London is a vibrant city with something for absolutely everybody. Whether youre interested in learning more about the history of the UK on a Thames River cruise, want to have some spooky fun in the London Dungeons, try an escape room, shop til you drop or indulge in amazing food, youll find it all in London. But with so much to choose from, you might be feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start. Weve put together some tips to help you make the most of your first time in the UK capital.

Stay in Central London:

If youre looking at accomodation options, youve probably noticed that there are hotels, apartments, AirBnbs, hostels, and more options for resting your head at night. If youre feeling overwhelmed with the sheer amount of choice, narrow it down a little by looking at options for central London only. Not only is there accommodation to suit every budget here; youll also be right at the heart of the action and be able to see more in less time during your trip.

Avoid School Breaks and Bank Holidays:

London is a particularly busy city anyway, so if you dont want to be fighting through crowds of people, its a wise idea to choose your travel times carefully. London attracts millions of visitors from all over the world, not to mention tourists visiting from other parts of the UK. Bank holidays and school breaks are particularly busy times to visit – its a good idea to get familiar with UK bank holidays so you can schedule your travel accordingly.

Get Familiar With the Tube:

Once in London, do as the Londoners do – and use the Underground railway to get around. You can get a day or week pass for the tube at any ticket office, or you can purchase tickets as you go at the ticket machines provided at every station. The London Underground is by far the quickest way to get around the city as youll bypass all the traffic – and its far cheaper compared to getting a taxi. You can get a tube map online or even download the app to your smartphone. Or, just ask the staff – theyre friendly and happy to assist with directions.

Book a Tour of the City:

If youre paying a flying visit to London and want to see as much as you can in a short time, then a guided London tour is an ideal option for you. There are many different London tour types to choose from; open-top buses are a classic way to see as much of the city as possible or if youre feeling energetic, opt for a walking tour. In party mode? Why not choose a London pub crawl tour, where you can see all the sights and sample the best alcoholic beverages the city has to offer at the same time?

Consider Getting a London Pass:

Do you want to make sure that you visit as many London attractions as possible? Paying at the door at popular attractions like the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St Pauls Cathedral can quickly add up, so its worth looking into any pass options that are available. You can buy passes online or at official tourist offices in the city and choose from varying durations. Once youve bought your pass, it will give you access to the majority of attractions in the city. Bear in mind that not all attractions – such as the London Eye – are included, so plan to spend a little extra if you want to visit these.

London is an unforgettable destination, so spend some time preparing before you arrive to make sure that you have a fun and memorable experience in this city.

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