Are you planning to tour the UK’s capital? We’re here to help you with this beginner’s guide to London, which includes everything you need to know for your successful first-time London tour.
Being amongst the world-leading cultural, commercial, and financial centers, London is a huge city, offering a range of tourist attractions and investment opportunities. A trip to London won’t be that challenging with its six major airports and great deals from Cathay Pacific. If you are visiting London for the first time, it will help if you have a flexible schedule, probably lasting more than a week or two as there is a lot to do. While making your London tour plans, here are a few hacks to help you get the most out of your endeavors.
Where to stay
Choosing an accommodation option in proximity to your target areas is always the way to go. While touring the UK’s capital, this would be best defined by Central London. From Soho, South Bank, Bankside, Westminster to Covent Garden, Central London neighborhoods ease your movement. Following your itinerary, you can choose a location that best matches your preferences. If, for instance, the London Eye is on top of your bucket list, choosing the South Bank would be a wise decision, as it is close by, saving you considerable time and money.
You might initially feel like the accommodation is digging deeper into your pockets and opt to choose a more pocket-friendly option outside the city center. However, this might prove to be counterproductive as commuting into the city might cost a lot more, not to mention that it takes a lot more of your time that could be used to explore more sites.
Duration of Tour’s
Exploring the huge city, with its numerous attractions, can be quite overwhelming. Don’t struggle to see every site; that might not be possible unless you have unlimited time. If it is your first-time tour, lasting a week or two, it will help if you picked the major landmarks, and target two to four sites per day. That way, you can plan your itinerary to capture as much as possible, and avoid the frustrations of realizing that you skipped some interesting sites. It would help if you designated at least five days for your first visit to ensure that you get acquainted with the city, check out the significant landmarks, and explore additional attractions.
Avoid the holidays
Owing to its marvelous attractions, London is among the top tourist destinations in the world. July and August, for instance, attracts millions across the globe to the city. During the school breaks and European bank holiday weekends, the city is packed with tourists. Timing your visit to avoid such crowds can significantly enhance the experience, as you won’t be subjected to extensive queues and congestion on the major attraction sites. You’ll also save considerable costs, as off-peak season means that you can capture amazing deals. If you didn’t manage to avoid the holiday season, it would help if you plan your tours mid-week to avoid crowded weekends.
Save enough for skip-the-line tickets
What’s the point in visiting London if you’ll spend most of your time in queues? The major sites attract lots of visitors regardless of the timing. If you want to get the most out of your tour, you can fast-track the process by beating the lines. While it might feel like you are spending a fortune, investing in skip-the-line tickets could dramatically improve your tour outcomes, as you can hop from one site to the next without wasting hours stuck on queues.
Public transport is efficient
London is walkable, and you’ll be able to explore some sites on foot. However, you can’t get to every item on your checklist by walking. The good news, however, is that the public transport system works just fine. The London tube is among the quickest ways to get across the city, and with an Oyster card, you can enjoy a smooth process.
If you want to get the most out of your time seeing more of the city, you could go for the iconic red double-decker bus ride, an experience you should try at least once in your London tour. The hop-on hop-off bus tours could also be an ideal option, especially as the interesting commentary allows you to know more about various sites, helping you plan your next visit to get the most out of your London tours. You could also try the river cruises or rent a bike to spice up the trip.
Check out free attractions
Did you know that most of London’s museums are free? Even while touring the city on a budget, you can have a blast by visiting the numerous free sites. Most of the museums are packed with exciting activities that could keep you engaged the whole day. The top free museums to visit are the British Museum, Museum of London, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Science Museum, and The Victoria and Albert Museum. Apart from the museums, you could also explore parks, playgrounds, gardens, and iconic shops such as Harrods and Hamleys, to mention a few. These are unforgettable experiences, especially if you are traveling with kids.
Attend a sports event
Watching a soccer match provides an exciting experience and you’re guaranteed to enjoy, even if you don’t like sports. With major rivalries in leagues such as the English Premier League, the pitch’s energy is enough to give you goosebumps. The up-close view lets you check out the incredible athleticism as you enjoy the beautiful game, learn about the rich history and culture, and interact with enthusiastic fans. From the songs, the attitude, and the general atmosphere, attending a soccer match is among the most thrilling activities.
While touring London for the first time, it is only natural that you’ll be tempted to stick to the major landmarks. However, you can do a lot more, including checking out peculiar neighborhoods, less popular museums and gardens, and shopping experience at local markets. The less touristy destinations could help you to taste unspoiled local cuisines and get first-hand experience of Londoners’ life, among other exciting considerations. Such overlooked experiences could transform your tour and make it more memorable.