How Far Ahead to Book for London: What to Book and When
Wondering how far ahead to book for London? Some things need booking months before you fly, some only open for booking a few weeks out, and a surprising number you can simply walk into on the day.
The ones that catch people out are very specific. Sky Garden tickets are only released three weeks ahead, the Buckingham Palace State Rooms open for around ten weeks each summer, Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets are only sold in advance, and Windsor Castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which is easy to miss when you only have one free day.
Tracy has known London for nearly 50 years, and “when do I need to book?” is one of the questions we are asked most in our UK and London Travel Planning Facebook group. This guide is built on the answers we give there.
It covers London hotels, restaurants and afternoon tea, trains, tours and theatre, plus 12 top attractions with how far ahead to book each one. Planning beyond London too? Read our guide to how far ahead to book for the UK.
Good to know: Sky Garden releases its free tickets every Monday morning, three weeks ahead, for the whole of that week. If it is on your list, set a reminder.
TIP: if you are planning to visit several paid attractions, the London Pass can save you money, and our code UKLP5 takes 5% off.
What to book and when: quick summary
| Attraction | When | Book |
|---|---|---|
| London Eye | 3 months + | Book here |
| The View from the Shard | 1 month + | Book here |
| The Sky Garden | 3 weeks (released Mondays) | Book here |
| Harry Potter Studios | 3 months + | Book here |
| Buckingham Palace | As soon as dates are released | Book here |
| The Tower of London | 1 month + | Book here |
| Westminster Abbey | 1 month + | Book here |
| Kensington Palace | 1 month + | Book here |
| St Paul’s Cathedral | Weeks ahead in summer | Book here |
| Hampton Court Palace | 1 month + | Book here |
| Windsor Castle | 1 month + | Book here |
| Highclere Castle | As soon as dates are released | Book here |
Best London passes
- 🎟 LONDON PASS: entry to 90+ attractions for one price, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye, the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey. Use code UKLP5 at checkout for 5% off your pass. Buy here
- 🎟 GO CITY EXPLORER PASS: choose 2 to 7 attractions, valid for 2 months after activation. Buy here
When to book for London: a general guide
January closures
Some London and UK attractions close for part of January for maintenance, as it is the quietest time of year.
The London Eye, for example, closes for its annual maintenance in January, usually for around two weeks.
The same can apply at other attractions around the UK, especially in tourist areas. If you are visiting in winter, it is worth checking opening dates before you book anything else.
Accommodation
For the best choice of hotels and locations at the best prices, book as soon as you know your dates, especially for July, August and December.
When to book depends mainly on when you are going and where you want to stay.
The busiest times in London are July and August, and from late November to New Year. If you are travelling then, the earlier you book, the better the prices and the more choice you have.
At other times of year, booking early still gives you your best chance of finding somewhere central, affordable, and pleasant.
If you have your heart set on a bucket-list hotel, or need a less common room type such as a large family room, book even earlier.
Rooms at London’s five-star hotels can cost thousands of pounds a night, and the famous names still book up fast. The Savoy, The Dorchester, The Ritz, Claridge’s and Shangri-La at The Shard are all ones to book well ahead.
Read: Where to stay in London: area and accommodation guide
Attractions
For top London attractions on specific dates, book as early as you can. Even booking the day before is better than turning up without a ticket.
How far ahead you need to book depends on the attraction and when you are going. We cover 12 of the most popular below. If there is anything you would be really disappointed to miss, book it as soon as your dates are fixed.
London’s national museums are free, and you can usually walk in. For special exhibitions or very busy dates, though, it is worth booking online, and a few days ahead is usually enough.
When one of our team visited the Natural History Museum on a December weekday, anyone could walk into the museum itself, but the section with Dippy the dinosaur needed a ticket booked in advance.
Restaurants & Afternoon Teas
For Michelin-starred and popular restaurants, and the best-known afternoon tea venues, you will need to book ahead, though many only take bookings a few weeks or months before.
You can walk into many London restaurants and be seated straight away. For the most popular places, you will need to book weeks or months ahead.
Check the booking policy as early as you can, as some places do not take bookings more than two or three months ahead. Note the date their bookings open, and if you miss out, try a day or two later, as cancellations are quite common.
Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes are the busiest, and a Sunday roast at a popular pub is one to book well ahead. Weekdays tend to be quieter. At smarter restaurants, we often book lunch rather than dinner, as lunch menus tend to be cheaper and tables easier to get.
Train tickets
For train journeys out of London, book as soon as Advance fares go on sale, usually six to nine weeks before travel. Within London, booking ahead makes no difference.
London transport fares do not change according to when you pay. Before you arrive, decide whether to use an Oyster card or contactless.
