One of the most famous and iconic cities in the world, there are so many reasons to visit London with kids! From history to royalty, it’s a place their imaginations can run wild. The city can be large and cumbersome to get around though, so plan carefully with children and don’t try to squeeze too much into one day.
Best time to Visit London
As spectacular as London is to visit, it does have one big downfall and that’s its weather! When London turns on a sunny day it’s truly spectacular but there can be a lot of long grey cloud in between and winters can border on downright miserable!
- The most pleasant months to visit (but also the most crowded and expensive) are June through to September.
- Winter festivities pre-Christmas can be a great time to visit.
- Try visiting outside of European school holiday times to avoid the crowds.
Click here to read our full guide on the best time to visit London
How to get around London
London is a huge sprawling city that has grown over 2000 years, so it’s not surprising that it can be a bit of a monster to get around with kids! The great news though, is that it’s easy to incorporate “things that go” as part of your adventure, with some of the most unique and instantly recognisable public transport in the world.
- Get an Oyster card for everyone in your group over 11 (teen discounts apply).
- Make public transport part of your London experience: from tubes to trains, buses to boats and even a cable car, you’ll find it all in London!
- London has a fabulously complex transport network to keep the city moving, but when things go wrong, they can go completely wrong! Do factor any delays into your travel plans.
Click here to read our full guide to getting around London as well as our guide on how to get to/from London’s airports to the city centre
Where to stay in London with Kids
London is one of the most vibrant, historic and fascinating cities in the world to explore, yet also one of the most expensive for family accommodation. Rooms are generally much smaller than average (you will likely need two interconnecting rooms when travelling as a family in London) and the convenience of the inner city will cost you.
As London is a sprawling city, there are ways to find affordable accommodation for families not too far out of town – just check that you are close to public transport. Wifi may not be included in your room and you can pretty much forget any onsite parking. You can significantly save on hotels if travelling at off-peak times.
Click here to read our top picks of family hotels in London
Top things to do in London with Kids
The key to visiting London with young children is not to pack too much into one day. There are a lot of green spaces and parks dotted all over the city so it’s easy to mix busy sightseeing with fun and relaxation too. Try making public transport part of the experience, but avoid peak commuter times; public transport isn’t always family-friendly and you don’t want to get caught in the crowds.
We have put together here the perfect London family itinerary in 3 days, and you can also read our pick of the best things to do in London with kids
Don’t miss our interview with Katja Gaskell from Globetotting, a mum of three living in London sharing all her insider tips on how to best navigate London with kids on our City Travel with Kids Podcast.
What to pack for London with kids
London is a great walking city, so be sure to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes. If you are visiting with a baby or toddler, we recommend that you will need both a carrier and a stroller to ease getting around the city. Clothes-wise, your travel clothes for London will depend on what time of year you are visiting. The seasons in London are quite distinct, though be prepared for cold and rainy snaps even in summer.
Click here to read our full packing list for London.
Insider’s guide to the best things to do in London with kids when visiting the city as a tourist
