The Ultimate 4 Days in London Travel Guide
London is such an amazing city, full of history and excitement! From iconic spots like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to cute little cafes and trendy neighborhoods, there’s always something new to explore. The mix of old and new, along with the abundance of cool museums, theaters, and incredible food, makes it an unforgettable destination. The first time I visited London was as a solo-traveler back in 2019. It was my first trip out of the US in my life and I loved it so much! It was such a fun experience to relive that and explore new areas of London with my husband by my side this time!
Day 1: Arrival and First Impressions
Stay: Astor Hostels Victoria
The first decision you’ll have to make for your trip to London is what airport to fly into. The two main airport options for London are London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). As usual, we made our decision based on which airport offered the most affordable flight options. After landing at London Heathrow Airport, we took a train and then transferred to the London Tube to our hostel to go check-in! This journey took about an hour.
If you’re looking for a very cheap place to stay in London, I’d suggest looking into hostels. This was my second time visiting London, and both times I stayed at the Astor Hostel Victoria. Personally, I enjoyed my stay there and thought the hostel was clean and great for the price. The location is also a very stunning and safe neighborhood, which is great if you are traveling as a solo woman, which is what I did the first time I went to London! Whenever I book a hostel, I search and reserve my stay with Hostelworld – Hostels Worldwide – Online Bookings, Ratings and Reviews (hostelworld.com).
Midday
Once we checked into the hostel and freshened up, we started our first day in London by heading over to Leicester Square for some fresh hand-pulled noodles at Lanzhou Lamian Noodle Bar. This is a very small restaurant with communal style table seating and the food was delicious! The broth was flavored so well, and I could tell the noodles were freshly made (I could also see them freshly making them haha!).
After filling up on some delicious food, we walked about 10 minutes over to the Soho neighborhood. Soho is located in the heart of London and is a trendy neighborhood known for its diverse dining options and picture-perfect streets. We stopped at Soho Coffee Co for a little pick-me-up before walking around the neighborhood and window-shopping. We also stopped into a Tesco, which is a grocery store in England!
Evening
We visited Kensington Palace in the evening and paid for entrance to tour the estate where Queen Victoria spent much of her childhood. It’s about 20 pounds per person to enter and tickets can be purchased in advance here: Visit Kensington Palace | Kensington Palace | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk). After our tour, we took a lovely stroll around the gardens and parks near the palace. Afterwards, we had to try the famous English fish and chips, which were delicious and so fresh!
Day 2: Day Trip to see the Roman Baths in the Quaint Town of Bath
For a more in-depth guide to our day trip in Bath, England, check out Bath Day Trip Blog here!
Morning
We caught an early morning bus from London Victoria Station to Bath to make sure we were able to spend a decent amount of time in Bath. The bus was the cheapest route at about 20 pounds per person roundtrip and took about 3 hours each way. I’d recommend packing some snacks!
Once we arrived in Bath, we went straight to a coffee shop, Caffe Nero, to fuel up for the day and get a quick bite to eat. We spent some time walking around the streets surrounding the main square of Bath and taking in the wonderful medieval and Georgian architecture.
Midday
We spent our afternoon at the well-preserved Roman baths! The entrance fee is about 30 pounds per person depending on the day and your age, but it also comes with a nice audio guide which I found super helpful at providing context while walking through the Roman baths. For some reason, it’s hard for me to picture this type of life where people made plans to meet and bathe at 6pm after work haha! It is extremely cool to be able to see how life used to be though, and these beautiful Roman baths being in the countryside of England shows how far the Roman empire’s reach went.
The rest of the day was dedicated to the exploring the Gothic Bath Abbey and the pretty buildings built in the Georgian architectural times.
Evening
We grabbed some English sausage rolls, which were surprisingly delicious, and then took an evening bus back to London.
Day 3: Historic Landmarks and Delicious Food
Morning
For our first full day of exploring London, we decided to start the day at the iconic Buckingham Palace. The grand palace is where the British monarch typically resides for part of the year, usually from late July to early October. I suggest arriving in time to watch the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony, a traditional event filled with pageantry and precision. You can check the schedule to see if it’s scheduled for while you’re in London: Changing the Guard London (visitlondon.com). Afterward, don’t miss the chance to snap a photo in one of London’s famous red telephone booths, a quintessential British experience. There are quite a few of them located around London’s city center.
Next, we strolled over to the Parliament Square Garden, where you can relax and see people playing and having picnics in the grass. Nearby, is the impressive Big Ben (which is usually under construction lol) and the Houses of Parliament. England has a different system of government than the USA does, so it’s interesting to learn about it and see their political buildings.
Midday
We kept exploring London on foot and made our way to the London Eye, the large, iconic ferris wheel you can see in London’s skyline. You can ride the ferris wheel to get a view of the city from a higher viewpoint, but we opted not to and instead went up to the top of the Shard the next day!
