London Tourist Essentials: What You Need to Know Before You Go

When you’re planning a trip to London tourist essentials, the practical basics every visitor needs to navigate the city smoothly and affordably. Also known as London travel basics, these are the non-negotiables that turn a confusing visit into a confident one. This isn’t about museums or landmarks—it’s about how to move, spend, eat, and survive in a city that moves fast and doesn’t always make it easy for newcomers.

You can’t talk about London transport, the complex but efficient system of Tube, DLR, buses, and Overground that gets people across the city. Also known as London public transport, it’s the backbone of every visit. Knowing how to tap your Oyster card, claim a refund after an overcharge, or find a step-free station isn’t just helpful—it saves time, stress, and cash. The DLR might seem confusing at first, but once you get it, it’s faster than the Tube in East London. And if you’re staying more than a few days, the London Pass? It only makes sense if you’re hitting three or more paid attractions a day. Most people don’t need it.

Then there’s London currency, the British pound, with its unfamiliar coins, cash habits, and card-only culture. Also known as UK money, it trips up visitors constantly. You won’t find many places that take dollars or euros. ATMs are everywhere, but always choose to pay in pounds—never let the machine offer you dynamic currency conversion. Cards work almost everywhere, but small cafes, market stalls, and some museums still prefer cash. Keep a few £10 and £20 notes handy. And yes, you can get free coffee or a sandwich if you know where to look—there are vegan donut shops, cheap dim sum spots, and £5 plant-based meals hiding in plain sight.

And let’s not forget London attractions, the mix of world-famous sites and hidden local gems that define what the city offers. Also known as London sights, they range from the National Portrait Gallery’s powerful faces to Roman ruins under a parking lot. You don’t need to pay for everything. The National Gallery, the V&A, and the British Museum? Free. The best views? They’re often from bridges or public parks, not paid observation decks. The real magic isn’t in the big names—it’s in Neal’s Yard’s colorful walls, the quiet corners of the London Library, or a live jazz set in a pub where no one’s wearing a suit.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of things to do—it’s a collection of real, tested advice from people who live here or visit often enough to know the difference between a tourist trap and a local favorite. Whether you’re a student on a budget, a vegan looking for filling meals, a jewelry shopper avoiding scams, or someone just trying to figure out how to get from Heathrow to your hotel without getting ripped off—every post here cuts through the noise. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.