London for visitors from Japan & South Korea: entry rules, money, SIMs, where your community is, and getting from the airport (2026)

Written for Japanese and Korean 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. Japanese and South Korean passport holders are visa-exempt and need only the £20 ETA.

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 Japanese and Korean 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 Japanese and Korean community is

New Malden (SW London) is Europe’s biggest Korean town – dozens of restaurants, H Mart-style supermarkets, karaoke; Japanese community around Acton, Ealing and Finchley (Japanese School, Atari-ya supermarkets); Japan Matsuri in Trafalgar Square each autumn; K-pop and Korean culture at the KCCUK near Trafalgar Square.

Food from home

Koya (udon), Kanada-Ya and Tonkotsu (ramen), Sushi Atelier, Roka and Zuma; Korean BBQ and jjigae in New Malden (Jin Go Gae, Cah Chi), Bibigo and Olle in Soho; Japanese bakeries (Happy Sky, Wa Café).

Places of worship

Buddhist temples incl. Shoshin-ji; Korean churches in New Malden and Kingston; St Paul’s has English-language services.

Embassy and consular help

Japanese Embassy: 101–104 Piccadilly W1J 7JT. Korean Embassy: 60 Buckingham Gate SW1E 6AJ. Lost passport: report to the police (101) and your embassy; we can take you there.

Good to know

JAL, ANA, Korean Air and Asiana land at Heathrow T2/T3/T4 mid-afternoon; Japanese and Korean-speaking drivers on request and we confirm bookings by LINE or KakaoTalk if you prefer. Suica/T-money-style tapping works with any contactless card here. Taxis do not need to be hailed – everything is pre-booked.

Next steps

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