Complete Packing List For London 2025: 17 Essentials + PDF
Growing up a short hop from London, I’ve taken more trips to the country’s capital than I can count and have got my packing list for London down to a work of art!
I’ve spent incredible long weekends here for all sorts of occasions, and my go-to packing list for London is narrowed down to the essentials.
With this in mind, I wanted to share exactly what I think is essential when packing for a trip to London, to save you precious time that should be spent planning your days out here rather than fussing over what to bring!
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn from other affiliate programs. This means we may receive a small commission on products purchased through our links at no extra cost to you.
This London packing list is also perfect for visiting other cities and parts of the UK and is designed for visiting London and the UK at any time of year (I’ve made it clear the items that are more suited to summer or winter!)
The truth is that when you visit the UK you’ll probably need to be prepared for pretty much any weather, so it’s good to have the option of warm or cold weather gear at any time of year! Even if you check the weather forecast religiously before you go, you should be prepared for it to be somewhat inaccurate.
I’ve seen snow in May and a heatwave in October, so being prepared is key!
I’ve broken down my London packing list so you know why each item is essential and then I’ve included the packing list as a whole below, so check out the quick guide if you’re just interested in a particular item or want to skip to the whole list!
Skip To: London Packing List Essentials
Ultimate London Packing List
Before we get stuck in, here is a really quick summary of the key things you’ll want to pack for each season in London for those of you in a rush. It doesn’t include everything, so don’t forget to download the print out packing checklist.
Packing List For London In Summer
- Cute t-shirts or tank tops
- Knee length skirt
- Bright summer dresses
- Ballet pumps or sandals
- Light jacket
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Scarf for layering
- Suncream
What To Wear In London In The Winter
- Warm winter coat
- Pack long-sleeved layers
- Jumper dress and leggings
- Waterproof boots
- Hat, scarf, and gloves
- Thick socks
- Pack jeans or trousers
- Suncream + sunglasses (you do still get some nice bright days in the winter!)
London Packing Essentials For Spring
- Waterproof jacket
- Pack layers, the weather is really varied
- Cute dresses with optional leggings
- Cardigan
- Sunglasses and suncream
- Waterproof boots (high or ankle)
- Pumps you can wear out or walk in if sunny
What To Wear In London In The Fall
- Pack a waterproof coat (something warm)
- A zip-up fleece or cardigan that’s easy to take on and off
- Dresses and leggings
- A hat and scarf
- Boots
- Sunglasses and suncream
London Packing List Essentials
Clothing
I’m assuming you’re visiting London for leisure and not work, so I’ve based my clothing list on that! People in London wear a huge variety of styles, so bring clothes you feel most comfortable in with some smartish options for meals out.
Here are a few top tips before we dive into the nitty gritty below.
- There’s a lot of talk about London being a fashion-conscious capital. While everyone loves to look great while they’re on holiday, you will fit in wearing just about anything in London as it’s such a culturally diverse, economically diverse, and just about anything diverse city.
- A tip I always follow when packing for a trip abroad is to stick to mostly neutral colours. That way, you don’t have to worry about outfits working together.
- If you plan on heading out to bars and clubs you should be aware that most places have a dress code – so no trainers or shorts in the evening!
- If you want to visit some of London’s religious buildings then make sure you dress culturally appropriately too.
#1 Packing Clothes For London In The Winter
Winter in the UK is one of my favourite times of the year. It’s also one of the coldest! You can expect it to rain at least once if you’re in London for week over the winter months, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it decided to rain all week.
Don’t let that spoil your fun though, just make sure you have the right clothes for the weather packed.
- Comfortable trousers like a pair of jeans are one of the best options for London in the winter. Or if you’re a fan of skirts and dresses like I am then bring some thick tights or leggings to pair them with!
- On the top half, think layers! It can be freezing and wet outside and then as soon as you step into a building the heating will have you almost passing out! You’ll need several long sleeve shirts or tops.
- Be prepared with a warm coat that’s easy to take on and off. Think something with a zip or cute tie.
- Hoods are great if you don’t fancy carrying around a hat (and you can’t lose a hood either!) I love this cute coat with a furry hood – looks great in pics!
- You’ll want a waterproof coat so you don’t have to pack an alternative raincoat.
- Feel free to bring an umbrella but they’re pretty annoying in London’s crowds so I never bother!
Wear a few layers so that you can ‘shed’ depending on what you’re doing and what the weather’s doing!
It doesn’t usually get icy cold in London in the winter but wind chill can make it feel a lot colder than it actually is so you’ll want to have a few warmer jumpers to hand, or even better a base layer or two.
Gloves, a hat, and a scarf are essential packing items for wintertime in London.
