First time · London

First time in LondonLondon

London is a tube-and-walk city: book one timed entry, do two or three sights a day, take the tube between clusters, and cross roads looking right first.

Everything here is a short version of the London guide. Prices and hours are estimates: check before you rely on them.

The honest verdict

London's sights are far apart and the crowds are constant, so the trips that go wrong try to cram Westminster, the museums, the City and a show into one day. Five walking clusters cover a first visit; the tube and the Elizabeth line move the bags. Book the Abbey or a big exhibition ahead, and leave the free museums for the afternoon.

From the airport

London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Fastest and cheapest: Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Road · about 38 min · about £14 (≈ US$19)

Typical ride times and fares, 2026 desk estimates (check). Last services and night options are on the gateway page.

Airport-to-bed timings →

How long to stay

2 days: Westminster morning + Bloomsbury and Covent Garden
3 days: Five clusters, two a day
5 days: Five clusters + a Windsor or Oxford day + one slow day

Itineraries by length →

Three mistakes to avoid

Unlicensed minicab drivers offering rides at airports and stations: use the black-cab rank or an app.(Scams)
Abbey and cathedral: quiet inside, covered shoulders.(Survive · red lines)
Phone snatching (including from cyclists and scooters) around Covent Garden and Oxford Street: keep phones away from the kerb.(Survive · safety)

Scams and safety →

Money and SIM

Budget day: £40–70 (≈ US$55–95) excl. bed
Paying: Contactless cards and phones work almost everywhere, including the tube and buses; some places are card-only. Keep a small amount of cash for markets.
Cash: Cards and phones work almost everywhere; carry £20 (≈ US$30) in notes for markets and small shops.
SIM: Install an eSIM before you fly, or buy a SIM in arrivals or a phone shop.

Money, SIMs and apps →