Planning your trip

Feeling overwhelmed? Wondering where to start with planning a trip to London with kids?

Fear not, London With Littles is here to help!

Planning a family trip to London can feel overwhelming. This page breaks down the process into manageable steps, making it easier to organise your adventure. We’ll cover key aspects of your journey, from choosing when to visit to mapping out daily itineraries. Throughout, you’ll find links to our resources and detailed guides.

By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for your London family getaway. Let’s get started!

Set a budget

Setting a budget is a crucial first step in planning your London trip.

Determine how much you can afford to spend overall, then break it down into categories like transportation, accommodation, food, attractions, and shopping.

Remember, there are plenty of ways to save money in London. Check our the following posts:

Remember to factor in exchange rates (if relevant) and include a buffer for unexpected expenses.

Choose travel dates

While summer offers warmer weather, it’s also the busiest and most expensive time. Spring or autumn can provide a pleasant balance of decent weather and smaller crowds.

If you have school-age children, you may have little control over when you visit London. If you are travelling from abroad and have the possibility of travelling at a time that does not coincide with UK school holiday periods, you may find attractions less busy.

Consider your children’s ages and energy levels when deciding on trip length. Also, factor in jet lag recovery time if travelling from afar.

Finally, check for any major events or festivals that might affect prices or crowd levels during your potential dates.

Book accommodation

When booking accommodation for a family trip to London, prioritise location and amenities that cater to children. Look for family-friendly hotels or vacation rentals near public transportation and major attractions to minimise travel time.

Consider rooms or apartments with kitchenettes to save on meals and accommodate picky eaters. Check for amenities like cribs, highchairs, or kids’ clubs.

Ensure there’s enough space for everyone to sleep comfortably, and read reviews from other families to gauge suitability.

Booking accommodations with flexible cancellation policies can provide peace of mind when traveling with kids.

Book transport to London

When booking transport to London with children, consider comfort and convenience alongside cost.

For long-haul flights, look for airlines with family-friendly services like pre-boarding. If possible, choose direct flights to avoid layovers. For shorter distances, consider alternatives like trains (e.g., Eurostar from continental Europe) which offer more space.

Book seats together and consider timing flights to align with your children’s sleep schedules.

Plan your itinerary

Planning your London itinerary with children involves balancing must-see attractions with family-friendly activities and necessary downtime.

Decide what you want to see and do

There are plenty of attractions that will appeal to both adults and kids, like the Tower of London or the Natural History Museum. For ideas of things to do, read our posts on attractions and what there is to do in different areas of London, and make sure you check out the following:

Check opening times and make bookings

Check opening times carefully, as some attractions have limited hours or closed days.

For popular sites, make advance bookings to avoid disappointment and long queues, which can be particularly challenging with children. See our post How far in advance can you book tickets for London attractions?

Plan your transport within London

From the airport

When planning transport in London with children, start with your airport transfer. See our post on How to get from Heathrow Airport into Central London. More airports, coming soon!

Within London

For getting around London, familiarise yourself with the public transport system, including the London Underground, buses, boats and even a cable car! Check out the following posts:

Check out our post on apps which includes our recommendations on the best transport apps.