🇬🇧 UK Travel Guide: London, Oyster & Pubs

passport UK Visa & ETA (NOT Schengen)

• UK is NOT in Schengen - need separate ETA (£10, 2 years) or visa
• ETA required for US, EU, Canada, Australia - simple online
• Standard visitor visa £115 for 6 months - apply 3+ months ahead

train London Transport

• Oyster Card (£7 deposit) or contactless - daily cap auto-applied
• Tube daily cap Zone 1-2: £8.50 - unlimited after that
• Buses tap-in only - flat rate £1.75 per ride
• Elizabeth Line £12.80 from Heathrow vs £25 Express

drink Pub & Food Culture

• Pubs stop serving food at 9pm - kitchens close earlier
• Sunday Roast is THE British institution - 12-4pm Sundays, £12-18
• Tipping 10-12.5% in restaurants - not expected in pubs
• Afternoon Tea £30-60 - cream tea (scone+tea) £8 cheaper

landmark London Free Attractions

• British Museum FREE - pre-book time slot
• Sky Garden FREE - book 3 weeks ahead on Monday mornings
• Changing of the Guard 11am Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun
• Tower of London £34.80 - go early for Crown Jewels

map Best Day Trips

• Windsor Castle: 30min train - oldest inhabited castle
• Oxford: 1h - Christ Church (Hogwarts hall), punting
• Bath + Stonehenge: 1.5h - Roman baths + Stonehenge by tour
• Cambridge: 50min - punting, King College Chapel
• Brighton: 1h - pebble beach, pier, quirky Lanes

shop Beyond London

• Harrods food hall is an experience
• Camden Market: alternative fashion, street food - weekends best
• West End theatre: TodayTix same-day deals from £25
• Edinburgh: 4.5h - castle, Arthur Seat. August = Fringe
• Lake District: 3h - hiking, Beatrix Potter. York: 2h - Vikings

💡 Quick Tips

• Look RIGHT then LEFT crossing streets - traffic opposite
• eSIM much cheaper than UK roaming - buy before arrival
• Pubs: order at the bar, no table service
• Free museums: V&A, Natural History, National Gallery
• Borough Market best Wed-Sat - go 11am
• Carry a compact umbrella year-round
• Queuing is a national pastime - never cut in line
• Scottish banknotes legal UK currency but sometimes refused in England

⚡ Pro Tips

• Railcard (£30/year) for 1/3 off most train fares
• TodayTix app for cheap same-day West End theatre from £25
• Skip Oxford Street on weekends - Regent Street or Covent Garden better

📋 Summary

The UK blends history with modern convenience. Separate visa from Schengen, use contactless for transit, and embrace pub culture. Museums are gloriously free.