Some of the best must-see London attractions sell out quickly, especially if you visit in the summer months. There’s nothing more disappointing than realizing that half the activities on your itinerary were at capacity before you even stepped foot in London.
That’s why booking tickets online is an essential part of planning for a family vacation. Not all London attractions require advance booking, so we’re going to help you out with a quick list of popular attractions that do require a little planning ahead.
Top Must-See London Attractions:
This isn’t a comprehensive list, so you should check for advance booking options on all of your must-see London attractions. With so many offering online booking now, it’s worth the effort to secure your place before your travel date.
London Dungeon
You can save up to 20% on each ticket by booking online in advance. Since there are shows hitting the dungeon at different times, you may also want to buy advance tickets to ensure you get the days and times that best fit your London itinerary.
You don’t need as much lead time for this attraction as many others. A few days to a week will typically allow you to see what shows are available and get the tickets you want.
Mad Hatters Tea Party at Sanderson London
Are you ready to tumble down the rabbit hole? You’ll find it blocked by more prepared guests if you don’t go online and reserve your table in advance. This afternoon tea event is designed to keep every member of the family entertained with an Alice in the Wonderland theme that includes special tea blends named after characters and scenes in the story.
Shakespeare’s Globe
This open-air theatre is one of the most popular must-see London attractions for musical lovers and families. Yes, that means it’s difficult to get tickets if you wait until the day or even week of the performance.
The good news is that you can see what shows are hitting the stage in advance and buy your tickets online by visiting the What’s On page of their website. That page reveals the shows currently planned for the venue along with the running dates and show descriptions. Simply hit the “book now” button next to the show you want to see and pay online.
You can’t book too far in advance because you’re limited to how far ahead of schedule the shows are revealed online. It’s best to start checking the site at least two or three months before your scheduled London trip.
The Shard Viewing Gallery
See London at 360 degrees with spectacular views that stretch up to 40 miles out. The Shard is the tallest building in London and the best place to view the city from up high.
What many tourists don’t realize until they’re standing in front of the attraction is that tickets are discounted when purchased in advance online. The further in advance you secure your vouchers for admission, the less you will pay. Grab yours at least two or three weeks in advance to get the best deal.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Harry Potter attractions are among the most popular family activities in London, so it’s not surprising that they book up two or more months in advance. Online booking is required, and you can only order tickets for select dates at any given time.
You should get the tickets you want if you order within three or four months of your planned visit. Two months lead time is the minimum if you want to ensure availability for one specific date.
Booking Ahead for Discounts
Many must-see London attractions don’t require advance planning to secure tickets but do offer discounts to visitors who book online. You can save at least a buck or two on every ticket even if you buy your tickets the same day you visit. Some even allow you to skip the line if you book in advance, which could save you hours during the peak travel season.
You can grab the most deals by checking for online ticketing options before you visit popular London attractions. Here are some of the attractions that offer discounts for online booking at this time:
If you don’t want to visit the websites for every attraction you want to see, ticketing services like Hello Tickets can streamline the process of advance booking. Not only can you purchase tickets to multiple attractions at once, but you can use it to discover new London adventures that you might not know about right now.
Just keep in mind that some attractions offer discounts only if you purchase the tickets from their website directly. If you’re visiting London on a budget or have a large family, those small discounts can add up.