Things to Book in Advance in London (Based on Our Real Trip)
Planning a trip to London? You’re not alone — and if there’s one thing I wish I’d known before my first visit, it’s this: There are so many things to book in advance in London — and if you wait too long, you might miss out.
From tours that fill up weeks ahead to hotel rooms that vanish overnight, the London travel scene moves quickly. Whether you’re visiting during peak summer or the quieter shoulder season, knowing what to reserve ahead of time will save you stress, time, and often, money.
I recently visited London with my daughter. I’d been once before, years ago and in the winter, but my teen daughter had never been.
Because this time around was a pretty impromptu trip (due to trying to fit it in between some weird shifting work deadlines and her summer camp activities), we didn’t really have a chance to do the type of preplanning we like to do. And honestly, that created a lot of stress!
I wanted my daughter’s first trip to London to be epic (do the kids still say that??). But finding reservations at all of the experiences that would make it so and within the time we had was HARD on such short notice. And finding reasonably-priced hotels in the key areas was nearly impossible that close to our travel dates.
I don’t want that for you!
In this post, I’m walking you through everything you should book before you land in London including where to stay, what to see, and which experiences are worth reserving early.
I’m also sharing some of the exact experiences we did during our recent London trip, plus letting you know if those are worth your time and money.
Book Your Flights & Travel Insurance
✈️ Flights to London: How and When to Book for the Best Deals
Best Flight Finder Tool
We live near PHL (an American Airlines hub) and EWR (a United hub) airports, so I usually start my own flight searches with these two airlines in order to have the best options for accruing or using the miles from my mileage programs.
But, when those aren’t ideal for whatever reason – such as when flight cost, flight schedule/timing, or location options aren’t what I need them to be – I head straight over to Skyscanner.
Skyscanner is my go-to comprehensive tool for finding cheap flights fast across airlines. I can compare tons of airlines, set flexible date alerts, and even search “everywhere” when I feel spontaneous.
It’s saved me hundreds over the years and honestly makes trip planning kind of addictive!
For this most recent London trip, we flew United in order to use some travel credits from a failed Vienna itinerary…but that’s a story for another post! 💥😢
Best Time to Book Flights
When it comes to booking flights, you probably know that booking your flight early can save you hundreds. But did you also know that the specific timing and the tools you use to do your flight research matter?
Which is great because it means that even if you are book last-minute – like we were for our recent London trip – you can still find ways to get some savings!
Here’s what we usually do to get the best deals on airfare:
- Set alerts on aggregate sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights to track price drops.
- Fly midweek — Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically the cheapest days to depart.
- Be flexible with your travel dates if you can. Even shifting your trip by 1–2 days can result in big savings.
- Book 8–12 weeks in advance for economy fares, or even earlier if you’re traveling in summer or over holidays.
Airlines to Consider:
For me, I always start my flight search with the airlines where I am enrolled in loyalty programs. Accruing miles = free upgrades, free baggage fees, and free flights! So start there if it makes sense for you.
But if those don’t work for you, then take a look at these airlines that offer lots of international options for getting to London.
- British Airways – It often includes checked luggage and flies direct to Heathrow Airport. I’ve flown this airline many times, either going to London, or as a layover on the way to somewhere else. It’s a solid airline, with great service – I would recommend it.
- Virgin Atlantic – I’ve never flown this airline myself, but it has a great reputation. It’s a British airline known for quality food and service.
Flying budget airlines into budget airports can seem cheaper upfront, but always factor in the cost and time of getting into central London. More obscure airports will have fewer flight options per day and fewer options for getting to central London. Plus, a great deal isn’t so great if it adds 2+ hours to your arrival day.
🛡️ Travel Insurance: Why It’s a Must for International Trips
Travel insurance might not be the most exciting thing to plan — but it’s one of the most important. If you’re flying internationally, especially with prepaid hotels, tours, or flights, travel insurance helps protect that investment in case of an accident, a medical emergency, or other travel-related circumstances.
