A weekend in London built around West End shows is one of the best trips you can take. Here's how to make the most of 48 hours in the city.
Friday Evening
Arrive & Settle In
Check into your hotel (we recommend staying in Covent Garden or Soho for maximum convenience). Grab dinner at a pre-theatre restaurant — most offer special menus from 5pm.
7:30pm — Evening Show
Start your weekend with a big musical: The Lion King, Wicked, or Les Misérables are all spectacular opening-night choices. Book through tickadoo for the best prices.
Saturday
Morning: Explore London
Start at Borough Market for breakfast (open from 10am on Saturdays). Then walk across Tower Bridge and visit the Tower of London — book skip-the-line tickets in advance.
2:30pm — Saturday Matinee
Catch a matinee performance. This is perfect for a shorter show like SIX (80 minutes) or a comedy like The Play That Goes Wrong. Matinee tickets are often cheaper than evening shows.
Evening: Soho & Covent Garden
After the show, explore Soho's restaurants and bars. Chinatown is just off Leicester Square for affordable, excellent food. Covent Garden's street performers are free entertainment.
Sunday
Morning: Culture Fix
Visit the free museums: the British Museum (Bloomsbury), National Gallery (Trafalgar Square), or Tate Modern (South Bank). All are free and world-class.
Afternoon: Depart
Grab a final meal in Covent Garden before heading to the airport. The Elizabeth Line from Tottenham Court Road gets you to Heathrow in 35 minutes.
Budget Breakdown
- Flights: from £29 return (Dublin) to £299 (New York)
- Hotel: from £55/night (budget) to £350/night (luxury)
- Show tickets: from £18–£54 per show
- Food & transport: £30–£50/day
Total weekend from £180 per person (flying from Dublin, budget hotel, matinee tickets).