Graduation Trip | A 5-Day London Journey with Friends You've Laughed and Cried with in Youth

Another graduation season arrives—it is both the end of carefree youthful days and the beginning of a brand‑new life journey. Use a trip to commemorate the days you've laughed and cried with your friends; every moment you walk together is especially worth cherishing. The London Pass has already planned a classic 5‑day itinerary for you in London—let's set off toward the future!~

Hop‑on Hop‑off Bus Tour

The most classic way to experience London upon arrival is to take a hop‑on hop‑off sightseeing bus shuttling between hot attractions in the city centre, enjoying London's beauty. With your London Pass, you can choose one of the 1‑day routes from Golden Tours or Big Bus for free, hop on and off at multiple attraction stops, and enjoy the ease of travel.~

Both bus operators' routes pass famous attractions such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square. There are also multilingual audio guides on board, so you can learn about London's history and culture while taking photos.~

Sightseeing bus ticket price: £41, free with London Pass.~

Tower of London

Situated on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London has been used as a castle, royal palace, treasury, arsenal, mint, prison, and zoo. It is one of the four UNESCO World Heritage sites in this capital city. First built in 1066, it covers 12 acres and has witnessed centuries of change and royal life—every brick is filled with rich historical stories.~

The Norman Tower (historically known as the White Tower), built of pale stone, is the most prominent, important, oldest, and strongest building here. Inside, the Jewel House displays the crowns, sceptres, and crown jewels of monarchs since the 17th century. A spiral staircase leads to the top floor for panoramic views, and there is also a crypt beneath St John's Chapel.~

Tower of London address: Tower Hill, London EC3.~

Ticket: £29.9, free with London Pass.~

Tower Bridge

Named after the adjacent Tower of London and known as the "Gateway to London", Tower Bridge opened in 1894 and is one of London's landmark attractions and symbols. Its two towers are 60 metres high, built of granite and steel. The bridge has two levels: the upper level is a 43‑metre‑high glass walkway offering 360‑degree city views; the lower level can be used by vehicles. When large ships need to pass, the machinery inside the main towers lifts the lower bridge sections to allow them through.~

Source: timeout

Better still, there is a museum inside Tower Bridge, using various exhibitions to tell visitors about this most eye‑catching London building's past, present, and future.~

Tower Bridge address: Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2UP.~

Ticket: £11.4, free with London Pass.~

St Paul's Cathedral

Its distinctive, magnificent dome makes it instantly recognisable! As one of the world's famous religious sites, St Paul's Cathedral is built in a Classical style with a splendid and grand exterior and a solemn, dignified atmosphere. It is the fifth largest cathedral in the world and the second largest in Britain.~

The cathedral's floor plan is a Latin cross, with the dome (111 metres high and 34 metres in diameter) sitting above the crossing. The interior is magnificent and solemn, with double pilasters evenly dividing the walls; each bay and window is treated in the same style. The beautiful painted ceiling is especially worth careful viewing.~

Don't forget to experience the magic of the Whispering Gallery—climb 259 steps, speak into an opening, and your voice can be heard at any other opening.~

Cathedral address: St Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD.~

Ticket: £21, free with London Pass, and enjoy 10% off for purchases over £5.~

The Shard Observation Deck

The best place to view London's skyline is the observation deck at The Shard. At 310 metres, it is the tallest building in the UK and the second tallest in Europe, offering the best panoramic view of the city. On sunny days, you can see over 60 kilometres of London landscape from the deck.~

The 12 telescopes on the deck can switch between sunrise and sunset modes to enjoy different scenery. Moreover, at sunset, you can sip champagne at the high‑level bar while creating unforgettable memories.~

Observation deck address: Railway Approach, London, SE1 9SG.~

Ticket: £28, free with London Pass.~

Uber River Thames Sightseeing Cruise

After seeing London from land and sky, it's time to enjoy a different cityscape from the River Thames. Uber River Thames sightseeing boats depart from piers every 20 minutes and stop at 23 piers along the river. With a day ticket, you can hop on and off to easily explore London's landmarks.~

For example, you can alight at Tower Pier to explore the Tower of London and the historic City of London, then continue past Tower Bridge to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Maritime Greenwich. Alternatively, get off at Westminster Pier to visit the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. In short, this sightseeing cruise makes it convenient to travel however you like.~

Cruise ticket price: £21, free with London Pass.~

Old Royal Naval College

Located in Greenwich, covering 18 acres and with over 500 years of history, the Old Royal Naval College is the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1694, Sir Christopher Wren, the great British architect who designed St Paul's Cathedral, was invited to redesign what was then Greenwich Palace, giving the Old Royal Naval College its current appearance. Its two domes were inspired by St Paul's Cathedral.~

The Painted Hall of the college covers 4,000 square metres and is known as the Sistine Chapel of Britain. Its exquisite Baroque frescoes were completed over 19 years by the British artist Sir James Thornhill. The ceiling features over 200 vividly painted figures, making this hall a stunning feast of colour from its unveiling.~

College address: Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9NN.~

Opening hours: Daily 8am–11pm.~

Ticket: £13.5, free with London Pass.~

Royal Observatory Greenwich

The birthplace of British astronomical history and home to Greenwich Mean Time is the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Built in 1675 on the banks of the River Thames, it was established to solve the pressing need for accurate longitude determination during the rapid development of British maritime navigation. Lying on the Prime Meridian that divides the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, the Royal Observatory has been at the forefront of astronomical research for nearly 400 years.~

Source: Royal Parks

Here, you can learn how time became standardised, how the first telescope was made, and how science has changed through the ages—and together explore the wonders of astronomy past, present, and future. Of course, don't forget to stand with one foot on each side of the meridian to be in both hemispheres at once!~

Observatory address: Blackheath Ave, London SE10 8XJ.~

Opening hours: Daily 10am–5pm.~

Ticket: £16, free with London Pass.~

Cutty Sark

Did you know? This 64.7‑metre‑long three‑masted clipper was launched in 1869 and, with a speed of 17 knots, was one of the fastest ships at sea in the 1870s. Its impressive speed made it the most profitable merchant ship, carrying tea—then the most popular commodity—from China to Victorian England. This British merchant ship visited 16 different countries, covering a distance equivalent to twice the round trip from Earth to the Moon.~

Now, this legendary clipper has become a museum open to the public, retaining 90% of its original features. During your visit, you can encounter the Cutty Sark's past through interactive exhibitions, hear the captain tell stories of life at sea in the age of sail, learn about the clipper's 150 years of adventure, and enjoy panoramic views of the River Thames.~

Cutty Sark address: King William Walk, Greenwich, SE10 9HT.~

Opening hours: Daily 10am–5pm.~

Ticket: £16, free with London Pass.~

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour

You must experience the charm of Shakespeare's classic plays. Located on the south bank of the River Thames, opposite St Paul's Cathedral, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre was built in 1987. It is a reconstruction of the original London Shakespeare theatre, an open‑air amphitheatre where Shakespeare wrote his timeless works.~

In this theatre, performances are usually held in the afternoon and evening, with each show accommodating 1,300 spectators. There are no spotlights, microphones, or amplifiers—all music is played on period instruments live, recreating the authentic stage effects of the time, allowing the audience to better appreciate the magic of Shakespeare's classic plays.~

Globe Theatre address: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London, SE1 9DT.~

Guided tour times: Daily 10am–4pm.~

Tour fee: £17, free with London Pass.~

London Eye

The most eye‑catching and romantic attraction on the River Thames is undoubtedly the London Eye! Opened at the end of 1999, the London Eye is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe and a London landmark. It has 32 capsules, each carrying about 25 people, and a full rotation takes 30 minutes. Rising high into the air, the London Eye offers a perfect vantage point to see all of London, blending ancient charm with modern bustle.~

London Eye address: London Eye, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7PB.~

Opening hours: Daily 11am–6pm.~

Ticket price: £36.~

British Museum

When in London, you must visit the British Museum, one of the world's four great museums. Founded in 1753, the British Museum holds over 8 million outstanding artefacts spanning more than 2 million years of human history. From prints and drawings collections to prehistoric, European, Greek, and Roman exhibits, as well as ancient Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone, its vast collection attracts nearly 7 million visitors annually.~

