Most parts of London have their own charm, exciting attractions, nightclubs, restaurants, and most things a visitor is looking for. Here are suggestions that are appropriate for the purpose of your city break:
- Family Vacation in London– Two of the better areas if you are traveling with young children are Marylebone and South Kensington. The areas are relatively quiet and peaceful at night, and are located on opposite sides of Hyde park. From Marylebone you will also have a short way to Regents Park and London Zoo, with Primrose Hill just past there again. Madame Tussauds is also located by Regents Park. It may also be a good idea for families with older children and young people to choose hotels a little closer to Covent Garden seen from Marylebone. Then, for example, the distance to the shopping street Oxford Street will be shorter, there are several restaurants to choose from, and more to be found near the hotel.
- Focus on nightlife– Soho has a reputation as perhaps the best areas for those who want to go on the city. There are trendy nightclubs with DJs, elegant cocktail bars, good pubs, as well as many good restaurants and cafes. In Soho itself, there are not very many hotels to choose from, but if you can stand a few minutes walk, it works out well. If you are also very focused on good dining experiences, find a hotel in the area east of Soho. Then you are close to Covent Garden, where many of the best places to eat are located.
- Focus on sights– London has something exciting to see everywhere, but many of the most important sights are naturally located along the Thames. If you want a short distance to the London Eye, Westminster, Tate Modern, Trafalgar Square and much more, you can choose a hotel in Bankside or South Bank. You are also well located if the hotel is located in Covent Garden.
- Avoid noise– If you do not want too much city life during your city break, you can choose a hotel that is located a little outside the city center. For some it is fun to go to the amusement park and circus, but they prefer not to sleep there at night. Then, among other things, Hampstead is a good choice. The district is like a small and charming village in the metropolis of the world, with narrow, cobbled streets, low brick buildings, nice cafes and restaurants, and above all, very quiet and peaceful at night. A similar alternative is Richmond, preferably near the river or the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew Gardens.
- Safe choices– Most hotels located within what is called the West End are safe choices. The hotels here also maintain a consistently high standard, many of them with 4 or 5 stars. You will always be close to the theaters, shows, shopping, restaurants and such, and at the same time have decent transport options if you want to see the rest of London.
- Bad choices– For the most part, London is safe, but some areas are more risky after dark than others. For example, avoid those within the East End, close to King’s Cross, Camden, Peckham and Brixton train stations if you are very safety focused.
Getting around London
London’s subway is a tourist attraction in itself. You could not have been in the city without using one of the 11 lines that cross the ground. Here you will find a total of 268 different stations and over 400 kilometers of train line. London is divided into zones, but the vast majority move within zone 1. The price for a single ticket is quite stiff, and at about 5 British pounds. You save about half the money if you get a so-called Oyster Card when you use the subway. With this card you can top up your credit and you only hold it over a card reader when you travel. The underground runs from 05:00 in the morning until around midnight.
The buses in London are unmistakable, and they run everywhere. They also run after the subway closes, and several routes are operational 24 hours a day. A single ticket costs £ 1.5. You can pay with an Oyster Card, or buy a day card for 5 British pounds, or a weekly card for 21 British pounds. If you pay with an Oyster Card, you will not be charged more than £ 4.5 per day, no matter how many bus trips you take.
Taxi is a nice option, especially in the evenings. The black and fun craft are available when the yellow light on the roof is on, and then they can be praised on the street. Everyone drives on taximeters with fixed tariffs. There is a minimum price, and there is an additional charge if you take a taxi to the airports, book by phone, and on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Security in London
London is usually a safe city to travel in as a tourist. England is ranked as the 33rd safest country in the world, and the capital London is in line with almost all similar European cities. Here’s what you should think about:
- Pickpocketing – In London there is a fairly high risk of theft, and as everywhere else, it is in places where tourists travel that are most exposed. Take extra care of valuables on the subway, buses, at sights and at nightclubs, cafes and the like.
- Fraud – You may be exposed to attempted fraud. The standard is the sale of expensive items such as gold jewelry, watches and the like, “kind helpers” who steal luggage, fake appeals, and gangs who try to divert attention while your friend walks through your pockets.
- Violence and robbery – There is little risk of being robbed or abused in London, but do not be naive. Avoid the parks at night and avoid walking alone in dark streets, especially if you are drunk.