We’ve talked about it many times before about how great it is to visit a city by running, and this time I wanted to experience it by running in London on a two-day-only trip-lightning.
It is a bit of a gamble and a bit of a quest for confirmation, but above all, the intention was to create a small vademecum for visiting London in no time by taking full advantage of our main characteristic: getting from one point to another by running.
If you don’t have time to waste, I’ll tell you right now that, yes, it is possible and it is-most importantly-very fun and you should definitely try it.
Useful information for visiting in London
Let’s start with a very small vademecum to save you time (and money) and make the most of every single moment you spend in London.
Plane: Unless you decide to reach it by train by taking advantage of the Channel Tunnel, London is easily reached by plane from almost any Italian airport with low-cost tickets. As your destination airport, I recommend Heathrow because it is connected to the city by subway, so you can get to the city center directly without having to suffer the tragic consequences of traffic jams and traffic.
Transportation: With the subway you get almost everywhere and it is a great way to get around especially if you don’t mind walking a few hundred meters to reach your destination (and we don’t mind, do we?). In lieu of single ride tickets I recommend you purchase the Visitor Oyster Card (you can buy it before you leave and you will receive it directly at home) which is a prepaid card from which the cost of the rides you take will be deducted (see link for all information).
Hotels: There are a lot of deals out there, I would advise you to choose the hotel (or an AirBnB accommodation) based on the area it is located in and not just based on the price: when you are traveling for very few days the differences can be really marginal but choosing the right area, perhaps with an accommodation convenient to the subway, will save you a lot of time. I stayed in the Mayfair area to be more “convenient” to everything even without a subway but there are many areas of the city that are worth experiencing, even if only for a few hours.
Food: As in any big metropolis, eating is not a problem because every 20 meters you will find any restaurant, fast food, street food, junk food, that suits your taste. Go easy.
Tickets and reservations: If you leave already with an idea of what you want to see, book everything from home: you can save a lot of time (and queues), you just have to show up at the appropriate ticket offices to convert your reservation into a valid ticket. I, by doing so, saved more than 3 hours in line for only two entrances: London Eye and Madame Tussouds Museum.
Helpful Notes: Although you can enter the UK with just your ID card (but it is not yet known for how long), I recommend using your passport if you have the one with the electronic chip because you will save a lot of time (even more than an hour) at the checks.
Also remember that the British drive on the wrong side, so when you cross the street you have to look first to the right and then to the left.
Also don’t forget that the euro is not accepted, so you will have to leave home with some pounds in your pocket (or change as soon as you land).
Having finished the vademecum, let’s talk about running. ;)
The route to visit London by running
The route I have prepared is about 10 km but, if you want, you can also lengthen or shorten it according to your ability and need. My only advice to you is to take it easy! On a run like this the average pace is the last thing that matters: stop when you want, take pictures with your phone, enjoy the view, lose yourself in the beauty of the city.
The route starts at London Bridge and goes to Neal’s Yard, passing the Tate Gallery, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, the Mayfair, and Piccadilly Circus. It’s simple, and the only risk you’ll take is that your eyes will get indigestion.
You can see the route detail here (or by clicking on the map above) and in the video above (you are subscribed to our YouTube channel, right?).
You will have a great time even if Baby George doesn’t think so, believe me! ;)
