London travel plan: How to explore the city like a local

When you’re putting together a London travel plan, a practical roadmap for navigating the city’s sights, transit, and hidden gems without falling into tourist traps. Also known as a London itinerary, it’s not about checking off landmarks—it’s about making every hour count, whether you’ve got one day or one week.

A good London travel plan starts with transport. You don’t need a taxi to get around. The Tube, Overground, and buses connect every major area, and smart planning can keep daily transit under £10. From the cheapest ride from Heathrow to skipping the line at museums with free apps, the right moves save money and time. You’ll also need to know where to eat like a local—not the fancy spots with velvet ropes, but the tiny bakeries in Peckham, the curry houses in Brick Lane, and the pub lunches in Camden that locals swear by. These aren’t just places to eat; they’re part of the rhythm of the city.

Your travel plan should also include the quiet spaces. London isn’t just Big Ben and the London Eye. It’s Waterlow Park’s ponds, St James’s Park’s pelicans, and Primrose Hill at sunset. It’s Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey, where Chaucer and Zadie Smith rest side by side. It’s the unmarked alleyways in Notting Hill where independent shops still fight to stay open. These aren’t tourist attractions—they’re the soul of the city. And they don’t cost a penny.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of must-sees. It’s a collection of real, tested ways to move through London—whether you’re here for a weekend, a semester, or a new job. You’ll get guides on budget transport, last-minute theatre tickets, affordable coworking spaces, and where to find sustainable fashion without paying designer prices. There’s advice for students, expats, photographers, and food lovers. No fluff. No generic tips. Just what works.

Forget the guidebooks. The best London travel plan isn’t written by a travel agent. It’s built by people who’ve lived it. Below, you’ll find their stories—and the practical steps you can take tomorrow to make your own trip feel less like a visit, and more like you belong here.