london travel information centre

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City of London Information Centre

• Attractions

Opening times Mon to Sat: 9.30am-5.30pm / Sun: 10am - 4pm

St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8BX

The City Information Centre (CIC) is London's only independent tourist information centre. ​

Get friendly, multilingual advice on everything there is to see and do in London and beyond from expert advisors. Find out which attractions are open, how you can book, popular walks and itineraries, free activities for the family and much more. Whether you need directions, information about the latest events or suggestions for days out, including city walks, come in and speak to the team. They can provide inspiring ideas on how to get the best out of your trip in London and further afield.​​​

The centre stocks a wide range of free brochures and publications including the London Planner and free City Visitor Trail and Children's Trail maps to help you make the most of your visit. You can explore the City with a range of free Self-Guided Walks on Roman London, Fire of London, Medieval London etc. or join a daily Guided Walk by qualified City of London Guides.

You can also purchase:

• Oyster cards - the easiest and cheapest way to travel around London • Detailed Maps, Books and Guides of London • Tickets to major attractions including Tower of London, London Eye and St Paul's Cathedral • Warner Brothers (Harry Potter) Studio tickets • Hop-On / Hop – Off London Sightseeing tours tickets • River Cruise Tickets • Theatre tickets • London Pass and Explorer Pass, complete sightseeing packages • Out of London Sightseeing Tours including Stonehenge, Windsor, Bath, and many more • Stamps, postcards and lots of colourful merchandise

Whatever you're looking to do in London or further afield, the CIC team can provide inspiring ideas on how to get the best out of your trip.

The City Information Centre is also known for its stunning modern design and won the 2009 RIBA Award for Architectural Excellence. Its low, sharp building has a strong visual character unlike anything else in the City. Designed by MAKE Architects, its form evolved from analysis of pedestrian flows across the site at the north end of Millennium Bridge.

Listing location

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Tourist Information Centres in London

Although it’s possible to find most things about London online, there are still times when you may need to speak to a ‘real person’ for help or advice.

Official Tourist Information Centres

The only official Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in central London is opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. Staff are multilingual.

City Information Centre

St Paul’s Cathedral Churchyard London EC4M 8BX

Transport: St Paul’s tube (Central line) Opening hours: Tuesday—Saturday 09:30am—5.30pm (closed Sundays & Mondays) cityoflondon.gov.uk

There’s another official TIC in Greenwich in south west London

Greenwich Tourist Information Centre

Visitor Centre Old Royal Naval College King William Walk Greenwich London SE10 9NN

Transport: Cutty Sark DLR Open: Monday–Sunday 10am–5pm visitgreenwich.org.uk

Transport for London Visitor Centres

If you have transport-related questions, visit one of Transport for London’s Visitor Centres. These are special information centres to help visitors to London.

There are offices at Victoria station, Piccadilly Circus tube station, King’s Cross/St Pancras International train station, Heathrow 2 & 3 tube station and Liverpool St station.  Check opening times.

Map of London’s Tourist & Transport Information Centres

Last updated: 9 January 2023

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City Information Centre

Find out more about the City Information Centre on the new City of London visitor website.

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London tourist information offices

Tourism information offices and desks in London

Here are the tourism information offices and kiosks in London , handy for maps, sightseeing tickets, the (free) monthly London Planner magazine, Oyster Cards , and more:

Tourist offices at London points of arrival

• Heathrow Travel Information Centre - Terminals 1, 2, 3 Underground Station Concourse.
• King’s Cross/St Pancras Travel Information Centre - In in the LUL Western Ticket Hall of the King's Cross half of this twinned rail station (exiting the tracks at St. Pancras, turn left/northeast to go through the brick arches into Kings Cross).
• Victoria Station Travel Information Centre - Opposite Platform 8 in Victoria Railway Station; Always incredibly crowded, but the people who work there are as helpful as a harried staff can be.
• Euston Travel Information Centre - Opposite platform 10 in the Euston Rail Station.
• Liverpool Street Travel Information Centre - in the Liverpool Street Underground Station.

Tourist offices once you're in London

• City of London , St. Paul's Churchyard (tel. (0)20-7332-1456) - A postmodern glass-fronted kiosk with wings on the S side of the cathedral, between Godliman St and Peter's Hill (the walk from the Millennium Bridge).
• Piccadilly Circus Travel Information Centre - In the Underground station.
• Holborn Information Kiosk - Just outside the Holborn Tube station at 88-94 Kingsway; Weekdays only.
• Greenwich Tourist Information Centre (tel. (0)870-608-2000) - Pepys House at 2 Cutty Sark Gardens in the village of Greenwich.

Frustratingly, none of the London offices —save the separate City of London and Greenwich ones— will answer phone inquiries.

Events magazines

The best way to find out what's going on around town, from shows to restaurants to events, is to buy a copy of Time Out magazine, published every Tuesday and available at newsstands.

You can also get listings from that Where: London magazine you see in most mid-scale hotels, as well as from the Evening Standard.

