Although I was born and raised in London, I have been caught in the rain countless times without a brolly (umbrella). I’ve felt the scorn of others when I didn’t notice there was a queue, and I’ve made the costly mistake of driving into town. But as a local, I’ve made these mistakes so you don’t have to. I hope my experience and top tips will help inspire a smooth and memorable trip to the UK capital.
1. Know your tube etiquette.
An easy way to annoy passengers is to not follow these very simple rules when traveling on the London Underground. Have your ticket, bank card or smart phone ready First You get to the ticket barriers so you don’t have to queue. When using escalators, stand to the right to allow pedestrians to pass. Allow passengers to get off the train (stand to the right or left of the doors) before boarding. Offer your seat to someone who needs it more, such as a pregnant person, an elderly person, a disabled person, etc. And definitely don’t try to interact with the locals (if you want to blend in).
2. Leave the vehicle.
London’s streets are narrow, its traffic is chaotic, and there is hardly any space to park. In addition, you will be charged for driving your car in central London – the congestion charge is £15 a day, while the separate ULEZ charge starts at £12.50 and only certain energy-efficient or electric cars are exempt. The best way to get around is on public transport (although check on TFL website or app for information on industrial action and weekend engineering works). Use the tube, hop on a bus, or rent a bike or e-bike if downtown; Cycle maps, highlighting dedicated bike routes, can be downloaded online.
3. Bring layers (and a raincoat).
London’s weather is changeable – temperatures have been known to rise and fall as high as 20°C on some days. Rain can happen at any time of the year so pack a brolly (umbrella) or raincoat in your day bag and wear layers that you can easily remove. In summer, always keep a bottle of water on the tube (the deep tunnels were built before air conditioning). And while the weather can be miserable, don’t let the bad weather stop you from going about your day – just go for more indoor activities, with hundreds to choose from.
4. Choose comfort over fashion when it comes to shoes.
Most people cover a lot of ground when exploring London, as well as different terrains: lots of grass in green spaces, long tube escalators, slippery floors and even cobblestones. Museums require leg work, as do bridges, boats and parks. Heels are pretty pointless in London, unless you’re getting a door-to-door taxi somewhere.
5. Make reservations for top restaurants.
While there are plenty of great places to eat that welcome walk-ins (though be prepared to queue for the best couples), many of the best restaurants are booked weeks in advance, especially new ones or those Which is run by celebrity chefs. More restaurants have adopted reservation policies and deposits since the pandemic, so if you’re looking for a unique dining experience, you’ll want to book ahead.
6. Do as Londoners do and go to a supper club.
Immerse yourself in London life with a dinner party with locals. A food club is a fantastic way to try home-cooked local food from London’s diverse community. These are locally driven efforts, taking place in people’s homes or taking over an entire restaurant – try it. Bridge Club Serving British cuisine prepared with French cooking techniques in South London, Dinner ladies Immersive dining experiences, or finished Indian street food from local chef Dhruv Mittal’s flat.
7. Learn how to order at the pub.
There are unspoken rules when visiting a pub. One person – not the whole group – should go to the bar. Stand anywhere and wait your turn. If someone was waiting before you, it is polite to signal to the bar staff to serve them first if they come to you. When you go back to your table with the drinks, you just bought “one round”. Now everyone at the table has your drink for the rest of the evening, each person having a turn to buy a round. Last orders are when the bell rings, and from that moment you have 20 minutes to finish your drink.
8. Go to a soccer game.
Football competition abounds in the city with 17 football clubs, including seven Premier League teams and four Women’s Super League teams. Giant temples to “The Beautiful Game” sit around London and are great places to feel the city’s collective energy, as locals gather (rain or shine) to watch their heroes take to the field. You’ll need to book tickets well in advance for Premier League games, but women’s and lower league men’s games are usually easier – and a lot more fun to watch. Visit local team websites to book.
9. Be polite and embrace the art of queuing.
Londoners (and Brits alike) are big on manners, and not having them will get you into trouble. Say “please” and “thank you” and apologize if you bump into someone. Don’t stare at people on the tube, and hold the door open for people behind you when you pass someone. Let people pass, and be sure to help those in need (people with buggies up stairs, elderly people crossing the street, etc.). If there’s a queue for an attraction you want to visit or a stall you want to buy from, join it – if you skip the line you won’t face a collision, but you will be decided.
10. Make a plan, but don’t overdo it.
London is huge, so getting from one side to the other takes a few hours in a car (and if there’s light traffic). Riding the Tube is faster, but the journey time can still be longer if there are attractions on either side of the city. Minimize travel times by exploring the neighborhood – do central London one day, west London the next and so on. Plan to spend at least a few hours in the major museums and galleries, as there is so much to see. Take plenty of breaks, have lunch at a cafe or pub and pause to take in the scenery. It’s easy to get carried away by London’s hectic pace, but places are more enjoyable if you take a more relaxed approach.
11. Don’t leave your stuff lying around.
Don’t leave your bag unattended in public places such as stations, buses, theaters or museums, as this could raise the alarm and your bag could be taken away – or stolen. Carry only what you can carry for several hours. Luggage storage is generally rare in London, but hotels are likely to store bags after you’ve checked out. Avoid carrying mobile phones in your back pocket or in the street where they can easily be swiped by your hand. Never leave your phone or wallet on a cafe table, opportunistic thieves will distract you and it will be gone before you know it.
12. It is an election year in London.
Sadiq Khan, the current mayor of London, will face an election run in May 2024 (he has been in office since 2016). This may not be particularly noticeable to commuters, but it does mean that there is more incentive to make sure London is doing well. Policing, housing and public transport are high on the agenda of all the candidates. Services have been stretched to support the growing number of “rough sleepers” in the city, with the apparent problem of homelessness a concern for locals and visitors alike. The Tube strike, which brought the city to a standstill in 2023, has been averted but industrial action continues on national rail services in and out of the city. Polling is being held in the city on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
This article was first published on September 7, 2023 and was updated on March 10, 2024.