Museum address: The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DD.~

Admission: Free; with London Pass, enjoy a free VOX audio self‑guide.~

Buckingham Palace

As the principal residence and office of the British monarch in London and one of the venues for state ceremonies and royal welcomes, Buckingham Palace has long been an important tourist attraction in the capital. In summer, the palace opens to the public, and the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of the palace is a must‑see aspect of British royal culture.~

While visiting Buckingham Palace, you can also visit the Queen's Gallery. This small public art gallery displays the Royal Collection, with an astonishing array of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks, as well as a glittering collection of priceless treasures entrusted to Her Majesty. The Queen's Gallery ticket is £17, free with London Pass.~

Westminster Abbey

Venue for royal weddings, the coronation church of British monarchs, and a UNESCO World Heritage site—Westminster Abbey, with its many titles, is an essential historic building to see in Britain.~

First built in 960 AD, the Gothic church complex mainly consists of the abbey church and monastery. It not only houses paintings, stained glass, and other religious artefacts, but also holds the most important collection of monumental sculpture in the country. It has been the site of many royal weddings (including the fairy‑tale wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton), funerals, state ceremonies, and commemorative events. It is also the final resting place of over 3,000 notable Britons (such as Newton and Darwin) and more than 100 famous poets (like Shakespeare and Dickens). Over 1 million people visit each year to learn about over 1,000 years of British history.~

Abbey address: Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yard, Westminster, London, SW1P 3PA.~

Ticket: £25, free with London Pass.~

Natural History Museum

How about visiting the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, to get a feel for 'Night at the Museum'? This popular attraction, with its medieval cathedral‑like exterior, holds 80 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, and minerals. First opened in 1881, it is the largest natural history museum in Europe.~

Source: Natural History Museum, London

Across more than 40,000 square metres of floor space, you can see exhibits related to entomology, botany, zoology, palaeontology, mineralogy, and more, freely exploring the wonders of the Earth and its rich diversity of life.~

Museum address: Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London.~

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00–17:50.~

Admission: Free; with London Pass, receive a complimentary souvenir booklet.~

Kensington Palace

Located on the west side of Kensington Gardens, this exquisite and luxurious palace was first built in 1605. It has been a royal residence since the 17th century, witnessing over 300 years of the lives and backgrounds of British royals. Today it is the home of Prince William and his family.~

Must‑see highlights include: the 16th‑century King's Staircase, the King's Gallery adorned with exquisite royal collection paintings, Queen Mary's State Apartments, the Diana Fashion exhibition, the beautiful Sunken Gardens with exotic flowers, and more.~

Kensington Palace address: Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8.~

Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10am–6pm.~

Ticket: £20, free with London Pass.~

Windsor Castle

Your London trip would not be complete without visiting the Queen's favourite weekend retreat. Sitting on a man‑made hill on the south bank of the River Thames, Windsor Castle was first built by William I in 1070. It is the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world, condensing over 1,000 years of British history. It has been the home of 39 monarchs and is the largest still‑inhabited castle (covering 5.3 hectares/13 acres).~

With breathtaking courtyards, a round tower, and extensive surrounding parkland, Windsor Castle is divided into three wards: the Upper Ward (east) contains the private royal apartments, including dining rooms, drawing rooms, ballrooms, audience chambers, and more, famous for its collection of royal paintings and treasures. The Middle Ward is centred on the Round Tower, surrounded by lush rose gardens. The Lower Ward (west) is the entrance from the River Thames; here St George's Chapel is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in Britain.~

In addition to touring the various suites—each with its own distinct and luxurious decoration—be sure to leave time for the spectacular Changing of the Guard ceremony (Monday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11am)!~

Castle address: Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ.~

Opening hours: Thursday to Monday 10am–3pm.~

Ticket: £26.5, free with London Pass.~

This wonderful trip will become the fondest memory of your youth. Happy graduation!