• Visitlondon - Official tourism information site for London.
• Londonpass - Sightseeing and transport discount pass. Partner
• Londontown.com - Excellent independent tourism office and online guide to London.
• Timeout.com - Premier events, theater, and cultural happenings guide (plus food and drink) for major cities. In the U.K, covers London, Edingburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Bristol, and Brighton
• Cityoflondon.gov.uk - The City of London has its own tourism site—and the only sizeable info kiosk in the center of London. they're also the only ones who will answer the phone.
• London Evening Standard - London's top free local paper has good events and restaurant listings
• Where London - This is that events guide and mini-guidebook magazine you get free in mide-range hotels all aroudn the world. Covers the top stuff, and current events, but a distant second to Time Out.
• Visitgreenwich.org.uk - Covering the semi-independent Royal Borough of Greenwich—part of Greater London, but really a (well worthwhile) daytrip in its own right.
• London Pass - Covers more than 60 major London sights and tours, plus discounts on several others, and an option to buy a transit pass to use on the Tube and buses. Partner
• iVenture Card - Covers several sights not on the London Pass, plus a handful of tours, free meals, 40% off last-minute theatre tickets, and other discounts. Worthwhile if you'll be doing the three popular sights it covers (St. Paul's, Madame Tussauds, London Eye). Partner
• English Heritage Pass - Covers Stonehenge, plus loads of castles, historic homes, ancient sites, and monuments across England.
• Viator.com - Best one-stop shopping site for all sorts of activities, walking tours, bus tours, escorted day trips, and other excursions. It is actually a clearinghouse for many local tour companies and outfitters, and since it gets a bulk-rate deal on pricing (and takes only a token fee for itself), you can actually sometimes book an activity through Viator for less than it would cost to buy the same exact tour from the tour company itself. (I once booked a Dublin pub crawl via Viator and later discovered that I saved about $1.50; also, the tour turned out to be sold-out, and they were turning away the folks in front of me in line, but since I had a pre-booked voucher I got in.) Partner
• Londonwalks.com - Since the 1970s, the gold standard in city walking tours and museum tours—and cheap, to boot. Just meet your guide at the appointed time and place (usually a Tube stop), pay your £10 (students or over 65s are £8; under 15 free), and prepare for a good two hours of amazing cultural insight and historic anecdotes. If you plan on taking three or more walks, buy a "Frequent London Walker" card for £2 from your first guide, then each subsequent walk costs £8. They also run popular excursions outside London for £18. Note that the fee just covers the guided tour; you pay for any admissions (or, for excursions, travel expenses) yourself.
• Contexttravel.com - This bespoke walking tour company doesn't even call its 200 tour leaders "guides." It calls them "docents"—perhaps because most guides are academics and specialists in their fields: history professors, archeologists, PhDs, art historians, artists, etc. Groups are miniscule (often six people maximum), and most docents can be booked for private guiding sessions as well. They aren't always the cheapest tours, but they are invariably the best. People rave about Context. Partner
• City-discovery.com - Chief rival to Viator (though with a less spiffy interface and often sub-par text descriptions), representing many of the same tours (at the same prices). However, it also seems to cover more destinations, especially secondary ones. When it comes down to it, City-Discovery and Viator have maybe 70% the same inventory, but then 30% will be completely different (some Viator has City-Discovery does not, other vice-versa) so it pays to check through the offerings from both. Partner

General tips of similar interest

• Tourist info

Visitor information for England and the U.K.

Tourist information, guidebooks, maps, tips for niche groups (students, LGBT, seniors, disabled, etc.), and more

Also in London Information:

• Sightseeing cards
• London guidebooks
• Consulates in London
• London maps

Related pages

• Info and paperwork in London
• London Information homepage
• Interactive London map
• London homepage
• England destinations
• Trip planning
• England homepage

Similar interests:

• Full London Map

London tourism info

• Visitlondon (official tourism site)
• Londonpass (sightseeing/transport pass) P
• Londontown.com (excellent private info site)
• Timeout.com (premier events/theatre/dining guide)
• Cityoflondon.gov.uk (City of London civic site)
• London Evening Standard (top free local paper; good events listings)

Passes & Discounts

• London Pass (60+ sights, discounts, transport option) P
• iVenture Card (9 sights not on London Pass, tours, dining) P
• English Heritage Pass (Stonehenge, castles, historic homes, monuments)

Activities, walks, & excursions

• Viator.com (tours, activities, excursions, transfers) P
• Londonwalks.com (tours, excursions)
• Contexttravel.com (tours, excursions) P
• City-discovery.com (tours, activities, excursions, transfers) P

Hagrid's European Vacation cameo

In that paragon of travel documentaries, National Lampoon's European Vacation , there is a scene in which Ellen Griswold (Beverly D'Angelo) forgets to lock the door on the shared bathroom in their London hotel. A man comes in to brush his teeth and is pleasantly surprised when Ellen—washcloth over face and believing the man to be her hubby, Clark—calls to him from the bathtub to join her. Shock and hilarity ensue. The accidental intruder was played by none of ther than Robbie Coltrane, 16 years before he embodied Hagrid in the Harry Potter films.

