London is one of the world’s greatest travel destinations, full of incredible places to visit, with an unparalleled history and no shortage of things to see and do – and of course, eat and drink. If you are considering travelling to London for the first time, here are some of my favourite insider things to see and do in London.
Let’s dig into where to stay in London for first-timers with some practical advice on how to get around from a frequent traveller. We’ll also look at some famous tourist traps and what you can safely skip.
The secret to vacationing in London is don’t try to see it all – take your time and simply enjoy your surroundings and what you see!
Where to Start Planning Your London Trip
Planning a trip for a first-time visit to London can be overwhelming with many decisions that must be made before travelling to London for the first time.
When I travel to London, I seek out the hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path places with rich historical significance, an intriguing story and hopefully a beautiful view. You may prefer to focus on the touristy elements – London has something for every taste. The following topics are based on my personal travel experiences in planning trips to London.
Arrival: Transfers from Major London Airports
When planning, start with your arrival – consider what London Airport will arrive at. There are three international airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and London City. How are you going to get from the Airport to the Hotel? If you are travelling overseas you will be tired on arrival so have this sorted before you travel!
Tube or Uber? I find the best options are generally the London Underground or ‘Tube’ which is the cheapest (about £4) but takes the longest.
Heathrow Express is a direct train into the city and is the fastest most direct rail option that gets you to the centre in about 20 minutes for around £25.
Uber is a great option as well, with an average price from Heathrow to Westminster at £49; Gatwick to Westminster £57; and London City to Westminster at £39. Note Uber prices can vary considerably.
Tip: Here is a handy tool to check live Uber prices from various airports https://www.uber.com/global/en/airports/
Where to stay in London for First Timers
When planning your trip you will first want to know which of the many areas of London should you stay in.
If you are like me, you will want to stay close to the action, and for me, the action in London happens close to the area of Westminister. The iconic Westminster Bridge is the location of Big Ben and the Westminster Underground Tube Station.
This area is close to London’s Theatre district, great dining, Covent Garden and London’s incredible museums. I consider this the very centre of London, although it is technically in the city of Westminster!
From my experience, below are a few of my favourite picks for where to stay in London for first-timers.
London Areas to Stay or Visit
Where you stay will influence how you plan to get around after getting to your hotel. For me, I always stay in the Westminster area as I can essentially walk to almost everything, including my office on business trips.
Covent Garden is one of the most popular districts to visit in London, with an abundance of streets to explore full of shops, restaurants and the beautiful Covent Garden Market — complete with street performers and terrace seating. Read more: Guide to the Covent Garden District
Westminster – here you find the most sought-after landmarks – Westminster Bridge and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and is across the river Thames from the London Eye.
South Bank – lining the Southern side of the River Thames, this vibrant area features the London Eye, the Tate Modern Museum, the National Theatre, and the Southbank Centre. Access easily from Waterloo Station which is located in an area with plenty to do.
Camden/King’s Cross – a major rail transport hub, featuring major redevelopment for dining, shopping and arts. Check out Coal Drops Yard for a laid-back shopping and dining experience. Guide to King’s Cross and Coal Drops Yard.
Piccadilly Circus – you can’t take a trip through London on your first visit without walking through the iconic Piccadilly Circus with its giant billboards and sculptures. Guide to Piccadilly Circus – what to see and do.
Harry Potter Fans will recognize the iconic rail stations St. Pancras and King’s Cross that anchor the area. Here you will find the popular The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9¾ at Kings Cross Station.
My Favourite Top Picks for Hotels in London
There are thousands of hotels in London but here are a couple of my favourite London hotels that I really love to stay at within close proximity to the Centre.
The Westminster London, Curio Collection by Hilton. About 2kms from the London Eye, the hotel is in a very good location, the rooms are a bit smallish but very comfortable and have a boutique hotel feel. Plus, it is just about next door to the highly recommended, and free, Tate Britain Museum, which is a must-see. The address is: 30 John Islip St, London SW1P 4DD, United Kingdom
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge. The other pick that I really like and highly recommend is the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, located just across the river on the Southbank. Directly facing Big Ben, it’s hard to get a better location. 200 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7UT, United Kingdom
What Falls Flat in London?
It’s easy to get caught up in the lengthy lines at overly touristy locations and make the same mistake as many by seeing the same thing as everyone else made popular by TikTok and Instagram. These are some of the things to seek out and what I think you can skip.
Above – Big Ben and the London Underground | ©TravelLifeBalance.com
What London Attactions should you see or skip?
Skip Buckingham Palace – I know this is a bit contrary to every tourist guide, but there is not that much to see here, just a big gate. Don’t plan to spend all afternoon there. If you can arrange to see the Changing of the Guard, that is wonderful, but it is infrequent and gets absurdly busy. I’ve never bothered to see it personally.
Do a quick lap instead around Buckingham Palace and continue to Hyde Park where you can get a refreshing break from the city in this lovely natural space.
Skip waiting in line for The London Eye and do this instead – save the ticket price and get a much better view of the city of London from the Shard, London’s tallest tower. Have a couple of cocktails in one of the Shard’s restaurants like Sky Lounge, located on the 34th floor of the Shangra La hotel space (£30 minimum charges pp may apply). For the ultimate view go all the way to the top and fork out £28.50 for the viewing platform on the 72nd floor.
Skip Leicester Square – tourist central, don’t eat here! Continue on and you will find great food and pubs within a few blocks.
Do swing through Leicester Square on your way to see the beautiful market at Covent Garden located nearby.
Do: if you are fascinated with London’s history and architecture, catch The London Transport Museum. Located in the Covent Garden area, there is a lot to see here, including the origin story of the iconic roundel symbol of the Tube.
Above – The London Shard, Europe’s tallest building and London’s Borough Market | ©TravelLifeBalance.com
When is the best time and worst time to visit London?
Based on my experience, the best time to travel is Late Spring or Fall. You will avoid some of the tourist congestion and still have reasonably good weather. Winter in London can be very wet and damp, however, there are wonderful Christmas decorations and Christmas markets to see in London during December.
Money-saving tips for travelling to London for the first time
Sky lounges and restaurants in the Shard, see the tallest building in Europe with an unbeatable view. In my opinion, beats waiting in line for the London eye hands down. The entrance is free, and usually little to no line!
Do the free stuff – major museums are all free in London! London’s Borough Market is a great area to check out and it is free to enter.
Skip the Hop on hop off bus and use Google Maps and London Transit instead. You still get to ride on an iconic double-decker bus, you ride with the locals and it’s only a couple of pounds! Uber boats are a great way to get up and down the Thames as well.