E d w i s e I n t e r n a t i o n a l - :: Overseas Education Consultants ::

This page will give you some advice on how to get around when you first arrive in London.

All international students can arrange to be met at the airport when they arrive in the UK. You will be taken from the airport to where you are staying. This is free for all international students - not just students going to University of the Arts London accommodation. You will receive details and an application form with your offer pack.

Travelling from the Airport to central London

By Tube. London Underground (the Tube) has the most direct route from Heathrow to the centre of London. This is the Piccadilly line. The journey takes 40 to 50 minutes.

By Bus. Airlink services run direct from Terminals 1 to 4 to a number of central London destinations every 15 to 30 minutes.

By Taxi. Up to 500 taxis are available from taxi ranks at each terminal. The cost of the fare will depend on where you are going in London (and the traffic conditions and the weather) but typical fares are:

By train. Connex South Central and Gatwick Express rail services run direct from Gatwick to Victoria station. Journey time is 30 to 35 minutes. Thameslink services run from Gatwick to central London.

Airport Stansted Sky Train services run from Liverpool Street train station where you can connect to the Tube.

Flightline coaches run hourly between Victoria Bus Station and Stansted daily.

Airport Shuttle bus service connects with Thameslink train services to Kings Cross station in cetnral London where you can connect to the Tube.

Coach. Flightline coaches operate between Gatwick Airport and Victoria Station in central London every hour throughout the day. Green Line coaches run to Victoria Station.

Taxis from all airports

Taxis from Gatwick Airport / Luton Airport / Stansted Airport to Central London should cost around £80. There are many taxis in London but not all are legal. Make sure that you use a licensed taxi which will have a meter telling you how much you have to pay. It is best to check the price with the driver before you start the journey.

Preparing for Life in London

London is a fantastic city to live in. This page will give you some idea of what life will be like when you get here and give you some advice on what to do to prepare for life here and what to bring with you.

The Weather

The weather in Britain is very unpredictable and changeable. Differences between the seasons are not as extreme as in some countries and although London is warmer than many other parts of Britain, it can get very cold, particularly between November and February (below zero). The temperature often seems lower than it is because it can be very windy and wet, and the air is often damp. Autumn temperatures are around 12 - 20 degrees Celcius. Summer is around 20 to 30 degrees. It rains all year round. The sky is often grey and it may take you some time to adapt to this.

What to bring to London

London is a very expensive city but you can buy lots of cheap household goods and cheap clothing in shops and in the markets. Check with the airline how much luggage you can bring and be careful - paying for excess baggage can be very expensive.

Driving in the UK

To drive a car in Britain, you may normally use your valid license from home, or an International Driving Permit for the first year you are in the UK only. You must have been driving for at least one year. After one year, most students should obtain a UK driving licence. You may have to take a driving test, depending on which country you are from. Driving without a licence is a serious offence in the UK and the rules are complicated so if you are thinking of driving, ask Student Services for advice.

Christmas in the UK

Many students stay in the UK during the Christmas break. If you have no special plans for Christmas, ask at Student Services about the Christmas and New Year programme at International Students House (ISH). The programme is designed to be fun and to show you how Christmas is traditionally celebrated in the UK. Christmas 2003 events included:

Christmas Musical events at the Royal Albert Hall - including Handel's Messiah and the Royal Choral Society Christmas Carols concert
Live Jazz performances in the ISH bar
a day trip to Lincoln Christmas Market
Family style Christmas lunch and a walk in Regents Park
Boxing Day trip to see the West End Musical The Lion King
New Year's Eve party