Can you do London and Scotland in one week?

A week is long enough to experience not only the highlights of London but also the English countryside and the Scottish Highlands.



Yes, you can visit both London and Scotland in one week, but it is a fast-paced "highlights" tour rather than a deep exploration. A common and efficient 7-day itinerary involves spending 3 days in London to see iconic sites like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the West End. On the 4th day, you would take a high-speed LNER train from London King's Cross to Edinburgh, a scenic 4.5-hour journey that delivers you directly into the heart of the Scottish capital. You then spend the remaining 3 days exploring Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and perhaps a day trip to the Scottish Highlands or Loch Lomond. While this schedule is ambitious, the excellent rail connectivity between the two regions makes it manageable without the need for internal flights or long car drives. To make it work, you should pack light, stay centrally located in both cities, and book your inter-city train tickets and major attraction entries well in advance. This "one-week UK" trip is a popular way for first-time visitors to experience the contrast between England’s bustling metropolis and Scotland’s rugged, historic charm in a single vacation.

Yes, it’s possible to visit both London and Scotland in one week, but it will be a fast-paced, highlights-only trip. You’ll need to prioritize and plan meticulously.

Here’s a realistic and efficient 7-day itinerary to give you a taste of both:

Key Considerations Before You Go:

  • Pace: This is not a relaxing vacation. You will be moving quickly.
  • Travel Between: The train from London to Edinburgh is the best option (fast, city-center to city-center, scenic). Book advance tickets for the best prices.
  • Base in Scotland: Focus on Edinburgh (the capital, most accessible) or Glasgow (more modern, great art/music). Trying to add the Highlands in this timeframe is very rushed, though possible with a dedicated day tour.

Sample 7-Day Itinerary (London + Edinburgh Focus)

Day 1-3: London (3 Nights) Day 1: Arrive in London. Check-in, beat jet lag with an easy activity. Suggestions: Walk along the South Bank (see the London Eye, Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe), or explore Covent Garden. Day 2: Central London Icons. Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace (see Changing of the Guard if scheduled), and an evening in the West End or Soho. Day 3: Museum & History. Choose one major museum (British Museum, Natural History Museum, or Victoria & Albert). In the afternoon, visit the Tower of London and walk across Tower Bridge. Evening in Shoreditch or

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And finally, two or three weeks allow you to begin to combine England, Wales, Scotland, and even Northern Ireland. And a month would allow you to do a complete circuit of the UK. Travelers with specific interests may want to plan their itineraries to include relevant sites, festivals, or events.

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We recommend you allow 9 - 10 days in Scotland for a satisfying tour of the country's diverse scenery and history. A 10 day itinerary, such as the Best of Scotland tour plan, would let you spend: 2 days in Edinburgh walking the historical streets and enjoying the cosmopolitan buzz.

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With 5 days in London, you will have enough time to hit all of the highlights if you are smart about how you organize your time. However, I'd recommend planning a week in London to leave some time for day trips or specialty tours as well.

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Alternatively, have a relaxed 5 days in Scotland by doing this:
  1. Day 1 - Explore Edinburgh.
  2. Day 2 - Edinburgh to Pitlochry.
  3. Day 3 - Pitlochry to Inveraray via Loch Tay.
  4. Day 4 - Day trip from Inveraray to Oban.
  5. Day 5 - Inveraray to Glasgow via Loch Lomond.


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For first time visitors, we recommend spending at least four or five days in London, which will give you enough time to get a feel for the city and see many of its main sites. With so much to do and see check out this article on how you can make the most of your time in London!

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It isn't enough for accomodation, not really even if the whole £500 is just for the accomodation. Accommodation would cost more than that, and you would have to have at least £300 for food. If you wanted to visit places like the Tower of London, and even St Paul's Cathedral you would need about £200 for that.

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The distance between Scotland and London is 401 miles. The road distance is 402.8 miles. How do I travel from Scotland to London without a car? The best way to get from Scotland to London without a car is to train which takes 4h 38m and costs £150 - £340.

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The best time to visit Scotland is during spring (late March to May) and fall (September to November).

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On a 5-day Scotland tour from Edinburgh you can can travel into the Highlands, spending a couple nights in the Fort Augustus or Fort William areas, and visit popular attractions like the legendary Loch Ness, the beautiful shores of Loch Lomond, the prehistoric Clava Cairns, the stunning Glen Coe area, the medieval ...

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