Currency, weather, SIM cards, Wi-Fi, electricity, and essential practical tips for London.
Currency: British Pound Sterling (£/GBP). 1 GBP ≈ 4.6 SAR / 13.3 AED (check current rates).
Cards: Contactless payment is accepted almost everywhere — Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Many places are cashless.
ATMs: Widely available. Use bank-branded ATMs to avoid fees. Avoid currency conversion at ATMs — choose to be charged in GBP.
VAT refunds: Non-UK residents may be eligible for VAT refunds on purchases. Keep receipts and claim at the airport before departure.
SIM cards: Buy a UK SIM at the airport or any phone shop. Recommended providers: Three, EE, Vodafone. Prices start from £10 for 10GB data.
Free Wi-Fi: Available at most cafés (Starbucks, Costa, Pret), museums, shopping centres, and on the Elizabeth Line.
Roaming: Check with your home provider — many GCC carriers offer UK roaming packages.
Power adapters: UK uses Type G (3-pin) plugs. Voltage is 230V. Buy an adapter before arrival or at any Boots/WHSmith.
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