Central London & the Thames from the London Eye

With Eurostar trains taking a mere 2 hours and 20 minutes from Paris to London, there’s no reason why you can’t be dining atop the Eiffel Tower one night and enjoying Afternoon Tea at the Ritz the next. In fact, it’s so easy to hop between the 2 capitals, that it’s even possible to take a day tour to London from Paris.

Eurostar trains run daily from Paris to London from 6:45am to 9:15pm, allowing ample time for sightseeing in-between, but to make the most of your time with minimal hassle, book a tour. A London Day Trip from Paris by Eurostar leaves Paris at around 8am and includes a Hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour of London’s sights and a Thames River Cruise, as well as some free time to explore the city’s museums or hit the shops. Alternatively, take an Independent Day Trip to London from Paris where you can explore The Best of London with a river cruise past London Bridge, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and St Paul’s Cathedral; take the hop-on hop-off bus to key sights like Buckingham Palace and Harrods; and even join a free Diamond Jubilee Walking Tour or Beatles London Walking Tour around the city.

Starting your trip in London? Book a Paris Rail Day Trip from London instead and you can explore the City of Lights and gorge on croissants, then make it back to London before the pubs close. Prefer to stay on the continent? Lille and Calais in France and Brussels, Belgium are easy trips from Paris and London, also connected via the Eurostar.

- Zoe Smith

Tours from Paris to London from London Things to Do

London Underground. Photo courtesy of wolfsavard via Flickr.

The world’s oldest underground train system, dating back to 1890, riding on the London Tube or the London Underground is an unmissable experience for visitors to the English capital. With 275 tube stations, you can get just about anywhere in London on the trains, but navigating the vast train network may seem like an insurmountable feat to newcomers. Here are a few tips to make sure your journey goes smoothly.

1. Plan your route in advance

12 named and color-coded tube lines criss-cross London’s districts and free maps are available at all central stations, so you’ll need to know which line you need, its color and which direction you are heading – North, South, East or West. Follow the overhead signs to the line you need (for example, the Piccadilly line is dark blue), then select the platform by the direction you’re heading. If you need to change lines, keep an eye out for the signs as soon as you get off the first train, or else follow the ‘Way Out’ signs. Easy!

2. Master the ticketing system

All tube stations are accessed by ticketed turnstiles so make sure you get your ticket before joining the crowds – either at the public ticket booth or by cash or credit card at the ticket machines. The underground is divided into 6 ‘Zones’ which are ticketed accordingly – for example, Zone 1 encompasses the majority of London’s main tourist attractions, with Hyde Park, Covent Garden, Oxford Circus and Embankment all easily accessible with a Zone 1 travel card, but if you’re going as far out as Heathrow airport in Zone 6 you’ll need to purchase a Zone 1-6 ticket. Unless you are taking only one journey, avoid the pricey single and return tickets and opt for a day travel card, which works on buses and overground trains too. If you’re going to be in London for a few days or more, sign up for an Oyster card at any of the ticket desks – a prepaid travel card that allows discounted rates on all buses, trains and tubes throughout London.

3. Follow local tube etiquette

The tube can get very crowded, especially at peak times and following a few simple rules will keep things running smoothly (and stop you from upsetting regular commuters). Always stand to the right on escalators, keeping the left side free for those walking up; let travelers off the trains before getting on; have your ticket handy before reaching the entrance/exit terminals; and take suitcases/pushchairs through the gated entrance at the end of the turnstiles.

4. Leave ample time

While London’s transport system usually runs on time, always account for delays when planning your trip and look out for the service update boards at the station entrance, which will indicate any delays, closures or service interruptions. At peak times, trains may be full and you’ll need to wait for the next one and walking between lines, especially at large stations like St Pancras, Waterloo and Victoria, can take a lot longer than you might think. Central London’s crowds can also be a hindrance to those in a hurry, so for make sure you plan an extra 10-15 minutes just in case.

5. Avoid short runs on the tube

Many central London sights are easily walkable and taking the tube everywhere might actually slow you down. If you’re traveling between stops like Leicester square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus, you’ll be better off walking the short distance and saving your tube ticket for longer hauls like visiting Knightsbridge, Greenwich and Camden.

- Zoe Smith

Tips for Riding the London Tube from London Things to Do

London, photo courtesy of Widerbergs via Flickr

Things to Do This Week in London: May 13th – May 27th

From floral extravaganzas to family football events, there are plenty of ways to celebrate spring in London this week.

