Let me guess. You’ve got your flights and hotel booked and you’re all set for your trip to London. You’re all ready to go until you realise, you have no idea what you should pack for your trip!
Well you’ve come to the right place. In this ultimate London packing list I’ve outlined everything you could possibly need for your trip to London, for every season.
In this London packing guide you will find essentials that you should pack regardless of the time of year you visit, and then some suggestions for outfits for every season and weather. If you want to know what to pack for a London trip, jus read on!
London year-round essentials
Regardless of what time of the year you come to London, these are essentials that you will always need, independently of the weather.
Comfortable walking shoes
You’re bound to do a lot of walking as you explore London. I always say walking is one of the best ways to get around London, since all the attractions in the city centre are so close to each other.
You want to make sure you have comfortable shoes for that! You don’t want to find yourself with sore feet at the end of the day.
Stainless steel water bottle
In London it’s very normal to ask at pubs, bars or cafes if they can refill your water bottle (maybe not out of the blue, but after you’ve purchased something else). You can save money and reduce plastic consumption in one go, it’s a win-win!
My favourite are these stainless steel water bottles, since they keep your water cold or your coffee warm for a very long time, regardless of the temperature outside.
Money belt
London is a very safe city. I’ve been here for 8 years and have never been pickpocketed or bothered anywhere around the city.
However as a tourist you might be carrying a bit more cash than the average Londoner, and understandably don’t want to risk anything getting stolen.
You can get one of these small money belts to fit under your shirt to keep your essential belongings safe and hidden from view.
Umbrella
Some stereotypes are born for a reason. While I would that it’s not true that it always rains in London, it is true that the weather here isn’t the best.
Better safe than wet! Whatever season you’re visiting London, bring a little umbrella with you. You’ll be glad to have it when you get caught out in the rain!
First aid kit
Hopefully you won’t need it, but better to be safe than sorry! There are lots of pharmacies on every corner of London, but I hate having to search for one when I actually need it.
I always bring a little first aid kit everywhere I travel, so that if the need arises I’m prepared!
Toiletry bag
While the are loads of places in London to top up your toiletries, I personally like to always have everything I need before setting off on a trip. What if I can’t find my favourite shampoo or moisturiser while I’m on the road?
Get yourself a nice toiletry bag and top it up with all your essentials, skincare and hair care products. So you don’t have to worry about having to search for a Boots on a bad hair day!
Camera
London is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with lots of epic photo opportunities. You want to make sure you capture all the beautiful landmarks in London at their best!
I personally use a Nikon D3300 and find it to be a great camera for travelling and city photography. The vast majority of photos you see on this blog are taken with that camera.
Power bank
You don’t want to run out of battery while you’re out exploring London! Bring a power bank with you so that you can top up your phone and freely check Google Maps or take epic photos of London.
International adapter
Depending on where you come from you might need an adapter to charge your electronics.
I personally like these international adapters because I can use them everywhere, as opposed to country specific ones that I can only use on one trip and then maybe again in countries with the same plugs.
Comfortable and stylish day bag
You’ll need a place to store all these things on your daily London adventures! Get yourself a comfortable backpack where you can put everything you need, without losing out on style, you’re in London after all!
What to pack for each season in London
Having looked at the overall essentials you should pack for a trip to London, let’s look at some clothing options for every season. These are just an indication based on the average weather in London throughout the year.
Feel free to adapt it depending on how long you plan to spend in London and generally how warm or cold you feel in determinate circumstances.
London summer packing list
Let’s start with my favourite season! I absolutely love London in summer. When the sun comes out and the temperatures rise, London shines in all its beauty.
You can find awesome rooftop bars all over the city, beautiful parks for picnics and some lovely local hidden gems to explore in the sunshine. The sun doesn’t set until around 9pm so you have plenty of time during the day to tick off your London bucket list.
The temperatures in London in summer aren’t too hot, usually ranging from 15°C in evenings to 25°C during the day, but it often feels warmer if you’re sat in the sun.
There generally isn’t much rain in summer, but it obviously changes all the time so check the forecast before your trip. Some examples of outfits and essentials you should pack for a summer trip to London include:
Birkenstock – you want to be comfy as you walk around London! If you’re a bit fancier than me you might prefer comfortable flats instead.
Denim jacket – I love denim jackets. To me they feel like a trendy city jacket that you can wear both in a stylish way and if you’re a little chilly.
