🚇 A Londoner’s Top Tips for Travelling Around London | Pocket Apartments

Explore London Like a Local

Visiting London can feel overwhelming - the city is big, busy, and full of hidden corners. But with the right know-how, it’s easy to get around and make the most of your time here. As a local Londoner, I’ve put together some of my top travel tips for navigating the city with ease. And if you’re staying at Pocket Apartments, you’ll already have the perfect base: stylish, central, and affordable short stay apartments in London.

1. Get Yourself an Oyster Card (or Go Contactless)

Public transport is king in London. Whether you’re hopping on the Tube, buses, or Overground, the easiest way to pay is with an Oyster card or your contactless bank card. Fares are automatically capped daily, which means you’ll never pay more than the cost of a day travelcard.

Staying in one of our Central London apartments, like our Notting Hill or Kensington studios, means you’ll always be close to major Tube stations - so your Oyster will come in handy from the moment you step outside.

2. Don’t Underestimate Walking

London is a city best seen on foot. Some of the most iconic spots - such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and Trafalgar Square - are actually only a short walk from each other.

When you book a short stay apartment in Notting Hill with Pocket Apartments, you’ll find yourself strolling distance from Portobello Market, Kensington Gardens, and charming pastel-coloured mews streets. Walking not only saves money but also gives you a real feel for the city.

3. Know the Peak Travel Times

If you want to avoid the squeeze, try not to travel on the Tube during peak hours (roughly 7:30–9:30 am and 5–7 pm on weekdays). Fares are slightly higher then, and trains are much busier.

Guests at our serviced apartments in Central London often plan their sightseeing days to start just after rush hour, it makes the experience far more relaxed.

4. Use Citymapper, Not Just Google Maps

Citymapper is a Londoner’s go-to app for transport. It gives you live updates, travel time comparisons, and even tells you which carriage to sit in for the fastest exit.

We always recommend it to our Pocket Apartments guests - whether they’re here for a weekend break or a longer stay in one of our studio apartments in London.

5. Consider Cycling (If You’re Brave Enough!)

London’s Santander Cycles (a.k.a. “Boris Bikes”) are dotted around the city and can be a fun, affordable way to explore. That said, traffic can be intense, so stick to the cycle lanes and parks if you’re not a confident rider.

From our Kensington apartments, you can easily cycle through Hyde Park or down to the Serpentine for a calmer ride.

6. Black Cabs vs. Ubers

Black cabs are iconic, but they’re pricier than Uber. If you want the London experience, hop in a black cab at least once - but for everyday travel, Uber, Bolt, or FreeNow are often cheaper.

Many guests tell us they like having Uber as a backup late at night when heading back to their central London accommodation at Pocket Apartments.

7. Always Keep a Contactless Card Handy

All buses in London no longer take cash, so a contactless card (or phone payment) is essential. This way, you can always hop on if you’re tired of walking!

Final Thoughts

London is one of the most exciting cities in the world - and with the right travel tips, it’s also one of the easiest to explore. Staying at Pocket Apartments gives you a head start: all our short stay apartments in London are centrally located, so you’ll spend less time commuting and more time soaking up the sights.

👉 Ready to book your stay? Explore our full range of Pocket Apartments in Central London.