24 Hours in London Itinerary

Serving almost 70 million people annually, London’s Heathrow airport is among the busiest in the world. If you haven’t already, you may one day find yourself with the opportunity to spend some time in this fantastic city, so don’t be stuck unprepared. Learn how to maximize an itinerary with 24 hours in London.

Table of Contents

How to plan 24 hours in London

Heathrow to the City

First things first, head straight from Heathrow to the city center by using the Heathrow Express. I recommends this mode of transportation because it’s the fastest way to get from the airport to the city, and drops you off conveniently at Paddington station.

Be warned the price for this train ticket is steep, fares can cost between £21-30 for a one-way pass.  You can also consider a shared transfer from Heathrow into the city.

Pick up a London Pass

As time is scarce on this layover, it is recommended to purchase the 24 hour London Pass which comes with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour ticket. This is the easiest and most convenient way to see the parts of London that interest you.  The London Pass gives you access to the popular Golden Tours, Gray Line Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.

National Gallery

One of the things you have to check out during your short stay are the many museums here to take in the history of the country. The National Gallery is home to national collections of Western Europe’s art ranging from the 13^th century to the 19^th, and with a suggested donation £5, the museum is financially accessible for visitors and tourists.

When you’re there, we recommend that you rent an audio tour to enable a better understanding of the art being viewed.

London Eye

If museums don’t interest you, then the London Eye is the next stop for anyone on a short layover in the city. As the fourth tallest structure in London, the view alone is unparalleled and will make for a wonderful photo op.

Tickets start at £27.50, and visitors get to enjoy a 30 minute rotation and view of the city.  However, it’s a good idea to buy advanced skip-the-line tickets for only £28.

Dinner Time

Enjoying London cuisine is essential during your layover! I’d highly recommend that you try traditional fish and chips at The Golden Chippy. If you’re feeling something a little more refined, the tea time in London is the way to go. Hotels such as the Marriott, or establishments such as Brown’s Hotel’s Tea-Tox are all great options that you should indulge in.

Shopping

For all things shopping, there’s no better place to head to than the always trendy Soho district. But don’t forget the other shopping staples, like Oxford Street or the famous department store, Harrods!