Covent Garden
For a West End stay with restaurants and theatres around you. Our pick if you want to walk back after a show.
City itineraries · United Kingdom
London, day by day
London's classic sights line the Thames: royal Westminster, the Tower and the City, the museums of Bloomsbury and the South Bank. Start with three days that keep each area together, with the opening rules that matter in 2026.
Updated 11 September 2026 · 7 official sources checked · report an error
One day, well spent
Royal parks, river views and a West End evening.
Start with the view of Big Ben from Westminster Bridge, then walk through St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace. Continue towards Trafalgar Square and make time for the National Gallery before dinner around Covent Garden.
Prefer the British Museum? Give it the afternoon instead. Our pick for a first day is one museum and a walk, with a show as an optional evening finish.
Have longer? Follow our 3-day route →Suggested day: central London on foot, with an optional museum or theatre visit.
Find your neighbourhood
Stay close to the London you came for.
South Bank / Waterloo
For riverside walks and easy starts around Westminster. Check which side of Waterloo station your hotel is on.
South Kensington
For a stay built around museums and the nearby Royal Parks. Use the Tube for evenings in the West End.
Tripwoa’s area picks. Compare your exact hotel location and dates before booking. Explore with the official tourism guide ↗
Spend on what matters
A few costs to plan around.
Choose the visits first. Leave some of the day free.
Free
British Museum collection
General admission to the permanent collection. Some exhibitions cost extra; reserve a free entry ticket before your visit.
Check official details ↗Free
National Gallery collection
General admission is free. Paid exhibitions are separate; a free advance ticket helps you plan your arrival.
Check official details ↗£1.75
Bus / tram single fare
Adult pay-as-you-go fare. Use Oyster or contactless; Tube journeys have separate fares.
Check official details ↗Official rates checked 12 September 2026. Per person unless stated; concessions may apply. These are individual costs, not a full daily budget. Accommodation, meals and guided tours are separate.
A little planning before you go.
Choose your museum first and reserve its free ticket. If theatre is part of the trip, pick the performance time before booking dinner; leave room for travel between them.
Choose your length
3 days in London
Before you go
Good to know in London
Opening days and tickets
- Westminster Abbey is open for sightseeing Monday to Saturday; on Sundays and religious holidays it is open for worship only.Source: Westminster Abbey · checked Sep 2026
Getting around
- Pay as you go with a contactless card or phone. Daily and weekly caps only work if you use the same card or device for every journey, and the daily cap runs from 04:30 to 04:29 the next morning.Source: Transport for London · checked Sep 2026
Keep exploring
