Episode #10: London With Kids — Our Family Itinerary, Harry Potter Tour, Top Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
Getting There: Flights + San Francisco Stopover
We found an incredible deal: $450 roundtrip flights on United nonstop from San Francisco to London. I subscribe to Thrifty Traveler and while I can’t take advantage of 99% of the deals, I saw this incredible cash deal pop up and we decided to grab it! I called my mom, she was in and before we knew it we were planning a trip to London!
I have a discount link for Thrifty Traveler if you’re interested you can get $20 off your first year. I’ll put the link in the description below.
To make it easier, we flew out two days before and stayed in San Francisco for two nights at a Marriott — on points!
Pro tip: Sometimes it’s worth positioning yourself at a different airport if it means nonstop flights and saving thousands.
Our 11-hour flight to London actually went pretty smoothly… except our 20-month-old didn’t sleep a single second (you may remember me sharing this story back in Episode 3!).
Arrival in London + Airbnb Strategy
We landed at 7 am London time. Exhausted.
Had a transportation service pre-booked to take us to our Airbnb.
Because it was rush hour, the 1.5-hour ride felt brutal after a long flight.
One tip that saved us: I booked our Airbnb for an extra night on the front end so we could check in immediately.
Everyone napped for a few hours, but I made sure we set alarms so we didn’t oversleep and ruin our time zone adjustment.
Day 1 Highlights
Headed straight to Big Ben and the London Eye — great choice for first-day sightseeing and letting the kids stretch their legs.
Dinner nearby and a quiet walk back to our Airbnb, ready for real sleep.
Day 2: Royal + Harry Potter Adventures
Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace: happens daily at 11 am. Arrive early for a good spot. Flag was flying, which meant the King was home!
Navigating the Tube with a stroller — it’s doable, just follow signs for “Lift.”
We brought our favorite travel double stroller (Zoe) that is compact and still fits in a single door opening but reclines for naps and has great storage.
St. Pancras Station to see Harry Potter’s Platform 9¾. Bonus: fun swings outside the station.
Booked a Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour via Viator. Our bus broke down 3 minutes in (mirror knocked off!) so we had an hour delay.
Made the best of it by exploring shops nearby. Kids loved buying UK kids’ magazines with toys on the covers.
At the studios: The Great Hall, movie sets, green screen broom rides, and butterbeer (hot + cold). A highlight for everyone!
Day 3: Afternoon Tea + Kensington
Started with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour — highly recommend as both sightseeing and easy transport.
Afternoon tea at The Drawing Room (South Kensington) — a science-inspired, kid-friendly tea with hands-on experiments. Kids could choose tea or hot chocolate.
Kensington Palace: Kids loved dressing up in costumes from the chests.
Princess Diana Memorial Playground: A must-stop for families with kids.
Navigated London rain with umbrellas, rain jackets, and stroller covers. Essentials for families!
Day 4: Historic London
Tower of London: My third visit, still magical. The Crown Jewels were a hit with the kids!
We skipped the torture chamber — not kid-appropriate.
Grabbed fish and chips right outside the Tower. Delicious!
Westminster Abbey: Kids weren’t thrilled, but still meaningful to walk through and see famous figures like Sir Isaac Newton.
Dinner at Hatch 77 — incredible food and service.
Dessert at Amorino Gelato — rose-shaped ice cream cones, beautiful and delicious.
Day 5: Paris Side Trip + Hyatt Mistake
Took the Eurostar to Paris (covered in next week’s episode!).
When we returned, we stayed at the Hyatt Churchill in London.
Lesson learned: In Europe, hotel room occupancy is strict. Even though I booked 2 rooms with 2 double beds, the max occupancy was 2–3 per room.
We had to buy a 3rd room last minute for $500+. Ouch. Always double-check occupancy rules before booking!
Final Thoughts: Why London with Kids Works
London is one of the best first international trips with kids: English-speaking, great public transportation, and family-friendly attractions.
Highlights for us: The London Eye, Harry Potter Studios, Afternoon Tea, and the Tower of London.
Challenges: Jet lag, long transfers, and tricky hotel room occupancy.
But overall? Absolutely worth it.
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