Travel To London: Us Citizen's Guide

US citizens are allowed to travel to London, but there are some restrictions and requirements they need to be aware of. Firstly, US citizens can enter the UK without a visa and can stay for up to 6 months, but they cannot spend the majority of the year in the UK. It is important to note that there is no specific rule of 180 days in 12 months as in the Schengen zone, but staying longer than 6 months in one year may lead to questioning or denial of entry. Additionally, frequent visits or long stays may raise suspicion, and travellers may be challenged or questioned by border officials. To avoid issues, it is recommended to have proof of intent to return home, such as a lease, employment contract, or return flight.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were mandatory quarantine restrictions for US citizens travelling to the UK, but these may no longer be in place. For US citizens who are legally resident in the UK, entry into France for leisure travel may be permitted with proof of UK residency.

When travelling, US citizens should use their US passport when checking in for flights and when showing identification to US officials. If transiting through a country like London, where there is no need to clear immigration, either the US or EU passport can be used.

Travel costs and requirements

US citizens are allowed to travel to London, but they should be aware of the costs and requirements for travelling around the city.

Transport Costs

London has an integrated public transport system, with the Tube (or Underground), buses, trams, Dockland Light Railway (DLR), rail, and river services all accessible via the same payment methods. The cheapest way to pay for public transport in London is by using a contactless card or an Oyster card. Oyster cards are smart cards that can be used instead of paper tickets and cost £7 to buy. Contactless cards are more convenient if you already have one, but Oyster cards are useful if you don't want to risk losing or damaging your main bank card. Both options offer capping, which limits how much you pay per day or week, and any additional journeys in that period are free.

• Single peak fare: £2.80
• Single off-peak fare: £2.70
• Daily cap: £8.50
• Weekly cap: £42.70

These fares are for travel within Zones 1-5. Travelcard prices vary depending on the zones you wish to travel in. For example, a day off-peak Travelcard for Zones 1-6 costs £15.20, while a peak Travelcard for the same zones costs £21.50.

Other Transport Options

London also has a cycle hire scheme, with Santander Cycles available to hire from £1.65. There is also the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge to be aware of if you plan on driving in London. The Congestion Charge is £15.00 per day for driving within the charging zone, while the ULEZ charge is £12.50 per day for most vehicle types.

Transport in London

London has an extensive transport system, with the iconic London Underground (also known as the Tube) at its heart. The Tube has 11 lines, colour-coded and named after the areas they serve. It is one of the world's oldest and most extensive metro systems, with over 250 miles of track serving 272 stations.

The Tube is just one part of London's public transport network, known as Transport for London (TfL). TfL also operates London Overground, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), trams, buses, and the river bus service. The Elizabeth line, a new high-frequency commuter railway, is also part of TfL.

London's bus network is extensive, with iconic red double-decker buses serving all areas of the city. Buses are a great way to see the city, with many routes passing famous landmarks. The river bus service, or Thames Clipper, offers a unique way to travel along the Thames, with stops near major attractions such as the London Eye and the Tower of London.

For those looking for a more scenic route, the London Cable Car, or Emirates Air Line, offers a bird's-eye view of the city. This cable car system spans the River Thames, connecting Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks.

London also has a comprehensive network of trains, including National Rail and the high-speed Eurostar service, which connects London to Paris and Brussels via the Channel Tunnel.

Travel warnings and safety

London is considered a very safe city, but it's always good to be cautious when travelling. The US State Department and Canadian government have issued a level 2 safety advisory for London, which means travellers should 'exercise increased caution' due to the possibility of terrorist attacks. The Canadian advisory also warns of common crimes such as pickpocketing and purse snatching in certain tourist areas.

London is filled with tourists, which makes it a great place for pickpockets and scam artists to operate. The most common form of street crime in London is pickpocketing, particularly at popular landmarks. Take basic safety precautions to minimise your chances of being pickpocketed.

The UK has also recently been targeted by a terrorist group, and the threat to the country is considered severe. Always be cautious of people trying to distract you or offering to help with your luggage, and always check your change twice.

London is generally safe for women to travel to, but it's always good to follow basic safety precautions and keep your wits about you.

Public transport in London is generally safe, with very few passengers witnessing or falling victim to crime. However, it's important to keep an eye on your belongings—never leave them unattended, keep bags closed, and hide your phone. It's also a good idea to sit on the first floor of buses and trains at night so you're closer to an exit in case of any issues.

London doesn't experience major natural disasters, but the city does have its own weather-related hiccups, including storms, floods, heatwaves, and low air quality. Keep an eye on the latest weather reports and try to plan ahead to avoid getting caught in a storm. Intense storms can lead to localised flooding, especially after heavy rainfall, so it's best to avoid travelling to flooded areas.

London is generally safe at night, with well-lit streets and public transport running around the clock. However, it's best to be cautious in parks and neighbourhoods with higher crime rates after dark.

Travel with pets

If you are travelling with your dog, cat, or ferret, there are a number of steps you must follow. If you are travelling with a different type of pet, different guidance applies.

Firstly, check that your route is approved for pet travel. If you are travelling within the UK or from Ireland, you do not need to use an approved route. There are more approved routes for those travelling with guide or assistance dogs.

Secondly, your pet must be microchipped. This must be done before they get their rabies vaccination. The microchip must be ISO compliant (11784 and 11785) and 15 digits long. If your pet does not have an ISO-compliant microchip, they will need to travel with a microchip reader that can read the microchip, or you will need to contact the Veterinary Officials at the intended port of arrival to verify that they have a reader capable of reading your pet's microchip.

Thirdly, your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. You must wait at least 21 days after the primary vaccination (or the last of the primary course of vaccinations) before bringing your pet to the UK. The rabies vaccination must occur on the same day as, or after, microchip implantation. For the UK, the first rabies vaccination after microchip implantation is considered the primary rabies vaccine and is only valid for one year. If your pet travels more than 12 months after the first rabies vaccination, written documentation that a rabies vaccine booster was given within 12 months of the primary vaccine must accompany your pet. A copy of the applicable rabies vaccination certificate(s) must accompany your pet to the UK.

Fourthly, if you have a dog, they may need tapeworm treatment. Your dog must be treated no less than 24 hours before (and no more than 5 days before) you arrive in the UK. The medication used must be labelled as an effective treatment against tapeworms, specifically Echinococcus multilocularis. It is recommended to use a medication that contains praziquantel as the active ingredient.

Finally, you must get a pet travel document from your vet. The type of document you need will depend on the country you are travelling from.

Quarantine restrictions

As of June 2023, there were still some quarantine restrictions in place for those travelling to the UK. However, these restrictions did not apply to British or Irish nationals, or UK residents.

Passengers who had been in or transited through certain countries in the 10 days before their arrival in the UK were not allowed to enter. These countries included Angola, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Guyana, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Suriname, Tanzania, the United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Those who were allowed to enter the UK after visiting or passing through the countries on the 'red list' were required to:

• Quarantine for 10 days in a managed quarantine hotel, with the day of arrival being day zero.
• Take a Covid-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8 of quarantining.
• Follow the national lockdown rules.

Before travelling to England, passengers were also required to:

• Take a Covid-19 test and get a negative result during the 3 days before travelling.
• Book a managed quarantine hotel, which includes accommodation and food, transport to the hotel, and testing packages for use during quarantine.
• Complete a passenger locator form.

Adults were required to pay £1,750 for a hotel quarantine package.

Those in quarantine were prohibited from receiving visitors unless they were providing emergency assistance, care or assistance (including personal care), or veterinary services.

People could only leave their room in very limited circumstances, including:

• To travel directly to leave the Common Travel Area.
• To fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court.
• To exercise, but only with special permission from security.
• To seek medical assistance.
• To avoid injury, illness, or escape a risk of harm, such as in the case of fire or flooding, or domestic abuse.
• To access critical public services, including social services.

Frequently asked questions