-1 h

London

Official language

English

230/240 volt / adapter required

Banks

9.00 am–5.00 pm (Mon–Fri)
Opening hours may vary. Some bank branches also offer limited opening hours on Saturday mornings.

Shops

9.00/10.00 am–5.00/6.00 pm (Mon–Sat)
Opening hours may vary. Supermarkets and shopping centres generally have longer opening hours and may remain open until late in the evening or even on Sundays.

• 1 January: New Year's Day
• Friday before Easter: Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• 1 May: May Day
• Last Monday in May: Spring Bank Holiday
• Last Monday in August: Summer Bank Holiday
• 25 December: Christmas Day
• 26 December: Boxing Day

The following information is intended for Swiss citizens residing in Switzerland. The following documents are required to enter England:

• A valid Swiss passport
• No visa is required for stays of up to 6 months. From 2 April 2025, Swiss travellers must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. Applications can be submitted from 5 March 2025 at a cost of GBP 16.–.
• Minors: Minors travelling alone, with only one parent or with an accompanying adult require a travel authorisation. It is also advisable to carry copies of all documents that provide evidence of the custody situation (birth or adoption certificate, divorce decree, death certificate). 

- Information last updated in September 2025 -

Southern England (including London):

• Summer (June to August): Average temperatures are usually between 18°C and 22°C, but can occasionally rise above 30°C.
• Winter (December to February): Average temperatures are usually between 2°C and 8°C. Snowfall is rare but possible.
• Spring/autumn (March to May / September to November): Average temperatures are usually between 9°C and 15°C.

Central England (the Midlands) and Northern England:

• Summer: Average temperatures are usually between 16°C and 20°C.
• Winter: Average temperatures are usually between 0°C and 6°C. Snowfall is more common than in the south.
• Spring/autumn: Average temperatures are usually between 7°C and 13°C.

North West England (including Manchester and Liverpool):

• Summer: Average temperatures are usually between 15°C and 19°C.
• Winter: Average temperatures are usually between 1°C and 7°C.
• Spring/autumn: Average temperatures are usually between 6°C and 12°C.

The ideal time to visit England:

• Beach holidays: June–August (e.g. Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Sussex)
• City breaks: City breaks in England are possible all year round, although May to September is often considered the best time for a city trip.
• Winter holidays: December–February for winter sports activities in the northern parts of England (e.g. the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District). However, if you would like to experience Christmas markets and a festive atmosphere, the period from late November to mid-December is ideal.

• Mobile phone use: Charges apply when using a mobile phone in England (roaming). It is advisable to check your mobile provider's roaming charges before travelling and, if necessary, purchase a special roaming package to reduce costs.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is now available in many hotels, restaurants, cafés and public areas. Cities such as London and Manchester also have numerous public hotspots.
• Prepaid SIM cards: You can purchase a prepaid SIM card locally to make local calls and use mobile data. These are generally available from local providers such as EE, Vodafone, O2 or Three.

• Tower of London (London): Historic fortress and royal palace, famous for the Crown Jewels and its dark history.
• Buckingham Palace (London): Official residence of the British monarch, known for the Changing of the Guard and royal events.
• Westminster Abbey (London): A Gothic church where royal weddings, coronations and funerals take place.
• Stonehenge (Wiltshire): Prehistoric stone circles whose purpose and origins remain a mystery.
• Windsor Castle (Windsor): One of the oldest and largest occupied castles in the world and an official royal residence.
• British Museum (London): One of the world's most important collections of cultural history, featuring artefacts from around the globe.
• Bath (with Roman baths and Georgian buildings): A Georgian city famous for its Roman baths and well-preserved architecture.
• Stratford-upon-Avon (birthplace of William Shakespeare): Shakespeare's home town, with his birthplace and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
• Oxford (home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world): A university city with impressive architecture, gardens and museums.
• Cambridge (with another renowned university and picturesque architecture): Another university city with magnificent colleges, rivers and green spaces.
• Canterbury Cathedral (Kent): A magnificent Gothic cathedral, an important pilgrimage destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• York Minster and city walls (York): An impressive Gothic cathedral and well-preserved medieval city walls.
• Lake District National Park (Cumbria): A breathtaking region of lakes, mountains and picturesque villages, ideal for hiking and exploring.
• Jurassic Coast (Dorset and East Devon): A UNESCO World Heritage Site with dramatic cliffs, fossils and picturesque coastal landscapes.
• Hadrian's Wall (Roman frontier): A historic Roman defensive fortification stretching across the north of England.

Find out more about London's sights, neighbourhoods, culinary highlights and practical tips in our blog post. 

