Heading to London soon? This city has so much to offer. In our blog City Trip to London: Practical Tips, we share the must-know insights to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

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​Take the train instead of flying

Traveling from the Netherlands, Belgium, or France? Consider taking the train instead of the plane. With the Eurostar, you can get from Rotterdam to London in just three hours! The perks? More legroom, bring whatever you like, and free Wi-Fi on board. Plus, you’ll arrive at St. Pancras International station — right in the heart of the city. From there, it’s just a 15-minute ride to the centre.

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​ETA

Travelling with a Dutch passport and staying in the UK for less than 6 months? Then you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This also applies if you’re only transiting and need to go through passport control. You can easily apply for an ETA through the official website or the UK ETA app. Important: always use official channels to avoid scams.​

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Oyster Card

An Oyster Card is a must if you plan to use public transport in London! We highly recommend it — it’s a fast and affordable way to get around the city, and much cheaper than taking an Uber. You can buy an Oyster Card at almost any public transport station. You can also find more information here about using your bank card to pay for public transport in London.

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A travel adapter

The United Kingdom uses type G power outlets. Chances are, this type of socket isn’t used in your home country — so don’t forget to bring a travel adapter!

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Reservations

Nearly 20 million people visit London each year, which means the city is almost always busy. Make a list of the sights you want to see and be sure to book in advance to secure your spot. This also goes for restaurants you’re keen to try — reservations are highly recommended.

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Point a Hotels

Hotel rooms in London are often small and relatively expensive! That’s why we were happy to discover the British chain Point A Hotels. We stayed at Point A Hotel Shoreditch and had a relatively spacious room with plenty of smart storage options. Every morning, a delicious breakfast was served, and the staff were incredibly helpful. Definitely a great place to stay!

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London City Pass

Planning to visit many of London’s top attractions? Then the London City Pass might be worth considering. We didn’t get the pass ourselves, as we opted for a deal through Get Your Guide that included entry to the London Eye, a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket, and a river cruise on the Thames.

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Visit a free museum

Many museums in London are free to enter! Think of places like the Natural History Museum or the Tate Modern. Check out this list of free museums to plan your visit.

 

Avoid the ATM

London isn’t a cheap city, so make sure you’re not hit with extra fees when tempted to withdraw cash. We were able to pay everywhere with our bank card or even our phone. So skip the ATM and save on those unnecessary commission charges! 😉

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