Helpful Tips for first time travel to London

Travelling to London for the first time

Travelling to London for the first time and not sure where to start? Planning a trip to London might be overwhelming indeed and especially so if this is your first-time visit to London.

I've picked out some tips for visiting London to help you plan your first trip to London. This handy guide will not only help you plan your trip to London but also show you how to make the most of your visit, your time and your budget. Experienced person!

1. Avoid public holidays and school holidays.

London is one of Britain's most beautiful cities and one of Europe's most popular cities. It is a popular travel destination with millions of tourists from all over the world.

The busiest times to visit London are July and August, as well as European public holiday weekends and school holidays. If possible, avoid these peak hours to reduce crowds and lower prices.

If you plan to visit London during the holiday season, it's best to avoid the main shopping streets on weekends and on the days leading up to Christmas.

School Holiday

public Holiday

2. Book as far in advance as possible.

One of the biggest mistakes he makes when visiting London is not planning his visit in advance. From flights and accommodations to things to see and do in London, booking in advance gives you more choice, better prices and fewer lines. After all, you want to make the most of your trip to London and don't waste your precious time waiting in line.

Booking for big bus tour

3. Use credit cards.

Cash is rarely needed for payments in the UK these days. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. You may want to have cash on hand to make small purchases. But using a credit card is much easier.

All major credit cards are accepted in London, but Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted cards. Amex is seldom used in Europe and Diner's Club is of little help. Debit cards are also accepted almost everywhere.

One thing to know is that you really need a card with a chip and 4 digit PIN. Please memorize your PIN number. All payments across Europe require a credit card with a PIN.

Types of card

4. Take public transport and use a contactless credit or Oyster card London is a big city and it is not practical to explore everything on foot. The good news is that London's public transport system is very efficient.

One of the best and fastest ways to get around London is on the Underground and the London Underground. The biggest advantage of the Underground is that you can quickly travel to the other side of London without getting stuck in traffic. This is a tip I once got from a local. Avoid the subway during rush hour and Christmas.

However, if you go underground, you won't be able to see the cityscape, so we recommend using the city bus for short distances. Travelling on these original red double-decker buses is a quintessential London experience and should be tried at least once.

Type of available transport in London

5. Walk or rent a bicycle I just said that it is impossible to walk and see London. That said, every time I take the subway or bus, I miss it. After all, one of the best ways to get to know a new city is to explore it on foot. London is no exception.

Another great way to see London and travel longer distances with ease is by bike. There are many self-service city bike stands where you can rent bikes or take guided bike tours.

If you're visiting London for the first time and don't know the city well, renting a bike without a guide may not be the best bet. It takes some getting used to and can be quite dangerous when you have to read a map on top of that.

Cyclist crossing West minister bridge in London by renting bike

6. Don't Forget Small Important Details Here are some more practical tips to keep in mind when travelling to London for the first time.

# You can pay with a credit card almost everywhere, but it's always good to have cash with you. However, you cannot pay in Euros or US Dollars in London. I need to withdraw pounds from an ATM.

# Tipping is not required in the UK and service charges are often included in restaurant bills. Most London restaurants will charge a 10-15% surcharge on top of your bill. A local says he never tips in bars, but in restaurants, if the service is good and it's not already included in the bill, he usually tips 10%.

#Don't forget your travel adapter. The UK uses Type G plugs, which is very different from other European countries and the US.

# Please wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking a lot.

# Look right when crossing the street in London. Yes, because they drive across the road in the UK. If this is your first trip to the UK, be aware that it may take some getting used to # It is recommended to buy his local SIM card to save roaming charges.