London

Whether travellers arrive in London via the underground or inside one of the city’s ubiquitous black taxicabs, they will immediately be greeted by a deep sense of history and met with the unique vibrancy of this incredible destination.

In its dark and troubled past, the city of London has survived Roman occupancy, sackings from the Celts, Romans, Vikings and Saxons, a Norman invasion, two great fires, the bubonic plague and Nazi bombings. This resilient and proud city promises something for everyone and is one of the most iconic tourist destinations.

The London Eye lifts visitors high above the river into stretching urban vistas. Further down on the South Bank, the Tate Modern contains one of the world’s most incredible collections of Modern Art, while the city’s 30,000 stores and boutiques will exhaust even the most avid shopper, and its 6,000 restaurants are only too eager to demonstrate why Britons revere their chefs as celebrities.

For those interested in exploring the country’s heritage, the Tower of London is an excellent starting-point. First constructed in the 11th century, the Tower has been rebuilt several times as later monarchs have left their mark. Still one of London’s biggest attractions, and a great celebration of pomp that is free to all visitors, is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, which happens daily.

As the great dome of St Paul’s reflects the colours of the setting sun, London comes alive with an unrivalled nightlife. For those up for something more energetic than dinner and the West End musicals and theatre, London has a vast number of bars and nightclubs catering to all tastes.

Climate for London

London has a temperate climate without the extremes found in continental Europe. There are four distinct seasons, although the weather can be unpredictable, with out-of-season storms, icy spells, and even heatwaves. Summer temperatures range from 57F (14C) to 75F (24C), while average winter temperatures range from 37F (3C) to 46F (8C). July is the hottest summer month, averaging 66F (19C), and January is the coldest winter month, averaging 39F (4C). London is a great city to visit whatever the weather, but most visitors prefer to visit between April and October, when the temperature is usually warm and the days are long and frequently sunny.

Health Notes when travelling to United Kingdom

There are no specific health risks associated with travel to the UK and food and water can be considered safe. The British National Health Service is excellent, while a number of countries have reciprocal health agreements with the UK including Australia, New Zealand and EU countries. Visitors from other countries such as Canada, South Africa and the United States are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance.

Safety Notes when travelling to United Kingdom

It is generally safe to travel throughout the UK.

Customs in United Kingdom

Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone new. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, including pubs, restaurants and public transport. Queue barging is frowned upon and there is strict etiquette on escalators: stand on the right, walk on the left. Visitors may find Londoners more rushed and less friendly than locals in other parts of the country, particularly on London transport, where tourists are often the only people who talk.

Duty Free in United Kingdom

Travellers can bring the following goods into the UK tax or duty free: 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco, 18 litres of still table wine, 42 litres of beer, 4 litres of spirits or strong liqueurs or 9 litres of fortified wine, sparkling wine or other alcoholic beverages of less than 22 per cent volume. The EU Pet Travel Regulation (Regulation (EU) 576/2013) continues to apply to travel between Northern Ireland, EU Member States and third countries.

Doing Business in United Kingdom

The four countries of the United Kingdom, although culturally and historically different, generally keep to the same business practices. Politeness and punctuality are key to good business relations and initial meetings are often conducted formally and impersonally, becoming more open and social as things progress. Business cards are exchanged at introductions, and dress is formal with dark suits preferred. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.

The communication style can be difficult to adjust to: the British people respect politeness to a point that often obscures their ability to say exactly what they mean. As a result, travelling business people may need to learn to ‘read between the lines’ and to take cues from tone of voice and facial expression. Humour is also an integral part of the British system of communication, and is used to diffuse a tense situation and to cultivate relationships. Foreigners should never assume that an attempt at humour undermines a person’s ability to do their job, or discredits the importance they attach to a deal or negotiation. Furthermore, they shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the British propensity for irony and sarcasm equates with an informal work environment.

Foreigners should be tactful during meetings, avoid becoming emotional and illustrate their experience with the subject at hand. Performance and initiative are looked upon favourably, whereas academic pretension is given far less credence. Meetings are often used as platforms for debate, rather than moments of confirmation, so there should be no surprise if not much progress is made. Foreigners should be sure to respect and appeal to all parties involved, as the British have recently begun to take a far flatter approach to management and the responsibility of decision-making. And if things go well, it’s worth purchasing a pint or two for clients or colleagues; though gifts are borderline inappropriate, a round of drinks will rarely be refused.

Communication in United Kingdom

The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free WiFi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops.

Tipping in United Kingdom

Tips of 10 to 15 percent are expected in restaurants and upmarket hotels in the UK if a service charge hasn’t been included. Hotel service staff receive an optional amount, while taxi drivers are usually given 10 to 15 percent of the fare. Tipping bartenders isn’t expected, and tipping for other services is discretionary.

Passport/Visa Note

If a visa is not required, travellers should hold a return or onward ticket, or proof of funds for the duration of stay. Passports must be valid for the period of intended stay in the UK; nationals of the EU require a passport valid on arrival. It is highly recommended that travellers’ passports have at least six months’ validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources. For visitors who are visa exempt up to a maximum stay of 6 months, the period of stay will be determined by the Immigration Officer on arrival.

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for Americans:

US travellers must hold a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay; a visa is not required for stays of up to six months.

Entry requirements for Canadians:

Canadian passports must be valid for at least the expected duration of the stay. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

Entry requirements for UK nationals:

Entry requirements for Australians:

Australian passports must be valid for at least six months after the departure date. No visa is required for stays of six months or less.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals:

Under the Common Travel Area agreement, citizens from the UK and Ireland are not required to pass through passport control. They can travel between both countries without a valid passport if they can prove they are a valid UK or Irish national.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders:

New Zealand nationals must hold a valid passport, but no visa is required for stays of up to 6 months.

Entry requirements for South Africans:

South Africans require a valid passport and a visa for entry or transit through the UK. South African temporary passports are not recognised.

London’s legendary Tube network remains the quickest and easiest way to get around the city, though it is best avoided during rush hour. The famous red buses are a more pleasant, if slower, way to get around. The ubiquitous black cabs are excellent but Uber and other taxi apps are also popular.

London’s main attractions are fairly close to one another; if the weather is nice, walking or taking a riverboat are good options. Driving is not a good option in central London, as parking is difficult to find and very expensive. A ‘congestion charge’ is also payable by those driving into central London from Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm.