2-3 Days in London

What time of year will you be visiting?
Since you only have a few days max, you might get Rick Steves Pocket London guidebook. I think it will bring down some of the nervousness.

My personal shortlist, if I only had a couple days as a first timer:
Westminster Abbey (few hours one morning)
Tower of London (few hours, maybe a little more)
An old pub or two
Evensong at St.Pauls

Walk by Buckingham Palace (not open most of year)
and depending on the time year and weather, a walk through Hyde Park, by Kensington Palace and over to the V&A or Natural History museum for a couple hours.

You’ll get lots of options for what to do for a couple days, but go with what you and your group would enjoy.

I’ve never stayed there but many on this forum suggest Premier Inn, which apparently offers a decent place to stay for the money. There are at least a couple threads on this first page you should read through about London Hotels... though they don’t read nicely at moments..but they are honest about what you can get in London on the cheap.

Hope you have a great first trip out of the US.

Yes please what time of the year will you be visiting?

The iconic sights you’ll want to see on your short visit are:

Parliament with Elizabeth’s Tower. Unfortunately the tower and clock and the bell (Big Ben) are encased in scaffolding until 2020 and possibly later.

Across from Parliament is Westminster Abbey. If you walk up Birdcage Walk from Parliament Square you walk through St James Park to Buckingham Palace. You can then walk back down The Mall to Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery. Can then wander into Covent Garden. Then walk along the Thames Path back to Westminster Bridge. Cross the Thames and stay at the Premier Inn by the London Eye.

I’d also spend time one day at the Tower of London.

Don’t be nervous about traveling. It’s exciting. To experience different ways of life in famous international cities will be a great adventure.

“We wander for distraction, we travel for fulfillment.”
Joesph Hilaire Belloc

Do you want to see the outside of as many landmarks as possible or focus on going in a few of the bigger sites? When are you travelling? Two days or three makes quite a difference to what you can squeeze in. Are you going to lose your first day to jet lag?

For the best value accommodation, book say 10 months ahead at a Premier Inn - their prices rise as the date gets closer. With such a short visit, stay somewhere central such as Bloomsbury or Victoria.

The obvious things to see on one day are Parliament, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace, which are all located relatively close together and could be combined with a boat trip on the Thames.

There are many free museums and galleries - the Tate Modern isn’t my thing, but I love the National Gallery and the adjacent Portrait Gallery.

Another day, you could combine the Tower of London with St Paul’s or Tower Bridge.

Hampton Court, Windsor or Kew Gardens would be great day trips.

Taking a transatlantic cruise to dock in Dover, June 2020. Have planned to stay about a week splitting time in London and Paris before flying home.

I stayed at Premier Inn Waterloo and was quite pleased. Look at the Premier Inn chain. They have several properties across central London.

I suggest downloading Rick's free audio tours to accompany a few city walking routes and museums. The same info is also printed in his "larger" London and Paris city guidebooks, but abbreviated in the "pocket" guidebooks.

Nothing to be nervous about, just be careful crossing the street. Don’t know if you have kids, but pretend like you’re one just learning how to cross the street by yourself.

There are no must sees, what are your interests? I love the National Gallery but if you have no interest in art it would be wasted time. I have as much much fun discussing football and politics in pubs, but again, that might not interest you.

London is very easy for a new International traveler.

Be sure when you book your flight you book home from Paris so you don't have to double back.

Mark your calendars to book your Eurostar train 6 months out from your travel date. You'll get the best fares then. Here is a link to a very reliable information site on European trains to give you an overview. It's very easy to book at www.eurostar.com from home, then print your tickets.

https://www.seat61.com/France.htm#Eurostar

IF you are a nervous traveler, I might consider just spending the whole 5-6 days (how many do you have?) in London. There is PLENTY to do in London (or Paris , for that matter) for that length of time.

editing to add: I know you said limited budget but I will throw this out anyway. You might consider a Rick Steves Best of London tour if the dates match up with your cruise arrival. His tour guides work to teach you how to be a successful international traveler. Of course you can do it on your own...but the tour group is educational and entertaining!

https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/england-scotland/london-2020