10 Things That SHOCK Tourists When They Visit London

Ten Things That Shock Tourists on a London Vacation

Greetings from London! London is one of the most visited cities in the world, for good reason! Today I’m sharing ten things that may shock you on your London vacation, some of them are fun things, some are tourist things, but they all will help you enjoy the city. With these London travel tips, hopefully you’ll be better prepared for the inevitable shocks of visiting London.

London Travel Tip #1: London is Expensive

London is very expensive, so be prepared for that. Hotels, restaurants and museums are all really pricy in London. If you’re from the U.S. or elsewhere in Europe, the exchange rate is not usually in your favor, so that makes the prices seem even higher. In order to cut down on costs on your London vacation make sure you visit the spectacular free museums like The British Museum. Also, save money on public transport by picking up an Oyster Card and save money on each ride on the tube. You may want to spend a bit extra to be at a central hotel as then you will cut down on transportation costs.

Read: How to Save Money So You Can Travel More

London Travel Tip #2: Look Both Ways When Crossing the Street

WATCH YOUR STEP!!! As you walk around London, if you don’t look both directions when stepping into traffic, you’re in a for a big shock. Since they drive on the left in London, traffic is not coming from the direction you may expect. So many tourists from the U.S. or Europe look the wrong way and then step out into traffic, with many close calls every day. Be sure to look in both directions!

London Travel Tip #3: Be Prepared for an International Experience

London is truly an international city and a melting pot of cultures. When you visit London, it doesn’t even feel like you’re in England some of the time. London is one of the most international cities in the world, some might say THE MOST international city in the world. You might have high tea served by a waitress from Italy, or you might have a Polish bartender at the local pub. Having so many international influences means London has great food from all over the world, and tourists are never far from bumping into someone from their home country or hearing their own language.

London Travel Tip #4: Seek Out Free Museums in London

London has tons of great free museums. Since London is so expensive, it’s nice to save a bit of money on museum admissions. There are many free world-class museums in London, including the British Museum and the Tate Modern. Some of the paid museums are worth it, such as Westminster Abbey and Tower of London, however you can easily fill your London vacation with free museums. And a walk along The Thames River and taking in the view of the Houses of Parliment and Big Ben (the bell is Big Ben by the way) is always a great free tourist activity.

Read: 10 Things That SHOCK Tourists About Visiting England

London Travel Tip #5: Be Prepared for Any Weather in London

You might be shocked to learn that it doesn’t rain every day in London. In fact, sunny days are fairly common in the summer. When it’s not raining, Londoners head outside in droves to enjoy the nice weather and the city really comes alive. That said, it does rain a lot in London, so be prepared with a jacket and an umbrella. This is especially important in the winter/cooler months.

The Don’ts of Visiting London

London Travel Tip #6: Make Sure You Experience London’s Pub Culture

You will be shocked at how much people go out for a drink in London. There are so many bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and pubs around London. People in London really love to have a pint or a Pim’s Punch. You’ll see people having a pub crawl on a Thursday after work or with their mates after a football match on Saturday. It’s shocking to learn how much the English enjoy visiting the pub and having a drink because their stereotype is that of a stuffy, refined Englishman. Don’t miss the chance to join in and throw back a pint to see what the pub culture is all about.

London Travel Tip #7: Get to the Pub Early!

As much as Londoners like to drink, last call at the pub is 11:00 p.m, though some will go later than that nowadays. This means they have to start early, usually right after work. If you are used to Spain or Portugal or New York, 11pm is when people start getting ready to go out. In London, pubs close early so you have to find the nightclubs that stay open later. If you know this ahead of time, you’ll be out early with the crowds and won’t mind the early closing time, and then off to find a club for later evening activities.

London Travel Tip #8: Take Advantage of London’s Tourist Infrastructure

The English are extremely organized and London is no exception. For tourists visiting London, there are endless options of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and theaters. The great thing for tourists in London is that you can do all of this on your own, using readily available information. You don’t need a tour guide for your London vacation. The Tube is easy to use. Most everyone is friendly, including police, so don’t be afraid to ask for directions. The infrastructure in London makes it an excellent choice for a traveler’s first trip to Europe.

London Travel Tip #9: Be Prepared for Large Distances

You might be shocked at how large London is. You’ll need to use the Tube to get around the city because it’s quite vast. There are so many distinct and unique neighborhoods in London, and you’ll want to explore some of them beyond the tourist route. Notting Hill, SOHO and Chinatown are just a few. You’ll find different cultures and restaurants in each neighborhood. So get out and explore!

Read: Common Mistakes Rookie Travelers Make

London Travel Tip #10: Most Policemen Don’t Carry Guns

As an American, I had heard about the police not carrying guns in the UK, but this was still a bit of a shocking sight at first, but the police in London don’t carry weapons for the most part. You’ll see a few (especially at major transportation hubs), but it’s not every single office like you would see in the States or other countries. The police in London are also really friendly, so if you need help or directions, most of them are happy to help you.

London is a great city, with so much to offer tourists. Knowing these ten shocks will help you be a bit better prepared, but you will have a great time in London. For more travel tips, check out some of these videos: