How to Plan a City Break to London

Last updated on November 9th, 2024

London is a place that most people want to visit at least once. All that history packed into one place while still enjoying all the cosmopolitan charms of city life is so appealing. But before you go right ahead and schedule that flight to the UK, there’s a few things you need to know. 

There’s so much to do in London that you may feel like one trip is just not long enough. So, it’s wise to think carefully about how much time to spend there. Thinking about what you will do there is also a must. In this post, we’ll provide tons of insider tips to help you get the best from your time in the city.

Choose Your Season

As the UK has all four seasons (sometimes all happening in the same week!), it is helpful to think ahead. In the summer, London can really heat up. The scorching temperatures can be hard to bear when you are in the middle of the city. Especially when it gets so busy with tourists and, of course, the many commuters. The tube can be incredibly hot in the summer months, so if you are planning to use the underground, keep this in mind.

Just as the summer in London can be overwhelmingly hot, it can also be prone to plenty of rainy days too. In contrast, the winter is very cold in London and prone to snow, you need to keep this in mind too, as there can be disruption to the train services and flights in and out of the UK. These weather conditions can seriously scupper your plans. You don’t want to get all this way to have the weather dampen your trip. So, whenever you go, you’re going to need to be ready for whatever surprise weather comes along.

It’s also going to be worth checking when the UK school holidays run. The city is always filled with tourists. But during the UK summer holidays, this can be so much worse.

Plan Your Journey

The UK is small but crammed with beautiful places to see. So, you may want to see a whole lot more of it when you make your trip. London is always worth visiting. But if you have extra time, it’s worth venturing further to experience more of the country.

If you are planning to base your vacation outside of London, traveling in by coach or train is a great idea. This way, you’ll avoid the congestion charges you would get if you hired a car. If you’re going to have your luggage with you, it’s best to store it while you explore. Trying to get round tourist attractions with a large suitcase is not fun for you or the people around you. Plus, you may need to have your bag searched before you’re admitted to some attractions. So, it’s really helpful to arrange to store it somewhere. If you’re traveling by train, you could leave your cases at the luggage storage Liverpool Street Station. Then you can relax knowing your bags are safe while you have a fantastic time.

If you hope to find accommodation in London you have plenty of options available. There’s some pretty unique places available to stay. From high-end boutique hotels to characterful Airbnb properties, they’re all here. You’re sure to find something for your budget somewhere in the city.

Start Writing Your Itinerary

You could wait until you land in London and just see where you end up. But when there’s so much to do, planning ahead can be a massive help. London is literally packed with so much to see. So, if you want to squeeze every last bit out of your break, planning ahead is really wise.

It can feel pretty overwhelming trying to decide what to do when there’s just so many options. Planning an itinerary may feel like a little too much. But if you’re worried that an itinerary will ruin your laid-back vacation vibe, don’t be. It can actually make your trip a whole lot more relaxing to make an itinerary.

When you have lots of stuff planned, you get rid of the pressure to think of something to do every day while you’re away. This can be a big relief. It means that you can actually enjoy your break without spending half of it planning and prepping for days out. 

Another reason you need to make an itinerary is that you simply won’t be able to manage to see everything if you don’t. You’ll probably need to prioritize the places you really want to see. This is a great way to make sure you actually get to do the things you traveled for. 

Loads of London’s attractions are super busy and fill up fast. If you don’t plan ahead, you could spend most of your time in a queue just to get entry. So, it’s helpful to book your tickets in advance. This means you won’t have to worry about a wasted trip and you’ll get entry much faster. 

Get Your Bearings

Finally, it is important to remember that exploring any city can be an exciting, but little stressful experience. Finding your way around is often the toughest thing to manage. So, it can be super helpful to get your bearings before you do anything else. Scheduling a sightseeing trip, a bus tour, or even a walking tour can be an amazing help. You could even take a boat trip that speeds along the River Thames, pointing out sights as you go.

This way you will get an idea of where everything is in the city, including main landmarks. You can also ask the tour guide any questions to help you familiarize yourself with the city. Their recommendations can be really valuable as they obviously know the city incredibly well. You’ll probably find that the tour helps set you up for the rest of your trip. You’ll have even more ideas on where to go and what to do, plus expert tips.