It’s no accident that London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With 30 million visitors a year, the city has embraced its tourism sector and become a major hotspot for holidaymakers. From countless Air BNBs to London West End stay packages, the city is teeming with great value accommodation to book. But what about everything else?
London is a very large city, the biggest in Europe in fact. And with such an immense size comes a unique transport system and area navigation. On top of this, England, in general, has fairly temperamental weather so you can expect fluctuating temperatures within the same month. Factoring in inflated prices, a rich history and many cultural attractions, there’s a lot that guests of the Piccadilly West End Hotel spa can do to prepare for their trip in advance.
This blog will outline some of the ways that guests of Piccadilly London can prepare for their trip in advance, so as to make the most of the city during a visit.
What To Pack
London is a city that changes its style with the seasons, yet indoor wear sometimes contradicts this. The clothes you pack should generally reflect the motive for your visit. Whilst some clubs, venues and bars have dress codes, others are much more informal. This blog will take a more general look at what to pack, depending on the season.
Footwear
As a general rule of thumb, London visitors can expect to do a fair bit of walking. Whether that be around galleries, the South Bank or the many green spaces, make sure that your shoes are durable and comfortable, regardless of the weather outside. Flexibility is key, whether kicking up dust in the tube stations or hiking through Richmond Park, you can be sure that you’ll be doing a bit of both on the same day.
Accessories
Whatever the season, come prepared for rain. England is famous for its temperamental weather patterns, so it’s a good idea to pack an umbrella or hat (though watch out for those wind tunnels!) for your stay at the Piccadilly London West End.
Outerwear
It goes without saying that winter in London can be chilly, but on average expect highs and lows of between 9 and 5 degrees celsius. This means that it’s a good idea to pack a coat and to layer up when out and about, especially in the winter. Even in the summer, the evenings can also get chilly so make sure to pack an extra layer, even if in the daytime you don’t feel like you need it.
Budgeting
Due to inflation and high demand for holidaymaking, London can be a slightly more expensive city than other European capitals. However, there are ways around this, especially if you plan far enough in advance. For instance, you’ll find better deals on discount hotels in West Londonif you begin booking a few months before your trip.
Go Cardless
It’s important to remember that though many shops will accept cash, the same shops also use contactless payment methods too. If you’re on the hunt for a cashpoint or exchange office and are worried about waiting times and transaction rates, then remember that you can pay by card too. Online banking companies such as Monzo also take away transaction fees, so consider investing in one of these as well.
Download Discount Apps
London is full of bargains – if you know where to look. Apps such as TodayTix provide discounted theatre and West End tickets, often at cheaper prices. Apps such as TooGoodToGo also provide discounted restaurant, takeaway and street food deals, as long as you’re available to pick up your dinner from the vendor at the allotted time.
Use Public Transport
Whilst Hackney cabs may be on your London to-do list, they can break the bank, and peak times for app-based taxi services can see single rides inflate massively. Public transport is the cheapest way to get around London, and it’s often one of the least expensive too.
The London Underground
With 12 tube lines and plenty of train services, the London rail network can get you from one side of the city to the other in just 45 minutes. The London Underground is a tourist hub in and of itself, thanks to being the oldest underground rail network in the world. Keep in mind though, that between the times of 6.30am and 9.30am and between 4pm and 7pm, prices can rise up to a third because of rush hour and peak times. Expect these time periods to be busier as well so if possible, try to walk to your destination between these timeframes if your destination is within a mile of your current location – and if you have the time to hand of course.
You can pay for single fares by contactless payment or via an Oyster card, which you can buy from most stations for just £5.
London Buses
London has more than 700 bus routes that serve much of the city. These are cheaper than the tube but the journeys do take longer. It’s worth noting that if you’re taking two buses within an hour of each other, you’ll be able to ride the second bus for free if you use the same payment card. This is because of the City Hopper fare, which has been in use since 2016.
Handy Tips For Sightseeing
London needn’t be expensive or stressful, if you know how to navigate and plan your visit. On top of preplanning accommodation and travel routes, it’s also worth carefully planning what landmarks and attractions you want to see.
The chances are, you won’t tick off everything on your checklist during your visit because there’s simply so much to see. Remember that many museums and galleries are free to visit and deceptively big. You could spend more than a day at the British Museum for instance, so don’t overplan your days.
