LANGUAGE

British English

CURRENCY

British Pound

BEST TIME TO VISIT

May to Mid-September and December

NEAREST RAILWAT STATION

King’s Cross Railway Station

NEAREST AIRPORT

Heathrow Airport (LHR)

EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER

112

INTERNET ACCESS

Virtually every hotel in London now provides wi-fi free of charge. A huge number of cafes, and many restaurants, offer free wi-fi to customers, including major chain cafes. Cultural venues such as the Barbican or the Southbank Centre also have free wi-fi. Open-air and street wi-fi access is available in areas across London, including Oxford St, Trafalgar Sq, Piccadilly Circus, the City of London and Islington’s Upper St. Users have to register but there’s no charge. Most major train stations, airport terminals and even some Underground stations also have wi-fi, but access isn’t always free.

HOTEL

Every neighborhood in London offers historic attractions and things to do, so tourists can find good accommodation options that meet their needs nearly anywhere in the city. Westminster, home of Buckingham Palace, is best known for its luxury hotels but does have more affordable options tucked away. This area and the adjacent St. James neighborhood are top choices for tourists who want to be close to some of the most iconic sights, including the palace and grounds, Westminster Abbey, and Big Ben. Just on the other side of Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden is another popular tourist attraction and neighborhood that offers good mid-range options in a central location. To the north of here, Bloomsbury is home to the major transportation hub at St. Pancras and Kings Cross stations and has several mid-range and budget lodgings that are convenient to attractions like the British Museum.

North of Hyde Park, the Marylebone neighborhood is a popular spot for high-end hotels, while on the park’s south side, Knightsbridge and Kensington offer somewhat quieter alternatives that are still convenient to attractions like the palace and museums. Whitechapel, although on the opposite side of the city from the other neighborhoods, sits next to the City of London proper, where you will find sights like the Tower of London and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Tourists with mobility issues should be aware that smaller establishments, especially those in registered historic buildings, may not have elevators.

LUXURY

The Ritz London

The Langham

The Goring

Rosewood London

MID-RANGE

The Grosvenor Hotel

The Montague on the Gardens

The Bloomsbury

The Fielding Hotel

BUDGET

Alhambra Hotel

Jesmond Dene Hotel

Ridgemount Hotel

Hotel ibis budget London Whitechapel-Brick Lane

COST OF LIVING

London is one of the most expensive cities to visit on the planet. Once you learn your way around a bit you can keep your budget under control, but when you first arrive it feels like you are being beaten up by shockingly high prices. Cheap hotels are available in some neighborhoods, but expect a tiny and worn-out-looking windowless room if you go too low. See our recommended London hotels and hostels page for great value at well-located places.

The good news is that almost all of the famous museums, including the huge and amazing British Museum, are free to enter for everyone. The “free” walking tours given by Sandeman’s New London are also excellent and worth the small tip you’ll give the guide at the end. But most of the other famous attractions are crazy expensive, so research the many free things to do if your budget is tight. On the other hand, our review of the London Pass shows that it’s quite good value for many visitors. We’ve prepared a long article featuring the best things to do in London, which should be helpful for a first-time visitor or planner.

Food and drinks can also be frustratingly expensive, especially if you stay in the main tourist areas. Finding your way to other residential neighborhoods is a money-saving key, and it’ll give you a better feel for the city at the same time. If you are trying to keep costs low while having a great time anyway be sure to check out our London budget travel tips. Most people stay in London, but there are many great and cheap day trips out of London to consider as well.

London is popular throughout the year, as it’s not dependent on pleasant weather to draw visitors. The months of June through August bring the biggest crowds and the highest hotel prices, so if you are planning on a visit during the summer months it’s a good idea to book as early as possible.

Outside of the summer it’s usually easy to find a room upon arrival, but going door to door in the few neighborhoods that are dense with hotels (like Victoria or Bayswater) can be exhausting, so it’s best to book at least your first night if you can.

Standards at London hotels are noticeably lower than in most other major cities in Europe and elsewhere. In other words, rooms tend to be tiny and often look badly worn, unless you are staying at a pricey boutique or international chain hotel. Apartment life in the city is similar, so it’s just something people have grown used to, though it can be a bit shocking when you first check into a place.