The Best 3 Day London Itinerary For First-Timers [2026 Update]
This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.
If you only have three days to spend in London, then I am sorry, and I really wish you had more time. But I understand that time is not always a luxury, which is why I’ve written this 3-day London itinerary to help you maximize your valuable 72 hours! London is one of the most diverse and experience-rich cities in the world. I lived there for two years and have visited as a tourist multiple times, and our editor currently lives there, and we are all still discovering so many things to do! So in this 3-day itinerary, we are focusing on the absolute unmissable London attractions that first-time visitors shouldn’t skip. If you have been to London before, we’ll link some more resources further below so you can find hidden gems and lesser-known attractions.
This 3-day London itinerary has been designed to incorporate some of the most iconic London attractions and experiences – with a little touch of local flavors and neighborhoods. It’s a similar itinerary to what we did on our first three days in London during our 10-day family trip to England with our daughters (their first time in London). Follow in our footsteps for a memorable time. We’ve done the planning for you!
London at a glance 🔍
- Accommodation options: London has many hostels, boutique hotels, and high-end hotels, but it’s expensive. Even hostels are around $75-$100 USD per night for a dorm room. You may as well pay an extra $30 and get a hotel. Most 3* hotels are around $150-$250 USD per night.
- Getting around: London’s underground metro service is reliable and connects all major attractions. There is also a bus network, but the underground, or Tube as the locals call it, is the best option.
- Unmissable sights: See the London Eye, take a Harry Potter Studios tour at Warner Bros Studios, and go watch a West End musical in the evening!
- Money saving tip: You can save money on attractions in London by getting yourself a London Go City Pass. This can give you discounts on 100+ of London’s top attractions, restaurants, and entertainment options. Also, choose accommodation further out and take the Tube in. Look for accommodation in Zone 3-6.
Looking to reserve an apartment in London? Click here to browse.
How to use this 3 Day London itinerary
London is a huge city, and since you only have 3 days, I created this itinerary to reduce the amount of time getting around. Fortunately, London is easy to get around. Just walking from Point A to B is a valuable memory-making experience and is where you’ll connect so much to the London lifestyle. But if you don’t plan properly, you could be spending far too much time zig-zagging across the city of London when you don’t need to.
Each day’s activities will be focused on one area of London, so you can spend more time exploring and less time on the London Tube (underground train). Adapt this three-day itinerary as you see fit, according to your budget, interests, time of arrival, and your hotel location.
I also recommend places to eat, coffee stops, and some hidden gems down below. I realize how personal those choices can be, so you may want to substitute your own. Just make sure you find something close to the attractions to reduce your travel time. Good news, in London there’s a pub and a pastry shop on every corner!
Breakfast at our Millennium Hotel, Kensington
We ate breakfast at our hotel each morning as it was provided with our room. Buffet-style English breakfasts at your hotel will be way better than any American ones you’ve experienced. So, enjoy and fill up. If you only have two days in London, simply drop Day 3. We’ve created it so the very best of London (from a tourist perspective) is on Days 1 & 2. If you have longer than three days in London, we have our 7-day London itinerary, which can also be shortened to five.
Is 3 Days in London enough?
If you are prepared to wake up early and put your best walking shoes on, three days is enough to see the highlights of London, but if you have the time to spend longer, we recommend you spend at least 5 days in London. We also have other in-depth posts on London and its experiences, which will help you with further reading and research. You can also join our email community, where we share more helpful travel plans and inspirations. You’ll also get access to our free printable London Bucket List and this printable itinerary in a one-page outline:
Day 1: Royalty, Politics & The West End
On day one, you’ll visit some of its top attractions in the Westminster and St James’s areas, learning about the two forms of leadership in Britain with the Royals in Buckingham Palace and the Politicians at Big Ben and Parliament House. You’ll be taking in the views of London at the most popular attraction in the city, then exploring the vibrant arts and cultural West End.
