Best Time to Visit London 2026: Weather, Seasons, Events & Prices Guide

# Best Time to Visit London 2026 ## Quick Answer **Best Overall:** Late April to Early June **Best Weather:** July-August (but most crowded) **Best Prices:** November-February (excluding Christmas) **Best Balance:** May or September --- ## Month-by-Month Guide ### January | Factor | Rating | |--------|--------| | Weather | ⭐⭐ (2-8°C, rainy) | | Prices | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (cheapest) | | Crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (very low) | **Pros:** Lowest hotel prices, January sales (50-70% off), No queues at attractions **Cons:** Cold and dark (sunset 4pm), Some attractions have reduced hours --- ### May | Factor | Rating | |--------|--------| | Weather | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (12-18°C) | | Prices | ⭐⭐⭐ (moderate-high) | | Crowds | ⭐⭐⭐ (moderate) | **Pros:** Warm pleasant weather, Parks in full bloom, Long days (sunset 9pm), Before peak season **Events:** Chelsea Flower Show, FA Cup Final, Bank Holiday weekends **Our Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best month overall --- ### September | Factor | Rating | |--------|--------| | Weather | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (14-19°C) | | Prices | ⭐⭐⭐ (moderate) | | Crowds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (decreasing) | **Pros:** Still warm, Crowds decrease, Prices drop, Beautiful autumn colors **Events:** Open House London, Totally Thames festival, London Fashion Week **Our Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent alternative to summer --- ## Weather Summary | Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rain Days | Daylight | |-------|----------|---------|-----------|----------| | Jan | 8°C | 2°C | 11 | 8 hours | | May | 18°C | 9°C | 8 | 16 hours | | Jul | 24°C | 14°C | 8 | 16 hours | | Sep | 19°C | 11°C | 8 | 12 hours | | Dec | 8°C | 3°C | 10 | 8 hours | --- ## Price Comparison ### Average Hotel Prices (Mid-Range, Central London) | Season | Price/Night | |--------|-------------| | Low (Jan-Feb, Nov) | £120-180 | | Shoulder (Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct) | £180-250 | | High (May-Aug, Dec) | £250-350+ | --- ## Special Considerations for Arab Visitors ### For Ramadan 2026 Expected: Late February - Late March **Best for Ramadan:** Winter months (shorter fasting) - 2026 fasting hours: ~12-13 hours (vs 18+ in summer) ### Best Months for Arab Visitors **May, September, October** - Good weather, moderate prices, not too crowded --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does it really rain all the time in London? **No.** London actually gets less rainfall than Rome or Sydney. It's often drizzle rather than heavy rain. ### Is summer worth the crowds? **It depends.** July-August have the best weather but longest queues. May-June or September offer good compromise. ### When are flights cheapest? **January-February** (excluding half-term) and **November** (before Christmas). --- ## Conclusion **Overall Best Time:** Late April to early June, or September These months offer the perfect balance of pleasant weather, reasonable prices, manageable crowds, and long daylight hours. **Budget Pick:** January or November for lowest prices. **Weather Pick:** July for warmest temperatures (accept the crowds).