Making mistakes is inevitable while visiting a foreign city for the first time. However, visitors to London can prevent some errors.
There are many popular travel destinations in Europe that may impress the tourists. Although there are many wonderful cities around the world, London is at the forefront of every traveler's list.
London is a popular travel destination for visitors from all over the world all year round due to its many charms. London masterpieces such as Big Ben, the London Eye, endless rows of vibrant red pay phones, Tower of Bridges, Westminster Abbey and the endless list attract many tourists. Despite this, London can be incredibly intimidating and intimidating when visitors see beyond these famous buildings and icons.
Being the first traveler to any foreign place is not always easy, and in a city like London, one will soon realize that there are many unspoken regulations that every guest should be aware of. Although it is impossible to avoid making mistakes completely, such as not knowing that there are different languages spoken in the UK, there are some blunders that frequent visitors to the city make that can be avoided by paying attention to certain aspects. Let's take a look at some of the common tourist mistakes visitors make while visiting London and how to avoid them.
10 Don't Tip
The custom of leaving tips varies by nation. If visitors are from the US or Canada, they are undoubtedly used to constantly tipping. This is not how things actually work in the UK.
The majority of restaurants in London include a 12.5 percent surcharge on the tab, so visitors don't even need to consider paying more than is stated. Paying 10-12% of the bill at a sit-down restaurant where tipping is not done is considered polite. However, one should not feel obligated to tip at food stores, cafes or bars because the staff will not expect it.
9 Be On The Right Side Of Escalators
Londoners follow the unwritten rule of walking left and standing right when using escalators. The right-hand side of the escalator should be used if people do not intend to move at the same time as they are riding the seemingly endless escalators in subway stations.
If someone intended to use an escalator as a ladder, people would still be out of their way. In London, the majority of passengers hurry. So go to your right and wait if you don't want to be yelled at or even called by names.
8 Get Yourself An Oyster Card
In London, many visitors make the mistake of buying individual underground tickets. But that's a lot more expensive, not to mention how long the ticket lineup takes. Visitors must purchase an Oyster Visitor Card instead.
Not to mention how long the ticket lineup will take. It is incredibly practical because people can buy them at any subway or other transportation hub. Just keep in mind that people will need to 'top up' or add extra money to their card after making the small £5 deposit required for purchases. The daily fare is limited by the card, ensuring that people never pay more than is necessary.
7 Avoid Tube During Rush Hours
The moment a tourist walks into the tube station during rush hours in London, he realizes he's made a mistake. By all means, we hope visitors will avoid this and another experience of being stranded in one of London's many deserted tube stations.
Unless one doesn't care about swarming a swarm of angry travelers and sweating as they try to enjoy their ride from 7:30-9:30 in the morning and between 5-7pm in the evening, try to avoid taking the subway. Meanwhile, the London TFL buses are an ideal alternative for the turbulence of 9 to 5 Londoners if visitors are still interested in using public transport.
6 Don't Limit Yourself To Central London
There is an excellent reason why millions of people visit central London annually. It hosts many famous landmarks in Europe and many wonderful historical sites in the United Kingdom.
However, London is much more than just the heart of the city. Therefore, it would be a bad decision to visit only the main tourist attractions while skipping the charming neighborhoods of London, where the attraction is a little less but no less compelling. Visitors who want to experience the true magic of London should discover the original part of the city, which includes lush towns, secret parks and stunning views.
5 Ignoring The Coins
Pennies and sterling are on hand in London and can be used to purchase many items. Unlike in America, where a bunch of coins are likely to be stored away due to their low value.
One can buy some wonderful trinkets in London or have a lunch full of these two pound and two coins. Since visitors will not be able to exchange these pennies for other money once they leave the UK, they must use them. Some airlines also accept additional change of international passengers and they contribute to a good cause.
4 Not Enjoying The Different Cuisines
Many visitors think London's culinary culture is appalling. However, it is clear that they visited the wrong sites. Avoid eating fish and chips throughout your visit to the British capital.
London can satisfy their needs, perhaps, for a delicious Indian delight as it is a melting pot of cultures. Visitors should at least try one of their excellent Indian restaurants. Besides the full English breakfast, visitors should also sample other traditional British dishes, including Yorkshire pudding, mash, and cigarettes.
3 Staying At Overpriced Hotels
It is no mystery that travel to London can be expensive. Visitors are likely to spend a huge amount to stay in a luxury hotel in central London. There are great rooms all around this beautiful city.
Visitors can certainly do this, especially if they have the money that they want to stay in a luxury hotel room. However, even a regular hotel room can be expensive. Visitors can consider looking for dorms, bed and breakfasts, or even apartments to rent during the holiday to help cut the cost of an already expensive trip.
2 Overlooking Free Monuments
Although London is among the most expensive cities in the world, it is a common tourist mistake to think that everything worthwhile will cost a fortune. The truth is that there are actually many free things to see and do in London.
While visitors prefer to visit Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guards with an expensive ticket, all visitors are welcome to the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and the National Maritime Museum in nearby Greenwich at no cost.
Along with the stunning Hyde Park, where visitors can spend a lot of time just enjoying the British atmosphere, one can also enjoy the scenery of the Thames.
1 Don't Forget To Catch The View Of The City
While there is enough to explore and do in the City of London, it would be a waste of skipping to see the city from above. Although many visitors to London ride the famous London Eye to see the city, the ticket is very expensive.
Visitors can enjoy free views of the summit of Greenwich Park, Primrose Hill, and the Sky Garden if they wish. Another option is the lookout from London Bridge's Shard, albeit it may cost visitors a bit.