• Booking.com P
• Agoda.com P
• HotelsCombined.com P
• Hostelz.com P
• Hotels.com P

City of London Information Centre

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• St. Paul's • 3 min walk
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London Tourist Information Centres

Opening Hours Monday 9.30am-6.30pm Tuesday-Friday 9am-6.30pm Weekends 10am-4pm Saturdays from June to Sept 9am-5pm

City of London Visitor Information Centre Tel: 020 7332 1456/3456 email: [email protected] Address: The City of London Visitor Information Centre has temporarily moved with staff based at St Paul’s Crypt Shop and the Museum of London.

St Paul’s Crypt Shop, St Paul’s Cathedral (Entrance from Paternoster Square) – Map Museum of London, London Wall, London EC2Y 5HN – Map

Opening Hours St Paul’s Crypt Shop Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4.30pm Museum of London Mon-Sat 10am-5.50pm Sun 12 noon-5.50pm

Greenwich Tourist Information Centre Tel: 0870 608 2000 Address: Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, London SE10 9LW – Map email: [email protected]

Opening Hours Daily from 10am-5pm, closed 25 and 26 December.

London Information Centre Tel: (44) 0 207 292 2333 Address: Leicester Square W1 – Map

Opening Hours Daily from 8am-Midnight.

Southwark Tourist Information Centre Tel: 020 7401 5266 Address: Tate Modern, level 2, Bankside, London, SE1 9TG – Map

Opening Hours Daily from 10am-6pm.

Explore London like a local - visit the City Information Centre for insider tips

The CIC is central London’s only official tourist information centre. Visitors are welcomed by our multi-lingual team of professional advisors.

Get multi-lingual advice. Book tickets. Make the most of your time in London.

The CIC’s advisors work tirelessly to provide visitors with advice and information on the City of London’s attractions and hidden gems as well as providing information on Greater London and other destinations across the country. 

The CIC is open 10am - 4pm every Friday and Saturday.

Content provided by City of London Corporation

• Find out more about the City of London Information Centre and plan your visit
• From hidden gems to iconic landmarks, discover all the City of London has to offer

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The Perfect London Travel Guide for First Time Visitors

by annisa | May 8, 2020 | London Guide | 0 comments

Table of Contents

The Ultimate Guide to visiting London for the first time, from a local

How do i plan a trip to london england.

London for first-time visitors can be overwhelming, so preparing for a trip to London is crucial. I’ve heard people don’t organise and plan what they’re going to see and do, they’ll just go along with it once they’ve arrived in the country. It’s the wrong way to go about it, especially when travelling to London.

London has so many things to do in so little time. People can spend half a day in one area, and you won’t have time to see other areas of London. So, before booking your flight and accommodation, research, research, research. This London travel guide for first time visitors will cover all you need to know about visiting London for the first time. Here are some tips before making any rash decisions:

Firstly, book in advance. Summer is the busiest and the most expensive time of the year and there are more activities in summer than there are in winter. Although winter can be as busy as summer, during Christmas, it’s cheaper but colder. I have a link to several websites to compare flights, and accommodation, travel insurance and visa so you can organise well.

Secondly, get used to using public transport and how to visit famous landmarks and small attractions. Although buses can take longer because of traffic and it can be claustrophobic, (it’s not a nice feeling), it’s cheaper. You’ll tap £1.65 per bus ride. Taking the tube can get claustrophobic too but getting around is quicker.

There’s also a section on what people don’t tell you when you want to go to London. While you’re researching for flights and accommodation, read my safety tips in London. It can save your life.

The best thing about London is that everything is all in one place, and everything is just walking distances from one another. From the top 10 famous attractions to the hidden gems, as well as the best neighbourhoods and markets, London has it all. London are avid walkers, and sometimes you must keep up with us. If you’re not a walker, then, take public transport, it’s also convenient.

Every adjective you’ll find in the dictionary is what London is all about. Cosmopolitan. Quirky. Unique. Cheap. Expensive (in a good way). Multicultural. Old. New. Antique. Vintage. Unusual. You name it. London is everything. So, if you’re looking for rich British history, the longest monarchy in Europe, amazing Instagram photos, delicious food from around the world, the multicultural community, and friendly and polite people, then this post is for you!

How much time do you need to spend time in London?

If you are on a budget, 3 days in London or 4 days in London are average length of time depending on what you want to see and do, assuming you just want to take photos outside of the attractions. There are also free attractions and areas that are quirky yet interesting to visit. Visit my itinerary guide for more information on how long each attraction takes. Focus more on how long you want to take in each attraction, and take this post as your guide, but don’t use it religiously. If you’re on a budget, read my London on a budget guide.

Don’t forget to visit hidden gems in London. You can spend 10 – 20 minutes in the hidden gems. The best thing about it that most of them are free. 

What should I know before travelling to London?  

When travelling to the London, you’re travelling to the UK, so it’s imperative you also know facts before you travel to the UK in this UK travel guide . Here’s more information on visas and money.

Visas in London 

Before visiting London, check what visas are required. We are not in the EU anymore so, it’s crucial to check whether you need a visa to visit us. There are different regulations regarding your purpose of visit to the UK.  It really depends on your circumstances. Click here  for more information on visiting the UK after Brexit.

Visit the government website here   for more information on visa applications and whether they apply to you. The gov.uk is their homepage, and it’s a great website relating the government in the UK.

Money in London

Plan on how you are going to handle money in London. Don’t carry more than £100 cash in your pocket. I suggest bringing around £30 in cash and pay with your card when you’re eating out or visiting attractions. I’ve been living here for more than 30 years and I’ve never been pickpocketed, but tourists can be vulnerable.

ATMs are used around Central London and most of them are free. We also use the chip and pin and contactless system here. Some banks have ATM machines inside so it’s safe but be vigilant at the same time. It’s crucial that you blend in with us as much as possible. You can also use your Contactless debit cards and Google Pay on your phone. You tap your card on the payment device without entering your pin, and you can use it on public transport, supermarkets, and all shops around London.

Convenience, security, value, and options to open bank accounts are necessary if you want to stay here for at least 6 months. You can also change money at airports, major train stations like Victoria, London Bridge, King’s Cross St. Pancras, department stores, and major high streets around London.

As most know, our currency is the British Pound Sterling. London is an expensive city so it’s advisable to save and spend wisely if you’re on a budget. Even though there may be attractions that are discounted, it’s still expensive.

Visit the Tripsavvy website to find out the best way to spend money in the UK.

If you want to make bank transfers easier and making a hassle free transactions abroad, then you won’t need to find a foreign bank abroad, you can always pay and transfer like a local. That’s why online banking is so convenient. Revolut vs N26 , which one is better? You decide.

Click here to compare travel insurance and here to compare exchange rates.

  Transportation in London 

Public transport in London is one of the best in Europe in terms of convenience and its modernism. The disadvantage of public transport is the crowds on tubes, buses, and trains, especially during rush hour. During working hours, it’s relatively quiet, as people. are usually at work. Avoid the hours of 8 am – 9 pm and 5 pm – 6 pm, especially the Central Line because the Central Line leads to Central London from the north, east, west, and south of London. This is where tourists, locals, and business people congregate.

The black taxi cabs can be expensive, and I don’t recommend you use them. I spent £14 on a half-hour journey. If you really want to use taxis, consider Uber and licensed cabs as a cheaper alternative. Ubers here are generally safe.

Oyster Cards 

I cannot stress enough on getting an Oyster Card as the first thing you’ll do when you land at the airport. It’s the cheapest and best option to take. I wouldn’t recommend applying online as it can get tedious. Get them as soon as you arrive at the airport. There are Oyster Card barriers, Transport for London staff and Oyster Card machines in every stations. Pay as you Go will stop charging you after you’ve spent an equivalent of a daily travel card depending on how many days you’re travelling.

Travel cards are mainly used for travel outside London since they don’t use Oyster cards beyond London. You can use your Oyster card on National Rail trains, tubes, buses, and trams. You can spend around £10 – £15 a day on trains and tubes entering and exiting, depending on how many journeys you take. You won’t be charged for interconnecting between tube lines though.

As for travelling with children, if they are between 11 – 16, they will get a discount visitor cards and under 11’s travel free. Check with the staff at the train barriers for more information. There’s always 3 or 4 staff members standing by the barriers who are happy to help you.

Tips on using Oyster Card in just 2 steps

1. At the airport, follow the instructions on the ticket machine to get your Oyster Card. It’s £7 for the card. If you got your card on or after 4 September 2022, the fee is non-refundable. If you got your Oyster card before 23 February 2020, you can get your £5 refunded when you don’t need your card anymore.

2. You top-up how much money you want to put into your Oyster Card. You can pay by cash or debit card. Depending on what zones you’re in, there is a cap on the journeys you make. Hypothetically, if you’re tapped your Oyster Card in zones 1 – 3, if the cap is £10, then you won’t get charged more than £10 for that day even if you tapped 100 times. 🙂

Click here for more information on Oyster Cards and other general travel cards.

In addition to an Oyster Card, download the City Mapper app to easily find your way around. Compared to TfL , City Mapper is more reliable if you need a map of London on your phone. You can compare which one is right for you.

Buses and trams

Using buses are the cheapest means of transport for only £1.65 per journey. The buses here are usually packed with people, especially in the central. Most of the times, you’d have to stand up and be prepared to be squashed with other people. Getting from A to B can be long so it’s advisable to walk if you’re going to places nearby.

It’s advisable to walk from A to B if it’s more convenient. Londoners are avid walkers and most attractions are next to each other, although it can still be tiring because most attractions are big. Visit my Southbank Walk and 31 Things to do in Southbank as well as my West End Walk .

