What Are Some Things Not to Do in London? 15 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid

London ranks among the world's best-known cities—it is an immense city brimming with historical significance, culture, and life. However, London is also full of unseen hazards for the uninitiated. Although travel guides will provide information on all the places that one ought to see and do while in London, very few will warn you about those activities that will mark you out as a tourist, cost you a lot of money, or even put you in a dangerous situation. From the wrong way to use the transport system to embarrassing situations at meals, you will find out everything you need to know not to do in London.

Don't Stand on the Wrong Side of the Escalator

This is London commuters’ main transgression. When using the Underground system, escalators come with an informal, but highly adhered to rule. One needs to be standing on the right hand side while using the left side for moving. Should you occupy the left side of the escalators with your baggage or standing next to your friend or colleague, expect angry looks and “excuse me” calls. This does not happen because locals are rude, but because they are rushing to board the train. Your children should learn this early enough. Do not use the escalator as a place to check your phones after coming off. Move to the side away from the exit first then proceed to use your phone. This applies when passing through ticket barriers in the stations. Moving around obstructing people will surely raise their ire. If you are traveling with suitcases and cannot move rapidly enough, avoid the escalators. Using Watford Private Hire services to reach destinations such as the airport or other stations from your hotel will do the trick.

Don't Make Eye Contact on the Tube (But Do Make It in Pubs)

Tube manners are an art form in themselves. Maintaining eye contact with strangers is seen as intrusive; people tend to look down at their phone, read a book, or look at the ad boards that hang from the doors. It is not rude not to initiate conversations unless there is a real emergency situation. This does not mean anything; it is simply one of the customs in London where everyone respects each other's privacy by avoiding talking too much in an overcrowded place. Nonetheless, it is also quite paradoxical because while avoiding eye contact with strangers on the tube is polite, when you go to pubs and other social gatherings, it means you are not interested in what another person is saying. In addition, never eat smelly foods (such as tuna sandwiches or boiled eggs); they are extremely antisocial on the tube. Furthermore, remove your backpack and keep it down on your feet; otherwise, you might unintentionally knock out somebody's teeth when turning around.

Don't Wave Down Black Cabs on Busy Streets

The London black cabs are amazing, but you will never have the pleasure of taking one simply because you extended an arm out in any old place. You can hail a taxi only if its light is on, otherwise known as 'for hire'. The taxi drivers are wasting their own time when they see you trying to hail them with their lights off. Additionally, do not try to hail a taxi on major roads such as Oxford Street or double red routes (clearways). Taxis do not stop there; you need to find taxi ranks or side streets where they operate. Instead, consider using ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt, and FREENOW, which collect you from your GPS location for sure. If your destination is going to be from or to the suburbs, then booking a private hire car in advance is your best bet by far. Remember that the London black cabs are all metered, and it could easily set you back £80+.

Don't Assume "Free" Attractions Are Actually Free

Free museum visits are available in London, such as British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, and others. The catch about "free" is that special exhibitions require you to pay £15-£25 while storing your coat in the cloakroom would cost £2-£5. Sometimes, there might be a recommendation to leave a donation for the amount between £5 and £10 when entering a museum. It is not compulsory to do so but nice of you if you can help out. More importantly, "free" guided tours are paid in tips only, usually ranging from £10 to £20 per visitor. Read the fine print carefully. As for paid visits to the attractions like Tower of London or Westminster Abbey, make sure never to buy tickets at the door, as you have to wait for several hours in line. Instead, book a ticket online no less than 24 hours in advance to avoid long lines and receive 10-15% discount on the ticket price. Do not accept flowers or bracelets offered by street artists as they will definitely ask for money afterward.

