What to know before visiting London

The beautiful city of London is a popular tourist destination with lots to offer. London in summer is usually a hub of activities with tourists coming in from all over the globe. As a solo traveller visiting London or travelling with family, there is something for everyone. You can go treasure-hunting at the British Museum, sign up for a tour of the Thames, or you can also watch Opera outdoors at Holland Park. I have compiled a couple of things to know before visiting London.

What to know before visiting London

Currency

The currency used in the UK is the British Pound. The U.S. dollar is not acceptable everywhere. If you do not want to carry a lot of cash, bring your debit cards along as they are widely accepted in the city.

When to Visit

There is never really a bad time to visit London. Just be sure that the activities you have lined up will not be affected by the time of the year you will be visiting. Spring falls between March and May; expect mild rains and longer daylight. Summer is tourist season and falls between June – August. The weather is fantastic during summer. Autumn falls between September – November; the weather is also mild during this time. Winter offers visitors really cold weather and Christmas festivities. People brave the cold to experience London in Winter as the city is quite beautiful this time of the year.

What to do - Top Tours

• Thames Rockets

Thames Rockets premiered in 2006 offering unique sightseeing adventures to people. Set sail through London via speed boats at 630hp of engine power. Go past the House of Parliament then hang on tight for an exhilarating trip to Canary Wharf and back.

• Strawberry Tours – Free Walking Tours London

This company also offers free Walking Tours of London! The Free Tours of London take you on a journey through London’s colourful and sometimes dark history. These tours are both informative and fun – no boring lectures – as you explore London’s busy streets and discover 2,000 years of fascinating and entertaining history.

Explore different themed tours offered by the tour company like the Jack the Ripper tour, Harry Potter-themed tour, street art and Graffiti tour, and free London landmark tours. Learn about London by walking the streets and visiting the places where history was made.

• Get to central London and explore on your own (my experience)

Many would recommend getting on the hop-on and off bus, but be prepared for long wait times and traffic. If you want to try the hop-on and hop-off bus, then go very early in the day to avoid the rush. During my time in London, from East Croydon, I took a train to central London and walked to Buckingham Palace. This site is close to other popular tourist attractions like Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery, the British Museum ( 2 miles away), and many more. You can walk the distance to these sites. When you are done, simply walk to the underground and make your way home

Getting Around

There are various means of getting around in the city of London. Please note that cars drive on the left.

Using Public Transportation

You can travel using either the Tube or hopping on a bus.

• Double Decker Bus

This is not as fast as taking the tube which we will discuss subsequently but it is a great option for tourists who want to explore the city while travelling from point A to B. To know when the next bus will be available, you can go online to track your bus.

• Big Bus London

The big bus in London allows you to hop on and off at any of the scheduled stops. There are short intervals of 5mins – 20mins between stops allowing for flexibility.

There are also about 50-night buses that cover all of London and over 60 buses that run through London for 24 hours daily.

• The Tube

The tube is the quickest way to travel if you are in a hurry. This is London’s underground metro system. The tube begins from downtown London, from one end of the city to the other. There is also the night tube that runs 24 hours on Friday and Saturday across five lines.

Also, the Piccadilly tube line is a great way to travel from all Heathrow airport terminals. Taking a cab from the airport can be pricey, so if you are counting pennies, opt for the rail.

Paying for Public Transportation In London

You can use cash to get paper tickets or get an Oyster card. Oyster cards are pretty much the cheapest form of paying for public rides either on the bus or the Tube. You will be charged a £5 deposit when you buy an Oyster card but will be refunded when you return the card.

There is a huge cost difference when you pay for rides while using Paper tickets, and when you use an Oyster card. While a trip can cost £5.70 when you use a paper ticket, you could pay just £2.00 when you use an Oyster card. If you don’t want an Oyster card, you can get Contactless cards which are also part of the smart-fare payment system in London.

Travelling Privately

• Black cabs

This option is an expensive but luxurious way of getting around London. They can be found everywhere in London and charge per distance travelled and time spent.

• Rideshare

These cabs are less expensive and there are different types in London. However, we will recommend Uber. To book cabs online, you have to install the Uber app on your mobile device. The Uber app is an interactive application that connects Uber passengers with Uber drivers. The Uber booking process is quite easy and can be completed in less than 2 minutes.

• Walking or Taking a Bike

If you are not travelling far, I will recommend walking or riding a bike. This way, you can explore the sights and take your time. Make unscheduled stops as the whim takes you, stroll across the park, climb the bridges, and breathe in the fresh air. This will not be possible if you travel underground. If you opt for a bike, you can join a tour and cycle the town with other cyclists or just rent a bike and ride solo. Don’t be scared, there are bike lanes all over the city to keep you safe.

Have fun visiting London.