London Travel Tips

Plan your London trip: Things to Do · Best Time to Visit · Hotels · Getting Around · Map & Neighbourhoods · Travel Essentials

These practical notes cover the details that make a London visit smoother. Requirements can depend on nationality, payment provider and travel dates; use the official links for decisions that affect your trip.

Money, cards and cash

London uses pound sterling (GBP, £). Contactless cards and mobile wallets are widely accepted, although a small amount of cash can be useful for occasional situations. Check foreign transaction fees with your bank and decline dynamic currency conversion when your own card offers a better exchange rate. Use bank or reputable cash-machine ATMs, and review any fee shown before accepting a withdrawal.

Plan costs without relying on stale prices

Build a daily budget from your actual bookings: accommodation share, planned transport, meals and the day's paid visit. A free museum day and a ticketed landmark day should not have the same activity allowance. Keep airport transfers separate from normal city transport.

Illustrative arithmetic, not a price forecast: if your own quotes are £90 per person for the room share, £12 for transport, £35 for food and £30 for one attraction, that day totals £167. A free collection visit reduces the example to £137; an airport transfer or special dinner increases it. Replace these placeholders with current hotel, TfL fare, menu and venue quotes.

Compare a pass against the attractions you will actually enter, on their opening days, with enough time to visit them. A long included list is not a saving if you only use one or two entries.

Tipping and dining

Check the bill for a service charge before adding a tip. Where no charge is included, a tip is discretionary and should reflect the service. Pubs generally expect you to order at the bar unless table service is offered. For more on meals and neighbourhoods, see London Food & Drinks.

Mobile data and Wi-Fi

Before arrival, check whether your phone accepts the intended SIM or eSIM and whether your existing plan includes UK roaming. Save the hotel address, airport route, essential tickets and a small offline map before leaving airport Wi-Fi. Downloading a map does not guarantee live service updates.

Carry a charging cable and power bank for a long day. If you use a phone wallet for transport, keep it available for the end of the journey and avoid switching to a physical card midway. Use your own connection for sensitive transactions where possible and keep booking references out of public screenshots.

Emergencies and healthcare

Arrange suitable travel insurance and carry essential medication in original packaging. Access to NHS services and charges depends on eligibility and the service needed. The emergency contact section below distinguishes emergency help, non-emergency police assistance and NHS 111.

Personal safety

As in any busy city, keep phones, wallets and bags secure on crowded transport and around major attractions. Be cautious of distraction techniques, unsolicited “help” at ticket machines and unlicensed taxi offers. Use official ranks or a licensed app and check the vehicle and driver details before getting in.

Water, electricity and etiquette

Tap water is generally safe to drink. UK sockets are Type G, three rectangular pins, and mains electricity is 230 V, 50 Hz. Queue patiently, stand on the right on escalators where marked, and allow passengers to leave trains before boarding. Pubs and restaurants have different ordering customs, so follow signs or ask staff.

Opening hours and Sunday

Attractions, shops and restaurants set their own schedules. Some shops have shorter Sunday hours; museums may close on particular holidays or use timed entry. Check each venue directly and book popular experiences in advance.

UK entry, visa and ETA

Entry permission depends on nationality and purpose of travel. Some visitors need a visa; others may need an Electronic Travel Authorisation before boarding. Check the official GOV.UK visa and ETA checker using the passport you will travel with, and review the result close to departure.

For transport fares and accessibility, read the London Transportation Guide. For airport transfers use London Airports; for weather and packing see London Weather. Start with the London Travel Guide.

Cash machines and card safety

Use ATMs attached to banks or reputable shops where possible. Read the screen before confirming a withdrawal, since some machines offer their own conversion rate or fee. Shield your PIN and contact your bank promptly if a card is retained or compromised. Keep a backup payment method separate from your main wallet.

Taxis and rides

Use licensed black cabs at ranks or hail them where legal, or book a ride-hailing vehicle through its official app. Confirm the plate and driver details before entering. Agree on the pickup point in busy areas and avoid accepting rides from people who approach you inside stations or airports.

Medication and assistance

Carry regular medication in original packaging, along with prescriptions or documentation for controlled medicines. Pharmacies can advise on minor ailments, but opening hours vary; locate a nearby option before you need one. For urgent medical danger use emergency services. If you need accessibility or language support, contact your hotel, transport operator or attraction in advance.

Lost property and documents

Keep a digital copy of passport details and travel insurance information in a secure account, separate from the original document. If a passport is lost, contact your country’s embassy or consular service and follow its official instructions. Lost-property procedures differ among TfL, rail companies, airports and attractions; report an item to the operator that managed the location.

Accessibility and assistance

Plan fewer main stops and match the route to the group's needs. Use TfL accessibility pages for stations and contact the venue for the entrance, seating, accessible toilets or quieter visiting arrangements. An accessible station does not establish that a historic building or the pavement approach is suitable.

For rail assistance, contact the operator in advance when support is needed. Schedule seated breaks near the actual route and keep an alternative if a lift is unavailable. Confirm any companion or concession ticket through the venue rather than assuming a city-wide rule.

Emergency contacts

Call 999 or 112 for an emergency requiring police, fire or ambulance assistance. For non-emergency police matters use 101. For urgent health advice when the situation is not life-threatening, NHS 111 explains when and how to use the service. Save your accommodation address and relevant insurance contact details with these numbers.

See the London Fast Facts for core numbers and electricity details, and London Transportation for accessible routes.

Carry a small practical day kit

A refillable bottle, light waterproof layer, portable charger, any essential medication and a note of your hotel address cover many common needs. Keep valuables secure and avoid carrying all travel documents and payment cards in one place. If you plan a full museum day, check the bag policy before leaving; large bags may not be accepted or may require a cloakroom.

Research and update: Photos4Travel planning guide, updated 30 September 2026. Official visitor, venue and transport sources are linked where relevant. Suggested routes and visit allowances are editorial planning examples; live schedules, menus and access conditions come from the linked providers.