The first leg of my backpacking Eurotrip in 2011 started in London. I remember walking out from the underground and seeing Piccadilly Circus for the first time—seeing any European city for the first time. I was amazed by the old buildings with flashing LED signs, the double-decker buses, and groups of people huddled around the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain.
Lucky for me, the hostel I was staying at (Piccadilly Backpackers) was only one block away from all of this epicenter of excitement. After checking into your hostel, the front desk usually lets you know if there is going to be a pub crawl that night or which other nights that week. Pub crawls usually cost around £18, and that usually covers four pubs and entrance into an exclusive London nightclub. The pub crawls work out really well because you get one free drink at each pub and no cover at the last nightclub, which also includes a free drink.
Over the next couple days I explored the Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the West End, the London Eye, Parliament, and the House of Commons. There is a lot to see in London, and I feel like I only scratched the service. Just be prepared to see some of the best-looking suits you have or will ever see. No one does high fashion like London does.
London has an incredible underground rail system, but London also offers the luxury of bike rentals all around town with pick-up and drop-off locations all throughout the city. Next time I’m in London, I plan on spending at least a good four days so that I’m not rushed like I was last time and so I have time to see what I missed.
Have you been to London? What are some of your favorite sites? Let me know in the comments below!
Chums Around the World 