In a nutshell
- In one weekend in London, you can visit all the major highlights like Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, The Shard and many more.
- But if you want to see more than the top sights, three days simply won’t be enough.
- London is very popular with tourists, so make sure to book your tickets online in advance.
- Plan to spend around 500 pounds for accommodation, flights, attractions, and food during your 3 days in London.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Arrival in London
Your arrival day in London is usually quite busy, so there’s not much time left for exploring. Between the flight, airport transfer, and check-in, the day goes by quickly. We recommend you take it slow and save your energy for the next two days – you’ll need it to make the most of your 3 perfect days in London.
Find flights to London
Flights to London are often very affordable. From Berlin, for example, you can pay as little as £20 one way. We always book through Skyscanner because it shows all airlines and prices at a glance – super convenient!
Find flights to London on Skyscanner
Transfer from London Airport to the city
London has six airports in total, but most travelers arrive at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted.
Get an Oyster Card
When you arrive in London, pick up an Oyster Card right at the airport. It’s a rechargeable card you can use on all public transport. You can buy it online in advance from VisitBritain or get one directly from the ticket machines on site.
For more info on how to use the card, check out our detailed guide to the Oyster Card.
Things to do in London on your first night
To kick off your London city break, here are some ideas for fun things to do in London in 3 days — or at least to start your trip right on your first evening.
- Try fish and chips in a classic English pub. Great spots include the Anchor Bankside or Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.
- Take in the amazing views of London from the Sky Garden while enjoying a glass of champagne.
- Watch a musical in the West End – an absolute must during any visit.
- Visit a London museum after dark. The Tate Modern, for example, stays open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Day 2: London Highlights and Thames Cruise
On your second day, it’s time for some serious sightseeing. You’ll explore the must-see London highlights that belong on every best itinerary for 3 days in London — especially if it’s your first visit.
We’ve put together a great route for you. If you’d like to learn more about each attraction, take a look at our guide to the top sights in London.
Download our map for your second day in London as a PDF
Buy tickets for London highlights online in advance
London is one of the most visited cities in the world, and on your second day you’ll be checking off its biggest attractions. We highly recommend booking your tickets online in advance. This guarantees your entry and saves you from waiting in long queues. Below you’ll find a table with all the tickets you’ll need for day two of your itinerary.
| Sight | Price per person | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Tower of London | £36 | Book your ticket |
| Tower Bridge | £16 | Book your ticket |
| The Shard | £32 | Book your ticket |
Buckingham Palace
After a relaxed breakfast, head to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard at 11 a.m. It’s best to arrive about 30 minutes early to get a good spot.
Westminster
From Buckingham Palace, it’s about a 20-minute walk through St James’s Park to Westminster Pier. Along the way, you’ll pass several must-see sights like Westminster Palace, Westminster Abbey, and the iconic Big Ben.
Boat Trip on the Thames
At Westminster Pier, hop on a river bus on lines 1, 2, or 6. Tickets cost about £9.50, and you can easily pay with your Oyster Card. Ride the boat to Tower Pier and enjoy views of famous landmarks like the London Eye and the Tate Modern along the way.
Read more about boat tours in London
Tower Bridge
Once you arrive at Tower Pier, start by visiting the Tower of London, located right across from the pier. Then cross the world-famous Tower Bridge. The lower level is free to cross, but we recommend buying a ticket for the upper walkway — 42 meters high with a glass floor and fantastic views of the city. It’s absolutely worth it.
The Shard
At the southern end of Tower Bridge, turn right and walk a short distance along the Thames, following the signs to London Bridge Station. The Shard stands just behind it — you really can’t miss it.
Don’t skip the view from the 72nd floor. Since The Shard is extremely popular, you should buy your tickets online in advance to avoid long lines or sold-out time slots.
Borough Market
From The Shard, walk down St Thomas Street for about five minutes and you’ll reach Borough Market. It’s a great place for a late lunch or dinner and one of the most beautiful markets in London. Afterwards, you can head back to your hotel – it’s been a full day of things to do in London for 3 days!
Day 3: London’s Most Beautiful Neighborhoods
On your final day, take it slow and simply wander through London’s neighborhoods. In the evening, it’s already time to head home – for us, that’s Germany. Here’s the route for your last day:
Map of our route for your third day in London as a PDF
Soho
After two days of sightseeing, today is all about taking it easy and soaking up the atmosphere in London’s most charming districts — the perfect way to end your trip if you’re visiting London in 3 days.
Start your day in Soho, London’s lively nightlife area. Just around the corner, you’ll find the famous shopping street Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus.
Covent Garden
From Soho, head southeast and you’ll soon arrive in Covent Garden. The area is packed with restaurants, shops, and street performers. There’s always something happening here, so take your time to stroll around and enjoy the vibe.
Bricklane Market
From Embankment Station, take the green District Line to Aldgate East. From there, it’s about a ten-minute walk to Brick Lane Market. Here, you’ll find stalls selling antiques, art, and home decor – but the main attraction is the amazing street food. It’s the perfect way to round off your last day in the city.
