Destination Guides > Europe > England > London
London
London is one of Europe's biggest cities and for many years was the centre of the English-speaking world. London today has a rich history with many remnants of its imperial past, yet it is a city facing the future with a diverse population and loads of attractions.
London is also most backpackers' gateway to Europe and is an enormously popular city to find work and it makes a great base with its cheap and frequent transport connections to the rest of the UK and Europe.
It is a very expensive city, particularly for accommodation, but there are many cheap places to eat and a lot of the major attractions (including many world-famous museums) are free.
Coming & going
Local transport
Hostel accommodation
Eating and drinking
Sights and attractions
Practical information
For an up-to-date look at what's happening around London, including information on gigs and theatre plus finding work and accommodation, pick up a copy of one of the free weekly magazines such as In London and TNT from your hostel or from boxes outside tube stations and pubs around town. For more in depth entertainment listings Time Out is available from newsagents for £2.95.
INFORMATION CENTRES
Britain & London Visitor Centre
1 Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, London SW1
Tube Piccadilly Circus Bus 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 38, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
Website www.visitbritain.com
Open Jan-May Mon 9.30am-6.30pm, Tue-Fri 9am-6.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm; Jun-Oct Mon 9.30am-6.30pm, Tue-Fri 9am-6.30pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm; Nov-Dec Mon 9.30am-6.30pm, Tue-Fri 9am-6.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
City of London Information Centre
St Paul's Churchyard, London
Tube Blackfriars, St Pauls Train Blackfriars, City Thameslink Bus 4, 8, 11, 15, 17, 23, 25, 26, 56, 76, 100, 172, 242, 521
Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-12.30pm; Apr-Sep 9.30am-5pm daily; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-12.30pm
Greenwich Tourist Information Centre
Pepys House, 2 Cutty Sark Gardens, Greenwich, London SE10
Tube Cutty Sark Train Greenwich Bus 177, 180, 188, 199, 286, 386 Ferry Greenwich Pier
Tel 0870 608 2000
Website http://greenwich2000.com/
Open 10am-5pm daily
London Visitor Centre
Arrivals Hall, Waterloo International Terminal, London SE1
Tube, Train Waterloo Bus 1, 4, 26, 59, 68, 76, 77, 139, 168, 171, 172, 176, 188, 211, 243, 341, 381, 507, 521, 705, RV1, X68
Website www.visitlondon.com
Open 8.30am-10.30pm daily
London Visitor Information Centre
Leicester Square, London
Tube Leicester Square Bus 24, 29, 176
Tel (020) 7292 2333
Website www.londontown.com
Open Mon-Fri 8am-11pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Southwark Tourist Information Centre
Level 2 Information Desk, Tate Modern
Bankside, London SE1 9TG
Tube, Train Cannon Street, London Bridge
Bus 381, RV1
Tel (020) 7401 52566
Website www.visitsouthwark.com
Visit Scotland Centre
19 Cockspur Street, London SW1
Tube Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus Train Charing Cross Bus 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 23, 88, 139, 159, 453
Open Jan-Apr Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat noon-4pm; May-Sep Mon-Fri 9.30am-6.30pm, Sat 10am-5pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat noon-4pm
EMBASSIES & CONSULATES
Australian High Commission
Australia House, Strand, London WC2
Tube Charing Cross, Temple Train Charing Cross Bus 4, 11, 15, 23, 26, 76, 172
Tel (020) 7379 4334
Website www.australia.org.uk
Open Mon-Fri 9am-11am
Canadian High Commission
38 Grosvenor Street, London W1
Tube Bond Street Bus 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 23, 73, 88, 94, 98, 113, 139, 159, 189, 390
Tel (020) 7258 6600
Website www.canada.org.uk
Open Mon-Fri 8am-11am
New Zealand High Commission
80 Haymarket, London SW1
Tube Piccadilly Circus Bus 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 38, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453
Tel (020) 7930 8422
Website www.nzembassy.com
Open Mon-Fri 2pm-4pm
South African Embassy
Trafalgar Square, London WC2
Tube, Train Charing Cross Bus 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 29, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176, 453
Tel (020) 7451 7299
Website www.southafricahouse.com
Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
United States Embassy
24 Grosvenor Street, London W1
Tube Bond Street Bus 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 23, 73, 88, 94, 98, 113, 139, 159, 189, 390
Tel (020) 7499 9000
Website www.usembassy.org.uk
Open Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm
Home Office (for visa extensions)
Lunar House, 40 Wellesley Road, Croydon, Surrey
Train East Croydon Bus 64, 119, 194, 197, 198, 312, 367, 409, 410, 466, 726, T33 Tram 1, 2, 3
Tel 0870 606 7766
Website www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk
Open Mon-Thu 9am-4.45pm, Fri 9am-4.30pm
INTERNET ACCESS
Wireless internet
There is a good selection of Wi-Fi hotspots in and around London including St Pancras railway station and all Coffee Republic outlets. The Londonist website has map showing the locations of over 300 Wi-Fi hotspots in London.
