Things Londoners Never Do (But Tourists Always Do)

London is one of the most visited cities in the world and for good reason. It’s historic, vibrant, and packed with things to see and do. But here’s the thing: what tourists think of as “the London experience” is often completely different from how actual Londoners live.

Ask a local, and they’ll tell you straight: there are some things they’d never be caught doing… but tourists seem to love. It doesn’t make one group right or wrong it just shows that London has two personalities.

So, if you want to experience the city like a Londoner (or just avoid looking completely out of place), here are the things locals never do but tourists can’t resist.

1. Standing on the Left of the Escalator

This is rule number one. Tourists stand two-by-two, blocking the escalators. Londoners? They know: stand on the right, walk on the left. Break this rule, and you’ll feel a thousand angry sighs behind you.

2. Going to Oxford Street for Shopping

Tourists flock to Oxford Street for Primark, Zara, and Selfridges. Londoners? They avoid it like the plague. For locals, shopping means Westfield (Shepherd’s Bush or Stratford), Carnaby Street, or better yet, independent shops in Shoreditch, Hackney, or King’s Cross.

3. Queuing Hours for Madame Tussauds

You’ll rarely meet a Londoner who’s been to Madame Tussauds unless it was on a school trip. The idea of paying £35+ to look at wax figures? No thanks. Locals would rather explore quirky museums like the Hunterian, Horniman, or the Wellcome Collection.

4. Watching the Changing of the Guard (Up Close)

Yes, it’s iconic. Yes, the uniforms look great. But most Londoners don’t spend their mornings crushed against Buckingham Palace gates waiting for guards to march. If they want royal history, they’ll head to Hampton Court Palace or Kensington Gardens quieter, more atmospheric, and far less crowded.

5. Taking a Picture in a Telephone Box

You’ll spot tourists squeezing into red phone boxes for selfies. Londoners? They’ll walk straight past (probably holding their nose many of those boxes double as urinals). If you really want that photo, fair enough but now you know the truth.

6. Eating in Leicester Square

Tourists get drawn into the neon lights and chain restaurants around Leicester Square. Londoners know it’s overpriced and soulless. For real food, locals head just a few streets away: Chinatown, Soho, or Seven Dials, where proper gems hide.

7. Calling It “The Subway”

Tourists (especially from the US) sometimes call the Underground “the subway.” Londoners will smile politely, but inside they’re thinking: It’s the Tube. Always the Tube. Bonus tip: don’t say “metro” either that’s Paris.

8. Queuing for Abbey Road Zebra Crossing

Every day, tourists risk their lives recreating the Beatles’ famous album cover. Londoners? They’ll grumble while stuck in traffic waiting for the crowd to clear. Want a music fix? Locals go to Camden for live gigs, or Abbey Road Studios shop for something Beatles-related without dodging cars.

9. Riding the London Eye

Yes, it looks impressive. But at £30+ a ticket, most Londoners give it a miss. For skyline views, they’ll head to the Sky Garden (free), Primrose Hill (also free), or grab a cocktail at a rooftop bar instead.

10. Hailing a Black Cab

Tourists love the novelty of a black cab ride. Londoners? They’ll open their Uber app or jump on a bus for £1.75. Black cabs are iconic, but they’re not the go-to transport for locals unless it’s 3 a.m. and nothing else is running.

11. Spending All Day in Piccadilly Circus

Tourists treat Piccadilly like it’s Times Square. Londoners? It’s just a busy junction with a big screen. You’ll rarely see them hanging around there. Instead, they’d rather be in Soho (a few minutes away) or enjoying the buzz in Shoreditch.

12. Walking Slowly on the Tube

This one’s simple. Tourists stop suddenly or stroll slowly through crowded Tube stations. Londoners move at speed. It’s survival of the fittest down there walk fast, or risk being trampled.

Why This Matters

Tourists and Londoners see the city through completely different lenses. Tourists come for the landmarks; Londoners live in the cracks between them the pubs, the shortcuts, the hidden green squares, the everyday rhythm.

If you want to experience London more like a local, it’s not about skipping the classics altogether it’s about mixing them with the little things Londoners love.

Final Thoughts

London is a city of habits, rules, and unspoken traditions. Tourists might not notice them, but locals live by them.

So next time you’re here, go ahead and tick off the big sights but also step into a pub for a Sunday roast, wander a hidden market, or just sit in a square people-watching. That’s when London feels real.

Want more insider tips, hidden gems, and local stories? Follow @london.yaar because knowing what not to do in London is just as important as knowing what to see.