Rick Steves London 2018

Publish Date: December 19th 2017

Inside Rick Steves London 2018 you’ll find:

Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring London
Rick’s strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites
Top sights and hidden gems, from Trafalgar Square and the Victoria & Albert to where to find the best tikka masala or fish and chips
How to connect with local culture: Catch a show in Soho, meet the ravens at the Tower of London, and end your day at the pub sharing a pint and chat with a friendly Londoner
Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick’s candid, humorous insight
The best places to eat, sleep, and relax over a cup of tea
Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums
Detailed neighborhood maps and a fold-out city map for exploring on the go
Useful resources including a packing list, popular British slang, a historical overview, and recommended reading
Over 500 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down
Annually updated information on the whole city, plus day trips to Windsor, Cambridge, and Stonehenge

This is my first review of a Rick Steves travel book.

I had heard good things about the Rick Steves books and finally decided to pick one up for our first trip to London. We put this book to the test.

I carried this book all around London. Holding this book tells everyone that I am a tourist but I didn’t really mind. The book was so helpful for me that I opened it constantly. It helped me to orient myself to the city, shared a brief history on the landmarks that we visited, and helped me to navigate through the city. I loved it!

On Day 1, we started off with tea at the Cafe in the Crypt, as Rick Steves recommended this for a budget tea and it was perfect. We then did a quick tour of the National Gallery and went to see all of the art that Rick Steves mentioned. We also did the book’s recommended West End walk and it was a memorable first glimpse of the city. I read out loud as we were walking and pointed out landmarks & stores, and shared the history of the famed streets. We walked through Trafalgar Square, towards Covent Garden and the Theatre District.

On Day 2, we went to the British Museum and saw all of the book’s suggestions on things to see, including the Rosetta Stone. Later that day, we went to the Warner Brothers Studio Harry Potter tour. It’s not in the book, but it’s FABULOUS! It has movie sets, paraphernalia, interactive activities, and props from all NINE of the Harry Potter movies. Everyone in my family loved it. It’s for the die hard fans and even non fans. I think Rick Steves should add the Warner Brothers Studio Harry Potter tour to the book.

In addition to the Rick Steves book, I also recommend buying the London Pass for sightseeing. This pass gives you access to 80+ attractions, including many of the ones that first-time visitors usually see. Having this pass allows you to skip the ticket lines which can be VERY long during peak seasons like the summer. Line skipping (not to mention the money savings) was the biggest benefit.

I recommend Rick Steves London 2018 to anyone considering visiting the city. It had great ways to save money too, and avoid the tourist traps. It’s a handy guide to read before your trip, and I wish I had done that. It’s full of history, fun stories, and humorous insights. I got some weird looks for laughing out loud several times while I was reading this book.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars