It is always the right time to go to London as there is always something to see and do no matter wat the weather, but don’t plan a trip to London based on the weather. It can rain at any time in the UK as there isn’t particularly a ‘dry season’. Downpours, however, usually happen in the autumn, especially in November, so it may be a good idea to avoid going then if you don’t want to get too many wet days stopping play.
The principal art season (for theatre, concerts and art shows) falls between September and May, leaving the summer months for festivals and park-going. A few Royal attractions, such as the State Rooms of Buckingham Palace, are only open in the summer when the Queen visits Scotland. In summer, when the weather is warmest, tends to be the most expensive time to visit London as half of Europe tends to take its annual holiday, the airfares are higher as are hotel rates and the queues for most of the tourist attractions might make you wish you had visited earlier in the year.
For decent prices, fairer weather and lighter crowds, go in spring or autumn. Process are at their lowest in mid-winter, but a number of minor sights, such as historic houses, are sometimes closed. It really depends on your reason for visiting to decide on the best time for you to go.
Here are some tips on how to plan a perfect trip to London.
Establish a Budget
Work out your finances as early as possible, even before you know your travel dates and itinerary. London is an expensive city with an unfavourable exchange rate. Set your budget early on and you will avoid any disappointment that could come from forging a fabulous itinerary and then discovering you can’t afford it.
- Always add some wiggle room, overestimating is better than underestimating. There are always costs you don’t foresee or things you want to do that you haven’t accounted for.
- If the trip is more than you are willing to spend. Make cuts when you can. If it ultimately means you have to cut your trip short, so be it.
Accommodation
The next thing to think about is accommodation. There are several accommodation options to browse through, but among these options are the London City Suites Barbican by Montcalm. These suites are very popular as they offer excellent facilities at reasonable prices.
When booking accommodation in London, there are a number things you should take into consideration to make sure you make the right choice for your needs.
- Space – this depends on the number of people in your group. If there is just two of you then a studio or one-bedroom room will be good enough. If you are travelling with children, then you should consider a two bedroom or family suite so you have a larger space to spread out in.
- Room rates – compare the nightly room rates with other rooms in the area to ensure the price is right. Explore further if the room looks over or under priced – there may be a particular reason for this.
- Location – if you are attending a n event in London then you may want to look close to the venue for ease of travel. If you are planning a sightseeing trip, then look for places close to the city centre so you have a central base. If you are travelling with the family then you may want to look for quieter districts to avoid constant noise and activity, especially at night.
- Neighbourhood – safety is your main concern when looking into London accommodation. Consider security arrangements of hotels to make sure all safety procedures are satisfactory and research the area so you are aware of any negativity or safety concerns.
- Medical facilities – in case there are any mishaps you may need medical attention for, check out if there are medical centres or hospitals nearby.
Getting to London
Transatlantic flights almost always land at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest international airport, or Gatwick. With a few minor exceptions, the other four airports – Stanstead, Luton, London City and Southend – serve flights from Europe and they are where cut-rate flyers and executive jets tend to go.
Getting to and from all of the airports is easy and clear. Every airport offers some kind of rail connection to Central London. Tockets can be bought at windows in the arrival halls, at machines, or online where you can get a discount. You will rarely have to wait more than 20 minutes for the next train.
Plan a Loose Itinerary
Planning too far ahead may backfire, because trips hardly ever go as planned. Plan for spontaneity, nut keep hints from travel guides in mind. Mark places to visit and things to do.
- Make a list – write down the places you want to visit, including restaurants, museums, shopping centres and other places of interest. This will help give you ideas and prevent being completely lost when you arrive and do not know what to do.
- Include how you are going to get around. Does your itinerary involve cab rides? Using the tube? Walking? If you are using public transport, make sure you know how that is done.
Pack Light
Travelling with lots of luggage restricts your movement and causes discomfort as you will inevitably be moving around a lot while travelling. Only pack the necessities.
- Stick to basic pieces and a couple of pairs of shoes. all you really need in terms of clothes is a few pairs of trousers, some shorts, a skirt and a few tops. You can then mix and match as necessary.
- Roll your clothes when packing. This will save you a ton of room and means you will have room for shopping and buying souvenirs.