• Regional specialities: Different regions of England have their own specialities. Cornwall and Devon, for example, are known for cream teas and pasties, while Yorkshire is famous for its sausages, roasts and Yorkshire pudding.
• Pub culture: British pub culture is an important part of social life and offers traditional pub dishes such as fish and chips, pie and mash, and a ploughman's lunch.
• Street food and markets: Cities such as London have a vibrant street food scene, with markets including Borough Market and Camden Market offering a wide variety of international dishes.
• Gourmet scene: England also has a thriving gourmet scene, with a growing number of Michelin-starred restaurants and innovative chefs offering modern British cuisine.
• Afternoon tea: A popular tradition in England, afternoon tea consists of tea, scones, clotted cream and jam and is often served in hotels and tearooms.
• International cuisine: Alongside traditional English dishes, there is a wide selection of international restaurants serving food from around the world, including Indian, Chinese, Italian, Thai and much more.

• Greetings: In England, it is customary to shake hands and say “Hello” when greeting someone. A friendly “Good morning” (in the morning), “Good afternoon” (during the day) or “Good evening” (in the evening) is also important. A smile and direct eye contact are appreciated as well.
• Saying please and thank you: Politeness is important, so remember to say “please” when asking for something and “thank you” when receiving it. It is also customary to say “Sorry” if you accidentally touch someone or are in their way.
• Clothing: Clothing should be appropriate for the occasion and setting. In formal environments such as restaurants and theatres, you are expected to dress smartly, while casual clothing is acceptable in informal settings such as pubs or cafés.
• Dining etiquette: It is customary to use a knife and fork when eating and to avoid speaking with your mouth full. In restaurants, you are expected to place your cutlery on your plate when you have finished to indicate that you have completed your meal.
• Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in many public buildings and facilities. It is important to use designated smoking areas and avoid disturbing others with smoke.
• Tipping: Tipping is not always compulsory in England, but it is often appreciated, particularly in restaurants. In restaurants, it is customary to leave around 10–15% of the bill if the service was good. In pubs or cafés, it is common to leave the change if you were satisfied with the service.

• Drinking water quality: Hygiene standards in Great Britain are very high. For example, you can safely drink tap water (unless a sign indicates that it is not suitable for drinking), and ice cubes in drinks are also safe to order.
• Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are generally required for travellers entering England. However, travellers are advised to ensure that their routine vaccinations are up to date, particularly those against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles.

- Information last updated in September 2025 -

• Medical care is available. The European Health Insurance Card must be presented when receiving medical treatment.
  

• If you rely on certain medications, your travel health kit should contain an adequate supply. However, please bear in mind that many countries have special regulations governing the import of medications containing controlled substances (e.g. methadone) and substances used to treat mental health conditions. If necessary, contact the relevant foreign representation (embassy or consulate) directly in good time before departure.

- Information last updated in September 2025 -

• Stay informed about the current situation through the media before and during your trip, and remain in contact with your tour operator.
• Further information on the current security situation is available on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
• Despite increased security measures, there is a risk of terrorist attacks.

- Information last updated in September 2025 -

• Driving licence: A Swiss driving licence is recognised for 12 months.
• Car hire: Depending on the car hire company and vehicle category, the minimum age for drivers is between 23 and 25.
• Traffic rules: Traffic drives on the left!
• Vehicle equipment: A CH sticker and warning triangle are compulsory.
• Blood alcohol limit: 0.8‰.

• Long-distance trains: England has an extensive rail network with fast connections between cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and York. Passenger services are operated by various train companies, including Avanti West Coast, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Great Western Railway (GWR), East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry. National Rail provides centralised information on timetables, connections, fares and train companies.
• Regional trains: Regional trains connect major cities with smaller towns, coastal regions and rural areas. Operators include Southern, Northern, South Western Railway and TransPennine Express. Different train companies may be responsible depending on the route and region.
• Buses and coaches: Buses complement the rail network and also serve places that are not directly accessible by train. For longer journeys between cities, companies such as National Express and Megabus often offer affordable connections. Numerous local bus services also operate in cities and rural areas.
• Underground and trams: London has the world's oldest underground railway system, the London Underground, also known as the “Tube”. Manchester has an extensive tram network called Metrolink. Other urban transport systems include the West Midlands Metro in the Birmingham and Wolverhampton area and the Tyne and Wear Metro in Newcastle and the surrounding region.
• Tickets: Train tickets can be purchased at stations, online, on the websites of the respective train companies or via an app. In London, many forms of public transport can be used with an Oyster card or contactless bank card. In Greater Manchester, contactless payment and the Bee Card are available for buses and trams. Available payment methods and validity areas should be checked before travelling.

• London Heathrow Airport (LHR): Direct flights from Zurich, Geneva and Basel.
• London Gatwick Airport (LGW): Direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.
• London Stansted Airport (STN): Direct flights from Basel.
• London Luton Airport (LTN): Direct flights from Geneva and Basel.
• Manchester Airport (MAN): Direct flights from Zurich and Geneva.
• Birmingham Airport (BHX): Direct flights from Geneva.

Major airlines operating in England include British Airways, EasyJet, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic and Jet2.com.

00 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

• General emergency numbers: 999 and 112

16–18 Montagu Place
London W1H 2BQ
Tel. +44 20 7616 6001
Email: london@eda.admin.ch

• The United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland, Scotland, the Shetland Islands and Wales.
• Information on British customs regulations: Bringing goods into the UK

- Information last updated in September 2025 -