Travel tips · London · United Kingdom
London travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ilya Grigorik, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
London is informal and multicultural, but a few British habits are worth knowing. Queuing is taken seriously, politeness tends to be expressed through understatement and frequent 'sorry' and 'please', and people generally avoid loud conversation on public transport. Humour is dry, and complaints are often made indirectly.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- GBP
- Plugs
- Type G sockets (three rectangular pins), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink, and public refill fountains are increasingly…
- Emergency
- 999 or 112 for police, fire and ambulance; 111 for urgent medical advice
Things to know
- Stand on the right and walk on the left on Tube escalators; blocking the left side is the most common visitor mistake.
- Queue patiently at bus stops, shop counters and bars, where staff serve in order even without a formal line.
- Let passengers off the Tube or bus before boarding, and move down inside the carriage.
- Buses do not accept cash: tap a contactless card, phone or Oyster card on the reader by the driver.
- Traffic drives on the left, so look right first when crossing; many central crossings have 'look right' painted on the road.
- Book British Museum ahead: Entry is free, but booking a free timed slot online helps at busy times such as school holidays.
- Book Tower of London ahead: Tickets bought online in advance are usually cheaper than at the gate and secure entry on busy summer days.
- Book Westminster Abbey ahead: Timed sightseeing tickets bought online save queuing in summer.
- The national museums and galleries, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum, are free.
Tipping
Tipping about 10–12.5% is normal in sit-down restaurants when no service charge has been added. It is not expected for drinks bought at a pub bar, and taxi fares are commonly rounded up.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cheers | Thanks (also a toast) |
| Mind the gap | Watch the space between train and platform |
| Loo | Toilet |
| Quid | One pound sterling |
| Queue | A line of people waiting |
| Top up | Add credit to a travel card or phone |
What to wear
Londoners dress in layers with practical shoes for walking; carry a light waterproof jacket or umbrella in every season, as showers can arrive at any time.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G sockets (three rectangular pins), 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink, and public refill fountains are increasingly common in parks and stations.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112 for police, fire and ambulance; 111 for urgent medical advice
- Phone and internet
- Most Tube stations have Wi-Fi, mobile coverage is being extended through Tube tunnels, and eSIMs work well for international visitors.
- Time zone
- Europe/London
London is generally safe for visitors, but pickpocketing and phone snatching are common around Oxford Street, Westminster, Covent Garden and on busy Tube platforms. Ignore street gambling games such as the 'three cups' trick on Westminster Bridge.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United Kingdom's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in London?
Tipping about 10–12.5% is normal in sit-down restaurants when no service charge has been added. It is not expected for drinks bought at a pub bar, and taxi fares are commonly rounded up.
+Can you drink the tap water in London?
Tap water is safe to drink, and public refill fountains are increasingly common in parks and stations.
+What plugs are used in London?
Type G sockets (three rectangular pins), 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in London?
English.