Planning Your London Trip: Your Essential Guide

A combination of millennia-old history, a vibrant melting pot of global cultures and a truly dynamic entertainment scene makes London a must-visit city for every international traveller.

With so much to see and do (and, not to mention, miles of streets to navigate), you might be after a few tips to make your upcoming trip go as smoothly as possible. Here, we take a look at how to plan a getaway to the UK capital – from sorting out visas for London and other entry requirements to dealing with the unpredictable London weather.

Understanding currency and payments in London

The local currency across the UK is the Great British Pound (GBP). While having cash can be useful in some scenarios (such as for tipping), you’ll find London is largely a cashless city – with contactless payments at shops, restaurants and on public transport common.

It’s a good idea to take a travel-friendly credit or debit card with you when you travel to London. This will allow you to avoid any unnecessary foreign transaction fees from your local bank when paying for things throughout your trip.

Navigating visas and entry requirements

If you’re travelling to the UK from abroad, it’s important to check any visa requirements in advance. Whether you’ll need to apply for an official visa or simply an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) to enter will depend on your nationality and passport type.

An ETA costs £16 and allows entry into the UK for up to six months. You usually need one of these if you’re travelling to London (or anywhere in the UK) from Europe, the USA, Australia or Canada. If you’re a national of certain other countries – including China and India – you’ll need a visa for your visit. There are different categories of visas, so it’s important to check if you need one well in advance of your trip.

You’ll be able to check which one applies to you on the official UK government website. It’s also a good idea to see when your passport expires as you’ll need to make sure it is valid for the entire duration of your visit.

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London’s public transport system

London has one of the largest public transport network systems in the world – including the historic London Underground system, buses, ferries and overground trains.

It’s very easy to navigate, with sites and apps like Transport for London providing detailed route information and interactive maps. Whilst it may seem daunting at first – especially when taking the tube – you’ll soon get the hang of it. Once you know the closest tube station to your accommodation, you’ll find that you’re often taking the same lines and changing at the same stations. After a few journeys, it will become second nature.

Public transport is almost entirely cashless, so you’ll need to pay using a contactless credit or debit card. You could alternatively buy an Oyster card – a travel smartcard which you can top up with money online or at selected stations. You can buy an Oyster Card when you first arrive at Heathrow, for just £7 – you’ll also need some cash to put on the card to cover your journeys around London. Plus, it’s simple to top up online too. Learn more about Oyster Cards.

Flying into Heathrow? It’s also worth considering transport options to get you into the city after you land. Our Heathrow Express rail service is a fast and premium transfer option that puts you in the heart of London in just 15 minutes from Heathrow Central station. You’ll arrive into Paddington station which offers great connectivity to all four corners of the city via London’s wider public transport network.

Choosing your London accommodation

You’ll find a wide range of hotels in London, with options catering to every budget. You can expect to pay a premium for those in more central locations. However, if you’re only visiting the city for a short period of time, it may be worth spending a little more to be closer to the action and to reduce your travel time between attractions.

Great areas to stay in Central London include:

The West End: Ideal for theatre lovers. You can catch a show, stroll around Covent Garden or sample the restaurants and bars of Soho.
South Bank: You’ll enjoy views of some of London’s best monuments and attractions, including the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. Plus, you’ll be super close to the London Eye.
Shoreditch and East London: Mix with trendy young creatives and fashion-forward locals. Ideal if you want to explore the area’s hip bars and late-night entertainment.
Kensington and Chelsea: Spend your time in some of London’s most sought-after areas. You’ll be close to the city’s best museums, in walking distance to high-end shops, and close to green open space like Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park.
Notting Hill: Get British Rom-Com vibes with a stay in leafy and lovely Notting Hill. Spend your days strolling around Portobello Road market, relaxing in cosy cafes and soaking up the romantic atmosphere.

You’ll want to book your London accommodation well in advance, especially during the peak summer and festive seasons. This will ensure you get the best price possible and don’t miss out on availability. It’s also possible to find good and affordable self-catered accommodation if you’re sticking to a smaller budget or visiting London for a longer stretch of time.

Discover more about the best areas to stay in London with our helpful guide.

Preparing for London’s Weather

While the UK does have four distinct seasons, you’ll find London weather is famously unpredictable. You might experience bright blue skies in the morning and pouring rain after lunch. One of the best sources of information is the BBC Weather London forecast which can be accessed online or on the BBC weather app.

You’ll also want to make sure you pack appropriately for your trip, with lots of layers to account for the city’s fluctuating temperatures and conditions. An umbrella or a lightweight waterproof jacket is essential throughout the year. You should also wear sturdy, comfortable shoes when sightseeing as you might end up walking quite a few steps – whether that’s around a museum or whilst shopping on Oxford Street.

Staying connected: internet and mobile services

As well as staying connected with friends and family while you’re away, you’ll likely want internet access to help you navigate around the city and for any emergency situations. You could choose to buy a local SIM card from a phone shop when you arrive or purchase an eSIM online in advance.

WiFi is also very widespread across the city and often free – including in some public spaces (such as shopping centres and museums), cafes and hotels. Certain tourist areas in London also have free WiFi, such as Trafalgar Square and Hyde Park – just look out for the signs and instructions of how to log on. WiFi Map also details the areas in the city with free WiFi with over 10,000 options, so you can easily plan where you need to be to log on for free.

If you decide not to get a SIM card, it’s a good idea to pre-download London maps to use offline when you’re not able to connect to WiFi.

Book your airport transfer today

Now you know the ins and outs of planning a trip to London from abroad, why not get your airport transfer ticked off? Buy your tickets for the Heathrow Express in advance today for the best price and availability.