Train journeys from London to other cities are different. Advance fares are the cheapest, especially if you are happy with a ticket you can’t change or refund, and they are only released six to nine weeks before travel. Off-Peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime tickets if you can avoid the busiest times, and Anytime tickets cost the most because you can travel whenever you like.
Weekends and bank holidays need a little more care, as that is when most engineering work happens, and your train may be replaced by a bus. It is worth checking your route before you fix your day trips.
If you would like help with the train side of your trip, you can book a train travel Q&A with Doug, or read more about saving money on UK train tickets.
Tour tickets
Tours that include the most popular attractions can sell out months in advance. Booking early and staying flexible on dates gives you the best chance.
Tours that include the Tower of London or the London Eye always sell fast. Some places only open at certain times, which pushes demand up further. The Buckingham Palace State Rooms, for example, open for around ten weeks each summer.
Tours of the Palace of Westminster (the Houses of Parliament) only run on particular days and at certain times of year, so if it is high on your list, book ahead and plan your London itinerary around the tour dates.
We often book through Get Your Guide, which offers free cancellation on most bookings up to 24 hours ahead. The shorter your stay in London, the sooner you will need to book, as you have fewer days to move things around.
Theatre tickets
For Shakespeare’s Globe, a big West End show or a particular performance, book as early as you can.
Top shows and performances at Shakespeare’s Globe can sell out weeks in advance, so booking a few months ahead is a good rule. Booking early also gets you better value, as theatres release a set number of seats at each price, and once the cheaper ones are gone, they’re gone.
If you are happy to see any West End show, you can often get tickets on the day. If there is one particular show you want, book it as soon as your London dates are fixed.
12 London attractions to book ahead
The London Eye
- When? Daily except Christmas Day and the annual maintenance closure in January
- How far ahead? 3 months+
The London Eye is one of London’s most popular paid attractions, so don’t leave it until the day before. You might get lucky at the last minute, but if you want to see the skyline from the wheel on a particular date, book at least three months ahead. Find out more about visiting the London Eye in this article.
Click here to book London Eye tickets
The View from The Shard
- When? Daily, with hours varying through the year
- How far ahead? 1 month+
The View from The Shard is always popular and can sell out weeks in advance, especially for sunset slots. The indoor viewing galleries are on levels 68 and 69, with an open-air deck on level 72, so book a few weeks ahead if you have a date in mind.
Click here to book The View from The Shard tickets
Harry Potter Studios
- When? Most days of the year, with tickets sold in advance only
- How far ahead? 3 months+
The Warner Bros Studio Tour does not sell tickets on the door, and the popular dates go early. Book a few months ahead if you can. You may find tickets later than that, but you will have far fewer day and time options.
The easiest option is a ticket that includes transport from central London, or you can find everything you need to plan it yourself in our complete guide to getting to the Harry Potter studios.
Click here to book Harry Potter studio tickets with transfers from London included
Sky Garden
- When? Weekdays 10am to 6pm, weekends and bank holidays 11am to 9pm
- How far ahead? Up to 3 weeks, released every Monday morning
Sky Garden tickets are free, and you get wonderful views over the city. They are released every Monday morning (except bank holidays), three weeks ahead, for the whole of that week, so Monday morning is the time to book.
Walk-ins are accepted when there is space, but not after 5pm on weekdays, so a timed ticket is much the safer option. Book your Sky Garden slot here.
Kensington Palace
- When? Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm (last entry 5.30 pm). Check the official site for your dates, as days can change through the year.
- Good to know: the Queen’s State Apartments are closed until spring 2027.
- How far ahead? 1 month+
Kensington Palace was home to Diana, Princess of Wales, and after her death the gates were covered in floral tributes. The gardens are beautiful and well worth the time.
You can book a month or two ahead. With the palace closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, the weekend slots fill quickly, so if you want a particular day, book early.
As well as regular entry, you can book a combined ticket with a royal afternoon tea, served overlooking the Sunken Garden. It makes a lovely way to fit in afternoon tea while you are in London.
Click here to book Kensington Palace tickets
Click here to book Kensington Palace plus a royal high tea
Click here to book a guided Kensington Palace and royal London tour with WalksDevour
Buckingham Palace
- When? State Rooms: summer only (9 July to 27 September in 2026). Exclusive guided tours run on selected dates through the year, including East Wing tours in winter.
- How far ahead? As soon as dates are released
The State Rooms at Buckingham Palace open for only about ten weeks each summer, so everyone who wants to see inside has the same short window. If you will be in London then, book as far ahead as you can.
Outside the summer, the palace runs smaller exclusive guided tours on selected dates, including tours of the East Wing through the winter. These have far fewer places, so book as soon as they are released. Check Buckingham Palace ticket availability here.
Click here to book a guided Buckingham Palace State Rooms tour with WalksDevour
Westminster Abbey
- When? Monday to Saturday for sightseeing. On Sundays, the Abbey is open for services only.
- How far ahead? 1 month+
Westminster Abbey is one of London’s busiest sights. It is where Prince William and Catherine married in 2011, where Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and where her funeral was held, and where King Charles III was crowned in May 2023, so it is on almost every first-time London itinerary.
It is closed to sightseers on Sundays, which squeezes demand into six days, so book ahead and arrive early to avoid the queues.
Book tickets for Westminster Abbey
Book a Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey tour with WalksDevour
The Tower of London
- When? Daily, 9 am to 5.30 pm (10 am on Sundays and Mondays), last entry 4.30 pm. Check the official site around Christmas.
- How far ahead? 1 month+
The Tower of London was the UK’s most visited paid attraction in 2025, with 2.8 million visits, so tickets for popular days book up. If you want a specific day, book at least a month ahead.
For more on planning your visit, read this planning guide or our review of the Tower tour we took.
Click here to book Tower of London tickets
Click here to book the Complete Tower of London tour with the Opening Ceremony, with WalksDevour
St Paul’s Cathedral
- When? Monday to Saturday from 8.30 am, last sightseeing entry usually 4 pm. Sundays are for worship.
- How far ahead? Weeks ahead for summer and school holidays
Tickets for St Paul’s are popular, particularly in summer, so booking a few weeks ahead is sensible if you have a particular day in mind.
In addition to standard tickets, you can book a Triforium tour. It lasts about an hour and is particularly good if you have been before or have a special interest in history or architecture.
Click here to book discounted St Paul’s Cathedral tickets
Hampton Court Palace
- When? 10 am to 5.30 pm, last admission 4.30 pm. Opening days change through the year, and at quieter times it closes on Mondays and Tuesdays, so check the dates for your visit here.
- How far ahead? 1 month+
Henry VIII’s Tudor palace is as popular for its gardens and famous maze as for its interiors, and your ticket covers both, so allow plenty of time.
You can buy tickets on the day, but we would not risk it. It gets very busy at weekends, on bank holidays and in the school holidays, and when a school group arrives.
Hampton Court Palace is on the south-western edge of London, well outside the centre, so it is not a journey you want to waste when your time is limited.
You can book standard entry or a private tour led by a historian if you want to discover more of the palace’s secrets.
Click here to book Hampton Court Palace and grounds tickets
Click here to book a private, historian-guided tour of Hampton Court Palace
Windsor Castle
- When? Thursday to Monday, closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 10 am to 5.15pm from March to October, and 10 am to 4.15 pm from November to February, with last admission 75 minutes before closing. Check your visit dates here.
- How far ahead? 1 month+
Windsor is a trip out of London, and the castle is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so you’ll need to plan it into your week. You can get there on your own with this detailed guide.
Both standard tickets and day trips to Windsor Castle are very popular. The late Queen spent much of her time at Windsor and is buried in St George’s Chapel there, which adds to the interest. You can also book a private guided tour with an experienced local guide.
Day trips that include Windsor are another good option, and some also take in Stonehenge and Bath on the same day.
⭐️ Click here to book Windsor Castle admission tickets
⭐️ Click here to book a Windsor Castle private tour
⭐️ Click here to book a Bath, Stonehenge and Windsor Castle day trip
Highclere Castle day trips
- When? Selected dates only, mainly in spring and summer, plus a Christmas season. Dates are announced a few months ahead, so check the official website.
- How far ahead? As soon as dates are released
Highclere Castle is world-famous as the filming location for Downton Abbey. It only opens to the public on selected dates, most tours must be booked in advance, and it is an hour or more from London, so this is not one to turn up to on the off chance.
There are lots of day trips to choose from, and you will find the full picture in our guide to visiting Highclere Castle. The links below are for two of the most popular, one of which includes a black taxi from your London hotel.
Click here to book a Highclere Castle and Downton Abbey day trip
Click here to book a private black taxi tour to Highclere Castle
Your London booking order
This is the order we would book things in for a London trip:
- Flights and accommodation, as soon as you know your dates.
- Anything with a short season or limited dates, such as the Buckingham Palace State Rooms and Highclere Castle, as soon as tickets are released.
- The big-ticket attractions, such as the Harry Potter studios and the London Eye, around three months ahead.
- Theatre, restaurants and afternoon tea, two to three months ahead for the popular ones.
- Day trips by train, once Advance fares go on sale six to nine weeks before travel.
- The Tower, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace, Windsor and Hampton Court, around a month ahead.
- Sky Garden, on the Monday morning three weeks before.
Even on a last-minute trip, London still has plenty to offer, and there will always be somewhere to stay, eat and visit. Booking ahead simply gives you more choice and, usually, better prices.
- London Travel Resources
- How much to budget for your trip
- 5 day London itinerary
- How many days do you need in London
- How far ahead to book for the UK
UK Travel Planning Podcast: Episode 90
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