What to pack for a trip to London?
Most visitors arrive in London expecting the grey drizzle and leave surprised by something else entirely: their feet.
In short, what catches you out here
- The London Underground, especially the deep-level lines (Central, Northern), has no air conditioning and temperatures regularly exceed 30°C in carriages and platforms during warm weather, making journeys deeply uncomfortable.
- Many London buses no longer accept cash, and some attractions, markets and newer cafés are card or contactless only — visitors carrying only cash find themselves locked out or scrambling.
- Central London pavements — Oxford Street, London Bridge, South Bank — are relentlessly crowded, forcing constant stopping, weaving, and much more walking than maps suggest; a day can easily involve 15–20 km on foot on hard paving.
Why this list?
A city this dense — museums, markets, riverside walks, neighbourhood-hopping — quietly accumulates 18 km of pavement per day, and the Underground offers no relief when deep-line carriages hit 33°C with no air conditioning. Add the post-Brexit paperwork that catches EU visitors off guard (the new ETA requirement), restaurants that fill by 6:30 pm and are unbookable by 7, bills that silently include a service charge, and traffic approaching from the right while your instincts pull your eyes left — and you have a city full of friction that has nothing to do with what to see and everything to do with how to move through it. This list focuses on what experienced London visitors build into their prep, not what goes without saying.
When to go
London can be visited year-round, but April to September offers the longest days and the most pleasant weather.
✔To do before you leave
Your countdown: every action at the right time, from furthest ahead to departure day.
- Post-Brexit, non-UK visitors (including EU citizens) need a valid passport to enter the UK; some nationalities also need a visa or ETA — checking well before departure avoids being turned away.
- From 2024, many non-UK, non-visa nationals (including EU visitors) require an ETA before boarding; applying online takes a few days and cannot be done at the border.
- Popular London restaurants fill entirely by 7 pm and walk-ins are turned away; booking 2–3 days ahead is the norm, not the exception, especially in tourist-heavy neighbourhoods.
- The Tube has no mobile signal on most deep lines, so live maps stop working mid-journey; an offline map (Google Maps, Maps.me) prevents getting stranded underground.
- Tube stations have no lockers; Stasher and Radical Storage fill up during peak season in central areas — booking online the day before secures a spot near your itinerary and avoids dragging bags all day.
- Underground stations have no mobile signal on most lines; having the Tube map saved offline (TfL app or screenshot) means you can plan changes between stations without connectivity.
- Traffic comes from the right in the UK; visitors instinctively look left and step into oncoming traffic — a habit worth consciously breaking before each crossing, especially on busy junctions.
- London restaurants often add 10–12.5% as a 'discretionary' service charge to the bill; failing to notice means double-tipping, while asking to remove it is entirely normal and expected.
✔The essentials
Without these, the trip is compromised. Don't forget them.
- Tube platforms and long walking days in the heat make dehydration a real risk; London tap water is perfectly safe and free water refill points (Refill scheme) are widespread, saving money and plastic.
- The UK uses a unique 3-pin plug (Type G) incompatible with European, US and most other sockets; without an adapter, phones and devices cannot be charged from the first night.
- London buses no longer accept cash, and Tube gates require tap-in; without a contactless method every journey becomes a crisis at the barriers.
✔Nice-to-haves
Not vital, but noticeably more comfortable with them.
- London sightseeing days routinely clock 15–20 km on hard paving and cobblestones; insoles delay the foot and knee pain that ruins the second half of a multi-day trip.
- Non-European SIMs face high roaming costs and no signal underground; a cheap UK SIM bought before departure gives data wherever there is surface signal and avoids shock bills on return.
- Blisters from heavy walking days and minor sunburn are the most common complaints on a London city break; a compact kit with plasters, blister pads and aftersun avoids hunting for a pharmacy mid-day.
- Crowded pavements and packed Tube carriages are prime pickpocket territory; a crossbody bag worn in front is far harder to access than a backpack or shoulder bag.
- Even on sunny days, London's weather can shift within hours and air-conditioned museums and restaurants can be cold; a packable long-sleeve kept in the bag solves both without bulk.
✔Weather & season
Adjust to the time of year and forecast for your trip.
- Deep Tube lines (Central, Northern) have no air conditioning and platform temperatures can reach 35°C; a small handheld fan makes waits and carriage journeys bearable during warm weather.
- Open-top bus tours, South Bank walks and queue lines outside attractions mean extended sun exposure with no shade; the mild temperature masks how strong UV can be during a sunny London week.
- The South Bank, Hyde Park and open-top river cruises offer no shade and significant glare off the Thames; eye protection matters more than visitors expect on a clear London day.
✔ My own items
Create an account to save your lists and find them on all your devices.
- Every checklist you generate, kept and available anytime
- On your phone as well as your computer
- Your ticks picked up right where you left them
✔ Good to know
- Check whether your nationality requires a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before flying — it costs £10 and must be approved in advance. Even babies and children need one if it applies to them. source
- Plan to pay by contactless card or phone tap wherever you go — contactless now accounts for the vast majority of transactions in London, from shops and cafés to taxis and the Tube. source
- Pack a Type G (three-pin) plug adapter if your devices use a different plug format — the UK runs on 230 V / 50 Hz, so also check that your appliances are dual-voltage before you go. source
- Bring your EHIC or GHIC card if you're an EU or Swiss resident — it can cover some emergency NHS care. Visitors from other countries should arrange comprehensive travel insurance before departure, as non-emergency treatment may be charged. source
- Save the UK emergency number 999 in your phone for ambulance, police or fire — and know that tap water throughout London is safe to drink, so there is no need to buy bottled water. source
- Consider picking up a local prepaid SIM or eSIM on arrival to avoid steep international roaming fees — some legacy carrier plans can cost £6 or more per day. source
- Oyster card deposit cash — The Oyster card now carries a non-refundable fee since 2022 — if you already have a contactless bank card or phone, tapping directly on the yellow readers works just as well and saves you the upfront cost.
- Large amounts of cash — London is largely cashless, so carrying a lot of notes is rarely useful — a contactless card or phone will cover almost every purchase.
- Bottled water supply — London tap water meets high quality standards, so packing bottled water adds unnecessary weight — refill a reusable bottle instead.
✔ Frequently asked questions
Is tap water safe to drink in London?
Tap water in London is safe to drink and regularly tested by Thames Water to meet UK and European standards. The Refill London programme has set up over 4,500 free refill points — in hotels, restaurants and bars — plus more than 100 public drinking fountains installed since 2019. Pack a reusable water bottle: you'll have no trouble filling it for free throughout the city, which helps both your wallet and the environment.