The Ultimate London Travel Guide from a Londoner

London is one of the most popular (and multi-cultural) cities in Europe, and with good reason. From fish & chips to the Houses of Parliament, there really is something to appeal to everyone.

As with many renowned capitals, it can be hard to keep costs and stress down, and get the most from your trip. That’s where this London travel guide comes in!

Born and raised in London, I’ve lived in this city all my life. I also spent many summer holidays working as a tour guide.

In this guide, you’ll find all you need to know about the costs of visiting London, best places to see and eat at, and how to enjoy the city while going at your own pace.

£ Budget: ~£40

A standard twin/double in a 1* or 2* hotel will be around this price, depending on how far from the main tourist spots you choose to stay. For those who prefer hostels, you can get a bed in a 6-8 bunk room for £15-25. 

££ Mid-range: ~£80

If you’d prefer to get a double room in a 3* or 4* Hotel, prices tend to average around £80. The better located hotels will be higher and closer to £100. If £100 isn’t too much, then I’d also consider an apartment to yourself.

£££ Luxury: £110+

London has plenty of 5* hotels in perfect locations that you can splurge on. Prices in this bracket are even more erratic due to availability and time of the year.

Cost Saving Tip #1

For £5 you can get an Oyster Card from machines available at most large stations. These are great because you avoid having to manually purchase the right tickets each time – you will just be charged for your journey when you tap the card at the exit station (don’t forget or you’ll get overcharged). The cards also have daily and weekly spend caps depending on the zones you visit. If you have money left on the card, you can get a refund for up to £10 when you leave.

Cost SavingTip #2

You can also use your bank card instead of an Oyster for all transport, as they charge and cap at the same rates. This saves the hassle of topping up at all. However I’d check with your bank for transaction fees when using your card abroad.

Other useful costs and information:

• The Tube: Off-Peak 1 day adult travelcard = £12.70
• Bus: £1.50 per journey. Second bus journey is free if you tap in within 30 mins of the first.
• Train: Off-Peak Adult Single journey £2.40-£5.10 (depends on the zones you are travelling from/to)
• Santander Bike Scheme:  It costs £2 to access the bikes for 24-hour bike access, and the first 30 minutes of each journey is free. Longer journeys cost £2 for each additional 30 minutes. So if you swap bikes before 30 minutes is up each time, you only pay £2 for the day.
• Taxis/Uber: Unless money isn’t really an issue, I’d avoid black cabs completely as they are super expensive. Ubers, however, are more reasonable and often worth it for convenience. Personally, I might use Uber for short journeys under 20 minutes, and public transport for anything longer (unless you are travelling in a big group/ with hefty suitcases).

£ Budget: 

Breakfast/Lunch: There are coffee chains and small cafés all over London where you can easily grab a bite for breakfast or lunch. Bacon, egg and/or sausage sandwiches usually cost around £3, and with a coffee or juice it may go up to £5. 

Dinner: For those trying to keep spend down while avoiding fast-food joints, fish & chips usually costs ~£7, and a pub dinner with a drink might cost ~£10. Restaurant chains like Nando’s and Wagamama’s also are great value costing around £10-15pp – Nando’s is a personal favourite, and always hits the spot.

££ Mid-Range:

Breakfast/lunch: For a more “complete” start to the day, full-english breakfasts cost (Bacon, eggs, beans, toast, mushrooms, hash browns) cost ~£10. Most mid-range places also usually have a lunch menu which keeps the cost below the £15pp price point.

Dinner: London has some truly great value options. If you know which places to go to, you can get a really awesome meal for around £20-40pp. It all depends on finding the right places – see the section below for our best-value eats.

£££ Luxury: 

Breakfast/lunch: London is more than prepared to cater to those who prefer fine-dining, if your wallet can handle it. £25pp is the minimum you could expect to pay for the more famous restaurants

Dinner: There are so many legendary establishments in London. Nobu, Le Gavroche, The Ritz… the list is pretty large. As you can imagine, prices vary hugely. Let’s just say you’d expect to pay at least £100pp at the less expensive ones

Budget

Food: £30
Travel: £5
Attractions: £0
Hotel: £20

Daily Spend: £55

Mid-Range

Food: £60
Travel: £12
Attractions: £30
Hotel: £40

Daily Spend: £142

Luxury

Food: £100+
Travel: £50+
Attractions: £50+
Hotel: £60+

Daily Spend: £260+

Check out our complete list of 59 travel saving tips for more ways to make your money go further.

In classic UK fashion, the weather in Spring is quite unpredictable. Although March shows lows of around 6°C and sporadic rain, the sun often shows itself and the hours of sunlight gradually increases as May gets closer. You’ll want to pack light layers that will keep you dry and warm, but which you can easily shed when the sun does make an appearance.

Average temperature (High/Low): March (12°C/6°C), April (15°C/7°C), May (18°C/10°C)

Rainfall: ~ 9 days, 51-56mm per month

Weather: 12-15.5 hours of sunlight, varies from sunny to cool and rainy.

Events & Festivals: LGBT BFI Film Festival, London Marathon, Chelsea Flower Show

Londoners love Summer because it’s the one time of year they see any warm weather… and because we get to complain that it’s too hot. Temperatures rarely exceed 30°C so it’s also the ideal weather to wander around and take in the sights. It can also rain randomly, but with less frequency than other seasons. This rare good weather also represents the most popular time to travel to London and school holidays, so expect large crowds…

Average temperature (High/Low): June (21°C/13°C), July (23°C/15°C), August (23°C/15°C)

Rainfall: ~ 8 days, 49-62mm per month

Weather: 14.5-16.5 hours of sunlight, mainly sunny with some rain

Events & Festivals: Wimbledon Championships, Pride, Hampton Court Flower Show, Notting Hill Carnival

Autumn sees a lot more rain than Summer, and temperatures drop from a pleasant 20°C in to a brisk 12°C. Because most tourists would have left by then, early Autumn can be a great time to visit. Parts of the city can be particularly beautiful against the backdrop of leaves falling, and you don’t have to fight tooth and nail with large crowds for every attraction. October and November are even quieter, but the increasing rain and falling temperatures will call for some extra layers.

Average temperature (High/Low): September (20°C/13°C), October (16°C/10°C), November (12°C/7°C)

Rainfall: ~ 10 days, 57-71mm per month

Weather: 12-9 hours of sunlight, some sun but gets dark earlier and rains more frequently

Events & Festivals: London Fashion Week, Guy Fawkes Night, Winter Wonderland

Although London is still quite popular in December because of the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere, January and February are the quietest months of the year. Hotel prices reflect this however, and so these months can be ideal for travellers on a budget. Expect the weather to be pretty miserable though

Average temperature (High/Low): December (9°C/5°C), January (9°C/4°C), February (9°C/5°C)

Rainfall: ~ 11 days, 45.9-68.5mm per month

Weather: 8-10 hours of sunlight, with primarily cold and wet weather

Events & Festivals: Winter Wonderland, Christmas markets, NYE Fireworks

Does this weather not fit with your preferred dates of travel? Our list of the 21 top European cities should provide plenty of other options instead.

It doesn’t get much more iconic than the home of the Queen. To go “full tourist”, arrive at around 11am to watch the “changing of the guard” ceremony. Tip: Hyde Park is right next door, and a great place to get off your weary feet when the weather is nice.

A pleasant walk from the Palace through St. James’ Park will take you to this historic space, or you could even skip the Palace altogether. Many protests and events have taken place in this square and it’s really worth seeing Nelson’s Column and the Lion statues in person. Be warned though: don’t go here if you aren’t a fan of pigeons. Tip: The National Gallery and National portrait Gallery are also right next door, so you can hit two birds with one stone (sorry). 

If you are looking for an alternative to the Big Red Tour buses that always feel so overpriced and crowded, I’d really recommend taking a river cruise from Westminster to Greenwich. The crew are the tour guides, and they provide free, fascinating and pretty hilarious facts as you cruise in style down the Thames. Tip: Stay on the boat until Greenwich for a beautiful area full of greenery and things to do – it’s also one of the best areas to grab some proper Fish & Chips! 

This landmark is pretty much the go-to postcard for London. Although the crowds here can get a little claustrophobic, you simply can’t miss seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Tip: Best photos can be had from Westminster Bridge, and this also allows you to avoid bumping into 300 people. 

If you love nature and greenery, Kew Gardens is arguably the best place in London for you to go – especially on those rare occasions when the weather is glorious. You could easily spend an entire day wandering around the stunning observatories, unique flower gardens and serene lakes. Tip: Arrive before 11am to avoid busy queues and give yourself plenty of time to see everything.

One of our favourite places in London, the atmosphere around Covent Garden is always fantastic. You can wonder around and watch street performers, or grab some dessert from the various chocolatiers and bakeries. Tip: This is the perfect place for a romantic stroll in the evening after dinner.

On the face of it, this area doesn’t look like much. However, if you have a true love for asian food and culture, no place in London will hit the spot like Chinatown will. Tip: You can find tasty and affordable dim sum at Wan Chai Corner and some of the best desserts including bubble waffle, bingsu, matcha ice cream……. Sorry, I passed out for a sec there, where was I?

Camden has become one of the most popular places in London over the last decades. Just walking through the market can be wonderfully entertaining, and one of the few places in London to get a unique souvenir for a reasonable price. Tip: Camden also has a shady side, so make sure you stay safe and don’t stray too far from the popular areas.

This Cathedral is one of the most beautiful structures in London. It costs a fair amount to go inside, but it’s also spectacular to just admire from outside. Tip: One New Change rooftop terrace close by also gives you a fantastic view, and it is generally accepted for tourists to go up for some pictures. There are also restaurants and a bar there, but they aren’t cheap.

For those wanting to blow off some steam, Shoreditch has become one of the most vibrant areas in London, and absolutely rammed full of cool bars – Bar Kick (football), Bounce (ping-pong), Flight Club (darts), The Book Club (board games), and many more. BoxPark is also already legendary for its street food and hipster vibe. Tip: Expect crowds once normality returns, and book over a month in advance for the more popular bars like Flight Club and Bounce.

Click to view our full list on the 25 best things to do and see in London.

Padella represents one of the best value spots for lunch or dinner. They are all about pasta, and the menu is quite simple to make deciding pretty easy. The price also means you can try more dishes if you prefer, since only one dish on the entire menu costs more than £10! The crowds reflect how popular this place is though, so you will almost certainly have to queue.

Price: ~£15pp | One pasta main = ~£8

Where: Right next to Borough Market near London Bridge. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu (no reservations)

Must try: Tagliarini with Dorset Crab, chilli & lemon

We cannot emphasise enough how much Taste of Nawab justifies its #2 position out of all restaurants in London. And we would know because we live close enough to get takeaway, and boy have we made the most of it. Every single curry we’ve tried has been spectacular, probably because they all are (we haven’t quite worked our way through all of them yet). The appetisers and sides are also very good, and even the sauces and poppadoms that come with hit the spot.

Price: ~ £20pp, one curry main = ~£10

Where: North London in Muswell Hill. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu, Reserve Here

Must try: Lamb Shotkora Curry

When you were born and raised in Bangkok, Thai restaurants anywhere else are already fighting a losing battle. Som Saa is the only restaurant in London for us to lay a glove on that monopoly. First off, a warning however – this restaurant does not specialise in noodles and so crowd favourites and staples like Pad Thai are missing from the menu. If you can get past that though, prepare to get your socks blown off. And I mean it, because some of these dishes are hell’a spicy, as well as being some of the most flavourful and delicious you’ll find anywhere. Service is fantastic too.

Price: ~ £40pp, dishes to share vary from £5-18

Where: Near Spitalfields Market, Aldgate. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu, Reserve Here

Must try: Nahm dtok plaa thort (Whole fried sea bass)

This unassuming street-food esque stall hidden off Kings Road in Chelsea is easy to miss if you don’t know what you are looking for. Despite that, there’s a reason why every lunch-time, queues will snake up from the gazebo and onto the main road.  For around £8, you can get some of the best pho, laksa and fried rice in London. Seriously. This place was a clear favourite of mine when I worked around the corner, and I could attribute many an unproductive afternoon to the food comas it put me in. It was worth it every time though. And the name actually translates to “Happy Buddha”…. Although I like to think knew exactly what it sounds like.

