7 things to know before going to London

Do I need a visa to visit London?

U.S. citizens may enter the United Kingdom for up to 6 months without a visa. GOV.UK

Should I bring cash to London?

Pounding Sterling: $50 = £39.22 (2024)

I always bring cash for every country I visit because you never know. What if your cards lock or get stolen? There was never a situation where I couldn’t use my card, but I was happy I still brought some cash.

How much will I spend on a trip to London?

London can be expensive, but you can do it cheaply if you are savvy. You can stay in hostels, cook your meals, use public transportation, and stick to free activities. I was not on the cheap side when I came on my trip, but I was only there for two and decided to splurge a little. I stayed in an Airbnb and ate out for my meals.

Average Daily Cost Per Person: Low end $91 | High End $244

How much I spent for 2 days | $432

Should I get a travel credit card? 

I recommend applying for a 0% APR travel credit card. I have two, one from Capital One and the other from Bank of America. I have had no issues with them and no yearly fee! I even used my points from my Capital One to pay for a portion of my flight to Iceland! 

What airport should I fly to?

London has hella aiports. I was flying from Iceland and flew into the Heathrow Airport.

Pro tip: Download the extension Travel Arrow to compare Google Flights with Skyscanner and other third-party sites, then book directly with that airline. 

Is Transportation in London easy?

I booked the National Express Bus to travel from the airport to the city center and then used trains the rest of the way. They do have a card called the Oyster Card. I didn’t personally use it; I just tapped my card on and off the trains. I used Google and Apple to find information on public transportation.  

Is London Safe?

London is relatively safe, especially for a big city. According to The Economist, London is the fifteenth safest city globally. I felt safe there, even though there was a stabbing in SOHO. We didn’t know until after, but we saw all the cop cars. With any travel destination, be smart, don’t put yourself at risk, and don’t be an easy target. I highly recommend this theft-proof backpack. I take it with me every time I travel.

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