London, like any city, comes with its own set of idiosyncrasies. With so many different cultures and districts, the 1500 square kilometre city could seem rather overwhelming. On top of this, guests of the hotels near Paddington London may have some assumptions about what locals are like here. Whilst the city is busy at rush hour and the London Underground commuters don’t tend to be very chatty, you may actually be surprised that London doesn’t fit into the classic English stereotypes as neatly as you might think.
Whether you’re visiting for a day or a week, any first visit to a city requires you to spend some time getting your bearings. For first time guests of the Park Hotel Paddington London and other central city accommodation, knowing a few of the city hacks could make you feel like a local in no time at all. This blog will offer some tips and tricks to get by in London so you can spend your time exploring.
Not Getting An Oyster Card
Oyster Cards open up a whole world of possibilities for your London travel. Whilst you can pay by contactless payment card for single fares on tubes and buses, Oysters, which cost £5, are top up cards that open up travel card options and savings when linked to your rail card. If you have an Under 25, 30 or Senior Railcard, you can link it up to your Oyster to save a third on off-peak journeys on London’s public transport.
Forgetting That Many Museums Are Free
Whilst paid attractions like Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London are well worth a visit, it’s easy to forget that many of the city’s best art and history museums are free to visit. The permanent exhibitions at the likes of the British Museum, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum are amongst the most famous in the world and could provide an entire free day out for guests of accommodation near Paddington Station London with younger kids.
Not Planning Your Travel Routes
Whether it be the rush to reach your table reservation for breakfast near Paddington London or you’re running late for a West End show, make sure to factor in some extra time for your journey. Travel apps such as CityMapper and GoogleMaps provide approximate timings for journey lengths, but don’t necessarily factor in transport delays and busy stations. Make sure to add an extra 15 minutes or so for your journey, as the busy city transport can be rather unpredictable, especially at rush hour.
Wasting Travel Fare At Rush Hour
London’s rush hour is between 6am and 9.30am and between 4pm and 7pm, and sees the city’s workers and students return to and from their places of work. It goes without saying then, that the transport system can get overcrowded. On top of this, peak time single fares cost up to a third more than at off-peak. In short, then, you’ll be paying a third more for your journey, which will also be a lot more uncomfortable. If you can avoid travelling on public transport between these times then do so, if not for your own sanity, then for your bank accounts dignity!
