7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London

October 25, 2024
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Are the bright lights of London calling your name?  If so, you are not alone as the UKs capital city is a popular location. In fact, 20.3 million tourists chose to visit London during 2023 which is an increase on previous years proving that the number of those travelling are increasing. 

Although London offers lots of sights to see and things to do, like any other city, it can be tricky to navigate without some inside intel. In this blog, we’ll share the seven things that we think all visitors should be clued up on before visiting the city to ensure any trip runs smoothly.

Is London a Good Place to Visit?

London is a brilliant place to visit if you want to experience a blend of historic attractions and modern architecture which perfectly represents the beauty of England. 

As one of the most popular places to visit in the UK, London is a hub of activity perfect for either long trips or weekend getaways. As well as offering plenty of things to do within the city, the amazing travel connections also mean that it’s easy to get to other places in the UK in a short space of time. This means if you are planning a trip to England and want to see lots of places, London can be the perfect location to stay.  

Top 7 Things Everyone Should Know Before Visiting London

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London

If you want to navigate around the city like a local, there are a few things you should know when planning a trip. By paying attention to these tips, your trip is sure to run like clockwork!

  • There are many different ways to travel around the city.

One of the main things we think people should be clued up on is how to get around London easily. There are many ways to explore the city including via foot, road, train or even water!

If you want to explore lots of sights in one location, booking a London walking tour is a good idea. Not only is this ideal if you are planning an outdoorsy trip to London, but it means you can navigate the city without needing a map. 

Most people also don’t realise that buses, tubes, overgrounds and some riverboats are all part of the ‘Pay As You Go Oyster Network’. Each of these forms of transport can be paid for using one oyster card or by tapping a contactless bank card when entering and exiting the route. Prices are capped at certain amounts for each zone per day, meaning you can hop around as much as you want for a good price. If you are wanting to travel between different zones, although extra charges will still apply, costs are still good value. 

Other popular methods of getting around London include taxis (cabs and booking services like Uber), electric bikes and even cable cars, depending on where you are visiting! 

  • Don’t ever be tempted to jump the queue or walk against the crowd.

If there is something that British people love, it’s sticking to a good queuing system. Cutting the line is seen as an extremely rude sign and can lead to disagreements taking place. Also, as London is a busy city, most queue-systems are designed to keep footfall organised meaning if you are not sticking to the preferred routes, you will end up getting in the way of other people.

Similarly, there are rules when it comes to walking with most busy paths adopting  the same flow as roads with divides between the left and right hand side. This also applies when walking up stairs or using escalators (especially within the underground network!).

  • Choosing the perfect location to stay is essential.

Although transport is easy to navigate in London, choosing the right area to stay when visiting the city is also essential if you want to make the most of your trip.

This is important from a time-optimisation perspective but also in terms of saving money. Also, always be sure to check out the different types of rooms that a hotel has available and explore special offers before making a booking.

  • Opening hours for shops and attractions vary.

As is the case with most cities, London’s opening hours tend to be slightly later. Hours are also shorter on Sundays due to UK trading laws, which affect attractions and shops. Always be sure to check out opening times to avoid disappointment, especially if you are visiting over the weekend or during public holidays. Also, most attractions will stop accepting people in the queues for a period of time before closing. To ensure this does not impact you, check out the full opening details on the attractions website.

  • Book in advance to save time and money.

There are always offers available if you book ahead for attractions so it’s a good idea to organise an itinerary before visiting the city. This not only helps you to save some pennies, but also ensures any disappointments are avoided if attractions are busier than expected. Some attractions also offer combined discounts when securing tickets for different places so be sure to check out what offers are available for the places you want to explore.

  • It’s not just the well-known areas that are perfect for absorbing culture.

Many people love to spend their time in the city visiting the best shopping areas and popular tourist hotspots,, but these are not the only places to explore London. In fact, most smaller locations tend to offer more authentic experiences, which help visitors understand what’s unique to the city. 

Most back streets are filled with family-run restaurants, bustling markets and independent shops so exploring off of the popular routes is always recommended.

  • Water is free, and tipping is not always expected.

When visiting every city, there are always different rules and etiquette when it comes to eating and drinking. 

Something not everyone realises is that tap water is free in all eateries. Just be sure to specify you want this option instead of bottled water so that you are not charged. It’s also not essential to tip in the UK. However, it is often a sign of politeness so sparing some change if you have received a good experience does go a long way.

How to Find the Right Information When Travelling to London?

When armed with the information we’ve shared in this article, any trip to the big smoke is sure to run without a hitch. However, if you need more advice once you’ve arrived in the city, there are more ways that you can learn about how best to navigate London.

Ask Your Hotel Concierge

If you have chosen to stay in a hotel, the staff will be able to help you understand the best way to get around the city. In most cases, they can also support with booking tickets and advising on journeys to ensure you make the most out of your time away.

Check Official Websites

Websites like Transport for London and Visit London offer lots of advice for exploring the city like a pro.

Ask Attraction Customer Service Teams

You can also ask the staff working at top attractions or within stores and restaurants for advice as most will be local to the city and clued up on how best to enjoy a trip.

Choose Where to Stay in London

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London

As mentioned, finding the perfect area to stay in London can greatly enhance a trip.

We offer a selection of hotels available, and we are proud to serve some of the main tourist hotspots in the city. Stays include the Great St Helen Hotel, Hatton Garden Hotel, Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Mabledon Court Hotel, Hotel Cavendish and Arran House Hotel.

Each of our stays offer a comfortable place to relax and unwind after a busy day of exploring the city! To learn more, contact our team or click here to make a booking.

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