London skyline
City of London General Information
City of London App
Packed with ideas and inspiration, the Visit London app has everything you need to experience London like a local. Download the app.
City Maps
Weather
London and the South East have one of the mildest climates in the UK, but the weather can be unpredictable. Londoners get used to carrying both an umbrella and sunglasses to be prepared for all eventualities!
Check the latest weather forecast here.
Public Transport
London has one of the largest urban transport networks in the world.
The London underground, also known as "The Tube", is divided into 9 zones, with zones 1 and 2 being the most central where most of London attractions are located. There are 11 colour-coded Tube lines and 4 additional lines including the new Elizabeth line and the DLR – both serving ExCeL London.
The fares depend on the zones you are traveling to/from, the time of the day, and how you pay. Tube services usually run from 5 a.m. until midnight, with Night Tube services on some lines on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Buses, taxis and Thames Clipper river services are also available to travel around London, although the Tube is usually the most convenient and quickest way to move around the city.
More information can be found here.
Getting Around
Citymapper is a public transit app and mapping service which displays transport options, usually with live timing, between any two locations in a supported city. It integrates data for all urban modes of transport, including walking, cycling and driving, in addition to public transport.
Dining
ExCeL's waterfront campus has a variety of bars and restaurants to choose from, and there's even more choice just a short journey on the Elizabeth line into the city.
Whether you’re in the mood for fine dining, a quick bite to eat or a relaxed pub atmosphere, browse through a range of hand-picked recommendations here.
Knightsbridge
Useful Information, Theatre Tickets, Attractions, and What's On:
To find out what's on in London, book theatre and attraction tickets, and tours. For other general information on what to do, please visit the Official London Visitor website.
The ExCeL is located in the London Borough of Newham which has transformed significantly over the last 15 years. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with the associated shopping mall, Westfield, is the largest attraction and houses the Premier League Football Club West Ham United in the Olympic / London Stadium with its tradition and history displayed. It also displays the historic canals with all the pubs and restaurant alongside with the traditional house boats. Also, ABBA’s Voyage is situated aside the Olympic Park. The latest superberb attraction is the virtual reality attraction, Horizon of Khufu, a fantastic and breath taking VR experience leading the visitor into the current and ancient pyramids of Giza. These are all only 10 minutes underground/metro ride away from ExCeL.
London by a Londoner
Natural History Museum
Currency
In the United Kingdom, the currency is the GBP pound sterling (£). Foreign currencies can be exchanged for GBP at banks, travel agencies, and Post Offices, as well as at London's airports and major train stations.
For currency converter please visit this link.
Phone and Internet on Your Smartphone
The UK dialing code is +44 (which replaces the 0).
If you're using a smartphone to browse the internet and receive emails, be aware that your network might charge you to access this data while you are in London. Many cafes, venues and selected tube stations are WiFi-enabled.
Please also note that most hotels provide free Wi-Fi.
Buckingham Palace
Useful Numbers
Emergency Services (Police, Fire and Ambulance) - 999
To report non-urgent crime, call the police on 101.
The National Health Service (NHS) is the main healthcare provider in the UK.
Comprehensive information can be found here.
Plug, Socket and Voltage in the UK
UK appliances are fitted with three-pin plugs that can be connected to the UK mains supply through wall sockets. UK power sockets deliver an average voltage of 230v. Unlike the sockets in many other countries, these have a switch to turn the power supply on and off – make sure you've turned it on if you're trying to charge your appliance.