It's one of the worlds most-visited cities and as you see it for yourself, you'll understand why. This sportsman city is chock full of things to do and see, from first-class museums and galleries to designer shopping, and there are heaps of attractions and all things touristy. London has some of the top hotels and restaurants in the world and is a great destination for those seeking out the best of the best.

While the city is so quintessentially British, it is also incredibly diverse, with a third of the population having been born abroad. The multicultural aspect is a huge part of what makes London so unique. Where else can you experience so many other cultures without the culture shock? 

GETTING TO LONDON

London is a major airline hub and as a result, there are plenty of flight options from major North American cities. The majority of these international flights arrive into Heathrow International Airport (LHR), which is located 15 miles west of the city. Gatwick Airport (LGW), 27 miles south of London, also handles a fair amount of international traffic. London City (LCY), Stansted (STN), and Luton (LTN) airports also service London but mainly with domestic and European flights.

To get to the city from Heathrow, we recommend pre-booking a private car and driver for a stress-free ride into central London. For the utmost in comfort, Travelolo can arrange your transfer in a beautiful new Jaguar or Mercedes Benz. If you're feeling more adventurous, the tube (Londons underground rail system), via the Piccadilly line is an inexpensive and quick option. As an alternative, there are taxis of course, but if you nd yourself stuck in the notorious London traffic, the meter can rise quickly.

DINING OUT & RESERVATIONS

Boasting a long list of Michelin-starred restaurants, London is a standout in the restaurant scene. London restaurants are generally open for lunch around noon and dinner from 6 pm. Often Londoners take later meals than we are used to in North America, so if you nd yourself without a reservation for dinner, you can opt for an earlier seating time and will most likely nd a table. Many restaurants also offer a pre-theatre seating before 7 pm, often a special preset menu. For top-end restaurants its wise to reserve a table in advance, either directly with the restaurant, or with the assistance of the Travelolo At-your service Desk. Be sure to check out our London Restaurant Guide to hear about some of our favourites. 

HOW TO DIAL LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

To call a London phone number from a US or Canadian phone (mobile or land line) you must dial 011 + Country Code (44 for United Kingdom) + Area Code (20 for London) + the local phone number. To call a US or Canadian phone number from your North American mobile phone you must dial 00 + 1 + Area Code + Telephone Number. 

LANGUAGE

The language spoken in England is of course, English. While this makes things easy for our Anglophone guests, even those most skilled at the language may be occasionally tested (and amused) with the notorious British slang. While you'll hear more English than any other tongue, London is a very diverse city and you may hear dozens of different languages are spoken throughout your visit.

BANKING & LOCAL CURRENCY

The UKs currency is the pound sterling (£ / GBP). Just as Americans have dollars and cents, the UK has pounds and pence, with 100 pence equaling one pound. More colloquially, pence are often referred to simply as 'p', a pound is known as a quid, a ve-pound note is a ver and a ten-pound note a tenner.

Credit cards, especially Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Londons restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. American Express and Diners Club cards are less commonly accepted. There are plenty of cash machines (also known as cashpoints or ATMs) dotted around London. Most accept international cards with the Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro symbols. Note that if you have a non-UK account you will almost certainly have to pay a charge when you withdraw cash.

ELECTRICITY

Voltage in London runs between 220-240 V. You will need to use a converter, which allows your electronic device to run on a different voltage, especially for anything that runs on 110 V. Most outlets in London is the European 3-prong style or two round, oversized prongs and will require an adapter to convert a North American pronged plug to t the outlet

TIME ZONE

London is on British Summer Time (BST) during The Championships. During Daylight Savings Time (the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October), London is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC). In the winter, London is the same as GMT

WHAT ABOUT TIPPING?

Its standard practice to leave a tip for good service in a restaurant, generally 10-15% of your total bill. Some restaurants may include a service fee in the total (particularly for larger groups) so it's wise to check your bill first. Tipping the bar sta in London's many pubs is not necessary or expected. As for taxis, it's common to show your appreciation by rounding up to the nearest pound or leaving up to 10% for longer rides or exceptional service