We are planning a trip to London in June. Is the current "Rick Steves London" book, released in 2024, still current enough? (The next version should come out right as well leave -- so not much use for planning!)
We haven't been since 1997, so obviously anything will be helpful, and I do know about the updates on the web site; mostly I am curious about how much "drift" there will have been since the book's release.
Thanks!
2024 will be reasonably accurate; just like any guidebook, you will need to verify hours and prices on websites and check recent reviews.
You can check for updates to the guidebook here:
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/england/guidebook-updates
There are some updates for London.
For planning purposes, yes. I mean, is it deal breaker if admission went up 1 or 2 GBP? Generally, verify any plans by checking their website, but most of the sights are still there, maybe restaurants are shifted around, but you should be fine.
It's fine for historic sites and landmarks that do not move. Buckingham Palace will not change between the date of publication and today.
Just be warned that some things, particularly related to culture and life, are frustratingly inaccurate and it can pay dividends to do further research.
For example, it blows my mind that this is still the current advice on travel money. It suggests getting cash from an airport atm on arrival (terrible idea), implies that cash is useful at all when almost all of Europe is cash free now, and says things like "multicurrency accounts are only useful for frequent travellers", which is just bizarre, they are perfect for either one trip or several.
No guidebook should be taken 100% at face value. Even when first printed, they are nearly a year old.
It's best to use a guidebook for general reference and then check onlline at the site/hotel/restaurants own website for updates.
