Studying abroad in London? Get a crash course in how to make the most of time across the pond with Her Campus’s abroad guide. We spoke to collegiettes who studied in London, and they shared their tips on everything from getting around to staying safe in order to enhance your time in your new city!
What must you see while you’re living in London?
Make sure to see the iconic Big Ben—”it NEVER gets old to look at.” Unfortunately, it is under construction until 2021, but if you look hard enough, you can still see the infamous clock underneath the scaffolding!
If you visit during the nighttime, you can see Tower Bridge, which is “beautiful especially at night. And is also located next to the Tower of London.” When you walk over the bridge, you’ll “think of every British movie you have ever seen”.
Buckingham Palace is worth visiting and “is the most exquisite castle you will see; you can really feel the royalty and power exuding from the massive halls.”
Especially since you’re on a student budget, “take advantage of the free museums! The history museum is amazing and the Victoria and Albert Museum is gorgeous. And a great way to experience the culture.”
In search for a great view of the city? Go for a ride on the London Eye “at night and see how the city lights up all the way from Big Ben to St. Paul’s” or “ride a bus, top deck. You can cruise around the city like a local.”
Wanting to check out a local pub? The Hawley’s Arms pub “was a favorite of Amy Winehouse.” Insider tip: if you’re wanting to save some money but still want a great view, check out The Sky Garden. It will still “give you the same views as the London Eye, but for free!”
If you’re a political or history buff, the Churchill and Roosevelt statue on Bond St “is a must”. St. Paul’s Cathedral is “gorgeous even if you don’t want to pay to get in because of its prime location.” Parliament and Hyde Park both “show significant history” and “are truly beautiful places.” Westminster Abbey is also worth a visit.
For all your food dreams, South Bank has “the best burgers ever (at Bleecker St).” The area also has the British Film Institute and “beautiful graffiti artwork.” Stroll through the Trafalgar Square, which “feels different than the movies make it out to be, but definitely still worth it.” Carnaby Street in Soho and Piccadilly Circus are also must-sees. At night, Leicester Square is “so beautifully lit up and full of people walking around.”
For a unique excursion, Greenwich is a “humongous ship you can tour in, with an observatory and adorable houses and parks.”
Related: 17 Things Only People Who’ve Studied Abroad in London Understand
Which tourist sites are skippable?
Although Hyde Park is nice, Regent’s Park is “less busy, but all the same beautiful flowers and greenery.” The tour of Buckingham Palace is not very special “unless the Royals are in town, which is rare.”
“While, yes, it’s cool to see where the queen lives, you basically only see the major rooms, it’s expensive, it takes a while and it’s not very exciting.”
If you love the Beatles, it makes sense that you would want to see Abbey Road. However, “it is flocked with people and a lot of local traffic due to the tourists.”
Visit the stunning grounds at Kensington Palace, “but the tour of the palace is so not worth the money.”
Kew Gardens is also skippable. Save some money and guide yourself at The Tower of London. Although it can be “a cool thing to see, you do have to pay to get in and then once you are in you have to pay for a tour guide to get any more real information.”
Where can I get souvenirs?
Souvenirs can be found “anywhere in Westminster.” For “super cute and original souvenir ideas” check out “We Built This City in Carnaby.”
In Piccadilly Circus, “there is a three-floor souvenir shop called Cool Britannia that literally has everything souvenir-related that you will ever need.” The Buckingham Palace Gift Shop, Borough and Camden, and Oxford St. are also good places to look for souvenirs. Some of “the best souvenir shops are gonna be located at the markets.” Weekend markets like Portobello Market are the place to go for “take-home goodies.”
Best places to buy clothes?
For all your shopping needs, “Oxford Street has everything, and Regent Street/Carnaby Street has the famous Liberty London store.”
Big names like Primark, Topshop, Zara are also great places to go shopping. There are “some gems of vintage stores, but they’re expensive.” Camden Lock is also a popular place to get clothes. “Mango and Zara are everywhere.”
What’s the best way to get around?
“The easiest method of transportation is the tube,” so make sure to “sign up for a student tube pass!” Some of the Tube lines now have a night tube service which runs 24/7.
“Avoid rush hour though; like 3 to 6 pm. Keep an eye on your things since it WILL get super packed at times.” However, if you have time to spare and want to see the city, the bus is the way to go—“it really allows you to see the city so you aren’t stuck underground.”
At night, it can be worth using Uber because “it’s sometimes cheaper if you split it.” If you’re staying super central, the way to go is to just walk around London because it can help you to immerse yourself “into British culture. Also, an hour walk isn’t terrible when you’re in one of the most amazing places in the world.” Some other benefits of opting to walk? “Maybe you’ll walk by an art exhibit and walk in! Free food is everywhere.”