9:30am Westminster Abbey Tour
Westminster Abbey is the Royal Church of England and one of the top attractions in London. I enjoyed our self-guided audio tour of Westminster Abbey more than I thought I would. We wanted to see Westminster Abbey to see where the Kings and Queens of England have their coronations. It was also where members of the royal family got married, the last being Prince William and Kate Middleton. As you walk through the pews, you can take in the beautiful Gothic architecture, while your audio guide tells you more about the artwork, architecture, and notable monuments inside the building.
You also get told about the Abbey’s long history, from as far back as the coronation of William the Conqueror. Be sure to check out the outside of the cathedral, too. I enjoyed seeing the perspective of the abbey from walking around the cloisters and gardens.
10:30 Walk through St James’s Park
My favorite of all the parks in London is the 58-acre St James’s Park. It’s home to the Mall and Horse Guards Parade and is on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace. It’s the smallest of the eight Royal Parks and has a quiet beauty about it with its manicured gardens, blooming flowers, ponds, ample birdlife, and meandering paths under the shade of hundreds of trees.
Depending on how much time you spend in Westminster Abbey, you may have to skip through here to get to the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on time. Don’t worry, you’ll walk back through it after the palace.
10.45am Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the Guard.
You can’t visit London without peeping through the wrought iron fence of one of the most famous palaces in the world. Buckingham Palace has been the royal residence of the British Royal Family since 1837. Although the British royals choose to live elsewhere (Windsor Castle is where the Queen lived before she passed), the palace is still used for stately events and meetings.
Most tourists love to visit for the Changing of the Guards Ceremony, which takes place daily at 10.45am. This is when the Queen’s Guard hands over responsibility for protecting Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Palace to the New Guard. The Changing of the Guards does get crowded and may take up a chunk of your time. For me, it’s not worth it. I’d rather put that time into other things to do in London. You can also tour the palace from July until October, from Thursday to Monday.
Changing of the Guard times:
- June – July: Daily
- August – May: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Starts at 10.45am and goes on for about 45 mins.
Alternative: You may want to explore Kensington Palace and Gardens, which are west of Buckingham Palace. If you only have three days, I’d skip Kensington Palace and stick to this itinerary, as the rest of this day is full of epic London experiences. Kensington is in our follow-up 7-day London itinerary!
12.00pm Big Ben and Parliament House
If you did not get time to get your photos here when you were at Westminster Abbey, now is the time, as you’ll walk back through it to get to the London Eye. The Houses of Parliament are where all the important business in running the country happens. You can tour inside during select days and times.
Big Ben is the 13.5-tonne iconic clock tower that most visitors gaze up at and can be seen from all over London. Parliament Square is next to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. It has statues of well-known political leaders, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and Nelson Mandela. You might want to stop for lunch after visiting the Houses of Parliament. There are many great restaurants and cafes along the embankment, just across Westminster Bridge on the South Bank side. Just walk along Belvedere Road and see what takes your fancy.
2.00pm Whitehall Gardens
Around the corner from Parliament House are the very pretty Whitehall Gardens. You may want to walk halfway out on the Westminster Bridge first for some lovely views of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. The views from here of the Thames and the London Eye are great. There’s not much else to do but enjoy the views as you walk to your next stop.
Moored on the Thames is the Tattershall Castle, a former passenger ferry turned pub with views of the London Eye. This could be a top spot for your lunch. Otherwise, you may want to find just a grab-and-go lunch as the day is quite busy. Walk across the pedestrian-only Golden Jubilee Bridge to the London Eye, enjoying the views as you go.
Under this bridge, right outside the Royal Festival Hall, is the colorful artistic 10ft shipping container, which is the home of Beany Green, an Aussie Cafe chain in London. While sadly, I don’t think their coffee is great, I love the vibe of this place, and their lamingtons are amazing (and they have gluten-free ones). So, if you need an afternoon caffeine and treat pick-me-up, this is the spot.
