The departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union has left many doubts about what documents are necessary to travel to London and enjoy the wonderful Big Ben live and direct or walk its streets and avenues.
London is a huge, diverse city steeped in history dating back to Roman times, surrounded by impressive monuments and home to some of the best galleries and museums in the world. A city that everyone wants to visit.
From taking pictures in the royal palaces, enjoying its unmissable rides on its iconic double-decker buses or running into the red telephone booths that have become one of the greatest British symbols in the world.
London has a lot to show, it is a city with its own identity that millions of travelers fall in love with every year, but what are the necessary documents to visit the capital of England and the United Kingdom?
This is what we are going to tell you in this article that we have prepared so that you can pack your bags, take the plane and have nothing to worry about other than enjoying and discovering one of the most important capitals in the world.
Situation after Brexit
A little over two years ago, the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union became effective. What is known as Brexit, an acronym of two words in English: Britain (Great Britain) and exit (exit).
This process began after a consultative referendum held on June 23, 2016 and notified to the European Council on March 29 of the following year.
When the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU comes into force, not only economic, political and social relations change, but also the migratory requirements both for visitors and for those who want to settle in that country.
Documentation needed to travel to London 2023
Before Brexit, Spaniards could travel to London just by presenting their National Identity Document (DNI) as is the case with the other countries that make up the European community, well, now things have changed a bit.
Spaniards who wish to visit the land of King Carlos III must present their valid passport for the time they plan to stay.
This means that if you have a 20-day itinerary to tour London, your document must be valid for at least 21 days, it cannot expire during the time you plan to be in the United Kingdom.
If you go as a tourist, you will not need a visa; as long as your stay does not last more than the 180 days allowed. Now, if you plan to study or work in the British capital, you will need to process a specific visa for each purpose.
Travel recommendations
London is one of the most cosmopolitan and interesting cities in the world, so it will always be a good idea to visit it.
When preparing your trip, many doubts can arise, so it is advisable to organize it in advance so as not to leave out even the smallest detail and thus be able to enjoy all the British charm.
- It is important to have the necessary documentation so that your entry is not denied. Do not forget that the passport must be valid.
- If you handle the English language, you will have a great advantage. If, on the other hand, you do not master any of the official language of the United Kingdom, it is important that you have a list of words and expressions that will be of great help to you.
- It is advisable to carry Sterling Pounds (£) to avoid complications when changing. You can also withdraw at ATMs, for which it is good that you consult your bank, the commissions that it entails.
The best option will be to pay directly with an international credit card, this will save you money in commissions, because, while for change or withdrawal at ATMs this can be between 4 and 10%, when paying with the card, it does not exceed the 1%.
Currently, the exchange rate is €1.13 to £1.
- Traveling to London is expensive, especially when it comes to covering living expenses. However, the main museums and places of interest are free.
To give you an idea, the price of a double room in central London can be between 100 and 120 euros (from 88.11 to 105.74 £) and a single tube ticket (zones 1-3) has a cost of £7.70 (€8.70).
So before getting on the plane, it is appropriate to make a budget with the prices of accommodation, food and transportation.
- When going to visit another country, it is always good to look at the calendar of its festivities, because this can change, for better or worse, the travel itinerary.
Knowing about their celebrations will give you an idea of the places that may be closed, the hours, and even Boxing Day, which marks the start of the most important sales of the year, something like Black Friday that we hold in November in Spain. .
When is the best time to travel to London from Spain?
London is considered a gray, cloudy city and prone to rain at any time. Its climate varies so much during the day that you can enjoy the clouds, the rain, the cold and the sun in a single day.
If you want to make the most of your trip to London, the best time to visit is from May to September, since it is in these months that the most pleasant temperatures are recorded and you can attend the best-known and most important events for Londoners.
However, if what you are looking for is the time of year where traveling to the English capital is much cheaper, the most recommended months are between November and March.
During these months, considered low season, the prices of plane tickets and accommodation are much cheaper. It is important that if you decide to travel during these dates, you wear warm clothes, because temperatures tend to drop and rainfall increases.
So, if you already know what your next destination will be, all you have to do is pack your bags, organize your plan, check that you have the necessary documents to travel to London and prepare to enjoy one of the most vibrant, dynamic and elegant capitals in the world. world.
