A Long Weekend in London: What to See, How to Pay, and Where Cash Still Helps

Planning a quick London break? Here's a practical itinerary that covers the classics without wasting time-or money. Card payments are widely accepted, but a small cash float still makes life easier at markets, indie cafes, and for tips. For rates, services, and collection options, visit our London currency service before you go.

Day 1 - Westminster, South Bank, Covent Garden

Morning: Start at Westminster for Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, and Westminster Abbey. Walk across Westminster Bridge and follow the Thames along the South Bank for views of the London Eye and street performers.

Lunch: Cross back over the river toward Trafalgar Square or head straight to Covent Garden. It's touristy but lively-good for a quick bite and browsing the covered market.

Afternoon: Explore the piazza, then slip into the Seven Dials area for boutiques and coffee spots. Street vendors and small stalls may have minimum card spends; a few small notes help.

Money tip: If you like to fix your rate ahead of time (and avoid airport mark-ups), you can order travel money online for home delivery or collection.

Day 2 - Royal London, Museums, and Soho Evenings

Morning: Start in St James's Park with a short walk to Buckingham Palace. Continue to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square (free entry), or hop to the V&A/Natural History Museum in South Kensington if you prefer.

Lunch: Try a quick stop in Marylebone or Soho-plenty of options from sit-down restaurants to grab-and-go spots. Many places are contactless first; cash still speeds up paying at small counters or when splitting a bill.

Afternoon: Wander Regent Street and Carnaby, then settle into Soho for dinner and a show or live music. If you're planning another European trip soon after London, consider locking in the best euro rate on the high street while you're here.

Money tip:Rate swings can creep up on last-minute travellers. A quick check of today's exchange rates helps you decide whether to top up before day three's markets.

Day 3 - Markets, Neighbourhoods, and Riverside Walks

Morning: Choose a market: Borough Market (food lovers), Columbia Road (flowers on Sundays), Portobello (antiques), or Old Spitalfields (fashion and makers). These are where cash comes in handy for small vendors, coffee huts, and tipping buskers.

Lunch: Street food at Borough Market or a sit-down pub near Notting Hill/Spitalfields. If you're nearby and prefer to pick up notes in person, you can collect in central London with click-and-collect.

Afternoon: : Explore Shoreditch murals or Notting Hill's pastel streets. Later, stroll the South Bank again for sunset-perfect last-day photos.

Money tip:Decline dynamic currency conversion if a terminal offers to charge you in your home currency; paying in local currency avoids unnecessary mark-ups.

Practical Money Basics for London

Cards vs Cash: Contactless cards and phones work almost everywhere, but carry a small float of notes/coins for markets, independent cafes, and tips. If you want a simple, predictable cost, pre-ordering your travel money removes the guesswork.

ATMs: Bank-branded machines are usually safest; some convenience-location ATMs add extra fees. With a small cash buffer you can avoid multiple small withdrawals.

Transport: Contactless or Oyster both cap daily/weekly fares. If your bank adds foreign usage fees, topping up an Oyster card can help you control costs.

Security:Keep small amounts of cash in separate pockets; don't withdraw large sums late at night. For an overview of how we operate and safeguard customers, see why Sterling FX is trusted.

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A Long Weekend in London: What to See, How to Pay, and Where Cash Still Helps

Day 1 - Westminster, South Bank, Covent Garden

Day 2 - Royal London, Museums, and Soho Evenings

Day 3 - Markets, Neighbourhoods, and Riverside Walks