When is the cheapest time to visit London? If you’re hoping to see the capital without paying peak-season hotel prices, the good news is that you don’t have to visit in the depths of winter. London is a year-round destination, and choosing the right month, and even the right day of the week, can slash accommodation costs.

For many travellers, the cheapest time to visit London is between January and March, particularly from mid-January to early February. November, the pre-Christmas lull can also offer good value. Surprisingly, August can also be affordable because many business travellers are on summer holidays.

But the cheapest time isn’t necessarily the best time to visit London for everyone. Winter brings shorter days and colder weather. Summer offers longer daylight hours but a corresponding increase in hotel prices.

The trick is to find the sweet spot between price, weather, crowds, and what’s happening in London.

When is the cheapest time to visit London?

For the lowest hotel prices, look first at January, February, and early March.

January is usually the strongest choice for bargain hunters. The Christmas and New Year crowds have disappeared, business travel is relatively subdued, and there are fewer tourists.

The period after the New Year festivities and before the February half-term holidays can be particularly attractive. Hotels that cost considerably more during the summer can be found at much lower rates.

February is another good-value month, although it is worth checking the dates of school half-term holidays before booking. Prices rise when families are travelling.

The Cheapest Months to Visit London at a Glance

Month	Hotel value	Weather	Crowds	Overall value
January	Excellent	Cold	Low	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February	Very good	Cold	Low–moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March	Very good	Cool/mild	Moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April	Good	Mild	Moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐
May	Moderate	Mild/warm	Moderate–high	⭐⭐⭐
June	Poor	Warm	High	⭐⭐
July	Poor	Warm	Very high	⭐⭐
August	Good in some periods	Warm	High	⭐⭐⭐⭐
September	Moderate	Mild	Moderate–high	⭐⭐⭐
October	Moderate	Cool	Moderate	⭐⭐⭐
November	Good	Cool	Moderate	⭐⭐⭐⭐
December	Poor	Cold	Very high	⭐⭐

These are broad trends rather than rules. London’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, March can be glorious, July, a washout. A major event, football match, concert, or conference, can make a particular weekend expensive even during an otherwise cheap month.

January: the Bargain Hunter’s Best Friend

If price is your priority, January is probably the best month to visit London.

Once the Christmas decorations have come down and New Year’s Eve is over, the capital becomes noticeably quieter. Hotel demand falls, and there are fewer visitors competing for rooms in central London.

January is fantastic for travellers who enjoy London’s indoor attractions. You can spend the morning at the Science Museum and have lunch in a cosy pub. In the afternoon, browse the art in the National Gallery before seeing a West End show in the evening.

There is one obvious disadvantage: The Weather.

January can be cold, wet, and windy, with very short days. That makes it less appealing if your idea of a London holiday involves spending hours walking around the parks or sitting outside cafes.

However, January can work extremely well if you plan your sightseeing around indoor attractions and don’t mind wrapping up warmly.

Best period: mid-January to early February.

Avoid: New Year’s Eve and the first few days of January, when prices can be extortionately high.

February: Cheap, Quiet and Surprisingly Good

February is another excellent month for a budget London break.

The weather is still wintry, but the city remains relatively quiet outside school holidays and major events. Weekday hotel prices can be particularly attractive.

If you don’t need sunshine, February can therefore provide an excellent combination of low prices and manageable crowds.

One thing to check carefully is the February half-term holiday. Dates vary between regions, but when schools are closed, family travel increases and hotel prices rise.

Chinese New Year can also bring large crowds to the West End and Chinatown, although it is a fascinating free event if you’re actually interested in experiencing it.

March: Probably the Best Compromise

If you’re asking when is the best time to visit London rather than simply when it is cheapest, March wins hands down.

By March, daylight hours are getting longer and temperatures are a little higher. Spring flowers sprout in London’s parks and gardens, and outdoor sightseeing becomes much more pleasant.

Yet March is still outside the main summer tourist season.

For older visitors, this makes March particularly attractive. You can enjoy a mixture of indoor and outdoor attractions without dealing with the intense crowds that summer brings. Some of London’s best spectacles, like the Changing of the Guard, happen all year, so March is an ideal time to see them.

Late March can also be a good time to visit if Easter falls later in the year, although always check the dates before booking.

April: Good Weather, but Watch Easter

April is an unpredictable month in London. You can get beautiful spring sunshine one day and icy rain the next. The UK’s clocks go forward at the end of March, so April benefits from extra daylight.

Hotel prices start moving upwards in April as the main tourist season approaches, but they’re still below their peak.

The biggest thing to watch is Easter.

The Easter holidays can produce a noticeable increase in visitors, particularly families. Attractions become busier and accommodation prices can rise.

If you’re flexible, travelling outside the Easter period can give you the advantages of April without the additional demand.

April is also when one of London’s biggest annual sporting events takes place: the London Marathon.

The marathon is an extraordinary event to watch, but if you’re looking for a cheap and peaceful city break, check its date before booking.

April is also home to another of London’s great sporting events, The University boat race, when the Oxford and Cambridge crews row from Putney to Mortlake.

