Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit London, England! There are so many cool places to visit in London and the sightseeing in London is fantastic! As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate about your London vacation.
Hate #1: London Weather
The weather in London kind of sucks. It rains a lot and it can be quite chilly, even in the middle of summer. That said, it’s pretty temperate year-round, so while the summers aren’t very warm, the winters aren’t very cold. Expect gray, rainy days any time of year in London. Always have a rain jacket or umbrella so the weather doesn’t put a damper on any of your planned activities in London.
Hate #2: Prices in London
London is very expensive. London sightseeing, accommodation, and restaurants will all put a big dent in your travel budget. Some places to visit in London, like the Tower of London, Westminster Cathedral and Madame Tussaud’s are each over $30 or $40 for one adult admission. For a family of four, you could easily spend $150 on one London attraction. You can find discounts and deals if you look in advance, and some of the best places to visit in London are free, but this won’t be an inexpensive vacation no matter where you cut corners.
How to Cut Costs While You Travel
Hate #3: London Transportation
This is a love/hate because the Tube is great, but there are lots of transportation issues in London. Trains always seem to be delayed, and lots of trains don’t run on Sundays. Don’t book an early morning Sunday flight and expect to take the train to the airport. The Tube is also expensive like everything else in London. It’s still cheaper than taking a taxi around, but your Tube tickets can add up quickly. Do some research online before you go to see if a multi-day pass or the Oyster Card will be a better option for your London vacation.
Hate #4: Fewer British-isms
London is really an international city, so you don’t get as much of a British feel as you might expect. Yes, there are key British historical spots in London, but it’s a huge city and quite a cultural melting pot. This is also a love/hate because you can get great international cuisine in London. However, you won’t get the quaint British village pub experience until you go outside of the city.
Hate #5: Look Right First!
Safety is an issue for tourists who aren’t used to cars driving on the left. Whether you are driving or walking the streets, make sure you are looking right before crossing or staying on the left while driving. I’ve seen people get hurt by not looking in the right direction when crossing the street.
Love #1: London Museums
Whether you are visiting palaces, the Hampton Court, the British Museum or any other of the museums in London, you can easily fill a months’ vacation just with museums of London. A lot of the public museums in London are free, so that helps balance out the high price of your London vacation. Before you go, research your desired activities in London and see if a sightseeing card will be a good option for you. These often combine multiple attractions into one ticket price, with a discount over purchasing individual admission tickets.
Love #2: British Traditions
Seeing the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is one of the coolest things to do in London. And you can still find the red telephone booths around the city. There are still some cool spots where you can see and experience traditional British customs in London, even though it has become a huge international city.
Love #3: International Culture of London
As I said, this is a love and hate because if you are expecting a quaint English town, you’ll be disappointed. However, as an international melting pot of cultures, London is amazing! Over 30% of London’s population is foreign-born, meaning you can experience so many different cultures and cuisines in London. It’s really a unique experience to see all the cultures in one big city.
Love #4: Food in London
Although I often make fun of English food, that’s not the case in London. With so many international cultures living in London, it’s possible to get amazing food from all over the world. London has over 60 Michelin-starred restaurants. Some of the best restaurants in London serve Italian, French, Indian, and Chinese food. Going to traditional pubs for a pint is also a great London experience.
Love #5: Tourist Infrastructure in London
As a tourist, London is amazingly easy to visit. The Tube goes everywhere, you can book tours for anything. The police are super helpful and the whole city is very organized, making it very easy to get around and plan your trip. When people ask me where to go for their first trip overseas, I often suggest London because it’s easy (if not expensive) to travel in London. It’s also easy to reach from the United States, so it’s possible to get cheap flights to London.
London is really fantastic and there’s a reason they get so many tourists every year. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on rather than a reason not to visit London. Want more tips for traveling in England? Check out these other blog posts: