Windsor Castle & Eton — close enough to seem easy
Windsor is well-served by train. Two stations and two routes from London. The catch is sequencing — Windsor pairs naturally with Eton, the Long Walk, and lunch.
Public Transport / DIY
SWR from Waterloo to Windsor & Eton Riverside, 55 min, £12–18.
GWR from Paddington via Slough to Windsor & Eton Central, 35–45 min, £12–16.
Both stations within 5 min walk of the castle.
Pre-Booked Rushxo
From central London 50–75 min, £80–115.
From Heathrow 20–35 min, £45–75 — much shorter and popular for travellers landing west of London.
Combined Windsor + Bicester Village day available.
SIM, eSIM or roaming: how to get mobile data in London
Visitors often ask which is the best way to stay connected in London. Since about 2022, travel advice has moved from buying a SIM at the airport to eSIM apps. There are three realistic options:
- Your carrier's day pass: the easiest choice, because you keep your own number. It is usually the dearest per day, so check the price before you go.
- An eSIM app: buy a UK or Europe data plan online before you fly and install it at home. It switches on when you land. Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM-capable. Choose a plan sized for maps and messaging, as hotel Wi-Fi covers the rest.
- A UK SIM card: sold by phone shops and supermarkets in town. Worth it for longer stays or if your phone doesn't support eSIM.
Whichever you choose, set it up before you leave home. You will want data the moment you land to message your hotel, check trains or find your driver.
Keep your home SIM switched on for texts from your bank, but turn off data roaming on it so it doesn't run up charges.
If you'd rather not depend on a working phone at arrivals, a pre-booked car with flight tracking means the driver already knows when you have landed.
Q: Should I buy a SIM card at the airport in London?
A: Most visitors now install an eSIM before they fly, which is simpler and usually cheaper. A physical UK SIM from a shop in town suits longer stays or phones without eSIM.
Will my phone work on the Tube?
A common question from visitors is whether they'll have signal underground. Increasingly, yes. TfL has been rolling out 4G and 5G across the Tube since 2022. By June 2026 about 60% of underground stations had coverage, and TfL is aiming for the whole network by the end of 2026.
- Networks: EE, Vodafone, Three and Virgin Media O2 all take part, so a roaming plan or UK eSIM will normally connect.
- Where it works: many central stations, including the Elizabeth line at Paddington, Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street. Some tunnel sections also have coverage, with more being added through 2026.
- Where it may not: some deep stations and tunnel sections are still being fitted, so expect gaps.
Practical tips: download offline maps and save your hotel address before you go underground. Don't rely on loading a ticket or booking reference mid-tunnel. Be careful using your phone near the doors, where snatch thefts happen as doors open.
When you need to be reachable for a pickup, for example at the airport, a pre-booked car with flight tracking and 60 minutes' free waiting takes away the worry about losing signal.
Q: Is there mobile signal on the London Underground in 2026?
A: In many places, yes. About 60% of underground stations had 4G and 5G by June 2026, and TfL aims to cover the whole network by the end of the year.
Which plug adapter do I need in London?
A common question from visitors is which adapter to pack and whether they need a voltage converter. The UK uses Type G sockets, with three rectangular pins. The supply is 230 volts at 50 Hz.
- Adapter: you need a Type G adapter for anything with a US, European or Australian plug. An adapter only changes the plug shape, not the voltage.
- Check the label: most phone, tablet, laptop and camera chargers say "100-240V". These only need an adapter.
- Hair dryers, straighteners and curling irons made for 110-120V only will overheat or burn out. Use a dual-voltage model, a proper converter, or buy a cheap UK one when you arrive. Many hotels also provide hair dryers.
- Bathrooms usually have only a shaver socket, which is not suitable for hair tools.
- Switches: UK sockets have an on/off switch. If nothing charges, check it is switched on.
A small adapter with USB ports cuts down on the number of plugs you need to pack.
If your phone is flat when you land and you can't check train times, a pre-booked car with flight tracking and 60 minutes' free waiting means the driver is already waiting for you.
