Reino Unido
Última revisión:
Por ahora, esta guía está en inglés. Los títulos están traducidos.
- Capital
- London
- Moneda
- GBP · Pound sterling
- Idiomas
- English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic
- Enchufes
- Tipo G · 230 V
Números de emergencia
Los 5 mejores lugares
- British Museum · London
Free world-class collection, including the Rosetta Stone and Parthenon sculptures.
- Tower of London · London
Medieval fortress on the Thames that holds the Crown Jewels.
- Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile · Edinburgh
Castle on a volcanic rock above Scotland's historic old town.
- Stonehenge · near Salisbury
Prehistoric stone circle, best booked ahead as a timed entry.
- Roman Baths · Bath
Well-preserved Roman bathing complex in a Georgian city.
Cómo moverse
Transporte público
TfL contactless pay as you go
In London, touch in and out with the same contactless card or phone on the Tube, buses, Overground and Elizabeth line. Daily and weekly caps (Monday to Sunday) mean you never pay more than a travelcard. Foreign cards work but your bank may add fees. Use TfL Go or Citymapper to plan.
Trenes
National Rail (Trainline / operator apps)
Book long-distance trains early for cheaper Advance fares. Off-peak tickets are cheaper than Anytime. Railcards (16-25, Two Together, etc.) cut a third off most fares.
App de transporte
Uber
Works in London and most large cities. Usually cheaper than black cabs for longer trips; surge pricing at peak times.
App de transporte
Bolt / FreeNow
Bolt runs private hire rides in London and several cities. FreeNow books licensed black cabs and private hire. Availability outside big cities varies.
Taxi
Black cabs
Licensed taxis can be hailed when the yellow TAXI light is on and use a meter. Minicabs (private hire) must be pre-booked; never get into an unbooked minicab from a street tout.
Bicicletas compartidas
Santander Cycles / Lime / Forest
London's docked bike share plus dockless e-bikes by app. E-scooter rental runs only in official trial areas (varies); private e-scooters are illegal on public roads.
Autobuses
National Express / Megabus
Long-distance coaches are usually the cheapest way between cities, but slower than trains.
Dinero y efectivo
Moneda: GBP · Pound sterling
Contactless card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, including London buses (which no longer take cash), pubs and most taxis. Some places are card only. Carry a little cash for small markets and tips. Choose to pay in GBP if a card machine offers your home currency.
Propinas
Tipping is modest and optional in the UK. In restaurants about 10-12.5% is normal, and many restaurants add a 'discretionary' or 'optional' service charge of 10-12.5% to the bill. Since 1 October 2024 the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act requires employers to pass all tips and service charges they control to workers, without deductions other than tax.
| Restaurantes | 10-12.5% for table service if no service charge is on the bill. If a service charge is already added, no extra tip is needed. |
|---|---|
| Cafeterías y bares | Not expected when ordering at a pub bar or café counter. Some people say 'and one for yourself' to buy the bartender a drink. |
| Taxis y apps de transporte | Round up or add about 10% for black cabs. Optional for Uber and other apps. |
| Hoteles | Optional. A pound or two per bag for porters is appreciated. |
| Tours y guías | Tipping guides is common, especially on free walking tours where guides rely on tips. |
| Comida a domicilio | Optional; can be added in the app. |
Cargo por servicio: lo que hay de cierto
Often added as a 'discretionary' or 'optional' service charge, usually 12.5% in London, shown as a separate line on the bill. Because it is discretionary you can ask for it to be removed if service was poor. Under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 (in force since 1 October 2024), employers must pass on tips, gratuities and service charges in full to workers and share them fairly, with no admin fee deductions.
Tácticas de presión que conviene conocer
The card machine may prompt for a tip even when a service charge is already on the bill, which leads to tipping twice. Check the bill before choosing a tip on the terminal; you can select 'no tip'. Staff cannot legally keep the service charge away from workers, so there is no need to tip again because someone says the charge goes to the restaurant.
