Top Tips for First Time Visitors to London

London is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 14 million international visitors annually. It is rich in both historical sites and modern attractions, which makes it an ideal destination for virtually every type of traveller. But when visiting London for the first time, tourists need to be smart about their itinerary - from arranging Gatwick airport transfers to buying an Oyster card to get around the city. For the first-time travellers, here are some tricks of the trade that will help you experience the best of the UK capital.

Getting Around: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

From Gatwick airport transfers, learning how to ride the tube, to renting a car or a bicycle, there are many options for getting around London. For instance, Heathrow or Gatwick airport transfers are simple to arrange beforehand and can deliver you to your accommodation in no time, passing many famous attractions as you go, including the London Eye, Tower of London, and Madame Tussauds. Alternatively, getting an Oyster card or renting a bicycle can allow visitors to familiarize themselves with this exciting city. There are many cycling tours to choose from, and lots of well-established cycling paths along the banks of the River Thames. Not only will this give you a more personal exploration, but you'll escape the bane of Londoner's lives – the traffic.

Some of the Best Sights are Free

Contrary to popular belief, touring London need not be expensive to be fun. The city has a host of world-class attractions that can be enjoyed absolutely free, many of which are museums. For starters, the Natural History Museum, one of the city's top 10 most popular attractions, is one of the most stunning buildings in the city and houses a vast range of specimens and exhibits, including the famed Darwin Centre. For art aficionados, the Tate Modern is famous all over the world, with 4.7 million visitors pouring through the doors every year. These attractions are accessible by walking, bus and the London Underground.

Dining in London: Amazing Riverside Pubs

Any avid foodie arriving in London should allot a reasonable amount of time to exploring the extensive gastronomic goodness the city has to offer. There are countless pubs and restaurants all over the city that offer more than just great food – their unique ambience makes them a wonderful experience. The Dove in Hammersmith, other than being a cosy little English pub, holds the Guinness World Record for being the smallest bar room in the world. More importantly, it provides diners an unobstructed view over the River Thames. Another popular pub, not only because of its location but also because of its proprietor, is The Narrow - owned by internationally acclaimed celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Considered one of the most picturesque pubs in London, The Narrow offers a panoramic view of the River Thames, as well as guaranteed sumptuous food. These are just a couple of examples – there are so many more.

As soon as you've settled in to your accommodation from the Gatwick airport transfers, map out an itinerary and get started exploring one of the most exciting cities in the world.

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for Gatwick airport transfers, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.