London over Christmas:-)

So you wish someone to predict the weather? Is the down coat water proof?

What other travel tips do you seek?

My first one would be to buy and read the RS Guidebooks on London and Paris. Loads of practical intel on areas to stay, public transport, restaurants, museums, historic sites, etc.

Blighty in December - it will rain.

It will be probably be rainy &/or snowy, and I find cities on the water seem to be more bone-chilling as the wind whips off the river. Why not just pack those plastic fold-up rain poncho toppers which go over a down coat that are available at the dollar store? They take up little room in luggage, are easily carried in a jacket pocket while touring, and then can be available and then tossed after you wear them. I would not take a separate rain jacket, as it probably won't be as warm as a down coat to wear independently.

Leave the long packable down coat at home. Too single purpose. You need to pack with layers that you can add as need. You do need a decent rain jack -- long or short -- your preference -- to wear over a fleece or light jacket as needed. Also a rain hat and umbrella is useful. O -- waterproof shoes. And you are aware that London is nearly totally shut down on Christmas Day and the next day - Boxing Day.

It would be very unusual if it snowed in London. It maybe wet. Paris is likely to be colder.

Wear layers and have waterproof footwear. A scarf, hat and gloves would be advisable and if you plan to be outside much at night, wear thermals.

Those who are saying prepare for rain over snow (snow is very rare at Christmas in London) are right. And remember wet down is worse than useless, giving neither protection from the wet, nor warmth in the cold. By all means bring it along if the forecast is for the kind of crisp, clear (albeit short) days we often get in the Christmas/New Year period, but I’d also have something guaranteed waterproof along too just in case the weather turned ugly.

Ponchos - we bought some from the Globe: “Let it rain potatoes!” Wm. Shakespeare - but they are probably only any good in very sheltered conditions (unlikely I’m afraid) and for the same reason an umbrella might not be your best friend either. But a decent waterproof jacket may well be a lifesaver!

Ian

I never go anywhere at any time of the year without light rainproof outerwear, as an outer layer or by itself. Even Las Vegas in the summer.

I have a rain jacket with a hood that squishes into it's own pouch, take it anytime I go to Europe ... weighs next to nothing and takes up little space ... or buy a super low-cost poncho in a bag and use if needed, then toss it if it gets torn.

I have to agree with the others about layering. I am assuming that London weather is pretty close to Seattle weather when it comes to December. Start with a base layer. This can be a long sleeve T shirt or even something designed to be a bit warmer if you are one that tends to run cold. Next, you have a warmth layer you can add or subtract. I usually make this a fairly heavy duty fleece or a packable down vest. Finally, the waterproof raincoat with a hood. Accessories should include gloves, a knit hat, warm socks, and waterproof shoes. Umbrella is optional, but can be a lifesaver if a downpour. Make sure that any important papers or documents that you have with you are inside a ziplock plastic bag inside your purse or backpack. Nothing is worse than discovering that your passport has become soggy/damaged.

I recently was caught in a downpour with others from my group while on a tour. My system worked great and I was the only tour member with dry feet. The others sloshed around and were fairly miserable. So, if people say that they don't think that waterproof shoes are really necessary when traveling, I disagree!

Other top travel tips for London
organize your days so that the sites you see are located near each other.
Download City Mapper App- its makes using Public Transport so easy and helpful
Don't fall into the trap of getting too much paper money. London is mostly contactless card use.
Make sure that you have a card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

I was in Paris last December, boy was I glad I bought a winter parka/jacket specifically for that trip. Since it was both cold and rainy the whole time, I'm also glad it was water repellent (not totally waterproof) since I had an umbrella going the whole time.

warm socks, and waterproof shoes

Carol is 100% on point here ... get a few pairs of merino wool socks that you can actually wear for several days before they can stand on their own (they wash real easy and you can hang dry overnight or use the hairdryer (on low) if in a pinch ... and depending on where you are going and what you will be doing (hiking, city walking, etc...), a good pair of light-weight walking shoes and a pair of waterproof shoes (if you have space in your bag, if not then just the waterproof shoes) ... forget the big frankenstein boots, they just add weight that your poor legs have to keep picking up with every step you take ... took a trip to Barcelona, Munich and Salzburg in late November 2016 with just my Merrell Moab waterproof shoes and merino socks, weather was cool in Barcelona, cooler in Salzburg and pretty cold in Munich with some rain here and there ... feet never got too warm or cold and stayed dry.

FYI on Christmas day in London there will be NO
public transport: trains, London Underground or busses.

Down coats are useless in anything but a trivial rain unless they are explicitly sold as waterproof by a reputable company that specializes in outerwear (L.L.Bean, Lands End, Eddie Bauer, and similar). I've discovered that "waterproof" is a relative term to many manufacturers. Don't plan on drizzle; it will rain. France was cold and wet over my Christmas trip last year. It was a dry year, but still wet. My coat turned out to not be waterproof in a heavy rain and I got pretty wet before I realized it. My waterproof shoes and Keen low calf boots were a good add. I was so happy I had both. The boots saved me on some sloppy days where water sloshed over the tops of the shoes. Keen didn't promise waterproof but they performed like they were. The shoes were a nice break, especially on museum days. For my trip to London and Italy this year I will take a lighter coat and a tested waterproof rain shell. The same shoes and boots get to travel again. Wet is so unpleasant in the cold. A nice coffee or chocolate in a shop is not enough to take it away.
EDIT: Other useful items from my cold French Christmas. I took a large (70 x 190cm) wool shawl that I could wrap around my shoulders and drape in front before I put my coat on. Not too heavy a wool but not paper thin either. So much more practical that those little neck scarves. Wore it a lot at concerts in churches, also. I also had two pairs of gloves. Your gloves will get wet in the rain. You need one pair to use while the other dries out.

We've spent two Christmas seasons in London and Scotland. Before the first I bought a long, down, water-resistant coat with a hood from Land's End. Best. Purchase. Ever. I liked especially how it kept my legs warm and dry. A rain shell just never seems sufficient. We didn't experience torrential rain, so water resistance was not an issue. And so warm in the wind. Occasionally, I had to drape it over a rack to dry thoroughly, but it did so quickly. I also have had great success with wool socks under waterproof leather ankle boots as a footwear combo. Have a fun trip!