London is home to many iconic sites like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, attracting millions of visitors every year. It’s also the biggest city in the United Kingdom, so finding your way and figuring out where to go may not be easy.
But don’t worry, we’ve prepared this itinerary for 3 days in London, complete with a transportation guide, to help you have an unforgettable trip!
Before anything else, secure this essential item before flying: a UK eSIM to stay connected and help you navigate during your trip.
How to go from Heathrow Airport to London 🚘
Heathrow Airport in London
While there are six major international airports in London (Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, London Luton, London Stansted, and London Southend), the transportation options for each are more or less the same. The only difference is the train linked to each airport.
But since the main international airport in London is Heathrow Airport, we’ll be getting into detail on the different transfer options available from there. This will be useful for your London itinerary for 3 days!
1. Heathrow Express Train
Enter London’s speedy airport express train
The Heathrow Express Train is your fastest way to Central London with only 15 minutes of travel time! From Heathrow Airport’s Terminals 2, 3, and 5, you’ll be dropped off at Paddington Station.
Onboard, you’ll get to rest on comfortable seats and charge up your mobile phones with the available power sockets. And in case you don’t have a UK eSIM yet, you can connect to the free 4G WiFi for any last-minute online purchases.
There’s also the option to upgrade to First Class tickets, where you’ll get more legroom, a worktable, and magazines. But since the ride is just 15 minutes, it’s not that necessary.
Route | Operating hours | Operating hours (Sundays) |
From Heathrow Airport to London Paddington | 05:12-21:57 (Monday to Saturday) 05:17 - 23:57 (Sunday) | 06:23-23:48 |
From London Paddington to Heathrow Airport | 04:34 - 23:25 (Monday to Saturday) 04:55-23:25 (Sunday) | 06:25-23:25 |
2. London Underground: The Tube
Experience London’s famous subway
If you’re not in a rush on your first day, and if you want to immediately experience London’s subway, then feel free to take the Tube! However the travel time is much longer than the Heathrow Express Train. It will take about 50 minutes to get to the city center through the Tube.
This option is also more affordable, so this is perfect for those traveling on a budget. The rates will depend on where you’re headed and the time of day you board the subway.
3. National Express Bus
You can also take the bus from Heathrow Airport to the city center! The National Express Bus has bigger luggage space compared to that of trains. Here, you get comfortable seats, free WiFi, power sockets, and limitless views of the city. From the airport, the National Express bus will take you to London Victoria Coach Station.
Route | Operating hours | Service numbers |
Heathrow Airport London (Terminals 2 & 3) to London Victoria Coach Station | 1:00-23:59 | A30, A40, 008, 025, 401, 403, 444, 460, 501, 502, 504 |
London Victoria Coach Station to London Heathrow Airport (Terminals 2, 3) | 02:15-23:59 | The same. |
4. Private airport transfers
Enjoy comfort and privacy in your own car
Looking for royal-like treatment? Pre-booking a car-charter allows you to enjoy a door-to-door service between your hotel and Heathrow Airport. There will be no waiting time and absolutely no queueing involved here. All you have to do is plot the pick-up point and time that you want to be fetched by our driver.
And since you have the car all for yourself, you won’t have to worry about luggage and seat space. Just sit back and relax while you get to your destination. You also get to pick your preferred car, depending on the number of people and the amount of baggage you have. Klook’s London Heathrow private airport transfers offer sedans, vans, and more!
5. Taxi
If your flight was late or some plans didn’t work out, then getting a taxi is the most ideal transfer option for you. Taxi fares are pretty pricey, but nothing beats 24-hour availability and being dropped off at your hotel door! Expect your travel time to be longer, though, depending on the location of your hotel. The trip will take about 45 minutes from the airport to London.
6. Car Rental
Getting a car rental in London might just be your best way to explore the beautiful city. Apart from your own space, you also get to enjoy going around London at your own time and pace.
Remember to have the staff’s number saved on your mobile so you can easily pick up and return your rented car.
[Highlight - Klook Tip: Before you book, make sure you have an International Driving Permit (IDP)! You can get one from the nearest AAA Travel office or through mail. More details here.]
Getting around London 🚆
The Eurostar
With only 3 days in London, the Eurail Global Pass is an efficient way to get around London (and other European countries you’re planning to visit). It covers multiple train lines all over the city, so you won’t have to keep track of the different tickets you need.
- The Elizabeth Line: Crosses London from west to east (e.g., Heathrow to Paddington, Liverpool Street, and Canary Wharf).
- London Overground: Forms a giant loop around outer London, connecting neighborhoods like Shoreditch, Camden, and Hackney.
- Thameslink: Runs directly north to south straight through the city center (e.g., Kings Cross St Pancras, Farringdon, Blackfriars, and London Bridge).