Where should I go with my parents?
Treat your parents to incredible views at “one of the restaurants at Harrods or The Shard—the views make it worth the splurge.” The Skygarden at the Walkie-Talkie building also offers “amazing views of the city!”
“If your parents are buying dinner, go to the Seven Dials (tons of restaurants around there!) or Carnaby. Those locations are very popular and produce good food. Also, they are very central and your parents won’t worry about what type of places you go. It brings you to the perfect spot to take a night walk after dinner and see the Thames, Regent Street or the West End.”
For Indian food, check out Dishoom, “an incredible Indian restaurant and the atmosphere is super fun.” Kimchee has amazing Korean food and “really good kimchi and bibimbap.” If you’re craving Mexican, head on over to the Wahaca—it has “the best burritos EVER! It’s a London original and is super popular with locals.”
The Orangery Room in Kensington Gardens and Salsa for dinner in Leicester Square are also restaurants worth checking out. Want to dine at Princess Diana’s favorite restaurant? Go to Da Mario, which has “amazing food and pretty good price for the area.”
“Heliot Steak House is one of the highest-rated in London and is located in Leicester Square. It is inside of a massive casino, and is a really nice place to get dinner with your parents.”
Any great restaurant recommendations?
Nando‘s is a good “go-to for going out for dinner, as well as Dinerama in Shoreditch, which was a bunch of food stands with all different things! Try the donuts! Also, GBK is amazing, burgers are so good, plus they have gluten-free ones!”
Hummus lovers need to check out Yalla Yalla in Soho.
The best pizza in London is at Homeslice in the Seven Dials—“it’s so worth the price.” Ciao Bella is another Italian place in Bloomsbury and “it’s super authentic and really fun. There’s live music and it’s awesome.”
If you’re looking to splurge, sketch is worth going to. “It’s a very extravagant and fancy restaurant where all the celebs go when they’re in London and it is truly worth it. Every room in the place is decorated a certain way and it always changes.”
Cereal Killer café, The Breakfast Club, and The Diner are all restaurants worth trying. If you love Spanish food, look no further than the “Spanish restaurants near Goodge Street.”
Where can I get authentic British food?
Looking for authentic British dishes? “Camden Market has all sorts of food, and they have authentic fish & chips stands!”
Notting Hill is another go-to place for “anything British. It was Julia Roberts’s favorite place while filming the movie [Notting Hill]!”
Borough Market also has a wide variety of food. If you want a drink, “go to any pub with tons of people standing outside. It may be crowded but you will get a good pint of something…and get any dish with meat and potatoes.” For those who love a dark brew, try a Guinness and “Strongbow for those who like sweet and IPA for the rest of you.” Insider tip: “the closer to Trafalgar Square, the more touristy the pubs get.” The Horniman by Hay’s Gallery is worth visiting.
Where should I go for an authentic night on the town?
Check out karaoke Thursdays at the Walkabout Temple— “a lot of locals were there! Great pregame spot with their happy hour. Also, the Camden Pub Crawl is a mix of American and Brits!”
Shoreditch is “the young person borough of London. On Thursdays, they have tons of art galleries open and there are clubs on every street corner.”
During the summer, there is a festival running at the South Bank “with food stalls, beer, and fair rides. You drink a little bit, have a merry ride back on the tube (if it’s not too late) and see what else you can find.” Pop Brixton is “a gem with great gyoza and it’s always exciting. Look on their websites and Facebook pages to see what events are coming up!” For an exciting nightclub, go to Chelsea; “the Brits go hard, so make sure you are wearing heels, but bring comfortable shoes in your bag!”
“KOKO, Zoo Bar, Slug, Dirti Martini, Ministry of Sound, South Kensington and The Book Club are all places worth spending a night out at.
TGI Fridays is “a thing in London among the younger crowd. With great (and massive) drinks at affordable prices and made-to-share appetizers, TGI Fridays is a fun and relaxed environment to have dinner with friends in.”
Ruby Blue in Leicester Square, 1 Big Night Out Pub Crawl, Zoo Bar, Grace Bar are all worth visiting. To experience one of London’s most historic clubs, check out The Electric Ballroom.
“It is a massive space with two very different experiences. Downstairs, they play mostly alternative music: Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Mumford and Sons etc., while upstairs they play mostly Top 40 hits. Drinks get expensive, but the cover is cheap and so worth it.”
If you want an authentic London night out, a pub crawl may be your best bet like one in Soho because you can walk “around to places that look cool.” “There are tons of great pubs and bars.”
If you like clubbing, try Mahiki, Heaven on Monday nights and Cirque Le Soir—“it’s so easy to find a promoter on social media and get on a list!” Tiger Tiger in Piccadilly Circus is “an extremely popular London club that draws a big student crowd. With club nights offered to UK students, prices are manageable and it’s definitely worth going to at least once.”
