General Tips
- General travel:
- You won’t need half the clothes you bring. Stock up a few merino wool items (socks and shirts especially), grab a lightweight rain jacket, and you’ll be set. Avoid doing laundry if you can.
- Ditch the rolling luggage and get a proper backpack. I’m a big fan of the Osprey Porter series (carry-on).
- Watch your belongings and pockets AT ALL TIMES. Don’t make yourself an easy pickpocket target.
- Use Apple Pay or Google Pay for super-simple contactless payments.
- London-specific:
- Sainsburys and Tesco grocery stores have £3 “meal deals” which include a sandwich/wrap, snack, and drink.
- It can sometimes be quicker and easier to walk somewhere than taking the Tube.
- Drivers are supposed to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings, but don’t always.
- When on escalators, stand on the right; walk on the left. You have been warned.
- Stella Artois is not fancy beer. Neither is Blue Moon.
- You might walk ten miles in a day in London. Be ready.
- Getting takeaway (food to go) is often cheaper than dining in.
- Mediocre fish and chips is easy to find. Good fish and chips, not so much.
Monies
TLDR: Get a Capital One Quicksilver card for no foreign transaction fees. Open a Schwab checking account for no foreign transaction fees AND ATM fee reimbursements.
Cash & Debit
While technology has made cash transactions less frequent (especially in places like the UK), you will come across plenty of situations in which you’ll need hard currency. I generally recommend the free Schwab checking account. Offering unlimited ATM fee reimbursements (foreign and domestic) and no foreign transaction fees, this is cheap and simple.
Don’t bring over lots of cash to exchange at a shop. Not only is this method risky, but you’ll usually get ripped off by poor exchange rates. Definitely avoid exchanging cash at an airport, as you’ll get the worst rates possible. Withdrawing money from an ATM with a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees will help reduce fees and ensure better rates (though, avoid airport ATMs!).
Credit Cards
Most shops and restaurants in the UK take credit cards. They’ll expect you to use a PIN number. Unless you know you have a PIN, you’ll need to sign the receipt (the US is still stuck in the dark ages).
In some cases, you may be able to call your credit card company and request a PIN. It’s worth a shot.
In the US, you hand your card to someone who whisks it away. In the UK, they bring the card reader to you. If you’re asked if you’d like to pay in dollars, always pay in the local currency (£, never $) – while not technically a scam, it’ll end up costing you more (the merchant uses a rate much more favorable to them). If someone walks away with your card, you have every right to be concerned.
Tipping is becoming more common, but not generally expected.
Ensure you have a credit (preferred, for liability purposes) and debit card with no foreign transaction fees. Set a travel alert on the card before you travel. If taking cash out at an ATM, be careful the ATM hasn’t been tampered with and keep an eye out for anyone nearby who might be looking over your shoulder.
I recommend checking out the following travel credit cards:
For cash back rewards: Quicksilver or the Uber Visa. Update 2022-12-11: The Uber Visa has been discontinued. Stick with a Capital One card.
For miles: VentureOne
I see the Chase Sapphire Preferred card recommended frequently, though it does carry an annual $95 fee (as of March 2018) after the first year. At that rate, the Chase Sapphire Reserve can be a better option.
ALWAYS carry at least one or two backup credit and/or debit cards just in case.* Failure to do so will ensure your primary card will fail to work at the most inopportune time. Don’t keep them all in the same place, either.
* Nobody outside the US takes Discover. AmEx is hit and miss.
Apple Pay & Google Pay
If you have a phone with NFC, set up Apple Pay or Google Pay ahead of time. This will allow you to make contactless payments nearly everywhere in the UK (including the Tube and buses), seriously simplifying your buying process. Forget fumbling with Oyster top-ups; use your phone instead wherever you go.
Transferring Funds
If you need to send money to a foreign bank account, sites like Wise and CurrencyFair can cut costs significantly and give you a better exchange rate. Their fees tend to be far lower than normal banks’ international transfers.
Splitting Expenses
We recently discovered the app SplitWise, which has made splitting expenses with friends and family stupid easy. Seriously, if you’re going on a trip with others, get the app and save yourself some headaches.
Tech
Phones
TLDR: Get a T-Mobile Magenta plan for free international roaming. For secure messaging, my top pick is Signal, followed (albeit a bit begrudgingly) by WhatsApp. Use Google Voice to call the US while you’re abroad.
