Dipping In And Out Of London: 7 Tips

For many travelers, the idea of stopping in London for a couple of weeks is simply too expensive. The price of hotels means that international travel to this destination is usually only something that the wealthy can afford. For this reason, a lot more people are dipping in and out of the city. They’re jumping in for a few hours before retiring to some home county backwater where a cheap pub meal awaits. But what do you need to do to dip in and out of London effectively? 

Here’s our advice for your travels. 

Book Attractions Ahead Of Time

Our first counsel is to book attractions ahead of time. Don’t leave it until the last minute to grab your tickets, they could be sold out. 

For example, if you’re heading to the West End to see a musical, make sure you book beforehand. Don’t leave it to the last minute when you could be missing out on a seat. 

Also, book your restaurants. Anywhere in central London is liable to get full quickly at lunchtime, even on a Sunday afternoon, so be careful. 

Embrace The Thames

You should also focus on embracing the Thames if you plan on dipping in and out of London. The river, which runs through the middle of the city, goes past or close to most of the big attractions, meaning that it should form the central highway of your visit. 

The Thames, for example, is accessible from the Tube. Ferries run up and down it all day, so you can catch a ride, travel from one end of the middle of town to the other, and enjoy the sites by taking photos of them. You can also walk along the north and south banks (for part or all of the distance) where you will come across Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, various art galleries, plenty of restaurants, and eventually the London Eye and Houses of Parliament. 

Pack Light

You’ll also want to pack light if you’re dipping in and out for the day, perhaps as part of a longer, wilder travel adventure. Make sure you use luggage storage in Victoria Station so you can keep your bags secure while taking a light pack with you on a day trip. 

Remember, there are places to get food and drink everywhere in London, so you shouldn’t go hungry. There are also plenty of shops for supplies, so the amount of stuff you need to carry with you is quite small (perhaps just your phone and money). 

Tap Into Free Culture

While in London, make sure you tap into the city’s free culture. You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money on entertainment, even if people have told you that you do. 

For example, London is home to multiple free art galleries and museums, like the National Gallery and British Museum. These don’t always charge an entry fee and usually just ask for an optional donation instead. Many only take 30 minutes to look around and can be an excellent place to go between lunch and dinner. 

Skip The Major Hubs

As controversial as it may sound, skipping the major hubs in London is a reasonable strategy if you want to get in and out quickly. For example, Oxford Circus gets snarled up most days, including at the weekend during peak hours, making it challenging to pass through the location. However, you can slip through faster if you choose different Underground routes, like going to Tottenham Court Road instead and then making your way from there, since it tends to be substantially less busy. 

These little workarounds can make a lot of difference. The Tube network is complex and more like a grid these days than individual lines. If you can make the right changes, you can get around faster. 

Grab Local Bites From The Markets

As you tour London, you’ll notice that it isn’t quite the monolithic global city many people imagine it to be. Instead, it has its quaint elements and individual food sellers, often from abroad, who introduce you to their cuisine. 

If you can find the right markets and sellers, these experiences can be great. You can get fresh food immediately and try different flavors that you wouldn’t normally associate with London. 

Use The Elizabeth Line

Finally, if you want to get across London quickly, use the Elizabeth line. This is the newest part of the Underground rail network. It offers spacious carriages and grand subterranean stations that vastly improve on typical lines.