Christmas in London

Whatever your reason for travelling, London offers something for everyone. And there’s no better time to visit the capital of the UK than at Christmas. There’s something about the cold English winter that leaves London looking even more iconic than usual. In addition to this, there are plenty of festive-themed attractions that pop up during Christmas in London.

On the other hand, London at Christmas time comes with large crowds, hefty prices and plenty of rainy days. But don’t let this stop you from paying a visit to London near Christmas, there are many ways to get around some of London’s cons.

Here are a few hacks that will leave you feeling like a fully-fledged ‘cockney’ when exploring London at Christmas time.

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How to Get to London from the Airport?

🚆 BY TRAIN

Traveling from the airport to central London can be a straightforward process, depending on which airport you arrive at.

How to Get to London from Luton Airport?

For those landing at London Luton Airport, the journey begins with a quick 10-minute ride on the shuttle to Luton Airport Parkway station. From there, you can catch a train that will take you to London St Pancras International in approximately 35 minutes.

This station is well-connected to several underground lines, including the 🟡 Circle Line, 🔵 Victoria Line, ⚫ Northern Line, Hammersmith & City Line, Metropolitan Line, and Piccadilly Line, making it easy to navigate the city once you arrive.

How to Get to London from Stansted Airport?

If you find yourself at London Stansted Airport, you can expect a direct train to London Liverpool Street station, which takes about 50 minutes.

This station offers access to multiple underground lines, such as the 🟡 Circle Line, 🔴 Central Line, 🟣 Elizabeth Line, Hammersmith & City Line, and Metropolitan Line, providing a variety of options for reaching your final destination in the city.

How to Get to London from Heathrow Airport?

For travelers arriving at London Heathrow, the journey is even quicker, with direct trains to London Paddington taking just 20 to 30 minutes.

Paddington Station is conveniently located near Hyde Park and connects to the 🟡 Circle Line,🟢 District Line, and 🟤 Bakerloo Line.

How to Get to London from Gatwick Airport?

For those arriving at London Gatwick Airport, you can reach either London Victoria or London Blackfriars stations in around 30 minutes.

London Victoria is served by the 🟡 Circle Line, 🟢 District Line, and 🔵 Victoria Line, while London Blackfriars connects to the 🟡 Circle Line and 🟢 District Line.

🚌💨 BUS

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, taking a bus is the way to go. You can easily purchase tickets online through platforms like Busbud, where you’ll find various operators such as National Express and Megabus, ensuring a cost-effective way to travel into the heart of London.

Christmas in London – TOP 5 Travel Hacks You Should Know

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Take Advantage of the Many Free Activities During Christmas in London

While London is one of the most expensive European cities to visit, it doesn’t mean there aren’t some fantastic ways to spend your time without spending a penny. The beauty of travelling to London at Christmas time is that the abundance of famous sights appear even more magical decked out in lights and surrounded by the chilly English frost.

Winter Wonderland, found near London’s Hyde Park, is an extremely popular Christmas attraction. But did you know entry is free during off-peak hours? If you’re looking to save money while taking in what London has to offer during December, a stroll around Winter Wonderland’s many stalls and taking in its joyous atmosphere is a great way to do so without costing a small fortune.

There are many other great free options when it comes to ways to spend your time in London over Christmas. These include free carol services such as ‘Come All Ye Faithful’ which takes place at All Souls, Langham Place. 

You’ll also find that London’s most famous streets take on a new look around Christmas time. Whether travelling solo, as a couple, or as a family, a walk down Oxford Street or Regent Street is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit.

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Master The Underground During Christmas in London

London’s roads are busy at the best of times but during Christmas, expect them to be gridlocked as thousands of tourists and sightseers flock to visit the UK’s capital. If you’re travelling to London by car, find a city centre car park to leave your car and then master London’s public transport system.

The Underground can appear daunting at first, but with a bit of prior planning, you’ll find that it’s a super easy, quick, and reliable way to get around London. This will allow you to avoid the roads, meaning you can spend less time sitting in traffic and more time exploring the city.

It’s always worth checking the walking distance between stations. The Tube map isn’t to scale, and surprisingly, it can sometimes be quicker to walk from one place to the next. Transport For London has a walking tube map that you can check.

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Purchase a Multi-Attraction Pass During Christmas in London

London is awash with things to do and see, and tourists from all over the world flock to the capital to visit some of the world’s most famous landmarks during Christmas time. While London has some great free activities, a full day of visiting London’s most renowned spots can also be rather expensive.

If you are planning to visit more than one of London’s iconic attractions, purchasing a multi-attraction pass can be a great way to save money. You can find these on many of the top attractions’ websites or Get Your Guide.

The Madame Tussauds website allows you to purchase tickets to Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, London Dungeon, SEA LIFE London Aquarium and London’s Big Bus tour, saving over 60% when compared to buying all attraction tickets individually.

If you’re looking to experience some of London‘s most iconic attractions, you can also consider purchasing the Combo Ticket for Madame Tussauds, the London Eye, and SEA LIFE through the Get Your Guide website. The Combo Ticket offers incredible flexibility, as it remains valid for a full 90 days from the moment you first use it. This extended timeframe allows you to take your time and enjoy each of these fantastic sites at your own pace.

Alternatively, The London Pass offers great value for people who are in London for an extended period of time. The London Pass allows you to choose a package between 1 and 10 days’ worth of credits which you can then spend on over 90 attractions, including the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral. Purchasing your attraction tickets this way can save you up to 50%. 

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Time Your Visits Wisely During Christmas in London

A top tip for those visiting London around Christmas is to time your visits wisely. Visiting attractions during the middle of the day is not advised if you want to avoid large crowds. Instead, visit early in the morning or late in the evening as these times are far less popular with families.

It’s also wise to check when local schools break up. The centre of London becomes far busier once kids are off school so if you’re travelling without children, a good tip is to visit the week before Christmas.

It’s also worth noting that many of London’s festivities begin in November and run into January. London’s Christmas crown jewel, Winter Wonderland, runs from 21st November to 5th January for example. A wise move could be to visit attractions in late November or early January when crowds aren’t at their peak.

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Explore Outside of the Centre During Christmas in London

If you’re unfamiliar with London, it can be easy to assume that the best area to start is the centre. While you’ll find many of London’s most well-known spots in the heart of London, don’t discount the outskirts too.

If you want to explore London like a native, spending your time in London’s suburbs is a great way to do so. At Christmas time, travelling to lesser-known markets outside of the centre will allow you to avoid the busy crowds and high prices but will also allow you to see London from a different perspective.

While the likes of Winter Wonderland and Leicester Square Christmas Market will attract the most visitors, it’s definitely worth travelling off the beaten track to experience more rural markets that offer a more native experience.

Broadway Market operates on a Saturday and is one of London’s most traditional markets. You’ll need to travel to Hackney in North London, but it’s well worth it if you want to avoid the tourist hot spots. Instead of swarms of people, you’ll be greeted by locals selling food, flowers, coffee and much more in an old Victorian setting.

Another great option is Maltby Street Market, located in Ropewalk. This is a fantastic option for food lovers but is also lesser known than the more popular Camden Market. On a weekend, Maltby Street comes alive with colour and vibrancy, as well as cuisine from all corners of the world.

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