Top 7 Insider Tips for London

London is hip, London is trendy. To ensure you don't miss any attractions, markets, and views during your next stay in the English capital, we have compiled all the tips here. At the end, you will also receive some real insider tips for your London trip!

London is considered particularly expensive compared to other European cities. This is the common stereotype associated with the English capital.

What can you do in London?

In addition to visiting the classic sights of London, the city has a wealth of insider tips to discover, including free highlights, culinary delights, and picturesque parks that promise you a varied and exciting stay in London.

Is it even worth traveling there? After all, one would prefer to spend money shopping in the fashion metropolis instead of investing all their savings in expensive accommodation. We will show you with our London tips how to get into the city at the lowest cost and which attractions you cannot afford to miss. You will also see where to enjoy the best views of London in a relaxed setting without many other tourists around. You might be surprised by what there is to see for free. London offers a diverse culture, whether in the artist neighborhood of Shoreditch or the touristy West End, you are sure to find great souvenirs and special moments to cherish.

Even upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, you can save a lot of money with a little foresight, as you have more options than just taking the expensive express shuttle into the city center. There is also a very good Underground connection. The Piccadilly Line takes a bit longer but costs only a fraction of what is charged for the express version. £37 (approximately $46) vs. £12.60 (approximately $15) for a round trip - that's a significant difference.

Those arriving in London on budget airlines such as Ryanair or EasyJet will likely land at one of the airports located outside the city, such as Luton, Gatwick, or Stansted. Shuttle buses operated by Easy Bus, Terravision, or National Express run from these airports. They operate at least every half hour, but you may have to wait longer early in the morning or at night. During the day, with a bit of luck, you can head into the city every 10 minutes.

Once in the city center, it is still worthwhile to rely on the Tube. Just remember to regularly top up your electronic ticket, because with the Oyster Card, you can get to all important places in the metropolis really affordably. If you prefer to move above ground, we particularly recommend bus lines 4 and 11. They will take you past many important sights. Just grab a street map at your hotel, which often highlights the main attractions in the city.

If you're looking for a convenient way to explore London, we recommend the sightseeing tours by Big Bus Tours. Ride in stylish open-top double-decker buses around the city and experience all the attractions in London comfortably and in a short time. It's best to buy your tickets online in advance to save some money!

Museums with Free Admission

London may be very costly to maintain, but the major museums are legally required to be free at all times. Only a donation is welcome. This makes a huge difference at big museums like the British Museum or the National Gallery, where admission would otherwise cost at least €10 per person in other cities. In addition to art museums, you can also explore the London Transport Museum, where you can admire the characteristic red double-decker buses or the world's first underground steam locomotive. If you are traveling with kids, the Victoria and Albert Museum is particularly recommended. There are many exciting and extraordinary artifacts to marvel at. You also get free admission to the Bank of England Museum, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, and many more. Note that some exhibitions are only free to visit from 4:30 PM, so be sure to check the respective museum's website before you go.

Visiting Attractions for Free

In addition to museums, there are countless attractions in London that you can visit for free. Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Royal Courts of Justice, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral are not just highlights you cannot miss on your first visit to London, but they are also all free to enter. Many of these can even be comfortably enjoyed while strolling through the city.

Our tip: For an exclusive view over London, be sure to visit the Sky Garden. From this observation deck, you have a breathtaking view of the city - and it's free! It's best to book your visit online a few weeks in advance, as a spur-of-the-moment visit is often not possible.

Free Walking Tours in London

Like in many other big cities, you also have the opportunity to join free walking tours in London and let locals show you around. In about 2.5 hours, you will visit the major attractions - if you enjoyed the tour, a small donation is appreciated, but not obligatory. A similar tour is the Alternative London Walking Tour. In two hours, you will be led through the East End and catch a glimpse of the artist district. With Sandemans New London Tours, you will be taken to all major central attractions and gain interesting insights with a knowledgeable and entertaining guide.

The Most Beautiful Markets and Parks in London

Whether it's Camden Market, Columbia Road Market, Petticoat Lane Market, or the secret tip from Vacation Guru, Portobello Road Market: they're all definitely worth a visit and free of charge. However, we cannot guarantee that you won't spend a few pounds there, as these markets offer incredibly cool items for purchase!

Fill your basket with some delicious fruits and then head to London's most beautiful parks. In good weather, you can spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy a lovely afternoon without any added costs. In Hampstead Heath, for example, you will find plenty of space for a few quiet hours and also have an amazing view of the city skyline. Other parks worth visiting include Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Regent's Park, Greenwich Park, and Primrose Hill. The latter boasts another spectacular view over London.

Free Events in London

If you stroll through the streets of London, you'll encounter many street performers. Especially along the Thames, you will find artists and musicians showcasing their talents. Free theater performances and small concerts are also often offered in London. You can check allinlondon.co.uk to see if there are any free events during your stay.

Vacation Guru Tip: For the thrifty among you, we recommend our article on Saving Money in London, which contains more tested insider tips and tricks to help you experience London even on a tight budget. It's best to book tickets for your excursions from home to avoid long queues.