I’ve covered much of this in my Phoning Home post but have a picked up a few tips and tricks since then.
You’re bringing your phone. That’s a given. If you’re on T-Mobile, you should be set already (check your plan, but Magenta plans generally offer free international roaming). The data connection on these plans will be slower than you’re used to, but good enough for phone calls, texts, and emails. Maps, for example, may load slowly. (Check out offline Google Maps). Normal phone calls to the US will be expensive, and calls to the UK even more so. If you’re on another carrier, you need to decide how badly you need to be accessible via your US number (this means phone calls and SMS text messages – be mindful of things like two-factor authentication via SMS, as well).
If you can survive without your US number while you’re here, the easiest thing to do is pick up a dirt cheap SIM card once you land. Don’t worry about purchasing some travel SIM from the airport or online ahead of time – these are an expensive waste of time. Likewise, calling up your US mobile provider and asking for their international roaming plan will cost you a small fortune. Taking your phone over and using it normally without adding any sort of international plan will cost you a large fortune.
If none of this makes sense, keep your phone on airline mode for the duration of your trip and enable only wifi (bluetooth is ok, too). Finding free hotspots can sometimes be tricky; the best advice I can give here is to find a McDonald’s, as they usually offer free wifi. These relatively new kiosks also offer wifi and charging (though, consider using a burner email and VPN if possible).
The better alternative is to buy a Pay as You Go (PAYG) SIM card at a London cell phone shop or grocery store – seriously, it’s really cheap and easy.
The catch here is in order to swap the SIM cards, your phone must be unlocked. This means you could use it at, say Verizon or AT&T or T-Mobile. Some phones purchased directly from the carriers are locked (AT&T, for example, has steps to unlock a phone purchased from them).
Here are some UK PAYG SIM card resources:
Carphone Warehouse
EE
O2
Three
Vodafone
The pay-as-you-go options can initially look quite daunting. Here’s an example of how it works on Three:
If you’re at a Three store, the whole process can be a bit easier, but neither method is too complicated. Here are the highlights:
- Buy the SIM card (£1) at a grocery store or at a Three store.
- Put money/credit on to the SIM card (known as “topping up”), and then instantly turn around and buy an “add on.” Here’s a good explanation. There are multiple ways to top up. The add-ons tend to be a much better value than using the normal credit. For example, you’d top up the card with, say £15, and then immediately use that available credit to buy the £15 add-on.
- The top-ups are normally good for thirty days.
- There’s a Three app (Android,iOS).
Dialing UK Numbers:
Dialing a UK number looks daunting at first but is relatively simple. You may be presented with a number such as:
(0)75 1234 5678
Depending on whether you’re making an international or more “local” call, either dial +44 75 1234 5678 (include the “+” symbol on your phone and drop the leading “0”) or 075 1234 5678. Done.
Apps:
Airbnb (Android, iOS)
Google Drive (Android, iOS)
Google Maps (Android, iOS)- don’t forget to download offline maps ahead of time (instructions for Android, iOS)!
Google Translate (Android, iOS) – you can download the translation packs ahead of time (instructions for Android, iOS! *not as important for the UK, though best to be prepared 😉
Messenger (Facebook) (Android, iOS) – not crucial, but can be occasionally useful. Not recommended for security, though.
Rick Steves’ Audio Tours (Android, iOS)
Santander Cycles (Android, iOS)
Signal (Android, iOS) – secure messaging.
Splitwise (Android, iOS)- if you’re traveling with friends, this app makes it stupid easy to split up costs
TempMail (Android, iOS) – ever needed a one-use e-mail address? This is good for things like signing up for wifi at airports, or free beer discounts at pubs with a newsletter sign-up.
Trainline (Android, iOS)- if you aren’t familiar with the myriad UK train companies, get this app and save yourself a lot of hassle.
Transferwise (Android, iOS)- useful if you need to transfer money to a foreign recipient.
TripAdvisor (Android, iOS)
Uber (Android, iOS)
Whatsapp (Android, iOS)- Europe runs on WhatsApp. Put away your iMessage and download this app. Do be aware a whatsapp account is tied to a phone number – if you buy a SIM in the UK, Whatsapp will use that phone number, not your US one.