Here’s why I recommend travel insurance
I learned this the hard way years ago during a family trip to Jamaica. We were climbing Dunn’s River Falls — one of the most popular excursions — when my uncle slipped and seriously injured his leg. What we thought would be a quick patch-up turned into a multi-day hospital stay, complete with X-rays, medical care, and unexpected costs.
Thankfully, he had travel insurance!
His policy covered the hospital stay, provided emergency assistance, and helped us manage the changes to his travel plans. The rest of us had to adjust our itinerary, but knowing he was covered financially made a stressful situation far easier to navigate.
🌐 Since then, I’ve never taken an international trip without travel insurance — and if you’re planning a trip to London, I strongly recommend you don’t either.
Even in a relatively “safe” destination like the UK, unexpected things can happen: delayed flights, lost luggage, illness… or even something as simple as misjudging traffic when crossing the street.
London’s roads operate on the opposite side from the U.S., and I can’t count how many near-misses we had ourselves (or saw with other tourists) instinctively looking the wrong way.
The road crossings do tell you to look right or left which is helpful… if you actually remember to look down before crossing the street.
Honesty, all it takes is one misstep — and suddenly you’re navigating a foreign healthcare system. Not to mention if you decide to do something more adventurous like riding an e-bike or e-scooter.
The travel insurance I recommend first.
Booking your accommodations, tours, and tickets in advance is smart — but protecting those investments with travel insurance is smarter.
And when you’re looking for your own travel insurance plan, check whether it has:
- ✅ Trip cancellation or interruption (sickness, emergencies, etc.)
- ✅ Emergency medical care and evacuation
- ✅ Lost or delayed baggage
- ✅ Travel delays and missed connections
- ✅ 24/7 global support (so you’re never stranded)
Some credit cards do include basic travel insurance, but it’s often limited and may not include medical coverage. Always read the fine print — and when in doubt, get a standalone policy.
🌍 Why I Recommend WorldTrips Travel Insurance
If something goes wrong on your trip — a delayed flight, an unexpected accident or illness, or a last-minute cancellation — WorldTrips gives you peace of mind, not panic.
Their coverage means you won’t be stuck paying out of pocket if you need to see a doctor abroad, rebook a flight, or cut your trip short. You can enjoy your time in London without constantly wondering “What if?”
I especially love that their plans are simple to understand, quick to buy, and can be tailored for travelers at different budgets, so you can buy based on your actual needs.
🛡️ Looking for Travel Insurance You Can Trust?
I recommend WorldTrips — an easy-to-use platform that allows you to tailor a travel insurance plan for your budget and needs.
Whether you’re worried about flight cancellations, lost bags, or unexpected medical care abroad, it has options for every type of traveler.
💞 View coverage options and protect your hard-earned vacation HERE 💞
Book Your London Hotel Well in Advance
Timing Matters When Booking Your Hotel
When we were booking our most recent trip to London, we did what so many travelers do: we fell down the online research rabbit hole trying to figure out where to stay.
Because we ended up booking on short notice, it was surprisingly hard to find something with great reviews that wasn’t budget-breaking. Ultimately, we found an excellent option, but we did end up paying slightly more than we wanted to! 💸
But I do think if we had booked further in advance – like I’m encouraging you to do 👀 – we could’ve gotten a slightly better rate.
It was my daughter’s first time visiting, and with limited time in the city, we wanted to be near iconic landmarks so we could make the most of our days.
We ultimately chose a stunning hotel in the Victoria — The Clermont London, Victoria Hotel — and we absolutely loved it.
✅ You can read all about why we loved The Clermont London, Victoria and why I would recommend it for nearly everyone HERE.
So the key takeaway? Book Early!! If you’re traveling during summer, holidays, or spring break, try to book your hotel 6–8 weeks in advance. The most affordable, best-located hotels are often the first to go — especially in areas like Victoria, Covent Garden, and South Bank.
Booking early gives you more choices and better prices.
🗺️ Great Areas to Stay in London
Not sure Victoria is your vibe? Here are a few other fantastic areas worth considering, depending on your travel style:
South Bank – Amazing views, riverside walks, and close to major landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye.
Covent Garden – Ideal if you love theatre, great restaurants, and being in the heart of the action.
Notting Hill – Quaint, colorful, and quieter. Great for market browsing and that “storybook London” feel.
🔎 Find & Book A Great Central London Hotel Option Here!
Book Airport Transfers
Getting from Heathrow (or Gatwick) into Central London can be smooth…if you plan ahead.
Your very first option should be to check with your hotel to see if they offer a shuttle. That wasn’t an option for us and, likely won’t be for you if you choose to stay close to central London (transportation Zones 1 and 2) because those hotels are a decent distance from the airport.
But, check first! It’ll save you money if it’s available.
If your hotel doesn’t offer a shuttle, then there’s always a cab (which is what we ended up doing for about $110 during the morning rush hour 😭 💸) or an Uber, but both of those options will cost you!
However, more economical options are available with just a little planning.
If you’re flying into Heathrow and staying near Paddington, the Heathrow Express train may be a good option for you. If you book in advance, you can get tickets for as low as 10 pounds (with kids under age 15 free). However, you’ll have to lug your bags with you on a train, which may not be ideal.
The London Underground (Tube) is also an option, which has a much broader reach than the Heathrow Express. You’ll still have the bag-lugging issue (which may actually not even be an issue for you if you aren’t an overpacker 🧳 like we tend to be) but it’s by far the cheapest option.
My Airport Transportation Recommendation
After our own costly experience, my personal recommendation would be to book an airport transfer in advance. Someone will be waiting for you with clear signage, a vehicle large enough for all of your stuff, and at a reasonable price. Plus I like that you can request an infant car seat if you need one.
No stress!
🚐 Book Your Shared Airport Transfer in Advance
Don’t start your London trip with stress — after a long international flight, the last thing you want to do is navigate confusing transit or overpay for a cab in a rush. Pre-booking an airport transfer means someone will be waiting for you, with clear signage and enough room for your luggage.
Whether you’re flying into Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted, this shared transfer service is a simple, budget-friendly way to get to your hotel without the hassle.
💡 For SHARED transfers, drivers need to be mindful of the schedules of all passengers, not just your party. If you’re delayed for your pick up time due to flight delays, slow luggage retrieval, or something else, they may not wait for you! So keep that in mind and build that into the timing you plan for your pick up.
💡 Also, the cars will be VERY STRICT about how much luggage you can bring per person. So no fudging! (If you think any of this will be an issue, choose a private transfer instead.)
🎟️ Attractions That Often Sell Out
On our recent trip, we booked a few key experiences ahead of time, and I’m so glad we did!
Some of London’s top attractions aren’t just popular — they can actually sell out. If your plan is to wait until you get to London and work with your hotel concierge to book your attractions, you may be stuck with long lines, limited time slots, or worse — missing something you really wanted to see.
Private Black Cab Tour of London
One of the highlights of our own trip was this exact private black cab tour. We loved this tour!
Our guide, Simon, was so attentive, starting from the moment we booked. He reached out to not only confirm our booking, but also to ask if there were specific things we wanted to see or experience.
There weren’t – I just wanted to make sure my daughter saw as many of the key attractions as we could in the time we had.
Simon took the lead on curating the experience. We saw Buckingham Palace, St. James Place, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, and more landmarks. We also visited Fortnum & Mason, Burrough Market, and Chinatown.
It was an incredible time, and yours will be even better because you can add in any specific experiences you want. It was personal, flexible, and surprisingly fun. We both loved it.
Why We Recommend This Private Black Cab Tour 👀
📍 Personalized route tailored to your interests
📍 Private driver-guide with local insights and flexibility
📍 Stress-free sightseeing — no crowds, no navigating
Tour of Little Venice
Because we were so late in our own planning, all of the Little Venice/canal tours we looked at that could’ve fit into our schedule were already sold out.
As a result, we ended up finding a self-guided tour we could do on our own. (I was determined to do something unique while visiting London!)
Our particular tour started from Paddington Station. And that was cool because we used it as an opportunity to try out the London Underground from Victoria Station near our hotel. Plus we loved all of the Paddington bears we came across along the way.
Little Venice and the Regents canal are a must see. It was beautiful and peaceful – and really creative. What they build out of some of those barges is really remarkable.
Still, I wouldn’t recommend the specific self-guided tour we did. About 2/3rds of the way through the instructions, they stopped making sense, so we were on our own. Not ideal. 🫤
✅ If Little Venice is on your list now (and I think it should be), consider this private tour with excellent reviews.
The option I’m recommending is way pricier than the self-guided tour we were forced to take – but at least you won’t get lost half way through! 🥳
Warner Bros. Harry Potter Tour
We absolutely loved the Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter.
Even though I’m not a hardcore superfan (my daughter is, though), the experience was so immersive and fascinating that we were both totally drawn in.
From walking through the Great Hall and Diagon Alley to seeing the sets, props, and special effects up close, it gave us a new appreciation for how much detail went into creating the magic of the series.
One of the parts I found most notable was the section on the animals used throughout the films — how many there were, how they were trained, and how each one had its own personality or skill that made them perfect for their role.
It was just interesting to learn so much about that and all of the smaller parts of the movies that went into making the films what they were.
Honestly, whether you’re a Harry Potter lover or just curious about movie magic, this is one of those experiences that really sticks with you. Just be sure to book early — it fills up fast!
🧙♂️ Step Into the Magic of Harry Potter
🐾 See how animal actors were trained for the films
🎥 Get behind-the-scenes access to costumes, props, and effects — even if you’re just HP-curious!
Classic London Attractions
In addition, here are some classic London attractions that you’ll want to book in advance:
Westminster Abbey and Tower of London
This tour is a great option that lets you see two of London’s most iconic landmarks — the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey — without wasting time in line.
It combines royal history with fast-track entry and finishes with a scenic Thames River cruise. It’s an easy, efficient way to experience some of the best views and stories London has to offer in just one day.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, with a history stretching back over 1,400 years. Climb the world-famous dome for sweeping views of the city, then explore the stunning architecture, royal history, and hidden chapels below.
Your ticket includes a multimedia guide or the option to join a live tour, making it easy to soak in the stories behind England’s national cathedral.
The London Eye (fast track)
This is giant observation wheel located on the South Bank of the River Thames — and it’s one of the most popular attractions in London (and all of Europe!).
Despite all my begging, my daughter absolutely refused to do the London Eye – she’s afraid of heights.
But I remember the experience well from my prior visit, and it is just an incredible way to see all of London and beyond.
Anytime of day is great to do this experience – in fact, doing it earlier in the day is a perfect way to see all of the landmarks and get your bearings in the city before going off to your individual experiences.
Still, my personal recommendation would be to do it at sunset (and fast track it). London is stunning at that time of day and there is no better view than from the London Eye.
These are just a few of the many historic, interesting, or just plain beautiful London attractions that you’ll want to book in advance of your trip.
👇 Learn more about these attractions and many more below. 👇
💞 Check out this page for easy access to book your London attractions all in one place. 💞
Booking early not only makes sure you can actually enjoy the attractions you’ve been dreaming of, it also saves you time (if you take advantage of skip-the-line options) and money (if there are buy-in-advance discounts).
Additional Experiences to Book Ahead
London is full of unique experiences and, again, it makes sense to book in advance to make sure you can create the trip you want.
Some favorites worth reserving?
For us, traditional afternoon was a must! We booked ours at the Savoy, and it was stunning. The room was beautiful, the service was perfect – and the tea experience was as sophisticated and luxurious as we expected it to be.
Another very popular option for a traditional afternoon tea is the Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason.
Now, if you love theatre, seeing a West End show in London is a must. The West End is basically London’s version of Broadway — same world-class talent, big productions, and iconic venues, but generally much less expensive.
Whether you’re into classics like Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera or newer hits like Mean Girls, Six, or Hamilton, there’s something for every kind of theatergoer.
That said, the best seats and most popular shows book out early — especially on weekends and during summer travel season — so I definitely recommend getting tickets ahead of time if there’s a show you don’t want to miss.
Unique Things to Book in Advance in London (That Most People Miss)
Most people know to book their hotel and a few big-name attractions early — but what they don’t realize is how many incredible experiences can slip through the cracks if you wait too long.
Here are a few lesser-known but totally worth-it things to reserve ahead of time, especially if you want your London trip to feel a little more special and a lot less stressful:
| Experience | Why Book It | Link to Book |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Garden | Free but limited-entry tickets for skyline views from a rooftop garden | Book here |
| Afternoon Tea with a Twist | Themed teas (like Science Tea or Charlie & the Chocolate Factory) sell out fast | One Aldwych | The Ampersand |
| Ceremony of the Keys | A 700-year-old nightly Tower of London tradition — free but books out fast | Book here |
| Choral Evensong at St. Paul’s or Westminster Abbey | Experience these grand cathedrals with live music — no sightseeing ticket needed | St. Paul’s | Westminster Abbey |
| Sir John Soane’s Museum | A quirky, free museum full of art and ancient relics — book timed entry | Book here |
| Dennis Severs’ House | Candlelit, immersive storytelling through historic rooms — tickets required | Book here |
Why It’s Worth Booking Early
On our most recent trip to London, we pulled the trigger kind of last-minute — and while the trip was still amazing, it could’ve been so much smoother.
I noticed that flights were way more expensive than I would have expected (thank goodness we had some travel credits!), most of the hotels in my ideal neighborhoods were either sold out or overpriced, and I spent hours trying to piece together available attraction tickets that worked with our schedule.
We still had a great time, but I kept thinking: this would’ve been a lot easier if I’d planned just a few weeks earlier.
As a general matter, I try to book the big things — flights, hotel, travel insurance, and major attractions — as early as I can. Not just to save money (which it absolutely does), but to give myself peace of mind and avoid that frantic “why is everything booked?” feeling.
Booking ahead gives you options, flexibility, and more freedom to enjoy the trip instead of constantly being buried in my phone looking up last-minute options.
✅ Final Checklist: What to Book Before You Land in London
If you’re anything like me, once you’ve got the travel bug, you want to make sure everything is lined up so you can just show up and enjoy.
Here’s a quick checklist of what I recommend booking ahead for your London trip — based on both experience and a few “wish-I-had” lessons:
- ✈️ Flights – Set price alerts and book early for the best deals and flight times.
- 🛡️ Travel Insurance – Protect your trip and your wallet — especially for international travel.
- 🏨 Hotel – Choose a location that fits your itinerary and book before the best-value rooms disappear.
- 🚐 Airport Transfer – Avoid the chaos of Heathrow/Gatwick arrivals with a pre-arranged ride.
- 🎟️ Major Attractions – Think Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s, The London Eye.
- 🧙♂️ Special Experiences – Harry Potter Studio Tour, afternoon tea, theatre tickets, Thames cruise, etc.
- 🕊️ Unique or Free Timed Experiences – Choral Evensong, Sky Garden, Ceremony of the Keys.
Planning a trip to London can feel overwhelming, but booking a few key things in advance truly makes all the difference. It means fewer headaches, more flexibility, and more space to actually enjoy the magic of the city — not just react to it.
I hope this guide helps you feel one step ahead and fully ready to plan a London trip that’s smooth, fun, and completely unforgettable.
If you need help narrowing down your options or want to share what you’re booking, come say hi on Instagram @toniratherbewandering. I’d love to hear about your plans!
