London Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go

Practical tips for London

• Tap in and out with any contactless card — a daily cap applies automatically.

• Stand on the right on Tube escalators.

• Museums are free — donations welcome; special exhibitions still ticketed.

Staying safe and comfortable

Local emergency number: 999 (or 112).

• Watch phones on Central, Piccadilly and Jubilee lines and outside busy pubs.

• Use black cabs, Uber, Bolt or FREE NOW at night — never unlicensed minicabs.

• Emergency service via 999 or 112; non-emergency police is 101.

Visas and entry

Entry policy: mixed, typically up to 180 days. Most Western, GCC and East-Asian visitors enter visa-free for up to 6 months but now require an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation, £16) purchased before departure. Others need a Standard Visitor visa.

Budgeting your trip

Accommodation is the largest controllable cost in London. Compare live rates for your dates and neighbourhood shortlist before locking in flights — the difference between areas is often larger than the difference between travel weeks.