London Travel Guide | Helpful tips to plan your trip
London Travel Guide : Sharing our experiences so you can plan yours.
This summer, as a celebration of her high school graduation, we planned a summer trip of my daughter’s choice. She was itching to get back to Europe and wanted to explore new (to her) cities, so we did a two-week trip that included Amsterdam, Copenhagen and London.
Summer is a great time to visit all three cities. In addition to the weather being favorable, London, like the other cities, is great for families, especially those with teens, first-time international travelers and those who prefer to rely on public transportation to get around.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing some helpful tips, finds and lessons we learned along the way, as well as a few basics to know before you go! This will be especially helpful if this is your first time to London.
If you’d like a breakdown of things to do and places to see, especially ones that are well-suited for older kids, check out my blog post London with Teens: A 3 day Itinerary
Quick links to help you navigate this blog post:
Heathrow International Airport (LHR)
The Basics: Currency, Weather, Transportation
Popular Neighborhoods of London
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Flying through Heathrow
Anyone who traveled in Summer 2022 knows every airport was a bit insane. Crowds, long lines and delays were just part of the experience! We flew into Heathrow from Copenhagen and thankfully had no real issues. Baggage claim was a breeze and we found a taxi quickly.
Getting into the city is a bit easier than getting out!
If departing through Heathrow, the standard tip of the year applies here too: give yourself plenty of time! London is a popular destination for vacation and business travelers alike, so it’s almost always busy.
First: traffic to the airport is almost a guarantee. Plan to leave early so you are not stressing out. From the city, it takes about 30-40 min on a good day to get to the airport and much of that is just getting out of the city.
There are a few steps to get to your gate so be prepared and if you have time, eat before you go. Food isn’t accessible until you get to the central waiting area and because everyone is there, the lines are LONG.
If this is your first time in London, Heathrow is a big airport and it’s crowded. The most unique thing, like other European airports, is that unlike the US, you don’t go to your gate until your plane is about to board and once you get through that area, you usually have a long walk, so strollers, roller bags and a lighter load are recommended.
If you didn’t have time to eat before getting to the airport, grab food in the central area as food is not available in the gate terminals. Also be mindful of bathroom locations, they are fewer and further between than US airports.
Westminster Abbey—a must see location for first-time visitors to London.
The basics: Weather,Transportation & Currency
When most people think of London they think of grey skies, rain boots and cozy jumpers (aka sweaters!). You are not wrong but in the summer, London can be quite pleasant and if you hit a heat wave, it can be down-right sweltering!
My best advice is check the weather often, plan for everything and definitely pack a light rain jacket. Weather changes quickly in London, often multiple times a day, so it’s best to be prepared. Bring sunglasses too—you’d be surprised how bright that cloud glare can be!
One of my favorite things about London is how easy it is to get around! Despite it being a huge city, it’s actually quite walkable, the streets are clean and it feels safe all times of day. But let’s be honest, sometimes you need a break from the miles and miles of walking you can do in a day and grabbing a taxi or jumping on the Underground is a welcome change of pace.
Both are great options, taxis are easy to find and can quickly take you from door to door (minus the city traffic of course!).
The Underground is a fantastic option too—if you are there for a few days and think you’ll be using it daily, I recommend buying a pass as opposed to single-use tickets. It’s easy to navigate, maps are everywhere, it’s clean, safe and truly just a part of the London experience. It’s a great way to cover more ground and feel a little more like a local.
Tips for the Underground:
Your phone can help you figure out which train to board just by using the train/transportation icon on your maps.
If your ticket ever deactivates (it happened to my daughter), there is always an attendant that can help you get through the gates. Don’t throw it away, if the dates are valid, you can still get on/off.
Speaking of on/off, you need your ticket each time you enter AND exit the station so keep it handy but not in the same pocket as your phone or credit card!
Let’s talk money
Now that England has officially separated from the EU (Brexit was official in January of 2020), their currency once again is the British Pound. Exchange rate does vary so it’s best to check it before you go but it usually stays close to a 1:1 ratio.
Currency exchange locations are getting harder and harder to find these days and instead, most just use a local ATM to get local currency. Banks usually have better rates, ATMs are certainly more convenient and you can pull as you go so you don’t go home with pockets full of pounds.
Like life at home, cash is no longer the dominant way to pay, so you may find you don't need a lot of cash and instead can rely mostly on cards or electronic payment. If you plan to pull out cash, be sure to check with your bank to see what types of fees you might incur in doing so.
The colorful and fun streets of Covent Garden—our favorite neighborhood in London.
London Neighborhoods
While London is a huge metropolis, filled with bustling city streets, it’s also comprised of many unique neighorhoods with their own vibe and personality. Depending on which you visit, you can truly have a different London experience each time you go. I say each time because unless you are staying for an extended time, it would be pretty hard to get to them all in a week or less.
Here is a quick description, from our recent experience, of the areas we explored:
Oxford Circle/Marylebone: this is the area we stayed (more on that next). This is a great area for shopping, restaurants and was very convenient to get to other neighborhoods. This is more like 5th Ave in NYC—bustling, crowded at times but has everything you need.
Covent Garden: Looking back, this was our favorite and if we go back, I’d opt to stay in this London neighborhood. It’s a combination of small side streets, local markets, shopping areas and great restaurants. It feels more tucked away and pedestrian friendly. You can find upscale shopping, local pubs or places to interact with locals and travelers alike. To me, it felt most like Fanuiel Hall in Boston.
If you are a Peloton person, the Peloton London Studios are located in Covent Garden.
Soho: a great area between Marleybone and Covent Garden. This is your place for theater, local shops and definitely a more artistic vibe to the area. Great restaurants, pubs and breweries can be found here too. I’d equate London’s Soho to NYC’s Greenwich Village.
