Early spring and autumn are the best times to visit London, with the highest likelihood of warm, sunny weather, and fewer crowds than the busy summer months. March happens to be the cheapest month for flights from the US, so that’ll be best for budget travelers. September is also a lovely month in London, quiet, crisp and still relatively warm.
That said, the best time of year to visit London may depend on the activities you want to do, and the sites you want to see. Read on for a more in-depth guide before planning your trip.
London’s peak tourist season starts in late spring and continues through the summer. While London’s climate is relatively mild — average low winter temperatures hover around 40ºF — the sunniest, driest weather is in June and July. Highs are in the 70s.
October, November and December see the most rainfall, making September a sweet spot for London travel. Plan your trip this month for the best chance of sunshine and fewer crowds.
Off season
January, February and March are considered the slow season for tourism in London, which means you should be able to find good travel deals. The days are short and rainy, though, so you should only visit during winter if you like the idea of long nights curled up inside.
Best time to visit London for…
Sightseeing. Summer’s the ideal time to see parks and main attractions, since the days are long and warm. While there are fewer lines during spring and fall, you won’t have quite as much daylight.
Shopping. You can shop in London any time of year, but the best time to find sales and savings is post-Christmas in January. When hitting the markets in the busy summer season, try to get there as early as you can to beat the crowds.
Seeing a show. London’s West End is full of small theaters. To avoid the crowds and sky-high ticket prices, see a show in January or February.
Riding the London Eye. Summer has the longest days to enjoy the city’s outdoor attractions like the London Eye, Europe’s tallest observation wheel. But the fall sees smaller crowds.
Visiting Madame Tussauds. Visit the original Madame Tussauds wax museum in London any time of year — don’t worry about rain since it’s indoors! Plan your visit for weekday mornings to avoid large crowds.
Cheapest time to visit London
Flights to the London from the US are cheapest in March, according to data from Skyscanner. While the temperature in March is brisk, you won’t have to deal with as many crowds as during the warmer months. You should be able to find cheap accommodations from January to March, too, as hotels and vacation rentals try to attract tourists during the winter lull.
Weather
London has a reputation for being rainy, yes, but its seasons aren’t divided into wet and dry. You’re likely to deal with a few showers no matter when you go. Like the US, it’s warmer during the summer and colder during the winter, though it rarely gets snowed in.
Before packing your bags, take a look at what to expect from monthly temps in London.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
High
48° F
49° F
53° F
59° F
65° F
70° F
74° F
73° F
67° F
60° F
53° F
48° F
Low
40° F
40° F
42° F
45° F
51° F
56° F
59° F
59° F
55° F
50° F
45° F
40° F
Rain
12 days
9 days
9 days
9 days
8 days
8 days
7 days
8 days
8 days
10 days
10 days
10 days
Average yearly temperatures sourced from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in February 2021.
Events and holidays
No matter the weather, Londoners know how to celebrate. Plan your trip around a holiday, event or festival to revel with the Brits.
Winter
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. From late November through early January, go ice skating and enjoy over 100 fairground rides in Hyde Park. There’s also free music and an ice bar.
Ice Skating at Somerset House. This artistic hub turns its courtyard into an ice skating rink from November through mid-January. Skate around with a great view of the River Thames.
Spring
The Passion of Jesus at Trafalgar Square. Over 100 performers reenact Jesus’s final days, as part of the Christian celebration of Easter.
Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Embrace your preppy side at one of the world’s oldest sporting competitions. This boat race happens during April.
Eid Festival. Also held in Trafalgar Square, this Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan.
Summer
Glastonbury. The Woodstock of the UK, Glastonbury is one of the largest arts and music festivals in the world, held in June. You can book a tipi or take your own tent and enjoy the indie-cool vibe. The line-up is A-list spectacular and many of the festival’s headline acts are UK-born and bred.
Wimbledon. Marked by its distinct all-white clothes policy, Wimbledon is one of the four Grand Slam world tennis events, and a must for any fan. If you line up early enough on a game day within the first week of the tournament in July, you have the opportunity to snatch up free tickets.
Fall
Totally Thames Festival. Throughout the month of September, you can experience art installations, exhibitions, live performances, lectures and other culturally-enriching events along the River Thames.
Guy Fawkes Night. A night of bonfires and fireworks on November 5 commemorates the fact that Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators failed in their infamous Gunpowder Plot to assassinate King James I in 1605.
Traveling during COVID-19
The CDC continues to advise caution when traveling within or outside the US, However, it no longer requires self-quarantine or a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated domestic travelers as of April 2021. International travelers need to get tested three days prior to flying out of the US and within three days after returning, even if you are fully vaccinated. It recommends that you delay travel if you’re not fully vaccinated to protect yourself and your family from getting or spreading the virus.
If you’re planning a trip outside the US, bear in mind that many countries have placed restrictions on US tourists. Check the US embassy website for updates before booking international travel.
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For the best shot at a sunny trip to London, plan your trip for the busy summer months. But if you’re content to carry an umbrella or a coat, skip the crowds and get away in late fall or winter.
Does it snow in London? Rarely. And when it does, it’s usually not more than a dusting. So if you’re looking for a white Christmas, you might want to venture to New York City instead.
However, London does offer lots of Christmas-related events and activities, usually starting in November.
Gabrielle Pastorek is the shopping and travel publisher at Finder, helping readers to round up the best deals, coupons, retailers, products and services to make sound financial decisions. She's contributed more than 800 articles to the site and is a quoted expert in Best Company and DealNews. She earned an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh, with essays and short stories published in The Collagist, Blue Monday Review, Blotterature and others. When she’s not writing, Gabrielle can be found out in the barn with her horse, Lucy.
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