Q: Do I need a voltage converter in the UK?
A: Only for devices that work on 110-120V only, such as some hair tools. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 100-240V and just need a Type G plug adapter.
Do I need cash in London?
A common question from visitors is whether London is cashless now. Almost. You can get through a whole trip with a contactless card or phone.
- Transport: buses don't take cash at all. The Tube, trains and black cabs all take contactless.
- Shops, pubs, restaurants and attractions: card is normal, and some places are card-only.
- Where cash still helps: the odd small market stall, tipping hotel porters or housekeeping, and church collections or donation boxes.
A small amount is enough for most visitors. Something like £20 to £50 in notes and coins covers the exceptions. Get it from a bank ATM when you arrive rather than changing money at home, and bring two cards in case one is blocked or lost.
Tell your bank you're travelling if it asks, and set up its app so you can freeze a card from your phone.
Pre-booked transfers are the same story: a fixed fare agreed at booking means you don't need cash in hand when you land.
Q: How much cash should I bring to London?
A: Very little. Most visitors find £20 to £50 covers small market stalls and tips, as almost everywhere else, including buses and the Tube, takes contactless.
Do London's market stalls take cards?
Visitors often ask whether Borough Market, Camden Market and other street markets are cash-only. Mostly not. The large majority of food traders at Borough Market and Camden take contactless cards and phones, and many have card readers right on the counter.
Where you are more likely to meet cash-only stalls:
- Antiques and bric-a-brac stalls, for example along Portobello Road on a Saturday.
- Small flower, craft or second-hand traders at weekend markets.
- Smaller sellers, who may set a minimum card spend.
A few tips:
- Have a little change in coins and small notes for these stalls. Traders may struggle to break a £50 note.
- If you're haggling over antiques, cash still sometimes gets you a better price.
- Keep your phone and purse zipped away in crowded aisles. Markets are prime spots for pickpockets.
If you're shopping heavily, a pre-booked car at a fixed fare agreed at booking makes the trip home with bags far easier than a crowded Tube.
Q: Do Borough Market stalls accept cards?
A: Most do, including contactless and phone payments. Carry a little cash for the occasional small stall that doesn't.
Should I pay in pounds or my own currency? DCC and ATMs
A common question from visitors is what to choose when a card machine asks to pay in dollars, euros or pounds. Always choose pounds (GBP).
When a shop, restaurant or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, it's called dynamic currency conversion (DCC). It looks helpful, but the rate is set by the merchant's provider and is usually worse than your bank's. Picking GBP lets your card network do the conversion at a fairer rate.
Using ATMs:
- Use bank ATMs, inside or outside bank branches. Most UK cash machines are free to use.
- Be wary of standalone machines in convenience shops, bars and tourist areas. Some charge a fee, which must be shown on screen before you confirm. Cancel if it does.
- Decline the conversion on the ATM too. If it offers a "guaranteed rate" in your own currency, say no.
- Check your own bank's fees. Some charge a fixed fee per withdrawal, so take out what you need in one go.
- Skip airport exchange desks unless you have no choice.
Booking your airport car in advance gives you a fixed fare agreed at booking, so there's no conversion screen to deal with on arrival.
Q: Should I pay in GBP or USD when the card machine asks?
A: Choose GBP. Paying in your home currency triggers dynamic currency conversion, which usually uses a worse rate than your own card provider.
Can I pay in euros or dollars in London?
Visitors from the eurozone and the US sometimes ask whether shops will take their notes. The short answer is no. The UK uses pounds sterling (GBP), and you shouldn't count on foreign notes being accepted anywhere, including taxis, pubs and market stalls.
What works instead:
- Your card: a contactless debit or credit card in your home currency works almost everywhere, including on transport. Your bank converts the amount.
- A small amount of pounds: withdraw it from a bank ATM after you land, or order it from your bank before you go.
- A travel card or account in pounds: many visitors load pounds onto a travel money card or app account before the trip, which locks in the rate.
Leftover euros or dollars can be exchanged at bureaux de change in central London, but rates vary a lot, so compare before you hand money over. Bring home-currency cash only for the journey to and from your departure airport.
For your airport transfer, a pre-booked car means a fixed fare in pounds agreed at booking, so there's no awkward currency question with a driver on arrival.
Q: Do London shops accept euros or US dollars?
A: Generally no. Prices and payments are in pounds sterling. Use a card or withdraw pounds from a bank ATM.
Restaurant tipping and the 12.5% service charge
A common worry from American visitors is whether they are under-tipping in London restaurants. Check the bill first. Many restaurants add a service charge, usually 12.5%.
- Service charge on the bill: you don't need to tip on top. If the card machine then prompts for a tip, you can skip it.
- No service charge: leaving 10-15% is normal for table service if you were happy.
- Can I refuse it? Yes. Service charges are discretionary, even when printed on the bill. If service was poor, you can politely ask for it to be removed.
- Does it reach the staff? Since 1 October 2024, the law requires employers to pass tips and service charges to workers in full, without deductions, and to share them fairly.
- Pubs and counter service: no tip is expected when you order at the bar or counter.
Watch for large-group menus. Some places add a service charge only for tables over a certain size, so read the small print.
The same applies to getting home after dinner: with a pre-booked car, you agree a fixed fare at booking, so the cost of the ride doesn't come as a surprise.
Q: Do I have to pay the service charge in a London restaurant?
A: No. Service charges are discretionary, even when added automatically. If you were unhappy with the service, you can ask for it to be taken off.
Q: Should I tip on top of a 12.5% service charge?
A: No. The service charge is the tip, so you can skip the tip prompt on the card machine.
How much should I budget per day in London?
A common question from visitors is how much to allow per day. The answer depends mostly on food and paid attractions, as transport is capped and many big museums are free.
| Daily cost (2026) | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Tube and bus, zones 1-2 | £8.90 maximum (daily cap) |
| Buses only | £5.25 maximum |
| British Museum, National Gallery, Natural History Museum | Free entry |
| Westminster Abbey (adult) | £32 |
| Food and drink | Varies most: plan your own level |
Ways to keep the daily figure down:
- Mix one paid sight with free museums, parks and walks on the same day.
- Have your main meal at lunch, when many restaurants offer set menus.
- Use supermarket meal deals or market stalls for a quick lunch.
- Walk between nearby sights. Many central Tube stops are closer than the map suggests.
- Check whether the 12.5% service charge is already on your bill before tipping.
Your daily budget isn't the only cost. Plan for arrival and departure day separately. From Heathrow, a pre-booked saloon to central London costs about £93 at a fixed fare agreed at booking. For a group sharing, that can compare well with several train tickets.
Q: What is the maximum I'll pay for the Tube in a day?
A: In zones 1-2, contactless and Oyster fares are capped at £8.90 a day in 2026, including buses. Bus and tram travel on its own is capped at £5.25.
How much spending money do I need for a week in London?
Visitors planning a full week often ask how much to set aside in total. Build it up in four parts rather than guessing one big number.
- Getting around: the weekly cap for zones 1-2 is £44.70 and runs Monday to Sunday. If your week starts midweek, you'll pay up to the £8.90 daily cap each day until the next Monday.
- Paid attractions: choose your must-sees and price them on the official websites. Westminster Abbey, for example, is £32 for an adult. Fill other days with free museums.
- Food and drink: usually the biggest and most flexible part. Decide your daily level and multiply by seven.
- One-off costs: your UK ETA (£20), mobile data, any day trips by train, and getting to and from the airport.
Add a buffer for shows, shopping and rainy-day taxis. Most of it will go on a card, so you only need a little cash.
The airport legs are worth planning early. A pre-booked car from Heathrow to central London costs about £85 in a saloon or £100 in an MPV, at a fixed fare agreed at booking. You know the cost before you fly.
Q: What's the most I'll spend on the Tube in a week?
