Top 10 Things to avoid in London

The British capital is a great place to visit and any of the London hostel will be full of budget travelers looking to have a great time in the city. Nevertheless, there are a few things visitors should try to avoid doing when visiting the capital.

Unnecessary Spending


Budget travelers should note that if they wish to save money, they should try to avoid using black cabs when traveling around the city at night. They are often expensive and there are cheaper alternatives, such as the night buses - which run all the way through the night and early morning - and pre-booked licensed minicabs, which can also offer a cheaper alternative to black cabs.

One thing to make a note of is that London Underground stations may not appear as far apart as they seem on the map. Those wishing to get from one station to the next above-ground may end up forking out unnecessarily on taxis or rickshaws, when it is just a short walking distance away. It is far more sensible and worthwhile to buy a street map which accurately shows distances, giving travelers the option of how to get to the next area or attraction.

If you want to catch a West End show while you are in town, then try to hold off from buying tickets way in advance. Instead, try queuing up outside the theater a couple of hours before the performance/show to buy one of the return tickets. They may not provide you with the best view, but there are some excellent savings to be made.

Underground Rules

One thing to keep in mind is not to buy single tickets for journeys on the London Underground, or if using the tram or buses. It is far cheaper to purchase a single-day travelcard which gives you unlimited travel on all the London transport services, perfect if there is a lot of sightseeing to do that day.

Travelers should also avoid using the Underground during the peak rush hour. This runs from 7:30 to 9:30 in the morning and 16:30 to 19:00 in the evening. You will fare slightly better if you hold off traveling during that time altogether or taking a bus or tram to get around, as they do not charge peak rates and rarely require any squashing or squeezing.

Recent laws stipulate that drinking on the London Underground is now forbidden and travelers should make sure they abide by the rules to avoid paying hefty fines and having any alcohol they may have, open or otherwise, taken away.

Visitors should make sure to stand on the right hand side of the escalator when entering or exiting Underground stations. The 'right' is generally regarded as the side for those who can remain stationary while traveling upwards or downwards, while the 'left' is generally for those that want to move freely up or down. It's a good idea to stick to this to avoid holding up commuters and causing unnecessary queues.

General Things to Avoid

Backpackers should remember to pack a coat or jacket with them, unless they are visiting in late spring or summer. The autumn and winter seasons can be very cold, especially during the night when temperatures drop rapidly.

A smoking ban has been in effect since July 2007 which restricts 'lighting-up' in all indoor public spaces and also some select outdoor areas too. This means backpackers are not allowed to smoke now in pubs, bars, clubs, restaurants, shops and even in some hostels. However, most places that do not allow smoking have designated smoking areas outside, often with heated lamps during the colder nights.

Finally, those interested in driving in London should definitely avoid doing so for two reasons. Firstly, traffic in central London can be extremely chaotic during busy times, and secondly there is a congestion charge for those who bring their cars into the busy parts of central London between 7:00 and 18:00, which can prove to be costly and time-consuming.