3.00pm London Eye
The London Eye is the tallest observation wheel in Europe and a great way to see different viewpoints of the famous buildings in London, like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Yes, the London Eye is totally worth it. Just like you’d visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, you’d visit the London Eye in England’s capital.
While you book a time slot for the London Eye, you still have to line up. The lines move pretty quickly, but I have heard of long waits. To avoid that, get the fast-track ticket.
We have a full review of the London Eye and Thames River Cruise here, and more recommendations for the Best Views in London
Video: London Eye Experience
You can see more of the London Eye experience by pressing play in the video below, including our private pod (recommended if you have the spare money):
4.00pm River Thames Cruise
If you would prefer to do a sunset cruise tomorrow, you may want to skip this. Since these cruises depart at a specific time, and the London Eye doesn’t, you may want to do the cruise first, then book your London Eye for after it. The Lastminute.com London Eye River cruise is a 40-minute circular tour of the Thames on a small open-top ferry with guided commentary.
You’ll learn many stories about the iconic Landmarks you’ll pass, like Big Ben, London Bridge, HMS Belfast, The Shard, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, the Tower of London, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Tower Bridge, which you’ll get to sail under before turning around to cruise back. You can buy a combination ticket with the London Eye, which makes it easier to fit in.
6.00pm The West End
Now you’re free to explore the West End. If you are going to go to the theater, you will be on a time limit. If not, explore at your leisure. It will be easy to return to Convent Garden on day three of this itinerary if you run out of time today. It’s a great area to explore, so give yourself time to wander. Returning is always a great idea! I would return every weekend when I lived in London. It’s an easy walk back over the Golden Jubilee Bridge straight into Trafalgar Square. Before a theater visit, I recommend a quick look around the following districts…
Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square has always been a place for Londoners to gather, whether that is to bring in the New Year together, or to protest, rally, or march for important rights and causes. The 52-m high statue of Lord Nelson dominates the square, and the National Gallery is the stunning building in the background.
There’s not a lot to do here, other than walk around and take photos with the fountain and lions of courage. Take note of the LGBTQ pedestrian traffic lights as you’re crossing the road. You can see what Trafalgar Square is like over on our reel.
Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus is like a mini Times Square in New York. Full of neon lights, massive flashing advertising billboards, and people getting selfies. It’s overrated, but many tourists love it, so I’m adding it here for you. You’ll no doubt come across it as you walk around the West End. From here you can easily walk to Piccadilly, Leicester Square, Shaftesbury Avenue, the curving Regent Street, and Covent Garden.
Soho (The Best Area for Nightlife)
Soho is the proud LGBTQ area of London. It has a fun, artsy vibe with a lot of cafes, stores, bars, restaurants, and theaters. It’s also the best place in London for nightlife and is filled with vibrant bars and nightclubs.
For families, you can find a lot to see and do in Soho, too. The House of MinaLima in SoHo is a must-visit for all Harry Potter fans. Look how cool MinaLima is in this video. This gallery and store showcase the graphic art of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, all of which were exclusively designed by Miraphora Mina and Eduardo Lima. You can read more about it in our teens’ guide to London.
Covent Garden
One of the most well-known places to visit in London is Covent Garden. Wander the cobblestoned areas surrounding the central marketplace, which had its beginnings as a convent garden in the 1500s. There are endless restaurants, bars, and shopping stores. Performers rotate all day long on the street just below the balcony of the famous Punch and Judy pub (good luck trying to get on it!).
Don’t forget to spread out across the central Covent Garden marketplace area to explore the surrounding cobblestone streets and side alleys for other secret gems! We found Cecil’s Court and Goodwin Court, both of which are said to have inspired Diagon Alley.
Click here for more tips on what to do in Covent Garden.
Places to eat in Convent Garden
I’m sure you’re ready to collapse in a restaurant at this point. Covent Garden and the West End is overbrimming with them, many with outdoor seating. So find one you like and sit down, if there is space. If you’re going to the theater, be sure to time it right.
