How to plan a 5-day London trip with kids

Plan one major museum or landmark for the morning, keep afternoons flexible for parks, and use the Underground for fast travel. Stick to a 'one main activity per day' rule to avoid burnout and always keep snacks on hand.

  1. Master the transport. Don't bother with a physical Oyster card. Use your contactless credit card or phone (Apple/Google Pay) to tap in and out at tube stations and on buses. Kids under 11 travel free with a paying adult.
  2. Use the buses for sightseeing. Avoid the expensive hop-on-hop-off tours. Take the top deck of the #11 or #15 bus to get a narrated-style view of the city landmarks for the price of a standard bus fare.
  3. Book timed entry slots. Even for free museums like the Natural History Museum, you must book a timed entry slot online weeks in advance. Skipping this will result in long queues or denied entry.
Is London stroller-friendly?
Yes, but be aware that many older Underground stations do not have elevators (lifts). Look for the 'wheelchair access' symbol on the Tube map or stick to buses.
Do I need to tip in London?
A 12.5% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills automatically. You don't need to tip on top of that.