in ,

11 Useful Travel Tips for London

The administrative and financial capital of England, London, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world you need to take a trip to. The city enjoys a very rich history. It is dotted with many ancient buildings and historical landmarks that speak volumes about the city’s glorious past. 

So, if you’re planning to take a trip to London anytime soon, you have landed on the right article. Here we are about to list down and discuss the 11 most useful travel tips for London. 

Now, without further ado, let’s get started! 

Stay in Central London

No Title

No Description

Wondering where you should be staying on your first trip to London? Well, try to choose accommodation in Central London. No doubt, hotels are more expensive within the city center than the outskirts but if you prefer cheaper accommodation, you would have to travel to the city every day during your trip and it would cost you even more. 

You can look for hotels in neighborhoods like Trafalgar, Westminster, and South Bank and Soho Bankside. Staying in the city center also makes it easier for you to visit and explore London’s main attractions like London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, and Big Ben among other places. 

Book Activities in Advance

One of the best things you can do to make your trip to London more enjoyable is to book as many activities as possible as you can in advance. This way you can easily choose among the available destinations, get a better idea of prices for entry tickets and other activities. 

You could also get your hands on advanced booking discounts. By booking activities online, you not only get to enjoy cheaper rates but also avoid standing in long queues and wasting the precious moments of your trip. If you book an activity at least a day in advance, you could get entry tickets to tourist attractions like Madame Tussauds and the London Eye at cheaper rates. 

Get the London Pass

No Title

No Description

If you’re planning to visit at least two to three destinations per day on your trip to England’s capital city, then you need to have the London Pass. It is one of the best travel tips for London.

Get the London Pass to enjoy priority entrance. Well, that’s not all, it also offers free entry to many popular tourist attractions in London like Westminster Abbey, The View from The Shard, The Tower of London, River Thame Cruise, and Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tower among other experiences. 

Traveler’s Tip: You can choose among a variety of options in terms of tourist passes but a lot of travelers prefer The London Pass and consider it as the best option available 

Use Credit Cards 

No Title

No Description

It is a lot easier and convenient to carry plastic money with you instead of cash while traveling. Even if you’re visiting London for the very first time, you’ll find it very convenient to use credit cards. 

Almost every other place in London accepts credit cards. It is better to carry a VISA or MasterCard because they are accepted more than any other card. Even if your Debit Card has a VISA or MasterCard stamp on it, it can be widely used across London. However, make sure to carry some cash for small purchases. 

Get an Oyster Card and Use Public Transportation to Get Around

No Title

No Description

Wondering what is the fastest way to get around London? Well, the answer is London tube. It is the underground rapid transit system based on a large metropolitan railway network. 

One of the biggest benefits of traveling via the London metro is you can easily get to your destination without wasting your time by getting stuck in traffic, especially during the rush hours. You would most probably be frequently traveling via London tube during your trip, so it is better to get the Oyster card. It would make it cheaper for you to use the London metro and other public transport rather than paying for every single trip. 

Eat at a Street Food Market 

Eating street food is one of the best travel tips for London as it is how you can get familiar with the city’s culinary traditions, which have evolved with time. Also, eating in one of the restaurants in Central London, especially the ones that have tourist attractions nearby, may cost you a lot. 

Street food sellers are usually more active on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday every week. You can find their stalls in independent markets across the city. It is recommended to plan your street food tour in London accordingly, so you could have as many options as possible to explore.

Traveler’s Tip: Your visit to London would never be complete if you haven’t tried Fish&Chips. Try this traditional dish at one of the most popular local restaurants like The Golden Chippy or Poppies Fish&Chips

Visit as Many Museums as You Can

No Title

No Description

If you are a history buff, then London is the best city for you to visit. The entire landscape is dotted with museums. Visiting as many museums as possible is how to make the most of your trip to London. 

There is no denying the fact that London is an expensive city and visiting it would never come cheap. But still, there are activities and places to visit in London that are absolutely free. For example, you can visit one of the museums in the city. They include the British Museum, Tate Modern, National History Museum, Museum of London, and National Gallery among other options. 

Take a Day Trip out of London

Dedicate a day of your journey to explore the English countryside. Get surrounded by nature and gaze at the breathtaking views of peaceful villages with the backdrop of lush green fields. Taking a day trip out of the city is one of the most useful travel tips for London. 

You can also visit popular tourist destinations in England like Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. Try exploring other famous towns and cities in the United Kingdom like Cambridge, Oxford, and Bath. 

Keep the Conversion Rate in Mind

No Title

No Description

Visiting a foreign destination like the UK, it is very important for you to keep constant track of the conversion rate. It is a way to estimate and calculate how much of a local currency is needed to buy goods using a foreign currency. 

If you really want to closely monitor and control your expenses during your visit to London, you need to keep the conversion rate in mind all the time. 

Check the Sidewalks Before You Cross the Street 

No Title

No Description

Being a pedestrian in London, you need to learn the local traffic rules to safely cross the street or the main road. In the UK, people drive on the left-hand side of the road unlike in the US, where you are familiar with traffic coming from the right-hand side. 

It is better to do thorough research on traffic rules and regulations followed in London beforehand. Being a tourist in a city you’re visiting for the very first time, it is always better to check sidewalks before crossing the street to stay safe and avoid accidents 

Download the Tube Map Ahead of Time

No Title

No Description

In case you don’t know, the entire map of London tube can be easily downloaded in the form of a mobile app from Google Playstore and iPhone’s App Store

The good thing about Tube Map is that this application also runs offline, which means you won’t always need an active internet connection to use it. Download the Tube Map ahead of time, take your time and study the map thoroughly, if you want to be properly aware of London metro routes. 

Well, these were the 11 most useful travel tips for London. We hope the information shared above will help you to smoothly plan your journey to the city of London — England’s cultural heart and most commercially active city. 

To read more informative guides and updates on different topics related to travel and tourism, keep following Openiun.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep yourself updated with all the latest articles we share. 

What do you think?

Written by Spencer K