If you’re keen on photography then get a thinner pair of gloves like these that are designed to make it easier to work small buttons and won’t interfere with your phone screen sensitivity.
#2 Packing Clothes For London In Summer
Summer in London can be variable, so as advised above – be prepared for anything!
You’re more likely to have some sunny days thrown in here and there, and there’s every chance it will be rainy when you leave and sunny by the afternoon or vice versus, so thin, packable layers are key.
The summer months in London are all about the outdoors, so think picnics in the parks and drinks outside.
On the bottom half, I like to pack pretty much what I would for winter in London, but instead of tights, I’ll bring a pair of leggings or two that I can pair with sandals in case it gets chilly.
Instead of a winter coat, I bring a warm zip-up jacket, trench coat, or jumper that I can wear as a coat and a thin rain jacket I can fit in my bag in case the weather takes a turn.
Sunglasses and a sunhat are essential London packing list items for the summertime! Try to get polarised sunglasses that give much better protection from the sun. It’s amazing how much the windows on the buildings create glare in London.
I also pack a light scarf when visiting London. You can use it as a cover-up in the sunshine during the day, a cover when visiting religious buildings, and a shawl for the evening when the temperature dips. They also look great!
As mentioned above, if you’ll be heading out in the evening bring something a little smarter to wear. The evenings are also almost always cooler than the days, so make sure you at least bring another layer out in the evenings so you don’t get cold on walks home!
#3 London Packing List: Shoes
If you’re visiting London as a tourist then you’re going to be doing a lot of walking! The last thing you want is shoes that cause you pain or give you blisters.
I would recommend you take shoes that you can use for multiple occasions. Smart enough to pair with something nice for a meal out and comfortable enough to walk around in all day. It’s a real bonus if they’re waterproof, as we all know the UK is well known for the amount it rains!
In the summer a pair of sandals that will go with a cute summer dress is a great option.
Think boots in the winter. If you want to pack light then a pair of closed-toe pumps in a neutral colour will go with most outfits and can be worn in most weather! Avoid suede which will ruin in no time in the puddles!
Women, I know it’s tempting to go for something with a heel but in the daytime especially you might really regret it. The pavements in London aren’t always the best.
You’ll be battling with cobblestones, uneven stairs, grates, and worse. Flats really are the way to go, or a small heel if you’re confident in them. You’ll thank me for it!
#4 Toiletries / Make up In The London Packing List
The things you need to pack for a trip to London and the UK aren’t that different from what you’d pack when visiting any other country.
The great thing about London is that there’s a supermarket or pharmacy around every corner, so if you forget an essential then it’s likely you’ll be able to pick it up here!
If you’re travelling with just a carry on then you don’t need to worry about taking travel-sized products – just pick up what you need when you get here or at the airport to save yourself the hassle of carrying liquids through check-in.
The only things I would advise are some decent sunscreen (for any time of year – you really never know here!) and some good face wipes or face wash.
London isn’t the worst city for pollution but it isn’t the best either, and your face will need a good scrub at the end of the day!
Packing Electronic Gear For The UK
#5 Adaptor
The UK uses a 220v three-pin system, so if you’re travelling from nearly anywhere else in the world you are going to need a travel adapter. We find these with USB ports the most practical, and always bring an extension cable for extra devices.
#6 Sim card
If you want the option to use your phone as you go then the best thing to do is get a sim card on arrival (if your phone is unlocked). The other option is to just use the free WIFI that’s widely available in hotels and cafes.
#7 External battery
It’s also a good idea to bring an external battery pack. We’ve got through a few cheap ones in our time but nothing compares to this Samsung charger. It lasts for absolutely ages and keeps phones and other electronics charged multiple times over. I can thoroughly recommend it!
#8 Noise cancelling headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are great for any city, and especially London. Traffic and late-night bars don’t go well with city centre hotels, so grab a decent pair of headphones to cancel out the sounds of the city when you’re having a cozy night in or need a decent night’s sleep!
They’re also great for long-haul flights!
#9 Kindle
I always travel with my Kindle, and London is a great city to have one at hand. It’s a bit of a joke that no one makes eye contact on the Tube, but it’s true!
Having a Kindle to stare at not only passes the time, but you’ll fit right in with the city commuters!
Top Tip: You should bear in mind that if you are travelling to England from the USA, which uses a 110v system, not all your equipment will work. Most laptops, phones, and cameras will be fine, but things like hair dryers and straighteners often take different voltages and won’t work in the UK.
You can check on the plug or in the manual to find out. Get yourself a dual voltage hair dryer and straightener to solve this problem! Then you can be sure they’ll work where ever you choose to travel.
#10 Packing Photography Gear For London
You’re going to want to capture all the great times you’re having here, and there are some fantastic photo opportunities in London, so even if you’re not a budding photographer London might just convert you! You’ll want a camera on you at all times, even if it’s just your phone.
