London is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, with nearly 4.9 million visitors exploring the British capital between July and September 2013, an increase of 20 percent from the previous year. Amongst all of those late-summer tourists, there’s little doubt you’ll want to be one who packed all of the right items.
Umbrella: Weather in London is famously changeable, and the city gets a couple of inches of rain on average each September. A compact umbrella that can easily fit in your bag is ideal, so that you’ll have it ready at a moment’s notice, but won’t have it hindering all the photos you’ll most likely be taking.
Converter & Adapter: Be sure to pick up a power converter & adapter specific to the United Kingdom. The voltage in London is 230 V, and you’ll need a three-pronged adapter to fit the outlets. If you’ll be in London for the whole month, or longer, it may be more affordable to just purchase electronics there that already have the correct plugs.
Extra Bag for Souvenirs: Include a collapsible secondary bag in your suitcase on the highly probable chance you’ll find more than a couple somethings you'll want to bring back home with you.
Rain Boots: Keeping with the ready-for-any-weather theme, pack a pair of rain boots, or wellies as they’re known in London. You may want to consider a colorful pair to cheer up the sometimes gloomy September days, or stick with a neutral hue that will be more versatile with all of the outfits you packed.
Comfortable Walking Shoes: London is a highly walkable city in September, owing to the usually pleasant temperatures, historic architecture to look at and overall city layout. A pair of cozy, quality shoes will help you get the most out of your sightseeing. You can go to several London walking tour websites to find the most scenic or efficient routes to take to your destination.
Thin, Layered Clothing: Because of the city’s unpredictable fall weather, it is best to bring layers that you can add and peel off as needed. Cardigans, jackets, sweaters, scarves and, for women, tights are all appropriate choices.
Crossbody Bag or Wallet: You’ll want to have easy access to your Oyster Card (the city’s subway card) for when you want to take the Tube. Since fanny packs, or bum bags as they are known in London, are no longer in fashion -- if they ever were -- you’ll need an alternative that keeps accessibility as close to the front of you as possible. There are still pickpockets in the city, and they tend to target tourists, so if you don’t have to dig around for your card, you may avoid drawing attention to yourself.
Burberry Anything: The city’s beloved brand is now a worldwide luxury fashion staple. Pay homage to the design house by packing a fashion accessory or jacket in the signature plaid, or buying one in the city to bring back in that extra bag you packed.
