No Time Wasted - Making the Most of a Visit London

Without a doubt, London is one of the greatest cities in the world. In addition to being one of the crucial global financial centres, it is unparalleled in terms of historical richness and cultural diversity. It's no wonder it is the most popular tourist destination in Europe – as an example, London Gatwick Airport (only its second largest) serviced nearly 38 million travellers in the past 12 months.

If you’re heading to London for the first time, you’ll no doubt want to start sightseeing right away. Fortunately, if you’re coming via Gatwick, airport transfers mean you don’t have to waste any time! Listed below are several tips on how to make the most of your time in the UK capital.

Big Things Come in Little Packages

Despite the speed and efficiency of Gatwick airport transfers, many of the big-ticket must-see sights in London unfortunately mean wasting time dealing with massive crowds and ultra-long lines. The good news is, there also many smaller treasures that are hidden away. One such place is the city's oldest picture gallery, the Dulwich Picture Gallery on Gallery Road, which displays the works of Raphael, Rembrandt and Rubens, to name just a few. Another is the Geffrye Museum, for an insight into the interior of well-to-do homes from Elizabethan times to the late 19th century.

Maximise Your Time

Why sleep when you can be out exploring the wonders of London? You can always sleep on the plane on the way home! If you’re taking a late (or very early) flight out on a weekend, be sure to check out the museums that are open late, such as the Tate Modern, which is open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. The Natural History Museum has a "sleepover" every last Friday of the month, in addition to holding talks and tours. Don’t worry, your Gatwick airport transfers will ensure you get to the airport in plenty of time!

Don’t Just ‘See’ the City, Experience It!

One of the truly great things about London is that most of its treasures don’t have set operating hours and don’t require a ticket - just a good pair of comfortable walking shoes and a map! Big Ben, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Battersea Park, Westminster Cathedral, the Whitechapel Gallery, and the Royal Opera House at Convent Garden are just some of the attractions that are free to the public and give travellers a chance to experience the city's unique mix of antiquity and modernity. And of course, for watching the locals, nothing beats visiting one of the city’s many outdoor markets. Check out Greenwich Market for art, crafts, and antiques; Columbia Road Flower Market for the most gorgeous blooms (perfect for picture-taking); and Brick Lane Market for vintage clothing, antiques, and other knick-knacks.

Before you have to jump on the return leg of your Gatwick airport transfers, make sure you see as much of this fabulously vibrant city as you can.

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.