Packing for London can be a little tricky.
It really does depend on a number of things; such as …
What time of year will you be visiting?
What are you planning to do?
How are you arriving?
And a whole lot more!
Well, having visited London for years (and then also lived here!) I like to think I know this city pretty well.
And can help advise someone packing for a trip to London at any time of the year.
So below I want to do exactly this. Breaking things down into helpful bitesize chunks.
And I’ve also included a bunch of the tourist packing pitfalls I see every day in London!
Let’s get started …
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If you are wondering when the best time to visit London is, most people will say in the spring and summer. I'm not going to promise it won't rain, but you’re less likely to need your umbrella if you visit between April and September.
Many people associate England with cold weather but it does get really hot in summer, especially in recent years. The UK still isn't built for hot weather so the lack of air conditioning can mean the heat feels way more extreme than in other countries.
On average, the temperature in London in spring and summer sits between 20-25 degrees celsius but it has gotten above 30 in the summer the past few years.
If you are planning on visiting London in the spring or summer, light layers that you can easily take off are going to be the best option.
The days are usually hot enough that you can comfortably wear a t-shirt and shorts but a shirt or jumper will likely be needed for the evenings as it can get chilly.
Even in summer, I really wouldn't recommend wearing sandals or flip flops, especially if you're planning on getting around London by taking public transport.
It's a busy city and not always the cleanest so shoes or trainers will be your best bet.
Autumn and winter in London are my favourite times of year! I love the autumn colours and the festivities that come with the colder months. That being said though, the weather isn't the best.
The temperature in winter averages between 5 and 9 degrees but it is not uncommon for the temperature to hit zero.
While it gets really cold in England, heavy snow is quite rare, especially in London.
A warm waterproof jacket is a MUST, especially in winter and boots are also a great idea as they will keep your feet dryer if you do get caught in the rain or one of London's impressive puddles.
Unless you are going for a walk in one of London's beautiful parks, you don’t necessarily need a hat and gloves as the city is quite built up so it doesn't get too windy.
When deciding on which type of bag to take for London, it will really depend on what you plan on doing there and how long you are going for!
Your two main options are a large backpack and a roll-on suitcase.
If you are planning on exploring some more places in the UK after London, or exploring some of Europe’s best places, a larger backpack should be your go-to.
Due to the weather, you are going to need a larger backpack to hold all your thicker layers. I would opt for a 60-75 litre bag to ensure you have enough space.
I personally always opt for an Osprey bag for my travels as they are great quality, comfortable to carry and come in a range of colours and sizes.
Here are two recommendations for a backpack for London.\
If you are planning on travelling some more of Europe after London, check out this Europe packing guide!
If you are only visiting London, rather than other cities and countries in Europe, roll-on luggage is a great option. I love my backpack but if I was going on a city break in London, I personally would take a suitcase as you will find it a lot easier to travel with on public transport.
I might be slightly biased though as I have been pushed over one too many times on the tube by people wearing large backpacks!
Paired with packing cubes, taking a suitcase allows you to keep your clothing and items a bit more neat and organised.
London is a fashion capital so if you want to turn up in style, check out our guide on luxury luggage options.
No matter what type of trip you are going on, you will need a day bag for your time in London. You need one big enough to carry everything you need but not so big that it's going to be annoying.
There are three main choices that are a good option for a day bag in London.
A small backpack is a perfect option for day to day use in London, especially in winter.
If you are looking to take some photos, it will be able to hold any equipment you need as well as an extra layer in case it gets colder. Check out our post on camera backpacks if you are planning on taking your camera with you.
I would recommend putting a padlock on your backpack if you are walking around the city or taking the tube just for added security for your valuables.
If you are looking for a more heavy-duty backpack for your trip this Osprey backpack is a great option. However, if you are looking for more of a casual backpack, opt for this smaller one.
If you aren't worried about carrying equipment and don't have too much to carry around with you, I would opt for a cross body type bag that can just hold essentials.
