Flights and hotels
London city break: flights, hotels and where to stay
From the arrivals hall to your hotel room in under two hours. Which London airport to choose, how to get into town, and four hotels we love staying at.
You land before lunch, and an hour later you are sitting with a pint and a view of a London street that has never quite decided whether it is old or new. Whether you arrive by plane from abroad or by train from elsewhere in the UK, London rewards a well planned weekend.
Here is what you need to book flights and a hotel in London: which airport suits you, how to get into the centre, when a package makes sense, and four hotels in four different neighbourhoods.
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Flight and hotel together, or separately?
A package with flights and hotel in one booking is often the easiest option for a weekend away: one confirmation, one place to change your trip, and sometimes a lower total price than booking each part on its own. Booking separately gives you more freedom to choose airline and departure time.
Book flight and hotel together: See London city break packages
Flights only: Search flights to London
Which London airport should you choose?
London has several major airports, and your choice decides how long it takes to reach the centre.
Heathrow: the largest. The Heathrow Express runs to Paddington, and the Elizabeth line takes you straight through central London and on to the east.
Gatwick: south of the city. The Gatwick Express runs to Victoria, and regular trains go to London Bridge.
Stansted and Luton: popular with low cost airlines. The Stansted Express runs to Liverpool Street.
London City: a small airport in the east, close to Canary Wharf. A short ride in, but fewer routes.
Coming by train from elsewhere in the UK? King’s Cross, St Pancras and Euston sit side by side, which makes King’s Cross and Bloomsbury handy bases.
Where to stay in London
Pick your neighbourhood by what the weekend is about. Covent Garden and the Strand for theatre and restaurants, Holborn for a central base at a sensible price, King’s Cross for trains and newer London, and St James’s when you want calm in the middle of the city.
The Savoy
The Savoy Grill at The Savoy on the Strand.
The Savoy: the classic on the Thames
The Savoy has stood on the Strand since 1889, with the theatres of Covent Garden on one side and the Thames on the other. Walk in through the little forecourt where taxis drive on the right, and you see why it has been London’s stage for celebrations for well over a century.
Book a table at the Savoy Grill or a drink in the American Bar before the show. Afterwards it is a five minute walk home.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Savoy
The Hoxton, Holborn
The lobby at The Hoxton is a living room for the neighbourhood.
The Hoxton, Holborn: central and lively
The lobby at The Hoxton in Holborn hums with laptops, coffee cups and people meeting up. You are between Covent Garden and the British Museum, and most of London is a walk or a few stops on the Central line away.
Rooms are compact but well thought out. This is the hotel for spending your money out in the city rather than on the room.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Hoxton, Holborn
The Standard London
The rooftop bar at The Standard, looking towards King’s Cross.
The Standard London: next to the trains at King’s Cross
The Standard sits across the road from St Pancras, in a 1970s office block brought back to life with bold colours and a red lift running up the outside. From the rooftop bar you look over the station lights, and Coal Drops Yard and the canal are a few minutes on foot.
A good pick if you arrive by train from the north or are taking the Eurostar on to Paris.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Standard London
Dukes London
Martinis are mixed at your table in Dukes Bar.
Dukes London: quiet in the heart of St James’s
Dukes hides in a small courtyard off St James’s Street, where London suddenly falls silent. It is a classic British hotel with thick carpets, calm rooms and a bar famous for martinis mixed on a trolley at your table.
Green Park, Piccadilly and Mayfair are just round the corner, so shopping and parks are both within walking distance.
Book your stay: See rooms at Dukes London
When should you book a London city break?
December and spring weekends: book two to three months ahead. Christmas markets and big shows fill the hotels.
Ordinary weekends: four to six weeks ahead is often enough, but the most popular hotels go first.
School holidays and big concerts: check the calendar before you pick a weekend. Prices climb fast when the whole city is booked.
Frequently asked questions about London city breaks
Which London airport is closest to the centre?
London City is the closest airport to central London, but it has the fewest routes. Of the big airports, Heathrow and Gatwick are quickest, with the Heathrow Express to Paddington and the Gatwick Express to Victoria.
Is it cheaper to book a London flight and hotel together?
It can be, especially for weekend breaks. A package gives you one booking and sometimes a lower total price. Compare it with booking separately if you have a particular hotel or airline in mind.
Where should I stay in London for the first time?
For a first visit, Covent Garden, Holborn and the area around the Strand are good choices. You can walk to the theatres, the Thames and many of the big museums, and the Underground is never far away.
How many nights do I need in London?
Two to three nights is enough for a first taste of London, with time for a museum, a show and a few neighbourhoods. Four nights or more lets you add day trips or explore further out.
Which area is best for a quiet London hotel?
St James’s and Mayfair are the quietest central areas. You are close to Green Park and Piccadilly, but the side streets empty out in the evening.