Short and Simple, Experiencing London with a Tight Schedule

Experiencing the grandeur of Buckingham Palace or Oxford Street's vibrant atmosphere comes at a high price, and it almost deterred me from visiting this city. That was until I reduced my stay to two nights.

Planning

Planning can be tedious for some, but this will ensure you maximise your time. With the potential for bad weather and the likelihood of getting lost, this plan will change slightly once you arrive in London. However, simply knowing a few must-see destinations will ensure you spend the 48 hours wisely.

With thousands of museums, galleries and bars, you won't get to visit everything on your bucket list. Once you've chosen a handful of attractions, find a nearby hotel. This will ensure you save time by minimising the hours lost on public transport.

For instance, I stayed in Paddington, which meant Hyde Park, London Zoo, and Kensington Palace were on my doorstep. As a nature lover, I found these attractions a must-see destination.

Arriving in London

I can't review every transport option since there are multiple ways to get to London. However, using the following services will quickly get you to your hotel.

Heathrow Express Train to Paddington Station

As a solo traveller visiting London for the first time, using the underground service is daunting. So, the Heathrow Express provides a great alternative to access the city. Once you arrive at Paddington Station, you can take a taxi, Uber, or another train to access your hotel.

National Express Coach to London

Using a National Express coach is a good option for those travelling from towns and cities within the UK. Although expensive, these coaches have large, comfortable seats, heating for cold days and friendly staff.

Before arriving at the Victoria Coach Station, they also stop at smaller stations, like Stratford. This could provide a direct link to your hotel if you are on a budget and staying outside of London's central district.

Uber

Using Uber might be expensive, but convenience is one aspect that makes a short stay successful, especially while travelling alone. I found Uber useful for an early morning flight as I knew I would struggle to negotiate the subway in the dark. This could be a suitable option for those arriving in London at night or early in the morning.

Accommodation

Where you stay will depend on your budget and which attractions you would like to see. While you may not have the budget to stay near Buckingham Palace or on Oxford Street, there are affordable accommodation options in London's inner suburbs.

Although there are many great areas to consider, I highly recommend basing yourself in Paddington. This spot is far enough to avoid the heavy crowds but close enough to enjoy the sights of London.

However, if you are forced to stay further outside of Central London, book a hotel near a subway station. This will ensure you can still explore the best of this city despite staying outside of the central area.

Tours

Bloomberg Free Virtual Tours

These tours are available via the Bloomberg Connect app or QR codes located throughout the city. Offering tours for numerous museums, galleries, and historic landmarks, you'll likely find a tour for one of your bucket list locations. Of course, there are fantastic paid tours in the city, but this is a great option if you have spent too much on your accommodation.

London Big Bus Tours

Regardless of the length of your stay, you can't leave London without riding on one of the red double-decker buses. London Big Bus Tours offers multiple options for exploring the city, from night tours to a hop-on, hop-off bus. These buses can be booked online, but you can also buy tickets upon boarding at the London Eye Coach Station..

My Recommended Itinerary for Two Nights in London

Day One

Your first few hours should be spent checking into your hotel and dealing with any issues that arise from your journey to London. Travel days are draining, so choosing attractions near your hotel is best for today. You've likely already spent hours on a bus, plane or train, so adding an extra journey to an attraction or restaurant will make your day more stressful.

After finding a restaurant for lunch, you could use the Bloomberg Connect app to explore a nearby attraction. If you decide to stay in Paddington, exploring Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens after eating at the Serpentine Lido Café will fill an afternoon.

Day Two

Today should be spent visiting those must-see places you've listed on your itinerary. However, your morning should include a London Big Bus Tour to ensure you see all of London's most famous landmarks.

After this tour, you'll likely add another must-see attraction to your list, so riding these buses in the morning is best. Hop-on, hop-off ticket holders may also wish to revisit an attraction later, especially Buckingham Palace, a destination the bus can't drive in front of. Today will be big, so I suggest relying on room service for dinner.

Day Three

Today's schedule depends on when you depart London. Start your day with a gourmet breakfast for those leaving in the afternoon. Travellers staying in Paddington should order baked eggs at Hayat Paddington.

Any time remaining could be spent shopping at Oxford Street. However, there's nothing wrong with arriving at the airport or train station early. I often arrive at the airport early and use it as an opportunity to squeeze in some extra shopping without my luggage.

This also means you don't need to worry about missing your flight, bus or train. So, consider planning today around shops near the train station or after airport security.

It may seem short, but experiencing London in two nights is possible. You may not get to visit everything, but a two-night stay will have you coming back for more.