Landed In

Arrival guide

Landed in London.

Getting from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) into the city, what money to carry, the apps locals use, and how to get online.

No airport was given, so this brief assumes Heathrow (LHR). If you land at Gatwick, Stansted, Luton or City, the routes differ.
Most visitors need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or visa before boarding. Apply only through the official UK government site or app, since lookalike sites charge extra.

From the airport to the city center

Cheapest

Elizabeth line to central London

£13 to £14 ($17 to $19)

30 to 45 min

  1. 1Follow the signs for Trains and Underground from baggage claim.
  2. 2Choose the Elizabeth line (purple) from Terminal 2/3, 4 or 5 toward Paddington, Tottenham Court Road or Liverpool Street.
  3. 3Tap in and out with a contactless card or phone at the gates.
  4. 4Get off at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon or Liverpool Street, whichever is closest to your central stay.

Runs most of the day, with a reduced service late at night and on Sundays. Check TfL Go for times.

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Fastest

Heathrow Express to Paddington

£25 to £26 ($32 to $34)

15 to 30 min

  1. 1Follow the Heathrow Express signs from arrivals.
  2. 2Buy a ticket at a machine or on the Heathrow Express app, or tap a contactless card at the gate.
  3. 3Ride non-stop to Paddington.
  4. 4From Paddington, take the Tube or a black cab to your central neighborhood.

Runs roughly every 15 minutes through most of the day.

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Cheapest

Piccadilly line Tube

£5 to £6 ($6 to $8)

50 to 70 min

  1. 1Follow the Underground signs from arrivals.
  2. 2Tap in with contactless at the gate.
  3. 3Take the Piccadilly line (dark blue) toward Cockfosters.
  4. 4It passes through Earl's Court, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden. Get off nearest your stay.

Runs most of the day. Check TfL Go for times.

Open in Google Maps
Easiest

Black cab or ride-hail to central London

£55 to £100 ($70 to $130)

45 to 90 min

  1. 1Take your bags out of the terminal to the official taxi rank, or follow the signs for ride-hail pickup.
  2. 2For a black cab, join the queue and tell the driver your central address. The meter sets the fare.
  3. 3For Uber or Bolt, request the ride in the app and meet your driver at the marked pickup point.
  4. 4Traffic on the M4 and A4 can stretch the trip, so allow extra time.
Open in Google Maps

Want a driver waiting for you?

Book a fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip the taxi queue.

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Money

British pound

GBP

$1 is about £0.78

Cards

Cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, including buses, the Tube, and small shops. Some places are card-only.

Tipping

Many restaurants add a 12.5% service charge. If it's on the bill, you don't need to add more. Otherwise 10 to 12% is normal. Tipping in pubs and for taxis is optional, and rounding up is fine.

Cash

  • You rarely need cash. Carry a little for the odd market stall or small cafe.
  • Notes and coins are easy to get from an ATM once you're in the city.

ATMs

  • Use ATMs attached to bank branches rather than standalone machines in shops.
  • If asked, choose to be charged in pounds, not your home currency.
  • Check your bank's foreign transaction fees before you go.

Apps to download

TfL Go

Live Tube, bus and Elizabeth line routes and disruptions.

App StoreGoogle Play

Citymapper

Must have

Door-to-door journey planning across trains, buses and walking.

App StoreGoogle Play

Google Maps

Walking directions and place info.

App StoreGoogle Play

Uber

Rideshare and black cab booking.

App StoreGoogle Play

Bolt

Often cheaper rideshare alternative.

App StoreGoogle Play

Apple Pay or Google Pay

Must have

Tap your phone for transit and shops. This is the easiest way to pay.

App StoreGoogle Play

Stay connected

UK mobile coverage is strong in London. An eSIM set up before you fly is the easiest way to have data the moment you land.

  • Install an eSIM such as Airalo or Holafly before departure.
  • Check whether your home carrier offers a roaming day pass.
  • Buy a prepaid SIM from a carrier like Three or Vodafone at a shop in the arrivals area or in town.
  • Use free Wi-Fi at the airport briefly, but avoid sensitive logins on public networks.

Get your eSIM before you fly

Install it at home and you'll have data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queue.

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Good to know

  • Stand on the right on Tube escalators and let people pass on the left.
  • Queue politely at stops and counters. Cutting in is frowned upon.
  • Look right, then left. Cars drive on the left and road markings can be confusing.
  • Phone snatching from people on pavements is a real risk. Keep your phone away near the curb and on busy streets.
  • Avoid unlicensed minicabs offering rides at the airport. Use black cabs or a booked app ride.
  • Watch for pickpockets at tourist spots, on the Tube and in crowded markets.
  • Tap in and out with the same card or device so you aren't charged an extra fare.

Emergency numbers

  • Police, ambulance, fire999
  • Also works across Europe112
  • Non-emergency police101
  • NHS non-emergency health advice111

Prices and tips are AI-written estimates, so double-check anything important.