Christmas & New Year Tours from London

What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours from London

• What are the typical destinations covered during Christmas and New Year tours starting from London?

  From London, most holiday tours head to Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, Lake District, and Wales. There's usually time in Cambridge and York along the way, with many tours spending Christmas Day in Edinburgh for Scottish holiday celebrations. One of our TourRadar travelers put it well: "The towns, the landscape, the castles, and the seacoast is truly welcoming and relaxing during the festive season."

• How cold does it get during Christmas and New Year tours from London?

  Winter temperatures in London and nearby areas usually stay between 35-45°F (2-7°C). If you head up to Scotland, expect it to be a bit colder, around 30-38°F (-1 to 3°C). Don't worry too much about the cold though - one TourRadar traveler noted "the weather was cold but manageable with proper layers." You'll find plenty of warm spaces in places like Edinburgh Castle and York Minster, plus comfortable heating in hotels like The Strand Palace in London and Hampton by Hilton in York.

• What are the most popular destinations for Christmas and New Year tours starting from London?

  Most travelers choose tours that visit Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, and Edinburgh. Companies like Euroventure Travel and Contiki run regular trips to these cities by train and bus. You'll get to see some amazing holiday sights - Paris lights up the Eiffel Tower, Edinburgh Castle gets decked out for the season, and in Rome, you can join the special Christmas celebrations at Vatican City.

• What special holiday activities are included in Christmas and New Year tours starting from London?

  You'll get to experience London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, walk under the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street, and watch the New Year's Eve fireworks by the Thames. Tours often mix these festive London experiences with visits to historic places like Windsor Castle and Bath. As one TourRadar traveler said, "The timing was perfect and the hotel in Bath was brilliant."

• How much spending money should I budget for Christmas shopping during the tour?

  Plan for about USD 100-150 per day for shopping at places like Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The tours usually stop at famous stores like Harrods and Liberty London when they're beautifully decorated for Christmas. One TourRadar traveler suggests "setting aside at least USD 500 for holiday shopping and souvenirs across major stops like London, York and Edinburgh."

• What's the typical duration of Christmas and New Year tours starting from London?

  Most tours run between 8 and 23 days, with lots of people choosing 10-16 day trips. The European Traveller tour takes 10 days to visit London, Paris, Switzerland and Italy. If you want to see more, the European Trail is a longer 23-day journey through several countries. Tours tend to be longer during the holidays so you can join Christmas celebrations in different cities.

• Are Christmas markets included in the tour itinerary?

  Yes, you'll definitely visit Christmas markets. Most tours take you to London's Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, the Georgian Christmas Market in Bath, and Edinburgh's Christmas Market on Princes Street. One TourRadar traveler shared: "the tour perfectly timed our visits to the most magical Christmas markets across Britain, with plenty of time to shop and enjoy seasonal treats."