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

Written for American and Canadian 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. US and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for tourism, business meetings or short study, but they do need the 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 American and Canadian 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 American and Canadian community is

London’s American community clusters around St John’s Wood, Kensington and Chelsea (the American School, the Embassy in Nine Elms). Thanksgiving dinners are sold at many hotels; the Fourth of July is marked at Benjamin Franklin House and in Hyde Park bars.

Food from home

Diner-style breakfasts at The Breakfast Club; American BBQ at Bodean’s; the best burgers are at Bleecker and Patty & Bun. Portion sizes are smaller than at home and ice is on request.

Places of worship

Churches of every denomination; the American Church in London is on Tottenham Court Road.

Embassy and consular help

US Embassy: 33 Nine Elms Lane SW11 7US. Canadian High Commission: Canada House, Trafalgar Square SW1Y 5BJ. Lost passport: report to the police (101) and your embassy; we can take you there.

Good to know

Drive on the left, distances in miles, temperatures in Celsius, dates day-month-year. Your phone plan’s roaming is usually $10–$15 a day – a UK SIM is far cheaper. Sales tax (VAT, 20%%) is already in the shelf price; there is no tax-free shopping for visitors any more.

Next steps

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