If you’re traveling solo and looking for things to do in London by yourself we have you covered in this guide to getting around London.
Here is a list of things to do in London by yourself.
Before We Start – What to Expect from London Visit
London is a city that has something for everyone, and it’s never too late to visit.
Whether you’re traveling solo or with friends, there are so many ways to spend your time in the capital of England!
In this blog post, we will discuss some ideas for how you can have fun while visiting London by yourself.
We’ll cover free and paid options as well as tips on where you should go to get the best views of the city.
Finally, we’ll talk about some attractions that are worth checking out even if they don’t cost anything at all!
London is home to some of the most recognizable buildings in the world, enjoyable walks and historical venues – and all of them can be enjoyed equally as a solo traveler.
It’s the perfect city for someone travelling alone who wants to make the most of their day, taking in a variety of different adventures.
The Best Paid Things To Do In London
Let’s be honest, London is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
If you don’t plan your trip, it will be very pricey.
But it is possible to do London on a budget or blow your inheritance, whatever suits your budget.
Best View in London
The London Eye is an inspiring ride, with the most incredible views of London.
It’s perfect for taking photos and selfies with Big Ben, the River Thames and St. Paul’s Cathedral in the background.
The London Eye is a must see for any traveler who wants to get a panoramic view of all that London has to offer.
Tickets cost around $30 or you can purchase an Oyster card package ($40) which includes one return trip on public transport.
If you are traveling solo then this ticket will be cheaper than purchasing individual tickets throughout your stay.
A Trip to Buckingham Palace
Visit Buckingham Palace and see Changing of Guard at 10:45am.
London is home to the British Monarchy and the Queen.
A visit to Buckingham Palace is definitely worth the trip and includes an slim opportunity to see some of the Royal Family.
The Changing of Guard is a must-see for any traveler, including solo travelers.
This ceremony takes place every day at 10:45am and takes around 45 minutes with actual changeover occurring at 11am.
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You can view this free event from The Mall which begins outside Buckingham Palace.
Good to Know – If you happen to be in London in in April, the London marathon takes place and The Mall is thronged with cheering supporters and such a wonderful view of Buckingham at the top of the finishing straight.
Food That You Never Expected
Many will tell you that the English cuisine is not the best, but fear not, because London is blessed with an enticing range of food from around the world.
And there is no better way to experience this than one of the many street food markets, where you get to sample the food in a wonderful atmosphere.
My personal recommendation would be a trip to Borough Market, right next to London Bridge.
The selection of foods is great and I promise you, finishing it off with a visit to the Borough Cheese Company will never disappoint.
Head to Theaterland
If you are the brave type that also happens to love the theater, then why not take in a matinee.
It’s the ideal time to go as a solo traveler and it’s not like anyone is expecting you to talk when inside.
Just pop along to Leicester Square in the morning and visit the TKTS booth for half-price and other heavily discounted tickets.
Wizarding Wonderland
If I were to encourage one slightly more expensive trip, it would be a short train ride (less than 30 minutes) to go and see the Warner Bros studio tour “The Making of Harry Potter”.
If you are a fan of the books or films, it is genuinely one of the most immersive and interesting tours possible.
Enter through the Great Hall, walk down Diagon Alley and enter the Forbidden Forest.
You can even ride on a broomstick, although I will warn you this is quite an expensive extra.
Heads Up! This tour is a perfect visit for the solo traveler, but be warned, you will need to book several months in advance.
The Best Free Things To Do In London
For any visitor, London has so many free things you can do, that you might end up not spending any money!
There really is that much choice and the best place to start in London is to just walk around and take in the sights.
Get Your Camera Ready
Do a little research and make your way around freestyle, follow one the self-guided tours or even join a guided tour; whichever works for you, getting around London’s sights is really simple.
These are a few of my favorite places to get around.
- Definitely take in Victoria Embankment. You can see sights like the Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Look for some bargain books in the amazing vintage markets or grab some organic ice cream
- Do the tourist walk around popular shopping zones like Oxford Street, Bond Street (for the wealthier ones amongst you!), Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Try and avoid getting food in these areas, it’s over-priced and not very good
- London Bridge and the Tower of London are great photo opportunities that you can cover within minutes of each other
- And definitely take in St Paul’s Cathedral. It’s an amazing building with a great history. And please, head towards it via the Millennium Bridge and check out the Harry Potter memorabilia on the way
- Whilst not technically free, for a river cruise just buy a river bus ticket for a fraction of the price of the expensive cruises, and you will get all the same views
The Best Selection of Free Museums In The World
I know it’s a bold claim, but just look at this list of free museums you can visit:
- British Museum
- National Gallery
- Museum of London
- Royal Academy of Arts
- Natural History Museum
- Science Museum
- Imperial War Museum
- National Maritime Museum
- Victoria ; Albert Museum
- Tate Modern
- Wellcome Collection
- British Library
The pro tip is to go early and plan to visit a few together.
If you are struggling for time, my go-to combination is the science and natural history museums.
They are right next to each other and there is an amazing little pastry shop close by.
A Walk (Or Run) In The Park
London is blessed with multiple amazing parks; you could spend an entire weekend walking around the parks and still not cover half of them (not technically true but you get the point).
They are also an ideal place for lunch. Grab some food, have a picnic and do some great people watching.
If you are into fitness, the other way of making the most of the parks is to run around.
Conclusion – It’s All About A Plan
So, London has a plethora of options for the solo traveler in London, that can be managed on a budget if you need.
You could meet new people or stay in your own world. The only absolute is to make sure you plan.
It will save you money and it will ensure you make the most of your time.
Finally, one more necessity– ENJOY.
London is an amazing city that everyone will love.
