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Be prepared for all weathers, and be sure to bring a waterproof jacket and umbrella, even in summer. In winter, you will need a warm coat and sweater. Formal dress is rarely obligatory, but people do dress up for the opera as well as for some theatrical shows and smart restaurants. If you are coming in summer bring sunscreen as London sun can be strong.

For security, bring a cash card or traveller’s cheques. Check that your cash withdrawal card is acceptable in the UK – most are. Bring some British currency to pay for fares and immediate needs on arrival. There is no restriction on how much currency you can bring in or take out of the country (see Banking).

A valid passport is needed to enter the UK. Visitors from the EU, Commonwealth countries and the US do not need a visa. Always check with the British Embassy in your country. Contact your London-based embassy if you need to extend your stay beyond six months.

Apart from firearms, plants and perishable foods, there are few limits on what may be brought into the UK for personal use. If you need regular medicine, bring adequate supplies and/or a prescription with you.

Take out an insurance policy that covers loss of baggage, theft and health. Although emergency treatment is usually free from the National Health Service, and there are reciprocal arrangements with other EU countries, specialist care, drugs and repatriation are costly.

If you are planning to drive in the UK and you are an EU citizen, be sure to bring your licence as well as registration and insurance documents. Also inform your insurance company of the trip. Other foreign nationals require an international drivers licence.

Don’t forget to set your watch to Greenwich Mean Time for the UK, which is one hour behind Continental European Time and five hours ahead of US Eastern Seaboard Time. From March to September clocks go forward an hour (“summer time”).

Throughout the UK, the electricity supply is 240 volts AC. Plugs are of a three-square-pin type, so buy an adaptor before leaving home. Most hotels have two-pin sockets in their bathrooms for use with shavers only.

Planning ahead when travelling with young children can make a trip more enjoyable. Avoid travelling by public transport during peak hours. Book tickets in advance, and bring a fold-up stroller.

London’s main airport is 15 miles (24 km) west of central London. The Heathrow Express train to Paddington is the quickest way into the centre, and takes only 15 minutes. Trains run from 5am until about 11:30pm daily. Taxis take about an hour, depending on the traffic, and are very expensive. Cheaper options include the tube (Piccadilly line) or Airbus into the centre.

London’s second airport is 31 miles (50 km) south of the centre, on the Surrey-Sussex border. The Gatwick Express train runs every 15 minutes into Victoria Station, taking around 30 minutes. There are also train connections on City Thameslink trains to London Bridge. The Airbus is a little cheaper and takes an hour longer.

This fast-growing airport is 35 miles (56 km) to the northeast of London. From here, the half-hourly Stansted Express to Liverpool Street station takes 45 minutes. The Airbus service to Victoria takes about 90 minutes.

This quieter airport is some 31 miles (50 km) north of London. There is a bus from the airport to Luton station, from where Thameslink trains to King’s Cross and the city take around 35 minutes. A Green Line coach service to Victoria takes 90 minutes.

Situated in Docklands, 9 miles (14 km) from the centre, this airport is best served by Shuttlebus from Liverpool Street station. A taxi to the centre takes around 35 minutes.

England’s other main airports are Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and East Midlands. All have direct road, rail and bus connections to and from London.

Both national and international buses arrive and depart from here, London’s main bus station. The terminal is a 10-minute walk from Victoria railway station.

This is the London terminus for the Channel Tunnel rail service, which is run by Eurostar. The train takes 3 hours from Paris Nord and just 2 hours 40 minutes from Bruxelles Midi.

Eurotunnel operates a drive-on-drive-off train service between Calais, in northern France, and Folkestone, in the south of England (35 minutes). Ferries from Calais to Dover, the shortest Channel crossing, take around 90 minutes. The drive to London on the M20 motorway takes around one and a half hours, depending on the traffic.

London’s underground train network, or “tube”, is the fastest way to get around town, but trains are crowded during rush-hour. Lines are colour-coded and easy to follow on the map. Trains run from around 5:30am to midnight, with fares based on the six zones into which the network is divided. Zone 1 covers Central London.

Slower than the tube but a cheaper way to travel, buses are also a good way of seeing the city as you go. To travel in the city between midnight and 6am, you will need a night bus. Night buses may be picked up at bus stops around Trafalgar Square.

The automated overland railway serving Docklands is a fairly recent addition to the transport system. It is linked to the Underground network at Bank, Tower Gateway (near Tower Hill) and other points. One arm heads south, under the river, to Greenwich and Lewisham. Outside rush hour, it is a pleasant way of seeing this regenerated area of the East End.