- National Rail Trains: Regular commuter trains running between major hubs like Waterloo, Victoria, Euston, Paddington, and Liverpool Street.
Take note that the Eurail Global Pass doesn’t include the London Underground (the Tube). For a complete guide to the Eurail Global Pass:
Where to stay in London 🏨
Rosewod London’s grand courtyard entrance | Photo from Durston Saylor on Wikimedia Commons
One of the most important parts of any trip is finding the best hotel, especially if you have 3 days in London with family. There are just so many factors to consider, such as comfort for the kids, as well as proximity to attractions and train stations, to name a few.
To help you out in deciding where to stay in London, check out this article on the best hotels we highly recommend:
Day 1 Itinerary: Explore London’s royalty and culture 👑
Westminster Abbey
As the country with the most prominent royal family, London is home to breathtaking palaces and churches that travelers from all over the world admire. These are essential stops for your 3 days in London.
Windsor Castle is the oldest inhabited castle in the world, and was the late Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite weekend retreat. Meanwhile, Westminster Abbey is an architectural feat where many historical ceremonies have been held.
Discover the magic of this West End classic
After immersing yourself in London’s royalty and architecture, cap off your first day by watching The Phantom of the Opera on the West End! Find out why this majestic dark romance has been running for 39 years!
Day 2 Itinerary: Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter ⚡
Experience the wonder of Harry Potter filming locations
Your London trip isn’t complete without the Harry Potter experience! Take this 3-hour Harry Potter walking tour, where you’ll get to visit some Harry Potter film locations, such as the Millennium Bridge (destroyed by Death Eaters), Cecil Court (Diagon Alley), and Kings Cross Station (Platform 9¾). This is perfect for Potterheads who want to immerse themselves in the Wizarding World again.
But wait, there’s more! Head to Warner Bros. Studio for The Making of Harry Potter tour. It’s an experience where you’ll go through sets like the Great Hall, the Forbidden Forest, Gringotts, and the Wizarding Bank. This is definitely one of the best things to see in London in 3 days!
Immerse yourself in the set of Harry Potter
They also house authentic props that will leave you in awe. There are hundreds of potions in the Potions Classroom, memory vials in the Memory Cabinet, and magical items sold by Fred and George at Puking Pastilles.
And to make your visit even better, check out the many original costumes like the Quidditch uniforms, Yule Ball formal wear, and the clothes worn by the characters in the last film, during the “19 Years Later” scene.
Day 3 Itinerary: Visit Stonehenge and explore the Greenwich borough🤩
The ancient Stonehenge
Stonehenge is well-known for the history it holds and the endless theories of how it came to be. Even after so many years, many are still trying to understand the great, long-standing structure.
If you book on Klook, you can choose among the many Stonehenge tours available, some combined with other famous attractions like the Roman Baths, Windsor Castle, and Oxford. tTours like this will take about seven hours, so expect to return to the city center by late afternoon.
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Now if you want to do something that not most travelers do, go to one of London’s boroughs. Famous for being the birthplace of many Tudors like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The town also houses = the beautiful Palace of Placentia by the River Thames and connected to it is the quaint Queen’s House.
Admire a massive ship turned into a museum
You also need to visit the Greenwich Market for local street food and handmade goods and the Cutty Sark, a ship that was restored to become a museum. You can also do fun activities at the O2 Arena like bowling, riding the IFS Cloud Cable Car, and taking on a 52-meter tall walkway called Up at the O2.
For those who have more time to explore Greenwich, here are
More experiences you can add to your Greenwich trip:
Ready for London, mate?
Make London your oyster
With that, you’re all set for 3 days in London! Remember to keep this itinerary as a reference, so you can easily explore the city.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one ticket to London’s top attractions, we highly recommend the Klook Pass London. With its 38 choices available and hassle-free use, it’s super convenient.
FAQs for 3 days in London
Is it worth going to London for 3 days?
Surprisingly, yes! You can do a lot and visit many attractions in 3 days. Try to get tours that conveniently group places together, and you can take advantage of all the transportation options in the city.
Is 3 days in London too little?
Visiting London in 3 days is not too little, especially if you plan ahead and maximize London’s accessibility. But of course, there’s always more to see other than the most famous sites.
How much money do I need in London for 3 days?
For average-spending travelers, more or less £200 a day should take care of casual meals, transportation, and entrance fees. That’s if you don’t already book your tour and pass in advance.
What is the most efficient way to see London in 3 days?
The best way to see London in 3 days is by planning according to neighbourhoods, like what we did above. Many iconic attractions can be found in the same areas. For example: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and London Eye are close to each other.
Should I use an Oyster card for a 3-day London trip?
You don’t need an Oyster Card, as this requires you to purchase one and spend on a top up fee. Credit cards or Apple Pay will do. Plus, you can use the Eurotrail Pass for transportation.
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
