but it can still be downloaded for IOS and Android.

Making your own itinerary

Let’s face it, sometimes we’d rather just do our own thing and make our own adventure. No harm in that!

If you plan to see most of the big attractions, then I still suggest purchasing a London Pass, but ONLY if you’ve planned ahead to ensure you get your money’s worth.

Click here for the list of places covered by the London Pass.

But where do I find the big attractions?

Of course it is handy to know where all the popular places are, so you’re able to plan your days without getting overwhelmed.

The majority of London’s attractions are on the west side of the city, with exceptions such as the Tower of London on the east, and the Shard on the southbank.

You can view your attractions map by clicking here.

Something more unusual

If you’d like to head off the beaten path and see some of London’s more unusual activities, check out my guide for #1 Non touristy things to do in London

Getting around London

Though far from being the cheapest city to travel (compared to somewhere like Rome), London does have a good public transport network.

The Londoner’s way of paying for transport is by using the Oyster card (“contactless” credit/cards can also be used). You use this by tapping it on the yellow card readers you’ll find on buses and in tube stations.

What should I use?

As you’re in London for 4 days, your best bet would be getting Visitor Oyster cards. They will save money on your travel, and can be used on buses and tube trains.

Kids
– Children under 11 travel for free on London’s transport network.
– Children aged 11-15 can claim a Young Visitor 50% discount on their Visitor Oyster card.

Visitor Oyster cards can be purchased in most London underground stations, or online. You can learn more by clicking here.

Tube

This is my preferred method of transport in London, and what I normally use when getting around.

The services are reliable (usually!), and it’s the quickest way to get from one place to the next.

Prices: £2.40 per journey (zone 1)

Oyster card rule: Tap your card at start and end of your journey.

If you’re out after 12am, London has a number of services than run 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. These are: Jubilee, Northern, Central, Victoria, and Piccadilly lines.

Buses

The famous big red buses can be spotted everywhere on London’s roads.

They’re generally the Londoner’s favoured method of travel, as the costs are cheap, and the services are very regular.

There’s also a £4.50 daily cap, meaning you won’t spend more than that in a day!

Prices: £1.50 per journey

Oyster card rule: Tap your card when you get on ONLY.

DLR

The DLR (Docklands Light Railway) is quite simply an automated tube service, but overground.

It operates between the City, East and South London.

You probably won’t be relying on this in your short time of visiting, but it could be the most suitable service depending on where you need to go.

Prices: £2.40-£3.90 per journey

Taxis

Though not the cheapest option, taxis are a lifesaver for when you’re in a rush, or if you’re stranded somewhere at night.

London’s black cabs are found all over the city, and can be hailed down if the yellow ‘TAXI’ sign is visible on the cars.

All taxis run on a meter, with a minimum charge of £3.20.

Apps for travelling around

One of the most popular travel apps for Londoners is called Citymapper. It gives you the best routes for destinations and is great for keeping up to date with the latest travel news. One to consider for your trip!

Download for iOS >>>>>
Download for Android >>>>>

Where to eat in London

London being the metropolitan city it is, is home to a large variety of restaurants, with foods from nationalities all over the world. You’ll find anything from traditional western to south east asian.

For traditional British food I’d typically look for any local pub, where you’ll normally find a full english breakfast, fish and chips, or a traditional roast dinner on the menu.

I’d recommend using Bookatable to book restaurant tables in advance, but most will accept walk-ins.

My personal recommendations

Honest Burgers – I had the ‘Tribute Burger’ when I came, and it was 100% the greatest burger I’ve ever eaten. The rosemary-salted chips were good too. Sadly they had no desserts though, which I was a tad disappointed by! £25-£30 (meal for two).

Baltic – Polish/Czech restaurant typically serving mostly meat-based dishes with vegetables. The food is on the slightly pricey side, but it’s tasty and well-presented. I felt stuffed by the time I left! £70-£80 (meal for two).

Thai Silk – I’ve been here a few times for a meal, and have never been disappointed. The restaurant serves a tasty 4-course set dinner of traditional Thai dishes. (£70-£75 meal for two).

Travelling from outside the UK?

If you’re travelling to London internationally, you may be requiring a visa, depending on which country you’ve arriving from.

• EU countries – Even though Britain has now technically left the European Union, the transition period allows visa-free travel between the UK and EU countries to continue until 31st December 2020.

• Non-EU countries – The UK accepts visa-free access from a number of non-EU countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. If you require a visa, then you must apply for it before you arrive in the UK. You can find out if you require a visa by clicking here.

Most tourists who require a UK visa apply for the Standard Visitor Visa. Find out more by clicking here.

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