Where to Stay in London for 3 Days
If you’re only spending 3 days in London, a central location is key – that way, you won’t waste time getting around on public transport. Here are our top hotel picks for a London weekend:
The Henrietta: a cozy boutique hotel in the West End with breakfast included. Great connections to Heathrow Airport.
Hotel 41: classic British style inspired by London’s gentlemen’s clubs. Located just behind Buckingham Palace. Complimentary British snacks available throughout the day.
The Z Hotel Strand: perfect for a smaller budget. Simple, stylish, and in an unbeatable location.
London offers countless accommodation options. If none of our top three hotels suit you, take a look at our detailed guides to the best hotels in London:
Is a City Pass for 3 Days in London Worth it?
A London City Pass gives you free or discounted entry to many top attractions, boat tours, and sightseeing experiences across the city — all for one fixed price.
Whether a City Pass for 3
3 days in London is worth it depends on how many sights you plan to visit rather than just see from the outside.
We’ve listed all the attractions from our itinerary with their ticket prices. Below, you’ll find two popular London City Passes so you can easily see if getting one makes sense for your trip.
Our tip: Even if a City Pass doesn’t save you much money, it can still be worth it. With both passes, you can skip the lines at some attractions and save valuable time.
- The Shard: £32
- London Eye: £36
- Westminster Abbey: £30
- Tower of London: £36
- Tower Bridge: £16
- Thames cruise: £25
#1 The London Pass: for sightseeing at full speed
The London Pass is a time-based City Pass, meaning you can visit as many attractions as you like during the period it’s valid.
It covers all the London sights from our list except the London Eye – but we recommend visiting The Shard anyway.
What does the London Pass cost?
- 1 day: £124
- 2 days: £174
- 3 days: £214
The London Pass pays off if you’re doing intense sightseeing and plan to visit several attractions during your 3 days in London.
Alternatively, you can buy it for just one day and use the other two days to explore free spots like Borough Market. That’s exactly how it fits into our 3-day London itinerary above.
#2 The London Explorer Pass: for a more relaxed pace
The London Explorer Pass works by attraction count rather than time. You simply choose how many places you want to visit and then have up to 60 days to use the pass.
This pass also includes all of our recommended London sights, except the London Eye.
How much does the London Explorer Pass cost?
The Explorer Pass ranges from £54 for two attractions up to £139 for seven attractions.
Because you only pay for what you visit, this pass is ideal if you prefer a slower sightseeing pace. If you pick pricier sights like The Shard and Westminster Abbey, it can already pay off after just two visits.
Want to learn more about London City Passes? Check out our full guide here:
London Pass Comparison: Which City Card is worth it?
FAQ about 3 Days in London
Still have a few questions about your perfect weekend in London? No worries — we’ve got you covered with the most useful answers.
Are three days in London enough?
A weekend in London is actually not very long, especially because the day of arrival is usually almost skipped.
Nevertheless, three days are enough time to see the most important sights and to let yourself drift a bit through the city. In our opinion, a three-day trip to London is definitely worth it!
How much do three days in London cost?
It’s hard to give a general answer to this question, as it depends on the season as well as your needs. We’ll give you some rough numbers.
- Flights: Flights from Berlin, for example, start at 20 pounds. If you start from a less prominent airport, it can be 200 pounds.
- Accommodation: Cheap hostels are available from about 26 pounds per night. For a double room in a nice and central boutique hotel you should expect at least 130 to 175 pounds.
- Sightseeing: With the tickets from our table you pay about 80 pounds. Then it depends on what you want to spend in the markets.
- Public transport: For the public transport we’d plan to spend about 13 pounds in total. This doesn’t include the cost of the airport transfer. The cost for the transper depends on which public transport you choose and where you end up.
- Eating and drinking: Eating out in London is expensive. In a London restaurant, you can expect to pay 17 to 21 pounds for one person. If you eat international cuisine or snacks like fish and chips, you can get away much cheaper.
All in all, with luck and flexibility, you can travel to London for a good 250 pounds. But then you really have to watch your budget. We would rather calculate with 500 to 600 pounds.
Is London in 3 days worth it with children?
Definitely! We have written a separate article for vacations with children in London, where you can find lots of tips for cool things to do.
To reduce the amount of walking you have to do, it’s also worth taking a tour with the hop-on hop-off bus in London.
What can you do in four or five days in London?
London definitely offers you enough possibilities for four or five days – to be honest also for four weeks!
- These are by no means all the highlights. In our article about the top 22 London sights, you will find many more tips for your London weekend.
- You can also take part in various city tours. You can find our favorites for example in the article about the 11 coolest London tours.
- Go on excursions such as to the Harry Potter film studios, see a musical or visit Stonehenge. In this article, you’ll find the 11 best activities in London.
Do you have any extra tips for a perfect weekend in London?
That was our itinerary for 3 perfect days in London. Have you already spent a weekend in the city? Do you have any insider tips we shouldn’t miss? Tell us in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!