As the city of London is a melting pot of rich history, plentiful culture, and a cornucopia of liveliness in every nook and cranny, intelligent planning can help you avoid tourist traps while making the most of your vacation. Read on to get the best 15 London travel tips that will enhance your upcoming trip.
15 essential London travel tips & hacks
1. Be mindful of the traffic direction
Getting around tip
- If you are from a nation that drives on the right, being out on the streets of London could be a dangerous stunt, as the UK drives on the left.
- Pay meticulous attention to traffic direction and road signs when you cross the roads and when in doubt, find a group of locals going in the same direction and follow them.
2. Always carry an umbrella
Packing tip
- The UK is notorious for its weather and rain may arrive at any moment no matter which time of the year you are in London.
- From November to mid-March, you can expect snowing as well. Pack a few extra sets of clothes in case you are out in the snow.
3. Walking can be faster than the Tube
Transport tip
- London’s Tube network is famed worldwide, and as a tourist, it is easy to be whisked by the hype and take the Tube everywhere. However, sometimes, walking is faster.
- Take a look at London’s maps and see if you need the tube at all for journeys that take one or two Tube stops.
4. Shop on a weekday
Shopping tip
- London has some of the top luxury brand outlets in the world, most of which are in Oxford Street. However, this area also gets quite crowded on weekends.
- Defer your shopping spree by a day or two and head to Oxford Street on a weekday to have a much more relaxed shopping experience.
5. Bike around London
Getting around tip
- London is an extremely biking-friendly city. Don’t shy away from renting a bike on a clear day and zooming around the city’s bike paths.
- With the latest bike renting facilities across London, you will be able to find a place to get bikes on almost every block of the city.
6. Bring a universal adapter
Packing tip
- The UK uses a type G plug for most of its appliances. Make sure to bring a universal adapter for your phones and other electronics.
- Preferably, purchase one from your source destination to avoid paying more for the same product in London.
7. Use the river bus
Budget tip
- One of the top experiences in London is the Thames river cruise. However, if you want to experience this for a lower cost, the river bus is a great option.
- You can use your Oyster card for traveling on the river bus. Be sure to avoid office hours as many Londoners also use the river bus to commute to work.
8. Bring the right credit card
Finance tip
- Credit cards are accepted all across London. But make sure to bring a card with a chip and a 4-digit pin number to transact in London.
- Check if your card offers free foreign transactions. If not, try to acquire one that comes with this facility to save a lot of money.
9. Explore the city with a local
Sightseeing tip
- The best way to experience London is certainly with a local. Find a resident of London and explore the streets with them to know the city better.
- Don’t forget to visit the best pubs in London with a local during a rugby or football game to see the unbridled passion of the locals.
10. Take a day trip from London
Sightseeing tip
- There are several attractions that lie a short drive away from London. If you have a spare day, you should travel to these destinations.
- Some of the top day trips from London include Stonehenge, Oxford, Bath, and Windsor Castle.
11. Visit London in the shoulder season
Best time to visit tip
- London is quite popular as a tourist destination and avoiding the peak tourist season will be paramount to your travel experience.
- Shoulder season in London including the months of April, May, October, and November, are also incidentally the driest months.
12. Purchase an Oyster Card
Transport tip
- Traveling within London can be inexpensive if you follow this simple tip and get an Oyster Card as soon as you land in London.
- Since there are no cash transactions on London’s trains or buses, using an Oyster card lets you pay for just the distance that you travel compared to the higher flat rate.
13. Stand to the right of an escalator
Etiquette tip
- It might seem to be an oddly specific tip but it is quite important to the inhabitants of London, who are always on the go and need the left side of the escalator to walk.
- If you are not in a hurry to get somewhere and can afford the time to stand on the escalator, do so on the right side and let the Londoners carry on with their routine.
14. Tips are not mandatory
Etiquette tip
- Most restaurants in London add a certain percentage to your bill as a service charge that is meant to cover the services provided by the waiting staff.
- Even so, if you feel particularly pleased by the service received at an eatery or do not see an added service charge on your bill, you may go ahead and leave a 10-15% tip.
15. Book tickets in advance
Sightseeing tip
- No matter what they tell you, London’s attractions are never quite completely devoid of tourists. Book the tickets in advance and online if you want to ensure your entry to the top London attractions.
- If you are planning to head to the city during or around the high season, it is best that you book your tickets as soon as they are available.
