I just got back from London! What a way to end March and kick off my milestone birthday year of travel! Instead of throwing a huge party, I wanted to travel to different destinations with some of my favorite people. First up was a sister’s trip to London! This was our very first trip—just the two of us—and it was international as well. My sister and I are very different, so we joked, “If we can get through this trip together, we can do more in the future!” HAHA.
We kept the trip short but sweet, just enough to escape everyday life. So, today, I’m finally sharing our London itinerary! Before I dive in, a few things to note:
- This trip was without kids, so there’s no kid-related scheduling.
- That said, most of the trip is kid-friendly—you can do most of these activities with little ones in tow.
- The itinerary was a balance of scheduled activities and go-with-the-flow moments, so keep that in mind as you read through!
- I heard there was a lot of pickpocketing happening, so just be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings in a closed purse with a zipper in front of you.
Packing & Travel Days:
Packing: Having traveled to Europe a few times, I’ve learned that packing light is key. I opted for a capsule wardrobe—pieces I could mix and match to create multiple outfits. I could’ve stuck with just a carry-on, but I didn’t—just in case I ended up shopping (which, of course, I did… but not enough to warrant a full checked bag). My bag was 39 pounds going there and 41 pounds on the return.
What I Packed: Click Here for Links
- 4 Bottoms (3 Pants, 1 Skirt)
- 5 Tops (ended up wearing 4)
- 2 Jackets (1 Casual, 1 Dressy)
- 2 Pairs of Shoes (1 Sneakers for Travel, 1 Pair of Heels)
- 2 Bags (1 Casual, 1 Dressy)
- 1 Scarf
- Basic Makeup/Toiletries
- Travel Steamer
- 1 Curling Iron
- Sunglasses
- International Plug
- Travel Lint Roller
What I Packed for the Plane: Click Here for Links
- Passport/Wallet
- iPad
- Phone Charger
- Book
- Small Travel Umbrella
- Thin Travel Water Bottle
- Chapstick
- Tide Stick
- Hand Wipes
- Lotion
- Travel Face Moisturizer
- Travel Neck Pillow
- Tide Pen
- Travel Medicine Organizer
Flight: We took a late afternoon flight (5 PM CST), which was an overnight journey into Heathrow that landed at 7 AM. This worked out perfectly, giving us all of Thursday to explore!
Airport to Hotel: We opted for a cab from the airport, which is super easy to find—just follow the signs and get in line. It cost us about $120 USD due to traffic, but it was worth it to avoid the hassle of walking and taking multiple trains. If you’re looking to save, there’s a direct train from the airport to Paddington Station, but you’ll need another mode of transport after that. We just found the cab easier.
Hotel: The Trafalgar St. James London, Curio Collection by Hilton
Address: 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Sq, London SW1A 2TS, United Kingdom
I absolutely loved this hotel! The aesthetic was stunning, the service was top-notch, and the location couldn’t be better. We could walk to most places, which was a huge plus. We’re staying here again next year when we return with the family!
The Itinerary:
Day 1: Land, Breakfast, & Explore
We arrived at the hotel around 9 AM, and they allowed us to store our luggage until our room was ready (It was ready a whole 3 hours before check-in, which was awesome!). After a delicious breakfast at the hotel—I had pancakes, my sister had a veggie omelet, and we both had lattes—we headed out to explore.
We were staying in a super walkable area, so we headed to Big Ben (a 10-minute walk) and Buckingham Palace (a 12-minute walk). We strolled through Hyde Park, saw some cherry blossoms, and snapped a few pics in front of the iconic red telephone booths. FYI, they’re pretty dirty inside, so stick to taking photos outside!
After checking into our room, unpacking, and freshening up, we took a quick walk to Piccadilly Circus, the London equivalent of Times Square, for some window shopping. We ended Day 1 with an early dinner at Mowgli Street Food, which unfortunately didn’t live up to expectations (the flavors were off). But we turned the day around with a stop at Donutlier, where we had fresh donuts with different fillings—a sweet end to a long day!
Day 2: High Tea, Notting Hill Fail, & Unexpected Dinner Joy
We started Day 2 a bit leisurely (no kids, after all!) and had reservations for High Tea at 12:30 PM at The Coral Room. It’s a lovely spot, but many places in London offer high tea, including The Ritz and The Savoy—so if you’re planning to go, make sure to book ahead. We spent two delightful hours there.
