About London
When beginning to plan your escape to London, it's a good idea to resolve any doubts you might have before travelling, and discover both the areas and history of the city.
Other questions
London facts & figures
London is Europe’s largest city and one of the largest in the world. It has a population of over 8.8 million in its urban area and over 14 million in the metropolitan area, and is divided into 33 districts.
Electricity, plugs and sockets
The power sockets used in the United Kingdom are Type G with three rectangular prongs. This type of plug is not common, so you’ll most likely need an adapter for your appliances. Normally, these adapters are cheaper if you get them before travelling, but you can also easily find them in London once you arrive. If you stay in a hotel, we recommend you ask to borrow one.
Driving License
If you plan on driving in London, you must check whether your home driving license is enough. Check on the UK government's website regarding different license requirements depending on your nationality.
Opening hours
In London, shops are normally open from 10 am to 6 pm, however, some supermarkets and shopping malls are open until later. In the centre, you’ll find supermarkets open until 11 pm.
Current local time
The timezone in London is GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In other words, London is 5 hours ahead of New York, 8 hours ahead of San Francisco and 11 hours behind Sydney.
Helpful Telephone numbers
- Emergency number: 999
- Emergency (dialled from mobiles): 112
- London area code: 020
- U.S. Embassy: 020 7499 9000
- Australian Embassy: 020 7379 4334
