- Add ample time to your plan for Heathrow arrival and departure.
- Establish a strategic plan to visit popular sites to avoid crowds.
- Snag discount passes, like the Visitor Oyster travel smartcard, to save money on attractions and transportation.
The international travel boon, after most countries lifted COVID-era restrictions, coupled with a favorable euro have made London one of this season’s hottest travel destinations.
As travel agents have told USA TODAY, those heading to Europe this summer should leave themselves plenty of extra time to account for lines and to avoid checking a bag if at all possible.
Geoff Heal, professor of Economics at Columbia Business School said that while we’re seeing a travel surge now – since people are desperate to get out – it will drop away later in the summer into fall.
To navigate crowds and really explore London, here are four tips from travel experts to maximize your time in the city.
Air travel in Europe is a mess:Trains are a cheaper, quicker workaround
Is summer travel causing long TSA lines at airports? Sort of. Here’s how to prepare.
1. ‘Your best bet is London Heathrow’
Once you book your flight, make sure you book to Heathrow Airport.
“While London City Airport is the closest to the city’s heartthrob, you won’t find a ton of flights from the USA landing there,” said Brandon Berkson, founder of Hotels Above Par. “Your best bet is London Heathrow – yes, they have been having some issues lately with overcapacity, but it’s night and day better than flying into London Gatwick, which, post-pandemic is an understaffed nightmare. When flying into Heathrow, you can get to Paddington Station in Central London in just 15 minutes via the Heathrow Express train, which, in turn, slashes a lot of time and money off your would-be taxi commute from the far-our airport in the city.”
Heathrow, which says it serves 203 destinations in 84 countries, is limiting the number of daily departing passengers to 100,000 through Oct. 29. Although the airport’s operators insist that most existing bookings won’t be affected, they acknowledged that some airlines probably would change flights to other days, move departures to other area airports and cancel some itineraries.
2. Avoid crowds by planning ahead
Once you get into London, it’s all about careful planning.
“Everything is packed, so the best way to reduce the time you spend waiting in long lines is to buy advance purchase tickets for attractions – such as the London Eye or Tower of London – and show up early for your time slot,” explained Barbara DeLollis, co-founder and Editor of Travel Essential.
Another way to avoid the crowds? Visit the bigger attractions after hours.
“To visit London’s amazing museums, your best chance to avoid the largest crowds is by visiting Friday evenings during extended opening hours when most people flock to the bars (pubs),” DeLollis added.
Airlines cut tens of thousands of flights in November:Here’s why travelers shouldn’t panic
If your flight is delayed, you may be eligible for compensation from your airline
3. Get a smartcard to get around the city
To get around the city, it’s best to utilize public transportation to cut costs.
“To get around the city on London’s iconic Tube lines and red buses, buy a Visitor Oyster travel smartcard (like a NYC subway card),” DeLollis said. “This lets you easily swipe to get your transport, instead of paying each time – and saves you money since you’re buying a pass. It’s perhaps the cheapest way to pay for journeys on the bus, Tube, DLR, tram, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers River Bus Service, most National Rail lines, and the London Overground.”
4. Head East to avoid the crowds
Berkson and DeLollis also recommend spending time in East London in areas like Shoreditch.
“Shoreditch is one of the city’s coolest boroughs, with its bevy of millennial residents who want nothing to do with the cliché tourist sites with which London is most associated,” Berkson explained. “The neighborhood and its neighboring areas are filled with itinerary-worthy attractions like Boxpark, a shopping spot watering hole with independent boutiques in old shipping containers; Brick Lane, a thoroughfare with great thrift shops and authentic South Asian eateries; and Spitalfields Market, which hosts an eclectic variety of kiosks selling everything under the sun, from locally-crafted artwork to casual jewelry.”
Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY
