London was the first international destination I had an opportunity to explore without my parents. It is an absolutely massive city to explore and is great for new (English-speaking) travelers to get a taste of a new county and culture. While it is not particularly notorious for its food, it is notorious for bad weather, with unexpected and frequent spurts of rain, so always check the forecast before you go!
From its’ many street pubs, up to the gorgeous rooftop bars, and down to smoky underground clubs, there is fantastic nightlife. There’s loads of history and culture to learn about; as the “empire” has been around for centuries and influenced the course of history all around the world.
My first time to London was organized by an old friend of mine who was actually a local herself, so I got to kickoff my trip with someone who knew exactly what to do and where to go. My second trip was with a tour company, where we prioritized seeing famous landmarks and historic locations with some wild times sprinkled in between. I still need to make another trip here to finish crossing things off my list. (i.e. Stonehenge and the London Eye!)
Getting around town
The London Underground subway system (also known as “the Tube”) runs anywhere and everywhere in the city. Your ticket is an Oyster card, which is reloadable and must be scanned each time you enter/exit a station. This card is your key to getting the most out of the city, and you’ll be able to see so much more once you learn how to navigate it. Prices can be by single ticket journey or unlimited per day, depending which style you purchase. The area of the city also influences the price. By the end of your time there, you’ll have “PLEASE MIND THE GAP” stuck in your head. With an Oyster card in your hand, I would consider everything else in the city to be walkable (from any given station). London is rather easy to navigate. Take a photo of the subway map and keep it on your phone; it will be a lifeline you will refer back to constantly.
Additionally, there are trains (for trips outside the city center), Uber and other ride shares, and what seems like an infinite number of taxis. You can buy tickets for a hop on/hop off tour and see the city by double decker bus. Bikes and scooters are also available for rent. There are also guys with carts attached to their bicycles who will charge you a slightly unreasonable amount for a ride, but it can be a fun experience!
Renting a car is possible, though dealing with parking can be difficult in the main part of the city. As long as you’re in the city, you’d be better off just using the Tube. If you hail from any place that is not a derivative of the old English empire or a few other countries, you may also feel disoriented since the English drive on the “wrong” side of the road (the left!). Be sure to look both ways when crossing the street!
What to do
The list is long.
London has so many museums, you would have to spend weeks in the city to see them all. The best thing about them is that tons of them are F-R-E-E. Seriously. Pick your favorites and go spend some time looking at cool stuff.
Witness the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, a routine event that doesn’t happen every day. Check the schedule before you go, and make sure you get there early to secure a good viewing spot!
You can go check out the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, if you’re into that sorta thing. This is not a free activity, so book tickets ahead of time if you can. While you’re in the area though, don’t forget to walk across the Tower Bridge! It’s extremely photogenic.
The Jack the Ripper tour was a neat experience. We walked the same streets and drank at the same bars that the famous killer met and slain his many victims (mostly harlots).
Are you into Harry Potter? Make sure you take a trip on the Tube to Kings Cross Station where you can live out your wizarding fantasies and get a photo running through the wall at Platform 9 and 3/4. Don’t forget to wear your scarf representing your favorite house!! You can also go on a set tour at Warner Bros. Studios (I haven’t been but heard good things).
There are plenty of great options for entertainment. A few other girls and I ended up getting tickets to go see “Wicked” the musical which was a really cool experience. Seeing any kind of play in this city is a fun evening activity.
We boarded a cruise on the River Thames (there are numerous vendors for this activity) and sipped on tea and champagne as we drifted past famous landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben. It was absolutely gorgeous (but definitely a pricier excursion).
Greenwich is home to the Royal Observatory as well as the line of the Prime Meridian, and you can stand on it and be in both the eastern and western hemispheres simultaneously!
Shoreditch is also worth a visit. This is a hip, younger district filled with lots of artsy stuff and cool graffiti.
Be sure to walk by the infamous Big Ben tower, take a ride a red double decker bus, and make a phone call from a little red phone booth while you’re in town!
There are loads of half- to full-day trips that will take you outside the main city as well, such as Stonehenge, Oxford, Windsor Castle, and Bath. (A good source for these excursions can be found at a variety of day tour companies, but you can also rent a car or use public transportation to commute to these locations if you prefer to do the hard work yourself.)
Money
London is expensive (but beer is cheap-ish).
England has it’s own currency – the British Pound (GBP/£). Mostly everything is imported from other parts of the world and taxes are high. This is not a place I would go shopping (unless money isn’t an issue for you, then go right ahead). Your money will go further if you save it for activities, food, and transportation. Take advantage of the things that are free like walking and visiting certain museums when you can.
What to eat/drink
Beer, mostly. At pubs.
England’s food scene is not notorious for being the highlight of the trip, but some notable places to eat include Brick Lane (some of the best Indian food around), Borough Market, and Camden Market.
Fish + chips or a traditional English breakfast (with breakfast beans!) are a few notable dishes to try. Here’s a list for some others!
Overall, London can easily keep you entertained for days.
Have you visited yet? Leave your recommendations in the comments below! I’ll add them to my list for next time! 😀
(this post was last edited and updated on February 23, 2024)
Laura the explora: the blog 
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