How to Wander Like a Local in London

Isabelle Harrison
Aug 20
3 min read

For our fashion forward and safety conscious wanderers

Wandering like a local can not only provide a fun way to switch up - and style up! - your routine, but can be an important part of staying safe while traveling. Behaving like a local can help prevent theft, pickpocketing and scams that thieves so often target tourists for.

Here’s what we recommend as you Wander Like a Local in London!

When in doubt, wear black

Alongside Paris, Milan and New York, London is known as one of the four major fashion capitals of the world, and for good reason. Sharp tailoring, classic designs and posh couture are a staple here - not to mention the fact that the city is home to world-renowned style icons like Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and David and Victoria Beckham.

If you are having a difficult time determining what to wear when stylish Londoners abound, you’ll never be in the wrong by sticking to all black. There is a timelessness to the shade that has appealed to Londoners for centuries and is so classic, you can wear it every day you are in town, at any time of year!

No backpacks

Try to avoid carrying large backpacks, as they make you an easy target for pickpocketing. In a crowd, burglars can easily access the zip in the back and steal your precious items and important documents.

Instead, opt for a sleek cross-body purse, especially if it’s anti-theft and slash-proof or a travel security waistband that fits all your essentials and remains out of sight.

Of course, keep important things tightened securely on you rather than a pocket of any kind.

Keep an eye on your phone

Beware of phone snatchers! These are modern-day pickpockets. Whether you’re holding your phone out to stare at Google Maps, texting a friend or snapping a selfie, be mindful that a biker may whizz by you and snatch it right out of your hands.

Try to limit how long you hold your phone out, and when you do, hang on tight with the awareness that it could get swooped out of your hands very abruptly. Use something like this as a stylish option to keep your phone close to you at all times.

Stand right, walk left

New Yorkers, you know this one! “Stand right, walk left” applies here too, as the primary principle of escalator etiquette. There are few things more frustrating to a Londoner in a hurry than someone standing in the way of them getting to their destination.

Stay on the right when you’re on an escalator if you choose to stand! If you walk up the escalator, be sure to keep the same pace as those around you. When traveling in pairs, stand on different steps and out of the way of foot traffic.

And please, avoid slowing down and stopping in the middle of the sidewalk. You're a Londoner now, you have places to be!

No, the rain won’t go away

Rainfall in London is so common throughout the year that you’d be hard pressed to have a day on your trip without it. It will be erratic. It will be drizzly. It will be misty. Own it.

Don’t look bothered by the rain. A real Londoner will simply frown, put their hood up and get on with it. Frizzy hair? No problem. You’re a Londoner now. You could care less.

Ask for the bill at restaurants

Unlike in the United States and Canada, restaurant staff will not automatically bring over the bill at the end of your meal. It’s on you to ask for it.

And when they do, don’t pull out your credit card. Digital payment reigns at restaurants in London. Simply scan your Apple Pay, Google Pay or other digital wallet and you’ll be good to go. This makes splitting the bill easy as… Steak & ale pie.

Digital payments on public transportation

Speaking of - the tube and bus system have integrated digital wallets into their payment system. No need for an Oyster card. Simply swipe your phone and go!