Price: ~ £8pp

Where: Just off Kings Road, down stairs next to The Chelsea Gardener. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu (no reservations)

Must try: Prawn Laksa

Sushi restaurants are plentiful in London, and in general the quality is quite good. Kouzu is one of the few that stands apart for reaching that rare higher level, without the bank account guilt. The decor feels really fancy, the drinks are creative and refreshing and the food is so damn good. The fact you can also sit at the bar and watch the sushi being prepared in front of you is also a really cool experience. Even without the discounts that are usually available, the prices are really quite reasonable for the quality

Price: ~ £30pp, One uramaki roll = ~£11

Where: Near London Victoria Station. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu, Reserve Here

Must try: Spicy Tuna Roll

Ah pizza… The greatest of truly British foods. Just like curry. 

Whilst there are no shortage of pizza places in London, separating the light and tasty from the greasy kind can feel like an uphill battle. Pizza Union is the shining diamond in the rough. The incredibly low prices, mostly italian staff and phenomenal pizzas provide a combination that is unmatched in London.

The pizzas are thin, light and simple, providing exactly the kind of excuse that justifies having pizza for lunch – even for the most passionate health-enthusiasts.

Price: ~ £6 per pizza

Where: King’s Cross, Aldgate, Old Street, Dalston. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu (no reservations)

Must try: Whatever tickles your fancy (personally, the Regina)

Beef Bibimbap. Spicy Pork bulgogi. Tender and crispy soy KFC. Salivating yet? The Lime Orange is another hidden gem near Victoria station which absolutely nails these dishes at really reasonable prices. Sure you could pick a main and confrontationally guard it against wandering forks, but I’d absolutely suggest getting a few dishes to share. If you go in a large group, you can even book one of the bbq tables and salivate as your food cooks. The waiters also love it when you ask them every 10 seconds if your food is ready to eat. Being so close to the Apollo Theatre, this restaurant also provides the perfect pre-show meal.

Price: ~ £15-20pp depending on how many dishes you get

Where: Near Victoria Station and Apollo Theatre. View on Maps

Helpful links: Menu, Reserve Here

Must try: DIY Barbecued Pork Bulgogi

Some would say greek food is Zeus’ gift to us mere mortals. If what I just made up were true, then Alexander the Great would be the wrapping. Or the bow. Whatever, you’re tired of this metaphor, let’s move onto the food.

Everything we tried here was fantastic – and we tried to try everything, because when you order a proper Greek Meze, you are basically signing a waiver that says you’re ok to be rolled out of the restaurant. 

This is what the mixed meze looks like:  the food journey starts with some hot and cold starters like dips and bread. It then gains some momentum with some cooked plates like halloumi and calamari. And then once you think there can’t be any more food, a glorious and mouth-watering platter of meat arrives – the pièce de résistance. Maybe literally if you are already full. 

In any case, the fact that this greek cooking matches my grandma’s should be this restaurant’s greatest achievement. Obviously I’ll never tell her that – I value my free food privileges too much.

Price: ~£25pp

Where: Camden. View on Maps

Menu: Here, Reserve Here

Must try: Mixed Meze, or Pork Kebab

After living in China for 6 months and spending a few weeks in Hong Kong, we’d both fallen in love with dim sum. The problem in London is that generally the quality isn’t anywhere near as good, and it’s a LOT more expensive. 

Sat in the middle of Chinatown, we’d walked past Wan Chai Corner at least a dozen times before we actually tried it. It was only when we finally gave it a shot did we realise that the restaurant was actually three+ floors… and all of them were full. The prices are very reasonable (for London), and the tastiness of the food matches if not exceeds the likes of Ping Pong and larger chains – which obviously means you can order even more delicious food. Apparently the best place to get a slice of Asia in London is Chinatown. Who knew, eh?

Price: ~£15pp

Where: Chinatown. View on Maps

Menu: Here, Reserve (Call +44 20 7434 1188)

Must try: Classic dim sum choices (Har Gau, Shu Mai, Xiaolong Bao)

You can really build up an appetite while walking around and exploring any city.

As such you may be too far and too hungry to go to one of these places. However, there are some areas in London with a broad range of high quality restuarants where you are guaranteed to have a great meal:

• Camden
• Shoreditch
• Soho
• Spitalfields
• Covent Garden

The most reliable and convenient option when sightseeing around London is “the Tube” (underground).

These run between 5am and midnight Monday-Saturday, and are very frequent (one every 2-4 minutes). The service on Sunday has slightly reduced operating hours, so you can expect to wait a little bit longer.

