Travel tips for London
Everything you need to know before visiting London and the surrounding region — money, transport, entry rules and when to go.
Planning essentials
Visas, budgets, packing, eSIMs and the cultural etiquette worth knowing before you land.
Bath day trip from London: is it worth the train fare?
Best time to visit London
Brighton and Sussex day trip from London: how to plan it
Cambridge day trip from London: how to plan it
Canterbury and Kent day trip from London: how to plan it
Cotswolds day trip from London: is it worth the drive?
How many days do you need in London?
How to plan a day in Stratford-upon-Avon from London
How to spend a day in Camden: market, canal and practical tips
Is London safe for tourists?
London for couples and romantic breaks
London for first-time visitors: what to know before you go
London travel mistakes to avoid
Oxford day trip from London: how to plan it
Stonehenge day trip from London: how to plan it
Stratford-upon-Avon day trip from London: what to know before you book
The best things to do in London: a planning guide
Things to do at the Tower of London and the City
Things to do at Warner Bros. Studio Tour: a planning guide
Things to do in Bath: a planning guide for a day trip from London
Things to do in Bloomsbury: a planning guide
Things to do in Brighton and Sussex: a planning guide
Things to do in Cambridge: a day trip planning guide
Things to do in Canterbury and Kent
Things to do in East London: a planning guide
Things to do in Greenwich: a planning guide
Things to do in Kensington and Chelsea: a planning guide
Things to do in Oxford: a planning guide
Things to do in Richmond, Kew and Hampton Court
Things to do in South Bank: a planning guide
Things to do in Stonehenge: a planning guide
Things to do in the Cotswolds: a planning guide from London
Things to do in the West End: a planning guide
Things to do in Westminster: a planning guide
UK ETA and entry rules for London: what to arrange before you fly
What to pack for London
Where to stay in London: which area fits your trip
Windsor day trip from London: is it worth it?
Windsor day trip: is it worth it from London?
Getting around
London's five airports as the main gateways, and why Oyster and contactless cards cover the Tube, bus and train for getting around and day trips best.
When to go
A warm, tropical climate year-round, a drier December-April peak season, a wetter May-November stretch, and hurricane season risk peaking August-October. Month-by-month guides to what to expect.
Good to know about planning a trip to London
Getting around London mostly means the Tube, buses, or the Elizabeth line, since a car is rarely needed and often slower in central areas; organised tours typically include transport from a central meeting point. London has no single airport: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and London City each connect to the centre within 20 to 90 minutes by rail. The currency is the pound sterling (£), though contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere, and an Oyster or contactless card covers the Tube, bus, and most trains with an automatic daily cap. uk/eta — check requirements before booking.
The emergency number is 999 (or 112), outlets are type G at 230V, and London runs on GMT in winter and BST (UTC+1) in summer. Expect a temperate climate year-round, with average temperatures from about 8°C in January to 23°C in July and rain spread across the year rather than a wet season. 5% service charge is sometimes already added to restaurant bills, and bargaining is not the norm at shops or organised tours.
Frequently asked questions about planning a trip to London
What currency should I bring to London?
Pound sterling (£) is the only currency used; contactless cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere, so carrying cash is rarely necessary.
Do I need a car in London?
Not for a stay in central London — the Tube and buses cover most trips; a car only helps for exploring the Cotswolds or Stonehenge independently, and remember driving is on the left.
What documents do I need to enter the United Kingdom?
Most visitors need a valid passport and a tourist card, which is often bundled into the airfare or purchased on arrival — requirements vary by nationality.
How much should I tip at restaurants?
Around 10% is standard, on top of any service charge already added to the bill.
When is the best season to visit London?
Roughly June to November, with the driest and busiest travel months running from December to April.
Trip planning guides and practical tips on GetYourGuide
Verified deep-linked GetYourGuide tours. Book through these links and we earn a small commission at no cost to you.
GetYourGuide does not provide a product photo for this activity — the image shows the meeting point, photographed by us.
