Best Tips for Your Visit to London

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.

Samuel Johnson.

Are you planning to visit London and worried about making some blunders?

Don’t be intimidated. This city, which might seem a bit frivolous at first, will gradually steal your heart. You’ll see!

Of course, to have a good experience, it’s essential to prepare in advance, so you know what to do before and during your trip.

Discover the best tips for visiting London here, covering everything so that nothing stands between this fascinating city and your best experiences.

1. Get to know London through the magical lens of a movie or a good book

One of the best ways to plan a trip to London is to approach the city through the images of a movie shot there or through a fantastic journey in a literary work.

How about choosing a book that describes the ancient city and another one about the modern metropolis it is now, so you can compare and marvel at its great contrasts?

You’ll see that knowing the city from various perspectives, like the lens of cinema or the magical words of a good book, will awaken your interest in fascinating aspects that will make you see the city with new eyes.

1.1. Fascinating movies related to the city of London

Some movie titles recommended by expert travelers are cinema classics that you’ve probably already seen, but this time you’ll enjoy them more due to your particular interest in your upcoming trip. Let’s see:

• 28 Days Later
• The Da Vinci Code
• Bridget Jones’s Diary
• The King’s Speech
• Harry Potter
• Love Actually
• Match Point
• Notting Hill
• Sherlock Holmes
• Sweeney Todd

1.2. Books that will transport you to memorable eras of London

A book is always a good companion and a different way to learn about the history and idiosyncrasies of London through the eyes of masterful writers from different eras. Here are some classic titles to enjoy:

• The Big Bow Mystery by Israel Zangwill
• The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
• This is London by Miroslav Sasek
• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
• London Stories by Enric González
• London by Virginia Woolf
• London by Edward Rutherfurd
• Meanwhile in London by Rebeca Rus
• Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

2. Where to exchange euros for pounds

Experts recommend avoiding exchange houses within airports as they charge the highest commissions.

If absolutely necessary, change just enough for the costs of transportation to your hotel or destination. You can then look for a place that offers a better rate.

2.1 Exchange houses

Experts recommend changing your euros when you’re in the city center. There you’ll find several options near stations and tourist spots, allowing you to compare.

On the other hand, while banks are a secure option, they generally have very high commissions. However, you can check with your bank as they might offer some special advantage.

It’s good to know if you’re considering paying everything with your credit card or withdrawing local currency from an ATM.

2.1 Reloadable or prepaid cards

Another option for paying in local currency during your trip to London is reloadable cards, also known as prepaid or wallet cards.

An example is the Visa Bnext card. It works like a debit card, giving you the best exchange rate and similar commission fees to those of banks for payments in different currencies.

The advantage is that you don’t have to go to an exchange house, you don’t carry cash, and you can pay for almost everything you need in both physical stores and online.

Additionally, using these types of cards helps you control your budget, reload the card with the necessary amount for your expenses, and monitor all your spending categories through the app.

3. How to get to central London from the airports

Did you know that you can reach this cosmopolitan city through six airports? Yes, they are:

• Heathrow
• Gatwick
• Luton
• Stansted
• London City
• Southend

The following graphic will help you orient yourself and plan your trip from any airport to central London.

As you can see, each airport offers various ground transportation options to reach the heart of the city, whether by train, metro, bus, taxi, or private transport.

While bus transportation takes the longest in terms of time, for some travelers it’s an opportunity to enjoy the city. A privilege you don’t get on the London Underground, but it gets you to your destination faster.

4. Learn how London’s transport systems integrate

As you noticed in the previous section, in London it’s easy to switch from one transport system to another, thanks to their integration.

It’s a highly efficient network including trains, the metro, the iconic red double-decker buses, and even boats navigating the River Thames.

To better orient yourself when visiting London, note that the city is divided into zones distributed in a radial form. Zones 1 and 2 are closest to the city center, while zone 9 is the farthest.

Understanding this concept and locating the cardinal points on the city map makes it much easier to comprehend the metro lines diagram and know which line to take to reach your destination.

Additionally, you should know that metro fares are calculated based on the distance traveled from the point of origin to the destination zone.

Fares are also influenced by the time of day. Traveling during off-peak hours is cheaper.

To save on transport when visiting London, it’s best to use passes or travel cards, which also allow you to travel on suburban trains and buses.

An excellent tool for planning your trips is available on the official London transport website. There, you can check the real-time status of all lines and traffic conditions in the city.

4.1. How do transport passes and the London Pass work?

When visiting London, avoid buying individual tickets for each trip as it’s more expensive. It’s best to use cards like the London Pass, Oyster Travelcard, Visitor Oyster card, and/or Travelcard.

With these cards, besides traveling comfortably on the entire integrated transport system, you can also access several tourist attractions at very favorable prices. It all depends on the number of days and places you want to visit.

Remember that to charge fair fares based on each user’s journey, the city is divided into zones. The following table compares the fares offered by the Oyster Card and the one-day and seven-day Travelcard.

Daily caps and fares by zone and type of card
Type of card	Zones 1 – 2	Zones 1 – 3	Zones 1 – 4	Zones 1 – 5	Zones 1 – 6	Bus fare to any zone
Oyster Card	£7.20	£8.50	£10.40	£12.30	£13.20	£4.50
1-Day Travelcard	£13.50	£13.50	£13.50	£19.10 peak / £13.50 off peak	£19.10 peak / £13.50 off peak	£5.00
7-Day Travelcard	£36.10	£42.40	£51.90	£61.70	£66.00	£21.20

Note that during peak hours, the fare is higher than during off-peak hours.

