2 days in London: itinerary with prices (2026)

Day 1 — Tower, City and Westminster

Start at the Tower of London for the Crown Jewels, head west to St Paul's Cathedral, then finish at Westminster Abbey near the Houses of Parliament. Day 1's named entrance fees (St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey) come to £58; the Tower of London is ticketed separately with prices that vary by date — book ahead on the official Historic Royal Palaces site, as on-the-day tickets cost more.

Day 2 — Free museums and the South Bank

Spend the morning at the British Museum, then head south across the river toward Bankside for Tate Modern and the London Eye. Day 2's only named fee is the London Eye, from £29 online — both museums are free.

What 2 days in London costs

Named fees below are standard adult admission; the Tower of London is excluded from the totals because its price varies by date — check the official site when you book. Add public transport (Oyster or contactless pay-as-you-go) and meals on top of the figures below.

More on London

Reading and Guildford are both under 45 minutes from central London by rail and each run their own Christmas markets in December — worth adding on if the trip extends past 2 days.

• London city guide
• Best cities to visit in the UK
• 2 days in Edinburgh: itinerary with prices
• Christmas in Reading 2026
• Christmas in Guildford 2026

FAQ

Is 2 days enough for London?

Yes for the core covered here — the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, the British Museum, Tate Modern and the London Eye. Add a day for Buckingham Palace's State Rooms (open only 9 Jul–27 Sep 2026), the Natural History Museum, or a day trip out of the centre.

How much are entrance fees in London?

The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum are all free. Paid sights here are moderate: St Paul's Cathedral £27, Westminster Abbey £31, the London Eye from £29. The Tower of London is ticketed separately with date-based pricing — check the official site when you book.

Do you need to book anything in advance for London?

Booking ahead is recommended rather than required: the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral all sell timed tickets online, and the free museums recommend a timed slot at peak times. Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral are both closed to sightseers on Sundays.