First Time in London: 18 Essential Tips for First-Time Visitors

Your first time in London can be overwhelming.  I’ve visited London many times so let me guide you through the most important things to know when visiting this amazing city. 

Traveling to London is exciting but do you know what to do with your phone, where to get money from and what side you should stand on the tube escalators? 

If this is your first trip to London, these practical London travel tips will help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of your visit. Whether you’re a first-time visitor to London or planning your dream UK holiday, here’s everything you need to know before you go.

While you are here take a look at these 25 Hidden Gems In London Not To Miss.

First Time In London: 18 Important Things To Know

Check the Latest UK Entry Requirements Before You Travel

If you are traveling to the United Kingdom from the United States, you do not need to obtain a British visa. American citizens can stay in the country for up to six months. 

If you are visiting London for the first time it is best to check the requirements. Since Brexit, the rules and entry requirements have changed. 

If London is also a stopover to another country for example check entry requirements to the final destination. Don’t assume that the UK requirements are the same as other European countries. 

Visiting London for the first time can be daunting enough so make sure you have everything sorted before you go. 

The Best Way To Travel: Hop-on Hop-off Thames River Cruise

Check Your Passport Before Traveling To London

You will need a current and valid passport to enter the United Kingdom. Also, your passport must be valid for three months after you depart from the U.K. to the United States or your home country.

Your passport will need one blank page for the UK authorities to stamp.

One Of The Best London Tours: Happy Potter Guided Walking Tour

Buy a UK SIM Card or eSIM for Your Phone

For your first time in London, one of the best pieces of advice I can share with you is to purchase a UK SIM card or an e-sim for your smartphone before you leave the airport or train station.

These sims will often give you a new number 9 so let your friends know)  and will ensure the cell towers will recognize your phone as European and you will have improved cell service.  

Several kiosks at UK airports and train stations sell SIM cards for your convenience. Most agree the best U.K. networks tend to be O2 or Three. 

Get Advanced Tickets: Big London Ticket: Hop-on Hop-off and here are the

Look Here Too: Top 15 Tours In London For Your Bucket List to help you plan.

Should You Use Cash or Credit Cards in London?

The simple answer is, for your first time in London,  you will want to have both! I always have cash and a credit card with me.

Credit cards are widely accepted throughout London. However, if you are using cash, only the British pound is accepted.

If you want to have some pounds on hand, it is best to withdraw from an ATM for a decent exchange rate using ”in-network” bank ATMs in London, so you are not charged out-of-network transaction fees as well.

Remember that there are additional fees charged when using an ATM.  I suggest you withdraw a larger amount of money, less frequently, to save on these transaction fees.

If you wish to exchange your cash into pounds, the most prudent thing to do is head to a U K bank, for safety, and the fairest exchange rate.

Before you start planning your itinerary, look at the most unusual things to do in London.

Check with your local bank at home before taking your trip to obtain the names of in-network banks.

Also, let them know you will be in London so they don’t think your card is been used without your permission. 

Look Here: London: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket

Use Contactless Payment or an Oyster Card to Get Around London

One of the easiest things about visiting London today is that you don’t need to buy a Visitor Oyster Card before you arrive. Most travelers can simply use a contactless debit or credit card, or Apple Pay or Google Pay, to pay for public transport.

Whether you use contactless or an Oyster Card, you’ll pay the same standard fares on the London Underground (the Tube), buses, trams, the London Overground, the Elizabeth line, and most National Rail.

If you prefer to keep your travel spending separate or your bank card doesn’t support contactless payments, you can still buy a standard Oyster Card from Tube stations, many railway stations, and selected shops across London. Visitor Oyster Cards are still available before you travel, but they’re no longer essential for most visitors.

Using either payment method is simple. On buses and trams, tap your card or phone on the yellow reader when you board. On the Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, and most trains, remember to tap in at the start of your journey and tap out at the end so the correct fare is calculated.

If you’re travelling with children, those under 11 travel free with a fare-paying adult. Children aged 11 to 15 can travel at discounted rates with the appropriate Oyster or Visitor Oyster Card.

Book in Advance: London: Westminster Abbey Entry Ticket

A Visitor Oyster Card Can Unlock Extra Discounts

Although most first-time visitors to London now use a contactless bank card or mobile wallet to pay for transport, a Visitor Oyster Card still comes with one unique advantages like exclusive discounts at selected attractions, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Depending on where you visit, you may be able to save money on theatre tickets, river cruises, museums, restaurants, and other popular London attractions simply by showing your Visitor Oyster Card. The list of participating businesses changes regularly, so it’s worth checking the latest offers before your trip.

Even if you’re using contactless for transport, it can sometimes be worth buying a Visitor Oyster Card if you’ll take advantage of enough discounts during your stay.

If you are visiting Europe for the first time it is not always clear who offers discounts so just ask as most of the leading attractions and places will participate. 

Fancy a theatre trip, a fancy restaurant meal, a trip to one of the attractions, or trying some of the best London desserts just flash our card.  

Look here: Go On A London Speedboat Tour.

Choose the Best Area to Stay for Your First Trip to London

Visiting a big city for the first time can be overwhelming. London is a big city that nearly 9 million people call home and is always busy. 

Deciding where to stay in London for first-timers isn’t easy. When I go to London I love walking everywhere so I tend to stay in the Covent Garden area. 

Some of my friends are very confident with the tube so stay in the Notting Hill and Paddington Area.  

The best place to stay in London for the first time depends on what you want to see and do in London. 

Generally the closer you are to the center the more you will pay, the further out you are the cheaper. For a real bargain stay at the end of a tube line like the Ealing area. 

These out-of-the-way places will save you money and the tube trip to the centre will take anywhere from 20-40 minutes. 

Here are some of my favorite locations to stay in London: 

Covent Garden

When my family and I experienced our first time in London, we intentionally chose to do all touristy things.

We chose to stay in the trendy Covent Garden section of London. We walked to the London Eye, the British Parliament, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square.

This is my preferred option when I visit. If you are wondering what to see in London if you stay here you will be near all the main sights.  There is so much to see in Covent Garden.

Here are the best places to have breakfast in Covent Garden.

Mayfair/St. James

Are you planning on visiting Buckingham Palace? Seeing the changing of the guard?

Do you like antique shops and history? Then this is the neighborhood for you. Here you will find London’s best residential architecture and finest automobiles! You will pay for the privilege though. 

Here you will be easily able to get to most of the Royal palaces and spend some time in Green Park which I highly recommend, and most of the other attractions. 

South Kensington 

The area around here is known for museums and has a real neighborhood feel. You will find shops, cafes, and some fantastic pastry shops. 

Kensington High Street is amazing for shopping and of course, Kensington Palace is worth a visit. You are also close to Hyde Park. Here are some things to do in Kensington.

Get Tickets Here: Kensington Palace Sightseeing Entrance Tickets

Shoreditch

Looking for an artsy contemporary vibe? Then the Shoreditch area is for you.

It is trendy and a colorful haven for those creative designers and artists who call London home.

Art galleries in warehouse lofts and street art add to the hip vibe. This area is becoming more and more popular and is quite the place to be now. Here are some things to do in Shoreditch.

Look here: Book The Original Shoreditch Pub Crawl

Notting Hill

Lots of movies are made in London’s Notting Hill neighborhood because of how quaint and charming it is with its cobblestoned streets and colorful Victorian townhomes.

If bargain hunting for antiques interests you, Notting Hill’s famous Portobello Road Market will delight you.

All the major iconic attractions you would want to visit during your first time in London are simply a tube ride away.

Notting Hill Film Locations and Stars Walking Tour

My advice is to first decide what to do in London England, then see where all those things are and what areas seem to work best for you. The tube system is very reliable and frequent. 

 During Your First Time In London Expect Great Wifi When Out And About

Wifi in and around London tends to be very good and available in most places. In some hotels, you may pay extra for it. 

