How to do London and Stonehenge in two days
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London is one of the world’s greatest cities, packed with history, culture, and iconic landmarks. Add in Stonehenge—one of the most mysterious prehistoric sites in the world—and you’ve got a dream trip. But what if you only have a day and a half? That was our exact challenge. With limited time, we wanted to make the most of London and squeeze in a Stonehenge day trip before flying out.
Spoiler alert: it’s possible! With smart planning, a realistic pace, and a few transport hacks, you can see both in just two days. In this post, I’ll share our real itinerary, how we combined London sightseeing with a Stonehenge tour, and the tips we wish we’d known in advance.
Why Combine London and Stonehenge in a Short Trip?
London is a natural entry point for most international flights to the UK. If you’re on a tight schedule, you don’t have to choose between the city and Stonehenge—you can do both.
- London’s Highlights Are Centrally Located – Many top attractions like Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the London Eye are within walking distance of each other.
- Stonehenge Is a Manageable Day Trip – At about 2 hours from London by bus or car, it fits into even a quick itinerary.
- Efficient Transport Options – Trains, buses, and tours make it simple to get around without needing a car.
If you’re short on time (like we were), you’ll need to prioritize and schedule.
Our Two Day London and Stonehenge Itinerary
Here’s how we structured our trip to make it all work.
Day 1: Arrival & Stonehenge
- Morning: Arrival
We flew into London City Airport. I recommend flying into London Heathrow if you can as it is closer. We landed in the morning around 11:00am and rented a car.- Travel Time: From Heathrow to Stonehenge is about 2 hours however from London City Airport it is 3 hours.
- Afternoon: Stonehenge
We spent around 2 hours exploring the stonehenge, visitor center, and the exhibition. You have the free option of walking from the parking lot to outside of the stonehenge fenced area. This walk is about a mile and a half, and you don’t get to enter the fenced in area. We opted to purchase tickets. This allowed us to take the shuttle, enter the stonehenge area and visit the exhibition. I highly recommend purchasing tickets to see all of Stonehenge.
- Evening: Return to London
Once we were done visiting Stonehenge we returned to London. This drive is roughly two hours. We opted to take a detour and see Salsbury and Amesbury on the way back to our hotel.
We opted to keep our rental car as we had an early flight and didn’t want to count on an uber. You may decide to drop your car off after visiting Stonehenge or book alternate transport there as a car is not needed in London.
How to Get to Stonehenge from London
If you’re planning a Stonehenge day trip, you have a few options depending on your budget and time.
1. Guided Tours (Easiest)
- Tours leave from Victoria Coach Station or near major train stations.
- Travel time: About 2 hours each way.
- Pros: Hassle-free, tickets included, no need to navigate public transport.
- Cons: Less flexibility—you’re on their schedule.
👉 Best for first-time visitors or those on a tight schedule.
2. Train + Bus Combo (DIY Option)
- Take a train from London Waterloo to Salisbury (about 1.5 hours).
- From Salisbury, catch the Stonehenge Tour Bus (30 minutes).
- Pros: More flexible, chance to explore Salisbury.
- Cons: Slightly more complicated, must coordinate train and bus schedules.
3. Driving (Most Flexible)
- Renting a car is the most flexible option, especially if you want to combine Stonehenge with Bath or Windsor.
- Travel time: Around 2 hours depending on traffic.
- Pros: Freedom to set your schedule.
- Cons: Expensive for such a short trip, London traffic and parking can be stressful.
Day 2: London Sightseeing
We found the GoCity pass to be the best option for London. This gave us entry into all of the attractions and a hop on and off double decker bus tour.
- Morning: We started our day at Stop 1 at 8:15am and took the bus to stop 11 and switched to stop 19 taking it to stop 23 and visiting Buckingham palace. While we did not get to see the changing of the guard this day we did get to see the posting of the horse guard ceremony which was truly awesome.
From here we walked to Westminster Abbey and took the included tour. Once we were done with the Abbey we walked past Big Ben to the London Eye. Our ride on the eye was also included in our pass and the views of the city are amazing.
- Afternoon: We did Afternoon Tea at The Library which is situated right next to the Eye and offers the best view of Big Ben. While not exactly cheap I feel it’s a must do tourist experience. There are all different afternoon teas all over London so shop around and find the best fit for you.
After tea, we hopped back on the Big Bus at stop 12 and headed to stop 16, toward Tower Bridge. The bridge is a 7 minute walk from the stop and on the way we stopped at the River Thames Cruise to activate our pass for the evening before they closed activation. Once at Tower Bridge you climb to the top, experience both sides of the bridge with glass floors then climb down and get to tour the engine room which is really cool and super kid friendly.
- Evening: Following our visit to the Tower Bridge we visited the Shard. This features two observation decks at different heights and has a bar. This attraction also included in our pass offers more epic views of London but from the opposite side of the city as the London Eye.
We ended our evening with the hop on and off Uber boat tour on the River Thames on the way back to our hotel.
👉 Tip: Stick to walking and the Tube (Underground). Most attractions are fairly close together, and you’ll save time compared to taking buses.
Transport Tips for a Short London Trip
- Get an Oyster Card or Contactless Payment – The Tube and buses accept tap-to-pay credit cards. This saves time vs. buying paper tickets.
- Stay Central – Book accommodation near Westminster, Covent Garden, or South Bank to cut down on transport time.
- Use Heathrow Express (if short on time) – It’s pricier, but you’ll save 30–40 minutes compared to the Tube.
- Book Stonehenge in Advance – Whether you choose a tour or DIY, lock in tickets before arriving to avoid sold-out options.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes – London is a walking city, and you’ll easily clock 15,000+ steps in a day.
Tips for Maximizing 2 Days in London & Stonehenge
- Prioritize Must-Sees – You won’t see everything, so choose 4–6 highlights in London and let go of the rest.
- Combine Walking Routes – Many London landmarks are close together. Group them by area to save time.
- Go Early for Stonehenge – The earlier the tour, the more daylight you’ll have back in London.
- Don’t Overbook – It’s tempting to add Bath or Windsor, but that will stretch your day too thin. Stick with Stonehenge if you’re short on time.
- Eat on the Go – Grab quick bites at Pret a Manger, Greggs, or local markets to save precious sightseeing hours.
Is 2 Days Enough for London & Stonehenge?
Honestly? You’ll only scratch the surface. But if your time is limited—like a long layover or a quick weekend stop—it’s 100% worth it. You’ll see London’s most famous icons, experience Stonehenge in person, and leave with a trip full of unforgettable memories.
For us, 2 days was doable and we got to see everything. The key was staying central, booking Stonehenge in advance, and sticking to a streamlined itinerary.
Final Thoughts
If you’re debating whether to combine London and Stonehenge in a short trip, the answer is yes—you can, and you should. With careful planning, you’ll experience both the vibrant energy of London and the mystical wonder of Stonehenge in just 2 days.
This itinerary worked perfectly for us, and I hope it helps you design your own quick but incredible UK adventure.
Have you tried squeezing Stonehenge into a short London trip? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear how you did it!
