Trip to London

London attracts tourists like a magnet. Everyone wants to see with their own eyes a red double decker, a red telephone booth, Her Majesty's guardsman in a bear hat, wax dolls of Madame Tussauds, the Tower and Big Ben - what they talked about at school English lessons under the general heading “London is the capital of Great Britain".

However, the real London is not an animated picture from a textbook. Ancient buildings here side by side with ultra-modern skyscrapers and panel houses, elite shops with flea markets, prim restaurants with unassuming pubs. In a huge metropolis there is a place for a historical center, and simple working areas, and ambitious new buildings - such as the London Eye and the Millennium Dome. A trip to London, one of the most unusual, dynamic and expensive cities in the world, will meet all your expectations and, for sure, surprise you with something.

How to get to London?

Because the UK is island nation and located quite far from of Eastern Europe, then it is most logical to get to its capital by plane. From Moscow airports, direct flights to London are provided by several airlines at once: Transaero, Aeroflot, British Airways and easyJet. Travel time is 4 hours. Only British Airways planes fly directly from St. Petersburg, delivering to London in 3.5 hours. Aeroflot, Transaero, S7 Airlines, UIA, airBaltic, Finnair, SAS and many other airlines have transfer options. Direct flights from Kyiv to London take 3.5 hours, direct flights can be chosen from airlines such as WizzAir, Ukraine International Airlines and British Airways.

A large number of air travel offers can confuse both an inexperienced tourist and an experienced traveler. To find the right flight for best price it is convenient to use the site Aviasales.ru. Here is a huge and well-organized database of all available flights and their prices. In addition, information on promotions, discounts and special offers of airlines often appears on Aviasales. To learn how to buy the cheapest flights to London, read the tips from Ever.Travel.

Where to stay in London?

The British capital is conditionally divided into 32 districts (“borough”), of which 12 boroughs form Inner or Greater London, that is, the historical center, and the remaining 20 are the former outskirts that gradually merged into the city limits.

Hotels in London are quite expensive. Public transport prices are also very high. Therefore, if your goal is to visit the main attractions, you should prefer areas that are part of Greater London. In this case, the method of choosing a hotel away from the center in order to save money does not always work, since you can spend all the difference on travel, plus you will steal 1.5-2 hours of your time daily. So, which area of ​​London is the best place to stay while on holiday?

City

The City deserves special mention. City of London is not one of the 32 boroughs and is a separate metropolitan area with special privileges. This is the very heart of London, which appeared within the boundaries of the ancient Roman city of Londinium. Today it is the largest Finance center not only Britain, but all of Europe. Among the sights here are St. Paul's Cathedral, the Great Fire of London Monument, the London Stock Exchange and the Mary Ax skyscraper. Staying here is expensive, and worth it only if you want to feel the rhythm of the capital or come for work.

Invaluable assistance in obtaining a visa to the UK can be provided by the VisaToHome service. After all, even if you are sure that everything is in order with your documents, then when you try to storm the British consulate on your own, you can expect a fiasco. In this case, VisaToHome will be your best ally. Starting with a preliminary consultation and ending with obtaining a visa, highly qualified specialists who know all the nuances and "pitfalls" of this case will cooperate with you. Most importantly, you will not have to make any effort for this: VisaToHome employees will fill in all Required documents and they will bring your passport with the coveted stamp directly to your home.

How to get from London airport to the city

London is served by 6 airports, two of which - Heathrow and the City are located within the city. Most international flights arrive in Heathrow ( London Heathrow airport) is the busiest airport in Europe. It is connected with the city center:

• Heathrow Express train. This is the fastest way to get to London and takes about 15 minutes. Trains depart every 15 minutes from 05:00 to 23:45. Ticket price when buying at the box office or machine - 20 pounds, directly on the train - 25 pounds. A round-trip ticket will cost 34 and 39 pounds, respectively.
• Heathrow Connect train. Paddington Station is 25 minutes' drive away. Ticket price - 9.5 pounds one way, 19 pounds - both.
• Metro (Piccadilly line). This is a cheap, but longer and less comfortable way. It takes about 50 minutes to get to Piccadilly Circus station. Ticket price - 5.5 pounds, opening hours - from 5:10 to 23:45.
• National Express bus. Depending on the route, the trip will take from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. Opening hours - from 5:35 to 21:40, ticket price - 6 pounds.
• Night city bus number 9 runs every 20 minutes from 23:30 to 05:00. Trafalgar Square is a 1 hour 15 minute drive. Ticket price - 2.4 pounds.
• Taxi. A meter ride in a cab or mini-cab will take half an hour to an hour and cost £50-80. Use only official taxi services and check the approximate price before boarding.

Of course, the easiest way is not to understand the features of the movement public transport and order a taxi. Moreover, not just "catch" him on the spot, but book in advance on the KiwiTaxi website. Pre-ordering a transfer guarantees that you will be met at the airport, seated in a comfortable car and quickly delivered to the desired address. Moreover, you will immediately know the exact cost of this trip, and this is perhaps one of the most important factors when ordering a taxi.

Car rental in London

Renting a car in London, perhaps, does not make much sense - there are too many restrictions on entry into various parts of the city. But to travel around the neighborhood or Britain - why not? Just do not forget that in England the left-hand traffic, road signs for speed limits show numbers in miles, and the police are very strict about violators. However, if you are confident in your driving skills, feel free to book a car in London on the RentalCars.com website. The choice of cars on this resource is very large, as well as the price range, so you can easily pick up something according to your taste and wallet. Read more about RentalCars.com in our review.

