Why go to London
London’s big museums are free: the British Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, Tate Modern and the National Gallery. So are walks along the South Bank, past Big Ben and over Tower Bridge.
Theatre in the West End, markets like Borough and Camden, and day trips to Oxford, Windsor or the seaside make it easy to fill a week.
Best time to visit London
May to September has the longest days and the mildest weather, around 18 to 25°C, but it’s also the busiest. December is cold but festive, with Christmas lights and markets. January to March is cold, dark early and often the cheapest time to fly.
- January: off season
- February: off season
- March: off season
- April: good time
- May: best time
- June: best time
- July: best time
- August: best time
- September: best time
- October: good time
- November: off season
- December: good time
London visa for Indians
Visa before you flyLast checked October 2026
Indian passport holders need a UK Standard Visitor visa. Apply online on GOV.UK, then give your fingerprints and photo at a visa application centre; there are centres in Delhi.
Standard processing usually takes about three weeks, so apply at least a month before you fly, and earlier for the summer.
Apply only on the official site, gov.uk, or through a trusted agent. Look-alike sites charge extra. Rules change, so check again before you book.
Flight time and fares from Delhi
Nonstop flights from Delhi take about 9½ to 11 hours. Indian airlines currently fly a longer route around Pakistani airspace, so their flights take longer than British or other foreign airlines on the same route.
Fares are highest in the Indian summer holidays (May and June) and over Christmas. Flights with one stop, often in the Gulf or Europe, can be much cheaper if you don’t mind the extra time.
Getting from the airport
Heathrow has three train options into London. The Piccadilly line is the cheapest and takes about an hour. The Elizabeth line takes about 30 to 40 minutes to central London. The Heathrow Express is the fastest, about 15 minutes to Paddington, and the most expensive.
How many days you need
A week is a good first trip: four or five days in London, plus day trips to Oxford, Windsor, Stonehenge or the seaside.
Food for Indian travellers
Very easy for Indian travellers. Southall, Wembley and Brick Lane are known for Indian food, and vegetarian options are on almost every menu. Supermarkets label vegetarian food clearly.
