Can’t Miss Travel Tips for Your First Trip to London
Are you ready for your first trip to London? Whether you have been planning your whole life or just found out through work that you have a business trip across the pond, you’ll be better prepared once you read this!
As an American, I first moved to London on a study abroad program. I later returned to marry a British camera man I met while interning at NBC News- London Bureau. There were also many trips in between.
I have lived in London permanently since 2013. That’s when I started this website and since then I’ve helped thousands plan their ideal UK visit. This article gives you straight, practical advice to help you avoid stress and make the most of your London trip.
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1. Best Time to Plan Your Trip to London
London is a year-round destination, but your experience can vary wildly depending on when you visit.
Summer brings festivals and long days. Winter offers cosy pubs and festive lights. Spring and autumn are ideal for avoiding crowds while still enjoying decent weather.
If you want a year-round summary of what to expect in terms of weather, I cover it all in the video below.
If you are planning a trip to London in December, you need to book activities well in advance. The same goes for summer, especially during school holidays. Off-season months like January or November are quieter and more affordable, though daylight hours are very limited.
Read more about Christmas in London:
- Things to do in London in December
- Visiting London at Christmas
- What British People Eat for Christmas
2. What to Pack for a Trip to London
The best advice I have for you is to pack layers. As a person who grew up in Florida, I find some summer days in London unbearable. This is because most buildings don’t have air conditioning. This can be especially brutal on underground trains. Yet, at night, it will be very cool. Always bring a lightweight jumper or raincoat and comfortable shoes.
Avoid overpacking, as most hotels have limited storage space. And do check to see if your hotel has air-conditioning if you plan to visit in the summer.
Do not forget a UK plug adapter. If you plan to shop, leave room in your suitcase. Many American visitors overpack and regret it. Waiting to buy things at duty free doesn’t always work out as the best idea. While a lot of things can be bought on Amazon, some items are truly unique to London so you’ll want to be ready to grab them when you can.
Read more:
3. How Long Should a Trip to London Be?
Three to five days is ideal for first-time visitors. This gives you enough time to see the major sights without rushing. If you are adding day trips to places like Windsor or Oxford, consider staying at least a week. And take a look at my suggestions for a 5-Day London Itinerary for Travellers Who Hate Rushing
If you only have three days, plan carefully. Use an itinerary. Focus on areas with several attractions grouped together, such as Westminster or near the Tower of London. That’s what I give you in my London Travel Planner. And, if you want personalised help building a London itinerary, consider booking a one-to-one Travel Consultation with me.
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4. Trip to London: What to Book Before you Travel
When planning a trip to London, it is essential to pre-book key experiences. This includes the Tower of London, afternoon tea and West End theatre shows. Many popular spots sell out weeks in advance.
Consider combining activities to save time on your visit and to experience more British culture. A few I suggest are:
- Tower of London Private Tour with a Beefeater
- VIP Kensington Palace Gardens Tour & Royal High Tea
- Afternoon Tea River Cruise
- National Gallery Highlights Tour and Afternoon Tea
We always use TodayTix to book our theatre tickets. They also have excellent sales throughout the year. I alert my email subscribers to them in my weekly email, the Sunny News. You’ll also get information about London attraction discounts, popular things to do in London and Mr Sunny’s Pub of the week recommendation.
Read more:
- What You Must Book in Advance For Your London Trip
- London Afternoon Tea Cruise
- Royal Albert Hall Tour Review
Don’t Miss London News!
5. How to Get Around London
Use the London Underground for most journeys. It is fast and reliable. Download the Citymapper app. It helps you plan routes and shows you real-time updates.
Taxis are probably your most expensive option, but a ride in a Black Cab is a fun bucket list thing to do in London at least once. The most budget-friendly option is to take a bus and that’s certainly iconic too. Sit at the front on the top level, if you can!
Contactless cards work on all public transport, including buses. And, Uber is here too. But, they tend to take a while to find you at your location. However, Mr Sunny and I use Uber when the train lines are on strike or severely delayed. Sadly, this can happen quite often.
Walk when you can. You’ll find most Londoners walk as much as possible. Sometimes it’s faster than taking the Underground. So, before moving from one place to another, see how close your route is on Google maps.
Another advantage to walking is that you will see more and save money. You can read more about the London Underground in this guide to London Tube Mistakes to Avoid: Save Time, Money & Hassle.
6. Where to Stay During Your Trip to London
For first-time visitors, I suggest that you prioritise location over budget. You may or may not agree with that but I feel strongly about this advice. Choose accommodation in central neighbourhoods like Covent Garden, Westminster or South Kensington, depending on what London attractions you are prioritising. These areas are safe, well-connected and close to major sights.
Avoid staying near airports or outside of Central London. Travel times can eat into your itinerary. And, if you only have 3 days, you don’t want to spend it riding packed trains!
Explore more tips for London Hotels and Places to Stay in London:
Hotels in London
If you haven’t booked your hotel yet for your London trip, here’s an interactive map to get you started! It’s based on the most central location in town.
7. Cultural Tips for Americans Visiting London
Planning a trip to London as an American? Expect some surprises. You do not need to tip as much in the UK. Many places include service charges. Ask for the bill; it will not come automatically.
The word “toilet” is more common than “bathroom”. It took me several years of living here to actually say it or even ‘loo’. But, I eventually learned it’s just faster and easier to communicate with people in words they understand and forgo any connotation I had with the terms. The first one is a bit crass sounding to Americans. As a side note, if you need one urgently, hit a pub. Just be sure to buy a drink before you leave. As Mr Sunny and all of London say, ‘It would be rude not to.’ 😉
Public transport etiquette is stricter. Stand on the right side of escalators. Queue properly. Pub culture is different too. Order at the bar. No table service. There’s a lot more to know about each, which is why I’ve made videos on all of these things!
One of the many advantages of my London Travel Planner is that it has 100+ videos that are linked by topic. So, if you want to know information about specific neighbourhoods, pub crawls, things to do, etc, you just click on the Table of Contents and can go right to watching the video on your choice of TikTok, Facebook or YouTube.
8. Final Trips for a Smooth Trip to London
Make sure you check on your data package for your cell phone to see if it includes international travel. Do not rely on free Wi-Fi alone. And, make sure your credit cards don’t have foreign transaction fees, especially if you plan on using them for London Underground and busses.
There’s a big difference between flying in to Gatwick vs Heathrow airport in terms of transportation in to Central London. Make sure you’ve researched and decided your options before you arrive too. My trip consultations can help with that.
And since this is likely a very big financial commitment, make sure you have travel insurance. It protects you from costly disruptions.
Questions?
Sunny friends, what questions can I answer about your London travel plans? If you’re from London or have visited London previously, what advice can you add?
