- Length of stay
- Travel options
- Where to stay
- Weather
- When to visit
- Transportation
- Things to do
- Universal UK
London: A Complete Guide for First Time Visitors
London is the capital city of England and the UK and possibly best known for being the home of the Royal Family, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Big Ben. Whether you’re flying in from overseas or visiting from your home in the UK, this helpful guide will give you a great head-start on your trip.
London has long been synonymous with cultural diversity and this gives it an undeniable buzz. It’s also easy to get around, with so much to do, plus there are countless places to eat suiting every budget, from street food stalls right through to Michelin-starred restaurants.
We’ve got great tips for navigating the London Underground, where to stay in the city and plenty of ideas for things to do. Read on for our London travel guide for first-time visitors.
How long should I spend in London?
Covering 1,572 km2 with a population of over 8.9 million people, London is a huge city with so much to see. If you’re travelling from elsewhere in the UK and it’s only a couple of hours away, you could easily just spend the day here and come back again if you enjoy it (spoiler alert: you’ll love it!).
Spending a couple of days or a long weekend in London is enough to see some of the major tourist attractions, and you’ll definitely want to do this if it’s your first visit. If you’re there for longer, you can explore some of the different neighbourhoods and take part in some of the quirkier activities.
London to Disneyland® Paris
London is also a fantastic gateway to Disneyland® Paris. You can simply catch the Eurostar from St Pancras International station to the Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy station (via a change at Lille), which is situated close to the gates of the Disney Parks.
If you’re travelling to Disneyland® Paris via London, you might like to break up your journey by spending a couple of days in the capital – it’s a fantastic way to get the holiday started!
How to get to London
Depending on where you’re travelling from will determine how you get to London. These are some of the best ways to get to the city:
Flying into London
London is one of the most well-connected cities in the world, with two of its biggest airports serving around 220 destinations each (source: Skift). In fact, London has six major international airports, so there is plenty of choice if you’re flying into the city. The airports are:
- London Heathrow
- London Gatwick
- London City
- London Luton
- London Stansted
- London Southend
All of the airports have transport options for getting into London. However, the easiest and quickest choices would be Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City, which are closest to the city.
Driving into London
Whilst it’s possible to drive into London either in your own car or in a hire car, this wouldn’t be our recommended transport option for the capital city. This is because there are several extra charges for driving in central London, including the Congestion Charge, the ULEZ charge, and the LEZ charge (unless your car is ULEZ and LEZ compliant).
It’s also expensive to park, so the overall cost of driving in London can soon add up. As well as this, traffic on the roads is famously congested in London. So if you can, we’d suggest leaving the car at home and choosing a more relaxing alternative instead!
Top tip: Avoid the congestion charges by parking just outside London at one of the Underground stations and catching the tube into the city centre.
Catching the train
Catching the train is one of the best ways to get to London from elsewhere in the UK, with regular trains from all over the country. The train is also usually quicker than driving due to the traffic in and around London.
Top tip: If you’re travelling with children who love Harry Potter (or if you do!), then alight at London St Pancras or London Kings Cross station. Here, you’ll find Platform 9 ¾ and a fantastic photo opportunity! Grab the handles of the luggage trolley as it disappears through the wall on its way to Hogwarts.
Taking the Eurostar to London
If you’re based in Europe, the Eurostar is a sustainable and relaxed way to travel to London. There are direct Eurostar trains between London and Paris, Brussels, Lille, Marseille, Avignon, Lyon, and Calais. You can also connect via trains from other cities.
Getting a coach
There are coach services from many locations throughout the UK into central London. They are usually slower than the train but are comfortable and often more cost-effective.
Where to stay in London
The options for places to stay in London are almost limitless. For anyone travelling on a budget, there are hostels with shared rooms or apartments with self-catering kitchens so you can also save on food costs.
If you’re feeling more bougie, then take advantage of the beautiful five-star hotels, many with views over the city skyline and River Thames.
Because getting around in London is so easy, it doesn’t really matter where you stay in terms of distance from where you’ll be visiting. There are many different areas to choose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to our favourites to help you decide:
Soho
Very central, close to West End theatres and restaurants
Westminster
Great for Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace
Notting Hill
Further from the centre, more artsy and has beautiful houses and the Portobello Road market
Shoreditch
Just east of the centre, Shoreditch is quirky and cool, with interesting street art and some great bars
Weather
The weather in London follows the four seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter. However, the weather on any given day can be quite changeable, with rain common throughout the year. So be sure to bring a waterproof coat or an umbrella with you.
In the summer you can expect average daily highs of around 23°C (73°F) through to about 9°C (48°F) in winter. It can snow here in winter, but this is quite rare, and it’s usually only a sprinkling.
When is the best time to visit London?
There’s no bad time to visit London - there’s always plenty going on in this city no matter what time of year you visit.
During summer, you can enjoy its many green spaces, al fresco dining, and outdoor events, while in winter, you can take in the magical Christmas lights, visit a festive market, and go ice skating on one of the iconic ice rinks.
How to get around in London
London has an excellent public transport system, making it very easy to get around. Lots of the central attractions are within walking distance of each other, so we recommend exploring on foot if it’s a fine day.
London Underground and buses
Otherwise, you can head downstairs to the London Underground, or the tube as it’s also known. The underground has 11 lines covering around 250 miles (402km) with 272 stations (source: Transport for London) so wherever you go is bound to be close to a tube station.
London also has its legendary red double decker buses, and sometimes it’s quicker and easier to jump on a bus to get to your destination. London is split into nine zones, with the most central being Zone 1 and then working outwards from there to Zone 9.
On both the tube and the bus, you can use your credit or debit card to pay for your journeys. Just tap in and out (using the same card) when you get on and off, and your card will be charged. The fares are capped, so you’ll be charged a maximum amount depending on which zones you travel in.
Black cabs or Uber?
For a more relaxed way to travel, you can grab a recognisable London black cab at a taxi rank or by raising your hand as they pass. This is an easy way to get around if you are carrying a lot of luggage. However, the fares can be expensive as they run on a meter, especially if you get stuck in traffic.
Uber is another similar option which operates in the city. You can book a cab using the app, where you’ll see the travel times and the fares are agreed and paid in advance, so you’ll know exactly how much the journey will cost.
Top tip: Download the Citymapper app for your trip to London. You just enter your starting location and your destination, and it will map your different travel options, including walking, bus, tube, or taking a cab or Uber. It will tell you which is the quickest and give you an idea of cost. It also offers helpful information such as which exit of the tube to use – and this is helpful as some of the stations are huge!
Things to do in London
There’s no end of places to visit in London. From exploring Buckingham Palace, the home of King Charles, to taking a walking tour of the East End, there’s something for every member of the family.
Top tip: The most cost-effective way to explore attractions in London is with The London Pass® Plus. You can choose how many days you’d like the pass for, and it includes activities such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussauds London, 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, St Paul’s Cathedral, ZSL London Zoo, and many more. You can save up to 50% on sightseeing, compared to buying the tickets individually.
Here are some of the top experiences we recommend:
Tower of London Admission Ticket
The lastminute.com London Eye Admission Ticket
Tower of London
Discover one of London’s most prominent landmarks and get up close to the famous Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Hear the captivating stories of kings, queens, and infamous prisoners as well as meeting the ravens and Beefeaters (Yeoman warders) that guard the tower.
“Here We Go Again” London Afternoon Tea Bus
If you’re an ABBA fan, this is an absolute must-do while you’re in London! Hop aboard a double-decker bus for a 90-minute panoramic tour of the city while you enjoy an afternoon tea of finger sandwiches and sweet treats alongside a glass of prosecco or a soft drink. This is a quintessentially British experience with a Scandinavian twist – there are ABBA tunes playing throughout the tour!
Lastminute.com London Eye
Top tip: The most cost-effective way to explore attractions in London is with The London Pass® Plus. You can choose how many days you’d like the pass for, and it includes activities such as the Tower of London, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, Madame Tussauds London, 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour, St Paul’s Cathedral, ZSL London Zoo, and many more. You can save up to 50% on sightseeing, compared to buying the tickets individually.
Lastminute.com London Eye
Fly high above London’s remarkable skyline and enjoy some unforgettable views with a ride on the London Eye, the highest observation wheel in the city. You’ll get 360° views over landmarks like Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, and more.
Top tip: Merlin’s Magical London Pass gives you access to five of London’s most popular attractions for 90 days, so you don’t need to see everything during this visit. This is perfect if you’re planning a return trip to London, and lots of these activities are great for families. The attractions are:
- London Eye
- Madame Tussauds London
- SEA LIFE London Aquarium
- DreamWorks: Shrek’s Adventure!
- London Dungeons
River Thames sightseeing cruise
Discover 2,000 years of history from a different perspective with a trip on the River Thames. You’ll see some of the most famous sights on the banks of the Thames from the water, and you can choose from a relaxing sightseeing cruise or an exhilarating speedboat ride.
The View from the Shard
Head to the top of London’s tallest building to take in The View from the Shard. The viewing gallery here is London’s highest at the equivalent of 57 double-decker buses stacked on top of each other. A high-speed lift ride will take you up to levels 69 and 72, where you’ll find the viewing galleries plus a couple of champagne bars!
Day trips from London
If you’re visiting London from overseas, it would be a shame not to see any of the UK outside of the capital. It’s very easy to get outside the city for a day trip, and there are lots of options, from incredible theme parks to royal heritage.
Here are some of our top picks for day trips from London:
LEGOLAND® Windsor
Build memories as a family at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort. Earn your very first driving licence at the LEGO® City Driving School, discover your inner ninja on NINJAGO The Ride or even discovering the world’s most famous landmarks in Miniland!
Thorpe Park
Step into the home of ‘Feel-Good Thrills’ at Thorpe Park, the UK’s most thrilling theme park! With over 25 epic rides and attractions to experience, Thorpe Park is the ultimate destination to create lifetime memories with your friends and family.
Windsor Castle
Unlock the grandeur and history of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. Discover 1,000 years of royal heritage, where British monarchs have lived and celebrated.
Chessington World of Adventures
With over 40 rides and attractions, a Zoo, and SEA LIFE centre home to over 1,000 animals, Chessington World of Adventures Resort offers a truly WILD adventure. With thrills to keep the whole family entertained and a whole host of seasonal events.
Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour
The most successful film series of all time is brought back to life at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. Explore the magic behind the films, step into sets, see real costumes and marvel at ground-breaking special effects.
When can I visit the new Universal theme park in the UK?
The UK government has announced that the first Universal theme park in Europe will be built in the UK, near Bedford, which is easily accessible from London.
It’s expected to include a theme park, a 500-room hotel and a retail complex. Sadly it’s not due to open until 2031! But watch this space for more information about how you can be among the first to visit the UK’s first Universal theme park…
Now that you’ve got all the info you need for your visit to London take a look at our London attraction tickets to start planning your trip.