Visiting London can be an overwhelming experience. It might not be the world's largest or most densely populated city but thanks to a messy street plan-dating back more than a thousand years in some places-it can be a little tricky to deal with.
So, before you visit London, check out these top tips to help you see the city on your own terms and hit the ground running.
Planning your time
When it comes to travel, a little planning can go a long way.
In terms of London, this means first and foremost working out what you really want to see before you go. There are hundreds of places to visit across the vast, sprawling British capital. If you try and fit too much in, you'll end up feeling exhausted and frustrated.
The trick is to highlight things that you simply 'can't miss' and look for other stuff in that area. As an example, if you really want to visit St Paul's Cathedral and Buckingham Palace, visit them on separate days and visit the things near each one instead. From St Paul's, it's an easy walk to the Tate Modern Gallery or a short ride to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge, it's a much further journey over to Buckingham Palace which will use up valuable time.
Getting around
Sticking with the previous point, when planning where to go, don't navigate using the Underground (Tube) map as it does not show real distances. In reality, some stations are miles apart, and some are a few yards from each other, but all look pretty equal on the tube map to keep it simple.
With this in mind, use an actual street map or the GPS on your phone and walk where possible. Visitors are often surprised at how close together many attractions are in London, and the streets are generally pedestrian friendly.
If you're feeling brave why not try taking local buses too? The bus system is easy to understand and stops are automatically announced on board so it can be a cheap way to save your legs. Download the CityMapper app to help you out.
Costwise, the best option for visitors is an Oyster Card. This is simply a plastic smart card you can top up with credit which is then deducted per journey and works on the Underground (Tube), bus, train and tram system within London.
If you are staying for five days or more, consider getting a 7-day ticket. This is a fixed price, so it can work out cheaper over several days-just be aware which zone areas it is valid for. The majority of attractions are in zones 1 and 2 of the Underground network.
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Paid stuff vs free stuff
When it comes to attractions to visit, London is split between private places which charge an admission fee and state supported institutions which are mostly free to enter.
When planning days in London, think about mixing these up. For example, visiting Tower Bridge (paid) and then the Tate Modern (free) nearby will help keep costs down. Some attractions can only be viewed from the outside on certain dates such as The Houses of Parliament (plus Big Ben) or Buckingham Palace. So, this saves a little more money.
If there are many paid admission attractions that you want to visit, then investigate the London Pass card. You pay one price for an admission card to use for a set number of consecutive days, so it can save time and money if you plan ahead.
Local food and drink
When in London, you'll soon notice a lot of people having a little lunchtime picnic in the many parks and gardens scattered around the city. If the weather is behaving itself, grab a sandwich or snack and find a spot on the grass for a relaxing lunch.
Many office and construction workers do this to keep costs low, as dining in a restaurant each day can quickly add up. It's also a great way to appreciate that over 33 percent of London's surface area is given to green space.
Finally, for a truly local London experience, don't forget to visit a pub (public house). Look for one down a side street or in the business district (City of London) to avoid the tourist crowds and mingle with the locals.
Go easy on your trip to London and try not to 'attack' or 'do' the city. Work with it instead and it will reward you with some great experiences and memories.
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