Related: The Ultimate Study Abroad Packing List
Where do Americans go out?
An American favorite is O’Neill’s “because there is no cover. There is one in Chinatown and another in Carnaby.” A bar called Be At One “has amazing student discounts.” For karaoke nights, check out Walkabout, where you’ll “get to hang out with the Americans” and see “tons of Americans belting out ‘Don’t Stop Believing.’” Camden Pub Crawl is “mostly American study abroad students or travelers.”
What are good grab-and-go spots?
For convenience, Pret A Manger “is on every corner and really isn’t that bad, same goes for Leon and Caffe Nero. Try to find small local places.”
For amazing salads, go to Pure— “it’s so delicious.”
And coffee lovers rejoice! Waitrose “allows you to get a free coffee every day if you become a member (which is free).” Itsu “is terrible if you consider it Japanese, but when you just look at it as food, it’s quite good to pick up and eat in a park.” Local market chains like Sainsbury’s and Tesco “have three-pound meals that include a meal, a snack and a drink.”
If you’re “near the Richmond campus there is a 24-hour McDonalds on Kensington High Street that hits the spot.” For all your chicken cravings, go to Nando’s. It’s a chicken-based restaurant “that is life. You need to try peri-peri chips.”
“Boots Pharmacy is also great for grab-and-go food like sandwiches and small snacks.” Bill’s is also a good spot.
What are must-eat and must-drink items in London?
Fish & chips are a staple London dish that you must try. For drinks, “all of their American brand soda tastes sweeter. Caffè Nero coffee shop has the best vanilla lattes you’ll ever have.”
Since London is an international city with tons of diverse cuisines, “try Indian curry, try German schnitzel, try Japanese sushi (the authentic kind), just be open to anything.”
The drinks are also worth trying, like Pimms, which can’t be found in America—“it’s the quintessential British drink. Drink all the cider, all different types. We don’t realize how much better than beer it is. Buy a fancy wine from Sainsbury’s and casually drink it at home. Don’t go overboard though.”
London bars also “have a ton of different ciders that are so great.”
Some other must-try foods are “Yorkshire pudding and steak and ale pie,” tea and digestives, which are “a form of a cookie.”
“Order some bangers and mash and feel like a real Englishwoman.” You can see the difference in London’s McDonald’s—“it’s against the law to use preservatives so you can really taste the difference.”
I want to make the most of my time in London. What should I do?
Although it can come with a costly price tag, “seeing a Premier League game is a unique experience you can’t get anywhere else. Tickets are mainly for season ticket holders, but there are plenty of reliable resale websites that many people sell game tickets on.”
“Go to the Food Markets (Borough and Camden)! It’s the best place to meet locals and taste the best food in the world.”
“Try to spot the Queen” and head on over to Buckingham Palace to see “the changing of the guards at least once.”
“Even though it’s all Americans, the Camden Pub Crawl is one of the most fun things you’ll ever do.” Trivia night at a local pub is also worth checking out.
For nature lovers, “go to Hampstead Heath and go on some hikes” or “go boating in Hyde Park.”
For a British experience, “get tea at a fancy place” such as sketch.
If you’re in London during the fall semester, “definitely check out the Winter Wonderland festival in Hyde Park! They transformed the park into a winter carnival and it was amazing.”
“Check out a play on the West End.”
At the end of the day, “just be open to meeting new people wherever you are, they are super friendly and really cool!”
Any great day trips in the area?
For a beach getaway, check out “Brighton! It’s a beach town south of London and it’s just a quick hour train ride away.”
Marvel at the power at Stonehenge. There are “lots of great small cities in the UK” like Bath, Castle Combe, Brighton Beach, and Stonehenge.
If you want to explore castles, go up North. Hampton Court Palace is a palace worth visiting.
For a sporty excursion, head to “Manchester to see a Manchester City soccer/football game!” Windsor, Oxford, and Cambridge are all trips worth taking.
How will my phone work?!
You can get “a new SIM card with everything—texting, calls, and data. If your carrier is nice and lets you have data abroad, just do that. Don’t get a whole new phone. Just have it unlocked and get a pay-as-you-go SIM.” Getting a new SIM card with an English number can be “way cheaper than having to get international minutes.”
If you bring an iPhone, “make sure it’s unlocked before you arrive, and store your original SIM card in a safe place. Then once you get to London, order giffgaff. You get a lot of data and unlimited texting for very cheap.” The company Three lets “you pay a certain number of pounds for unlimited data and a certain amount of calling and texting minutes per month. You don’t need to open an account or anything and it has reliable service.”
