London is one of my favourite cities in the world.
But it wasn’t always that way.
The first time I immersed myself in Britain’s capital as a naïve, bright-eyed 20-year-old, it was intensely overwhelming. Nothing like I had experienced before. It was mid-2001, and it was my first solo overseas trip.
But over subsequent visits, London started to grow on me. And that affection has blossomed into a profound love.
Now I want to help inspire and equip you for your first time visiting London – to avoid the common pitfalls, misunderstandings, and frustrations of dealing with a culture that might be quite different from your home. With my practical advice, you’ll experience one of the world’s greatest cities like a savvy traveller.
I’ve covered everything from transport and attractions to insider tips. All you need to do is book the flight.
And after your first time in London, you’ll come to the same realisation as me… that once is never enough.
How To Save Money in London
I discovered on my latest trip that the post-pandemic United Kingdom is not what it used to be. Peak season accommodation costs have gone through the roof, and inflation has hurt the hip pocket. So here are my essential tips to save money:
Turbopass London City Pass
This is my starting point for saving money. The longer you stay in London (up to 7 days), the better value this essential card becomes. Get free access to a hop-on-hop-off bus tour, Thames river boat cruise, The View from The Shard, and Brit Movie Tours guided walking tour.
The walking tour and entry to The Shard require an advance timeslot reservation, and instructions are provided with the London City Pass. I previously did the Harry Potter tour, which was a lot of fun.
Once purchased online, the e-tickets will be sent to you via email instantly, and physical public transport tickets (valued up to £40, depending on pass length) are shipped to an address of your choosing. Save a copy of the PDF e-tickets on your phone for easy access.
Use Public Transport
Unless you’re travelling in a large group, public transport is the cheapest way to get around in London.
London’s bus, rail, and ferry networks cover pretty much anywhere you would want to go. The underground train (“tube”) runs so regularly that you don’t have to bother checking schedules. And the longest I ever waited for a bus was 10 minutes.
Reloadable public transport cards called “Oyster Cards” are included with the Turbopass. If needed, recharge at self-service machines in tube and train stations (with cash or card payments). Note: the usual £5 Oyster Card activation fee is included with the Turbopass booking.
One of the best features of the pay-as-you-go Oyster Card is the “daily cap price”. It means once you reach a limit, you won’t be charged anymore – so all future rides that day are free! The “day” starts at 4:30am (and finishes at 4:29am the next day). The cap limit depends on the number of zones you travel in a day:
- Zones 1-2: £7.40
- Zones 1-3: £8.70
- Zones 1-4: £10.60
- Zones 1-5: £12.70
- Zones 1-6: £13.50
The majority of tourist sites around London are in zones 1 and 2. The exceptions would be trips to the airports (Heathrow and Gatwick), which are fixed prices, and the Heathrow Express is not counted in the cap (see below).
Don’t Use Cash
If your home bank charges a fee for withdrawing cash in a foreign country, don’t worry. You can get along just fine in London with zero cash. Card payments are accepted everywhere – from public transport to supermarkets to food trucks. If your home bank charges high foreign transaction fees, consider the Wise debit card.
Supermarkets are Your Friend
Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express are smaller supermarkets jam-packed with a wide range of decently-priced ingredients, snacks, and ready-to-go meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There’s a solid selection of vegan-friendly and gluten-free options. These markets will help keep your budget in check.
Free Museums
A significant number of public museums in London offer completely free entry.
Yes, free, as in free beer.
These include National Gallery London, Victoria and Albert Museum, and the British Museum. Check the respective museum websites if an advance booking is required, such as The Queen’s House London, National Maritime Museum, Tate Modern, Science Museum London, and St Martin in the Fields.
Free Self-Guided Tours
If you’ve got time to stroll and prefer to do things on your own, download the MP3s and PDFs for Rick Steve’s free audio guide tours. He covers 5 separate walks: Westminster, British Museum, British Library, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Historic London City.
Getting Around London
Walking. London is a very pedestrian-friendly city. Footpaths are in good condition, and the city centre is flat with ample clear signage. You’ll likely clock upwards of 15,000 steps per day while sightseeing, so wear comfortable walking shoes and thick socks.
Public Transport. While the spaghetti-resembling underground train network (called the “tube”) might look intimidating at first glance, it is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it. Each line is colour-coded, and signage at tube stations is clear and consistent. Be aware that there’s a separate “above ground” train network seamlessly intertwining with the tube network. For all intents and purposes, as a tourist, it’s one giant network.
In addition to Oyster Cards, you can also now use your regular debit card too. Just tap in when entering a tube station and tap again when exiting. Buses only need to be tapped once on entry because they are a flat price.
Bus stops are clearly indicated with consistent signage that shows the line, direction, stations along the line, and schedule. While catching a bus is easy, be aware that many London bus drivers are not particularly patient – they must maintain a strict schedule. Embark and disembark quickly.
To help you navigate London, download the free Citymapper app (iOS, Android). It’s better than Google Maps and offers live updates on public transport schedules.
Taxis & Rideshare. These are plentiful but fairly expensive for a tourist. Uber was famously given the boot from London a few years ago. So now the best e-hailing apps are: Bolt, FreeNow, Ola, Gett, and Taxiapp.
Driving. Just don’t do it. It’s not worth it. Parking in London is a hassle and expensive. There’s an inner city congestion charge which is very pricy (£15 per day). I got stung with it by accident on a previous trip and ended up paying a late penalty because I didn’t realise I had been charged. If you’re driving out of the city on a road trip, dodge the congestion zone.
If you’re flying into (or out of) Heathrow, there are 3 (slightly confusing) different train options:
- Piccadilly Tube Line: the cheapest and slowest option. Travel time to the city centre (Leister Square station) is 47 minutes, and trains run regularly throughout the day, stopping at all stations along the way. The longest you’ll wait for a train is 10 minutes. Space can be cramped in these cabins, especially if you have a lot of luggage, or during peak times. All 3 Heathrow stations (Terminal 2/3, 4, 5) are within “Zone 6”, and priced accordingly.
- Elizabeth Train Line: This service replaces the former “Heathrow Connect” service (as of May 2018). Opened in May 2022, this ultra-modern line cuts travel time to London Paddington Station down to 22 minutes. A premium is charged for tickets to/from Heathrow – about twice the price of the Piccadilly line. Step-free access is well-suited for travellers with mobility issues and parents with prams.
- Heathrow Express trains: the fastest and most expensive option. Travel time to the city centre (London Paddington station) is 16 minutes, and runs frequently, non-stop. From Paddington, you can catch the tube to other parts of London. Cabins are spacious and modern. This is a private company, separate from the TfL-operated tube and above-ground train networks. Ticket prices are normally around £25 (peak), but vary depending on how far you book in advance – up to 75% saving for 90 days in advance. Buy tickets online.
I recommend option 1 for most travellers, or option 2 if you’re in a rush. Oyster Cards are supported for each of the above trains.