18 Great Tips For Travelling To London For The First Time You Must Know

London is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe and there’s no doubt why it’s such a popular destination – the famous Big Ben, the remarkable Buckingham Palace and the colourful neighbourhoods like Notting Hill make you dream big. There are lots of wonderful places to visit in London!

When I visited London for the first time, I had a “plan” but it was far from perfect and I wish I knew the things I know now because it would have been a better experience.

Regardless of my plan, I fell in love with London and I knew it was going to be one of those places I would go back to again and again.

Planning your trip to London for the first time can be a bit daunting as there are endless options on what to do. On top of that, it isn’t only because of the numerous attractions and things you can do, but where to stay in London, where to eat and the cultural aspects you need to be aware of!

This is why I’ve put together some of the best tips for travelling to London for the first time as well as a range of low to high price accommodations and places to eat.

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Tips For Travelling To London For The First Time

There are plenty of London travel guides, but many of them don’t tell you what things you need to know before travelling to London.

So, what are some great tips for first timers in London?

Save money with the Oyster card

When talking about public transport in London, the underground is the fastest and most convenient. London traffic can be bad, so you definitely want to avoid getting a taxi, bus or driving a car.

If you want to save money on travel journeys, you need to get an Oyster card. The Oyster card is valid for transport like bus, underground, tram, and most National Rail services in London, and it’s cheaper than buying single tickets or even a Day Travelcard.

Not only does the Oyster card save you money, but it can save you time too! You can get it delivered home before your trip to London and forget about the big queues at the stations.

📌 You can find other tips for saving money in London in this guide.

Plan your day based on areas

London is bigger than it seems on Google Maps, and if you start looking at the map, you’ll discover how many iconic things you can visit. You’ll never get bored in London because the opportunities are endless. 

I’m sure that as a first-time visitor, you want to see as many places as you can during your stay. I wanted exactly the same as you on my first trip to London!

After travelling to London many times, I realised that the best way to make the most of it is by grouping all the activities that are close to an area. 

What I mean by this is, let’s say you want to visit the impressive wax museum Madame Tussauds London, in that same day or period of time you can also visit Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, The Sherlock Holmes Museum because they’re all located in the same area, and you’ll find it easier to move around.

The best way to group attractions is by creating your list on Google Maps. Every time you save a place to your created list, a blue icon will appear. It’s super useful and visible. 

By planning your attractions based on areas, you’ll see more things and waste less time travelling from place to place.

Avoid peak times 

One of my top London travel tips is avoiding peak times, and this applies to many things, from underground to main attractions.

Peak times will make your experience less exciting as it can be stressful to travel from place A to place B, or you need to wait more than an hour to visit a small but popular attraction that you’ll feel like you’ve waited more than spent time enjoying the place.

Peak times in London are from 07:30 to 09:30 am and from 5:00 and 6:00 pm during weekdays.

Stay to the right on the stairs 

I absolutely had no idea of this before travelling to London, and I discovered it when I was in the underground and someone behind me seemed very upset because I was on his way. Then I realised that you need to stay to the right so other people who are in a rush can get through. 

Although you can sometimes see some posters reminding others to stay to the right, it’s better to remember this.

Book attraction tickets in advance 

One of my top pieces of advice when travelling to London is to book your attractions in advance. 

I’ve found that online tickets are often cheaper than when you get your ticket at the attraction. By lower prices, I mean a couple of quid (“pounds”), but it’s still better than no discount at all.

Booking attraction tickets in advance will save you money and avoid disappointment, as many places can get very busy, and you may be unable to go in.

TIP: Don’t book your online tickets at the last minute, do it as soon as you know you’ll be travelling to London. I tried to book my tickets for Sky Garden a few days before my trip to London, and they were all gone.

Check the London pass

I didn’t buy the London pass when I visited London because most places I wanted to visit are free. However, if you’re planning to visit many attractions and museums for which you need to pay a fee, you definitely want to check out the London Pass.

