What to Pack for London in Winter
Don’t know what to pack for London in Winter?
I lived in London for almost 5 years and if you are travelling to London in winter, the best is to pack comfortable clothes that you can wear in layers, and also pack some nice outfits that you can wear in the evenings or for a special occasion.
Apart from warm clothes, make sure to pack travel essentials like electronics (portable charger, universal plug adapter), toiletries, medicines, accessories (re-usable water bottle, daypack), and have travel insurance, bank cards, and some cash.
Packing List for London in Winter
Here is everything you need to pack for Winter in London, including clothes, accessories, electronics, travel essentials, toiletries, and medicines/first aid kit.
Winter in London is not extremely cold but it does get cold, so you need to pack warm clothes that you can wear in layers.
The average temperature is between 2.2-8°C (36-46°F) in London in winter, and usually it does not snow much in London. There can be some light snowing in London, but it is rare and melts away quickly.
It can also rain in London in winter, so the best is to pack an umbrella!
CLOTHES
COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES
London is one of the greatest cities on Earth (not just because I lived there and feel biased) but it has so many cool places to explore!
The public transport in London is also pretty good, and it is great to explore places on foot. As you will spend long days walking around the city, it is best to get a good pair of comfortable walking shoes.
London is walkable, but as the city is big, it is better to take the public transport (tube, bus) to get from one area to the other, and then once you are there, explore the place on foot.
ANKLE BOOTS
Ankle boots are stylish and the perfect footwear for winter in London. It usually doesn’t snow in London, so you don’t need a heavy winter boots – generally ankle boots and sneakers are fine during winter in London.
WINTER COAT
Winter in London is not extremely cold but you should still pack a winter coat, and prepare to wear clothes in layers.
Some options I recommend for winter coats are classic overcoats and down jackets. Especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors in the winter exploring the city, it is best to have a warm coat, so you don’t get cold.
SWEATERS/CARDIGAN
Sweaters and cardigans are my go to winter wear in London. I like knitwear the most, they keep you warm and you can also wear it with long-sleeve shirts underneath.
T-SHIRT (SHORT/LONG-SLEEVE)
T-shirts are one of the must-have items for any trips. For winter, the best is to take both short, and long-sleeve T-shirts, but I recommend to pack more long-sleeves, than short sleeve T-shirts.
JEANS
Jeans are a practical and classic item to pack for a trip. What I love the most about jeans is that you can wear it during the day for sightseeing, but if you pair it with a nice top, it can also go for a smart casual look.
It is also easy to pair jeans with most tops and jackets, so it is easy to make multiple outfits using the same pair of jeans.
DRESS/SMART OUTFIT
London is known for its fashion, but you can wear any type of clothes that you feel comfortable in.
You may want to dress up for a night out, dinner, or special occasion, so if you want to look a bit more elegant, make sure to pack a nice dress or smart outfit.
BEANIE
Beanies are great for winter, they are stylish, keep your head warm and also don’t take up much space in your luggage.
SCARF & GLOVES
Scarves and gloves are also one of the essential items for winter in London. London is full of clothes shops, so even if you leave them at home by accident, you can get them easily in London.
I like to take a shawl/scarf anytime I travel on a plane, as it can give some extra warmth in case I feel cold on the plane, so I find a scarf/shawl is extra useful during winter.
THICK SOCKS
Make sure to pack thick socks for a trip to London in Winter!
Sometimes I even wear tights under my jeans, and then put extra thick socks on during winter. Putting on tights under my jeans, and thick socks can make a big difference and feel less cold.
UMBRELLA
London is known as a place where it always rains, and while it is not always the case, it is best to be ready and pack an umbrella for your trip!
I recommend to take a small, travel-sized umbrella, so it does not take up much space in your luggage. Nevertheless, in case you forget to take one, you also have the option to buy one in London.
ACCESSORIES
DAYPACK
A daypack is one of the most essential items for a trip, as you carry it around with you all day while you explore a new place!
For this reason, you should take a comfortable backpack that can fit items comfortably you may need for a day of sightseeing, such as snacks, water bottle, portable charger, an extra layer (e.g. jacket), sunscreen, sunglasses, and anything you may need.
I like to have daypacks that have an inside zipped pocket and I always keep the most important items there like my phone and wallet. London is a safe city, but you should still watch out for pickpockets.
RE-USABLE WATER BOTTLE
Tap water in London is safe to drink (you can even drink tap water in hotels), so by taking a re-usable water bottle you can both save money and reduce plastic waste: it’s a win-win!
A re-usable water bottle is also great while you are traveling, even in airports, where you can refill your bottle and no need to buy water in single use plastic bottles.
HAND SANITIZER
Hand sanitizer is one of the most essential items I never travel without. When you travel, you are out all day, exploring places, and while there are places you can wash your hands during the day, it is always better to have some hand sanitizer as well just in case.
EAR PLUGS
I would say ear plugs are a must if you are a light sleeper, or if you are planning to stay in a hostel while in London.
It’s been a good couple of years the last time I stayed in a hostel, and the other roommates snored so loud that the general earplugs did nothing – so I decided I would never sleep in a hostel again.
Then a few years ago I was on a training in the wilderness and we had to sleep in a dorm. One of my friend at the training gave me a Quies earplug to help me sleep, and it was the best ear plug I ever used. It totally cancelled out all noise and snoring at night – since then, this is the only ear plug I use!
EYE MASK
Eye mask is another must if you are a light sleeper!
