The World In A Weekend

“Excuse me sir, but the queue starts here” a local lady tells a tourist that is trying to cut in front of us as we are trying to purchase hot chocolate on a cold night in November.

I guess he learned how serious they take their hot chocolate in London. 

Castles, futuristic skyscrapers, and historical landmarks draw crowds to London each year making it the second most visited city in the world behind Bangkok.

It should be no surprise that there are a few things that you should plan for before arriving in the city. 

They say that knowledge is power and with the knowledge from this article you’ll be ready to rule London like the royal family.

Is London worth visiting?

London is home to world class shopping, rich history, diverse cultures and a buzzing nightlife. 

There will be no shortage of things to do, places to explore, and things to eat in London.

London has dozens of magnificent restaurants serving everything from a proper English breakfast to proper burgers.

If you love museums, London has over 192 museums and 11 of those are national museums. Many of the museums have free admission. 

London is also close to France. If you are staying in London and you have the time, then you can easily visit Paris and other countries as well. 

In my opinion London is well worth visiting. The city has so much to offer for all types of travelers. 

Whether you’re a foodie like me, or an avid adventure seeker, London will provide everything you need to scratch your travel itch. 

Which London Airport is better to fly into?

London has 6 major airports that service the Greater London area and which one you choose depends on where you are staying in the city.

If you are staying in the inner city the most convenient airport would be the London Heathrow Airport, and if you are not staying in the inner city it would probably be more convenient to fly into one of the other airports.

You have two options to get to your hotel from the airport, private transportation or the public bus. The bus is the cheaper option with the tickets costing around 17 pounds per person.

Private transportation to your hotel can be pretty pricey because the airports are outside of the city.

Depending on where you are staying and which airport that you fly into, rides can last over an hour and cost around 80 pounds if not more. 

The bus rides last about 40 minutes to an hour as well and keep in mind that if you take the bus, the bus doesn’t drop you off at your hotel. 

You would have to get off at the bus stop closest to your hotel, take your luggage and walk to the hotel from there.

With this option it would be wise to check the local weather forecast before arriving.

If possible try to fly into the airport that is closest to the hotel that you are staying at. It will save you time and money. 

Do i need cash in london?

The short answer is no, you don’t really need cash in London because a lot of places don’t accept cash. 

Places like your hotel and many restaurants don’t accept cash. They would like you to pay with a debit or credit card. 

My first time in London I got cash from the ATM thinking that I would use it at the hotel and while dining but I didn’t even use half of it. 

But with that being said, there are still many places in London that accept cash so it’s up to you whether you carry cash or not.

Let your bank know where you are traveling and you will be able to use your debit or credit card. They will charge an exchange fee for each transaction. The fee varies depending on the bank. 

When I travel I always like to take at least one dollar bill of the local money home as a souvenir.

Where is the best place to stay in london for first time visitors?

In my opinion the best place to stay In London is The Tower Hotel, London – Booking.com. It’s a beautiful hotel that is walking distance to the London Tower Bridge.

The Queens walk, the tower castle, the Shad Thames Historical Wharf Bridges and various other tourist attractions and souvenir shops are within walking distance. 

You can save money on transportation by staying here and exploring the area on foot. You can also use your phone charger from the US in the hotel rooms.

The hotel also has a wonderful restaurant named Vicinity. I recommend the proper burger, spoiler alert! It’s delicious.

The restaurant also offers outdoor seating next to a firepit with views of the Tower Bridge, but you’ll have to make reservations for those seats. 

The hotel is conveniently located, the property is well kept, and heck you can’t beat having the opportunity to go to sleep with a famous landmark at your hotel window.

How to travel in london as a tourist?

As a tourist you have a few options for traveling around London. My favorite is the Big Bus Tours: Sightseeing Bus Tours | Hop-On Hop-Off.

You can purchase a ticket online and the ticket is good for 24 hours. 

The Bus makes stops at all of the major tourist attractions in London and you can hop on and off as much as you like for 24 hours.

The bus also offers audio commentary that will inform you about the city as you are riding. 

If you like your privacy another option to get around the city is the Bolt: Request a Ride . It’s similar to the Uber or Lyft car service in the United States. 

Just download the app, request a ride, go to the nearest pickup location then wait for your ride. 

London also has a traditional taxi service and the famous black taxis. Though these options will be more comfortable they will also be a lot pricier so take that into consideration when planning.

Also take into consideration that you only live once and you should fill your life with as many experiences as possible!

If you are going to be in London for an extended period of time then maybe using a public bus or the subway to get around the city will be the best option for you. 

In conclusion, if you 

• Fly Into the airport that is closest to the hotel you’re staying in.

• Stay at The Tower Hotel, London if possible. 

• Ride the Big Bus Tours: Sightseeing Bus Tours | Hop-On Hop-Off to get around the city and see the attractions. 

• And remember that not all places in London accept cash. 

You’ll see why London is worth visiting and you will have an unforgettable vacation like the nearly 30 million people that visit each year. Safe travels!!