1. RHS Chelsea Flower Show

May 21st- May 25th, Royal Hospital Chelsea
The 100th anniversary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is sure to be spectacular, with over 11 acres of floral exhibits, themed gardens and flower installations. Even if your gardening skills leave something to be desired you can’t fail to be impressed by the elaborate displays so book your tickets quick (entry is only by advance booking). If you’re looking for a unique souvenir, turn up on the last day when exhibitors begin to sell off the plants at bargain prices.

2. London Literature Festival

May 24th-June 5th, Southbank Centre
From literary icons to up-and-coming novelists, the London Literature Festival is the place to be for creative wordsmiths this spring. A range of workshops, book signings, readings and events take place featuring best-selling authors like Barbara Kingsolver, Audrey Niffenegger, Lionel Shriver, James Salter and William Dalrymple.

3. Museums at Night Weekend

May 16th -18th, Museums around London
A selection of London’s best museums and galleries open their doors for a weekend of after-hours events, with a varied roster of special exhibitions, talks and live events. Kensington Palace and Hampton Court will be hosting sleepovers and some of Britain’s most renowned artists will put in appearances, with participating venues including the London Transport Museum, the National Maritime Museum, National Portrait Gallery, the Barbican and the Horniman Museum.

4. UEFA Champions Festival

May 23rd-May 26th, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
If you’ve missed out on tickets to the UEFA Champions League final (held at Wembley Stadium on May 25th) and the UEFA Women’s Champions League final (held in Chelsea on May 23rd), you can still get involved in football fever at the UEFA Champion Festival. The first event since last year’s Olympic games to be held in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (LINK), the festival promises a weekend of free, family-friendly events and entertainment, including the Ultimate Champions match (featuring world-renowned former players) and children’s football coaching sessions.

- Zoe Smith

Things To Do This Week in London from London Things to Do

Don’t buy the same London souvenirs as everyone else!

From watching the changing of the guards at the lavish Buckingham Palace to exploring the dungeons of the infamous Tower of London, there are plenty of things to do in London, but before you embark on a tour of the British capital, here are a few things NOT to do.

1. Don’t take public transport

One of the biggest mistakes first time visitors to London make is wasting time and money on public transport. While you’ll need to use the tube if you’re heading out of the city center, getting around in central London is easy on foot or by bike. Make use of the Barclay’s Bike scheme which offers cheap and flexible bike rentals all over the city, or take a walk along the Thames, past London Bridge, the Tower of London, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and the London Eye, with Southbank, the Tate Modern museum and Covent Garden right nearby.

2. Don’t get the same view as everyone else

The London Eye might be the city’s most popular tourist attraction, but there are plenty of other ways to get a view of London from above. Admire the views from the St Paul’s Cathedral dome, climb the 311 steps to the top of the Monument, dine with a view at the Paramount bar on Oxford Street, or get there first for the ultimate view from the city’s newest attraction, The Shard. Alternatively, skip the crowds and entry fees and check out the panoramas from the top of Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath or Primrose hill in Regent’s Park.

3. Don’t complain about the weather

England is notorious for its changeable weather and Londoners don’t need reminding of it, so do as the locals do and don’t let the rain stop you from enjoying yourself. Carry a lightweight raincoat or an umbrella in case of showers, dress in light layers and make the most of rainy days in London by checking out the city’s key attractions while the tourist crowds are hiding indoors.

4. Don’t shop on Oxford Street

The city’s principal shopping street, Oxford Street, along with iconic department store Harrods might be hugely popular with tourists, but they are crammed with generic, over-priced goods. Escape the tourist hoards and shop with the locals at one of London’s many markets instead. Portobello, Camden and Spitalfields are all popular, with everything from local designer clothing to quirky souvenirs on sale, or sample the city’s gastronomic diversity at Borough market or Southbank’s weekly Real Food market.

5. Don’t try to do it all on your own

Of course the best way to explore London is to get out there and wander the streets, but if you’ve got limited time and less-than-perfect map skills, trying to cram all the sights into a 1 or 2 day trip will likely leave you exhausted. If time’s an issue, plan to see just a selection of the closest sights or book a tour to make sure you don’t miss anything. Don’t just stick to the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses, either; there are plenty of more interesting ways to see the city. Take a river cruise, a private black taxi ride around the sights or a walking or a cycling tour of London.

- Zoe Smith

What Not to Do in London from London Things to Do

About the pass

Discover the joy of sightseeing with the London Pass, and enjoy free entry to 60 of its world-class sites like St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. Save time as you skip the queues with fast-track entry at countless attractions, and take advantage of special offers at quality London restaurants and shops.

