Hi all, I’m planning a trip to London and Manchester, UK for summer 2022 (wanted to go this summer but don’t think it will happen). This will be my first international trip and I’m going solo. I’m meeting up with friends over there. I’ve been reading London travel tips and guides. I think I’ll be staying in Covent Garden or south by the Tate Modern/Tower of London. I’ll be on a modest budget for accommodations and have a shortlist of attractions I’d like to see. Any advice for a solo first time international traveler is appreciated. Thanks!
Hi I lived in London for 4 years and just loved exploring on my own on my days off
The Covent Garden to Piccadilly area is a very tourist area and is basically right in the centre of everything, the image people think of when they think of London.
Since moving out of London I have returned about once a year to visit friends. I stay at budget friendly places, my budget is usually around £100 per night.
I then choose by chain and location. I only choose hotels which are either across the street from or less than 5 /10 minutes walk from a tube station. I mainly stay at Travelodge and check the rates in various locations. The chains I would recommend would be Travelodge, Best Western and Premier Inn, in order of low price to high price.
I have stayed at
Travelodge Covent Garden - about 10 minutes walk from Covent Garden Tube Station
Travelodge Southwark - across the street from Southwark Tube Station on The Jubilee Line
Travelodge Marylebone - across the street from Marleybone Tube Station on the Bakerloo Line
Best Western Buckingham Palace Road - 5 minutes walk from Victoria Tube and Train Station
I’m a bit nervous making it through the airport and customs as I’ve only travelled by myself domestically. Trying to keep luggage to a minimum but probably bringing a medium suitcase and rolling carryon and have been researching Travelon and Pacsafe crossbody handbags and RFID travel wallets for keeping my documents and cards safe.
As a solo traveller to London, I would advice a medium roller, approx 25 pounds weight for checked in luggage and a backpack for carryon.
When you land at the airport you will need to get yourself into central London and to your hotel. The easiest and fastest way is by public transport, either Tube from Heathrow or train from Gatwick. I have done both journeys hundreds of times. You will need to be able to manage your luggage by yourself up and down elevators and stairs and walk along corridors , both in the airport and at tube stations. Trust me, you will need both hands to manage your roller on the escalators, so a backpack will be a godsend. You will be amazed at how much you will walk with your luggage.
Transatlantic flights have a weight limit of 50 pounds, but for a first timer I would not advice having a 50 pound roller. After years of solo travel to and from London, I am fine with 50 pound roller, but its not easy.
I would have a small cross body bag for your essentials such as travel documents , phone, wallet etc just so you don't have to keep rooting in your backpack for stuff. But you might find that you end up putting the cross body into your backpack as it is annoying you as you manhandle your roller on the escalators. And yes I am saying escalators and stairs. There are elevators but they may be out of service or add extra time to your transfer journeys, so many times I don't even try to find them and just use the escalators.
And stairs. Sometimes the escalators are out of service and some stations only have stairs to transfer around the station. So again, you should be capable of manhandling all your luggage yourself up and down stairs.
Thanks for the luggage advice. I’m so used to overpacking my family for WDW and having room for souvenirs.
I’m going to try and pack a capsule wardrobe but not sure I can manage just a carryon.
No need to try to just have carryon, but defiantly be aware of weight for your luggage. And remember that you will be buying things, not just souvenirs but most likely clothes. Pack less then you think and you will most likely not even use / wear everything you do actually bring.
Should I try for one wheeled carryon and personal bag or one checked bag and personal bag but not all 3?
On another thread I posted specifically about hotels, I got recs for budget hotel chains Premier inn and Travelodge. Both have really great rates in my price range but not sure if rates will go up once regular travel resumes.
One wheeled carryon and one backpack and one small cross body which can be put into the backpack. If you see a good rate, book it if it is just a reservation. The pay in advance rates are usually cheaper but they have cancellation fees. The ones which are just a reservation can usually be cancelled up to 24 hours before arrival.
I purchased a small black Travelon crossbody at TJMaxx for a great price but I kinda like this more stylish one which is a little larger. Will this draw too much attention?
Don't worry about being stylish, or drying attention. London is a very multi cultural, ethically diverse and tourist city city. Don't try to dress fancy, dress how you would at home. One of my favourite hobbies when I lived in London was spot the tourist. It was very easy to spot the tourists, dress in their fancy / smart holiday clothes , whereas locals just dressed regular. The tourists had smart stylish fancy bags which they clutched to their chest, locals had backpacks or gym bags and kept their phones and wallets in zipped pockets.
