London

London is unforgiving on cash. Almost everything works through contactless—the tube, the bus, even the sandwich shop that used to be cash-only. But the small things you’ll mess up are tipping, transport zones, and which side of the escalator you stand on. This page is the stuff you Google after you land, when you’re standing in a Tube station with a tap-happy card and a vague feeling you’re about to commit a social crime.

What this guide covers

Each of these is a deep dive into a specific London survival cluster. Click through for the full story on your problem:

• London Scams – street games, fake charity clipboard people, and the phone-snatching hotspots.
• Safe Neighborhoods – where to stay and where to avoid walking alone at 2am.
• Night Transport – Night Tube, night buses, and the cab rules after midnight.
• 24/7 Services – late-night pharmacies, grocery loopholes, and hospitals.
• Money in London – cash vs card, tipping truth, VAT, and hidden fees.
• Arrival Setup – from Heathrow/Gatwick into central London without wasting money.
• Insider Secrets – the real fish & chips, the best curry street, free skyline views, and the only pub worth your time.

Contactless payment – the only way to move

Forget the Visitor Oyster card. Just tap your bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly on the yellow reader at the Tube gates, on buses, and on trams. Same fare as an Oyster, same daily cap (automatic), zero deposit hassle. If your card is foreign, you’ll still get the cap – but check with your bank about foreign transaction fees (usually 1-3%). A dedicated travel card like Revolut or Monzo can save you that.

The daily cap for Zones 1-2 is around £8.50 (2025). More zones = higher cap. For tourists mostly in Zone 1, you’ll hit that after 3-4 tube rides. Buses are cheaper: £1.75 per ride, capped at about £5.25 for unlimited bus+jump in a day. But buses are slower.

Cash is almost dead. Still carry a £20 note for emergencies – a street market stall that hasn’t upgraded, or a taxi that “can’t take card” (rare). Every shop, pub, and café except a tiny handful accepts contactless.

Mini-scenario: your foreign card gets declined at the tube gate. This usually happens because your bank blocked the overseas transaction. Call your bank immediately. Alternatively, tap a different card or use your phone. If nothing works, buy a single-use paper ticket from the machine (costs a bit more) or go to the ticket hall to get a contactless card loaded. Most TfL ticket machines accept contactless payment to buy tickets – ironical but true.

Escalator etiquette – stand right, walk left

This is the single biggest indicator you’re a tourist. Stand on the right side of the escalator, walk up or down the left. If you stand on the left, you’ll get tutted at, or a brisk “excuse me”, or a shoulder squeeze. Locals do not stop for slow walkers. The rule applies in all Underground stations, most train stations, and even some shopping centres.

But there’s more to London’s unwritten travel rules. Queue properly everywhere – at bus stops, ticket counters, coffee shops. Cutting a queue is the fastest way to get a cold stare. On the tube, let people off before you get on. At the top of the escalator, keep moving – don’t stop to check your phone or look at a map. Step aside and do it out of the flow. Also, don’t eat on the tube – it’s not illegal but frowned upon, especially smelly food like McDonald’s. Drinking alcohol on the tube is technically not banned on the Underground (except on Night Tube and some trains) but avoid it anyway.

Tube hours and the Night Tube

Most lines run from about 5:30am to 12:30am Monday-Thursday. On Friday and Saturday nights, the Night Tube runs 24-hour service on these lines: Victoria, Central, Jubilee, Northern, and Piccadilly (Heathrow-Cockfosters section only). The Elizabeth line does not have Night Tube – last trains around 23:30. For all other lines, you’re on night buses or a cab after midnight.

Night buses cover every major route with 24/7 service (route numbers prefixed N: N1, N2, N3…). They are safe, cheap (£1.75 with contactless), but slow. A journey that takes 20 minutes by Tube can take 50 minutes by night bus. The bus network map is at tfl.gov.uk but Google Maps covers it perfectly – use “Depart at” with your preferred time.

Mini-scenario: you’re at Oxford Circus at 1am on a Saturday and the last Victoria line train has left. Your best bet: walk up to Warren Street (10 min) for the Northern line Night Tube, or catch the night bus N3 from Oxford Circus towards Bromley – it runs all night and passes through some central areas. For a black cab, stand at a taxi rank (e.g., Oxford Street near the station) and look for the yellow “TAXI” light. Never accept a minicab from someone who approaches you on the street.

Also note: engineering works happen on weekends. Check TfL’s “weekend closures” page before you head out. Alternatively, the Citymapper app is better than Google Maps for real-time route changes.

Black cabs, Uber, and the minicab trap

Black cabs (the licensed London taxi with the yellow “TAXI” light) can be hailed on the street. They accept card – now legally required – and the driver has passed The Knowledge (years of memorising every street). Flag one down when you see the yellow light on. Fare: minimum £3.80, typical short trip £7-10, longer ones £20-30. The meter adds time charges if you’re stuck in traffic – so a cross-town trip at rush hour can easily hit £40.

Minicabs (private hire) must be pre-booked via an app or phone. Uber, Bolt, and FreeNow are all legal and regulated in London. They are cheaper than black cabs for most trips. Never get into a minicab that approaches you on the street – it’s illegal and dangerous. Always confirm the driver’s name and plate via the app.

Mini-scenario: you’re outside a club in Shoreditch at 3am and can’t find a black cab. Open Uber or FreeNow – surge pricing can be 1.5-2x normal but still cheaper than a black cab for the same distance. Wait inside the club or a nearby 24-hour shop until the driver arrives – don’t stand alone on a dark street. If your phone battery is dead, find a pub or hotel and ask to use their phone to call a minicab company (e.g., Addison Lee – 020 7387 8888).

Tipping – don’t overthink it

Many restaurants now add a 12.5% service charge automatically. It’s optional – you can ask to have it removed if the service was poor. If no service charge, leave 10-12.5% of the bill. For black cabs, round up to the nearest pound or add 10% if the driver helped with bags. For pub bartenders, don’t tip cash – instead, offer to buy them a drink: “Have one yourself.” They’ll either accept or politely decline. For tour guides, £5-10 per person if they did a good job.

Other tipping scenarios: hotel porters – £1-2 per bag is fine; housekeeping – leave £2-5 per night in the room; concierge – only if they go out of their way; hairdressers – 10% or round up. In general, London tipping is low-pressure compared to the US. Don’t tip for takeaway coffee or a sandwich.

Pub culture – order at the bar

You do not wait for table service in a pub unless it’s a gastropub (which will have waiters). At a traditional pub, walk to the bar, catch the bartender’s eye, and order. Say “A pint of [beer name]” (568ml) or “a half” if you want a smaller amount. Last orders are called around 10:30-11pm in most pubs – sometimes earlier. Some pubs have a “late licence” allowing them to serve until 1am, but they’re the minority. When the bell rings, finish your drink and leave. Nightclubs stay open until 3-6am.

Sunday Roast is a ritual you should not miss. Pubs serve it from about noon to 5pm on Sundays. It’s a plate of roasted meat (beef, chicken, lamb, or pork) with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and often a side of ale. Expect to pay £14-20.

Beer basics: Most pubs serve cask ale (warm, flat, real ale) and lager (cold, fizzy). If you want a standard London beer, ask for a pint of London Pride (Fuller’s) or Camden Hells lager. A pint of lager costs £5-7 in central London. Cask ale is usually cheaper (£4-6). If you’re ordering a “round” for a group, you buy one round for everyone – don’t go Dutch per drink. But if it’s just you, pay as you go.

Mini-scenario: you walk into a pub at 10:45pm and nobody is at the bar. That’s normal—last orders are usually at 10:30. You might still get served if you’re quick, but the bartender will tell you “you’ve got 10 minutes to drink up.” Finish your drink (don’t neck it, that’s rude) and leave before the final bell. Pubs are strict about licensing; late drinkers can lose the pub’s licence.

Weather, plugs, and driving

London is rainy and grey – not always heavy, but persistent. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket. An umbrella (called a “brolly”) costs £5-10 at any corner shop – don’t bother bringing one.

Plug type G – the rectangular three-pin. Voltage 230V, frequency 50Hz. If you’re coming from the EU or US, you need an adapter. Almost all modern electronics (phone chargers, laptops) are dual-voltage – check the label. You can buy adapters at airports for about £8-12, or cheaper (under £5) at Argos or Boots.

Driving is on the left. If you’re a pedestrian, look right first at crossings. At many central crosswalks, “Look Right” is painted on the pavement. If you look left by habit, you’ll step into traffic. Pedestrian crossings: zebra crossings (white stripes) give you priority – but don’t step out until cars actually stop. Pelican crossings (with a button and traffic lights) require you to press the button and wait for the green man. Jaywalking is not illegal in the UK, but it’s dangerous. Also note: congestion charge zone covers central London – if you drive a car there between 7am-6pm weekdays, you must pay £15 per day online by midnight the next day. ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expanded to all London boroughs – most older petrol and diesel cars must pay £12.50 per day. Neither applies to bicycles or e-bikes.

Transport zones – how far do you need to go?

London is divided into zones 1-9. All major tourist attractions are in Zone 1 (central). The fare is calculated by how many zones you cross. A single Zone 1-2 travelcard is about £2.80 peak (6:30-9:30am, 4-7pm weekdays) and £2.70 off-peak. The daily cap for Zone 1-2 is around £8.50. If you plan to stay central and not go beyond Zone 2, you don’t need an Oyster or travelcard – just tap your card.

How to check zones: Every station has a zone number on the TfL map. If you’re going to Greenwich (Zone 2/3), that’s still cheap. Avoid going from Zone 1 to Zone 6 (e.g., Heathrow) by tube if you’re on a day ticket – the fare is around £5-6. Better to take the Elizabeth line or a coach for longer distances. Children under 11 travel free on tube and buses when accompanied by a paying adult. 11-15 years old need a Young Visitor Discount applied to a contactless card – ask at a tube station ticket hall.

Mini-scenario: you need to get to Hampton Court Palace (Zone 6) from central London. A single tube fare from Zone 1 to 6 is about £5.50 peak. But the daily cap for zones 1-6 is around £12.70. If you start your day in central London and then go to Hampton Court, you’ll hit the cap anyway – so just tap your card normally. Alternatively, take a train from Waterloo to Hampton Court (Falcon Railway) – costs about £10 return but is faster and more scenic. Check National Rail for splits.

Free museums – yes, actually free

London’s best museums have free permanent collections. This is not a trick. They are:

• British Museum (Bloomsbury) – the Rosetta Stone, mummies, etc. Free but popular – book a free timed ticket online to avoid queues.
• National Gallery (Trafalgar Square) – Van Gogh, Monet, da Vinci. No booking needed for individuals (free entry).
• Tate Modern (Bankside) – modern art in a former power station. Free, no booking.
• V&A (South Kensington) – decorative arts and design. Free, but some exhibitions charge.
• Natural History Museum (South Kensington) – dinosaurs and earth sciences. Free, booking recommended for weekends and school holidays.
• Science Museum (South Kensington) – the Apollo 10 capsule. Free, similar booking advice.
• Tate Britain (Pimlico) – British art from 1500 to present. Free, no booking.

Special exhibitions cost extra (usually £15-25). Most museums are open 10am-5:30pm (later on some Fridays). The Natural History Museum and British Museum are most crowded between 11am and 2pm. Go at opening for a quieter experience.

Mini-scenario: it’s a rainy Monday afternoon and you want to see the British Museum but the queue is huge. Skip the main entrance on Great Russell Street – go around the side to Montague Place entrance, which is less busy. Or come back at 4pm, when the crowds thin. Also, the museum stays open until 8:30pm on Fridays – a good time to visit.

VAT and tourist tax refund – gone forever

The UK VAT is 20% and is included in the price you see on the shelf. Since January 2021, tourists from outside the UK can no longer claim a VAT refund on goods taken home. The scheme was scrapped. Don’t plan your shopping around it – you won’t get the 20% back. If you see shops advertising “tax-free shopping”, they are either referring to delivered goods (shipped to your home), or it’s a scam. The only exception is if you buy goods in the UK and have them shipped directly to your home address – the retailer may be able to sell them VAT-free. But you won’t get a refund at the airport anymore.

Emergency numbers

• 999 – police, fire, ambulance (emergency).
• 101 – non-emergency police (e.g., reporting a stolen phone that’s not in progress).
• 111 – NHS non-emergency medical advice (24/7, can direct you to a walk-in centre or a late-night pharmacy).

If you need a pharmacy at night, Boots and Superdrug have a few 24-hour branches – check our 24/7 services page for the exact ones. Walk-in clinics (no appointment needed) exist across London – search on NHS 111 for the nearest one. For minor injuries, A&E at a hospital is for emergencies only. For anything non-life-threatening, try an NHS walk-in centre (e.g., Tottenham Court Road or Soho).

Lost or stolen phone: If your phone is snatched (common outside tube stations, especially at night), report it to the police via 101 or online. Then block your SIM with your mobile provider. You can also use Apple’s Find My or Google’s Find My Device to lock it. If your phone had your contactless card stored, freeze that card in your banking app immediately. A police crime reference number is needed for insurance claims.

Lost property and the TfL lost property office

If you leave something on a bus or Tube: the TfL Lost Property Office is at 200 Baker Street (near Baker Street station). They hold items for 3 months. You can report lost items online at tfl.gov.uk. Open Monday-Friday 8:30am-4pm, closed weekends. If you left it on a National Rail train (like the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Heathrow), contact the train operating company (e.g., Transport for London for the Elizabeth line, or Great Western for other services). For black cabs, you can report lost property to the police or to Transport for London’s taxi lost property service. Most likely you’ll never see it again if it’s a small item, but it’s worth trying.

Hidden rules you’ll break on day one

These are the small things locals notice:

• Don’t stand on the left on escalators. Already covered, but it bears repeating.
• Don’t block the pavement. Londoners walk fast. Stop to take a photo? Move to the side, near a building or a wall. Don’t stop in the middle of a busy footpath.
• Don’t make eye contact on the tube for too long. It’s not aggressive, just awkward. Keep to yourself.
• Don’t assume “cheers” means a toast. In London, “cheers” is also said instead of “thank you” and “goodbye”. You’ll hear it constantly.
• Don’t ask for “English breakfast tea” – just say “tea, milk, no sugar” or specify.
• Don’t skip the queue at the bus stop. Even if it looks informal, people know who arrived first. The bus stop has a line – stand behind the person who was there before you.

Insider preview – the stuff other guides miss

This is just a taste; the full list is on Insider Secrets. A few things that matter:

• Real fish & chips – avoid the tourist traps near Westminster. Go to Golden Hind (73 Marylebone Lane) or Poons in the City. Both use proper haddock and beef dripping.
• Curry on Brick Lane – the strip itself (from Aldgate East to Bethnal Green) is full of pushy touts and average food. Instead, go a block or two off the main drag: Brick Lane Beigel Bake for a salt beef bagel (open 24h), and for proper curry try Aladin inside the Brick Lane Market (Brunswick Centre) – much better than the touristy ones.
• Free city views – skip the London Eye and the Shard’s £35 ticket. Go to Sky Garden (20 Fenchurch Street) – free but you must book weeks ahead. Alternatively, One New Change rooftop (near St Paul’s) has a free terrace with a direct view of the cathedral.
• The actual best pub in central London – The Harp near Charing Cross (47 Chandos Place). Genuine cask ale, no TVs, proper pub atmosphere. Gets crowded after work. Or for riverside, The Mayflower in Rotherhithe – the oldest pub on the Thames, serves a decent roast on Sunday.
• Markets that don’t suck – Borough Market is touristy but still has good food if you go early (before 11am). Broadway Market (Hackney) on Saturday is more local and less overrun. Maltby Street Market (near Tower Bridge) is small but genuine.
• Day trip to Greenwich – take a Thames Clipper (Uber Boat) from central London to Greenwich. It’s cheaper than a tour, and you get the Prime Meridian, the Cutty Sark, and a decent market. Total time: about an hour each way.

Bonus insider tip: Sunday Roast in a proper pub – try The Eagle in Farringdon (first gastropub in London). Their roast is solid, but book ahead for Sunday lunch. Or The Harp doesn’t do food, so go to The Punch Tavern on Fleet Street for a less crowded option with good cask ale.

Shopping loopholes and 24-hour services

If you need a supermarket at 11pm on a Tuesday, a Tesco Metro or Sainsbury’s Local in central London usually closes at 11pm – not 24 hours. But there are a few 24-hour superstores on the outskirts: Tesco Extra in Clapham Junction (open 24h), Asda in Park Royal (24h), and M&S Simply Food at major train stations like Paddington (open until midnight). For central late-night shopping, look for Co-op or Londis that may have extended hours – but no guarantee. The best bet: Waitrose in Canary Wharf is open until 10pm on weekdays. See our 24/7 Services page for exact late-night pharmacies and emergency dental clinics.

Triage – which situation needs which page?

If you can’t find what you need above, use this quick triage index:

• Scam alert: /london/scams/ – everything from the “found a ring” trick to fake police at ATMs.
• Where not to walk at night: /london/safe-neighborhoods/ – per-borough ratings.
• Last train gone, now what?: /london/night-transport/ – night buses, night tube, and black cab tips.
• 24-hour pharmacy / supermarket: /london/24-hours/ – the loophole of 24-hour Tesco in central London.
• Lost wallet / stolen phone: /london/money/ – cash tips, card replacement.
• Arriving by plane: /london/arrival-setup/ – Heathrow Express vs Elizabeth Line vs coach.
• Anything else: /london/insider-secrets/ – the deep dives.

Every other guide tells you to see Big Ben. This one tells you to tap contactless and stand right on the escalator.

This page was last updated in April 2025. Prices and routes change – always confirm with Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) or your bank for the latest caps.

Neighborhood Snapshot

Common Tourist Scams

Three patterns you will run into. Recognize them on sight, walk away, no debate.

Arrival Setup — The Money-Savers

The first hour after you land sets the tone for the trip. Two moves that pay for themselves: