8-Day London Itinerary for City Experiences

• Day 1: Visit the iconic Big Ben and Houses of Parliament and cross the Westminster Bridge. Explore the National Gallery to see some of the most famous paintings in the world, like Van Gogh's Sunflowers or Botticelli's Venus and Mars.
• Day 2: Start the day by visiting Tower Bridge and Tower of London, the iconic landmarks of the city. Take a stroll around St. Katharine Docks, and stop to eat at the famous Duck & Waffle restaurant, with its 24/7 experience.
• Day 3: Visit the famous Buckingham Palace and watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Afterwards, head to the British Museum and see the famous Rosetta Stone and Parthenon Sculptures.
• Day 4: Take a walk in Hyde Park and visit the Victoria and Albert Museum to see some of the world's best art and design exhibits. Take some time to shop in Harrods, the luxurious London department store.
• Day 5: Visit West End, London's famed entertainment district, and watch a world-class show in one of the theaters. Later, visit Piccadilly Circus and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.
• Day 6: Visit the Tate Modern and see the most extensive modern art collection in the world, including works by Warhol and Lichtenstein. Later on, cross the Millennium Bridge and walk around Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
• Day 7: Take a trip to Abbey Road Studios to snap a picture on the famous crosswalk or take a picture with the Beatles statue. Afterwards, visit the Coca-Cola London Eye for unparalleled views of the city.
• Day 8: Visit the Natural History Museum, filled with fantastic exhibits like the Blue Whale and meet mother nature's finest specimens. Take a break in Leadenhall Market, a stunning shopping area, before heading back home.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Big Ben and Houses of Parliament (1 hour, free)
• National Gallery (2-3 hours, free)
• Tower Bridge and Tower of London (2-3 hours, $32 for adults)
• St. Katharine Docks (1 hour, free), Duck & Waffle (2 hours, average cost $50 per person)
• Buckingham Palace (1-2 hours, free), Changing of the Guard ceremony (45 minutes, free)
• British Museum (2-3 hours, free)
• Hyde Park (1-2 hours, free), Victoria and Albert Museum (2-3 hours, free), Harrods (1-2 hours, varies)
• West End show (2-3 hours, varies), Piccadilly Circus (1 hour, free)
• Tate Modern (2-3 hours, free), Millennium Bridge (15 minutes, free), Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (1.5 hours, varies)
• Abbey Road Studios (30 minutes, free), Coca-Cola London Eye (1 hour, $32 for adults)
• Natural History Museum (2-3 hours, free), Leadenhall Market (1 hour, free)
Total Estimated Costs: $114+

Transportation

London has an extensive public transportation system to reach every nook and cranny of the city. Visitors can use the Tube, which is cheaper than taxis but quite crowded. There are also rideshares such as Uber and Lyft, which offer expedience but can be expensive during peak hours. An Oyster Card is a great way to save costs on transportation if you plan to use the public transit system regularly.

Costs:

• Oyster Card: ~$7-$50 depending on usage
• Tube: $3.30-5 depending on distance
• Rideshare: $10-$20+ depending on distance and time

Useful Tips

If you have more days, add some museums or galleries, visit some famous neighborhoods like Camden or Greenwich, or indulge in some of the famous street art tours. If you have less time, cut down visiting some of the museums mentioned or combine two nearby locations on the same day.

Airports

London is served by six airports, including Heathrow (LHR), the largest airport in the city and located 17 miles west of London. Gatwick Airport (LGW) is the second biggest London airport, situated in West Sussex, 28 miles south of London. London City Airport (LCY) is located within the city, providing the fastest connection to central London.