4 essential London travel tips and hacks

London is one of the world’s most visited cities and for good reason. It’s home to outstanding museums, iconic landmarks and a melting pot of cultures that make it like nowhere else on Earth. If it’s your first time visiting the English capital, this article offers tips and hacks to make the experience all the more rewarding. 

As you plan your holiday, don’t overlook the importance of booking accommodation well in advance, particularly if you plan on visiting London during the peak season of June to August. At rentola.co.uk, you can find rentals in all corners of the city, from Camden to Paddington and Notting Hill. Continually updated, it is one of the largest databases of private properties in the UK. For the best deals, look to travel in the shoulder seasons, with April/May and September/October good alternatives to the busy summer months. 

Tower Bridge, London. Photo by Yulian Alexeyev.

Purchase an Oyster Card

If you plan on using public transport to get around, then save yourself time and money by purchasing a Visitor Oyster Card. It can be used on buses, trams and the Underground, as well as the London Overground, the River Bus and National Rail services. A Visitor Oyster Card can be purchased at stations on arrival or before you leave home (it will be delivered to your door). 

An Oyster Card is like a smartcard that can be preloaded with money and then “tapped” as you board public transport. With an Oyster Card, the fares work out cheaper than buying single tickets and there are daily caps. This makes them an affordable option if you plan on doing a lot of public transport travel within a single day. 

Oyster Cards can be preloaded at stations and Oyster Ticket Ticket Stops, with around £30 enough if you are visiting London for four days. Contactless transactions with bank-issued credit and debit cards are also now available for use on London transport, with commuters required to tap on and off just as they would with an Oyster Card. 

Santander bikes are a great option for exploring the city. Photo by Taylor Floyd Mews.

Walk and cycle around the city

While riding the London Underground is a “must” when visiting the city, sometimes exploring on two feet (or two wheels) is more convenient. If you’re only travelling one or two stops away, walking may be just as time efficient as descending to the Tube station, waiting for a train and coming up the other end. Plus, you get to see a whole lot of London along the way. 

Alternatively, consider renting a bike to cycle around the city and take advantage of London’s dedicated bike paths. There are plenty of bike rental options to choose from, with Santander Cycles among the most recognisable. Costing just £2 per 30 minutes, they are a cheap and cheerful way of getting around. There are plenty of Santander Cycles docking stations around Central London, although it’s not such a great option for venturing further afield.

Know your commuter sides

Travellers coming from nations that drive on the right-hand side of the road should be aware that the English drive on the left. Even if you’re not getting behind the wheel in London, it’s important to be aware of this when crossing roads and always look both ways before stepping out. Be sure to cross at designated pedestrian crossings and if you’re unsure, find a group of locals and step out with them. 

While it seems a little contrary to the above, Londoners stand on the right-hand side of escalators going down and coming up from Tube stations. This allows commuters who are in a hurry to walk up the left-hand side and “overtake”, without having to constantly say “excuse me”. So if you’re not in a hurry, move to the right and simply soak up the hustle and bustle. 

Image: Bath. Photo by Bradley Pritchard Jones.

Embark on a day trip

While there is so much to see and do in London alone, those with time should consider taking a day to explore further afield. Places such as Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and Bath are all easily accessible by public transport, as are the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge. 

You could spend a day touring the charming villages of the Cotswolds, visit the birthplace of William Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon or tour the Warner Bros. studio where Harry Potter was filmed. Embarking on a day trip from London allows you to experience the gorgeous English countryside and escape the city noise.

Preparing for a London getaway

As you plan and pack, don’t forget an umbrella (the English weather is notoriously unpredictable) and a universal adapter that’s compatible with a Type G plug. It’s also worth checking with your credit or debit card provider about foreign transaction fees and switching to a more affordable option if they are sky-high. 

Lastly, bring a pair of comfortable walking shoes. London is big and there is so much to discover. Exploring on foot is the best way to experience the city and connect with the hidden gems that make it such a special place.