How much money you will need

It is important to make sure you bring enough money to cover expenses such as advance rent, security deposits and living expenses (or have access to that amount through credit cards, etc.).

What to pack

What you will pack depends, of course, on when you will be going. London is fairly temperate. It never gets very hot in the summer, and it rarely gets cold enough to freeze in the winter. But it is rainy almost all year long.

No matter what the season, the nights will be much colder than the day, so bring warm sweaters and jackets. If you will be there in the summer, a sweater and a medium weight jacket should suffice. If you are going in the winter, bring a heavy coat and lots of clothes with which to layer. Above all, bring comfortable shoes as in the first few weeks you may be walking a lot, and your shoes must be up to it.

You can find all of the toiletries you will need at a local chemist like Boots or at a grocery store like Sainsbury’s. Don’t worry about bringing a ton of extra toothpaste or deodorant because it will just take up valuable suitcase space.

In addition, pack photocopies of your passport and any other forms of identification that you may be bringing with you. Also, bring a copy of your bank statement, for two reasons. First of all, you may be asked to prove how much money you are bringing to the UK. Second of all, when you go to open a bank account, you may need it as a reference.

Different customs

While trying to learn the many different customs that the English have, the best thing to do is just observe. You will be amazed at the many tiny differences from America and the rest of Europe, and it would be impossible to list them all here, although there are some of the big ones.

Money

The basic monetary unit is the pound. Unlike the dollar, however, the pound comes in coin form, so you will probably find yourself carrying around more coins than notes. The coin denominations are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. The most common bank notes are £5, £10 and £20, with the highest being £50.

Calling home

When calling home, the best thing to do is buy an international phone card. They come in many different denominations and calls cost as little as 10p per minute. You can purchase international phone cards in newsagents and grocery shops.

Getting around London

Public transportation in London is a wonderful thing. It is affordable and comprehensive, if not extremely reliable. But if you allow extra time in the morning for late buses and slow trains, you will be pleased by its services.

When you arrive in the city, purchase a week long pass for Zones 1-3. You will be able to use the pass for the Underground and the bus, including the night bus. Bring a passport sized photo for the ID portion of the pass.

The Underground

When using the Underground, or “the tube,” as the locals call it, there are a few things to remember. The Underground is divided into six zones, which are rough concentric circles. The city centre is in zone 1, and most places you will go are in this or zone 2. Study your route before you go somewhere on the tube, and check on a regular map as well. The Underground map is not drawn to scale. Therefore, you will find that many times, one tube station is within walking distance to another, and it will be much quicker to just walk.

The Bus

Riding a bus can give you a much better grasp on how the city is laid out than the Underground can, but it is also generally much slower. One major advantage of the bus is that you should be able to get off much closer to your destination than if you took the tube.

When on a Double Decker Bus, it is recommended to ride on the top level. You will get fantastic views of the city and you will be able to understand the layout of the city far better than if you sit on the bottom, where you can’t actually see much.

Night Buses

The night bus network can be a godsend to the cash strapped. The main hub of the night bus network is Trafalgar Square, which is in easy walking distance of most night spots (Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus). Just be sure to stay with a group of friends, as the dark alleys near the bus stops can be havens for unsavory characters.

London Taxis

Taking a classic London black taxi is a splurge, to be sure, but if you are feeling flush and don’t have too far to go, it is worth every penny. Simply stand out on a busy street, raise your arm, and soon, a cab should stop at the curb in front of you. Step up to the driver’s window, tell him or her where you want to go, and get in the back.

Nonetheless, no matter how obscure you think the place you are going is, if it is in central London, your driver will find it. All taxi drivers must learn “The Knowledge”, an exhaustive test that involves learning every street and landmark in the city centre. Your driver may engage you in conversation - talk to them, you might learn something.

Arriving in London via Heathrow

They will ask you several questions. Just answer them honestly, and you shouldn’t have any problem. When you have finally cleared customs and have gotten your luggage, it will be time to make it into London. Before you even leave the airport, withdraw some cash from one of the many cash machines. Decide if you want to make it into the city in 15 minutes or 50, and act accordingly.

The Heathrow Express, a brand new train line that runs every 15 minutes to Paddington Station, is a godsend. It takes far longer, but after all, you will have a seat (it’s the first stop on the line), and itís only around £6. Do not, under any circumstances take a taxi, because it will cost you around £60 to get into the city, and it’s just not worth it.

Setting up a bank account

Setting up a bank account can be quite difficult. You will have to try many different banks, and even different branches of the same bank. When you go, bring with you proof of current employment, proof of address, and a letter of reference from your bank at home.

Even with all of this information establishing you as a reliable bank customer, it may still be difficult to get one. In that case, you will just have to keep your cash in a safe place, and don’t spend it all at once