Cheap flights to London, England

London Travel Guide

Millions of tourists take cheap flights to London each year. It’s a world city, a leading light where new fashion trends emerge, bands audition, and money men in the “City” wheel and deal. It’s also where street traders wheel and deal. London is renowned for its markets – from Columbia Road Flower Market to fashionable Portobello, foodie heaven Borough Market to funky Camden and, perhaps most famous of all, Covent Garden.

London is, at its heart, a patchwork of different villages, each with their own feel. East London’s frankly gritty Hackney or Stratford are worlds away from leafy, literary Highgate in North London or gentrified Notting Hill in the West.

The startlingly modern architecture of London stands beside medieval churches. Broad thoroughfares give way to dark alleys. The Thames sweeps through the city, having carried kings and queens and exotic cargo from far-off lands in the past and, today, visitors seeing the sights on tourist boats.

The palaces of London – Buckingham, Kensington, Hampton Court and Kew – all in beautiful parkland settings, stand majestic, a far cry from the tower blocks of trendy Hoxton or) East London.

The museums (mostly all with free admission), galleries stuffed with the best traditional and modern art, world-famous landmarks such as the London Eye, Big Ben and Houses of Parliament, and the vibrant street life all promise an unforgettable vacation.

Getting to and around the city of London

Due to the fact London has 4 major airports, there are several ways to find your way to the center. The main option and most popular choice is the catch a train directly to your desired stop. Heathrow, for example, has a train that goes to and from the airport and is extremely regular.

If you’re flying into London Luton Airport, you can take a bus to the London Underground (the Tube) and continue your journey from there. Because the size of London is so vast, the underground is probably your best choice regardless of your arrival destination, as it offers several stops all over the city. Driving is not very practical in London and a lot of areas require payment. A last resort (or if you do have lots of baggage) is to hail a taxi. However, congestion in London is rife and you may end up paying a fortune and taking more time to reach your destination.

Don’t worry about getting around town after your cheap flight to London. There are many options, the best of which is the Tube. London’s underground system is the fastest and easiest way to get around. Like subways in many large cities, the Tube is packed during rush hour, so try to avoid it.

London’s iconic double-decker red buses are slower, but they can be found everywhere and won’t be as crowded. Look into getting an Oyster card or Travelcard for traveling on London’s public transportation systems – they will save you money. You can find them at Tube stops or corner shops.

Black cabs are everywhere and very comfortable, but can be very expensive. Minicabs are a cheaper taxi option, but you have to order them ahead of time. Watch out for illegal minicabs that troll the theatres and nightspots. They might seem like the only late-night option, but single women, and those unfamiliar with the area, should and find a different way to ride safely.

London is a big city, but many of the tourist attractions are within walking distance or along the river Thames. Take advantage of a sunny day by walking or taking a riverboat. Driving is not recommended, as parking is near impossible to find and a Congestion Charge will cost you extra when driving into the city’s center on Monday to Friday between 7am and 6pm. Only rent a car if you’d like to drive into the country. You will need to be over 25 years of age with a valid license and credit card.

For more information you can visit https://tfl.gov.uk.

Tips for your stay in London

Tipping: While tips in most areas of London are discretionary, a good rule of thumb is to tip 10-15 percent of the bill in cafes and restaurants; minimally in bars and pubs; 10-15 percent at hotel restaurants, and a discretionary amount for staff, and 10-15 percent for taxi drivers.

For discounts on London transportation and attractions, get a London Oyster Travelcard and London Pass Card. An Oyster Card 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. You can purchase both cards before you leave home or while you’re in London.

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.

If you are planning on visiting the England’s capital check out some more ideas about sites to see and things to do on a London city break. If you are over in England you may want to consider making an additional trip north to what is referred to as the capital of the North on a Manchester city break.

Finding Flights from London

London is an excellent city to use as a base for exploring the rest of the United Kingdom, and Cheapflights is here to help.  Ryanair, EasyJet, Flybe, and British Airways have flights to cities throughout the UK, and you can choose to travel through London Gatwick, London Luton, Heathrow, Stansted or London City airport.

Travel to and from Heathrow Airport is easy using public transportation. The  Heathrow Express leaves every 15 minutes and connects you to Central London in about 20 minutes. A cheaper option is the Piccadilly line on the Tube, which will take you to Central London in about 50 minutes. there are also train options to other London area airports, such as the Stansted Express.