Londoners rarely use their cars to go to work by car unless it’s necessary. Roads can be hectic and frustrating in London. If you see a red C sign painted on the roads and a “Congestion Charge zone” sign, you are going to get charged between £10 – £16 for driving in Central London to reduce pollution. Most cars and trucks are usually construction workers, business cars, black taxis, or people living within the city because the Congestion Charge is usually paid by the company.

Londoners rarely use their cars to go to work unless it’s necessary. Roads can be hectic and frustrating in Central London. If you see a red C sign painted on the roads and a “Congestion Charge Zone” sign, you are going to get charged betwen £15 daily charge between 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays. There is no charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day bank Holiday (inclusive). The easiest way to pay is by setting up Auto Pay. Parking is very inconvenient because one, it’s expensive for an hour and two. You’ll be lucky to get a spot on the side roads. Be aware that car Parks are usually more expensive than parking on the side roads. If you do have to park, check out AppyParking+ app which will tell you where and when you can park. 

When it comes to cycling, like cars, it can be dangerous if you’re not used to the system. Cycle on quiet roads and use the cycling paths provided. Even if you use the cycle paths on busy roads, it can still be dangerous as you may have to swerve out into the main road from parked cars and bus drivers pulling out.

For tourists, it can be dangerous because there are areas where you aren’t able to turn left, right or even both, and considering how busy Central London is, you must make sure you’re aware of your surroundings. We drive on the left side of the road here and the steering wheel is on the right. Most countries drive on the right side of the road, so if you’re not used to cycling in London, it can be dangerous.

People will frown upon cycling on the pavement. Find out more about The Boris bikes here if you want to experience cycling in Central London. If you do want to cycle, try cycling in quiet areas or in most of the major parks around London. I’ve seen people cycle in The Mall (the street connecting Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch) since it’s a nice and quiet open space.

Comparing flights and accommodation 

If you are thinking of flights and accommodation, you might have to compare reasonable prices to suit your budget.

Here are a few websites to compare flights, accommodation, car hire, and other extras on the side. AirBnB is now a thing when booking a type of accommodation, and it’s like living in a home away from home. Here are some travel tips for booking on AirBnB .

Travelsupermarket

Booking.com

10 Best things to do in London 

Visit the top 10 attractions .

Before you visit the top 10 London attractions, make sure you check out the London Pass and the London Explorer Pass for discounts of 100+ attractions combined. Be careful though, the London Pass and the London Explorer Pass are two completely different discount packages.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace doesn’t need an introduction. It’s the first attraction people think of. Around fifty thousand people visit every year, and it’s people’s dreams to visit Buckingham Palace. Home to the British royal family and used for administrative businesses and state functions, Buckingham Palace has many reasons why we should visit it each year. It’s close to St. James’ Park and the Green Park . Trafalgar Square and Horse Guard Parade are a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. You can watch the Changing of the Guards outside the palace and the Changing of the Guards in Horse Guard Parade. In summer, you can visit the State Rooms , but dates and times vary each year and only opens in summer. No wonder Buckingham Palace is the most visited attraction in London.

London Eye 

The London Eye opened a day before the year 2000 by Tony Blair, the former Prime Minister, to celebrate the start of the new millennium. The first two attractions you can see are Big Ben and Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The other landmarks are difficult to make out and can be covered by trees and bushes. There are 32 capsules and takes 30 minutes to go round. It’s also the main area where New Year’s Eve’s fireworks happen just before the clock strikes midnight.

Sea Life London Aquarium

Sealife London Aquarium is a great day out for the family, and it’s in the top 10 London attractions to visit. If you’re into marines, bugs, insects, and turtles, then visit Sealife London Aquarium. Touch a live starfish, go through the arch under the big white sharks, visit the Amazon rainforest and learn and see beetles, spiders, piranha fossils and many more. Why not visit the Polar Experience and see the penguins, who are personally named? Everything you’ve always wanted to see are here.

Madame Tussauds

Visit Madame Tussauds, where you’ll meet Hollywood and Bollywood A-List celebrities with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Nicole Kidman, Tom Hardy and many more. Meet A-List musicians with the likes of Britney, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, and Kanye West. Take photos with the British Royal Family and step into the world of Hollywood films. Meet the face of King Kong, E.T. Audrey Hepburn and many more.

Take a train ride and step back to 250 years of British history. Meet Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I. Hear wax children laughing on carousel rides, and watch an animated 4D cinema where the 4 superheroes like Superman, Captain America, Spiderman, and Batman try to save the world in London. Although terribly busy, like Sea Life London Aquarium, Madame Tussauds is a great attraction for all the family.

London Dungeon

Step back into British history and visit the London Dungeon. Go back to the 17th Century to the 19th Century. Experience the bloody, gruesome, and dirty London. See and hear heads being chopped off, imprisoned for no previous offenses and many more. Learn about Henry VIII and how he beheaded some of his wives for treason and adultery. Learn about the 1666 great fire of London started in an old bakery. What about learning about the life of Sweeney Todd and his so-called partner Mrs. Lovett? A barber who dropped his victims into the basement and cut their body parts and made them into pies. You can visit Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop and could become her victim too. Enjoy the Drop where British prisoners were dropped to their death after their release. Whatever British history you want to hear about, check out London Dungeon. Beware. Children under 10 might find this scary.

Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour

Step into the world of Harry Potter. Do you remember Harry’s first few years at Hogwarts? You can see all the adventures he went on in this studio tour. You will see the Great Room where Harry had his feasts and where he sat under the Sorting Hat.

Explore the Forbidden Forest, Diagon Alley, Privet Drive, and many more. Have you wondered what Butterbeer taste like?

Discover and learn about the props and costumes as well as the many exhibitions and events that happens throughout the tour. The Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour is situated in Leavesden, and you can get there from Euston Station. It will take less than an hour to get there. Before or after the tour, make sure you visit Platform 9 and ¾ in King’s Cross Station, push your trolley to Hogwarts (there’s usually a line to take professional photos by the photographer, and it’s not free. An assistant will help you to put on your scarf and wand before you disappear. You can’t just take photos by yourself) and visit the Harry Potter Shop.

Visit the Golden Tours website for packages with the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio as an alternative to getting there by public transport.

London Zoo is one of the most visited tourist attractions in London. With nearly 2 million visitors a year, you can enjoy visiting some of the big 5 safari animals. From lions, tigers, giraffes, marine mammals and insects, gorillas, penguins, goats, pelicans and many more.

There are many attractions worth visiting near the London Zoo. The London Zoo is situated in Regent’s Park, Camden Town, Little Venice and Regent’s Canal, and Madame Tussauds. I suggest you visit these attractions all in one day.

Westminster Abbey

Built in 1066, Westminster Abbey has more than a million visitors each year. If you want to learn about Westminster Abbey’s history, the staff will give you an audio guide in more than 5 languages. Just click on the numbers on the audio guide to find out more about the history and story about that burial, the memorial or object. You’ll see the burials and memorials of British kings, queens, poets, scientists, and writers with the likes of Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Stephen Hawking, and many more.

It’s £18 for adults and £7 for children if you buy your tickets online, and the tour takes approximately one hour. If you want to visit for Sunday services, it’s free to enter. Although you won’t learn about the history from the audio guide, you’d be able to see the beautiful interior of Westminster Abbey. Click here to find out more of what I got up to. Find out about the Abbey on their website here. 

Hop on Hop Off

The Hop on Hop Off Tour takes you around London during the day. The Hop on Hop Off Tour bus is ideal for people who only have 3 days or less in London. You can cover the famous landmarks at least. I recommend you take Golden Tours, it’s the best one. Golden Tours is great because the Hop on Hop off bus takes you to London, and you get another 24 hours complimentary.

With Golden Tours, you will also get a complimentary Cruise Tour on the River Thames exploring the main sights of London. Walking tours are also available which includes The Changing of the Guards and The Beatles Walking Tour. Click here for more information on the Golden Tours Hop on Hop off packages.

Things no one tells you when you go to London 

What should i know before travelling to london .

Should I use cash or card?

London has been moving towards a cashless society in recent years, with more and more people using contactless cards and mobile payments to make transactions. This trend has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, as people have been encouraged to avoid cash as a way of reducing the spread of the virus.

One of the main drivers of the move towards a cashless society in London has been the widespread adoption of contactless payment technology. Contactless payment allows people to make transactions quickly and easily by simply tapping their card or mobile phone on a reader, without the need for cash or a PIN number. This technology has become increasingly common in London, with contactless payments now accepted by most retailers and transport providers in the city.

Another factor driving the move towards a cashless society in London has been the growth of mobile payment services. Companies like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay allow users to make payments using their mobile phones, which are linked to their bank accounts or credit cards. These services have become increasingly popular in London, with many people now using their mobile phones as their primary payment method.

There are a number of advantages to a cashless society in London. For one thing, it is more convenient for people to be able to make payments quickly and easily using their contactless cards or mobile phones. This can save time and make transactions more efficient, particularly in busy urban areas where time is at a premium.

Another advantage of a cashless society in London is that it can be more secure than carrying cash. With contactless payment technology, there is no need to carry large amounts of cash, which can be lost or stolen. This can help to reduce the risk of crime and make people feel safer when they are out and about.

Most European countries don’t charge 12.5% on their restaurant bills, and if you go out for a meal, you’ll see a small print at the bottom of your bill on whether they charge a discretionary service charge or not. If not, feel free to ask.

Eating in the West End can be a nightmare, so it’s better to reserve a table. Some gastropubs will accept table bookings, some don’t so make sure you find out before you order your fish and chips. If you do decide to eat in gastropubs, you can either pay and order at the table or go to the bar and order there. Generally, you’ll wait 20 – 30 minutes to wait for your food to arrive. Fish & chips can be double the price in gastropubs at around £12 or more, so if you find a local fish & chips shop, which are usually found in the suburbs, away from the West End, you can save up to 50%.

