10 Tips for Your Next London Business Trip

London is a vibrant, fast-paced city that is perfect for networking, business opportunities, and hosting meetings. Whether you’re attending a conference or you’re pitching to potential clients, you want to make the most out of your time.

Your next business trip to London should go smoothly, which means from the organization of the trip to the actual visit, everything has to be planned perfectly. We’ve put together a list of 10 practical tips that you should keep in mind for your next London business trip.

Drop off your luggage before you go to a meeting.

If you’ve just arrived off the plane and you don’t want to pull your suitcase around, and your hotel isn’t available for check-in, consider using the left luggage services at Victoria station. Victoria Station is well known for its convenient access ability to the rest of the city, and Victoria Station left luggage facilities offer you a safe place to store your belongings for a few hours. You can even store them for a whole day if necessary! 

This is a service that is ideal if you’re arriving early, or your hotel room isn’t ready, or if your schedule is too tight and you don’t have time to drop anything off. By using Victoria Station’s left luggage facilities, you can explore the city with ease before your meeting or go straight to the meeting from the station because you’ll already be pretty central.

Prepare yourself for unpredictable weather.

London’s weather is not easy to predict, so you need to be able to bring with you an umbrella, a coat, and sunglasses! Even in the middle of summer, you can’t guarantee that a storm won’t sweep in. Dress smartly for your trip, but be prepared for all weather. Check the forecast the night before and the morning of your trip and pack an umbrella that is practical but stylish. 

If you’re heading to a business meeting or to meet clients, make sure that your attire accommodates for a sudden change in the weather. Many professionals in London are used to carrying compact umbrellas or wearing layers to stay comfortable regardless of the conditions.

Get to know the underground network.

London’s underground network is known as the tube, and it’s the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city. During your business trip, if you’re traveling to different meetings across the city, using the tube saves you both time and money because it’s very easy to use once you have a map in hand. 

Make sure that you have an Oyster card or a contactless payment card so that you don’t have to stand in long ticket queues and you can just beep your way through all the gates. It’s also worth downloading the app or Google Maps to plan your routes in advance so that you’re always on the right line no matter what. People move pretty quickly on the tub,e and you want to be able to keep up.

Make sure that you have time for networking.

If you’re taking a business trip to London, it’s likely that you’re going to be stuck in a lot of meetings, but try to leave time for some networking opportunities, too. London is home to some of the world’s leading businesses, and you can get stuck in with conferences, expos and trade shows, or even during coffee breaks between meetings. Attending events that align with your industry and expertise can help you expand your network and build valuable relationships.

Use coworking spaces.

While you’re in the city, don’t stay holed up in your hotel if you don’t have to. Professionals who need a quick workspace between meetings can benefit from the variety of coworking spaces that London has to offer. This allows you both comfort and functionality, and if you need to prepare for a meeting or finish up some last minute reports, these are spaces that offer you flexible hours, fast Wi-Fi and the business amenities that you need.

Book restaurants and meeting rooms in advance.

While you’re in the planning stages of the London Business trip, make sure that you’ve booked any restaurants and meeting rooms in advance because these can get fully booked very quickly. This is especially the case during the London lunch or dinner rush. If you’re planning to take any colleagues or clients to a meal, it’s a good idea to make sure that you book things ahead so that you can just walk in. This is especially a good idea if you’re going to spaces such as the Ledbury or the Ivy.

Make sure to manage your time.

Business trips don’t last forever, and London is a quick-moving city. Planning your meetings ahead of time to avoid overbooking yourself or rushing between locations is important. Ideally, you want to leave some buffer time between meetings in case of any delays on transport. If you’re planning to drive in London, then make sure that you leave a lot of time between meetings so that you have room to get from place to place without being stuck.

Keep a backup plan for connectivity.

One thing that could disrupt your business trip is a lack of connection. If you’re depending on Wi-Fi for video calls or important communications, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. In addition to relying on free London Wi-Fi spaces, consider purchasing a portable Wi-Fi device or a local SIM card so that you have the ability to get online when you need to. Most public places have pretty good Wi-Fi but you need to make sure that you lean on any 4G or 5G networks, too. With a backup plan, you can be ready for anything that should trip you up during your stay.

Stay in business-friendly hotels.

There are plenty of business friendly hotels across London, especially in the locations near major business districts such as Canary Wharf and the City of London. When you’re picking a hotel for your business trip, consider factors such as proximity to your meetings and reliable Wi-Fi. 

Business center services and the availability of meeting rooms are another considerations, because some recommended hotels for business travelers include the Andaz London Liverpool Street and the Ritz. Business-friendly hotels are also usually equipped with meeting spaces so that you can keep yourself in one place but just make sure that everything is central enough to be able to attend on time.

Learn etiquette.

It’s so important that when you’re doing business with clients in London, you understand the local business etiquette to make a positive impression. British professionals tend to value punctuality, so always arrive on time and make sure that you are equipped with business cards to exchange at the start of a meeting. 

You want to maintain a polite, formal tone until you develop a more personal relationship. Londoners, including business people, will often appreciate a good sense of humor, but it’s best to avoid overly personal topics. Lastly, don’t forget your manners!

Whether you’re in London for a few days or this is an extended business engagement, making the most of your time is so important. Using the left luggage services at Victoria station or a range of stations across London will help you to stay organized during your trip. Pack your bags and get ready for a successful business trip to London.