The modern English city with a traditional soul, London remains one of the most fascinating destinations on earth. Like most European cities, the mix of old and new is prevalent everywhere you look, from the recently erected Gherkin to the historic Tower of London. Each year millions of travelers book flights to London to visit the splendors of the city with Big Ben and Buckingham Palace at the top of their sight-seeing lists.
In the last decade, London has undergone a revival which has gained momentum with lightning speed since announcing its pleasure in playing host to the 2012 Olympics. Nowhere is this revival more evident than its thriving arts and tourism attractions, which have seen the construction of the world’s largest modern art gallery, The Tate Modern, as well as that of the London Eye. With all its forward motion, London still remains a treasure of its past. Travelers booking cheap flights to London continue to revel in the city's riches with trips to the Palace of Westminster, the Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.
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Anytime is a good time to book a flight to London. July and August are the warmest months. However, you can never be guaranteed sun. January is the coolest month with temperatures in the low 40s. Spring and fall in London can be pleasant, as the temperatures are usually higher than the rest of the country. The rain is heaviest during November when the city averages 2.5 inches.
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Peak Season:
London flights are always easy to come by especially since the tourist season runs year round, with peaks from June to September and again at Christmas. Spring is the best time to see the countryside and the royal London parks and gardens at their freshest. The mid-season is from April to May and early September to October. September through October is a great time of year to get cheap flights to London and it can be the best time to visit.
Off Season:
The British take their vacations mainly in July and August, so the resorts are crowded. London in summer, however, is full of interesting things to see and do. In winter, the weather can be dismal, but all the theaters, concerts, and exhibitions are in full season.
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Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Distance: 15 miles west of London in Hounslow
Drive time: varies
You can reach the center of town by the underground (tube), which takes just over an hour, or by the designated Heathrow Express trains (15 mins). The hotel shuttles, Hotel Hoppa and Hotelink, run from the airport to nearby and London hotels. There are also taxis and coach services.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Distance: 25 miles south of London in West Sussex
Drive time: varies
Gatwick is only a 30-minute train ride to the center of London. From Gatwick, the fastest way to get to London is via the Gatwick Express trains. There are also Airbus buses from Gatwick to Victoria Coach Station operated by National Express. Taxis are available, but you must negotiate a fare with the driver before you enter the cab.
Stansted Airport (STN)
Distance: 30 miles northeast of London
Drive time: varies. It is a 45-minute train ride to London on the Stansted Express. There are also shuttle buses, which are much cheaper but take around two hours connecting Stansted to the city. Taxis are available, but be aware that they will be very expensive.
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When booking a flight to London the last thing on your mind should be how to get around the city. London's legendary Tube network remains the quickest and easiest way to get around the city, though it is best avoided during rush hour. The famous red buses are a more pleasant, if slower, way to get around. A one-day Travelcard is a good option for tourists; it can be used on buses and the underground and can be bought at any newsagent. The ubiquitous black cabs are excellent but very expensive; minicabs are cheaper but must be ordered in advance. Illegal minicabs tout for business around London's theaters and nightspots; they are often the only option late at night but should not be taken by single women or those who don't know the way home. London's main attractions are fairly close to each other, many are situated along the River Thames and, if the weather is nice, walking or taking a riverboat are good options. Driving is not a good option in central London as parking is difficult to find and very expensive and those who park illegally are faced with steep fines at best. A "Congestion Charge" is also payable by those driving into Central London from Monday to Friday between 7am and 6.30pm. However driving is the only option for those wanting to explore the countryside. Car rental companies require the driver to be over 25, have a full driving license, and hold a credit card. For more information visit www.tfl.gov.uk.
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- For discounts on London transportation and attractions, get a Travelcard and London Pass Card. A Travelcard allows unlimited travel on the Tube, buses, and trains in the London urban area as well as a discount on many of London's scheduled river services. The London Pass Card gives you free entry to more than 50 attractions including museums, historic ships, zoos, and gardens. (This was formerly called the London GoSee Card). You can purchase both cards before you leave home or in London.
- The two Tate museums in London are world famous for many reasons. Tate Britain houses a collection of 65,000 works, including the Turner collection of 19,000 watercolors and some 300 paintings as well as a gallery of British art from 1500 to the present. Tate Modern, on the South Bank riverfront, has galleries of modern and contemporary art; traveling shows; and ongoing activities and events.
- Go to the theater. London has the best English-language theater in the world, with offerings even greater than those of New York. And, you can book your tickets online from home.
- Londoners enjoy their sports: cricket, football, horse racing, tennis, and golf, as well as more unusual sports, such as “going to the dogs”—watching dog racing—which is very popular, especially in the East End. Check the schedules and spend the afternoon as a spectator.
- Before Peter Pan found Neverland he found Kensington Gardens. In the first Peter Pan storybook, author J M Barrie sends Peter Pan out of his nursery to Long Water in Kensington Gardens -- the very spot where the statue stands today.
- Have a “cuppa”—afternoon tea—with all the grace and ritual of the British Empire at one of several hotels that serve afternoon tea, the most famous of which is the Ritz. Remember to dress smartly as there is a dress code.
- Camden Market is one of the most exciting shopping experiences London has to offer. The market is definitely worth a visit with its huge variety of food, antiques, bric-a-brac, clothing, bars, nightspots, and crowds of people.
- Finding an address in London is no small task. There’s no pattern to the street names; house numbers, when they exist, run in odds and evens, clockwise and counterclockwise. You may also want to get a detailed street map with an index. Londoners carry London A to Z, the ultimate street-by-street reference guide, available at bookstores and newsstands.
- Before booking your flights to London, take a look at Know Before You Go, a publication from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, that contains everything U.S. residents should know before going abroad.
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