21+ Simple London Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Planning your first trip to London? Check out my lengthly list of practical tips for first time visitors to the British metropolis, brought to you by your 'favourite' anglophile! From discovering London's best Royal locations, to navigating the pub, and a sample, 5-day London itinerary, I've rounded up all of my best London tips, compiled across multiple visits.

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Planning your first trip to London?

If you have some spare time, challenge me to a debate on whether London is the greatest city in the world. Not only will I win, but I'll have made a full convert out of you by the time I'm done. World-class restaurants, museums, shopping, and hotels, all set against the backdrop of some of the most inspiring historical tourist attractions Europe has to offer. If I haven't sufficiently made my point, to add to your London visit enjoyment, you can fill the time when you aren't visiting major attractions with drinking delicious beer and eating ridiculous amount of food along with your 'tea.' There's no language barrier; in fact, language differences are fun and exciting, and London has one of the oldest and most efficient public transit systems in the world. Oh and you can take a train outside of London for a day trip anytime you like. Ok, I'll stop. 


Now that we've gotten that out of the way, I understand you're here for some top travel tips, as you plan your first trip to London. While I promise your trip will be rewarding and worth any roadblocks you do encounter, it is worth reading up before you go, to prevent easily avoidable tourist mistakes.

20+ Tips I'd Known Before my First Trip to England​

FAQ: How many days do I really need in London?

The greatest city in the world cannot be seen in a fly-by. Plan to spend at least 4 full days in London, and plan to leave feeling like you've only barely scratched even the tourist surface.

All Aboard the Heathrow Express

Assuming you'll be landing in London at Heathrow Airport, just to the west of central London, by far the easiest way to get to central London from Heathrow is the Heathrow Express. The Heathrow Express transports visitors from Heathrow to London's Paddington Station in about 15 minutes. It's not terribly expensive, but I would recommend reserving online in advance of your trip to secure the lowest possible prices. Kids under 15 are free. It's worth every penny. From Paddington Station, you can pretty easily get anywhere you need to go in London.

FAQ: How much cash do I need in London?

Frankly, I would not plan to bring very much money in cash form to London.  As long as you have a travel credit card without foreign transaction fees, you can pay for almost everything with your credit card in the United Kingdom. For the cash you do bring, be sure to change your money at home at your local bank before you go. Most banks will do this for free or for a very small fee, as opposed to "cash exchange" centers in airports or city centers, which can be very expensive. Pickpocketing is not a really serious concern, but as with any tourist destination or major city, I wouldn't wander around carrying massive amounts of cash, just in case.

A very quick into to buying tickets for events and tourist destinations in London...

I've always found buying tickets for events during my first visit to any city to be a little overwhelming. You aren't familiar with the geography or the most popular tourist destinations, you don't know the best areas to dedicate the most time, and if you're done research, you've frankly overwhelmed with tips.


The good news is that it's pretty easy to cut through the noise and get yourself oriented to visit London. Best sure to visit the official website of destinations you wish to visit. Don't get scammed by third parties for 'skip the line' tickets (with the exception of the London Pass), or unneeded tours.

Is the London Pass worth it?

One of the most common questions I get from people planning a trip to London is always "Is the London Pass worth it?" The short answer is: yes, if done correctly. As with any city pass, the most common mistake tourists make is overpaying. If you strategically plan your days, you will buy the London Pass for the absolute smallest number of possible days you will use it and save a great deal of money. You also get 'skip the line access' to a number of sites, which is real and not a scam.


The London Pass website recommends buying the pass, then planning your trip. That's exactly the opposite of what you should do. Don't say "I'll be in London 5 days, so I need a 5-day London Pass." There's no way you'll fully use all 5 days. Instead, strategically plan your days and get maybe a 3-day pass. Note: the Pass is consecutive days (they'll trying to encourage over-buying, which makes sense).


Knowing that you have access to so many sites will also open the door to new experiences that you might have skipped, had they not been drawn to your attention (it certainly did for us on our first trip).


The major tourist sites that make the London Pass earn its keep are: The Tower of London (including access to seeing the Crown Jewels), Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Buckingham Palace. They have a few helpful daily London Pass example agendas on their website as an illustration.

