London is famous for its Big Ben which is a historic clock tower and iconic symbol of England of massive cultural significance. Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock which is now used to refer both the clock and the tower. The capital of England and in extension the United Kingdom is London. It is the largest city in England and has been a major settlement for two millennia. London is regarded as a significant global city, exuding considerable impact upon various domains of arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism and transportation among others.

Airports in London

1. Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Airport is the main airport in England and the second busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic which is located 23 kilometers west of central London, near the south end of the London Borough of Hillindon. Formerly named as London Airport since its opening in 1946 before being renamed in 1966, the Heathrow Airport is the largest among all airports serving Greater London and is considered the main gateway into the United Kingdom. Heathrow Airport has four active terminals, namely the Queen’s Terminal or Terminal 2, Oceanic Terminal or Terminal 3, Terminal 4 and Terminal 5. Terminal 1 has been closed since 2015. It is the primary hub for British Airways and a base for Virgin Atlantic, while different terminals would serve different airlines from all over the world.

2. Gatwick Airport

Also known as London Gatwick, the Gatwick Airport is the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom and the busiest single-use runway airport in the world. The airport is located in Crawley, West Sussex which is at southeast England. Initially opened as an aerodrome in the late 1920s the airport begins to be used for commercial flights since 1933. Gatwick Airport is owned and operated by Gatwick Airport Limited with British United Airways and Dan-Air being two of the biggest airlines here.

How to Get Cheap Flights to London?

Traveloka is a travel search engine that makes it easy for travelers to find the cheapest flights to London. All you need to do is to key in the information in the search box simply, and the application will recommend the best trip according to your budget. It compares flight prices across some trusted airlines to help you to get the best possible deal. Don’t hesitate to use Traveloka’s price alert feature to be notified of flights in your desired price range to get the best flight price to London.

When is the Best Time to Fly to London?

While London is a busy destination all year round, there are still times that are less busy than others. The off-peak season is around January to February because of the cooler temperatures and heavy rains. Peak season in London is during the late-spring to summer months from May to September. The best time to visit London is certainly around this period because London will have much better weather as the spring season is much more pleasant while the summer months come with clearer skies. Therefore, if you plan your trip well, you can save your money because the price for hotels and flights during peak season will cost you a lot of money.

London has a temperate oceanic climate in which it is much drier than other global cities such as Rome, Bordeaux, Lisbon, Naples, Sydney or New York. Summers are generally warm and can be hot at times, with an average of 31 days above 25 degree Celsius annually. On the other hand, winters are cooler and much more stable with lesser temperature variation. The temperature extremes could range from -16.1 degree Celsius which was last recorded during January 1962 to 38.1 degree Celsius which was last recorded during August 2003.

In London, you can look forward to enjoying many festivals throughout the year because England is a country with a rich tradition, history and culture. In February, London would become home to one of the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside the region of Asia, with lion dances, parade and cultural entertainment being held in Trafalgar Square, Chinatown, and Shaftesbury Avenue. In the same month, there is London Fashion Week. The London Marathon is organised in April. In June, expect to see festivals like the City of London Festival, Taste of London as well as the Wimbledon Championships which would continue till July. Guy Fawkes Night is in November, while the whole country will gear up for Christmas and eve of New Year in December.

What are the Top 3 Things to Do in London?

1. Big Ben – Officially known as the Clock Tower before being renamed to Elizabeth Tower in 2012 in conjunction with the Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, Big Ben is the nickname that refers to its Great Bell. The design of the tower is done by Augustus Pugin in neo-gothic style with a clock that is reliable since its completion in 1859.

2. Buckingham Palace – Located in the City of Westminster, Buckingham Palace is the United Kingdom monarch’s residence and administrative headquarters. Originally known as the Buckingham House, it has been central to the British people in times national rejoicing or mourning.

3. Coca Cola London Eye – Coca Cola London Eye is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom with a total amount of visitor over 3.75 million people annually. The cantilevered observation wheel is the second highest viewing point in the city after The Shard.