By purchasing the London Pass, you get access to over 80 attractions, including the popular Tower of London, the hop-on, hop-off bus tour and much more.

A one-day adult pass costs £79, so you’d better plan to visit as many paid museums and attractions as possible on that day.

Avoid bank holidays and school holidays

If you’re visiting London on a budget, you want to avoid bank holidays as well as school holidays. During these dates, accommodation and transport prices will significantly increase, and the city will also be more crowded.

Keep in mind that school holidays in the UK differ from city to city and in other countries in Europe. The best way to check these dates is by visiting the Government website or typing in Google “bank holiday/school holidays in the UK [year]”

Take an umbrella or poncho with you 

You’ve probably heard other people saying how unpredictable the British or London weather is, and I can guarantee this isn’t a misconception at all. 

You need to be prepared for all sorts of weather no matter the season, and learn how to dress like a Londoner!

My biggest mistake as a first-time visitor was taking shorts, very light cardigans and no umbrella. The truth is that coming from a Mediterranean country, I didn’t think I was going to experience rain and cold at the beginning of July.

But it did rain many times. I was cold, and I had to buy an umbrella in one of those souvenir shops that overcharge you for a simple umbrella that breaks in less than a week.

I’d recommend taking an umbrella from home so you avoid spending silly money on one and being inconveniently soaked. 

I’d say rain is often constant but light. However, if it’s windy and rainy, it’s more likely your umbrella can break or get soaked even if you have an umbrella! So a poncho is your best friend.

Packing for the UK isn’t easy, but reusing some clothes helps and stops you from overpacking.

Don’t buy souvenirs on Oxford Street

Who doesn’t love buying souvenirs? You may want to buy a London jumper or a keyring for your friend.

Oxford Street is well-known for being one of the busiest London streets. There are plenty of shops to buy from. However, tourist places mean higher prices too! This is the main reason I wouldn’t recommend buying your souvenir here.

Let’s say you’re planning to buy a magnet. Buying it in a shop in Oxford Street can cost you 5 to 7 pounds whereas you can find them cheaper elsewhere.

Eat at the markets

Restaurants in London are amazing, but at the same time expensive, and you can’t always just turn up so you have to book in advance, especially if you’re planning to visit a popular restaurant.

Whether you want to save money on food or you don’t want to worry about booking a table, eating at the market in London is your best choice. At the same time, you’ll also find a good variety of cuisines from all over the world.

Borough Market, Southbank Centre Food Market, Covent Garden and Camden Market are some of the most popular in the city, but there are many more.

Experience an afternoon tea

Before travelling to London, I knew tea was the drink choice of the British, but I hadn’t heard of afternoon tea. When I moved to the UK, it’s when I learnt about this “tradition”.

An afternoon tea basically consists of small sandwiches, scones, cakes and, of course, tea. This tradition was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. She used to be hungry in the afternoon, and she made it a routine. Then she started inviting friends around to have afternoon tea.

This was adapted by Queen Victoria and then became nationally popular.

Nowadays, afternoon tea isn’t a thing that the British do in their houses, but they go to cafes where afternoon tea is served on special occasions or to meet friends.

Best places to have afternoon tea in London

• Traditional afternoon tea at Thames Foyer at The Savoy
• Afternoon tea at The Gallery at Sketch
• Fortnum & Mason’s Afternoon Tea

📌 For a different and unique experience, book an afternoon tea bus tour.

Remember to tip at restaurants 

There are some countries like Spain where you don’t need to tip, and most people don’t do it because it’s seen as something normal.

However, you’re expected to tip at restaurants in the UK, and you sometimes notice it when the waiter or waitress brings you the card machine and mentions tipping.

It’s an extra way to say thank you for the service and be polite. 

Another thing about restaurants, some of them will charge you a percentage for the service, so don’t be surprised if the bill is bigger than the food and drinks you’ve consumed. Anyway, they always state the percentage in the bill, but it’s good to know!

Save money by getting snacks from the supermarket

I know how it feels to be hungry at any time, and I know how tempting it can be to get a delicious cake and coffee or tea from a popular and pretty instagrammable cafe. I mean, there are so many cafes, and all of them offer very pretty dishes!

However, if you want to save some money while you’re in London, getting some fresh fruits and snacks from a local supermarket or convenience shop is your best option.

Check the road signs

This is something that I realised quickly since I almost got run over by a car. Being from Spain, I wasn’t aware of cars driving in the opposite direction.

You must remember that British people drive on the left side of the road. But pedestrian crossings and signs will be your best friends as they tell you, “Look right“.

I’ve been living in the UK for five years, and I sometimes forget this!

Be careful with pickpockets

Pickpockets are a real thing in London and in many European cities. However, this shouldn’t put you off from visiting London.

Avoid wearing bags and backpacks in crowded places, walking through empty streets at night, and stopping by street performances are some of my biggest recommendations.

One of the times I visited London, I stopped to look at some guys playing a game on the bridge near Big Ben and the Thames River. They were asking people for money to play, and guess what? It was sad to see how most people lost their money. 

Not only by playing! There are other people around trying to steal while you watch these games.

Get the most of free attractions and events

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “London is expensive”, which I don’t disagree with, but unlikely other European cities, London has many free attractions to visit.

From great museums like the Natural History Museum to important art galleries like The National Gallery. 

Also, you must check all the free events in London that take place all year round. 

Explore hidden gems in London

London’s main attractions are amazing, and you can’t miss them on your first visit to the city, but if you love visiting off-the-beaten-path places, then you want to leave central London and explore other neighbourhoods and areas.

For example, there are lots of fun things to do in Putney which is located in southwest London.

Overall, you can find hidden gems in London, just like in any other city, but you also need to remember that what is called a hidden gem today may no longer be when you visit it because many people have already discovered them through Instagram or other social media platforms.

Look at a day trip from London

Travelling from London to anywhere in the UK is easy as there are plenty of transport options, so it’s worth it to look at day trips if you’re planning to stay in London for a week or more.

A day trip to Bath is an easy and great day trip as the city is full of beautiful attractions, and you can visit it by getting the train which only takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Another popular destination is Cambridge, as it’s only 50 minutes by train. Its picturesque streets and university buildings make it an excellent day trip from London. Overall, walking in Cambridge is an experience.

However, there are other day trips from London you want to check out too.

Other popular day trips from London

• Bath and Stonehenge
• Oxford and the Cotswolds villages
• Windsor Castle
• Brighton 

Almost all these places can be easily accessed by train or coach. Alternatively, if you don’t want to stress about how to get there and plan what to see and do, you can book a tour.

If you’d like to explore a bit more the South of England, a road trip to Cornwall is always a great choice. Cornwall has spectacular beaches and better weather than the rest of the UK.

Where to stay in London

I had always heard that staying in Central London was very expensive, and I couldn’t disagree more. I think when it comes to accommodation in London, you can find decent prices near key locations.

Everything depends on your budget and the type of traveller you are. The first time I went to London, I travelled with a group of friends. However, we stayed in different accommodations due to the lack of availability in both places, as we booked at different times.

I stayed in a bed and breakfast, and although it wasn’t the prettiest place, I was surprised by how close the B&B was to Oxford Street. Some of my friends stayed in this hostel that was pretty close too.

If you’re visiting London for the first time, I’d recommend staying close to the centre, but not necessarily in Central London.

Accommodation in London

easyHotel London City Shoreditch (£)

The Z Hotel City (££)

Qbic Hotels | London City (££-£££)

Shangri-La Hotel at The Shard, London (£££££)

The Savoy Hotel (£££££)

What to do in London for the first time

These are some of the best places to visit in London on your first trip.

Buckingham Palace 

Located in the City of Westminster, Buckingham Palace has been the official royal residence since 1837. 

Nowadays, it’s a working building and the centrepiece of the UK’s constitutional monarchy, and the Queen isn’t just at Buckingham Palace. She has many residences across the UK, including the beautiful Windsor Castle in Berkshire. 

For tourists, it’s a place to contemplate and take pictures because it’s quite impressive to see from the outside – its size and gold-painted and detailed figures make it very majestic.

However, if you’re interested in the royal family and the building itself, you can go inside and see some of the rooms, such as The Ballroom, The Throne Room and much more.

Prices

There are two types of tickets: The State Rooms and the Royal Day Out. The Royal Day Out gives you access to the Royal Mews and The Queen’s Gallery on top of The State Rooms, so it’s the best value ticket.

The State Rooms – £26.50 per adult

The Royal Day Out – £49.00 per adult

*Under 5 is free.

Camden Town Market

Camden Town is one of the coolest places in London. It’s completely different from other parts of the city. Its vibrant atmosphere and unique shops make it a must-see place.

Inside Camden Town, you can find a good variety of food stalls where you can grab delicious and fresh international meals – Spanish, Mexican, Indian, Chinese and much more. Also, it’s a great value for money. If you’re visiting London on a budget, eating in the market is cheaper than in a restaurant or pub.

But it isn’t only about food; Camden Town is the perfect place to buy vintage and original clothes, hand-crafted accessories and unique gifts for you and others.

The weirdest shop I’ve ever seen is Cyberdog, a futuristic clubwear where you’ll see everything neon and extravagant. Even if you aren’t planning to buy anything there, I recommend going in to see what it is like! One thing I need to warn you is that they don’t allow you to record or take pictures of the place, I didn’t know about it, and I was told off.

TIP: For a more relaxing setting, walk through the canal next to the food stalls in Camden Market. It’s a beautiful walk where you’ll come across people riding a bike, running or simply having a slow walk. 

London Eye

This iconic attraction is a hundred per cent worth it to visit because of the stunning views you get from the London Eye. You’ll see the River Thames, Big Ben, the busy atmosphere in the city, and an overview of London from one place.

One of the downsides of visiting the London Eye is the big queues, especially during weekends. However, if you book a fast track ticket online, you’ll still need to queue but much less than other people.

The most magical time to visit the London Eye is sunset. Check the weather for when you’ll be in London, and I’d choose a sunny day if possible. 

Prices

Adult online ticket – from £24,50

Primrose Hill

I discovered Primrose Hill on Instagram, and, of course, I added it to my places to visit in London. If you’re up to visiting places outside Central London, I’d highly recommend this place to get incredible views of London’s skyline. You’ll need to take a stroll up, but it’s a hundred per cent worth it.

In addition to that, Primrose Hill is just next to The Regent’s Park, a beautiful park where you can visit London Zoo, see over 10,000 roses in Queen Mary’s Gardens, or hire a rowing boat on the lake. 

Hyde Park

Something that you’ll love about London is as busy as it can be, you can also find beautiful green spaces to relax. Hyde Park is the central park at the end of Oxford Street and the Marble Arch underground station.

Apart from being the perfect place to have a picnic, there are many things to see inside the park – from historical landmarks and statues to gardens a. The Peter Pan Statue, The Albert Memorial, the Italian Gardens and the Serpentine Sackler Gallery are must-see places.

During the summer, Hyde Park also hosts some incredible concerts, so before your visit, have a look at the calendar to see if there’s something interesting for you. During the winter, you can experience the magical Winter Wonderland Christmas Market!

Notting Hill

Notting Hill is a well-known district for being multicultural and cosmopolitan. The first time I learnt about it was watching Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant’s film, Notting Hill. Later, I started hearing of the carnival, so I knew I had to go to Notting Hill as soon as I was going back to London.

The district is full of beautiful and pastel-coloured houses that will make you want to stop and take some Insta-worthy pictures for sure.

The best time to visit Notting Hill is in August, especially at the end of August (the August bank holiday Monday and the preceding Sunday) to experience the carnival. 

There’s a great vibe! Watch elaborate floats and performers dancing and making their way through the streets in the carnival parade and enjoy some irresistible Caribbean food.

Big Ben

London’s most iconic symbol and photographic spot, Big Ben is known worldwide. The area is always busy, so it isn’t easy to take a good picture, but it isn’t impossible either. You just need to be creative and go a bit further where you can get Big Ben as background.

But if you’re wondering what’s the big deal with Big Ben, it’s the clock of the Palace of Westminster, the Parliament of the United Kingdom which you can visit.

I’m not a big fan of politics, but I did go inside and the architecture of the building is stunning. However, I believe someone who actually loves politics would really enjoy the tour.

Piccadilly Circus 

Its video display and neon signs and lively atmosphere make Piccadilly Circus special. When I visited it for the first time, it reminded me of a small version of New York Times Square.

It’s not about what you can do there, but more about the feeling. However, when you visit Piccadilly Circus, you can go to other popular areas like Trafalgar Square to visit The National Gallery, Chinatown or Covent Garden. 

Chelsea 

Chelsea, located in South West London, is a wealthy area where you’ll find some of the most expensive houses, boutiques and high-end restaurants like Gordon Ramsay Maze Grill Park Walk. So if you love an Emily in Paris vibe but in London, this is your place.

In Chelsea, you can visit places like Chelsea Physic Garden and the Saatchi Gallery or you can wander around its streets to find beautiful pastel houses and independent boutiques.

TIP: Go to Bywater Street to take beautiful door pictures and pastel building pictures.

Tower of London

This castle is a World Heritage Site full of history, and it’s the official Queen’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.

I have never been inside the castle, but it’s something that is on my list. From the outside, it’s quite impressive and it’s very close to the famous Tower Bridge.

Prices

Adult: £25.00

Child: £12.50

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Conclusion on the best tips for travelling to London

As you can see, there are many travel tips and amazing places to visit in London, but I hope they’re useful for you on your first visit. 

England’s capital is the perfect place for anyone who loves culture as well as photography — there are plenty of Instagrammable places in London too.

Are there any other tips that you would recommend to London visitors? Let me know in the comments.

If you have any questions about London, don’t hesitate to reach me via email.

Safe adventures!

Cristina x

P.S. Liked it? Share it with others. 

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Things to do before visiting London

• Check out cheap flights to London with Skyscanner here.
• Book the best accommodation for you with Booking.com.
• Book travel insurance, this is a must for any trip!

Frequently asked questions about visiting London for the first time

Is London worth visiting? 

London is an incredible city that is definitely worth visiting. The city has some iconic attractions, such as Big Ben, known all around the world, and it’s a destination that offers activities for any type of traveller.

It’s a vibrant city in which you’ll always find something new to do, no matter how many times you visit it.

What should first-time visitors do in London?

Some of the top things you must do in London as a first-time traveller are:

• Take a picture of Big Ben.
• Go on the London Eye.
• Visit the British Museum.
• Wander around Hyde Park.
• Walk through Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus.
• Visit St Paul’s Cathedral.
• See the London Bridge.

How many days in London is enough?

You can visit London’s main attractions in 3-4 days, however, less than 4 days isn’t enough to explore other less-known neighbourhoods that are also worth visiting. If you’re staying in London for more than 4 days, have a look at day trips from London. Bath and Stonehenge trip from London is one of the most popular!

What is the best month to visit London England?

Every month and season in London has something to offer, so it really depends on your preferences.

If you want sunnier and longer days, visit London in the summer months (June to August.)

If you love Christmas, travel to London in the middle or end of November to visit the popular Winter Wonderland and other Christmas Markets across the city and see the outstanding Christmas lights.

Spring is amazing to spot the cherry blossom and wisteria, and autumn to see the beautiful foliage changing.

So the best time to visit London really depends on your preferences!

What is the famous food in London?

The most traditional food in London is fish and chips – battered fried cod served with chunky chips. Some locals put salt and vinegar on top of the fish and chips!

Also, if you travel to other areas in the UK, you may see that fish and chips are also served with mushy peas. 

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