London Travel & Relocation Resources
I get a lot of questions from readers about travel gear, apps, hotels & SIM cards. Here’s a list of my favorites, from someone who actually uses these things daily!
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Packing Essentials
UK Sim Card – order ahead and be connected as soon as you touch down, for a fraction of the price of roaming charges.
Charging Converter – get one for each person so you can all charge your devices at the end of the day.
Power Bank – because your phone will die in the middle of the day while you’re navigating around the city.
Comfortable Shoes – These are a great year-round trainer that I wear all day long. For winter I like Blundstone boots. For any shoe, break them in well before your trip. For summer, I wear Birkenstocks because they never let my feet down.
Navigation Essentials
Citymapper – the best navigation app for London.
Oyster Card – only needed if you don’t have a different contactless payment method for each traveler over 11 (explained in detail here).
Trainline – get the best prices for trains to and from London. Take that day trip you’re planning!
Accommodation Essentials
Booking.com – easiest way to compare prices on hotels (I actually use this all over Europe as you can get points and rewards).
VRBO – I prefer VRBO over Airbnb for customer service, support and safety reasons.
Hidden Gem Hotels in London
I don’t stay in London hotels because I live here, so I’m uncomfortable recommending specific hotels…except these ones below.
These are the most commonly mentioned “hidden gem hotels” in London in every single one of my London travel communities.
For a hotel to be on this list, it had to have been mentioned at least 10 times by 10 different frequent London travelers. I also approve the location of these hotels as a great home base for your London exploration.
London Hidden Gem Hotels: 3-4 Stars (Mid-Range Budget)
⭐️ Clermont Hotel Charing Cross (from £237/night)
⭐️ The Bailey’s Hotel, Kensington (from £162/night)
⭐️ Park Plaza County Hall, Southbank (from £219/night)
⭐️ One Hundred Shoreditch (from £178/night)
⭐️ The Cumberland, Westminster (from £251/night)
⭐️ The Strand Palace Hotel (from £209/night)
⭐️ Amano Covent Garden (from £173/night)
⭐️ Westbourne Hyde Park (from £197/night)
⭐️ Middle Eight (from £258/night)
London Hidden Gem Hotels: Best Budget Options
🤑 Point A Hotels (various locations from under £100/night)
🤑 Holiday Inn (various locations from under £100/night)
🤑 Ibis Hotels (various locations from under £100/night)
🤑 Premier Inn (various locations from under £100/night)
Attraction Essentials
London Pass – see my full comparison and pick up an attraction pass, if it makes sense for you.
Viator – book tours, behind-the-scenes tickets and more.
Get Your Guide – book unique tours, attractions & tickets easily in one place.
Free Tours by Foot – learn all about London with a free walking tour!
Moving to London Resources
VRBO – find temporary accommodation.
RightMove – find permanent accommodation.
Guides: