London Tourist Pass

From Raj to Rohit Shetty: Bollywood Filming Locations in London You Can Visit with the Tourist Pass

Apr 8, 2026

5 mins Read

By Samridhi Puri

Picture this: you're standing on Trafalgar Square, the pigeons are circling overhead, and suddenly you're transported to 1995, Shah Rukh Khan is running through this very spot with a mandolin in his hands, Kajol is chasing after him, and 'Tujhe Dekha To' is playing in your head. That's the kind of cinema magic London holds for every Indian traveller who's grown up on a steady diet of Yash Raj romance and Karan Johar family drama.

London isn't just Big Ben and Buckingham Palace for us. It's where Raj and Simran's love story unfolded, where Poo strutted through King's Cross, and where entire Bollywood families have recreated their lavish song sequences. From the 1990s charm of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge to the grandeur of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, London has been Bollywood's favourite international playground for decades.

The best part? You can actually visit nearly every single one of these locations yourself. And if you're smart about it, the London Tourist Pass will save you up to 30% on tickets to some of these very attractions while keeping you connected with a free UK eSIM. No running around ticket counters, no overpaying for individual entries, just pure Bollywood nostalgia with a sensible budget.

This isn't a generic London guide. This is your personal Bollywood pilgrimage map—complete with the exact spots where your favourite scenes were shot, the London landmarks that doubled as Swiss meadows, and the reality checks you need before you go chasing pigeons on Leicester Square.

Quick facts about Bollywood filming locations in London

Most filmed location	Trafalgar Square and the surrounding Westminster area
Most iconic film	Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ, 1995)
Best time to visit	May to September for pleasant weather; December for festive vibes like K3G
Easiest way to save	London Tourist Pass (up to 30% savings + free 1 GB UK eSIM)
Transport tip	Get an Oyster card or contactless payment for Tube and buses
Hidden gem location	Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire (the K3G cricket match estate)
Photography rules	Most outdoor locations allow photography; attractions may have restrictions

Why London became Bollywood's favourite foreign address

Before we jump into the locations, let's answer the obvious question: why London? Why not Paris, New York, or Sydney?

The answer is part practical, part cultural, and entirely emotional. London offered Bollywood filmmakers everything they needed in one city: grand colonial architecture that felt both foreign and familiar to Indian audiences, a large South Asian diaspora that made logistical support easier, and a romantic European aesthetic that didn't require subtitles to understand.

When Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge released in 1995, it didn't just change Bollywood romance. It turned London into the de facto setting for every NRI love story that followed. Suddenly, London wasn't just a city. It was where good Indian boys and girls fell in love before returning home to seek their parents' blessings. It was where the East met the West on Bollywood's terms.

For Indian travellers visiting London today, these Bollywood filming locations in London are more than tourist stops. They're pilgrimage sites. They're proof that the city you saw in grainy VHS tapes actually exists. And with the London Tourist Pass, you can visit many of these landmarks without the financial guilt of overpaying for individual tickets.

At Alike, we've built the London Tourist Pass specifically for travellers who want more from their London trip.

Iconic Bollywood filming locations in London you can actually visit

Here's the good news: nearly every major Bollywood location in London is open to the public. Some are free to walk around, some require paid entry, and a few need booking. The London Tourist Pass for Indian travellers covers several of these paid attractions, which means you're ticking off your Bollywood wishlist while saving money on the city's top sights.

Let's break down the essential filming locations, film by film, with the practical details you'll actually need.

1. Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery: Where Raj serenaded Simran

Film: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)

The scene: Shah Rukh Khan playing the mandolin, pigeons everywhere, and that song we've all hummed at least a thousand times.

Trafalgar Square is the single most filmed Bollywood location in London, and for good reason. It's grand, it's central, and it's free. The National Gallery sits at one end, the same building where Raj and Simran had their moment. You can walk up those same steps, feed the pigeons (though the locals will judge you), and take that mandolin-free selfie.