Afterward, we took an Uber to Notting Hill, but here’s where things got interesting… The market was closed by the time we arrived (thanks, Google), and we had a bit of a mix-up with our train tickets. Public transport in London is super straightforward, but definitely double-check your tickets! Despite the mishaps, we found a hidden gem—Oorja Restaurant. We lucked out without a reservation, but I’d recommend booking ahead next time. The food was phenomenal, and the Gulab Jamun Creme Brulée was out of this world! Once we got back to the hotel, we wanted to check out their rooftop bar, and that also did not disappoint! You get a nice view, and on a cold day, they do have heaters outside to keep you warm.
Day 3: Notting Hill & Italian Dinner
We woke up early and headed to Portobello Market. Arriving at 8:45 AM was key to avoiding the crowds. We grabbed coffee and croissants at Layla’s Bakery, then wandered through the market, browsing vintage watches and soaking in the sights of the famous colorful houses. We also made sure to check out the Notting Hill Bookstore!
In the evening, we dined at Jacuzzi, a delightful Italian restaurant. The truffle mushroom pizza was a standout. Pro Tip: Definitely make a reservation! Afterward, we popped into an English pub for a drink, then headed back to the hotel for some rest.
Day 4: Countryside Tour (or not!)
Instead of going on a tour to the countryside, we decided to keep it low-key for our last day. We’ll save that for next year when we visit with the family! We had breakfast at Dishoom (we couldn’t get dinner reservations, but breakfast was still delicious) before heading to Tower Bridge and Borough Market. After a quick visit to the British Museum (a must for any reader!), we enjoyed a relaxing coffee break. We wrapped up our London adventure with dinner at Masala Zone, which was delicious but not quite extraordinary.
Day 5: Back to the U.S.
Our trip came to an end, and while we were sad to leave, we were already looking forward to our next London adventure.
Restaurant Reviews:
Mowgli Street Food – 2 stars Address: 5 Charlotte St., London W1T 1RE, United Kingdom
Our Order: Himalayan Cheese Toast, Tea Steeped Chickpeas, Naan, Puri
Drinks: Mango Tonic (Mocktail) & Lychee Rose Martini
Oorja – 4.5 stars Address: 117 Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8AD, United Kingdom
Our Order: Papad Basket, Punjabi Samosa, Paneer Makhan Makhani, Chili Cheese Naan, Garlic Butter Naan, Gulab Jamun Creme Brulée, Saffron Malai Cheesecake
Drinks: Mango Lassi (SO FRESH!) & Sherbet of Love (Mocktail)
The Coral Room – 4 stars
Address: 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN, United Kingdom
High Tea – Vegetarian
Our Order for Tea: Classic English Breakfast & Vanilla Chai
Dishoom (Breakfast) – 4 stars
Address: 12 Upper St Martin’s Ln, London WC2H 9FB, United Kingdom
Our Order: Kejriwal Cheese Toast with Eggs & Parsi Omelette
Drinks: Bottomless Chai
Masala Zone – 4 stars
Address: 9 Marshall St, London W1F 7ER, United Kingdom
Our Order: Samosa Chaat, Vegetarian Thali (Maratha Bhaija Curry) & Chicken Mangalore, Naan
Drinks: Marigold Fizz (Mocktail) & Bollywood Star Martini
Jacuzzi – 4.5 stars
Address: 94 Kensington High St, London W8 4SH, United Kingdom
Our Order: Pistachio Burrata, Looking for Truffle Pizza, Paccheri all’Arrabbiata & Coppa di Fragole
Drinks: Coco Loco (Mocktail) & Saltburn Margarita
Other Food Places:
Donutliers – 5 stars
Address: 48-50, Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0BB, United Kingdom
Our Order: Fraisier Strawberry Jam, Chantilly Cream, and Fresh Sliced Strawberries
Lindt Store – 5 stars
Address: 14 Shaftesbury Ave, Piccadilly Circus, London W1D 7EA, UK
Our Order: Vanilla/Chocolate Ice Cream in Cone
Layla’s Bakery (Notting Hill) – 4.5 stars
Address: 332 Portobello Rd, London W10 5PQ, United Kingdom
Our Order: Dirty Chai, Vanilla Latte & Almond Croissant
Caffe Concerto – 3.5 stars
Address: 9-31 Piccadilly, London W1J 0LF, United Kingdom
Our Order: Caramel Latte, Honey Vanilla Latte & Scones
Restaurants & Places to Visit That I Heard Were Amazing and Will Try Next Time:
- GymKhana (Reservations 2 months in Advance)
- Colonel Saab
- Sky Garden
- Countryside Tour
- Fat Pandit
- Dishoom (Lunch/dinner since we already tried breakfast)
I hope this helps with your London planning! I’ve had so many of you tell me you’re going, and I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions in the comments. Enjoy your travels!
Here to create happy memories,
Rashmi