What to Do When Traveling to London for Business or Pleasure
There are plenty of reasons to travel to London, whether you’re coming from nearby or abroad. London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the UK, with people from England and further afield traveling in to experience the history, culture, and shopping scene of London. But London is also a hotbed for business activities.
So, whether you’re visiting London for fun or you have specific business interests in mind, here are some things that you need to know and do to get the most out of London. This quick guide should help you save money without sacrificing your safety or enjoyment.
Safety in London
One of the most important things to mention first is safety. London is relatively safe to walk around in, but it is still the capital city, which means that there is more crime than in other places in the UK.
One of the most common crimes is phone theft, and criminals will often try to grab your phone out of your hand. To prevent this, you can either attach your phone case to your body, making it harder for people to grab it, or simply avoid holding your phone out. If you have to use it in the street, make sure to be away from any roads and keep a tight hold of it.
Another potential issue is theft of other belongings. If you have a lot of luggage to carry around, it’s often safer and more comfortable to search for luggage storage near me to find a nearby place to put your belongings. This keeps it safe and allows you to walk around more freely.
As in any large city, it’s best to walk in groups, especially at night and in certain areas of the city. As long as you’re always aware of your surroundings, you’re so much more likely to feel safe as you navigate London. This means that you can focus on the purpose of your visit rather than worrying about what could happen.
Getting Around London
On a similar note to safety, it’s important to think about how you’re going to get around. London is massive, so you can’t expect to just walk from one end to the other. It’s nice to walk around the city centre and certain parts of the city when you’re shopping, but if you have places to be, you should think about public transport.
Obviously, it is possible to drive around London, but it’s not always advisable. It’s very easy to get lost in London, and there’s a lot of traffic as it is. This means that you might end up getting delayed and, even worse, parking can be a nightmare. It’s hard to find parking in London, and what parking you can get might be very expensive.
An alternative way to get around might be the black taxicabs. Black taxis are famous in London, and they’re a safe and easy way to get around. Taxi drivers have to know London extremely well, so they will know the best and quickest way to get to your destination. They’re also a fun experience for visitors.
You can also use the buses to get around London, especially if you aren’t traveling far. But what if you’re going further afield? The London underground is a quick and efficient way to get from one part of London to another, and it’s also relatively cheap, especially if you get an Oyster card.
Finding Somewhere to Stay
If you’re in London for a day trip, you can travel in and out. But if you want to stay for a little longer, you’re going to need accommodation. As in most cities, the accommodation in the city centre is much more expensive than the accommodation further out, so one way to save on your accommodation would be to find a place that’s on a transport route into London itself. This does mean you have to travel a bit, but it can be much more affordable.
But what if you wanted to stay in London itself? There are loads of places to stay, ranging from short-term lets from companies like Airbnb to hotels. Budget hotels like Travelodge can also make your stay more affordable while putting you in a prime location, but it’s also worth looking at more expensive and comfortable hotels.
Whenever possible, try to find a good deal or discount on accommodation. You can book in advance, during off peak periods, or even at the last minute to try to snatch up a great deal.
Places to Eat and Drink
London is incredible for food. Whether you’re interested in traditional British food or international food, there are so many different places to explore. London also features a variety of restaurants to appeal to businesspeople, party animals, and family visits alike.
The trick is to be willing to explore. Review sites can be helpful when you’re trying to find somewhere to eat in the local area, and asking your hotel concierge (if applicable) is also a good way to learn more about the best places to eat and drink.
London Activities
If you’re in London for business, your main focus should be, logically, what you’re doing for your company. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy yourself while you’re there. You can take an extra day to spend some time in London itself before you head home, or you can use up a couple of spare hours in the day.
There’s so much to do in London that you’ll be hard-pressed to be bored.
For example, there’s an excellent nightlife in London, so you can go to clubs at night or, if you’re interested, you can find some live shows to enjoy. You can also visit museums and galleries, often for free or for a small fee, so that you can learn a lot more about British and world history and culture. Or you can simply walk the streets and enjoy shopping on the London High Street.