Thinking of planning a trip to England’s capital?
That’s great!
When’s the best time to visit London though?
That’s one of the first questions you should ask yourself before booking any tickets, to make sure you make the most out of your trip, albeit for business or leisure purposes.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
What’s the Best Time to Visit London?
The best time to visit London is in the Spring and Summer months, between May and July.
Of course this is quite subjective and can differ depending on your own preferences and needs, but this time period is generally “the best one” taking into account various factors, especially the relatively good weather.
However, it’s usually more busy so if you’re ok with bad weather but prefer fewer crowds, then the months of March-April and September-October might be more suitable for you.
To give you a better idea, we’ve broken down the most important factors to take into account, for you to decide when the best time to visit London is.
Factors to Consider Before Booking a Trip to London
The factors we’ve selected are:
- The weather
- How busy it is
- The prices
Let’s have a look at them.
Factor #1: Weather
As you know, London can be quite a rainy city so you wouldn’t want the weather to ruin your vacation plans.
That’s why it’s imperative that you choose when to visit wisely, unless rain doesn’t really bother you.
To give you an idea though, London is most rainy in the months of January, March, November and December.
With July being the driest month.
Factor #2: Crowds
The second factor to consider is how busy it’ll be.
In a nutshell, London sees the most crowds during summer, when the weather is better, tourists flood the city, and school at the same time schools are out.
Plus December because of the holidays.
So if you want to visit in a less crowded time, off-season would be best; so from January to April and September to November.
Let’s move on to our third factor.
Factor #3: Prices
The more busy a season is, the higher the prices will be during it.
That’s the law of supply and demand, right?
So if you put two and two together, since we mentioned earlier that summer is the most busy season in London, it’s also the most expensive season.
That’s because the summer tourists push the prices up on both hotels and flights when there are fewer of both available.
According to Kayak, during summer (the peak season), flights are about 40% more expensive than in the off-season.
But December is also a peak month to visit, and is about 25% more expensive than other off-season months.
As an overview, those are the most important things to consider before visiting London.
Depending on what’s most important for you (weather, crowds etc.) you can make the decision that you think is the best!
However, let’s dive a little deeper into what London looks like each month of the year.
What’s London Like Month-on-Month
London can be quite different from month to month, so here’s a brief overview of what it looks like from January to December.
January
London in January is often characterized by cool temperatures, occasional rain, and sometimes frost.
- Average Temperature: Around 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Less crowded compared to peak tourist seasons.
- Prices: Accommodations and attractions might be less expensive compared to the summer months.
- Best Things to Do: Explore museums, theaters, and indoor attractions. Enjoy winter festivities.
February
February is similar to January, with cool temperatures and the possibility of rain.
- Average Temperature: Around 2 to 9 degrees Celsius (36 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Generally less crowded.
- Prices: Moderate, with some potential for lower prices.
- Best Things to Do: Visit cultural sites, attend events like Chinese New Year celebrations.
March
In March spring begins, with milder temperatures and blooming flowers.
- Average Temperature: Around 4 to 12 degrees Celsius (39 to 54 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Increasing tourist activity, but not as crowded as the summer months.
- Prices: Moderate.
- Best Things to Do: Explore Hyde Park, attend spring events, and visit historical landmarks.
April
Spring in full swing, with blossoming flowers and longer days!
- Average Temperature: Around 6 to 14 degrees Celsius (43 to 57 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Tourist numbers begin to rise.
- Prices: Moderate.
- Best Things to Do: Enjoy outdoor activities, visit Covent Garden, and attend cultural events.
May
In May spring continues, with warmer temperatures and more outdoor activities.
- Average Temperature: Around 9 to 17 degrees Celsius (48 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Increasing tourist activity.
- Prices: Moderate.
- Best Things to Do: Explore parks, attend festivals, and enjoy outdoor markets.
June
In June London becomes lush and green, with longer daylight hours. The weather is generally pleasant.
- Average Temperature: Around 12 to 20 degrees Celsius (54 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Tourist numbers increase, especially in popular outdoor areas.
- Prices: Moderate to slightly higher.
- Best Things to Do: Attend outdoor festivals, explore the Royal Parks, and enjoy riverside activities.
July
Summer in London means warm temperatures and occasional sunshine. Outdoor spaces are lively.
- Average Temperature: Around 14 to 22 degrees Celsius (57 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: High tourist season; popular attractions and parks can be busy.
- Prices: Higher, especially for accommodations and popular tourist activities.
- Best Things to Do: Explore outdoor markets, attend open-air concerts, and take boat tours on the Thames.
August
August is similar to July, with warm temperatures and occasional summer showers.
- Average Temperature: Around 14 to 22 degrees Celsius (57 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: High tourist season continues, with many locals on vacation.
- Prices: Higher, especially for last-minute bookings.
- Best Things to Do: Attend the Notting Hill Carnival, explore London’s street food scene, and enjoy outdoor cinema events.
September
Autumn begins, with milder temperatures and changing colors in parks and gardens.
- Average Temperature: Around 11 to 19 degrees Celsius (52 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Tourist numbers start to decrease.
- Prices: Moderate.
- Best Things to Do: Visit London Fashion Week events, explore museums, and enjoy the last days of outdoor events.
October
Autumn foliage becomes prominent, and temperatures cool down.
- Average Temperature: Around 8 to 15 degrees Celsius (46 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Moderate tourist activity.
- Prices: Moderate.
- Best Things to Do: Attend Halloween events, explore historic neighborhoods, and visit autumn markets.
November
In November London turns quieter with a crisp feel in the air. Fall colors persist in the early part of the month.
- Average Temperature: Around 5 to 11 degrees Celsius (41 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Fewer tourists, especially toward the end of the month.
- Prices: Moderate, with potential discounts for some accommodations.
- Best Things to Do: Explore cozy pubs, visit museums and galleries, and attend early Christmas events.
December
Festive decorations light up the city, and there’s a Christmas-y atmosphere! Cool temperatures prevail.
- Average Temperature: Around 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Crowds: Tourist numbers increase closer to Christmas.
- Prices: Higher, especially around the holidays.
- Best Things to Do: Experience Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, attend Christmas markets, and enjoy holiday lights across the city.
Let’s wrap things up with some final words.
Final Thoughts
London is a wonderful city!
With countless things to do, from visiting some of the world’s best restaurants to famous attractions, you’re bound to have the time of your life.
However, if you’re visiting for a few days or weeks, one of the problems you might have is regarding your luggage storage.
Where will you store your bags before your check-in or after check-out?
This is where Stasher comes in! Through our platform or app you can find hundreds of locations around London to easily store your luggage, so you can enjoy the city stress free!