Public transport in London

Public transport in London is quite expensive even compared to other European capitals. The fare is tied to tariff zones, there are six in total.

The price of a standard ticket for one trip is 2.40 pounds. Valid for all modes of transport Oyster Card- a single travel card, using which the cost of one trip is significantly reduced. When buying such a card, you need to pay a deposit of 5 pounds. For 8.8 pounds you can buy a day pass Oyster Pay-as-You-Go for zones 1-2.

The Visitor Oyster Card London is a prepaid card that allows you to use all forms of public transport for £8.4 per day. For 23 pounds you can buy a card with 20 pounds on the account, for 33 - with 30 and so on.

Red double-decker bus - one of the most recognizable symbols of London. In total, there are about 700 routes in the city, including 50 night ones (they have the letter N in front of the number). The ticket price for one trip is 2.4 pounds (1.4 with an Oyster Card).

London Underground- “the Tub”, which literally means “pipe”, is the oldest in the world. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2013, today it consists of 11 lines and 270 stations. The cost of one trip is 4.5 pounds (2.1 with an Oyster Card).

Also in London there are Dockland Light Railway, "overground", trams and river buses, but most tourists do not use them: they connect remote areas and pass by the city center.

Bicycle rental in London

Boris bikes are named after London Mayor Boris Johnson, who launched a public bike-sharing system in 2010. Now there are more than 550 outlets in the city Barclays Cycle Hire, on each of which you can take or leave the bike. You will need a bank card to register. The cost of access for one day - 2 pounds, for 7 days - 10 pounds. The first half hour of rental is free, every next 30 minutes the price increases: 1-4-6-10 pounds and so on.

Excursions in London

Ever.Travel's travel planner will help you understand which attractions and in what order are the most convenient to see. Plan your trip to London on an interactive map by marking the places you would like to visit and spreading them over several days of travel. Then download the free Ever.Travel mobile application and log in using the same account as on the site. So your plans are synchronized between the web version and your smartphone, and you will receive a personal multimedia guide that will fit in your pocket and will work even without an Internet connection, which is very important in roaming conditions.

Don't like to plan? Use ready-made routes for walking around London:

Tested on yourself: the longer you get to know London, the more you want to know about it. In order to explore the unknown corners of the English capital or look at them from an unexpected angle, you should pay attention to the Excursiopedia service. There are the most diverse, interesting and original excursions. On each of them you will be accompanied by a professional guide who will tell fascinating stories about the past, present and even the future of London. Here are some great options as an example:

• Evening Cruise on the Thames with Dinner– perhaps this is one of the most romantic adventures in London! Night lights, beautiful music, delicious food, and all this to the accompaniment of the quiet lapping of the Thames waves.
• Helicopter flight over London- there is nothing more epic in Britain than a bird's eye view of the capital. This is adrenaline, delight and admiration - "three-in-one", nowhere else you will experience such sensations!
• Harry Potter Tour- not far from London is the Warner Brothers film set, where the legendary saga of the young wizard was created. You will see Dumbledore's office, visit Hogwarts, Hagrid's hut, Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic and many other attractions from the Harry universe.

Mobile communications and Internet in the UK

There are many places in London where you can connect to the Internet for free - these are cafes, restaurants, shopping centers, and even some metro stations. There are even trash cans with Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that in many free networks required to go through the registration process.

To connect to mobile internet you can buy “pay as you go” SIM cards from British telecom operators. For example, three mobile allows you to get unlimited internet, 3000 messages and 300 minutes of calls for 15 pounds. Orange offers for 10 pounds either 400 sms and 1 GB of traffic, or 60 minutes of international calls, or 100 minutes of local calls plus 100 sms. There are similar options Vodafone.

Shopping in London

London is one of the world's fashion capitals and a real mecca for shoppers. However, the prices here are far from the most democratic. Main shopping streets - Oxford street(high-end European brands), regent street(everything from large department stores to small toy stores), carnaby street(fashionable youth clothes), king's road(indie shops, boutiques of avant-garde designers).
The districts are also famous for their outlets. Picadilly(department stores, bookstores, souvenirs), Knightsbridge(expensive department stores and boutiques) and Covent Garden(available clothes and shoes of popular brands).

In the central part of London, almost all shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, large department stores - until 19:00 or 20:00. In busy tourist areas, shops may be open on Sundays as well. Then the street markets unfold - Portobello, Borough, Brick Lane and Covent Garden. Sales in London are held twice a year - in early January and July.

English cuisine

"Oatmeal, sir!" - the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning British cuisine. Really, oatmeal (Porridge) is an essential part of an English breakfast, as are bacon and eggs, sausages, toast with jam and orange juice. Fish and chips (Fish and Chips) eaten at any time of the day or night: breaded fish fillet with fried potatoes and pickled cucumbers is a favorite national fast food.

Almost all traditional dishes contain meat. Shepherd's pie, aka cottage pie (shepherd's or country pie)- This is a casserole of mashed potatoes with minced meat, Suit Pudding- veal kidneys or meat baked in a special dough, Cornish pasty- puff pastry with beef and vegetables.

Let's not forget about roast beef with Yorkshire pudding. They are cooked together: a large piece of beef is baked on a grill, and molds with a special dough are placed under it, on which red-hot meat juice drips. After lunch - from three to five o'clock - traditional tea drinking, for dessert - sweet puddings and scones cookies.

In restaurants, they usually give a tip of 10-15% of the amount. It is also customary for taxi drivers to leave about 10%, but in pubs they never give tips.

History of London

In 43 AD The ancient Romans founded the town of Londinium, which means "wild places". Constantly repulsing the raids of the Britons, the settlers built and developed the city, and by the year 100 it became the island's trading center and capital. However, in the 5th century, the Romans left Britain, leaving the prosperous city to the indigenous population.

In the middle of the VI century, these lands were captured by the Saxons, who brought Christianity with them. Another five centuries after that, London constantly changed hands: it was owned by either the Vikings or the Anglo-Saxons.

In 1066, Duke William the Conqueror of Normandy became the first king of a united England. He created an army and navy, conducted the first land census, established legal provisions and launched active construction - in particular, he erected the Tower. William's business was continued by the heirs: this is how the Palace of Westminster and the stone bridge across the Thames appeared in London (it remained the only one right up to 1739).

By the beginning of the XIV century, the population of London exceeded 80 thousand people. Even after the plague epidemic, which in the middle of the same century reduced the number of inhabitants by almost half, the capital of Britain recovered quite quickly - the economic and political importance of the city was so great.

In the XV-XVII centuries, the position of London was unprecedented: thanks to trade with Russia, North and South America, it grew rich at an incredible pace. The emergence in 1600 of the East India Trading Company ensured dominance over the colonial trade as well.

The development of the city did not keep pace with the growth of the population: due to unsanitary conditions and overcrowding, plague epidemics broke out in the capital every now and then. In 1665, the disease claimed the lives of 60 thousand people. Almost immediately after this, a new misfortune struck the city: the Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed 60% of the city's buildings in three days (fortunately, there were not so many human casualties).

Restored by the beginning of the 18th century, London was very different from the old one: stone houses replaced wooden houses, new areas appeared, the number of port docks increased, and finally, beautiful churches and palaces were built. International trade, in particular the import of sugar, tea, tobacco and silk, provided a constant influx of finance.

In the XIX century, London was the largest city in the world: its population exceeded 6 million people! In 1836 there appeared Railway, in 1863 - the world's first subway. In 1851, the World Exhibition was held with great success. However, life in the brilliant capital had another side: millions of people huddled in unsanitary slums, barely earning their living. In the summer of 1858, the "Great Stench" occurred, caused by the fact that waste from all over the city was dumped straight into the Thames. Only after that, sewerage appeared in the city.

Two World Wars caused great damage to the city, but by the middle of the 20th century London had regained its economic and political positions, and also became a trendsetter in the field of culture and art. "Swinging London" turned the notion of beauty, setting the tone for musicians, artists and designers for many years to come.

It's important to know:

Holidays and non-working days:

"Bank", i.e. public holidays:

Good Friday and Easter Monday

First Monday in May - early spring holiday

Last Monday in May - Spring Day / Spring Holiday

Last Monday of August - Summer Holiday

They are not holidays, but are widely celebrated:

Second Saturday in June - Queen's Birthday (official)

London is a city with two thousand years of history and one of the most influential cities in the world. In 2011, London was named the "Capital of the World", ranking first in a ranking compiled by the Independent newspaper. 60 cities around the world were ranked according to a number of criteria, including immigration openness, friendliness towards foreigners and, as a result, a motley ethnic composition. As it turned out, it is in London that tourists of various nationalities feel especially calm and at ease, and immigrants find work without any problems.

The cosmopolitan city has long attracted many wealthy Russians as a permanent place to live. There are several reasons. Firstly, real estate in prestigious areas of London has a guaranteed high liquidity and can be an excellent tool for preserving and increasing capital: in some areas, housing rises in price by 20-30% annually. The second reason is the globally recognized authority of British education. And, finally, the third reason: London attracts with its tranquility, security and respectful attitude of the state towards private property. Specialists of the real estate purchase service BSI Estates and real estate rental service Сrown Ark Estates told National Geographic Russia about best areas for living in London, prices for the purchase and rental of housing and others Interesting Facts about real estate in the British capital.

Top 7 areas of London

The main advantages of these areas of the English capital are: central location, transport accessibility and developed infrastructure: proximity to parks, restaurants, shops, kindergartens and schools. 1) Notting Hill Notting Hill, located near the beautiful picturesque London parks - Hyde Park and Holland Park - has become one of the most prestigious places to live in London over the past few years. This area gained worldwide popularity and fame thanks to the film of the same name with Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. Since the painting was released, real estate prices have doubled here, and among the residents of the area there are more and more celebrities, bankers and wealthy foreigners. Notting Hill is a great place for a quiet, comfortable life. The hallmark of the area are beautiful Georgian mansions, generously decorated with stucco and immersed in greenery. : groceries, fruits, vegetables, household utensils, antiques, jewelry and more. At the beginning of the 20th century, Notting Hill was a quiet residential area, where a significant proportion of London's middle class lived. Then housing prices began to fall, and after the bombing of the Luftwaffe during World War II, it was completely built up with slums. In the post-war period, emigrants began to settle here, mainly immigrants from the Mediterranean and Caribbean, which led to unrest on the basis of interethnic hostility. In recent decades, the London authorities have made efforts to eliminate the hotbed of inter-ethnic tension in Notting Hill. It was landscaped and turned into a respectable area of ​​London. The only thing that reminds of its former inhabitants is the annual colorful Notting Hill Carnival, modeled on the Brazilian one, which is held here in August - this is a stunning colorful show that attracts millions of spectators from all over the world. In Notting Hill, you can find accommodation of any type - from new buildings with modern apartments, to cozy Victorian and Georgian houses with manicured private gardens.

pixabay Notting Hill, London.

Average cost of buying an apartment/house: £1,021,145 / £4,170,556 Average cost of renting an apartment: £3,038 per month 2) Mayfair The Mayfair area is located in the heart of the British capital between Hyde Park and Green Park and is adjacent to the main streets of Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Regens Street. Mayfair is one of the most expensive and respectable areas of London. The district takes its name from the May Fair, which was held here on Shepard Market since 1686. This very colorful custom lasted until 1764, when the fair was banned and moved to Fea Field in Bow, as wealthy residents of this part of the capital believed that it "lowers" the atmosphere of their dwelling. The central streets of the Mayfair area - New and Old Bond Streets are full of the most famous and expensive boutiques in the world, and embassies and closed elite clubs are located a few minutes from them. All the buildings in Mayfair are opulent Victorian - "pink terracotta paradises," according to the chief English art historian, Nikolai Pevsner. A lot of native Britons live here, who mostly work in the City, the center of London's banking industry. The area is very beautiful and elegant, and in combination with its convenient and "ecological" location, this object is a real find for connoisseurs luxurious style life. The area is also famous for shopping. Bond Street, famous for its designer boutiques, runs through this area. All the most famous brands are represented here, including Chanel, Prada, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton. Most of the real estate in this area are apartments.

Pixabay Mayfair, London.

Average cost of buying an apartment: £1,836,523 Average cost of renting an apartment: £6,404 per month 3) Knightsbridge This is one of the most expensive areas not only in London, but also in the world. Even in the Victorian era, Knightsbridge was considered the most fashionable area of ​​London. Luxurious apartments, elegant buildings, 2.4 km2 of parkland, magnificent hotels, boutiques, restaurants ... In the Knightsbridge area, the most expensive hotel in London is located - Mandarin Hotel, as well as Harrods ("Harrods") - the most expensive and most famous in the world shopping center. For these reasons, Knightsbridge is a favorite area for the world's elite. With the construction of Heathrow Airport, which became the main air gate to the UK, this area, located at the intersection of key roads from the center to the airport, has become even more prestigious for living. Knightsbridge is known for its large number of high-rise buildings with spacious apartments, the quality of finishes and design of which will impress even the most demanding buyers. In the eastern part of the district are the Natural History Museum and the Royal Albert Hall, which hosts the largest number of cultural events in London.

In winter, a New Year's skating rink is poured on the site in front of the Museum of Natural History, and a winter fair with attractions for children and adults called Winter Wonderland opens in Hyde Park. In Knightsbridge, like nowhere else, you can find a variety of restaurants of the highest level, such as: Zuma, Bhudda bar, Privee, Koffman's, Hawksmoor, Mari Vanna and many others. Average cost of buying an apartment: £2,229,813 Average cost of renting an apartment: £6,775 per month 4) Chelsea From a small fishing village on the north bank of the Thames, Chelsea has become one of the most expensive and prestigious areas of London. Chelsea is a great choice successful person who prefers a measured life close to the pulse of the capital Buyers of real estate here are attracted by the combination of traditional English architecture and progress, as well as the elite lifestyle of the owners of luxury apartments. Service in restaurants and clubs will satisfy the most demanding and sophisticated visitor. The main attractions of the area are the Chelsea Apothecary Garden, which is a small Botanical Garden in the center of London and where medicinal plants were once grown for the pharmacists' guild, a military hospital, and the stadium of the famous London football club Chelsea. The Chelsea area is also known for its famous residents. At the end of the 19th century, the American writer Mark Twain lived at the corner of Tight Street at number 23, and Oscar Wilde lived at number 34 on the same street. Flood Street was once home to Margaret Thatcher, Kylie Minogue, Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams and many others. In general, the London area of ​​Chelsea is one of the most famous outside of England, and increased demand for real estate in the area among the political and business elite contributes to a stable increase in prices. Therefore, it is not surprising that foreign investors are showing particular interest in Chelsea. City brokers and bankers prefer to invest their multi-million dollar bonuses in Chelsea real estate, and their wives love the area for its proximity to endless boutiques, shops and cafes. Average cost of buying an apartment: £1,260,971 Average cost of renting an apartment: £4,090 per month 5) Westminster The main sights of London are concentrated in the Westminster area - the Ferris wheel "London Eye", Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Palace of Westminster, Houses of Parliament. Ancient buildings here border on completely new or completely renovated residential complexes with underground parking, 24-hour porters and security, which are located on quiet streets near public gardens, some of the residential apartments are located in a fenced area, providing their owners with absolute security and comfort. Politicians, parliamentarians, ministerial employees love to settle in this area because of the proximity to the Parliament, as well as successful entrepreneurs with their families because of the beautiful transport communication, good private schools and proximity to the main symbols of London. The houses, located away from the main streets, amaze with the beauty of their Georgian and Victorian architecture. Despite the central location, the streets of the area are very quiet and calm. Not far from the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey is Westminster School, one of the most famous private schools in England. Over the past 10 years, Westminster's housing stock has expanded rapidly, mainly due to "state houses" converted into modern apartments. Westminster has four Tube stations, and there are many bus routes, and departs from Victoria Station every 15 minutes high-speed train before international airport Gatwick.

Elizaveta Efimova A native of Westminster.

Average apartment purchase price: £1,448,650 Average apartment rental price: £3345 per month 6) Kensington Kensington is one of the prestigious areas of London, located in the western part of the city. This is the area of ​​embassies, consulates, gardens and magnificent mansions. In addition to houses decorated with stucco and traditional red brick mansions, there are also modern residential complexes that harmoniously fit into the general style of the area. Kensington is also attractive for its developed infrastructure: there are expensive elite restaurants, and clubs, and cozy coffee shops, and boutiques, and inexpensive shops, and, which is important for families with small children, many first-class private schools. Real estate in this famous area is not only prestige, but also a profitable investment. It borders Notting Hill to the north, Hyde Park to the east, Brompton and Knightbridge to the southeast, Chelsea to the south and Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush to the west. Kensington is home to three world-famous museums: the Victoria and Albert Museum, the natural history and the Science Museum. In recent years, both the popularity of the area and the prices of real estate in it have grown significantly. Large private mansions here are most often passed down from generation to generation, so such objects rarely go on sale. And if such houses appear on the open market, then buyers usually do not even bargain, so as not to miss the object so desired by all.

pixabay Kensington, London.

Average apartment purchase price: £1,342,780 Average apartment rental price: £3,991 per month 7) Battersea The Battersea area is directly opposite Chelsea, separated only by the Thames, but until recently this area seemed to be lost in the shadow of its famous neighbor. Even 10-15 years ago, this part of London was an abandoned and unsafe industrial and warehouse area, with docks, piers and a power plant inoperative. With the advent of the new millennium, the fate of the Battersea area has changed dramatically - ultra-modern residential complexes, interesting architectural structures began to appear here, and infrastructure has improved. Eminent architects such as Richard Rogers and Norman Foster contributed to the new look of Battersea. The heart of the area is the famous Battersea Park with its green spaces, ponds, jogging tracks and a zoo. Proximity to the river is another factor that attracts developers here. Even the iconic power station is being redeveloped in Battersea to suit the extremely discerning taste of residents, and will be transformed into a unique complex with boutiques, restaurants, a hotel and a host of office and commercial spaces. This part of South West London is very popular for family living due to the presence of a number of good educational institutions, such as primary schools Honeywell Primary School and Belleville Primary School. Also located in the area is the world famous Royal College of Art, founded in 1837. Soon there will be new residential complexes, office buildings, the embassies of the United States and some other countries will move here, new squares and footpaths along the Thames embankment will be laid out. The area will be completely transformed and will become one of the most comfortable and comfortable new areas for life in London. Average apartment/house purchase price: £1,021,145 / £4,170,556 Average apartment/house rental price: £2309

Interesting facts about real estate in London

Property Ownership Schemes Real estate in London can be purchased under the Freehold or Leasehold scheme. The first option involves the unconditional right to own real estate, the second - the unconditional right to use real estate for a period of 10 to 999 years. Buying real estate under the scheme with the right to use Leasehold is cheaper than under the scheme with the right to own Freehold, but there are a number of nuances in the real estate purchase agreement under the Leasehold scheme. Freehold - You own both the property and the land on which it is located. Leasehold - you own only the property itself. The owner of the Leasehold needs to pay a nominal amount to the owner of the land, which is called Ground rent. This is the amount for the actual use of the land on which the property is located. The Leasehold owner is also required to pay for property maintenance services - Service Charge. Location and rates

London is divided into 6 zones, as well as South, North, East and West. The stations of the first zone, which is limited by the metro ring line, are located in the city center, and the stations of the sixth zone are the most distant from the center. Real estate prices directly depend not only on the remoteness of the zone from the city center, but also on the immediate proximity of the object to the metro station. Average property price- in central London - £1,307,294; - in West London - £1,114,537; - South London - £669,541; - North London - £655,883; - East London (in the region) - £780,025. BSI Estates is a service for buying property in the UK. Crown Ark Estates is a property rental service in the UK. BSI Estates and Crown Ark Estates are part of the BSI Global Group, which has been operating in the tourism and real estate sectors for over 25 years and has offices in more than 10 cities in Russia and abroad: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Voronezh , Kyiv, Almaty, Baku, London, Guangzhou (China), Delhi (India) and Barcelona (Spain).

Question " Where to live in London while traveling» you will have one of the first.
We will not give very specific recommendations “to settle here” - this is a huge city, choose according to your taste and wallet, we will give basic principles of housing selection.
To select a hotel and make a reservation, use trusted sites like booking.com or hotels.com, they have a lot of reviews in Russian.

General points

London is an expensive city, where real estate in the center is especially worth its weight in gold. A room in a hotel located not on the very outskirts will most likely be small in size - this is normal for London hotels.

By prices for a room for a family of three (parents and child) it is better to navigate from 100 pounds per night. Of course, it is possible to find cheaper, but often it will be either at the expense of quality, or somewhat away from the main ones. tourist routes.
Be sure to specify whether VAT is already included in the indicated price of the hotel (it is more than 17%), so that this does not become an unpleasant surprise later.

In almost all hotels, even very inexpensive ones, the room will have kettle and tea / coffee bags, which is a great help for a tired tourist.
Breakfast is also usually included, although you can find rooms without breakfast. He happens continental(cereal with milk, jam, juice, fruit, coffee) and English(more satisfying - scrambled eggs with bacon, sausages, vegetable puree).

It is difficult to give such advice, but if possible - do not try to save an extra pound, do not choose the hotel where the most cheap price, and the hotel from good reviews (for example, on Booking there are already a lot of reviews in Russian).
Yes, you will most likely come to the hotel only to spend the night, but staying at the hotel is also part of the perception of your trip, the hotel will remain in your memory no less. A bad hotel will spoil any impression of the best sights.