Skirts, dresses and jumpsuits – whatever your usual summer outfits would be! Personally I’m a jumpsuit fan. Go for those flowy dresses and skirts if you want to blend right in at London’s most photogenic restaurants.
Light hoodie – London can still be chilly in evenings or windy at times so even if you visit in summer don’t forget to bring at least one hoodie to keep you warm.
Light rain jacket – yes you’re visiting in summer, but it is London after all, there’s always a risk of rain. Bring a rain jacket just to be sure.
What to pack for London in winter
My second favourite season in London is winter. Even if the weather can at times be awful, London at Christmas time is incredibly beautiful.
There are Christmas lights and Christmas markets all over the city, and there is a festive atmosphere that is hard to beat. The temperatures in London in winter usually range between 4°C to 9°C, but can drop below 0°C on especially cold days.
I’ve always found that it doesn’t really rain that much more relative to summer, but there are more overcast and grey days, which give London its gloomy reputation.
If you want to survive a winter trip to London, here are some essentials you should definitely pack:
Water resistant shoes – I’m not saying you should go everywhere in wellington boots, but shoes that are a little more water resistant than simple trainers will keep your feet dry from the London drizzle.
Warm water resistant coat – I always tend to feel chilly when most people don’t, so I usually use a warm puffy coat in London in winter. It’s up to you how warm or not you want it to be, just make sure it can handle a little rain!
Warm scarf – nobody knows where it comes from, but London gets really windy! In winter the cold wind can be really annoying, bring a warm scarf to cover your face and keep warm.
Layers! – Whether it’s cardigans, sweaters, jumpers or hoodies, I’m a fan of the layered approach. Yes it’s cold outside but it gets awfully hot in the tube, you want to be able to undress and get dressed again quite quickly.
Spring packing list for London
Spring is a beautiful time of year. The temperature starts getting warmer (anywhere between 8°C and 10°C), the days start getting longer and there is less rain.
There are also loads of beautiful cherry, magnolia and hysteria trees blossoming all over the city. The pubs start opening up their outdoors seating and you can enjoy all the fun free things to do in London.
If you’re visiting in London in spring, there are a few things you should remember to pack.
Light rain jacket – spring can be quite warm in London, but also very variable. Bring a light waterproof jacket with you, so that you’re prepared if it starts raining.
Light scarf – the weather can still be quite variable in London in spring. In evenings or on cloudy days you might need a scarf to keep warm.
A mix of jeans and dresses – I’ve already said that spring is an odd time of the year in London. Some days you could be drinking outside in a t-shirt and other days you will need a warm hoodie. You will want to pack outfit ideas on all ends of the spectrum, just make sure to check the weather before your trip!
What to pack for an autumn trip to London
I left my least favourite season for last. While there can be some beautiful colours around the city as the leaves turn, I always find autumn quite grey and sad.
It’s a great time to be indoors and explore the museums of London, as well as get a little day tipsy at bottomless brunch or other events with your friends. The temperatures in autumn usually range between 7°C and 15°C.
I’ve listed some suggestions below for useful things to pack if you’re travelling to London between September and November.
Warm raincoat – it’s not as cold as winter yet, but you will still need a warm coat in autumn in London. The denim jacket you were wearing in summer would be way too light now.
Warm hat & scarf – it starts to get chilly in autumn, especially in mornings, make sure to have a hat and scarf to keep your face warm.
Long jeans, leggings and cosy sweaters – you will want a range of outfits that will keep you warm but that will also look stylish with the city vibe.
Boots – I usually wear Doctor Marten boots in London in autumn and winter and love them. They keep my feet dry and have that hipster East London look.
Final thoughts on what to wear in London
There you have it! The ultimate London packing list for every season. In this article I’ve outlined everything you could possibly need for a trip to London, from travel essentials that you will need all year round, to specific outfit suggestions for every season.
Ultimately London is a big cosmopolitan city with lots of shops. If once you arrive you realise you forgot something or your coat is too heavy, you can just pop to Primark and buy a new cheap one (and it’ll be a stylish London outfit for when you return home)!
However having to take some time out of your London itinerary to search for a shop that sells what you need is annoying. I like to make sure I pack everything I might need before a trip, even if I know I could buy it there.
I hope you find this London packing list useful in deciding what to pack for your London trip!
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