Here are a few ideas:
7.00pm West End Theater
There are over 40 theater venues in the West End performing a variety of shows to over 14 million visitors every year. They have shows throughout the day, but most evening shows begin at 7:30pm. On our family vacation to London, Kalyra, Savannah, and I went to see Matilda in the Cambridge Theater, while Craig caught up with his old North Sydney Bears Rugby teammates in Chelsea. I’m glad we added this to our London itinerary at the last minute as our teen said it was one of her favorite London experiences.
Read more helpful tips on planning a London trip, including how to get cheap(er) West End theater tickets.
Video: An overview of our Day 1 in London
Click play to see what day one of this itinerary in London looks like!
Day 2: When Ancient and Modern London Meet
On Day 2 of this London itinerary, you’re going to continue learning more of Britain’s history (its dark kind) at the Tower of London and the stunning St Paul’s Cathedral before crossing over the Tower Bridge into its more modern, artistic vibe. You’ll be exploring bustling market vibes, art galleries, and stunning views!
9.00am Tower of London
The UNESCO World Heritage, Tower of London, is a castle comprising twenty-two towers, but sitting in the middle is the original White Tower, built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror.
Don’t miss the free Yeoman tour with the red-coated Beefeater (Yeoman Warders) guides entertaining with gruesome stories of its macabre history from its former years (and I mean centuries) as a Royal residence, armory, treasury, and zoo (thank goodness they stopped that!)
After your tour, walk around the old castle grounds to see the prison towers, Crown Jewels, and many other infamous sites. Head to the Crown Jewels first. While I found them overrated, others line up for two hours just to see them! As one of the best things to do in London, the Tower of London is notorious for its long lines, which can extend for hours; that’s why we’ve scheduled it first. Tickets will also be cheaper online.
12.00pm Tower Bridge
Almost anyone coming to London is already familiar with the elegant beauty of its neo-Gothic turrets and blue suspension cables. Walk across the iconic Tower Bridge for free and get great views overlooking the Thames and back over the Tower of London. Check for times when the Tower Bridge will raise up its bridge arms so boats underneath can pass by (usually twice a day). Check opening times here.
If you follow our schedule as outlined in this London itinerary, the best views of the bridge (taking into account the sun) will be on the south side of the bridge. The north side was completely washed out.
1.00pm Lunch at Borough Markets
Whether you’re hungry for strawberries dipped in chocolate, soft local cheeses, bowls of Vietnamese pho, sausage rolls or a refreshingly sweet peach Prosecco, you’ll find it at the Borough Markets on the south side of the River Thames. Popular London Borough Markets are a collection of stalls and vendors selling fresh produce. It’s a great insight into local London life.
On the periphery you’ll find pubs, cafes, restaurants, murals and a few Harry Potter filming locations, including the Leaky Cauldron Pub. Note that weekdays will be much quieter.
Don’t Miss: Coffee from Monmouth and a cup of the sweet peach prosecco. There are also great murals around here, and the surrounding cobblestone streets are pleasant to explore.
2.00pm Walk along Southbank Promenade
This 2.5-mile / 4 km South Bank walk along the Thames goes from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge. There are stunning views all around as you pass many top attractions. While you’re walking along the promenade, you can stop off at several exciting attractions. Such as…
2.30pm Visit the Tate Modern Art Gallery
Any art lover will have the FREE Tate Modern Art gallery and its over 78,000 works of art on display, on their London bucket list. Opened in 2000 in a dilapidated old power station, it has completely revitalized this Southbank area, making it completely unrecognizable to my 22-year-old self living in London in 1997.
It’s not just a place to admire world-class art, but also for its views of the Thames, Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral from the enclosed 6th-floor Kitchen and Bar in the Natalie Bell Building.
3.30pm See the Shakespeare Globe
If you want to have a unique experience and see something quintessentially English, you can catch a Shakespeare production at The Globe Theatre on the banks of the River Thames. Warning: this is a standing theater, so think about that if there’s a production of Hamlet or King Lear. Our friends said they booked privileged seats for the four-hour production of King Lear. Not sure I could do 4-hours standing up. They also offered a bit of cover in case it rained, as the Shakespeare Globe is how it was during Shakespeare’s Days!
