Visitor questionsLondon visitor FAQ

Most visitors no longer need a visa for short stays, but almost everyone now needs an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel. Since 25 February 2026 this is strictly enforced: airlines, ferries and Eurostar will refuse boarding without one. The ETA costs £20, is linked to your passport, lasts two years or until the passport expires, and allows multiple visits of up to six months. British and Irish citizens are exempt, as are people who already hold a UK visa or immigration status. Apply only through GOV.UK or the official app, and allow at least three working days. Nationalities that do require a visa still need a Standard Visitor Visa. Always confirm the current rules and fee on the UK Government website before booking.

Year-round. Spring (Mar–May) is mild with parks in bloom; Summer (Jun–Aug) is warm, lively and busiest; Autumn (Sep–Nov) is colourful with fewer crowds; Winter (Dec–Feb) is colder but festive with Christmas lights and markets. Light rain is possible in any month, so pack a compact umbrella whenever you come.

Three to four days covers the headline sights — the Tower of London, Westminster, Buckingham Palace and a West End show. Five to seven days gives you time for the major museums, neighbourhoods such as Greenwich and Notting Hill, and a day trip to Windsor, Oxford or Stonehenge.

Pound Sterling (£). Cards, contactless, and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops and market stalls. ATMs are common; avoid the ones that charge a fee, and note some may charge for foreign cards.

The UK uses the Type G plug with three large rectangular pins, running on 230V. Adapters from Europe, the US and most other countries will not fit without a converter, so pack one before you travel. Most modern phone and laptop chargers handle 230V automatically, but check the label on anything with a heating element.

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter and British Summer Time (BST, GMT+1) from late March to late October.

English is the official language. As one of the world's most multicultural cities, you'll also hear many other languages, but English is used for signs, transport, and services.

By air (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, London City, Southend), by train (including Eurostar to St Pancras International), by coach (National Express, Megabus), or by car via major motorways (M1, M4, M40, M25). Driving in central London isn't recommended due to traffic, parking limits and the Congestion and ULEZ charges.

The Piccadilly line is the cheapest option and takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes to the West End. The Elizabeth line reaches Paddington in about 30 minutes and Liverpool Street in about 45. Heathrow Express is the fastest at around 15 minutes to Paddington, and also the most expensive. All three accept contactless payment. Taxis and ride-hailing take an hour or more in traffic and cost considerably more.

Transport for London (TfL) runs the Tube, buses, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR, trams and river services. Tap in with a contactless bank card, phone or Oyster card — fares cap automatically each day and each week, so you never pay more than the equivalent travelcard. Touch in and out on the Tube and rail; on buses you only touch in, and they never take cash. Black cabs and ride-hailing apps are widely available, and Santander Cycles offer easy bike hire.

Not always. Many central stations are only a few minutes apart on foot — Covent Garden to Leicester Square takes about five minutes to walk and longer by Tube once you count the stairs. Walking is often quicker for short hops in Zone 1 and you see far more of the city. Avoid travelling between roughly 7:30–9:30 am and 5–7 pm when trains and platforms are at their busiest.

Generally no. The Congestion Charge is £18 per day for driving in central London (Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, and 12pm–6pm at weekends and bank holidays), and vehicles that don't meet emissions standards pay a further £12.50 ULEZ charge, which applies across all London boroughs 24 hours a day. Parking is expensive and scarce. Public transport is faster, cheaper and far less stressful. Check current rates on the TfL website before travelling.

Yes. All London buses are wheelchair accessible; many stations and attractions offer step-free access, lifts, ramps, audio guides and assistance. Not every Tube station is step-free, so check TfL's step-free map or the TfL Go app for real-time information before you travel.

It can be, but smart choices help a lot. Many of the best museums are free. Use contactless or Oyster on transport for the best capped fares. Eat well at markets, supermarkets and casual chains rather than sit-down restaurants for every meal. Accommodation ranges from hostels to luxury hotels, and midweek stays outside peak season cost significantly less.

Yes — permanent collections at the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A, National Gallery and Tate Modern are free to enter. Temporary blockbuster exhibitions are ticketed separately, and most museums invite an optional donation. Booking a free timed slot online usually lets you skip the entry queue.

Tipping is appreciated but far less expected than in the United States. In restaurants a 12.5% service charge is often already added — check your bill before adding more. If it isn't included, 10–15% is standard for good service. You do not tip when ordering drinks at a pub counter. For taxis, round up the fare or add around 10%, and £1–2 per bag is usual for hotel porters.

Yes. Tap water is safe and high quality, and restaurants will provide it free on request. You'll also find free refill points in many stations and public places, so carrying a reusable bottle saves money.

Large shops and department stores have restricted Sunday hours by law, typically opening 11am–5pm or 12pm–6pm. Smaller shops, supermarkets under a certain size, cafés and restaurants can open normally. This catches many visitors out, so plan bigger shopping trips for another day.

Generally, yes. Keep an eye on belongings in busy spots — pickpocketing is the most common issue in tourist areas and on the Tube. Use licensed black cabs or a recognised ride-hailing app rather than unbooked minicabs, and stick to well-lit streets late at night. Be wary of fake ticket sellers outside attractions and aggressive clipboard collectors.

Call 999 for emergencies (police, fire, ambulance). For non-emergency police matters call 101. For non-emergency medical advice call NHS 111. Emergency treatment at A&E departments is provided regardless of nationality, though non-residents may be charged for further treatment — travel insurance is strongly recommended.

Most mainline stations — including King's Cross, St Pancras, Victoria, Paddington, Euston and Liverpool Street — have staffed left-luggage offices. Several app-based networks also let you book storage in shops, hotels and cafés across the city, often more cheaply than the stations. Book ahead on busy weekends.

Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, museums, hotels and public spaces, and most Tube stations have it on the platforms. For reliable data, buy a local SIM or eSIM (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) or confirm your roaming plan before travelling — post-Brexit, some European plans now charge for UK roaming.

For first-time visitors, Westminster, Covent Garden and South Bank put you within walking distance of the major sights. South Kensington suits museum lovers and families. Shoreditch and Camden are better for nightlife and markets. Anywhere in Zone 1 or 2 with a Tube station nearby will keep travel times short.

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom, in the south-east of England on the River Thames. It spans the historic City of London and 32 surrounding boroughs.

Greater London covers about 1,572 km² (over 600 sq mi) with around 9 million residents across 33 local authorities (the City of London plus 32 boroughs).

A one-square-mile historic core that's now the financial district. It has its own authority, police force and traditions, and is distinct from Greater London as a whole.

Royal landmarks, centuries of history, world-class museums and galleries, West End theatre, iconic sights (Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye), diverse food, music, sport, and fashion.

See royal palaces and historic sites, visit free museums (British Museum, National Gallery), browse markets (Borough, Camden, Portobello), watch a West End show, enjoy the parks (Hyde Park, Regent's Park, Kew Gardens), dine from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants, and explore neighbourhoods like Covent Garden, Soho, Greenwich and Notting Hill.

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