A: For zones 1-2, the contactless weekly cap is £44.70 in 2026. It runs Monday to Sunday, so it only fully applies if you travel across a whole calendar week.
Which area of London is safest to stay in?
A common question from solo women and families is which hotel area feels safest. Most central neighbourhoods are fine. The better question is which one suits your trip and gives a simple route home at night.
- South Kensington: calm and residential, next to the Natural History, Science and V&A museums. A favourite with families, and on the Piccadilly line to Heathrow.
- Bloomsbury: quiet squares near the British Museum, with good Tube links.
- Marylebone: village feel, close to Regent's Park and Oxford Street.
- Westminster and St James's: walkable to the big sights, very quiet late at night.
- South Bank: riverside and lively in the evening, with busy walking routes.
- Covent Garden and Soho: central and buzzing until late. Great for theatre, but noisier.
Tips for choosing a hotel: pick one within a few minutes' walk of a Tube station on a direct line to where you'll spend time. Check the street at night on Street View, and read reviews that mention the walk from the station. Paddington and the Elizabeth line stations make airport days easier.
Wherever you stay, a pre-booked car from the airport takes you to the hotel door, with flight tracking and 60 minutes' free waiting.
Q: What is the safest area in London for a first-time visitor?
A: Central areas such as South Kensington, Bloomsbury, Marylebone and Westminster are popular with families and solo travellers. Choose a hotel close to a Tube station on well-lit main streets.
Which area should I stay in on a first visit to London?
A common question from visitors is whether to stay in Westminster, South Bank, Covent Garden, Kensington or Bloomsbury. All five work well. What matters more is being a few minutes' walk from a Tube station, ideally on a line that runs to the places you most want to see. A cheaper hotel beside a good station often beats a pricier one in a quiet corner of zone 1.
| Area | Good for | Handy stations |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster | The Abbey, Parliament, river walks | Westminster, St James's Park |
| South Bank and Waterloo | Theatres, the river, trains to the south-west | Waterloo |
| Covent Garden and Soho | Shows, restaurants, evenings out | Leicester Square, Covent Garden |
| South Kensington | Museums, families, quieter nights | South Kensington |
| Bloomsbury and King's Cross | British Museum, Eurostar, better value | Russell Square, King's Cross St Pancras |
Tip: South Kensington, Covent Garden, Russell Square and King's Cross are all on the Piccadilly line, which runs direct to Heathrow. Paddington, Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road are on the Elizabeth line.
If you land with heavy cases, children or a late flight, a pre-booked car to the hotel door is the easier choice. Heathrow to central London starts from about £85 in a saloon or £100 in an MPV, at a fixed fare agreed when you book.
Q: Is it worth paying extra to stay in zone 1?
A: Only if the hotel is close to a station you will use every day. A well-connected hotel in zone 2 can save money without adding much travel time.
Q: Which area is easiest for getting to and from Heathrow?
A: Anywhere on the Piccadilly line, or near Paddington, which has the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express.
Is Borough Market open on Sundays and Mondays?
A common question from visitors is which days Borough Market is open and when it is at its best. It is open six days a week and closed on Mondays.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday to Friday | 10am to 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am to 5pm |
| Sunday | 10am to 4pm |
Hours change over Christmas and on bank holidays, so check the market's own website for those dates. Entry is free.
Best time to go: Saturday has the most buzz but also the biggest crowds, especially from late morning. For an easier visit, go on a weekday before noon. Not every trader opens every day, so quieter days can have fewer stalls.
Getting there: London Bridge station (Northern and Jubilee lines, plus National Rail) is right next to the market. Borough station on the Northern line is a short walk south.
Paying: most traders take cards and phone payments.
If you are heading to the airport afterwards with bags and food shopping, a pre-booked car is easier than London Bridge station on a busy Saturday. The fare is fixed at booking.
Q: Is Borough Market open on Monday?
A: No. It is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday to Sunday.
Q: What time does Borough Market open on Sunday?
A: On Sundays it opens from 10am to 4pm.
How can we eat cheaply in London?
