When I go to london should i get a guide or explore the city on my own?

i like the idea of going on my own or do you think I will miss to much? i will be there for 10 days and plan on sightseeing most of the time.When I go to london should i get a guide or explore the city on my own?
I prefer to do it on my own too. I would advise to read as much about the places you are going beforehand. If you understand what is important, why it's important and the history, you will get a better understanding. I don't mean to spend hours and hours becoming an expert, but the main highlights.





Also, spend time looking at where things are in relationship to each other and plan your days around what makes sense and set an itinerary. I always do that, building in slack time to linger where I want and not feel on a tight schedule. Also, make your itinerary in the order of things you are dying to see first and those in which you have less interest as last. That way, if you improvise, you can not worry about leaving not having seen everything you wanted.





When you make your itinerary, also pay close attention to what time things open and close...don't schedule a place that will take three hours to see an hour before it closes. Make the places where you'll spend the most time the earliest in the days. I can't remember if London had any days with their museums where they either closed mid-week or had free days. But check for that also. I know in some countries, mueums are free on Sundays, closed on Mondays. Also, check for any local holidays.





When I went to London, I saved a ton of money (crucial now with the weak dollar) by prepaying as much as I could. I normally do all my reserving by internet, but a travel agent got me a package that included an unlimited number of rides on the Metro (saved a ton, and not available to purchase once you arrive in London), plays and hotel. Hotels often have free breakfast, so get one that includes that and eat up! A meal at any restaurant, even a sandwich shop is much more expensive than here (double or so).





Oh, the best way to get oriented, they do have tour buses that drive you around without stopping and point out the sites. A best ';first'; way to see what and where things are!When I go to london should i get a guide or explore the city on my own?
Get a guide if you are a first-time traveler. With a guide, you will be able to hit the most desirable sites in the most efficient manner. Rather, than wasting time finding your way around and getting lost or having to navigate traffic, battling weather and weary feet.


You can also hit many of the hop-on/hop-off bus lines the city offers. These allow you to spend additional time at places you want and bypass other stops. Most also offer headphones with info about each of the sites.


If you have time (depending on your length of stay), you can always return to the places you wish later in the day or on a different day to get in deeper to the things you want to do.


Think of the tour as a table of contents or index to your vacation.


You can also meet with other tourists and get recommendations from them on what to see, what to avoid, places to eat, shop and getting around.





And maybe you can make some new friends!
ALWAYS EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN
You can do it on your own with a London Guide book.





http://www.explorelondon.co.uk/





Enjoy!
Definitely plan and figure out the main things you want to see. Are you staying at a hostel? They are great place to meet people and find out off the beaten path places to check out. Go to the globe trekker website or pick up a lonely planet guidebook. Go on a couple of day tours, there are plenty of tours with themes, authors, murders, etc. If you can, spend a night in Bath. You'll always miss something, but it's an excuse to go back. Bon Voyage. Wish I was going!