London Travel Guide
World-class arts, culture and historical sites, abundant green spaces, excellent food and innovative fashion. England's capital does cosmopolitan cool just as well as tradition and afternoon tea.
When is the best time to visit London?
Visit during spring (April/May) or summer (June/July/August) for pleasant weather, but larger crowds and higher prices. Or choose the more moderately busy shoulder season (including March and September/October) for shorter queues at tourist attractions than during the peak spring/summer months. Low season (November-February) is a great option and even quieter tourist attractions, while December is popular for seeing London lit up by Christmas lights and decorations.
Travelling to London
London’s main airports - Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead, Luton, and City, - are served by a wide range of international airlines. All airports are linked to the city centre by public transport, including Gatwick Express (30 minutes to Victoria), Stanstead Express (50 minutes to Liverpool Street) and the Tube and express train from Heathrow (15 minutes to Paddington station for the latter). The Elizabeth line which opened in 2022 is a popular option that can take passengers from Heathrow to the centre of town.
Getting around London
Public Transport in London
London has one of the most comprehensive transport systems in the world. Multi-use Oyster Cards that more than halve fares can be bought for a refundable £5 deposit and used on buses, night buses, Tubes, trains, DLR railway and Thames Clippers (a cheap way to see London from water).
Cycle hire in London
Cycling is a popular way to get around London and there are plenty of bikes to hire, with docking stations all over the city. Options include the red Santander Cycles, part of Transport for London, to which e-bikes have been added. There is also a host of private, app-based companies offering e-bikes and e-scooters for hire, including Lime, Tier and Human Forest.
Cabs in London
London’s black taxis can be hailed in the street or at taxi ranks in locations such as the city’s main train stations. Major taxi apps like Uber, Bolt, Gett and Ola are also available. Minicabs are also an option but be careful to only used licensed minicab companies.
Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR): Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) program benefits are available for new bookings made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for eligible Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members. Platinum Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion® Members, are not eligible for FHR program benefits. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked. Noon check-in and room upgrade are subject to availability and are provided at check-in; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property. The US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day. To receive the breakfast credit, the breakfast bill must be charged to your hotel room. The breakfast credit will be applied at check-out. If the cost of Wi-Fi is included in a mandatory property fee, a daily credit of that amount will be applied at check-out. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members travelling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional FHR benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the property reserve the right to modify or revoke FHR benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your FHR benefits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in USD or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for FHR program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, please call the number on the back of your Card.
The Hotel Collection Terms and Conditions
The Hotel Collection (THC): The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc; Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Platinum Business Card and American Express® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.
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