A Guide to London

Whatever your reason for visiting London, it is a city that has something to offer everyone. London has successfully fused its grand heritage with modern living and attracts a wide range of visitors every year. Whether, it's sightseeing in Trafalgar Square, shopping on Oxford Street or entertainment in the West End, you will be spoilt for choice. London also has a huge choice of restaurants, bars and hotels to suit any budget. While the areas to the north of the Thames are renowned for housing many of London's traditional attractions, e.g. Buckingham Palace, to the south of the river there is still much to see with many of the newer and more contemporary attractions, e.g. The Tate Modern. If you are on a budget there are also many free attractions throughout the city. London is Europe's largest city and it is easy to get overwhelmed and not make the most of your visit, so it's worth planning your trip and familiarising yourself with its districts before you travel.

Must Sees

Buckingham Palace

Tower of London

Tate Modern

British Airways London Eye

Natural History Museum

Madame Tussauds

Saint Paul's Cathedral

Houses of Parliament & Big Ben

British Museum

Westminster Abbey

Getting to London

Travelling to London could not be easier, with an excellent transport network providing access by rail, road and air.

By Air

London has 5 main airports:

Heathrow: Situated 15 miles / 24km to the west of London
Gatwick: Situated about 30 miles / 48km south of London
Stansted: Located around 35 miles / 56km north east of London
London City: Located in the Docklands 6 miles / 10km from central London
London Luton: Located 35 miles / 56km north of London

To and from Heathrow:

Heathrow Express

Journey time: 15 minutes from the airport to Paddington Station
Cost: £14.50 single, £27.00 return (reductions for booking online in advance)

Taxi

Licensed cabs located outside each terminal
Journey time: 1 hour
Cost: £50.00

National Express Coaches

Departs from all four terminals
Journey time: variable, but around 1 hour is a good guide
Cost: £15.00

The London Underground

Cheapest way to central London

Journey time: 50 minutes on the Piccadilly line

Cost: £4.00 (cash single fare)

To and from Gatwick:

The Gatwick Express

Departs every 15 minutes
Journey time: 30 minutes
Cost: £14.00 single, £25.00 return

Taxi

Operator: Checkers Cars
Journey time: 1 hour
Cost: £80.00

Train

Journey time: 40 minutes
Cost £10.00

National Express Coaches

Journey time: 90 minutes
Cost: £11.00

To and from Stansted:

Stansted Express

Runs every 15-30 minutes to Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale
Journey time: 45 minutes
Cost: £15.00 single, £25.00 return

Taxi

Operator: Checkers Cars
Journey time: 90 minutes
Cost: £80.00

Terravision

Bus linking with Victoria and Liverpool Street
Journey time: 75 minutes
Cost: from £7.00 single (tickets must be purchased before you get on the coach from one of the booths or online prior to your journey)

London Hoppa

Operates overnight only
Journey time: 65 minutes
Cost: £10.00 per journey