WorkWeek in London – Business Travel, Sights, and Discovery

This blog is about a week in London filled with firsts: first solo international trip, first layover flight, first time navigating a foreign city alone, and first time representing my current company in the London insurance market.

The Pre-Journey Chaos — Planning and Preparations

Visa Reality Check

The London plan began to firm up about three weeks before the trip, and the first task was obvious: get the visa sorted. Working in one of the largest travel services companies in the world, the assumption was that this would be a straightforward task. Reality intervened when the UK visa team mentioned it was peak student season and processing would take at least 18–20 days. This triggered a mini-sprint: collecting documents, filling forms, organising paperwork, and ensuring everything was ready the very next day so that the visa would be fast tracked in time for the flights and meetings. Checking the official visa guidelines early is crucial for any traveller.

Flight Bookings and Wardrobe Upgrades

In parallel, the travel desk began working on flight options. Initially, there was a direct flight, but by the time the visa came through, that option had become too expensive. The final itinerary was a flight via Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways. In hindsight, it turned out to be better than British Airways. This also meant another first: splitting the international journey into two legs and handling a layover alone. That added to the pre-trip jitters. Then there was the wardrobe question. London business meetings meant a quick audit of existing clothes. This led to buying:

• New formal outfits for presentations
• Comfortable yet smart footwear, knowing London involves a lot of walking
• Proper sneakers and heels-free formal shoes for long days

Like they say, you can take a Gujju out of Gujarat, but you cannot keep Gujarati food away from a Gujju.

Therefore, packing also included comfort food from home. Especially when it comes to the mandatory theplas, khakras and athanu or pickle.

Activity Planning from India

Once the basics of visa, tickets, and hotel were under control, friends and well-wishers added another layer: “If you’re going to London, you must explore the city as well.” From that point, a rough leisure plan started to take shape:

• Hop-on-Hop-off bus (based on a great past experience in Berlin)
• London Eye
• River Thames cruise
• A Harry Potter walk or Illuminati-themed tour (eventually dropped as too ambitious)
• Most importantly, watching a play in London’s theatre district was a must do.

On a friend’s recommendation, the choice of play was “The Phantom of the Opera” at His Majesty’s Theatre. Tickets were booked about a week before the trip, and even then, most good seats were gone. A balcony seat was secured at around ₹5,000, while closer seats were in the ₹10,000–15,000 range. It already felt like a special treat in the making. The London Eye, however, was left undecided until reaching London, because work meeting timings were still fluid.

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Reflections from London Tour

Day 0 — The Journey Begins

Airport Night and the Abu Dhabi Layover

The flight from Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi was scheduled at around 4:20 a.m. Reaching the airport at midnight didn’t feel very safe, so the decision was to arrive by about 11:30 p.m., check in early, and try to rest at the airport. Once I reached there, it dawned upon me that I had forgotten the AC adapter.

The state of mind was a mix of exhaustion after a hectic workday and nervous anticipation about the upcoming journey. Sleep came in short, fragmented bursts—half-asleep, half-awake, constantly aware of not wanting to miss the flight.The first leg, Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi, passed mostly in sleep, waking up only when the air hostess arrived with the vegetarian meal.

The second leg, Abu Dhabi to London, was far better. Etihad turned out to be a good experience, with more awake time to watch “Ticket to Paradise” (starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney) and then doze off again for most of the seven-hour flight.

 

Day 1- First Evening in London — Kensington Gardens and Royal Albert Hall

Landing at Heathrow came with one relief: office-arranged transport from the airport to the hotel. First order of business was to purchase an AC adapter from Sainsbury’s on my way to the hotel. The hotel turned out to be near Kensington Gardens, a location whose charm would soon become apparent.

By the I checked into the hotel, it was around 5 p.m. UK time, roughly 9:30 p.m. in India—normally bedtime. Despite the fatigue, there was a desire to get a feel of the city immediately. After a hot shower and some coffee with cookies in the room, the pull of the city’s character was too strong to ignore. I always believe that each city has its own character and the best way to explore a city is to walk on the city streets, and see the people around.

The hotel front desk recommended a short walk to nearby landmarks: Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Gardens. Royal Albert Hall holds a special emotional place, especially because Lata Mangeshkar once famously said that if she ever performed outside India, it would be there—and she did. Standing outside that hall, it was easy to imagine her on stage, the sound of her songs, and the applause echoing through that iconic venue.

Across the road, Kensington Gardens offered a calm, green introduction to London. An unhurried evening stroll through the gardens became a gentle decompression from travel. On my way, I happened to pass the Imperial College of London, where my cousin did his graduation. Dinner that night was simple and familiar: theplas carried from home, eaten in the comforting privacy of the hotel room. The next day promised new beginnings in a new city.

