10 Things to Know Before Traveling to London

1. Electrical plugs

In the UK, plugs are Type G (three rectangular pins), so you must bring or buy an adapter. They are easy to find even at the airport or in shops: I paid about €10 in a small shop in central London.

2. Currency and payments

The currency is the British Pound (£) and the exchange rate is often not very convenient. The best advice is to use your card everywhere, even contactless: you can pay almost everything this way, and it also works well in markets.

3. Time difference

London is -1 hour compared to Italy, so when it’s 12:00 in Italy, it’s 11:00 in London.

4. Travel documents

You need a passport and an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which can be applied for online or through the official UK ETA app a few days before departure.

5. Tips in restaurants

Tips are not mandatory, but optional. You usually leave them only if you are happy with the service.

6. Weather

The weather changes often, so even in summer it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or a waterproof coat.

7. Internet and SIM cards

It’s better to have roaming enabled or use a local SIM/ESIM, because Wi-Fi is not always stable everywhere.
I used Holafly, which cost about €11 with unlimited data, and it worked perfectly.

8. Free water

Tap water is safe to drink and free in restaurants. There are also refill points around the city where you can fill your bottle: you can use the “Refill” app to find them.

9. Free rooftops

In London, you don’t always need to pay for a panoramic view. There are several free rooftops where you can enjoy the skyline, such as Sky Garden and Horizon 22. It’s recommended to book in advance, but they are amazing experiences without spending anything.

10. Book attractions in advance

Many iconic places (museums, rooftops, tours) are free or very popular, but require online booking. Planning ahead helps you avoid queues and missing out.