If you’re hoping for quality photos then we have a comprehensive guide on the best cameras out there, but if that’s overkill for you then take a look at some of the best action cameras on the market.
These make great travel cameras as they’re so small they fit easily in your bag, and they take really decent photos and videos in all kinds of situations.
I always bring a selfie stick for nice photos of Adam and I, but these are also super useful for solo travel, especially if you’re like me and hate asking others to snap photos for you!
Don’t forget to bring a few accessories that will make life a lot easier for you. Spare batteries, spare memory cards, a UV filter for the lens, and a decent bag or case to keep it all safe. A waterproof one is a bonus!
If you’re on the hunt for an extra special location for some great photos then check out the best hotels in London with a view.
Packing For London: Bags
You’ll need two bags for your London trip – one for day to day use and one for your luggage.
#11 Suitcase
I prefer to carry my luggage in a backpack when travelling in London, because it’s so much easier when boarding public transport and it’s also easy to carry to your accommodation (if you travel light!)
Tortuga backpacks have tonnes of great travel features but the things I love most about them is the fact they open like a regular suitcase, so you don’t have to pack and unpack constantly while you travel.
You can opt for wheel bags but be aware you’ll probably have to travel up and down some escalators and on crowded tube platforms.
#12 Day bag
For the day time I also carry a backpack. Pick pockets are a thing in London, as with every city, but as long as you’re sensible with your more expensive belongings you should be fine! If you’re worried, use a decent quality lock that won’t damage or rust quickly.
We’ve put together a list for the best backpacks for digital nomads. They include the best backpacks for safety, and will cover most uses!
We love the Porter 30 for travel, which has multiple storage options including a padded laptop sleeve at the back of the bag, making it easy to remove at airport security. It also has a lifetime warranty, so it’s the perfect all-use bag!
The Matein travel backpack is a great budget option, and it has a safety pocket too.
Extras
You’re going to need your essentials, like your passport and phone! But there are a few essential London packing items you might not have considered.
#13 The London Pass
If you’re here as a tourist then I can highly recommend the London Pass. It gives you entry to most of London’s top attractions and includes a hop on, hop off bus tour too. If you plan on visiting more than a couple of attractions then this pass will save you a lot of time and money!
#14 Reusable water bottle
Bring a reusable water bottle for obvious reasons – less plastic and more money saved for you! Tap water in the UK is safe to drink and free at restaurants and cafes!
#15 Lonely Planet Guidebook
You’ll also want a guidebook so you don’t miss out on any of London’s highlights. It took me years to get one and I wish I’d done it earlier – even as a local I found so many top spots I’d never visited! My go to guidebook is the Lonely Planet.
You can also get a pocket version if you prefer to travel light!
#16 Audible
It isn’t something you can pack but I love it so much for travel that I have to recommend it here. Sign up to Audible and you can listen to Audiobooks on the go to prevent that travel boredom.
It’s perfect for long haul flights and tube journeys through London, and if you sign up using this link you’ll get a months free subscription!
#17 Oyster Card
Grab an oyster card and keep it on you at all times while travelling around London. These handy cards will automatically calculate your different journeys on the train lines and buses, so you never pay over what you should.
They are top-up cards so if you lose it you’ll never lose more than the amount on your card.
You can also use your debit or credit cards at the touch points for public transport, so don’t forget to pack these as well!
#18 Travel Insurance
After a nasty accident that could have resulted in a very expensive travel insurance claim, I vowed to remind people about travel insurance in all my travel-related blog articles.
Safety Wing offer travel insurance for backpackers. It’s an easy to understand system with everything you’re covered for listed in real talk (not lawyer talk!)
Printable London Packing Checklist
There’s also a section for you to add any specific personal items that you want so you can stay super organised in the run-up to your trip.
What To Pack For The Rest Of The UK
Most of the things you’ll need for visiting other places in the UK are the same as what you’ll be packing for your trip to London.
If you’re going to be sticking to England’s cities and towns then you probably won’t need anything extra, but if you want to explore England’s countryside (we highly recommend you do) then you’ll want to add in some hiking gear.
Visit Haworth in Yorkshire or the nearby Malham Cove for some incredible hiking opportunities. The terrain in the UK can be wet and muddy year-round, so decent waterproof hiking boots are a must, and a waterproof jacket is also essential.
Conclusion: The Best London Packing List
Thanks for reading! I really hope you found this packing list for London and the UK useful, and that you have the most amazing trip to London!
If you’re looking for the best places to stay in London then we’ve got you covered!
If you enjoyed this post then please do share on social media. And we have lots more travel inspiration and tips so join us on social media and our mailing list to be updated on our newest posts!