Entertainment
If you have a device like a Chromecast or Roku, you might as well bring it (depending on how much time you have). You never known when you’ll want to kick back with a movie. Hotel wifi connections can sometimes be tricky to set up on these streaming devices, but private wifi networks at an airbnb, for example, are usually simple to use. I personally recommend the Chromecast, especially if you have an Android device.
I had previously recommended a Chromecast, but after further travel, I’ve decided they’re a bit more hassle than they’re worth. Hotel and airbnb wifi connections can be hit and miss. An HDMI cable usually lets you connect directly to a TV. Get one and use your laptop, or get an HDMI cable that works with your phone.
Power Adapters
TLDR: Just leave your US-specific hair dryer at home.
Take a look at the power adapters for the devices you’re bringing over. Look for the impossibly-small text that says something like “Input: 120v-240v.” Does the adapter have that? If so, you’re in good shape. If it only has “Input: 120v” with no indication of 220v or 240v, odds are good you’ll fry the device when you plug in it abroad. If your charger can handle 220v-240v, pick up one or two of these travel power adapters and you’ll be set for any country you visit.
Do pick up a portable battery pack (compact or heavy duty) to stay powered up throughout the day.
Transportation
Airports
Heathrow – The Heathrow Express is the expensive option to get you into central London. Unless you need to get to Paddington station quickly, take the tube. It’ll take a similar amount of time and cost much less. You can buy an Oyster Card at Heathrow (see below). The taxis may look convenient but are expensive and slow.
Gatwick – While there are no Tube connections, trains will easily get you to central London. The Gatwick Express is a convenient, yet pricier, option to Victoria Station. There are plenty of normal trains you can take instead – check out the Southern and ThamesLink options. The trains and Gatwick Express do take Oyster cards, though it may be more cost effective to buy tickets ahead of time.
– Example: there’s a train from Gatwick to Victoria that stops at East Croydon and Clapham Junction. It’s cheaper than the Gatwick Express but gets you to the same place.
Stansted – Cheap connections to Europe, but also sort of terrible. Getting to and from Stansted is fairly simple: the Stansted Express train leaves every 15 minutes from Liverpool Street Station in London, while buses like National Express leave from multiple destinations around London.
Luton – Similar to Stansted, but more annoying to reach. To get to the airport, you take a train first to the “Luton Airport Parkway” station, and then catch a shuttle over to the airport (check out how to get to Luton Airport on the ThamesLink website for more info). Luton is a popular enough airport that this shuttle bus dance is pretty streamlined. Buses like National Express and Green Line will also get you to and from Luton.
Southend – small and relaxed. It’s pleasant. For details on how to get to the airport, check out the Greater Anglia webpage.
Birmingham – It may not look close, but with its own train station, London is only about two hours away.
London City Airport – you almost definitely won’t be using flying in or out of here, but here’s their website, just in case.
Oyster Cards
An Oyster Card is a prepaid card you use on much of the transit around central London. You can buy one at many tube stations (£5 refundable deposit as of 1 March 2018). You then tap the card on the little yellow readers at tube and train stations, on buses, etc. Tap in and out for the trains, but only tap in on buses.
To acquire an Oyster Card, head to a tube station. Find one of the ticket machines and follow the prompts to purchase an Oyster Card and top it up with some credit. The TFL Fares and Payments webpage is a good resource. The Hopper Fare is a relatively new policy that lets you take unlimited bus journeys within a one-hour period for £1.50. Recommended option: use contactless on your phone and have an Oyster as a backup.
I generally recommend against buying the travelcard options – while convenient, I don’t think it’s worth the extra expense. Be sure to familiarize yourself with TFL’s capping policies; basically, it will (generally) save you money to take only buses or only the tube in a given day instead of mixing and matching.
Do check out the TFL Oyster App.
Taxis
Everyone loves London’s famous black cabs, right? Wrong. They’re expensive and the credit card machines don’t always work. Especially avoid taking a cab to central London from an airport.
Tube
This is the primary metro system of London and will get you generally anywhere you need to go.*
*emphasis on “generally”
Trains
These are the non-Tube rail options that’ll get you around the UK. It’s less likely you’ll be on proper “trains” unless you venture outside of London. If you’ll be traveling around the UK by train, it may be worth getting a UK Railcard. Generally, the most convenient way to buy tickets is via Trainline.
Buses
The Buses can be daunting if you aren’t familiar with them. Google Maps is your friend here. The relatively new Hopper Fare lets you take unlimited bus or tram journeys within a one-hour period for the price of a single ticket. Note: buses won’t automatically pull over at every stop (be sure to hit the “Stop” button!); also, you need to wave down a bus when you want to get on.
