Need a visiting London guide to help you decide the best time to visit London and more? At Crown Group, we can offer you London travel tips, including how to get around the city, what to pack, and some key scams to be aware of before you set foot on soil.
It doesn’t matter if you are visiting the city and need things to do in London for an anniversary trip, weekend getaway, or even a business trip. Any first time London visitor will benefit from what we have to say.
When Is the Best Time to Visit London and Why?
Spending time in London can be a wonderful experience any time of year, and any visiting London guide will tell you that, However, every season brings something new, and it is important to take price fluctuations into consideration when planning a trip.
Here’s a quick breakdown of a few things that you could expect when visiting London at different times of the year, and what events you might want to look into for the coming year to see what is on.
| Spring (March–May) | Summer (June–Aug) | Autumn (Sept–Nov) | Winter (Dec–Feb) |
| 12°C to 18°C | 19°C to 26°C | 10°C to 20°C | 5°C to 9°C |
| Moderate — generally lower prices than summer, except around Easter and early May bank holidays. Pleasant weather draws steady tourism but not peak crowds. | Most expensive & busiest. Peak tourism, major festivals, sport events (Wimbledon, etc.) drive up prices and demand. | Moderate. Quieter than summer with generally reasonable prices — though if events like NFL games or London Fashion Week fall on dates, certain weekends can spike. | Variable. December is expensive and busy because of holiday travel and Christmas markets. January and February are among the least expensive months to visit. |
| Festivals like Brick Lane Jazz Festival, GALA Festival, and the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens | Festivals like SXSW London Festival, Lido Festival , Wireless Festival, and BST Hyde Park Festival | Festivals like Waterworks Festival and Margins United Festival | Festivals like Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, and the Orchid Festival at Kew Gardens |
| Queen’s Yard Summer Party | Wimbledon & other major sports events | Major sports events like Union Jack Classic, Laver Cup, NFL London Games, and Rugby Nations Championship Finals | Hyde Park Winter Wonderland |
| Chelsea Flower Show, see the cherry blossoms | Picnics in parks | Bonfire Night | Christmas Markets |
| Picnics in parks | Experience beer gardens | Halloween/Seasonal Events | Winter pantomimes |
| Experience beer gardens | Hire a pedalo in Hyde Park | Regent’s Park rose gardens in early September | Ice skating at rinks |
Every Season Can be Magical
No matter the season, a London trip can be magical. Plan ahead, and think of what you want to achieve on your trip. Do you want to enjoy walks along the Thames in the sun and marvel at cocktails on rooftop bars on a summer day, or do you want to embrace the chill and spend your time exploring Christmas markets, ice skating, West End shows, and finding the best festive spots for photos?
Even if you are visiting while on a business trip and want to make your stay productive as well as fun, you won’t run out of things to do, whatever the season.
How Do You Get Around London Using Public Transport?
London is meticulously connected with all kinds of public transport. Trains, buses, boats, and taxis all play a pivotal part in making your trip smoother and easier, and are frequent enough to rely on no matter where you are staying in the city. Other options like Santander bicycles are also a fantastic option if you want to get from place to place quickly and easily.
Don’t Forget About Walking!
If you are planning to go somewhere nearby, why not consider walking the distance? The way London is laid out makes getting anywhere on foot easy, and gives you the chance to get up close and personal with the city’s history, while also saving money and leaving public transport to others.
What Should You Pack Before Your London Trip?
No visiting London guide is complete without going through tips on what to pack. Some items are standard, such as a portable charger, a UK plug adapter (if needed), a reusable water bottle, and good walking shoes. However, what clothes you bring depends on when you are visiting, so keep the weather in mind when choosing!
Standard ‘must-brings’ when visiting London:
- Portable charger (highly recommended)
- UK plug adapter (if needed)
- Reusable water bottle
- Walking shoes
- Any necessary paperwork/documents
- Umbrella (no matter the season)
- Suitable clothes (weather depending)
- Personal items (e.g. makeup, equipment, etc)
How Much Should You Budget for a London Visit?
Visiting London can be an expensive experience. Depending on what you do in your free time, you could expect to spend £120 per day—not including accommodation fees. The time of year to visit will impact your average spending, as well as any tours, events, and shopping you want to experience, making it difficult to offer a one-answer-fits-all.
The good news is, London is full of free museums, galleries, and parks. There are also various markets to visit for free, iconic spots like Sky Garden and the Barbican Centre, and historic locations to fill your day with. So, if you don’t want to spend a fortune on activities in this city, you will have plenty to keep you occupied during your visit.
Cash or Card in London?
Most business in London is done cash-free, so having the right card is crucial if you want your visit to be a success. On the rare occasion that you do require cash, you will be able to get it from an ATM, or ask for cashback in one of the nearby stores. With that being said, people who will be renting a vehicle or getting the occasional taxi may benefit from parrying a few pounds on them, just to be safe.
What Local Customs and Etiquette Should You Be Aware Of?
If you are visiting London from another country, it is crucial to remember the potential cultural differences you will experience. While this sixty is culturally diverse, some things never change: here, the queue is a sacred thing, politeness is paramount, and being punctual isn’t optional.
A few things to remember when visiting:
- Tipping is NOT expected (and sometimes not even allowed!)
- Be aware of walking on the correct side of the path and stairs
- Don’t forget to be polite (please and thank you go a long way)
- Keep the volume down (strangers don’t want to hear your conversations)
Safety First! What Safety and Scams Should Every Visitor Know Before Visiting London?
Any decent visiting London guide will be upfront about safety and scams to be aware of when visiting the city. From the basics like never leaving your drinks unattended, avoiding shortcuts, and not giving out any personal information, to the specific scams to be aware of when visiting, it pays to always be aware of your surroundings.
Key scams to be aware of in London:
- Bottlenecking – get travel insurance and be especially alert to avoid pickpocketing (Tube stations)
- Snatchers – get travel insurance, and don’t stay glued to your phone where snatchers and muggers can easily access it before making a getaway down busy streets
- Bag cutting – beware of thieves cutting through your handbags to get to your valuables (Tube stations and Westminster)
- Distraction scams – scammers will orchestrate something to distract you, then take your valuables when you aren’t looking (busiest tourist locations)
- Fake luxuries – beware of the shops you visit, as many of them are likely to have fake goods that may be almost identical to the real deal
- Fake tickets – usually sold at a discounted rate for big events like festivals, theatre shows, and more (major London squares)
Some honourable mentions include card skimming, the classic taxi scam (be very careful), fake beggars (they are usually well-dressed but have a very sad story), fake police, and the gifting scam.
Stay With Crown Group of Hotels to Make Your London Visit Unforgettable
Choose the perfect London accommodation and stay with Crown Group of Hotels. With us, you can make the most of your trip with easy access to iconic spots and public transport, and benefit from rooms that allow you to rest and recuperate, ready for the next day’s adventure.
Plan your perfect London adventure with confidence with the help of our visiting London guide! Book your stay at one of Crown Group’s Hotels, and have all the best locations in London right on your doorstep from day one.
Stay at Hotel Cavendish, Arran House Hotel, Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Great St. Helen Hotel, or Hatton Garden Hotel, and London will be right on your doorstep, ready to be experienced. Before booking, please read through our booking and privacy policies and terms and conditions.
