Travel
Travel Note
Important Visa Information
Americans and Europeans must obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to visit the U.K. You can apply online or download the UK ETA app onto your phone. The application costs £16, and you should receive a decision in 1 day. We highly recommend that you apply for the ETA well in advance of your travel. Once your ETA is approved, you can travel to the U.K. on it for 2 years or until your passport expires. Click "View" for the link to the ETA application.
Flight
Flights
If you are flying to the U.K. to attend our wedding, we recommend flying into London Heathrow (LHR) from the U.S. and London City (LCY) from Europe. We recommend that you purchase your flights well in advance of our wedding, as prices and availability are variable. For flights out of LHR, we recommend leaving yourself plenty of time at the airport, especially if you have to check a bag.
Train
Airport Transfers
The easiest (and typically fastest) way to get from LHR to the Kimpton Fitzroy is to take the Piccadilly line. Follow signs to the London Underground from your terminal, then board the line. Get off at Russell Square, and the hotel is just a short walk away. This journey will take approximately 1 hour. Black cabs are also available at the airport. For a cab ride, expect 1-2 hours and a fee of £70-£120. Click "View" for directions via the Piccadilly line.
Hotel
Kimpton Fitzroy London
We have a room block at the Kimpton Fitzroy, where our ceremony and reception will be held. Click "View" to book a room in our block. If there are no rooms left, please let us know, as we are able to add more.
House Or Rental
Additional Hotels
There are many lovely hotels across London, and the excellent public transit means you can stay most anywhere and still find your way home after last call. For those who prefer not to stay in the Kimpton Fitzroy, we suggest Rosewood London and NoMad London for nearby luxury stays. Check out the Rosewood's delicious and beautiful afternoon tea or the NoMad's warm and classically British library. We like St. Pancras London Autograph and The Hoxton, Holborn for sleek stays just a stroll away from our party. St. Pancras' unique architecture makes it a true London icon, and The Hoxton boasts stylish rooms in a buzzy neighbourhood. Ruby Stella is our pick for those on a budget. This hotel's historically-minded bookbinding theme is a win in Tom's and Lauren's book.
Travel Note
Getting Around London
The nearest London Underground (or "tube") stop is Russell Square, on the Piccadilly Line. It is a 2-minute walk to the hotel. The tube is safe at any time of day, and we encourage you to use it to explore London. The Central Line is another nearby tube line, available at Holborn station about 10 minutes south of the hotel. There are also several bus stops near the hotel. The buses in London are safe at all times of day. For both the tube and buses, you only need a contactless payment card, which you tap to enter/exit a station or to board a bus. Google Maps and Citymapper both give reliable directions on public transit. Uber and Bolt are available if you need a cab, but it can often take a bit of time to find a driver. We encourage you to prepare for the trip by downloading an offline map of London onto your Google Maps account. For many carriers, cell phone service in the busiest parts of Central London can sometimes be spotty.
Travel Note
Onward Travel
For those exploring onward travel, we encourage you to consider visiting other U.K. destinations such as Brighton, Bath, Oxford, and Edinburgh. These destinations can be reached by train, and you can buy tickets shortly before your trip. The Eurostar is a great way to cross the channel and offers fast, direct service to Paris, Amsterdam and more. Eurostar tickets are typically available 6 months in advance, and we encourage you to book at least a month in advance. London is also an excellent hub for onward flights to Europe. We recommend flying out of London City Airport, London Heathrow, or London Gatwick (in that order) for your holiday.
Travel Note
Travel Advice
Here are a few bits of friendly advice for those who are first-time visitors to the U.K. While we love a sunny spring day in London, the weather can be rainy at any time of year. We encourage you to bring (or buy) an umbrella. London is a walkable city; please bring comfortable shoes. We recommend that you bring converters; E.U. and U.S. plugs will not work in U.K. outlets. In late May, London's average high temperatures are around 21°C (70°F) and its average low temperatures are around 13°C (55°F). Contactless payments are standard and many places no longer accept cash. Tips are not expected, but 10%-12.5% tips are often added to the bill or would be welcome for good service. If you forgot toiletries, head to the nearest Boots. Small grocery stores like Tesco and Sainsbury's are never far away if you need to pop in to a store and buy a cold drink. Check out our "Things to Do" page for information about restaurants and activities to explore during your stay. We hope you enjoy London as much as we do.