Paris, Brussels, & Amsterdam
Thinking about hopping over to mainland Europe? The EuroStar is easily the most comfortable option for getting to Paris, Brussels, and now Amsterdam. Be sure to book well in advance, as tickets will otherwise get painfully expensive.
Noms
Food Markets
Mercato Metropolitano – You wouldn’t know it from the outside, but this food market has just about every type of food you’re looking for.
Burgers
Big Fat Gourmet – you won’t leave here hungry.
Burger Craft @ the Green Man – good, solid burgers.
Cantinho da Maya PitDog e Lanchonete – All the yes. Just go here. Brazilian burgers. You will not regret it.
British Pies
Pieminister – I haven’t listed their locations in the map above, but the pies are definitely good.
Battersea Pie Station (Covent Garden) – I always want *slightly* larger portions, but the pies are solid and the location’s great.
Fish and Chips
The Fish House of Notting Hill – takeaway tends to be much cheaper here than dining in.
Master’s Superfish – A short walk from Waterloo Station.
Grub
Beigel Bake (salt beef bagels) – if you make it over to Shoreditch (a 5-10 minute walk north of Liverpool St. Station), don’t pass up the salt beef beigel.
Maria’s Fish & Kebabs – A fairly standard kebab shop with good portions and reasonable prices.
Taza – A cheap little kebab shop in Bayswater/Queensway.
Indian / Pakistani
Apologies if I confuse any regional nuances. Here are some spots I either recommend or want to try:
Dosa World – The best dosa I’ve found so far in London.
Lahore Grill – Order the lamb biryani and some garlic naan for eat-in or takeaway.
Original Lahore Restaurant – A sit-down restaurant, the food has always been good (not a cheaper option, but not unreasonable).
Tayyabs – haven’t been here but have heard good things (restaurant is apparently BYOB).
Malaysian/Singaporean
C&R Cafe – If you’ve never heard of laksa, do yourself a favor and head here. Get the Singapore Laksa and an order of the Roti Canai. If your London time is limited, don’t pass on this one.
Roti King – Good roti, though we found service quite slow. If there’s any queue, go ahead and skip this one.
Markets
Borough Market – Great lunch options and packed on Saturdays.
Mexican
Just kidding. I haven’t found anything resembling proper Mexican food in London that isn’t prohibitively expensive. There are plenty of burrito places (I prefer Tortilla), but don’t bother seeking out actual Mexican food. If it says “Tex-Mex,” you will be disappointed.
Beer!
Craft Beer
Beavertown & Pressure Drop Breweries- If you’re in the area (way up north in London), be sure to stop by. I’m combining the two in this list because they’re literally around the corner from each other.
Brixton Brewery – If you’re hanging out in Brixton, do yourself a favor and swing on over.
Mondo Brewing Company – Full disclosure: I do some freelance work with Mondo. That said, I like their beers, and the tap room is definitely worth checking out.
Orbit Beers – Tucked away under the railway arches a few minutes south of Elephant and Castle, it’s off the tourist path but still easy to get to.
The Beer Mile
The Beer Mile is a collection of craft breweries under the railway arches near Bermondsey station.
Anspach & Hobday
Bottleshop: Bermondsey
Brew by Numbers
The Kernel Brewery
Hiver Beers and Taproom
Moor Beer Co
Pubs
Captain Kidd – Has a great outdoor terrace overlooking the Thames (Samuel Smith pub).
The Chandos – Head upstairs for some cozy couches (Samuel Smith pub).
The Minories – good atmosphere under the railway arches. Decent daily food deals.
The Southwark Tavern – Head downstairs and turn to the left. Find a table in the cellars for a rather unique experience.
Spit and Sawdust – with a fun name and PieMinister pies, it’s a good, reliable option.
Ye Old Cheshire Cheese – A Samuel Smith pub (see “Pub Chains” below), be sure to check out the twisting and turning cellars.
Pub Chains
Draft House – Good food options (surprisingly reasonable pizza prices) and a cheap rotating cask ale each day.
Fuller’s
Wetherspoons – Generally cheaper prices (depending on location), but for a reason. The beer options tend to be good, though.
Samuel Smith – Some of the best beer prices you’ll find in central London, they do their own beers.
Young’s
