London is a rather busy city, with an impressive ability to engage its visitors wherever they turn. Keeping up with all this activity without some forward planning is nearly impossible. Navigating yourself through the bustling streets and the underground system alone can be exhausting. Not only does planning your trip to London make your stay more enjoyable, it can also save you a lot of headaches. Here are some essential tips on how to plan an amazing trip to London with ease and have the time of your life in this majestic city.
Decide When to Travel
London is a prime destination to visit at any time of the year. However, during the summer season, the city is seen as its liveliest, partially due to the mild weather. This period also coincides with major holidays and events like the Trooping of the Color or the Chelsea Flower Show. Christmas is another busy season in London, yet it is one of the most magical. If you want to avoid the crowds, the bad weather, and the insane prices, however, the best time to visit are the months of September and May.
Set up a Budget
Apart from being one of the most expensive cities in Europe, London can hold a few surprises – which is why it’s a good idea to have a travel budget for planned and unplanned expenses. While you can pay for your accommodation and set travel costs ahead of time, some attractions must be paid for locally. Having a budget you need to stick to will curb these expenses and allow you to experience more. You can also look into other ways to save money in London, by visiting free attractions and purchasing a visitor Oyster card, which offers the cheapest ways to tour the city.
Book Your Accommodation in Advance
London has lodging options for everyone’s budget – but only if you book them in advance. Make sure to look for accommodation well before your planned trip to London. If you start your booking process too close to your travel date, you’ll find yourself having to settle for more expensive or less convenient options. The prices may even tempt you to find accommodation outside the city. However, if you want to explore the capital, this isn’t a good idea. You will lose more money traveling back and forth than you would be paying for mid-range lodging.
Consider Travel Options
As with most trips, a major chunk of your budget will be spent on travel expenses. Depending on when you plan to visit, booking a commercial flight to London can be rather expensive. Plus, you will have to put up with all the hassle of getting through the airport to catch your flight you can’t miss. Nowadays, as BitLux charters highlight, convenience is everything. It’s worth investing in options that provide you with an experience that caters to all your needs. Opting for a private charter flight allows you to start your holiday long before you’ve arrived at your destination, minimizing a lot of commercial flight hassles.
Think About Getting Around
Once you get to the city, you also must consider how you will get around. Using public transport is the least expensive option, but not always the most convenient one. Navigating the underground can be a daunting task – plus, it won’t let you see much of the city unless you plan to visit specific attractions. While traveling by bus will allow you to go sightseeing, it may make you lose a lot of time, as would traveling via renting a car with all the traffic. If you don’t want to spend money on taxis – but want to explore more of the city, your next best option is to rent a bicycle.
Plan Your Itinerary
Another thing you can’t arrive in London without is a carefully planned itinerary. London has so much to offer in terms of attractions, history, and entertainment. Whether you are traveling with your family, significant other, or a group of friends, you will always find something to do. Traveling by boat on the canal near Little Venice, seeing Big Ben or the Tower of London are just some of the popular tourist activities you can’t miss out on. Other programs include watching the guards at Buckingham Palace and shopping on Oxford Street.
Find the Best Places to Eat in London
London offers several must-visit restaurants, and not all of them require a big budget. While you can’t have an authentic London experience without an afternoon tea at a high-end hotel, plenty of small cafes offer tea and food for more reasonable prices. Fish ’n’ chips are among the most popular and inexpensive options. And so is the full English breakfast, another meal that will fill you with energy for your planned activities.
No matter when or how long you plan to visit London, make sure to prepare adequately by researching your accommodation and travel options. Keep in mind that with one false move, the cheapest options may turn out to be the most expensive ones in the long run. Don’t forget to consider where you will eat, either – you don’t want to miss out on the city’s best culinary experiences.