Chilly winters, unpredictable summers and plenty of walking means that nailing your London packing list is crucial to spending a wonderful few days in the city. Luckily, I’ve got the lowdown on what to bring for a trip to the Big Smoke.
As a Brit, I know more than anyone that London’s weather can be troublesome. Sometimes the city experiences all four seasons in a single day, making packing for a trip tricky.
But my years in the city mean I’ve weathered it all and can help you have a fantastic time across the pond.
I’ve broken everything down in detail below, from luggage and clothing to the essential gadgets you don’t want to forget. Read on to discover the ultimate London packing list.
London Packing List: At A Glance
- Waterproof trainers – These all-weather trainers will be handy when London decides it’s time for a downpour.
- Trench coat – The coat that looks good and works no matter the weather condition.
- Daypack – A must-have for carrying all your belongings safely and conveniently.
- Portable power bank – If you use your smartphone as a camera, a power bank will ensure your phone remains charged all day.
- Umbrella – Anyone who says London rains every day is lying to you, but I will say an umbrella is essential for those wet surprises.
What to Pack for London
Here are the essentials for your London packing list at any time of the year.
Luggage
The first thing to consider is what luggage to bring to London. Here’s a guide to my top picks.
Hard Shell Check-In
If you’re visiting London for a longer period of time – or heading on a multi-destination trip – hard shell check0 in luggage will be ideal.
I recommend this Level8 check-in case above all others due to its quiet wheels (a god-send when you’re lugging your case around) and an anti-scratch surface to help keep the case looking swish.
Hard Shell Carry-On
Bringing a carry-on is always a good idea whether you’re in London for two days or two weeks.
For one, you’ll have all your essentials during your flight whenever you need them. Secondly, you won’t have to worry about airlines losing your luggage. I adore the Away Carry-On – it’s fairly lightweight and has the option of including a USB charger.
Read Next: The Best Carry-On Suitcases
Daypack / Travel Backpack
You will likely have several items while travelling from one London landmark to the next. Be it your smartphone, power bank, a camera, or a coat – you’ll need a bag to carry all these.
Plus, items can easily fall out of full pockets, and chasing loose pennies as they roll at the speed of light can be embarrassing. So, just be safe and bring a daypack (like the Osprey Daylite) to bring your essentials in one of its many compartments.
Packing Cubes
Calling packing cubes a lifesaver would be an understatement – these will change your travels just as much as they changed mine. Say goodbye to the days of crumpled clothes and hello to an organisation that would make an army general proud.
If you aren’t already familiar with them, packing cubes (I love these EONO ones) are smaller packing bags that can allow you to keep items separated in your luggage.
While you can use them for anything, I recommend using them for planning your OOTD (outfit of the day) by keeping pre-planned outfits in the same cube. They’re also good for keeping your electronics separate from other items in case of mishaps.
Alternatively, you can keep the same garments in one cube and another in a different cube. With packing cubes, you’ll never have to ransack through your luggage again, ruin your clothes and pay to get them ironed at the hotel.
Clothes
It might be a no-brainer, but here’s what to bring…
Trousers
Londoners love a pair of jeans, so make sure you bring your coolest pair along. During summer, you can wear them with a T-shirt; during winter, you can throw a cardigan on top to avoid the breeze.
Alternatively, you can opt for dresses during the warmer months since you can wear them all day long without worrying about the change in weather.
Tops
Up top, you’ll want to bring a few layers like chic cardigans and sweaters, regardless of season. During the winter, you’ll want to get the forever stylish trench coat — a London classic — while the summer will call for a lightweight jacket.
Regardless of which options you choose, London is a rather lax city that won’t judge you too much on what you wear despite its posh reputation. You aren’t part of the Royal Family, but you’re in fabulous London (duh), so do make an effort to look the part.
Footwear
Nothing can ruin a good trip like terrible shoes – especially if you’re planning to roam around London on foot.
Comfortable Shoes
Above all else, you’ll want to pick comfortable shoes that fit what you’ll mostly be doing during your visit to London. If you spend most of your time walking around the city streets, you won’t go wrong with these modern trainers.
Another pair you can bring out to showcase your stylish side when London’s is at its balmiest are a pair of sandals.
Gadgets + Electronics
In today’s world, you simply can’t travel without gadgets. These are the ones you shouldn’t forget.
Memory Cards
Bias aside, there are many attractions to see and things to do in London that you’ll pull out your camera quite often.
Trust me; this can eat into your camera space quite quickly; you don’t want to delete old pics to make room for new ones — it’s not fun. Spare yourself the stress and bring along a few memory cards.
Spare Batteries
For the same reason, you’ll also want to have a few extra batteries before getting too snap-happy. Just a note, you’ll need to carry all batteries or electronics in your carry-on during the flight, so account for them when checking the bag weight.
Travel Adapter
Depending on which part of the world you’re coming from, you might be in for a surprise when you realise your charger can’t fit into the London plugs. Getting a versatile international adapter that works for whichever country you visit is best.
External Power Pack
Everyone knows how important a smartphone is when travelling. It’s a way to contact people, get directions, get transportation and more. So, when it depletes the battery, panic can start setting in.
Don’t fret – bring along a portable charger to keep you juiced up on the road.
Noise-Cancelling Headphones
From babies crying (not blaming them at all) to the chatty seat neighbours, sometimes you just need some peace and quiet. You can shut out the outside noise with good noise-cancelling headphones.
