One of the most-visited cities in the world, London is a constantly changing landscape that just keeps getting better with every visit. One of the cultural capitals of the world, London has something for everyone — be it food, history, architecture, or theatre. To explore this stunning city, your best bet is to pick from the many different London tours.
Visit West End for live performances that rival Broadway, or sit back and enjoy a river tour along the magnificent Thames. Explore historical attractions and learn about the stories of this city and the monarchy. You can also head to Oxford Street or Notting Hill to shop till you drop, or head to one of the many verdant parks and gardens for some fresh air. And if you’re looking to take a trip back in time, head to one of the many museums London has to offer. Experience the best of the city through the best tours in London.
London sightseeing tours are a great way to discover the city and everything beyond, and include day trips, tours, and attractions. Here are some of the best sightseeing tours London has to offer:
Can't decide between guided or self-guided London tours? Here are some pointers to help you decide what suits you better:
London is unlike any other city you’ve ever seen. It’s vibrant, it’s cosmopolitan, it’s alive. A city that is a complete melting pot of cultures, London is where the past and present coexist. Be it the castles, the towers, or the churches; you will see the city holding on to its history. But at the same time, London remains a hotspot for all things fashion, food, and football, among others. Whether you decide to go to the theatre or experience a live football game, or spend some quite time in its museums or parks, London embraces you and gives you exactly what you are looking for.
To make the most of your visit, you need to take an organized London tour, because you will be able to:
Given the benefits of a guided tour, it is no wonder that people prefer to book guided tours when visiting a city like London, where there’s so much to do. As there are so many places to book London tours from, here are some of your best options:
While a London hop on hop off tour is your best bet to explore the city and cover all attractions at your own pace, guided walking tours are also a great way to discover the city. Being a tourist in London can get overwhelming, but walking tours, and even river cruise tours, will help you appreciate the beauty of this sprawling city.
While a guided tour may seem like a more expensive option, it is worth your money and time. An experienced guide will take you around the city and give you interesting facts and information about it, and answer any questions you may have. Additionally, transportation is usually taken care of, ensuring you have a hassle-free experience.
Some of the best tours in London include a Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour, London City tour, and the London at Night tour, which shows London in all its splendour.
Windsor, Stonehenge, and Bath are some popular day trip destinations from London. Find out more about day trips from London here.
Hop on Hop off tours are the best bus tours in London, as they give you the freedom to explore the city at your own leisure.
Yes, absolutely. London is a very pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city. Be it a group tour or an individual visit, it is safe.
As part of the London Harry Potter tour, you will get to see the real sets, costumes, and props used in the filming of the franchise. Some of the sets you will get to see include Dumbledore's Office, Gringotts Bank, Diagon Alley, Platform 9 and 3/4, and the Cupboard under the Stairs, amongst others.
When in London, you can typically take 1-2 hours to tour an attraction. Some attractions you can cover in 1-2 hours include London Eye, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Madame Tussauds, and Westminster Abbey. Please ensure you purchase skip the line or fast track tickets for attractions. Theatre fans can also spend time watching a show on West End.
To experience London on a budget, you can either head to free attractions such as Sky Garden (needs to be booked in advance), British Museum, Hyde Park, and Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. You can also look for cheap London attractions such as St. Paul’s Cathedral (£20), Tower of London Tickets with Crown Jewels (£25), Kensington Palace (£21.5), and Westminster To Greenwich River Thames Sightseeing Cruise (£13).
Some of the best London tours for couples include Tower of London and Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and The View from the Shard. You can also head to Hyde Park, Borough Market, Covent Garden, or Camden Market.
Day tours from London are usually done in significantly smaller groups, so you can opt for those. Or you can opt for a Hop on Hop off tour where you can manage social distancing and take your own time exploring all attractions.
Some of the best London tours for groups include city walking tours, food tours, river cruise tours, and Warner Bros. Studio tour.
Some kid-friendly attractions in London are KidZania, London Zoo, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio tour.
There is so much to see and experience in London, that it is almost impossible to pick the best. Some popular attractions include the Tower of London, London Eye, St. Paul's Cathedral, British Museum, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben.
A day in London can end up getting chaotic, unless you plan it out well. Here's an itinerary that you can use. In the morning, head to St. James Park, Buckingham Palace, and then Westminster Abbey. After lunch, you can head to the Big Ben, take a Thames River Cruise, and visit St. Paul's Cathedral. Post this, you can visit Tower of London and the Shard, and end the day after visiting Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Just ensure you purchase skip the line tickets so you get enough time at the attractions.
This depends solely on the sightseeing tour, but some popular attractions include St. Paul's Cathedral, London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Wembley Stadium, and Tower of London.
The London tube and bus system are both extensive networks that cover the entire city. You can get a Visitor Oyster card, which covers the bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail, River Bus, and most National Rail services.
That depends on which attractions you will be visiting. If you’re looking at a budget vacation, you may need £60 per day. For midrange spending, you’ll be looking at £150 per day. And for a luxury vacation in London, you may need approximately £420 per day.
There are many different options for London sightseeing tours. You can choose from Hop On Hop Off bus tours, walking tours, food tours, city tours, Harry Potter tours, ghost tours, helicopter tours, and bike tours.
London usually has mild and pleasant weather. That being said, it's always best to carry a light raincoat or umbrella in case of rain. During summer, ensure you carry sunglasses and sunscreen. In Winter, be sure to dress warm.
Train and coach services are an efficient and inexpensive way to get to your destination from London. You can also drive down to your destination, but keep in mind that in some places, parking can be really expensive.
Explore studio sets & attend the Triwizard event with round-trip hotel, train, or bus transfers.
