We just got back from the most amazing trip to London and I wanted to quickly put this travel guide together while it’s fresh on my mind! If you are planning your first trip to London soon, here is everything you need to know for booking your trip, where to eat and drink like a local, unique things to do, and some souvenir suggestions.
Things To Know Before You Go
Citymapper App – Download this free transport and direction map before you arrive. It helped us get all around by telling the fastest routes, which tube line to take, how long, and estimated cost comparisons. You can also get the route you need while connected to wifi and then the app will save it for offline use.
Oyster Cards – This is what your will use to pay for all public transport in London. I ordered mine in advance here, preloaded them with funds, and had them shipped to my house. It made it super convenient when we landed and hoped on the tube while most other tourists had to wait in line to get their cards or tickets.
Local Currency – I ordered some pounds from our local bank about a week before our trip. It was here within 2-3 business days. It’s nice to have some on hand when you land for food, a taxi, etc. Speaking of banks, make sure to tell your bank you will be traveling so they don’t shut off your card thinking it’s fraudulent.
Get An Adapter – In order to plug anything in (hair tools, phone charger, etc) you will need one of these. Also check to make sure your appliance is dual voltage! To do this, look at the plug or on the device for any language about dual voltage. If not, look to see if the input is 110V to 240V, your device is dual voltage. If it says 110V but does not mention 240V, then it’s single voltage. Basically the outlets in London heat up faster and your appliance will need to regulate this or it will fry.
Sky Garden Tickets – The amazing viewing platform from the photo above is from the Sky Garden. There is also a few bars and restaurant up there that you can have a drink and take in views of the entire city. The best part, it’s FREE! However tickets for specific days “sell out” weeks in advance, so make sure you grab some while planning your trip.
Where To Stay
There are so many variables to this.. your budget, your goals for the trip, etc. However, I highly recommend staying within zone 1 for your first trip to London (the city is broken down into zones similar to a bullseye, with the most attractions in the center, aka zone 1). If you stay outside of this zone, you will be spending more time and money traveling back and forth. I think it is worth is to pay a little more and get the most of your vacation time.
The Bailey Hotel – I loved the charm of this 141 year old hotel in Kensington! But the biggest selling point was the location! It was perfect for tourists as it is right across the street from Gloucester Station (again, saving travel time). This station also serves multiple underground lines so we could easily access almost every location in the city without having to switch trains half way. From the airport, we were able to get on the underground and take it straight to our hotel. Location 10 out of 10!
Another place I recommend looking into for hotels is the Mayfair area. This was very central to many of the attractions, shopping, and nightlife. May be more expensive tho!
Where To Eat
Dishoom – #1 on my list! When I asked you guys on IG for recommendations about 50% of you said this, and it did not disappoint! Best Indian food of my life, and I didn’t even know I liked Indian food before this! Ha! We went at prime time on a Saturday night and had to wait at the bar for about an hour, but it was worth it. I’m still thinking about it, a must for your first trip to London!
Luna Rossa – Authentic Italian food in Notting Hill. We had a pizza as big as our table and tons of wine. The food was superb, the service was friendly, and the atmosphere was great! Highly recommend!
The Hereford Arms – This Victorian style pub was super close to our hotel. We had a pint there the first day and loved it so much that we returned again for their traditional Sunday Roast (which is similar to a Thanksgiving meal). Tell Joe the bartender we sent you (long story, but my husband lost his phone and Joe found it and returned it, he’s awesome!).
Wok To Walk – We grabbed this for some late night, after the bar take out food. This place is gold!!! Order your favorite asian noodle dishes to-go (or take-away as they call it). Would be good for quick lunch or dinner too.
Cakes & Bubbles – Owned by one of the world’s best pastry chefs, you can expect exceptional desserts! There is also a wide selection of Champagnes and sparkling wines. Yum!
**When eating at a restaurant or pub with wait staff who’ve taken your order at your table, it’s customary to tip about 10% for decent service. When you get the bill, double check to see if a service charge has been added, and if it has, then there’s no need to tip any more than that.
Where To Drink
Sketch – This is probably the most famous restaurant in London with its’ all pink decor and egg shaped bathrooms. However, it can get quite expensive for afternoon tea or to dine here. We opted to grab a drink at one of their multiple bars so we could still experience it for less cost!
The Distillery – A working gin distillery in Notting Hill that serves some great, unique cocktails. We ended up buying a few of their own gin bottles to take home and share with family. It can get busy on the weekends.
The Vault – This whiskey bar is located inside Milroy’s in Soho. Go to the very back of Milroy’s, push on the bookcase hidden door, and head down the steps. Pretty small, so get there early before it gets crowded. If they are full, it’s a five minute walk to The Basement Sate which has a similar vibe. We visited both.
Algerian Coffee Stores – A century-old shop for global coffees and teas. The walls are lined with jars filled with over 80 different coffee beans and 120 teas. Full of aroma!
**In pubs and bars, there’s no need to tip bartenders, even if they’ve taken your food order at the bar. My husband and I had a debate about this, so we asked a few locals and it’s true. Ha!
Things To Do
Of course there are all your typical tourist activities: Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, The Shard, etc. You can find all these with a quick google search. Here are some things we enjoyed that might not be the most obvious choices for your first trip to London.
Churchill War Rooms – Discover the life and legacy of Winston Churchill in the bunker and museum hidden beneath the streets of Westminster where he ran WW2. Jeff said this was his favorite part of the trip! Tickets are around 20 pounds.
Borough Market – It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, with a market on the site dating back to at least the 12th century. Stop here for some delicious street food vendors!
Shopping – Head over to Bond Street for every luxury designer you could imagine all in one place! Window shop in all the over the top decorated store fronts or even take a peek inside. A block away is Oxford Street which is one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets and home to Selfridges, Zara, Primark, etc.
Rent A Bike – Santander Cycles (aka Boris Bikes) are available to rent all over the city for as little as 2 pounds. I recommend getting them to ride through one of the many parks, as the streets make me a little nervous. Quick way to get to your destination too!
Museums – Many of the museums in London are free, including the Natural History Museum!
I will have a post specifically on Christmas Time events in London soon!
Souvenir Suggestions
Tea – England is famous for it’s teas, and what better place to get them then the world famous Fortnum & Mason! This department store in Piccadilly, London was established in 1707 and is the ultimate destination for all things tea, chocolate, and more! We purchased tea sampler packs for our family.
Piercing / Tattoo – Not your typical souvenir but I have been wanting to get a third hole on my ear lobe forever. I vividly remember getting my second hole on a trip to Texas when I was younger. So, I did a ton of research beforehand and got my piercing at Astrid & Miyu while in London. Way better then some cheesy magnet that I will lose in a few months!
Bottle Of Gin – Gin is one of the most popular British alcohols. We purchased two bottles from The Distillery in Notting Hill to bring home!
Jo Malone – This British fragrance brand has been in place since 1983, renowned for its high-end perfumes, luxury candles, bath products, and room scents. You can find them in most department stores.
Peppa Pig – If you are bringing home something for your kids, Peppa Pig themed anything! My youngest is currently obsessed and she loves that her parents got to go see where Peppa is from.
If you have any questions or would like more recommendations for your first trip to London, please DM me on Instagram! I will be sharing what I packed for London and how I survived the long flight later this week. Have a great trip if you are planning one soon!
Here are a few more pictures from our First Trip To London:
