The Ultimate Travel Guide to London

London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom and one of the most visited city in the world with 19.09 million tourists and 9.3 inhabitants in 2019. Well-known for its London Eye or the Big Ben, London is also one of the more expensive European capitals, so be prepared !

I)About London

Language: English is by far the most spoken language in the city, but London is very cosmopolitan and it is not rare if you walk down the street to hear people speaking other languages.

Currency: The British currency is the Pound sterling, which is currently exchanging at 1.31 US Dollar. If you want to withdraw money in London, you can find ATMs (cash machines) in almost every shopping street, with several exchange offices around the city center. Almost every retailer is accepting Mastercard and Visa. But pay attention to the extra fees which may occur when withdrawing money with your credit card.

Climate: Temperatures are rarely climbing uncomfortably high or low, although is worth carrying an umbrella or a raincoat throughout the year because London is a little bit rainy. But it is always funny to singing in the rain!

From December to February, temperatures are usually a few degrees above freezing. Between June and August, the summer temperatures are still comfortable rarely going above 30 degrees Celsius.

Safety: You want to know if London is safe because you plan soon to visit the city ? Read our article about the safety in London.

II) When to go to London ?

The best time to visit London is March through May because the temperatures are mild and the city’s parks are green and blooming. When the sky finally opens up and the sun is shining, everyone in Britain is happy. In a city where you can spend weeks under gray skies, people drop everything to picnic when the sun comes up.

However, December in London is also an incredible season to visit the city. The Christmas spirit is spreading all over the town and creates a beautiful atmosphere. So, expect the streets to be crowded and the hotels to be booked. If you want to go to London in December, make sure to book your holidays in advance.

III) How to get to London ?

Whether you are leaving or coming to London, there are airport, rail and bus options for you.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport is the largest of London airports and is situated 14 miles west of central London.

Different ways from the airport to reach London:

Tube
London Underground
Heathrow Express train
Bus 72, 218

The easiest way to get from the airport to the city is by using the London Underground or the Tube, using Piccadilly line. A single ticket for adults costs £4.90 and £2.40 if you have an Oyster card. If you prefer the train, you can travel with the Heathrow Express train which is a non-stop service direct to London’s Paddington station and trains leave every 15 minutes for a 15-minute journey. A one-way ticket costs £25.00. Many buses and coaches also operate from Heathrow Central bus station, serving Terminals 2,3,4 and 5. A one-hour ticket for adults costs £1.50.

Gatwick airport

The airport London Gatwick is the second largest in the UK and is situated 29.5 miles south of Central London.

Different ways from the airport to reach London:

Gatwick Express train
National Express coaches

To get to London, you can take the Gatwick Express train. It is a fast train connecting Victoria Station and Gatwick Airport. It takes 30 minutes to Central London and trains run every 15 minutes. National Express coaches also operate a regular service, 24 hours a day, to and from Victoria Coach Station, via Streatham. The journey time is 65-95 minutes.

Main stations

Waterloo
Victoria
London Bridge
Liverpool Street
Paddington
King’s Cross
St Pancras
Euston
Charing Cross

Waterloo station is the busiest railway station in the UK, with nearly a hundred million entries and exits from the station every year. It is located in the Waterloo area of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is connected to a London Underground station of the same name, and the station is the terminus of the main line to Weymouth via Southampton and the main line to Exeter via Salisbury.
You can also discover the station by its history, the number of platforms it has and the luggage storage available.

St Pancras International railway station is the terminus for the Eurostar continental services from London via the Channel Tunnel to Belgium, France and the Netherlands. It provides East Midlands Railway services to Corby, Sheffield and Nottingham, high-speed trains to Kent via Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International and cross-London trains to Bedford, Peterborough, Brighton and Gatwick Airport.
If you want to know where are the toilets in St Pancras Station or how to access the parking, you can discover the facilities in St Pancras , by reading the article related and if you want to know everything about St Pancras Station, read this other article.

Victoria station is a one of the well situated station because it is well linked to the city center. This station welcomes more than a hundred million passengers every year and it is situated near Buckingham Palace. Victoria station also serves as a connection to Gatwick Airport. You can find the Underground lines District, Circle and Victoria, to go in any part of London. You can also find the train lines in destination to Canterbury, Brighton, Glouster, Oxford, Bristol and Parkway. For the buses, you can find almost every line at the Victoria Station.
You can also discover the station by its history, the number of platforms it has and the luggage storage available.

You need some information about the Paddington Station? You can find practical information of Paddington and everything you need to know about the station in our article and more details about the facilities in Paddington. You will find out where are the toilets, how to access to the parking in Paddington and the connections that the Station offers.
Once you arrive at London Paddington train station, there are lots of places to eat, places to stay, things to do and things to see in the area. Found out what are the top things to do around Paddington Station.

You can also discover London Bridge station, its history, the number of platforms it has and the luggage storage available at the station. Read our article about London Bridge Practical Information.

You need some information about the Kings Cross Station? You can find everything you need to know about the station facilities in our article and if you want to know everything about Kings Cross, read this other article.

If your journey is by bus, Tube, tram, London Overground and most National Rail services in London, you have to buy a Visitor Oyster card. You put money on the smartcard, and you can use it to pay as you go. It costs £5 and you choose how much credit to add to your card. You can find a ticket office at every train station and airport.

