Planning a journey is fun but it can also be challenging especially if you’re visiting London, the renowned capital with multiple things to do and see. There are a few things to consider when planning, regardless of whether you’re going to stay for a week or more to explore London or you’re just stopping by for a few days.
It is important to organize your trip based on what you want to see and do and depending on the duration of your trip. If you want to find out some helpful tips and ideas continue reading to make your trip to London a certain delight!
Best Time to Visit London
We all know that London is the busiest city in the UK and the one with the most visitors from around the globe. However, during the school breaks and bank holidays, it becomes even busier and more crowded.
Due to the mild weather, spring and late fall are the best seasons to visit London. In case you have to visit London in the summer remember that there are fewer crowds and lines of tourists during off-peak hours. Winter vacations can also be a fantastic time to travel to London, but if you want it to be less crowded you should avoid the holiday season.
And, remember that you can’t visit and see everything in just 4 days. If you can spend at least a week you’ll have enough time to visit the museums, enjoy the nightlife, and relax. You’re on vacation so there’s no need to rush!
Try to Book Everything in Advance
Planning ahead means organizing your trip smart in order to avoid as much hassle as possible. Starting with flights and accommodation but also with London’s museums and activities when you book in advance you’ll pay less, have more choices, and find the best deals. Always book your theatre or musical tickets at least 2 days before as well as the tickets for London’s most popular attractions.
You can try the London Pass which is a convenient way to explore many of London’s most famous attractions without having to pay a lot. The pass itself is quite expensive, but if you plan to visit a lot of the city’s attractions in a limited amount of time, it might be worthwhile.
Where to Stay in London
Some will tell you to stay outside the city center and make use of London’s practical public transportation system. However, in my opinion, it is better to book a hotel as centrally located as you can afford. If you want to see as much of London as you can, you should stay somewhere that is well-connected, ideally close to many of the attractions so you can walk there, and that won’t be impossible to get to if you stay out late.
If you don’t stay in Central London you will have to use public transport every day to and from your hotel or London sights. So, the costs will be more or less the same. It depends on what you want to do and see but if your goal is to make the most out of London consider staying in the center.
Check the Free Things to do in London
Knowing that there are many free activities in London is helpful because traveling to the city is quite expensive. Fortunately, many museums and galleries are free including the British Museum, Tate Modern, and Natural History Museum. Another well-liked free site in London is the Sky Garden, which is the city’s highest public garden; however, you must reserve a ticket in advance.
Other great free things you can do is to visit London’s markets like Borough Market, Brick Lane, and Portobello Market as well as have your picnic or engage in sports activities in one of London’s many parks.
Getting Around London
There are numerous public transportation options including the Tube, buses, trains, and boats. Most visitors use public transit, a taxi, or Uber instead of driving into the city center.
The city is very walkable and it is one of the best ways to explore various neighborhoods and attractions. Just wear your comfy shoes and walk as much as you can. To make the most of your experience, organize your days by neighborhood and stroll from attraction to attraction.
Buying an Oyster Card is a simple method to reduce the cost of your London trip. Purchase an Oyster Card, load money onto it in advance, and use it to travel cheaper.
Get Off the Beaten Track
Most “Must-see and must-do” guides include London’s most popular attractions. Of course, you’ll go to the ones you want to but try to visit during off-peak hours. As for the pubs and restaurants, keep an eye on detail and prefer the hidden gems instead of the central and touristy places. There are many wonderful places to dine and indulge in London that suit everyone’s taste, including some excellent street food markets. Start by visiting Borough Market, Flat Iron Square, and Maltby Street Market to get a taste of worldwide cuisines.
If you want to do as the locals consider avoiding big productions, i.e. the West End theater. There are plenty of other theaters with better value and more variety. Music venues and concerts are also abundant and luckily there are numerous London guides that will help you choose according to your preference and the time of your visit.
If you happen to be in London for just a few hours or a day you certainly can’t have your luggage with you. Fortunately, Stasher has you covered and offers multiple safe and convenient luggage storage locations throughout London to store your luggage for as long as you want with just £4.95 per bag per day!