Do you want to go to London? That is a long distance to travel, so you should have a plan to make the most out of it. Don’t worry! It may be easier than you think.
Read on to discover how you can plan the best trip to London.
Know When and When Not to Visit
London is a great city, and like most great cities, it can get packed with tourists during certain times of the year. When this happens, lines become much longer, and the prices for travel and stay tend to rise.
You should avoid July, August, the week of Christmas, and any European holidays and school breaks if you want to visit London outside of its peak seasons.
Getting Around
Getting around London can be tricky to figure out if you do not do your research before arrival. So, it’s a good thing you are doing your research. Here are a few tips you should be aware of for your visit.
Oyster Card
London has a fantastic public transit system of buses and underground transportation. The only issue is that it can be pretty expensive if you purchase these rides as you go. If you are going to be there for more than three days, it is best to get an Oyster card and use it for all your travel.
Walking
While an Oyster card is a great way to go, you should still do as much walking as possible. The central area of London is beautiful and full of great things to see and do. It would be a shame to miss all of it while traveling a walkable distance underground.
Luggage Storage
An issue many people face when they travel to places that require walking or the use of public transportation is the need to carry their bags or luggage. Luckily, London is full of affordable luggage storage options. You can utilize the luggage storage in Kings Cross Station, Waterloo Station, British Museum, Covent Garden, and many other locations throughout the city.
Where You Should Stay
At first glance, you may think that staying in central London is more expensive than it may be worth, causing you to look for places on the outskirts of the city. These places may be cheaper, but you will waste a lot of time and money traveling in and out of the city every day. Ultimately, staying in central London is the best way to make the most of your trip.
Food You Must Eat
There is a plethora of great food all around London. From local cuisine to a variety of other cultural influences, London is a great place to try new things. Start by trying a few street food markets, get some fish and chips, go to Harrods food hall, and take plenty of local suggestions.
Bring an Umbrella
We’ve all heard it before. London is a cold, gray, and rainy city. Well, it actually does not rain near as much as you think. However, it’s always best to be safe than sorry when it comes to this sort of thing.
Free Things to Do
While there are plenty of things you will want to do that cost money, London has several amazing activities you can do for free. Here are just a few examples.
Free Museums
London is home to several museums. Here are a few that don’t charge an admission fee.
- Natural History Museum
- Tate Modern
- Science Museum
- British Museum
- National Gallery
- Museum of London
- Victoria and Albert Museum
Views
London is in no short supply of good views. So, if you like walking and taking in the scenery, there are plenty of places to do this. You could catch a ride to the coast or just walk around central London on a busy day.
Parks
If you have had enough of the busy city life, you could ask a local for directions to the nearest park or garden. London has plenty of these to help you escape to a peaceful green evening.
Travel Tips
Now that you have a few London pacific travel tips under your belt, it’s time to cover some of the basic stuff that can truly help you on any trip you plan to take.
Know How Much Time You Need
It is crucial to figure out how much time you need before planning your trip. A city like London has so much to offer that it could take weeks to see everything you want to see, so take note of what you want to do and how long it will take, then determine how long your trip needs to be.
Pay With Credit Cards
If you don’t already have one, get a credit card with cash back rewards or travel rewards. Paying for your entire trip on one of these could earn you enough points to book flights for your next trip to Europe.
There Is No Need to Carry Bags Anywhere
Almost every city you could visit will have luggage storage. This is a simple tool that you should use when traveling. Luggage storage can be a place for you to keep your shopping bags while you check out the Statue of Liberty in New York City or where you store your luggage in Kings Cross Station when you have a few hours to spare before your departure.
Make Your Plan and Stick to It
There you have it. Now that you know how to plan the best trip to London, it is time to make your plan and stick to it as best you can. Figure out what you want to see and do, look at where you want to store your luggage, plan each day out, and enjoy your trip!
