London is a city that fully justifies its reputation as one of the most vibrant, multi-cultural places in Europe. Whether you are in town to visit one of the dazzling West End shows, do some shopping in London's many flagship stores, or visit some of the most famous buildings in the world, you are sure to find something to entertain.
As with any large city, navigating your way around London can be a complicated affair, especially for the first time visitor. Fortunately, we have done all the hard work for you and come up with a comprehensive guide to London, including some specialist guides on our favourite areas, making it easy and hassle-free for you to make the most of your stay.
Hotels-London - The London Specialist
If you need any help from us before or during your stay, call us on 0844 484 8000 (local call costs apply), where our Specialist Agents will be pleased to help.
By far the easiest and cheapest way to navigate through London is by getting hold of an Oyster card. Quick and easy to use, the Oyster card allows you to pre-pay and simply swipe over a sensor as you enter and leave the tube or bus network.
It automatically works out the cheapest prices for your journeys so you never pay over the odds. There is a £3 deposit that is returned if you hand it back along with any unused credit you may have added.
A trip on the London Underground can be quite a daunting experience for visitors. Locals do not take kindly to having to wait around for tourists, so it is vital to have your wits about you. We recommend you make sure that you stand on the right when using the escalators and leave the left hand side clear for Londoners rushing to their next meeting or trying to catch the train. The tube operates from 5.30am to 11.30pm.
Back above ground, it is important to remember that the UK drives on the left hand side of the road, so make sure you look the correct way when crossing the street. When trying to get a taxi, black cabs have an orange light on the roof, which is illuminated when they are free and turned off when they are occupied.
London was the first city in the UK to introduce congestion charging. If you are driving into the city centre between 7am and 6pm Monday to Friday, you will need to pay £8 per day. There is no congestion charge on weekends and UK bank holidays. It is not advisable to attempt to avoid this fare, as the system employs automatic number plate recognition and those caught not paying will face a £50 fine.
For more information about where you have to pay see the guide at http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/CC-Cameras.pdf
Since London is one of the oldest cities in the world, disabled access can be quite difficult in the cobbled side streets, and the often narrow doorways and corridors found in many of London's older attractions can be awkward.
However, the situation is gradually improving, with new laws in place that require businesses to make adequate provisions for disabled access. All buses now have low access floors to enable easy boarding, although unfortunately travelling on the tube network can often prove challenging.
For more information about disabled access in London's transport network you can visit http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/
Children under five travel for free wherever they go, provided of course they are accompanied by an adult.
Travel for children aged 5-10 is free on both underground and overground train services when accompanied by an adult (up to four children per adult), and they can also travel unaccompanied without charge on any buses or trams.
Those aged between 11-15 can get a 'Zip Oystercard' that allows them to travel for free on buses and trams, but must pay child fares on any form of rail travel.
For further information on travelling with children, visit the Transport for London website.
Everything you need to know about London before you visit
For police, medical or fire emergencies dial 999 or 112 free from any phone.
Alcohol: 18 | Driving: 17 | Smoking: 18
Britain's currency is pound sterling (£). There are one hundred pence to one pound. You will encounter coins worth 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2.
Notes come in £5, £10, £20 and £50. You can withdraw money from cash machines all over the city, although be wary that some machines in shops may charge you for withdrawing your money (usually £1.50 - £1.75).
Most places where you need to pay for something will accept card payments by Visa, Mastercard and Maestro. Some places may not take American Express, so to avoid embarrassment it is best to check before you try to pay. Small corner shops and street sellers will usually operate on a cash only basis.
London is usually very cold from around November through to March. The stereotype of London as a rainy city does hold, April is the month where you would be most likely to encounter a downpour.
A good time to visit London is May, as the weather is usually sunny, yet not so hot that the underground becomes unbearable.
In the summer months (June to August) we recommend that you carry a bottle of water with you at all times and remember to carry medication if you suffer from asthma or hayfever.
EU residents do not need a visa to enter the country and visitors from USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand can also enter without a visa for up to 6 months provided that you can prove how you will support yourself during your stay.
