Straight answers
The questions people actually arrive with.
Paying it is compliance, not punishment. The penalty for not paying is a separate thing, and a hire company will pass it on with an admin fee.
InfoTransport · Info
Driving in central London costs £18 per day, charged Monday to Friday 7am–6pm and Saturday to Sunday 12pm–6pm. EVs are no longer exempt since December 2025. Non-payment results in a £180 Penalty Charge Notice. Auto Pay is available but must be set up in advance.
Use public transport instead — the Tube, buses, and trains cover all of central London. If you must drive, pay online before midnight the same day or set up Auto Pay.
Central London Congestion Charge Zone — roughly Zone 1, bounded by Marylebone, Euston, City of London, Elephant & Castle, and Victoria.
A £16 travel permit applied for before you fly, valid for multiple trips. It is a fee, not a fine, and arriving without one means being refused boarding.
InfoBehaviour · Info
Since February 2026, visa-free visitors from outside the EU (including US, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese nationals) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing £16. Apply online at least 3 working days before travel. The ETA is linked to your passport and valid for 2 years.
Apply for your ETA at least a week before travel at gov.uk. It's a simple online form taking about 10 minutes. EU/EEA nationals do not need an ETA.
Required for entry to the United Kingdom — checked at airports, ports, and Eurostar terminals.
No national ban. Individual boroughs designate controlled drinking zones where an officer can require you to stop and can seize the drink — which is confiscation rather than an automatic fine.
InfoAlcohol · Info
Public drinking is legal in most of London. However, some boroughs enforce Controlled Drinking Zones (also called Public Spaces Protection Orders) where police can confiscate alcohol if you're causing anti-social behavior. The Tube bans alcohol consumption since 2008.
You can drink in parks and public spaces in most areas. Don't drink on the Tube or buses. If police ask you to stop in a Controlled Drinking Zone, comply.
Most public spaces. Controlled Drinking Zones exist in some boroughs. No alcohol on the Tube, buses, or TfL services.
Contactless card or Oyster only, and the penalty fare for travelling without a valid touch-in is set by TfL rather than by law.
£80Transport · Medium
London buses do not accept cash at all. The Tube, Overground, and Elizabeth Line accept contactless bank cards or Oyster cards. Fare evasion on any TfL service carries an £80 penalty fare. Visitors can use any contactless Visa, Mastercard, or Amex — no need to buy an Oyster card.
Bring a contactless bank card — it works exactly like Oyster with daily fare caps. If your card doesn't support contactless, buy an Oyster card at any Tube station.
All London buses, Tube, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and Tramlink.
15 London rules
Highest risk first. Open any row for the detail. 1 more comes from United Kingdom law — listed below.
London borough councils can issue noise abatement notices for excessive noise, particularly late at night. Penalties up to £100 for individuals. This applies to loud music, parties, and construction outside permitted hours. Airbnb guests causing noise complaints can result in the host losing their license.
Residential areas across all London boroughs.
Environmental Protection Act 1990; London borough noise policies.
Keep noise down after 11 PM in residential areas. If staying in an Airbnb, be considerate of neighbors — noise complaints can affect your host.
London buses do not accept cash at all. The Tube, Overground, and Elizabeth Line accept contactless bank cards or Oyster cards. Fare evasion on any TfL service carries an £80 penalty fare. Visitors can use any contactless Visa, Mastercard, or Amex — no need to buy an Oyster card.
All London buses, Tube, Overground, DLR, Elizabeth Line, and Tramlink.
Transport for London fare evasion policy.
Bring a contactless bank card — it works exactly like Oyster with daily fare caps. If your card doesn't support contactless, buy an Oyster card at any Tube station.
Cannabis is a Class B drug in the UK. Possession can result in up to 5 years in prison and an unlimited fine. Supply/dealing carries up to 14 years. Police may issue a warning for small amounts but are not required to. London is NOT like Amsterdam.
All of London and the United Kingdom.
UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
UK drug laws are strict and actively enforced. Don't assume London has relaxed cannabis rules — it doesn't.
Driving in central London costs £18 per day, charged Monday to Friday 7am–6pm and Saturday to Sunday 12pm–6pm. EVs are no longer exempt since December 2025. Non-payment results in a £180 Penalty Charge Notice. Auto Pay is available but must be set up in advance.
Central London Congestion Charge Zone — roughly Zone 1, bounded by Marylebone, Euston, City of London, Elephant & Castle, and Victoria.
Transport for London Congestion Charge scheme.
Use public transport instead — the Tube, buses, and trains cover all of central London. If you must drive, pay online before midnight the same day or set up Auto Pay.
The Ultra Low Emission Zone covers all of Greater London, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Vehicles that don't meet emission standards (generally pre-2006 petrol or pre-2015 diesel) must pay £12.50/day. Non-payment results in a £160 fine, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.
All of Greater London — from the M25 boundary inward, 24/7.
