If you are planning a trip to London but are only travelling for a short period, you may be worried about having enough time to do everything on your bucket list.
After all, London is an incredibly vibrant city with no shortage of things to do, whether you’re travelling to visit west-end theatres, historic monuments, and museums or to simply see what the “big smoke” is like in person. However, with proper planning and consideration, you can make sure that you do everything you need to do!
Photo by Aron Van de Pol on Unsplash
Here are some simple ways to ensure you make the most of your time in London, whether you are heading out on a day trip or staying for a few days.
- Put together an itinerary. Putting together an itinerary ahead of time, instead of “winging it,” ensures that you’ll be able to work your way through your bucket list during your trip. Alongside choosing which attractions or sites you’d like to visit, it may also be worthwhile to make some restaurant reservations ahead of time, too. This way, your entire day, from morning to night is planned, and you don’t have to find somewhere to eat on the go!
- Visit attractions during off-peak hours. When putting together your schedule for the trip, try to head to busier attractions, such as the museums, during off-peak hours (typically early in the morning). This will make it easier for you to work your way through the exhibits without queues or crowds of people surrounding you.
- Ditch the luggage for hassle-free adventures. If you have a late check-in or early check-out from your hotel but want to explore as much as possible, head to a nearby luggage storage spot, such as victoria station luggage storage. This way, you will not have to deal with the stress of carrying your case or bag everywhere you go, including on busy/packed tubes. It’s also worth noting that certain tourist attractions do not have cloakrooms and may not allow you to enter when carrying large bags or cases.
- Know your route from A to B. Travelling in London is relatively simple, whether you’re travelling by bus, train, tube, or even boat. However, pre-planning your journeys ahead of time means that you’re able to determine the most efficient route, saving you a great deal of time and energy. While Google and Apple maps are useful, the best app for travelling in the city is CityMapper, which provides you with real-time updates on any delays or disruptions.
- Take a break when you need one. Many people find that they get burned out when travelling, as they try to ensure they’ve got something to do every minute of every day. While, theoretically, this is a great way to ensure you see “everything,” it likely means that you will not enjoy everything to the same extent as you would if you were to take things a little slower. Try to keep your schedule busy without overpacking it – and take a break when you need one. There are plenty of lovely places to rest up in London, such as one of the city’s many parks!
- Avoid tourist traps. There are many benefits associated with avoiding tourist traps where possible. Not only are they crowded year-round (especially during peak season), but they can also be rather expensive. As a result, it’s much more economical to try and visit places that are a little off the beaten path where possible. For example, if you’re looking to enjoy some delicious food on your trip, you could visit Little Venice, which is home to a range of picturesque restaurants, bars, and cafes. If you were looking to visit one of London’s green spaces, you could skip over a visit to the ever-busy Hyde Park and Regents Park, stopping by Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park instead.
- Find ways to save money. If you’re travelling on a budget, be sure to keep an eye out for as many ways to save money as possible when in London. While this may sound easier said than done, it isn’t impossible! For example, you could book restaurants online through platforms such as the Fork and receive 50% off food. Booking online (and in advance) for popular attractions can also save you money, as tourist hotspots tend to charge more at the door! In addition to this, you should make sure that you set yourself a travel budget ahead of time, and that you stick to it!