# Practical information about London

Are you thinking about paying a visit to the UK capital? If so, do not book anything without getting to know the destination a little bit better. London is a massive city, and one that needs a bit of introduction if you want to make the most of your trip. So take a quick look through our checklist of key London information, and plan your trip down to the smallest detail. When you have familiarised yourself with the local terrain, start planning your trip with BudgetAir Canada - the easiest and most affordable option for reaching London, England. Check out the overview below on the things every traveller should know when travelling to London!

Essential London information for visitors

Emergency numbers: Hopefully you won't need assistance during your stay, but it's best to be prepared. So before you touch down, add "999" to your phone. It's the all-purpose emergency number for fire, police, and ambulance services. If you want a specific phone number, call "118" and ask for the London information you need. And for general health assistance via the National Health Service, call "111".
Government office opening hours: If you need to visit the Canadian Consulate in London, it will be open between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday. The Consulate is closed on weekends, so if help is required on Saturdays or Sundays, call Global Affairs Canada at +1 613 996 8885.
Temperature: July is the hottest month, with an average high of 18.7 degrees celsius. January is the coolest month, when average temperature highs dip to 8.1 degrees celsius, while overall, the average temperature is 11.1 degrees celsius. So it's rarely freezing cold, and rarely super-hot. Remember, the weather is always a talking point for the English, so get caught up on common phrases to master British small talk.
Currency: In London, you won't get far without changing a few Canadian dollars into UK Sterling - or pounds as the locals call it. Credit and debit cards are almost universally accepted, and free ATMs are also easy to find.
Transport: The chances are, you'll need to catch London's buses, trains, subway services, or even trams and river taxis during your vacation. If so, most journeys are covered by contactless payments via all major credit cards. Contactless tends to be the cheapest payment method, although Day Travelcards and rechargeable Oyster Cards are also available. Buses don't take cash, although ticket machines in major stations will.
Local time: The time in London right now is four hours ahead of Montreal, five hours ahead of Toronto, and seven hours ahead of Vancouver. Greenwich is in south London (be sure to visit the Observatory and Imperial War Museum. However, London is only on GMT+0 during the winter. After daylight savings time kicks in on the last Sunday of March, the city is in GMT+1 until late October.
Communications: The international dialling code for the UK is +44. Almost all Canadian mobile phones will work in London, and if your plan doesn't cover roaming, it's easy to purchase short term contracts or use pay-as-you-go plans to keep your phone working. Fast Wi-Fi internet is routinely available in hotels and public spaces.
Electricity: This is a key piece of London information for Canadian travellers. The standard voltage in the UK is 230V, while in Canada it is 120V. Therefore, to use your shaver or mobile phone charger safely, it is probably a good idea to check out voltage converters. This will also convert two pin connectors into the three pin plugs used in the UK.
Language: Unsurprisingly, the capital of England uses English as its first language, so many Canadians will be able to communicate without too many problems. There could be as many as 400,000 French residents in London, and many locals speak French as well. So if you are a Francophone Canadian, you should still be able to get your message across.
Required travel documents: Canadian visitors will simply require a valid Canadian passport to enter the UK, and tourist visas aren't needed for stays lasting less than six months. If you intend to work, a work permit will be required, and that includes internships or voluntary positions.
Health: No vaccinations will be needed for Canadians visiting the UK. Travel insurance will often cover the costs of minor healthcare emergencies, which ill be covered by the UK's National Health Service at a modest cost.
Tipping and taxes: Tipping isn't common in the UK, and service charges will generally be added to your bill in restaurants. However, look for tip jars in businesses like coffee shops and bars, as they are becoming increasingly common. VAT is added to most purchases at a rate of 20%, and prices will be listed with the extra cost included, so there's no need to calculate your total expenditure. It's all marked on price tags or menus.

If you've read all you need to know and you're ready to book, make sure you check our BudgetAir Canada's great offers. We'll compare prices across various airlines to ensure you get our best deal, so you can save your money for a quaint English afternoon tea.