Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme
All visitors who do not need a visa (except British and Irish citizens) need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK.
It costs £16 per applicant and applies to visitors on business and leisure trips.
Check the UK visas and immigration website for more information on the different requirements.
Visa information for the UK: A guide for UK business event planners [PDF 320 KB]
Save time on London business travel group orders
As an official Transport for London (TfL) distributor, the London Convention Bureau team can help you organise group Oyster cards ahead of your event, saving you precious time. A card costs £5, doesn’t expire and comes pre-loaded with your chosen amount of credit, so it’s ready to be used by your delegates. A minimum order of 50 cards apply. Please allow two months for this process.
Getting to London
London business travellers can choose from one of the city's six international airports or arrive via the high-speed Eurostar.
Fastest airport to London journey times
- London Heathrow: 15 minutes from terminals 2 and 3 to Paddington Station on the Heathrow Express.
- London Gatwick: 30 minutes to Victoria Station on the Gatwick Express.
- London Stansted: 47 minutes to London Liverpool Street on the Stansted Express.
- London City: 22 minutes to Bank Station on the Docklands Light Railway.
- London Luton: 40 minutes (average) to several London stations on Thameslink.
- London Southend: 52 minutes to London Liverpool Street on Greater Anglia.
Eurostar
For many London business travellers arriving from mainland Europe, the Eurostar represents a fast, efficient and often cheaper alternative to flying when organising your corporate London business travel. Group travel can be made extra special by hiring a whole carriage. Explore Eurostar’s group travel page.
Getting around London
Elizabeth line
The Elizabeth line is a great and efficient way to get around as a London business traveller. The line connects east to west through some of London's major stations and districts, including Paddington, the West End, Liverpool Street, Canary Wharf and Stratford.
The line is a fantastic option for passengers going from Heathrow Airport, with approximately 30-minute travel times from the airport to Paddington.
Passengers can get from Heathrow to Excel London exhibition centre without interchanges in about 45 minutes.
The line connects with the London Underground, DLR, London Overground, National Rail and links to and from London's Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Southend airports.
Visit Transport for London's website for more information about fares and timetables, or download the Elizabeth line map [PDF 114 KB].
The London Underground
With nine zones and 11 colour-coded lines – the oldest underground system in the world remains one of the most efficient business travel options for getting around London.
For late-night events, delegates can benefit from the Night Tube.
The easiest way to travel around the London transport system is by using an Oyster card. This contactless payment card can be used on a variety of public transport, including the Heathrow Express, allowing you and your business delegates to travel around London seamlessly and without needing multiple tickets.
Accessible London transport
Find your way around the capital with this helpful guide to accessible and wheelchair-friendly travel.
Navigate the city's extensive transport system
