The Only Guide You Need to Visit London Properly
For those of my followers who have been here for quite some time, you know how much I love England’s capital and largest city! I have had the privilege of visiting the city numerous times, so of course, I have become an expert!
Many of you have asked for a comprehensive guide to my favorite spots to ensure you visit London properly. With nearly 15 million people in its metropolitan area, London is not just a city; it’s a world in itself. It’s Western Europe’s largest metropolis, making it one of the most diverse areas in the world.
From its rich history to its vibrant culture, there is something to appeal to any traveler in London. In fact, London consistently ranks amongst the top 10 world cities visited! If you haven’t been before, let’s ensure we incorporate you into the visitor count by giving you everything you need in this post for a successful London trip!
Getting to London
London is well-connected with the world, boasting six airports.
If you’re a US passport holder like me, you’ll likely fly into London Heathrow, the city’s primary airport.
However, consider London City Airport if you’re looking for a more convenient option. Nestled just 3 miles east of Canary Wharf, it offers a breathtaking final approach for arriving passengers.
In this guide, I’ll provide information on the three principal airports for US passport holders, including London City Airport, to help you plan your trip.
London-Heathrow Airport
This is London’s primary airport for international traffic and the UK’s busiest airport, so your international flight is likely to arrive and depart from here. We will discuss the tube below, but Heathrow is on the Piccadilly and Elizabeth lines. The Heathrow Express, my recommendation for getting to and from this airport, connects all terminals to Paddington station in 15 minutes.
London-Gatwick Airport
This is London’s secondary international airport, with some service to and from the US, specifically Tampa, Orlando, and Las Vegas. Trains to Gatwick go to Victoria (Victoria, Circle, and District lines of the tube) every 15 minutes.
London-City Airport
This is London’s closest international airport, primarily serving Western Europe. It can be accessed by the DLR or the tube.
Where to Stay in London
Like any city, you should research while planning to ensure your accommodation is in your preferred location and price range! With that said, I recommend two hotels.
The first is the Hilton London Paddington. I love this one because it is connected to Paddington station. So you can get from Heathrow Terminal 5 to the hotel’s check-in desk in 20 minutes.
My second recommendation is the Tower Hotel. Aptly named, it overlooks the Thames River and the Tower Bridge.
The location is incredible. I am including a link to the city map below to aid your accommodation planning. Both hotels offer unique experiences and are conveniently located, making them great options for your stay in London.
The Tube/London Underground
You can’t have a successful trip to London without Transport for London (TFL).
TFL makes exploring London so easy. The best part is that if you have a form of contactless payment, you get unlimited rides in fare zones 1-2 for only 8 British pounds!
Contactless payments can be your regular debit or credit card, or you can purchase an Oyster card at tube stations. These cards are also good for the city’s buses.
I included a full tube map of London, but I want to include two apps you should download before visiting the city.
With TFL, you can navigate the city with ease, making your trip more enjoyable and stress-free.
Tube Map – This will give you the quickest route between two tube stations, including live results of current closures!
Citymapper – This does the same as above but includes transportation methods other than the tube!
London’s Landmarks
When you visit the city, you will most likely spend your time sightseeing and taking photos! You chose the right city because London has many landmarks to see. Here are the ones I consider must-visits.
The Shard – nearest tube station, London Bridge
The London Eye – nearest tube station, Waterloo
Big Ben – nearest tube station, Westminster
Trafalgar Square – nearest tube station, Charing Cross
Buckingham Palace – nearest tube station, Green Park
Note: Victoria, St. James’s Park, and Hyde Park Corner are all close tube stations to Buckingham Palace.
These are just some of the landmarks in London worth visiting, so I am including my favorite landmarks guide here, but the five mentioned above are mandatory!
Places to Eat/Drink in London
As I’m sure you all have heard, the UK is not notorious for good food.
My apologies to anyone whom this may have offended.
However, London is a culinary paradise, offering a diverse range of cuisines from around the world. If you’re a foodie, you’re in for a treat.
Fish and chips are definitely something you should try, and there are plenty of places to get them. If you are a social person who is into nightlife, the city is also known for its electric pubs. Here are some of my recommendations.
Gaucho Tower Bridge Restaurant, closest tube station: London Bridge – Fancy restaurant with a view of the Tower Bridge
The Shipwrights Arms, closest tube station: London Bridge – A traditional London pub near the Tower Bridge
Knoops, closest tube station: High Street Kensington – Hot chocolate place that allows you to choose the percentage of chocolate
Dark Sugars, closest tube station: Shoreditch High Street (or Liverpool Street) – A tasty hot chocolate and candy shop in an artsy district of London
Euston Terrace, closest tube station: King’s Cross St. Pancras – Area in the train station with traditional pubs and restaurants, specifically The Betjeman Arms
Bonus: Nando’s—This South African chain is known for its PERi-PERi chicken. It is located all over the city. Use the city planner app mentioned above to find the closest one.
Activities in London
For those of you looking to do more than take pictures of landmarks, I am including some of my favorite experiences in London and a few recommendations outside the city.
Explore Shoreditch High Street
Catch a show – Six at the Vaudeville
Brick Lane Vintage Market
Greenwich Park
Edgware Road Walk
Piccadilly Circus
Changing of the Guards
London Cable Car
Tesco
Canary Wharf
Want to Explore Outside of London?
The most popular day trips from London are usually Bath, Windsor, Stonehenge, and Brighton!
I recommend Evan Evan Tours for day trips from London. For those with more time, train rides to Cardiff in Wales, Liverpool and Manchester in England, and Glasgow and Edinburgh in Scotland are my recommendations if you want to branch out and explore more of the UK!
The Great Western Railway website can help you with train tickets.
Bonus: Paris
I get asked a lot about the Eurostar between London and Paris, and rightfully so!
This high-speed train network connects the two cities in just two hours! If you can go to Paris from London, please do! The train departs London-St. Pancras and arrives in Paris Gare du Nord station.
From there, the Paris metro and RER can connect you to wherever you need to go in Paris. I don’t blame you if you just want to ride the train, as it is an exhilarating experience!
Note: The Eurostar also goes to Amsterdam and Brussels if you want to go elsewhere in Western Europe.
Final Thoughts on London
The famous sights, the people, the history, and the spontaneity are just some of the many reasons that make London a city like none other, and I, as a travel blogger, must provide the best resource to help your trip planning feel seamless and even exciting.
I intend this guide to be helpful for any of you who may be exploring for the first time. Whether only for a long Heathrow layover or a few weeks, you will have a wonderful time in the city! If you need anything further from me to aid in your trip planning, don’t hesitate to contact me.
