Timed entry tickets to sites.

We are leaving Tuesday (April 26) for five weeks in the UK. To date I have bought nothing in advance for our days in London. I’ve been monitoring availability and the things we are interested in still have ample availability for the days and times we want. Only one thing sold out for our dates—the Van Gogh exhibit at the Courtaulds Gallery. When we return I’ll report back on crowds and ticket availability.

I'm leaving two weeks from right now and haven't bought anything in advance except hotels. I already know I'm going to pay out the nose for a couple of train tickets, but all that is available are off peak and those are always expensive in the UK.

Harry Potter studios definitely requires booking way in advance.

If you list the things you want to do, folks here can probably identify any for which buying tickets in advance would be prudent. My philosophy is not to buy tickets before I leave home (or very far ahead in general) unless I must. Sightseeing tickets are likely to be nonrefundable and are often quite expensive. These days, you don't know whether a trip will end up being canceled until you're on the plane flying east.

You have a good amount of time in London, so you'll have more flexibility to fit things together than would someone staying for only 3 days. One thing I'd look at, though, is theatre tickets. Individual plays most definitely can sell out. If there's something you especially want to see, it may well be smart to get those tickets early. You can watch availability not only for the period you'll be in London but also for the weeks before, so you have an early warning if things begin to sell out. You might find that some theatres have a refund option. I haven't checked, but I know "Hamilton" allowed refunds pre-pandemic.

You are travelling in the school holiday season, so things are likely to be busier than if you were travelling say next week. Are you referring to train travel, tickets for specific exhibitions and shows or general entry? The answer for each of these categories will vary and entry procedures for sights may well change before your travel dates.

Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace (Royal Day Out), Winsor Castle and also probably go to the theatre an evening or two. Those are the main ticketed attractions we plan to visit. We have other places on our list, but they don't really require tickets or are free (like the museums).

OP whole heartedly agree with acraven about theater tickets in London.

If look at the WhatsOnStage app and discover a well known actor/actress in a show those tickets will sell out quickly.

I’ve been privileged to travel and stay in London since the 70’s. Returning in July. Have a colleague based in London. They were able to secure tickets for Jerusalem with Mark Rylance as soon as they went on sale. That was in early March. Jerusalem runs April 16-August 7.

Been going to London since the 70’s. Never used to pre book anything.

In more recent years traveling with first time Europe visitors, have pre booked popular sites like The Tower, St Paul’s or the Churchill War Rooms.

If you really want to see a site, theatre, dine in a Michelin rated restaurant…. Pre book.

Lastly, if your accommodations are anywhere near Paddington Station then absolutely pre book the Heathrow Express.

Enjoy all that is London!

The Churchill War Rooms are subject to very long lines, and I think if you showed up around mid-afternoon you might find all the time slots for that day filled. Be aware that it is easily possible to spend more than half the day there. The war rooms themselves are small (and very crowded, pre-pandemic) but didn't take long. The Churchill Museum can be very time consuming for those with an interest in the topic.

I don't know about conditions at the others you mentioned, but I recall suggestions on this forum to be at the Tower of London, in line, before opening time and to head first to the crown jewels.

Try to get into the Churchill War Rooms when they first open. Because the rooms are small and the hallways very narrow, it can seem claustrophobic in there. It gets more crowded as the day goes on. If you pre-purchase your timed entry tickets, look for a time slot very early in the day.

Westminster Abbey is practically right across the street from Churchill War Rooms, so plan to do this next after the War Rooms. Westminster Abbey attracts huge crowds, but has very, very high ceilings everywhere, and does not have that claustrophobic feel, even when crowded.

Tower of London is another sight best done as soon as they open the gates in the morning. Go directly to the Crown Jewels collection. After finishing that, take a Beefeater tour. Then go to the White Tower in the center and try to get through that before the huge crowds roll in.

We are leaving in two weeks. We have purchased our tickets to the three musicals we are seeing.

Have a good trip, Robin Z

Concerning the Heathrow Express from Paddington: Our flight back to the US is at 8:00 AM from Heathrow. What is a safe time to book the Heathrow Express? I would rather get up very early instead of fretting about not getting there on time. We leave London on Weds. 5/18

dgawell I would have thought your question is different to the thread, and could have had its own thread.

I'll do my best.

Will you be getting your covid test at the last minute at the airport just before flying or the day before?

If your flight is at 8, with 3 hour before flight check in it sounds like you need to be at the airport by 5am, earlier if you still have to get your test.

You don't say which terminal at Heathrow.

The first train out of Paddington to Heathrow most days is at 05:10, arriving at Terminal 5 at 05:32. I'd say that's too late.

You may want to consider an earlier taxi.

Nigel, Thank you for replying: I will have my negative COVID test results done the day before my flight. I am taking Air Portugal TAP so that is Terminal 2. The flight is at 8 AM.

Another transportation question: Some people say it is important to book a train ahead of time. We are traveling from Paddington Station to York by train on Saturday, May 14. We want to leave early- between 7-8. Should I purchase our tickets weeks or days early? Or could I just purchase a one-way ticket to York on May 14 and buy the return ticket in York when we are ready to return to London instead of buying an advanced ticket for return? I have no idea how crowded the trains will be. Since it is a Saturday, I imagine I can be more flexible. Or, is my thinking faulty?

Thank you so much

I leave for London on 4/26 and will be between London and Bath for 21 nights. I have purchased timed entry and theatre tickets for nearly all my planned activities for London. I started purchasing about 2 months out. Some places, like Westminster Abbey, do not release dates until much closer to the event. Kew Garden and the Science Museum are 2 sites I've not purchased for, but have a note reminding me when to pre-book.

My preference is to avoid using travel time to make arrangements I can do while at home. I also prefer to reduce wait-times standing in line. This is my first London trip and there is so much to do. at to do was difficult to narrow my choices. I expect to return, so that helps! Based on Forum recommendations I've made restaurant reservations in Bath and one in London. I usually never do that.

It might be to your advantage to book timed tickets even for free museums, which can be crowded. Your line to get in won't be so long with a ticket in hand.

I wouldn't expect a massive crowd leaving London for York on a mid-May early Saturday morning.

Your transportation questions really should be in your own thread, this thread is about entrance to attractions..

Robin Z-
What musicals are you going to? I have been debating several, but not sure which one to choose.
Have a good trip!

I am going on 3 weeks and purchased tickets to things that are more popular ie Tower Of London, Churchill War Rooms and a pair of train tickets. I prefer to have these booked so that I do not waste time in lines.

Thank you for all the great advice. We are getting very excited for our trip!

Some places, like the Churchill War Rooms and Westminster, we would book online with my phone while already in London a couple of days ahead once we knew the weather and could solidify our plans. We had no problem getting the day or times we wanted and could breeze through security. I recommend it as I wouldn't want to wait in some of those lines. If you check the tickets ahead though and they seem like they are going fast then I would make a decision and book.

I am going to keep an eye on the ticket availability for the sites and the dates we are in London. If things start to fill up, I will probably start booking tickets before we leave. I booked our Heathrow Express tickets early to get the discount. I will also book our train tickets to Windsor before we leave. If anyone has any recommendations on theatre shows to see, I would appreciate that advice.