Travel to London
About London
Located on the banks of the River Thames in southeast England, London is the business and financial heart of the United Kingdom. Interestingly London is a blend of two ancient cities: The City of London which was originally a Romanian settlement (known as Londinium in the past) and the City of Westminster where the Parliament and the elite Buckingham Palace (the official residence of the Queen) are located. Now, together they make up the Greater London region.
One of the famous landmarks of the city is the Tower of London built by the Romanians back in 1894. London was the first city in the world to have an underground railway network called the Tube and is incredibly popular for the double-decker buses. One can find more than 100 theatres in the city which make up 70% of the box office revenue. To make the most of your London travel, March to May is the best time to visit the city as the temperatures are mild with lush green city parks blooming with flowers. The days are longer, sunnier and prettier so you can enjoy them to the fullest.
Quick Guide to London
London travel would be incomplete without visiting the top attractions of the city. Make sure to tick off the following places and attractions in your London travel diary!
- What to See: The Tower of London, the London Eye, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Thames River, Madame Tussauds, Science Museum, the Sealife London Aquarium.
- What to do: Thames River cruise, Hop-on Hop-off London bus tour, Shrek’s Adventure, Oxford Street shopping, Chinatown, Soho dining, Chelsea shopping.
- What to know: Get an Oyster card for cashless transactions, download the city mapper application, explore the London bus routes, free museum entries, West End shows are cheap, free wifi spots available, left-side road driving, tipping in restaurants is optional.
How to Travel to London
London is well-connected with Europe and other major cities outside of the continent. Buses provide cheap and affordable travel for covering short distances within the city. If you are travelling from countries located miles away like the United States, India, Japan etc. then air travel is the only convenient and fastest way to reach the city. If you are coming from one of the cities in Europe, then you can opt for trains or cars.
- Buses to London
Many domestic and international long-distance buses can be booked to and from London for a comfortable and affordable journey. For travelling within Great Britain, you can choose any of the operators like National Express, Megabus or Eurolines which arrive in London Victoria Coach Station, one of the major terminals in the city. Within the city, you can find many red double-decker buses and tube trains which are worth experiencing too. You can easily book a London bus from your city online.
- Trains to London
The British rail network is well connected within the major cities in the UK which will fall within your economical brackets. Some of the important rail lines in the city are Liverpool Street, London King’s Cross, London Euston, London Marylebone and London Paddington.
- Flights to London
The London Heathrow Airport is one of the most important and busiest airports in the UK. Apart from this, there are also 5 other airports in the city - Southend, City, Luton, Stansted and Gatwick which connect London to other cities in the UK on a regional scale. You can book a London bus to travel to and from the airport.
Top Bus Routes to and From London
You can find many various popular bus routes to and from London. Some of the famous routes are mentioned below:
- London to Belfast
- London to Bradford
- London to Cardiff
- London to Dublin
- London to Edinburgh
- London to Liverpool
- London to Manchester
- London to Nottingham
- London to Oxford
- London to Reading
- London to Southampton
Top Things to Do in London
Depending on your interest, you can choose to visit many top attractions in London:
- Adventure
If you are an adventure-loving person, then you can try hands-on Bungee jumping, Oxygen free jumping or visit the Dare Skywalk or the ArcelorMittal Orbit.
- Art
The National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, Museum of London, Tate Britain, Dulwich Picture Gallery, 180 The Strand, Hayward Gallery are some of the top art museums in the city.
- Kids
Hyde Park, the Science Museum and the Sealife London Aquarium are kids’ first love.
- History
The British Museum and Churchill War Room are well known for their architectural beauty. You can also visit the Victoria and Albert Museum which was built in the honor of the couples.
Top Tourist Attractions in London
Big Ben
Big Ben is the most popular clock in the world. That iconic monument can be recognized easily when someone lands in London and is one of the most clicked locations on the planet. Big Ben is a Giant Bell of the striking clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster. One can easily book a bus to Big Ben while touring London.