Notting Hill: So we went here expecting to walk into a movie scene and were a little taken back, it was more rundown and dirtier than we ever imagined. Some of that might have been the day we went—Sunday, the only day the daily market, known as the Portobello Market, is not open, so streets were lined with trash, broken tents from Saturday’s market and many stores were closed.
Sure there were some streets with colorful houses and cute spots but the vibe felt a little more uncertain and we made a point to leave before dark. The kids did not feel very comfortable here. It’s possible we just hit it on a bad day but I would not recommend this area for families with small kids, at least not on a Sunday.
Kensington & Hyde Park: If you love green spaces, castles and are looking for things to do with kids, especially in the summer, than these two neighborhoods are a must. The parks are so well maintained, filled with walking paths, playgrounds, royal gardens, lakes and more.
You can find public bathrooms, places to eat and see memorials dedicated to Princess Diana, including the park and garden created in her honor. It’s a bit of a walk from Hyde Park but absolutely worth it to visit Kensington Palace and the Memorial Garden that just opened last year. It’s so serene and such a touching tribute to an amazing woman.
Westminster: if you are looking for all things historic and British, then Westminster is must. Castles, monuments, churches, Royal squares and all. It’s a must see for your first visit but be warned, it’s crowded!
Streets are packed, lines are long and everything is more expensive here. My advice, do visit but try to go during off peak times if you can and go somewhere else to eat. Not only are the restaurants more suited to tourists in this area but they are more expensive and crowded too. If you are starving, go to the side streets and avoid the main tourist areas.
Treehouse London is a new hotel in Marylebone but as you can see there is some contruction going on outside (we never heard a thing!)
Places to stay in London—so many options.
You truly can find a place to fit any style or budget. We stayed in Marylebone which was a great central location. Easy access to the Underground and walking distance to every neighborhood listed above. Sure some walks were longer than others but it can be done!
We stayed at the Treehouse London. This was a great spot for our family, not too stuffy and had a playful vibe to it. Treehouse London truly embraced the treehouse vibe so much so that you’ll see cuckoo clocks, tree branches and plants throughout the hotel. It was very clean, the rooms have great views and the staff was friendly.
Check out this Instagram post for my review and some footage of the hotel. The hotel has a restaurant on the top level with 360 degree views of the city—they are incredible and if you plan well enough in advance, you can book a table for sunset.
If you are like us and don’t get a table for sunset then they’ll be sure to tell you there is a time limit to your table. The food and service were just ok and I wouldn’t make a special trip to this restaurant. We opted for it because it was convenient on a travel day but we wouldn’t go back—it’s a bit overpriced and you are paying for the views. If you want to go up for views, I’d say go to The Nest, the hotel bar for a drink and go somewhere else for dinner.
If quirky and themed isn’t your style, here are a few more hotels I recommend. If you are new here or just need a reminder, I am a travel advisor by day, so if you are planing a trip to London (or anywhere for that matter) and need help with hotel research and booking, I can help.
If booked through me, since I’m backed by Fora Travel, you get upgrades and perks at no additional charge and there is never a fee to have me help you book hotels. You get all the benefits for free!
Here are a few suggestions for other hotels in London:
London Kensington Hotel Indigo
Pride flags flying high in London during Pride Month.
Pride Month in London
June is Pride month around the world but I have honesty never seen it celebrated with such grandeur and spirit as I have in London. It was truly a celebration everywhere you looked! From parades to parties and decorations to flags flown high, every store, bar, square and neighborhood was partaking in the moment!
There was such an energy throughout the city and it was fun to witness in person. We were also there during the end of the Queen’s Jubillee, which looking back is more poignant considering her passing but London was truly energized while we were there and while it was very crowded thanks to the world getting back to travel, it was a fun place to be.
For events in 2023 and beyond, be sure to checkout Pride in London’s website page
Another Tradition in June in London...Wimbledon!
So while this was our kids’ first time in London, my husband and I have actually been before. Our last trip, in 2015, was to attend Wimbledon. The tennis tournament, steeped in history and tradition, much like everything else in London, starts at the end of June and goes for two weeks.
This was the first year since the pandemic that the the tournament was back to regular operations so needless to say, tickets were in high demand. The point to this is, Wimbledon is a popular event and there are few ways to get your hands on tickets.
Stand in long queues and keep your fingers crossed for good luck
Enter the lottery for free tickets. We actually won front row seats to the men’s semi-final match in 2015. To have a chance at tickets, you have to register for the ballot as soon as it opens, so my advice would be to sign up for alerts so you know when things are happening. It was amazing but if you take your chances, prepare to act fast, claim your tickets and book your trip.
Try and buy tickets online as soon as they open. Act fast, prepare to pay a lot and sign up for newsletters for advance notice of opening date.
What I will say is, if you love tennis and you get tickets, GO!! It’s a remarkable, memorable experience. We did not go this year because with four of us, the demand and cost for tickets it was just too big of an expense.
Final thoughts
I hope this gives you a snapshot of London before you go. It’s truly a great city to visit and one to add to your list if you are new to international travel! It’s easy to navigate, communicate and everyone is very friendly.
It is a big city and there is an energy like New York City just a little more spacious and a good bit cleaner. There is charm, history, modern flair and deep tradition in everything London does.
Check out my London: Three day itinerary to start planing your trip to London or if you love guides to go, download my free London guide for quick links and all the info in a handy PDF.
If you have questions or thoughts to share, drop them below. The more we share as a community, the more we can help other travelers enjoy their time in London.
Celebrate tradition, Explore London!
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If Copenhagen is on your list of cities to visit, be sure to check out my Travel Guide to Copenhagen and my free Three Day Itinerary to Copenhagen for families. Both offer many tips, suggestions and recommendations to plan a visit.