A 3 days in London itinerary for first-timers: Westminster, the Tower, the South Bank, free museums and markets, planned hour by hour with typical costs.
This 3 days in London itinerary is built for a first visit: day one around Westminster and the West End, day two along the river from the Tower of London to the South Bank, and day three for the British Museum, Regent's Park and Camden. It leans on London's free museums and walkable neighbourhoods, so you see the big sights without spending the whole trip on the Tube or in queues.
Prices are approximate ranges in pounds sterling (£). Opening hours, ticket prices and schedules change, so check before you go.
Is 3 days enough for London?
Three days is enough to see London's headline sights and get a feel for a few neighbourhoods — as long as you group things by area. London is huge, and the most common first-timer mistake is zig-zagging across the city. This plan keeps each day in one part of town, so most of your time goes on the sights, not on travel.
You won't see everything. Think of it as a strong first trip that shows you which parts of the city you'll want to come back to.
Where to stay in London for 3 days
For a short trip, a central base with good Tube links saves the most time:
- King's Cross and Bloomsbury — great connections, close to the British Museum, often better value than the West End.
- South Bank and Southwark — walkable to the river sights, Borough Market and Tate Modern.
- Covent Garden and Soho — right in the middle of everything, but usually the priciest.
- Shoreditch — lively at night, good food, a short ride to the City.
If you're watching costs, our London budget guide breaks down where the money goes and how to save on hotels.
Day 1: Westminster, royal London and the West End
- 09:00 — Westminster Bridge. Start with the classic view of the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Early morning means fewer crowds for photos.
- 09:30 — Westminster Abbey. Coronations, royal weddings and famous graves under one roof. Sightseeing entry is paid; book ahead to skip the ticket line.
- 11:00 — St James's Park to Buckingham Palace. A short, pretty walk past the lake. If the Changing of the Guard is on that day (it isn't daily — check the schedule), arrive early for a spot by the railings.
- 12:30 — Lunch. Grab something casual around Victoria or walk on towards Trafalgar Square.
- 14:00 — Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Free entry to one of the world's great painting collections. Pick a few rooms rather than trying to see it all.
- 16:30 — Covent Garden. Street performers, the market hall and plenty of places for a coffee break.
- 19:00 — Dinner in Soho, then a West End show. Day-of tickets and discount booths around Leicester Square can be cheaper than booking far ahead — or simply wander Soho's busy streets.
Day 2: The Tower, the river and the South Bank
- 09:00 — Tower of London. Go at opening and head straight to the Crown Jewels before the queue builds. Allow about three hours. It's one of London's pricier tickets, and booking online is often cheaper.
- 12:15 — Tower Bridge. Walk across for the views. The paid exhibition with its glass walkway is optional.
- 13:00 — Borough Market. Lunch from the street food stalls. It's busiest at weekends, so arrive hungry and be patient.
- 14:30 — South Bank walk. Follow the river west past Shakespeare's Globe to Tate Modern (free general entry). Take the lift or stairs to the upper floors for city views.
- 16:30 — Millennium Bridge to St Paul's Cathedral. Cross the footbridge for a classic view of the dome. Sightseeing inside is paid; attending a service is free but isn't a tour.
- 18:00 — Sky Garden or the London Eye. Sky Garden offers free views over the City but needs advance booking — slots go fast. The London Eye is paid and best booked ahead for sunset.
- 20:00 — Dinner. Head back to Southwark, or to Brick Lane in the East End for curry.
Day 3: British Museum, Regent's Park and Camden
- 10:00 — British Museum. Free general entry (special exhibitions are paid). Highlights include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and the Egyptian galleries. Two to three hours is plenty for a first visit.
- 13:00 — Lunch in Bloomsbury. Plenty of cafés and pubs on the side streets.
- 14:30 — Regent's Park. Walk through the formal gardens — Queen Mary's Gardens are lovely in summer.
- 16:00 — Camden Market. Street food, vintage stalls and the canal at Camden Lock.
- 18:00 — Primrose Hill. A short walk up for one of the best free skyline views in London, especially at sunset.
- 19:30 — Farewell dinner. Stay in Camden, or head back towards King's Cross.
Prefer a different day 3? Swap in South Kensington: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A (all free general entry), then Hyde Park and Notting Hill — Portobello Road market is at its busiest on Saturdays.
How much does 3 days in London cost?
Approximate ranges per person for three days, excluding flights or trains.
| Budget | Comfortable | |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (3 nights, shared room) | £100–220 | £270–600 |
| Food (meal deals, markets, pubs) | £60–105 | £135–270 |
| Transport (Tube and buses, daily cap) | £15–30 | £25–45 |
| Paid sights (Abbey, Tower, Eye) | £30–70 | £70–120 |
| Total for 3 days | £205–425 | £500–1,035 |
Sharing a double room brings the per-person stay cost down a lot, and the free museums keep sightseeing affordable. For a deeper breakdown, see is London expensive.
Tips for your London itinerary
- Tap in and out with a contactless card or phone. You don't need an Oyster card, and pay-as-you-go fares are capped daily — use the same card every time so the cap applies.
- Book timed entries early. Sky Garden, the Tower and Westminster Abbey are easier with tickets in hand.
- Ride the top deck of a bus. It's cheap sightseeing through central London.
- Walk more than you think. Many central sights are closer together than the Tube map suggests.
- Pack a light rain jacket. London weather changes quickly in any season.
- Leave buffer time. Queues, crowds and spontaneous pub stops always take longer than planned.
Heading on to the continent afterwards? Our 3 days in Paris itinerary and weekend in Prague itinerary follow the same day-by-day style.
Plan this London trip by talking
You can plan this trip by just telling Journey what you want: "3 days in London in March, £450 each, two of us, lots of free museums and one West End show." It plans every day hour by hour with real places, real prices and a total that fits your budget. Say "make day 2 cheaper" or "swap Camden for Notting Hill" and it updates the plan instantly, with undo. Join the waitlist to try it first.
FAQ
Is 3 days enough for London?
Yes, for a first visit. Three days covers the main sights — Westminster, the Tower of London, the South Bank and the British Museum — if you group each day by area instead of crossing the city.
What should I not miss in London in 3 days?
Most first-timers prioritise the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, a South Bank walk past Tate Modern, and the British Museum. Many of the biggest museums are free.
Where is the best area to stay in London for 3 days?
King's Cross, Bloomsbury and the South Bank are good bases for a short trip: central, well connected and often better value than Covent Garden or Mayfair.
How much does 3 days in London cost?
Excluding flights, roughly £205–425 per person on a budget and £500–1,000 or more for a comfortable trip. Accommodation is the biggest cost.