Buckingham Palace
The grand Buckingham Palace, which has served as the official residence of the sovereigns of the United Kingdom for almost 200 years, is now also the administrative centre of the monarchy and has several areas open to the public. A bus to Buckingham Palace can be booked online which will drop you at the main gate of the palace.
What we know today as Buckingham Palace actually began as a small family house, near the Saint James's Palace, bought by George III in 1761 for his wife Queen Charlotte, and slowly, without planning grew into the palace it is today.
London Eye
The London Eye is also known as the Millennium Wheel. It is located at the South Bank of the River Thames in London. One of the most popular observational wheels in the world, London Eye is visited by over 3 million tourists annually. There are several London Eye buses available from different corners of the city that can be booked online.
Natural History Museum
The Natural Historu Museum is not only a great scientific asset but also an architectural marvel. It tells the history of a wide variety of organisms and houses a large number of biological exhibits. To reach the Natural History Museum, one cam book a bus to the museum from any of the popular landmarks in London.
Hyde Park
Scattered across an area of 142 hectares or 350 acres of land in Westminster Borough of London, Hyde Park is one of the most visited places for families. During the 1800s, Hyde Park was the place where many of popular public debates and speeches would take place.
Tower Bridge
Built between 1886 and 1894, the Tower Bridge is another iconic landmatk of London. This beautiful suspension bridge over the River Thames was designed by Horance Jones. Taking a local bus to the Tower Bridge and sipping coffee in a nearby cafe while enjoying the scenery is a great way to enjoy the Tower Bridge.
Tower of London
Also called Her Majesty's Royal Palace, the Tower of London is one of the most iconic fortresses in England. The Tower of London is located in Central London, to the north bank of the River Thames and can be visited by taking a Tower of London bus from any corner of London.
The Shard
While there are many historical old landmarks in London, the Shard represents its modern architecture. This 72-storey skyscraper is home to many popular offices, restaurants, and plush hotels offering breathtaking views of the city of London.
St. Paul's Cathedral
Located in central London, St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican Cathedral. The cathedral was originally built in 604 AD by Mellitus. St. Paul's Cathedral is both symbol of London's religious point as well as an architectural marvel.
Where to Stay in London
- Waterloo
One of the most convenient and preferred locations to stay in London is Waterloo. It is situated close to the London Eye. You can find luxurious hotels to stay in this area with incredible views of the city. The famous Parliament House and Westminster Abbey are also located here.
- Soho
You can consider staying here if you want to dance the night away. You will find many resto-bars and clubs with jazz music which you can enjoy with your friends and family. You can find many affordable hotels here.
- Bloomsbury
This is one of the perfect neighbourhoods to stay in London for solo travellers. You can visit the famous British museum as well to explore the history and culture. Many Harry Potter movie scenes have been shot here.
What to Eat in London
If you are wondering what your menu card should look like in London, then here we bring you some of the must-eat dishes in London.
- Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding
This Sunday roast is a classic British dish worth trying. It is a tradition in the city to eat this dish on a Sunday between 12-5 pm. This dish is served with lamb, chicken, pork, beef and turkey.
- Fish and Chips
People of London have been a fan of fish and chips for centuries. If you are looking for a cheap lunch or a late midnight snack, grab this British food from the streets or the seaside.
- English Breakfast
If you are visiting London for the first time, then a great way to start your morning would be with an English Breakfast with fried eggs, fried mushrooms, black pudding, bacon and baked beans.
Best Time to Visit London
London welcomes thousands of tourists throughout the year. Just remember to keep an umbrella with you always as the rains can be very unpredictable here!
- Fall (September-November)
The weather starts to drop sharply in October with temperatures between 10-20 degrees. Be prepared for some wet weather here.
- Winter (December-February)
If you want to experience real Christmas and New Year vibes, then you could plan your London travel during this time of the year. Even with negative temperatures, you will find a great buzz of locals and tourists in the city.
- Spring (March-May)
This is a peak tourist period and probably one of the best times to visit London. The temperature remains around 25 degrees.
- Summer (June-August)
This is usually a lovely time of the year with mild and pleasant summers. Expect long days with temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees with some chilly summer evenings.