London with kids
London With Kids: How to Plan a Family Trip to London and England
London is an easy first European city for kids. Plan 5 to 6 days, lean on the free museums, and add a day trip to Bath or Oxford. Every traveler needs a UK ETA, babies included, for £20 each, and kids under 11 ride the Tube free with a paying adult.
Some of my favorite days in London were the days we did nothing.
We started in Kensington and just walked to Chelsea. We happened to be there right on the hour for the Changing of the Guard. You hear it before you really see it.
And if you miss your stop on the Tube, like we did a few times, take it as a sign you were meant to explore another part of town.
When to go
London on a US school calendar
- 1Late March to April
Spring break
Parks bloom and the days get longer. Easter weeks are busy.
- 2June
Long days
Light until late, before UK schools let out.
- 3Late July and August
UK school holidays
Museums and attractions are packed. Book everything ahead.
- 4October
Quieter
Cooler weather, shorter lines and better prices.
- 5Thanksgiving week
Lights go up
A great short trip. The Christmas lights start in November.
- 6December
Christmas
Markets and lights everywhere. Book rooms early.
Where to go
London first, then a day trip
Five or six days in London, with one day out of the city.
London with kids
Castles, free museums, afternoon tea and Borough Market. The top deck of a double decker bus is a sightseeing tour for the price of a bus fare.
Bath
The Roman Baths are the easiest history lesson of the whole trip.
Or try Oxford for colleges, old libraries and a big dose of Harry Potter. My England guide has more, and the London printables go right in the bag.
Free for families
The big museums are free
| Museum | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| British Museum | Free | A free ticket is advised |
| Natural History Museum | Free | A free entry pass guarantees you get in |
| Science Museum | Free | Book a free ticket ahead |
| V&A South Kensington | Free | Some exhibitions cost extra |
Where to sleep
Rooms for a family of 4 or 5
A family of five almost always needs two rooms or an apartment in London.
| Option | Sleeps | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard hotel room | 2 or 3 | Many London rooms cap at 3 people |
| Family room | 4 | Goes first, book early |
| Two rooms next to each other | 4 to 6 | Ask for them side by side |
| Apartment | 4 to 6 | Kitchen and laundry, check the stairs |
Getting around
The Tube, trains and tickets
- Up to 4 kids under 11 ride free with a paying adult on the Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line
- Kids under 11 ride buses free too
- Adults just tap a contactless card
- Every traveler needs a UK ETA, £20 each, babies included
- Harry Potter Studio Tour: book ahead. 2026 tickets are £47 for kids 5 to 15
- Renting a car? They drive on the left. After a month of it, my brain did not want to switch back
Before you go
The boring stuff, sorted
Add a country
London and Paris in one trip
Paris is about 2 hours 16 minutes from London on the Eurostar, which makes it an easy add on a 10 day trip. Here’s my Paris guide. Ireland is a short flight too: Dublin with kids.
“Afternoon tea is a must. Nobody is rushing. Nobody is checking a phone. It’s the most relaxed two hours of the trip.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Plan your trip with meThinking about London?
Tell me who’s coming and roughly when, and I’ll help you figure out the order it all goes in.
Start planningQuick answers
Is London good for kids?
Yes. The big museums are free, the Tube is easy, and kids already know a lot of the history from school.
How many days in London with kids?
5 to 6 days, plus a day trip to Bath or Oxford if you can.
Do kids need a UK ETA?
Yes. Every traveler needs one, including babies and children. It’s £20 per person.
Do kids ride the Tube free in London?
Up to 4 kids under 11 ride free with a paying adult on the Tube, DLR, Overground and Elizabeth line.
Which London museums are free for kids?
The British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A are free. Book the free Science Museum ticket ahead.
Do you need to book the Harry Potter Studio Tour ahead?
Yes. Book ahead. In 2026 tickets are £58.50 for adults and £47 for kids 5 to 15.
Can you do London and Paris in one trip with kids?
Yes. The Eurostar takes about 2 hours 16 minutes, so 10 days covers both.
Where should a family of 5 stay in London?
Two rooms side by side or an apartment. Most London hotel rooms cap at 3 or 4 people.
Keep planning: London guide, England guide, United Kingdom guide, international travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices, fees and rules last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
Where are you taking the kids?