One-day and weekend Travelcards are economical if you make more than two trips by public transport in a day. They can be bought at tube stations and at many newsagents and grocer shops. Valid on the Underground, buses and the DLR, on weekdays they are only valid after 9:30am. Weekly and monthly Travelcards, and pre-pay Oyster cards, are also available: for a monthly pass you need a passport-sized photo.

Suburban and intercity travel is served through the 10 main London termini. Rail travel is expensive and the fare structures complicated. Planning ahead for long journeys is advisable and may save money.

London’s black cabs can be hailed anywhere; their “For Hire” sign is lit up when they are free. You can also find them at railway stations, airports and taxi ranks. A 10 per cent tip is customary. Black cabs can be ordered in advance from Radio Taxis and Dial-a-Cab.

Minicabs are best obtained by telephone or by visiting a firm’s office. Avoid picking one up on the street, or from one of the shady offices in Soho, as they are likely to be uninsured, ignorant of the city and unsafe drivers. “Lady Cabs” have only women drivers.

Car rental is not cheap in the United Kingdom and the rates are similar among the larger companies. Europcar and Thrifty are most likely to offer deals. Drivers must show a valid licence and be aged 21 or even 24.

You need a strong nerve to cycle in London’s busy traffic, but it can be a great way to see the city. Lock up bikes as theft is common. There is a choice of bicycle rental companies in London.

Visit London is the official tourist organisation for London and has a range of services for visitors to the capital, including a useful accommodation booking scheme. Their website gives a number of options.

Offering advice on anything and everything from day trips and guided tours to accommodation, you will find these London Visitor Centres at 1 Regent Street W1 and in Greenwich, at Pepys House SE10. They stock free leaflets on current events and attractions. The City of London Information Centre (located opposite St Paul’s Cathedral in EC4) is also useful.

Pre-paid hotel reservations booked through Visit London are guaranteed to be the lowest rate you can find. If paying by credit card, you can use their hotel booking service online. You can also book in person at centres in Victoria and Liverpool Street stations, and at Heathrow.

This organization (in business for some 20 years) will find you a restaurant and reserve a table for you if you call, fax or e-mail your requirements to them. They have a comprehensive database and will try to meet your needs. There is no charge.

Apart from satellite and cable television, there are five terrestrial channels in the UK: two run as public service channels by the BBC (BBC1 and BBC2), and the three commercial channels (ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5). Ceefax and Teletext are text programmes on these channels, giving travel and weather updates.

London radio stations bring constant news and travel updates for the capital. They include BBC London Live (94.9FM), Capital FM (95.8FM), News Direct (97.3FM) and LBC (1152 MW).

For current events in London, see the daily papers, particularly theEvening Standard (the capital’s evening paper) andTime Out , a weekly listings magazine. The Thursday edition of theStandard also includes a free listings magazine,Metrolife , for the week ahead. Their websitewww.thisislondon.co.ukis also useful. The Tourist Board publishes two useful booklets:Where To Stay andWhat To Do .

London’s weather is as unpredictable as elsewhere in the country, but if you want to check ahead phone Weathercall for an up-to-the minute forecast. There are also regular weather forecasts for the capital and other regions on radio and television.

Here you will find a vast amount of information on London and the rest of the country, with advice on accommodation, travel, attractions and activities. As well as the Visitor Centre in Regent Street, there is a good website which covers the same type of information.

Britain Visitor Centre interior

Most large, modern hotels have disabled access, but older or small hotels may not, so it is best to check before booking. RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation), the main organization for the disabled, publishes an annual guide,Holidays in Britain and Ireland , which lists recommended accommodation.

With long escalators, stairs, walkways and heaving rush hours, it is particularly difficult for the disabled to travel on the Underground. However, 94% of the total bus fleet is wheelchair accessible. A useful tube access guide is produced by the Access & Mobility service, and on sale at Travel Information Centres at Heathrow airport, main tube and rail stations, as well as some suburban ones. For more information call Transport for London.

Most of London’s museums and galleries have ramps for wheelchair access and disabled toilets. Recorded “audio tours” can often be hired, which are useful to those with impaired vision.

By 2006 all theatres and cinemas in London should have disabled access. Call in advance to find out what seating is allocated for disabled visitors – some offer good seats, others not so good. For more information on accessibility in arts venues, call Artsline.

Some restaurants are more accessible than others: even if they have wheelchair access, the dining areas may be on an upper or lower floor, so check when booking a table. Our Top10 listings state if a restaurant does not have disabled access.

Based in Kensington, London W8, Can Be Done specializes in holidays and tours for the disabled. They will put together a package to suit your requirements.

London’s open-top sightseeing bus tours offer a relatively easy way of seeing the sights of London without having to walk too far. Access can be difficult for those in wheelchairs, however. The tours last for around 90 minutes and can be joined at various city locations.

SKILL, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, offers limited help and information, as does the UK Council for International Education (UKCOSA).

Many theatres have a sign-language interpreter on duty at all or some performances. Call in advance to check. The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) may be able to help with some enquiries.

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Recreation and Lifestyle Service can provide useful holiday information. Braille maps of London’s transport system are available from Transport for London’s Access & Mobility unit.

The pound sterling (£) is divided into 100 pence (p). Paper notes are in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50. Coins are £1 and £2 (yellow-gold); 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p (silver); and 1p and 2p (copper).

Opening hours for banks are generally 9:30am–4:30pm Monday to Friday. Most banks and building societies have cash machines in an outside wall. Some also have lobbies with cash and payment machines – these can be accessed by your cash card at any time of night or day.

Bureaux de Change are regulated, and their rates are displayed along with commission charges. These are either flat fees or percentage charges. Many offer exchange without a commission fee, but check their rates as these may be less favourable than those charging a fee. Travelex has many branches throughout London where money can be changed.

Most practical_infos accept the major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard (Access). American Express and Diners Club cards are less widely accepted in the UK. Credit cards are particularly useful for hotel and restaurant bills, shopping, car rental and reserving theatre or movie tickets by telephone. They can also be used to obtain cash advances, with a PIN number.

Post offices and sub-post offices are located throughout London. They are generally open from 9am–5:30pm Monday to Friday and until 12:30pm on Saturday. You can also buy stamps in shops, hotels and other outlets. The main West End post office is near Trafalgar Square. Mail sentPoste Restante to this address will be kept for one month. American Express also provides aposte restante service for its customers.

Most phone boxes take coins (20p minimum) and credit cards. You will need at least £2 to make an international call. If you have difficulty contacting a number, call the Operator (100) or International Operator (155). In an emergency, dial 999 or 112.

The code for London is 020, which you omit when dialling within the city. When calling from abroad, dial the access code followed by 20, omitting the initial 0. To call abroad from London, dial 00 followed by the access code of the country you are dialling. To find a number call one of the directory services listed below.

There are fax and photocopying shops throughout London, and most of the larger hotels also offer these facilities.

London is awash with mobile (cellular) phones. Check before leaving home whether yours will work within the UK, which uses a 900 or 1800 GSM system.

For emergency police, fire or ambulance services dial 999 – the operator will ask which service you require. This number is free on any public telephone.

London, like most metropolitan areas, has its share of bagsnatchers and pickpockets. Street crime has increased in recent years and you should be aware of this late at night and in outlying or poorly-populated areas. Look after your possessions, keeping valuable items concealed. In pubs and other public places, keep hold of your bag – it is not unknown for bags to vanish from between their owners’ feet in movie theatres and bars. Avoid poorly-lit back streets, at night and if you are on your own.

Make sure that your possessions are insured before you arrive and, if possible, leave passports, tickets and travellers’ cheques in the hotel safe. Report all thefts to the police, especially if you need to make an insurance claim. There is a police presence in such busy areas as Leicester Square and Oxford Street, as well as several central police stations.

Mounted police

Anything found on the tube or buses is sent to the London Transport Lost Property Office. Allow three days for lost items to get there. The office is open only to personal callers.

There are a number of hospitals in central London with 24-hour emergency services, including dental hospitals. Emergency accident treatment may be free for visitors.

Pharmacies (known as Chemists in England) are open during business hours, some until late, and can give advice on minor ailments. Boots is a large, well-respected chain with branches throughout London.

Hotels can usually suggest local dentists, and many are listed in Yellow Pages. For free emergency dental work, go to Guy’s Hospital Dental Department, near London Bridge.

These are around Mayfair, Belgravia, Kensington and the West End if you lose your passport, need a visa or legal advice.

If travelling alone, take sensible precautions. Use busy, well-lit streets at night, don’t travel in unoccupied carriages on trains or the tube and always use registered black cabs.

This ancient bastion of British royalty is well worth a day out. Its state apartments and the 15th-century St George’s Chapel are glorious. Access to some apartments is restricted when the Queen is staying.

Britain’s oldest university town is a fascinating place to visit, with ancient colleges, museums and galleries at every turn. For a short introduction to the city, start at The Oxford Story on Broad Street. The most magnificent colleges are Christ Church, Magdalen and Merton

Don’t miss King’s, Queen’s and Peterhouse, the oldest college (1284) in Cambridge. Relax on a punt on the river Cam, which runs through the meadows (the Backs) between the colleges.

“London-on-Sea” is the nickname of this cosmopolitan city, established as a fashionable resort by the Prince Regent in the late-18th and early-19th centuries when he moved to the extravagant Royal Pavilion. Shop for antiques in The Lanes, have fish and chips on the pier and visit the beach.

William Shakespeare’s birthplace (1564) is firmly on the tourist map. There are several buildings here associated with the great playwright, as well as the Royal Shakespeare Theatre if you want to catch a performance.

In AD 597, this pleasant market town southeast of London became the seat of the primate, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The magnificent cathedral includes the tomb of St Thomas Becket.

A vast amusement park that was originally a zoo (it still has jungle animals in its Animal Land section) will keep children happy all day. The rides include a terrifying upside-down rollercoaster. Tickets bought in advance are cheaper.

The highest water ride is Europe is just one of the attractions at this theme park, which is popular with families.

Home to the Dukes of Bedford, this 18th-century stately home is one of the best in England. It has a fine collection of paintings and porcelain and large grounds. An added attraction is the adjoining Safari Park.

Open-top sightseeing buses provide one of the best ways of getting to know London. There are several operators and a number of tours with pick-up points around the city, so you can get on and off all day, wherever you want. Some companies include a river trip from Westminster to Tower Pier.

There is a choice of boat services on the Thames but they are run by different operators and tickets are not interchangeable. It is best to buy tickets at the piers so that you can find out exactly what is on offer. Westminster and Charing Cross are the principal central London piers. Boats from here go up river to Hampton Court and downriver to Tower Bridge and Greenwich.

This is a lovely backwater for idle cruising, between Camden Lock and Little Venice. You can catch the boat at either end, with a stop-off for London Zoo.

Jack the Ripper Haunts, Ghosts of the Old City, Shakespeare’s London, Hidden Pubs – there are dozens of such walks on offer from both individuals and companies. The longest established operator, The Original London Walks, offers a wide choice of two-hour walks.

The Great London Treasure Hunt is really a series of walking tour itineraries that can be done by anyone at any time. A series of clues and questions lead you around historic sites. The ‘treasure’ is the knowledge.

Most of London’s historic theatres offer daytime backstage tours. The National Theatre’s tour of all three theatres (the Olivier, the Cottesloe and the Lyttleton), as well as of dressing rooms and workshops, lasts about 75 minutes. Call to reserve.

On one weekend at the end of September, around 550 buildings in London, from city blocks to private homes, open their doors to the public, revealing some hidden architectural gems. The event is run by the charity London Open House – check out their website.

Several companies offer sightseeing tours by helicopter. Cabair offers a half-hour tour of London that follows the route of the Thames. The flight leaves from Elstree Aerodrome in north London.

The magnificent Thames barges that used to fill the Pool of London can now be seen in St Katherine’s Dock. Topsail Charters rents barges for the day or an overnight stay. Tower Bridge is opened to let them through.

Try to avoid travelling in the Monday to Friday morning (8–9:30am) and evening (5–6:30pm) rush hours when tube trains and buses are filled to bursting point and cabs are scarce. If you can, it is often more pleasant and quicker to walk.

Londoners generally have lunch between 1 and 2pm, when pubs, cafés and fast-food restaurants fill up and sandwich bars have long lines of people. On the other hand, this can be a good time to go to smarter restaurants which try to attract lunchtime crowds by offering cheap menus. Lunch in the City tends to be earlier: noon–1pm.

Although restaurants in the West End and the South Bank are generally packed with theatre-goers taking advantage of the inexpensive pre- and post-theatre dinner menus, many of these become less crowded around 8pm once the curtain has gone up.

Most sights in the capital – especially the major sights, such as the Tower of London and Madame Tussauds – are least crowded early in the day. You will have to fight the rush hour to get there, however.

During school holidays, London’s museums and other sights in the capital are filled with families and groups of children. In general, school holidays last six weeks in summer from the end of July to the beginning of September, with additional two– three week breaks at Easter and Christmas. Sights are also crowded during half-terms: the last week in February, May and October.

Some of the most popular shows and events in London theatres are heavily booked far in advance. However, they often have seats available for their midweek and Saturday matinees.

Popular exhibitions operate a system of pre-booked, timed entry tickets in order to prevent overcrowding. Try and reserve well in advance to secure an early morning, lunchtime or late admission to avoid the biggest crowds.

Shops and galleries in the capital often have late-opening evenings when they are less crowded than during the day. The shops in Oxford Street, for example, open late on Thursday evenings. Major exhibitions at the Royal Academy and elsewhere sometimes stay open until late. The V & A remains open until 10pm on Wednesday evenings and on the last Friday of each month; Tate Modern is open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

London is emptier on weekends, without the commuters who stream in to work here from Monday to Friday. The City, in particular, is deserted on weekends. This is a good time to wander around and see its sights, when it is relatively free from crowds and traffic.

There are many great places to shop in London, with some areas specializing in particular things. Covent Garden has the most up-to-the-minute clothes, shoes, jewellery and gifts; Oxford Street is best for large department stores, music, and cheaper fashion; Bond Street and Knightsbridge are where you will find all the most expensive designer labels and goods; Mayfair and St James’s have the best art and antiques dealers.

Shops generally open 9:30am–6pm Mon–Sat, with late-night shopping until 8pm in the West End on Thursdays, and in Kensington and Chelsea on Wednesdays. Sunday has limited trading hours.

Most shops accept major credit cards and personal cheques endorsed with guarantee cards. VAT (Value Added Tax) is charged at 17.5% and almost always included in the marked price. Stores offering tax-free shopping display a distinctive sign and (for non-EU residents) will provide you with a Global Refund form for customs to validate when you leave the country.

Shoppers have a right to expect that goods are not faulty or damaged (this isn’t always the case with sale items). Always keep receipts so you can return any unsatisfactory items.

Large stores and many fashion outlets usually have end-of-season sales in January and July when there are enormous savings on many items, from furniture to fashions.

Big-label fashion houses are in Bond Street, Knightsbridge and Sloane Street. Bespoke wear for men is in Savile Row and St James’s. Oxford Street is good for mid-range clothes. For street fashion, try the markets: Camden, Portobello, Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields.

London is one of the world’s music capitals, and its big music stores – HMV and Virgin – have huge selections of CDs and DVDs, including imports. Many specialist, second-hand and collectors’ shops deal in vinyl, which remains popular. The main opera and concert houses also have music outlets. For sound systems, visit Tottenham Court Road.

Covent Garden is great for gifts. The big stores (Selfridges, John Lewis, Liberty, Harvey Nichols, Harrods) have gift departments with bright ideas. Elsewhere around the city, there are shops selling designer jewellery, pottery, ceramics and household goods, many of which are designed in the UK. The main museums, galleries and tourist sites all have interesting gift stores.

The major commercial galleries are in the West End, around Bond Street and Cork Street.Bonhams and Sotheby’s auction houses are here, too. You can find inexpensive art and craft throughout London. All kinds of antiques can be sought out in Camden Passage (Islington), Portobello Road, Kensington Church Street and King’s Road (Chelsea).

There are several youth hostels in London, and universities offer rooms from June to September. International Students House has year-round rooms. There are also many cheap bed and breakfasts.

Buses are cheaper than the tube (underground). If you are making more than two tube journeys in a day, Travel Cards are good value. They are also valid on buses and the Docklands Light Railway (but not before 9:30am on weekdays). Carnets, with 10 Zone 1 tickets, and pre-pay Oyster cards also save you money.

It’s quite possible to eat a two-course meal with a drink and coffee for under £20 in many places in London. Chinese and Indian restaurants are often inexpensive, and many churches have cheap lunchtime cafés. Expensive restaurants can become affordable with set-lunch or pre-theatre menus.

Some museums are free. Others have free late afternoon or evening entry. Special deals can mean that buying a season ticket makes sense if you want to visit more than twice. An International Student Card (ISIC) offers reduced- price entry to many museums. Look out for free lunchtime lectures.

Covent Garden is the best place for day-long entertainment, and there’s always someone to look at or listen to in Leicester Square. At weekends artists hang their work up on the railings in Piccadilly outside Green Park, and by Hyde Park on Bayswater Road.

London is awash with free music. Free lunchtime concerts are held in churches and at the music colleges (in term time). Performances also take place at the Southbank Centre in summer and at the National Theatre, the National Gallery, and in malls such as Hays Galleria and Canary Wharf.

The best place for these is the half-price ticket booth called “Tkts”, located on the southside of Leicester Square, which sells tickets for performances on that day only. “Fringe” theatres outside the West End (often in pubs) are considerably cheaper. On Mondays, all seats are £7.50 at the Royal Court. The Royal Opera House has standing tickets from £4–8. The Prince Charles cinema in Leicester Place is the cheapest in central London.

Pick up barely-worn, designer clothes at a dress agency (try The Loft, 35 Monmouth St WC2; L’Homme Designer Exchange, 50 Blandford St W1).

London’s markets have bargain antiques, fashions, jewellery and cheap food.