What is the cost of travelling in London?

Item Cape Town Johannesburg London Meal, inexpensive restaurant R 120.00 R 110.00 R 315.00 Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) R 35.00 R 30.00 R 108.00 Cappuccino (regular) R 35.00 R 32.00 R 65.00 Taxi 1km (normal tariff) R 12.00 R 11.00 R 43.00 Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) R 50.00 R 48.00 R 282.00

Where should I stay in London?

Whether you want to ball on a budget or splash out, here’s where to stay in London. Pick your perfect pad: Central for Abbey views and St Paul’s Covent Garden for theatre vibes and markets Camden for bargains and eclectic streets Shoreditch for nightlife and street art Greenwich for laid-back days just 30 minutes from the action

Cheap Flights To London: Book The Best Flight Deals

Last minute London flight offers

Prices observed in the past 7 days start from R1,269 one-way and R2,949 round trip. Fares and availability may change at any time, and additional terms may apply.

One-Way

Return

Qatar Airways

04 Nov

JNB

Johannesburg

One-Way

LON

London

R5,439

Turkish Airlines

11 Nov

CPT

Cape Town

One-Way

LON

London

R4,909

Qatar Airways

26 Oct

DUR

Durban

One-Way

LON

London

R5,809

TAP Portugal

30 Nov

YTO

Toronto

One-Way

LON

London

R5,669

TAP Portugal

29 Jan

BJL

Banjul

One-Way

LON

London

R5,099

British Airways

16 Apr

PMO

Palermo

One-Way

LON

London

R2,749

British Airways

28 Mar

AMS

Amsterdam

One-Way

LON

London

R2,089

Air Europa

14 Dec

OPO

Porto

One-Way

LON

London

R1,579

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Popular airlines to London

Air Algerie

Kenya Airways

Qatar Airways

Lufthansa

British Airways

Air Europa

KLM Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Etihad Airways

Air Serbia

Air Algerie

Kenya Airways

Qatar Airways

Lufthansa

British Airways

Air Europa

KLM Airlines

Turkish Airlines

Etihad Airways

Air Serbia

Why visit London

English Cuisine. Global Flavour

From hearty Sunday roasts and classic fish and chips to international street food in Camden Market, London’s culinary scene is a global feast. Don’t skip a proper afternoon tea, scones and all!

Royalty is in the air! From Palaces to Pints

Visit Buckingham palace then wander through the British Museum, catch a Shakespeare play at the Globe, then explore edgy street art in Shoreditch. Museums, galleries, historic pubs and West End shows mean you’ll never run out of new experiences.

Modern Marvels. Skylines and Cathedrals

London packs centuries of history and sleek skyscrapers into one cheeky playground. Gawk at St Paul’s Cathedral before striking an Instagram pose under The Shard’s glass floors, then toast your adventure in a cosy pub.

Ready to Fall in Love with London?

London stirs royal charm, fine cuisine and show-stopping architecture into one irresistible British blend. Start your morning at the Tower of London, indulge in fish and chips, then glide through the city on the Tube to a rooftop hangout with skyline views. This is where centuries-old cathedrals meet futuristic towers and it somehow just…works!

Start your British adventure. Book cheap flights to London now!

General Information

Essential details you need to know before your trip

Country

Currency

United Kingdom

Pound Sterling

LANGUAGE

Exchange Rate

English

1 ZAR = 0.046 GBP

AIRLINE

TIME ZONE

British Airways

GMT +0

HUB AIRPORT

Heathrow (LHR) / Gatwick (LGW)

Destination Review

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Weather In London

Low

High °C

Rain-mm

Average temperature (°C) & rainfall (mm) per month

Frequently asked questions

Overview

London blends royal palaces, global culture and futuristic flair into one epic city adventure. Think Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, the Thames Clipper, Oxford Street shopping and pints in ancient pubs and that’s just a small taste of what to do in London. From theatre to foodie heaven, the top attractions in London don’t disappoint. Looking for cheap flights to the UK?

Find flights from South Africa to London now!

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Best time to visit London

Mar–May (Spring): Cherry blossoms in Kew Gardens, Chelsea Flower Show, mild weather perfect for strolling South Bank. Jun–Aug (Summer): Wimbledon Championships, Notting Hill Carnival, long daylight hours and rooftop bars. Sep–Nov (Autumn): Crisp air, changing leaves in Hyde Park, London Film Festival, spooky tours of the Tower. Dec–Feb (Winter): Magical Christmas markets (Winter Wonderland), Boxing Day sales, cosy pub fires and New Year’s fireworks over the Thames. All year: World‑class museums (free admission), West End plays, endless foodie festivals and iconic landmarks any time you visit.

Visa & Customs

Visa: South African passport holders need a Standard Visitor visa before arrival.

Passport: Must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry and have at least two blank pages.

Customs:

Alcohol allowance: 1 L spirits or 2 L wine or 16 L beer.

Tobacco: 200 cigarettes.

Declare cash over €10,000 equivalent.

Health & Safety

Vaccinations
No mandatory vaccines for entry.
Stay up to date on routine immunisations (MMR, DTP, flu).
Recommended: consider Hepatitis A if you plan off‑the‑beaten‑path trips.

Safety Tips
London is generally very safe, street crime is low but always stay alert.
Keep an eye on valuables in crowded areas like Tube stations and markets.
Emergency numbers: 999 for police/ambulance/fire.
Tap water is safe.
Public transport is efficient and well‑lit; late‑night Tube and night buses on key routes.

Where to Stay?

Whether you want to ball on a budget or splash out, here’s where to stay in London. Pick your perfect pad:

Central for Abbey views and St Paul’s
Covent Garden for theatre vibes and markets
Camden for bargains and eclectic streets
Shoreditch for nightlife and street art
Greenwich for laid-back days just 30 minutes from the action

Getting Around

Ready to rule London’s streets? Here’s your cheat sheet to getting around like a local:

Oyster Card: Your all-access pass to Tube, buses, trams, and trains. Cost £7

Tube: fastest way to cross town.

Buses, trams, boats and bikes: stay above ground, soak up the sights

Red double-decker or Hop-On Hop-Off: a tourist must for unbeatable panoramas

Airport Express: non-stop rides to Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted or Luton

Black cabs or minicabs: hail a black cab on the street or pre-book a cheaper minicab

Now go on and explore every corner of London with zero fuss!

The information on this page is correct as of date of publishing. While every effort is made to keep information as fresh as possible, Travelstart takes no responsibility for any of the information being out of date or incorrectly noted.