London is enormous, historic and never boring, and it's surprisingly easy to enjoy on a budget. Many of the world's best museums are free, the parks are glorious, and you can see the big sights on foot or from the top deck of a bus. Here's how to do it right on your first visit.
- Entry
- Most visitors (including from the US, Canada, Australia and the EU) need a UK ETA before flying. It costs £20
- Getting around
- Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses and trains, with daily caps
- Currency
- Pound sterling (GBP). Contactless works almost everywhere
- Tipping
- 10–12.5% in restaurants, often added as a "service charge" already
- Plugs
- Type G (three square pins), 230V
- Time zone
- GMT (UTC+0), or BST (UTC+1) in summer
- Emergency
- 999
Heads up: Since 2025, visitors who don't need a visa (including Americans and Europeans) must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. Airlines check it at boarding. Apply through the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK, not a third-party site.
The big sights
- Westminster: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben (the Elizabeth Tower), Westminster Abbey, and a walk across Westminster Bridge.
- Buckingham Palace: catch the Changing of the Guard (check the schedule, as it doesn't happen every day).
- The Tower of London: nearly a thousand years of history, plus the Crown Jewels. Book ahead and arrive early.
- Tower Bridge and the South Bank: walk the riverside from the London Eye to Tower Bridge, past Shakespeare's Globe and Tate Modern.
- The views: the Sky Garden is free (book a slot in advance), or head up The Shard or the London Eye.
Free museums (yes, really)
The permanent collections at many of London's major national museums are free to enter:
- The British Museum: the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and treasures from around the world.
- The National Gallery: Van Gogh, Turner, Monet and da Vinci, right on Trafalgar Square.
- The Natural History Museum: dinosaurs under a cathedral-like hall, with the Science Museum and the V&A next door.
- Tate Modern: modern art in a converted power station on the South Bank.
Special exhibitions usually charge, and some museums ask you to book a free timed ticket at busy times.
Neighbourhoods to explore
- Covent Garden and Soho: street performers, theatres, shops and endless places to eat.
- Borough Market: London's famous food market. Go hungry.
- Shoreditch: street art, vintage shops, Brick Lane curries and bagels.
- Notting Hill: pastel houses and the Portobello Road market (biggest on Saturdays).
- Camden: markets, music history and canal-side street food.
- Greenwich: the Prime Meridian, the Cutty Sark, and great views from the park. Get there by riverboat.
Getting around
- Tap and go. Use a contactless bank card or your phone on the Tube, buses, the Elizabeth line and Overground. Use the same card or device every time, and daily and weekly fare caps apply automatically. Check routes on TfL.
- From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line runs straight into central London. The Heathrow Express is faster but pricier.
- Buses are a cheap way to sightsee. Grab the front seat upstairs on a double-decker.
- Walk. Many sights are closer together than the Tube map suggests.
A 4-day London itinerary
4 days in London
- Day 1Westminster & the West EndBig Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery, then a West End show
- Day 2The river & the CityTower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market for lunch, then the South Bank to Tate Modern and the Globe
- Day 3Museums & marketsBritish Museum in the morning, Covent Garden, then Shoreditch and Brick Lane in the evening
- Day 4Your LondonNotting Hill and Portobello Road, Camden Market, or a boat to Greenwich
Eat and drink like a local
- A Sunday roast at a traditional pub
- Fish and chips, best eaten by the sea, but London does a good one
- Curry on Brick Lane, or anywhere really: London's Indian food is brilliant
- Afternoon tea, from grand hotels to budget-friendly cafés
- A pint at a historic pub: some have been pouring for centuries
Staying connected in London
You'll use your phone constantly: Tube routes, contactless payments, theatre tickets, restaurant bookings. A UK eSIM gets you online the moment you land at Heathrow or Gatwick. Carrying on to Paris, Amsterdam or beyond? A Europe eSIM covers the UK and the continent on one plan.
New to eSIMs? Here's how to install one, and how they compare to roaming and local SIMs.
When to visit
- Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September): the best weather and long evenings.
- Summer: busy and lively, with outdoor events everywhere.
- December: cold, but festive, with lights, markets and ice rinks.
Pack a light rain jacket whatever the season.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ETA to visit London?
Most visitors who don't need a UK visa, including citizens of the US, Canada, Australia and EU countries, need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling. It costs £20 and is usually approved quickly. British and Irish citizens don't need one.
Are London's museums really free?
The permanent collections at many major museums are free, including the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Natural History Museum and Tate Modern. Special exhibitions usually charge.
Do I need an Oyster card?
Not if you have a contactless bank card or a phone wallet. Tap in and out with the same card or device, and the same fare caps apply.
Will my phone work in London?
Most unlocked phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM and work on UK networks. Check yours on our compatible phones page.