You have just graduated and it’s your last summer of relaxation before it’s time to enter into the so-called “real world” (note: it’s not as plot-driven as it seemed on MTV). Or maybe you’ve just been accepted to your university’s Study Abroad program. Whatever your reason may be, you’re finally going to Europe!

If you’re headed to London, here are all the basics– plus a few of our favorite sights to see and places to visit.

Transportation

Main Airport: Heathrow International Airport

Additional Domestic Airports: Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, Gatwick Airport

The least expensive flight tickets often leave from London’s domestic airports. The only way to reach these airports (except Gatwick) is by a charter bus or an interrail train (different from the Underground Tube). You cannot take a taxi to these airports.

http://www.visitlondon.com/travel/airport/

Getting around London: Underground Transportation System (Tube and Bus). The underground tube closes at midnight while the bus is twenty-four hours. When leaving from Heathrow Airport to London, take the Piccadilly Line.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk

What to do while you’re in London

Whether you will be in London for a couple of days or a week, there is always something fun to do. Many of London’s attractions are fun to look at, so unless you are shopping or plan to visit the Royal Palace, you won’t be hurting your purse.

Attractions

  • Museums are all free! You may get overwhelmed with the number of museums there are, but here are the most popular:
    • Victoria & Albert
    • The Tate Modern (Andy Warhol/Picasso Exhibit)
    • British Museum (Rosetta Stone)
  • Piccadilly Circus (Equivalent to the ‘NYC Times Square’)
  • Big Ben & Parliament
  • The London Eye
  • Trafalgar Square (See the National Gallery).
  • Hyde Park (Check out the Peter Pan Statue!)
  • Abbey Road (This is where the Beatles shot that iconic album cover– and their music studio is literally down the road).
  • Notting Hill/Portobello Road Market (Great for vintage items, souvenirs, and daydreaming about bumping into Hugh Grant)
  • Camden Market
  • Brick Lane – (vintage shops & the best and affordable Indian/Bangladesh cuisines).
  • Harrods – (Famous Egyptian escalator and Princess Diana memorial inside).
  • The Buckingham Palace & Princess Diana’s Palace ($$ entrance)
  • South Kensington (Equivalent to NYC Upper East Side).
  • Oxford Circus & Kensington High Street (great for shopping!)
  • Tower of London (Crown Jewels!)

Pubs & Nightlife

  • Tigertiger (Celebrity look-out and footballers crowd. Make sure to call ahead of time to get on the guest list).
  • Sports Caf (Pub. Every Tuesday is American night).
  • ONeil’s (Pub and Club. Live music & many international people).
  • Soho district (The majority of the pubs/club are here, however many people are tourists).
  • Brick Lane (Not in London’s city center but the best place to meet locals and eat good food. Make sure to check out ‘The Big Chill’.)

Keep an eye-out for more Euro-Trip city profiles!