4.00pm Afternoon Drink Stop
In London, it’s common to incorporate a drink stop during your day. English pub culture is one of the delights of UK travel and one of our favorite experiences in London. Founders Arms Pub has outdoor seating, spectacular River Thames Views, and a vibrant London atmosphere (especially when the sun is out). I enjoyed a Pimm’s and Lemonade here, an iconic English drink (outside the Tate Modern). The Anchor is also an old London pub with outdoor seating on the River Thames, worthy of a drink break.
4.45pm Cross the Millennium Bridge – the Wobbly Bridge
The Millennium Bridge is one of the coolest, most recent additions to London. Opened in 2000, it has a warped, futuristic look with magnificent views all around. I loved the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral growing in front of your eyes with each step as you crossed. And look behind for views of Tate Modern, and to the right for Tower Bridge views, and views of life on both banks of the river. Harry Potter lovers will want to know that this was targeted by Death Eaters in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
5.00pm St Paul’s Cathedral
You’re going to see this architectural masterpiece from Sir Christopher Wren, built after the Great Fire of London between 1675 and 1710, from viewpoints all over London. St Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and one of London’s most magnificent buildings.
It’s worth a tour, and if the top of the dome is open (closed on our visit), make sure you go up to look at the incredible views of London (I did this when I lived in London). Ask the attendants if they can take you to the spiraling Harry Potter staircase. This staircase in St Paul’s was used as the “Divination Stairwell” located in the North Tower of Hogwarts Castle for the Harry Potter films.
7.00pm Enjoy Sunset Views from The Shard
The Shard View is an expensive thing to do in London, but the 244m high sweeping views from the 72nd floor open-air platform make it worthwhile. It was my favorite London view, which you can understand since it’s the tallest building in Western Europe. Aim for about an hour before sunset so you can experience the dusk golden light views, sunset panoramic views, and nighttime views when those London lights sparkle.
You must reserve your tickets in advance (plus it will also save you money).
Video: An overview of London Day 2
Click play below to see what this epic day in London looks like!
Alternative Endings for Day 2 in London
My choice would be The View, but here are a couple more options for you.
Sky Garden Views and Dinner
Back across the London Bridge (near the Shard) is the Sky Garden, another great viewpoint in London. It is free, but they have limited openings that must be booked in advance. Some say the views are better from here, but I’m not too sure about that. While it was closed (Monday) when we tried to visit, we had a similar view at The Garden 120 Fenchurch around the corner, and while it was fantastic, it still did not compare to the Shard view! It is free, however, which is very attractive.
There is a restaurant at the Sky Garden, which may be a way to get up there if the viewing platform is booked. It must also be booked in advance, and I have heard great things about it. We also wanted to do that but couldn’t make it happen on this trip.
Sunset River Cruise along the Thames
Alternatively, you could end the day with a sunset river cruise along the Thames, leaving from near the Tower of London. This Thames River cruise leaves as the sun goes down and begins with a glass of sparkling wine and canapes as you cruise and look at the lights of London go by!
Day 3: North London: Camden Town to Kings Cross
Welcome to one of my favorite days in London. Camden Town was a regular outing for my friends and me. Twenty-five years later, I still enjoy visiting, and I love taking my daughters there. We stayed here for the final few nights of our London trip and really enjoyed it. Camden Town is London elective and alternative. Known to always be the home of punks, artists, and musicians, it’s also a place for great shopping, fun pubs and cafes, and fantastic live music.
This day will also include the British Museum and a visit to King’s Cross Station. You may have to consider this day’s itinerary carefully to adapt to your interests.