You’ll often see crowds of people standing outside gastro pubs in the West End. Some high-end restaurants can be intimate and organised, but some, like Gaucho’s and Vapiano’s, can be packed. You may have to reserve a table or get there early. You’ll often see loud Londoners standing around drinking pints, squashed together watching football, and most of the time, the food and drink quality is the same as high-end restaurants. It really depends on the chef and the service.

In restaurants, they will usually escort you to your table, take your order straight away or someone will be with you shortly. Either way, you must wait until someone comes to you while you choose your meal from the menu.

When you’re ready for your bill, ask someone for attention, they’ll give you your bill on a plate or docket. They’ll usually disappear for a while and come back to you when THEY’RE ready. You must wait for them to come to you. You don’t go to them.

Shopping in London

Shopping in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Tottenham Court Road can be a nightmare. It gets remarkably busy; you’ll be swerving past people especially when they’re walking slowly, so don’t expect to walk in a straight line. However, aside from the fact it can be a nightmare, there are so many high street stores and luxurious department stores to choose from.

Shopping in Primark, the biggest bargain department store can also give you a headache. There’s a stereotype that Londoners shop in Selfridges, Harrods, and Harvey Nichols all the time. No, it’s not true, we’d rather shop in our local high street shopping centres and prefer to go window shopping in Selfridges instead. Pretty much all the shopping areas in London are terribly busy, so be prepared.

People have recommended shopping in Westfield shopping centre situated in Stratford, but it can be as busy as shopping in Oxford Street and Regent Street. As for the stores, it’s no different from the stores you’d find in Oxford Street and Regent Street. Westfield Shopping Centre is a great place to get your essentials, and there are many restaurants, supermarkets, and pharmacies to choose from. It’s also conveniently located near the tube station.

Tubes and trains to and from Central London

There are several options for using public transport to and from Central London:

1. Underground: The London Underground, or “the Tube,” is a fast and convenient way to travel around Central London. There are several lines that run through the city, with many stations located in the heart of the city. You can buy tickets at the stations, or use a contactless payment card like Oyster or a mobile payment system like Apple Pay.

2. Bus: London’s bus network is extensive and can be a great way to see the city. There are numerous routes that run through Central London, and many buses are equipped with WiFi and USB charging ports. You can use an Oyster card or a contactless payment card to pay for your journey.

3. Overground: The London Overground provides another option for getting around the city. The service operates on several routes that connect different parts of London, including Central London. You can use an Oyster card or a contactless payment card to pay for your journey.

4. National Rail: There are several National Rail stations located in Central London, including Paddington, King’s Cross, and Liverpool Street. You can use your Oyster card or buy a ticket to travel on these services.

5. Docklands Light Railway: The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is a driverless train service that operates in East and South East London, including the Canary Wharf financial district. It is an affordable and convenient way to get around, and you can use your Oyster card or a contactless payment card to pay for your journey.

Overall, there are plenty of options for using public transport to and from Central London, and it’s often the most convenient and cost-effective way to travel.

Buses in London

Although this is the cheapest way to go around London for £1.65 per Oyster tap, it can be extremely long to get from A and B. It can also be crowded, and it can be packed to a point you aren’t able to move.  You’d be lucky to get a seat, otherwise, you’d have to stand with the rest. If you happen to go out during the night, night buses tend to be quieter but less safe. Although nothing has happened to me, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Beware of drunk people during the weekends.

The West End

To many first-timers, you would think the West End is the place to be because it’s trendy, there are so many things to do and so many things to see. Well, don’t get me wrong, it is trendy and there are places to see and do but there are downsides. Food and drinks can be SUPER expensive, and locals and tourists mix. It can also be crowded, and you’ll have little patience being in a place for long periods of time.

Final Thoughts

I hope there’s a lot of useful information for you to take for your trip to London. On a side note, London is accessible to any UK towns and villages by plane, train and even buses. Here are 32 prettiest villages and small towns in the UK if you have more time to visit areas outside London. The information here is for your guide, don’t follow it religiously. If you have more questions, feel free to contact me, pin one of my Pinterest pin, and subscribe on my homepage.

Take care and be safe!

I am a part of an affiliate program with  Expedia.com , and  Tripadvisor . If you book through me with no additional charge to you, I get a commission from them. Feel free to contact me on Facebook if you have queries about travelling to London.

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Watch CBS News

Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times and how much of the eclipse people could see across the U.S.

By Aliza Chasan

Updated on: April 9, 2024 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News

A total solar eclipse  crossed North America Monday with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. Maps show  where and when astronomy fans could see the big event  as skies darkened in the middle of the day Monday, April 8.

The total eclipse first appeared along Mexico's Pacific Coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT, then traveled across a swath of the U.S., from Texas to Maine, and into Canada.

About 31.6 million people live in the path of totality , the area where the moon fully blocked out the sun , according to NASA. The path ranged between 108 and 122 miles wide. An additional 150 million people live within 200 miles of the path of totality.

