When is the best time to go to London?

The city of London, just as any European capital, can be discovered throughout any season. However, in order to combine enjoyable weather and warmth to the visit, it is best to focus on the summer season. During this period, the long sunny days allow more time for discovery and entertainment. Moreover, festivals and other cultural events such as Wimbledon and the anniversary of the Queen are held during the summer and attract large crowds of visitors. The summer travel budget is also larger, due to the fact that London hotels raise their prices during the high season. It is possible to find a good compromise within the period just before the peak tourist season as well as the one that follows.

Weather conditions in the periods from April to May and from September to October allow for the enjoyment of a suitable climate for exploring London at an affordable travel budget, especially combined with peace and quiet. Christmas time is also a period that one can focus on if one wishes to visit London while it is covered in a thin layer of snow.

So, when is the best time to go to London? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:

  • The best months for good weather in London are May, June, July, August, September and October
  • On average, the warmest months are July and August
  • January is the coldest month of the year
  • The rainiest months are June and July
  • The best months for swimming are August and September



Annual weather in London

Infographic of the best times to visit London
Infographic of the best times to visit London ©whereandwhen.net

Weather details in London month by month

To get all the information about the climate and weather in London for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:

January February March April May June July August September October November December



Weather and climate in London

Just as its counterparts, Bath and Oxford, London is the perfect representation of an oceanic climate. One must truly love the rain in order to discover the English capital, because the rain is present year round, despite its low intensity. Ironically however, London is also known as one of the driest European capitals, especially compared to Rome, the capital of Italy.

Climate in London During the Summer

In London, the summers are temperate. It is rare for one to experience high temperatures throughout this time of the year, which allows to avoid the more stifling temperatures of other cities such as Spain and Greece. Even if this season is described as a little drier than the rest of the year, it still slightly suffers from rainfall.

Climate in London During the Winter

The climate in eastern London is rather cold during the winter, but temperatures are rarely frigid. The are times when one may observe snowfall, but this is not a generality. As for the rest of the year, rain is always present in the form of light showers.

London in the Spring

Humid, the spring in London is also known for very few sunny days. Temperatures are for the most part, mild and very pleasant. However, the evenings remain quite cool at this time of year.

London in Autumn

Resembling the rest of the year, autumn is also a humid season in London. The weather is fairly mild at this time, but the sky is often gray. The famous “smog”, a thick mixture of fog and smoke is however becoming increasingly rare within the capital.

London : Big Ben et les bus rouges de Londres



Charts: temperature and rainfall in London

In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of London: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, sea temperature, and relative humidity for each month of the year.

Outside temperature

Precipitation (rainfall)

Daily sunshine hours

Sea temperature

Humidity


Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in London

Find out when London has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in London

  • Very low season in London
    The months with the lowest number of tourists are: January, February and March.
  • High season in London
    The number of visitors to London is high in: April, May, August, September and November.
  • Peak season in London
    The largest number of tourists visiting London is during: June, July, October and December.

Figure: Visitor index for London month by month



Best time for low prices in London

Average prices of hotels in London month by month

Generally, January is the month with the lowest hotel prices in London. So this is a great time to save on your holiday! In contrast, June is statistically the most expensive month of the year for hotels.

Find the best price for your hotel room

Average price for flights to London

A return flight between Dublin and London is generally cheaper if you go in january ($ 41 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 21 more for your airline ticket to London if you go in may.

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to London

Average price of hiring a car in London

On average, it costs $ 107 per day to hire a car in London. This price varies by $ 48 depending on the month. In october, hiring a car costs an average of $ 86 per 24 hours, so this is the best time to save money! In contrast, the average price in december is $ 134.

Find the best price for your car rental


Other cities and places near London

Chargement en cours
Legend: London other locations

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