London is one of the biggest commercial capitals in the world. A lot of trade flows in and out of the city, and has done for a good few centuries now.
As a small business owner, cutting a slice of the action for yourself is only natural! Although, if you want to visit London for business purposes, you’re going to need to run through a lot of prep.
London is a pretty dense city, and no two corners look alike. There’s a lot of history to wade through and plenty of culture to wrap your head around. The more you know before you touch down at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted, the better your business goals will fare.
So let’s go through what your first business trip to London should look like. You can come up with your own itinerary, but make sure you keep the points down below in mind.
Do You Need a Visa?
This is the very first thing to do some research into. Depending on how long you’re staying for and what you plan to do once you’re in London, you may need to apply for a Visa ahead of time. You can check official government advice on this right here.
If in doubt, go through the official channels until you get to someone you can speak to personally. They will be able to tell you what you do and don’t need to do before landing on UK soil.
Get a Hotel Near Your Meeting
Whoever you’re meeting, or whatever event you’re attending, try to get a hotel as near to it as possible. This way you won’t have to worry about being late and/or trying to make your way around the big city.
Yes, this option tends to be a bit pricier than booking a hotel a couple of miles out, but your peace of mind is worth the cost. Most of all, if you’re worried about oversleeping due to the jet lag, we definitely recommend this option!
Don’t Be Afraid to Take the Tube
The London Underground can be quite hard to wrap your head around. There’s a lot of lines (and figuring out the colours can leave you scratching your head!), everyone is in a rush, and people like to pack into the trains like sardines in a can. If you’ve never been to London before, the sight of all this happening during rush hour can be quite shocking.
However, the tube is the fastest and easiest way to get around London. If you get confused, make sure you’re not standing in anyone’s way when you’re trying to figure out the right direction to go, and if the train you want to get is already packed, wait for the next one. It’ll be along in only around 2 to 3 minutes!
Take a Couple Hours to Visit Tourist Destinations
London is a beautiful city and has a lot to offer a tourist, so indulge for a little while! Make sure you see The Tower of London, go shopping in Harrods, and walk Abbey Road. And if you’re visiting for more than a couple days, these activities should definitely go on your list.
If need be, leave your briefcase, portfolio, and any other business equipment behind in the various luggage lockers london has and then explore on foot, by bus, or through the underground for at least a good couple hours. You could even agree to meet a business contact at any of these locations and enjoy them together.
Don’t Worry About Getting Lunch!
London is a city that has a lot of big eaters. As such, you’re not going to have to go far to dig into some wonderfully cooked, local cuisine. Seeing as London is a bit of a cultural melting pot, you’re unlikely to run out of options for mealtimes as well.
Why does this matter on a business trip? Because you’re not going to run out of time to eat in between meetings or speakers at the trade show. You can head out and be back within 5 to 10 minutes. That’s a kind of efficiency we can rely on!
If you’re about to embark on a trip to London for the first time, this is how you pull it off in style! Get a hotel slap bang in the middle of the city, leave some time for tourism, and try as many different cuisines as you like. And don’t let the London Underground intimidate you!