A common question from visitors is how to keep food costs down. The answer locals give most is the supermarket meal deal: a sandwich, a snack and a drink for one fixed price.
| Shop | Meal deal price (2026) |
|---|---|
| Tesco | £4.25, or £3.85 with a free Clubcard |
| Sainsbury's | About £4 |
| Boots (London stores) | £4.99, or £4.50 with an Advantage Card |
Prices can differ by store, and some London branches charge more than elsewhere.
Other ways to save:
- Chains such as Pret, Leon and Itsu are quick and predictable, with prices shown up front.
- Street food markets give a filling hot lunch, often cheaper than a sit-down meal.
- Many restaurants offer a set lunch menu that costs less than dinner.
- Ask for tap water in restaurants. It is free.
- Picnic in a royal park on a fine day.
Watch for a service charge, often 12.5%, on restaurant bills. It is optional, so you do not need to tip on top.
Saving on food is one thing. On arrival day with bags, a fixed-fare car from the airport can work out reasonable for a family or group, from about £106 in an MPV from Heathrow to central London.
Q: Which supermarket meal deal is cheapest in London?
A: Tesco is among the cheapest at £3.85 with a free Clubcard. Boots in London costs more.
Q: Do I need to tip if there is a service charge?
A: No. If a service charge is already on the bill, you do not need to add a tip.
How much should I budget for food per day in London?
A common question from visitors is what a realistic daily food budget looks like. It depends less on London and more on how you eat, so build your budget from three choices.
- Breakfast. Check whether your hotel rate includes it. If not, a coffee and pastry from a chain or a supermarket breakfast costs far less than a hotel buffet.
- Lunch. This is where you save most. A supermarket meal deal costs around £4 to £5. A market stall or chain café costs more, and a sit-down lunch more again.
- Dinner. This is usually the biggest cost. A pub meal is cheaper than a restaurant, and set menus before a show often give good value.
Things that add up:
- Service charge, often 12.5%, added to restaurant bills.
- Drinks with every meal. Tap water is free if you ask.
- Snacks and coffees between sights.
- Eating in the busiest tourist spots, where prices are higher.
Tip: most restaurants publish menus with prices online. Look up two or three places near where you will be each evening, and you will soon see your own daily figure.
Budget for getting around too. If you arrive with luggage, a fixed-fare car from Heathrow to central London costs from about £85, agreed at booking.
Q: What is the cheapest way to eat lunch in London?
A: A supermarket meal deal, at around £4 to £5 for a sandwich, snack and drink.
Q: Is service included in London restaurants?
A: Many add an optional service charge, often 12.5%, to the bill. Check before you add a tip.
Hiring a private driver for a London sightseeing day
Visitors ask whether they can hire a car and driver for a day of sightseeing, and what it costs. It is a good choice for families, older travellers and anyone short on time.
When it makes sense
- You want to cover spread-out sights, such as the Tower, Greenwich and Hampton Court, in one day.
- Someone in your group cannot manage Tube stairs. Many stations still have no step-free access.
- You are a group of four to eight. One vehicle can work out cheaper per head than tours.
How to plan it
- List your stops in geographic order. Central traffic is slow, so three or four stops is realistic.
- Agree drop-off and pickup points near each sight. Parking near major attractions is very limited.
- Check the quote is fixed and ask what it covers, such as waiting time, parking and the central London congestion charge, which is £18 a day in 2026.
Cost: it depends on hours, route and vehicle. Ask for a fixed price before you book rather than a meter. For reference, our saloon fare from Heathrow to central London is from about £85, or about £100 in an MPV.
We offer saloon, executive, MPV and V Class vehicles, with the fare agreed at booking, so you know the total before the day starts.
Q: How much does a private driver cost for a day in London?
A: It depends on the hours, route and vehicle size. Ask for a fixed price agreed in advance that states what is included.
Q: Is a private driver better than a hop-on hop-off bus?
A: For families, groups of up to eight or anyone with limited mobility, often yes. You choose the stops and the pace.
