Best time to go to London

Depending on the time of your holiday and the plans you want to make, the climate of the destination is something to consider when planning those long-awaited days off. In the case of London, its climate is oceanic, with cool summers, cold winters and significant rainfall distributed throughout the year.

But what is the best time to travel to London? Don't worry! In this post we analyse this question so you can get an idea of what to expect in the city during each season so you can choose the one that best suits everything you want to see and do in the British capital.

If we make an assessment from an economic and climatic point of view, the best time to go to London are the spring and autumn seasons because the temperatures are pleasant, there are fewer tourists in the city and the prices, although expensive, are moderated a little.

There is a curious thing about London compared to other European cities. As the most visited city on the continent, you could say that it lives in a kind of continuous high season because prices are usually high. This is especially noticeable during Christmas and summer when the weather in the British capital is at its best and there is an avalanche of tourists.

In case you don't have a specific date to visit the city yet, in my opinion the best time to travel to London is spring**(April and May**) and autumn**(September and October**). Temperatures are mild, there are plenty of sunshine hours and you can find better prices than at other times of the year.

In any case, when planning your trip, it's always a good idea to check the average temperatures in London to help you choose the right activities to do during your stay and the right clothes to pack for your trip.

Although in the northern hemisphere it is spring from March onwards, in London this month is hardly different from winter and it is the months of April in London and May in London when the change of season is most noticeable. Temperatures become a little milder compared to winter and the days gradually gain more daylight hours.

As for the rain, it tends to be frequent but nothing surprising in London at this time of year. Clouds are very present in the British capital and it can rain at least half the days of the month. So when the sun shines, Londoners take to the streets for all sorts of outdoor activities.

It's a great time to take a cruise on the Thames, go on a guided tour of London or browse the street markets for a special souvenir or have a picnic in one of the city's parks and gardens.

Springtime tourist crowds

One of the advantages of visiting London in spring is that there are fewer tourists than during the summer and although the streets are crowded, it is not as busy and you can visit London's monuments and museums at your leisure.

Also, with the exception of Easter, prices in London have not yet shot up like in summer as it is not high season and you can find some interesting deals on accommodation in the centre. The perfect area to get around the city by public transport, especially if you like to take the London Underground.

In this other post you can read what to see and do in London in spring.

Along with spring, autumn(September in London and October in London) is another good time to travel to London.

Temperatures are still pleasant during the day but without the typical summer heat. However, as the season progresses, the nights become cooler and the humidity increases, as does the rainfall. Keep this in mind when packing your suitcase!

During autumn, Londoners take advantage of the days when the weather is fine to enjoy a drink on a terrace, play sports or stroll through the parks of the British capital. With the changing of the leaves this season brings, there is a burst of colour in the city' s gardens and nature looks beautiful. In addition, London shines with a special light, which is perfect for a photographic tour of its parks and streets.

However, the days are getting shorter and it's getting dark earlier so if you plan to do some outdoor activities during your stay, remember to plan ahead.

The autumn tourist season

As with spring, the number of tourists in London in autumn is lower compared to summer. This means that there are fewer queues to get into the capital's main attractions, and you can enjoy uncrowded, relaxed sightseeing - which is a real treat!

Also, with the arrival of the new season, prices come down and it's easier to find great deals on accommodation and flights for a little less money.

It is also a good time to travel to the city because there are a lot of events like the Underbelly Festival in Southbank on the banks of the Thames, the Oktoberfest or the Illuminature festival.

In this other post you can read what to see and do in London in autumn.

Coinciding with the warmest temperatures of the year and the holiday period, the months of June, July and August make up the high season in London.

The weather at this time of year is ideal for travelling to the British capital because temperatures rarely rise above 25ºC, the days are longer and it's the season with the least rainfall. However, don't be overconfident because a typical summer thunderstorm can suddenly form, chilling the air and leaving you shivering, which is why you should always pack an umbrella and a thin jumper in your backpack!

During the summer you can take advantage of the longer daylight hours to take a trip from London to its beautiful surroundings (for example to see the summer solstice at Stonehenge), get an inside look at Buckingham Palace when the Royal Family goes on holiday, watch the sunset over a drink on a rooftop, explore London' s most charming secret spots or enjoy the best summer cinema in the open air.

The summer tourist season

Summer is the peak tourist season in London. This means that the streets are packed with tourists, hotels are almost fully booked and prices go up.

If you want to visit London during this season, my advice is to book your flight and accommodation early to try and get the best prices, as prices go through the roof - and the same goes for your tickets to the attractions you want to see, as availability sells out quickly!

Although it is a period with more tourists, it is worth visiting London in summer because there is a lot of atmosphere in the streets and events such as the Taste Of London food festival, the Notting Hill Carnival or the Wireless Festival music festival.

In this other post you can read what to see and do in London in summer.

Except during the Christmas season in London, winter is not the best time to travel to London because the thermometers start to drop considerably and it's freezing cold. Temperatures hover around 5°C and drop even further, with frost easily occurring, especially in January in London and February in London.

During the day, daylight hours are scarce because it gets dark very early. Add to this the Thames mists, cloudy skies and frequent showers and you're less likely to be able to plan ahead and want to spend as little time outdoors as possible.

But that doesn't mean you can't keep yourself busy doing things. If the weather isn't good, you can always do indoor activities such as visiting Harry Potter Studios Park, seeing a West End musical or one of the city's museums, or going for a traditional afternoon tea.

Winter tourist crowds

Going to London during January and February can be a good time if you don't mind being cold and if you're looking to save on your budget, as prices drop a little and you can find good transport and accommodation options.

However, if you can't tolerate the cold temperatures, even if it's low tourist season and there are fewer people in the city, it's best to wait until spring.

Prices rise around December in London in the run-up to Christmas, as London is beautiful during the festive season and attracts many visitors.

From mid-November in London there are plenty of Christmas festivals to hang out at, ice rinks, food markets and lots of other surprises. If you get the chance, I highly recommend you visit!

Also, if your trip coincides with New Year's Eve you can also experience how the New Year is celebrated there and see the wonderful fireworks display on the London Eye.

In this other post you can read about what to see and do in London in winter.