It is so exciting. You’ll finally be on your own and living in London. You may be going there for work or maybe you are about to attend higher education. That is absolutely great.

Before you leave for the city though, you really should be well prepared. The city is no place to find one self stranded and ignorant. The pace of life is very fast here and it is to your advantage to have as many things organized as possible before you even set foot within the boundaries of the city.

Make sure that you have a place to stay once you get to the city. There are lots of hotels, hostels and bed and breakfasts but even these can be full, especially during the peak season of travel. Don’t leave this to chance; confirm the booking before you even leave home.

If you are a foreigner, make sure that you have photocopies of your passport and any other vital documents. It is best to have a photocopy of all the important pages of your passport, especially your visa.

If you are planning to drive in London, make sure you have an international driver’s license. While the public transportation system is quite extensive there is nothing like having a car of one’s own. Better get this before you even leave your home country. Don’t forget to have this photocopied as well for safety.

Traveler’s Cheques are your best friend when you are out of your own country. They are safer than carrying cash.

If you are in London for an academic education, always have your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) ready at all times. There are lots of discounts that you can avail of using this ID. Don’t waste the opportunity to save when you can.

You’ll also need to have extra passport pictures. You’ll need them when you apply for your visa and other ID’s. Though London is sure to have photo machines that you can use, it makes more sense to have them ready before you even leave your hometown and have them handy in your wallet.