London is a bustling tourist hotspot, perfect for those who love a city atmosphere complete with hundreds of things to see and do. If you’re planning your first ever trip to London then there are some things you need to bear in mind. We’ve put together a step by step guide that will ensure your city break is as perfect as can be.
Step 1: Where to stay in London
London is a big place, which can make it difficult to know exactly where to stay on your trip. Hotels will be cheaper on the outskirts of London, but then you will have to pay to travel to most of the tourist spots. There are several Venere hotels in London that are based closer to the centre, without being too pricey. As a general rule of thumb, the closer you get to sights such as Big Ben or Trafalgar Square, the more expensive the hotel room will be. Good locations in London include Wembley, Earls Court, Chiswick and Southwark. Try to find the location of your favourite hotel on a map, to see how far it is from the places you most want to visit.
Step 2: Putting together an itinerary
Now that you know where you are going to be staying in London, it will be easier to put together an itinerary of all the things you want to see and do. Bring up the map you had, of your hotel location, and grab your list of the sights that you’re most interested in visiting. You can find a tube map online, which will be easier to plan travel (unless you can afford a London taxi everywhere)! Most tube stops are just several minutes away from each other, so this should give you a good idea of how quickly you can get around London. Try to group attractions together based on their location to utilise your time better. If you’ve only got a weekend then you’re not going to be able to see everything that London has to offer, but you’ll still get a lot done. Remember to think about your evenings as well; the West End is perfect for dinner and a show, or Covent Garden for some drinks and street performers.
Step 3: Getting to London
Your final step is to work out exactly how you are going to get to London, and to your hotel. Depending on where you live, it may be a simple case of getting the train to one of the main stations, such as Charing Cross or London Bridge. If you’re coming from further afield, however, then a plane may be your best option. London Stansted is the most central of all the nearby airports, but there is also Heathrow and Gatwick, which both have direct train lines to central London. The tube system can be difficult to get your head round at first, but within a few hours you’ll feel like a true pro.
London is such an exciting place to have a weekend break; we would recommend it to anyone. Just make sure you use our tips to guarantee a relaxing and unforgettable holiday.