Top Tips For Planning A Trip To London

Planning a trip to London but aren’t sure where to begin? 

Here are some top tips for planning the perfect vacation to the big smoke!

Set your budget. London can be expensive, but setting a budget ahead of time can help you rein in unnecessary spending. Not only that, but there are plenty of free things to see and do in the city, such as visiting some of the most popular museums and parks in the area.

Consider staying outside of zone one. The majority of tourists heading into London attempt to find accommodation right in the heart of the city. While this does mean that you’ll have a fantastic view from your window, staying a little further outside of zone one can help you to save money. Furthermore, it also allows you to discover a new part of London that you might not have visited otherwise, such as Greenwich.

Put together an itinerary. While putting together an itinerary for your holiday may seem a little restrictive, it’s a great way to ensure your holiday is everything that you want or need it to be. It also makes it easier to ensure that you can see everything you want to see, especially if you have limited time on your hands.

Be prepared for a little rain. According to a recent report, there are, on average, 150 rainy days in London each year. This means that your chances of getting caught in a shower during your trip are relatively high, which is something that you should keep in mind when 

Packing for your vacation

Visit one of the city’s high-end wine bars. Regardless of your budget, you should always be willing to treat yourself on your vacation. One of the easiest ways to achieve this goal is to visit a wine bar London. Here, you can enjoy a touch of sophistication, whether you’re a fan of red, white, or rose! Many of these venues also have live musicians playing throughout the night!

Buy a travel card upon arrival. While you can tap in and tap out using your bank or credit card, you can save a great deal of money by purchasing a travel card for the duration of your trip. This is because you then pay one set fee for the duration of your adventure, no matter how many times you hop on the bus or tube! Alternatively, you could purchase an Oyster card. This is a great idea for rail card holders, as you can use it to obtain a discount when traveling outside of peak hours. 

Prebook your attractions. There’s no shortage of things to see or do in London. However, it is often advised that you buy tickets for any tourist attractions in advance. Not only can this help you avoid getting turned away when an attraction is full, but it can also save you a great deal of money. This is because the majority of tourist attractions, from the Tower of London to the London Eye, charge hire fees at the door rather than online! Furthermore, booking online allows you to pick a specific time slot for each attraction you visit, which means that you can then ensure that you’re spending every single minute of your time wisely, and you don’t have to skip over anything on your itinerary. 

Download City Mapper on your phone. Navigating through the city can be difficult, especially if this is your first time in London. However, you can ensure that your journey is as straightforward (and quick) as possible by using an app such as City Mapper. This allows you to pre-plan your route in advance while also letting you know how much it will cost and how long it will take. 

Consider going for Afternoon Tea. Have you been to London if you haven’t indulged in an Afternoon Tea? Fortunately, you have plenty of options to choose from, whether you’re looking for relatively low-cost options or are ready to splash out by heading for afternoon tea at a five-star hotel. Use sites such as Wowcher to find the best possible prices to satisfy your sweet tooth! Be sure to let your chosen spot know of any dietary requirements you may have when booking your place so that they can be sure to cater to them. For example, the vast majority of places will be able to make vegan versions of Afternoon staples like finger sandwiches and scones upon request! 

Browse one of London’s famous markets. There are plenty of markets to explore in London, whether you’re looking for something to eat or hoping to pick up some souvenirs to take home with you. For this reason, you should make sure that you leave some time in your schedule to visit one of London’s famous markets, such as: 

• Greenwich Market 
• Borough Market
• Camden Market
• Portobello Road Market
• Columbia Flower Market 
• Old Spitalfields Market

Catch a show on the West End. Whether you want the latest musicals or one of the West End’s staples, catching a show in London is another great way to make the most of all that the city has to offer. Furthermore, you can get great deals by waiting until the day of the show to buy your tickets. This is because many sites will sell any remaining tickets at discounted prices! If you don’t have any luck online, consider visiting the theatre’s box office in person. As the venues don’t want to leave any seats unattended, you may be able to score a fantastic last-minute deal. 

If you aren’t sure what shows to see, check out any reviews that are posted online by both critics and theatregoers. This will give you a better understanding of what kind of show will work for you, whether a musical or a straight play. 

Final thoughts. Following the advice outlined above will help to ensure that you plan a truly fantastic trip to London – the kind that you will be talking about for years to come! 

This is a collaborative post.