When traveling with children, this option is risky, but if you are young, willing to take risks and want to live in London for a long time(at least two weeks), then we can advise the following: book in advance cheap hotel for one day, and upon arrival directly at the airport, find the Thomas Cook or British Hotel Reservation Center (BHRC) booking agencies, they have excellent accommodation options in the center, with good discounts.

What area to live in London?

Choosing where to live in London should start with a rough outline of your trip as a whole. The main thing is to decide whether you will leave the city, where and how often, whether you will have luggage with you.

For reference: suburban trains go from Waterloo station (direct) and Paddington (with transfer), to Cambridge - from Kings-Kross station, to Oxford - from Paddington station, Edinburgh - from Kings-Kross station. There is also a direct train from Paddington Station to Heathrow Airport.

For short trips from London, it is not necessary to settle near the station! If you want to go and see Windsor Castle for half a day, then you don’t need to choose a hotel near, opposite which Waterloo station is located - you can easily get to the station by bus.

If you don't have any specific plans, then the choice of the area where the hotel is located is not so important. “Hotel in the center of London” - this phrase is not entirely true for the capital of Great Britain, since it is difficult to single out the center as such. The main ones are scattered in different areas of the city, in any case you will have to use transport. It's not difficult at all, London has an excellent transport network. Yes, and children will be delighted with trips on the second floor of London buses. The purchase will save you from any problems with moving.

Russian travel agencies often lodge their budget tourists in the area Bloomsbury(for example, in the huge Royal National hotel, there are already a lot of reviews about it on the Russian Internet). The hotel is not the worst, but if you are traveling on your own, you can find better options. The Bloomsbury area is quite decent, the British Museum is within walking distance, and you can easily get to Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street shopping by bus.
There are many reasonable hotels in the area near Kings Cross and Paddington stations in South Kensington (which is a great area for kids).

Which hotel to choose in London?

As acceptable in terms of price / quality ratio, and what is important for our tourists, easy to check in, we can recommend paying attention to large chain hotels such as Premier Inn. They are usually located close to tourist routes. You should not demand much from them, but on the other hand, they are predictable in terms of the quality of services provided, since they are required to comply with their network standards.

On the contrary, one can pay attention to the small private hotel . Although you are not necessarily guaranteed a purely English flavor - such hotels are often run by Indian families. Here, in order to understand whether it is worth settling there or not, all hope is only for the reviews of tourists who have already lived in it, it is better to read English-language reviews (Google translate translator will help you).

Apartments in London

You can pay attention to the apartments - this is a kind of small apartment, with its own kitchen. This is a very good choice for a family, there are many offers of apartments in London on booking.com. Undoubted plus- their size, you will feel like in your apartment, and not in a small hotel room.
However, one must be aware of the possible cons of apartments in London:
- their price is comparable to the price of a hotel room. However, if you live in a hotel, you can have a quick breakfast in the morning. In the apartments, the care of breakfast falls entirely on your shoulders.
- you yourself usually have to take care of such small things as the presence of soap and toilet paper.
- quite often the key to the apartment is received (and handed over) at a different address, and not necessarily next to them. Pay attention when describing apartments - this nuance is usually indicated there. Traveling with luggage for the key is not the most convenient option.

Apartment in London

For a week for a family, a great option for housing is usually flat. However, oddly enough, for London it is Not certainly in that way. The choice of apartments for rent for tourists in London is much less than in other cities - apparently, decent housing is sorted out by local tenants, only expensive or inconveniently located options remain. However, you can try to search - here is a trusted site for booking apartments directly from the owners airbnb.com .

Is there some more cheap accommodation options in london, but it is difficult to advise them for a trip with children. These are youth hostels, and during the period summer holidays you can find places in student dormitories.

The British themselves sometimes joke that they determine the status of a person by his postal code, in other words, by his place of residence. There are reasons for that. Although the era of conservative Victorian England is long gone, the capital of Great Britain is still a city, clearly divided into districts, each of which has its own characteristics and characteristics.

Most students who come to London are faced with a difficult choice - where exactly to settle in this metropolis? In our article, we will talk about what are the different areas of London and which ones are suitable for students.

Accommodation of Russians in London

According to statistical estimates, about 400 thousand people from Russia and the CIS countries live in the whole of Great Britain today, about 100 thousand of whom live in London. Traditionally, the largest number of our compatriots lived in east London, but today Russian speech can already be heard in all metropolitan areas. Depending on the type of activity and material well-being, Russians have recently settled throughout London. At the same time, students live in dormitories, rent rooms or apartments also in various parts of the city.

Areas for energetic and modern

The organization of the London business center and the opening of numerous offices significantly influenced the resettlement of young professionals, office workers, businessmen and entrepreneurs. The City, South Bank, Mayfair, Westminster, Canary Wharf and Shoreditch areas are increasingly chosen by energetic and hard-working Londoners and foreigners who do not want to live far from their place of work.

Islington, Battersea, Fulham and Wandsworth are also popular areas for young professionals, IT and economics workers, and ambitious university graduates.

The cost of renting housing in these areas is different. So, for example, in Westminster you can rent a one-room apartment at a price of ₤2200 per month, and in Mayfair - from ₤2500. In Battersea, you can rent from modest and affordable housing, to magnificent apartments overlooking the Thames in one of the newly built residential complexes. The Westminster area also offers housing of various classes, but most of the apartments here are expensive apartments, rarely available to young professionals. By the way, this is where the prestigious Westminster School is located.

"Districts for businessmen" is not the best choice for a student. Despite the excellent location and energetic atmosphere, most students, especially foreigners, will not be able to afford housing here. However, if you want to live in a modern area and have business neighbors, these areas are ideal for you.

