What is the best location to stay when visiting London?
Best Area for Sightseeing: Head south of the River Thames to the Southbank neighborhood for hotels close by many sightseeing attractions. Here, you’re near the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, the restaurants at Borough Market, Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, and other popular tourist spots. Best neighborhoods in London Three main, connected neighborhoods – the West End, South Bank and the City of London – sit either side of the River Thames and are the focus of most visits, especially for first-time travelers, but there are plenty of other areas worth exploring.Top Pick for First-Timers: Covent Garden, Westminster, or Soho. If you want to be in the center of all things London, being within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions is essential.London is close to tons of easy day-trip options The bottom line: London’s fun, full of great transportation options, and offers endless activities to entertain the entire family. It’s truly a winner for kids of all ages.For first time visitors, we recommend spending at least four or five days in London, which will give you enough time to get a feel for the city and see many of its main sites. With so much to do and see check out this article on how you can make the most of your time in London!
Where to stay in London for the first time?
For your first trip to London, I recommend keeping things central so you’re close to the top attractions in the city. Covent Garden is a fan-favorite that combines historic markets, great dining options, and shopping just a stone’s throw from some of the best theater shows. Covent Garden is considered one of the safest neighbourhoods in London due to its notable police presence. This area is ideal for those who enjoy a touch of luxury, with close proximity to world-famous attractions like the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden Market.Neighborhoods to avoid in London include Peckham, Elephant & Castle, Brixton, Tottenham as well as certain neighborhoods in East London, such as parts of Tower Hamlets and Newham. These areas have historically experienced higher crime rates, so it’s advisable to exercise caution when navigating them.If it is either a short trip (four days or less) or it’s your first time in London, I’d stay in the trio of central neighborhoods that includes Covent Garden, The City of London, and Bankside/Southwark.Where are the best walkable locations to stay in London? The areas around Covent Garden, Southbank, and Soho are among the most pedestrian-friendly but if you are looking for somewhere with green spaces and nature, Regent’s Park is ideal as it is close to London Zoo.
Which neighborhood to stay in London as a tourist?
For shopping, restaurants, theatre and nightlife, Soho and Covent Garden are great spots in the centre, while King’s Cross and Camden are lively options, too. And if the river is calling, the South Bank and Westminster are your best bet. Before you book though, join us on a quick whistlestop tour. West is best, so look at Kensington, Chelsea or Notting Hill. For shopping, restaurants, theatre and nightlife, Soho and Covent Garden are great spots in the centre, while King’s Cross and Camden are lively options, too. And if the river is calling, the South Bank and Westminster are your best bet.Top Pick for First-Timers: Covent Garden, Westminster, or Soho. If you want to be in the center of all things London, being within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions is essential.While I’ve definitely taken advantage of long layovers here on past Euro trips, we recommend at least three days in London to get the full experience without feeling rushed. You’ll have enough time to hit the highlights, eat your way through Borough Market, and still have room for spontaneous pub stops.For first time visitors, we recommend spending at least four or five days in London, which will give you enough time to get a feel for the city and see many of its main sites. With so much to do and see check out this article on how you can make the most of your time in London!
How to travel with kids in London?
Children under 11 travel free on most public transport services in London when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, or with a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard. Children aged 11 to 15 years old can get free or discounted travel with a Zip Oyster photocard, or a Young Visitor discount. Do kids need Oyster cards? Children under 11 travel free on most of London’s public transport services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, or with a 5-10 Zip Oyster Photocard. Children aged 11 to 15 years old can get free or discounted travel with a Zip Oyster Photocard or a Young Visitor discount.There’s no need to stay cooped up inside with our Family Travel Cards. With our London Family Travelcard, you and your little ones can spread your wings – enjoying return train travel, unlimited bus and tube journeys, plus discounted entry to some of the capital’s top attractions. All from just £40*.For most people travelling around London, the cheapest way to get around is by using an Oyster or contactless payment card. An Oyster card is a smart card you can use instead of paper tickets, available on buses, Tubes, trams, rail, DLR and some river services.Travelling with children Children under five travel free with a fare-paying adult. If your child is under 11, they can travel free on: Buses and trams. Tube, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line and some National Rail services.
Where to stay and not to stay in London?
Generally speaking, most areas of London are safe and suitable to stay in but, for peace of mind, we would recommend avoiding areas such as Canning Town, Tower Hamlets, and Hackney where crime rates are notably higher. Richmond upon Thames (including areas like Teddington) consistently ranks as the safest borough in London, thanks to its low crime rates (about 72 crimes per 1000 people as of 2024), riverside parks, strong community vibe, and excellent schools.Finding the safest areas in London doesn’t just mean peace of mind—it’s about choosing a lifestyle that fits your family, career, and budget. Richmond, Kingston, Sutton, Bromley, and Hampstead stand out as the top choices for 2024, offering a mix of safety, community, and charm.Hampstead. Hampstead is renowned as one of London’s most desirable and safe neighbourhoods. This affluent area consistently reports low crime rates, providing peace of mind for its residents. Families are drawn to Hampstead’s excellent schools, both private and state-funded.
How many days in London is enough with kids?
If you wondering how many days in London with kids, you could definitely spend a week in London or more and still barely scratch the surface of this incredible city. Still, three days is often the amount of time people have if they’re traveling through Europe, or want to venture out to other parts of the UK. We recommend budgeting around £105 plus (about $130 in US dollars) per day, per person, after paying to get there. You can of course spend a lot more, or a little less, but our recent trip revealed this figure to be a good starting point.You could easily spend all 7 days in London or choose to hit up the major cities. We recommend the following budget per person for 7 days in the UK: Budget trip: £400. Mid-range trip: £1000.You could easily spend all 7 days in London or choose to hit up the major cities. We recommend the following budget per person for 7 days in the UK: Budget trip: £400. Mid-range trip: £1000.What is this? Want a quick answer? We recommend budgeting around £105 plus (about $130 in US dollars) per day, per person, after paying to get there. You can of course spend a lot more, or a little less, but our recent trip revealed this figure to be a good starting point.Rs. London trip, as airfare alone can exceed this amount. For a budget trip, you’d need at least Rs.