Are you planning a trip to London but don’t know where to begin? Do you only have a few days in the city and do you want to get most out of your time? Then this London travel guide has got you covered. Keep on reading as I’ll share all the information and insights you’ll need to plan your trip to this popular destination. Let’s go!
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BEST TIME TO VISIT LONDON
London can be visited all year around and each season has its own charm. While Summer offers high chances of lovely temperatures, early Spring & Autumn can be cold and rainy but show the parks in their most beautiful state. Next to that, Christmas shopping is probably the most popular activity to do in London.
I mainly visited London around Spring-Summer time and found that to be a very pleasant timing. This is also considered peak season, but London welcomes many tourists every moments of the year.
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HOW TO GET THERE
Arrival by train:
London St. Pancras is the international train station, which is closely located to the centre of London.
Hop on the Underground and you’ll reach the city centre within 10 minutes. If you arrive from neighbouring countries, the train is definitely worth looking into and the most convenient mode of transport in my opinion.
Arrival by plane:
If you arrive by plane, you most likely will land on Heathrow (other international airports in the area: City, Gatwick, Stansted & Luton).
When arriving in Heathrow, you can take the Heathrow Express, which is a non-stop train to the city centre. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes. Or you can take the Underground, with which the trip will take up to one hour.
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WHERE TO STAY
London is a pretty large city and offers many trendy areas to book your accommodation in. My biggest tip when looking for a place to stay is to search for a spot that is located close to a metro station, as the Underground is the most convenient way to get around.
Your budget will play a huge part in your decision as accommodations are not cheap here. My recommended areas to book your hotel are:
- Covent Garden
- The West End
- Soho
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HOW MANY DAYS
London can be visited for a long weekend but since there is so much to do, see and visit, you can easily spend a week here without getting bored. For a first time visit, I recommend at least 3-4 days to cover the main attractions, visit some museums, go to a musical on West End and enjoy some restaurants.
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HOW TO GET AROUND IN LONDON
The best way to get around the city is definitely the Underground. The metro system in London is super efficient and takes you from one part of the city to another in no time. I recommend to buy a (multi-)day pass. Prices definitely went up compared to a few years ago though – we paid €18 per person for a day pass.
Other options are the iconic red busses, taxis, or just walk: London is such a lively city, you want to see as much as possible.
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FOOD & DRINK RECOMMENDATIONS
There is no shortage of restaurants and cafes in London. Here are a few options that I taste tasted myself and that were recommended to me by friends and locals.
Taste tested myself:
- Farm Girl (Breakfast/Brunch)
- The Ivy (Breakfast/Brunch)
- Leicester Square Kitchen (Lunch/Diner)
Recommended by friends/locals:
- NAC Mayfair (Brunch/All day)
- Wagtail London (Rooftop bar & Restaurant)
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Borough Market (All day)
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THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING LONDON
1. Note that cars drive on the left side of the road. Do take this into account when crossing the street.
2. The best way to get around the city is by using public transport such a the Underground and bus. Both run very frequently and are well organised.
3. Stand on the right side of the escalator in the Underground stations. The left side is reserved for people who prefer to walk on the escalator.
4. Don’t forget to bring an adaptor that is suitable for a UK outlet.
5. Almost all shops are open a Sunday, generally from 12PM until 6PM. If you’re spending a (shopping) weekend in London, plan accordingly.
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THINGS TO DO IN LONDON
There is no shortage of things to do in London. In fact, there are so many options I’m dedicating an entire post to them: 7 things you cannot miss in London