A boat ride on the River Thames

While we're on the subject of the London Pass, I have to recommend one of my favorite "I wouldn't have done this if the London Pass hadn't included it," - a Thames River Boat Cruise. On our last London Pass day, we found ourselves needing to fill the afternoon. So we hopped aboard and sailed down to Greenwich, home to the National Maritime Museum, the Cutty Sark (a restored 19th century ship), and the Old Royal Naval College.

FAQ: Does it really rain that much in London?

The bad news is, yes, it rains incredibly frequently in London. The average year sees 155 rainy days in London. That said, London doesn't actually get much more total precipitation than other cities in Europe. The vast majority of rain days are misty or sprinkly. It'll often rain randomly, lightly, for a short period of time and stop. You will have occasional "wash out" days, but as long as you bring a rain jacket and small, foldable umbrella, that London rain shouldn't disrupt your trip too very much.

Wondering what to pack perfectly for your London trip? Check out my guide to What to Wear in London

Mind the Gap: 
All about the Oyster Card,
​London Underground

 While I love walking, or a ride in a classic London black cab just as much as the next anglophile, not making use of London's excellent public transportation systems, including The Tube in London and the National Rail that'll take you wherever else you want to go. You'll find Tube stations dotted throughout London and its surrounding suburbs, easily connecting you quickly and safely to the next place you'd like to visit. Oh and be sure to take a ride on a double-decker bus. Sitting in the front seats on the upper deck is a fun and cheap way to get a tour of the city and spare your tired feet.

Before your trip, order a "Visitor Oyster Card" online. The card itself is 5 pounds, but any amount left on it after your trip can be refunded, or the credit doesn't expire, you can use it on your next visit!

Need to grab a bite to eat? From least to most fancy, your options are:

• Costa Coffee
• Pret a Manger
• Cafe
• Pub 
• Bar
• Restaurant

Free water?

Brits straddle the line between Americans and Europeans on free water at restaurants. If you ask for a glass of water, almost all restaurants will give you free tap water. Nicer places will offer "still or sparkling" and unlike in the U.S., both will be bottled, and you will be charged for either.

Embrace pub life

Need a break while you're tooling around London? Stop at the pub. Meeting up with a friend in London? How about the pub. Need an after dinner drink? Dare I suggest...the pub?


A few quick things you need to know about pubs, before you go:

• *Order at the bar* There is no waiter who will come to your table. Order drinks at the bar and wait for them to be given to you before you sit down.
• Decide you want food? You guessed it, head back up to the bar. They'll bring the food to you at your table when it's ready.
• Many pubs these days are part of chains that serve their own brands of beer, like a microbrewery. Back-in-the day, many made their own.
• Pub food is basic but fine, not unlike "pubs" in the U.S. There are also "gastropubs," which have essentially fancier food.
• Pubs and train delays are some of the few time Brits are more open to making small talk with strangers.

London's Royal Tourism

If you know me, you know that the Royal Family drew me to London and keep me engaged and coming back time after time. Visiting the almost unbelievable plush backgrounds of the most memorable moments in royal history just continues to pique my interest. Buckingham Palace (including the changing of the guard), St Pauls Cathedral, Kensington Palace, and Westminster Abbey are the traditional royal destinations. I'd also suggest visiting Hampton Court and Windsor Castle as an easy day trip from London on public transit.

Want an audience with His Majesty The King?

Well, I can't guarantee you that. But keep an eye on The Royal Diary to see the Royals in action. A number of the minor royals are attending various events nearly every week, so if it interests you, you should be able to catch something. They often announce 'engagements' (the official term) relatively shortly before they happen, so if the week you'll be in town looks empty, keep checking back!

Books & Movies about the British Royal Family

Discover The British Museum

One of the greatest museums in the world, The British Museum deserves a full afternoon on your itinerary. From must-see permanent items on display such as the Elgin Marbles and (people) like Cleopatra's mummy, to temporary exhibits including the most recent: Legion: Life in the Roman Army, the British Museum has something for every member of your tour group. The building itself is something to behold, with the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court topping the lists of 'things to see' on your visit. Don't give it short shrift, don't expect to get in quickly, have patience, know it's 'worth it,' and plan for a pub stop on the way to your next destination.

Need some new reading material to get excited for your trip? Check out my top Books about England

Give the London Eye a spin

If you're a little hesitant to splash out for London Eye tickets, I'd encourage you to remember the tried and true tourist adages: "It's your first time!"
Seeing London from the sky is absolutely worth it. If you're really feeling fancy, spring for the 'Champagne Experience' tickets. Our guide made us chug our champagne because Brits are amazing.

Indulge in afternoon tea

Tea in London is a tourist must-do. And that doesn't mean it isn't authentic! Delicious, fresh pots of tea, endless food, oh and champagne - what more could you want?


Here are a few suggestions for a tasteful afternoon tea in London:

• Fortnum & Mason (posh department store)
• The Goring (only hotel in the world with a Royal Warrant from the Royal Family)
• The Stafford (hotel)
• Most palaces (and even some churches, such as Westminster Abbey), and other high-end sites you visit will offer a tea in their cafe, if you want to kill two birds with one stone.

London Shopping Explorations

For better or for worse, London spurred the western world into the cyclone of consumerism in which we find ourselves. Shopping in London continues to be an extremely fancy affair. Looking for the highest-end shopping the city has to offer? Stop by Bond Street. More of a Michigan Avenue- style street lined with accessible shops? Oxford Street. Quaint shopping nestled into a historic plaza, surrounded by pubs and restaurants? Covent Garden. Some of the oldest department stores in the world? London certainly has those. 
​Learn more about London's Historic Department Stores.

A note on shopping at London's famous arcades and markets

Burlington Arcade

Traditional stores aren't the only kind of enchanting shopping available in London. London has several luxury 'arcades' - covered, enclosed shopping streets featuring tiny stores often staffed by just one person. Burlington Arcade, established in 1819 and branding itself as 'the original department store,' today is home to an impressive number of tailors, jewelers, and perfumers, many with Royal Warrants.


London is also famous for its markets, the most famous of which are Borough Market and Camden Market. A haven for foodies, and worth a stop for history buffs, the markets aren't somewhere most tourists end up spending a significant amount of time.

Wondering what to pack perfectly for your London trip? Check out my guide to What to Wear in London

FAQ: When's the best time of year to visit London?

There's no bad time to visit London. With generally mild weather, this tourist haven has the ability to handle huge numbers of tourists consistently and efficiently. The summer months are the peak times with the largest crowds. With the exception of the weeks surrounding Christmas, winter is obviously the slowest time, but you'll also be face with a persistent cold drizzle. 

But, I would rank the seasons:

• Fall (perfect)
• Spring (rain)
• Summer (crowds)
• Winter (cold rain)

...don't forget about 'bank holidays'

The Brits are lucky enough to enjoy far more public holidays ("bank holidays") than we do in the United States. Employers meeting certain requirements must be closed, and it's must like a Labor Day Weekend for them. Be sure to keep an eye on the bank holiday schedule when you're planning your trip, as bars and restaurants will be crowded and many of the tourist destinations you may be planning to visit will be closed.

Easy Day Trips from London

"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." While it's an adage I hold close to my heart, it also shouldn't prevent you from exploring what the rest of England has to offer. A few easy day trips for first-time visitors to the U.K.:

•       Windsor Castle
•       Bath
•       Oxford/Cambridge (don't do both)
•       Somewhere random, to get a sense of what a more normal own is like. We went to Stamford

Same 5-Day London Itinerary

Suggest 3-day London Pass (first 3 days)


Day 1
​
Westminster Abbey
Big Ben
Buckingham Palace
Tea at The Goring Hotel, Belgravia


Day 2


The City of London
St Pauls Cathedral
Drink at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese
Tower Bridge


Day 3


Burlington Arcade
Fortnum & Mason
Trafalgar Square
The National Portrait Gallery
St-Martin-in-the-Fields
Covent Garden



British Museum
Russell Square


Evening: See a performance on London's West End



Day 4 


Day trip to Oxford


[fit in something you've missed when you get back to London]


Evening: London Eye


Day 5

1/2 day morning at Windsor Castle


Kensington Palace, Hyde Park, Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
Royal Albert Hall
Natural History Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a wonderful trip to my 'favourite' place in the world! Drop your best tips for visiting London in the comment section below!