London Packing List: What to Pack and Travel Essentials

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While London is a bucket-list destination for many, packing for a trip to the Big Smoke can be a bit of a headache. The weather may change several times a day, so you have to be ready for pretty much any conditions whenever you visit.

We’ve come up with a detailed packing list that’ll help you prepare for your visit to London. Use it as a base for creating your own travel checklist, and add your own spice by including items that you can’t imagine traveling without.

What should I wear in London?

London has a reputation for always being cold and rainy, but that’s not necessarily the case. Sure, it’s far from a tropical destination, but it does experience all four seasons, so your wardrobe should depend mostly on when you visit London.

Summer clothes for London

Summertime in London is fairly warm, with the average high temperature at right around 22°C (73°F), with some days getting as hot as 30°C (86°F). You can expect around 11-12 rainy days in any summer month, which isn’t that much more than most cities in Europe.

Needless to say, you won’t need a heavy winter coat in London during the summer, and it’s the only time when you might get away with packing light. Here’s an example of what you might pack for a London vacation in the summer:

1. Several T-shirts;
2. 1-2 pairs of shorts;
3. 1-2 pairs of pants/jeans;
4. 1-2 sweaters;
5. A light jacket for colder days;
6. A rain jacket for rainy days;
7. A pair of comfortable shoes;
8. A pair of shoes for going out;
9. An outfit for going out;
10. Several pairs of underwear;
11. Several pairs of socks.

Winter clothes for London

Winter can get fairly cold in the capital of the UK, with the average high temperature at around 9°C (48°F) and the average low at 5°C (41°F). That’s still warmer than many other European destinations, but the wet weather and chilly winds can make it feel colder than it actually is.

Snow and freezing temperatures are rare but not unheard of, so you should come prepared to take on everything that the London winter has to offer.

1. Warm coat or warm jacket;
2. Several sweaters;
3. 1-2 sets of warm base layers;
4. 1-2 pairs of pants;
5. A scarf;
6. A winter hat;
7. A pair of warm gloves;
8. Warm waterproof boots;
9. A rain jacket;
10. Several pairs of warm socks;
11. Several pairs of underwear.

Spring/fall clothes for London

The weather in November and March is not far from what you’d expect in the winter. That said, you can definitely prepare for spring if you’re visiting in April or May or for fall if your trip takes place in September or October.

With highs ranging from 20°C (68°F) to 12°C (53°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F), you’ll need to pack for both cold and warmer weather. Rain is also always a possibility, so make sure you have means to stay dry and clothes to change into if you do get wet.

1. A warm jacket;
2. A lightweight jacket;
3. A rain jacket;
4. Several sweaters;
5. Comfortable shoes;
6. Waterproof shoes;
7. Several T-shirts;
8. 1-2 pairs of pants;
9. A scarf;
10. Both warm and regular socks;
11. Several pairs of underwear.

Hygiene and healthcare products

Needless to say, clothes aren’t the only thing you need to pack for your London trip. You can probably purchase most healthcare and hygiene products when you arrive. But packing them from home means you don’t have to spend money and time buying new stuff when you already have what you need.

Just keep in mind that most airlines don’t allow liquids over 100 ml in carry-on luggage, so either buy travel-sized packages or simply have multi-use travel toiletry bottles ready, which you can fill with your own products. 

Here are some main hygiene and healthcare products you might want to pack for your vacation:

1. Toothbrush and toothpaste;
2. Lip balm;
3. Basic makeup and hair products;
4. Shampoo and conditioner;
5. Soap and/or shower gel;
6. Deodorant;
7. Feminine hygiene products;
8. Tissues and wet wipes;
9. Reusable water bottle;
10. Prescription medications (if needed).

If you need to take prescription medication daily, make sure to take it with you. It’s a good idea to take the prescription itself with you if the airport security has any questions.

Electronics and internet connection

Gone are the days of using a map to navigate and tourist booklets to search for place to eat. Everything is replaced by a smartphone with internet connection. All you need to do is make sure you’re phone is always charged and that you don’t run out of data.