Transport for London ULEZ scheme.
Check your vehicle on the TfL ULEZ checker before driving. Most rental cars from major agencies are compliant. Better yet, use public transport.
Since February 2026, visa-free visitors from outside the EU (including US, Canadian, Australian, and Japanese nationals) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) costing £16. Apply online at least 3 working days before travel. The ETA is linked to your passport and valid for 2 years.
Required for entry to the United Kingdom — checked at airports, ports, and Eurostar terminals.
UK government Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, launched 2025-2026.
Apply for your ETA at least a week before travel at gov.uk. It's a simple online form taking about 10 minutes. EU/EEA nationals do not need an ETA.
Unlike Edinburgh (which introduces a 5% levy in July 2026), London currently has no tourist tax or visitor levy. The price you see for accommodation is the price you pay (plus 20% VAT, which is always included in displayed prices).
All accommodation across London.
UK government accommodation tax policy.
No action needed — enjoy the lack of tourist tax. But note Edinburgh charges 5% from July 2026 if you're visiting both cities.
London has significant pickpocketing in tourist areas. The Metropolitan Police specifically warns about Westminster, Oxford Street, Camden Market, Southbank, and crowded Tube lines. Keep valuables in front pockets or inside jacket pockets. Be extra vigilant in crowds and on escalators.
Westminster, Oxford Street, Camden Market, Southbank, and busy Tube stations (especially Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, and Leicester Square).
Metropolitan Police crime prevention advice.
Use a cross-body bag with zips facing inward. Don't keep your phone in your back pocket. Be alert when someone bumps into you or creates a distraction.
Westminster Bridge is notorious for shell games (three-cup trick) — these are rigged and illegal. Fake charity collectors operate around tourist areas. Unlicensed 'guides' at major attractions charge inflated prices. Pedicabs in the West End have no regulated pricing.
Westminster Bridge, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, and around major tourist attractions.
Metropolitan Police and City of London Police tourist advice.
Never play shell games — they're rigged with accomplices in the crowd. Only donate to registered charities. Book tours through official venues or reputable platforms.
Unlike most European countries covered on SkipTheFine, jaywalking is NOT illegal in the UK. You can cross any road wherever you choose. Just remember — traffic drives on the LEFT. Look right first when crossing.
All roads across London and the UK.
UK road traffic law — no jaywalking offense exists.
Legal but dangerous if you're not used to left-side traffic. Look right first, then left. Pavement markings at crossings say 'LOOK RIGHT' or 'LOOK LEFT' to help.
Public drinking is legal in most of London. However, some boroughs enforce Controlled Drinking Zones (also called Public Spaces Protection Orders) where police can confiscate alcohol if you're causing anti-social behavior. The Tube bans alcohol consumption since 2008.
Most public spaces. Controlled Drinking Zones exist in some boroughs. No alcohol on the Tube, buses, or TfL services.
London borough Public Spaces Protection Orders; TfL alcohol ban (2008).
You can drink in parks and public spaces in most areas. Don't drink on the Tube or buses. If police ask you to stop in a Controlled Drinking Zone, comply.
10-15% tip at restaurants is customary but not mandatory. Many London restaurants automatically add a 12.5% service charge — check your bill before tipping on top. You are legally entitled to ask for it to be removed. No tipping at pubs when ordering at the bar. Taxi drivers: round up or 10%.
Restaurants, cafés, and taxis across London.
UK tipping customs.
Always check if a service charge is already on your bill. At pubs, you order at the bar — no tip expected. For black cabs, rounding up is appreciated.
Since Brexit in January 2021, non-UK visitors can no longer claim VAT refunds on purchases made in the UK. The Tax Free Shopping scheme was abolished. This means you pay the full 20% VAT on all purchases with no way to reclaim it.
All shops across London and the UK.
UK government VAT refund policy post-Brexit.
Factor in the full price including 20% VAT when shopping. There is no way to reclaim VAT as a tourist post-Brexit.
Photography in public spaces is legal and unrestricted in London. Street photography is protected. Some museums charge for photography or ban tripods. No restrictions at public landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, or Parliament.
All public spaces, streets, and most tourist attractions across London.
UK photography law — no public space restrictions.
Turn off flash in museums and galleries. Tripods may need permission in some venues. Otherwise, photograph freely.
London's Santander Cycles (Boris Bikes) are available for hire across central London. Use cycle lanes where provided. Cycling on pavements (sidewalks) is illegal — £30 fixed penalty. Helmets are recommended but not legally required. Electric scooters are legal only through rental schemes.
Cycle lanes and roads across London. Santander Cycle docking stations in Zones 1-2.
Transport for London cycling regulations.
Use cycle lanes where available. Don't ride on pavements. Wear a helmet even though it's not required. Private e-scooters are illegal on public roads.
Also everywhere in United Kingdom
National law, written once for United Kingdom and inherited by every city page.