Is London safe? What you should know

Posted Dec 3, 2024

London, the buzzing heart of the UK, is the place to be if you're a tea enthusiast. No need to bring your own kettle! It’s a place where ancient landmarks like the Tower of London sit next to sleek skyscrapers like The Shard. You might just spot a royal or two (or at least a corgi) around Buckingham Palace! Whether you're strolling through Hyde Park, exploring museums, or eyeing up a plate of fish and chips, London's a great place for anyone! Oh, and don’t worry, no one actually expects you to like Marmite (a dark, savory toast spread made from yeast extract)!

But let’s talk about something just as important as sightseeing: staying safe. London is a friendly city, but like any big metropolis, there’s plenty to watch out for. Whether it’s blending in with the locals (no one says “cheerio” anymore, sorry), navigating the Tube like a pro, or figuring out which way traffic is coming from, safety is key.

You’ll also learn how to chat with Londoners without ‘stepping on any toes’, enjoy nature without getting drenched (mostly), and keep healthy while dodging mysterious pigeon flocks. From cultural quirks to health tips, we’ve got you covered. And if you're looking for a place to shop in London, the Covent Garden was made for it!

Safety tips to keep in mind during your time in London

You might have seen the memes about knife crime and random stabbings in London. To be honest, violent crime is almost never random! So if you heard stories about no-go zones like Council estates and sketchy tussles, no need to worry! The most you'll run into as a tourist is petty theft, as long as you use common sense and the tips you'll find here!

Getting from the airport to the city centre

First off, what airport did you land at? If you came through Heathrow Airport, just take the Piccadilly underground train line and you'll get to central London in just an hour. But what if that’s not the airport? From Gatwick Airport, grab the Thameslink train and then switch to Southeastern at London Bridge. Or, if you’re coming from Stansted Airport, hop on the Stansted Express and then the 26 bus.

Tips to stay safe when you first arrive in London

London pickpockets take their jobs very seriously! What they'll often do is team up and create a bottleneck for travelers. This often happens in train stations and places of high foot traffic. So, when people huddle around and try to get through in the crowd, the pickpockets look out for exposed valuables and nick them. Pretty sneaky, innit?

Is tap water in London safe to drink?

Yes! All of the UK generally has pretty good water! The country has lots of natural sources of fresh water, and London uses the Thames River as one of them! Regular tests are done just to make sure that the water quality is always up to snuff.

Safe accommodation options in London

Most areas in London are pretty safe, but like every big city, you'll find petty crime in most tourist spots. Here are some extra safe areas and accommodation options if you’re looking for where to stay in London:

Richmond upon Thames is far from the hustle and bustle of central London and perfect if you're up for a lot of green space around the district. You can catch some z's at Richmond Hill Hotel for around £150 and then explore some parks and a Lord of the Rings riverside atmosphere!
Looking for an upscale and charming neighbourhood? Kensington & Chelsea has iconic museums, well-lit touristy avenues like Oxford Street and Leicester Square, and a classic London posh vibe. The Bailey's Hotel is built into a Victorian townhouse near the Natural History Museum and Hyde Park. You can expect to cough up about £180 for a night.
Hampstead is close to the centre but also has an old-timey village vibe! The Langorf Hotel is cozy, quiet, and just £130 a night. That's pretty good for London!

Pro tip: If you're from Europe, London is the cultural hub you're looking for! There are so many different cultures around that you might be wondering where the English are! If you want to explore them all, you'll want to leave your baby stroller if you're here with your family. Or, if you're here for the nightlife scene, you can store your Red Bull stash you got off Amazon for cheap! So just find a Bounce storage location near you, and store anything quick and easy!

Cultural callouts & things to keep an eye out for

London is the cultural powerhouse of Europe thanks to all those people who made it their home. Lucky for us, they brought their amazing cuisine because sheesh, you can only have beans on toast so many times!

English is the official language, but you'll find just about every other spoken here too! The locals won't ignore you if you try to strike up a conversation, but if you're at the pub and offer them a drink, you might just make a new best friend!
You might think your English is on point, till you hear the thick accents and slang! Here are some words you might not recognize but hear a lot: ‘bloke’ (friend); chuffed (happy); ‘knackered’ (tired); ‘gutted’ (sad); loo (bathroom/restroom); dodgy (sketchy).
Feel free to munch on finger food like fish and chips with your hands, but use utensils for other stuff. Also, if you're at the bar, you don't wait for service, you go up to the bartenders and order what you want. That'll save you a ton of time waiting around hungry and thirsty!

Keeping safe when navigating the city

London's huge, innit? Trying to navigate the city can get your head spinning. So, here are some tips to help you find your way:

Public transportation is definitely the best option for getting around quickly and safely. The Tube is fast and safe at night, but the rush hour (7-9 AM and 5-7 PM) crowds can be humongous, so try to avoid them. You can save a lot of money with the Oyster card for public transportation.
If you want to drive, make sure you've got some practice with left-hand lane vehicles. It can be pretty scary if an intersection or roundabout is confusing. Also, the UK is cracking down on vehicle over-use, so driving when there's congestion can get you a fine.
If you're exploring tourist zones, just watch for slippery cobblestones if you're walking or biking. They're basically always slippery because it's always raining cats and dogs in London!
The city is pretty wheelchair-accessible with ramps and elevators all around the city!

Nature and London: Tips to keep in mind

Even though it's usually raining, as long as you've got a coat and an umbrella, there's no reason you can't explore some of the nature around London. Here are some spots and activities:

If it's particularly hot, you can take a dip in the Hampstead Heath Ponds, they even have lifeguards! Beckenham Place Park Lake is man-made, but still great if you're craving a nice swim on a summer day!
Looking for the best hikes around London? You can spot some wild deer at Richmond Park, go bird-watching at the Walthamstow Wetlands, or see some amazing plantlife at Kew Gardens!
You might find a lot of bees buzzing around during the summer months and your first instinct may be to swat them. But remember that bees are our friends, they're a key player in pollination and without them, many of our plants wouldn't exist! Also, they're just curious until you anger them, then they'll try to sting you and release pheromones that are a war cry for other bees!

Last tips in the case of an emergency

No need to worry about healthcare in London, it's some of the best in Europe! So if you've got an emergency, here are some tips:

The UK has a super progressive way of dealing with healthcare. The National Health Service (NHS) decided to make all emergency care free, even for tourists! That's incredible and it’d be great to see more places adopting something similar. Travel insurance is still recommended, though.
If you're looking for a snack or where to eat in London, its street food is incredible! You can find cuisine from all around the world and they stick to strict health code standards. Make sure to ask about allergens, you never know what's in that exotic dish!
999 is for all emergencies (police, ambulance, and fire department).
111 is for medical advice if you're worried about something. It's also free to call!

So, is London safe?

Yes, London is a safe city! But like with many cities around the world that are tourist hubs, you need to watch out for some things. Just stick to streets with a lot of foot traffic, don't wander into any dark alleys, and don't keep your headphones in your ears while walking! And if you're here on your family trip, or group or solo adventure, leave anything with Bounce and enjoy your whole day stress-free!