London Travel Resources

Planning a trip to London can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with endless options. This page brings together trusted tools, experiences, and booking resources we regularly recommend to help you plan your time in London with confidence.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. They help support our free guides and resources at no extra cost to you.

What?	Who?	Best for?	Code
Transfers	XFA Cars	Private airport transfers and longer journeys
Tours	Discover Real London	Private black cab tours
Tours	WalksDevour	Premium small-group sightseeing & food tours
Tours	Fantastic Walks	Social walking tours	UKTP10
Tours	LivTours	Small-group and private tours
Day trips	The English Bus	Small-group day trips from London	UKTP5
Day trips	Tailored Tours	Private custom day trips
Stay	Stay22 / VRBO	Hotels and apartments across London
Marketplaces	GetYourGuide	Compare and book tours and tickets
Marketplaces	Viator	Wide range of tours and activities
Passes	The London Pass	Multiple major attractions, short visit	UKLP5
Passes	Go City Explorer	Flexible choice of attractions
Theatre	London Theatre Direct	West End tickets
Eating out	First Table	50% off the food bill dining early	UKTP10
Luggage	Luggage Hero	Hourly bag storage across London
Data	Saily	eSIM mobile data	UKTP10
Security	NordVPN	Protect your data on public Wi-Fi
Money	Wise	Low-fee spending abroad

Getting to and Around London

Private airport transfers and long-distance journeys

XFA Cars

If you want a smooth, stress-free arrival or departure, private transfers are a great option. XFA Cars offer reliable airport transfers and longer journeys across London and the UK.

Your driver monitors your flight, meets you at the airport, and takes you directly to your accommodation.

Paying for transport (Oyster or contactless)

The simplest way to get around is pay as you go with an Oyster card or a contactless bank card. Both work across the Tube, buses, the Elizabeth line, the DLR and most London trains.

Daily capping means you never pay more than a set amount in a day, so it usually works out cheapest with no planning needed. If your bank card was issued outside the UK, check whether it charges overseas transaction fees before relying on it.

📖 Oyster vs contactless
📖 How to use the Tube
📖 London fare zones explained

Guided Tours and Experiences in London

Private black cab tours

Discover Real London

Private London tours led by licensed black cab drivers who really know the city. Tours can be tailored to your interests or follow popular routes, and travelling by cab allows you to see more while still stopping to explore on foot.

Read our guide to Discover Real London

Premium small-group sightseeing

WalksDevour

High-quality small-group and private tours with excellent guides and skip-the-line access at major sights. Ideal if you want context, storytelling, and a well-paced experience.

Read our full WalksDevour guide

Social walking tours

Fantastic Walks

Friendly, engaging walking tours with knowledgeable guides and a lively group atmosphere. A great option if you enjoy exploring on foot and learning as you go.

Use code UKTP10 for 10% discount.

Small-group and private tours

LivTours

Carefully designed tours with expert guides, focusing on quality, pacing, and insight rather than rushing through sights.

Day Trips from London

Small-group day tours

The English Bus

Well-organised small-group day trips from London to places like Stonehenge, Bath, Oxford, Canterbury and the Cotswolds. A good balance of guided time and free time.
Use code UKTP5 for 5% off.

• See our full English Bus feature

Private day trips

Tailored Tours

Private, fully customised day tours from London designed around your interests, pace, and priorities.

Where to Stay in London

If you’re still deciding where to base yourself, our area guides will help you choose the best neighbourhood for your travel style and itinerary.

Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses

Booking.com

For hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses across London, Booking.com offers the widest choice and the filters that matter most, from neighbourhood and budget to free cancellation while your plans are still moving. It is what we use ourselves for most London stays.

Holiday apartments and homes

VRBO

If you prefer more space than a hotel, are travelling as a family, or are staying in London for a longer visit, booking an apartment can be a great option.

VRBO offers apartments and homes across London, from central neighbourhoods to quieter residential areas.

Tours and Experiences Marketplaces

These platforms are useful when you want to browse lots of options, compare availability, or book something at short notice.

We still recommend booking direct with trusted local operators where possible, but these can be helpful planning tools.

GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide is a large booking platform that brings together tours, attractions, and experiences from many different operators. It’s useful if you want to compare options, read reviews, or book something last minute in London.

It works particularly well for:

• attraction tickets
• popular experiences
• last-minute availability during busy periods

Viator

Viator is a global tours and activities marketplace with a wide range of experiences in London and beyond. It can be useful if you’re planning multiple destinations or if your preferred local operator is sold out.

As with all marketplaces, quality varies by operator, so we recommend reading tour descriptions and reviews carefully.

Tickets, Passes and Eating Out

Sightseeing passes

The London Pass + London Explorer Pass

Headline attraction tickets

If you just want one or two big sights rather than a pass, book the popular ones ahead so you get your preferred time slot. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour (the Making of Harry Potter), the London Eye and the Tower of London are the ones that sell out first.

Theatre tickets

London Theatre Direct

A reliable way to book West End theatre tickets with clear seat selection and pricing.

Read our guide to what’s on in London theatre

Eating out

First Table

Enjoy 50% off the food bill when you dine early. A great way to try new restaurants in London.
Use code UKTP10 to receive £3 booking credit.

Practical Extras for London

Professional photography

Scalens Studio

Capture your trip with a private photo shoot. We had ours taken in Notting Hill with Scalens Studio and were delighted with the results. Use code UKTP10 for a 10% discount.

Luggage storage

Luggage Hero

If you arrive before check-in or have time to explore after checking out, luggage storage can make your day much easier. Luggage Hero lets you store bags by the hour in local shops and hotels across London, including near major stations.

Connectivity and Travel Essentials

Mobile data

Saily

Saily offers simple eSIM data plans that let you stay connected in London without relying on public Wi-Fi or buying a physical SIM card.

It’s a good option if you want mobile data ready to go when you arrive. Use code UKTP10 for 10% off for first-time users.

Online security on public Wi-Fi

NordVPN

Using public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, airports, and trains can leave your data vulnerable. A VPN helps protect your personal information when you’re travelling and using shared networks.

NordVPN works on phones, tablets, and laptops and is easy to switch on and off as needed.

Travel Insurance

Never travel without cover. Compare policies and read the terms carefully so you know exactly what is included before you buy.

🇺🇸 US travellers: Travel Insurance Master
🇦🇺 Australian travellers: Cover-More

Always seek your own professional advice that takes into account your personal circumstances before making any financial decisions. We encourage readers to compare options when it comes to financial products.

Spending abroad

Wise

A popular travel card for paying and withdrawing money with lower fees and competitive exchange rates.

Planning Beyond London

If your trip includes other parts of the UK, you’ll find our full list of trusted partners and booking tools here:
👉 UK Travel Planning Resources