Why visit
London is always more than a single trip. British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Hyde Park, Shoreditch markets, and theater in the West End and Southbank.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
London is useful when you want a city-level starting point in United Kingdom. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around London, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in United Kingdom better matches the trip style.
London at a glance
City population
9.0 million
Metro: 14.8 million
Elevation
11 m
36 ft
Time zone
UTC+0 (UTC+1 DST)
Europe/London
Airport
LHR
Heathrow International
Founded
47 CE (Londinium)
Getting around
Tube (11 lines), DLR, Overground, buses, Santander Cycles
Signature dish
Fish and chips, Sunday roast, a proper curry on Brick Lane
Neighborhoods for travelers
ShoreditchCovent GardenNotting HillSouth Bank
United Kingdom at a glance
Country center
54.0°, -2.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
242,900 km²
93,784 mi²
Country population
67.8 million
279/km²
Subregion
Northern Europe
Currency
British pound (£)
GBP
Dial
+44
Language
English
Demonym
British
Internet
.uk
UN
Member state
ISO code
GB / GBR
Where in the world
54.0° - -2.0°
United Kingdom
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- The Tube (London Underground) is the oldest subway system in the world, opened in 1863.
- Big Ben is technically the name of the bell, not the clock tower (which is Elizabeth Tower since 2012).
- London has 40+ universities and more than 300 languages are spoken across the city.
- The UK has no written constitution: just conventions, statutes, and common law built up over centuries.
- The London Underground is the world's oldest underground railway (1863).
Bordering United Kingdom
Traveler notes
- Oyster card or contactless covers all transit
- Most national museums are free
- Day-trip to Oxford, Cambridge, or Bath by train
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about London
What currency is used in London?
London uses the British pound (£), ISO code GBP.
What languages are spoken in United Kingdom?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for United Kingdom?
The calling code is +44.
What airport serves London?
Heathrow International (IATA: LHR).
Other Europe destinations
Venice
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Milan
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Naples
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Munich
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Cologne
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Edinburgh
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