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 London is the cultural, political, and economic heart of Britain, famous for its world-class museums, galleries, royal palaces, shopping destinations, West End theatre shows and award-winning restaurants. Whether you want to stay in a 5-star luxury hotel and sip Champagne on the London Eye or find a cheap hostel and stroll around one of London's beautiful Royal Parks, you're sure to find something that suits your budget and interests.

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The City

London is a world-class city and the heart of British politics, culture and commerce. Its history stretches back thousands of years, and remnants of this fascinating past can still be found across the capital — from the Tower of London, a gruesome site of Medieval torture, to the majestic Buckingham Palace.

A captivating mix of old and new, London is also renowned for its creativity, innovation and originality in art, theatre, music, design and cuisine. It is home to countless art galleries and museums, including the Tate Modern, National Gallery and British Museum, which possesses some of the world's finest treasures. And best of all, entry to most of these museums and galleries is free!

To catch all the 'big-hitters' in one go, you can't beat a walk along the River Thames. Strolling from Tower Bridge to the Houses of Parliament you'll pass the Tower of London, Shakespeare's Globe, Tate Modern, the Southbank Centre, the National Theatre, the London Eye, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium and London Dungeon. In addition to these world-famous attractions, there are many more to discover during your stay.

The West End is the place to go to see London's top theatre shows and musicals. Alongside classics including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and The Woman in Black, you will find hit contemporary shows, such as Billy Elliot, The Lion King and Thriller – Live. Don't forget to explore the many off-West End venues too, such as the National Theatre, The Old Vic and (during the summer months) Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

In the West End you will also find some of London's top shopping destinations, from Oxford Street to Seven Dials. Different neighbourhoods are known for other unique opportunities for shopping: Notting Hill is renowned for its antiques and Portobello Market, Greenwich has an excellent arts and crafts markets, while Westfield London City and Westfield Stratford are the city's most famous malls.

If you would rather save money than spend it, the eight Royal Parks are well worth a visit — and a great spot for a picnic. Visit Greenwich Park to drop in on the Royal Observatory, walk through Kensington Gardens to see Kensington Palace, take a paddle on the Hyde Park boating lake, see Buckingham Palace from scenic St James's Park, spot deer at Richmond Park and Bushy Park, and meet the animals at London Zoo, which lies within Regent's Park.

Along the way indulge your taste buds with delicious food at one of London's many restaurants, gastropubs and pop-up eateries. You can eat food prepared by a celebrity chef, discover modern British cuisine, or eat food from anywhere in the world — be it Indian, Chinese, Persian, Greek, Italian or Lebanese. Top off your perfect day with a fancy cocktail, excellent wine or locally brewed beer at a top London pub or bar — and maybe a boogie at one of the capital's buzzing nightspots and clubs.

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Do & See

London is full of things to do and see. From famous attractions such as the London Eye, the Palace of Westminster, the Big Ben and the Tower of London to much lesser known ones that are almost secret. There are also exciting shopping destinations, vast areas of green parkland in the middle of the city and much, much more.

Read on for inspiration and handy tips on places you just can't miss while you're in the capital. Many attractions on this list are free to enter, giving you another great reason to fall in love with London.

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Buckingham Palace

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Houses of Parliament

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River Thames Cruise

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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Bath from London

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Tower of London

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Platform Nine & Three-Quarters

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Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

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Natural History Museum

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Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon & Cotswolds Tour from London

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

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Jack the Ripper Tour

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St Paul's Cathedral

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National Gallery

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London Bus Tour, Hop On – Hop Off

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Brixton & the Electric Avenue

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Victoria & Albert Museum

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Madame Tussauds London

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Brick Lane

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Sherlock Holmes Museum

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Tate Modern

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British Film Institute — The BFI

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Kew Gardens

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SEA LIFE London Aquarium

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Legoland Windsor

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Hampton Court Palace

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WWT London Wetland Centre

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London Dungeon

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Museum of London

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London Mithraeum

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National Portrait Gallery

Day Trips from London

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Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Bath from London

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Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and Cotswolds Tour from London

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Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter

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Events Not To Be Missed

London offers a jam-packed calendar of events that cater to a wide range of audiences all year round. This guide highlights the most popular and interesting ones that should definitely be on your bucket list.