Cross body bags are a bit more secure than a handbag and don't require your hands to hold.
There are so many options out there for crossbody bags but something like this Amazon bag would be perfect for day-to-day exploring, you can even fit a small umbrella inside!
I personally always opt for a tote bag for my day-to-day exploring in London.
It is big enough to fit anything I would need in the day but doesn't feel too bulky to take on transport and around attractions.
It isn't the most secure option so if you are taking valuables about with you, pick a tote bag with a zip. They also aren't waterproof so if it’s forecasted for rain, a backpack might be a better option.
All types of bags have pros and cons, ultimately you need to pick a bag that suits your travel style and the type of trip you are on.
If you are backpacking all around Europe, taking a backpack to London will be fine and you might even appreciate it when you see the number of steps at some of the tube stations!
However, if you are just heading for a London weekend city break, a carry-on sized suitcase will work perfectly. That way you will save on baggage if you are flying and keep your clothes a bit nicer for your trip.
Here's a breakdown of the travel necessities for London you should take with you for your trip. I have broken it down into categories so feel free to jump ahead to whatever you are interested in.
Typically anything from a tracksuit to a business suit is commonly worn by men in London. Smart but casual is probably the best way to go but aim for comfort as you will likely be doing a lot of walking.
If you are planning on going for nice dinners or hitting up a few of London’s nightclubs, you will need smarter shoes and a nicer shirt or t-shirt but jeans are usually fine, unless you're going fancy fancy!
Again for women, London is a mixed bag fashion-wise. Typical European attire usually goes well, so think smart casual with neutral colours.
Tourists tend to stick out like a sore thumb when they go for bright patterned leisure wear. Having said that, fashion is completely subjective so wear what you feel comfortable in!
If you are backpacking in the UK, most hostels will have laundry facilities so you won't struggle to find a place to wash your clothes.
Nicer hotels will likely have a laundry service where you can pay to have your washing done and returned to you but this will probably be quite expensive.
If you are on a budget, there are some laundrettes scattered around London, just check on maps or ask in your accommodation where the nearest laundry facility is. These are usually not as expensive and will have detergent either built-in or that you can buy.
It is also more common now to find online laundry services like Laundryheap that will pick up and drop off your laundry from your accommodation within 24 hours. I haven't tried it personally but it can be a good option if you have a busy schedule and don't have the time to do your only laundry.
I personally don't travel anywhere without a first aid kit, it has saved me more times than I care to remember! While you won't struggle to find any of these items in London, it is always handy to have a mini first aid kit to hand in case.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you might need extra supplies, there are heaps of pharmacies around. Also unlike in some other countries, you can buy some basic painkillers and other tablets in everyday supermarkets like Tesco, which are on pretty much every other street.
This mini first aid kit is ideal for your trip to London, it has lots of items you might need and is small enough to fit in your day bag.
If you don’t yet own a travel first aid kit, then here’s a good option to buy.
It contains the majority of what you need and you can then just add in any other items you want to take with you.
Plus, it’s small enough to tuck away in your backpack and not take up much space.
Toiletries are relatively cheap in London so don't worry if you do forget anything.
Drugstores like Boots and Superdrug are great places to find some affordable toiletries.
For higher-end makeup and toiletries, you can go to department stores like Selfridges or head to Covent Gardens.
Here are some essentials you might want to pack with you.
London is notoriously an expensive city to visit and things like accommodation, attractions, eating out and buying alcohol will set you back a lot. There are ways to save money and lots of free things to do in London but it is unfortunately not a cheap place to visit.
That's why it is important to choose a bank that is going to save you in fees as much as possible.
London is pretty much a cashless city and you are unlikely to need cash anywhere, even the buskers on the underground take card payment!
If you do need cash, there are cash points on practically every street. Most are free unless you go for a temporary cash point. These include places like tube stations and inside corner shops which sometimes charge around £2 to withdraw money.
Ideally, you want a travel card that has the best exchange rates possible with minimal withdrawal fees.