Even if you don’t have a phone, no fear because you will be “able to find wifi in a lot of places” and can use messaging apps like iMessage with wifi. For instance, if you have an iPhone, it’s easy to “communicate to home as well as with your study abroad friends via iMessage” which does not use call or texting minutes. Make sure to “take care of your phone! Not even London is safe from pickpocketers.”
What do I absolutely need to pack?
With the rainy weather, “do not forget a raincoat” and an umbrella, but leave the boots at home because “no one wears rainboots.” Since the weather changes very often, bring “a wide variety of jackets to make sure you have a diverse range of things to wear. Layers are important too”, and warm socks. Clothing wise, also pack clothes hangers and “a fancy dress because you never know where you will go.”
Also, bring “good shoes, a travel journal, converters for all of the different countries. DON’T pack hair straighteners, blow dryers, curling irons—buy them there even if they’re dual voltage.”
For food needs, pack food seasoning and hot sauce because “if you’re a fan of Mexican or spicy food, then life will be hell. Also any American snacks you like such as hot Cheetos. American things are EXPENSIVE there, and rare, at that!”
In case you do a lot of shopping, “pack a duffel in your luggage. That way, you have a bag ready to put all your souvenirs when coming back.”
“You’ll need a portable charger.”
“Bring your preferred makeup”, because it might be hard to find your favorites there.
Some other insider tips: “get an Oyster card (public transportation), learn how to cook for yourself, and don’t bring flashy clothes—it’s not the ‘London’ style.”
Related: 9 Mistakes to Avoid When You Study Abroad
Where should people stay when they visit me?
Airbnb is a great way to go, because “everything is way more expensive in the UK, especially in London. So if you can, find a family member or friend that your parents can stay with, otherwise, they will break the bank.” If you’re looking to stay in a great location, check out The Bloomsbury.
“Marriott in South Kensington and Grosvenor House are great for parents.” For friends, “there is a student hostel by Kings Cross.” “If they want a British experience, your parents should stay at a bed and breakfast.” Try not to stay near Big Ben—”the prices are way too expensive.”
“Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire in Leicester Square is centrally located and really great for when parents visit. It is close to Piccadilly Circus, Buckingham Palace and South Bank (where the Eye is) and is spacious, comfortable and near many restaurants.”
Any tips on staying safe?
“It’s very safe, but don’t walk alone at night, especially in Camden or the City.”
“Try to not take the tube or bus home alone after 10 pm, try not to look lost, and download the City Mapper app.”
Always try to be aware of your surroundings, because “pickpocketers are very talented, so just keep your purse and bags closed and in front of you. Also, when walking try not to be looking down at your phone.”
“Use cross-body bags only and look confident.”
“It’s not a scary place, but it’s always good to have a buddy.”
“Walk in groups, protect your phone, lock all doors and windows when you’re gone and don’t get run over because cars have the right of way.”
Keep in mind that “their alcohol content is far different” so try not to “drink too much.”
As long as you are aware, “you’ll be fine.”
Any tips on the abroad programs?
Regent’s University London (RACL) “has good on-campus housing and a dining hall. It’s in Regent’s Park which is amazing and just a five-minute walk from Baker Street Station.” If you’re studying there, “take George Yeats for English.” There is also “a great library on campus at RACL”, so you don’t have “to go far to find a place to study.”
Florida State University “takes pride in its program for a reason. The trips are extensive, the location is amazing, and the atmosphere of living in a 17th-century townhouse makes you truly feel integrated in the city. You can study during any season!”
“Classes at NYU London only meet once a week for three hours each” because they “want every person to have time to actually explore the city” while studying abroad, giving you more control over your schedule.
“Take art history with Margo if you study through USAC At Imperial College! She is absolutely brilliant and you learn so much!”
At Arcadia University, staying in the Marylebone or Alexander Fleming dorms is recommended. “Marylebone dorms are smaller but nicer, and Fleming dorms are bigger but a little older. Marylebone is located in a more central/businessy area, and Fleming is in Shoreditch, which is a hip, young area.”
The American Institute of Foreign Study has “so much to do for the American students. They make sure you get to experience local culture and had so much for us to do. AIFS also has American advisors on campus and the ones in London were incredible and so helpful.” Make sure to “do the walking tours and activities your program sets up in the first few days, they are a great way to get familiar with the local area and meet other people in your program.” Go on as “many group excursions as possible with the group, even if it costs money. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so the money you’re spending is worth it.”
Try to “avoid Marketing, the professors are not that great. DEFINITELY take World Religions, it is the coolest class you will ever take at Regent’s University London.”
“Being in a program like UC Center London that hooks you up with Oyster cards would be beneficial because otherwise, it’s expensive to get around! Regarding the program, “make sure to submit any maintenances ASAP because they take a while. Also, it took me a while to figure out how to use the washer because it’s so different.”