London For Beginners

LONDON FOR BEGINNERS

London can never be left out if you are visiting Europe for the first time! For decades, it has been one of the most visited cities in the world! Its beauty is unique, with palaces, opulent buildings, a singular contrast between old and new, beautiful parks, historic squares, renowned museums and art galleries, diverse bars and restaurants, as well as the wonderful pubs, theatres, musicals, and of course, the life lived on the other side due to the hand we use to drive …

It can be a lot to take in at first, specially if English is not your first language or you are not too familiar with it. Every tourist is a little lost in the beginning anyway, to understand all the differences and rules of a new place takes time. Not to mention, in some cases, that awful jetlag! To help you out, here are my tips to avoid mistakes on your first visit!

1. Buy an Oyster card

The most used way to get around central London is by tube (famous Underground). The Oyster card is a travel credit card. It can be purchased at any station, it’s cheaper tham buying tickets as you go. They can be used on the entire transport system (buses, tubes, trains, trams and boat buses on the Thames). A small deposit of £5 is required upfront and refunded when you leave. You can buy the full amount of a week (travelcard value) wich depends on which zone you are in (zones are 1-6), Central London is zones 1 and 2, Heathrow (airport) is in zone 6. The best option is to put on an amount and top it up as you go. Transport in London is one of the most expensive in the world, but very efficient. Don’t forget to get an underground map at the station, it’s a work of art!

2. Prepare to walk in London

Many underestimate the size of London and especially the tube stations. Prepare your most comfortable shoes! Why take the underground from St. Paul’s to Big Ben? Despite being a great hike, it’s over 2 miles, you will probably encounter a few amazing places on the way. Another option, get a double-decker bus, it’s one of my favourite things to do in London. Think about all the places you want to visit and how long you will need. Choose a central hotel, it will save time and money, and most of all, you will get a great understanding of the city and its secrets.

3. Planning your trip from the airport to the Hotel

Heathrow or Gatwick are far from Central London! From Heathrow it is possible to take the Piccadilly Line (blue line) or the Heathrow Express train which takes 15 minutes to Paddington (in the City Centre) and from there you can take a “cab” (traditional black taxi) to the hotel. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express takes you to Victoria station (central). If you want to take an Uber, it is also possible. Usually, the pick-up points are at the carparks, on the first floor.

4. What to expect of the weather in London

We know that London is famous for its grey skies and rain! However, many are mistaken how cold it can be in the winter and how hot it can be in the summer. Depending on the month, you can have all the seasons in a single week, sometimes, or on a single day! The big advice here is to wear several layers of clothes in the winter (most places get really warm because of the heating systems) and always walk with a light coat in the summer. What to do in the rain? Well, this is London! It is part of the visitor’s package!

5. Planning to stay in zone 6 to save money?

Don’t! It’s a big mistake! London is divided into 6 zones. Zone 1 in the City Centre and it opens up until zone 6. Zones 1 and 2 are where you will find most of the attractions, despite been the most expensive area to live, if you are visiting, its the place to stay. In addition, as I have mentioned, transport in London is very expensive and you will waste too much time travelling. There are many reasonable places to stay in zone 1 and 2. Research and planning here are essential.

6. Not making the most of the free attraction

Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London may leave you feeling culturally enriched. They’ll also leave you considerably poorer. But famous doesn’t always have to mean pricey. London has some of the best and biggest museums in the world. The British Museum has such an extensive collection of approximately 8 million items. Most people tend to spend many hours in the first rooms, reading everything, to realize that half the day has passed and they haven’t even been able to see everything. The good news is that most London museums are free, so you can plan to see everything in parts or even on different days. My tip here, is to plan your visit based on size and interest of the museum. Check the weather, the best option is always to stay indoors on a rainy day!

7. Visiting a pub and expecting table service

In many pubs, both food and drink are ordered at the counter. In some pubs it is necessary to have a table, usually numbered, for easy visual identification for the delivery of the food. Do not expect restaurant treatment, but if you are in a gastropub, then waiters will serve you!

8. Don’t visit only the most famous attractions

Undoubtedly, visiting Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Tower of London, The Shard, London Eye, etc., have to be on your itinerary. However, I recommend leaving time to explore the older areas, small streets and less touristy areas. London is rich in hidden historical details. You can even buy a guide of London’s secrets, or follow my tips here.

9. Booking tickets in advance

The biggest recommendation in this case is to buy all tickets to the attractions well in advance. In addition to saving, as the best offers are always online or in advance, you will avoid being disappointed in not being able to see what you would like. Especially in this post-pandemic phase, many attractions will have limited numbers.

10. Understand the power of English beer – English Ale

Now that you know that there is no table service in most pubs, you will have to learn the differences in English beers. They are varied from clear to bitter. The favourite is the London Pride, which has a very sweet taste and has 4.7% alcohol content, beware! But the varieties are countless, with flavours of fruits, herbs, heavy and light … there’s something for everyone, I guarantee!

11. Overlooking discounts

Having an International Student Identity Card can make a huge difference to your stay and can offer discounts between 20% a 50% on entrance tickets. If you are not a student but still under 31, an International Youth Travel Card offers similar reductions. Seniors should ask about discounted admission to most big attractions.