Airline Information for London/UK Flights
For detailed information on scheduled/charter airline
services, a list of companies flying to the city's major airports, discount airfares and ticket consolidators, check out
London flights.
Generally, one meal is served on scheduled European services and two on direct
long haul flights from North America and Australia. Vegetarians, or travellers requiring special
meals e.g. kosher, halal etc. should check the availability of such food when booking their
flight.
Airport Parking (London Heathrow, LGW, STN, LTN)
For discount airport parking at London Heathrow, Gatwick,
Stansted and Luton (which includes free courtesy transfers to/from each
airport 24 hours a day) visit Park
and Go (Tel: 0870 0272223). The company also offer a useful meet and greet
service, while online booking, parking directions and car park security
information is available via their website.
Airport Transfers to London Hotels
Below you'll find details on how to get into central
London once you arrive in the UK. Here, we cover popular transport options from Heathrow, Gatwick
and Stansted, including bus/coach services and our very own
airport
transfer service. For further information on arrivals at all three
airports (together with Luton and London City airports) see getting there.
Gatwick Rail and Bus/Coach Links - the
most effective way to reach central London from Gatwick Airport is to take the Gatwick Express, a non-stop 30 minute
journey from the airport to London Victoria station. Trains are modern and comfortable
(with lots of space for luggage) and run from 04:35 to 01:35 with departures every
15 minutes from 05:50 to 00:35.
Alternatively, you can board one of the many regular commuter trains that stop
at Gatwick. These services, which are provided by the rail companies Southern and
First Capital Connect are fairly frequent,
though
they do become crowded (particularly at rush hour times). Thankfully, old style 'slam door'
trains have been replaced with sleek, modern vehicles which, as well as being clean and
comfortable, offer a decent amount of luggage storage space.
Southern trains normally terminate at London Victoria, from where you can
connect to the Underground (Circle, District and Victoria Lines) or London Bridge, while
First Capital Connect services give
added flexibility as they stop at London Bridge, Blackfriars and King's Cross. In addition, you can also connect to
the following Underground lines: London Bridge (Northern Line and Jubilee Line), Blackfriars
(District and Circle Lines), King's Cross Thameslink (Northern, Victoria, Circle, Hammersmith &
City, Metropolitan and Piccadilly Lines).
For further information on using the London Underground click here.
Heathrow (London Underground) - probably
the most effective London connection before the introduction of the Heathrow Express, the
Underground (or Tube) provides a relatively quick and flexible way of getting to the heart of the
city. Passengers can pick up the Underground from all terminals (one station for terminals
1,
2 and
3 and separate stations for terminals 4
and 5). Trains run frequently every few minutes, with the journey
into central London taking around 50 minutes. Whilst the Underground takes considerably longer than
the Heathrow Express, it does offer added flexibility should you wish to travel further into
central London. The biggest drawback is overcrowding (particularly during rush hour
periods) while passengers using the airport during the small hours should check train
timetables in advance, namely because the Underground does not run all night.
Heathrow Express - the Heathrow Express, which was opened in
1999 by former Prime Minister Tony Blair, provides a fast, efficient way to get into London. The
service is non-stop between Heathrow terminals and London Paddington. With a journey time of 15
minutes - or 20 minutes for those leaving from terminals 4 and 5 - trains run at 15 minute intervals.
From Monday to Saturday services start just after 5am and finish around ten minutes before midnight (see Heathrow
Express website for details of Sunday service).
Upon arrival at Paddington Station visitors can connect to the Underground
(District, Circle, Bakerloo and Hammersmith & City lines) allowing them to continue their
journey further into London if required.
Heathrow Coach and Bus Services - National
Express run services from London Victoria via Earls Court to Heathrow (cost from £4
single). In particular, their Airbus service is useful for those staying in Central London as it stops at Hyde Park, Marble Arch, Baker Street, Russell Square and Kings Cross.
In addition, the company also operate a similar service from London Golders Green via
Marylebone, Baker Street, Marble Arch and Park Lane (trip duration is, on average, 2hrs to reach
Heathrow from Golders Green). Alternatively, through our website you can book a door
to door airport shuttle service costing from £22 per adult. Crucially,
the 10-seater luxury shuttle only visits hotels required by passengers onboard, thereby saving unnecessary stops or delays.
Stansted Express - runs every 15 minutes
to Liverpool Street station, while an hourly
stopping service also operates into London. Open return tickets - which cost from £24
- can be
bought online (a maximum of eight) or by calling 0845 8500 150 (if overseas dial +44
(0)845 8500 150). For further
details visit: www.stanstedexpress.com.
Stansted Coach Services - numerous
coach/bus services operate to/from London, the most convenient of which is the Airbus (connecting Stansted with Victoria station). Running every 20-30 minutes, the service also covers
other areas of London including Golders Green, Finchley Road, St Johns Wood, Baker Street, Marble
Arch and Hyde Park Corner. For further information visit National
Express. Alternatively, Terravison operate a slightly cheaper daily coach service from
Stansted to Victoria, which runs between the hours of 07:15 and 00:40. Further details,
along with online ticketing, are available from the company's website at: www.lowcostcoach.com.
The vast majority of good hotels in the city offer
daytime and evening babysitting services, even if that means using a reputable third-party agency.
For immediate attention, visit temporary nannies at: www.nannyservice.co.uk. Make sure though, you give your hotel's front desk at
least a day's notice of your intention to hire a sitter. For longer periods i.e. extended stays in
the UK, companies such as Sitters
(Tel: 0800 38 900 38) offer a quarterly membership service for £12.75, with a £4
arrangement fee for each confirmed booking. Babysitting
charges are then levied on a per hour basis (to be paid in cash directly to the sitter).
Baggage Allowances for London Flights
Baggage allowance on most scheduled flights is
20kg (44lb). Some airlines do, however, allow cases weighing up to 32kg, although usually
an excess baggage fee is payable prior to boarding (for example EasyJet currently charge
approximately £6 for each kilo over and above the usual 20kg limit). More recently, a
number of low-cost carriers have introduced a charge for carrying hold luggage (calculated
per piece). Typically, the price is around £5 for each item checked-in.
Generally, hand luggage is
limited to one piece per person weighing under 8kg (17lb). Permission to take larger items on
board, such as pushchairs and bicycles etc. should be obtained from your airline before travelling.
Airlines also now have greater restrictions on the type of items that can be taken
aboard as hand luggage. In particular, scissors, knives and razors most go in the cargo hold (if
found during hand luggage checks they'll be confiscated). Moreover, EU-wide rules
governing the transport of liquids in hand baggage restrict the amount and type of liquids
that can be taken onto a flight. In the UK, authorities have stipulated that:
i) the liquid should be placed in a container with a maximum volume of 100ml;
ii) all liquid containers meeting the maximum volume of 100ml can be fitted comfortably into a transparent, re-sealable 1 litre plastic bag, measuring 20cmx20cm.
Essentially, the rules require that, during an airport security search, the plastic bag
is removed from hand luggage and X-rayed separately. Essential medicines and baby food are allowed in amounts larger than
100ml, while passengers will continue to be able to buy perfumes, cosmetics, bottles of alcohol and other drinks in the departure lounge after passing through airport security.
For further details about restrictions
that may apply, please check with your airline or travel agent when booking.
Bank business hours in London vary, although major branches of Natwest, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland are usually
open from 9.30am-4.30pm, with limited opening hours (until 1pm) on Saturdays. All banks are closed
on Sundays. In addition, Building Societies (mutual institutions owned by, and run for, their
shareholders) offer many of the facilities found at the major clearing banks. Among those with the
most branches are the Halifax and Nationwide.
As Automated Telling Machines (ATMs) are commonplace - even at smaller London
banks - you should have no difficulty withdrawing money using a debit or credit card. However, to
avoid problems ensure that your Personal Identification Number (PIN) has been set-up properly
before travelling. This is especially important when using new generation "Chip and
Pin" cards, as these require you to enter your PIN number when paying for goods and
services in shops.
Most UK ATM machines accept Visa, Mastercard (including Cirrus and Maestro),
American Express, and Diners Club.
Alternatively, you can opt to use a pre-paid (disposable) travel card such as
Visa TravelMoney that gives 24-hr access to your funds in any local currency. The main advantage to
this system is that the overall value of the card is stored on Visa TravelMoney's system, not on
the card itself. So, if you lose your card, you don't lose your money.
If you want to use Travellers Cheques, the most widely accepted are American
Express, Visa and Thomas Cook. Although you'll usually pay commission every time one is cashed,
Amex offices will complete transactions on their own branded Cheques without charge (the most
conveniently located branches being at 1 Savoy Court (The Strand),
WC2R 0EX and 30-31 Haymarket, SW1Y 4EX, For a full list of London AMEX offices visit:
www.americanexpress.co.uk.
If you simply wish to change your local currency into GBP, then it's best to
use a high street bank as their rates are usually better than dedicated bureaux de change (they
also charge less commission). Alternatively, 24-hr exchange kiosks can be found at major stations,
airports and busy shopping areas (such as Oxford Street), whilst travel agents (Thomas Cook, Trailfinders etc.) and larger Department
stores (such as Marks & Spencer) also offer foreign currency services. Be wary though of
kiosks offering non-commission transactions as often their exchange rates are poor.
See also money.
Bargain Hunting in London
Undoubtedly the easiest way to save money on a trip to London
is by comparing the online prices of various flight booking and travel agency services. Indeed, our
own online
flight and London Hotel booking pages are a great place to
start! In addition, a list of the best third-party sites (in terms of both value and reputation)
can be found in our general links section. See also
getting there for further information.
As a general rule of thumb, frequent flyers don't travel with
expensive looking luggage. If you do, it's rather like attracting bees to a honey pot (particularly
in baggage reclaim). It's equally important though not to use old threadbare luggage which isn't up to
a mild bruising from baggage handlers.
When leaving home, ask neighbours to keep an eye on the house and ensure that
all exterior doors and windows are locked properly. Security experts advise not to lock interior
doors as this usually results in further damage should an intruder break in. If you turn off gas or
electricity supplies, remember that appliances such as fridge-freezers will need to be defrosted
beforehand. And, if the timing of your return flight means that you'll be arriving home at night, make
sure you have a torch to hand to switch supplies back on.
When packing, it's important to know the value and contents of each bag, just
in case they're lost. Label them with your name, contact number and destination address in
London (this is preferable to advertising your home address to all and sundry). And,
when checking in, make sure every piece of luggage is correctly tagged with the destination airport's unique three letter
identifier. Moreover, if travelling as a couple, group or family, avoid packing
each person's clothes into just one bag/case. That way, even if you do lose
baggage, you'll still have some fresh clothes on day two (which trust us is a godsend,
as airlines are often sluggish in finding lost items and/or paying
compensation).
Cameras, Computers & Camcorders
X-ray machines at London airports are declared 'film
safe', although you can insist on a hand inspection for cameras if necessary. It's not even
necessary to bring film with you, as recognised brands such as Kodak, Agfa and Fuji are widely
available (generally most photographic shops sell ASA 100-1600 rated film), while specialist chains
such as Jessops offer even faster film stock.
Keen amateur photographers can also buy black and white and colour transparency films without too
much difficulty.
For owners of digital cameras (who have perhaps forgotten to pack rechargeable
batteries, memory cards etc.) accessories can be found in high street electrical stores such as Dixons or Currys. And, if you're taking a
camcorder with you, think about buying a spare battery and don't forget to pack your battery
charger.
If you plan to take a PC notebook onto a flight, international safety
regulations mean you won't be able to use it during takeoff and landing. More generally, you should
be able to prove to customs that cameras, computers, camcorders, iPods, portable DVDs and pocket TVs are for holiday or
business use and have not been imported into the UK for the purpose of resale (see also
customs allowances below).
Also remember that for any 35 mm film lost or damaged during developing,
laboratories are only obliged to replace it with another of the same value. You won't be
compensated for the commercial or sentimental value of photographs. Our advice is to ask about
separate insurance for important films such as those from weddings, birthdays etc.
Car Rental in London
As London's public transport network will take you to
virtually any part of the city (albeit slowly at times) it's often not necessary to hire a car in
London. Moreover, although British drivers are generally reserved behind the wheel, driving on
the left-hand side of the road (meaning that the steering wheel is on the right) is enough to
put most people off the idea. US and Canadian citizens should also note that the majority of rental
cars in London have manual (stick shift) rather than automatic transmission.
If you do decide to sample the joys of the south circular or M25,
then London
car rental is available on our own site, while a list of reputable car rental firms can be
found in our links section. Established car hire companies such as
Hertz and Avis
also have offices located around the city (which can be easily found in the Yellow Pages) including
London's airports. Make sure though you find out what equipment comes as standard (air-conditioning
is not always available) and check that prices include VAT (a sales levied on most goods
and services). Optional extras such as roof racks and child seats should also be arranged before
you go.
To hire a car in the UK, most rental firms require you to be at least 25 years
old (some will cover younger drivers, but at an increased premium). Rental rates tend to include
free unlimited mileage, although a cheaper option - up front at least - is to opt for a limited
mileage allowance (which makes an extra charge for additional mileage
thereafter). It's also
important to ensure that you have some form of personal insurance along with a Collision Damage
Waiver (CDW). Nowadays, many companies also offer Damage Excess Reduction (DER) for an additional
premium.
