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London Travel Guide: Getting Around, Where to Eat & What to Know

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About London

London is one of the world's major global cities, exerting an outsized influence on art, architecture, entertainment, commerce, and finance. As the United Kingdom's economic and cultural centre, it is also the country's largest metropolis. The city has four UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich, Westminster Palace, and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew), alongside instantly recognisable landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and the London Eye. Over 300 languages are spoken here, and three of the world's top ten museums and galleries call London home, part of 857 art galleries citywide.

London Travel Essentials

Getting Around London

The Tube has 11 lines and over 270 stations; most tourist attractions sit in Zones 1-2. A Zone 1 single costs £3.10 (~$4.15) via contactless or Oyster, and the Zones 1-2 daily cap is £8.50 (~$11.37). Trains run every 1-5 minutes at peak times.

London buses charge a flat £1.75 (~$2.34) per journey, with a Hopper Fare giving unlimited bus and tram transfers within one hour. The daily bus cap is £5.25 (~$7.02). Buses no longer accept cash; you'll need contactless or an Oyster card.

Heathrow Airport (Zone 6) connects to central London via the Piccadilly and Elizabeth lines; a Zone 1-6 single journey is roughly £5.90 (~$7.89) at peak. The Elizabeth line also provides fast east-west express service through Paddington, Bond Street, and Liverpool Street. Driving in central London comes with a £18 (~$24.08) daily Congestion Charge (Mon-Fri, 7 AM-6 PM) plus a £12.50 (~$16.72) ULEZ charge for non-compliant vehicles.

Food & Dining in London

Borough Market near London Bridge is London's oldest food market, with over 1,000 years of history and 100+ stalls. Standouts include Kappacasein grilled cheese, Bread Ahead custard doughnuts, and Humble Crumble. Open Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays.

Beigel Bake on Brick Lane serves the iconic salt beef bagel with mustard and pickles for about £6 (~$8.03). It's open 24/7 and has been a London institution for decades.

Afternoon tea (finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes) runs £40-£80+ (~$53.52-~$107.03+) per person. Fortnum & Mason's service starts at £65 (~$86.96). For something more casual, Dishoom's Bombay-style cafés serve a bacon naan roll and black daal; a meal for two costs roughly £35 (~$46.83). Go early (8-9am) to skip the queues.

Entry Requirements

Since April 2025, all non-visa nationals must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK, including those transiting through.

Tourists can visit the UK as a Standard Visitor for up to 6 months for tourism, business meetings, short study courses, and visiting family. No visa is needed for many nationalities. Your passport must be valid for the entire duration of your stay.

From February 25, 2026, all UK or Irish citizens, regardless of dual citizenship, must present a valid UK or Irish passport (or certificate of entitlement) to enter the UK. The UK also offers a digital eVisa option alongside physical visa documents.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

London summers (June-August) average 64°F-75°F (18°C-24°C). The best window for warm-weather sightseeing is late June through early September, when temperatures peak and rainfall is relatively lower.

Spring (March-May) is the most pleasant season for exploring, with temperatures in the 48°F-64°F (9°C-18°C) range and the city's parks green and blooming. Winters are mild (37°F to 46°F / 3°C to 8°C) and snowfall is rare in the city centre.

January through March is the cheapest time to visit, with lower hotel rates. London has a temperate maritime climate with rain spread evenly year-round, so pack a light raincoat regardless of when you go.

※ Prices and policies vary by season and are subject to change. Confirm with official sources before booking.