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."

Christmas & New Year Tours from London

It's hard to miss the glow of London at Christmas and New Year's. The streets around Covent Garden and Regent Street are full of lights, and the markets are full of quiet excitement. The air smells like roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. As the year comes to an end, people in London gather along the Thames to watch the fireworks and count down the seconds, all while wearing scarves and laughing.

10 best Christmas & New Year tour packages from London

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Festival & Events
Europe Taster Christmas
4.4 (21 traveler reviews)
"An enjoyable tour. Well organised and coordinated. Truly a memorable trip."
Khee, traveled in December
Duration
7 days
Destinations
England France Switzerland Germany Netherlands Belgium
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Expat Explore Travel
10% Off
From $1,950
US$1,755per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Paris for Christmas
Duration
4 days
Destinations
London, Dover, Calais, Somme, Vimy, Paris
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
Northern France
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
10% Off
From
US$626per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
London Crete and Santorini with meals and drinks
4.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
London, Crete, Santorini, Athens
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Islands
Greek Islands
Operated in
English
Operator
Wanderful Holidays LLC
10% Off
From
US$2,699per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
European Whirl (End Paris, 14 Days)
4.7 (57 traveler reviews)
"Awesome tour guide and driver with a good balance of optional experiences."
Diwash, traveled in December
Duration
14 days
Destinations
England Belgium Netherlands Germany Austria Italy Vatican City (Holy See)Switzerland France+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
15% Off
From $4,750
US$4,038per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
England Small-Group Tour: Cotswolds, Oxford, Lacock Village & Bath – 5 Days
Duration
5 days
Destinations
London, Oxford, Bibury, Burford, Avebury, Lacock, Bath
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Click Tours
36% Off
From $2,150
US$1,376per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
London, Amsterdam and Paris
4.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The ferry to harwick was amazing - such a large boat."
jane, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
England Netherlands Belgium France
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
36% Off
From
US$1,499per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Spectacular Europe End Venice
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"I had good time."
Minhhuong, traveled in June
Duration
16 days
Destinations
England France Switzerland Italy Vatican City (Holy See)+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
36% Off
From
US$3,175per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Roaming the United Kingdom
3.3 (4 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
London, Windsor, Cambridge, York, Durham, Alnwick, Edinburgh,Pitlochry,Fort Augustus,Glasgow,Lichfield+4 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
36% Off
From
US$1,705per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
From London to Budapest
4.0 (1 traveler review)
"I was once again impressed by the efficiency, knowledge and professionalism of the tour."
Kavita, traveled in December
Duration
14 days
Destinations
England Netherlands Germany Czech Republic Austria Hungary+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
36% Off
From
US$2,830per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
London, Paris and Zurich
Duration
11 days
Destinations
England France Switzerland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
36% Off
From
US$2,242per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Great Britain Christmas
4.4 (7 traveler reviews)
"The trip was awesome."
Stacy, traveled in December
Duration
7 days
Destinations
England Scotland Wales
Age Range
Ages 10+
Operated in
English
Operator
Expat Explore Travel
7% Off
From $1,910
US$1,785per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Amsterdam for Christmas
4.7 (8 traveler reviews)
"The best tour guide I've ever had! He was super good fun and really knowledgeable."
Rebekah, traveled in April
Duration
4 days
Destinations
London, Dover, Amsterdam, Edam
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Country Region
North Holland
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
7% Off
From
US$662per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
United Kingdom and Ireland
4.0 (36 traveler reviews)
"The tour was well run. We had an excellent trip and would definitely book another."
Brenda, traveled in June
Duration
11 days
Destinations
England Scotland Northern Ireland Ireland Wales
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
7% Off
From
US$2,307per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Britain and Ireland Delight (2026 Onwards, 10 Days) (18 destinations)
4.3 (130 traveler reviews)
"Long days and lot to see and visit."
Norman, traveled in June
Duration
10 days
Destinations
England Scotland Northern Ireland Ireland Wales
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Costsaver
10% Off
From $1,950
US$1,755per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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City & Culture
Aonghus Youth
4.1 (17 traveler reviews)
"Hotels were clean. Tour group size was good."
Kristi, traveled in March
Duration
9 days
Destinations
England Scotland Northern Ireland Ireland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$1,837per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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