Inclusions
Entry ticket to The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Entry to the Triwizard Tournament experience (May 15–Sept 8)
Round trip transfers to the studios either via coach, train, or hotel pick up (as per option selected)
Additional Paid Upgrades:
Round-trip coach transfers from Victoria Station, Baker's Street, King's Cross, or near the British Museum
Round-trip train transfers between Euston and Watford Junction Station [Get directions] and then a shuttle service to the Studios
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from central London
Guided tour of Warner Bros. Studio
English-speaking guide
Small group of 8 or fewer people
Opt for an exclusive look of the 19 lavish State Rooms for a glimpse into royal life.
Inclusions
Additional Paid Upgrades
You can cancel these tickets up to 36 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Enjoy big London sights with this family-friendly bus, and save big!
Inclusions
Hop-on hop-off bus tour
Yellow route
Feel the pulse of London’s iconic heart, zooming past Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Covent Garden in a lively, snapshot-packed loop.
Popular stops: London Eye, Buckingham Palace
Royal Blue route
Glide through regal grandeur of Kensington’s museums, Harrods and Buckingham Palace, winding past Hyde Park’s leafy paths to stylish Notting Hill’s pastel streets.
Popular stops: Parliament Street, Harrods
Green route
Offbeat cultural shuttle connecting literary Bloomsbury, British Museum and King’s Cross energy, looping through Covent Garden, Leicester Square and historic Aldwych arteries.
Popular stops: British Museum, Bedford Place
Thames River cruise
Tower Pier
Westminster Pier
First boat: 10am from Westminster Pier
Last boat: 7:20pm from Westminster Pier
Frequency: 40 mins
Duration: 30-40 minutes
Popular stops: London Eye & Tower Pier
Evening tour
Please click here for a detailed evening tour route map.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
See the city by road, river, and sky with this all-in-one combo that gives you access to top sights.
Inclusions London Eye
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Thames River Cruise
London hop-on hop-off tour
Please click here for detailed route maps and boarding points.
You can join a tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red Route
London Eye
After booking, you'll receive all the details to confirm your visit date and time. Just follow the instructions to secure your spot and download your entry pass.
Children under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by adults.
Children under the age of 2 years can go for free but require a ticket to enter.
Expect a wait time of up to 30 mins before your experience begins.
Guests with accessible needs are entitled to a free carer ticket with valid documentation.
This experience is accessible to wheelchair and pram/stroller users.
For guests with disabilities, please contact the venue to avail specific accommodations.
For your convenience, guide dogs are welcome to join you.
Your pets are not permitted on this experience.
Sharp metallic tools or objects, alcohol, drones, large suitcases, bags, or rucksacks, smoke bombs, fireworks, glass bottles, illegal substances, rollerblades, scooters, e-scooters, skateboards, tripods, motorcycle helmets, hot foods are not permitted on this experience.
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Require special accommodations for your wheelchairs? Rest assured, you can contact the service provider and they'll try to assist you.
Public transport and sightseeing buses can't stop right at Buckingham Palace, but there is a stop just a 5-min walk away.
Please note that the ticket validity begins upon boarding the bus.
Thames River Cruise
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Witness the iconic Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace.
Inclusions
Changing of the Guard Ceremony outside Buckingham Palace (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays)
Changing of the Horse Guard Ceremony (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday)
Expert English-speaking tour guide
Small group tour
Audio headsets
Additional Paid Upgrades
1.5-hour walking tour around Buckingham Palace
Entry to the Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Get premium seating, fewer crowds, and all the London must-sees on day/night tours.
Inclusions
Thames River cruise
From Tower Pier (starts near stop 16 & concludes at Waterloo Pier and Westminster Pier)
From Westminster Pier (starts near stop 18 & concludes at Tower Pier)
Evening tour
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Inclusions
Flexible one-way sightseeing cruise on the River Thames
Board and disembark from Westminster Pier, Waterloo Pier, Greenwich Pier, or Tower Pier
Arrive at any time on selected date, no pre-booking required
Live English commentary or recorded commentary in 14 languages
Best for: Packed sightseeing itineraries; no need to commit to an exact departure time
Additional Paid Upgrades:
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Explore Westminster, Big Ben & Buckingham Palace with a guide in a small-group tour setting!
Inclusions
Entry tickets to Westminster Abbey
Small group of max 15-20 people
Walking tour of the city of Westminster, including Big Ben
Additional Paid Upgrades
Skip-the-line entry to Westminster Abbey
Guided tour of Westminster Abbey
Changing of the Guards ceremony
Visit Big Ben
Licensed English, German, Spanish or French-speaking guide
Exclusions
Stop 1: Westminster Abbey
Stop 2: Palace of Westminster and Big Ben (entry not included)
Stop 3: Buckingham Palace (entry not included)
Perfect for those short on time, visit Stonehenge with round-trip transfers and an audio guide.
Inclusions
Half-day tour of Stonehenge
Round-trip AC coach transfers
Boarding from Victoria Coach Station
Audio guide in English, German, Spanish, French, Dutch, Italian, Ukrainian, Mandarin, Russian, Polish, Japanese, Korean, and Brazilian Portuguese
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Walk through real Harry Potter filming locations with an expert multilingual guide across the city.
Inclusions
2.5/3 hour Harry Potter guided walking tour (as per option selected)
Meeting point at Borough Market or Kings Cross (as per option selected)
Expert English, French, German, Italian or Spanish-speaking guide (as per option selected)
Underground tube ride from Blackfriars to Embankment (as per option selected)
Underground tube ride from Kings Cross to Leicester Square (as per option selected)
River Thames Uber boat cruise from the London Bridge Pier to the Embankment Pier (as per option selected)
Access to Platform 9 ¾ (as per option selected)
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