Frases útiles
- Could we have the bill, please? Asking for the bill (UK English says 'bill', not 'check').
- Is service included? Asking whether a service charge is already on the bill.
- Could you take the service charge off, please? Polite request to remove a discretionary service charge.
Normas de cortesía
- Queue patiently and never push in; this applies at bus stops, bars and shops.
- On escalators in London, stand on the right and walk on the left.
- Say 'please', 'thank you' and 'sorry' often; politeness is expected.
- At the pub, order and pay at the bar. Groups often buy drinks in 'rounds'.
- Let people off the train or Tube before getting on.
- Cars drive on the left: look right first when crossing the road (many London crossings are marked 'look right').
Estafas y cómo actuar
Unlicensed minicab touts
Dónde: Outside clubs, stations and nightlife areas, especially in London
Cómo funciona: Drivers approach people offering rides. They are unlicensed, uninsured, may overcharge and are a safety risk.
Cómo evitarlo: Only take a black cab hailed in the street or a booked private hire car or app ride. Check the plate matches the app.
Shell and cup game
Dónde: Westminster Bridge, Oxford Street, busy West End squares
Cómo funciona: A rigged betting game with accomplices who appear to win. Pickpockets work the crowd while you watch.
Cómo evitarlo: Do not stop to play or watch; keep moving.
Fake petition or charity clipboard
Dónde: Central London tourist areas
Cómo funciona: Someone asks you to sign a petition, then demands a donation, or an accomplice picks your pocket while you are distracted.
Cómo evitarlo: Say no and walk on. Do not put your bag down.
Phone snatching by bike or scooter
Dónde: Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, outdoor café tables
Cómo funciona: Thieves on e-bikes or mopeds grab phones from people's hands as they ride past.
Cómo evitarlo: Step back from the kerb to use your phone, hold it firmly, and keep it off café tables.
Overpriced pedicabs
Dónde: West End and Soho in London
Cómo funciona: Rickshaw riders quote a vague price, then charge very high fares at the end. TfL licensing and maximum fares (about £5 base plus £1 per minute) become mandatory from 30 October 2026.
Cómo evitarlo: Agree the total price before getting in, check for a TfL licence once the rules apply, or avoid them.
Card skimming and distraction at ATMs
Dónde: Street cash machines
Cómo funciona: Devices copy card details, or someone distracts you after you enter your PIN.
Cómo evitarlo: Use ATMs inside banks or shops, cover your PIN and check for loose parts.
Ticket touts
Dónde: Theatres, football and concert venues
Cómo funciona: Street sellers offer fake or overpriced tickets.
Cómo evitarlo: Buy from the venue, official sellers, or the official TKTS booth in Leicester Square.
Seguridad
- Violent crime against tourists is rare; the main risks are pickpocketing and phone theft in crowded places.
- Pickpocket and phone theft hotspots in London: Oxford Street and Oxford Circus, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Westminster, busy Tube stations and buses.
- Keep bags zipped and in front of you in crowds, and do not leave phones on outdoor tables.
- At night, use licensed black cabs or booked app rides, not street touts.
- Use 999 or 112 for emergencies, 101 for non-urgent police and 111 for non-urgent medical advice (NHS).
Nivel de inglés
English is the main language everywhere. Welsh is widely used on signs in Wales and spoken in some areas; Gaelic appears on signs in parts of Scotland.
Fuentes
- Wikivoyage: United Kingdom
- TfL: Contactless and mobile pay as you go
- Wikipedia: Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023
- Michelmores: The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 is now in force
- London Webcam: London tourist scams to avoid
- Fitzrovia News: TfL unveils pedicab regulation and fares cap
Revisamos estas guías con fuentes oficiales y conocidas, pero las normas y los precios cambian. ¿Ves algo desactualizado? Escribe a support@tourits.app.