THE ULTIMATE FIRST TIMER’S GUIDE TO VISITING LONDON

We have been getting a lot of requests to design custom trips to the United Kingdom lately. For many, it is their first time abroad! This reminds me of when we took our young twins to London when they were seven years old. We had lived in Mexico for three years, so we were not strangers to traveling in a foreign country. But for our first European trip, England was an easy introduction to another continent. We knew the language and a bit of the culture, but the fact that they drive on the “wrong side of the road” made it foreign enough for us to have a fun adventure!

If you’re unsure if a trip to this historical city is for you, close your eyes… Imagine yourself sitting in a parlor in an exquisite London luxury hotel, sipping perfectly-brewed tea and enjoying a three-tiered tray of delicious cucumber sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and clotted cream. Or shopping at the iconic Harrod’s department store in search of the perfect Christmas Stocking. Or experiencing the famous Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Or going behind the scenes on your very own private viewing of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. You can do all these things and much more on a trip to London!

London is a fun and exciting city filled with history and culture and should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Planning your first trip to London can seem daunting with so much to see and do. To help you plan your first (or even tenth) trip, I’ve outlined some of the best tips and tricks for visiting the city. 

Stay In Central London: Central London is the heart and soul of the city. You’re only a few minutes’ walk from noteworthy sites, bars, and restaurants. You can easily hop on London’s underground (affectionately called “The Tube”) to zip around the city. Staying in central London will ultimately save you a lot of time and money!

Avoid Bank Holidays and School Breaks: London is regularly filled with visitors due to its popularity as a travel destination. However, during bank holidays and school breaks, the number of tourists nearly doubles in size. People from other parts of the UK and Europe travel to London for a short weekend holiday, meaning even more crowds. 

Set Aside Enough Time: London is a massive city, and the last thing you want to do is rush through Buckingham Palace or skip the Tower of London because you ran out of time. Plan to stay at least a week for your first time in London. This should give you enough time to see the historic landmarks and get to know some local neighborhoods. 

Book in Advance: This is essential! You can spend countless hours of your trip standing in lines if you don’t plan. From theaters to the London Eye, you’d be amazed at how many attractions you can purchase tickets for in advance. You can even get a discounted price if you aren’t buying at the door. When you book with a travel advisor, they will often have the best deals in town, help you plan your trip, and determine if you should purchase the London Pass. 

Visit Free Attractions: London can get expensive quickly, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay top dollar (or pound) to see all the sights. Many of the museums in London have free admission, and the parks and gardens are also a must-see and cost nothing to stroll around and picnic. Seeing classic London sights like the Changing of the Guard and walking through the famous Harrods is also free of charge! 

Before visiting a city for the first time, there’s so much to know, but this list is a great place to start when planning a trip to London! Just reach out to us HERE to get the ball rolling!

Next week, I’ll tell you all about the different neighborhoods to stay in and what makes them unique to help you decide which is the best fit for your next trip to London.