London has six airports — be mindful when booking which one you choose, as some are far from the center. Heathrow (LHR) London's main airport (27 km west). Connection to the center: Elizabeth Line (Crossrail, from £12.80, 30–40 min to Paddington — the best and cheapest option!), Heathrow Express (£

Eurostar from Germany The Eurostar connects Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam directly with London St Pancras International. From Germany: ICE/Thalys to Brussels-Midi (from Cologne 1:47h), then Eurostar to London (2 hours through the Channel Tunnel). Total travel time from Cologne: approx. 4.5 hours.

Local Transport — The Tube

Underground (The Tube) The London Underground (1863, oldest subway in the world!) is the backbone of London transport: 11 lines, 272 stations, 402 km network. The Tube is fast, reliable (mostly), and the easiest way to get around London. Oyster Card / Contactless: ALWAYS use an Oyster Card (deposit

Entry & Visa (Post-Brexit)

Since Brexit: New Rules! Since October 1, 2021, as an EU citizen, you need a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom — an identity card is no longer sufficient. No visa is required for stays up to 6 months (tourism). Border Controls Upon arrival at a British airport, you must go through Border C

London is a safe city — violent crime against tourists is very rare. The main risks: Pickpockets The biggest risk — especially on the Tube (Piccadilly Line, Central Line during rush hour), at markets (Camden, Borough, Portobello), at Oxford Circus, Leicester Square, and tourist hotspots. Standard p

Packing List & Communication

What to Pack Passport: Mandatory since Brexit — an identity card is not enough! UK plug adapter (Type G): British sockets have three rectangular pins — you need an adapter! Available at any Poundland (1-pound store), but better to get one beforehand. Rain jacket: Compact and always in your backpack

Home Travel GuidesLondon

🇬🇧

Travel Guide London

Your Complete Travel Guide to London

Country:United Kingdom

Language:English

Currency:British Pound (£)

Best Travel Time:May–Sep

Arrival:2h flight / 4.5h Eurostar

Visa:Passport required (Brexit)

Last updated: 20 March 2026 · 12 Chapters · 42 Sections

RECOMMENDED

Route Suggestions

Perfect London Weekend

2–3 days

The best of London in a weekend: the iconic sights, a musical, the best food market, and a pint in a historic pub.

WestminsterSouth BankTower of LondonBorough MarketWest EndCamden oder Shoreditch

London Intensive

5–7 days

A week to really get to know London: all the major sights, the best museums, every significant market, at least two musicals, and enough time to feel like a Londoner in a pub.

WestminsterSouth BankCityCamdenNotting HillEast LondonGreenwichMuseenWest End

London with Day Trips

5–7 days

London as a base for day trips: explore the city itself and discover the surroundings by train on 2–3 days — royal castles, university towns, and the beach.

London HighlightsGreenwichWindsor CastleOxford oder BrightonHampton CourtKew Gardens

Culture & Museums Tour

3–4 days

For art and culture lovers: The best museums in the world (for free!), Shakespeare at the Globe, a musical in the West End, and the Churchill War Rooms. London's cultural offerings are inexhaustible — and surprisingly affordable.

British MuseumNational GalleryTate ModernV&ANatural History MuseumWest End MusicalGlobe TheatreChurchill War Rooms

All Chapters

Planning· 3 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to London

4 Sections

Chapter 2

Best Travel Time & Climate

3 Sections

Chapter 3

Budget & Costs

3 Sections

Regions· 5 Chapters

Chapter 4

Westminster & City of London

6 Sections

Chapter 5

South Bank & Southwark

4 Sections

Chapter 6

Camden & Notting Hill

4 Sections

Chapter 7

East London & Shoreditch

3 Sections

Chapter 8

Surroundings & Day Trips

3 Sections

Understanding· 2 Chapters

Chapter 9

History

3 Sections

Chapter 10

Culture & Food

3 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 11

Arrival & Transport

3 Sections

Chapter 12

Practical A–Z

3 Sections

Discover More Travel Guides

Regions at a Glance

Westminster & City of London

The historical and political heart of London: Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, the National Gallery, and the British Museum — nearly 2,000 years of history on a few square kilometers.

Big Ben & ParliamentTower of LondonBuckingham PalaceWestminster Abbey+1

London

South Bank & Southwark

The South Bank of the Thames is London's cultural lifeline: Tate Modern in a former power station, Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market with the city's best street food, the London Eye, and the most beautiful riverside walk in Europe.

Tate ModernBorough MarketShakespeare's GlobeLondon Eye+1

London

Camden & Notting Hill

London's vibrant contrasts: Camden Town with its legendary market, street food, and punk heritage, and Notting Hill with pastel-colored houses, the Portobello Road Market, and the largest street festival in Europe.

Camden MarketHyde ParkNotting HillPortobello Road+1

London

East London & Shoreditch

London's most creative district: Shoreditch with street art and rooftop bars, Brick Lane with curry and vintage, the regenerated Docklands, and the Olympic Park — East London is the London of tomorrow.

Shoreditch StreetartBrick LaneColumbia Road MarketCanary Wharf+1

London

Surroundings & Day Trips

Greenwich with the Prime Meridian, Windsor Castle as the oldest inhabited castle in the world, the university city of Oxford, colorful Brighton by the sea, and the Tudor palace Hampton Court — all within an hour by train.

Greenwich & Prime MeridianWindsor CastleBrightonOxford+1