9:30am Coffee and Lamingtons from Beany Green
You need this for your canal trip. It’s around the corner from where you depart at Beany Green Little Venice. There is nothing better than a coffee and a lamington as you cruise Regents Canal. Right near here is the Darcie & May Green (same owners), which is a restaurant on a boat on the canal. Brunch here is meant to be awesome, and it opens at 8am, so very doable to start the day here. I had planned on it, but couldn’t make it work!
10:15am Canal Cruise
The relaxing and picturesque 40-minute canal ride will take you along Regents Canal, through the 248m Maida Hill tunnel, and past the exclusive neighborhoods of Maida Vale and Primrose Hill, with homes of celebrities, and expansive and landscaped back gardens of grand houses. An alternative idea would be to walk between Camden and Regent’s Park to explore one of London’s most popular and extensive royal parks and gardens.
11.00am Explore Camden Town and Camden Market
Your canal cruise will deliver you straight to the heart of Camden Markets, which are most popular on the weekends. Here you’ll find loads of stalls selling all kinds of wares, including an abundance of food stalls representing cuisines from around the world. There are endless choices for food here with cuisines from around the world.
Don’t miss walking up and down the main streets of Camden Town and the side streets for fantastic street art, shopping, and incredible people-watching.
12.30pm Lunch Stop at Edinboro Castle Pub
A few blocks away from Camden Market is the Edinboro Castle Pub. We’d recommend this instead of the Camden Markets, especially on a Sunday or sunny day, because they have a fantastic outdoor beer garden and a delicious Sunday roast (and gluten-free beer).
A Sunday roast is a traditional English meal not to miss, and we enjoyed a great one at Edinboro Castle Pub.
Read more: If you need more inspiration on pubs in London, check out our complete guide to pubs we loved in London!
2.00pm Kings Cross Station and Platform 9 ¾
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you may want to include this in your London itinerary. Otherwise, I wouldn’t worry. Even if you are a fan, it may not be worth it if you’re short on time. You are just walking up to the fake cart against the wall to take a picture, and typically, lines are long. We were blessed with just a 10-minute wait.
King’s Cross Station is a real train station and one of the busiest transport hubs in London. If you want to see the platforms (where many scenes were filmed), either catch a train somewhere or ask the guards if they can let you on the platform to take a photo. Across the road is St Pancras, which is the background setting for the flying car scene in the second movie. You can catch the tube or walk 20 minutes to here from Camden Town.
2.30pm Visit the British Museum
The British Museum is outstanding, and I highly recommend it as one of the best places to visit in London. It’s England’s largest museum and known to be one of the oldest and finest in the world, with vast collections that span Egyptian, Greek, Roman, European, and Middle Eastern cultures and histories.
Near this London Museum is the historic Plough Pub. We recommend stopping in at this quite refined yet very cozy Victorian pub for lunch or just a pint. Again, a 20-minute walk or short tube ride.
4.00pm Free Time! Or…
From the British Museum, you are once again near Covent Garden and the West End. Since Day one of this itinerary was so busy, you may want to move the West End theater to tonight, explore more of Covent Garden, or just relax. If you’re thinking of adding something else to the end of your trip, here are some other attractions you could visit, which would make for the perfect ending to your London itinerary…
- The National History Museum or Victoria and Albert Museum – if you love museums, these two are arguably the best in London. Head over to South Kensington to finish the day at one of the museums. Kids will love seeing Dippy the Diplodocus and the Giant Blue Whale skeleton of the Natural History Museum, or seeing fashion trends at the V&A.
- Visit Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens – the famous home of Princess Diana and now the residence of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
- Take a hop-on/hop-off bus tour – if your feet are tired, and they probably are, take in the final sights of London on an open-top double-decker bus.
- Stroll through Hyde Park – this is one of the largest royal parks in London and is one of the best places to visit if the noise and chaos of the city is starting to get overwhelming.
- Go shopping in Notting Hill – a quick walk along Portobello Road in Notting Hill, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transformed into a whole new city. This affluent area is known for its antique, vintage, and boutique stores and is where you can pick up some unique finds.