Alike tip: Visit early morning, around 7 to 8 AM, before the tourist crowds descend. You'll get cleaner photos and, if you're lucky, a few actual pigeons who haven't been scared off yet. The square is also beautifully lit at dusk if you're after that golden-hour glow.

How to get there: Charing Cross Tube station (Northern and Bakerloo lines), 2-minute walk.

2. King's Cross Station: Poo's entry point and the Harry Potter crossover

Films: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)

The scene: Kareena Kapoor's Poo making her grand London entrance, plus Shah Rukh and Katrina's romantic moments.

King's Cross isn't just where wizards catch the Hogwarts Express. It's also where Bollywood characters arrive in London looking impossibly well-dressed after a long-haul flight. The station's Victorian architecture and the surrounding Regent's Canal area have featured in multiple Hindi films, making it a two-for-one pilgrimage for Bollywood and Harry Potter fans.

The famous Platform 9¾ photo op is here too, though be prepared for a queue. If you're visiting King's Cross as part of a broader London itinerary, the nearby British Library and Coal Drops Yard (a modern shopping area) are worth adding.

Alike tip: The official Platform 9¾ shop charges for professional photos with their trolley prop. If you're just after a quick selfie for the gram, the wall itself is free to photograph, just join the queue. Early weekday mornings (before 10 AM) see shorter lines.

How to get there: King's Cross St Pancras Tube station (multiple lines), exit into the main concourse.

3. Tower Bridge: The postcard shot every Bollywood film needs

Films: Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), Namastey London (2007), countless song sequences

The scene: Wide aerial shots, romantic walks, and the visual shorthand for 'we're definitely in London now.'

If Trafalgar Square is Bollywood's favourite square, Tower Bridge is its favourite bridge. It's appeared in more films than we can count, usually in wide establishing shots or as a backdrop to romantic montages. The bridge itself is free to walk across, but if you want to visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition (the glass walkway and Victorian engine rooms), you'll need a ticket.

Here's where the London Tourist Pass becomes useful: if you're planning to hit multiple paid attractions like the Tower of London (right next door), the London Eye, and a few others, bundling them into the pass saves you both money and the hassle of buying separate tickets. Check current pricing and availability at London Tourist Pass.

Alike tip: For the classic Tower Bridge photo, walk to the south bank near Butler's Wharf. You get the full bridge in frame with the Tower of London on the north side. Sunset timing, around 8 to 9 PM in summer, gives you that warm Bollywood glow.

How to get there: Tower Hill Tube station (District and Circle lines), 5-minute walk to the bridge.

4. Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire: The K3G cricket estate that launched a thousand memes

Film: Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

The scene: The Raichand mansion, the cricket match, Hrithik Roshan's helicopter entry, and the general over-the-top opulence that defined early 2000s Bollywood.

Stoke Park isn't technically in London, it's in Buckinghamshire, about 40 minutes by car from central London, but no list of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham London locations is complete without it. This is where the Raichand family lived, played cricket in designer sportswear, and had emotional reunions on perfectly manicured lawns.

Today, Stoke Park is a private luxury hotel and country club. You can't just walk in and recreate the 'It's all about loving your parents' scene, but you can book afternoon tea, a spa treatment, or even a round of golf if you're committed to the pilgrimage. The estate also offers guided tours during certain periods, check their official website for current availability.

How to get there: Hire a car or book a private taxi from London (approximately 40-60 minutes depending on traffic). Not accessible by Tube.

5. Somerset House: The grand courtyard from multiple Bollywood films

Films: Fanaa (2006), Singh Is Kinng (2008)

The scene: Elaborate dance sequences, romantic chases, and the kind of architecture that makes every frame look expensive.

Somerset House is a neoclassical building on the Strand with a stunning central courtyard that Bollywood has used repeatedly for both songs and dramatic confrontations. The courtyard is open to the public for free, and in winter, it transforms into an ice-skating rink (as seen in several films).