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Christmas Markets in London

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Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace

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British Summer Time Music Festival

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RHS Chelsea Flower Show

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Trooping the Colour — King's Birthday Parade

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Notting Hill Carnival

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Totally Thames Festival

Friends enjoying coffee together, London, the United Kingdom DisobeyArt/Shutterstock.com

Restaurants

The British culinary scene is abuzz in London, with innovative chefs rethinking traditional British classics and creating new favourites — all with an emphasis on fresh, local produce.

Thanks to London's rich mix of cultures, the capital's restaurants serve up delicious food from all corners of the globe. Whatever cuisine you fancy, you're sure to find it in London. Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Caribbean, Polish, French, Italian, Afghan, Ethiopian, American, Spanish, South African, Persian — the list goes on.

With Michelin Star restaurants, family-friendly eateries, cosy gastropubs, fast food joints and quirky cafes dotted all over the city, there's something for every budget too. Food halls and street food are on the rise, too, with new ones popping up seemingly every month.

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Arcade Food Hall

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Kanada-Ya Piccadilly

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Bang Bang Oriental Food Hall

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J Sheekey

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Inamo Soho

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The Wolseley

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Restaurant Gordon Ramsay

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Borough Market

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Dinner by Heston Blumenthal

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Wild Heart

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OXO Tower Restaurant, Bar and Brasserie

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Mestizo Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar

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Gaucho Piccadilly

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Sketch

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Masala Zone Bayswater

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Rainforest Cafe

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The Blues Kitchen — Shoreditch

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Locanda Locatelli

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Duke of Cambridge

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Brick Lane

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Top 9 Afternoon Teas

Delicate finger sandwiches, tempting cakes, pots of steaming tea, scones with lashings of jam and cream. With so many delicious ingredients, it's no wonder traditional afternoon tea remains as popular as ever. There are many top hotels, restaurants and cafes serving afternoon tea in London to this day, and there are many varieties available — from classic afternoon tea to low-calorie alternatives and even a gentleman's afternoon tea.

The afternoon tea is a rather elegant affair, so don't waste the opportunity to wear something smart and you'll feel right at home. The establishments in our list of the most notable afternoon teas all have dress code requirements.

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Afternoon Tea at The Ritz

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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason

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Afternoon Tea at Brown's Hotel

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Afternoon Tea at Café Royal

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Afternoon Tea at The Dorchester

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Afternoon Tea at Royal Albert Hall

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Afternoon Tea at Roseate House

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Afternoon Tea at The Goring

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Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel

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Bars & Nightlife

London's nightlife is one of the most vibrant and varied in the world, with everything from mega clubs to live music. And from trendy bars to traditional British pubs.

Spots in central London like Soho and Leicester Square attract visitors most nights of the week, but if it's the more trendy venues you're interested in why not try neighbourhoods like Hoxton and Shoreditch in East London, or Brixton and Clapham in South London.

Here's just a taster of what London has to offer on a night out, including quality pubs and bars, world-renowned clubs, live music venues and much more.

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Ministry of Sound

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Vaulty Towers

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Marksman Public House

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Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town

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The Four Quarters

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The Argyll Arms

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The Top Secret Comedy Club

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Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

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The King's Head Theatre Pub

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The Atlas Pub

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Gordon’s Wine Bar

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The Roxy

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The Prince Alfred

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The Hippodrome Casino

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Shopping

Shopping in London is one of the most popular pastimes for visitors and locals alike. And it's no wonder given the huge range of shopping destinations across the capital, from high-end luxury boutiques and huge department stores to lively markets and vintage pop-ups.

The key is to find the right shopping area for you, be it the bright lights and big brands of the West End, the quirky and outrageous fashion of Camden or the smart suits in Savile Row. Here are just a few of London's top shopping destinations well worth a visit.

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Oxford Street

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Selfridges

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Portobello Road Market

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We Built This City

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Regent Street

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Camden Lock Market

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Covent Garden & Seven Dials

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Knightsbridge

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Borough Market

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Greenwich Market

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Savile Row

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Mayfair

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Westfield London

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Westfield Stratford City

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Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge

Westminster Bridge at sunset, London, UK ESB Professional/shutterstock

Tourist Information

Passport / Visa

Citizens of the European Union member-states, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Switzerland, and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) only require a valid passport to enter the UK. Residents of a further 10 countries do not require entry visas for stays under 6 months: the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Nationals of some further countries do not require a visa, but need to hold an entry certificate.

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Website: www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

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Best Time to Visit

London is graced with a mild climate and, as such, can be visited at any time of the year. However, a few things need to be considered. Most of the royal palaces and residences, like the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, are only open to the public during the summer months. Many of the city's most important festivals, like the British Summer Time Music Festival, also take place during this time. Late June to mid July is also when some of the best sales are on in shops around the capital.

Spring is also a good season for a visit, since the weather is generally good and finding accommodation is both easier and cheaper (high season in London means a lot of tourists). And if you're not too bothered about the grey weather, then low season (January and February) can be a good option too, when there are fewer tourists and prices are lower.

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London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

London Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, with five terminals. There are various ways to travel from Heathrow Airport to your destination.

The cheapest and most versatile way of getting to and from the city centre to Heathrow is by tube. The fastest way is the dedicated airport train — the Heathrow Express — which takes just 15 minutes from Heathrow to Paddington Station and runs every 15 minutes.

Address: Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, Middlesex

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Phone: +44 844 335 1801

Website: www.heathrow.com

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London Gatwick Airport (LGW)

London Gatwick Airport is the second largest airport in the UK (Heathrow Airport is the largest), with two terminals: North and South.

The fastest route from the airport into Central London is via the Gatwick Express, with trains departing every 15 minutes. The non-stop journey to Victoria Station takes 30 minutes. Try the trip planner on the official website to see which of the many transportation options works best for you.

Address: Gatwick Airport, West Sussex

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Phone: +44 844 892 0322

Website: www.gatwickairport.com

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London Stansted Airport (STN)

London Stansted Airport is the third busiest airport in the UK, and many low-cost airlines serving Europe and the Mediterranean operate from here.

On the Stansted Express you can reach Liverpool Street station in 47 minutes. Trains run every 15 minutes.

You can see the full up-to-date list of transportation options on the official website.

Address: Stansted Airport, Essex CM24 1RW

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Phone: +44 808 169 7030

Website: www.stanstedairport.com

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London Luton Airport (LTN)

London Luton Airport is located just 56km north-west of Central London, and is a popular base for low-cost airlines.

A regular shuttle bus transports passengers from the airport to the nearest station, Luton Airport Parkway, which takes about 10 minutes. From the station you can catch an East Midlands Trains or First Capital Connect service into Central London taking somewhere between 21 and 25 minutes. Other options include the easyBus express service, the Green Line 757 coach service to Victoria Coach Station or Terravision coaches to Victoria Coach Station. Each transport service stops at different destinations en route. A metered taxi ride to or from Central London costs around £80.

Address: London Luton Airport, Luton, Bedfordshire

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Phone: +44 1582 405 100

Website: www.london-luton.co.uk

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Airport — London City (LCY)

London City Airport is a single runway airport located 9.5km east of Central London, and serving mainly short-haul and business flights.

The airport is on the Docklands Light Railway, which connects to London's Tube network at Canning Town, Stratford and Bank and uses the same price structure. Buses serve the airport too, with numbers 473 and 474 providing a connection to other East London destinations. You can also take a cab from the taxi rank outside the airport.

Address: London City Airport, Hartmann Road, London

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Phone: +44 20 7646 0000

Website: www.londoncityairport.com

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Public Transport — Bus

London's bus network stretches right across the capital and provides a frequent and accessible service. If you're using an Oyster card, all you have to do is 'touch in' when you get on the tram. Seven-day, one-month and annual bus passes are available. Cash is no longer accepted in buses and trams. You might be able to pay by tapping your contactless bank payment card.

To navigate your way around the network, pick up a Central London Bus Guide from travel information centres at larger Tube stations or use Transport for London's online Journey Planner. A reduced service of night buses operates throughout the night and the early hours of the morning. Most late-night routes will stop at Trafalgar Square. Various concessions are available for children, students, the elderly and disabled travellers.

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

More Information: tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel

Public Transport — the Tube

There are 11 Underground or 'Tube' lines serving Greater London, which connect at various points to the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and local rail network. The Tube usually operates from 5am to midnight from Monday to Saturday, with a reduced service on Sunday. Plan your route by picking up a free Tube map from any Underground station, or using Transport for London's online Journey Planner. Fares vary depending on which of London's six travel 'zones' you travel through, though they are considerably cheaper with an Oyster card than buying paper tickets. Various concessions are available for children, students, the elderly and disabled travellers.

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

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Public Transport — Docklands Light Railway

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) serves East London and connects with the Tube network at Bank, Tower Gateway (Tower Hill), Shadwell, Stratford, Bow, Heron Quays, Canning Town and Canary Wharf. It also connects to the Emirates Air Line cable car at Royal Victoria. Fares are the same as on the Tube, and the DLR runs from 5:30am to 12:30am Monday to Saturday and from 7am to 11:30pm on Sunday. Both Oyster card and Travelcard holders can use the DLR.

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

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Public Transport — Thames River Bus

Travel with ease along the Thames on board a river bus. There are six different routes that all stop at destinations along the riverbank between Putney and Woolwich Arsenal. Popular services include the Thames Clippers route between Hilton London Docklands Riverside and Canary Wharf, the Tate-to-Tate boatride between Tate Britain and Tate Modern, and the journey between London Eye and Greenwich village. Depending on the service you'll be able to buy your ticket either before boarding or on board. Discounts are available when using Travelcards and Oyster cards.

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/river/about-river-bus

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Public Transport — Local Trains

As well as the Underground, London has its own local train network, which connects to the Tube at many points. The main train operators serving London are Silverlink, First Capital Connect, SouthEastern Railway, Southern Railway, London Overground and Greater Anglia. These local lines are, in turn, connected to the national rail network and the Eurostar. You can use your Oyster card on all trains operating within Zones 1-9, with the exception of Heathrow Express and a few other select services. Several different railcards are available too, providing discount fares to their holders.

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk/maps/track

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Public Transport — Trams

London's tram network, Tramlink, was introduced in the year 2000 and it runs in specific parts of South London — between Wimbledon, Croydon, Beckenham and New Addington. Trams run approximately every seven minutes to New Addington and every 10 minutes to Wimbledon, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction during the day from Monday to Saturday. If you're using an Oyster card, all you have to do is 'touch in' when you get on the tram. Seven-day, one-month and annual bus passes are available. Cash is no longer accepted in buses and trams. You can pay by tapping your contactless bank payment card.

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk

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Public Transport — Cycle Hire Scheme

Hop on a 'Boris bike' and zip around London using the city's public bike-sharing scheme. Named after London's former mayor Boris Johnson, the popular red bikes can be picked up at over 550 bicycle docking stations across London, which means you're never far away from one. After you've paid your registration fee (from £2), you can hire a bike for a day. The bikes are free to use for the first 30 minutes, after which the price increases by £2 every extra 30 minutes. When you've finished your journey, simply return the bike to your nearest docking station – you can find out where that is using the Santander Cycles app.

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Phone: +44 343 222 6666

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles

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Public Transport — IFS Cloud Cable Car

Cross the Thames in style on board the IFS Cloud Cable Car, London's cable car connecting Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. As well as taking you across the river in less than 10 minutes, it provides an amazing bird's eye view of London and the Thames.

The fare is £4 using an Oyster card or Contactless card. Multi-journey boarding passes (£17 for 10 single trips) and private cabin packages are also available.

After 7pm the line runs at half the speed, giving you more time to enjoy the view and relax.

Address: 27 Western Gateway, London

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Phone: +44 343 222 1234

Website: tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-cable-car

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Taxi

Taking a ride in one of London's iconic black cabs makes for a very comfortable and spacious ride. Hail a cab in the street or pick one up at a taxi rank. Your journey is calculated using a meter, with a minimum charge of £3.20. Watch out though, because the price can go up pretty quickly and the roads in central London are often packed with cars. London also has many private vehicles for hire, as well as minicabs: these are unmetered so check the fare when booking. To find a local, reputable firm download Transport for London's free CabWise app or check the Hailo app to find a nearby black cab.

Uber, Bolt, Ola, Via, Wheely, xooox, Free Now, Gett and Addison Lee rideshare apps all operate in London.

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Phone: +44 343 222 4000

Website: www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/taxis-and-minicabs/taxi-fares

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Post

Postage stamps are available across London at post offices, newsagents and supermarkets. To post a package or small souvenirs, drop into a post office — you can find your nearest branch on their official website. Post offices are generally open Monday–Friday from 9 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 12:30 pm.

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Website: www.postoffice.co.uk

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Pharmacy

Whether you need to buy over-the-counter medication or collect a prescription, there are plenty of pharmacies all over the capital. Boots and Superdrug are two big chemist chains. You will also find pharmaceutical products at some of the larger supermarket branches.

Address: Boots London Piccadilly Circus, 44-46 Regent St, London

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Phone: +44 207 7346 126

Website: www.boots.com/stores/1000-london-piccadilly-circus-w1b-5ra

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Telephone

The international dialling code for the UK is +44 or 0044, which replaces the first 'zero' of the phone number. So, for example, to call the number 020 7946 0000 from abroad you would dial +44 20 7946 0000.

The area codes for London are (020) 7, (020) 8 and (020) 3. If you're dialling a London number from another fixed phone line within Greater London you don't need to dial the '020' before the number, just the rest of the number starting with 7, 8 or 3.

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Electricity

Electrical appliances are connected to the UK mains supply using a three-pin plug known as plug type G. The sockets come with on-and-off switches, unlike in many other countries.

The average voltage of a UK power socket is 230V or slightly higher, so check the voltage of your device before plugging it in. Voltage adaptors and convertors are available from London airports and high-street electrical chains such as Argos or Curry's.

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Frequently Asked Questions about London (FAQs)

FAQ

– What is the best way to explore London?

London is an extremely walkable city and most locals rely on public transportation to get around. As a tourist, you have a lot more to see when you are travelling overground, so consider picking busses and trams over the Tube just for that reason. Seeing London from the river is a great opportunity to understand the city’s geography and get away from the crowds. Remember to carry comfortable walking shoes, some sort of rain protection and don’t forget about sun cream. An Oyster card is your best tool for shrinking distances in this huge city, so get one as soon as possible.

– How many days in London is enough?

While you can see most of the main bucket list sights in London in a couple of days, spending at least 3-4 days in London is the best way to do this incredibly diverse city justice. You’ll have enough time to get acquainted with the city and go beyond the most obvious sight. Save a day to do something that speaks to you and your interests in particular.

– Where can I get an Oyster card?

An Oyster card is an essential tool for every Londoner. You can buy one at the Oyster ticket stops in many newsagents, at all Tube, London Overground, most TfL Rail and some DLR stations. Visitor Centres sell them as well. The card Oyster itself costs £5 and you can recharge it in all the same places where you can buy them, plus through the TfL Oyster and contactless app.

– What’s the tipping culture in London?

It is customary to leave 10–15% of the bill when eating out. Many restaurants will add a 12.5% service charge, especially if you’re dining out with a large group. Check your bill if you don’t want to tip twice. You can also ask for the service charge to be removed if you found the service to be completely unacceptable.

– Is London a safe city?

As most big cities, London does have a higher crime rate. According to the Economists Safe Cities Index, London is the 15th safest city in the world (tied with San Francisco).

– Is it safe to walk around London at night?

London streets at night are generally safe, but do remember that public transport doesn’t run all night — you might be in for a very long walk to your hotel or a potentially costly cab ride.

– Where is the best place to stay in London?

London has many neighbourhoods to choose from, so spend some time researching what personalities each one has. Price is another important consideration, of course.

Brixton is a great residential area, known for its diversity, shops and street markets. Quite hip, but that also means it can get loud. Mayfair is right next to Hyde Park. Park yourself here for old British architecture and cute boutiques. The prices are somewhat high and Mayfair doesn’t have the best airport connections. Shoreditch is a hipster paradise with excellent coffee shop culture — great for digital nomads. Shoreditch is not the most polished neighbourhood, though. Almost all neighbourhoods in London are very safe, so don’t make that your main concern. Nightlife areas like Camden, West End and Deptford can turn a bit rowdy and loud at night, but you’ll be in the middle of the action.

– Is London really always rainy and grey?

People tend to exaggerate. London does have decent weather, with full on sunny days. The best time to visit to avoid crowds and stay dry is early summer or early fall. Bring a jacket for the nights, even in the summer.

– What should I pack for my trip to London?

London is great for shopping, so don’t worry too much about forgetting things at home. To stay comfortable, you’ll definitely need a pair of good walking shoes. A water-resistant jacket won’t hurt either. And do bring your favourite going out outfit for the weekend!

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