London is a fun and exciting city filled with history and culture and should be on every traveler's bucket list. With so much to see and do, planning your first trip to London can seem daunting. To help you plan your first trip, here are some of the best tips and tricks for visiting the city.
Stay In Central London
Central London is the heart and soul of the city. You're only a few minutes' walk from major sites, bars, and restaurants. You can easily hop on London’s underground, or the tube, to zip around the city. Staying in central London will ultimately save you a lot of time getting from place to place.
Avoid Bank Holidays and School Breaks
London is regularly filled with visitors. Because it is such a significant city and popular travel destination, London is regularly filled with visitors year-round. However, the number of tourists nearly doubles during local bank holidays and school breaks. People from other parts of the UK and Europe travel to London for a quick weekend holiday, meaning even more crowds.
Set Aside Enough Time
London is a massive city, and the last thing you want to do is rush through Buckingham Palace or skip the Tower of London because you need more time. Plan to stay at least a week for your first time in London. This should give you enough time to see the historic landmarks and get to know some of the local neighborhoods.
Book in Advance
This one is crucial! You can spend countless hours of your trip standing in lines if you don't plan. From theaters to the London Eye, you'd be amazed at how many attractions you can purchase tickets for in advance. That said, occasionally, you can get a discounted price if you buy at the door, but you take your chances on ticket availability. The benefit of booking with a travel advisor is that we can tell you when to purchase ahead and when to save your money and buy a ticket on the spot.
Visit Free Attractions
London can get expensive quickly, but that doesn't mean you have to pay top dollar (or pound) to see all the sights. Many of the museums in London have free admission, and the parks and gardens are also must-sees and cost nothing to stroll around and picnic. Seeing classic London sights like the Changing of the Guard and walking through the famous Harrods is also free of charge!
There's so much to know before visiting a city for the first time, but this list is a great place to start planning a trip to London! Ready to create an itinerary that works best for you and your interests? Click here to schedule your planning call today.
