First time travelling to the UK? Then, you probably have tons of things to do in London lined up for your first trip—The Big Ben, London Bridge, biscuits and gravy, fish and chips, and tea—and planning your itinerary could get overwhelming. Apart from that, there seems to be heaps to consider: how to get around London attractions, what to pack, and how to avoid faux pas while in the English country.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t stress - we’re here to spill the tea on tips and tricks that can help you plan your trip and have the best vacation in the UK.
- Prepare a packing checklist
- Schedule your trip wisely
- Create a bucket list
- Itinerary, itinerary, itinerary!
- Book in advance
- Save big on the London Pass
- Visit the free attractions
- Don’t forget your credit card
- Hop aboard river cruises and hop-on hop-off buses
- Get an Oyster card
- Or save money by walking
- Stay in Central London
- Walk on the road less travelled
- Eat like the Brits!
1. Prepare your packing checklist
It’s always raining in London. Photo by Heidi Fin on Unsplash
Nothing ruins a holiday more than forgetting something at home, so make sure you list what you need to bring before you start packing. Keep a packing checklist handy before you zip up your luggage so you won’t forget anything.
When travelling to the UK, make sure to carry an umbrella or a rain jacket. Expect it to be pouring in London, especially during the colder season. You might also want to bring a pair or two of your comfiest shoes. Most of the central London attractions are near each other, so be ready to get your steps in while you’re here.
As for electronics, the UK uses Type G plugs, which is different from the Aussie Type I we’re used to. Bringing a travel adaptor would help avoid worrying about running out of juice for your devices.
Travelling foreign land can be intimidating, especially if you’re going alone. To keep connected with friends and family back home, purchase a local SIM card to save on roaming charges.
2. Schedule your trip wisely
The UK, especially London, is a hot travel destination and attracts heaps of tourists around the world. If you’re there to meet fellow travellers, great! However, walking through heavy crowds can be annoying for someone on their first trip to the UK. Schedule your trip wisely to have the best experience of the UK.
The busiest days in London are from July to August and on European bank holidays. Avoid flying over during these dates, and you’re good to go.
Klook tip: Visit in June when most of the UK starts school!
3. Create a bucket list
Watch the Changing of the Guard while you’re here! Photo by Jay Wennington on Unsplash
An essential step in planning your UK trip is putting together your itinerary. With heaps of things to do in London, you might want to try them all in one trip. To help you start, we suggest you decide which London attractions you wish to visit. Create a bucket list by pinpointing your non-negotiables (like places you HAVE to see), then work your itinerary around these activities!
4. Itinerary, itinerary, itinerary!
For first-timers, we recommend spending at least three to four days in London. But if you wanna go outside the city, stretching your trip to five to seven days is a must.
Klook tip: You don’t have to see EVERYTHING in one go. Just visit the London attractions you want to see and explore other nearby tourist spots, so you don’t go back and forth to the city.
Consider your logistics, like which spots are near your hotel, where to eat, and which public transport to use.
5. Book in advance
Now that you have your itinerary, it’s best to book in advance! Not just your flight tickets and hotel rooms, but even your admission tickets for the London attractions you’ll visit. You almost always get the best prices when you book before your trip. Plus, you save time on long queues in physical ticket stalls!
Need help on where to book before your trip? Klook’s got all the best things to do in London here
6. Save big on the London Pass
Klook tip: You can score huge discounts and explore up to five city attractions with Klook’s London Pass! Bundle your visit to well-loved attractions, including Bicester Village, Windsor Castle, St. Paul’s Cathedral, ZSL London Zoo, and London Eye, and save up to 50% with this one pass than when you book it individually.
You can even add a tour around Warner Bros. Studio: The Making of Harry Potter, Stonehenge, and a Bath day tour with this all-in-one London Pass. It’s valid for 30 days, giving you the flexibility to visit the places whenever you like.
7. Visit the free attractions
You can get some of the best sights of the city for free! Photo by Charles Postiaux on Unsplash
Get more bang for your buck when you visit free attractions around London. Many museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Queen’s House, and parks, such as Hyde Park and Greenwich Park, are free of charge. You can also watch the Changing of the Guard for free at Buckingham Palace!
8. Don’t forget your credit card
Don’t forget your credit card for fuss-free transactions while in the UK! You won’t have to stress where to exchange your dollars for UK pound sterling since most establishments in the country accept credit cards anyway. Make sure to bring a VISA or Mastercard, considering some places don’t accept AMEX cards.
9. Hop aboard river cruises and hop-on hop-off buses
Cruise along the River Thames and see the London Eye and other city attractions. Credits: @aldylayneduarte
Another thing to plan is how to get around the city. London has hop-on hop-off buses and river cruises that can conveniently take you to central London attractions. These options are perfect if you enjoy sightseeing as you can visit multiple attractions in a day. Plus, you get a fantastic view of the River Thames!
10. Get an Oyster card
Buzz through public transport like a pro using the Oyster card! Photo by Sabrina Mazzeo on Unsplash
If you want to DIY your trip, we recommend getting an Oyster card for the Tube and the classic red double-decker buses. It’s much cheaper than getting individual single-ride tickets. Plus, it makes for a convenient ride during peak hours since you no longer have to queue for a ticket.
11. Or save money by walking
Glimpse upon St. Paul’s Cathedral. Credits: @rohitnanda
Glimpse upon St. Paul’s Cathedral. Credits: @rohitnanda
Still, the best way to explore London is by foot! You get to save money and see much more of the city by focusing on one attraction at a time. You'd miss some views if you always take the metro, or you might get stuck in London traffic if you ride the bus during busy hours.
12. Stay in Central London
Watch the majestic fountain show at Trafalgar Square. Credits: @ellacraghill
If it's your first time in The Swinging City, stay in Central London. While rooms may be a bit more expensive, getting a hotel in Central London helps you save on transportation and time. You'll have quick access to most London attractions and hubs for public transport.
Central London is also home to some of the best neighbourhoods to visit, such as Westminster, Trafalgar, Soho, and South Bank.
13. Walk on the road less travelled
See George, John, Paul, and Ringo’s (and former members Pete and Stuart’s) legacy in the Beatles Museum! Credits: @visitliverpool_
Make your UK trip even more memorable by visiting less touristy places! Besides going to the London Eye or Buckingham Palace, consider going on a day trip outside the city! Try Bath, Oxford, or Cambridge and see Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. Beatles fans should not miss a trip to Liverpool, where a museum dedicated to this iconic band stands!
There are also hidden gems within London that you can explore. Try Neal’s Yard if you’re on the hunt for quiet tea shops, or visit Greenwich for the Tulip Staircase, the Painted House, and the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.
14. Eat like the Brits!
Go on a foodie tour while in London. Credits: @sandymakessense
Eating like the Brits is a sure-fire way to enjoy your first trip to the city. Try the classic fish and chips, the good ol’ English breakfast complete with the black pudding, and visit a pub for a pint or two! Of course, afternoon tea is a must, paired with biscuits or scones.
If you’re a bit more adventurous, take your food trip to another level by trying the offal and haggis, a traditional Scottish pudding of sheep’s heart, liver, lungs, onions, oatmeal, spices, and stock.
Written by Elle David
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