Although reputable companies operate new fleets and service
vehicles to a high standard, make your own checks before accepting a rental car. These should include:
i) checking for minor bodywork damage, making sure that small defects are
noted on the rental agreement before you take the vehicle;
ii) checking for tyre wear (insist on a different vehicle if the tread appears
low, uneven or if there are cuts or bulges in any tyre sidewalls);
iii) checking in advance to see if rear seat belts are fitted (and arrange for
a car seat if you have small children);
iv) allow yourself plenty of time to get used to the vehicle (particularly as
most foreign visitors will be driving on the 'wrong side'), unfamiliar road signs and London's
drivers. When returning the car, fuel should be topped up to the same level as when you first
picked it up (otherwise you'll be charged at the rental company's own tariff per litre which is
invariably higher than that of local forecourts). Insurance requirements and general rules on
driving in the UK (including local road signs) are covered in getting there. In addition,
For scheduled European flights and services from North
America and Australasia, check in at least two hours before departure. Domestic transfers within
the UK require you check in one hour before departure. Note that, due to an increased
threat of terrorism worldwide, security checks have been stepped up at international airports.
Consequently, anyone found travelling with hand luggage that contains sharp objects such as
scissors, razors, nail files etc. will have them confiscated before boarding their flight
(see "Baggage Allowances" above). They can, of course, still be transported in the hold as part of your normal baggage
allowance.
Children's Travel in London
The trick here is to plan well in advance and involve
youngsters in your holiday plans. Although major airlines provide goody bags for kids on long-haul
flights, it's still wise to take other small puzzles, games, toys and books. Make sure though you
pack them as hand luggage!
For children under two years of age on the date of their return flight home,
you'll have to pay a charge for them to fly. This is relatively small on European flights, although
it can add up if you're travelling from North America or have more than one child. What's more,
rates vary depending on whether you fly with a scheduled or charter airline. During the flight,
infants under six months must sit on an adult's lap and wear a lap-strap. Youngsters over six
months and under two years must sit on an adult's lap unless there's a vacant seat. If you have a
child who's prone to air sickness, make sure they know to tell you straight away if they're feeling
unwell. If all else fails, make sure they know where to find the sick bag, just in case you've left
your seat for any length of time.
The same basic rules apply if travelling by car to London. Again, make sure
plenty of toys are to hand (having to unpack a favourite toy from the boot of the car won't improve
your mood) and stop for breaks at frequent intervals. Youngsters suffering from motion sickness
usually improve if encouraged to look at the road ahead. As a precaution, purchase travel sickness
tablets from your local pharmacist. For more in-depth information on driving to London see getting there.
If things do go wrong during your stay in London follow the three C's rule and
stay cool, calm and collected.
Problems with accommodation can usually be resolved by contacting the front
desk in your hotel. Be polite but firm and make sure you talk to a person with the authority to put
things right. If necessary, ask to speak to the duty or hotel manager. If you're on a fully
escorted tour, problems should be taken up with the company's local representative. As a last
resort use photographs or video footage as evidence and submit a claim for compensation on your
return.
Unresolved complaints against a travel agent or tour operator can be referred
to an independent arbitration service. Note though, that requests for arbitration won't apply in
respect of physical injury or illness (which are covered separately by personal travel insurance
policies).
Many locals now cite global warming
as the culprit behind London's increasingly hot summers, freak storms and mild
but extremely wet winters. Visitors to London should therefore plan
for all eventualities, even during the hottest months of June, July and August.
Generally speaking, the weather tends to warm up from mid-May onwards, with
the occasional heat wave bringing temperatures up to 90ºF in July
and August (note: during 2003, temperatures even broke 100ºF).
Average temperatures in winter can be
considered mild when compared to mainland Europe or East Coast US cities such as New York. Whilst
spring and autumn can bring unseasonably high temperatures, as it's London, rain is
usually never far away.
Click for average daily
temperatures in London.
For the reasons highlighted above, wet weather clothing
should be packed together with jumpers and other warm clothing. An umbrella is also essential
(regardless of when you visit). As shoe/clothing sizes in the UK do not follow US or European
norms, a conversion chart can be found by clicking
here.
Like any big city, London suffers from its fair share of
crime, although incidents of murder and violent assault are (on average) lower than major US
cities. This is due, in part, to the fact that it's illegal to carry offensive weapons such as
guns, knives and coshes in public.
