London in April? Ok. But at least understand the pros and cons before pulling the trigger.

I’ll be honest: London in April felt like a gamble. Cold, rainy, unpredictable weather and a city that’s never really “off season” had me second guessing the whole idea.

But I found a great flight deal from Los Angeles and figured, why not? What followed was one of my best London trips ever, and also one of the most eye opening when it came to what late April in this city is actually like.

Scott Leazenby standing under the London Eye ferris wheel — Despite what this looks like, the London Eye (nor the dork holding the camera) is *not* the focal point of this pic. It’s the clear blue sky. In London. In April. The hell?

PRO: Flight deals are genuinely good

Coming from San Diego, flying into London from the West Coast is usually expensive AF. But late April? The deals are real.

I booked my ticket in early March, about seven weeks out, and found a decent fare for Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 Premium Economy out of LAX that would have been significantly higher in the summer months. The flights were also wide open when I booked, which meant I had my pick of seats.

Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 pulling up to the Tom Bradley international terminal (terminal B) at LAX — My ride to LHR pulling up to the gate at LAX. OMG.

Flexibility is hard to come by when you’re flying to one of the busiest cities in the world. If you’re even a little flexible with your dates, late April is a window worth watching.

PRO: Hotel prices are kinda down

I stayed at the Premier Inn at London County Hall, which sits right next to the London Eye in Westminster, one of the most central and touristy locations you could possibly choose. I booked a suite for $327.40 a night. For that location, in peak summer, you could easily pay double that (or more).

My suite at the Premier Inn at London County Hall in Central London — Boy, they weren’t lying about the “Premiere” thing, were they? I was so desperately looking for someone to high five at this very moment.

I also stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn at Heathrow the night before my flight home and paid $296.24 for a high floor room with a runway view.

FWIW, anything under $350 a night is basically a winter rate. If budget is any part of your travel planning (and whose isn’t?), late April gives you access to prime locations at off season prices.

PRO: The weather was surprisingly beautiful

This was the biggest shock of the whole trip. I packed an umbrella “just in case” and then decided to leave it at home, fully expecting to regret that decision. I never did.

Both days I was there were clear blue skies and temperatures in the low to mid 60s Fahrenheit. I had mentally prepared for grey drizzle and ended up with what felt like a perfect spring days.

Scott Leazenby standing next to the London Tower Bridge — Perhaps the most amusing thing about this picture is that it was actually stormy and rainy back home in San Diego the exact moment that I took this picture. The universe just doesn’t make any sense sometimes.

Don’t get me wrong. I love London. It’s just that the weather is obviously (famously) unpredictable, and most of the time, it’s going to be downright miserable. However, late April does give you a fighting chance at some genuinely pleasant days.

PRO: Restaurants are calm and easy

Even with packed sidewalks in the tourist areas, the restaurants seemed empty(ish). Every place I walked into, I was served quickly with almost no wait.

I’ve been to London in summer and the contrast is stark. In late April it felt almost like a weekday lunch crowd in the off season, relaxed and easy, even in areas like Westminster where tourists are everywhere.

PRO: Passport control was painless

This might sound like a small thing, but if you’ve ever spent 45+ minutes shuffling through a queue at Heathrow, you know the deal.

I landed at 10 AM and walked straight through passport control using an automated scanning system. No line, no waiting, no stress. I had mentally prepared for the worst based on past trips, and instead I was through in minutes.

CON: It’s still crowded in the tourist areas

Let’s be real. Late April is not a ‘secret quiet’ period in London. The streets around Westminster, Big Ben, the London Eye and the Thames were genuinely packed on a Tuesday afternoon.

Walking towards Big Bend and Parliament in Westminster, Central London — *“Shouldn’t y’all be at work – or school – on a Tuesday afternoon in April?”* (What nearly everybody in this picture is probably thinking)

Walking along the footpaths near Parliament was frustrating at times due to the crowds. If you were hoping to stroll through the iconic spots with a bit of breathing room, you’ll find some relief compared to July, but it’s still busy.

CON: Watch out for pickpockets!

This follows naturally from the crowds, but it deserves its own callout. Coming from the airport, I was carrying everything with me when I landed in the middle of all that Westminster foot traffic. I felt genuinely uneasy about it.

Pickpockets target busy tourist areas year round in London and late April is no exception. Keep your phone and wallet secured, be aware of who is around you and pay extra attention any time someone bumps into you or gets unusually close. Don’t let your guard down just because it’s not peak season.

Pedestrians walking across the London Tower Bridge — Unfortunately, I was so focused on spotting pickpockets that I didn’t even notice that I walked across the London Tower Bridge. Thank goodness for my instinctual habit of documenting absolutely everything in pictures.

CON: The wind will catch you off guard

Here’s the thing about those beautiful low 60s days: the wind was absolutely brutal. Standing in the sun with no breeze was delightful. But the moment a gust hit, it felt genuinely cold.

*“Quite. A thoroughly vindictive little gale. Makes one wonder why we ever left the house, really.”* Listening to the natives (the two guys on the right) talk about how brutally cold the wind is without even using profanity was enlightening to this crude / uneducated American.

I had four layers on during my morning walk along the Thames and I was still chilly. A heavy winter coat isn’t necessary, but a proper spring or fall jacket is (perhaps along with a warm hat). I saw people in knit beanies and it made complete sense.

The temperature on paper sounds mild. But the wind makes it feel like a different story entirely.

CON: Layering is annoying to pack for

In winter you know to bring heavy clothes. In summer you go light. Late April demands both.

My morning walk started cold enough that I had my hood up and was still not totally warm. By the time I got back a couple of hours later I was sweating in full sun with almost no wind.

The temperature swing within a single day means you need options, and that means more packing decisions and more stuff to carry. Plan for layers rather than a single jacket and you’ll be much better off.

Walking through a tunnel with cobblestone streets in central London

CON: Transport strikes can happen

This one I really didn’t see coming. There was a worker strike in progress during my visit and it affected the Underground for both of my trips between Heathrow and Central London.

Getting in, I could only travel partway before the trains stopped running (at Acton Town). I had to take an Uber the rest of the way through brutal traffic, which added over an hour to my trip and cost $53. Getting back out was its own adventure involving multiple train changes.