Important things to know before visiting London (updated for 2023)

Visiting London for the first time? These are the important things to know before visiting London, updated for 2023. Info and facts about London geography, public transportation, how to spend money in London, and more important tips and tricks you MUST know before you come to London this year.

MORE LONDON TIPS to watch:

♥️ MORE LONDON HELP ♥️ (some links are affiliated and help us keep producing these videos)

About Love and London:
I'm Jess, I've lived in London for many years, and this channel is a London travel guide for anyone visiting the city that wants to experience it like you live here. Beyond talking about the usual London attractions, myself and my team show you some of the cooler things to do in London, that most travel guides don't mention. Watch our videos and you'll feel like you've got a Londoner friend telling you the best kept secrets in the city.

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As a born Londoner, that is a great guide to visiting London. One point about using public transport... when using the tube you should tap your card on the yellow reader at the start and again on completion of every journey. If using the bus, tap your card on yellow reader when getting on the bus but do not tap again on exit as you will pay twice.

[jkmaseruman]

I've lived in London for a year and a half now and absolutely love it! At first I used the tube a lot for getting around but now I use the buses all the time as it's a great way of sightseeing/getting to know the city. Yes it can take longer but the extra time is spent admiring this beautiful city!

[Magic_beans_]

London is definitely an expensive city overall, but you can still visit pretty affordably. As our host mentioned, hostels are a great way to economize on lodging. They’re nicer than you’re probably imagining, and pretty much all of them offer single rooms or all-female dorms if that helps you feel better about safety.

If you’re planning day trips out of town (and I highly recommend it), plan those ahead and book your train tickets a month in advance; they’re way cheaper than buying the same day or getting a multi-day pass (though you do lose some spontaneity).

As for attractions, in the summer there’s always something going on in one of the city parks for free, or you can just hang out and people-watch.
- The big museums are free, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, both Tates, and the Victoria & Albert.
- For every paid vantage point like the Shard or the London Eye (another $35ish each), there’s another great spot that’s free like the Sky Garden or Greenwich Observatory.
- Same goes for day trips like Windsor Palace; the paid tours are cool, but if you’re watching your spending you can have a good time in the gardens and admiring the buildings. (Bath, a city with both Roman history and a Jane Austen aesthetic, has free tours by experienced local guides.)
- Hop-on, hop-off busses are a nice way to get a quick overview of the major sights, but the regular city busses are cheaper and travel a lot of the same routes.
- For a couple bucks you can download audio tours for popular walks and bus routes to explain the history of what you’re seeing.
(At the risk of undercutting my own message, if you can splurge on one thing I’d suggest experiences. That’s probably why you’re there in the first place.)

Another budget-extending option is to split your time with another city. London’s great, but it’s not indicative of England as a whole. Spending a few days somewhere like York or Liverpool will give you a broader look at England and it can be way cheaper.

[kieranmccarthy]

City mapper is great given the sometimes bewildering travel options around London. I guess the "get me home" function would be very useful if you set your hotel etc. as home

[maltesetony]

Another excellent video for first-time visitors to London. I could watch this woman all day . . .

[Magic_beans_]

0:26 This is more targeted to my suburban US neighbors, but: in the weeks leading up to your trip, try to get some more walking in. As a visitor in a pedestrian-friendly city it’s entirely possible to put in 15, 000 steps a day, and I’ve heard much higher. If you’re used to 3, 000-5, 000 steps a day like many of us, suddenly going to 15, 000+ is going to be brutal. If you can, start a month out and increase your steps a bit each week so you’ll be better prepared.

(If you’re buying walking shoes for the trip, this preparatory walking is also a good opportunity to break the shoes in.)

[edwardmcgill]

As a Londoner, I disagree on Southend Airport - its a few minutes more than the train to Stansted and you are in the terminal in 60 secs, security will take 2 mins. Its very convenient if you are going to Stratford or Liverpool St - or the surrounding area. For some history - Southend used to be Londons 3rd Airport

[johnwarner]

We watched your older videos before going to London two weeks ago and you were spot on!!!

[hannahpetrache]

This channel was very helpful when I was planning our very first trip to London last June. The weather was perfect during our stay except for one day when it rained (which we are totally used to). It easily became my favorite city, and I’ll definitely go back!

[KeProductions]

Just came back from London. Used a lot of your tips and they were advantageous to my trip overall. Great guide!

[skeeterskier]

My wife and I are coming to London (our first trip abroad) and your videos have been very helpful - thank you from Texas!!!

[darrenpatto]

As a fellow Londoner, that's a splendid Back to Basics 101. Well done Luv 😉

[vincentliuo]

So much richness, deep taste, rich details and diversity throughout the city. It's the strongest nation in the whole world.

[sgmei]

Been following your channel since I started to plan my trip, and suddenly it's next month. I can't believe time passes so fast, I'm so excited for my trip and already wondering when will be the next time going back. It's my first ever London trip, first time flying out of Asia~~ Thank you for all the tips, always helped. I'm relieved to hear most are cashless and I'd be fine with just my card, but I still had prepare a tiny amount of cash, you know, just in case.

[iraa]

I am travelling to London this august and u guys have literally planned my whole holiday for me
As a first time London tourist I have given me no 💩tips and place to visit thank you so much ❤

[MarkmanOTW]

Great video, Jess. As a someone who's grown up around London, worked and socialised here that's a practical, accurate insight and good advice to anyone visiting. 👍

[TomtheTaxiDriver]

Faultless information Jess, a great video to pack in so much information!

Only slight niggle, Uber isn’t always cheaper than a taxi. Take note if Uber are surge pricing. If it is a particular busy weekend a journey within town is often cheaper in a taxi.

Taxis also take 5 or 6 people and can take pushchairs and wheelchairs without the need to fold down.

I’m slightly biased but the roomy nature of the taxis can really help if you have a lot cases 🙌🏻

Best experience, try a bit of every travel option London has to offer!

[momatthemic]

Arrived in London today and found your videos VERY helpful!!! And the Three Day Itinerary is amazing! So, so glad we purchased it. I wouldn’t want to do London without it!

[danearistygerian]

The perfect video just before my trip to London, within 12 hours

[gmoney]

Thanks for another great video! My wife and I will be in London in March. We can't wait!