A safe world city
Serious crime against visitors is rare. The main thing to watch is pickpocketing in crowds, on the Tube and around busy attractions — keep your phone, wallet and bag secure and zipped.
Your local guide to the capital
Welcome to London
The grandest stays, the boldest flavours and centuries of stories — curated by people who know the city by heart.
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Years of history
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Languages spoken
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Museums & galleries
Find your kind of perfect day
Five curated collections to plan everything from where you sleep to where the night ends.
6 stays
Hotels & Stays
Five-star icons, sky-high suites in The Shard and easy budget bases across the capital.
Browse hotels
5 must-dos
Activities & Attractions
Ride high above the Thames, wander a royal park, take in world-class ballet or soak in ancient baths — London's icons await.
Plan your days
3 cafés
Cafés & Coffee
Award-winning specialty roasters and coffee bars.
Find cafés
5 venues
Bars & Nightlife
Historic riverside inns, flower-clad pubs and lively bars.
Go out tonight
8 spots
Restaurants
From Michelin-starred Greek to Brick Lane curry and West End classics.
See restaurants
Experience London's calendar
London throws a party all year round. Here are the celebrations that turn a good trip into a great story.
Select a month
Pick a month to see what's on in London.
Creed Burleson
Founder & lead city guide
Meet the Creed
“I've spent years showing visitors the London I love — beyond the postcards, into the pubs, markets and back-street cafés that make this city sing.”
Raised between the river and the West End, I started Welcome to London to share an honest, locally-lived take on the capital. No tourist traps, no paid placements — just the places I'd take my own friends.
Whether you have 24 hours or two weeks, I'll help you fall for London the way I did.
Staying Safe in London
London is a welcoming, well-connected capital. A few local pointers keep your trip smooth, easy and stress-free.
Mind the transport
Stand on the right on escalators, let people off before you board, and "mind the gap" between train and platform. Keep belongings on your lap, not on the seat beside you.
Look right when you cross
Traffic drives on the left, so glance right first — many junctions have "LOOK RIGHT" painted on the road. Use the marked crossings and wait for the green figure.
Be weather-ready
London weather turns on a sixpence. Pack a light waterproof and dress in layers year-round — and don't let a grey morning put you off; it often clears by lunch.
Getting around
Tap a contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses, Overground and DLR — it's cheaper than paper tickets and daily-capped. At night use licensed black cabs or a booked app; never an unbooked minicab.
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Solo & women travellers
London is very comfortable for solo and women travellers, with busy, well-lit central streets and frequent night buses. Stick to licensed black cabs or booked apps after dark, and keep to main routes late at night.
Emergency Contacts
999Emergency
101Police (non-urgent)
111NHS (medical)
112EU emergency
Frequently asked questions
Everything first-time visitors ask us before they land.
Many visitors can enter the UK visa-free for short stays, but most visa-exempt travellers now need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) before arrival. Always check the latest requirements for your nationality — rules are straightforward but change from time to time.
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) bring mild weather, long days and blooming parks. Summer is the busiest and liveliest season, while winter rewards you with Christmas markets, festive lights and ice rinks.
London is a safe major city with a strong police presence. The main nuisance is pickpocketing in crowded tourist areas and on public transport, so keep valuables secure and stay aware in busy spots.
The Underground ("the Tube"), buses, Overground and DLR cover the whole city. Pay with a contactless card, phone or an Oyster card — fares are capped daily. Central London is also very walkable, and Santander Cycles are handy for short hops.
Pound sterling (GBP, £). Contactless cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, from black cabs to market stalls, so you rarely need cash — though a few pounds is handy for tips.