Do I need a passport for the UK, or is an ID card enough?+
Since October 2021, EU nationals need a full passport — national ID cards are no longer accepted. A tourist visa isn't required for stays up to six months, but since 2025 you must apply in advance for the electronic ETA authorisation, which costs a few pounds and is valid for two years. It's usually approved within a few hours through the app, but apply at least a week ahead.
How much does transport in London cost, and do I need an Oyster card?+
Visitors don't need an Oyster card anymore — a contactless bank card or phone gets the same fares and the same daily cap, which is around eight and a half pounds in the central zones. Tap in and out on the Underground; on buses, tap in only. The key is to use the same card all day, otherwise the cap won't be calculated correctly.
Is entry to London's museums really free?+
Yes, for the permanent collections of the national museums. The British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A charge no admission and require no booking, only a voluntary donation. You do pay for temporary exhibitions, typically fifteen to twenty pounds. The Tower, St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey are church or crown property and do charge admission.
How many days are enough for London?+
Three days cover the main sights and two major museums; four to five days give you a more comfortable pace plus a day trip to Windsor or Oxford. In two days you can manage the Tower, Westminster and one museum, but it's a full day on your feet each time. The city is spread out, and moving between two central points takes about twenty minutes on the Underground, walking included.
Is the London Pass or another tourist card worth it?+
Only if you're planning three or more paid attractions a day. Since the big museums are free, most visitors don't get their money's worth and it works out cheaper to buy tickets separately online, where they're often a few pounds cheaper than at the door. Work out a concrete list in advance rather than guessing.
When is the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace?+
Usually at eleven o'clock, but not every day — in summer it tends to run on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and every other day outside the season. The schedule is published in advance and cancelled in heavy rain, so check it on the morning of. Arrive by half past ten and stand near the Victoria Memorial or Wellington Barracks rather than at the railings.
Can you eat well in London without spending a fortune?+
Yes, but not within five minutes of the main sights. Food markets, weekday pub lunch deals, chain 'meal deal' offers for a few pounds, and the ethnic restaurants of east and south London all serve a proper lunch for eight to twelve pounds. At a table-service restaurant, budget twenty-five to forty pounds a head, including the twelve-and-a-half-percent service charge.
How do I get from the airport into the centre?+
From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line Underground in under an hour for five and a half pounds, or the Elizabeth line in half an hour. From Gatwick, the express train to Victoria takes thirty minutes. Stansted and Luton are furthest out — allow an hour and a half by train or coach. When comparing cheap flights, factor in the transfer cost and time as well; for the northern airports that can mean an extra two hours each way.
