Tips for Traveling Around London with Babies and Young Children
London is an exciting city to explore with little ones, but it can also be expensive if you’re not careful. Fortunately, with some smart planning, you can enjoy the best of the city without spending a fortune. Here are some budget-friendly tips for navigating London with babies and young children while keeping costs down.
Cultural Things to Note When Traveling to London for the First Time
London is a diverse and vibrant city with its own set of cultural norms and etiquette. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
Queueing is Important: Londoners take queuing (standing in line) very seriously. Always wait your turn in an orderly fashion at bus stops, ticket counters, and shops.
Mind the Gap: When using the Tube, always listen for the announcement to "Mind the gap" between the train and the platform edge. Some tube stations such as Bank have a large gap between the tube and platform, take extra care when stepping off especially with children.
Stand on the Right: When using escalators, stand on the right to allow others to walk past on the left.
Public Transport Etiquette: Offer your seat to pregnant women, elderly passengers, or people with disabilities. Most transport services have designated priority seats. Its also polite to let people off the train first before boarding.
Tipping is Optional: Unlike in some countries, tipping is not compulsory. In restaurants, a service charge may already be included, but if not, 10-12.5% is a standard tip. Tipping is not expected in cafes or fast-food places. Some restaurants have a service charge already built into the cost, you will find this on the bottom of the bill so you do not need to pay an extra tip.
Crossing the Road: Always check both directions before crossing the street, as traffic in London drives on the left. Use pedestrian crossings where possible.
Weather Can Change Quickly: Always carry an umbrella or a raincoat, as the weather can shift unexpectedly.
Cashless Payments: Most places prefer contactless or card payments over cash, so it’s good to have a debit/credit card or mobile payment method handy.
Use Free and Discounted Public Transport
One of the biggest advantages of traveling in London with kids is the generous public transport policy:
Children under 5 travel free on the Tube, buses, trams, DLR, London Overground, and most National Rail services within the city.
Children aged 5-10 also travel free on buses and trams, and can use the Tube and other rail services for free with a Zip Oyster Photocard.
Children aged 11-15 can get discounted fares with a Zip Oyster Photocard, making it much cheaper than buying standard tickets.
For adults, using an Oyster card or a contactless bank card is cheaper than buying single tickets. Plus, the daily fare cap ensures you won’t overspend on transport. You will need an Oyster card or bank card per person as they can only be used once to enter. If you are travelling from overseas, consider using a prepaid Oyster card as your bank may charge you transaction fee’s every time you use public transport. If you are looking for a new bank card for your travel, Monzo is great for this.
Understanding the Tube
Familiarize yourself with the Tube map, bus routes, and how to use an Oyster card or contactless payment. Avoid rush hour (7:30–9:30 AM and 5:00–7:00 PM) when traveling with a buggy if you can.
Some tube stations are actually quicker and easier to walk to than between than the tube ( Covent Garden and Leicester Square for instance) check your Google map walking time and see if this is achievable for you, its also a great way to see more of the city.
Download the TFL Step Free Map to access all the best stations for buggies.
The best bus routes to see the sights
Exploring London by bus is one of the best (and cheapest!) ways to take in the city's most iconic landmarks. With no need for expensive tour buses, just hop on a regular bus, grab a seat on the top deck, and enjoy stunning views as you ride through the heart of the city. Here are the best London bus routes for sightseeing:
Route 11 – The Ultimate Sightseeing Bus
From: Liverpool Street → Fulham Broadway
Sights Along the Way: St Paul’s Cathedral, Bank of England, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and King’s Road
Route 390 – A Tourist’s Dream
From: Victoria → Archway
Sights Along the Way: Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street, and King’s Cross
Route 26 – The Skyscraper Route
Sights Along the Way: The Gherkin, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Shard, Tower of London
From: Hackney Wick → Waterloo
Route 4 – The Classic London Views
Sights Along the Way: Waterloo Bridge (best skyline view!), St. Paul’s Cathedral, Blackfriars
From: Archway → Blackfriars
breastfeeding and baby changing
Firstly, breastfeeding is widely accepted her in the UK so you don’t have to feel uncomfortable if your baby needs feeding. If you are looking for a little more privacy then many large department stores (like John Lewis and Marks & Spencer), museums, and attractions offer clean and comfortable facilities for families. Additionally, bringing a lightweight stroller (we love a YOYO) or baby carrier - it can make getting around much easier, especially in areas with lots of steps like Tube stations.
You can also download the NCT Baby Changing app to find facilities closest to you.
Take Advantage of Free Attractions
London is packed with free, child-friendly attractions, making it easy to explore the city without breaking the bank. Some must-visit spots include:
Lots of museums such as The Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and the Children’s V&A all offer interactive exhibits and free entry.
Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground are fantastic places for little ones to run around.
The South Bank great area to walk along the river, watch street performers, and let kids enjoy the sights for free. You can also use it to bulk out a visit to a paid attraction as many are situated here.
Find your neighbourhood
London is diverse and has something for everyone. Find the London neighbourhood that suits your family and consider what kind of trip you are talking. Areas such as Stratford, Greenwich, and Hackney offer cheaper accommodation while still being well-connected by public transport.
Consider chains like Premier Inn, Holiday Inn and Travelodge, which offer family rooms at reasonable prices. They also offer free breakfasts for children.
Airbnb and serviced apartments can save you money by allowing you to cook meals yourself. Its also a great way to get a little more space in this crowded city! Locke Hotels are dotted all over the Capital and are a stylish and convenient way to travel with young kids.
KIds eat free
Eating out in London can add up quickly, so bringing your own food is a great way to save money. Supermarkets like Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury’s offer affordable meal deals, and many parks have picnic areas where you can enjoy a packed lunch.
We love using Smiggle bento boxes as snack boxes for day trips. You can fill them with various snack or make a packed lunch and it will stay fresh.
If you do want to eat out, look for kids-eat-free deals or kids-eat-for £1 during school holidays available at restaurants like Bill’s, Pizza Express, TGI Fridays, Cote, Banana Tree and Roka have their individual deals so be sure to look them up.