I have never found a problem with the Wi-Fi in London 4G and 5G mobile signals sometimes can be problematic but Wi-Fi has always been a dream.  

All major shopping destinations, just about every restaurant, and London’s iconic attractions all offer free wifi.

You simply sign up when you are at your destination and you are connected! The public wifi is not secure, so keep that in mind when using public wifi during your first time in London.

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 23  Major Museums In London Are Free

All of the UK national museums in London are all free. On my first time to London, I was astounded by this but most Londerers seem to take it in their stride. 

There are far too many museums for me to list here but it’s probably safe to say that all of the famous museums that spring to your mind are free. 

If you want to know just search the museum you are thinking of visiting and look at the entrance price.

Some museums will have paid special exhibitions that you will need tickets for but most of the permanent collections are free for you to browse all day long. 

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Experience London’s Food Scene

Whatever food you love chances are you can easily get it in London. One of the things that shocked me as a visitor to London was the choice of food options.

On one block alone you could have 2O different cultures and countries represented. 

I also found London very vegan and vegetarian friendly and in all my visits I’ve never found a problem.

Myself a vegan, my daughter a vegetarian, and our friend an omnivore, and enjoy all the restaurants with no problem.  

With our wide range of dining requirements, none of us ever had a complaint about a restaurant, cafe, or pub we dined at or the food we ate.

Londoners love their food, and every restaurant we visited was outstanding. Londoners embrace alternative eating choices and restaurants have no problem catering to requests.

As a vegan, I felt comfortable and right at home with my very own vegan menus in many restaurants.

Book Here: Go On A 3-Hour Secret British Food Tour

Should You Tip When In London?

Tipping in the U.K. is not like the USA. There is no tipping culture in bars for example and even restaurants don’t expect a tip although it is more customary. 

The customary tip is 10-15 % of the total bill and a lot of restaurants and hotels will add this on as a service charge.

While the service charge is optional check to see if it is there as you don’t want to double tip. 

Like I said it is not customary in bars at all but in my experience, if you do tip you will get excellent service. 

For taxi drivers again it’s 10-15 % but often people will just round up the fare or not leave a tip. 

Tipping isn’t so much part of the culture here but is always appreciated. Also, you must go for Afternoon Tea when you are in London.

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 Book Attraction Tickets Online To Save Money And Skip The Lines

The lines in London at the main attractions can be huge and I suggest booking as much as you can in advance, even if it is just the night before. 

If you thinking of traveling from London to the Amalfi Coast London is the perfect stopover.

You will save money booking online, sometimes significantly. And you more often than not will not have to wait in line and will go to the front of the queue.  

Time is of the essence when you only have a few days in London so the less you can wait to get into an attraction the better.  

Book Tickets In Advance: The London Eye Entry Ticket

 Save Money By Getting Snacks And Convenience Foods At Local Grocery Stores

Yes, it is fun to visit as many restaurants as possible for breakfast, lunch, and dinner during your first time in London. However, that may put a strain on your budget.

There are a lot of grocery stores in London you can visit. Some are big and sell everything and some are smaller and perfect for getting snack food.

Most stores do meal deals at lunchtime which are incredible value. 

The main supermarkets are Tesco and Sainsbury, Waitrose and Marks, and Spencer tend to be slightly higher in value.

Lidl and Aldo are on the lower end. You might also find Co-Ops which is a middle-of-the-road place.  

The quality of food in the UK is far superior to what I am used to back home and I found going to a supermarket to grab lunch or dinner a great alternative to spending money out. 

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During Your First Time In London Be Aware Pickpocketing Is Real

Most think London is crime-ridden or at least that is what the media would have us think. This simply isn’t the case and while you must be careful I have never had a problem. 

Just be sensible like you would in any other large European capital city. Make sure your valuables are safe and never get tickets for anything off the street.

I would also advise only ever getting in black cabs and never a random car that stops you saying they are a cab. I have never had a problem with any Uber drivers either!