London Pass includes:

• A 120-page London guidebook
• Public transport in travel zones 1-6 for the validity of your pass (if Travelcard upgrade option selected)
• Free entry to 60 attractions (see itinerary)
• Discounts and benefits at selected London restaurants, theaters and shops
• Fast-track entrance to many top London-area attractions, like St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tower of London

How to enter

To enter to win a London Pass for 2, visit our London Things to Do Facebook page and select the “London Giveaway” tab. Tell us in 10 words or fewer “Why you want to go on this tour” and hit the “submit” button to be entered into the contest. (Note: You must “Like” our fan page in order to vote.)

The contest closes on May 24, 2013 – so hurry!

- Viator Travel Team

Terms & Conditions: Our staff will pick the entry that we think best answers the question above. We are giving away a London Pass valid for 2 people before December 31, 2013. Airfare, taxes and any other expenses not specifically listed above are not included. Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be sold or redeemed for any cash value.

[CONTEST] Win a London Pass for 2! from London Things to Do

Cruising along the River Thames at night. Photo courtesy of Dimitry B via Flickr.

England’s longest river running all the way from the Cotswolds Hills in Gloucestershire through to the North Sea, the Thames has long been the lifeline of London running right through the heart of the city center and flanked by many of the city’s key attractions.

One of the most popular river cruises in London is a sightseeing day tour or dinner cruise along the stretch of the Thames between Westminster and Greenwich piers, taking in London landmarks like the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, London Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. For more flexibility, a number of river cruises offer hop-on hop-off tours running between Westminster, Waterloo, Tower Bridge and Greenwich Piers, allowing access to the many of London’s highlights with a running commentary along the way. Boats also connect London’s two Tate Galleries, the Tate Britain and Tate Modern, located on opposite banks of the Thames, a free service that employs special catamarans designed by Damien Hirst.

Those hoping for a more thrilling adventure can opt for a trip on the high-speed RIBs (ridged inflatable boats) that swoop down the river at almost 30 knots, but most unique are the London Duck tours, using hybrid land-and-water vessels that start off with a land tour of the sights then take a slip-road onto the Thames for an 80-minute tour from the water. Alternatively, simply purchase a River Roamer ticket that allows you to take the Thames Clippers – river taxis that run along the length of the river, stopping at Embankment, Blackfriars, Bankside, London Bridge, Tower, Canary Wharf, Greenwich and O2 piers.

The main river isn’t the only place to enjoy London’s waterways – a number of boat trips drift along the city’s canal ways. Take a narrow boat along the picturesque Regent’s Canal in North London, through Little Venice, Regent’s Park, London Zoo and Camden Lock, or brave the underwater canal at Regent’s Canal Tunnel, with a boat trip organized by the Canal Museum.

- Zoe Smith

River Tours in London from London Things to Do

Springtime in St Jame’s Park, London.

With warmer weather, more daylight hours and the sun finally reemerging from behind the clouds, spring is the perfect time for sightseeing in London. London’s many parks and gardens will be in bloom in spring making it one the most colorful time of year to explore the city’s green spaces. Explore St James Park with its picture perfect views of Buckingham Palace; row along the lake in Hyde Park; stroll along the banks of the Thames; enjoy the spring floral displays in Kew Gardens; or get a view of the city from Primrose Hill. Just make sure you bring along a raincoat – springtime is notorious for showers, even if the weather seems fine.

With the winter chill subsiding, Londoners waste no time in celebrating the arrival of spring and the city plays host to a number of springtime events. First up is St Patrick’s Day in March, with the city’s Irish population celebrating the day of their patron Saint with a huge parade of marching bands, dancing troops and colorful floats, lead by The Puca, a giant inflatable dragon. Even if you don’t get involved in the procession, St Paddy’s Day is an atmospheric time to hit London’s pubs, with plenty of Guinness on tap and a number of promotions and freebies.

The prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is another memorable event that marks the start of spring, with teams from the country’s two top universities competing in a race along the Thames, followed by the epic London Marathon in which around 30,000 participants attempt a 26.2mile run through the streets of London, many in fancy dress. Easter time also brings a festive spirit to the city, with plenty of family-friendly events running all over the city as well as some more grown up activities, like chocolate afternoon tea at some of the capital’s glitziest restaurants. Finally, the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the biggest events of May, with 2013 marking the 100th anniversary of the legendary horticultural display and the spectacular floral displays and designer gardens are the ultimate tribute to Britain’s blooming countryside.

