The Essentials Guide to London

All you need to know for your first visit to London!

Know How to Use the Tube

London's public transportation system is superior in my opinion. This city is incredibly well connected by a network of trains and buses, so you truly can get anywhere in the city without a car or taxi. Make sure you know how to use the tube and buses as those are the most efficient ways to get anywhere in the city, especially to and from the airports.

Not sure how to use the public transportation system? Be sure to check out my posts about how to use the tube and the bus.

Download CityMapper

This goes hand-in-hand with knowing how to use the tube. Google maps is good, but for a visitor, CityMapper provides much clearer directions and provides the most up-to-date information about the train and bus schedule.

Know the Zones

Wondering why in the world the zip codes start with letters? I promise there is a method to the madness! London has a structure of zones, radiating out from the city center, like the circles on the inside of a tree stump. The closer you are to Zone 1, the closer you are to the city center, which goes from South Kensington to Aldgate (if that makes any sense for you).

https://maps-london.com/maps-london-transport/london-zone-map

Most of the sites are within Zone 1, so this is the tourist hotspot. Within that, you have zip codes which align to the direction you are in compared to the center of London. For example, the Shard starts with a zipcode SE1, meaning it is South East of the city. Oh, and if you want to sound like a Londoner, rather than saying "East side" or "West side," you should say "East London" and "West London." Similar to any big city in the world, there is a big ongoing dispute about which is better, and most locals are very adamant about their side being the best (haha).

Download FREENOW

Need to get around quickly? Well then, your next best option is an Uber. BUT London's Uber game is severly lacking, so rather than wait hours for a car to maybe show, download the app FREENOW. This is an Uber dupe that calls rideshares AND taxis, so you can have confidence that a car is always available and usually only minutes away.

Learn the Lingo

Even though English is the primary language in the UK, sometimes I wonder if "British English" and "American English" are even related. Here are a few words that are a bit different and may help you avoid your requests getting lost in translation.

You alright? = Informal "How you doin?" (you don't have to respond with your life's story)

Cheers = See you later / Thanks / Bye bye

Where's the loo? or Where's the toilet? = Where's the bathroom/restroom?

Can you put this in the bin? = Can you put this in the trashcan?

Mind the gap = Don't fall in the gap between the platform and the train you're getting on

Taxi = Cab (don't call it a cab here)

Boot = Trunk of a car

Sorry = Excuse me / Pardon me

Lift = Elevator

Queue = Line, as in "There's such a long line to get in"

Bits and Bobs = Random little items / few little things

Pint = A literal pint of beer

Pie = Traditional dish with a flaky crust, filled with savory meats and vegetables

Crisps = Potato chips

Chips = French fries

Biscuits = Cookies or Sweet Crackers

Courgette = Zucchini

Aubergine = Eggplant

Prawn = Shrimp (debatable whether there is actually a difference)

Black Pudding = Not pudding. Blood sausage served in your english breakfast

Yorkshire Pudding = Also not pudding. Fluffy roll served with Sunday Roast

Trainers = Tennis shoes

Trousers = Pants

Jumper = Sweater

Flat = Apartment

And if you want to avoid sounding like a complete tourist, here are some words that will earn you credibility when pronounced correctly:

Tottenham = Taught + en + um

Leicester = Lester

Trafalgar = Truh + fall + ger

Gloucester = Glosster

Greenwich = Grenn + itch

Marylebone = Mar + luh + bone

Chiswick = Chiz + ick

Fulham = Full + um

Clapham = Clap + um

Yorkshire = York + sure

I'm realizing these are mostly names of tube stops, but you'll still impress the locals!

Load Your Cards on ApplePay

This is a cashless city, so make sure you have your credit card(s) loaded onto your phone. By doing this, it's much quicker and easier to pay for meals, tap into the tube or bus, and cash out at all those lovely boutiques you're sure to hit up.

PS: check out my post "Emily's Favorite London Boutiques"

Keep Your Belongings Safe

London is pretty safe because the city never sleeps but there are still some things you need to be mindful of especially in the touristy areas of town.

Mind your phone!

There is a trend going around with the common pickpockets where they will distract you by putting paper right in front of you, covering your view of the table as they take your phone from right in front of you. If someone puts a piece of paper in front of you, or newspaper, immediately check for your phone and that you didn't leave it on the table. Someone tried to do this to me the other day but I know to immediately check for my phone and was able to push the person away (gently, not aggressively) before they could take anything.

Don't walk around with your phone in your hand, dangling at your side. If I'm navigating and need to have my phone out, I always keep it close and in front of my body to prevent anyone from swiping it. Also, check out how to put a screentime password on your phone which prevents thieves from stealing your information and AppleID if they do steal your phone.

Keep your pockets empty

Don't put things in your back pockets, or any open pockets. I've heard too many stories of friends putting their phone in their pocket for a second but that second is too late.

Keep tabs on your purse

I don't recommend putting your purse on an extra chair or on the back of a chair when you are sitting outside in central London. Especially in Covent Garden, there have been many occurrences of thieves going by and taking any purses that are unattended.

Never take the flowers!

Another trick the pickpocketers or hagglers use is to offer you a flower or literally put a flower in your hand. Drop it and walk away if this happens. If you hold onto the flower, they will begin to argue with you until you pay them. Just save yourself the hassle ahead of time and say no to the pretty flowers.

Carry ID with you

I will leave it up to your discretion whether you carry your passport with you or not. In the rest of Europe, I typically do because more places are doing random checks or require photo ID for entrance. However, if you don't have your passport on you, definitely have some other form of ID.

Know the Restaurant Etiquette

As with the rest of Europe, the pace is leisurely so you will not be rushed out of a restaurant. However, for those from America, you may end up sitting for ages looking around wondering why you haven't received the bill yet. You must request the bill for it to be brought to the table. If you're in a rush, I recommend asking for the bill when they start clearing your dishes away. Otherwise, sit for as long as you like!

Ask for water but there are different types of water to ask for: still, sparkling, tap. Most places will push the bottled waters because then they can charge you loads for a tiny bottle. You absolutely can specify that you want tap water and you'll avoid paying for it.

Just as a heads up: if you order a coke of any variety, it will be served with a lemon in the glass. This is a European preference and you may actually enjoy it, but if you're not feeling adventurous, make sure you decline it when you order.

Don't Fret About Your Attire

London is the multi-cultural center of the world, so you will see it ALL when it comes to attire. There is no need to buy an entire new wardrobe for your trip. That being said, if you're worried about "looking like a European," here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Bring lots of jeans. Athleisure is not something you'll see on the streets here. The equivalent of a pair of sweatpants or leggings in America is a pair of jeans in the UK. While this sounds uncomfortable, it's a small difference that makes you look nicer when wandering out and about. You never know who you're going to meet in this massive city.

2. Wear comfortable shoes. Most people wear trainers (tennis shoes) on the daily because of how much walking you tend to do throughout the city. You can find some cute options and you'll be glad you went for comfort after putting in your 20K steps.

3. Dress in neutrals. Most Brits, and Europeans in general, don't wear loud colors, so it's easier to go for your blacks, whites, beige, and blues and create that versatile wardrobe. It'll leave you with more room to bring fun things back and you'll blend in a little more with the Londoners.

4. Bring a classic coat. Think trench, blazer, neutral colored jacket, leather jacket. It's best to have that one statement piece that you can wear with everything and will be good for layering.

5. Layers layers layers. I have a running joke with my mom because every time she comes to visit, she asks me what she should bring. To which, I always answer, "I don't even know what to wear today, so how can I tell you what to pack for next week?!" The weather is constantly changing, even by the hour, so unless it's August (it's always insanely hot in August), bring layers. You can wear a short sleeve shirt with a button down on top, or go for a tank with a jumper (sweater) tied over the shoulders. Either way, just bring shortsleeve, longsleeve, and a warm option so you can adapt as needed.

6. Bring a tote bag. The canvas bags are all the rage and will be incredibly helpful for you in the city as all stores (retail and grocery) charge you for bags. IKEA makes some really cute foldable totes and I always have one in my purse when I leave my flat.

7. Bring an umbrella. This is not fashion related but is an essential must-have as you're preparing yourself for your day. Always check the weather and when in doubt, it will rain at some point in your day, so better to be prepared.
   

Bring Adapters

You don't need one for your phone or computer, only the outlet adapters, but you have to check your hair tools, shavers, electric tooth brush, etc. Some of the appliances will be able to handle 230V and will state that on them. However, if the appliance is not made for that, it will fry.

A major callout if you are a Dyson hairwrap owner, I do not recommend bringing your hairwrap to the UK unless it was purchased in the EU/UK. I've heard too many horror stories of them frying or not working when you get back to your country of origin.