I love wearing an eye mask on flights, and even in hotels when I’m on a trip. I sometimes don’t get that good sleep (especially if there is jetlag involved), and having an eye mask can make a difference and help me sleep
If I am really tired, I even put the eye mask on a flight during the day to help me get some rest and it feels like night time as soon as the eye mask is on.
ELECTRONICS
PORTABLE CHARGER/ POWER BANK
A portable charger (power bank) is one of the most essential travel items for a trip. I got my first power bank over 6 years ago and I can’t remember what it was like traveling without one.
While it is easy to charge phones in London, having a power bank gives you an extra peace of mind that even if you spend hours taking photos, you can recharge your phone’s battery anytime while you are still out exploring London.
PLUG ADAPTER
The UK (including London) uses the Type G plug which has 3 pins in a triangle shape. It’s very different from the plugs other European countries use, so make sure to get an adapter for your trip to London.
I recommend to get a universal travel adapter, which works in London (UK), but you can also use it in the future if you travel to other countries around the world!
WIRELESS EARPHONES
Have a long flight to London? Like to listen to music on a train ride? Get wireless earphones so you can listen to your favourite music.
When I am in a new country, I usually don’t listen to music on earphones while I explore the city, as it helps me to pay more attention and remember the sites better – it also helps me to stay more vigilant in case of theft. London is safe, but it is better to watch out.
TOILETRIES
When I travel, I like to pack light and only take small, travel-sized toiletries.
I have a couple of re-usable travel bottles that I can refill before going on a trip. This way, I can just refill each small bottle with body lotion, shampoo or any other essential I may need for the trip, and I don’t have to keep buying travel-sized shampoo all the time.
For a trip to London, essential toiletries to pack are toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, shower gel, body lotion, tissues, face cream, lip balm, deodorant, hairbrush, nail clippers, and sanitary products (if there is a chance you may have your period during your trip).
Most hotel rooms also come with shampoo, shower gel and body lotion, so if you only stay for a few days in London, you probably do not even have to pack these.
FIRST AID KIT/MEDICINES
I also recommend to pack a small first aid kit and any personal medicine you take. If you travel in a group, even one person can pack the first aid kit for the whole group, and you can just pack your personal medicines.
Some medicine to pack in the first aid kit are medicines for common cold, paracetamol and plasters.
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Getting travel insurance before your trip is a must, no matter where you are travelling. You can never know how your trip may go, if your airline loses your luggage or in case you get sick.
SafetyWing is one of the best and most affordable international travel insurance companies and I have used them on trips all around the world. They cover you for any unexpected emergencies, like lost baggage, stolen items, or medical emergencies.
Just a few months ago, I had a dental emergency while travelling in Nepal and got all the bills reimbursed. I did have to provide a couple of documents from the dentist but all in all I got reimbursed in maximum 3 weeks.
MONEY/BANK CARD/TRAVEL CARD
The official currency in the UK is the Pound Sterling (GBP), however, most places accept card payments so I don’t recommend to take too much cash with you.
I would say only take a small amount of cash, GBP 30-40 with you (you can also take any other currency, like US Dollars and then exchange it once you are in London). It is better to just pay by card, and not walk around with your wallet full of cash.
I also always use a Wise travel card whenever I go on an international trip where the currency is different than in my home country. A Wise card is like a debit card, but it has multiple currencies, and when you pay, the money automatically converts to the local currency – I find it great as you can save a lot on exchange fees!
PASSPORT
Whenever I leave home for a trip the top things I always check: passport, phone and money.
While I have never left my passport home, I have heard stories from friends who were in such a rush before a flight, they thought they forgot their passport at home and then when they got to the airport they couldn’t find their passport in their bags, even though it was packed.
So before you leave for the airport, make sure you pack your passport. Plus, make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months prior to entering the UK as it is a standard in international travel to refuse travel to those who have a passport validity less then 6 months.
The UK has also recently rolled out an electronic travel authorisation, so check online if you need to get any kind of visa for your trip.
ESIM
eSIMs have just made it so much easier to get SIM cards for your trip abroad!
I remember years ago when I travelled, I’d always have to get a SIM card just after landing in-country, but now you can get an eSIM even before arrival – just so much easier and no hassle at the airport of getting a SIM just so you can call for an Uber.
My go to eSIM provider is Airalo – they have affordable prices and data packages for 7, 15, and 30 days.
FAQs: What to Pack for London in Winter
What do people wear in winter in London?
People usually wear warm clothes in London in winter, including winter coats (overcoats, down jacket), sweaters, cardigans, scarves, gloves, beanies and jeans. You can even wear tights under your jeans, to make you feel warmer.
Do I need gloves in London in winter?
Yes, you need gloves in London in winter. It is not extremely cold in London in winter, but you do need gloves to keep your hands warm.
What should I pack for a trip to London?
You should pack clothes according to the season/weather you visit the city, plus travel essentials like electronics (portable charger, universal plug adapter), toiletries, medicines, accessories (re-usable water bottle, daypack, sunscreen).
Also make sure to get travel insurance for your trip in case of emergencies, have your bank cards, and some cash.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding what to pack for winter in London, make sure to pack clothes that you can wear in layers and don’t forget to take an umbrella as it often rains in London.
I suggest to pack comfortable clothes for during the day when you are doing sightseeing in London, then for the evenings, you can pack some nicer clothes, smart outfits that you can wear if you go to the theatre, dinner or a night out.
Apart from clothes, make sure to also pack travel essentials like electronics (portable charger, universal plug adapter), toiletries, medicines, re-usable water bottle, daypack, sunscreen, and have travel insurance, bank cards, and some cash.