Don't Visit the London Eye at Sunset (Unless You Booked Months Ago)

The London Eye is amazing, but sunset rides are more popular. Without booking tickets, be ready to stand in the queue for about 2-3 hours and pay £35-£45 for the ride. For more comfort, it is recommended either to buy "Fast Track" tickets (£10 extra) online or arrive early in the morning (9 am) when there are fewer people. Also, you might find "The Walkie-Talkie", 20 Fenchurch Street, interesting—it provides absolutely free panoramic views from there; however, you will need to book a slot for your visit in advance online. In case you are staying outside London center in, for example, Watford or Hertfordshire, and have a plane to catch the next morning, then I would not recommend combining visiting London Eye with the same day. It might become too stressful since you need to get back to your hotel and arrange a way to the airport after the sightseeing. For instance, if you are flying from Luton, you should have made your travel arrangements earlier. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel to the airport, choose Watford to Luton Airport Taxi service.

Don't Use Your Oyster Card Without Checking Your Balance

Contactless payment (either by bank card or mobile phone) is the most convenient way to travel in London. However, there is one trick: when you use two different cards to touch-in and touch-out, you will receive two full prices (£15+ each). The same card must be used both when entering and leaving. Besides, if you possess Railcard (like 16-25), it is necessary to link it to your Oyster card via any Tube station ticket machine. As a result, you will get a reduction of 1/3 off all fares from 9:30 am on non-peak days including weekends. So what happens if one touches-in before 9:30 am? In such cases, you need to pay the full price despite having a Railcard connected. It is also important to touch-out in any case even if the gates are open (some stations operate in this mode during rush hour). Otherwise, the terminal cannot determine your final destination, and you will be charged the maximum price.

Don't Eat in Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus

These popular destinations are full of expensive and not very tasty franchises and fast food places. A regular hamburger costs £20 there and is very bad. Instead of going to these areas, it’s better to take a 10-minute stroll around Soho, Covent Garden, and Chinatown. In Soho, it is possible to have Thai, Italian, or Middle Eastern cuisine for £10-15 per meal. For real English food, visit a pub located in the City (The Old Bank of England) or pie and mash places in the East End (M. Manze). Moreover, don’t enter any restaurant where there is a "host" greeting you from outside – this is an international hallmark of tourist traps. Download applications such as TripAdvisor or Google Maps with recent comments to choose proper options nearby.

Also read: What Is the Easiest and Cheapest Way to Get from Heathrow Airport into Central London?

Don't Assume Everyone Speaks Your Language—But They Will Try

London is extremely multilingual, but do not count on your fellow citizens, waiters, or other people on the tube to know your language. Speak politely and clearly in English, and use simple sentences when in doubt. Shouting will only get you a negative reaction as shouting is viewed negatively and does not help communication. On the contrary, when a British citizen asks you, "Sorry?", it does not mean that he or she wants to apologize, but rather that they need you to say what you just said again. Never assume that someone is asking for information about your health when they greet you with "Alright?"; it is just a way of saying hello.

Don't Forget to Tip (But Only in Certain Places)

Tip in London is not as routine as it is in the States. In restaurants, a 10% to 12.5% service charge might be included automatically in your bill (look for the fine print), and in that case, you don’t have to pay another tip. Otherwise, 10% is what you should expect for excellent service. If you go to the pub, then there will be no tip as you just buy rounds at the bar. In black cabs, giving an additional pound is always nice but is not compulsory. In hairdressing salons, you should give £2 to £5. It is never appropriate to give a tip to hotel housekeepers or fast food personnel.

Don't Walk Slowly in Busy Areas—Keep Right

This is an extension of the escalator rule. On footpaths, walk on the right (the same side that you would drive a car on) if you are going at a slower pace. Those who walk faster can pass you on the left. Do not suddenly stop in the middle of the busy pavement; especially if you are outside of tube stations or near Oxford Street. If you wish to use your map or check something on your phone, move away from the footpath and stand against the wall or a store window. Do not walk on bicycle paths (blue or green-painted pathways). These cyclists are silent and quick, and they tend to collide with pedestrians.

Final Advice: Embrace the Chaos

London is a city of 9 million people, and it runs smoothly based on a thin line between politeness and efficiency. The moment you break the unspoken code, everyone around you will collectively heave a sigh. But if you adhere to it, London will become your playground. Just observe, be patient, and say "sorry." Works everywhere!