Video: Day 1 in London

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Day 2 — First Victory and Office Meetings

Navigating Public Transport Solo

The first task on Day 1 was getting to the office, located at Dorset Square. There was zero familiarity with local routes, so the hotel help desk became the guide once again.

The instructions were clear:

• Cross the road outside the hotel
• Catch bus number 74
• Get down at Old Marylebone Town Hall
• Walk a short distance to Dorset Square

Following these steps, and reaching the office smoothly, became an important “first small victory”. It was a confidence boost: if this could be done once, perhaps other, more complex journeys in the city were also manageable.

The day itself was filled with meetings, calls, and interactions with colleagues. The route back to the hotel followed the same pattern and felt even easier the second time.

Learning from Colleagues

A key practical insight about the London Eye came from office conversations. The assumption had been that priority entry would be essential to avoid long queues, especially if booked from India.

However, colleagues mentioned that on non-peak weekdays, the queues in the evening were not that bad, and that buying a regular ticket on-site would be enough. This not only made planning more flexible but also saved about 30 pounds that would otherwise have gone into a priority ticket.

The tentative decision was made: the London Eye would probably be done on Thursday evening, after work.

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Day 3 — Monument Station and Lloyds, the Makkah of Insurance

Tube Troubles and Lessons

Day 2 involved travelling by Tube to a station called Monument. This was the first real test of using London’s underground system alone. The initial plan was to use a contactless card:

• Tap in
• Get charged
• Proceed through the gate

Except that, in this case, the system deducted about £1 but did not allow entry. The machine rejected the card. The only option was to buy a single paper ticket for about £7 for the journey from Gloucester Road to Monument.

Arriving at Monument brought another small challenge when the ticket did not allow exit at the destination gate. Help from station staff solved that issue. It was one more reminder that first attempts rarely go smoothly, but every problem becomes a lesson for next time.

Standing Before Lloyd’s Market

From Monument, it was a walk down to Leadenhall Street. There, across from the meeting venue, stood one of the most important symbols in the global insurance industry: Lloyd’s of London. For someone with 20 years in insurance, standing in front of the Lloyd’s building—the place where the modern insurance market began—felt surreal. This was the “Makkah of insurance”, and seeing it in person was a deeply meaningful moment. For the un-initiated, this is equivalent to a hard core, lifelong cricket fan standing in front of the Lords’ cricket ground.

A request was made to colleagues to arrange a visit inside Lloyd’s Market. It required special permission, and Thursday was too short a notice, so a visit was planned for Friday instead. The rest of Thursday was filled with meetings and presentations, but the satisfaction of being in that location, in that industry context, lingered throughout the day.

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London Eye and Evening Walk

London Eye Experience

Thursday was chosen for the London Eye, based on the earlier advice from colleagues. After a full day of meetings, it was finally time to see London from above. The journey involved using the Tube again, this time with more familiarity. Getting off at Westminster station and walking towards the London Eye felt easier and more natural than earlier Tube experiences.

The London Eye ride itself lasted about 30–35 minutes. From the glass capsule, the entire London skyline unfolded:

• Thames River
• Big Ben and Parliament
• Nearby bridges and buildings
• A panoramic view of the city at dusk or night

It was a quiet, almost meditative experience, especially as a solo traveller watching the city from that height.

Westminster Walking Tour

Emerging from Westminster Tube for the first time and seeing Big Ben in front was like stepping into a frame from a film or a favourite TV show. There was instant nostalgia for “Yes Minister” and “Yes, Prime Minister”, whose opening sequences and themes are tied so strongly to the imagery of the Big Ben and its famous chimes.

Another turning point in the day came when the boss shared his extra Oyster card. Having an Oyster card made Tube travel much simpler and more economical, similar to using a metro card in Delhi. It added a layer of comfort and familiarity to moving around. From there, an extended evening walk unfolded:

• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• Parliament Square
• Westminster Abbey
• Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, and Winston Churchill
• Whitehall and then 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official address
• Finally, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery area

This stretch showcased how London blends history and modernity—old Gothic structures standing alongside newer elements, yet everything feeling coherent and well maintained.

Evening Reflections

The walk reinforced a few key impressions of London:

• It is not just a city of office buildings but of carefully preserved historic structures.
• The monarchy’s legacy is visible in the form of large, green Royal Parks—Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, Green Park—providing breathing spaces in the middle of the city.
• Even someone who is not good with maps can navigate reasonably well, thanks to clear signages, logical routes, and helpful people.

The day ended with dinner at Quillion near Buckingham Palace—good Indian food with vegetables, dal, appam, and Malabar paratha. It was a comforting way to close a long, fulfilling day.

