London in October

In October, London averages 16°C (61°F) during the day and 10°C (50°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (69 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

October in London is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

16°C
Avg high
10°C
Avg low
10
Rain days
69 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in London

6th
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
11%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
10 h 45 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in London (6th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (16°C). October runs 4°C cooler than September (20°C) and cools 5°C in November (11°C).

October sunrise & sunset in London

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:23 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:08 PM
Day length
10 h 45 min

Times shown for London local time (Europe/London), calculated for the 15th of October. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in London — October

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of October, in London's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:23 AM – 7:03 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:03 AM – 8:03 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:28 PM – 6:28 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:28 PM – 7:08 PM

📅 When to book — London in October

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on October's tier (Shoulder) and London's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — October in London

Shoulder

London is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — October in London

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
5
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

London in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 8°C / 46°F 3°C / 37°F 55 mm 11 2
February 9°C / 48°F 3°C / 37°F 41 mm 9 2
March 12°C / 54°F 5°C / 41°F 42 mm 9 1
April 15°C / 59°F 7°C / 45°F 44 mm 9 0
May 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 49 mm 9 0
June 22°C / 72°F 13°C / 55°F 45 mm 8 0
July 24°C / 75°F 15°C / 59°F 45 mm 8 0
August 23°C / 73°F 15°C / 59°F 50 mm 8 0
September 20°C / 68°F 13°C / 55°F 49 mm 8 0
October 16°C / 61°F 10°C / 50°F 69 mm 10 0
November 11°C / 52°F 6°C / 43°F 59 mm 11 1
December 8°C / 46°F 3°C / 37°F 55 mm 11 2

Other cities with similar October weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for London in October →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is London in October?

In October, London averages a high of 16°C (61°F) and a low of 10°C (50°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in London in October?

October can be fairly wet in London, with about 10 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit London?

October is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for London in October?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full October packing list for London for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open London on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.