The different coloured lines can feel a little overwhelming at first, but signs and directions within the stations are super clear and easy to navigate once you get the hang of it.

Use Google Maps or Citymapper to plan your journey and see the changes you need to make.

Costs: 1 journey = £3.70, 1 day of tube travel = £8 – 18

Caution: Try to avoid rush hours (7.30-9.30am, 5-6.30pm) to travel wherever possible as the tube gets really busy. Like sardines in a tin busy. Ventilation on the Tube is also notoriously bad, so stay hydrated and be prepared for it getting pretty stuffy, especially in the Summer months. 

A more pleasant way to travel around London is the buses. Naturally you get to see a bit more of the city as you go, and you will usually get a seat unless it is rush hour. The trade-off is that getting to your destination will almost certainly take longer.

Costs: 1 journey = £1.50, (2nd journey free if taken within 30 minutes of first). 1 day of bus travel = £4.50

Caution: Traffic in London can be pretty horrendous, so you may want to gauge if it would be better to walk. Also the buses do NOT accept cash, so make sure you have an Oyster card, debit card, or valid ticket. 

Trains in London and their reliability are an ongoing source of debate for travelers. On the one hand, the train network is well connected and allows you to travel all over London, including from airports like Gatwick. However, delays and cancellations are quite frequent, for some train providers more than others, and they aren’t anywhere near as frequent as Tube trains. 

Costs: one journey = varies, one day = £8-18

Caution: Some train stations, especially larger ones like Kings Cross, are very complex and it can take ages to find out and locate the right platform. Leave plenty of time to make sure you aren’t sprinting around the station like a headless chicken, only to have the doors close in your face with the next train not for 45 minutes.

When the weather is nice (which really is any time it isn’t raining), it’s a great idea to walk from attraction to attraction. You avoid any unwanted stress of finding the right train or being on time, and you can just enjoy the city. Below are some walking itinerary suggestions that I used when I worked as a tour guide in the Summer.

✩ Helpful resources: Google maps (iOS, Android) , Citymapper (iOS, Android), Tube map, Oyster cards

Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye, St.Paul’s and more attractions all border the Thames. South Bank conveniently sits on the other side of the river, and is the perfect base for situating yourself a short walk or tube ride from a number of must-see sights.

The undisputed heart of shopping with atmosphere in London is Piccadilly Circus, Regent’s Street and Oxford Circus. Prices in London aren’t cheap by European standards, but you can still find good deals when sales are on. Make sure you stay nearby if you expect to be carrying around lots of shopping bags.

First-off, you MUST do your research of where to eat as there are a lot of overpriced and underwhelming options in this area. That said, being between Covent garden, Soho and Oxford Circus, Leicester Square means you’ll never have to walk more than 10 minutes for a great meal. Or rather, that you’ll never have to walk more than 10 minutes to get back to your hotel after eating far more than you should have.

Shoreditch is home to some of the coolest bars in Europe, never mind just London. Unless you are going sober and just drinking in the atmosphere, stay nearby so you can stumble your way home or get a cheap uber. Boxpark is also great for chilling out and grabbing some surprisingly tasty street food.

As with any big European cities, there are some areas where non-locals tend to stick out a little more and which carry more risk of an unfortunate incident. To ensure you are not taking unnecessary risks, I’d advise being particularly careful in these areas:

• Hackney
• Brixton
• Camden
• Newham
• Southwark
• Westminster

• Try not to use your phone in dark streets.
• Avoid looking down at your phone while walking – there’s been a rise in recent years of phones being snatched by people on motorbikes (I would know “first-hand” – sorry for the pun).
• At night, travel in groups where possible or get an uber as opposed to walking long distances alone.
• Keep to well-lit streets.
• Hide flashy jewellery or electronics.
• Don’t carry around large amounts of cash.
• Only use Ubers or registered cabs.
• Don’t leave your stuff alone at bars and restaurants – it probably won’t be there when you get back.

Travel

• AVOID RUSH HOUR (7.30-9.30am, 4.30-6.30pm).
• Get an oyster card, or use your debit card (watch out for international charges).
• London St. Pancras and many other large stations can feel like a maze. Leave plenty of time for changes and finding your platform.
• Move all the way into train carriages, and don’t stop/ block platforms when boarding or getting off transport. 
• Changing at Bank station can be quite busy and confusing.
• Southern Rail Overground line is notorious for delays and cancellations.
• Stand on the right on escalators.
• Get out your oyster card before you get to the entry gate.

Restaurants

• Book ahead where possible to avoid queues.
• Generally 10-12% tip is expected in all restaurants (except fast food joints of course).

Cash and Card

• Card is accepted almost everywhere in London, even many corner/ convenience stores. For those smaller stores, sometimes there is a minimums spend or additional fee.
• Having some cash as a backup is always a good idea.

Spend Your Time Walking Around the Gardens

We’ve already mentioned the likes of Kew Gardens, which can easily take a day to wander through.

However there are many more options, perhaps a little closer to the centre of London: Sky Garden, Chelsea Psychic Garden and Kyoto Garden are also great for those looking for a little more colour.

Walking Tours

I actually used to take groups of language students around London as a guide – naturally, I think walking tours are a great way to get some fresh air and learn about the history of London while seeing the main sights.

I’ve included some walking tour and itinerary suggestions in the section below.

Go to an Activity Bar

Sure, going to any bar isn’t necessarily going to be the best for your health.

However, there are many establishments which allow you to be a little more active than raising your beverage to your mouth repeatedly. Two of our favourites are “Bounce” (ping-pong) and Flight Club (darts)

Classes

Whilst in London, why not take a yoga class in the morning, or dance class in the evening? These can also be a great way to meet new people, and get the blood flowing before or after a day of sightseeing.

Day Trips

If you’ve seen all the sights in London or just want to see what the rest of the UK has to offer, why not grab a train or bus to another city?

These are my top picks that are realistic to do without staying overnight:

• Bath, windsor castle and Stonehenge
• Oxford
• Harry Potter world
• Cambridge
• Brighton
• Bristol

Gyms

We all know how good exercise is for us – you may want those benefits even when going abroad. Gyms in London often run free day or even week passes throughout the year. Check the gyms in your area to find out if they have such a promotion, and then visit the website to sign up. You may have to allow the sales rep to give you the pitch first before they let you in, but it’s worth it to avoid having to pay the inflated day pass rate. At the time of writing, Xercise4Less, DWFitness and Better all had free day pass options. Alternatively you can sign up to websites like Classpass which give you access to multiple gyms and their classes.

Going for a run

Running can be one of the best ways to stay fit on holiday, and see the city at the same time. One of the biggest challenges here is finding the best routes in your area, with fewest road crossings and crowds but which also provide some visual stimulation. A few solutions here can be to use workout apps which have saved routes from the community, or to join a running community on social media or on apps like myCrew.

Hotel Workouts

Bodyweight exercises are a great way to stay in shape, and there are so many resources to make sure you can fit a good workout in. Check out our list of the best workout apps for when convenience is the most important thing.

London Eye

I know I included this one on my recommended things to do, but it’s also acceptable to think that the price doesn’t justify the experience. I’ve also been on the London Eye about 10+ times whilst I was working as a tour guide, so my opinion may be slightly jaded. However, with high ticket prices, long queues and a slightly underwhelming experience, missing this one off your list may be a smart option.

Madame Tussauds

Spending £30 to walk around and take selfies with admittedly excellent wax recreations of celebrities is my definition of a wasted day. There is so much else that you could be doing in London instead, which will be much more memorable and unique.

London Dungeon

Unless you have an abundance of time in London, the London Dungeon shouldn’t make your list of priorities. It is quite exciting, especially for youngsters, but you won’t regret saving that £25 either.

M&M’s World

I can’t really justify going here at all – I’ve lived in London for 27 years and never once felt the appeal. Also everything is overpriced. If you really like M&M’s just grab a couple of bags from Tesco or Sainsbury’s…

Eating in The Shard

You won’t find value-for-money restaurants in The Shard, because obviously you are partly paying for the view. We’ve eaten here a few times, and the food never really compared to some of our best-value picks listed above.

Even when we travel, our minds can enter autopilot. The tragedy is that this can lead to us not making the most of our experience.

Mindfulness is the state of being fully present and engaged with what you are doing, and meditation is a fantastic tool for learning this skill.

