When To Visit
Climate
Before Your Travel
Time Zone ( GMT )
London Time Zone : GMT +0 (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Visa
Visa is not required for residents of Australia, Malaysia & Singapore for stays up to 6 months.
Electricity
Electricity in London operates on 230 volts, 50Hz. Flat three-pin plugs are standard. Most hotels provide adapters.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink in London.
Language
English is the official language.
International Access Code
Dialing Code to United Kingdom : (+44)
Planning to go London?
Getting around London is easy & convenient with its efficient public transport system such as tube and buses.
Just print a London Tube Map and you are all set to go!
Download the map : London Tube
Tommy Ooi’s Traveling Tips
Buy an Oyster Card, a prepaid card to save you money & hassle when traveling around London. You can use Oyster Card on most public transport in London ( except for bus & rail to airports ).
Arriving London
London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
1. London Underground (Piccadilly line)
The Piccadilly Line is one of the cheapest & convenient way to get to London or Heathrow Airport. It runs direct from all the terminals to central London, stopping at stations close to many of London’s landmarks as well as the major transport hub at King’s Cross St. Pancras.
Travelcards & Oyster Cards are valid. One way ticket £5.50 can be bought at the station and the cost of a Zone 1 – 6 (Central London – Heathrow).
For More Info : Transport for London Website
2. Heathrow Express Train
The quickest way to reach London. Train leaves every 15 minutes for Paddington station & the journey takes 15 minutes.
Travelcard & Oyster card not valid. One way ticket price starts at £16.50 if purchased online, £18 at the station, and £23 if purchased onboard.
For More Info : Heathrow Express Website
3. Heathrow Connect Rail
The second fastest way to London. Same route as Heathrow Express but stops at several intermediate stations to London Paddington so journey is 25 minutes and trains less frequent.
One way £8.50, round trip £16.50. Travelcard & Oyster card not valid.
For More Info : Heathrow Connect Website
4. National Express Coach
National Express runs frequent coach services between Heathrow’s central bus station and Victoria Coach Station. The journey takes between 40 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the route.
Standard tickets cost £6 per way. Services from Heathrow commence around 5.30am and run until 9.30pm. Coaches from Victoria leave from around 7.15am until 11.30pm.
For More Info : National Express Website
5. Bus N9 ( Night Bus )
Bus N9 operates service from midnight to 5:00AM between Heathrow and Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square.
Journey time is approximately 65 minutes. Standard bus fares apply £2.20 and Travelcards are accepted.
London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
1. Gatwick Express
Every 15 min, journey time 30-35 min. To London Victoria. Travelcard not valid. One way £19.90, round trip £33.20, for the cheapest fare visit their website.
For More Info : Gatwick Express
2. Southern Railway
Every 15 min, journey time 35-40 min. To London Victoria via Clapham Junction. Much cheaper than Gatwick Express – £19.90 (any train) or £14.40 (excluding Express)
For More Info : Southern Railway
3. EasyBus
The cheapest way. Book early online for only £2 per way. Every 15-20 min, journey time 60-90 min. To Fulham Broadway.
For More Info : EasyBus Website
London Stansted Airport (STN)
1. Stansted Express to London Liverpool Street
Every 15 min, journey time 45-60 min. One way £23,40, round trip £33.20. Travelcard not valid.
Most budget carriers’ websites offer reduced price deals for the Stansted Express, allowing you to save a few pounds.
For More Info : Stansted Express
2. EasyBus
The cheapest way. Book early online for only £2 per way. Journey time 70-90 min. To Baker St (tube: Baker St)
For More Info : EasyBus Website
3. Terravision Coach
Every 30 min. To Liverpool St Station (tube: Liverpool St) or Victoria (tube: Victoria). To Liverpool St Station: £9 one way, £14 round trip. To Victoria: £9, £14. Travelcard not valid.
For More Info : Terravision Airport Transfer
London Luton Airport (LTN)
1. EasyBus
The cheapest way & most convenient way to Luton Airport. Book early online for only £2 per way. Journey takes approx 1 hour 20 mins
To Baker St (tube: Baker St) via Hastingwood Motorway Services and South Woodford. They now run from the city centre (Victoria).
For More Info : EasyBus Website
Check Out by Tommy Ooi
Coming Soon
-
London Hotels Review ( coming soon )
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Dining in London ( coming soon )
hi Tommy, I’ll go to UK in May 2012. Kindly advise the hostel located very near to Tube Station within 3-min walking distance. this is the first time I’m going to UK.
Are you Indonesian?
Hi Elny,
There are many hotels & hostels located close to Tube as Tube network is very extensive in London. ( The most extensive metro in Europe follow by Madrid ).
The more important thing is your budget for accommodation per night. Some budget hotels are Tune Hotels & Easy Hotels.
Hope it helps
Hi Tommy, I find your website very informative. I’ll be visiting London with my husband in April 2012 and we will be staying in Tune Hotel Liverpool street. If we were to take the Terravision Coach from Gatwick
Airport to Liverpool Street St, how do I get to the hotel from the station. Kindly also advise how to get to the central of London from the hotel.
Looking forward to your kind response.
Thanking you in advance.
Wishing you a Joyous and Blessed New Year 2012
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for your compliments. The hotel is 500 meters away from tube station. Hence it is about 10 minutes walk.
This is the walking direction provided by Google Map.
1. Head north on Old Broad St toward Liverpool St
2. Turn right onto Liverpool St
3. Turn left onto Bishopsgate/A10
4. Slight right to stay on Bishopsgate/A10
Continue to follow A10
5. Turn right onto Folgate St
To go any part of London, you can just walk to Liverpool Street Station & take the tube.
Hi Tommy
I’m wondering whether Oyster card or the visitor oyster is a better deal? How about the london pass?
Hi Lynn, Oyster card is just a metro card like touch n go but visitor oyster is a tourist pass that comes with discount. Look into all the benefits and check whether they benefit you or not. If not oyster card is a better option as it auto limit per day transport fees