London Travel Guide

This travel guide is full of suggestions on how to plan your unforgettable holidays in London. This city is famous for its 2,000 years of history, strong financial sector, cultural diversity, having lots of green spaces plus plenty of free tourist attractions and the icons such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.

What’s more, London is known for having the oldest underground in the world, changing of the Royal guards, black cabs, red double – decker buses, shopping at Harrods or Oxford Street and drinking in the pubs while watching the Premier League Derby. It’s the city of the traditional British accent, but also the cockney rhyming slang.

What to Visit in London

London is the capital and the biggest city in England, the whole of UK and the Western Europe. It’s located in the south – east of England and stands on the banks of the River Thames. It takes 58 km from central London to reach the nearest coastal town of Southend-on-Sea and 103 km to get to Brighton. London covers the area of 1,572 square km with a population over nine million people.

The city of London was founded by Romans in 43 AD, when they first invaded Britain. They built the fortified settlement on the north bank of the Thames (City of London) and called it Londinium. The City of London is the ancient core and financial centre, known as the City or the Square Mile. It’s because the Romans initiated the trading hub within the walls of one square mile area. For centuries the nearby City of Westminster has been the base for British government.

Don’t leave London without seeing:

Read more: What to See and Do in London – Top Tourist Attractions

Daily Excursions From London

Hiking in London

Well, London is rather flat, but there are plenty of hiking trails to take in the capital. If you want to climb the hills of London, you may as well try the Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park, One Tree Hill in Honor Oak, Alexandra Palace, King Henry’s Mound in Richmond and the Royal Observatory in Greenwich Park.

The best walking routes in London include the Wandle Trail (Croydon to Wandsworth), London City sightseeing, Hyde Park to Buckingham Palace, Finsbury Park to Trafalgar Square, The Thames Path (Tower Bridge to Battersea Bridge), Capital Ring Walk: Wimbledon Park to Richmond Bridge, Scadbury Manor loop trail near Bromley, Covent Garden to Clapham, Green London Way: Falconwood to Greenwich, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, South Bank, Battersea Park, Blackheath to Greenwich, Abney Park to Hackney Marshes, Tamsin Trail, Richmond Park, Jubilee Greenway and many more.

Read more: Best Hikes and Walks in London and Best Hikes and Walks Near London

Viewpoints in London

If you want to see London from above, it’s best to climb the hills this amazing city owns, which were mentioned above. For the most stunning city panoramas you should visit the tourist attractions such as the London Eye, Emirates Air Line Cable Car, Tower Bridge, Up at the O2 in Greenwich, Greenwich Park, Switch House at Tate Modern, Viewing Level at Tate Modern, Rooftop Cinema Club, Slide at ArcelorMittal Orbit in Stratford, Monument, St Paul’s Cathedral Dome and the Westminster Cathedral.

If you want to dine or have a drink with the best views of London, you should also check out the rooftop bars and restaurants like:

• The Shard
• Sky Garden
• Gherkin Searcys Bar
• Oxo Tower
• Sushi Samba
• Vertigo Tower 42
• Garden at 120
• Dine at 135 at London Eye
• Aviary in Finsbury Square
• 12th Knot at Sea Containers
• Duck & Waffleat Heron Tower
• One New Change Viewing terrace

Beaches in London

For obvious reasons, there isn’t many well known beaches in the city of London. If you’re lucky with the Thames tides, you can find the sandy land emerging on the shores of the river. There’s a hidden one in Greenwich near the Ecology Park in Greenwich, the Bermondsey Beach, Folly House Beach, Thames Beach, Dock Beach, Champion’s Wharf Play Beach, Grays Beach Riverside Park, Bankside Beach and Ruislip Lido Beach in West London.

Read more: Best Beaches Near Thames in London and The Most Beautiful Beaches Near London

Where to Stay in London

In summary, the best area to stay in London is the central part of the city: Covent Gardens (first time visitors and food lovers), Southbank, Westminster, Tower Bridge, Bloomsbury and City (sightseeing), Soho (nightlife), South Kensington (families, romantic), Mayfair and Marylebone (romantic), Camden (local vibe), Leister Square (walking), Holborn-Clerkenwell, Paddington (Maida Vale).

When planning a trip to London, it’s worth noting the city is divided into the financial district of City of London and 32 boroughs that are surrounded by M25 orbital motorway. Both make up the Greater London area. Additionally, there are twelve Inner London Boroughs and twenty Outer London Boroughs.

