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London Apartment: Top 5 Things Families Should Remember When Visiting London

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London is unrivaled as an attraction for families looking for an exciting city break. There are so many exciting things to do, visit and see for the whole family, a few weeks is not enough. The downside of having a break in this world-class city is that it can be terribly expensive if you don’t know about money-saving options. This article is my way of helping you plan and prepare for the perfect family vacation in London.

Transportation

Transport in London, thanks to our Mayor Ken Livingstone, is now one of the most expensive in the world. Traveling by driving your own car or using public transport is an expensive affair, as you are paying congestion charge or a very expensive metro ticket. As a family on vacation can appreciate, saving money whenever you can is very important, so here are some ideas for a family to keep in mind:

1. London Underground fares are exorbitant if you pay cash so buy an Oyster card. This card allows you to buy tickets in advance and the fares are considerably cheaper. For example, a one stop tube journey might cost £4 in cash, but the equivalent journey will cost £1.50!

2. Buy a one-day or weekly family travel card that can be used on trains and buses. This card will allow you to travel within various areas of London, at a fixed price. So you won’t be hit with an expensive surprise!

Accommodation

In addition to the high travel costs, it is also difficult to find accommodation for families. Many hotels do not have a spacious room for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Even if they are offered a room with two double beds, it can get a bit claustrophobic sleeping in the same room for a week.

Also in a hotel, there are basic tea and coffee making facilities inside the room, so eating out every day is an expensive necessity.

Another accommodation option is to stay in a service apartment instead of a hotel room. Serviced apartments are usually flats with a separate bedroom, living room and a fully equipped kitchen with washer/dryer, cooker etc. Depending on your budget, a family of four can stay in a two-bedroom apartment from £220 per night, or a one-bedroom apartment with a double bed and a double sofa bed in the living room from £160 per night. Having a fully equipped kitchen will also save you money because you can cook and enjoy a snack instead of dining out at restaurants or using hotel room service. Serviced apartments share similar benefits to hotels, such as high-speed internet housekeeping.

Sights

There is no doubt that London has some of the most fantastic attractions for families to explore and enjoy. It can also be hard on the budget when the average price per adult is £10. Here are some ideas to help:

1. Buy a London Pass: This card will save you money at hundreds of tourist attractions, tour buses and restaurants. Cost starts from £39 for an adult day pass with ride, £22 for a child day pass.

2. If you are buying individual tickets for the attraction, try searching the internet first, as sometimes there may be a special price on the internet to thank you for booking in advance. Even if the price is the same, you can save time by not having to queue at the ticket office.

3. Check the Visit London tourist office regularly to find special offers.

book in advance

Try to book as far in advance as possible, especially accommodation. London’s peak season for tourists is from May to September, so hotel rates rise rapidly and apartments are fully booked. Book at least 3 months in advance to guarantee your spot in a pinch, otherwise you may find yourself stuck in a dreary and overpriced room.

Book tickets for tourist attractions in advance too, because some of the most popular ones, like the London Eye, are always fully booked in advance. For example, a family friend of mine wanted to enjoy a ride on the London Eye at 2:00 pm, so he showed up at 1:00 pm to buy tickets and was told (1 hour later) that the next ride available was at midnight. You have been warned.

Free things to do!

Despite all the costs of London, luckily there are many wonderful things to do around FREE.

1. Visit the famous Borough Market in Southwark (near London Bridge tube). There are plenty of cheese, charcuterie and delicious food stalls to behold. It is a very popular place for all Londoners, so try to get there early between 8:00 and 10:00 am, when it is not so crowded.

2. Museums and Art Galleries: Many museums and galleries are completely free for visitors. Children will love exploring the British Museum, where they can see Egyptian mummies or dinosaurs in the Natural History Museum. The Tate Modern is fabulous and will inspire you!

3. The parks are free. Choose from sprawling Hyde Park, elegant Regents’ Park, or glorious St James’ Park. Plenty of open space for the kids to roam while you enjoy a picnic in peace.

4. Covent Garden. One of the most vibrant markets in the Capital. Enjoy free live music daily ranging from funky guitars to a soaring soprano fresh out of opera school.

Despite its drawbacks, I love London because it’s still a very exciting place to visit. There is so much to do and new places to discover. It was and still is one of the favorite destinations for vacations and family vacations.

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