It's almost impossible to enumerate the things you can do and the places to see in London. But let's assume that you only got a few days for your London trip or you are regularly planning to go on day trips to London; what would be the most worthwhile things to experience there. Before booking your flight or accommodation, take a few minutes to read how to properly prepare for your London trip.
1. Best time to visit
London may be one of the bucket list cities everyone wants to visit, but it also has a not-so-enviable reputation regarding its moody and unsettled weather. October is London's wettest month of the year, while late autumn and winter are the coldest periods, with temperatures between 2 and 10C (35 and 50F). Rainfalls in London are a big part of the game so pack an umbrella with your suitcase. It is estimated that every month has 11 to 15 rainy days. Generally, London welcomes most tourists in spring and summer, which is also noticeable in the price rise on accommodation and flights.
2. How to get there
London has approximately 10 million inhabitants. To serve this enormous number of people as well as the tourists that constantly flood the city, London is home to six airports: Gatwick Airport (LGW), Heathrow Airport (LHR), London City Airport (LCY), London Stansted Airport (STN), London Southend Airport (SEN), and London Luton Airport (LTN). Each has its good qualities and some downsides based on visitors' reviews. Choosing an airport for your arrival/departure also depends on where you will stay in London or if you plan to visit other neighbouring cities. Gatwick Airport (LGW) is one of the top-rated and cheapest airports to fly into London and the UK as well. It hosts many airlines, which makes it an excellent hub for inbound flights, especially the ones of low-cost airlines from the rest of Europe and overseas. There are many transport options to go from Gatwick Airport to London city centre and back such as train, easyBus or car. Suppose you are flying from Gatwick Airport and looking for a safe place to park your vehicle. In that case, you can quickly and inexpensively reserve your parking spot via one of the available Gatwick Airport parking services.
3. How to get around
London is not one of the cities where everything is close within walking distance or a bike ride. Therefore, you should know London's most affordable and convenient transportation options for carefree day trips. The cheaper ways of travelling around London are public transportation, the Underground and the buses. Buy a Visitor Oyster Card to save money for journeys on the Underground, London Overground, the London red bus, tram, DLR, TfL Rail, most National Rail services in London, Emirates Air Line cable car and River Bus services.
4. Where to stay
The closer the accommodation to the centre, the highest the price. But that doesn't mean you can't find a value-for-money hotel not far from the centre. Top-selected tourist areas are Covent Garden, which is close to the National Gallery, Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, located in the same area as The British Museum and not far from Madame Tussauds, Westminister, which is next to Buckingham Palace. If you'd prefer to be closer to the nightlife events in London and the street-style life, you can look for a nice place in Camden Town, Shoreditch, Soho, or Brixton.
5. Things to do
One trip to London is not enough time to see this vibrant city. You should definitely benefit from the accessible entrance museums, namely, the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, and the Science Museum. Visit the London Eye or St Paul's cathedral to get great city views. Indeed, more attractions, bars, and restaurants offer mesmerising panoramic views of London. You can also enjoy a guided tour of the city with a boat ride on the Thames to admire the city's contradicting but well-synthesised parts that combine its Middle Ages and traditional English past with the industrial modern scenery. Besides, don't miss the opportunity to visit London theatres where you can enjoy different shows and musicals as it's one of the best parts of London culture. Among others, London is famous for its verdant parks, like Hyde Park, St James Park, and Regent’s Park, where people gather all year long, especially on sunny and hot days.