Keep this in mind to travel more comfortably and at better rates.

And of course, choose the card that suits you best according to the zones you want to visit during your trip to London and save money.

4.2 Mobile apps to help you navigate London

Apps are excellent tools for getting around when you’re in a city you don’t know yet. Before choosing the ideal one for your trip, we recommend exploring them and sticking with those that provide the best navigation experience. Let’s take a look:

City Maps 2Go / Mtrip / Maps.me: These apps have in common that you can create your own maps and use them offline, which is great when you don’t have internet access. They are ideal for a personalized travel experience.

CityMapper: One of the most popular apps, it helps you navigate the city and use the entire public transport system.

OpenTable: To enjoy London’s gastronomy, use this app: it offers a wide variety of restaurants. The best part is you can see ratings from other customers, check prices, and of course, locate your preferred restaurant on the map.

Street Art London: If you love art and want to take a tour to enjoy street art, this app will delight you. You can also filter by your favorite artist and create a personalized tour.

Kabbee: A service to book minicabs, allowing you to plan your trips within the city and to the airports. Additionally, you can compare fares from various companies to choose the one that suits you best.

Hotel Tonight: This is a great option for finding the best hotel deals. This app is recommended if the hotel where you have your reservation does not charge a penalty for cancellation. In that case, we recommend checking out last-minute offers and taking advantage of excellent discounts.

Vouchercloud: Deals & offers: This app is ideal for those who love getting the best services at discounted prices and special offers. Find promotions for restaurants, museums, pubs, and much more.

5. Enjoy free attractions

Check out the list of museums, parks, and tourist attractions you can enjoy for free in this fabulous capital:

• British Museum
• Tate Modern
• National Gallery
• Southbank Centre
• Hyde Park
• Primrose Hill
• Hampstead Heath

Additionally, you can enjoy the iconic Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and several free tours offered by various tourism companies. Just don’t forget to tip your tour guide.

6. The best gastronomic experience

Before visiting London, subscribe to the fabulous promotions and offers available on various travel websites and apps.
You’ll find unbeatable 2-for-1 deals and discounts of up to 50%. Some of the most recognized sites that might interest you are:

• • www.skiddle.com/restaurants/London/
  • www.groupon.co.uk/browse/london
  • www.vouchercloud.com/ and also its mobile app

Remember, this is an international city, so enjoy English cuisine but also take the opportunity to try the best flavors from around the world.

You’ll find Thai, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, and even Mexican food.

But don’t leave without trying the most classic English menu items: Ask for the traditional burger or fish and chips served in the city’s traditional pubs.

7. Events you can’t miss in London

You can be completely sure that your trip to London won’t be boring, as this is a city that never sleeps and always offers activities for all tastes.

Just to name a few, you’ll find theater performances, art exhibitions, movie premieres, museum exhibitions, and much more.

In February, for example, you’ll find the Orchid Festival, Fashion Week, Craft Beer Rising, the London Classic Car Show, and of course, the iconic celebration of Valentine’s Day.

While in March, you can enjoy celebrations that are both international and local, including:

• Pancake Day
• St. Patrick’s Day
• International Women’s Day
• WoW: Women of the World Festival
• Mother’s Day
• London Book and Screen Week
• Earth Hour
• London Coffee Festival
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival in Trafalgar Square

And if you plan to visit London in April, you should know that this is the month when the city’s grand Marathon takes place and also the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race, also known as the Goat Race, ideal for boat lovers.

April is also the month of cocktails and the London Games Festival. And these are just some of the events of the first quarter of the year, but there’s much more.

Check the activity calendar for the month corresponding to your trip and be amazed by the great offer of entertainment and culture you can enjoy.

8. Experience the vibrant markets

Most markets in London are open on Sundays, although some are open all week.

Here are the schedules of some of the most renowned ones so you can plan your shopping day:

Market	Opening Days	Hours
Camden	Monday to Sunday	10:00 to 18:00
Portobello	Saturdays Antiques Day	9:00 to 19:00
	Monday to Saturday: Fruits and Vegetables
Borough	Monday and Tuesday only some stalls are open.	10:00 to 17:00
	Wednesday and Thursday full market	10:00 to 17:00
	Friday	10:00 to 18:00
	Saturday	8:00 to 17:00
Brick Lane	Sundays	10:00 to 17:00
Old Spitalfields Market	Monday to Sunday with more visitors on Sundays	10:00 to 17:00
Bermondsey	Friday	06:00 to 14:00
Columbia Road Market	Sunday	8:00 to 15:00

9. Electrical adapters for your electronic devices

Make sure to pack an electrical adapter, as London uses 230-volt electricity and the outlets are compatible with three-pin plugs.

Put a large label on your electronic devices as a warning to avoid damaging them, and it’s best to pack the adapter in the same place so you don’t forget it.

10. Walking or driving, look right

Whether you are crossing a street or driving a rental car, remember that in London the steering wheel is on the opposite side from the traditional. So don’t ignore the sign in English that says: “look right”.

Pack! Enjoy London to the fullest

If you consider these 10 tips for visiting London, your trip will be much more enjoyable.

So don’t delay any longer, set the date for your trip, make your reservations, plan your visits to the city’s most fascinating places, download your maps, and start packing.

Oh, and don’t forget a good umbrella, so the rain doesn’t stop you in this magical city.

And don’t forget to bring a smartphone with a good camera to take wonderful photos and videos, and of course, to carry all the applications you need with you.

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