What should you pack for London?
Start with your entry documents, a way to pay for transport, compatible chargers and clothes chosen for your forecast and activities. Then add everyday toiletries, medicines you normally use, and a small day bag. This guide helps you make those choices before filling a suitcase.
Check entry documents before packing
Visa-free does not mean permission-free. Your nationality, purpose of travel and existing UK status determine whether you need a visa, an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), or neither. Use the GOV.UK visa and ETA checker for each traveller, including children. Do not rely on an old nationality list in a travel article.
If you need an ETA, wait for approval before travelling. It is linked to the passport used to apply; a replacement passport means you must check your permission again. GOV.UK says to allow up to three working days, though some applications take longer. See the official application instructions and current fee. An ETA permits travel and does not guarantee admission.
- Check the identity document rules for your citizenship and status. Most visitors need a passport valid throughout their stay; national ID cards are accepted only in specified circumstances. Check the exact border-document rules.
- Keep your accommodation address, onward journey details and carrier booking accessible offline. These notes help with arrival logistics; they do not replace your passport or permission.
- If your route includes another country, check its entry and transit rules separately.
Insurance and medical documents
For London, use the rules for England. NHS care is not simply all free or all chargeable for tourists. NHS A&E services are free, but that exemption does not cover treatment after hospital admission. GP treatment can be free; hospital entitlement depends on your circumstances and any applicable exemption or healthcare agreement.
Carry insurance details and any valid entitlement documents that apply to you. Check cover for existing conditions and getting home if ill. Ask your insurer or healthcare authority what evidence to bring. The NHS visitor guide explains access and charges. For a life-threatening emergency call 999; for urgent medical advice when life is not at risk, call NHS 111.
Choose your transport payment method
TfL accepts pay as you go using contactless cards or devices and Oyster. Many overseas cards work, but acceptance and overseas fees depend on the card issuer. Check your card before relying on it; keep a backup payment option. See TfL's payment guidance.
| Your situation | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Accepted contactless card | Use the same physical card for the whole journey. |
| Phone or watch payment | Use that same device throughout; do not switch to its linked plastic card. Keep it charged. |
| Oyster | Add credit and check that your route accepts it. It is not accepted at Elizabeth line stations between Reading and Iver. |
| Travelling together | Each paying traveller needs a separate card or device. Check child fares and discounts separately. |
Touch in and out for rail journeys; only touch in on buses and trams. Use TfL's current fare information for your route and any caps. Airport rail services and trips outside London need their own coverage check; do not assume every train accepts Oyster.
Save your airport-to-accommodation route before flying: arrival airport, terminal, destination station, final walking leg and a backup if the route is disrupted. A single “minutes to central London” estimate cannot describe every hotel journey.
Choose clothes for the forecast and your plans
Check the Met Office London forecast shortly before leaving, then recheck during the trip. Look at the evening temperature, rain, wind and warnings as well as the daytime maximum. A season label is a starting point, not a forecast for your dates.
| What you expect | Packing starting point |
|---|---|
| Spring or autumn with changing conditions | A removable warm layer and a packable rain shell. Adjust the coat to the actual forecast. |
| Warm summer sightseeing | Breathable clothes, sun protection and a water bottle; keep a light layer for cooler periods. |
| Cold winter days or long outdoor queues | An insulated coat, warm layers, hat and gloves; choose footwear for the forecast and walking surface. |
| Wet walks between indoor stops | A rain layer, shoes you have already walked in and spare socks. An umbrella is optional if practical in the wind. |
| A theatre, restaurant or special event | Check the venue's actual dress and bag policy before adding another outfit or large bag. |
How many clothes?
Count the days until your next confirmed laundry opportunity. Choose outfits that reuse the same bottoms and outer layer, then add underwear and socks for that interval plus the spare items you need. If you plan to wash clothes, confirm facilities, opening times and drying time with your accommodation.
For example, a seven-day trip with laundry after day three can start from a three-day rotation plus what you wear while washing. Seven days without laundry needs a different plan. This is a planning example, not a tested minimum or a promise that a particular bag will fit.
Try your shoes before departure and compare a realistic walking route with your comfort and mobility needs. There is no required daily step count. Save accessible route details if stairs or long transfers would be a problem.
Check each charger for UK sockets
The UK uses Type G sockets with a 230 V, 50 Hz supply. A plug adapter changes the connection shape; it does not convert voltage. Check each charger's input label and its manual, including grounding and power limits. A 120 V-only appliance is not made suitable for 230 V by a shape adapter. Electrical Safety First explains UK compatibility.
Pack cables that match your actual devices. Do not assume a toothbrush base or styling appliance accepts the same voltage range as a laptop charger. If taking a power bank, check the battery rating and every airline's current rules, including gate-checking and onboard use. Use our charger and battery checklist for those separate decisions.
Finish your London departure checklist
Check marks are for this visit and are not saved. Use your browser's Print option for a paper copy; keep private booking or passport details in your own trip notes.
Updated September 9, 2026. Corrected entry-permission, transport-payment and NHS-cost guidance; replaced unsupported personal anecdotes and price comparisons with source-based preparation steps.