The Inner London Boroughs

The Inner London Boroughs are: Camden, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster.

The Outer London Boroughs

The Outer London Boroughs are: Barking, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Haringey, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Waltham Forest.

Most recommended hotels in London:

• Savoy Hotel

Read More: Best Hotels in London with the View

What to Eat in London

London is a mixture of cultures what for ages has been influencing the way the locals cook. The UK was invaded by foreigners in the past but also colonised many parts of the world and that affected their cuisine greatly. There’s plenty of Asian, African, Indian and European flavours that can be found in many British dishes. Spices from the Far East, sugar from the Caribbean, coffee from Africa, tea and curry from India are just few examples. When visiting London, one must try the typical English cuisine and the most popular dishes:

• Scotch Eggs – hard boiled egg wrapped in the sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and fried.
• Piccalilli – English version of Indian pickles, salty, sour and spiced.
• Marmite – food spread made from yeast extract.
• Crumpets – English muffin with butter of jam.
• British Scones – dense biscuits served with butter or jam.
• Chip Butty – white bread sandwich with chips and ketchup inside.
• Meat Pies – steak and kidney pie, steak and ale pie, pork pie, chicken and leek pie, served hot or cold.
• Cornish Pastry – meat, veggies (plenty of potatoes) mixed in a gravy sauce, wrapped in the pastry and baked in the oven.
• Full English Breakfast – bacon, sausage, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, fried beans, hash browns and toasts.
• Sunday Roast – roasted joint lamb, beef or pork, served with Yorkshire pudding, vegetables and gravy.
• Afternoon Tea – tiny finger triangle sandwiches with no crust, filled with cucumber and cream cheese.
• Bangers and mash – sausage, mash potatoes, gravy and peas.
• Sausage Toad – sausage in Yorkshire butter, served with veggies and gravy.
• Fish and Chips – cod in beer butter, chips and mushy peas.
• Beef Wellington – beef steak coated in mushroom mixture and wrapped in the puff pastry, served with mash potatoes and asparagus.
• Shepperd’s (Cottage) Pie – mash potatoes crust and meat base baked in the oven.
• Chicken Tikka Masala – roasted chunks of chicken cooked in the spiced tomato cream sauce.

Typical Desserts in London:

• Sticky Toffee Pudding – moist sponge cake made of dates in a toffee sauce, served with vanilla custard or ice cream.
• Victoria Sponge Cake – raspberry and double whipped cream filling.
• Mince Pie – minced meat, fruit and spices, sweet taste served during Christmas.
• Banoffee Pie – bananas, cream, toffee and condensed milk.
• Eton Mess – strawberries, bananas, crushed meringue and cream.
• Ale – traditional English beer.

Read More: Best Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in London.

How to Get Around London

The best way to get around London is to use the public transport. Once you get the plastic daily or weekly Oyster travel card (or use the contactless), you will be able to take buses, tube, trains and more. There is a cash free system all over London.

• Airport Transfer
• Public Transport
• River Cruise
• Car Rental
• Scooter Hire
• Taxi

There are six international airports in London: London City (16 km away), London Gatwick (47 km away), London Heathrow (30 km away), London Luton (55 km away), London Stansted (56 km away) and London Southend (68 km away).

How to get from the City airport to central London?

• Bus - public transport, bus number 473 and 474 (change for DLR), cost - Oyster card or Contactless Card.
• DLR - line to Canning Town, Stratford or Bank, opens 5.3o am to 12.30 am (Mon to Sat) and 7 am to 11.30 pm on Sun, runs every 8 to 15 min, cost - Oyster Card or Contactless Card.
• Black Cabs - runs 27/7, cost - £10/£15 for 2 miles.
• Mini Cabs - prepaid taxi, use Uber or Addison Lee, duration - 30 min, cost - £40.

How to get from Gatwick airport to central London?

• Coach - National Express: runs 24/7, every hour, duration - up to 2 h, cost - up to £15 return, EasyBus (North Terminal, bus stop 10 and 11, duration - up to 2 h, cost - from £2)
• Train - Gatwick Express to Victoria Stn (every 15 min, duration - 30 min, cost - £18 single), Southern Trains to Victoria Stn via East Croydon and Clapham Junction (4 times an hour, duration - up to 35 min, cost - £18), Thameslink & Great Northern Trains to London Bridge, London Blackfriars and St Pancras Int (4 times an hour, duration up to 45 min, cost - £18).
• Black Cabs - runs 27/7, cost - £10/£15 for 2 miles.
• Mini Cabs - prepaid taxi, use Uber or Addison Lee, duration - 1.20 h, cost - £60.