I always take at least 2 cards when I travel so if anything happens I have a backup. It is best to keep one in your main bag and one in your day bag. That way if you lose one of your bags, you won't be completely stuck.
I predominantly use Revolut and Monzo when I travel and for day-to-day use in London.
They are really handy as they are compatible with apple pay and are contactless cards, perfect for getting around London on public transport.
I have never had any issues with them and they have the best options for using overseas. To find out whether these cards will suit your needs check out this post on Revolut vs Monzo for a more in-depth guide.
I don't have any personal favourites as I use my Monzo and Revolut cards everywhere! But all of the banks dotted around London are reputable and have cash points.
Now that the essentials are out the way we can go over some of the tech stuff you might need for your trip. Phones have great cameras nowadays but if you are a content creator or want to take some more professional quality photos during your trip, you might want to bring a better camera.
I don't personally have a DSLR camera but I regularly see people around London with these types getting some amazing shots, especially of the skyline from some of London’s bridges.
Cazzy and Bradley use the Sony A7iii and absolutely love it! A DSLR is a great beginner option if you are just starting out in photography and want to up your photo taking game!
If vlogging is your thing, a handheld video camera is a great option. It's a lot more compact than a DSLR and also has better sound quality and picture than your regular iPhone video.
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is a great option but for a rundown of the best ones you can check out this guide on the best cameras for blogging.
Unless you are planning on climbing up the O2 (which you definitely should), you might not have much use for an action camera in London. However, if you are planning on exploring more of the UK and Europe, an action camera might come in handy.
If you are in the market for an underwater or action camera, give this post on the best GoPro alternatives a read.
For those extra impressive shots of London, you might want to buy a drone for your trip. As long as you have a CAA drone license and follow the UK’s drone laws (check out this article for a breakdown) it is perfectly legal to fly a drone in London.
The DJI mini 2 is currently the best on the market for taking to London. It is below 250g, meaning you don't have to register it with the CAA. It takes amazing quality footage and is fantastic value for money.
Check out this more detailed guide on the best travel drones to be sure to find the best one for you.
So that's everything you should take to London, now to go through things you shouldn't!
I can not stress enough how much you will appreciate wearing comfy shoes! I still make the mistake of fancying myself walking around London in heels and trust me I regret it every time.
Londons is both a walkable and commutable city and you should experience it on foot as much as possible. Even if you opt for taking tubes, there are a heck of a lot of stairs!
London is prone to random showers and being a busy city, you will have to fight your way to get undercover! Always try to have a waterproof jacket or umbrella handy to be prepared for the unpredictable British weather.
For a little extra tip… pack a couple of carrier bags in your suitcase. If you do get caught in a shower, the last thing you are going to want to do is to put your damp clothes straight into your bag!
While London is a pretty safe city for tourists to visit, pickpocketing isn't uncommon. Try not to keep any valuables in the outer pockets of your bags and never walk around with your phone in your back pocket if you hope to see it again.
If you want to be extra safe, check out these anti-theft backpacks.
Budget airlines in Europe are notoriously tight when it comes to their baggage policies. Usually, you are only allowed your main bag and an extra bag small enough to fit under the seat in front.
There are some sneaky ways to get around this, including wearing every item of clothing possible!
Also when flying out of the UK, they are very strict with liquids in your carry-on bag. Unlike most countries where you can take on any clear bag filled with liquids, in the UK they provide you with one small plastic liquids bag per person. I have made this mistake way too many times and having to bin a £35 bottle of foundation takes some time getting over!
Unless you are on a particularly high budget, it is likely you will be taking public transport and doing a lot of walking! Try to pack both your suitcase and day bag as light as possible so you aren't being weighed down during your trip - and it leaves room for shopping!
Hopefully, this ultimate packing guide for London will help you be prepared for your trip and ensure you don't forget anything you might need!
Pack for all weather and I'm sure you will have the best time in London!
If you need help planning the rest of your London adventure, here are some other guides you might find useful:
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