London is a fantastic place to visit, whether you go there for a week or just a day. There’s always so much to do and see, but this means that you need to be prepared for anything. You want to plan your day and your activities in advance so that you’re able to properly enjoy yourself.
So, here are a few tips to help you prepare for your next day trip to London.
Getting to London
London isn’t exactly the most car-friendly city in the world. While you can drive in London, it’s very confusing for non-natives and most people who live in the centre of London don’t own a car anyway. Parking is also prohibitively expensive in a lot of places because London doesn’t have a lot of space to go around.
So, if you’re not going to drive to London, how else can you get there?
Depending on where you live, you might be able to get a direct bus to London. While this isn’t the fastest or most glamorous way to get there, it’s affordable and very convenient. Long-distance buses are more comfortable than your usual bus, so you can still be comfortable while you travel for a few hours. Just make sure you catch the return bus home!
Another way to travel to and from London is by train. The train is quicker than going via car, but it can be pricey. The best way to save on trainfare is to book well in advance and, if possible, get a railcard to reduce your fare. There are often multiple trains running through the day, allowing you to turn up at different times.
Finally, you can always fly into London. If you’re traveling from a very long distance, this is the fastest way to get to London, even if you consider going through security and getting to the city itself from the airport.
Accommodation in London
If you’re planning to stay in London overnight or for a long weekend, you’re going to have to book a place to stay. London isn’t cheap, so often a good idea is to book a place outside of central London itself and then travel from there.
You can also book well in advance to hopefully snap up the good deals before other people get them or, in some cases, go the other way. You can sometimes get some fantastic last minute deals for accommodation in London at places you might not have considered otherwise.
The trick is to be as flexible as possible. True, if you’re going into London because you want to go to a specific show or event, you can’t really be very flexible. But if you just want to go for a day trip, there’s no reason why you can’t go at an otherwise less busy time in London and potentially get a better deal.
Things to Do in London
There are an incredible amount of things you can do in London, it all depends on what you fancy.
Most shows and events do have tickets which you need to book in advance, so if you have anything specific in mind, get online and get booking before you plan your trip. You might even need to book months or over a year in advance for some events, so plan wisely.
But there are still a lot of things to do that don’t require booking so far in advance. You can do a bit of research the week before you go into different museums or activity places. You can also explore parks and gardens in London, as well as historic sights and landmarks.
It’s also nice to just walk the streets of London and see where you end up. There are plenty of shops to go into, but you can also wander around and simply enjoy the architecture of the city. There might be street markets and shows to explore as well.
Whether you’re a strict planner or you prefer to do things on the fly, London isn’t shy of activities and entertainment.
Staying Safe in London
London, just like any other big city, does have some problems with crime. The most common issue that tourists might have to worry about in London is phone snatching. As the name suggests, someone might snatch your phone out of your hands and be gone before you can do anything about it.
If you want to prevent phone snatching or pickpocketing, the best option is to be aware of where you keep your valuable items. Inner pockets are often better, as well as pockets with zips.
When you are using your phone, keep a good grip on it and keep your back to the road or the path. This makes it harder for people to grab it out of your hands. Try to avoid just holding your phone out when you’re not using it. If you look more aware, you’re a less tempting target.
Another way to keep your belongings safe when you’re walking through London is to use luggage storage in London rather than carrying all of your stuff with you. This way, they’re less likely to get stolen if you put them down and you know where your luggage or bags are at all times. Even better, you can be a lot lighter on your feet.
Basic safety tips are also good to remember, especially if you’re walking around at nighttime and especially if you’re alone. Try not to get drunk when you’re out at night alone so you’re less vulnerable. Don’t wear headphones so you can be more alert to your surroundings and avoid areas that seem more dangerous. You can do a bit of research in advance as well so you can find out which areas have higher or lower crime levels.
Honestly, it’s a shame to have to think about your safety like this when you’re trying to enjoy your trip. But it’s worth it, even if it’s just for some peace of mind.