- Zoe Smith

London in Spring from London Things to Do

London’s famous Dr Who Tardis. Photo courtesy of The Integer Club via Flickr.

One of England’s most iconic television series dating back to 1963, the BBC’s hugely popular science fiction series ‘Doctor Who’ features a fictional time traveler whose escapades are filmed on location in central London. The cult series, still running today with an alternate cast, celebrates its 50th anniversary in November 2013 and there’s no better time for fans to follow in the footsteps of the beloved eccentric.

A Doctor Who tour of London is the best way to take in the real-life sights that feature in the fictional program. Cruising around the city in an iconic black taxi cab, you’ll get to visit the spots where Dr Who disappeared into his famous ‘TARDIS’ – a 1960s blue Police Box that doubles up as a time-traveling machine – or chased down Daleks and alien archenemies with the aid of his trusty companion. Locations include the bridge where the where the Daleks first invaded London and the London Eye where the most recent Dr Who stood with his assistant Rose, along with secret locations where legendary scenes involving the Time Lord took place. They’ll be plenty of Dr Who anecdotes and insider facts provided from the knowledgeable guides and of course, you’ll get a photo opportunity with the legendary TARDIS – the last remaining blue British Police Box in London.

Once you’ve taken a tour of the sights, be sure to pay a visit to The Who Shop in Upton Park, where you can stock up on Dr Who memorabilia and indulge in Time Lord trivia at the adjourning museum. The London Film Museum also houses a Doctor Who exhibition or look out for the exclusive monthly screenings of Doctor Who episodes being held at the BFI Southbank Cinema throughout 2013, including special talks from guest stars.

Dr Who fanatics might also want to plan a trip to the acclaimed Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, an interactive exhibition with specially created sets, images and special effects, designed to bring to life the otherworldly spectacle of Doctor Who.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s London tours and things to do, London attractions, and London travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in London for a customized tour!

Dr Who Sites in London from London Things to Do

I spent three days touring England‘s capital city with the pass, which includes free access to over 60 activities in the center and outskirts of the city as well as discounts on restaurants, shopping and entertainment. During that time I not only saw the quality of activities offered with the London Pass, but also how much people can save and what else is included.

Savings with the London Pass

HMS Belfast

I had a three-day, adult London Pass with Travel Card, which is priced at $151.55 on Viator.com. My daily itinerary and the prices of each activity as well as total cost if I had paid for each on its own are below.

Day One
I picked up my pass just after 10am near Leicester Square Tube Station. In and out in five minutes, I hopped back on the tube and headed to Wild & Wood Coffee in Holborn, my favorite coffee shop in the city, to plan my day. I arrived at the HMS Belfast, a British warship used in World War II, by noon and used their complimentary audio guide to tour the ship for an hour. In that time, I still didn’t see everything on the ship. The ship has so many stories, but I wanted to see what else my pass had to offer. So I walked to the London Bridge Experience and London Tombs. Located under the London Bridge, I learned a lot about the history of this area of the city in the first half of the tour and was screaming and grabbing onto the person in front of me in the second half of the haunted activity.

I grabbed a hot dog at Borough Market for lunch then took the tube to Barbican Station to continue touring the city. After a quick stop at three places that are free on their own, Museum of London; London Wall and Postman’s Park, I was on my way to St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the city’s most iconic buildings and my next London Pass activity. I spent about 30 minutes in the church and walked 257 steps up to its Whispering Gallery, where because of acoustics they say people can whisper into the wall and be heard by someone putting their ear up to it less than 100 feet away. Unfortunately, the other two galleries in the dome were closed for renovations during my visit, so I missed out on an epic view of the city.

To make up for it, I walked from St. Paul’s to the Monument and up the 311 steps to the top of it for another great view of the city. This monument marks where the Great Fire of London sparked in 1666. After, I walked across the London Bridge, followed Clink Street and the waterfront to Shakespeare’s Globe, but was too late for a tour, arriving at about at 5pm. I continued walking along the Thames and arrived at the National Theater to find out I just missed out their last tour of the day as well and that all tours over the next two days were full. I decided to call a quits then and head home.

1 x off-peak travel card (zone 1-6): £8.90 ($13.52)

HMS Belfast: £14.50 ($22.03)

London Bridge Experience and London Tombs: £21 ($31.90)

St. Paul’s Cathedral: £15 ($22.79)

The Monument: £3 ($4.56)

Total cost of activities for day one without the London Pass: £62.40 ($94.80)

Buckingham Palace

Day Two
I started day two at 10am with a coffee at Crussh Cafe on Kensington High Street, which is included in the pass (one per card). From there I headed to Royal Albert Hall to find out I just missed their 11am tour. Though they had another tour in an hour, I didn’t want to wait, so I booked a ticket for their 4pm tour and carried on traveling the city.

