Flights to London
Free world-class museums, West End curtain calls and pub lunches by the Thames: London packs centuries of history into a city that never stops reinventing itself.
- Currency
- Pound sterling (GBP)
- Language
- English
- Time zone
- GMT (UTC+0), BST (UTC+1) in summer
- Plug type
- Type G, 230 V
- Main airport
- London Heathrow (LHR)
Overview
London is less a single city than a patchwork of villages that grew together. Westminster holds the set pieces (Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace), while the City of London, the old Roman core, mixes glass towers with Christopher Wren churches and St Paul's Cathedral. Cross the river to the South Bank for the Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe and Borough Market, or head east to Shoreditch and Spitalfields for street art, vintage shops and late-night food.
One of London's great advantages for visitors is that most of its major national museums are free to enter, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum and the V&A. Add in the Royal Parks, from Hyde Park to Greenwich Park, and you can fill several days without buying a ticket. Evenings belong to the West End's theaters and to neighborhood pubs.
The city is huge, so plan your days by area rather than crisscrossing it. The Underground, Overground, Elizabeth line and buses all accept contactless cards and phones, with daily fare caps, so there is no need to buy a separate ticket. Remember that traffic drives on the left: look right before crossing, as the painted reminders at many crossings suggest.
Highlights of London
British Museum
Free to enter, it holds the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures and Egyptian mummies under the glass-roofed Great Court.
Tower of London
The 900-year-old fortress on the Thames guards the Crown Jewels and is guided by the Yeoman Warders, known as Beefeaters.
South Bank walk
Stroll from the London Eye past the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe to Borough Market for lunch.
West End theater
Catch a long-running musical or a new play in Covent Garden and Soho, where dozens of theaters cluster within a few blocks.
Greenwich
Take a Thames Clipper boat downriver to see the Cutty Sark, stand on the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory and walk up Greenwich Park for skyline views.
Where to stay
Covent Garden and Soho
Right in the center, steps from theaters, restaurants and nightlife; best for first-timers who want to walk everywhere.
South Kensington
Elegant streets beside the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A, with Hyde Park nearby; great for families and museum lovers.
Bankside and Southwark
Riverside location near Tate Modern, Borough Market and London Bridge station, with good value compared with the West End.
Shoreditch
Creative East London with street art, cocktail bars and weekend markets; suits younger travelers and night owls.
Airports and getting into town
From Heathrow, the Heathrow Express reaches Paddington in about 15 minutes, the Elizabeth line runs through to central stations like Tottenham Court Road and Liverpool Street in roughly 30–45 minutes, and the Piccadilly line reaches the West End in about 50 minutes. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express runs to Victoria in about 30 minutes, with Thameslink serving London Bridge and Farringdon. Black cabs are available at every terminal but can take an hour or more in traffic.
Best time to visit
May, June and September bring the longest, mildest days, with the Chelsea Flower Show in May and outdoor theater and park concerts through summer. The Notting Hill Carnival fills West London over the August bank holiday weekend. November and December are colder and darker but festive, with Christmas lights on Oxford and Regent Streets and ice rinks at landmarks like Somerset House. Rain is possible year-round, so pack a light waterproof layer whatever the season.
Airlines flying to London
Popular routes to London
Flying out of London
Travel tips from our desk
- Tap in and out with the same contactless card or phone on the Tube and rail; daily and weekly caps apply automatically.
- Stand on the right on escalators so people can walk past on the left.
- Many top museums are free, but popular special exhibitions need timed tickets booked in advance.
- For cheaper West End seats, check the official TKTS booth in Leicester Square or theaters' day-seat and lottery schemes.
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Explore Paris →Flights to London — frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from New York to London?
A nonstop from New York to Heathrow takes roughly 7 hours eastbound and about 8 hours on the way back. From Los Angeles, nonstop flights take around 10 to 10.5 hours eastbound.
Which London airport should I fly into?
Heathrow (LHR) has by far the most flights from North America and the fastest rail links into the center. Gatwick (LGW) has some transatlantic service and good trains to Victoria and London Bridge, while Stansted, Luton and London City are mostly used for flights within Europe.
When is the best time to visit London?
Late spring and early fall offer mild weather and long days without peak-summer crowds. December is popular for Christmas markets and lights, while January and February are quieter.
How do I get from Heathrow to central London?
Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington (about 15 minutes), the Elizabeth line straight through central London, or the slower but direct Piccadilly line. All accept contactless payment.
Do I need cash in London?
Rarely. Contactless cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including on buses, which no longer take cash. Carry a card without foreign transaction fees.
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