Cheap city break London
London is a world capital to the max: free top museums (British Museum, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum), iconic red buses, pubs and the most diverse cuisine in Europe. KLM and easyJet fly direct from Schiphol to Heathrow in around 1 hour 5 minutes; from Amsterdam you can also take the direct Eurostar in about 4 hours.
✈️ Plan your trip to London →Updated on 19 October 2026.
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May to September: 15-22 degrees, long days. December for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Avoid January/February (dark and grey).
The best neighborhoods in London
- Westminster + Soho The tourist heart, all the icons.
- Shoreditch Hipster-neighborhood, street art, best curry-restaurants.
- Camden Markets and goth-pubs.
- South Bank Theatres and Tate Modern, along the Thames.
- Notting Hill Pastel facades and the Saturday market on Portobello Road.
Top 5 things to do in London
- British Museum Free, the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
- Tate Modern + Millennium Bridge Both free, best views of St Paul's.
- Borough Market Foodies paradise, from €8 per dish.
- West End-show From €25 via TKTS booth.
- Greenwich-day trip Park, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, free park.
- Horizon 22 London's highest free observation deck (244 metres), with 360-degree skyline views. Open daily, free online reservation required. Take the Jubilee Line to Canary Wharf.
- Science Museum Free. Brilliant for technology fans: Stephenson's Rocket, an Apollo capsule and an IMAX theatre. Great for families; next to the Natural History Museum on Exhibition Road.
- Tate Britain Free. The original Tate, focused on British art from Turner to Hockney. Quieter than Tate Modern, ideal if you want to avoid the crowds.
- Wallace Collection Free. Hidden behind Selfridges: a stunning collection of European paintings and armour in a stately townhouse. One of London's best-kept secrets.
Paid attractions: 2026 prices
London's free museums are the backbone of a budget city break, but a few paid attractions are genuinely worth the money. Always book online in advance: you skip the queue and sometimes save 5 to 10 per cent on the entry price.
Free hidden gems most guides skip: the Sky Garden at 160 metres on the Walkie Talkie building (booking required but free, via skygarden.london), Horizon 22 in Canary Wharf (London's highest free viewing deck, also requires booking), and the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (free to watch, in 2026 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:00, check exact dates on royal.uk).
Covent Garden, markets and free street entertainment
Covent Garden is the buzzing heart of the West End: street performers, shops in the historic market hall and dozens of restaurants. The hall itself is free to visit; only food and shopping costs money.
On Saturday mornings the market on Portobello Road in Notting Hill is the spot for vintage and antiques, busy but free. Borough Market near London Bridge (Mon-Sat) is the city's best food destination: tapas, cheese, street food and British meat, with a meal costing 8 to 15 euros.
Tower Bridge is free to look at; the enclosed glass walkway showing the bridge machinery costs £12 for adults. Compared to the Tower of London (£37), Tower Bridge is great value for engineering enthusiasts.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
From Eindhoven, Ryanair flies directly to London Stansted (STN) in about 1 hour 15, with return tickets from around 40 to 60 euros. Note: Eindhoven Airport closes from 1 February to 18 July 2027 for renovation.
From Schiphol you fly direct to Heathrow (LHR) in about 1 hour 15 with KLM, British Airways and easyJet; the Piccadilly Line takes about 50 minutes to Piccadilly Circus for £6.40 per journey.
The Eurostar runs direct from Amsterdam Centraal to London St Pancras in about 4 hours 10 minutes, 5 times a day. A one-way ticket costs around €57 (early booker), return from €44 per person with promo prices. A great option for a city break without flying.
From Stansted (Ryanair) the Stansted Express takes 47 minutes to Liverpool Street for £22 one-way; the National Express coach takes 90 to 120 minutes for around £10. In the city pay by contactless or Oyster, with a daily cap of £8.90 in zones 1 and 2 (single bus £1.75). A contactless bank card (Mastercard, Visa) works identically to an Oyster without the £10 purchase fee.
What does a London city break cost?
Hostels from €30, mid-range hotels €130 to 200, apartments around €130 per night. The top museums (British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History) are free. Paid highlights 2026: Tower of London £37, London Eye from £29, The View from The Shard about £32. Food: meal deal €5, pub-lunch €12, dinner restaurant €25 to 40, pint £6.
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Frequently asked questions about London
When is the best time to visit London?
May to September: 15 to 22 degrees, long days. September and October are ideal: fewer crowds and still pleasant weather. December is great for Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Christmas markets. Avoid January and February if you dislike grey, rainy weather.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in London?
Westminster and Soho for a first visit: all the iconic sights within walking distance. Shoreditch for street art and the best restaurants. Notting Hill for the Saturday market on Portobello Road and colourful facades. South Bank for Tate Modern and walks along the Thames.
How do I get from the Netherlands to London?
Fly direct from Schiphol to Heathrow (LHR) in about 1 hour 5 with KLM, British Airways or easyJet. Since 2026 the direct Eurostar Amsterdam to London runs five times a day in about 4 hours, from 44 euros one way. In the city pay by contactless or Oyster card, with a daily cap of 8.90 pounds in zones 1 and 2.
What does a London city break cost?
From 500 euros per person for 3 days including transport. The top museums (British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, V&A, Natural History Museum) are free.
Paid highlights: Tower of London £37 (online, adults), London Eye from 29 pounds, The Shard around 32 pounds. Mid-range hotels 130 to 200 euros per night, hostel from 30 euros. Budget 6 pounds for a pint and 25 to 40 euros for an evening meal.
Do I need a visa to visit London as a Dutch citizen?
After Brexit, the United Kingdom is no longer an EU country. Dutch citizens can visit the UK visa-free for tourist stays of up to 6 months. From 2025, an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) is required: this is a digital travel permission you apply for in advance via the official UK ETA app for around 10 pounds. A passport is required; an ID card is no longer accepted.
How much does the Oyster card and public transport cost in London?
The Oyster card costs £10 (non-refundable). A single bus journey is £1.75; the daily cap in zones 1-2 is £8.90. Tip: a contactless bank card (Mastercard, Visa) or Apple/Google Pay works identically without the £10 fee. From Stansted (Ryanair from Eindhoven), the Stansted Express takes 47 minutes to Liverpool Street for £22 one-way, or the National Express coach for around £10.