Should I pack a long winter puffer jacket for a trip to London, UK, from late October to early November?

The temperatures in London in October and November range from a low of 4-10 degrees Celsius to a high of 12-20 degrees Celsius, which is not cold enough to require a long winter puffer jacket. It is better to prepare a lightweight puffer jacket, fleece, or coat rather than a thick outer garment. You only need to pack extra items like Heattech or a thick coat if you are visiting the windy Liverpool area.

Which card can I use to pay for public transportation, such as the tube and buses, and to withdraw cash during a trip to the UK?

You can pay for all local public transportation in the UK, including the tube, buses, and trams, using a Travelog or Travel Wallet card. There is no need to exchange cash in advance in Korea, as you can use these cards to withdraw cash directly from local ATMs.

Is it useful to pack a shower filter and a folding umbrella for a trip to the UK?

Limescale in the UK's tap water cannot be filtered out by a shower filter, and replacing the showerhead with a filter poses a risk of malfunction due to gas boiler backflow, so it is better not to pack one. Also, since most rain in the UK is just a drizzle, locals rarely use umbrellas, so a folding umbrella is not really necessary either.

London Weather October & November 2026: Packing Guide

My husband and I recently got back from our honeymoon in the UK!

Everyone warned us about London's famously gloomy weather, and they weren't entirely wrong. Out of our entire trip, we only had about three days of clear, blue skies. The rest of the time was either overcast or drizzling.

Our trip ran from late October to early November, so if you are planning an autumn getaway to London, this real-world guide will help you pack exactly what you need.

London Weather & What to Wear in October and November

Before we left, my husband kept insisting that London would be freezing and that I absolutely needed to pack a heavy down parka. I tend to get cold easily, but looking at the average October temperatures, a heavy winter coat seemed like total overkill.

Heavy parkas are bulky to travel with and annoying to carry around. In the end, we compromised on packing lightweight thermals, a classic wool coat, and fleece jackets.

Once we arrived, we realized my instincts were spot on. While it was definitely brisk, it was nowhere near cold enough for heavy winter gear. It felt more like a crisp autumn chill. Plus, London doesn't get incredibly windy, so a simple fleece jacket kept me perfectly warm.

Most locals weren't wearing heavy winter coats either. Instead, they opted for light trenches, denim jackets, or lightweight packable down jackets. We even saw a few people walking around in short sleeves!

During October, I got by perfectly fine in just jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and a fleece jacket—no thermal base layers needed. My husband skipped the fleece and just wore a wool coat. He said he felt comfortable the entire time, except when we visited the windy coastal city of Liverpool.

In fact, indoors and on the Tube, it actually got quite warm. I found myself carrying my jacket around a lot. As you can see from the crowd, light layers are definitely the way to go.

I was worried that temperatures would plummet as November began, but the first week of November felt very similar to late October. The real temperature drop usually happens from mid-to-late November.

My early November outfits remained quite light. I just added fleece-lined tights under my skirts. However, if you plan to visit any windy coastal towns or northern areas, that is when you will definitely want your thermals and a heavier coat.

London Travel Essentials Checklist

Here is my tried-and-tested packing list from our 10-day UK trip. I’ve broken it down into absolute essentials and things you can easily skip or buy when you arrive.

We used contactless travel cards for all our transportation

The Absolute Essentials

- eSIM (perfect for instant data upon arrival)

- Contactless travel card like Revolut, Wise, or Monzo (essential for the Tube, buses, trams, and fee-free ATM cash withdrawals)

- UK Type G power adapter (230V)

- Device chargers & a reliable power bank

- Passport & travel insurance details

- Basic first-aid and personal medications

- Skincare, moisturizer, and cleanser

- Toothbrush and toothpaste

- Socks, underwear, and pajamas (many UK hotels do not provide bathrobes)

- A fleece jacket or lightweight packable down jacket

- Lightweight thermal base layers (just in case)

Nobody really uses umbrellas here, even when it drizzles

What You Can Skip (or Buy Locally)

- Travel-sized shampoo & conditioner: Most mid-range UK hotels don't provide great conditioner, but you can easily buy high-quality, affordable hair care at any local Boots or supermarket when you land.

- Lots of physical cash: London is almost entirely cashless now. We just used our contactless cards for everything and had zero issues.

- Portable shower filters: Some travelers worry about hard water, but portable filters don't actually soften hard water anyway. Honestly, the tap water quality in London was perfectly fine for showering.

- Indoor slippers: We just wore our comfortable walking sneakers everywhere, even indoors.

- A bulky umbrella: You'll notice that locals rarely use umbrellas. The rain in autumn is usually a light, misty drizzle rather than a downpour, and the wind easily ruins cheap umbrellas anyway. A water-resistant jacket with a hood is much more practical.

Overall, autumn is an incredibly beautiful time to experience London. The weather is crisp, the fall foliage is stunning, and the crowds are much thinner than in the summer. If you are planning a trip for October or November, pack smart layers and enjoy your trip!