12 things NOT to do in London ❌

Avoid these common tourist mistakes.

Kristoffer Føns

Kristoffer Føns

London, United Kingdom

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1. Don't take a random taxi from the airport

Most "London airports" are not located in London itself. Therefore, a taxi ride is incredibly expensive, and it's probably faster to take the train.

2. Don't stand on the left on an escalator

... unless you want to make the locals very annoyed. Always stand on the right and walk on the left when taking an escalator in London.

3. Don't tip without checking the bill

Many restaurants are already adding a 12,5% service charge to your bill. By law, you can ask to have it removed, though.

4. Don't go to Angus Steakhouse

Angus Steakhouse is a chain of restaurants in London that no local would ever set foot in.

5. Don't stay too far out of the city you're here to visit

Look, hotels in London are expensive, but it's a bad idea to save money on accommodation by staying in an area like Croydon. Don't spend all your time in London transporting yourself into the parts of London you're here to enjoy.

6. Don't assume it's always raining 🌧️

London has plenty of warm and sunny days, and the city gets WARM after a couple of days with +25 degrees weather in the summertime.

7. Don't buy individual tickets on the Tube

The Tube is London's metro. Use your phone (Apple Pay or Google Pay) or a contactless credit card to get the cheapest fare. There's also an automatic daily cap, so after a certain amount of trips, you're riding "for free".

8. Don't assume drivers will stop for you

You may see the locals jaywalking all the time, but make no mistake: the London buses and cars will not slow down if they see a slow-walking tourist try to cross the street. Be very careful and remember they drive on the left-hand side in the UK.

9. Don't bring too much cash

99,9% of places in London take card nowadays. I can't even remember the last time I used cash.

10. Don't spend all your time in Soho and Covent Garden

London is massive; make sure you check out some of the areas outside of the most central parts.

11. Pay for views

In my map, there are numerous excellent free viewing platforms, so there's no need to pay for views of the London skyline.

12. Don't underestimate the British Museum

Guys, it's absolutely massive and you could literally spend days in there...

I wish you a wonderful trip to London 🥰

Looking for things to do?

Go check out my guide for the best free things to do as well as itineraries and travel tips to make your trip unforgettable.

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