One Day in London: The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary for London
If you only have one day in London, don’t worry, you can still get plenty of sightseeing in to give you the been-there-done-that feeling.
London is the capital of the United Kingdom, home to the Royal Family, red double-decker buses, and the famous black cabs.
Normally tourists spend at least a week in the city; because *let’s be real* it’s not a small city. BUT sometimes that’s just not possible if you are pressed for time or you have a layover… and I mean a LONG layover.
How to Spend One Day in London
How to Get Around – One Day in London
Getting around London is VERY easy! You have access to buses, trains, taxis, bikes… and it’s really cheap.
Your best option for one day in London is to take the Underground (also known as “the Tube”) and then walk to the attractions.
Do yourself a favor and download an Underground app. I prefer Citymapper or Tube Map – London Underground. You can set up notifications to receive alerts for delays and both apps have route planners to help you get around.
Using the Tube is super easy, even if it is the oldest subway system in the world.
You can pre-order a Visitor Oyster Card and have it sent to your house before you go to London. The card works as a pre-paid credit card and it’s cheaper than purchasing individual tickets at a station.
You can also use your contactless card to scan directly through the gates or purchase an unlimited day Travelcard from the ticket kiosks at each station.
Tips for Your One Day in London
- Grab a day pass for the Underground if you forget to grab an Oyster Card.
- Don’t zig-zag around the city, start at one end and work your way back.
- There’s going to be a ton of walking… wear proper shoes
- Pre-book your tickets!
- ALWAYS check opening times and closing times. Some attractions have limited hours on certain days (i.e. Westminster Abbey).
- Visit on a Wednesday to get late admission to Westminster Abbey.
Tower of London
Closest Underground: Tower Hill
Official Site: Tower of London
The Tower of London is one of the more expensive attractions in London, but it’s totally worth the splurge!
The original White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1066 as a symbol of power for locals and foreigners thinking about invading the city. Today the tower is a symbol of London and England and houses the Royal Armouries collection.
To begin your visit, take the Yeoman Warder tour and get up close and personal with a Beefeater and learn the gruesome history of the tower then check out the world-famous crown jewels!
Don’t forget to look for the ravens! Charles II first brought ravens to the tower and was told if the 6 resident ravens ever left the tower, the Kingdom and Tower would fall… there are now 9 resident ravens.
Tower Bridge
Closest Underground: Tower Hill
Official Site: Tower Bridge
Why walk across the Tower Bridge when you can walk above it?!
This experience is only a few years old and it’s great value for your money!
Learn about the history of the bridge while you walk up the 206 steps to the top… don’t worry there are plenty of places to take a break or an elevator if you need extra assistance.
Once you reach the top you are greeted with a glass walkway over the river and road… and yes, it’s kinda freaky and I don’t recommend this if you are scared of heights.
If you make your way over to the other section of the bridge, there’s a glass walkway with a mirror on the ceiling so you can get the perfect selfie.
After you return to the bottom, you’ll walk across the bridge and explore the original engine rooms that operated the bridge until the 1970s.
Sky Garden
Price: FREE
Nearest Underground: Monument
Official Website: Sky Garden
Skip the London Eye and get one of the best views in London for free!
Take the elevator to the 35th floor, grab some coffee and a sandwich for breakfast, and then enjoy the expansive views of London.
You’re right across from the Shard and right next to the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. If you look in the distance, you can see the London Eye poking over the top of the buildings.
You need to pre-book your ticket and time (even though it’s free). There is a walk-in line which I frequently use during off-season or at 10am when it opens. You have to fill out a quick online form and then you’re good to go!
Westminster Bridge
Price: FREE
Closest Underground: Westminster
Bonus for Harry Potter fans when you get to the Westminster tube station… it was a filming location! And yes, they shut down the station to film!
Westminster Bridge is nothing special, but the views you get scream “Classic London”.
You get the London Eye across the river and the newly renovated Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben as soon as you walk out of the station.
For an extra special view, walk across the river and turn right down the stairs as soon as you get across. You’ll find a hidden archway that frames the tower and parliament perfectly.
Westminster Abbey
Closest Underground: Westminster
Official Website: Westminster Abbey
I’m pretty sure everyone has heard of Westminster Abbey. That big famous church where William and Kate married, the Queen held her coronation (along with all the kings and queens since the 11th century), the burial place of multiple kings and queens, and so much more!
If you want the best view of the nave, visit the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries. It’s an extra £4.50 per ticket and you need to purchase them at the same time as your regular admission ticket.
Don’t forget to check out the famous Poet’s Corner, where Charles Dickens, Rudyard Kipling, and many more writers are buried. There are also memorials to Shakespeare, the Bronte Sisters, and Jane Austen… just a memorial, this is not their final resting place.
Where to Eat and Drink
If you’re only spending one day in London, I wouldn’t get too crazy about where you eat.
I recommend grabbing lunch at the first pub you see, you might be surprised.
If you want to splurge *and I mean splurge* on dinner (depending on how much time you have left after your Westminster Abbey visit), my top picks are Sketch, Sessions Arts Club, or 14 Hills.
For cheap eats, head to Koya Soho!
If you want great cocktails, make a reservation at Cahoots and then grab something to eat in Kingly Court or experience one of the Mr. Fogg’s around town (I like the Secret Garden and House of Botanicals).
Are you planning a trip to London? What are you planning on doing during your trip? Let me know in the comments below!
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