Beyond Bollywood nostalgia, Somerset House hosts art exhibitions, seasonal markets, and outdoor film screenings in summer. If you're visiting during December, the Christmas lights and ice rink recreate the exact festive atmosphere seen in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham's London portions.

How to get there: Temple Tube station (District and Circle lines), 5-minute walk along the Thames.

6. The London Eye: The giant ferris wheel from every London montage

Films: Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007), Namastey London (2007), London Dreams (2009)

The scene: Aerial views, romantic capsule moments, and wide shots of the Thames with the Eye dominating the frame.

The London Eye is less a filming location and more a visual anchor, it appears in nearly every Bollywood film set in London, usually in establishing shots or montage sequences. But it's also a genuinely good tourist attraction in its own right, offering 360-degree views of London from 135 metres up.

Tickets for the London Eye are included in the London Tourist Pass Build Your Own option, which also covers other major attractions like Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE London, and St Paul's Cathedral.

How to get there: Waterloo Tube station (Northern, Bakerloo, Jubilee, and Waterloo & City lines), 5-minute walk along the South Bank.

Know What's Inside the London Eye? How to get the best from this experience!

7. Leicester Square: The bustling heart of Bollywood's London

Films: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Namastey London (2007)

The scene: Crowded square scenes, chance encounters, and the general buzz of central London.

Leicester Square is one of London's busiest public squares, surrounded by cinemas, restaurants, and street performers. It's featured in multiple Bollywood films, usually as a backdrop to urban wandering or accidental meetings. The square itself is free to visit, and the surrounding West End theatre district adds to the area's energy.

If you're a Bollywood fan, Leicester Square also holds special significance: it's where many Hindi film premieres and events happen in London, and the nearby Prince Charles Cinema occasionally screens classic Bollywood films.

Alike tip: Leicester Square can get overwhelmingly crowded, especially evenings and weekends. For a quieter Bollywood photo op, visit early morning (before 9 AM) when only the pigeons and street cleaners are around.

How to get there: Leicester Square Tube station (Northern and Piccadilly lines), exit directly into the square.

8. Hatton Garden: The jewellery district from Dhoom 2

Film: Dhoom 2 (2006)

The scene: Hrithik Roshan's character planning a heist in London's diamond district.

Hatton Garden is London's historic jewellery quarter, and while the Dhoom 2 heist sequence was heavily fictionalised, the area itself is real and walkable. It's a working commercial district, so don't expect Bollywood glamour, just rows of jewellery shops, workshops, and the occasional curious tourist.

If you're a fan of the film, walking through Hatton Garden is a quick detour, but it's not a major tourist draw on its own. Combine it with nearby attractions like the British Museum (20-minute walk) or St Paul's Cathedral (15-minute walk) to make the trip worthwhile.

How to get there: Farringdon Tube station (Circle, Hammersmith & City, and Metropolitan lines), 3-minute walk to Hatton Garden.

How the London Tourist Pass makes your Bollywood pilgrimage easier and cheaper

Let's talk practicalities. Visiting London isn't cheap. Individual attraction tickets add up fast, and if you're juggling a Bollywood location checklist alongside standard tourist sights, you're looking at significant spending.

The London Tourist Pass solves this in two ways: it bundles 40+ London attractions into a single pre-purchased pass with progressive savings (the more you add, the more you save). Every London Tourist Pass includes a free seasonal bonus – currently an eSIM for international visitors. There's always a bonus; check the London Tourist Pass for the current offer at the time of booking.

The pass works on a Build Your Own model: you select the attractions you actually want to visit (no forcing you to tick off things you don't care about), pick your arrival date, and receive e-tickets by email. Most bookings are instant; others arrive within 48 hours. No physical tickets, no queuing at counters, just digital access that lives in your inbox.

For Indian travellers specifically, the London Tourist Pass saves up to 30% compared to buying individual tickets.