May: Lovely Weather, but More Expensive

May is one of the most pleasant months to visit London.

The parks are looking beautiful, daylight hours are long, and temperatures are generally comfortable for sightseeing. Of course, this makes it popular, and with tourist demand comes a rise in accommodation prices.

May contains several bank holidays and major events, including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. These can increase demand for accommodation, particularly in central and west London.

If you’re travelling in May, compare prices carefully between different weeks. Moving your trip by a few days can sometimes make a significant difference. Using hotel platforms like Booking.com can help identify peaks and troughs in hotel pricing.

June and July: Wonderful, but Rarely Cheap

June and July are among the busiest months of the year.

The weather is generally at its best, daylight lasts until late in the evening, and London’s parks, outdoor attractions and riverside areas are at their most enjoyable.

Unfortunately, this is also when hotel prices are at their highest.

June and July feature a packed schedule of events, festivals, concerts, and sporting occasions. Wimbledon, held around the turn of June and July, is particularly important if you’re trying to keep accommodation costs down. Even if you have no interest in tennis, Wimbledon can increase demand for hotels across London.

June and July are also concert season in London. Big music acts regularly fill Wembley Stadium, and the Hyde Park Calling festival straddles June and July. Hyde Park Calling features the biggest acts and attracts massive crowds, many of whom stay over, driving hotel prices skywards.

If your priority is value, ignore high summer. Choose March, November, or a carefully selected August date instead.

August: London’s Surprising Budget Month

Summer in London is usually very popular and very expensive. August is an interesting exception.

Although it is the height of summer and London is full of tourists, the city can sometimes offer surprisingly good hotel deals.

Many London businesses close, or operate more quietly during the summer holiday period, while business travellers leave the capital. August can therefore offer a useful combination of long days, warm weather and potentially reasonable hotel prices.

But there is one major warning – avoid Notting Hill Carnival weekend

The Notting Hill Carnival, held over the August bank holiday weekend, is one of London’s biggest annual events.

It is colourful, energetic and completely free. But it also attracts enormous crowds and disrupts transport around Notting Hill and neighbouring areas.

If you’re looking for a quiet, inexpensive London break, choose another weekend.

The August bank holiday itself can also increase demand for hotels, so don’t assume every August date will be cheap.

September: Excellent Weather, but Check the Events Calendar

September can be one of the nicest months for London sightseeing.

The worst of the summer heat has usually disappeared, but the weather can remain pleasantly warm. It’s still light into the evening and London’s parks are attractive.

Unfortunately, London’s event calendar kicks up a notch after the summer.

September sees London Fashion Week, while numerous conferences, exhibitions and cultural events return after the summer break.

September can still offer good deals, particularly during weekdays, but it’s no longer the bargain it might appear to be from the weather alone.

October: Autumn in London

October is another pleasant month for exploring London’s museums, galleries, historic buildings and parks.

The leaves take on a golden colour, temperatures are cooler, and the main summer crowds have left.

However, October isn’t consistently cheap. Half-term holidays and major cultural and business events can push prices upwards.

If you’re flexible, compare several October dates rather than assuming the entire month will offer bargain prices. Booking.com is a great tool for this.

November: an Underrated Month for Bargains

November is one of my favourite months for a value-for-money London trip.

The summer crowds have gone, hotel prices are more attractive and London’s theatres, museums and galleries are operating normally.

The weather is usually cool and days are short, but that isn’t necessarily a major problem. Indeed, if you enjoy a relaxed visit with museums, exhibitions, historic buildings, shopping, and theatre, November is perfect.

Try to travel before the Christmas shopping season reaches its peak.

Once the Christmas lights go on and festive events get into full swing, all bets are off with regard to hotel prices.

December: Magical but Expensive

London at Christmas is spectacular.

The lights, decorated department stores, Christmas markets, festive theatre productions and seasonal events make December one of the most atmospheric times to visit.

It is also one of the worst times to visit if your primary objective is finding a cheap hotel.

Prices rise as Christmas approaches, and reach eye-watering levels for Christmas Day breaks and New Year’s Eve festivities.

If you want to experience London at Christmas without paying the highest prices, consider visiting in late November or the first part of December. London is usually decked out in its Christmas finery, the second Halloween is in the rear-view mirror!

Major London Events to Avoid if you’re Looking for Cheap Hotels

One of the most effective ways to save money is to check London’s event calendar before booking.

A cheap month can suddenly become an expensive weekend when a major event arrives.

Wimbledon – June/July

The Wimbledon Championships attract tennis fans from around the world. Accommodation demand increases significantly, particularly in southwest London.

Hyde Park Calling – June/July

Some of the biggest acts on the planet rock Hyde Park from mid-June to mid-July. Previous headliners have included Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Green Day, and The Who.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show – May

Chelsea and surrounding areas can become expensive during the flower show. If you aren’t visiting specifically for the event, check alternative dates.

London Marathon – April

The marathon brings hundreds of thousands of participants, spectators, and supporters into London. In 2027, it is particularly significant because the event is scheduled to take place over two days.

