WWayfare

Example itinerary

3 days in London for two on about £980

Free museums, one paid landmark a day and evenings in neighbourhoods that are not Leicester Square — a three-day London plan that keeps the cost honest.

First-time visitors who want the icons without paying tourist-trap prices for dinner.

Build this plan for your own datesSee other examples

Where to sleep

A mid-range hotel in Southwark or King's Cross — Both sit on several tube lines and cost far less than the West End for the same standard. Budget around £150 per night for two.

Day by day

  1. Day 1 — Westminster and the river

    ~£300
    Morning.
    Start at Westminster Abbey, then walk past Parliament and Big Ben along the Thames to the London Eye.
    Afternoon.
    Cross to the South Bank, browse the book market under Waterloo Bridge and take the free view from the Tate Modern viewing level.
    Evening.
    Dinner in Borough Market's surrounding streets, then a riverside walk to Tower Bridge.

  2. Day 2 — Museums and parks

    ~£240
    Morning.
    The British Museum at opening time — free entry, and the Egyptian and Greek rooms before the school groups arrive.
    Afternoon.
    Tube to South Kensington for the Natural History Museum or the V&A, both free, then a walk through Hyde Park.
    Evening.
    Pub dinner in Marylebone or Fitzrovia, quieter and better value than Soho.

  3. Day 3 — Tower, markets and East London

    ~£290
    Morning.
    Tower of London with a pre-booked ticket; go straight to the Crown Jewels first.
    Afternoon.
    Walk into Spitalfields and Brick Lane for markets, street art and a very good curry or bagel.
    Evening.
    Sunset drink at a rooftop bar in Shoreditch, then dinner nearby.

What it costs

Accommodation (3 nights)
£450
Food and drink
£300
Sights and museums
£120
Local transport
£60
Buffer
£50
Total for 2 travellers
£980

Estimates for 3 nights in London, excluding flights. Always confirm live prices and opening hours before you book.

Best time to visit London

May to September for long evenings and outdoor pubs; late spring is the sweet spot for price and weather. December is festive but hotel rates jump. January and February are the cheapest months by a wide margin.

Getting in from the airport

Cheapest.
National Express coach from Stansted, Luton or Gatwick, £6–£12, 60–100 minutes.
Fastest.
Heathrow: Elizabeth line to central London, about £12, 35 minutes. Gatwick Express is 30 minutes to Victoria.

Where to stay in London

South Bank / Waterloo.
walking to Westminster, the Tate and the river — around £140–190 a night for two.
Shoreditch.
markets, food and nightlife — around £120–170 a night for two.
Bloomsbury.
museums, quiet streets, good transport — around £130–180 a night for two.

Getting around

Tap in with a contactless card — daily capping is about £8.90 in zones 1–2, cheaper than any tourist pass. Buses cost £1.75 with a one-hour hopper.

What to skip

  • Skip the London Eye if the day is grey — Sky Garden and the Tate Modern terrace are free and the view is as good.
  • Skip the paid museum add-ons; the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate and V&A permanent collections are all free.

Staying longer?

With 5 days add Greenwich by river boat and a day trip to Oxford, Cambridge or Brighton — all under 90 minutes by train.

Worth knowing

  • Most national museums are free — the British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, V&A and Natural History Museum all cost nothing to enter.
  • Tap in and out with the same contactless card or phone; daily and weekly caps beat paper tickets every time.
  • Book the Tower of London and any West End show in advance; same-day prices are the worst you will see.

London questions, answered

How much does 3 days in London cost for two people?
Around £980 excluding flights: £450 on three nights, £300 on food and drink, £120 on paid attractions, £60 on transport and £50 as a buffer.
Is 3 days enough for London?
It covers Westminster, two or three major museums, the Tower and East London. London rewards longer stays, but three days is a full and satisfying first visit.
How can you visit London cheaply?
Use the free national museums, stay outside the West End, eat at markets and pubs rather than restaurants near the landmarks, and travel with contactless daily caps.
What is the best way to get around London?
The tube and buses with a contactless card or phone. Walking between Westminster, the South Bank and the City is often faster than changing lines.
When is the best time to visit London?
May, June and September have the best mix of daylight, weather and prices. January and February are cheapest if you do not mind short, grey days.
How do I get from the airport into London?
National Express coach from Stansted, Luton or Gatwick, £6–£12, 60–100 minutes. If you would rather not carry bags on public transport: heathrow: elizabeth line to central london, about £12, 35 minutes. gatwick express is 30 minutes to victoria.
Is London walkable?
Largely, yes — this plan is built so each day is walkable with at most a couple of short transport hops. Tap in with a contactless card — daily capping is about £8.90 in zones 1–2, cheaper than any tourist pass. Buses cost £1.75 with a one-hour hopper.
Where should I stay in London?
South Bank / Waterloo for walking to Westminster, the Tate and the river (£140–190 a night); Shoreditch for markets, food and nightlife (£120–170 a night); Bloomsbury for museums, quiet streets, good transport (£130–180 a night). This plan budgets £150 a night for two.

Working to a fixed budget? Read our step-by-step guide to planning a trip on a budget.

Thinking about another city?

Your dates, your budget

Wayfare builds the same kind of plan around your own dates, budget, hotel standard and interests — with booking links for every stay, restaurant and sight.

Plan my trip