Business travel in London

Two red double-decker buses drive in front of the Houses of Parliament in London on a sunny day.
Red double-decker buses in London. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Discover how to get to and around the capital.
As one of the best-connected cities in the world, London’s infrastructure is perfectly suited for business travel. With a 24/7 transport network and wifi widely available, it’s easy to find your way around. And when in doubt, it is often just a short walk to the next venue.

Save time on group orders in London

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.

Take advantage of this offer – get in touch with us.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme

By April 2025, all visitors who do not need a visa (except British and Irish citizens) will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. It costs £10 per applicant and applies to visitors staying up to six months for business and tourism.
 
Check the UK visas and immigration website for more information on the different types of visas.

Getting to London

Choose from one of London’s six international airports or arrive via the high-speed Eurostar.

Fastest journey times to the centre

  • 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 business travellers arriving from mainland Europe, the Eurostar represents a fast, efficient and often cheaper alternative to flying when organising your corporate business travel. Group travel can be made extra special by hiring a whole carriage. Explore Eurostar’s group travel page.

Getting around London

London underground entrance to the station at Regent Street

Elizabeth line

The Elizabeth line is a great and efficient option to travel to and around central London. 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 details about fares and timetables.

The London Underground

With nine zones and 11 colour-coded lines – the oldest underground system in the world is a brilliantly efficient and easy way to get around the city.

For late-night events, delegates can benefit from the Night Tube.

The easiest way to travel around London’s public 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.

Download the Tube map [PDF 1.28 MB].

Accessible public transport

Find your way around the capital with this helpful guide to accessible and wheelchair-friendly travel.

Other ways to travel around London

Transport Features
London Overground 112 stations across six routes.
Bus Enjoy an iconic double-decker experience.
Bicycle Hire starts from only £2 each day.
Boat River buses run every 12 minutes from key locations. 
Black taxis One of the world's oldest regulated taxi service.
Cable car Experience a bird's-eye view of London.
Coaches Coach parking facilities at major attractions.

Discover more

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