London for visitors from Australia & New Zealand: entry rules, money, SIMs, where your community is, and getting from the airport (2026)

Written for Australian and New Zealand visitors by a London private-hire company that collects you from arrivals every day. Prices and rules checked October 2026; entry rules change, so confirm on GOV.UK before you fly.

Entry: ETA or visa?

UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £20 per person (fee since 8 April 2026), apply on the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK before you fly, valid 2 years for unlimited visits of up to 6 months. Apply 3 working days ahead; most are approved within hours. Australian and New Zealand passport holders are visa-exempt and need only the £20 ETA; the Youth Mobility visa covers working holidays.

Money, cards and cash

Britain is almost cashless: contactless cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay work in every shop, pub, bus and Tube gate (no ticket needed – just tap the same card in and out). Our cars take cards too, so you need no pounds in hand on arrival. If you want cash, use a bank cash machine (free), not the airport bureau de change. £1 ≈ $1.32 / €1.18 (October 2026).

SIM cards, plugs and the basics

Your driver will show you the SIM kiosks in arrivals, but supermarket SIMs (Tesco, giffgaff, Lebara, Lyca – £10–£15 for 20–50 GB) are cheaper; eSIMs can be bought before you fly. Plugs are the 3-pin UK Type G at 230 V – bring one adapter per device. We drive on the left; the emergency number is 999 (or 112); tap water is safe; tipping is 10–12.5% in restaurants (often already added), not expected in taxis, pubs or shops.

Arriving at the airport: what we do for Australian and New Zealand visitors

Your driver waits in the arrivals hall with a name board the moment you clear passport control and customs; we track the flight and the first 60 minutes after landing are free. Fixed fares to central London: Heathrow from £85, Gatwick from £85, Stansted from £85, Luton from £85 – one price for the whole car, no surge, child seats on request. Tell us when you book if you need a SIM, cash, a pharmacy or a halal/kosher/vegetarian meal on the way and the driver will stop. Heathrow · Gatwick · Stansted · Luton.

Where the Australian and New Zealand community is

Earl’s Court was the old “Kangaroo Valley”; today Clapham, Fulham, Putney and Shepherd’s Bush are the Antipodean suburbs, with the Walkabout’s successors in Shepherd’s Bush and the Twickenham rugby crowd. Anzac Day is marked at the Cenotaph and Westminster Abbey.

Food from home

Flat whites started here: Kaffeine, Workshop, Ozone, Lantana and Caravan are Aussie/Kiwi-run; Sunday roasts and pies will feel familiar. Vegemite is in the big supermarkets.

Places of worship

Churches of every denomination; Hillsong London is in Dominion Theatre on Sundays.

Embassy and consular help

Australian High Commission: Australia House, Strand WC2B 4LA. New Zealand High Commission: New Zealand House, 80 Haymarket SW1Y 4TQ. Lost passport: report to the police (101) and your embassy; we can take you there.

Good to know

Long-haul flights via the Gulf or Singapore mostly land at Heathrow T3/T4 at 05:00–07:00 – book the car for the arrival time and sleep in it. Your Australian or NZ driving licence is valid for 12 months; we drive on the same side as home. Eftpos-style contactless works everywhere.

Next steps

Airport transfers · London food & shopping guide with prices · All visitor guides · Rushxo for Business. Get a fixed-price quote →