Are you heading out to London for the first time soon? Never explored this huge majestic city? If these apply to you, then you’re going to want to read these tips. London can be intimidating for people but it’s also one of the most unique and culturally diverse cities in the world. This opens up magical experiences no matter who you are or what background you come from. But with that said, it’s important to consider a few things to make your experience that much smoother.
Stay away from popular tourist destinations
If you want unusual things to do in London or don’t want to spend too much money on tickets and bookings, try to avoid popular tourist destinations. Yes, we know that you want to see all of the major attractions like Big Ben and the London Eye, but there are so many other places to visit, markets to browse, and landmarks to see. Not only will you save money, but you’ll save yourself the headache of queueing for these attractions and panicking to fit everything into your schedule!
Unless you’ve planned well ahead of time
However, the exception is if you’ve already planned well ahead of time. Perhaps you’ve booked something a long time ago, or maybe you’ve been given tickets to a particular show or event. If that’s the case, then you should definitely make the effort to attend those activities even if they are popular tourist destinations.
Setup contactless travel
Public transport is a huge part of London and it makes getting around a lot easier. One of the best ways to do this is to set up contactless travel on your phone. Alternatively, you can buy an Oyster Card from any major Underground station. You simply add money to the card and then you can swipe it wherever you see the travel logo to pay for your fare.
Find routes on Google Maps or a similar app
Google Maps is a great tool for learning how to get around London. Simply input your current location and your destination and then you’ll be given an exact route on how to travel including all of the trains, buses, and even alternatives like cycling.
Do your research on places to stay
If you’ve never been to London before then you’ll typically want to pick a destination that is affordable and relatively close to public transport. For example, a hotel near Shepherds Bush tube would be a great idea because it has easy transport links into Central London, but can also help you travel to the outskirts of the city if needed.
Understand that you won’t see everything
Lastly, embrace the idea that you’re not going to see everything in London. It’s a massive city with a nearly infinite number of attractions and experiences to be had. The city undergoes huge transformations and there’s never a dull moment, so don’t be too sad if you miss a certain event or show because you probably had fun doing something else!
*This is a collaborative post
