Visiting London for the first time—or even the fifth—can be exciting, but also a little overwhelming. To help you get the best out of your trip (and avoid a few rookie mistakes), we’ve pulled together this quick and honest guide to navigating the city like a pro.
Before You Set Off:
– Check visa/ETA requirements:
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa or Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the UK.
– Passport validity:
Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months after your return date.
– Currency exchange:
The UK uses British Pounds (GBP). You can exchange currency upon arrival or use credit cards widely accepted in most establishments.
Whilst in London:
✅ Do’s
1. Do get an Oyster card or use contactless
Tapping in and out on the Tube (Subway, Underground, Metro, U-Bahn, T-bana) or bus is easy with a contactless card or mobile wallet. You’ll get the same fare as an Oyster card-no need to queue for tickets.
🔗 Transport for London – Contactless & Oyster
2. Do stand on the right (on escalators)
Seriously. Stand on the right, walk on the left. It’s one of London’s golden rules-breaking it could earn you a polite but firm British glare.
3. Do explore beyond Zone 1
Yes, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are iconic-but head out to places like Hampstead, Richmond or Greenwich for a more local vibe (and fewer crowds).
4. Do carry an umbrella (or a mac)
The weather can change faster than you can say “sunshine followed by showers”. Best to be prepared.
5. Do try the food scene
From Borough Market to curry in Brick Lane, or even a traditional pub roast-London’s food scene is as global as the city itself.
🔗 Time Out London – Food & Drink
🚫 Don’ts
1. Don’t stop suddenly in the middle of the pavement
Londoners walk fast. If you need to check your phone or look at a map, step to the side to avoid becoming a human traffic cone.
2. Don’t rely on cash
London is mostly cashless. Most places accept cards-even street food stalls and taxis. You might not need to visit an ATM at all.
3. Don’t take the Tube for short journeys
You’ll often get there quicker on foot-and see more along the way. Plus, you’ll avoid the rush-hour squeeze.
4. Don’t expect small talk
People are polite but reserved. Don’t take it personally if no one chats on the Tube.
5. Don’t forget to look right when crossing the road
Traffic comes from the “wrong” direction if you’re used to driving on the right. Fortunately, many crossings have “Look Right” painted on the ground.
🗺 Helpful Links
📍 Tube Map (PDF)
🔗 Download the London Underground Map
🚇 Plan Your Journey
🔗 TfL Journey Planner
🚖 Taxis & Rides
🔗 Uber | Bolt | Gett Black Cabs
🍴 Where to Eat
🔗 Eater London | Time Out Food Guide
☕ Coffee & Wi-Fi Spots
🔗 London’s Best Cafes with Wi-Fi (CN Traveller)
🔝 Top 20 Tourist Sites in London
Tower of London – https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/
British Museum – https://www.britishmuseum.org/
London Eye – https://www.londoneye.com/
Tower Bridge – https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/
Buckingham Palace – https://www.rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament – https://www.parliament.uk/visiting/
Westminster Abbey – https://www.westminster-abbey.org/
St. Paul’s Cathedral – https://www.stpauls.co.uk/
Tate Modern – https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
National Gallery – https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
Natural History Museum – https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
Victoria & Albert Museum – https://www.vam.ac.uk/
The Shard – https://www.the-shard.com/
Hyde Park – https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/hyde-park
Covent Garden – https://www.coventgarden.london/
Camden Market – https://www.camdenmarket.com/
Borough Market – https://boroughmarket.org.uk/
Greenwich (Royal Observatory) – https://www.rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
Shakespeare’s Globe – https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
Madame Tussauds – https://www.madametussauds.com/london/
🚶♂️ Recommended Walking Tours
Take Walks – top-rated guided tours that include skip‑the‑line access to Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, River Cruise
London Walks – Blue Badge guides covering classics like Shakespeare, architecture, local pub culture
Babylon Tours – expertly curated British Museum walk
Unseen Tours – led by formerly homeless guides for a striking city‑life perspective timeout.com
Harry Potter Tour – immersive thematic walks
🌳 Green Spaces & Parks
Hyde Park – boating, Speaker’s Corner, summer events
Kensington Gardens – Round Pond, Diana Memorial
Green Park, St James’s Park – pedestrian routes linking Buckingham, Westminster
Regent’s Park – boating, Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, London Zoo
Richmond Park (slightly further out) – wild deer & woodlands
Greenwich Park – observatory & River Thames views
Kew Gardens-near Richmond, stunning botanical displays
🛍️ Famous Shops & Family Picks
Harrods – legendary luxury emporium, perfect for souvenirs
Liberty London – iconic Tudor revival building, prints, gifts
M&M’s World (Leicester Square) – colourful family hit with apparel & souvenirs strugglingpoettravels.com
LEGO® Shop – buy gifts and be submerged in the world of LEGO®
Also: Borough Market (foodie gifts!), Camden Market (crafts, quirky items)
🌍 Other Nearby Day Trips
Windsor – royal castle, town, and Great Park
Stonehenge + Salisbury tours – popular full‑day excursions
Bath & Cotswolds – accessible by Thames‑Valley day tours
Brighton – coastal city with pier, lanes, in under 2 hours
Legoland Windsor – about 30 min by train/car outside London; great for LEGO lovers traveling with kids
Cockney rhyming slang…
is a form of English slang that originated in the East End of London, traditionally associated with Cockney speakers. It works by replacing a word with a phrase that rhymes with it, and often the rhyming word is then dropped, leaving only the first part of the phrase. This creates a kind of coded language that can be confusing to outsiders.
The basic pattern is: original word → rhyming phrase → shortened phrase (optional)
For example: “stairs” becomes “apples and pears,” which is then shortened to just “apples.”
Here are 10 classic examples of Cockney rhyming slang:
Wife → “trouble and strife” → “trouble” “I’m going home to see the trouble”
Look → “butcher’s hook” → “butcher’s” “Have a butcher’s at this!”
Stairs → “apples and pears” → “apples” “I’ll meet you at the top of the apples”
Head → “loaf of bread” → “loaf” “Use your loaf!” (use your head/think)
Believe → “Adam and Eve” → “Adam” “Would you Adam it!” (would you believe it)
Phone → “dog and bone” → “dog” “Get on the dog and give him a call”
Mate/Friend → “china plate” → “china” “Alright, china?” (Hello, friend)
Lies → “pork pies” → “porkies” “Don’t tell me porkies!” (don’t lie to me)
Suit → “whistle and flute” → “whistle” “Nice whistle you’re wearing”
Tea → “Rosie Lee” → “Rosie” “Fancy a cup of Rosie?”
The slang served multiple purposes: it created a sense of community identity among working-class Londoners, allowed for playful wordplay, and sometimes helped speakers discuss sensitive topics without outsiders understanding. While traditional Cockney culture has diminished, many of these phrases have entered broader British English, and new rhyming slang continues to evolve today.
We hope this guide gives you a solid head start in navigating London with ease and confidence. Whether you’re here for the conference or carving out time to explore, there’s plenty to discover beyond the usual tourist trail.