As a follow-up to our recent three day itinerary for London, we thought it would be beneficial to jot down some of our tips and tricks for your first visit to London. We love exploring a new city as much as the next person, but one thing we always do before heading off to a fresh destination is try and learn a little about what to expect while we are there. And let’s face it, even though you plan everything and pack all of the perfect items, sometimes you just need to know things like what pharmacy to use and where to buy clothes in a pinch.
Neighborhoods to stay in– There are an abundance of places and areas to stay in London. And a lot of the more touristy things are located near Westminster. But that may not be the most cost-effective spot to stay. For some places outside the “main square,” we suggest, Kensington, Fulham, Earls Court, Chelsea, Marylebone and Notting Hill. If you can score a place in Covent Garden, that is one of our favorite spots! If you get lucky and can find a well-priced lodging option in Westminster, grab it up! You won’t be disappointed.
Walking – Okay, this seems a little fundamental we realize, but listen we are used to traffic driving on the right side of the road here in the United States and it’s hard to change. In the US and 66% of other countries (yes we looked that up), when you go to cross the road, you look left first and then right. This is to make sure no oncoming traffic is going to hit you. Seems simple enough. However, in London (and 34% of other countries, in case math is hard for you), you look RIGHT and then LEFT! You do get used to it, but it takes a day or two. Fear not, it’s written on the ground at most every crosswalk!
Pubs– London and pubs basically go hand in hand. And even if you don’t drink, a vast majority have food and it isn’t all that bad! Seriously, English food has improved immensely over the years. In terms of Pubs in general, you really can’t go wrong. Go to a lot, see what you like. Some will feel new, some old. Some cleaner than others. If you find one with a toilet (side note: the restroom in London is called the Toilet or the Loo. Asking for the restroom can sometimes elicit a weird reaction. For real!) on the same floor as where the bar actually is, just move in. That is RARE! They are typically up or down very narrow stairs. During your explorations if you find yourself anywhere near Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, go there. It’s amazing- but somewhat out of the way. Another favorite is The Churchill Arms and their thai food menu (YUM). Otherwise, go a block or so back from all the main areas (Leicester Square/ Piccadilly/ Westminster, etc.) and you’ll end up with less touristy pubs and they will be less crowded and a tad cheaper. Also, don’t tip bartenders for drawing a pint if you order from the bar. Bartenders make more than minimum wage. If you do eat out, tip 10-15%, but make sure they didn’t add it in already. We have seen tips added a lot of places, so check those receipts! Try a Pimms cup, it is gin based but really yummy, even if you don’t think you care for gin. And if you don’t drink alcohol, it’s easy to find soda and water at the pubs as well!
Pro Tip: Pint culture is a big deal in London. It is very common and a somewhat unwritten rule that you leave work and go straight to get a pint at the pub. No big deal though, right? Well not so fast. If you find that it’s around 5 PM, don’t be shocked if the patrons are spilling out into the street with their colleagues after a long day and there’s no room to move inside!
If you are looking for the food side of things, make sure to find a pub that does a Sunday roast. It’s a traditional Sunday meal that generally consists of roasted meat, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, veggies and gravy. Another common item is the meat pie, or just pie as the British call it. They come in many different varieties and are very delicious! It’s similar to the United States pot-pie, but the crust is thicker and the insides are generally not in sauce. Of course you can always order fish and chips and not be disappointed. But be warned, sometimes it does come with the head on, so you might want to ask before ordering! In general the food in England is more hearty, but you can find sandwiches, salads and a plethora of food from all over the world as well. If you like Indian food, check out Dishoom. There are a few locations and the food is so cravable we went twice on our last trip!
Cellular Service – London might be one of the easiest places to buy a SIM card and activate data. Last time we were in London, we just stopped at the 3 counter (mobile service provider) in the Heathrow Airport to buy our credits. Do some research before you leave on the price of your plan back home, versus what it will cost in London. The good news is, if you are traveling throughout Europe as well, almost all SIM cards will work in both places. You can also get SIM cards and credit at most of the small convenience shops in London. They have a lot of the different providers, so just ask if you aren’t sure. All credit is printed on the receipt you get. Don’t leave the store if you don’t understand how to call and add the credit to the SIM card. We have done this wrong before! Pro Tip: Download and use CityMapper. It’s amazing and life changing. It even works when you are on the Tube underground! Oh, and the act of adding credit to a SIM card is called “topping up!”
Wifi – One of our favorite tricks is free Wifi! You can find free in McDonald’s and sometimes Starbucks. We say sometimes for Starbucks because on occasion we’ve found that you have to purchase something for a code and then you can have an hour or two of access. Also most pubs have wifi, but some will make you sign up before letting you log-in but it’s still free.
Pharmacy – Oddly, we love going into pharmacies in other countries and Boots will not let you down. It’s kind of like a cross between Walgreens and Target. If you need anything they are wonderful. To get a lot of medications (even ones we consider over the counter in the United States), you do need to talk to the pharmacist first, but don’t worry, that’s standard procedure. The bonus, at least for us, is that they speak English! Unlike the time we had to try to ask the pharmacist in Italy for a laxative….TMI?
Clothes – You’ll find all of the things you need and more on Oxford street. But, if you want the most cost-effective place that would be Primark. It’s like Target and Forever 21 mixed together. But the point is, it is affordable and pretty damn fashionable!
Riding the Tube – In the tube stations on any escalators, stand to the right. People will come flying by on the left and they will run into you. Also, don’t be alarmed if you ever approach a tube station and you find it closed with a sign flashing. Sometimes after events, or when it’s really busy, they close down stations to help with crowd control. It’s a bummer, but nothing to worry about. To utilize the Tube you can use an Oyster card, contactless credit card, Apple/Samsung pay or a regular paper ticket. Though paper tickets are hardly used anymore. Whatever your mode of payment is, make sure to have it at the ready when you are approaching the gates. No one wants to get stuck or hold up the line of people trying to get out. If you do get stuck, don’t worry, there’s generally an attendant not far away. Also, some tube stations have elevators rather than escalators. And even others have only stairs! If stairs are a concern for you, the Tube might not always be the best bet for getting around. Lastly, the Tube does run 24 hours on five different lines on Friday and Saturday: Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly. Otherwise, most close at midnight.
Money – Or as you would say in England quid/pounds. England is on the Pound and ATMs can be found in abundance in London. However, unless you plan to take taxis or tip everyone you see, you probably don’t need to even get much cash. London loves their contactless payments and unlike the machines in the United States, they work really well and really fast!
Taxis/Uber – If you do take a taxi anywhere while in London, you’ll want to aim for the classic black taxi. We can’t promise you’ll have an amazing experience with the driver, but who knows, you could get lucky! And really they aren’t mean, they just tend to come across cold compared to what we are used to in the United States. But they go through crazy training and are amazing at navigating the city. Uber is also used in abundance and is easy. There’s nothing different about using it in London vs. any other US city.
Overall, if you find that you need something while in London and aren’t sure where to go, it’s easy to ask a hotel concierge, your AirBnB host, or even a random person on the street. While Londoners generally keep to themselves and usually have what we would describe as “resting bitch face,” they are very nice! Sorry to let the cat out of the bag on that, London. We have not encountered anyone rude when asking for help/directions. We hope that you enjoy your time in London and that our tips help you make the most of your time in one of our favorite places on earth! Cheers!
Hopefully you found some of these tips and tricks useful in planning your trip to London. Drop a comment and let us know what your favorite tip is!