Travelling to a new country comes with its fair share of challenges and can be overwhelming. The sheer amount of people for example can put off people with social anxiety. Mindfulness and meditation are fantastic ways to manage this stress and find calm.

Visit these articles if you are wondering how to get started with meditation, or which are the best meditation apps.

Call 999 or 112 in an emergency to contact the police, ambulance or fire department. For non-urgent crimes contact the police by calling 101. 

For mental health support, here is a list of support helplines.

London’s unpredictable showers mean that even in Summer it’s worth carrying around a light waterproof jacket. You can layer underneath this jacket in Spring and Autumn, and only really need a thicker coat in the Winter months.

Which jacket should you get? Here is a link to Amazon’s Bestselling Rainwear. You can also check out this guide for more professional suggestions.

A warm jumper is a more portable and convenient option than a thick coat when travelling abroad, just in general. Since temperatures are generally quite mild in London, a warm coat is only essential in the Winter months. It also means you are less likely to feel suffocated on the Tube.

Which jumper should you get? UnderArmour is usually my go-to brand for light, breathable jumpers since they are designed with activity in mind.

This may end up being the most important thing to bring. Make sure you invest in one that won’t turn inside out if you breathe on it.

Which umbrella should you get? Here is a link to Amazon’s Bestselling Umbrellas.

London is pretty big, so it’s likely you won’t want to return to your hotel too often during the day. You’ll need something to carry that extra layer of clothing, waterproof jacket, umbrella, water and maybe some snacks. Finding the right daypack that is water-resistant, light and spacey can be challenging, but well-worth the effort.

Which daypack should you get? I’ve been using the Osprey Daylite Plus now for years as a daypack and my daily commuter bag. It’s light, slim, durable, and comfortable – definitely highly recommend it, and Osprey as a brand has yet to let me down. If you need a bigger bag, this Best Daypack Guide should help.

When you are using your phone as a map, wallet and camera, it’s never going to last all day. Especially when it can be so key to you finding your way back to the hotel, or paying your train fare, you need to make sure you have some juice when you need it. 

Which battery should you get? Here is a link to Amazon’s Bestselling Portable Batteries.

• Camera
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable footwear
• (winter)Hat/Gloves

Google Maps (Android, iOS)

The most reliable and convenient option, this app rarely lets me down for getting quickly to my destination.

Citymapper (Android, iOS)

An excellent alternative to google, this app includes other information like fare cost and best carriage to board. Not as reliable as google, but few apps are..

Bus Times (Android, iOS)

I hate waiting for the bus and not knowing if it’s 1 minute or 1 hour away. This trusty app solves that issue, and is updated in real-time, which makes it much better than other apps for deciding your mode of transport.

E-Pass/ Google Pay (Android)

Paper boarding passes are so 2010. Apple has it’s own E-Pass app, but android users should make sure they have Google Pay to download their boarding pass onto.

Tripadvisor (Android, iOS)

The only app we ever use to decide on restaurants, the “nearby” feature has been a game-changer for finding the best place to eat when we need some sustenance ASAP. The reviews have also never really led us astray.

Uber (Android, iOS)

Needs no explanation – I like knowing around how much a journey will cost before I get in a cab, and this app is perfect. I’d warn against getting it from some airports though, as the pick-up places can be a NIGHTMARE to find.

Booking.com/ Airbnb/ Hotel app

Get the app for whichever provider you’ve booked your hotel with, and save/screenshot the various confirmations, contact info and addresses you need.

TubeMap (Android, iOS)

Google Maps and Citymapper won’t be any good when you are underground wondering how to get from A to B. This app is a great little insurance policy, instead of trying to peer over people’s heads at the tiny maps on the Tube itself.

Skyscanner: Skyscanner is a travel search engine which compares all the fares from various sources to bring you the cheapest combinations – we make 90% of our bookings through this website.

With the airline: Sometimes it works out cheapest to go directly to an airlines’ booking page, especially if they are the only ones who run a certain route.

Kayak: Similar to Skyscanner, Kayak is another travel search engine. It’s particularly helpful when you are wondering when the cheapest time of year is to fly.

Booking.com: Booking seems to always have the cheapest fares, and most customisation options available when searching for a property. The fact it is also one of the most popular sites means there are plenty of reviews and information to help you make your decision. If you get “Genius” status, you can also get 5-20% off some hotel rates too.