- Walk along the Embankment towards Greenwich – earlier we suggested walking along the embankment towards Southbank, but why not walk the other way? You’ll pass the Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory, and Cutty Sark.
- Spend the evening at Brick Lane in Shoreditch – want to see some amazing street art? Brick Lane is another mecca for artists, and since we’re on a hippy bohemian theme in Camden today, it would be the ideal place to finish a day learning about London’s most flamboyant communities.
Video: Day 3 in London
Click play to see all the fun we had on this day out in London!
Alternative Day for Harry Potter Fans
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, you may want to incorporate Harry Potter experiences into your London trip. It’s included in our London 5 Day Itinerary. This tour of the Warner Bros Studios is the closest you will get to being a part of the films. It’s fantastic and well worth a visit. If that is the case, just add it to your itinerary where you can and take something out. You may switch out an entire day. You will need at least half a day for the studio tour.
It takes around three to four hours to walk through the whole tour, which features sets, costumes, props, and butterbeer from the films. Plus, there are interactive exhibits to experience, from green screen broomstick rides to jumping in a few of the vehicle props. It’s also an hour travel time out of London.
As it’s open late, you could go straight here after lunch at the Camden Markets, or go in the morning and Camden Markets when you return! Here is our full guide to the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour.
TOP TIP: You must reserve your ticket in advance. They can book up quickly. If they are sold out, book a place on this tour from London to the Harry Potter world. They have already purchased tickets, so you’re guaranteed entry, and it includes bus transportation from London. You may have to pay a little more, but it means you’ll get in!
Video: Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour London
Click play below to see the Harry Potter magic come to life.
Harry Potter Walking Tours
For more magical fun, you may want to join this Harry Potter-themed walking tour across London. This could be a good afternoon addition to the itinerary on Day 3. Find out which Hogwarts House you belong in and test your Harry Potter knowledge. Stroll down Diagon Alley, visit the Leaky Cauldron, and see iconic London sites such as Borough Market, the London Eye, and Trafalgar Square. Reserve your spot here.
Where to stay in London
Especially with a short amount of time in London, you want to choose accommodation that is in Zone 1 or 2. This is the Central London area, and where most attractions featured in this itinerary will be located. It will save you time and possibly money on getting around. Be sure to book your accommodation near a Tube Station. The best ones for Central London tourist attractions are:
- Piccadilly Line (dark blue) (will also take you to Heathrow)
- Circle Line (yellow)
- Central Line (red)
We have a list of vetted London accommodation options here, including a short review of the three hotels we stayed in.
Getting around London
We have a super in-depth post for you on getting around London with invaluable tips on getting around on the Tube (love it), National Rail, and walking (our favorite). We have designed this itinerary to spend as little time on public transport as possible, so you will only need to get the train from the airport to your hotel.
You will need to get the underground to begin your day’s exploring, but for 3 days, it’s not worth getting the Oyster Card, and just buy single journey tickets. Or, simply use your contactless payment card and it will work out the best fare for you automatically. You can use contactless payment on all transport in London, buses and taxis as well.
Final thoughts
This is not a danger warning, but be prepared. Your days will be long, and if, like us, will involve a lot of walking. Get walk fit before you arrive, wear comfortable shoes, have a refillable water bottle and snacks on hand, and pack your patience and good spirits. I promise you won’t regret it. You can see and do a lot in three days in London. Our girls were 14 and 10 at the time of our trip, and we walked 20,000 steps a day, and they did not complain once! You know that’s a memorable family trip!
I really hope you have the most amazing time in London, and this itinerary helps you. It really showcases the best of London that you can fit into three days. There are still more great things to see and do in London, so you’ll have to come back or stay longer.
If you found this itinerary guide for London helpful, please share it with your friends, post on social media, or save to Pinterest, and remember to tag us! And if you’re staying for longer, check out our itinerary for a week in London. You may want to fit in these hidden secrets in London and these relaxing places in London.
Comment: Do you have any questions about this London 3-day itinerary? Let us know in the comments.