Quick answer
Spend four nights in London for Westminster, the Tower, the British Museum, a West End show and the Harry Potter studios, then take the 4h20 train to Edinburgh for two nights, the castle and a Highlands day tour. Fly into London and out of Edinburgh. Mid-range land cost starts at about ₹1,05,000 per person, excluding flights.
The route
- London
- Watford (Harry Potter studios)
- London
- Edinburgh
- Highlands
- Edinburgh
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in London, Westminster
Morning: Land at Heathrow; Elizabeth line or Piccadilly line into central London (40–60 minutes).
Afternoon: Westminster Abbey (closed to sightseers on Sundays), Big Ben and Parliament Square.
Evening: Walk across Westminster Bridge to the South Bank and ride the London Eye at dusk.
Stay: London — Westminster, Kensington or Paddington
- 2
Day 2
Tower of London and the river
Morning: Tower of London at opening: Crown Jewels first, then a Yeoman Warder tour.
Afternoon: Tower Bridge, Borough Market and the riverside walk past Tate Modern to St Paul's.
Evening: A West End musical around Covent Garden or Leicester Square.
Stay: London
- 3
Day 3
Royal London and the museums
Morning: Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace, then St James's Park.
Afternoon: The British Museum, or the Natural History Museum and V&A in South Kensington.
Evening: Oxford Street and Regent Street, then dinner at one of central London's Indian restaurants.
Stay: London
The guard ceremony doesn't run daily outside summer. Check the schedule the night before.
- 4
Day 4
Harry Potter studios and Neasden Temple
Morning: Train to Watford Junction and the shuttle to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour on an early pre-booked slot.
Afternoon: Back towards London to the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden and Gujarati snacks on Ealing Road, Wembley.
Evening: Pack for Edinburgh.
Stay: London
Prefer history to wizards? Swap for Windsor Castle in the morning and Oxford in the afternoon, or a Stonehenge and Bath coach tour.
- 5
Day 5
Train to Edinburgh, the Royal Mile
Morning: LNER from King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley (about 4h20). Sit on the right for sea views after Newcastle.
Afternoon: Walk the Royal Mile from the castle esplanade down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Evening: Calton Hill at sunset for the view over the city.
Stay: Edinburgh — Old Town or New Town
Book the train 8–12 weeks ahead for the cheapest advance fares.
- 6
Day 6
Highlands day tour
Morning: Early coach tour north through Glencoe's valley.
Afternoon: Loch Ness stop, with an optional cruise, and the Highland scenery on the way back.
Evening: Back in Edinburgh around 8 pm.
Stay: Edinburgh
It's about 12 hours, mostly on a coach. With parents, swap it for Arthur's Seat and a half-day to the Forth Bridges.
- 7
Day 7
Edinburgh Castle and departure
Morning: Edinburgh Castle at opening for the Honours of Scotland and the city views.
Afternoon: Fly home from Edinburgh via a Gulf or European hub, or take the train back to London for an evening flight from Heathrow.
Evening: Fly home.
An open-jaw ticket into London and out of Edinburgh usually costs about the same and saves a day of backtracking.
How this itinerary is built
Four nights in London and two in Edinburgh is the most common first-trip shape for Indian travellers. London gets the royal sights, free museums, a show and one excursion; Edinburgh adds a medieval old town and the Highlands, which feel like a different country — partly because they are.
The train between them takes about 4h20 and is easier than flying once you count airport time.
How to adapt it
- With parents or young children: drop the Highlands day for Arthur's Seat, the National Museum of Scotland (free) and a gentler half-day trip. Use black cabs for short hops in London.
- Groups of friends: add a night in the Cotswolds or Bath instead of the Day 4 plan.
- Ten days: add two nights in Inverness or the Isle of Skye, or three in the Lake District.
London's best museums are free. Mixing one paid attraction a day with a free museum keeps costs sensible.
Getting around
Use a contactless card or phone on the Tube and buses; daily caps apply. An Oyster card isn't needed.
For budgets see UK trip cost; for London neighbourhoods see where to stay in London; and for more sights, things to do in the UK. The UK needs its own visitor visa — see our UK visa guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for London and Scotland?
Should I take the train or fly from London to Edinburgh?
Can I fly home from Edinburgh?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
