10 London Tourist Mistakes to Avoid (Lessons From 15 Years of Visits)

London is one of those cities we keep coming back to.

Our first trip together was around New Year’s 2010/2011, and since then we’ve visited more times than I can easily count. As a couple, with our kids, staying in different neighbourhoods and discovering something new almost every time.

After more than 15 years of visiting the city, we’ve picked up a few London tourist mistakes worth sharing, including some we’ve made ourselves.

Like why the cheapest hotel isn’t always the best deal, why you shouldn’t take the Underground everywhere, and why some famous attractions simply aren’t worth the money. At least not to us.

So here are 10 London tourist mistakes to avoid, based on our actual experiences, a few disappointments and the things we’d do differently today.

Where to Stay and How to Get Around London

1. Booking a Cheap Hotel Too Far From Everything

One of our biggest London mistakes was staying in Willesden Green.

There’s nothing wrong with the neighbourhood itself, but getting back there after a full day exploring central London became annoying. Especially late in the evening when all you want is to get to your room.

And staying far from a convenient Tube station makes things even worse.

Over the years, we’ve stayed in Earl’s Court, Paddington, Canary Wharf, Waterloo and several other areas.

On our latest trip, we chose Premier Inn London Waterloo, and the location was fantastic. We could walk straight to the South Bank, reach Westminster easily and had convenient transport connections for everything else.

My tip: Before booking accommodation, check the actual journey to the places you want to visit. And check how far you’ll have to walk from the Tube station to your hotel.

A slightly more expensive hotel in a better location can be worth every penny.

2. Taking the Underground Everywhere

I love the London Underground. But you really don’t need it for every journey.

Many of London’s biggest attractions are surprisingly close together.

On our latest trip, we walked from the London Eye past Big Ben, Horse Guards and Trafalgar Square.

Another day, we followed the Thames from the London Eye toward Tower Bridge.

Both walks were fantastic.

And that’s the thing about London. Walking between attractions is often an experience in itself. You discover streets, buildings and little places you’d completely miss underground.

Before entering another Tube station, check how long the walk would take.

You might be surprised.

For longer journeys, our London Underground Guide covers the transport basics.

We even tested walking against taking the Underground in our own little London race. You can watch how it went below. 😅

View this post on Instagram

3. Standing on the Wrong Side of the Escalator

Stand on the right. Seriously.

Londoners take escalator etiquette seriously, especially on the Underground.

Stand on the right, leave the left clear for people walking past, and don’t stop at the top while figuring out where you’re going.

Also, let people off the train before trying to get on.

Simple things, but they’ll save you a few annoyed looks. 😅

London Attractions That Aren’t Always Worth the Money

4. Assuming Every Famous Attraction Is Worth Visiting

Just because an attraction appears on every London must-see list doesn’t mean you need to visit it.

Take Madame Tussauds.

Personally, I wouldn’t spend my money on it. Looking at celebrity wax figures simply isn’t how I want to spend my time in London.

If that’s something you enjoy, absolutely go for it.

But London has so much to offer that I’d rather spend that money on an experience I’m genuinely excited about.

My tip: Don’t book attractions just because everyone else does. Build your London itinerary around what you actually enjoy.

5. Paying for City Views When Free Alternatives Exist

One of our favourite discoveries on our latest London trip was Horizon 22.

It’s a viewing platform high above the City of London, with incredible views across the skyline.

And standard entry is completely free.

We reserved our time slot, went up, enjoyed the views and even had coffee overlooking the city.

There are some fantastic paid observation experiences in London, but if you simply want a great skyline view, I’d check Horizon 22 first.

You can reserve your free ticket through the official Horizon 22 website.

It’s one of those experiences I’d happily recommend to anyone visiting London.

6. Expecting Every Historic Landmark to Blow You Away

Here’s one that might upset a few people.

The Tower of London didn’t impress me that much.

I appreciate its history, and I completely understand why it’s one of London’s most famous attractions.

But when we visited, the experience didn’t live up to my expectations.

Maybe I expected too much. Maybe historic fortresses just aren’t my favourite type of attraction.

Whatever the reason, I wouldn’t personally pay to visit again.

That doesn’t mean you should skip it if you’re interested in British history, the Crown Jewels or medieval London.

But if your time and budget are limited, don’t feel you have to visit every famous landmark.

Making the Most of Your Time in London

7. Trying to Squeeze Too Much Into One Day

This is something we’ve gradually changed about the way we travel.

On earlier trips, we often wanted to see absolutely everything. Another museum, another landmark, another famous street.

Now, some of our favourite London experiences involve simply walking around.

My number one recommendation? Walk the South Bank.

Start near the London Eye and follow the Thames toward Tower Bridge.

You’ll pass famous landmarks, bridges, street performers, cafés and plenty of places worth stopping along the way.

And you don’t need to pay for any attraction to enjoy it.

It’s one of my favourite things to do in London, whether we’re visiting for the first time in years or returning just a few months later.

Sometimes the best travel memories happen when you’re not rushing to your next booking.

8. Only Visiting the Famous Tourist Areas

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge are famous for good reason.

But London is much more than those landmarks.

We’ve always loved exploring Camden, for example.

It’s changed considerably since our first visits around 15 years ago, and parts of it feel much more commercial now.

But I still enjoy wandering around the market, visiting Cyberdog and grabbing pasta from The Cheese Wheel.

On our latest trip, we continued along Regent’s Canal from Camden toward Coal Drops Yard and King’s Cross.

It was a brilliant walk and a completely different experience from Westminster.

We’ve also spent time around Canary Wharf, which feels almost like another city compared with central London.

My tip: Give yourself at least half a day to explore one neighbourhood beyond the classic sightseeing route.

9. Assuming Early-Morning London Will Be Empty and Beautiful

We had a brilliant idea for our latest London trip.

Rent bikes, head out before sunrise and film London before the city woke up.

Sounds perfect, right?

Well, not exactly.

It was darker than expected, several areas had roadworks and fences, and some landmarks weren’t illuminated the way we’d imagined.

There was also more traffic than expected.

We even spotted a fox, which was probably one of the highlights. 😂

Eventually, we abandoned the original filming plan.

I still think London early in the morning can be fantastic. But don’t assume every street will be empty or every landmark will look incredible in the dark.

Check sunrise times, plan your route and remember that London is a working city, even before most tourists wake up.

Personally, I’d rather enjoy a relaxed walk around sunrise than force another ambitious cycling adventure.

And yes, we filmed our attempt at seeing London before it woke up. Let’s just say the reality didn’t quite match the plan. 😂

View this post on Instagram

Don’t Forget London’s Evening Experiences

10. Spending Every Evening Just Walking Around Tourist Areas

London doesn’t suddenly become boring when the attractions close.

And one of our favourite discoveries was Top Secret Comedy Club.

We visited on our latest trip and had such a good time.

It’s a relatively small stand-up comedy venue, with a completely different atmosphere from London’s big theatres and arenas.

Just comedians, an audience and plenty of laughs.

We loved it.

If you’re visiting as a couple or with friends, I’d definitely consider adding a comedy night to your itinerary.

You can check upcoming performances at the Top Secret Comedy Club website.

Of course, London also has concerts, theatre, live music and countless other evening experiences.

My point is simple: don’t spend every evening doing more of the same sightseeing. Find something that makes the trip memorable.

Final Thoughts: What I’d Do Differently in London

After more than 15 years of visiting London, I’ve realised that the best trip isn’t necessarily the one where you visit the most attractions.

It’s the one where you enjoy the city.

Stay somewhere convenient, walk whenever possible, skip attractions that don’t interest you and leave room for unexpected discoveries.

For us, London is at its best when we’re wandering along the Thames, exploring a neighbourhood or laughing through a comedy show.

And if you’re looking for something beyond the classic attractions, check out our 3 Days in London for Repeat Visitors itinerary.

London always gives us a reason to come back.

Just maybe not to Willesden Green again. 😅

Was this guide useful? Buy TravelDad a coffee. It probably won’t pay for the next family trip, but it might cover an airport coffee. 

London Tourist Mistakes: FAQ

What should you avoid doing as a tourist in London?

Avoid booking accommodation without checking transport connections, taking the Underground for every short journey, blocking escalators and filling your itinerary with attractions you’re not genuinely interested in.

Is it better to stay in central London?

Not always. Hotels farther from the centre can offer better value, but make sure you’re close to convenient transport. Consider how long it will take to return after a full day sightseeing.

Is the Tower of London worth visiting?

If you’re interested in British history, medieval fortifications and the Crown Jewels, it can be an excellent choice. Personally, I didn’t enjoy it enough to visit again.

Can you walk between London’s main attractions?

Absolutely. Many central London landmarks are within comfortable walking distance. Westminster, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and the South Bank are especially good areas to explore on foot.

What are the best free things to do in London?

My favourites are walking along the South Bank and visiting Horizon 22 for free panoramic views. Both are experiences I’d happily repeat.

How many days do you need in London?

Three full days is a good starting point for a first visit, although you’ll need to choose your priorities. Even after many visits, we still find new things to do.