Areas for calm and peaceful

People who want to live in a metropolis, but at the same time feel calm and comfortable, most often choose areas near the central parks - Hyde Park, Regent's Park and St. James Park, as well as the Belgravia area. They are considered the most expensive, and therefore few foreign students live in them. In particular, renting a one-room apartment here will cost you from ₤2,700 per month.

You can save on housing in a calm and safe area by settling in Haringey, the most multinational area of ​​London, or in the already mentioned Islington. Sleeping green areas with parks and ponds, which are located in the north and north-west of the city and are safe, are also suitable.

If you want to spend your student years in a calm atmosphere conducive to study and inner harmony, you should choose one of these areas. Housing in residential area costs less than central regions and is quite suitable for students.

Areas for the young and fun

Most students tend to live close to the center, their educational institution and urban entertainment. Thus, Soho, Bloomsbury and Shoreditch remain the most popular areas among students. Among the wealthiest representatives of youth and students, the prestigious and lively Covent Garden, the respectable suburb of Chelsea, the elite and fashionable Knightsbridge are also in demand.

If you are going to rent an apartment in London and like noisy student life and entertainment, then Soho with its clubs and bars will suit your taste, you will definitely not be bored here! At the same time, Bloomsbury and Shoreditch are suitable for creative students and young intellectuals who also like to have fun and have discussions over a glass of beer or a glass of wine.

It was here that many artists, poets and writers lived at different times. Unlike the most prestigious areas, where the cost of renting student housing reaches ₤3000 per month, in these areas you can find suitable housing that will cost less than ₤1000 per month.

Areas in which it is better not to rent housing

Traditionally, London is considered a fairly safe city. However, given the growing number of unreliable emigrants from Africa and Asia, today, perhaps, only the central and most expensive areas. Unfortunately, in some areas of the city, crime is often committed, and the white population is only 50%. Wholly and partially these areas include Strethem, Brixton, Lambeth, Southwark, Hackney, Newham and others.

These areas are far from the center, and dangerous showdowns often occur here, including on ethnic grounds. The eastern part of the city, the East End, is also considered a disadvantaged area, not very suitable for decent citizens. An apartment in such areas can be rented for a few hundred pounds a month, but is it worth the risk for a young student?

In the poor and disadvantaged areas of London, it is not so often to meet students, mainly poor and welfare migrants live here. A student should choose such areas for living with great care and only in case of a real shortage of money to rent other housing.

For many, it is considered a point on the map where oligarchs, stars and the richest people in the world live, a place of concentration of respectable real estate, a center of world trade and finance, and simply the most prestigious, developed and cultural city. For tourists, it was and remains the capital of the British Empire, the heart and place of a grandiose concentration of sights of all eras, civilizations and directions. Like any tourist capital, the city attracts foreigners from all over the world, millions of tourists visit it every year and everyone faces the problem of where to stay in London.

London is definitely not a city for the poor. If in any other European capital you rent a decent double room for 50 euros, then here for an amount even twice as large you can count on a maximum of a room the size of a pantry, where it will be problematic and obviously cramped to fit together.

London Hotels

Yes, there are obvious problems with living space in London, and it is stupid to deny it. But this does not mean that the heart of Britain consists entirely of hotels with cramped rooms, of little use for a comfortable stay. In a multimillion-dollar metropolis, you can find housing for every request and taste, the only question is how much it will cost.

As a business and shopping center, the capital of England has hotels and hospitality-type establishments of all levels, from small-sized and economical, more suitable for overnight stays and short stays, to luxurious complexes, the prices of which are scary to pronounce out loud.

The most affordable option where to stay in London is campsites and hostels. If the former are found mainly outside the city or in outlying areas, hostels are found everywhere and mostly in the center. In London, in general, most of the hotels are located either in central areas or close to popular attractions where tourists live and where there is a great chance to find wealthy residents.

If you intend to visit the London open spaces in the summer, it is worth putting an additional 30-50% of the budget into your account in advance, they will certainly be needed, because at this time hotel prices reach their maximum - after all, it is the height of the season.

There is no off-season in London, but the least tourist flow is observed in January and February, when you can count on discounts, low prices, promotions and other loyalty programs.

But, even if you find an institution that will suit you in terms of price and service, do not rush to rejoice. Many hotels, in order to attract customers, are silent about 17.5% VAT, and upon check-out you may be presented with a bill that is much larger than you expected. The final cost of accommodation should be thoroughly discussed in advance, so as not to get into an awkward situation.

Not the most losing option - private apartments and apartments. Such accommodation is most suitable for groups of tourists of 5-6 people. Yes, and a small one-room apartment will cost less than a hotel - 250 pounds a week is in any case more profitable than a week's stay in a hotel for two, three or more people.

Places for tourist accommodation

In addition to the level of the hotel, the guests of the capital face a much bigger problem - where to stay in London and in which of its districts to settle. Each attracts with its own charm, history, infrastructure, atmosphere and specifics.

Key areas to look out for:

• City.
• Greenwich.
• Islington.
• Paddington.
• Kensington.
• Kingston.
• Soho.
• Westminster.
• Bloomsbury.

City

The financial navel of the earth - this is how you can call this small piece of London land. And judging by the prices, the land is diamond or at least gold. Here are the offices of international corporations, companies and other money tycoons. There were also expensive restaurants, bars, clubs, shops, all with the prefix "the best" and multi-valued price tags.