Harry Potter and London go together like peas and carrots. No book has attracted as many kids and adults to bookstores in recent years as Harry Potter. If you want to venture behind the scenes of the blockbuster films, you can do so at the Warner Bros. Studios while taking in many of the props and fantastic sets from the films. Whether it's the Great Hall, the Gryffindor common room, or Severus Snape's quarters - a wealth of diverse highlights await you here. Tickets start at £51.50 (approximately $63) per person. But even without a studio tour, you can enjoy some Harry Potter filming locations for free in London. How? Check out our article on Harry Potter filming locations for many useful insider tips for true Potterheads!

Many attractions in London aren't exactly cheap, so here's a pre-trip tip: If you plan to visit several of the popular attractions, you can save a lot of money with the London Go City Pass - it grants you free entry to numerous attractions, including highlights like the London Eye, Madame Tussaud's, and Legoland.

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We all know the stereotype: It supposedly rains constantly in London, and thus, an umbrella belongs in every suitcase. While it does rain relatively often in London, it has not been observed that it rains more often than in German cities, so it's not that bad! If a proper shower does take place, however, you'll be perfectly equipped with the following tips for London in the rain!

The stereotype that English food is not for gourmets is long outdated. If you want to enjoy classic English cuisine in the oldest restaurant in the city, be sure to stop by 'The Rules.' Here, typical regional ingredients are served in a very special atmosphere. If you prefer something trendier, you'll find it in the fashionable Shoreditch neighborhood in North London. Particularly the various food stalls at the Sunday Up Market invite you to try and linger. Since 2004, young artists and designers have showcased their latest creations at this market. The food market area is known beyond the neighborhood. Treat yourself to a hip breakfast and then search for a real gem in the designers' shops.

Of course, a hearty English breakfast is a must during a trip to London. Toast, bacon, eggs, and baked beans are available almost everywhere in the city and actually at any time of the day. Also typical is the dish fish and chips, which is fried fish fillet with thick fries, best enjoyed with a splash of vinegar. Delicious! The Fishcoteque near Waterloo Station offers tradition at fair prices. Indian and Pakistani restaurants are also highly recommended, showcasing exotic ingredients and warmth. The Indian YMCA cafeteria in Bloomsbury offers lunch for just £8, including coffee. The restaurant Tayyabs, on the other hand, serves unbeatable prices for Pakistani cuisine.

London Food Guide: In our London Food Guide, you will find many insider tips for the British capital.

When in England, you can't miss visiting a pub. You can enjoy your first ale around 5 PM, as that's when beer lovers start their evening. However, the party is usually over by 10 PM. Note: If you want to order drinks in a pub, you must do so at the bar, as table service is quite unusual in England.

The night can continue in some trendy nightclubs. Especially in the West End, you have to expect steep prices. You can enjoy a breathtaking view from the champagne bar Vertigo 42.

You already know the typical attractions in London and are now looking for real insider tips? Then you should definitely read on, because we asked true connoisseurs which hidden gems in the British capital certainly deserve more attention. Here are the 4 best insider tips for London!

1. The Ship and Shovell - A Pub with Great Atmosphere

The Ship and Shovell is a pub near the Embankment Underground Station and a true hidden gem. Not only do they serve ice-cold, freshly tapped beer and delicious fish & chips, but there's also a cozy fireplace room on the first floor that exudes a unique charm. The pub is located in Craven Passage, a little side street at the historic Charing Cross intersection. Who's in the mood for a lovely evening by the fireplace?

2. Idyllic Parks Amidst a Bustling Metropolis

London has numerous parks to offer. Whether it's Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, or any park at all - Londoners put in an incredible amount of effort and work into their parks, making them definitely worth a visit. Enchanting flowerbeds, charming castles, cottages, and statues give these places a very special charm.

Be sure to check out one of the many live performances at Covent Garden, a famous London neighborhood on the eastern edge of the West End. Covent Garden is a popular shopping and tourist attraction in London where street performers, outdoor cafés, and many small shops provide plenty of entertainment. Another must-see is the famous musical 'Les Misérables,' as well as the Docklands, a London area in the east of the city that consists of former dock and shipyard complexes along the Thames and impresses with its modern architecture.

4. Leadenhall Market in the Heart of London

Leadenhall Market is an impressive covered market in the historical and economic center of London, the City of London. In addition to numerous food shops, this market also houses various wine shops, florists, and a variety of nice restaurants and bars. Notably, some scenes from the first Harry Potter film 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' were filmed at this market. So off you go to Diagon Alley!

Vacation Guru on Tour London - Highlights in a Video

Do you want even more inspiration for your London city trip? We went on-site and show you the most beautiful corners of London - even off the typical tourist tracks.

Video: Vacation Guru

London is hip and trendy, as you can see at nearly every street corner. With the right tips, you can truly enjoy your city trip. Don't hesitate to ask Londoners about their favorite spots, and you'll discover even more hidden gems. Have fun!