AirBnB: Another crowd-pleaser, AirBnB is great for those who don’t need the shiny, luxurious feel of a hotel. I’d say it’s particularly good for when you are travelling in a larger group and want an entire place to yourself.

Expedia.co.uk: Another great option to find the cheapest hotel rates around, Expedia is an alternative to Booking to browse through.

TripAdvisor: Using Tripadvisor on your travels will definitely help you find the best places to eat. You can either plan in advance by saving your favourites to “Trips”, or just pull up the app when you are out and about and see what looks good nearby.

OpenTable/ BookaTable: These two pretty much do the same thing, which is allow you to make reservations on the go.

WalkUp: An innovative solution to restaurants which don’t take reservations, WalkUp allows you to almost book your place in line – so instead of waiting around, you can explore to build up that appetite.

Google Maps: A system that has always worked well for us is to pin all the restaurants and attractions we like the look of on Google Maps. You can then begin to plan your direction of travel, and all the places you can cross over at the same time.

TripIt: This one is perfect for the planners out there. If you like having every little detail of your trip in one place, with itineraries planned to the last detail, TripIt is your resource. It may take a while to set up, but you won’t mind – after all, you secretly love this stuff.

As a tour guide, I developed a few “tried and tested” itineraries that condensed a huge number of the major sights into a short time, while mostly avoiding public transport.

This was partly down to a desire to avoid the tube wherever possible, but also because it’s much nicer (and cheaper) to wander around London.

Check out the *Interactive Map at the bottom (or here) to guide you on your way. For more information, you can also read our more detailed London 4 day itinerary (which includes a day at Kew Gardens).

When you go to London for the first time, some sights you are almost obligated to see. This tour allows you to see a fair few of these famous monuments in order, with some opportunities to walk through a park or do some shopping if you fancy.

Start: London Victoria or Hyde Park Corner

Buckingham Palace – 10 minute walk

St. James’ Park – 2 minute walk

Trafalgar Square – 20 minute walk

National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery – 5 minute walk

Piccadilly Circus – 10 minute walk

Chinatown – 10 minute walk (Food: *Wan Chai Corner is nearby)

End: Covent Garden – 7 minute walk

Optional: West End Theatre show – 5 minute walk

Check what’s on! (Food: *Lime Orange is nearby).

You want to do this tour on the day of your trip with the nicest weather – cruising down the Thames is so much more awesome when you can sit on the upper deck and soak up the sun – you are also able to actually see what the tour guides are pointing out, rather than below where visibility is a lot more limited.

Start: London Waterloo

London Eye/ South Bank – 7 minute walk

Westminster Abbey & Big Ben – 15 minute walk

Westminster to Greenwich Ferry – 5 minute walk

Greenwich – 2 hour ferry (Food: Fish & Chips!)

End: Royal Observatory & Greenwich Park – 15 minute walk

Optional: A show at the O2 – 30 minute journey (15 mins Tube, 15 mins walk)

This route offers a great blend between landmarks, places to get great food, and museums. For the last night, it also ends either in Camden or Shoreditch (or both…) so you can end your trip with a bang.

Start: London Bridge Station & The Shard

Borough Market – 5 minute walk (Food: *Padella is nearby)

Golden Hinde – 3 minute walk

Shakespeare’s Globe – 5 minute walk

Tate Modern – 2 minute walk

Millennium Bridge – 2 minute walk

St. Pauls Cathedral – 12 minute walk

End: Camden & Camden Market – 20 minutes by tube (Food: *Alexander The Great is nearby)

End Option 2: Shoreditch (Food: *Boxpark is nearby)

Optional: Regents Park, or a dance class at Scala

*Interactive Map

Select the “Day” with filter button in top left, or open map in new tab with button in top right.

It’s almost impossible to see all of London in 3 days – at least without rushing through the best places without really appreciating them.

Here are some of the best of the rest that you may want to swap in for any activities you aren’t so keen on:

• Kew Gardens
• British Museum
• Spitalfields (for restaurants)
• Tower of London
• Harry Potter Studios

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Kyri Rousou

Kyri is a multi-lingual marketer who uses his connection with wellbeing and travel to help others make the most of their experiences. Day-to-day, Kyri works as a Growth Marketing Manager (and Mental Health Responder) at Raconteur.

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