London's Classic Photo-Op Routes -- A Lazy Traveler's Guide to the UK's Capital

Info: Discover the most photo-worthy spots in London with our curated itineraries, covering all iconic landmarks and hidden gems. From the magnificent British Museum to the charming neighborhood of Notting Hill, this guide is your ticket to capturing the perfect Instagram snaps in London.

We’ve prepared two classic photo-op routes in London that, in our opinion, cover the most photogenic spots in the city!

🔹Routes

1⃣️ The Classic Check-in Route

British Museum ➡️ Jubilee Market ➡️ St. Paul’s Cathedral ➡️ Big Ben ➡️ Westminster Bridge ➡️ London Eye ➡️ Tower Bridge

👉🏻Start your day at the British Museum, then head to Jubilee Market’s flea market if it’s a Monday. With long daylight hours in London’s summer, you can arrive at St. Paul’s Cathedral by 7 PM. Walk along the route to Blackfriars Station, which offers numerous great photo spots. Arrive at Westminster Station by 8 PM, where you can see Big Ben in its best light. Walk along Westminster Bridge to the London Eye for more iconic photo ops. If you still have energy, continue to Tower Bridge to capture the night view.

2⃣️ The Movie Rewind Route

Natural History Museum ➡️ Hyde Park/Kensington Park ➡️ Notting Hill ➡️ Sherlock Holmes Museum ➡️ Carnaby Street

👉🏻Begin at the Natural History Museum, a filming location for “Paddington Bear”. Once you enter the museum’s atrium, you can start shooting the blue whale skeleton. Cross Hyde Park and Kensington Park to reach Notting Hill, a shooting location for the movie “Notting Hill”. It’s a great place to enjoy lunch. Next, visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum and end the day feeling the vibrant vibe of London at Carnaby Street in the Soho district.

🔹Transportation

👉🏻You can use contactless credit cards to pay for London’s subway. If not, you can purchase an Oyster card and top-up at any subway station (non-refundable card fee of £7).

👉🏻Travel from Heathrow Airport to London: Piccadilly Line (starting from £5.5), Elizabeth Line (£10-£15), or the Heathrow Express (£25).

👉🏻Many subway stations lack signal, so screenshot your transit information in advance. Remember to tap in and out.

👉🏻The subway prices are zoned, with a daily cap. E.g., if you travel within Zones 1 and 2, the fares stop being deducted after three trips.

👉🏻Bus fares are £1.75 per trip, capped at £5.25 per day. If you change buses within an hour, you’re only charged once.

🔹Cash & Cards

Change some cash in advance in your home country. Bring a chip or contactless credit card; magnetic stripe cards and UnionPay cards aren’t accepted everywhere.

🔹Maps

Google Maps or Apple Maps are good choices. They show bus stops and timings, along with accurate opening hours for attractions and restaurants.

🔹📷Equipment

Sony A7C is a great choice for travel photography. It’s small, aesthetically pleasing, offers excellent picture quality, and provides fast and convenient focus for candid and selfie shots.