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Day 4 (Friday) — Lloyd’s Market and Thames River Cruise

Inside Lloyd’s Market

Friday began early, with a much-awaited visit inside Lloyd’s Market. The building’s interiors carried layers of history:

• Paintings showing how the market began in earlier centuries
• Visuals of slips being exchanged and stamped as evidence of coverage
• The famous “desk” system, where underwriters from across the world sit in their allocated spaces

For anyone working in insurance, this was like walking through a living museum of their industry.

Being a Friday, the usual energy was somewhat muted; post-COVID, many people now work from home on Mondays and Fridays, making Tuesday–Thursday the busiest days in the market. Still, the visit left a deep impression.

A vegetarian lunch at a restaurant named Ivy (full name partially forgotten) followed the Lloyd’s visit, serving as a pleasant interlude between the historic building and the next adventure.

Thames River Cruise

The afternoon was reserved for a river cruise on the Thames, from Westminster Pier to Tower Pier, lasting about 30 minutes.

Along the way, landmarks appeared one after another:

• Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
• London Eye and South Bank
• The Shard and Canary Wharf
• MI5 and MI6 buildings
• Tower Bridge, an unmistakable icon

The guide on the boat provided commentary with humour and high energy, adding colour to the experience. He also showed us the house where Shakespeare stayed.

Food Portion Realisation

One practical learning throughout the trip was about food portions in London. A single burger, for instance, seemed almost three times the size of a typical Indian one.

As a result, meal strategy shifted:

• Ordering starters or soups instead of full mains
• Focusing on quality and taste, not quantity
• Avoiding food waste and overeating

Quillion’s food remained a highlight, especially for someone who enjoys Indian flavours but cannot eat very large portions in one sitting.

River Cruise on Day4

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Day 5 (Saturday) — Hop-On-Hop-Off and The Phantom

Morning Shopping at Sainsbury’s

Saturday began with a practical stop at Sainsbury’s to pick up chocolates and other small items to carry back for friends and family. It was a good way to get a feel for everyday shopping in London.

Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour Highlights

The rest of the day centred around the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tour. Many places visited earlier during walks were revisited, but this time from the comfort and height of the bus.

Key highlights included:

• Tower Bridge, seen from below
• Tower of London from outside, reserved for an in-depth visit next time
• Victoria and Albert Museum
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum

The idea behind these museums, funded and created in earlier centuries, was to give citizens access to history, culture, and science at no cost. To this day, entry remains free, which says a lot about long-term public vision.

The tour commentary also touched on:

• Waterloo Station
• Jack the Ripper walks (for a future trip)
• Notting Hill, famous for the film starring Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts, one of my favourites
• Harrods, considered a high point of fashion and design

Passing by His Majesty’s Theatre added a sense of anticipation for the evening’s play, “The Phantom of the Opera”.

Getting Lost and Finding Help

At a few points, there was confusion about directions. London’s layout of “cross” and “main” roads can be a bit tricky at first. Many parts of Bengaluru also appear to be modelled around a system of crosses and mains. However, unlike namma Bengaluru, the streets in London are properly labelled with proper signages at intersections.

The saving grace was the kindness of strangers. Whenever there was doubt, asking pedestrians for help led to clear, step-by-step guidance. People were patient, specific, and happy to direct the way.This repeated pattern—feeling lost, asking for help, and successfully reaching the destination—played a big role in building confidence, especially near Picadilly circus which can be intimidating at times.

Phantom of the Opera — Evening Magic

The highlight of Saturday was the evening show of “The Phantom of the Opera” at His Majesty’s Theatre. The play has been running since the mid-1980s and still manages to be houseful almost every day, with two shows on Saturdays. That alone speaks volumes about its timeless appeal.

From the balcony seat, even though it was not very close to the stage, the experience was powerful:

• The music stayed in the mind long afterwards.
• The performances and staging created genuine goosebumps.
• It felt like being transported into another world for a few hours.

The thought lingered that paying extra for a front-row seat (₹10,000–15,000) would have been worth it, but even this view, booked just a week in advance, felt memorable and satisfying. Other plays such as “Moulin Rouge”, “The Lion King”, and “Mamma Mia” also looked tempting, but for this trip, Phantom alone created a lasting imprint.

Navigating Tube Line Closures

Coming out of the theatre at night led to another practical London experience: the Piccadilly line, which would have offered a direct route back to the hotel, was closed for maintenance. Once again, a helpful policeman stepped in with advice:

• Take the Waterloo line to Embankment
• From Embankment, switch to the District line

By now, Tube names like Circle, District, Elizabeth, Jubilee, and DLR had started to sound less intimidating and more like familiar tools in the travel toolkit.

This little rerouted journey felt like proof of how much had been learned in just a few days.

Video: Day 5 in London

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Day 6 & 7 — Departure and Reflections

Becoming a Pro

By the time it was time to leave London, there was a sense of having “cracked the code” of the city’s public transport.

Key impressions:

• Public transport (buses and Tube) is fast, reliable, and efficient.
• Most Londoners depend on it daily.
• Using private cars in central areas is discouraged by a £25 daily congestion charge, making public transport the practical choice.

My biggest personal takeaway was confidence: from being someone who outsourced navigation to spouse or friends (in my past trips to Singapore, Europe and Turkey), to someone who could now guide others on how to use the Tube and get around London.

While planning for my past travels, I had often come across the term “International City”. This visit made me realize why London is regarded as one of the prime examples an international city because its mixed heritage of denizens, culture, languages. Even though it is the capital city of the UK, it is truly a melting pot for people from all around the world.

Things Left for Next Time

A few experiences were intentionally left for a future trip:

• Watching a tennis match at Wimbledon
• Visiting Lord’s Cricket Ground properly
• Doing an in-depth tour of the Tower of London
• Joining a guided “Jack the Ripper” walk

Leaving some things undone is its own way of ensuring there will be a “next time”.

Video: Day 6

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Practical Travel Tips for First-Time Solo Travelers to London

Visa and Bookings

• Apply for a UK visa at least 20–25 days in advance, especially during student season.
• Consider flights with layovers if they offer better airlines or timings.
• Book theatre tickets 2–3 weeks in advance for good seats and prices.

Transport

• Get an Oyster card for the Tube and buses.
• Contactless cards may work, but carry a backup plan.
• Learn the main Tube lines and interchanges; it becomes easy with a few days’ use.
• Don’t hesitate to ask station staff or locals for help.

Attractions

• London Eye: On off-peak weekdays, you can safely buy a regular ticket on-site for the last slot.
• Hop-On-Hop-Off bus: Great as a first overview of the city.
• River cruise: A 30-minute Thames cruise offers a nice visual summary of major landmarks.
• Museums: Many major ones are free—plan at least half a day each if you like art, history, or science.

Food

• Portions are large; order accordingly.
• Starters and soups can sometimes be enough for a meal.
• Indian restaurants and familiar flavours are easy to find.
• Carry some comfort food from home for the first few days.

Walking and Neighbourhoods

• Great walking areas include Westminster, Trafalgar Square, South Bank, Kensington Gardens, and Notting Hill.
• Parks and gardens add a calm, natural dimension to the city, even for short evening walks.

Mindset

• Expect some confusion and small mistakes in the first couple of days.
• Treat every challenge as part of the learning process.
• Each small success—reaching a destination, navigating a Tube line, finding your way back—builds confidence.
• Solo travel is not just about seeing places; it is about discovering what you are capable of doing on your own.

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London’s Character — What Makes It Special

Architecture and Urban Design

• Gothic and historic structures like Big Ben, Parliament, and Westminster Abbey define London’s skyline.
• Modern buildings like The Shard blend into the city without overshadowing its past.
• Old and new coexist, giving London a layered, textured character.

Royal Gardens

• Parks such as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, and Green Park are spacious, green, and beautifully maintained.
• They are legacies of the monarchy and continue to be open public spaces that shape the city’s atmosphere.

Public Transport Culture

• The Underground Tube system is over a century old and still serves as the backbone of daily commuting.
• Buses and trains together create a seamless network.
• With congestion charges and limited central parking, public transport becomes the most logical choice.

Culture and Theatre

• London is one of the world’s great theatre cities.
• Plays like “Phantom of the Opera” have run for decades with full houses.
• Combined with free museums and vibrant public spaces, the city feels rich in culture and accessible experiences.

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FAQ

Q: Is London safe for a first-time solo traveller?
Yes. London is generally very safe, especially in central areas and tourist zones. Public transport is well lit and busy, and help is easy to find if you ask.

Q: Do I need to book everything in advance?
Book shows and popular attractions a week or two in advance. For things like the London Eye during weekdays and non-peak seasons, it’s possible to decide after reaching the city.

Q: Is it difficult to use the Tube?
It may feel confusing on Day 1, but by Day 3 or 4, the names and lines begin to make sense. Maps and signboards are clear, and staff are helpful.

Q: Are vegetarian options easily available?
Yes. Many restaurants offer vegetarian dishes, and there are plenty of Indian restaurants. Supermarkets also stock a variety of vegetarian and vegan products.

Q: Is solo travel to London worth it if I’m not confident with directions?
Absolutely. In fact, that is exactly the kind of city where you can learn and grow. The systems are strong enough to support you, and the experience will likely leave you more confident than when you arrived.

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