How To Visit London

Are you thinking about going to England and wondering how to visit London? How you choose to visit London will depend a lot on what you enjoy seeing and doing. While you could certainly stick to the traditional tourist traps, consider going off the beaten path and doing what you enjoy doing. It's a verifiable fact that most Londoners haven't visited Buckingham Palace either!

1. Book your flight to London. London has two major international airports, Gatwick and Heathrow. Whichever airport you choose, you will need to organize transportation into central London where all of the main attractions are located. Public transportation is the cheapest and can sometimes be quicker than a taxi.

2. Book your accommodation. You can easily book your accommodation through a travel website like Expedia which has numerous hotels throughout London. For cheaper accommodation you can also consider staying at a hostel (check the Youth Hostel Association for locations) or book a studio apartment through a holiday rental company.

3. Plan your vacation. You don't have to go see the typical sites like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. London offers a little something for everybody. Decide what interests you (historical sites, parks, art galleries, museums, shopping etc) and plan you visit to London with these attractions in mind.

4. Purchase a visitor oyster card. The easiest way to travel around London is via its vast public transportation system. An oyster card is a pay-as-you-go card that you top up (like a phone card) that is good on buses, rail and underground. Purchasing a visitor Oyster card before you arrive is cheaper than purchasing it in London.

5. Taste the local cuisine. England may not be known for its cuisine but its reputation is changing. The cultural melting pot that is London is home to numerous ethnic restaurants. In fact, Indian curries are considered the unofficial national food of England. Or try a traditional fish and chips at a local pub.

6. Experience the night life. Whether you like clubbing, hanging out in pubs, or visiting the theatre, you'll find plenty to see and do at night time in London. Just don't be surprised to find that the pubs close at 11pm.

   Tip:

• If you are trying to save money, consider traveling during the low season. Low season in London is typically in August (when most tourists are traveling to beach locales) and from November to March.