London only works as a short trip if you narrow it down. Three days, three quarters, one museum a day — anyone wanting more spends the trip in the Underground.
London city break from Bolzano: direct flight to Gatwick (2h 15min) + hotel + transfer. Three to four days makes sense, the great museums charge no admission, and public transport is paid contactless with your card.
- Direct flight from Bolzano
- Best price guarantee
- EU-protected package holiday
- Just 45 minutes' transfer on arrival
How do you plan a London city break?
Allow at least three days, book the Tower and special exhibitions in advance, and pay for public transport contactless with your card.
London is too big to take in on a short trip — that's not a flaw of planning, but a property of the city. If you have three days, pick two or three areas and consciously leave the rest. Between any two destinations it's 30 to 40 minutes on the Underground, so anyone who tries to see too much spends the trip in transit. It's better to plan on foot within a quarter, and take the Underground only for the transitions.
On budget, one fact helps significantly: the great state museums charge no admission. British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum are freely accessible; only special exhibitions cost money. Expensive, on the other hand, are accommodation, restaurants and the Tower of London plus most ticketed attractions. Save on food by eating lunch, when many restaurants offer cheaper set menus, and by seeking out pubs outside the tourist zones.
For public transport, you don't need a ticket in advance: hold your credit or debit card against the reader when you board and when you leave, and the system calculates the cheapest fare and caps your daily costs. Always use the same card for the whole day, and travel with only one card — otherwise it doesn't recognise the connection between trips and charges separately. Contactless works on the Underground, buses, the Overground, trams, DLR and most regional trains within London.
How do you split three days in London?
A tried division: day one along the Thames between Westminster and Tower Bridge, day two a major museum plus a quarter, day three market and park. That keeps journeys short while still showing very different sides of London. On day four, if you have one, add either a distant quarter (Greenwich, Kew Gardens) or a whole day for a special interest — theatre, football, shopping.
First day: along the Thames
The route runs almost entirely along the riverbank
Second and third day: quarters
Borough Market for food, Camden for vintage and music
Which flights are available from Bolzano to London?
SkyAlps flies direct from Bolzano to London Gatwick — flight time 2h 15min. All prices are per person and include return flights plus nights at the booked hotel.
When should you time a London city break?
For trip planning, two things matter: daylight and price. From May to September it's light for a long time and the parks are lively — but hotel prices are highest then, especially in July and August. September and October are a good compromise. November and December bring the Christmas lights and Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. January and February are grey and cold — but the cheapest, and the museums are less crowded.
Frequently asked questions
The Gatwick Express runs from the airport station non-stop to Victoria Station in around 30 minutes.
Cheaper regional trains take a little longer and also call at London Bridge. Reckon on around 45 minutes total from airport to hotel. Tickets are available from the machine or contactless with a card. If you're arriving with luggage and a lot of it, a taxi from the airport is not worthwhile — the Gatwick Express handles luggage easily, and from Victoria most central hotels are a short Underground or taxi ride away.
Ready for your London city break?
Direct flight from Bolzano to London, a hotel in London and the transfer – all in one booking. Book online now, securely, flexibly and at the best price.