Planning your Bollywood filming locations route across London

London is big, the Tube is efficient but not always intuitive for first-timers, and you'll want to group your Bollywood locations geographically to avoid wasting half your day on transit. Here's a sensible route that covers the main filming locations without backtracking.

Central London Bollywood loop (one full day):

Start at Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery (early morning for fewer crowds)
Walk to Leicester Square (10 minutes on foot)
Head to Somerset House via the Strand (15-minute walk)
Cross the river to the South Bank and visit the London Eye (book your slot in advance)
Walk along the Thames to Tower Bridge (30-minute scenic walk, or take the Tube from Waterloo to Tower Hill)
End the day at King's Cross Station if you want the Platform 9¾ photo op (15-minute Tube ride from Tower Hill)

This route keeps you moving in a logical loop without excessive backtracking. If you're also visiting paid attractions like the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, or Madame Tussauds (all featured in Bollywood films), add them to your London Tourist Pass to save on individual tickets.

Attractions Added	Approximate Saving
2 attractions	~10–15%
3 attractions	~20–25%
4 attractions	~30–35%
5 attractions	~40%
6 attractions	~45%
7+ attractions	Up to 50%

This is what makes the London Tourist Pass worth it for most visitors. At two attractions, the savings are modest but real. By five attractions — a perfectly manageable total for a 3–4 day London trip — you're saving 40%. At seven or more, you're approaching half price on every attraction in your itinerary.

Best time to visit London for Bollywood location tours

London's weather is famously unpredictable, but some months are objectively better than others for outdoor filming location tours.

May to September offers the warmest weather and longest daylight hours, its crucial if you're planning to walk between locations rather than Tube-hopping. Summer in London means sunset around 9 PM, which gives you extended evening photography time and that soft golden light Bollywood loves.

December is the other sweet spot, especially if you're recreating the festive London scenes from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The Christmas lights, ice skating at Somerset House, and general festive atmosphere match the film's London portions almost exactly. It's cold, it's dark by 4 PM, but it's also the most atmospheric time to visit if you're chasing that specific K3G energy.

The reality of filming permissions and recreating Bollywood scenes

You've probably seen those Bollywood behind-the-scenes documentaries where entire London streets are shut down for filming. You, unfortunately, do not have that privilege. Here's what you can and can't do at these filming locations:

What you can do:

Take personal photos and selfies at all public locations (Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Leicester Square, etc.)
Walk freely around outdoor filming locations during public hours
Visit paid attractions covered by the London Tourist Pass without needing separate photo permissions for personal use

For most travellers, personal photography at these filming locations is straightforward and problem-free. Just be respectful of other visitors and local regulations.

Where to stay if you're on a Bollywood location mission

London accommodation ranges from budget hostels to five-star luxury, and your choice depends entirely on your budget and how central you want to be. For a Bollywood filming locations London tour, staying in Zone 1 (central London) makes the most logistical sense, you'll save hours on transit and can walk to many filming locations.

Budget-friendly options: Look for hotels or hostels near King's Cross, Euston, or Paddington, these are transport hubs with good Tube connections and more affordable than staying in Westminster or Covent Garden.

Mid-range comfort: Hotels around Bloomsbury, Holborn, or Southwark offer a balance between price and proximity to major filming locations like Trafalgar Square and the South Bank.

Splurge-worthy: If you're living out your own Bollywood fantasy, stay near Mayfair, Knightsbridge, or Kensington, the areas featured in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham's London portions.

London's Bollywood filming locations aren't just tourist stops. They're proof that the city you watched in grainy VHS tapes growing up actually exists, pigeons and all. They're where Raj stood, where Poo strutted, where entire fictional families had their over-the-top reunions on perfectly maintained British lawns.

Most of these locations are free to visit. The ones that aren't are covered by the London Tourist Pass, which saves you up to 30% while throwing in a free eSIM so you're connected from touchdown to takeoff. No queuing, no overpaying, no wondering if you could have done this cheaper.

The mandolin is optional. The memories are guaranteed!

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