Before you go

Four things to sort, at a glance.

01

Entry

UK ETA

1CheckDo you need one? Use the gov.uk checker.
2ApplyOnly on gov.uk/eta or the official UK ETA app. Other sites may charge more.
3Before you flyMost decisions arrive within a day; allow up to 3 working days. Apply before booking non-refundable travel.

Who needs one?

  • Most visitors who do not need a visa, including citizens of the EU, US, Canada and Australia
  • British and Irish citizens: no. Dual British or Irish citizens cannot get one and travel on their British or Irish passport
£20 fee, valid 2 years or until your passport expires (gov.uk, checked Nov 1, 2026)Official sites only
Apply: gov.uk/eta Check if you need one
02

Tube, bus, rail

Oyster vs contactless

Red and blue London Underground roundel with the station name Victoria
Photo: R/DV/RS, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Oyster card

Fares
Pay-as-you-go fares with a daily cap
What you need
A card, bought and topped up
Good if
Your bank adds fees abroad
Watch out
Small card charge, top-up needed
VS

Contactless

Fares
Same fares, same daily cap
What you need
Bank card or phone you already have
Good if
You want zero setup
Watch out
Foreign card fees may apply

One rule: tap the same card or phone on every journey, or the daily cap will not add up.

tfl.gov.uk/fares ↗
03

Do as Londoners do

Tipping & etiquette

Cobbled Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s West End, lined with brick buildings, cafés and bars
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Whancam assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Stand on the rightEscalators: walkers pass on the left.
  • Mind the gapStep over the platform gap.
  • Let people off firstWait, then board.
  • LineJoin the back. No pushing in.
  • RestaurantsService charge (commonly 12.5%) may be added to the bill. Customs vary by venue, so check before tipping.
  • PubsOrder and pay at the bar. Tipping is optional.
  • Black cabsRounding up is common.
  • Say thanks“Cheers”, “sorry”, “please” go far.
04

Power & data

eSIM & plugs

British three-pin plug next to a matching wall socket
Photo: Ukpluggerrr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
G
  • Type G plug
  • 230 V
  • 50 Hz

Bring an adapter.

RoamingCheck your home plan and its daily charge.
Travel eSIMNeeds an unlocked, eSIM-ready phone. Install before you fly.
Free Wi-FiMany cafés, museums and stations.

Fares and rules change: check the operator or gov.uk.