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

Written for Nigerian and Ghanaian 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?

Standard Visitor visa: £135 for up to 6 months (fee since 8 April 2026); 2-year (£506), 5-year (£903) and 10-year (£1,128) multi-entry versions exist. Apply online at GOV.UK, give biometrics at a visa centre, allow 3 weeks (priority services cost extra). Nigerian and Ghanaian passport holders need a visitor visa; apply at least a month ahead of Christmas or summer travel.

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 Nigerian and Ghanaian 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 Nigerian and Ghanaian community is

Peckham (Rye Lane) is London’s Nigerian high street; Dalston and Tottenham for Ghanaian shops and chop bars; Woolwich, Thamesmead, Lewisham and Croydon for churches and family life. Notting Hill Carnival (August bank holiday) and the Africa Centre are the big events.

Food from home

Jollof and suya at Enish (Lewisham, Finchley Road), Chuku’s (Tottenham, Nigerian tapas), Akoko (Fitzrovia, Michelin star), Ikoyi (St James’s); Ghanaian waakye and banku at Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and in Dalston.

Places of worship

Redeemed Christian Church of God (Jesus House, Brent Cross), Kingsway International Christian Centre (Chatham/Walthamstow), Winners’ Chapel, Church of Pentecost (Ghana) branches citywide; mosques in Peckham and Tottenham.

Embassy and consular help

Nigeria High Commission: 9 Northumberland Avenue WC2N 5BX. Ghana High Commission: 13 Belgrave Square SW1X 8PN. Lost passport: report to the police (101) and your embassy; we can take you there.

Good to know

Direct flights (British Airways, Virgin, Air Peace) land at Heathrow T3/T5 and Gatwick; most arrive late morning. Extra luggage is normal – our MPVs take six cases plus hand luggage. We carry wheelchairs and walking frames free and meet elderly relatives at the assistance desk.

Next steps

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