Toiletries
While hotels often provide toiletries, you shouldn’t skip packing them, especially if you have some goodies you can’t live without.
Remember that any liquids, gels and aerosols in your carry-on luggage must be in a clear container and can’t be larger than 100 ml.
Essential Toiletries
Remember the basics: toothpaste and a toothbrush, moisturiser, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner. For my ladies, you can’t forget your feminine hygiene supplies.
Medication
Medication is the most important thing to bring, especially if you need it to survive. When bringing prescribed medication, you’ll want to pack it in its original packaging and place it in your carry-on for easy access.
In addition, a travel medical kit is always a good idea for minor injuries.
Sunscreen
Okay, I know, London is often gloomy, and the sun isn’t always out in full force. But when it is, especially in the summer, it can affect your skin.
So, protect your beautiful mug with SPF sunscreen during the hotter months and keep your trusty chapstick close by during the colder months.
Essentials
You need to include these essentials in your London trip packing list to ensure smooth travels.
Passport / Visas
Having your passport with you is the most important thing when travelling anywhere outside your country. London is no exception; losing your passport or not having it with you can land you in hot water.
For one, you won’t be able to enter the UK, and you won’t be able to leave the UK either without your passport. If you lose your passport in London, you must contact your national embassy and get an emergency passport or travel document.
Furthermore, be sure to apply for a visa well ahead of time. Find out if you need a visa to visit London by clicking here.
Travel Insurance
Look, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been travelling without incident; travel insurance is necessary. When travelling, it’s possible to encounter a myriad of issues you hadn’t budgeted for.
One minute, you’re on your dream vacation in London; the next, you have a medical complication that digs into your pocket (find out if the NHS covers you). Or perhaps, your flight gets delayed, and you miss your connecting flight back home; these are all things taken care of by your travel insurance.
So, just get it for peace of mind.
Cash / Credit Cards
When travelling abroad, there are certain things you need to keep in mind when it comes to transactions, including the following:
- Don’t make the rookie mistake of exchanging your home currency at the airport — the odds are never in your favour. Your best bet is trading at home; your inner penny pincher will thank you.
- Be sure to let your bank know you’re travelling abroad to avoid them freezing your cards because they don’t recognise the transactions.
Emergency Contacts + Addresses
When travelling to another country, letting your relatives know where you are and who they can contact is essential. So, be sure to send them your reservations and travel information.
Copies of Important Documents to Keep Separate from Wallet
Travelling means you’ll naturally bring along several documents needed to reach your destination and return home. Unfortunately, it’s entirely possible that you lose one or all your documents, and now you’re stuck in London — which is a bummer regardless of how much you love the city.
Keeping your documents is essential, but having backup copies is more critical. Keep copies of your passport, travel insurance, reservations, and the like safely in your hotel room or upload them to your cloud storage. Better yet, why not do both?
Guide Book
Let me tell you something: nothing beats a good guidebook. I recommend this travel guide with all the famous stops and some that only a local can fill you in on. Or, you can purchase my very own Unusual London book to see the best of London’s quirky side.
What to Pack for London in Spring
When creating a London packing list, spring is one of the easier seasons to plan. It’s sandwiched between winter and summer, and what you pack will depend on which season is closer.
Trench Coat
It may not seem conventional for spring but trust me; you’ll want to pack a trench coat when packing for London in spring. Not only is it a London classic, but you can also button it down or carry it over your arm when it’s too hot.
Long-Sleeve Shirts
Sweaters can be too warm, and short-sleeve shirts can be too cold, so stick with long-sleeve shirts for something in the middle.
What to Pack for London in the Summer
London gets a bad rep when it comes to weather, but the UK’s summers can be pretty hot. Though that’s not to say they aren’t predictable – the volatile season could start your day off with nothing but gloom but end up with sunshine for the entire day to bring a smile to your face.
Light Layers
During the summer, London day temperatures average around 22° C (72° F). So, it’s a good idea to bring a few light layers like pullover sweaters and lightweight jackets on top of the usual dresses, capris and shorts.
Sandals and Low-Top Shoes
When here during the summer, opt for open-toe sandals or low-top sneakers that give your feet room to breathe.
What to Pack for London in Autumn / Fall
Early autumn isn’t as cold as late autumn (or fall), so it’s mostly mild weather that won’t be too bothersome.
Waterproof Jacket
Autumn presents double trouble, it’s a cold season, but it also happens to be London’s rainy season. As a result, you must bring a warm, waterproof jacket to keep the rain at bay.
Touchscreen Gloves
It’s almost impossible to do anything without your phone nowadays, so using it without removing your gloves is crucial.
What to Pack for London in Winter
London winters are no joke, they can be freezing at times, but they’re always cold. During this season, layering is your best friend.
Thermals
Sometimes, London can get so cold that layering up won’t always do the trick. This is where body thermals come in; they can keep you warm without wearing too many layers and clothes.
Winter Woollies
In addition to the thermals, you’ll need to bring some essential wool garments for added warmth. This includes winter hats, scarves, and gloves.
London Packing Tips
- When packing essential documents, I recommend keeping them separate so you don’t lose them all simultaneously.
- As I said, London weather is a little unpredictable, so don’t only pack for the season you’re visiting in. It’s important to bring some layers in addition to seasonal wear.
- Get friendly with the tube map. I recommend downloading CityMapper and using a contactless card to tap in an out. Alternatively, you can get an Oyster Card which you top up before you use.
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