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.
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MORE LONDON TIPS to watch:
British dishes you MUST try when visiting London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS4jjzhwzaI&t
How to take the tube in London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOVX4eUYJ-4
The ultimate guide to London theatre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wYudawqtIE
5 major things London tourists ALWAYS overpay for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkr8iuG6QR8
♥️ MORE LONDON HELP ♥️ (some links are affiliated and help us keep producing these videos)
📗 Free London 101 Guide for first-time London visitors: https://goo.gl/Eh3HP3
📱 3-Day London Itinerary and 6-Day London Itinerary: (PDF guide, digital map, and more included): https://shop.loveandlondon.com/collections/itineraries
📍 Travel guides for London with Londoner-loved hidden gems, divided by area (The Casual Tourist Guides): https://bit.ly/3bgeRoj
💸 London Spending Guide (includes budget calculator spreadsheet, hotel recommendations and more): https://bit.ly/3OduFqy
🏨 Our top London hotel and apart-hotel tips and recommendations: https://loveandlondon.com/category/london-accommodations/
🚕 Pre-book your airport taxi: https://www.book-online-transfers.com/en/loveandlondon-airport-taxi
🚐 Book trains, coach buses and more around the UK and Europe via Omio: https://omio.sjv.io/c/1719972/409973/7385
❓Visiting London FAQs: https://loveandlondon.com/faqs-from-london-visitors/
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.
30 Comments
So what ad pops up? Air Bnb of course.
Although agree with most of the content I take issue of the way Southend Airport was dissmissed you be can Stratford in around 45 minutes as it has a railway station on the London Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria railway line this si better thann Luton Airport whichich is an airport for mainly Short haul flights to Europe and some domestic flights with in the UK.
CityMapper was a better app for me than even Google Maps on my trip a few months ago. Google seemed to get confused a lot especially while already on the trip. CityMapper was able to track me more accurately it seemed.
Tipping has always confused me in London. Lots of times there is no tip option on the receipt/card reader. And I don't carry cash. But lots of places seem to have service charges that the menus often say go to the staff. Should you still feel obligated to tip at these types of places?
shiny black taxi cab
Para eu ir de Londres para Oxford city eu posso usar cartão credito contactless?
I think I may have seen you on the Tube with another friend during our exit from London on Sunday, August 6th. Your channel was the most helpful to us for our planning of London trip. Thank you so much! I didn't say hi because I wasn't quite sure if it was you or not. I would have said thank you for all your help. You do a world of good for all of us travelers. 🙂
Definitely want to carry a few pounds in loose change for restrooms as many are not free.
do you need to be vaccinated?
For pronunciations; Surrey Quays. I remember screwing that up on my first visit😂
Whats wrong with Southend? U just take a train from Liverpool Street or Stratford pretty similar to Stansted. It doesn’t take much longer to get there either (both are 45ish mins from central). I flew a couple of times out of Southend and agree there is not much there but it felt much more relaxing than Stansted, Gatwick or Heathrow. Prices can be much lower too! If you live in or visit East London it’s a much better option than Luton or Heathrow.
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!
I found it helpful to have some cash, especially small change. Since you have to pay to use the restroom, having 20p, etc. is needed because (unless I just got unlucky with Piccadilly Circus underground) I don't think they accept cashless options in tube stations.
I'm looking at staying in Sutton – is this area good to stay in? Found pretty cheap and good looking accommodation. I know I'll be spending about 30 to 40 mins getting into the centre
You're a bit unfair towards Southend Airport. It's very easy to navigate and it doesn't much longer to get there compared to other airports. It's an ideal departure point for continental Europe.
As public transport is quite good, you could quite easily stay outside London, say a south coast resort like Brighton (easy from Gatwick Airport) and use the frequent train service up to London (55 minutes) to do the tourist stuff there . The added advantage is there is plenty of really nice stuff to see outside London too, and local public transport is pretty good. Advice would be NOT to hire a car if you want to visit London (big traffic and parking issues).
Good vid Jess!! The other mispronounced place is The Mall ie it’s as it’s written Mall (to rhyme with gal) not Mawl or Morl and Thames (Tems) not Thaymes
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
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.
Your Cameraman and Video Editor need a raise 😛… that was a fantastic high-production-values video… fab lighting, really well cut together and fantastic inserts / switches / fades 🤓👍😀
I am new to your channel and I am loving it. It is very helpful.
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!
Lol why the hate for Leicester Square ? It’s worth walking through at least once like Times Square. Just comes across a bit snobby.
Hello Jessie, I went to London for the very first time in June this year. I loved the city and enjoyed it very much thanks to your videos! ❤❤❤
For the tube section, I'd like to add that the lines are X (meaning they don't come and go to the same place each time they pass) for Google maps user first have a look at the platform number your supposed to go to and then look for the direction of the train, it will help you a lot!
For the dietary part, I was very surprised that the staff were always asking us first if we had any special kind of diet or any allergies, I'm lactose intolerant and was very happy about the inquiry!
Hey jess I have watched a lot of your videos and I just wanted to say (thank you) you explain things very will and you add the human factor it's like you have a insight to help others. I was hoping to see London for 2 months but my health has delayed my trip. I would like to say thank you for your effort in your work you give me courage to do the same. You have had it rough at times but you are still going keep it up girl you give me strength to do the same. When I get to London I would greatful to you and buy you a beer. Thank you and cheer. You have a great day !
Thank you for youre videos. It help a lott to me when i been in London in May this year. What a nice City. One of my favourite because of youre help with videos. Thanx a lot. Hi from Slovenia🥰
London is nice, but I still prefer a village like Chillingbourne.
totally enjoyed your video. Even though I was in London with US Navy in 1968, so much has changed over the years & this does simplify a lot
things, especially transport.
Can u use a tap AMEX card to purchase tickets at the tube/bus/train entrances? Or do they only accept MC/Visa cards?
Could you make a video with Dog Friendly activities and restaurants in London? It would be a pleasure for me because i go each year to London with my golden retriever and I don’t know many dog-friendly activities and restaurants.