How to get from Heathrow airport to central London?

• Coach - National Express to Victoria Coach Station, runs 24/7, duration - up to 80 min, cost - £10.
• Heathrow Express - train from T 2,3,4,5 to Paddington Stn, every 15 min, duration - 15 min, cost - £22.
• TfL Rail - train from terminal 2 and 3 to West and Central London, every 30 min, duration - 30 min.
• Feltham Link Rail - 285 bus to Feltham rail station, then train to Waterloo, duration - 40 min.
• London Underground - Piccadilly Line from all terminals, duration - up to 60 min, cost - Oyster.
• Black Cabs - runs 27/7, cost - £10/£15 for 2 miles.
• Mini Cabs - prepaid taxi, use Uber or Addison Lee, duration - 1 hour, cost - £45 to £70.

How to get from Luton airport to central London?

• Coach - National Express to Victoria Stn (departs from bays 4, 5, 6, 10 runs 24/7, duration - 1.15 h, cost - up to £15 return), Green Line 757 to Victoria Stn (departs from bay 7, runs 24/7, duration - 1.15 h, cost - up to £15 return), other: easyBus, Terravision.
• Train - trains from London Airport Parkway (10 min by the shuttle bus from the airport), East Midlands Trains (duration - 21 min, cost - £18), Thameslink to London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon and St Pancras Int (day: six trains every hour, night: once an hour, duration - 40 min, cost - £18).
• Black Cabs - runs 27/7, cost - £10/£15 for 2 miles.
• Mini Cabs - prepaid taxi, use Uber or Addison Lee, duration - 1.30 h , cost - £70.

How to get from Stansted airport to central London?

• Coach - National Express: runs 27/7, every half an hour, duration - 1.5 h, cost - up to £15 return.
• Train - Stansted Express: runs 7 days a week, every 15 min, duration - 47 min, cost - from £9.45.
• Black Cabs - runs 27/7, cost - £10/£15 for 2 miles.
• Mini Cabs - prepaid taxi, use Uber or Addison Lee, duration - 1.30 h, cost - £70.

How to get from Southend airport to central London?

• Coach - National Express: first X30 bus to Stansted airport, then one the central London.
• Train - Greater Anglia: duration - 1 hour, cost - £18 single.
• Black Cabs - runs 27/7, cost - £10/£15 for 2 miles.
• Mini Cabs - prepaid taxi, use Uber or Addison Lee, duration - 2 h , cost - £110.

London has an excellent and the most reliable public transport in the world. There are buses, trains, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), trams, tube (London Underground), river buses (Uber Boat by Thames Clippers) and Emirates Air Line Cable Car available all over the capital.

The best and the cheapest way to travel around London

The best way to get around London is to use the Oyster Travel Card which allows unlimited journeys (you can mix and change for anything you like). There is a one-off fee of £5 to get the plastic Oyster Card and you top it up at the vending machines, local grocery stores or online. The cheapest way to travel around London is to use the Contactless Card (Debit or Credit card). When using one, there is a daily or weekly capping and you only pay for the journeys you make.

London Underground, Rail, Trams and Buses

The fastest way to travel around London is to use the tube, rail or DLR. London Underground is the oldest in world, almost 160 years old as it began operation on 10th of January 1863. There are 11 lines, serving 270 stations and covering 402 km: Bakerloo, Central, Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Jubilee, Metropolitan, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City.

The tube is generally open from 5 am to midnight. Five lines (Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly) run a 24 hour service on Friday and Saturday. The Docklands Light Railway operates in the East London, the trams in the South West and Overground all over the city. There are plenty of buses serving the capital day and night. Tickets for all are available on Oyster Card or Contactless.

Hop On Hop Off Buses in London

For those who don't have much time to explore London, booking sightseeing tour bus is the best option. There are 3 operators to choose from: the Original Tour, Big Bus and Golden Tours. The Hop On Hop Off can be done in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h and the prices start from £29.

Santander Cycles Hire in London

If you like biking, there is a public cycle hire scheme (Santander Cycles) available 24/7, 365 days a year. You pay £2 for 24 hour access to bikes. There is no limit on how many bikes you can use within that time. The first 30 minutes of each ride is free and if one journey takes you more, there is £2 fee for additional 30 min.

Emirates Air Line Cable Car in London

If you want to cross the Thames river, there is no better way than by the cable car. Emirates Air Line provides the route from North Greenwich to Royal Victoria on the other side of the river. It runs every 30 seconds and the journey takes roughly 10 min. When gliding above the Thames, you can enjoy the views of the river, London's skyline, the Greenwich Peninsula, the Royal Docks and the O2. To pay use your Oysters or the contactless.

Tickets in London

London is divided into 9 zones with first and second one being the historic centre. The public transport in London is managed by Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk). There's a route planner available on the website. To travel around London you need to purchase the plastic Oyster Card (£5 one-off payment) and top it up or use your Contactless Card (Debit or Credit Card). Use both on all kinds of transport. There's a daily or weekly capping when using the Contactless. You can to up the Travel Cards from the vending machines, groceries or online. To check the bus service available in the current location use google maps or the Bus Times app.

London Travel Card Prices:

• Daily 1-2:£12.70
• Daily 1-4: £12.70
• Daily 1-6: £18.10
• Weekly 1-2: £35.10
• Weekly 1-3: £41.20
• Weekly 1-4: £50.50
• Weekly 1-5: £60
• Weekly 1-6: £64.20
• Daily Capped 1-2: £7
• Daily Capped 1-4: £10.10
• Daily Capped 1-6: £12.80

If you want to go outside London, use Train Line (trainline.com), which is the best site to book trains in England.

River Buses in London - Uber Boat by Thames Clippers 

Travelling by the river saves you time as you avoid the road traffic. Additionally, it provides the spectacular views of the London's landmarks from the water. There are five different routes you can take and the most popular is between Putney and Royal Woolwich Arsenal. Recommended stops along the way: Millbank, Westminster, London Eye, Bankside, London Bridge, Tower Millennium, Greenwich and North Greenwich. To pay use your Oysters or the contactless. The Woolwich Ferry is a free service between Woolwich and North Woolwich.

Driving in London doesn't really make sense. Because it takes a long time to get anywhere, using the public transport is much better. If, however, you're keen to rent a vehicle, it's best to do it at the airport or somewhere in the city. The typical price to hire the car in London is between £20 and £30 per day. The cheapest companies are the ones who rent vehicles by the hour. The one to recommend it Zipcar (zipcar.com/en-gb).

If you rent a car in London, please remember there is a speed limit of 20 mph in central parts of the city. The parking is hard to find and costs a lot of money. In central London, there is a congestion charge fee of £15 a day, seven days a week if you drive between 7 am to 10 pm. Additionally, you have to pay the ULEZ fee (ultra low emission zone) of £12.50 a day if you enter the designated area. Only electric cars and motorcycles are exempt.

Hiring a scooter in London is the convenient way of commuting around the capital. The prices vary from £50 per day, £100 per weekend and £150 week. The company to recommend is Scootech: scootech.co.uk

There are two kinds of taxi services in London: the black cabs and the mini cabs. The iconic black cabs are the metered ones, can be hailed in the streets, the minimum charge is £3.20 and up to £9 per mile of your journey. The mini cabs need to be prepaid which means you need to book them before you travel. It should be done by phone, email, online or in person at the local cab office. Uber and Addison Lee are the recommended companies in London. The mini cabs are generally cheaper than the black ones.

London Travel Guide – Cost and Budget

London is one of the most expensive places in the world. If you’re backpacking, your daily cost should be £55. You will have to stay in a hostel, cook your food or order McDonalds and do a lot of walking or cycling.

If you want to visit London on the mid – range budget, you shouldn’t spend more than £160 a day. That’s assuming you stay in a nice hotel in central London, dine in restaurants, travel with public transport and see the major attractions.

If luxury is what you’re after in London, be ready to spend at least £320 a day. That should cover your stay in a 4 star hotel, visit the best restaurants in London, book cabs and splash cash on exploring the city.

London Travel Guide – Best Time to Visit

Generally, the best time to go to London is summer between June and August. Those months are the sunniest and temperatures are the highest.

If you travel to London in spring (March to May), you’ll be welcomed by the light showers and mild temperatures between 12°C to 18°C.

TIP: Spring events in London – April: Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, London Marathon, May: Museum at Night, Chelsea Flower Show.

If you travel to London in summer (June to August), you’ll get to enjoy the pretty warm temperatures between 21°C to 23°C. Summer is the peak season in London, the Royal Sites are open to public and the city is packed with tourists.

TIP: Summer events in London – June: Trooping the Colour (Queen’s birthday celebrations, the actual date is 21st April), Wimbledon Tennis, July: Pride London, Wireless, BBC Proms, August: Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House, Nothing Hill Carnival.

If you want to visit London in autumn (September to November), you’ll face a lot of rain (especially in October) and mild temperatures from 12°C to 20°C.

TIP: Autumn events in London – September: the Mayor’s Thames Festival and Greenwich Comedy Festival, October: London Film Festival, November: the Guy Fawkes Day, London Jazz Festival.

Winter in London (December to February) is rainy with the temperatures up to 8°C.

TIP: Winter events in London – December: Christmas Lights Switch On, Ice Skating, Winter Wonderland, Boxing Day, NYE Fireworks, February – Chinese New Year, BAFTAs.

London Travel Guide – Average Monthly Temperatures

Generally, London is the hottest in summer from June to August. Those months bring the average temperatures between 21°C and 23°C with July being the hottest. In contrast, London is the coldest in winter from December to February. Those months bring the temperatures up to 8°C with January being the coldest.

London Travel Guide – Average Monthly Precipitation

Generally, London is the wettest from October to January during the autumn and winter season. In fact, the month when it rains the most is October with up to 71 mm and 10 days of showers. In contrast, London is the driest from February to September during the spring and summer time. The month with the least rainfall is March with up to 35 mm and 9 days of showers.

London Travel Guide – Practical Information

This part of my travel guide is full of tips on what to expect during your travels to London. For more information on language and local time, religion, electricity plug, internet, currency, visa, safety and health matters in London, just follow my guidance below.

Population and Language – London is the capital of England and its population is over 9 million people. The official language is English but more than 300 languages are spoken in the city.

Religion – 48.4% Christian, 20.7% Non believers, 12.4% Muslim, 8.5% Undeclared, 5% Hindu, 1.8% Jewish, 1.5% Sikh, 1% Buddhist, 0.6% Others.

Local Time – There is 1 time zone in London, UTC+0 hour.

Electricity – London runs on 230V voltage. There is 50Hz and the plug type G (three pin plug). Getting an adapter is recommended.

Internet The internet in London is available all over the city. The free Wi-Fi is offered in the hotels, restaurants, pubs and the tube stations (Virgin Media). It’s recommended to buy a cheap sim card (around £0.99) and the mobile internet on arrival. Best prepaid (pay as you go) sim cards in London are: EE, Vodafone, Three and O2. The standard monthly tariffs start from £10 a month.

Money and Currency in London

In London the ATMs are widely available. There are two types of cash machines: free and pay-to-use. The typical charge in London is £1.50 to £2 per transaction. Visa, MasterCard and Credit Cards are accepted pretty much everywhere. Having some cash is always advisable.

Currency – The official currency in London is Pound Sterling (£) (GBP).

Visa Requirements for London

Visa – The UK left the EU on the 31st December 2020. EU citizens don’t need a tourist visa to travel to London if staying up to 6 months. Irish can travel anytime they wish with no limits to how long they want to stay. Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and Americans don’t need a visa to London if their trips are less than 90 days. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months before your travels.

Safety in London

Safety London is generally a safe place to travel. The Metropolitan Police is the main police force in the city and the Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) regularly patrol the streets of the capital. There’s very little crime in London but begging, drug abuse and theft occur from time to time. Drinking locations such as Soho may be where troubles arise. Soho is also famous for having places where people offer sex services for money. Street gangs concentrate in East and North London. The trouble spots in London may often be in the area of Lewisham, Peckham, Haringey, Islington, Hackney, Camden and Brent. Although Westminster is popular with tourist during the day, it’s got the highest knife crime rate.

Emergency Numbers – In London an emergency free numbers to dial are 999 or 112. The numbers for the particular emergency services in London: Police – 101 (Non Emergency), Fire – 112, Medical Services (Non Emergency) – 111.

Health and Travel Vaccinations in London

Health – Travelling to London requires doesn’t require any additional vaccinations. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that everyone is covered for the diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B regardless of their destination.