3 Days in London: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one covers royal and political London around Westminster, ending on the London Eye. Day two follows the river east to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the South Bank's food market and gallery. Day three mixes Camden's markets with the British Museum and an evening in Covent Garden, close to the West End theatres.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹22,500 to ₹27,500, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Rain is possible in any month, so carry a light waterproof. Summer days are long, while in December it is dark by about 4pm.
Pack:
Compact umbrella
Comfortable walking shoes
Light layers
UK plug adapter (type G)
Local tips:
Tap in and out on the Tube with a contactless card or phone. Fares are capped at £8.90 a day for zones 1 and 2.
Each traveller needs their own card or phone to tap in; one card cannot pay for two people.
The British Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern are free; donations are welcome.
Booking tips:
Book the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and London Eye online before you go; the London Eye is cheaper online than at the kiosk.
Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace does not run every day, so check the schedule for your dates.
For a West End show on the night, the TKTS booth in Leicester Square sells same-day tickets.
Getting there (from India):
flight: Nonstop from Delhi and Mumbai with Air India, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, or one-stop via the Gulf - About 9.5 to 10.5 hours nonstop
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line reaches central London in about 30 to 40 minutes, and the Piccadilly line in about an hour. The Heathrow Express to Paddington is faster but costs much more.
Fares change daily with demand, so compare dates before booking.
Day 1: Royal and political London
A walking day around Westminster: the palace, the abbey where monarchs are crowned, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, ending with London from the Eye.
Buckingham Palace (morning): Start at the gates of Buckingham Palace, the monarch's official London residence, with the Victoria Memorial in front of it. On days when Changing the Guard runs, the ceremony starts at 11am and crowds build from about 10:15, so arrive early for a spot by the railings. Afterwards, walk through St James's Park towards Westminster. Free, to see from outside; the State Rooms open in summer with a separate ticket Why visit: The working London home of the monarch, with the guard ceremony outside on scheduled days; St James's Park next door is one of the prettiest walks in central London Know before you go: Changing the Guard does not run every day; check the schedule before you plan around it; Keep bags closed in the crowd at the railings
Westminster Abbey (late morning): Walk through St James's Park to Westminster Abbey, about 15 minutes. Every coronation since 1066 has taken place here, and kings, queens and writers are buried inside, including in Poets' Corner. The multimedia guide included with the ticket explains the tombs and chapels as you go. £32 (about ₹4,000), adult general admission Why visit: The coronation church of English and British monarchs since 1066; Poets' Corner holds memorials to Chaucer, Dickens and Shakespeare Know before you go: It is a working church and can close at short notice for services, so check opening times for your date; Last entry is mid-afternoon, so do it before lunch
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament (afternoon): Cross Parliament Square to Big Ben, a two-minute walk. Big Ben is the great bell inside the clock tower at the north end of the Palace of Westminster, where Parliament sits. The best photos are from Westminster Bridge or the far bank of the Thames. Free, to see from outside Why visit: The most recognised clock tower in the world, on the Thames; Westminster Bridge gives the classic view of the whole palace Know before you go: The bridge is busy and has pickpockets, so keep phones and bags close
Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery (afternoon): Walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, about 15 minutes, past Downing Street and the Horse Guards. Nelson's Column stands in the square, and the National Gallery fills its north side with European paintings from the 13th to the early 20th century. Pick a few rooms rather than trying to see everything; Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Turner's The Fighting Temeraire are favourites. Free, paid entry for some special exhibitions Why visit: One of the world's great collections of European painting, free to enter; Trafalgar Square is London's main public square Know before you go: Bags are checked at the entrance; Opens at 10am; mornings and weekday afternoons are quieter
London Eye (evening): Cross the river on the Golden Jubilee footbridge to the London Eye, about 15 minutes on foot. One turn of the wheel takes about half an hour, with Parliament, St Paul's and the City's towers spread out below. Book a slot near sunset for the best light. £29 (about ₹3,700), adult, booked online; more at the kiosk Why visit: The widest view over central London, from 135 metres up; A gentle way to see how the day's walk fits together Know before you go: Book a timed slot online, which is cheaper than the walk-up price; There is a security check before boarding
Eat: Dishoom Covent Garden - A Bombay-style café a short walk from Trafalgar Square, with plenty of vegetarian dishes. Expect a queue at dinner.
