15-Day Shoestring Budget London Itinerary

  • Day 1: Tower of London and Tower Bridge
    Estimated Time: 2-3 hours (2 miles)

    Start your trip by visiting the world-famous Tower of London and the nearby Tower Bridge. Explore the history of the tower and discover its ancient and medieval architecture. Catch a glimpse of the famous crown jewels and take a stroll on one of the most recognizable landmarks in London, the Tower Bridge.

  • Day 2: British Museum and Piccadilly Circus
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (3 miles)

    Spend the day and explore the vast collection of artifacts and exhibits at the British Museum. Afterward, head to the vibrant and busiest streets of London at Piccadilly Circus. Take a walk around Leicester Square and Covent Garden for some shopping and entertaining street performances.

  • Day 3: Kensington Palace and Notting Hill
    Estimated Time: 3-4 hours (2 miles)

    Discover the Royal Family's history with a visit to the Kensington Palace. Walk through the charming palace gardens and experience the grandeur of the State Rooms. Afterwards, head to the colorful and picturesque Notting Hill neighborhood, famous for its unique architecture and the world-renowned Notting Hill Carnival.

  • Day 4: National Gallery and Trafalgar Square
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (2.6 miles)

    Visit the National Gallery and get captivated by more than 2,000 paintings from different artists around the world. Afterward, head to the iconic Trafalgar Square and experience the vibrant atmosphere of London's street performers, entertainers, and events.

  • Day 5: Greenwich Park and Greenwich Market
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (6 miles)

    Explore the massive Greenwich Park, which offers one of the best views of London's skyline from the Royal Observatory. Walk the lush green park and head down to the Greenwich Market for some souvenirs and mouth-watering street foods.

  • Day 6: Westminster Abbey and Houses of Parliament
    Estimated Time: 5-6 hours (2.1 miles)

    Learn about Britain's past monarchs and heroes with a visit to the world-famous Westminster Abbey, known for its stunning Gothic architecture and royal heritage. From there, walk to the nearby Houses of Parliament and see the iconic Big Ben clock tower.

  • Day 7: St. Paul's Cathedral and Millennium Bridge
    Estimated Time: 3-4 hours (2.3 miles)

    Visit the stunning St. Paul's Cathedral, a monument of faith, history, and architecture. You could climb up to the Golden Gallery for some of the most breathtaking scenes of the city skyline. Afterward, take a stroll on the nearby Millennium Bridge and soak in the eclectic vibes of the London culture.

  • Day 8: Camden Market and Regent's Park
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (4 miles)

    Discover the vibrant Camden Market, famous for its variety of eclectic shops, food markets and enjoy some fantastic street foods. Afterward, head to the unique and breathtaking Regent's Park, which offers a stunning tranquil oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.

  • Day 9: Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe
    Estimated Time: 5-6 hours (2.5 miles)

    Explore the unique and modern art collections at the Tate Modern, with its primary focus on contemporary art. From there, walk to the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, where you can catch a glimpse of the world of theater that gave birth to some of the most iconic plays by William Shakespeare.

  • Day 10: Borough Market and The Shard
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (2 miles)

    Experience one of the oldest and most loved food markets in London, the Borough Market, Featuring a variety of fresh produce, artisan foods, street foods, drinks, and desserts. Afterward, head to the nearby Shard, Britain's tallest building, and enjoy some stunning views of the city skyline from its magnificent observation deck.

  • Day 11: Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum
    Estimated Time: 5-6 hours (5 miles)

    Learn about the evolution of life, earth, and space at the Natural History Museum. From there, head to the nearby Victoria and Albert Museum, known for its one-of-a-kind collections of art and design, including fashion, photography, and sculpture.

  • Day 12: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (2.5 miles)

    Visit the stunning and massive Hyde Park, located in the heart of London. Walk through its stunningly manicured gardens, serpentine lake, and Kensington Gardens. The park also features several memorials, monuments, and recreational facilities to keep you entertained.

  • Day 13: Cutty Sark and Royal Observatory Greenwich
    Estimated Time: 5-6 hours (5 miles)

    Learn about the maritime history of London with a visit to the famous Cutty Sark sailing ship, located in Greenwich. After that, head to the Royal Observatory and experience the privilege of standing on the prime meridian, the line that defines the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth.

  • Day 14: Chinatown and Soho
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (2 miles)

    Experience the eclectic culture and food of London's famous Chinatown, home to a wide variety of traditional and modern Chinese restaurants, bakeries, and other shops. From there, head to the neighboring Soho, known for its vibrant nightlife, fashion, and entertainment with a backdrop of colorfully designed streets and alleyways.

  • Day 15: The British Library and Platform 9 ¾
    Estimated Time: 4-5 hours (2.6 miles)

    Visit the iconic British Library, one of the largest libraries in the world, holding more than 170 million items in its collection. Afterward, head to the King's Cross Station and take a photo with the legendary Platform 9 ¾ from the infamous Harry Potter series.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Tower of London (2-3 hours, £28)
  • British Museum (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Kensington Palace (3-4 hours, £17.50)
  • National Gallery (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Greenwich Park (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Westminster Abbey (5-6 hours, £23)
  • St. Paul's Cathedral (3-4 hours, £20)
  • Camden Market (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Tate Modern (5-6 hours, free entry)
  • Borough Market (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum (5-6 hours, free entry)
  • Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Cutty Sark (5-6 hours, £15.50)
  • Chinatown and Soho (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • British Library (4-5 hours, free entry)
  • Total Estimated Costs: £121.5

Transportation

London has one of the best transportation networks in the world, which includes various options such as the iconic London black cabs, buses, Tube, DLR, and the Overground. Travelers can opt for the Oyster card or the Contactless payment option for seamless travel experience. The costs for transportation vary depending on your chosen mode of travel and distance, but travelers can expect a single trip to cost around £2.40.

Useful Tips

If you have fewer days on your trip, consider trimming down the itinerary into shorter days. You can remove some points of interest or spend less time in certain places. On the other hand, if you have more time, you can add more locations to your itinerary such as the London Eye, the Science Museum, or the Tate Britain that features British artworks.

Airports

London has six international airports, but the most popular ones are London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). Both airports are in close proximity to the city center, and travelers can opt for several modes of transportation such as trains, buses, taxis, or private shuttles to reach their destination.

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