Need to Know

Currency

Pound sterling (£)

Language

English (and more than 300 others)

Visas

Not required for Australian, Canadian, New Zealand and US visitors, as well as several other nations, for stays of up to six months.

Money

ATMs are widespread. Major credit cards are accepted everywhere. The best place to change money is in post-office branches, which do not charge a commission.

Mobile Phones

Buy local SIM cards for European and Australian phones, or a pay-as-you-go phone. Set other phones to international roaming.

Time

London is on GMT/UTC; during British Summer Time (BST; late March to late October), London clocks are one hour ahead of GMT/UTC.

Tourist Information

Visit London (www.visitlondon.com) can fill you in on everything from attractions and events to tours and accommodation. Kiosks are dotted about the city and can also provide maps and brochures; some branches are able to book theatre tickets.

When to Go

Summer is peak season: days are long and festivals are afoot, but expect crowds. Spring and autumn are cooler, but delightful. Winter is cold, with short days.

Daily Costs

Budget: Less than £85

ADorm bed: £12–30

AMarket-stall lunch or supermarket sandwich: £3.50–5

AMany museums: free

AStandby theatre tickets: £5–25

ASantander Cycles daily rental fee: £2

Midrange: £85–200

ADouble room: £100–200

ATwo-course dinner with glass of wine: £35

ATemporary exhibitions: £12–18

ATheatre tickets: £15–60

Top end: More than £200

AFour-star or boutique hotel room: more than £200

AThree-course dinner in top restaurant with wine: £60–90

ABlack cab trip: £30

ATop theatre tickets: £65

Advance Planning

Three months before Book weekend performances for top shows; make dinner reservations at renowned restaurants; snap up tickets for must-see temporary exhibitions; book accommodation.

One month before Check listings on entertainment sites such as Time Out (www.timeout.com/london) for fringe theatre, live music and festivals, and book tickets.

A few days before Check the weather online through the Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk).

Useful Websites

Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/england/london) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveller forum and more.

Time Out London (www.timeout.com/london) Up-to-date and comprehensive entertainment listings distributed for free every Tuesday.

Londonist (www.londonist.com) A website about London and everything that happens in it.

Transport for London (www.tfl.gov.uk) Essential tool for staying mobile in the capital.

London Evening Standard (www.standard.co.uk) The capital's main newspaper, distributed free at every tube station.

Met Office (www.metoffice.gov.uk) Provides weather and climate-change forecasts for the UK and worldwide.

Arriving in London

Heathrow Airport Trains, the tube and buses to London from just after 5am to before midnight (night buses run later and 24-hour tube runs Friday and Saturday) cost £5.70–21.50; taxi £46–87. From 2018 express trains run along the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail).

Gatwick Airport Trains to London from 4.30am to 1.35am cost £10–20; hourly buses to London 24/7, from £5; taxi £100.

Stansted Airport Trains to London from 5.30am to 1.30am cost £23.40; 24/7 buses to London from £12; taxi from £130.

Luton Airport Trains to London from 7am to 10pm from £14; buses 24/7 to London, £10; taxi £110.

London City Airport DLR trains to central London from 5.30am to 12.30am Monday to Saturday, 7am to 11.15pm Sunday from £2.80; taxi around £30.

St Pancras International Train Station In Central London (for Eurostar train arrivals from Europe) and connected by many underground lines to other parts of the city.

Digital London

There are scores of cool apps for travellers. Here are some of our favourite free ones – from inspirational to downright practical. Many museums and attractions also have their own.

AStreetmuseum Historical images (photographs, paintings, drawings etc) superimposed on modern-day locations.

AStreet Art Tours London Hand-picked graffiti and other street-art locations.

ACityMapper Great app giving you all the options for getting from A to B (on foot, by public transport, bike or cab).

ATubeMap Features a tube map offline, and a full interactive route service when connected.

AHailo Summons the nearest black cab right to the curb.

AUber A taxi, private car or ride-share at competitive prices.

ALondon Bus Live Real-time route finder and bus arrivals for a stop of your choice.

ASantander Cycles Find a 'Boris Bike', a route and a place to return it.

Sleeping

Hanging your hat (or anything else you care to remove) in London can be painfully expensive, and you’ll almost always need to book well in advance. Decent hostels are easy to find but aren't as cheap as you might hope for. Hotels range from no-frills chains through to the world's most ritzy establishments, such as the Ritz itself. B&Bs are often better value and more atmospheric than hotels.

Useful Websites

AVisit London (www.visitlondon.com) Huge range of listings from the city's official tourism portal.

ALondon Town (www.londontown.com) Excellent last-minute offers on boutique hotels and B&Bs.

AAlastair Sawdays (www.sawdays.co.uk) Hand-picked selection of boltholes in the capital.

ALonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/london) Hundreds of properties.