Keep in mind that sockets in the UK are different from the ones in the US or most of mainland Europe. Make sure to grab a universal travel adapter with you so you can charge your phone and other electronic devices. 

As for the internet, getting an eSIM card for London is your best bet. It’s cheaper than paying data roaming charges or buying a physical SIM card in London. It’s also super convenient, since you can buy, set up, and activate your eSIM without leaving the house. All you need is 5 minutes of time and an internet connection.

If you forget to get an eSIM in advance, you can simply use the London airport WiFi to buy your eSIM and enjoy an unlimited, steady connection no matter where you go. If London is just one of many destinations in a Euro trip, you might want to get an eSIM for Europe instead. It provides coverage in most European countries with a single eSIM card.

Here’s a short list of electronic devices and gadgets that you may want to consider packing for your trip to London:

1. Your cell phone;
2. Cell phone charger;
3. Universal travel adaptor;
4. Power bank for charging on the go;
5. eSIM for an internet connection.

Travel documents

The wonderful trip you’ve planned out for yourself may end at your home airport if you forget to pack the essential travel documents. Here are some of the main one’s that you should have with you whenever you travel to Europe.

1. Passport;
2. Plane tickets;
3. Driver’s license;
4. European Travel Permit (ETIAS);
5. Health and travel insurance;
6. Visa (if applicable).

Neither of these take up any space, so you don’t need to worry about getting an extra checked bag just to fit everything. You won’t be able to board the plane without your passport and plane tickets. And a driver’s license is crucial if you want to explore the country in a car. 

Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for visitors in the UK. But having it gives you peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip rather than worry about anything that may happen. It covers damages for lost or damaged luggage and helps you take care of medical bills in case anything goes wrong.

Visitors from most countries, including the US and all of the EU, don’t need a visa to enter the UK on holiday. That said, as of 2024, you’ll need to fill out a European Travel Permit (ETIAS), which is valid for up to 3 years. 

If you’re traveling from a country outside of the EU, make sure to double check whether or not you need a visa to enter the UK. If you do, you won’t be able to enter the country without one.

What should I bring with me for a 7-day trip to London?

The list above should just about cover the bases when it comes to what you should pack for London. To summarize, let’s take a look at what you should bring with you for a hypothetical 7-day visit to London:

1. 3-4 T-shirts;
2. 1-2 pairs of shorts;
3. 1-2 pairs of pants/jeans;
4. 2-3 sweaters;
5. A light jacket for colder days;
6. A rain jacket for rainy days;
7. A pair of comfortable shoes;
8. A pair of shoes for going out;
9. An outfit for going out;
10. 4-5 of underwear;
11. 4-5 pairs of socks;
12. A warm coat (depending on the season);
13. Waterproof boots (depending on the season);
14. A scarf, a pair of gloves, and a winter hat (depending on the season);
15. Toothbrush and toothpaste;
16. Lip balm;
17. Basic makeup and hair products;
18. Shampoo and conditioner;
19. Soap and/or shower gel;
20. Deodorant;
21. Feminine hygiene products;
22. Tissues and wet wipes;
23. Reusable water bottle;
24. Prescription medications (if needed);
25. Your cell phone;
26. Cell phone charger;
27. Universal travel adaptor;
28. Power bank for charging on the go;
29. eSIM for an internet connection;
30. Passport;
31. Plane tickets;
32. Driver’s license;
33. European Travel Permit (ETIAS);
34. Health and travel insurance;
35. Visa (if applicable).

This should just about prepare you for any activity in any weather when you visit London. Use it as a base to create your own travel packing checklist and add any other items you can’t imagine traveling without. 

And remember to go through the list and check your bags right before you leave. By doing so, you’ll be able to enjoy an amazing trip and won’t have to worry about something you left at home. 

Enjoy your time in the Big Smoke

Once your bags are packed, all that’s left for you to do is relax. Plan out your trip, book a walking tour to get to know London better, see a show in the West End, and simply have a good time knowing that all the essentials are packed.

To make sure you always stay connected in your travels, get an eSIM from Holafly. With all plans including unlimited data, you’ll never be left stranded without an internet connection.

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