My next stop was Churchill War Rooms. Though I had to wait in line for about 20 minutes to enter, it was worth it. This is one of the best activities I’ve done in London and I’ve lived here twice as well as visited twice. With a self-guided, audio tour, I traveled below street level to see where Winston Churchill and his cabinet hid during World War II. I saw where Churchill slept, where he and his cabinet discussed battle strategies and learned about the prime minister’s life in a museum dedicated to him. I spent an hour down there, I could have spent more.

By the time I finished there, it was about 2:30pm and I thought I’d be cutting it close by stopping at one more attraction before returning to Royal Albert Hall for my 4pm tour, but I did it anyway. I stopped at the Queen’s Gallery near Buckingham Palace, where I had about 40 minutes to explore. It’s only a few rooms, so I finished seeing everything in about 30 minutes and was on the tube heading to Royal Albert Hall.

It was luck that I missed that first tour in the morning, because during my tour, Oasis front man Noel Gallagher was doing a sound check for a concert at the Hall that night and our group got to hear the whole thing. The guide was very animated and I learned a lot about the royal family and the theater’s history. After the one-hour tour, I didn’t feel too tired, so I headed to the Millennium Dome to visit the British Music Experience. I spent two hours playing in this interactive music museum, I would have spent more if they didn’t close. This was the furthest I ventured out of London’s city centre, but was totally worth the 20-minute commute from South Kensington Station.

1 x off-peak travel card (zone 1-6): £8.90 ($13.52)

Cappuccino at Crussh Cafe: £1.95 ($2.96)

Churchill War Rooms: £17 ($25.82)

The Queen’s Gallery: £9.25 ($14.05)

Royal Albert Hall tour: £11.50 ($17.47)

British Music Experience: £12 ($18.23)

Total cost of activities for day two without the London Pass: £60.60 ($92.05)

Day Three
Day three went exactly according to plan and my timing was perfect for everything. I arrived at the Somerset House, where the Courtauld Gallery is located, just after 10am and spent an hour looking at every piece in the gallery. It had an exhibit called Becoming Picasso, which featured early works by the artist. I spent an hour there, my only complaint being that I wanted to see more by the end of my visit.

I got back on the tube at Temple Station and rode it for one stop, getting off at Embankment to visit the Ben Franklin House. I arrived there just in time for their 12pm tour. This was something I never heard about in the city before the London Pass and am really happy I got to experience it. It’s a unique tour that includes recordings by actors and films projected on the walls to guide visitors through Franklin’s experience while staying in the house, which in theory is the first US embassy in England. He resided there from 1757 to 1775, 18 crucial years in English/American foreign relations.

The tour finished just before 1pm, so I had to rush to the Original London Visitor Center to make their Rock ‘n’ Roll Walk at 1pm, which was only a five-minute walk away. My two rock-enthusiastic guides led me and a couple around Soho for 90 minutes taking us pass the building where Apple Studios, the Beatles’ own recording studio, was once located; which on the roof of the Beatles gave their last live performance together in 1969, Bag O’ Nails; a members only club where Paul McCartney first met Linda Eastman in 1967,Trident Studios, where songs like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody were recorded and more.

There was no rush to make a 3:45pm showing of Side Effects at the Curzon Chelsea, which was my last activity using the London Pass.

1 x off-peak travel card (zone 1-6): £8.90 ($13.52)

The Courtauld Gallery: £6 ($9.11)

Benjamin Franklin House: £7 ($10.63)

Rock ‘n’ Roll Walk: £7 ($10.63)

Curzon Chelsea movie ticket: £10.50 ($15.95)

Total cost of activities for day three without the London Pass: £39.40 ($59.84)

Total cost of all activities for without the London Pass: £162.40 ($246.69)

Total cost of the London Pass: £104.00 ($158.19)

This means I saved $95.14 by using the London Pass rather than purchasing each activity individually. Further, I saved another $6.64 by purchasing the Pass through Viator.

The only change I would have made to my itinerary to save some money is to purchase my own travel cards for zones 1-2. I only traveled in these zones and my travel cards were good for zones 1-6 as that is all the London Pass offers. I would have saved $12.01 if I did this instead.