Solar eclipse path of totality map for 2024

The total solar eclipse started over the Pacific Ocean, and the first location in continental North America that experienced totality was Mexico's Pacific Coast, around 11:07 a.m. PDT, according to NASA. From there, the path continued into Texas, crossing more than a dozen states before the eclipse enters Canada in southern Ontario. The eclipse exited continental North America at around 5:16 p.m. NDT from Newfoundland, Canada.

The path of totality included portions of the following states:

• Pennsylvania
• New Hampshire

Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse.

Several major cities across the U.S. were included in the eclipse's path of totality, while many others saw a partial eclipse. These were some of the best major cities for eclipse viewing — though the weather was a factor :

• San Antonio, Texas (partially under the path)
• Austin, Texas
• Waco, Texas
• Dallas, Texas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Indianapolis, Indiana
• Dayton, Ohio
• Cleveland, Ohio
• Buffalo, New York
• Rochester, New York
• Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont

Map of when the solar eclipse reached totality across its path

The eclipse began in the U.S. as a partial eclipse beginning at 12:06 p.m. CDT near Eagle Pass, Texas, before progressing to totality by about 1:27 p.m. CDT and then moving along its path to the northeast over the following few hours.

NASA shared times for several cities in the path of totality across the U.S. People could have also  checked their ZIP code on NASA's map  to see when the eclipse was to reach them if they were on, or near, the path of totality — or if they saw a partial eclipse instead.

How much of the eclipse did people see if they live outside the totality path?

While the April 8 eclipse covered a wide swath of the U.S., outside the path of totality observers may have spotted a partial eclipse, where the moon covers some, but not all, of the sun, according to NASA. The closer they were to the path of totality, the larger the portion of the sun that was hidden.

NASA allowed viewers to input a ZIP code and see how much of the sun was to be covered in their locations.

Could there be cloud cover be during the solar eclipse?

Some areas along the path of totality had a higher likelihood of cloud cover that could interfere with viewing the eclipse. Here is a map showing the historical trends in cloud cover this time of year. 

You could have checked the latest forecast for your location with our partners at The Weather Channel .

Where did the solar eclipse reach totality for the longest?

Eclipse viewers near Torreón, Mexico, got to experience totality for the longest. Totality there lasted 4 minutes, 28 seconds, according to NASA. 

Most places along the centerline of the path of totality saw a totality duration of between 3.5 and 4 minutes, according to NASA. Some places in the U.S. came close to the maximum; Kerrville, Texas, had a totality duration of 4 minutes, 24 seconds.

What is the path of totality for the 2044 solar eclipse?

The next total solar eclipse that will be visible from the contiguous U.S. will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

Astronomy fans in the U.S. will have far fewer opportunities to see the 2044 eclipse they had on April 8. NASA has not yet made maps available for the 2044 eclipse but, according to The Planetary Society , the path of totality will only touch three states.

The 2024 eclipse will start in Greenland, pass over Canada and end as the sun sets in Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota, according to the Planetary Society.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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When is Eid al-Fitr 2024 and how is it celebrated?

The three-day festival celebrates the completion of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims across the world.

As a new moon was not sighted on Monday evening after Maghrib prayers, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries will fast one more day, completing 30 days of Ramadan. The first day of Eid will then be celebrated on Wednesday, April 10.

The first day of Eid al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon marking the start of the month of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.

Keep reading

A ramadan no palestinian will ever forget, the cost of a ramadan iftar meal around the world, ramadan 2024: where do your dates come from, in washington, dc: celebrating ramadan, protesting israel’s siege of gaza.

Lunar months last between 29 and 30 days so Muslims usually have to wait until the night before Eid to verify its date.

Other countries follow independent sightings.

When the sighting has been verified, Eid is declared on television, radio stations and at mosques.

How do Muslims celebrate Eid?

Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country.

Muslims begin Eid day celebrations by partaking in a prayer service that takes place shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon.

On their way to the prayer, which is traditionally held in an open area, Muslims recite takbeerat, praising God by saying “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is great”.

It is customary to eat something sweet before the prayer, such as date -filled biscuits known as maamoul in the Middle East. This particular festival is known as the “sweet” Eid – and the distribution of sweets is common across the Muslim world.

Muslims usually spend the day visiting relatives and neighbours and accepting sweets as they move around from house to house.

Each country has traditional desserts and sweets that are prepared before Eid or on the morning of the first day.

Children, dressed in new clothes, are offered gifts and money to celebrate the joyous occasion.

Girls and women in many countries decorate their hands with henna. The celebration for Eid begins the night before as women gather in neighbourhoods and large family gatherings for the application of henna.

In some countries, families visit graveyards to offer their respects to departed family members right after the morning prayers.

It is common for Muslim-majority countries to decorate their cities with lights and hold festivities to commemorate the end of the fasting month.

Eid amid the onslaught in Gaza

For some 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza this Eid, this will be the first Muslim religious holiday after more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks. With little food aid, and very limited water, Gaza’s Eid al-Fitr will be mired in destruction amid the continuing attacks.

What are common Eid greetings?

The most popular greeting is “Eid Mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language.

The video below shows how people say Eid Mubarak in different languages around the world.