Category: London

London is not a big place, in the sense that it is not an urban sprawl, especially for the places you may want to sightsee on your first visit, but it’s also not walking distance between all the major attractions. Well no, that’s not really true, you could do it, but if you are here for a limited time, you want to make the best of the time you have and interminable walking is not the thing to be doing.

It’s best to have a plan, and to be realistic in that, you’re not going to see everything. Listen, on and off I have lived here for 40 years and I haven’t seen everything (whatever that means). There are always hidden gems, and things changing (and also stuff to avoid like the plague).

So, do your research and have a plan. Make a list of must see places, and then see what other things there are in the same area.

For example, if Tower of London is on your list, see also Tower Bridge, the river, the Bank of England, St Paul’s, the Monument… thie list is endless. Be prepared to queue, and allow time to just amble around to look at the world and soak up the atmosphere. A holiday where you dash from one place to another, tiring yourself out and barely remembering what you saw, is not, in my opinion at least, a holiday, certainly not restful.

I know people who visited London a few years ago and top of their list was the Natural History Museum. They spent their first day there. The next day they went back. The next day, the Science Museum, and so on. And they absolutely loved it. It was something they did not have at home, it was free (actually) and they had a great time.

Someone mentioned to me the other day that getting a taxi in London was a problematic things. So, here are some tips. Most would apply to any big city in the world, I suppose. No-one can deny that a taxi is a great way to travel. Door to door, of course. Usually they are clean.

Not all black cabs in London are black. There are some with different colours, and some with advertising on. You can recognise them all by the yellow hire light in the top part of the roof.

Do not try to hail a taxi if the yellow light is not on. They won’t stop. Also, don’t try to hail a taxi at a bus stop, road junction, pedestrian crossing or anywhere that is unsafe, or narrow. Or get out ditto.

Before you get in, tell the driver where you want to go. If you have a written address, this often helps. If the driver has stopped, and your destination is within a reasonable distance, they have to take you. If the driver had his yellow light on but says “I’m not going that way”, get his or her number (on the back) and report them. Very long distances can be refused.

All cabs take plastic cards, but double check with the driver before you enter. It has become a ‘thing’ to get a taxi and then say to the driver “I need to call at a bank machine before I can pay you”. I’m surprised this is not illegal. I know some drivers will accept this, but tell them first.

There are a lot of taxis in central London, but sometimes they are all busy. Theatre coming out time, for example, can be tricky.

Taxis are metered. You pay extra for bags etc and there is a minimum fare. In rush hours, you still pay if you are stuck in a traffic jam. You can ask the driver what it will cost to get to yor destination, roughly, before you start. There are companies, such as ComCab, which allow you to book taxis in advance but they are still metered.

Taxi drivers like a tip. Once upon a time, they expected it, but now they are just grateful. If they help you above and beyond the call of duty, a nice tip is essential. There is no set rule. 10% to 15% of the fare is OK, more is nicer. Rounding up is a good idea, if it makes sense. so, a fare of £17.50 might become £20 and “keep the change”.

If you can plan ahead, a minicab service, such as Addison Lee, may be a better choice. You can book in advance on-line or using an app (or telephone of course), pay by card and it would be a fixed fare (ie you know what it will cost before you set off).

The TfL site is very helpful: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares