London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. In fact, each year, over 30 million tourists touch down in the city!
This is hardly surprising, given that there’s so much to see and do within the “Big Smoke,” whether you’re looking for a night out at the theatre or want to visit famous historic sites and landmarks.
Photo by Jack Finnigan on Unsplash.
However, with so many options, planning a trip can be difficult as it is hard to know where to even begin. With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to plan an unforgettable trip to London.
Determine your budget
The first step toward planning a successful trip abroad (or even a staycation) is to set yourself a budget. This will help to curb any unnecessary spending while also letting you know how much money you need to save ahead of time.
While a trip to London can be expensive, there are plenty of steps you can take to save money during your time in the city. For example, the majority of museums within the city are free to enter, including the Natural History Museum, the British Museum, and the Science Museum. Using apps such as TodayTix to book theatre tickets or visiting the box office directly, is also a great way to save money, as you can often get tickets at far cheaper than their original price through this method.
Write down a list of everything you want to see or do
After determining your budget, it’s time to think about everything you want to get out of your trip. For example, you should start by checking out a list of the
best things to see and do in London to see what kind of activities or attractions you’d enjoy.
Popular destinations or tourist spots include:
- Buckingham Palace
- The Tower of London
- Tower Bridge
- The British Museum
- The London Eye
- Westminster Abbey
- St Pauls Cathedral
- The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben
- Covent Garden
- Hyde Park
- Camden Market
- Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus
However, you should also try to visit places that are a little off the beaten track, too. Not only are they a little quieter (and less crowded), but it means that you can see what London really is like! For example, if you’re looking for green spaces and enjoy shopping at local markets, you should visit Greenwich during your trip.
On a similar note, working to avoid tourist traps can help you to save a lot of money, especially as the prices at these destinations tend to be inflated, even by London’s standards.
Make the most of your time
Being strategic when planning your trip means that you can make the most of every single minute you have at your disposal. For example, putting together a daily itinerary and ensuring that you follow a logical route from place to place means that you aren’t wasting time on tube journeys only to turn back on yourself later.
Furthermore, if you arrive before your allotted check-in time to your hotel, don’t feel as though you have to carry your bags from place to place. Instead, look into storage lockers, such as victoria station lockers. This saves you a lot of time, as it would take you much longer to get from A to B when carrying around a heavy suitcase or bulky bags, especially if you are navigating London’s transport system for the first time.
Pack extra layers
While your suitcase may already be filled with clothes and your travel skincare essentials, try to pack a few extra layers into your bags. The weather in London, even during the summer months, can change quite quickly, and rain often appears out of nowhere. Having a light jacket in your bag can therefore come in handy, ensuring you stay warm and dry throughout your trip!
Having an umbrella or raincoat to hand will also come in handy, especially as London has around 155 rain days a year.
Focus on having fun
While you may be keen on filling your schedule as much as possible, remember that it is not the end of the world if you’re running behind or feel tired, meaning you have to skip over a certain activity or attraction. After all, if you’re feeling burned out, you’re not going to enjoy yourself as much as you would if you were well-rested.
Furthermore, if you don’t manage to see everything, this gives you the perfect excuse to plan another trip in the future!
