12 Essential Tips for an Unforgettable Long Weekend in London
With my college friends all turning 40, we planned a guys' trip overdue for adventure. Las Vegas was old news, so we chose a long weekend in London, hosted by our expat friend as tour guide.
We targeted late September for lower Europe airfares and booked flights. A Travelzoo search led to The Rubens at The Palace—a well-located, reasonably priced hotel for London standards.
After 7,000 flight miles, 72 hours of travel, countless pints, and meat pies, one mystery remains: What exactly is 'pudding' in an English breakfast? Regardless, London delivers big fun—when planned smartly.
Here are 12 practical tips for your quick London getaway.
Three essentials to pack:
- A power strip. From the U.S.? You'll have phones, laptops, tablets. UK plugs and voltage differ. Hotels like The Rubens provide adapters, but a power strip multiplies one into six outlets.
- Comfortable walking shoes. London is highly walkable—look right when crossing streets. Recommended strolls: Soho for upscale window-shopping, Millennium Bridge to St. Paul's Cathedral, Covent Garden for pubs (one per corner) and alfresco pints on nice days.
- A jacket. Regardless of season or forecast. September brought sunny days but chilly nights. Avoid pricey 'jumper' (sweater) shopping.
Three key things to know beforehand:
- Download offline Google Maps. Best decision: Disabled cellular data, used Wi-Fi only. iPhone GPS worked offline. Free Wi-Fi in stores/pubs—codes often on menus or receipts.
- Get an offline Tube map app. TubeMap by Mapway is excellent. London's fastest transport, but it stops at midnight—plan late nights accordingly.
- Expect higher costs. Our trip coincided with Rugby World Cup, spiking hotels. Strong dollar helps elsewhere, but pounds resist. London air taxes add $50–$100 over Europe. Budget for pints too.
Three must-dos on the ground:
- Indulge in full English breakfast. If included, fuel up till tea time. The Rubens' spread was epic: brown toast (wheat), Cumberland sausages (delicious), tea essential. Mushrooms/beans? An acquired taste.
- Try a Balti curry. Indian/Pakistani delight, plus reliable fish and chips. London's diversity shines in global eats—including mysterious pudding.
- Embrace day drinking. Post-work pints are British ritual. Vacation bonus: Start early, chat football with locals (they love NFL bets). Pubs close by 11 p.m.–midnight; clubs follow.
Three unmissables:
- Catch a live football match. Pure British culture, even for non-sports fans. Diehard fans sing, chant, stand whole game—like U.S. college football fervor. Five Premier League teams; we saw Fulham crush QPR 4-0 at Craven Cottage. Season: August–May.
- Hit Borough Market. Facebook crowdsourced this gem near Tower Bridge: Upscale food stalls, artisan eats. One meat pie filled me for the day.
- Iconic sights strategically. Big Ben, Tower of London, London Eye, Buckingham Palace guard change—midweek to dodge crowds. For Westminster Abbey/St. Paul's: Attend free service for entry, music, skip £20 fee.
Yes, conquer London in three days. Prioritize with a jet-lag-proof Day 1 plan, stay selective, and savor it. London awaits!
