How a Layover Turned Into One of My Favorite Trips
Solo travel to London had been on my dream list for years. I had always imagined experiencing the city during the holidays or summer months, walking through historic neighborhoods, photographing everyday life, and soaking in the atmosphere that makes London feel both timeless and alive.
During my annual visit to family in Germany, I casually mentioned how much I would love to visit London someday, especially during the holidays. If you have followed along for a while, you know that I visit my family in Germany every single year. For a long time, that meant most of our travel budget went toward that trip alone, leaving little room for adding other destinations.
Over the past few years, Brody and I made intentional changes. We cut back on expenses, prioritized travel, and built a system that allowed us to explore more of the world without stretching ourselves thin. That shift paid off in a big way and is exactly how my solo trip to London began.
How I Booked a Solo Trip to London Using Credit Card Points
I want to be upfront that this post mentions credit cards and points, not because I want to convince anyone to sign up for anything, but because using points and smart spending has genuinely made travel like this possible for us.
When planning my 2025 trip to Germany, Brody was helping search for flights. Anyone who has booked international flights recently knows prices have increased significantly. I used to be able to fly roundtrip from Detroit to Nürnberg, Germany for around $540. Now, similar flights are often $950 or more.
While searching, Brody found a different routing option and casually asked,
“Do you want to go to London this summer?”
Naturally, my answer was yes.
He explained that flying Germany to London and then London to Chicago was actually cheaper than flying directly from Germany to Chicago. That was all I needed to hear.
We used some of my credit card points through my Chase Sapphire card, and when everything was booked, my flights from Chicago to Frankfurt, Frankfurt to London, and London back to Chicago totaled under $800. That single routing change made my solo travel to London possible.
Arriving in London and Choosing the Best Transportation
After landing at Heathrow, I decided to skip booking a cab and take the Elizabeth Line instead. As someone who is still fairly new to true solo travel, I try to choose transportation options that keep me around people and feel familiar and safe. The Elizabeth Line was easy to navigate, efficient, and brought me directly into the city without stress.
It was the perfect way to ease into London on my own.
Where I Stayed in London
The Tower Hotel Review
I spent months researching hotels and eventually booked The Tower Hotel, which overlooks Tower Bridge. I wanted a location that felt central and inspiring but did not require constant transportation.
While I planned to explore all over the city, staying here ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip. The views alone made it worth it, but the location was also ideal for walking, sightseeing, and starting each day feeling grounded in the city.
Looking back, I would absolutely stay here again.
How I Got Around London as a Solo Traveler
As someone who values feeling comfortable and oriented in a new city, I cannot say enough good things about Big Bus Tours. This is not sponsored, but it truly should be.
I first used Big Bus Tours with my mom in Rome in 2015, used it again during my first solo trip to Marseille, France in 2024, and relied on it heavily in London. It allowed me to see an incredible amount of the city without constantly navigating the Tube or walking long distances alone.
Another part of being able to explore freely is staying connected. Anytime I travel, I choose Airalo so I always have access to my phone and data.
Using the bus, I was able to visit Piccadilly Circus, Notting Hill, Portobello Road Market, Daunt Books, Big Ben, Harrods, and many more iconic London locations. Riding the bus meant I was sightseeing even while traveling between stops, which made the experience feel full and efficient.
There is no way I would have seen as much of London as I did without this option.
How I Document My Travels
Photos, Video, and Gear
I also wanted to share how I documented my solo trip to London. I posted a video on TikTok showing how I film and photograph my travels, and it perfectly reflects how intentional I am about staying present while still capturing memories.
For luggage, I brought a 24 inch checked suitcase. For my carry on, I used my Peak Design 30L Travel Backpack, which has become my go to for travel. Inside, I packed all of my camera gear in a medium camera cube, keeping everything protected and organized.
For my everyday bag, I brought my Coach Teri Hobo bag. It fits far more than you would expect and can be worn as both a shoulder bag and crossbody, which is ideal for long days of walking. Inside, I carried my DJI Pocket 3, my Fujifilm X100VI which is what all of the photos in this post were taken on, and my Coach wallet.
This setup worked incredibly well and is something I plan to use again for future trips.
Final Thoughts on Solo Travel to London
This solo trip to London was not something I had planned years in advance. It came together through flexibility, smart planning, and a willingness to say yes when the opportunity presented itself. It reminded me that travel does not have to be perfect or extravagant to be meaningful.
If you are considering solo travel to London, I cannot recommend it enough. With thoughtful planning, safe transportation choices, and a flexible mindset, it can be an incredibly empowering experience.
If you want to follow along with more of my travels, you can find me here
TikTok: raechelmariephoto or raechelabroad
YouTube: raechelandbrody
Instagram: raechelandbrody or raechelmariephoto
Some links mentioned in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