If you want also to visit London hands-free, you can book a luggage storage in London or in every location you desire.

IV) 10 Amazing Things to do in London

1) Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the largest park in London and is known for the famous Speaker’s Corner which has been established as a point of free speech and debate since 1872, while the Suffragettes or the Stop the War Coalition have held protests there. Major events are organized in the park. There is, for instance, the annual Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, which is a magical event to do during Christmas holidays.

2) Coca-Cola London Eye

A trip to London is not a trip to London if you do not visit the iconic London Eye. It is an observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames and it is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the UK. The standard ticket costs £27.

3) Camden Market

Camden is a well-known cultural neighborhood in the north London. It is a diverse community of creative sellers, food traders and independent stores next to the Regent’s canal. Open every day, you will be able to discover a place like no other.

4) British Museum

The British Museum is an architectural beauty dedicated to human history, art and culture. It documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. If you want a little help navigating the museum’s 8 million objects, you can book a tour or buy audio guides which cost 7 pounds. The museum is open from 10 am to 5:30 pm from Saturday till Thursday.

5) Buckingham Palace

It is the London home of Queen Elizabeth II and is open for tour in the summers and select dates during winter and spring. On the tour, you will have access to the 19 State Rooms where the queen and members of the royal family host guests for state, ceremonial and official affairs. Those who followed the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton closely will recognize the Throne Room, which served as the backdrop for the official wedding photographs of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Tour tickets start at £24 for adults and £13.50 for kids younger than 17.

6) Houses of Parliament

The Houses of Parliament are officially called the Palace of Westminster. The palace’s most famous feature is its clock tower, Elizabeth Tower (better known as Big Ben), covered in scaffolding until the restoration works are finished in 2021. Visitors are welcome on Saturdays year-round and on most weekdays during parliamentary recesses. You can have self-guided audio tours or guided tours of both chambers, but it is available in English only.

7) Trafalgar Square

It is a public square in the City of Westminster in Central London. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars overs France and Spain. The War took place in 1805. The Square is also known for its annual celebrations on New Year’s Eve.

8) Chinatown

The district can be found around Gerrard Street. It will be impossible for you to miss this neighborhood because of its Chinese lanterns and eye-catching red arches. The place is filled with authentic Asian restaurants as well as supermarkets and there is always something new to try in Chinatown.

9) Piccadilly Circus

If you want to take great pictures, you can go to Piccadilly Circus square and pose like a superstar. The square is filled with bright lights and big electronic screens and there is always people which sing or dance. There is always a good atmosphere there.

10) Oxford Street

It is not only London’s top spot for shopping but it is also the street the most decorated during Christmas. You can even book a guided tour bus, which can bring you to every decorated place in London. It is definitely a must-do.

V) Where to store your luggage in London ?

If you are waiting for your Airbnb or hotel room to be available but you don’t want to visit London with your luggage, you can book a luggage storage in London with Eelway. Drop off your bags or suitcases in our partner network of shops and hotels. There is no minimum or maximum storage time. Most of our luggage storages in London are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Your luggage is sealed and insured, this way you can visit London peacefully.

Here are the different luggage storages available around London :

You can also find luggage-storage in Heathrow and Gatwick airport and to the Victoria Coach Station.

HEATHROW AIRPORT

The prices per item according to the time of the deposit are the following :

Duration	Price per item
0-3 hours	£7.50
3-24 hours	£12.50
24-48 hours	£20
48-72 hours	£27.50
72 hours +	Extra £5 for every 24 hours after this.

There are luggage storages in all Terminals :

Terminal 1
Open : 6 am to 23 pm - Monday to Sunday
Tel : 020 8759 3344

Terminal 3
Open : 5:30 am to 23 pm - Monday to Sunday
Tel : 020 8759 3344

Terminal 4
Open : 5:30 am to 23 pm - Monday to Sunday
Tel : 020 8759 3344

Terminal 5
Open : 5:30 am to 23 pm - Monday to Sunday
Tel : 020 8759 3344

GATWICK AIRPORT

The prices per item according to the time of the deposit are the following :

Duration	Price per item
0-3 hours	£6.00
3-24 hours	£11.00
24-48 hours	£7.50
72 hours +	Extra £5 for every 24 hours after this.

There are two luggage storage :

North Terminal (Level 1)
Location : arrivals
Open : 5 am to 22 pm - Monday to Sunday
Tel : 01293 569 900

South Terminal (Arrivals)
Location : arrivals
Open : 24 hours - Monday to Sunday
Tel : 01293 569 900

OTHER LUGGAGE STORAGES

You can store your luggage around major train stations and tubes. Train stations almost always have lockers for left luggage, but it is not always well secured and there is a long waiting time. It is also more expensive as an outside luggage storage.

Most popular luggage storage stations in London :

Kings Cross
Euston Station
Victoria Station
Paddington Station
Liverpool Street Station

You can also store your luggage near museums because most museums around London have a very strict no luggage policy. It’s therefore crucial before heading to a museum that you check the website of the museum before going.

To find out more information about luggage storage, you can read our article The Ultimate London Luggage Storage Guide 2020. Moreover, if you are worried because you lost something in London and you ask yourself what to do, you can go check our article on Lost and Found London to find some help.