Evening: Walk back across Westminster Bridge after dark for the lit-up Houses of Parliament.
Budget for the day: ₹11,500 to ₹13,000 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: The Tower and the South Bank
The Tower of London and the Crown Jewels, a walk across Tower Bridge, lunch at Borough Market and an afternoon at Tate Modern on the river.
Tower of London (morning): Arrive at the Tower of London when it opens and go straight to the Crown Jewels before the queue builds. The White Tower at its centre was begun by William the Conqueror in the 1070s, and the fortress has been a palace, a prison and a place of execution. Join a free tour led by a Yeoman Warder for the stories. £37 (about ₹4,700), adult Why visit: The Crown Jewels, still used by the monarch; Almost a thousand years of history inside one set of walls Know before you go: Book online and arrive at opening time; the Crown Jewels queue is longest by late morning; Allow at least three hours
Tower Bridge (late morning): Walk to Tower Bridge, next to the Tower, and cross it on foot for free. Opened in 1894, it is the bridge with twin towers whose roadway lifts for tall ships. The paid exhibition takes you up to the high walkways, which have glass floors over the river. Free, to walk across; the exhibition with the glass-floor walkways is about £18 Why visit: London's most photographed bridge; The glass-floor walkways look straight down on the traffic and boats Know before you go: The bridge lifts a few times a week; lift times are published online
Borough Market (lunch): Follow the south bank west to Borough Market, about 15 minutes on foot. Under its Victorian roof, traders sell everything from British cheese and bread to hot food from around the world, so graze instead of sitting down to one meal. Free, to enter; food is pay as you go Why visit: London's best-known food market, trading by London Bridge for centuries; Easy to find vegetarian food among the stalls Know before you go: Weekday lunchtimes and Saturdays are very crowded; Some traders close on Mondays
Tate Modern (afternoon): Walk along the river to Tate Modern, about 10 minutes. The former Bankside power station holds Britain's national collection of modern and international art, from Picasso and Warhol to recent work, around the huge Turbine Hall. Go up to the free viewing level for a view across the Thames to St Paul's. Free, paid entry for some special exhibitions Why visit: Modern art in a giant former power station; A free viewing level over the Thames Know before you go: The permanent collection is free; big exhibitions need a ticket
Eat: Borough Market stalls - Eat as you browse: hot dishes, sandwiches and sweets from different stalls.
Evening: From Tate Modern, cross the Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral, lit up at night.
Budget for the day: ₹6,900 to ₹8,300 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Camden, the British Museum and Covent Garden
Camden's markets by the canal in the morning, the British Museum in the afternoon, and an evening in Covent Garden next to the West End theatres.
Camden Market (morning): Take the Northern line to Camden Town and walk to Camden Market by the Regent's Canal. Its yards and old stables are full of independent stalls, vintage clothes and street food from all over the world. Stalls open from about 10am, and the canal towpath makes a quiet walk away from the crowds. Free Why visit: Hundreds of independent stalls and food traders; A canal-side side of London most visitors miss Know before you go: Weekends are much busier than weekdays; Watch your bag in the crowded passages
The British Museum (afternoon): Take the Tube back to Bloomsbury, about 15 minutes, for the British Museum. Two million years of human history fill its galleries, including the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian mummies. Pick three or four galleries; it is impossible to see it all in an afternoon. Free, paid entry for some special exhibitions Why visit: The Rosetta Stone, the Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon sculptures; One of the world's great museums, free to enter Know before you go: Bags are checked at the entrance, so allow time at the door; Opens 10am to 5pm, later on Fridays
Covent Garden (evening): Walk south to Covent Garden, about 15 minutes. The old fruit and vegetable market hall is now shops and cafés, and street performers draw crowds in the piazza outside. It sits next to the Royal Opera House and a few streets from most West End theatres. Free Why visit: Street performers in a historic market square; Walking distance to the West End theatres Know before you go: Very busy on weekend evenings; Book theatre tickets ahead, or try the TKTS booth in Leicester Square for same-day seats
Eat: Circolo Popolare - A lively Italian restaurant near the British Museum, known for its huge pizzas and decor. Book ahead.
Evening: Covent Garden is a short walk from the West End theatres, so end the trip with a show.
Budget for the day: ₹3,900 to ₹6,200 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Swap Camden for South Kensington: Natural History Museum + Victoria and Albert Museum + Hyde Park: Three free sights next to each other, good for a rainy day or for families. (Trade-off: You miss Camden's market food and canal-side stalls. - Similar cost)
Add a day in Windsor: Windsor Castle by train from Paddington or Waterloo: The royal castle is about an hour from central London. (Trade-off: Adds a castle ticket and train fare, and a fourth day. - Costs more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for London?
A 3-day London itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, History and museum lovers, Travellers happy to walk 8 to 10 km a day. It's not the best fit if You want a shopping-led trip or You want day trips out of London, such as Windsor or Stonehenge.
How much does a 3-day London trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹22,500 to ₹27,500 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day London itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit London?
The best time to visit London is May to September.
How do I get to London from India?
Common options are flight (About 9.5 to 10.5 hours nonstop). From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line reaches central London in about 30 to 40 minutes, and the Piccadilly line in about an hour. The Heathrow Express to Paddington is faster but costs much more.
What are the must-see places in London in 3 days?
Day 1: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery and London Eye. Day 2: Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market and Tate Modern. Day 3: Camden Market, The British Museum and Covent Garden.
Which London attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, Tate Modern, Camden Market, The British Museum and Covent Garden are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in London in rupees?
Westminster Abbey: £32 (about ₹4,000); London Eye: £29 (about ₹3,700); Tower of London: £37 (about ₹4,700). Prices are adult tickets, converted to rupees and rounded; check the official site before booking.
How do you get around London?
The Tube is the quickest way. Tap in and out with a contactless card or phone: a zone 1 ride costs £3.10 at peak times (about ₹390), and fares are capped at £8.90 a day in zones 1 and 2 (about ₹1,100). Much of this itinerary is walkable.
What is the best area to base yourself for a 3-day London trip?
Somewhere central with a good Tube connection, such as Westminster, Covent Garden, Bloomsbury or the South Bank, keeps every day of this plan within a short ride.
Where to Eat in London
Duck & Waffle - ★4.4-110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY, UK
Beigel Bake - ★4.4-159 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB, UK
Mercato Metropolitano - ★4.6-42 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DR, UK
Flat Iron Covent Garden - ★4.6-17-18 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8QH, UK
sketch - ★4.3-9 Conduit St, London W1S 2XG, UK
Swiss Butter - ★4.4-114-118 Southampton Row, London WC1B 5AA, UK
Fortitude Bakehouse - ★4.4-35 Colonnade, London WC1N 1JD, UK
The Devonshire - ★4.5 - The Devonshire, 17 Denman St, London W1D 7HW, UK
Shopping in London
M&M'S London - ★4.3-1 Swiss Ct, London W1D 6AP, UK
Primark - ★4.3-14-28 Oxford St, London W1D 1AU, UK
Hamleys - ★4.5-188-196 Regent St., London W1B 5BT, UK
Portobello Road Market - ★4.5 - London W11 1LJ, UK
Fortnum & Mason - ★4.6-181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER, UK
Forbidden Planet London Megastore - ★4.6-179 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8JR, UK
The LEGO® Store Leicester Square - ★4.6-3 Swiss Ct, London W1D 6AP, UK