For lunch, venture to the vibrant Trafalgar Square neighborhood and enjoy a meal at the delightful Bacone Covent Garden restaurant. We knew we wanted to eat at this restaurant as we were planning our trip and it did not disappoint! We ordered two amazing pastas, the Silk Handkerchief with Walnut Butter and the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. The egg yolk on the first one was so creamy and gave an elevated flavor to the simple dish!
Next on the agenda, we explored the British Museum, home to an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world. The museum offers free admission, which makes it perfect for travelers who are budget-conscious.
Evening
Next, we made a trip to the Westminster Abbey, a Gothic style church with a bright, peaceful courtyard in the middle. Stepping into Westminster Abbey feels like stepping into a living history book, where every corner whispers tales of royalty, poets, and the passage of time.
As the day winds down, indulge in a traditional British dinner at a local pub, savoring a hearty meat pie and mashed potatoes to end your day on a comforting note.
Day 4: Castles, Churches, and Views
Morning
We started our day with breakfast pastries at a cute cafe called Arro Coffee, enjoying the serene morning ambiance of London. Energized, we embarked on a couple of hours worth of exploring the Tower of London, where the funnily named “Beefeaters” shared captivating tales of its storied past as a royal fortress and prison! Beefeaters are the guards wearing the redcoats. Entrance can be reserved in advance for around 30 pounds a person at Tickets and prices | Tower of London | Historic Royal Palaces (hrp.org.uk).
Crossing the London Bridge, we ascended to its upper walkways, walking on the glass floor for stunning views of the Thames and the bustling cityscape.
Midday
Afterwards, we ate lunch at a super affordable Malaysian restaurant called C&R Cafe, where we savored a mouthwatering Malaysian curry and a noodle dish that transported us to culinary bliss. I’ve only had Malaysian food a few times in my life, but every time I taste the flavors, I’m so impressed!
Next, we admired the grandeur of St. Paul’s Cathedral, which has such a beautiful, intricate design. St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the entire world by dome size.
Evening
Then we ascended The Shard for breathtaking views of all of London. I’d suggest looking at the weather for your trip a few days in advance and purchasing tickets for the sunniest day of our trip. You can purchase tickets here for about 30 pounds per person: The View from The Shard TICKETS.
A brief stop at Platform 9 ¾ delighted our inner Harry Potter fans before we capped off our day at a curry house, indulging in London’s famous flavors to complete our unforgettable adventure. Curry houses are very common in England and offer a few different curries than the standard ones you’ll see at an Indian restaurant in America.
Conclusion
Spending time in London is such a fun experience! London’s marvelous buildings like the Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral are a sight to see and the delicious food scene in Covent Garden and at local curry houses make it a delightful place to spend a vacation at! It’s also great for English speakers as there won’t be any of the difficulty associated with a language barrier. If you love visiting big cities that have deep history, stunning architecture, and mouthwatering food, London is the place for you!
What to Expect in London
Transportation: London’s public transit system, including the iconic Tube (famous for their “Mind the Gap” phrase!), buses, and trams, is efficient and extensive and can be accessed with the Oyster Transit Card. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available. London’s city center is also a very walkable area with many main attractions being in concentrated areas. The variety of options make exploring the big city a smooth and convenient experience.
Currency: The official currency is the British Pound Sterling (£), also just called the Pound. Most credit cards are widely accepted, but I also always carry some cash in the local currency for places that don’t take card and emergencies.
Language: English is the official language of England.
FAQ:
What are the must-see attractions in London?
There are so many amazing places to check out in London! You definitely have to see the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Also, don’t miss out on the British Museum, Big Ben, and the London Eye. And if you love art, the National Gallery is a must-visit as well.
What is the best way to get around London?
The Tube is super convenient and gets you everywhere fast. Buses and trams are great too, and you get to see more of the city while you travel. Grab an Oyster card or use your contactless card for easy hopping on and off. Some people also prefer to use the “hop on and hop off” buses to get around to the main attractions.
When is the best time to visit London?
I love London in the spring and fall when the weather is just right, and the parks are gorgeous. Summer is fun too with lots of events, but it can get pretty crowded and expensive.
How expensive is it to visit London?
London can be a bit pricey, but Samuel and I always make sure to keep our trips affordable. Many museums and galleries are free, which always helps. There are also plenty of budget-friendly places to eat and stay if you do a bit of research. Booking things in advance usually helps keep costs down too.
Is London safe for tourists?
Yes, London is generally safe, but like any big city you need to keep an eye on your belongings and use common sense when it comes to walking around alone or at night. I’ve always felt comfortable exploring the city, even when I visited as a solo female traveler!
