London is a city with an unparalleled pace. From the Gatwick airport transfers to Buckingham Palace tours, there are ways to enjoy this pace on the run.
Some cities truly never sleep. Even when the majority of its inhabitants find time to rest, London still buzzes. From the business suits that flock in frenzy on the streets around the Gherkin, to the partying folk who take over Soho when the sun sets, there is no end to the activity in England's capital.
For a first time visitor, the pace can be somewhat overwhelming. This is why you need to take a deep breath and plan before you plunge into this great city on the run.
Consider Your Flavour
The first step to enjoying the pace of the city is to choose your 'flavour'. What do you want to see? Where to you want to go? Whether you are coming from Heathrow, Stansted or Gatwick, airport transfers need to be planned to fit around the sphere of your intended activity if you want to avoid wasting time checking your watch impatiently in traffic. Camden, East End, South Bank and Shoreditch all boast their own delights, and the limits to your enjoyment are only a matter of selection.
Position Your Stay
Once you have done some research and decided you want to see the grand edifices, stroll through the imposing museums, eat your way through Brick Lane, or even an ambitious combination of these, then, and only then, should you plan your accommodation. London is simply too big to waste time crossing the city from your ideal abode to your ideal tour. For example, Gatwick airport transfers, bus trips or train rides may well be smooth and easy, but they will nonetheless take time. You simply don't want to add more time on top of this travelling around the tube squinting at the map above the seats opposite because you've booked into a nice cottage B&B ten stations away from the sights you want to see.
Don't Get Caught in Traffic
Pace and frenetic energy have their drawbacks. The chief among these, found in all bustling metropolises, is traffic. It doesn't matter if you are coming from Heathrow, Stansted or Gatwick, airport transfers, buses and trains, or a medley of all three will introduce you to London's famous traffic dilemmas. Planning when to take a cab or the tube, and knowing how to in advance, can actually make you appreciate getting around such a big city, and sometimes delays can be avoided.
Don't Waste Traffic Time
At other times, they simply cannot. Few people plan a busy holiday to one of the world's most famous cities based on what they will be doing when stuck behind seven trucks or endless buses or in a delayed train! But it is worthwhile to factor inevitable traffic delays into your journey. When heading out to Heathrow or Gatwick, airport transfers make a wiser investment, as a train and bus combination can add another hour and a half to an hour long wait in a customs and immigrations queue.
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