Looking for top-notch London travel tips 2025? Read this blog to find out all the best tips that you’re going to want to remember for next time!
These London travel tips 2025 could change your visit for the better, so you might want to take some notes. For a successful London trip in 2025, plan ahead by using contactless payments for public transport, booking attractions early, and exploring hidden gems beyond the main tourist spots.
Want to find out more? Keep reading and learn more at Crown Group of Hotels.
Planning Your Trip: Key Tips for 2025
Besides the usual packing guides and using handy travel itineraries, there are a plethora of travel tips that you are going to want to remember when you are visiting London for any amount of time – especially if you aren’t from the UK. While advice can differ depending on the time of year to visit, we will go through some general advice that you might want to keep a note of and refer back to when you’re planning your visit.
Top 5 travel tips for visiting London in 2025:
- Walking is often faster than other options (Tube, cabs, you name it)
- The tap water is perfectly safe (unless stated otherwise)!
- An Oyster Card will be your friend in London
- Book every ticket in advance to keep costs down
- Be prepared for limited order customisation at restaurants
Whether you’re in London to explore the royal landmarks, peruse the Christmas markets, or lounge in the sunny parks, these tips can save you a lot of time and money.
Getting Around London: Transport and Payment Advice
London stretches over 1,500km squared. That’s roughly double the size of New York (but not even close to double the population!), and that means that there could be a lot of ground to cover – depending on where you go. Most tourists will stick to the central London area, which will make travel easier, but you can still save money on your day-to-day journeys, so get ready to take some notes!
Walking and Cycling is Often Faster Than Other Options
If you need to get somewhere within one or two Tube stops, consider walking or cycling! Not only is it faster, but you can save a lot of money this way.
Go Shopping on a Weekday to Avoid the Crowds
No one wants to fight their way through crowds, so try to do any shopping on weekdays to really get to enjoy the outing without feeling like a can of sardines.
Always Have an Umbrella
London weather changes quickly, and rain is all too common. Take an umbrella with you wherever you go, and you’ll be all set.
Bring the Correct Credit Cards
Foreign credit cards probably won’t work in London, so make sure to get all the correct cards and payment options for your excursions! Avoid bringing physical money with you.
Enjoy the River Bus
The river bus offers great views, easy transport, and is affordable, so make use of it whenever you can! It’s more affordable than a river cruise, and it’s functional.
Budget-Saving Hacks for London Travellers
London is expensive enough, so if you can save money on your visit… why wouldn’t you? From the small purchases you can make ahead of time to save money, to some of the bigger saving strategies, check out our tips for lowering your spending while on your London trip below.
Get a Universal Adaptor
The UK uses G plugs with rectangular pins, which you might have forgotten to bring! Make sure to get a universal to make your life easier and save on unnecessary spending for more cables.
Tap Water is Safe to Drink
Save money by drinking the tap water in London – it’s perfectly safe unless there’s a notice stating otherwise.
Get an Oyster Card
Invest in an Oyster Card for your London travels, but please take a note of the security questions and answers, and don’t forget to activate it!
Book All Tickets in Advance
Booking ahead can save you a lot of money. Do it whenever possible, and you might be surprised by how much money you still have left in your bank account after your trip.
Must-See Attractions and Hidden Gems in 2025
You can zoom into a map of London, and there is bound to be something worth seeing within a hundred-foot radius. However, if you want to plan your trip, consider visiting some of the locations that we’ve mentioned below!
Although we’ll be focusing on notable landmarks, please don’t forget about all the stunning parks in London, too! Parks can make for the perfect romantic escape, and locations like Hyde Park can be truly magical, no matter when you choose to visit.
Some must-see attractions in London?
- Street Art in Shoreditch
- The British Museum
- Westminster Cathedral
- St. Paul’s Cathedral
- The Tower of London
Food and Dining Tips for First-Time Visitors
Visiting London for the first time, and you aren’t really sure of what to expect when you dine at one of the fantastic restaurants in the city? You’re not alone, and many foreign visitors will be experiencing the same kind of confusion. Hopefully we’ll clear up some concerns below!
Tips Are Not Expected in the UK!
No one is expected to tip in the UK, and restaurants cover all costs from what you pay – service included. If you want to tip, you can, though!
Enjoy Some Afternoon Tea
Take a moment and like the British high life by enjoying a spot of afternoon tea. Those sandwiches are delightful!
Try All the Different Street and Market Food
Continuing with the theme of great food in London, don’t skip on the amazing street and market food! Visit Borough Market, Maltby Street Market, and more to treat your taste buds.
Visit the Churchill Arms for a British Experience
As one of the most well-known pubs in London, the Churchill Arms is a must-visit location that will make you truly feel like you’re in the UK’s capital.
Most Restaurants Don’t Offer Much Customisation
Customisation is popular in the US, but in the UK, it’s very limited. You can just swap out menu items, and if you want to, make sure to ask about possibilities rather than expecting to be catered to.
Unlimited Refills Aren’t a Thing in Most Restaurants
UK restaurants don’t tend to offer unlimited refills unless there’s a special going on, so be prepared to pay for those extra drinks!
Staying Safe in London: Essential Safety Tips
Keep these safety tips in mind when you travel around London:
- Be aware of scams – like any major tourist spot, there are plenty of scams going on around London, and you need to be aware of them before you head out unless you want to fall short.
- Get travel insurance – travel insurance will give you peace of mind when travelling, and could be useful if you run into problems while on your visit.
- Keep your belongings secure – tag and mark luggage, keep belongings close, and use a secure strap to make theft more difficult. Avoid keeping valuable belongings in easy-to-reach places like open handbags or in backpacks in your blind spot.
- Never leave drinks unattended – wherever you are, never leave a drink unattended where it could be spiked. If you accidentally leave it out, we recommend leaving it and getting a new one. The risk is never worth it.
- Know all the emergency numbers – 999 is the UK’s main emergency line and will connect you to the police, ambulance, bomb disposal, coast guard, or search and rescue. Find out the other UK emerging and contact numbers like 111, 105, and more before your trip.
- Listen to your gut wherever you are – listed to your body if it tells you that something is off. It’s better to be a bit paranoid and keep yourself safe than ignore it and potentially find yourself in trouble or danger.
- Cover your drinks in bars, clubs, and restaurants – it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and drink spiking is still very much alive and well around the world. Protect yourself and cover your drinks (there are lots of affordable products to explore online).
- Stay connected and share locations with loved ones – keep your phone charged, stay connected to the networks, and share your location when you go out.
- Don’t give out any personal information unnecessarily – keep personal information to yourself, whether it’s your name, phone number, and anything else. Unless there is a reason to give this information out, no one needs to know it.
- Don’t take shortcuts and stick to well-lit streets at night – like anywhere else, you need to be cautious when travelling at night and always stick to well-lit streets and areas. Don’t take shortcuts to get back to your accommodation on time just to save a bit of time!
Why Crown Group of Hotels is Perfect for Your Stay
Now that you know all the best London travel tips 2025, are you ready to start organising your next adventure? Make your 2025 London adventure unforgettable and stay with Crown Group of Hotels for comfort, convenience, and easy access to the city’s top attractions. Book now!
For more information, why not contact us? Or, if you want to learn more about London travel, how about checking out these useful blogs on the best London hotels, or how to choose the perfect hotel room. We also cover topics like if the London Eye is worth it, if you should use black cabs or an Uber in London, or some things you will wish you knew before the visit.
