If you’re in Britain or anywhere else in Europe, a short trip to London is a must.

Being one of the largest cities on earth, London has plenty to offer, making the English capital worth the visit.

Since 3 days in London is not a lot of time, a carefully planned itinerary can help you make the most out of your vacation. We have made a detailed itinerary with all the information you need to plan your trip.

This itinerary can be adjusted based on your budget so that every visitor can get a good taste of what the UK capital has to offer.

Discover the best this city offers in terms of sights, sounds, history, art, food, shopping, and so much more. Experience the best bits of London with this three-day travel guide.

Planning the Trip

Before you land at Heathrow, you must figure out where to stay during your trip and how to travel between locations.

You can switch up your days accordingly depending on where you are staying. Let’s say you choose to stay in South Bank or Bankside; you can switch your day two itinerary to day one or any other way you like. 

Also, remember that there are many places you can stay and many modes of travel you can choose, but picking the right ones will cut your cost and help you make the most out of your short visit.

Where to Stay?

When choosing a place to stay in London, you must select a location that helps you quickly get to the main attractions.

Staying in some of the prime locations can ensure that you don’t spend as much money on the commute and have more time to explore the city.

These are the most convenient locations for many of the major sites and attractions, some of which you can simply walk to. However, London is a big city, so don’t expect all the key attractions to be within walking distance.

Other notable sites and locations might be spread out into other parts of the city. While these locations have plenty of great hotels, don’t expect a lot of amenities, as the main point of these venues is the location itself.

Also, these are not places where locals would live, so you won’t get a local experience here. Since 72 hours is such a short time, most people are looking for the tourist “crash course” on London rather than being in search of the local experience.

Let’s take a look at some of the key options for locations you can stay in while visiting London.

Covent Garden

If you want to stay in a happening location that is bustling without being overly touristy, you would want to stay in Covent Garden.

The best way to discover London is by foot, which is possible if you stay in a central location like Covent Garden. 

Situated in the West End of London, Covent Garden is good for history and culture, as you get a definite feel of London with its old architecture.

While the area is almost always buzzing with tourists and locals, it is not too loud or overwhelming. The location comes alive with the live music wafting through the air or with the street performances you will come across. 

Not only will you have all the theatres, restaurants, cafes, and shops within walking distance, but you will also be able to walk to other nearby areas like the River Thames, Somerset House, and Trafalgar Square.

Covent street brings a lot of places within walking distance, including areas like Westminster and Southbank. You are also super close to the top shopping areas of Carnaby Street, Oxford Street, and Regent Street.

Hotels

Due to its attractive location, you will mostly find luxury hotels in the area. One affordable hotel you can try is the Z Hotel Covent Garden. If you get rooms with no windows/views, it is much more budget-friendly than most other hotels in the area.

Try out The NoMad Hotel or The Henrietta if you are into boutique hotels. Or you can opt for the Covent Garden Radisson Blu Edwardian if budget isn’t that much of an issue. 

Soho

Once the red light district of London, Soho is culturally and socially one of the most happening places in the city.  If you want to stay in the centre of the action, Soho is the perfect place for you.

With many of the same attractions within walking distance as Covent Garden, Soho has it all.

Staying here means you are not only close to many of the key attractions of the city, but you are also in one of the most happening, trendy, and hip parts of London.

Soho is the life of the party, as within and around the area, you will find some of the liveliest nightclubs and bars. It also has many cafes, restaurants, and live music venues.

Soho has a collection of boutique shops and famous department stores, so you can shop till you drop. If you want a breath of fresh air, both St. James’s Park and Green Park are also close by.

London’s Chinatown is in Soho, which is an exotic experience in itself with its narrow lantern-lit lanes fragrant with the aroma of exciting cuisines and spices.

Hotels

You will find yet another Z Hotel branch in Soho, which is a bit more affordable than other places. They have eleven different branches in the city!

You can try No.5 Maddox Street or the 4-star Hazlitt’s for boutique hotels. The Soho Hotel is probably the most popular hotel in the area and offers you an ‘artsy’ luxurious experience.

Southbank and Bankside

Travelling across the river Thames to the other side will bring you to two areas, Southbank and