Flight to London (LON)

Flying to London: tips and information for your trip

The sprawling, multicultural, metropolitan capital of the UK, London is home to Buckingham Palace and the Queen, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and the iconic Tower Bridge.

Despite its history spanning two millennia, it’s a thoroughly modern city and the skyline has changed dramatically in the past 20 years thanks to architectural additions such as the London Eye, the “Gherkin” and the “Shard”. London boasts some of the world’s best museums and galleries, and is jam-packed with attractions, cultural events, buzzing nightlife, amazing restaurants and top-quality shopping.

There are so many things to do in London, you’ll need to visit again and again, so check out Brussels Airlines today to start planning your next city break.

What to do in London?

1. Tower Bridge, not to be confused with London Bridge a little further along the river, is a quintessential London landmark. The upper level contains an exhibition space with a glass walkway. Just across the river is the Tower of London, which houses the Crown Jewels.
   
   
2. London Eye: This giant Ferris wheel now dominates the South Bank area, offering visitors stunning views across the city. Just around the corner, you'll find the London Dungeon, an interactive exhibition-come-theatre spectacle celebrating London's gory and macabre history.
   
   
3. See a show: London's theatre district can be found in the West End, and here you can see both classic and contemporary performances. However, there are countless other venues, including the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, or various locations throughout the city centre, where popular musicals and pantomimes are put on. Failing that, what could be better than seeing Shakespeare performed in the reconstructed Globe theatre? You're spoilt for choice.
   
   
4. Museums: Visiting the permanent collections of many of London's museums and galleries is free. Top favourites include discovering dinosaur skeletons at the Natural History Museum, marvelling at masterpieces by Da Vinci, Renoir and Van Gogh at the National Gallery, seeing the Rosetta stone and Egyptian mummies at the British Museum and the exploring interactive galleries at the Science museum.
5. Afternoon tea: An established tradition, afternoon tea involves hot tea and a selection sweet and savoury nibbles. Popular spots include Claridge's or Fortnum and Mason.
   
   
6. Buckingham Palace: The palace was first lived in by Queen Victoria. It is only open to the public during the summer, however visitors can still watch the changing of the guard all year round (except during bad weather conditions).
   
   
7. Westminster: This area of the city is packed with famous landmarks including the 11th-century Westminster Abbey, the Big Ben clock tower and the Gothic Revival Houses of Parliament

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flies to London Heathrow Airport, located 23 km west of the city centre. The Heathrow Express train service takes just 15 minutes to get to Paddington station. Taxis, buses, and Uber are also available.  
  
  
• Currency: British pound sterling (GPB). Cash and credit card are the main payment methods and ATMs can be found at most bank branches, as well as inside many supermarkets and corner shops.
  
  
• Country dialling code and Wi-Fi access: The country code for the UK is +44. Many bars and cafés offer free Wi-Fi for customers.
  
  
• Electric sockets: UK plugs are type G with three rectangular prongs in a triangular arrangement. The electrical system runs on 230 volts/50 Hz.
  
  
• Travel information: Whilst not part of the Schengen zone, currently EU, EEA and US citizens do not need a visa to visit the UK. Other documents, such as proof of return flights and a valid passport, may be required.

Dos and Don’ts in London

• Get an Oyster card for travelling by tube or bus. It's easier to swipe your card and you can't pay in cash on board some transport. It's also cheaper, as daily travel is capped.
  
  
• Get a tube map: Apart from being essential to negotiate the numerous underground lines and stations, it's an iconic design and makes a great souvenir.
• Don't block pedestrian traffic. London has a huge population and can be a chaotic place, so there are rules in place to ensure the smooth flow of people. For example, if you don't want to walk up the escalator, always stand to the right.
  
  
• Avoid the tube if you have a big suitcase. Particularly during rush hour, the tube can be very busy and most stations have a number of flights of steps and tunnels to negotiate. If you can, get the tube at quieter times or avoid commuters by getting a taxi to Paddington and taking the Heathrow Express train from there.
  
  
• Do as the locals do: if there's sunshine, head to the park, bring a picnic, lie down and relax.
  
  
• If crowds are not your thing, avoid Oxford Street, particularly at the weekend, and South bank during peak tourist season

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

London may be famous for the cockney accent and dialect, and rhyming slang examples such as “apples and pears” (stairs) or “Ruby Murray” (curry) are well cited. The city, however, is very multicultural and you’ll hear a variety of languages spoken on the streets. That said, below are a few examples of slang that might catch you off guard if you’re not a native or used to British English:

• “Cheerio” or “Ta-ta”: goodbye
• “Cheers” or “Ta”: thank you
• “Alright (mate/love/darling)?”: Anything from ‘Hi’ to ‘How are you?’ or ‘Can I help?’. Using pet names is quite common in customer service.
• “Tube” (underground, metro)
• “Fiver” or “tenner”: £5, £10

Remember it’s pounds and pence not euros and cents in London.

Cultural events

• London Marathon: Taking place in the Spring, the marathon has been held annually since 1981.
  
  
• Notting Hill Carnival: There are dozens of summer music and arts festivals in July and August in London, but the Notting Hill Carnival is a long-standing tradition and a fun-filled celebration of Caribbean culture.
  
  
• BFI London Film Festival: an annual festival held in October, featuring hundreds of films, documentaries and Q&A sessions with famous actors and directors.
  
  
• New Year’s Day Parade: An epic parade that passes through city-centre sites like Trafalgar square and Parliament square, featuring marching bands, floats, performers and dance troupes from all over the world.

When to go to London?

The weather in London from October to March can be cold and wet, with winter temperatures dropping to 2-6°C. Average spring and autumn temperatures sit between 10-15°C, but there are plenty of indoor things to do and the city is less busy at this time. Summertime is peak season and this is also when the weather tends to be warm and sunny.

What to eat in London?

• English Breakfast: Featuring sausage, bacon, eggs, toast, mushrooms, baked beans and a fried tomato. Served with English breakfast tea (with milk).
  
  
• Fish and Chips: A firm favourite, sprinkled with salt and vinegar and often served with mushy peas.
  
  
• Anything at Exmouth Market or Borough Market, great for both food and drinks and a relaxed atmosphere.
  
  
• Meat pie: A classic British dish, which can be eaten hot or cold, as a snack or for lunch or dinner. Gravy is a must.
  
  
• Cocktails at a rooftop bar: When the weather’s fine, head to a rooftop bar for great views of the city; choose anything from chic-and-sophisticated in Soho to hipster-cool in Peckham.
  
  
• Curry: the unofficial national dish of Britain, try any of the numerous restaurants on Brick Lane, nicknamed the Curry mile, in the heart of the East End.