By far and away the biggest threat to tourists is from pickpockets. Tourist
areas, busy shopping streets and train/tube platforms can provide thieves with rich pickings, so
make sure valuables (including cameras) are properly concealed. Muggers, on the other hand, usually
prefer isolated, quieter areas including parks. The only exception to this rule is 'steaming' where
gangs of youths terrorize passengers into giving up their valuables on rail and tube trains.
While it's perfectly safe for women to travel alone or in groups to pubs and
restaurants, caution is still advised. Walking home in a poorly lit area, or travelling alone at
night on the Tube increases the risk of attack.
Car crime is another major problem in London. If you're hiring a car, make
sure that doors are locked when driving and that valuables are stored in the glovebox or boot
(trunk). See also car hire.
As well as the checklist of security points below, it may be useful
to consult London's Metropolitan Police
website. As well as giving background on the services they provide, their pages also offer
a useful guide to reporting
crime.
i) when first arriving in London, be especially vigilant with your belongings
at the airport and train stations. Bags, suitcases, rucksacks etc. should be padlocked and
important documents such as passports should kept on your person. Where necessary, luggage should
be stored in designated lockers. NEVER leave baggage
unattended, even for short periods, as it will likely be confiscated by the relevant
authorities or, in some instances, destroyed.
ii) store valuables, cash, airplane or train tickets in a safe deposit box at
your hotel. Larger items, such as laptop computers can still be left at your hotel, provided a
receipt is obtained from the concierge;
iii) when shopping, do not take more cash out with you than is absolutely
necessary. Keep bags closed and avoid keeping cash and credit/debit cards in the same place.
Handbags should be worn over the neck, rather than on the shoulder;
iv) be wary of pickpockets operating in and around busy tourist areas such as
Leicester Square.
British currency is the pound sterling (£) which is
divided into 100 pence(p). Notes are divided into denominations of £5, £10, £20
and £50, while coins come in smaller denominations of £2, £1, 50p, 20p, 10, 2p
and 1p. As a general rule, it's wise to keep a good supply of change as some stores may be
reluctant to accept £50 notes for smaller purchases. There is, however, no limit to the
amount of cash that can be imported or exported into Britain.
Unlike the rest of the European Union, Britain has not yet signed up to use
the Euro currency (EUR). However, tourists from other EU countries should still be able to
purchase items in London using Euros (for example at large stores such as Marks & Spencer).
Remember though, anything you buy will be subject to current exchange rates against the pound.
For the official exchange rate of the British pound against the US dollar, Euro and
other currencies, please visit:
www.xe.com.
Customs Allowances for the United
Kingdom
When arriving in London all travellers are required to pass
through UK Customs. Visitors from other EU countries should use the designated blue channel as they
are not required to make a customs declaration (providing quantities of tobacco, alcohol etc. being carried fall within the limits set out for personal use). Random checks are made however,
in order to deter tobacco and drug smugglers, as well as imports of banned or restricted goods.
Travellers entering the UK from non-EU
countries must either pass through the green channel (nothing to declare) or the red
channel (goods to declare). As a note of caution, you should only go through the green channel if
you are sure that you are within your customs allowances.
Where non-EU citizens arrive in London carrying personal goods that they have
paid duty or tax on in another EU country, they will not be required to pay further duty or tax
providing a receipt is produced.
Of course, it goes without saying that visitors to London should never carry
items into the country for someone else (regardless of who they are).
For a list of current UK Customs
allowances click here.
Alternatively:
For general information on UK/EU customs
allowances contact the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000 (+44 208 929 0152 for
international callers). Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs also provide a useful leaflet entitled
'A guide for travellers' (Notice 1) which is available without charge and can viewed on the
Internet at: www.hmrc.gov.uk
In the US, the US Customs Service's
Internet site at: www.customs.ustreas.gov summarises duty limits in the leaflet 'Know Before You
Go'.
For general customs enquiries in Canada
call 1 800 461-9999 (toll free). The leaflet 'I declare/Je Déclare' is available together
with bi-lingual information (English and French). Information is also available on the Internet at:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Although dense traffic and poor air quality can make cycling
in central London an unpleasant experience, certain downtown areas are perfectly accessible, even
for novice riders. However, if your knowledge of the city's streets is limited, we recommend you
choose a guided tour that can be arranged through a bicycle hire centre such as the London Bicycle Company. Probably the best
of their tours (and easiest in terms of avoiding traffic) is the 'Royal West' which takes in the
area around London's South Bank, Chelsea, Hyde Park, the Mall, Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar
Square. All tours begin from the pleasant surroundings of Gabriel's Wharf (where the company are
based) with prices starting at £17.95.
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