What You Need to Plan Your Next Trip to London

London is a popular vacation destination for many reasons. Rich with culture, London is a city that people of all ages can enjoy. From the diverse food scene to the historical buildings, there are a ton of things to do in the city.

You can stay in one hotel the whole time or you can bounce from hostel to hostel. There are even plenty of options for London luggage storage if you need a safe spot to stash your bags. Whether this is your 2nd time visiting or your 10th, there are some things to keep in mind when planning your trip.

Where You Stay Matters

Before you decide on lodging for your stay in the Swinging City, take into account what you want to do. If the majority of your sightseeing and activities are going to be in the heart of the city, getting a room in central London is a great choice.

Avoid School Breaks and Bank Holidays

While London is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in all of the United Kingdom, it is also one of the most popular and it attracts millions of tourists from every corner of the world. The absolute peak London vacation period is July & August, and if you don't want to battle the crowds, don't come during these two months. Sporadic busy periods also align with UK school breaks and bank closure holidays.

Public Transit is Your Friend

London is an enormous city, and it's also incredibly dense, which can make transportation a challenge. Be sure you leverage public transit as much as possible, not just for the economy of it, but for the convenience as well.

London has extensive public transportation that includes a huge system of busses, tube lines, as well as traditional London cabs. Be sure to use an Oyster card if possible, it will be your one payment method for most public transit systems in London.

Don't Expect to See Everything

There is so much to see and experience in London, that you shouldn't expect to be able to do or see it all even during a long vacation. If you have been to London before, you've almost assuredly experienced most of the major tourist attractions and locations, so you can take some time to see lesser-known or more obscure attractions. The best strategy is to plan to see a few big attractions, with several other minor attractions or other experiences mixed in.

Book in Advance

One of the most common mistakes that visitors to London often make is that they don't plan their activities enough in advance. Most people will book their flights and hotel rooms far enough in advance, but they frequently neglect to book tickets or reservations for things like popular restaurants, musicals, theater, The Shard, or The London Eye, which can leave them in a less-than-ideal situation when they arrive. Book in advance so that you can not only enjoy the best rates and prices for the attractions and events that you would like to attend, but so that you can also have the most potential options for seating or availability times.

Take Advantage of Free Entertainment

One of the best things about visiting London is that your trip doesn't have to break the bank. There are lots of free attractions throughout the city, many of them are even kid friendly. You can visit one of the many parks and gardens in town for a bit of fresh air. There are also many museums that can be visited for free, such as the Museum of London, Science Museum, and British Museum.

Bring a Credit Card

Nowadays, most places in the UK accept credit cards, so paying with cash is not necessary. Occasionally, you'll come across a small shop that prefers cash, but debit and credit cards are the best choice for traveling. It's important to keep in mind that Amex and Diner's Club cards are not widely used throughout Europe.

Planning Your Next Trip To London

Planning a trip can be a headache no matter where you go, however, going to London can create some extra pressure for those that want to pack in as much as possible into their trips. Whether you are getting ready for your second trip to London, or your second trip to London this year, you want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. By knowing what you need to plan for your next trip to London you will be as prepared as possible.