Notting Hill Carnival – August

Avoid the August bank holiday weekend if you want peace and quiet around Notting Hill, Bayswater and Kensington.

London Fashion Week – February and September

Fashion Week can affect hotel availability and prices in central London, particularly around the West End and areas hosting fashion events.

Trooping the Colour – June

The King’s official birthday celebrations attract enormous crowds around Buckingham Palace, The Mall, and St James’s Park.

Christmas and New Year

The festive period is one of London’s busiest and most expensive periods.

New Year’s Eve, in particular, is not the time to look for a bargain hotel.

Don’t Forget School Holidays

Major events aren’t the only thing that affects London hotel prices.

UK school holidays can make accommodation considerably more expensive.

The main periods to watch for UK school holidays are:

• Christmas holidays
• February half-term
• Easter holidays
• May half-term
• Summer holidays
• October half-term

It’s worth noting, that school holidays in the UK differ in different regions, so check carefully.

If you’re retired or otherwise free to travel outside school holidays, this is one of the biggest advantages you have over families with school-age children.

A London trip in early March can therefore be dramatically better value than the same trip during a school holiday in July.

The Cheapest Day of the Week to Stay in London

It’s not just the month that matters, the day of the week can have a surprisingly large effect on hotel prices.

Friday and Saturday nights are often expensive because of weekend leisure travellers. Business hotels can behave differently, with Sunday and Monday sometimes being cheaper than the middle of the working week.

For a leisure traveller, one of the best strategies is to compare a Sunday-to-Thursday stay with a Friday-to-Sunday weekend. Again, hotel platforms like Booking.com can help with this.

If you’re retired, you have the luxury of being flexible.

A four-night stay from Sunday to Thursday can sometimes cost less than a three-night Friday-to-Sunday break.

So, when is the best time to visit London?

The answer depends on what you want.

For the cheapest prices:

Choose mid-January to early February.

For the best balance of price and weather:

Choose March or early November.

For warm weather without necessarily paying peak summer prices:

Look at late August, but avoid Notting Hill Carnival and the bank holiday weekend.

For spring flowers and pleasant sightseeing:

Choose late March or early April, avoiding Easter.

For long days and the best outdoor sightseeing:

June is hard to beat, but expect higher prices.

For Christmas atmosphere:

Visit late November or early December, rather than Christmas week.

Best time to visit London for seniors

For older travellers, I’d put slightly more emphasis on crowds and walking conditions than I would for younger visitors.

The cheapest possible hotel isn’t necessarily the best value if you have to spend an hour travelling across London every day.

Similarly, visiting in July because the weather is good may not be worthwhile if you’re dealing with vast crowds at every major attraction.

That’s why March, late August, and November stand out.

March offers improving weather without the full summer crowds. Late August can provide summer conditions at potentially better hotel prices, if you avoid the major events. November is excellent for indoor attractions and can offer some very good hotel deals.

January and February remain the best options if price is the overriding consideration.

How to save even more on a London hotel

Once you’ve chosen your dates, there are several other ways to reduce the cost.

Stay Sunday to Thursday

Compare weekday and weekend rates before booking. Being flexible by even one night can make a difference.

Stay just outside the tourist centre

You don’t have to stay beside Leicester Square or Covent Garden.

Areas such as Southwark, Waterloo, Aldgate, Whitechapel, King’s Cross and Victoria have excellent transport links while offering better value.

Look for hotels near Tube stations

A hotel that costs £10 more but is near a Tube station can be better value than a cheaper hotel requiring a 20-minute walk.

Consider free attractions

London has an extraordinary number of free attractions, including many of its greatest museums and galleries. Check out my post on Free Things to do in London

One of the best things to do for free in London is simply to walk. London is one of the best capital cities for this. The top attractions are in a pretty compact area. Why not try my Free Walking Tour London, which takes you through 2000 years of London’s glorious history!

This makes London particularly suitable for a budget-conscious traveller. Saving £30 or £40 on accommodation doesn’t help much if you then spend hundreds of pounds on attractions.

Book Refundable Accommodation Whenever Possible

If your dates are flexible, a refundable hotel reservation allows you to keep looking for a better price.

If you find the same hotel cheaper later, you can potentially cancel and rebook, subject to the booking conditions.

The Bottom Line: When is the Cheapest Time to Visit London?

If you’re wondering when is the cheapest time to visit London, the answer is usually mid-January through February, outside school holidays and major events.

But don’t dismiss March, November, or selected dates in August.

For most travellers, the best time to visit London isn’t necessarily the absolute cheapest month. A few extra pounds for better weather and longer daylight can be worthwhile, particularly if you’re planning a sightseeing-heavy trip.

I would choose March as the best overall compromise, with January and February for the lowest prices and November for an excellent autumn alternative.

Above all, check the calendar before booking. London is a city where a major event can transform an otherwise cheap weekend into one of the most expensive weekends of the year.

If you’re flexible, travelling midweek, outside school holidays and away from major events is the simplest formula for getting a great-value London break.

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