Be extra vigilant when you are in the crowd for example watching performers at Covent Garden or getting on a crowded tube. You will find most Londoners have cross-body bags that they hold in front of them. 

As mean as it sounds ignore anyone who stops to ask you anything even if they are children this is a scheme used by a lot of gangs. 

And don’t be waving around expensive items.

Saying this I have never had any problems in London because I remain vigilant.

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Notify Your Credit Card Company Of Your Trip

Call your credit card company for two reasons: Number one, to notify the bank that you will be out of the country and give them your exact travel dates. This is for your safety.

And number two, to check to see if the bank charges foreign transaction fees every time you are out of the country and use your card.

If it does, inquire about applying for a credit card that does NOT charge such fees, or consider getting a travel money card or an app on your phone. 

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Stand on the Right on London Underground Escalators & Stairs

London is a busy place and what I find odd about the UK are the social rules that everyone seems to know and no one seems to talk about. 

For example on the tube escalators stand to the right as this allows people in a rush to go past you. Even on the pavements and stairs, you will generally find people going in one direction sticking to one side.

Just like the roads, the pavements have a flow of traffic and to avoid standing out and getting in the way it’s best to observe it as best you can and if you need to stop for any reason move to the side. 

When you figure this out getting from one place to another seems so much simpler. 

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 Avoid Rush Hour When Exploring London

If you can avoid peak times everywhere, especially on public transport. The difference on the tube can be a tube train to yourself or packed in like a sardine. 

Peek times tend to be between 7.30-9.30 and 3-6.30. I know this seems like a big chunk of time but if you can, avoid public transport and busy streets during this time. 

If you travel between 10 am and 3 pm, and after 7 pm, you will find your journey will be easier and possibly take less time. 

I know these times can’t always be avoided but if you can please do so.    

Take A Historic Pubs of Central London Walking Tour

Best Walks in London: 15 You Should Not Miss Is a great place to begin your London planning.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting London for the First Time

Is London easy to visit for the first time?

Yes. London is one of the easiest European capitals to visit thanks to its excellent public transport, English-speaking locals, and many free attractions. Planning your transport and booking popular sights in advance will make your first visit even smoother.

How many days should you spend in London for your first trip?

I recommend spending at least four to five days in London. This gives you enough time to visit iconic attractions like Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the British Museum, while also exploring different neighbourhoods at a more relaxed pace.

Check out my 5 Days in London: The Ultimate Itinerary.

Should I use an Oyster Card or contactless payment in London?

For most visitors, contactless payment using a debit or credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay is the easiest option. A standard Oyster Card is still useful for some travellers, while a Visitor Oyster Card may be worth considering if you plan to use its additional discounts.

What is the best area to stay in London for first-time visitors?

Areas such as Westminster, Covent Garden, South Bank, Kensington, and Bloomsbury are excellent choices for first-time visitors. They offer easy access to major attractions and excellent public transport connections.

I hope these tips help you feel more confident about visiting London for the first time. It can seem like a huge, fast-paced city, but once you understand the transport system, know where to stay, and plan a few key attractions in advance, it’s surprisingly easy to explore.

Whether you’re spending a long weekend in London or using the city as the start of a wider UK adventure, your first trip is one you’ll never forget. Take time to wander beyond the famous landmarks, enjoy the parks and neighbourhoods, and don’t be afraid to slow down and soak up the atmosphere.

If you’re still planning your trip, you might also enjoy my guides to 3 Days in London, Beautiful Place in London, and What to Wear in London, to help you make the most of your visit.

Packing Tips For Your First Time In London 

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. These RFID sleeves are the perfect solution as well. This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me with this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday. I love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and so easy to use. And this world traveler adapter kit can charge several devices at the same time.

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack or your purse. And the replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh clean water whenever you fill your Bobble.

You will want a daypack with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great. This antitheft backpack has a charging port, is water-resistant, and can comfortably carry up to a 15.6″ laptop.

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