Cheap Trip to London

London is an incredible place to travel, alone or with your family.  Today, it’s getting cheaper and cheaper to fly to England thanks to airlines such as Norwegian offering one-way fares from New York to London Gatwick for $100.  

The trip is just under 8 hours, which will fly by if you’re engaged in a game like the Final Fantasy 15 app; and the pound has plummeted in recent years meaning you’ll get much more bang for your buck.

In terms of getting around London, you’ll probably want to take the tube rather than drive as it’s much more convenient particularly around Central London.  Here are four areas you’ll want to  be sure to check out in this fantastically varied cosmopolitan city.

CAMDEN

Camden is known for its vibrant mix of alternative markets, where you can buy anything from new age potions to new rock boots.  The cuisine is just as eclectic with a variety of street food purveyors bidding for your attention as you walk through the alleys of predominantly Chinese takeaway vendors, but then when it opens out, you have artisanal street food vans selling everything from pizzas to steak and ice cream.  Camden is a great place for live music, particularly for rock and indie tastes – known as somewhat of a hippy and alternative enclave this little pocket of London is a melting pot of cultural and societal values.

COVENT GARDEN

Covent Garden is a great place to eat, drink, shop and be entertained.  It literally has it all. Covent Garden has some great fine dining options, luxurious hotels, boutique shops, and trendy designers.  There’s a certain buzz to this affluent and exciting area that hosts alfresco entertainment at its heart and a plethora of theatres on its periphery.  There are now an increasing number of chain stores and restaurants moving into the area, yet it is still managing to retain its independence and boutique upmarket vibe

SHOREDITCH

Shoreditch is home to London’s trendy brigade.  This is where the majority of creative companies set-up (presuming they are very well funded, of course) and as a result, you’ll find trendy juice bars, coffee shops, organic restaurants, street food trucks and designer boutiques.  That said, the trendy thing about Shoreditch is that it’s not “trying” to be trendy – it just is – meaning, the majority of places you’ll find are ramshackle bars with furniture made from reclaimed pallets and many independent shops.  It still has its original gritty urban vive as evidenced by the plethora of graffiti and general casualness of the people.

SOUTH BANK

London’s South Bank is a hub of cultural activity.  Here, you’ll find iconic symbols such as the London Eye, London Bridge and Big Ben.  It’s a two-mile stretch of arts and entertainment venues that hold regular temporary events, from street theatre to street food.  This area is popular with Londoners, as well as tourists; but one thing to consider is that it’s also popular with pickpockets too, so keep your eye on your bag.