In addition to the commercial component, this is the location of skyscrapers, skyscrapers and experimental architecture. The City also has its own commemorative arsenal, for example, the Tower of London is located here, Cathedral St. Peter's, Shakespeare's Globe and the Thames.

Hotels where to stay in the City of London: The Ned, The Z Hotel City, Apex City Of London Hotel, Dorsett City London, The Chamberlain, Club Quarters Hotel, St Paul's, Great St Helen Hotel, Apex London Wall Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square.

Greenwich

Another outstanding area famous for that it is here that the Zero Meridian is located - the starting point of all coordinates. He is accompanied by the Royal Observatory, Sevendrug Castle, the Arena Concert Stadium, Etham Palace and the last high-speed sailboat, the Cutty Sark.

The former "Green Village", where royal and ducal persons spent their holidays, is now a completely modern part of the city with a developed infrastructure. From the area literally breathes elitism and the spirit of Old England.

Hotels: The Pilot Inn, Holiday Inn Express London Greenwich, Intercontinental London - The O2, Doubletree By Hilton London - Greenwich, Innkeeper's Lodge, Welland House, Premier Inn London Greenwich, Novotel.

Paddington

In defiance of its historical brothers, having grown relatively recently, the district managed to acquire prestige no less than historical quarters London. Its central points are Paddington Station and Hyde Park. In addition to them, Paddington is full of beautiful streets and squares for walking, cute mansions and shops with cafes and pubs.

The area is filled with Victorian architecture from the 19th century, as well as modern buildings with apartments, apartments and, of course, hotels. The center is a stone's throw from the underground and the famous London basses.

Hotels: Hilton London Metropole, Prince William, Byron, Queens Park, Royal Eagle, Berjaya Eden Park, The Castleton, Belvedere Hotel, Stylotel, Commodore.

Islington

The most fun and party area of ​​all where you can stay in London. Its streets housed a myriad of pubs, bars and restaurants. The contrast to them is theatres, galleries, cinemas, concert halls, so that among the inhabitants of London, the area is considered cultural and even bohemian.

Football fans will be interested in the fact that the Arsenal club is based here. There are many historical buildings in the area, albeit without world names, but very beautiful and worthy of attention.

Hotels: Hilton London Angel Islington, The Z Hotel Shoreditch, Thistle Barbican Shoreditch, M by Montcalm Shoreditch, Crowne Plaza London Kings Cross.

Kensington

Prestigious area in the west of London, one of the royal and historical districts, loved by their majesties and highnesses. This can be evidenced by the presence here of Kensington Palace and adjacent gardens of the same name, many majestic mansions and estates. Here are the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the most beautiful green artery of the city - the charming Holland Park.

The area is filled with stunning English architecture. There are many examples of Victorian and other buildings, interspersed with the famous English red brick houses. Pastoral paintings dilute the modern buildings of the Olympia exhibition complex - the venue for the most significant global events.

Hotels: Mowbray Court Hotel, Dreamtel London Kensington, Ambassadors, Oxford, Avni Kensington, Hilton London Olympia, Radisson Blu Edwardian, Vanderbilt, K+K Hotel George, Holiday Inn London Kensington High St.

kingston

One of the royal districts, albeit located away from the center. Tourists of Kingston may be interested in affordable housing prices and stunning panoramas of the Thames, on the banks of which it is located.

There are several hundred shops, several theatres, galleries, historical and thematic expositions, a huge number of bars and restaurants, hotels and hostels where to stay in London. Known for Kingston and lively nightlife, which gives reason to take a closer look at it.

Hotels: Warren House, Brook Kingston Lodge, Antoinette Hotel Kingston, Miter, Bosco, The White Hart, The Bull and Bush Hotel Kingston, The Kings Arms, Premier Inn London Kingston.

soho

A young district, where all lovers of drinking and hanging out will certainly find themselves. Looking for a minute, you can disappear for a week, getting into a carnival whirlwind of parties, parties, concerts, festivals, fashion shows, tastings and just soulful pub gatherings. In addition, Soho is located close to the central mastodons of London history. The symbol of Soho is the immortal street of Piccadilly. Here you can also stumble upon a Chinatown or colorful ethnic restaurants and shops.

Hotels: Courthouse Hotel London, Victory House, The Z Hotel Soho, The Piccadilly London West End, W London Leicester Square, Luxury Royalty Mews.

Westminster

The main sightseeing area of ​​London and the most royal of its districts, here you can most often see members of the royal family. The area is home to Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral and, of course, the symbol of the Windsors' power, which needs no introduction, Buckingham Palace.

Hotels: Holiday Villa, Central Park, Enrico, Belvedere, The Gresham, The Alexandra, Astor Victoria Hostel, Park Grand Paddington Court, DoubleTree by Hilton London – Westminster.

Bloomsbury

Spread on the north bank of the Thames, Bloomsbury can be considered a youth quarter due to the universities located on its territory and their accompanying hostels, youth parties, bars, hostels. The area is one of those where you can stay in London inexpensively and with all the comfort - around the most beautiful squares, squares, boulevards and pubs, shops and studios.

It is in Bloomsbury that the holy of holies of tourists and scientists is located - the British Museum. Local streets are distinguished by an abundance of 18th century architecture, Georgian buildings and Victorian mansions.

Hotels: St Giles London - A St Giles Hotel, WestEndStay Mylady, Thistle Holborn, The Kingsley, Holiday Inn London Bloomsbury, Radisson Blu Edwardian, Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street, DoubleTree by Hilton London - West End, The Montague On The Gardens.