A long weekend in London sounds like it shouldn’t be enough, and technically it isn’t — but it’s more than most people think, if you stop trying to see everything and instead decide what actually matters to you. UK is the country of immense beauty, cold beaches, gorgeous cliffs & Scottish isles. You will not be disappointed if you combine London and Edinburgh on a single trip to the UK.
So here’s my honest long weekend in London itinerary — three days in London, built for Indian travellers who are working around leave constraints, not a six-week Europe trip, and want to come home feeling like they actually saw the city rather than just photographed it.
If you’re planning a trip to the UK and spending a long weekend in London, here’s everything I’d want to know before I went — a full itinerary, the best places to visit, where to stay, and a few tips specifically for Indian travellers travelling to the UK for the first time.
London at a Glance
- Ideal trip length: A long weekend in London (3 days) covers the essentials comfortably; 4–5 days if you want to breathe and add a proper day trip to London suburbs.
- Best time to visit: May to September for longer days and milder weather; December for the Christmas markets if you can handle the cold and the crowds
- Visa for Indians: UK Standard Visitor Visa required — full guide coming soon.
- Currency: British Pound (GBP); 1 GBP ≈ ₹107 approximately
- Getting there from Delhi: Direct flights on Air India, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways — roughly 9 hours; Finnair Airlines via Helsinki Airport is a good connecting option if you’re continuing to Edinburgh
- Getting around: The Tube (London Underground) is your best friend for the whole weekend — buy an Oyster card at the airport or use contactless; don’t bother with cabs unless it’s late at night and you’re splitting it. Cabs are insanely expensive in the UK overall, unless you want your budget to shoot for the stars, I’d say please commute via tube/bus.
How to Reach London from India
London Heathrow (LHR) is the main entry point for most Indian travellers, with direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Air India, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic all fly direct from Delhi — around 9 hours. If you’re flexible on routing, Finnair via Helsinki and Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha Airport are reliable connecting options.
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth Line (formerly Crossrail) now makes getting into central London significantly faster and cheaper than it used to be — about 30–40 minutes to central stations like Paddington or Bond Street. Pick up an Oyster card at the airport or just tap your contactless bank card directly on the readers — you’ll be using it constantly over the long weekend in London, so set it up on arrival and forget about it.
Visa note for Indians: You’ll need a UK Standard Visitor Visa — apply online well in advance, especially for summer travel when processing volumes are high. I’ve covered the process in my UK travel tips for Indians post.
Getting Around: The Tube (similar to Delhi’s metro train)
For a long weekend in London, the Tube is genuinely the only transport decision you need to make. Tap in and out with a contactless card or an Oyster card — there’s no need to buy paper tickets or figure out zones in advance, the system caps your daily spend automatically. In London the Citymapper app is more reliable than Google maps for real time updates on the train routes/platform changes; Download the Citymapper app before you land and it will save you more walking than you’d expect, sometimes I wish it worked for Delhi too.
A few practical notes:
- Avoid the Tube during weekday rush hour (8–9:30am and 5–6:30pm), similar to Delhi metro and Mumbai local – it is suffocatingly crowded.
- Make sure to stand on the right on escalators, left side is for people who don’t want to wait for slow elevators.
- Don’t be afraid to walk between two nearby stations instead of taking a train one stop — it’s often just as fast – although it can be a bit tricky with luggage.
Doing London AND Edinburgh on the same trip? This is one of the most common ways Indian travellers actually do the UK — London for the city and food, Edinburgh for the history and the Highlands, on a single visa and a single set of flights. If that’s your plan, here’s how I’d split the days: use this long weekend in London itinerary for the first three days, then take an early flight or the train up to Edinburgh (flights are under 90 minutes; the train is closer to 4.5 hours but far more scenic) and give Edinburgh itself 2–3 days minimum, since the Old Town and a day trip to the Highlands both deserve real time. I’ve written the full breakdown in my Edinburgh itinerary post.
Long Weekend in London – 3 day itinerary
Day 1: Westminster, Buckingham Palace & an Evening in Covent Garden
Start where London is what you have seen in Bollywood movies & shows. Walk across Westminster Bridge early in the morning and visit in the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben from the south side of the Thames. The light in the morning is better for photos anyway, and you won’t be elbowing anyone for space.
Cross into St. James’s Park for a slow walk through to Buckingham Palace. Even without the Changing of the Guard, the palace and the park around me it are worth the detour — the view down The Mall with the palace at the end of it is one of London’s genuinely grand moments.
If the Changing of the Guard is happening (check times in advance, it’s not daily year-round), it’s worth watching once, but don’t build your entire morning around it; arrive, see it, move on.
From there, walk up through Trafalgar Square and into The National Gallery — entry is free, and even an hour here is worth it. Don’t try to see everything; pick two or three rooms and actually look at them.
Lunch on Day 1: Dishoom Covent Garden. If you haven’t been, go. Modern Indian food done properly in a beautiful space — the black dal alone justifies a 20-minute queue. Book ahead if you can; it fills up fast. You can also try Wagamama if you to want to eat something like Londoners do, my partner took me here, he’s practically British now, ever since living here for last 15years.
Afternoon: walk the South Bank along the Thames — the Tate Modern, the Millennium Bridge, views of St. Paul’s Cathedral across the water. The Tate Modern is one of the best free museums anywhere, housed in a former power station that’s worth seeing for the building alone — you don’t need to be an art person to enjoy wandering the turbine hall and a floor or two of the permanent collection. This whole stretch of the South Bank is one of the best walks in London and it costs nothing.
End the day in Covent Garden — the market, the street performers, dinner at whatever catches your eye. The area around Neal’s Yard and the Seven Dials is worth a wander too if you still have energy.
Day 2: Tower of London, Borough Market & an Afternoon in a Neighbourhood
Start Day 2 at Tower Bridge and the Tower of London — arrive when it opens at 9am to beat the crowds. Budget at least two hours for the Tower; the Crown Jewels queue moves faster than you’d expect and the Yeoman Warder tours are genuinely entertaining.
From Tower Bridge, walk along the Thames to Borough Market for lunch — one of the best food markets in the world, no exaggeration. Go hungry and graze. The cheese counter alone is worth the detour.
Afternoon is where you make a choice based on what kind of traveller you are:
If you want culture: Spend the afternoon in South Kensington — the Natural History Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum are both free and genuinely world-class. You can’t do both justice in an afternoon, so pick one.
If you want to walk a neighbourhood: Go to Notting Hill — the pastel houses, Portobello Road Market (if it’s Saturday), and the general vibe of it. Or Shoreditch for street art, coffee, and the kind of independent shops that don’t exist anywhere else. Both are worth an afternoon of wandering with no particular agenda.
If you want a viewpoint: The Sky Garden on the 35th floor of the Walkie Talkie building is free — but you must book in advance online. Spectacular views of the city, no entry fee, and far less crowded than the London Eye.
Evening: a West End show if it’s a weekend. Book in advance on the official theatre sites or check for last-minute TKTS deals at the booth in Leicester Square — you can often get good seats at half price on the day.
Day 3: Greenwich by Boat, Then Baker Street & Regent’s Park
This is the day that turns a two-day trip into a proper long weekend in London, and it’s my favourite of the three.
Start with the Tube or DLR to Greenwich — give yourself the morning here. Walk up through Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory and stand on the Prime Meridian line, then wander down to the Cutty Sark and browse Greenwich Market, which is smaller and much less touristy than Borough or Camden. It feels like a different city entirely, and most visitors on a short trip skip it — which is exactly why it’s worth the detour.
For lunch, eat in Greenwich itself rather than rushing back — the market has good food stalls, or there are several solid pubs along the river.
In the early afternoon, take the Uber Boat from Greenwich back to central London — this is genuinely one of the best things you can do in the city and most first-time visitors don’t even know it exists. It runs on the same Oyster/contactless system as the Tube, so there’s no separate ticket to sort out, and it gives you nearly 45 minutes of Thames views — the O2 Arena, Canary Wharf’s skyline, the Tower of London, and the Shard all sliding past — for the price of a normal fare.
Get off at Westminster or the London Eye pier depending on where you’re headed next. It’s a far better way to see the river than any paid river cruise.
As a big fan of Sherlock Holmes series, I recommend spending the afternoon at 221B Baker Street — the Sherlock Holmes Museum, if you or anyone you’re travelling with has any affection for the stories, is a quick, charming stop, and the street itself.
After the museum, you can also walk nearby to Regent’s Park, and if the weather holds, enjoy a picnic here. There is a gorgeous canal where you can opt for a boat ride here which also has live music. My partner’s office was nearby, so we took a stroll here, and it felt wonderful to be able to walk here despite the cold weather.
It’s an easy Tube ride from most central points, so it slots in well as a final stop before heading to dinner or the airport.
Where to Stay in London
I stayed in Wembley Park – IBIS London, I have stayed with IBIS hotel chains multiple times and loved it every time during my trips to Zurich and Chennai, different parts of the world and yet IBIS doesn’t disappoint.
London hotels are expensive, and where you stay makes a real difference to how much you spend on transport over a long weekend in London.
Budget: Zone 2 areas like Bethnal Green, Brixton, or Hackney — all well-connected by Tube, noticeably cheaper than Zone 1, and increasingly interesting neighbourhoods in their own right. If you’re watching the budget, this is where to look. Best Western London Highbury – located very close the Tube – between Manor House and Finsbury Park Station – if I am on a budget and don’t want to spend on cabs, this is what I would pick. Another highly rated option is IBIS London Earls Court – known for its excellent breakfast options and close proximity to tube/bus stations.
Mid-range: South Bank or King’s Cross area — central enough to walk to a lot of Day 1’s itinerary, good transport links, and mid-range hotels with more space than you’d get in Covent Garden for the same price. I would recommend Tavistock Hotel and Crestfield Hotel in beautiful Canden locality – both highly rated and loved by tourists. Typical London style hotels, you’d definitely not miss staying here during your long weekend in London.
Splurge: Stay in Covent Garden or Soho proper — you pay for the location but you walk everywhere and save on Tube fares. If it’s a special trip, worth the upgrade. If you would like to stay near Westminster, I would recommend Best Western Plus Delmere Hotel, a whooping 8.5 rating on Booking.com, beautiful exteriors, clean room and bang on location. If you like to splurge a little, try Holiday Inn London near to Regent Park, clean comfortable rooms, location perfect, and true value for money.
Where to Eat in London (For Indian/Vegan Travellers)
London’s food scene is genuinely one of the best in the world — and Indian food specifically is exceptional here in a way that often surprises first-timers.
Dishoom (multiple locations — Covent Garden, King’s Cross, Shoreditch) is the one I’d send anyone to first. The Bombay café concept, beautifully done, and the food is consistently brilliant. Book ahead.
Borough Market for lunch on Day 2, and Greenwich Market for Day 3 — graze your way through both. Don’t go with a plan, just wander. Walking in London is truly the best way to discover things & places.
For a quick, affordable meal, London has excellent Middle Eastern and South Asian options around Edgware Road and Brick Lane (though Brick Lane has become slightly touristy — still worth a look).
Vegetarians will find London easy — Mildreds in Soho is a long-standing vegetarian institution, and most areas have good options. Don’t worry about this.
Tips for a Long Weekend in London
- Book popular attractions online in advance — Tower of London, Sky Garden, the Shard, and the Sherlock Holmes Museum all require booking and often sell out, especially in summer
- The Tube covers almost everything you need — walking between nearby stops is often just as quick and saves money; download Citymapper for the most accurate navigation
- The Uber Boat runs on the same contactless system as the Tube, so build it into your day without worrying about a separate ticket
- London is expensive — budget at least £80–100/day per person for accommodation, food, and a couple of paid activities, more if you’re doing theatre or the Sky Garden
- Museums are largely free — the British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A, Tate Modern, National Gallery are all free entry and world-class. Build your itinerary around these and spend your budget on food and experiences instead. Museums are truly wonderful here.
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable even in summer — a light waterproof jacket is non-negotiable, not optional
- Three days is enough to add Greenwich without feeling rushed — if you’re short on time and have to cut something, cut Baker Street before you cut Greenwich
Long Weekend in London — FAQs
Is a long weekend enough for London? Three days is enough to see the main highlights without rushing, if you pick a focus each day and don’t try to do everything. Use Day 1 for Westminster and Buckingham Palace, Day 2 for the Tower and Borough Market, and Day 3 for Greenwich and the Uber Boat ride back — and you’ll leave feeling like you actually experienced the city, not just photographed it.
What is the best time to visit London from India? May to September for the best weather and longest daylight. June is a sweet spot — quieter than July–August, still warm, and you get up to 16 hours of daylight which makes a long weekend go much further. I went in March, it was chilly there.
Is London safe for solo women travellers? Yes — London is one of the most walkable, well-policed and transit-connected cities in Europe. Standard city precautions apply, but I’ve never felt unsafe here, including late evenings.
How is crime in London, esp. phone snatching incidents? Yes, such incidents are on a rise in London, best be on high alert here, don’t be distracted by London’s beauty. You might loose your phone easily.
How much does a long weekend in London cost from India? Return flights from Delhi typically run ₹40,000–55,000 booked a few months in advance. Budget roughly ₹8,000–12,000/day in London for accommodation, food, and activities — so a 3-day London trip (excluding flights and visa) lands around ₹30,000–35,000 per person at a mid-range level.
Do I need a visa to visit London from India? Yes — UK Standard Visitor Visa, applied online. Processing typically takes 15 working days; apply at least 4–6 weeks before travel, more in summer. Full details in my UK travel guide for Indians.
ARE YOU PLANNING TO TRAVEL TO LONDON? WHAT ARE THE PLACES YOU’D LIKE TO SEE ON MY LONG WEEKEND IN LONDON – A 3 DAY ITINERARY? TELL ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
Also, make sure to follow along on my Instagram account for the latest updates and adventures.
Subscribe to TWC’s newsletter – Promise, no spam! – and get your free PDF of mini travel guide for your upcoming London trip!
MY FAVORITE POSTS –
HERE ARE SOME OF MY BEST TRAVEL TIPS
How to Save Money for Travel even with Debt
How To Choose a Camping Site in a Forest
Tips for the First Trip to Paris
THESE ARE MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE POSTS
Taj Mahal – The Mausoleum for the iconic love story
Follow me on Pinterest for more ideas and inspiration!
Found this post on Singapore 4-Day itinerary helpful? Pin for reading again later!
– Shivani
Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Disclaimer – This article has affiliate links. If you click and buy via one of them, it will not add anything to the price of the item. And I’ll receive a small commission to keep the blog running.
[Combine London + Edinburgh suggestion: Add a callout box — “Doing London AND Edinburgh on the same trip? Here’s how I’d split the days” — linking to the Edinburgh itinerary post. This is a very common search pattern for Indians planning a UK trip and almost no India-focused blogs answer it directly.]
One thought