The Thames and the City of London skyline

London

Free museums, distinct villages and a river running through all of it.

Photo: Ilya Grigorik (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Currency
Pound sterling (GBP)
1 USD = 0.75 GBP
Emergency number
999
112 also works
Advisory level
High degree of caution
U.S. Department of State and 1 other government
Language
English
Local transport
Tube & bus
Contactless capping
MCA business plans

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency's annual business plans set out our aims for each year.

MCA Business Plan 2026 to 2027

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency business plan sets out the agency’s plans for 2026 to 2027.

MIN 739 (F) Acceptable standard of liferaft for less than 7m Fishing Vessels

This MIN details the accepted standards of liferaft for Fishing Vessel of less than 7m, if carried.

Yellow warning of wind affecting Highlands & Eilean Siar

Yellow warning of wind affecting Highlands & Eilean Siar: Na h-Eileanan Siar, Highland valid from 0900 Wed 14 Oct to 1800 Wed 14 Oct

Yellow warning of rain affecting Northern Ireland

Yellow warning of rain affecting Northern Ireland: County Antrim, County Armagh, County Down, County Londonderry, County Tyrone valid from 0730 Sun 27 Sep to 1300 Sun 27 Sep

Yellow warning of thunderstorm affecting South West England

Yellow warning of thunderstorm affecting South West England: Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Isles of Scilly, North Somerset, Plymouth, Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, Torbay, Wiltshire…

Good to know

Visas Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 6 months Business visa or work permit: required Student visa: required You may need a work permit or visa even if you plan to do: unpaid work volunteer work part-time work temporary wo…

Passport Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with. Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements…

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) You need to apply for an ETA before travelling to the UK. You must travel on the passport used for your ETA application…

Other entry requirements UK Border officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay…

Vereinigtes Königreich: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise

Exercise a high degree of caution. Latest change: Editorial change.

Tap in and out with the same contactless card all day. Fares cap automatically, so a paper travelcard is rarely worth it.

The Elizabeth line reaches Heathrow in about 30 minutes for a fraction of the Heathrow Express fare.

The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern and Natural History Museum are all free.

Stay in Southwark, Shoreditch or King's Cross for good transport without West End prices.

Local knowledge

Contributed by guides, operators and creators on the ground. Community advice, kept separate from official sources.

The free view over London

Book the Sky Garden weeks ahead. Same height as the paid towers, no ticket, and the sunset slots go first.

Local guide
Borough Market timing

Go Wednesday or Thursday morning. Saturday is shoulder to shoulder and you cannot get near the good stalls.

Tourpublish contributor

Frequently asked questions

The Elizabeth line, around 30 minutes to Paddington or Tottenham Court Road on a contactless tap. The Piccadilly line is cheaper again but slower.

No. A contactless bank card or phone works identically and applies the same daily and weekly caps.

Four to five days to cover the major museums, two or three neighbourhoods and a show without rushing.

The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain and Modern, V&A, Science Museum and Natural History Museum. Special exhibitions charge.

In pockets. Central areas connect well on foot, but plan on the Tube or bus between districts.

U.S. Department of State currently advises high degree of caution (level 2 of 4). Advice differs slightly between governments, so check your own country's advisory before you travel.

For tour operators

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Sources and freshness

Travel information last reviewed 16 October 2026. Compiled from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK FCDO — Entry Requirements, Open-Meteo and Tourpublish Travel Intelligence. Always confirm entry rules and safety guidance with official government sources before you travel.

Advisories, entry rules and alerts apply to United Kingdom as a whole.

Aggregated from official sources. Content is never rewritten — always display the publisher, publication time and original source link.

Photography: Ilya Grigorik (CC BY-SA 3.0); [Duncan] from Nottingham, UK (CC BY 2.0); Øyvind Holmstad (CC BY-SA 4.0).