You’ll need to look into which activities you plan to do to see if this applies to you. Also, consider the added time and hassle of waiting in line at a tube station to purchase tickets daily. It’s really nice having your travel cards handed to you along with the pass, if you don’t mind spending a bit extra.

Quality of activities

Windsor Castle

The pass includes some very well-known sights and tours, like the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey as well as some very unique off-the-beaten-path activities that I don’t even think a lot of Londoners would know about, such as the Ben Franklin House.

I tried 13 of over 60 things available with the pass and enjoyed every single one of them. Most of the things I did, I didn’t know about prior to reading through my London Pass guidebook, including Churchill War Rooms, which might now be the best attraction I’ve been to in London.

On top of activities and tours, the guide includes things like a free coffee at select Crussh Cafes and a free movie ticket at Curzon theaters. I noticed it also includes train passes out to Windsor Castle, which makes the trip worry free.

Overall, the quality of the activities offered with the London Pass is fantastic. You’ll find something for everyone in there and even more than you would expect out of a courtesy travel guide.

Pick up and the London Pass in use

Only a five minute walk from Leicester Square Tube Station, the London Pass redemption desk is located in Tourist Island, a circular glass shop covered in promotions, in the middle of the Charing Cross Road. Make sure to have a print out of your pass. If you forget, there is an internet cafe across the street to print one out.

It’s the ideal place to start your London tour, because from this area people can book tickets to shows for that night. Leicester Square is in the middle of the West End, London’s theater district. Plus there is a Theater People desk inside the building that houses the London Pass redemption desk.

Some activities included in the pass are subject to availability like personal tours and tickets to movies. I went on three tours and to one movie without pre-booking. The only problem I had was at the National Theater, where I missed the last tour on day one and they were fully booked for every tour available during the following two days. If there is a tour or show you really want to see, it would be worth making a reservation for it prior to arrival.

Hampton Court Palace

Most of the activities included are only open between 9:30am and 7:30 pm, so you can really only fit so many of them into one day. If you fit three into a day, you’ll usually save money, but most people will be able to fit in four or five activities easily.

You’ll also accomplish a lot more sticking around central London. That said, the pass includes a few activities located outside the city center, such as Hampton Court and Windsor Castle that can’t really be missed. The more you plan ahead, the more you’ll fit in and the more money the London Pass will save you.

The London Pass comes with a guidebook that features activities available as well as directions to each place listed and helpful tips, like visit the Queen’s Gallery in the afternoon to avoid lines. The book also has maps of the city center, bus routes and tube routes to help you plan your transport.

The London pass is easy to use and can save travelers money. If you think you’ll be doing a lot of activities on your visit to London, check Viator’s website to see what is included. Even if you only see four things you want to do on the list, it’s worth getting the pass for one day, because you’re going to save money and get a free guide book.

The London Pass is sold in one, two, three or six day periods. What pass is right for you depends on the length of your entire stay and how many things appeal to you on the London Pass itinerary. Remember that London also has a lot of free museums, so plan entire days to cover them and save your London Pass for days when you”ll only be doing activities on their itinerary.

- Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s London tours and things to do, London attractions, and London travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in London for a customized tour!

Saving Money and Seeing More with the London Pass from London Things to Do

Bike tours of London. Photo courtesy of j_silla via Flickr.

With the Mayor of London instigating a cycling revolution in the British capital, London has worked hard to cement its reputation as a bike friendly city. A fun, eco-friendly and cheap way to get around the city, London offers a surprising array of bicycle routes even for those unaccustomed to urban cycling and a large number of the city’s sights are easily accessible by bike.

Bike rental shops are abundant in the city, but the most convenient way to get your hands on a bicycle is with the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme, where registered users can pick up and return bikes to docking stations all around the city, with fees charged to their credit card. Much of central London is now equipped with dedicated cycle lanes, but if you’d prefer to avoid the heavy traffic (a sensible idea for newcomers to the city) the Transport for London website offers free guides and maps for cycle routes all over London.

Alternatively, a range of bike tours run around the city, with popular routes running along the River Thames, pedaling around the Royal Parks of Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park, and St. James’s Park, or heading further affield to explore the tranquil pathways of Richmond or Greenwich parks. Not only will you not have to worry about navigating the often confusing London side streets, but you’ll get a running commentary from your guide and the chance to team up with like-minded travelers.

- Zoe Smith

Planning a Trip? Check out Viator’s London tours and things to do, London attractions, and London travel recommendations. Or book a private tour guide in London for a customized tour!

Biking in London from London Things to Do