London Travel Guide 2022 | Top Attractions, Travel Essentials, Tips & More

Travel Essentials in London

• Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
• Language: English
• Socket Type: Type G
• Currency: Great British Pound | GBP | £
• Country Code: + 44
• Emergency Numbers: 999 and 112

Covid-19 Measures in London

The government has removed the few remaining domestic restrictions in England. However, there are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19:

• Ensure you're vaccinated.
• Avoid gatherings in enclosed spaces. Try to remain outdoors.
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces to mitigate the risk of infection.

Here's everything you need to know about Covid-19 information in London >

What to Pack for London

• Bring comfortable walking shoes, and if you plan on doing any sightseeing, consider a small daypack to carry water, snacks, and your camera.
• Umbrellas: No matter what time of year you visit London, you should always pack an umbrella. It's not uncommon to see up to 10 inches of rain during a London summer, and the city is very windy.
• For evenings out, nice jeans or pants paired with a top or blouse should work well. If you plan on going to nicer restaurants or bars, it's best to dress up a bit more. A summer dress or nicer slacks and a button-down shirt or blouse will do the trick.
• In the winter, temperatures can dip below freezing, so be sure to pack a coat, hat, and scarf. Heavy pants, sweaters, and closed-toe shoes are also a must.

Per Person Average Daily Budget in London

• Budget Travel: £54

Budget travelers have reported spending around £54 per day in London. Visitors have spent £10 on meals and £5 on local transportation for a day.

• Regular Travel: £145

Regular travelers spend around £145 each day. Visitors have spent £25 on meals for a day and £14  to get around the city. In addition, the average price for a couple's stay in London is £200.

• Luxury Travel: £420

Luxury tourists may spend as much as £70 per day on meals and £35 on transportation, with accommodation coming up to £550 for two people.

Free Things to do in London

Despite the fact that London is generally an expensive city to visit due to its popularity and sheer ample supply of sights, it is not often that you will be pointed toward the fact that the British capital has a plethora of free things to do scattered throughout.

• Head to the Barbican Conservatory and get treated to all kinds of tropical plants, cacti, and flowers tucked away on the third floor of the building.
• Witness the colorful and radical street art in Shoreditch.
• Everyone should attend the Changing of the Guard ritual at least once in their lives.
• A Roman temple dedicated to the enigmatic figure of Mithras, whose cult-like followers were shrouded in secrecy, can be visited for free beneath the Bloomberg Building.
  
  
  

Transportation Apps:

• CityMapper
• The London Pass App
• Tube Map App
• Free Now

Food Apps:

• Deliveroo
• Quiqup
• Hungryhouse

Other Useful Apps:

• BBC iPlayer
• MeetUp
  

Visa Requirements to Visit London

The relevant UK officials make a choice on your visa application, which is primarily based on the required UK visa documents. There are specific documents required for each UK visa. You must gather all of these documents depending on the type of visa you are applying for.

• A valid passport or travel document that contains at least two blank pages and has 90 more days of validity from the date of your departure from the UK.
• A filled visa application form and two passport photographs.
• A financial document demonstrating your ability to support yourself throughout your trip.
• A travel timetable for all of your trips, including dates and flight numbers.
• Your admission to the city is covered by legally required travel insurance.
  
  

Insurance in London

If you plan to travel internationally, you should purchase relevant travel insurance before you depart. If you already have travel insurance, check to see what coverage you have for coronavirus-related events, such as medical treatment and travel interruption, as well as any planned activities, such as adventure sports. If you're looking for a new policy, make sure to look into how it addresses these issues.

• Examine your policy to see if it covers medical expenses.
• Make sure to carefully read the terms and conditions of your policy.
• Select a policy that covers both cargo and personal property loss.
• Procure the plan as soon as possible, preferably prior to your trip.

Internet in London

O2 offers free wifi at several locations in London even if you are not an O2 subscriber. Each Wi-Fi session at Starbucks lasts 2 hours, but you can have an unrestricted number of sessions per day if you reconnect after 2 hours. You can also get free wifi at many of the chain restaurants and eateries across London. Some of the best internet service providers in London are:

• BT
• PlusNet
• Virgin Media
• Vodafone

Phone Calls in London

• Incoming: In order to dial a number in London, type in your country-specific exit or access code, followed by 44, which is the country code for the UK, followed by the phone number.
• Outgoing: To dial a number outside of the UK from London, type in 00, which is the UK’s international call access code, followed by the country code of the place you are going to call, followed by the phone number.
  You would need a 900 MHz and 1800 MHz band phone, as well as the ability to use 3G, for your mobile phone to work in the UK. However, be wary of roaming charges, which can quickly add up if you're not connected to the internet.
  

Staying Healthy in London

To stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, juice, and other liquids. Another thing you can do is stay out of the sun as much as possible. On clear days, the sun can be quite powerful in London, and it is easy to get badly burned. Wear sunscreen if you must be outside in the sun. Here are a few tips for staying healthy while visiting London:

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.
• Avoid eating on the street unless it's a reputed street vendor.
• Make sure to get enough sleep.
• Put on sunscreen and sunglasses.

Money in London

Currency: Great British Pound Sterling | GBP | £

Credit cards are widely used for payment in London. There are numerous ATMs throughout the city where you can withdraw cash. Keep an eye out for ATMs that seem to have been tinkered with. To avoid being charged an exorbitant fee, make sure to ask about service fees and exchange rates before changing money. In London, the following online payment methods are accepted:

• Amazon Pay
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

Safety in London

In general, London is safe. However, any location with a high number of tourists that is outside of your jurisdiction should be handled with caution. Here are some safety tips for your trip to London:

• Pickpockets can be found in heavily populated regions and on public transportation.
• Take only what you need, abandoning your personal items and extra cash at the resort and only carrying the cash you need in a fanny pack hidden away on your person.
• Use a pouch or bag with zips and a safe handle, or a money belt, if you are planning to travel with extra funds and personal documents.
• Stay vigilant on the streets if you are coming from a country that drives on the right, unlike the United Kingdom.

Laws in London

London has recently updated its tourism rules to bring more decorum among the visitors. Here are some laws you need to know:

• Do not jaywalk.
• Avoid being loud and unseemly at eateries to not stand out as a nuisance.
• Do not touch the artifacts at museums and galleries.
• Do not stand on the left of the escalator as that side is meant for walking and the right side is meant for standing.