About London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.14 million people in 2025. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile (80 km) tidal estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a major settlement for nearly 2,000 years. Its ancient core and financial centre, the City of London, was founded by the Romans as Londinium and has retained its medieval boundaries. The City of Westminster, to the west of the City of London, has been the site of the national government and parliament for centuries. London grew rapidly in the 19th century, becoming the world's largest city at the time.
Cheap flights to London
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $696 from New York, travelling 14 Nov – 18 Nov. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- MIA Miami to London17 Nov – 24 Nov · LHR from$711
- NYC New York to London14 Nov – 18 Nov · LON from$696
- HOU Houston to London17 Feb – 24 Feb · LON from$1,015
- DFW Dallas to London4 Dec – 12 Dec · LHR from$1,191
- SFO San Francisco to London30 Nov – 8 Dec · LHR from$1,059
- BOS Boston to London27 Nov – 6 Dec · LHR from$901
- WAS Washington to London12 Nov – 17 Nov · LON from$966
- LAX Los Angeles to London22 Nov – 30 Nov · LHR from$1,116
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: United Airlines, Icelandair, Turkish Airlines, Aer Lingus, Brussels Airlines, Finnair.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to LondonPlaces to visit in London
-
British Museum
MuseumA free museum of world history and culture, home to the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon sculptures. Focus on a few galleries, as it is impossible to see everything in one visit.
-
Tower of London
Historic · 2 mi from centreA historic fortress beside the Thames that has served as a royal palace, prison and armory. See the Crown Jewels and join a tour led by the Yeoman Warders.
-
Westminster Abbey
ReligiousA Gothic church where coronations take place and many monarchs, writers and scientists are buried or commemorated. Do not miss Poets' Corner and the Lady Chapel's fan-vaulted ceiling.
-
Palace of Westminster
LandmarkThe Houses of Parliament and the Elizabeth Tower, home of Big Ben, sit on the Thames. Watch debates from the public galleries or book a guided tour on selected days.
-
National Gallery
MuseumA free gallery on Trafalgar Square with European paintings from the medieval period to the early 20th century, including works by Van Eyck, Leonardo, Turner and Van Gogh.
-
Tate Modern
MuseumA free modern and contemporary art museum in a former power station on the South Bank. The vast Turbine Hall hosts large installations and the viewing level overlooks St Paul's.
-
Buckingham Palace
LandmarkThe monarch's London residence, facing the Mall and St James's Park. Watch the Changing of the Guard outside, or tour the State Rooms when they open in summer.
-
Borough Market
Market · 2 mi from centreA historic food market near London Bridge with stalls of produce, cheese, baked goods and street food. Go hungry and graze, then walk along the South Bank.
Top experiences in London
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 222 available.
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath with Optional Entrances
From $109 per adult
Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter with Transport
From $116 per adult
Private Tour: Christmas Lights Taxi Tour
From $481 per adult
Exclusive Single Loop Offer: City Sightseeing London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $40 per adult
Snow Globe Climb - Up at The O2 Climb
From $53 per adult
London City Sightseeing Christmas Lights - Bus Tour
From $39 per adult
Explore Lacock and Bath with Lunch and a Choice of Windsor Castle or Stonehenge - Full Day Tour
From $92 per adult
Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter with Return Coach Transfer
From $140 per adult
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath with Optional Entrances - Fully Guided Coach Tour
From $121 per adult
Gray Line London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
From $42 per adult
The Tower of London - Ticket
From $43 per adult
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Story and Tour
From $33 per adult
Where to stay in London
Popular hotels in London, out of 1,988 properties you can book.
Royal Lancaster London
From $425 per night
Miiro Templeton Garden
From $326 per night
Royal National
From $132 per night
The Imperial
From $388 per night
STG Hotel Oxford Street - formerly St Giles London
From $206 per night
The Savoy - A Fairmont Hotel
From $1,177 per night
The Tower Hotel, by Thistle
From $294 per night
ASTOR COURT HOTEL
From $236 per night
The Royal Horseguards Hotel London
From $346 per night
Thistle Trafalgar Square
From $335 per night
Morton
From $329 per night
The Marble Arch Hotel, by Thistle
From $396 per night
Best time to visit London
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit London is June to August, when average daytime highs are around 72–74°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
London weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 54° 46° 77%
- Thu 22 Oct 58° 46° 85%
- Fri 23 Oct 56° 46° 94%
- Sat 24 Oct 54° 45° 90%
- Sun 25 Oct 62° 53° 40%
- Mon 26 Oct 63° 47° 34%
Know before you go
- Currency
- British pound (GBP)1 US dollar ≈ £0.75
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +44
- Driving
- On the left
- Time zone
- Europe/LondonUTC+1
Upcoming public holidays in United Kingdom
- Christmas Day
- St. Stephen's DayBoxing Day
- Good Friday
- Early May Bank Holiday
- Spring Bank Holiday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to London
These are the airports closest to central London. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- LCY London City Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
- BQH London Biggin Hill Airport14 mi (23 km) from the city centre
- LHR London Heathrow Airport15 mi (23 km) from the city centre
- LGW London Gatwick Airport25 mi (40 km) from the city centre
Getting around London
London is the home of the famous Tube map, and TfL produces some excellent maps to help you get around:
Oyster cards
Oyster is a contactless electronic smartcard run by Transport for London. Oyster can be a cost-effective option in combination with a Travelcard, or for children aged 11–15 to access the Young Visitor discount, which entails 50% off adult-rate pay as you go fares. However, because of the cost of a new Oyster card, and because contactless debit/credit card are charged the same fares as Oyster, using a contactless credit or debit card would be a simpler alternative for most travelers.
Validity of your Oyster
Oyster is valid on all red London buses, and almost all trains in London: a list of destinations is available on the London Rail and Tube Services map. Oyster is not valid on buses or trains outside London: If you need to travel beyond the stations on the map, you will have to pay for a paper ticket.
Using your Oyster card
When using your Oyster card to travel, make sure the reader is displaying an orange light, then place it flat against the reader. A single beep and a green light mean your card has been accepted, and you can proceed. Two beeps and a red light mean your card has not been accepted. Take the card off the reader, wait for the orange light, and try again; if this continues to happen, ask for help from a member of staff. Don't try to insert your Oyster card into the slot at the ticket gates!
London travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit London?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit London is June to August, when average daytime highs are around 72–74°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in London?
August is usually the warmest month in London, with average highs of 74°F (23°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 35°F (2°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 115 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to London?
London City Airport (LCY) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of London. Other nearby airports include London Biggin Hill Airport (BQH, 14 mi) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR, 15 mi).
How much are flights to London?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to London in the last 30 days was $696 from New York, travelling 14 Nov – 18 Nov. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $696.
What currency is used in London?
London uses the British pound (GBP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £0.75.
What time zone is London in?
London uses the Europe/London time zone (currently UTC+1). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around London?
London is the home of the famous Tube map, and TfL produces some excellent maps to help you get around:
What are the best places to visit in London?
Top sights in London include British Museum, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and Palace of Westminster. A free museum of world history and culture, home to the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and the Parthenon sculptures. Focus on a few galleries, as it is impossible to see everything in one visit.
What are the top things to do in London?
Popular experiences you can book in London include Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath with Optional Entrances, Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter with Transport and Private Tour: Christmas Lights Taxi Tour. Destina Holidays offers 222 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in London?
Popular areas for hotels in London include Bayswater, Earls Court and Russell Square. Well-reviewed options include Royal Lancaster London and Miiro Templeton Garden.
How many hotels can I book in London?
Destina Holidays currently lists 1,988 properties in and around London, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
